Trinity Topics The Newsletter of Trinity Lutheran Church, Riverside CA Sharing God’s love, hope and forgiveness

Trinity Lutheran Church Since 1893 Kent Tuohino, Pastor Volume 24, Issue 5, May2021

Worship In Person on Technology Grant Pentecost Sunday, May 23 for Livestreaming We are planning to resume in-person worship services at As we prepare to transition back to gathering in Trinity on Pentecost Sunday, May 23. The service will begin person, we know that some people will continue to at 9:30 am in our sanctuary, and will include Communion want to watch our worship services at home, for a and the Rite of Confirmation for Noah Gundrum. variety of reasons. During the past year of making Details on resuming in-person worship are still being de- our services available online, we have also been termined and will be announced in the coming weeks. We able to reconnect with members of our church will follow recommendations from the ELCA and from pub- family who are now living in other parts of the lic health officials. For indoor services, this means that country. And we know that newcomers will want to face masks must be worn and we will follow social distanc- be able to “visit” our church online before they do ing guidelines. Also, because singing can spread the virus so in person. For these and other reasons, we more than talking does, we will ask worshipers to refrain want to continue to make our worship services from singing in church. This includes anyone who has available for viewing online. been fully vaccinated. Music will still play a central role in Our church has recently been awarded a $5,000 our worship services, but we plan to use a smaller worship matching fund technology grant from the Pacifica team, instrumental music and pre-recorded videos. Synod. This grant is to be used to purchase cam- eras and other equipment needed to livestream our worship services effectively. This equipment will allow us to make our worship services availa- ble to watch online “live” on Sunday mornings. Our services will also be recorded and available to watch later on our YouTube channel. Since it is a matching grant, we need to provide $5,000 from our church to meet the grant require- Due to the pandemic, worship services and most other ments. If you would like to make a donation to help meetings are held online. Here is our typical schedule: with this, please indicate on your donation that it’s Sunday at 9:30 am: Worship Service (on YouTube) for the “technology grant” and make any checks payable to Trinity Lutheran Church. Thank you! Sunday at 10:30 am: Fellowship Time (via Zoom) Monday at 5:30 pm: BAT Dinner To Go Thursday at 7:00 pm: Bible Study Saturday at 8:00 am: BAT Breakfast To Go Mon.-Fri., 8:00 am to 12 pm: Church Office Open

To watch our services, go online to YouTube.com and search for “Trinity Lutheran Church of Riverside.”

Apply Now for a Trinity Scholarship! It’s time for students to apply for a Trinity Educational Scholarship. This scholarship is for any student who is a member of Trinity and plans to attend a secondary educational insti- tution (community college, university, trade school, graduate school or seminary). There is an application that needs to be completed, along with a letter of recommendation and a short essay. Application forms are avail- able from the church office. Don’t delay – the deadline to apply is May 31st! Foster Youth Graduation Event This year the 19th Annual Foster Youth Graduation Event will be held on June 9, 2021. This year’s event theme is “The Tassel was Worth the Hassle” and its goal is to celebrate the accomplishments of the youth in Foster Care with a special event that recognizes their achievements and to assist in pre- paring them for the next step in their lives. The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is asking for our help to make this graduation event an important and fun time. They are asking for donations of gift baskets, such as College Study Success, Kitchen Startup, Dorm Move-in, or baskets with an activity theme, such as Here is the title and description for the book for our May fun reading: a Movie Night or a Trip to the Beach. They are also requesting gift cards for Walmart, Target, Game The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules Stop, Best Buy, Forever 21, Amazon, and fast food A novel by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg or mid-range restaurants. Martha Andersson may be seventy-nine-years-old and Help us continue to support this great event by con- live in a retirement home, but that doesn’t mean she’s tributing items to include in a basket, or an entire ready to stop enjoying life. So when the new manage- basket(!), or gift cards. If you prefer, you can make a ment of Diamond House starts cutting corners to save cash contribution to assist in purchasing items for money, Martha and her four closest friends — The Ge- the baskets. Information on how we as a church can nius, The Rake, Christina and Anna-Gretta (a.k.a. The support this program is available in the office, in- League of Pensioners) — won’t stand for it. Fed up cluding a suggested list of items to include in each with early bedtimes and overcooked veggies, this basket, or by contacting Brenda S. Lussier by email group of feisty seniors sets about to regain their inde- or phone. pendence, improve their lot, and stand up for seniors everywhere.

