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Thinking Out Loud With Pastor Josh Sitting at my desk (in the basement of my house) writing this feels something like watching one of those sci-fi movies where the hero has to send out a note into space. There is an intended audience (you) but there is no clear destination.
The destination I don’t have as of April 15, three days after Easter 2020 1.0, is where we’ll be in May. In the state of Illinois, our shelter in place order is set to lift Friday, May 1. However, the curve we are all watching isn’t exactly bending yet, and some researchers are proposing this could take until June to show any impact.
Which means, I would love to tell you all about what we’re going to do in worship in May when we get back together, but I’m not sure when that will be. And even if the order is lifted, the CDC is already get-ting word out that our return to normalcy will not be a fast return and it definitely won’t be normal. It will likely involve staging and ramping up and wearing masks on hot summer days and limiting group sizes. That might mean we can get out a little more freely, but we still won’t be worshipping together.
Take a deep breath. Right now. Take another one. Take another one.
You’re right, things are not working. School tablets are crashing, online links are failing, we miss our families, we miss our routines, we miss grabbing a snack with friends, we miss so much. We miss going to church.
I miss seeing yall in church. I will sometimes sit in our empty worship space for a while just because it was built to house people. It seems like someone should be in it.
Here’s what I know. We are all going through a lot. I mean, A LOT. Allow yourself the patience, allow your family the patience to freak out, to get mad at inconsequential things, to be terribly forgetful, to feel sick or off in some way, to shut down, to want to be alone. These are normal responses to trauma. Allow yourself, allow your family, to acknowledge that this is traumatic.
This is not an excuse for poor behavior and saying hurtful things and using dangerous habits. However, we will need to lean hard on the promise that God gives us every day that we call Grace. It is for-giveness. It is redemption. It is God finding us where we are and loving us as we are, even as God is transforming us in God’s image.
When we get back together, we’ll need a worship service to name our trauma. We’ll need time to pro-cess and learn to breathe again. We’ll need to hear and give each other grace upon grace. We will need patience. Grace is abundant patience and life from God, and it is yours right now. This we know. This we trust, because God is steadfast and merciful, and never lets us go.
Pr. Josh Ehrler
Believing in Christ, we are called to grow and are sent to serve.
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FAITH5 – HOLDING YOUR PEOPLE TOGETHER This section of Tidings is set apart specifically for families wondering how to share faith stories with each other. Glance here each month to find a Faith5 based suggestion on how to the get the conversation moving, even for busy families constantly on the move. May: As this newsletter is being written, we are not sure whether or not shelter in place will still be ordered for our state. With that in mind, we are all anticipating the day when the order is lifted and we will begin to slowly re-enter our community and do some of the things we miss. Take a few moments and ask each person: what will be the first thing you want to do when we know we can go out freely? Do you have a friend you’d love to see? Is there a park you have not gotten to play at? Maybe it’s a restaurant or a store that you missing walking through. Talk about these places and imagine together going to each one. Then read a story from the Bible, like Luke 24.13-35, when Jesus walks with his friends after Easter. The crazy thing is, they don’t even recognize him! Then wonder how Jesus might go with you to do the things you miss doing. Pray for your family and for people who can’t move around their community, and bless each other with the promise of Christ’s love that is always with us, no matter where we are.
WEEKLY ZOOM BIBLE STUDY Tues. Apr 28 - Tues May 19 12:30 - 1:00 pm we’ll gather on Zoom and share in a Bible study for the Sunday reading. Go ahead and eat your lunch, no one will care! Pastor will send out emails with links on Mondays. Contact the church if you have questions!
WEEKLY ZOOM EVENING PRAYER SERVICE Wed. Apr 29 - Wed May 20 7:00 - 7:30 pm Bring your prayer requests to this short evening prayer service and we’ll share them with each other. Whether you’re frustrated or have joys, you are welcome! Pastor will send out links on Mondays. Contact the church office if you have questions!
TRINITY LUTHERAN’S MISSION STATEMENT
Believing in Christ, we are Called to Grow and Sent to Serve
TRINITY LUTHERAN’S CORE VALUES
1. We believe Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord.
2. We are a faith community striving to create a safe space inclusive and accepting of
God’s people, regardless of race, gender, orientation, age, or status.
3. We learn as we teach, sharing our faith and being an example of Christ in our
community.
4. In partnership with our Lutheran synod, neighboring congregations, and civic
organizations, we enrich the quality of life of God’s people through our resources,
time, and skills.
5. We offer quality worship experiences centered on God’s Word and the sacraments
of Baptism and Holy Communion.
6. We remain open to new opportunities and experience new perspectives.
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CELEBRATE OUR GRADUATES
AND ADVANCEMENTS
Who do you know who is graduating from high school, community college, trade school, college, completing a masters or doctoral program?
