Trinity Lutheran Church | Owatonna, Minnesota MESSENGER A monthly ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church FEBRUARY 2018

Living a “God Soaked Life” I’ve often said that “you can tell my level of stress based on how messy my office is.” I love it when my office is well- organized. I really do. I love unlocking my door in the morning, stepping in, turning on the light and finding my desk clear of clutter, with only a few essentials on it. The conference table clear, and the piles on the credenza neatly organized and separated. My office looks this way…maybe two days out of seven. I love it when things are “in their place.” I think many of us do. We separate our work life from our home life; our family life fromin o utrh seo cidala lirfek. H umans are experts at compartmentalizing ourselves. Interestingly, I think we do the same thing with our faith lives. In our rush to separate different areas of who we are, we compartmentalize our faith to Sunday mornings…or to when we’re at church. I’ve spoken with people who talk about their own sense of separation between the “Sunday me” and the “Monday-Friday me.” They feel like there is a disconnect. They feel like there is an artificial barrier between their faith and the rest of their lives. We create these barriers within ourselves. For God, however, there are no barriers. For God, our faith and the “rest of our lives” are completely blended…they are the same. We live a “God Soaked Life.” In the waters of Holy Baptism, God’s presence; God’s very Holy Spirit, was infused into the DNA of our hearts in a way that cannot be separated from our identity. We are beloved children of God, loved completely, and nothing can change that. I think when we find ourselves trying to separate and compartmentalize our lives, God must smile at our efforts, because God knows that try as we might, we cannot divide ourselves that way. God’s presence is with us at school, at work, in our cars, at home, when we’re doing things we should be doing and when we’re doing things that we shouldn’t. God’s presence is with us when we want it and when we don’t. We cannot separate ourselves from the love and grace of God. We simply don’t have that kind of power. This Lent, we are going to discover this “God Soaked Life” that we all live. We’ll do this in worship, in our book studies and as we live our lives every day. God’s blessings! Pastor Todd

Ash Wednesday Worship: Palm Sunday: March 25 February 14 Worship: 8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 am, Sanctuary 12:00 pm (lunch to follow) Brunch: 9:00 am - 11:00 am, Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm (dinner, 4:45 pm – 6:30 pm) Weekday Wednesday Worship: March 28, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary Maundy Thursday: March 29 Lenten Book Study Sessions: Worship: 12:00pm (lunch to follow) Th, February 15 – Wed, March 21 6:00pm (dinner, 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm) Good Friday Children’s Worship: March 30, 11:00 am Wednesday Lenten Worship: Good Friday Tenebrae Worship: March 30, 7:00 pm February 21, 28, March 7, 14 & 21 Easter Vigil Worship: Saturday, March 31, 5:00 pm *Worsh1i2p :D0a0y ps/mTi m(leusn ch to follow) Easter Sunrise Worship: Sunday, April 1, 6:00 am, Sanctuary Satu6rd:a0y0s ,p 5m:0 0(d pinmn er, 4:45 pm – 6:30 pm) Easter Festival Worship: Sundays, 8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 am Sunday, April 1, 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am, Sanctuary Wednesdays, 6:00 pm Sunday, April 1, 10:00 am, Fellowship Hall - Contemporary

