June 2012 Tidings

TRINITY

EVANGELICAL

LUTHERAN

CHURCH

7 1 0 4 3 9 t h A v e n u e K e n o s h a , W I 5 3 1 4 2

T R I N I T YT R I N I T YT R I N I T Y T I D I N GT I D I N GT I D I N G SSS

June 2012

Volume 61 Published Jan.-Dec.

Saturday Morning Study ............. 2

Sunday’s Com’n ............................. 2

Come and See................................. 2

VBS ................................................. 2

Potluck Church Picnic .................. 3

VBS ................................................. 3

Sound System Update .................. 3

Diakonia ......................................... 3

Art Contest ..................................... 3

Adult Lunch Bunch ...................... 4

Worship & Music Info ................... 4

Opportunities for Ministry ............ 4

Financial Stewardship ................. 5

President’s Reflections ............... 5

Memorials .................................. 6

CUSH/Social Ministry ............. 6

Calendar of Events .................... 7

Getting into the “Tidings” .......... 7

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

How would you answer this question:

What is the mission of God?

In other words, what is God up to in the world? The Church Universal

and the church local—our beloved Trinity—exist to serve in God’s

mission. God created the church to partner with God in fulfilling God’s

mission. So the degree to which our church or any church fulfills this

calling is the degree to which it is being who God created it to be. So the

answer to the question “what is God’s mission?” is the answer to the

question “what is the church’s mission?”

So I’ll ask again, what is the mission of God?

I think many churches make the mistake of understanding their

mission apart from God’s mission. Many have a goal of staying open or

making this year’s budget. Reasonable goals but goals not grounded in

God’s mission. The anxiety caused by declining worship attendance (and

financial giving) blocks imagination causing the focus to turn inward.

Rather than asking “what is God’s mission?” too many churches ask,

“what can we do to get more people into the church?” Changes are

implemented based on survival and not God’s mission. Frustration and

conflict result. Pastors are blamed or burn out and leave.

This question about God’s mission is on the minds of your council

leaders as we discern whether to work through a process of

transformation for mid-sized congregations facilitated by Pastor Carl

Johnson. The cost of this 12 month process is about $1,500. If we move

forward it would mean things would change at Trinity-but change

grounded in God’s mission.

This month, I invite everyone to share answering this question of

God’s mission. Refer to the Bible, Google search online Bibles and blogs.

Then when you have an answer, write it down on the paper that I’ve

hung over the Vine print in the Gathering Space (note the Biblical

reference if you have one) or email it to me ([email protected]) or

post it on the blog I created for this purpose at:

www.trinitykenoshamission.blogspot.com.

Be as specific or as general as you like. What did Jesus spend his

earthly time doing? What did the early church of the book of Acts do?

Together, as we clarify our understanding of God’s mission and share

our best thinking about it, I believe God will bless us with new

adventures, new friendships and new life!

I close thanking God for faithful fathers and all who offer a father’s

love and celebrating the installation of Mike VanLaningham as Trinity’s

Children, Youth and Family Minister. Thanks be to God!

Love,

Pastor Tom

Table of Contents

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.trinitykenoshamission.blogspot.com

Baptism

Adults who desire to be baptized, or those who want to have their child

baptized, are invited to contact the church office. In the case of Adult

Baptism, candidates are encouraged to worship and attend the Sunday morning Bible Study.

Those who want to have their child baptized are asked to schedule a Baptism Preparation

session with Pastor Tom prior to the baptism. P.T. looks forward to talking with you! Please

speak with him if you have questions.

Saturday Morning Study

Saturday, June 9th and 23rd, 8:30-10:00am

Downstairs in the Great Hall

Five hundred years ago, a little-known German monk discovered in Scripture two simple

ideas so scandalous that they set Europe aflame for centuries. The church would never be the

same. In this 6-session DVD series, let’s rediscover what Martin Luther uncovered five

centuries ago—two simple ideas, so evident throughout Scripture, the foundation of the

Christian life. It is not necessary to attend each session. For additional information, contact

Tammie at [email protected] or 654-3256.

Sunday's Com'n

Each Wednesday morning at 8:30am, gather with Pastor Tom in the Gathering Space to

reflect on the scripture reading for the coming Sunday. No experience necessary. We read the

text and share how it makes us feel and the thoughts and questions it generates. It's all good!

Come and See...

All are invited to a refreshing Bible Study fellowship this summer.

