No Greater Love

.TH3TREET 3TILLWATER -. TRINITYLCORG .TH3TREET3TILLWATER -. TRINITYLCORG .TH3TREET3TILLWATER -. trinity.today. TRINITYLCORG April 2009 Trinity Lutheran Church volume XXXI, issue IV 115 N. Fourth Street, Box 339 www.trinitylc.org Stillwater, MN 55082-0339 love.transform.serve. .TH3TREET3TILLWATER -. TRINITYLCORG .TH3TREET .TH3TREET .TH3TREET3TILLWATER -. 3TILLWATER -. 3TILLWATER -. TRINITYLCORG TRINITYLCORG TRINITYLCORG No Greater Love .TH3TREET 3TILLWATER -. TRINITYLCORG Artist Chillon Leach .TH3TREET3TILLWATER -. will be at worship on TRINITYLCORG Sun., March 15 and 22. One of her great gifts as an artist is interpreting worship as it happens. Chillon is a St. Paul artist working in many markets and mediums. Chillon’s artwork Maundy is currently on display in Thursday Lenten Trinity’s Narthex. April 9 & On March 15, Chillon Noon & 7 p.m. will do her interpretation Easter of worship through art; Good Friday on March 22, all who are present will interpret April 10 Worship worship. 7 p.m. Easter April 12 8 & 9:30 a.m. Traditional Festival Worship with Choir & Brass 11 a.m. Contemporary Worship (the Walk) PASTOR DAN POFFENBERGER On March 29, the Congregational will contact you and, if possible, meet vision of how this facility would Council and the Trinity for Tomor- with you individually to help you expand into the property where row Team will ask the congregation interact with these proposals. We want the current Post Office sits. Trinity to authorize them to take certain every interested person to have access has since invested in the purchase actions to maximize our assets of to the proposals and the homework of the Fourth Street property, the land and buildings. These are excit- that has led up to them. Post Office site, and two properties ing, forward-thinking moves that The proposals that will come before on Third Street. The more the TFT will open up the future for Trinity in you are exciting and important. One team investigated, the more they have new and exciting ways. The details of thing that has become clear over the discovered a vision for growth that these proposals will be talked about past few weeks is that these proposals we have now begun to act upon. The at Information Meetings on really are not anything new. I have proposals you will be considering this Sun., March 8; Mon., March 9, and spent time going through information month are really nothing more than Wed., March 25 (6:30 p.m.). Please work that began in the 1970s and has make sure to attend one of these been on hold, waiting for a moment public meetings so that you will un- The proposals you such as this. Another interesting derstand the nature of these propos- thing is that many of the names of als, the rationale and history behind will be considering the Congregational Councils, the them, and the tremendous opportu- Building and Facilities Committees nities they are for us. this month are really from that era are still here, active and I don’t want to talk about the specific invested in the future of Trinity. We proposals, but instead, want to offer a nothing more than will hear from some of them as they couple of comments. First, it is really work that began in reflect upon what was envisioned, important for you to attend one of and how their forward-thinking these meetings. The proposals offered the 1970s and has investment in land has enabled us to and their consequences are significant consider the future we now can see. and will shape our ministry for years been on hold, Truly, there is nothing really new in to come. So much detail is to be these proposals, although they have presented – the Trinity for Tomorrow waiting for a moment come about by the independent work Team (TFT) has spent almost two of the TFT Team and the Council, years doing their homework, and the such as this. now confirmed by the records of the Council has spent the better part of work done by their predecessors of this past year preparing these plans, saved from the Congregational the ‘70s and ‘80s. that to miss these meetings and then Councils, Building Committees, Interesting, isn’t it? come for the vote at the Annual Property Committees and the like from Please make it a priority to attend one Meeting would be irresponsible. At the late 1970s and early 1980s – when of the informational meetings – I look the Annual Meeting, the Council is the original church building had its forward to the discussions! planning to have the congregation roof taken off, and the huge expansion decide, and the information meetings was shaped around it. Completed in See you on Sunday! are the times for the congregation 1983, the building we now use was Pastor Dan to come and listen, give feedback, really the last major facilities project get excited and get informed. If you Trinity has