609 Lincoln Avenue | Owatonna, MN 55060 507-451-4520 tlcowatonna.org Ministry Moments triple banded FUN with tripleFUN bandedwith Ministry of Inclusion Update FRIENDS Trinity’s Ministry of Inclusion is going to launch in March! FRIENDS We are excited to begin moving on this important As a church committed to the ministry that has been in the works for almost two years. Gospel of Jesus Christ, Allll of God’’s peoplle are wellcome to partiiciipate iin allll off Trinity is called to welcome all people in our miiniisttrriies,, rregarrdlless off cogniittiive orr physiicall abiilliitty.. all its ministries and into full participation as members of the body of Christ. To make tthiis happen,, Trriiniitty wiillll need a crrew off ttrraiined 11 CCoorriinntthhiiaannss 1122::1144--2266. ““bbuuddddiieess,,”” wwhhoo ccaann bbee ppaaiirred with individuals who have special needs, walking alongside them as they For 12 years, Fun wiith Friiends has been experience Trinity’s ministry. proviidiing a saffe and cariing recreatiionall enviironment iin whiich iindiiviidualls can There will be a “Buddy Training Session” on esttablliish meaniingffull sociiall connecttiions iin Saturday, February 10, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. tthe communiitty,, allll whiille haviing ffun.. (sessiion wiillll concllude wiith llunch at noon). ) Fun with Friends supports people with IIf you’’re iinterested iin beiing a partt off ourr ffiirrstt tteam off intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Miiniisttrry off IIncllusiion Buddiies,, pllease siign up fforr tthe autism spectrum disorder, and traumatic brain ttrraiiniing att ttllcowattonna..orrg//iinclluussiioonn injury. We meet monthly for one hour (taking cold winter, and hot summer months off). Duriing our tiime we pllay games,, crafft,, siing,, snack,, and we cellebrate lliiffe''s miillesttones ttogettherr..

Thiis miiniis try has bllessed baoll tpha praticrtiipcaipnatsn tass, awned To express your interest to participate in havvoelu gnotetteerns taos kwneo wh aovnee g aonttoetnh etor, kfinnodwin go noeu t FUN with FRIENDS, contact Pastor Amanda aanboothuet re, aficnhd iontgh eoru'st ainbtoeuret setasc ahn odt hgeifrts's. iWnte raerset s [email protected], 507.451.4520 anadl wgiaftyss. Wlooek ainrge faolwr naeyws lpoeookipnlge ftor c noemwe p aenodp le to comhea avned F hUaNv ew FitUh NF RwIiEthN FDRSI.E NDS .

Trinity Lutheran Church 2 tlcowatonna.org Volunteer / Support / Donate

Trinity’s annual Congregational Meeting will being held on Sunday, February 4, immediately following the 10:45 am worship service in the Fellowship Hall. The meeting will begin with lunch, and then will transition to the meeting agenda.

This annual get-together is an important time for us to meet and check in on our shared ministry. Different topics that we are going to talk about include: Adoption of a new, Trinity mission statement Review of our budget Election of leaders Update on our staffing and Celebration

Mission Statement Update At Trinity’s annual congregational meeting on Sunday, February 4, one of our important agenda items will be discussing and voting on a new mission statement for our congregation. A mission statement taskforce has been working hard over the last 18 months to examine our mission and how our mission statement reflects that.

The mission statement that was crafted by our taskforce, and approved by our congregational council to be recommended to the congregation is: Through Jesus’ love, we welcome, connect, learn, and serve.

Please plan on coming to the meeting and being a part of this important conversation!

with gratitude, John Petersburg It is hard to believe that over 20 years have gone by since I first began as the executive assistant and then church administrator here at Trinity. This 20 year journey has been both a calling and great honor for me. It has been such a joy to see Trinity’s ministry grow over the years with our current budget growing more than threefold if you include the building fund budget. I have been blessed to have had great support from leadership, the congregation and staff as I learned the skills needed. Trinity’s leadership supported and encouraged me to use those skills and talents outside of Trinity being able to help other congregations work through administrative issues and being treasurer of the SE MN Synod and now up in St. Paul. I will certainly miss the day to day involvement in the daily life of Trinity, but I expect you will still see Susan and me hovering around on Sundays and other events. Thank you for all you have done to support Susan and me and may God bless Trinity into the future. JP