Dates: Tuesdays starting June 5th

Time: 9:00-11:00am

Location: The Madison’s at 8204 65th Ave, Kenosha

On June 5th we will meet and decide what part of the Bible we would like to focus on for

study and discussion. My plans are that this study will be welcoming to all students of various

Bible study experience. We will read and discuss each week how God's truth impacts,

encourages and strengthens our lives. Summer is a busy time for everyone, so the study will be

flexible for participants to attend when their schedules allow.

Please RSVP to Mary Beth Madison by June 2nd your desire to be a part of this fellowship.

Phone: 262-694-95245 Email: [email protected].

Worship and Christian Education

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VBS

Imagine…

…a child hearing about God’s love for the first time.

…kids worshipping in powerful ways.

…children praying for each other.

…adults and teens modeling Jesus’ love to children.

…the kids in our church helping save lives in the country of Mali.

Register your children for Vacation Bible Study at Trinity, July 29th

through August 2nd, 5:00pm–8:00pm. The theme this year is

“Everything is possible with God.” Vacation Bible Study is open to children 3 years to entering

6th graders. Registration forms can be picked up at the church office and you can contact Mike

Van Laningham at [email protected] for more information.

It’s our goal to reach 50 kids with this program. That’s 50 kids who will grow in their

relationship with God!



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Potluck Church Picnic

Trinity's Annual Potluck Church Picnic is

fast approaching. It will be another evening of

fun and fellowship for everyone!

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Time: 5:00pm - ?

Location: Eichelman Park, 6125 3rd Ave

We will be out of our "winter woolies" as we

celebrate down by the lake again. Watch for

sign up opportunities and announcements to

bring a favorite dish to pass.

Put the date on your calendars and plan to

come and join in the fun!

Please direct questions to the Witness

Ministry—Rhonda Brennan at

[email protected] or 262-942-0587.

Sound System Update

Congratulations to the congregation! We

have been very successful in raising money for

the sound system and we are within $1500

(93% toward the cost) based on the newest

estimate from Metro Sound. Therefore, we

have signed the contract with a 50% down

payment and the installation will take place

this summer. We have about 3-4 months to

raise the remaining balance. The decision to

go ahead with the project was based on the

need to lock in prices. Thanks again to all who

have contributed. This fall we will be blessed

with an enhanced sound system so that

everyone can hear and be heard. Praise be to

God!

Thanks

We would like to thank everyone who

helped, donated, and came to the Spring Fling

salad luncheon. We had a great turnout and

also had a good time. We raised $873.00 at

this function. $750.00 was put in the debt

reduction fund and $123.00 was give to the

Stewardship fund. Thanks to you all.

Diakonia Program

The church of today needs and recognizes

strong, knowledgeable leadership among the

laity. Diakonia provides systematic training

to adults during a two-year program of weekly

classes in the Bible, theology, and church

history as well as practical ministry. This

course of study, combined with spiritual

retreats and group interaction, helps train

people for the many diverse tasks and

opportunities to which Christ’s Great

Commission directs them. For further

information, please contact Diane Roznowski

at (414) 258-8893, or go to

www.thediakoniaprogram.org, or speak to

Pastor Tom

Yarn Donations Needed

Sue Dyke-O’Day is looking for yarn

donations for a knit-for-a-cause knitting

group. Please contact her at 945-0034 if you

can help.

Lutherdale Fest

Lutherdale Fest will be held on Saturday,

August 11th. Plan on attending this family

festival! All crafters and quilters with items to

be taken to Lutherdale, please have them at

Trinity by Sunday, June 3rd.

Kenosha Area Churches Art

Contest

Optimum Life is a bold new initiative that

defines the way residents live at Brookdale

Senior Living by balancing six key dimensions

of wellness – physical, emotional, purposeful,

social, spiritual and intellectual. Optimum

Life will help you live at your peak level, and

within a lifestyle that promotes health,

wholeness and fulfillment. In a effort to

visually document these dimensions of

wellness, Wynwood Kenosha is presenting an

Optimum Life art contest. You can participate

by submitting works of art by our

congregation. These pieces of art can include

but are not limited to painting, woodworking,

ceramics and photography. The winning entry

will receive $300 prize for their congregation.

(There is an age limit of 18 years and older.)