Who should we celebrate who has completed on the job training or has advanced in the military? Know someone who has just gotten certified or earned an award for advancement?
Trinity is a congregation Called to Grow and Sent to Serve and education is one of our core values. This is the time of year for transitions and giving thanks for growth in knowledge and skill. Share with us a name of someone in your life (even you!) who has finished a learning so we can re-joice for their hard work.
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EASTER WHEN WE RETURN
We don’t know the date but we do know that when our shelter in place order is lifted for Illinois AND its safe for us to gath-er in a large group (we always take our cues from the medical community), Trinity will be celebrating Easter. Our faith tells us Christ is risen and so are we every single day. Also, every worship is a little Easter anyway, so why not make it...Easter? When the day comes that we can be in the same space, it will be a joyous celebration. And as soon as we know anything, we will do everything we can to get the word out. Whether soon or we have to wait a little longer, we will be together again.
Thank you for all those involved in sharing our Easter worship online and by dvd. Thanks to Lisa Suttman, Kelsey Handschuh and Jan Christ for sharing their musical gifts with the
congregation. Lisa's recording of Han-del’s Hallelujah Chorus from her home for inclusion in our Easter service made it seem more like Easter. Kelsey sang our hymns for Palm Sunday and Easter and Jan is singing for the recording of the April 26th service. Thanks too, to Vern Welp for his time and skills at the camera and soundboard. It takes extra time, coordination and patience to make it all happen. Thanks to all the members of Trinity for patience and understanding as we learn new ways of worship together.
Until we can worship together, Karen Larson
SUNDAY SCHOOL LEARNING ONLINE
This is not a creation of Trinity. We are simply passing it along to you. It is totally free and incredibly well done,
produced by Sparkhouse, an ELCA curriculum publisher. The videos have songs, learnings, and games for the whole family. The link also provides downloadable content. An
excellent and simple resource for our families to continue to grow in faith. The link is shared on our weekly email
version of Weekly Reminders. Contact the office if you would like to receive the Reminders via email.
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COMMUNITY VBS DATES SET
“ALL ABOARD! ROCKY RAILWAY”
“Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through”
July 13 - July 17
9 am - Noon
Here at Trinity
WATCH FACEBOOK, JUNE TIDINGS, and TRINITY’S WEBSITE FOR REGISTRATION
INFORMATION
SUNDAY SCHOOL CELEBRATION!
Sunday May 17 the 2019 - 2020 Sunday School Year will be celebrated during the 9:30 am Worship Service! Be sure to watch on Facebook or YouTube, or request a DVD of the service! Sunday School will resume on September 13
STRONG GIRLS 2 WOMEN (SG2W)
CAMP DATES SET! For Girls
Entering 4th - 6th grades
Tentatively: Mon, Jun 15 - Thurs, June 18, 2020
8:00 am - 11:30 am
Trinity’s Third Annual camp, for all girls 4th thru 6th
grades will take place at Trinity!
PLEASE WATCH NEWSLETTER, WEBSITE &
FACEBOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION
YC FOR MAY
YC is meeting online. Pr. Josh will be sharing short
reflections and inviting anyone who’s watching to
respond his questions.
Here’s your chance to join YC for a month.
Stay tuned.
ANNUAL IL JUNIOR
CHEF PROGRAM
Watch Facebook, our Website and June Newsletter for Registration Information.
Program will be held July 27 - July 31 from 9:30 - 11:30 am here at Trinity, for children ages 8 to 13 years old.
A collection of resources to assist families and community leaders preparing for and coping with COVID-19 is available online at www.go.illinois.edu/ExtensionCOVID19. For recipes to make at home, search our selections at https://go.illinois.edu/EatMoveSaveRecipes. In addition, we will continue to share nutrition & healthy living information on our various social media sites. Facebook: https://facebook.com/IllinoisNEP Instagram: https://Instagram.com/eatmovesave
SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM
SERVING LUNCHES EVERY
Tues. Wed. & Thurs.
June 2 - July 30, 2020
Please prayerfully consider volunteering time to this very important ministry at Trinity!
TENTATIVE ANNUAL TRAINING DATES Mon. May 18, 4:00 - 6:00 pm ** Tues. May 19, 2:00 - 4:00 pm ** **We will let you know as soon as we know how training will be done. Please watch weekly Reminders for updates! Summer Lunch Program Training is FREE. At least one trained person is required to be at every serving day above. You do not have to take the training to participate, but it is helpful to understand why the food back requires what they ask us to do, and with several people trained, it is easier to make sure we have a trained person at the site each day of service. Training is required every year. The training is straightforward and they want you to succeed! Please contact the church office to register for training, in what ever form it takes.