Trinity Lutheran Church tlcowatonna.org 3 Children, Youth & Family Ministries

UPCOMING EVENTS February is Sunday School Teacher Appreciation month! Please extend EXTRA gratitude to our awesome teachers. Variety Remix Saturday, February 17 Trinity Nursery School 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Open House and Registration Fundraiser for Trinity Youth planning to attend Monday, January 29 the National Youth Gathering in Houston and 8:30 am - 10:30 am other summer service or adventure trips. 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm tlcowatonna.org/varietyremix Wednesday, January 31 Wednesdays in February 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Lenten Book Study tlcowatonna.org/tns “God Soaked Life” by Chris Weber for Senior High and Middle School February 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14 & 21 Watch for details! No Connect or WNL during Lent Mentor & Student Events Peer Ministry (Mark Your Calendar) February 18 - Broomball, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Workshop Day March 25 - Movie Night, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday, February 3, 8:45 am - 6:30 pm April 22 - Service projects, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Guest: Lyle Griner, May 13 - Bike About, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Peer Ministry Natl. Director tlcowatonna.org/mentorministry Lunch & snacks provided Summer Ministry Trips No cost to attend! tlcowatonna.org/liveonpurpose Open to all 9th-12th grade students and adults in teaching and leadership roles. Bible Camp Sunday Middle School Summer Trips 2018: tlcowatonna.org/peerministry February 4, Grades 1 – 5 Adventure Trip - Buena Vista, CO: will have the opportunity to June 16 - June 24, 7th & 8th Graders hear about Bible Camp during Service Trip - Duluth, MN: July 8 - July 14, 6th, 7th & 8th Graders their Sunday School Large Group Worship Time. It will High School Summer Trip 2018: be a great time to get excited Serve Local: Owatonna, Rochester, Minneapolis about Summer Bible Camp Based out of Trinity with music and activities! July 16 – 20, 9th - 12th Graders Souper Bowl of Caring Going to bible camp or a Partnering with Our Saviors Lutheran Church Super Bowl Sunday is February 4. mission trip? Work sign-up Trinity U - February Sunday School students and Trinity will sheets for Lenten Dinners Sundays, 8:15 am, 9:30 am; Mondays, 7:00 pm be collecting cans of soup, nonperishable are on the bulletin board by February Sessions: 4/5, 11/12, 18/19, 25/26 food items or monetary donations for the the Pastor’s Offices. This is Faith & Life: Hope on the Reservation, Lynn Steele County Food Shelf (SCFS). There a great fundraiser! Limberg will be boxes in the Narthex for Summer Camp Registrations Jesus: Miracles of Jesus, Dom Korbel donations. Please mark your financial are going on now! Check out New Testament: Discipleship, Kate Verlautz donation to SCFS. tlcowatonna.org/elementary tlcowatonna.org/trinity Mark Your Calendar Vacation Bible School Monday – Friday, June 11 – 15

Trinity Lutheran Church 4 tlcowatonna.org Adult Ministries

Adult Faith Formation Sundays, 9:30 am, Lounge Learn more about each of these sessions at: tlcowatonna.org/faithformationlearning

Drew & Dawn Campbell - Lutheran Social Services Drop In Grief Support February 4 3rd Monday of the Month LSS has been caring for neighbors across Minnesota for February 19, 6:00 pm, Prayer Chapel 151 years and impacts the lives of 100,000 Minnesotans Grief is not limited to experiencing a each year. That is one in every 65 people – individuals death of a friend or loved one. Grief from all walks of life, at every phase of life, across the is experienced with any loss. Some entire state in all 87 counties. Drew and Dawn Campbell examples include unemployment; will be visiting and giving an overview of LSS programs, retirement; changing schools or both statewide and Mankato/Rochester specific. There locations; relationship break-ups; illness or disability; and family will be both a presentation and time for Q&A. conflicts. These life transitions can evoke feelings of profound No Adult Faith Formation held on Sunday, February 11 loss, distress, anger, depression, guilt, pain, numbness. Grief is an Lenten Books Study -"God Soaked Life" by Chris Webb individual experience, but you Walk Ins Welcome! don’t have to walk the journey alone. Gather to share with others Sundays, 9:30 am, Lounge who are experiencing grief. February 18, 25, March 4, 11 & 18 Book Study Sign Up begins Sunday, January 28 No sign up is necessary. Just come. Book available for purchase at $11 Questions: Pastor Amanda Weinkauf [email protected] tlcowatonna.org/griefsupport

RENEW! 2018 Saturday, February 24 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Register online by February 14 at http://semnsynod.org/renew

This event promises to inspire! All are Welcome! BUNCO & Coffee Time January 21 Monday, February 5, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Bunco will not meet in September