undertaken. The interesting cannot make any of the meetings, thing is, it was only one phase of what please call the Church Office, and a was originally envisioned. The original member of the Council or the Team drawings show a more comprehensive Finding our way again Ancient Practice: Contemplative Prayer Method: Centering Prayer by Pastor Siri Erickson METHOD: THE GRATITUDE JOURNAL ANCIENT PRACTICE: ANN EXPRESSING GRATITUDE WOLFF History: 4. Observation. Let your eyes travel Expressing gratitude is a fundamental over the abundance of everything God through others. Thank God for component of most religious traditions. they see from where you sit, saying these people. “thank you, God” for each. Behold Paul’s letters are epistles of gratitude. 5. Self-discovery. Write down the the beauty of the snow, trees, and Psychologists, philosophers, and positive things and discoveries you birds outside your window. Focus writers in countless cultures and have been learning about yourself. on pictures of your family, personal historical periods have also recognized Thank God for your God-given memorabilia, special purchases and and endorsed the power of a grateful talents. attitude. Most recently, scientific the happenings and happiness that 6. Acts of kindness. Record acts of studies have shown that keeping a are associated with each. kindness you have witnessed, read or gratitude journal can significantly 5. Music. If there is a specific piece heard about. Focus on the goodness improve our physical and psychological of music that connects with you, of humanity. Thank the Source of all well-being. Keeping a gratitude journal put it on and sit (or dance) in full goodness. is a spiritual practice that can focus engagement with it. our minds and inspire our words and 7. Family tree. Write why you are actions to express a growing awareness, Practice: thankful for each person in your appreciation, and connection with all Experiment with a variety of family. Thank God who has planted the seed. of God’s creation, thus deepening our journaling techniques: relationship with God and making our 1. Five Gifts. Write five things or 8. Resistance. When things are not world a more peaceful and loving place. people for which you are thankful. going well, you don’t feel grateful, For each, begin by writing “I am and you can hardly bring yourself to Process: grateful for…, I am profoundly open your gratitude journal, spend Prepare your mind for journaling in any grateful for….,” etc. Write why you some extra time preparing your mind of the following ways: are grateful. Don’t hurry through and heart and find little, humorous 1. Focused thought or prayer. If you the list. Think of each as a gift from things to write. “At least I made it have a special prayer, quotation, or God. to work without an accident or a Bible verse that inspires you, write it ticket.” “Well, I didn’t break any 2. Gratitude Density. Start with one in the front of your journal. Read it bones today.” “All of the appliances thing (example - food). Write down every time you prepare to write. are working.” every single thing and person that is 2. Reading. Choose a book, scripture, needed to provide food—sun, water, 9. Refocus. When you’re upset with poem – anything that inspires dirt, minerals, farmers, every piece someone or something, write feelings of gratitude. Giving Thanks of farm equipment, seed, fertilizer, everything good about that situation by MJ Ryan is one recommendation. packaging factories, stores, clerks, or person. Look for the positive and for the goodness. Try to change your 3. Contemplation and Introspection. shelf stockers, etc. Thank God, the own attitude because you know you Clear your mind by repeating original and abundant Giver of all. can’t change that situation or that “Thank you, God” 20 times. Clear 3. Minimalist. After spending time in person. your mind of everything and be introspection, filling your heart and thinking, praising, and thanking mind with thoughts of gratitude, 10. Abundance. Using stream of God. Put your hand over your heart write just one word or one sentence consciousness, write everything for and say thank you with every beat to express what you are feeling. which you are thankful, as it flows of your heart—a gift from God. into your mind and your heart. Each 4. Compliments. Record compliments Concentrate on your breathing and thing will undoubtedly lead to many you have received or heard someone thank God with every breath. Feel others. Thank God for the abundant give to someone else. Focus on God’s spirit filling your lungs and blessings in your life. Write your appreciation and the effects of your body and exhale your thanks. plans to use your blessings to bless expressing appreciation. We know the world.

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