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LIFELINE FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN
(NO CLOTHING AT THIS TIME)
LIFELINE is located in Conover Square
(old piano factory) at 203 N 3rd St,
Suite 6, Oregon, IL Hours are:
Tues 1:30— 4:00 pm (food only)
Fri 1:30—4:00 pm (food only) One family at a time may enter the pantry (please
use door by Hector Cocina) to pick up a pre-packed
box of food. Family may look through box to
exchange items) Shopping cart will be sanitized
before next family uses.
Lifeline is Not accepting clothing, or distributing
clothing at this time. They are accepting any kind
of canned beans and boxed potatoes. Questions? Call 815-564-8234.
LOAVES & FISH FOOD PANTRY
SERVING MT. MORRIS & LEAF RIVER The Pantry is located on the lower level of
The Church of the Brethren:
409 W Brayton Rd, Mt. Morris.
Hours: 1st & 3rd Thurs of each month: 4:30 – 7 pm 2nd & 4th Mon of each month: 2:00 – 4:30 pm For the Month of March, 104 households were served, for a total of 264 individuals.
The Mt Morris Community Garden has free 4x12 foot plots open at the corner of Reynolds Ave and Church Street. It is amazing how much produce can come from one or two plots. If you would like to get back to garden-ing, but don’t have a suitable space, consider joining us. Tools are available at the garden. You must also be willing to commit to helping with the overall upkeep of the garden. For more information and to sign up by the May 15th deadline, Contact Mary Francis, 815-734-6994 or [email protected].
TWELCA NEWS T.W.E.L.C.A. = Trinity Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. TWELCA’s Mission statement: to mobi-lize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Dorcas group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am. at the church, except for Aug & Dec when they have joint events with the Naomi Group. Naomi group meets the 4th Monday at 1:00 pm* April through November at the church except for Aug and Dec, when they have joint events with Dorcas group. Both groups invite all women to join them! Central Conference Spring Brunch has been cancelled. *If Naomi Group is able to meet in May, they will meet on Monday, May 18th at 1 pm, due to Memorial Day.
STAYING IN TOUCH AT TRINITY!
• Know someone who would like to receive this Tidings by mail or email? • Want to receive our
Tidings by email rather than mail, or vice-versa? • Would you like to receive our weekly reminders by mail (during COVID-19 closure) or by email (any time) - email version of Reminders can be viewed on your Smartphone & includes Links to our Facebook page, YouTube, Trinity and NI Synod websites and more! If you answered Yes to any of the above, please contact the office 815-734-6354 or [email protected]. We’ll be happy to make any changes. During our time apart, you can watch Trinity’s weekly Sunday morning service on Facebook: Facebook.com/tlcmm or YouTube.com and search for Trinity Lutheran Church Mt. Morris, or, even easier, contact us to receive our Weekly Reminders by email! All links are included for Facebook, YouTube, our website, and more!
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CHURCH COUNCIL
HIGHLIGHTS
Trinity’s Council met, via Zoom, on three consecutive Mondays, to keep up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 concerns and how they affected Trinity. Monday, March 16 Monday, March 23 Monday, March 30 • Pastor Josh opened each meeting with prayer and
a timely topic. • Community Resourcing Event (CRE) Motion
passed to donate the $125 registration refund from the cancellation of the event to the Northern IL Synod, to help defray costs incurred in the planning and cancellation of the event.
• Authorized Louise Suttman to apply for a CARES Act Relief loan through a local bank.
• Learned Trinity will host this year’s Annual Crop Walk, tentatively set for September 27th. • Meetings were adjourned with prayer
FINANCIAL REPORT
MARCH 2020 Total Monthly Budget Income $ 21,629.50 Total Monthly Budget Expense $ 16,981.23 Year-to-date Budget Income $ 58,361.26 Year-to date Budget Expense $ 58,921.90 Year-to-date Surplus (Deficit) $ (560.64)
ELECTRONIC GIVING
Many of us have found it much easier to make online transactions than cash or checks.
Trinity offers that option for regular giving as well. The church office has the form needed to get started.
TRINITY’S FUNDS DISPERSED FOR THE
QUARTER ENDING
MARCH 31, 2020
From the Operating Budget Northern Ill. Synod Benevolence $ 3,000.00
From the Offering Envelope Donations Northern Ill. Synod World Hunger $ 250.00 Loaves & Fish Food Pantry 335.00 Lifeline 85.00 Family Assistance Fund 795.00 From Other Resources Youth National Convention (Lent Soup Suppers) 141.00 Hiteman Scholarship Awards 7,619.00 Family Assistance Fund (Noisy Offering) 279.27 Vacation Bible School (Noisy Offering) 100.26
THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS RECEIVED
QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 2020
Thank you to the following individuals who designated Thrivent Choice Dollars to Trinity during the quarter ending March 31st: Linda Borneman Bruce Obendorf Daniel Dilbeck Darlene Raney Mary Jo Dilbeck Doug Raney Dennis Hoffmeister Louise Suttman Lance Lefevre
NOISY OFFERING for May
Community VBS For the month of May we’ll keep collecting our coins and gifts for Mt Morris Community VBS, held in July. This is one of the biggest single week camps we host all summer and the impact is far reaching. All financial gifts go directly toward the supplies, resources, and food needs that encompass this blessed week of ministry every summer.