Caring Friends Training - Do you have a caring Bunco is a very simple dice game that March 10 is easy to learn. Trinity in partnership heart, and a listening ear? Trinity is devoted to with Healthy Seniors invite all seniors building a culture of care. One of the ways we do this to play Bunco, have coffee and enjoy a is through our ministry called Caring Friends. It is a treat! lay pastoral care program where trained persons Call Healthy Seniors, 774-7648, if you enter into caring relationships with those in need of emotional and spiritual need a ride or can provide a ride. support. Caring Friends provide a listening presence to persons during life Don’t miss this afternoon of FUN! tlcowatonna.org/bunco transitions in order to convey God’s acceptance and love. Training is provided, and the core concepts and skills learned enable Caring Friends to enter into any situation and provide compassionate, empathetic care. Caring Friends may be called upon in both crisis situations, and in non-crisis transitions. Whatever the circumstances of the person being befriended, a Caring Friend can be a companion. Our next 1-time training session will be Saturday, March 10, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm, Lounge, Lunch is provided Please contact Pastor Amanda, [email protected]

Trinity Lutheran Church tlcowatonna.org 5 Events & Communications

Baptisms Maverick Daniel O'Leary, son of Becky & Ryan O'Leary Dive into a New Life Funerals December 23 Millie Clarice DeLaitsch

Baptism - Beginning of a God Soaked Life Share your baptism photo(s) with your Trinity family! Photos will be on display throughout Lent, beginning Feb. 14. Lenten Book Study Please bring your individual / family “God Soaked Life” by Chris Webb photo(s) to the church office. “God's presence permeates our The photos may be printed on lives and activities. God's song of paper or photo quality paper (any delight reverberates throughout all size up to an 8x10). The photos will creation. As we open our ears to not be returned so please do not that song, we hear the truth of the share your original keepsake. gospel spoken to our hearts: the kingdom of God has come to us."

Lent, dive in with our head, our heart, our whole body and our whole life!

Sign up for the Lenten Book Study: Sunday mornings (Narthex) Jan 28, Feb 4 & 11, at the church office and at tlcowatonna.org/lentenbookstudy $11/Book

Lenten Devotional

NEW Lenten Orchestra 40 Lenten devotions 6th - 12th Grades written by Trinity people - emailed directly to inboxes Directed by Andrea Van Gelder every morning. Rehearsals will be in the

Room 210 from 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Pick up one of our February 21, 28, March 7, 14 Lenten Devotional Books Orchestra will perform for ALL services on March 17 & 18 for a at the church office. God Soaked Life NEW Lenten Dance Class K - 5th Grades Taught by Erin Terres and Libby Berg Children & Family “Dive Log” Devotional Classes will be in the Gathering Room from 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm This is a guide for family February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21 Devotions that will take you Children will dance at ALL services on March 24 & 25 through five weeks of the Registration online: tlcowatonna.org/music Lenten season. There is one devotion per week. Worship Music & Arts Coordinator Available February 14, free [email protected] | cell: 319-541-0788

Trinity Lutheran Church 6 tlcowatonna.org Trinity Nursery School (TNS) TNS Fine HeArts Celebration Open House and Registration Sunday, February 11 Monday, January 29 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm 8:30 am - 10:30 am Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Celebration of Art and Song Wednesday, January 31 All TNS students will be singing in the sanctuary 11:00 am - 1:00 pm beginning at 1:30pm and the children will have art on display in the art gallery in Room 003/004. A potluck healthy snack reception will follow the concert. TNS is an outreach of Trinity Lutheran Church tlcowatonna.org/tns

