April 2020— May 2020 2020 The Trinity Messenger
A Periodic Publication of : Trinity Lutheran Church
(Post Office Box 544)
A Message From Pastor Mathews
Dear Members and Friends of Trinity:
We could never have imag- ined just a few weeks ago that the practice of our faith and our engagement in worship would have taken its present form, especially during this holy and sacred time of the year. The disci- pline of Lent and the joyous celebration of our Lord’s Spring Has Sprung! resurrection are so basic and fundamental to our The blue skies and sunshine made for the perfect picture day to faith and our identification capture Trinity Lutheran Church as disciples of our as the spring gardens began to Lord, Jesus. bloom. The lovely Easter Dutch garden in the front of the church (continued on page 11) was provided by our good friend John Raike. April 2020—May 2020 2020
QUILTS OR MASKS The quilting ladies have not been able to meet due to the pandemic but many la- dies of the church have been sewing face masks to help with the outbreak of Covid-19. If you have made masks and would like to share some photos please contact Heather in the church office.
UPCOMING Council Members
COUNCIL MEETINGS Nelson Stauffer (president) Monday, May 11th Dee Smith SPRING Monday, June 8th (vice– president)
CONGREGATIONAL Monday, July13th Chris Mathews MEETING (treasurer) Monday, August 10th MOVED Kitchie Strauch TO 7:30 PM (council secretary)
JUNE DUE TO Todd Rehder COVID-19. Terry Bockelkamp Watch your email for more information. Cheri Graboski
Haydn Evans
John Raike
Lori Jordan Looking for Ministry Bob Klien Team Leaders Carol Howell
WE NEED YOU!!!!
April 2020—May 2020 2020
Trinity Lutheran Church Worship Resources Are Available Get OUT & SERVE!!!! Every Week!!!! Check out our web page at: Tired of being stuck in the www.trinitylutherancs.com house? Do you want to make a Or difference to somebody? Give Find us on FaceBook Meals on Wheels a try!
Watch prerecorded messages by Pastor
Mathews on YouTube.
Join the Church Choir!! Volunteers NEEDED For Meals on Wheels Sing to the Lord Call A The Church Office New Song!!! (570) 587-1088
Mission Statement Trinity Lutheran Church is a family of believers in Christ who grow in their faith and their relationships with God and each other by participating in com- mon experiences of Worship, Christian Education, and Fellowship. Inspired by Christ’s love, we are called through our faith to witness to the Good News and reach out to serve the needs of people within our congregation, the community, and the world. April 2020—May 2020 2020
SUNDAY MORNING 9:30 - 10:15
Classes will resume in the fall.
KATHY MATHEWS Teacher
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION
Since becoming a congregation of the North American Lutheran Church, we have begun recording all official parish activities (baptisms, weddings, funerals, communion The Summer Worship records, etc.) in a new parish record schedule begins on book. This volume will also contain the Sunday, May 24th with official membership of the congregation two worship services effective January 1, 2020. Names will be available: 8:15 AM entered into the official parish record and book on May 4, 2020 (new deadline because 10:00 AM of the coronavirus). The membership of Trinity as a congregation of the NALC will be officially We will remain on the established following the services on Sunday, May 3. summer schedule Only those persons who have returned to the church a through Sunday, completed Membership Registration Form by Sunday, September 6th. May 3 will be listed as members of Trinity. We will return to our This document was mailed out to the congregation on Mon- normal schedule day, February 17th. Additional copies of this document are on Sunday, also available on the church website for you convenience. September 13th. Please be sure to get your information sheet back to Trini- ty by Sunday, May 3. ~ Thank you! April 2020—May 2020 2020
APRIL SHOWERS YOU WITH GREAT BOOKS
Happy Spring! April Brings with it National Library Week. The theme for 2020 is “Find Your Place at the Library.” In celebration of this Sunday School offering for April 5th would have been donated to Trinity’s Library. Although our church is closed for now we hope that you will continue to re- member your offerings by sending them by mail. If you wish to donate to Trinity’s Library please write that on your envelope. NLW highlights the val- uable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.
The Preschool visited the library in March and we spring into reading with books about shamrocks, harps, leprechauns and a man called Saint Pat- rick. We also read about Zacchaeus, The Good Samaritan, and the Mustard Seed parables.
Thank you to the following persons for donating books to the library:
“When Bad Things Happen to Good People” - John Raike “A Christmas Hope” - Terry Bockelkamp “Kingdom Come—-The Final Victory” - Sarah Harvey “The Dwelling” - Sarah Harvey
Remember: When One Has Faith the Spring thaws will arrive, the winter winds seem less harsh. Happy Spring! April 2020—May 2020 2020
Because Of
Your Generous Donations……
Because of your generous
“The Shoe Box” donations in celebration of 25th Anniversary Edition National Church Library
“Worst Christmas Ever” Month the library was able to purchase several new movies “Overcomer” and many new books. They
“why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect” are all on display outside of the gathering area for your “Martin Luther” - Selections of His Writings browsing when we all return “Sing” to church.