Please check the bulletin boards and the

Gathering Space for more information or

contact Diane Johnson, Marketing

Coordinator, Brookdale Senior Living at 262-

694-6101. Entry forms will be available in the

Gathering Space. Art pieces should be

delivered at Wynwood during the week of

June 11th through June 15th. Artwork will be

displayed on June 24th and the winner will be

announced on June 25th at 3:00pm.

http://www.thediakoniaprogram.org

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Equipping Ministry—Who do you call? Within our congregation there are many ministries to serve God and others. To learn more about our ministries, here are the people to contact.

Pastor Pastor Tom Smith [email protected] 287-8098 President Linda Kluck [email protected] 653-9491 Vice-Pres Mike Spitzer [email protected] 859-2032 Treasurer Jim Lichtenheld [email protected] 654-3940 Finance Mike Spitzer [email protected] 859-2032

Secretary Linda McKinney [email protected] 843-2851 Property Bruce Milne [email protected] 694-5859 Social Open Opportunity Stewardship Rick Madison [email protected] 694-9524 Youth Sue Torres [email protected] 515-1844

Witness Rhonda Brennan [email protected] 942-0587

Worship & Music Tom Johnson [email protected] 652-7476 Children, Youth and Family Minister Mike Van Laningham [email protected] 653-1282 Adult Ed Open Opportunity

Altar Guild/Flowers Donna Dezoma 298-5464 Bowling Woody Knutson [email protected] 658-3052 Busy Bees (Quilters) Donna Dezoma 298-5464 Care for Creation Dru Spitzer [email protected] 859-2032

Choirs Jurg Oggenfuss [email protected] 414 614 5832 Communion Asst [email protected] 694-5050 Co-op Pre-School Lea Ann Taber [email protected] 694-5192 CROP Walk Rhonda Brennan [email protected] 942-0587 CUSH Jay Labedz [email protected] 654-8852

Lenore Baumann [email protected] 654-1261 Nancy Lehrke [email protected] 694-2624

Fair Trade Coffee Nancy Lehrke [email protected] 694-2624 Grace Safe Place Summer Lunch Program Scott Blanchard [email protected] 945.2756 Health Ministry Cindy Johnson [email protected] 652-7476

Lectors Office [email protected] 694-5050 Library Dru Spitzer [email protected] 859-2032 Lutheran World Relief Lucille Brenneman 694-4097 Memorials Linda McKinney [email protected] 843-2851

Money Counting Ken Larsen [email protected] 654-4801 Mutual Ministry Jay Labedz [email protected] 654-8852 Parish Visitors Cindy Johnson [email protected] 652-7476 Saturday Bible Study Tammie Sorenson [email protected] 654-3256

Senior League Linda Kluck [email protected] 653-9491

Soup Kitchen/Shalom Center Linda McKinney [email protected] 843-2851 Sunday Morning Coffee Rhonda Brennan [email protected] 942-0587 Sunday School Open Opportunity

Tidings & Website Sheri Villers [email protected] 697-8238 Urban Outreach Center Scott Blanchard [email protected] 945.2756 Ushers Woody Knutson [email protected] 658-3052 VBS Tammie Sorenson [email protected] 237-4857

Women of the ELCA Roseann Knutson [email protected] 658-3052

Opportunities for Ministry

Summer Special Music

Special Music will be performed by

the following people in the month of

June.

June 3rd – Trinity Chamber Choir,

MaKena Haines and Mike Van

Laningham

June 10th – Trinity Bell Choir

June 17th – Sue Virgili and Nancy

Montemurro

June 24th – Kylie Andersen and Margie

Slavik

Worship and Music is inviting all

musicians and vocalists to share their

gifts during summer worship services.

Sue Dyke-O’Day and Lori Jacobs are

scheduling/coordinating special music.

Please contact them or note your

interest on the Green Sheets in the

bulletins.

Trinity Adult Lunch Bunch

40th

Year

June 21st

Sub sandwich with chips.

July 19th

Pizza.

August 16th

Chicken and corn on the cob.

Birthday cake will be served for

dessert and we will play Bingo each of

these days.

Birthdays

June

Margie Slavik 6/5

July

Jim Glover 7/7

Judy Glover 7/8

Laura Irving 7/4

Carol Simon 7/5

August

Robert Brenneman 8/4

Dorothy Martin 8/3

Peggy Pierce 8/27

Linda Kluck, 653-9491

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Financial Stewardship

Dear Members of Trinity,

April was a very good

month; we had a large

overage for Unified Giving

so we are ahead for the year.