Game Night Friday, January 26 6:30 pm..., Narthex

MUSIC &

Hymns on Tap Faith Stories Sunday, January 28 from Branson Sunday, February 25 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, February 8, 7:00 pm SpareTime Entertainmnent Fellowship Hall at Trinity A freewill donation event. Trinity welcomes from Branson, Missouri BUNCO & Coffee Time Susan Abar and Matt Kester! Monday, February 5 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Susan Abar, author and dynamic key-note Lounge speaker, tells a mesmerizing story of an ordinary woman facing extraordinary challenges who finds redemption and hope through God’s compassion. Quilt 'ti U Wilt Craft til U Crash Matt Kester, an American Idol finalist, Friday, February 9 believes that God uses him to carry a 6:00 pm..., Nathex message of comfort and mercy, and “turn our Quilting Retreat tears into wine". At the “Hard-luck Diner” Matt March 16-17 combines his own hard work as a waiter with Watch for details heart-felt songs that touch travelers from near and far. Little did he know that one day his Variety Remix music would inspire a woman nearing death Saturday, February 17 to make a strange request. Could Matt Kester 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm from Branson call her and sing “The You will be served a great meal and Lighthouse” one more time? Matt’s answer entertained by Trinity Youth planning brought peace to that member of Trinity. to attend the National Youth Gathering in Houston and other summer service Don't miss this opportunity to hear through or adventure trips. Food, fellowship music and word about Susan's and Matt's and talent: what a fun combination! inspiring faith journeys! RSVP at the church office or at tlcowatonna.org/varietyremix tlcowatonna.org/branson

Trinity Lutheran Church tlcowatonna.org 7 TRINITY MESSENGER Trinity Lutheran Church NON-PROFIT February ORGANIZATION 609 Lincoln Avenue US POSTAGE MESSENGEROwatonna, MN 55060 PAID

Trinity Lutheran Church OWATONNA MN

609 LincolnA AvenueDDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PERMIT NO 61 Owatonna, MN 55060 January ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

HIGHLIGHTS A Community GrowingWEEKLY Disciples WORSHIP SCHEDULE Pastors: Sr. PastorPASTORS Todd Buegler, Pastor Dean Smith Congregational Meeting Saturday: 5:00 pm Seminarian PastSr.or : Pastor Christopher Todd LeachBuegler WEEKLY WORSHIP Sunday, February 4 Sunday: 8:15 am, 9:30 am V isitation [email protected]: Ron Barth, Dick Steffen SCHEDULE Church Administrator: John Petersburg Following 10:45 am Worship 10:45 am (Contemporary)Y outh Education Director: Sheri Berg Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Wednesday: 6:00 pm Senior High YouPastorth Dire cAmandator: Kate WeinkaufVerlautz Sunday: 8:15 a.m. Jr. High Youth Director: Chris Swanson RENEW! 2018 at Trinity [email protected] 9:45 a.m. Organist: Janean Hall Watch the video of ourStaff full service Saturday, February 24 (Contemporary) 11:15 a.m. on cable TV channel 181 Music Coordinator: Andrea Van Gelder 10:00 am - 3:00 pm TNS Director: BrendaIntern Jensen Pastor Madison Chelberg (Mon 10 am; Wed 6 pm; SunOff i11ce Sam)taff: [email protected] Wiebke and at owatonnalive.com Ministry/ Connections Coordinator: Tanyia Greseth NEW WorshipTRINITY Times MESSENGER for Financial Secretary: Diane Falken Pastor Emeritus: EASTER DAYPublished – Sunday, monthly April by1 Holy Communion Served K itchen Coordinator: Karen Oeltjenbruns Easter Sunrise Worship Custodians: RickPastor Selbrade, Charles Ben Hale, Espe Dave Larson Trinity Lutheran Church All Saturdays and 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:00 am, Sanctuary AV Coordinator: Bob Baker 609 Lincoln Avenue and All Wednesdays Trinity Easter Festival Worship Directory of Trinity Staff: Owatonna, MN 55060 tlcowatonna.org/worshipschedule 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am, Sanctuary tlcowatonna.org/staff (507) 451-4520 The church has an answering machine for after-hours calls. 10:00 am, Fellowship Hall You will get the name & number of the pastor on call or you may Fax: (507) 451-1348 NURSERY HOURS: leave a message. www.tlcowatonna.org SATURDAY 4:45 pm – 6:00 pm SUNDAY 8:00 am – 12:00 pm WEDNESDAY 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

609 Lincoln Avenue | Owatonna, MN 55060 THE MESSENGER A monthly ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church 507-451-4520 tlcowatonna.org