Trinity Messenger MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH - GENOA MAY 2016 Letter from Pastor In This Issue Dear Christian Friends: Letter from Pastor 1-2 The month of May houses one of the most cherished and celebrated FPU, Jr. High & th secular holidays we have. May 8 is Mother’s Day, the day that we Board of Elders 2 remember our mothers and the many things that they have done for us. While this is not a distinctly Christian holiday, The Christian Church does have quite a bit to say about mothers. Musician’s Diary 3 The author of Proverbs writes, “Listen, my son, to your father's Health & Wellness 4 instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.” Martin Luther also had much to say about mothers. In his explanation of the 4th Thank you & Coloring Commandment in the Small Catechism, Luther wrote, “We should fear Contest winners 5 and love God so that we do not despise or anger our mothers…but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.” Preschool, Scrip In the Large Catechism, he expands this idea further writing, “To this And Announcements 6 estate of…motherhood God has given the distinction above all lower estates that He commands us not only to love our parents but also to Birthdays & honor them. For concerning brothers, sisters, and neighbors in general Anniversaries 7 He commands nothing higher than that we love them. In this way He sets father and mother apart, distinguishes them above all other persons on earth, and places them at His side.” Calendar 8 There are a number of important things going on during the month of Coloring Page 9 May. Our new confirmands will be attending their first services as adult members of our congregation. We also have a number of young adults Just for Fun 10 graduating from high school and even college during this time. Please encourage these young men Service Schedule 11 Letter from Pastor Continued... Pastor’s Contact Information: and women to continue to engage in an active life of faith, of worship and Bible study; whether it is here at Trinity or wherever Rev. Jeremy Heilman, Senior God calls them as His plan for their lives unfolds. Join us for our Pastor th baccalaureate service on May 14 . Training for our Elders will be 717 Hortense Dr. available again on the 14th also at Trinity in Lansing, IL. There will be a number of opportunities for our junior high youth this summer Kirkland, IL 60146 as well, so be watching for those. A healthy, living church and faith requires active members who spend time in the Word and prayer. It also calls the Christian to H: 815-522-0074 serve God by serving others. Please take time to consider where C: 773-407-2698 God is calling you to serve. In Christ, Pastor Heilman Pastor’s phone numbers are included in his answering machine Proverbs 6:20 – “My son, keep your father's commands and do not message. Pastor’s extension forsake your mother's teaching.” number at Church is “11”. Financial Peace Board of Elders University Many families struggle financially, which puts stress on relationships, marriages, and self esteem. Learn how to get out of debt, invest for college tuition & retirement, and bless others by taking Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University class. Classes start Sunday, May 22nd at 6pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Genoa IL. Course materials plus shipping cost totals $102. This is the best investment you can make for yourself and your family tree! It has changed thousands of lives and can change yours! Sign up today by visiting www.tlcgenoa.org. Questions? Call Deborah Pope 847 -867-1247 Who’s there? Your Elder Your Elder who? Your Elder who’s askin’ did Calling All 6th, 7th, and 8th you update your contact Graders! This summer come join Club 6-7-8. We will meet every Sunday info? evening to play games, learn about the Bible, and have fellowship together. We will have a kick off family barbeque May 22nd we will have a potluck lunch-in to get to know each other and talk about this summer’s plans. More details to come. Questions or concerns contact Carinna Corbett 815-793-9495. From the Musician’s Diary We celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 15, of this year. One hymn in the Pentecost section of the Lutheran Service Book is “Holy Spirit, Light Divine.” This hymn has an interesting background: This particular tune is known as “Song 13”, composed by Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625.) This text, adapted from John 16; Glenn and Nancy Bagsby I Thessalonians 5; I Corinthians 6; and Timothy 1, by Andrew Reed (1787-1862), is Let’s venture out north of Kingston and learn a actually interchangeable with another tune, little about Glenn and his wife Nancy. Did you “Canterbury,” which appears in other know that they both served in the United States denominational hymnals. There is also Air Force back in the day? Glenn served in another text which may be sung to either tune: Athens, Greece for 4 years and then came back “Holy Spirit, Truth Divine.” This happens quite to the Pentagon in Virginia for 3 years. Later often with hymns: interchangeable texts and moving to California and eventually coming to the Kingston area in 1994. They joined Trinity in tunes. 1995 with Glenn becoming an Elder in 1998. He If you’ll look at the back of any has graciously filled in as Head Elder at times denominational hymnbook, there is an “Index when the acting Head was on winter vacations of Meters.” This can be very helpful if we want out of state. One of his most memorable deeds to sing a particular text, but the tune that it’s as Elder was leading the Call Committee when bringing Pastor Heilman and his family to Trinity. paired with is too difficult for the congregation. We can then just sing that text to a different Glenn’s career field today is in the area of high tune, of the same meter. (Occasionally it tech super computers. He develops and happens that there is no alternative tune--then supports software programs for the Fortune 500 we learn a new hymn tune, and can add that companies in the United States and abroad. (I to our hymn repertoire!) myself am a master of the fine game of solitaire) In his travels, he has had the honor of meeting You can find this particular hymn at and coffee clutching with such celebrities as #496, in the LSB. The words are quite Melissa Gilberts, Hulk Hogan, President Jimmy inspirational: The stanzas begin with phrases Carter and even Willie Mays! This guy truly is a such as: “Holy Spirit, light divine; Holy Spirit, “Mover and a Shaker”! power divine; Holy Spirit, joy divine; and Holy Spirit, all divine.” But really, being home with his wife and family is the most important thing to Glenn. He Orlando Gibbons was an English treasures the 40 plus years of marriage with composer and organist of the early Tudor Era. Nancy, the birth of his 4 daughters and 8 Dr. Andrew Reed, an English pastor, is grandchildren, and the soothing company of actually more well known for the charitable Buffy, their Golden Retriever. Originally from the institutions which he founded in England, than small town of Red Bud in southern Illinois, Glenn for his literary publications. enjoys the quiet times working outside in his yard, completing projects around the house, and Kathy Fane just being home. Health & Wellness Dear Friends, "Honor your father and mother..." (Exodus 20:12). Synonyms for honor listed in Webster's Dictionary include esteem and reverence (profound respect combined with love, devotion, or awe). During the month of May, honor is given to mothers, people who died in military service to America, and our Heavenly Father too. This article looks at ways to give well deserved honor. Timothy Merrill, in Home Touch, May 2016, says to honor our mothers: * We empathize with those who lost their mothers early in life. * We remember those women who wanted to be mothers, but couldn't. * We respect those who chose not to be mothers, but gave their lives in pursuit of other causes. * We praise mothers who gave care and lots of love to children of other mothers. * We thank God for our mothers who loved us and took care of us when we could not take care of ourselves alone. Finally, everything that is good about mothers is a reflection of God's goodness toward us. As a mother loves her children, so does God love us. Memorial Day, a Federal Holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday in May, honors people who died while serving in the Armed Forces. The following activities take place to give honor: * Volunteers put flags on graves of veterans in national cemeteries. * People visit cemeteries and memorials, decorating graves with flowers. * Memorial Day parades and services are held. * The American flag is lowered to half staff until noon in remembrance of more than one million persons who died in service of America. At noon the flag and, ..."their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue their fight for liberty and justice for all." (Memorial Day, Wikipedia). "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind...and love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22: 37- 39). Jesus encourages his followers to honor God because He is God and though doing good works.