However, a lot of the overage

is due to Easter Sunday and

a five Sunday month. Please

make sure you keep up with

your giving otherwise we may

be back in the hole again.

What is Estate Gift

Transfer listed?

The Estate Gift Transfer

is a large estate gift given to

us back in January.

The council decided to

divide the gift as follows:

10% ($716.64) was given to

the Synod Malaria fund to

buy mosquito nets; with those funds we will save hundreds of lives. $4,000.00 was given to the Sound

System, we are now getting started with the installation. We will still need a bit over $1,000 but we

should have that by the time the sound system install is done in a couple of months. The final $2,447.96

was put towards the mortgage account, since we were short there also.

Hope to see you all in church, and keep everyone in your prayers, thanks,

Jim Lichtenheld, Treasurer

How are We Doing?

April 2012 YTD 2012

Income $22,169.58 $72,210.30

Expenses $16,658.01 $71,247.48

Unified Overage (Shortage) $5,511.57 $3,962.82

Estate Gift Transfer $2,447.96 (See notes) $2,447.96

Building Debt Reduction Funds $4,879.50 $17,717.89

Mortgage Payment $4,900.83 (New Pymt) $19,133.63

Mortgage Overage (Shortage) $2,426.63 $1,032.22

Estate Gift Transfer $4,000.00 (See notes) $4,000.00

Sound System 2012 $2,017.00 $4,232.00

Sound System Prior Years $0.00 $11,960.00

Sound System (Totals) $2017.00 $20,192.00

Youth Ministry $0.00 $5,630.00

Council President’s Reflections…

As the newly elected President of the Church Council, I want to thank you for the great privilege of

serving in this position. I am a lifelong member of the congregation and look forward to working with all

of you as we strive to further our mission of “Saved By Grace through Christ to Serve.” I have attended

three ministry team meetings with the goal of better understanding who we are, identifying challenges,

and validating strengths. From these interactions, I have concluded that we are richly blessed! I want to

encourage everyone to support each other as we work to recognize “A Gift of God’s Gifts” in each of us…

using those gifts to glorify our Lord and walk in His light.

Great news!! Our steady commitment to a new sound system for the sanctuary is about to be realized.

The contract for the system will be signed soon, locking in the price and allowing for the initial equipment

to be purchased. We are still around $1,500 short of the total required amount, but the Council is confident

that we will have those funds before the project is completed. Thank you to everyone for your support!

A Memorial Garden? The Property Ministry is evaluating an opportunity to place a Memorial Garden

outside of the 39th Street main entrance (between the church and Sunday School building). A drawing of

the proposed plans will be available shortly. Plants, etc. will be purchased/donated by individuals. The

cost to the church budget will be minimal. What are your thoughts?

Ah…the warmth of summer, the long sunny days, the times to walk barefoot in the park, and summer

vacations are just about upon us. I wish each of you God’s peace as we travel through this next season.

And please…help us to continue the mission of our church. Historically, income (pledges)

decline in the summer. As a result, meeting the required ministry expenses can become

very stressful. Please stay current on your giving and do not let your “giving take a

summer vacation.” Your “Gifts of God’s Gifts”—time, talent, and money—are critical to our

ministry. We strive to honor each gift and use them to bathe us all in the light of Christ.

Blessings and Peace,

Linda Kluck

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Memorials and Gifts

An offering was made towards the Sound System in memory of Steven,

Irma, William, Robert and Ronald Jacobs from Laurie Jacobs.

An offering was made towards the Sound System and Building Debt

Reduction Fund in memory of Marion Heiser from Helen Oechler.

Thanks to Lou Zelenski for donating the office supplies to the church. It is greatly appreciated.

Offerings were made in memory of Gerald Belongia towards the Sound System from Pete and

Peggy Pierce and Virginia Onserud and the Building Debt Reduction Fund from Dru and Mike

Spitzer and Margie Slavik.

An offering was made in memory of John Olsen, Marion Heiser, James Andreucci, and

Elaine Ziesmer towards the Sound System from Linda Kluck.

Total gifts received: $1185

Funerals

Gerald Belongia

Died May 11th

Funeral May 18th

CUSH (Congregations United to Serve

Humanity) is about people of faith coming

together to act powerfully to live out our deepest

values and to bring racial and economic justice

to Kenosha and Wisconsin. CUSH breaks down

barriers of race, economics and religion to build

a community of hope.