Results of the Collection for Community VBS through April 26 = $51.51 Thank you for your generosity.
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Altar Guild All month: Val Glotfelty & Carrie Lay
Acolytes Watch Weekly Reminders Ushers/ Greeters All month: Sat: Kevin Nelson All month: Sun: Don Cornelius & Julie Robinson Song Leaders & Cantors Watch Weekly Reminders Assisting Ministers: Watch Weekly Reminders Blood Pressure Checks 31 Robin Keene & Crete LeFevre
Lector Schedule* Watch Weekly Reminders *Scripture Readings 2/3 Acts 2.42-47 John 10.1-10 9/10 Acts 7.55-60 John 14.1-14 16/17 Acts 17.22-31 John 14-.15-21 23/24 Acts 1.6-14 John 17.1-11 30/31 Acts 2.1-21 John 14.8-17 Coffee Hour Hosts 3 10 17 24 31
Altar Flowers Calendar & Information for providing flowers is on bulletin board in Narthex (back of worship space). Questions? Ask Karen Larson, any Altar Guild member or contact office. 3/4 9/10 16/17 23/24 30/31 Home Communion
(Normally 1st Sunday of Month)
Dave & Cindy Link Sandra Stengel
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon. — Thurs.
8:30 am — 12:00 pm
1:00 pm —4:00 pm
Friday:
8:00 am — 12:00 pm
Please note: Staff Meeting
May 6 office closed from 12pm - 2 pm
TRINITY EVANGELICAL
LUTHERAN CHURCH 308 East Brayton Road
Mt. Morris, IL 61054
815-734-6354
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.trinitymmil.net
Follow us on Facebook—
facebook.com/tlcmm
Instagram: trinitymtmorris
Believing in Christ,
we are called to grow,
and are sent to serve.
Ministers: All Members of Trinity
Pastor: Josh Ehrler
Office 815-734-6354, Ext 1001
Email: [email protected]
Christian Education Director
Melissa Nicholson
815-440-0279
Email: [email protected]
Office Manager: Nancy Nelson
Office 815-734-6354, Ext 1002
Email: [email protected]
Sexton: Floyd Drumheller
815-734-6354
Parish Musician: Karen Larson
815-734-6358
Email: [email protected]
Chime Choir Director: Matt Guschl
217-417-5952 Email: [email protected]
Financial Secretary:
Louise Suttman
815-938-2650
815-541-0320
Email: [email protected]
Assist. Financial Secretary:
Lily Welp
815-734-6031
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TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
308 East Brayton Road, Mt. Morris, Illinois 61054
Office: (815) 734-6354 E-mail: [email protected]
web-site: www.trinitymmil.net Facebook: facebook.com/tlcmm
MAY 2020
Non-Profit Organization
US POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 168
Mt. Morris, IL 61054
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 308 East Brayton Road Mount Morris, IL 61054 Return Service Requested
WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE (*DETAILS INSIDE)
SATURDAY evening worship service at 5:30 pm*+ SUNDAY: 9:30 am Worship Service*+ Fellowship Time following Worship SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:30 - 11:30 am. We welcome 4 yrs. old (potty trained) thru 6th gr. Last Day of Sunday School is May 17* We also have a Youth Group (6th grade through high school) that meets on a monthly basis
WEEKLY MUSIC REHEARSALS May + Wednesday: Chime Choir 6:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday: Chancel Choir 7:00 pm Full Chancel Choir Rehearsal
+Watch Weekly Reminders for Updates
UPCOMING DATES TO NOTE (* DETAILS INSIDE) Watch Weekly Reminders for Updates • Tues Apr 28 - May 19, 12:30 -- 1:00 pm Bible Study w/Pastor Josh via Zoom. Emails sent • Wed Apr 29 - May 20, 7:00 pm Evening Prayer Serv. w Pastor Josh via Zoom. Emails sent. • Sun May 17 Last Day of Sunday School* • Mon May 18 4-6 pm Summer Lunch Program Train. In Rochelle* • Tue May 19 2-4 pm Summer Lunch Program Train. In Freeport* • Sun May 24 Blessing of Graduates* • Sat May 30 & Sun May 31 Pentecost Celebrated! • Tue Jun 2 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Summer Lunch Program Begins & Continues thru Jul 30* • See inside for SG2W, VBS & IL Jr Chef Tentative Dates