“Jesus Talked to Me Today”
“Martin Luther in His Own Words”
“The Grip of Grace
“The Oak Inside the Acorn”
“95 Theses & Other Writings”
“Littlest Watchman”
“If God is Good”
“In the Manger”
“The Oracle”
“Scrappy Church”
“Unplanned” (DVD)
“Breakthrough” (DVD)
April 2020—May 2020 2020
Preschool Registration
3 Year Old Class ~ Tues. & Thurs. 8:30 - 11:30 4 & 5 Year Old Half Day Classes Monday, Wednesday, Friday ~ 8:30 - 11:30 4 & 5 Year Old ALL DAY Classes Monday through Friday 8:30 - 3 PM
***Call 570-586-5590 for prices, discounts, questions, and additional information.
2020 ~ 2021
MARCH DRAMATIC PLAY CENTER
TEACHES
PET CARE & COMPASSION
Children Come to Aid of the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter
The students at Trinity Luther- an Preschool spent in school in the month of March learning about taking care of pets in their dramatic play center. They also learned compassion by taking up a collection of non perishable dog and cat food for The Griffen Pond Animal Shel- ter. Ms. Gehris and family delivered the collection to the shelter on March 15th. The student’s month was cut short but they did a great job helping out the shelter. April 2020—May 2020 2020
February 23rd, 2020 ~ our church preschool hosted the first of two open houses for the 2020-2021 school year. The staff wanted to share some pictures of the set up prior opening the doors to the public. The preschool will have another open house this summer to help fill these great classes.
CLASS TRINITY “PET TAKES EARLY EDUCATION FISH TO A
MY PET NEW LEVEL!!!!! FISH CRAFT April 2020—May 2020 2020
Youth Group
The youth group spent two weeks dis- cussing how God loves us all and how he cares for us. We talked about the ways God cares for his people while playing “find the verse first” in our bi- bles.
Once we were done with our lesson we showed our love to nature by creating beautiful stained glass bird feeders for Earth Day. The students learned about recycling as we used old two liter bot- tles and tissue paper to craft these col- orful additions to any backyard. The kids were to report back about weath- er or not the birds liked the feeders Sunday School and if all their birdseed was eaten however, we are on “stay home” orders “Sundae Sunday” now and we have not been allowed to meet. We ended the 2019-2020 Sunday school year quite abruptly . Howev- We are all looking forward to our time er, Mrs. Klien still plans to host a together again soon! “Sundae Sunday” during the Sum- mer. This is a Sunday school kids dream, ice cream sundaes for break- fast before church.
Bible Study will resume shortly! Please stand by! Acolytes of all ages needed for 8:15 and 10:30 worship services. Please call church office if you would like to volunteer. April 2020—May 2020 2020
A Love Letter from God My Child, You may not know me, but I know everything about you. PSALM 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 1393 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28 For you are my off- spring. Acts 17:38 I know you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephe- sians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:13 I determined the exact time of your birth and were you would live. Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 7:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing. Zepha- niah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all of your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37;4 For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you that you could possible imagine Ephesians 3:30 For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who com- forts you in all your troubles 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from y our eyes. Reve- lation 21:3-4 And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26 He is the exact representa- tion of my being. Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Ro- mans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7 I have always been Father; and I will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is...Will you be my child? John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11—32 Love, God April 2020—May 2020 2020
(Continued from page 1)
Fortunately, in our “electronic age.” we have not been totally cut off and isolated from each other. I began our “exile” by creating links on the Trinity website to direct you to services and other spiritual resources that you have hopefully found helpful. I began on Palm Sunday, and continued on Maundy Help serve your congregation Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday by serving on our to video record from the chancel at Trinity Altar guild. The lovely ladies reflections and prayers for those particular who serve now would love to days. I have heard from many of you ex- have you join their team and pressions of appreciation for these presen- would be happy to train you. tations. Therefore I plan to continue them If you would like more infor- each Sunday until we are able to resume our mation about serving please call the church office. Trinity family worship at church. You can continue to access these resources from the home page of our church website.
I also realize that some of our members are not able to access these resources because of the lack of computer/on-line resources. If this is the situation in which you find yourself, please contact the church office and request a printed copy of texts of these devotional resources; they will be placed in the mail to you.
If you do have on-line access to the Trinity The church yard needs website, and you have not received e-mail leaves raked, weeds notifications regarding the availability of pulled, trash picked these resources, please call the church of- up and more!!! fice (570-587-1088) and provide us with a Are you tired of look- current e-mail address. ing at those same walls day in and day out? Schedule a time Trusting the God’s gracious love, hope and to come up to the peace in these most trying and difficult church and do some times, I remain yard work on a spring day. Social distanc- Yours in Christ, ing required. Call the church office to Pastor Mathews schedule a time. April 2020—May 2020 2020
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Northeast Mission District of the Atlantic Mission Region of the North American Lutheran Church
George Mathews Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation Interim Pastor of the Heather Klien North American Lutheran Church. Manager and Pre-School Registrar Heather Klien WE ARE: Director of Youth Ministries and + Christ Centered + Sunday School Superintendent Jeremy Prostka + Mission Driven + Director of Music + Traditionally Grounded + Terry Bockelkamp Librarian /Card Ministry + Congregationally Focused + Suzanne Bolig Prayer Ministry Coordinator ————– The Church Office is open Mon, Wed, and Thur. from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon (other hours as needed) Add someone to the TRINITY PRAYER LIST Office: 570-587-1088 call the church office Pre-School: 570-586-5590 570-587-1088 or email us at Trinity Website: [email protected] www.TrinityLutheranCS.com
The Parish Messenger is published periodically by: TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH P.O. Box 544 Clarks Summit, PA 18411-0544 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED