Dear Friends in Christ,
As I shared in the April newsletter, my sister, Marlene, died on March 17. Since that time Becke and I have received numerous cards and words of comfort and hope from many of you. I want to thank you for your ministry to Becke and I and our family. As a minister and as a pastor the people of Trinity, I have been honored and humbled by your response. In my call to serve you I am usually on the other side of this equation. That is, I am the one called to bring the “good news of the Gospel” to you and your families in the midst of grief and sadness. This time the roles have been reversed and it brings joy to my heart and peace to my soul to know of your response to my family’s loss. You have ministered to us and I am grateful for your ministry.
I am grateful for your ministry because you get it. You understand what it means to follow the crucified and risen Christ into all those experiences and places where he meets us – from birth to death and all the roads we travel in between. You realize the importance of the relationships we establish and we nurture in Christ’s love for us and for each other.
Visiting members in the hospital or in their homes or nursing homes these past weeks, I have heard over and over again, “Pastor, I am sorry to have heard about your sister.” From people who are struggling with their own issues of physical health, they have shared with me their compassion and understanding. Your love speaks to my heart.
It is in such love of Christ that people of all ages in this faith community respond to the needs of others. The response of such love is a blessing among this community. It is, also, seen in our children whom we raise up as precious gifts of God in our eyes and hearts.
The Sunday following the bombings that occurred in Boston, the Sunday School children came together that day to address cards. The cover of the cards included a heart and the simple phrase, “May your God heal your heart!” We asked them to decorate the cards, to write a brief message, and to sign them if they would. We explained the cards would be delivered to one of the Boston hospitals that treated the victims of the bombings and would be given to the chaplains of the hospital. We, also, shared with the children that their cards would be delivered to the medical staff who treated those who were injured. We want them to heal too!
On the following day, April 22, I traveled to Brigham & Women’s hospital and delivered the cards to the pastoral care department of the hospital and shared with them the cards and our purpose. When the chaplain on duty in the office discovered we made them for the medical staff, she was genuinely surprised and moved by our gesture. She assured me the cards would get to the these people even as she shared with me the chaplain’s office was working with the staff to offer them comfort and healing in the midst of their own pain and hurt.
We get it from the children to the wizened among us. We get it from the simple and grand gestures of the love of Christ shared. We get it in our words and actions. We get it and I am honored and humbled to know the love of Christ which burns within your hearts.
In the love of the crucified and risen Christ,
Pastor Paul Mothers and Daughters Banquet Please note if you are a mother or a daughter you may attend which means all women are invited!
Saturday, May 11 6:00 PM Cost: $12 Adults, $6 (ages 5-12), under 5 free
(Last day of ticket sales is May 7)
Mark your calendar now for what is always an entertaining and scrumptious event! The menu is still a work in progress but the chefs will hope to please your palates once again!
MEN: YOUR HELP IS ALWAYS NEEDED FOR THE SET UP, PREPARATION, SERVICE, AND CLEAN UP. YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THE WOMEN LOVE YOU SHARING IN THIS NIGHT! IF YOU ARE WILLING TALK TO PASTOR PAUL! THANKS!
Shepherd’s Pantry
We thank all who continue to support the Shepherd’s Pantry through the food items dropped into the “Shepherd’s Pantry” container in the greeting area of the church. If you wish to volunteer as part of the Trinity team please contact Jackie Johansen, our church representative. Her phone number is 508-763-3492 and her e-mail is [email protected] Thank you!
CONTACT INFORMATION
MISSION STATEMENT Church Phone 508 993-6351 TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Pastor Paul’s Cell 508 264-5624 (The church office will be open from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM, In the Spirit of the Loving God Monday through Friday. John Softcheck is our parish We Worship administrator.) Nurture Witness Pastor Paul [email protected] Serve John Softcheck [email protected] Celebrate In the cross of Christ! Church Website at trinityfairhaven.org
WE WELCOME INTO THE LORD’S FAMILY
On April 14, we welcomed into the Lord’s Family through the water and Word of Holy Baptism John Haakon Eilertsen,
son of Brett and Johanne Eilertsen. Sponsors are Alex Eilertsen and Lily Eilertsen. TLC GOSPEL CONCERT & DESSERT RECEPTION SATURDAY, JUNE 15 7:00 PM IN SUPPORT OF THE MUELLER FAMILY & THEIR RIDE FOR THE PAN MASS CHALLENGE SUGGESTED DONATION: $10.00
This August, the Mueller family will once again join thousands of others on a bike ride sponsored by the Pan Mass Challenge in support of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. This event has become the major fundraiser for this organization. Trinity Lutheran Church will host the above event for our second year as a way of supporting these members of our congregation and supporting the ongoing work of Dana Farber. Tickets will be available through Paula in the coming weeks as a means of calculating a count for the dessert reception. You may, also, donate at the door. ALL donations go to support Dana Farber through the Pan Mass Challenge. “The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana Farber through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1980, the PMC has successfully melded support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. All are essential to the PMC’s goal and model: to attain maximum fundraising efficiency while increasing the annual gift. Our hope and aspiration is to provide Dana-Farber’s doctors and researchers the necessary resources to discover cures for cancer.” (Mission statement of the PMC)
A Family Worship Event ONE SERVICE ONLY SUNDAY Sunday, May 12 10:00 AM
NYC TRIP
Members of the confirmation class will travel to New York City on May 31 for an overnight program at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. On Saturday, June 1, they will visit “Ground Zero” before traveling home in the afternoon. This is a joint trip with the confirmation students of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Foxboro. The class is in process of raising funds to offset the cost of the trip. If any individual would like to help sponsor one of the students who will journey to NYC, please talk to Pastor. The individual registration cost for each student is $85. The funds we raise are helping with both registration and transportation to NYC via bus. FISHERMEN’S MEMORIAL SERVICE
At 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27th, a procession will commence at the Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, in the heart of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and proceed down Union Street and onto Fishermen’s Wharf. The procession will be lead by an antique pump organ carried in a wheelbarrow from the Bethel followed by members of the Port Society, its Ladies’ Branch, family members and the public. At 10:00 am the Fishermen’s Memorial Service will be held as we remember all those who have been lost at sea. ESSAYS ON FAITH AND CONFIRMATION
You are invited to join these seven young people, Gabriella Aadland, Victoria Carter, Olivia Chase, Devin Christiansen, Olivia Correia, Lily Eilertsen, Tucker Hrasky, Nathan Jones, Trevor Kobza, Jonathan Kvilhaug, Brendan O’Neill, Isaiah Paiva, Adam Perkins, and Haakon Perkins, as they present their Essays on Faith and Affirm their Baptism and are confirmed into the Church in these two separate services.
ESSAYS ON FAITH SERVICE
THURSDAY, MAY 9 ASCENSION 7:00 PM
CONFIRMATION
SUNDAY, MAY 19 DAY OF PENTECOST 11:00 AM
Sunday School
SUNDAY SCHOOL It is in the month of May when we wrap up our Sunday School program for the year. Before I lay out the remaining May 6 weeks allow me to express my gratitude to all who have helped in the nurture of our children’s faith. Teachers, Music Time (All Children) assistants, parents, musicians have been valuable in the need for all of us to grow in knowledge and love of God and May 12 God’s creation. The joy of this education hour and the One Service Only Sunday varied ways we attempt to share faith means we all grow in our wisdom and understanding of God in Christ. So, thank May 19 you! And yes, especially thank those children among us who bring joy to our lives! End of Year Celebration! Planting sunflowers, zinnias, and more!
REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS (Listings may be extended 3-12 months by contacting the parish office)
Liv Haines (4/14) Tom Helgeland (4/14) Kina Helgeland (4/14) George Harger (4/14) Helen Jenkins (3/14) Peyton Bluhm (12/13) Normand Taylor (12/13) Sue Sellers (10/13) Dorothy Pflug (8/13) Zachary Hollister (8/13) Debbie Kackley (8/13) Vivian Laverdure (7/13) Harold Thuestad (7/13) Brian Rowbotham (7/13) Alexah Dunham (7/13) Bev Peirce (7/13) Tom (7/13) Zachary (7/13) Ellen Isaksen (7/13) Charlotte Theg (7/13) Joe Garcia (7/13) James Lilly (7/13) June Perry (7/13) Moe Dell’Ollio (6/13) Virginia Robinson (6/13) Vivian Lee (6/13) John Powers (6/13) Dorothy Bungert (5/13) Cynthia Farrell (5/13) Malene Isaksen (5/13)
We pray for these members of the military:
Joseph Gaudiello (12/13) Jeremy Ewing (11/13)
T LC PLAY AND LEARN CAMPUS-MAY NEWSLETTER
Spring is in the air. The children are enjoying the "toy" area and your large grassy lawn. It is wonderful to see them playing outside' We have 42 active children in our care at this time. We are beginning to sign children up for the coming school year. If you have or know a child or chi1dren who are interested in joining the fun, please call508-994-3826 to speak with us or leave a message to set up an appointment We finished our unit entitled "Violence Free: Healthy Choices for Kids." We discussed what happens within families and with friends: the good things, the bad things, how we deal with conflicts, and how we can make healthy choices to solve problems. We were open for Good Friday as well as Monday and Friday during spring vacation week. On Friday we took the children bowling at Wonder Bowl in New Bedford. These full days are extra fun as the children enjoy spending a longer day together. We are beginning a once a week lesson from the Old Testament. Our first one is the Creation Story. The children will sing the hymn "All Things Bright and Beautiful" Then they will paint pictures of a part of creation. We are happy to see Helen Fisher return as a volunteer sharing a book with special Old Testament pictures. We also have one of our· former students as an intern and volunteer two days a week. The children enjoy these special people. Please remember that there are many ways that you can help your afterschool ministry. You can be a volunteer or mentor, give us a donation from our wish list (outdoor balls, goodies for snacks, or a monetary gift), and/or pray for the children, their families, and the staff. We thank you and appreciate your continuing assistance. Our families thank you for providing this ministry and safe haven for their children. God bless you.