Their solution? White collar crime. What begins as a relatively straightforward robbery of a nearby luxury hotel quickly escalates into an unsolvable heist at the National Museum. With police baffled and the Mafia hot on their trail, the League of Pensioners has to stay one walker’s length ahead if it’s going to succeed....

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules is a de- lightful and heartwarming novel that goes to prove the adage that “it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” Read it and then join us for our discussion on May 25 at 6:30 pm. Contact me with any questions. — Brenda S. Lussier

“The good of a book lies in it being read. A book is made up of signs that speak of other signs, which in turn speak Here are some examples of graduation gift baskets. of things.” ― Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose Steve Anderson Update Many Trinity members know Steve Anderson (he is a member of Eden Lutheran Church). He has been studying to become an ELCA pastor and is nearly finished with his seminary education. He is completing a year of internship in West Virginia. On April 15 he posted this news on his Facebook page: Praise God from whom all blessings flow... Today the Pacifica Synod of the ELCA approved me for call and ordination in Word and Sacrament Ministry. We are also returning home to Pacifica for my first call, and I’m excited to see what God has planned. Many thanks to all who have prayed tirelessly and offered so much support over these past many years. May you each be blessed ten-fold.

2 Thursday Night Bible Study Pastor’s Paragraphs This weekly Bible study meets online at 7:00 pm Our church has been through many changes this past each Thursday, and focuses on the upcoming Sun- year, and now we are getting ready to change again. day Scripture reading. If you’d like to participate, let Public health restrictions are gradually easing up, and Pastor Kent know. He will email you the discussion we are preparing to resume in-person worship services questions along with a link to the Zoom meeting. on Pentecost Sunday, May 23. The piano in the sanctu- ary will soon be tuned, and we have recently installed a Your word is a lamp new video projector to replace the one that went kaput to my feet and around the time the pandemic began. We are also plan- a light to my path. ning on installing new cameras and other video equip- — Psalm 119:105 ment for livestreaming our worship services. But even as we look forward to gathering again for worship in our sanctuary, I must remind you to expect Sunday Readings things to be different. The pandemic is not over, and unless health guidelines permit otherwise, we will ex- May 2: 5th Sunday of Easter pect people to wear face masks when we gather in- 1 John 4:7-12; Acts 16:10-15, 40 doors and to refrain from singing. I know for some folks who don’t like to sing, that won’t be a problem — but for May 9: 6th Sunday of Easter the rest of us, it’s hard to think of not being able to sing Psalm 98; John 15:9-17 in church! But that is the recommendation from our bishop and public health officials. Music will still be an May 16: Ascension of Our Lord important part of our worship service, but we will listen Psalm 47; Acts 1:1-11 and hum along with the song leaders instead of belting

May 23: Pentecost Sunday out the words. And don’t forget that clapping along with the music and moving your feet are still permitted! Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Acts 2:1-21 I also expect that there will be people who won’t feel May 30: Trinity Sunday comfortable coming to church just yet, and may not feel Psalm 29; John 3:1-17 comfortable for quite a while. That’s understandable, and that’s one reason why we want to keep on making our services available to watch online. Keeping our wor- Day Camp at Trinity in July ship services viewable online is also an important way With the expected return of summer camp programs, for us to reach out to newcomers, shut-ins, and former we have scheduled the week of July 12-16 for a members who now live far away. Although they may not day camp at Trinity. Camp staff from LRCC will lead a be as visible as someone sitting near you in church, week filled with Bible stories, games, music and these folks are also part of our extended church family, fun! Day camp is open to children who will be en- and our experience of Zoom meetings and worship ser- tering Kindergarten through 6th grade next this fall. vices on YouTube has shown us how valuable these Mark your calendar now and watch for details soon! 21st century tools can be for our ministry. We have lived with this pandemic for more than a year. We are eager for it to come to an end, and we yearn to Vaccination Information gather again in person as a church. But through all of COVID-19 vaccines will soon be made the frustrations and challenges and uncertainties we available for anyone age 16 and older face, God abides with us. God’s love empowers us, and in California. If you are having difficulty we will continue to work together to share that love with finding out where to get a shot, trying others — whether we do that in person or online. going online to vaccinateca.com to Change is inevitable, but God’s word endures. As it get updated information on where vac- says in Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers, the flower cine shots are currently available. fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.” — Pastor Kent