Thank you to the participants of the 2012

spring blood drive. 35 donors gave blood from

St. Paul’s and Trinity.

Thank you for all of the generous donations

for the Dayton Bingo party in April. The

residents had a wonderful evening and were so

excited to win the prizes. 30 veterans from the

facility played Bingo. Special thank you to the

youth for popping popcorn, the dessert bakers,

the volunteers and those who donated.

The CUSH Rummage Sale is coming up on

Saturday, June 23rd from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

You may drop off your donations at Trinity on

Thursday or Friday, June 21st or 22nd

from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Many

volunteers are needed for Thursday,

Friday, and Saturday. There will be sign up

sheets on the table in the Gathering Space.

Food will be served during the sale. All proceeds

go to CUSH. The rummage sale proceeds are

our annual donation to CUSH.

The Urban Outreach Center summer

lunch program is coming up. Trinity will take

a week in July to provide lunch for the kids who

participate in the summer program at Grace

Lutheran Church. We have typically divided up

the days and committees or groups each take a

day to make or buy lunch for the kids. Watch

the bulletin for more details as they come

available.

The Social Ministry and CUSH committee

will meet on June 10th following the 9:00am

service in the church library. All are welcome!

Social Ministry and CUSH Corner

Baptisms

Eden Claire Terry, daughter

of Andrew and Karen Terry

May 20th

Ca

le

nd

ar

of E

ve

nts

Sunday, June 3rd

9:00am Worship

9:00am Mike Van Laningham Installation

10:00am Pot Luck Brunch

Monday, June 4th

7:00pm Boy Scout Troop 525

Tuesday, June 5th

9:00am Bible Study at Madison's

5:30pm Donna’s Gymnastics


Wednesday, June 6th

8:30am Sunday's Com'n

Saturday, June 9th

8:30am Saturday Morning Bible Study

Sunday, June 10th

9:00am Worship

10:00am Social Ministry/CUSH

Monday, June 11th


Tuesday, June 12th



5:30pm Worship & Music Ministry

6:30pm Witness Ministry


Wednesday, June 13th


9:00am Mommy and Me Party

Thursday, June 14th

9:00am WELCA Bible Study

Sunday, June 17th

9:00am Worship

Monday, June 18th


Tuesday, June 19th

8:30am Preschool Camp



5:30pm Finance Ministry

6:00pm Council Ministry




5:00pm Church Picnic

Thursday, June 21st


11:30am Trinity Adult Lunch Bunch

4:00pm—7:00pm Drop off Rummage Sale

Donations

Friday, June 22nd

4:00pm Soup Kitchen

4:00pm—7:00pm Drop off Rummage Sale

Donations

Saturday, June 23rd

8:30am Saturday Morning Bible Study

9:00am—1:00pm CUSH Rummage Sale

Sunday, June 24th

9:00am Worship

Monday, June 25th


Tuesday, June 26th







Thursday, June 28th


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June 2012

Getting into

TRINITY TIDINGS

The deadline to receive information for the July 2012 issue:


Articles may be left in the church office or E-mailed to Sheri Villers at

[email protected].

TRINITY TIDINGS Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

7104 39th Avenue

Kenosha, WI 53142

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Kenosha, WI

TRINITY TIDINGS June 2012 Volume 61

TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Phone: (262) 694-5050

Website: www.trinitykenosha.org Email: [email protected]

STAFF Pastor, Rev. Thomas Smith ........................... ext. 24 Cell: 262-287-8098 Email: [email protected]

Parish Administrator, JoAnn Konkle .......... ext. 21

Music Minister, Jurg Oggenfuss ....... 414 614 5832

Children, Youth and Family Minister,

Mike Van Laningham ................................ 653-1282

Co-op Preschool Administrator, Lea Ann Taber Co-op Preschool Financial Administrator Misty Van Laningham

Custodian, Sue Torres

Health Ministry Coordinator, Cindy Johnson, RN

SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES Worship with Holy Communion ................. 9:00 am Hospitality & Coffee Hour ........................ 10:00 am

Attended Nursery is available Sundays from 8:30 am to 10:15 for children 6 weeks to 4 years of age

Saved by Grace through Christ

to Serve

Beginning May 27th and continuing

through September 9th we will be

holding only one Sunday Worship

Service at 9:00am.

June

Documents

June 2012 Tidings