TRINITY’S GIVING REPORT (1/1/21 through 4/30/21) Goal for regular offerings in 2021: $ 73,773.54 Regular offerings received in 2021: $ 72,275.83 Difference:— $ 1,497.71 Your faithful giving will help us reach our goal! Scrip income received in 2021: $ 195.82 Century Club donations received in 2021: $ 280.00 3 PRAYER LIST Heavenly Mirth Please contact the church office with any updates or new prayer requests. In

order to keep our prayer list timely, we ask you to update any name(s) you have submitted on a monthly basis.

Out of respect for privacy,

the names on our prayer list

have been omitted from this online edition of our newsletter.

“Just arrived? You’ll find your doggie two clouds over.”

© Ed Sullivan, reprinted with permission From Joyful Noiseletter.com

Dear Trinity Family, Emma Martinez was baptized at Trinity I’ve written more than on April 24. Emma is the daughter of one card over the past Enrique Martinez and Beatriz Munos. months, but just can’t find the words to ex- Jesus said, “Let the little children press what’s in my heart. This tiny but mighty church come to me, and do not hinder them.” has always been special to me. “Thank you” is just — Luke 18:16 so inadequate a phrase for the amount of gratitude I have for all you have given and done for my family. CHRIST IN OUR HOME: Copies of the Christ in You are truly examples of followers of Christ. Thank Our Home daily devotional booklet are available from you for your thoughtfulness, your kindness, and your our church office. Come between 8 am and noon M-F generous heart. to pick one up. If you would like to have one sent to With all our love, you, contact our office and we will be happy to mail Lea, Owen, Emily, Sadie and Jo you a copy or drop one off at your door. Community Blood Bank If you are healthy and able to give blood, consider donating blood for the Trinity Donor Club. We thank those who have donated recently. For more info, visit www.LStream.org or call the church office.

MAY BIRTHDAYS

Ann Herring (1), Willy Miller (2), Patricia Bayne (4), Jacob Custode (5),Lynn Baggett (9), Owen Shelton (12), Danielle & Miranda George (14), Heather Conn (17), Wes Krashin (17), Laciee Tito (18), Sarah Borja (20), DeEtte Allert (21), Nancy Irwin (22), Jim Miller (24), David Beaver (28), Ava Custode (29), Rande George (30), Abby Brunka (31), Rob- bie Clarke (31), Keira Colacchio (31), Christopher Gallego (31), Brandon Medvec (31), Juliette Rodriguez (31). If we missed your birthday, please let us know so that we can add you to our list! 5 By Brenda S. Lussier I want to share with you some information about our new Social Concerns program at Trinity. The Shower of Hope program started operating at Trinity on February 11, 2021, with support from the Love Your Neighbor Campaign (LYNC), Path of Life and IEHP. A trailer equipped with 3 showers comes every Thursday and is parked near Cooper-Burkhart House. Free showers are available from 10 am to 2 pm. This program gives our neighbors in need an opportunity to take a shower, with towels and supplies provided for the shower as well as clean socks, underwear, and other needed items. We received 40 hygiene bags from IEHP and Community Action Partnership on our opening day. On March 25, we began offering barber services every other week. In addition, the Lutheran Social Services office located at Trinity has partnered with us and is providing wrap-around services to all who come to take a shower. This includes housing and food assistance, ID cards, food, clothing, phones, and other services needed. For the month of April – thanks to support from other churches – a donation drive for underwear, socks, and other items began to stock our cabinets for the Shower of Hope program. This donation drive has been a suc- cess so far, and it is set to continue in some of the local churches. As of this week, we have received 150 pairs of socks, 50 pairs of men’s underwear, 30 pairs of women’s underwear, and 60 white T shirts. We have more donations coming in this week. Also, another totally unexpected donation came our way this past week. Inland SoCal United Way donated two pallets full of hygiene items for the showers. These items include shampoo, soap, cleansing wipes, toothpaste, Kind bars and feminine products. I have to say, I have been overwhelmed by all the support for this program. I also want to share that this pro- gram is uplifting and truly reflects our mission statement to represent our Lord Jesus Christ in this time and place. As people wait for their showers or for a haircut, you can hear the discussions about faith and God tak- ing place. Many of our young volunteers have engaged our neighbors in discussions about their faith and why they believe what they do. They share openly and without judgment, and really listen to what is being said by the other person. I am deeply moved by the discussions I hear and participate in, and I have been moved to tears several times. While this program will not solve all the problems in this world, through our partnership with Shower of Hope, we are inviting people to know God and his message of grace, love, hope and forgiveness. Summer Camp Returns! Friends Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences has an- A friend is someone we turn to nounced the return of camp programs this summer. This when our spirits need a lift. year’s theme is “Discover,” an exploration into the abun- A friend is someone we treasure, dant love of God through Christ, both seen and unseen! for our friendship is a gift. The theme verse is Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will A friend is someone who fills our lives answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things with beauty, joy, and grace. you do not know.” Registration will be limited due to the And makes the whole world we live in pandemic. Visit www.lrcchome.com to learn more or to a better and happier place. register. Here are the dates for summer camp: – Jean Kyler McManus

• June 26-July 1: Explorers, Pioneers & Jesus said, “I do not call you Discoverers (Grades 3-10) at El Camino Pines servants any longer, because • July 3-7: Family Camp at El Camino Pines the servant does not know • July 10-14: Family Camp at Luther Glen Farm what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, • July 18-23: Farm Camp (Grades 3-10) at Luther because I have made known Glen Farm to you everything that I have • July 24-28: Family Camp at El Camino Pines heard from my Father.” — John 15:15 6

Support Family Promise of Riverside with a Night of Clean Comedy from the comfort of your own home! Gather the family (COVID-style via Zoom) and treat your mom for Mother's Day, or yourself just because you deserve a treat! This is a fundraising event, and tickets are $25 per group/family. Proceeds go to help Family Promise of Riverside assist families experiencing homelessness. Tickets must be purchased online and are available here: https://www.fpriverside.org/events

Churches and communities come together to support families at over 200 Family Promise affiliates in 43 states. Family Promise of Riverside is working to introduce this proven program in our area. With your sup- port, this fundraiser will enable Riverside to open this affiliate while providing fun and laughs for your family. Help Support Our Church with Scrip! Willy Miller sells scrip cards as a way to help support our church. You can call or email her to place your or- der, then send a check to the church office or pay when it’s delivered (checks should be made payable to Trinity) Our weekly scrip orders go in on Monday at 8:30 am, and we usually receive the cards on Friday. 7 TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH A NON-PROFIT 5969 BROCKTON AVENUE ORGANIZATION RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92506 U.S. POSTAGE PAID RIVERSIDE, CA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PERMIT # 380

TRINITY TOPICS is published monthly by: Trinity Lutheran Church, 5969 Brockton Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506 COVID-19 Notice: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, worship services and meetings normally held at church are temporarily suspended or take place online. Our Sunday services are available to watch on our YouTube channel. A new worship video is available to view every Sunday at 9:30 am. Our church office remains open. Church Office Hours: open 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday-Friday Ministry Staff Kent Tuohino, Pastor Stacy Wheeler, Congregational President Willy Miller, Office Manager Jerri Mendivel, Director of Music Ministries Michael Myers, Admin. Assistant Rev. Hitoshi & Satoko Adachi, ELCA Missionaries Vision & Mission Statements The vision of Trinity Lutheran Church is to provide a community of faith where all people are challenged to reach their full potential in Christ. Our mission is to represent our Lord Jesus Christ in this time and place. We will do so by: • INVITING people to know God and His message of grace, love, hope and forgiveness. • ASSISTING people to grow in their relationship with God. • EQUIPPING people to serve Christ’s church. • ENABLING people to share their faith through what they say and do.

KNOW, GROW, SERVE AND SHARE