April Newsletter

 

Pastor’s Page

       In Mark’s gospel (6:31) Jesus said to His apostles, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat." Jesus’ followers had been very busy preaching and teaching and announcing the Kingdom of God and they were tired. They needed a break. They needed a rest to catch their breath and refresh their souls.

       Does this sound familiar? Are you rushed as well in your life? Are the demands of life pulling you in many different directions? Do you need a rest? If so then please come away with us and rest for a while as we celebrate the most sacred time of the church year- Holy Week and Easter. In fact, the month of April will be filled with many opportunities to get away and rest with our Lord.

      Here are the highlights of opportunities for prayer and study in April:

      April 6th and 13th we will gather for Supper and Holden Evening Prayer.

      April 14th & 28th we will engage our DVD Bible study on "The Prayers of Jesus."

      April 15 (6pm) to April 16 (8am) - Easter Themed Youth Lock-In at Trinity

      On April 17th- we will hear the Passion story as part of our Palm Sunday worship and, we will celebrate with several of our congregation’s youth as they Confirm their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

      April 21st- Maundy Thursday- we will gather with Jesus in the upper room as He institutes the Lord’s Supper and gives us the command ("mandautum" in Latin or "Maundy" in old English) to "love one another."

      April 22nd- Good Friday- we will gather at the foot of the cross and give thanks to God for Jesus’ sacrifice done for our salvation.

      April 24th- Easter Sunday- "Alleluia! He is Risen. He is Risen indeed.

      Alleluia!" Come and celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and the grave as we gather for worship filled with wonderful music and as we catch our breath over breakfast.

      Please check the schedule for times and places for all of these wonderful opportunities that await you as we enter into the most sacred time of the year. God’s blessings be with you all this Spring!

      Sincerely,

 

LENTEN SCHEDULE

Welcome to Supper served by TLC Youth at 6:00 p.m.

Lenten Services at 7:30 p.m.

"WHY DO CHRISTIANS…?"

March 16 — At Trinity — "Why Do Christians Worship?"

March 23 — At Wanamingo — "Why Do Christians Read the Bible?

March 30 — At Trinity — "Why Do Christians Give of Themselves?"

April 6 — At Wanamingo — "Why Do Christians Pray?"

April 13 — At Trinity — "Why Do Christians Baptize Infants?"

Maundy Thursday, April 21 — At Wanamingo— 4:00 & 7:30 p.m.  Worship with Holy Communion

Good Friday, April 22 — At Trinity — 3:00 & 7:30 p.m. — Worship

Easter Sunday, April 24

      Wanamingo Lutheran — 7:00 a.m. Worship, Holy Communion followed by Easter Breakfast

      Trinity Lutheran — 8:00 a.m.— Easter Contata

      8:30 a.m. — Breakfast — Trinity Youth Serving

      10:30 a.m. — Festival Worship with Holy Communion

 

Southeastern MN Synod Assembly—May 6-7

The Synod Assembly will gather around the theme---"GOD’S WORK. OUR (Lutheran) HANDS." Attending as Voting Members from Trinity this year will be Wayne and Bonnie Hermann and Pastor Christopher. Keynote presentations, Bible Study, workshops, will explore the topic from a number of different angles.  Hint: It’s not just Hymns and Jello!

 

Fifth Grade First Communion—April 30th/ May 1st

   We will gather to bake the bread we will use for Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity on April 30th. Students will receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday May 1st at the 9:00 a.m. Service.

Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism —April 17th

  This year our students will be confirmed on Palm Sunday, April 17th at the 10:30 a.m. Service . A reception for these students will be held prior to worship from 9:30-10:15 a.m. We anticipate nine of Trinity’s young people affirming their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Please come and prayerfully support our youth as they celebrate this important milestone in their lives.

Easter Garden

Easter Sunday, April 24th, is a just over a month away. These days of important reflection during the season of Lent give way to joyful sounds and sights in celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Our church sanctuary will be filled with the bright and beautiful blossoms of the Easter Garden.

Jeri Ryan at Blossoms and Keepsakes is again offering us a beautiful choice of plants to place in the Easter Garden. If you would like to order a spring plant for Easter Sunday you may do so in memory of or in honor of a loved one or simply to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You will find in this newsletter an envelope with various plants/ prices/ and message line. Please fill out the envelope and return with payment to the church by Sunday, April 10. Checks should be made out to Trinity Lutheran Church.

You may turn in your order in the following ways:

1. Drop it in the box at the back of the church.

2. Place it in the offering plate.

3. Bring it to the church office.

4. Mail it to the church.

 

 

It is that time of year when we are preparing for Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. What a celebration that will be! Trinity Youth 7-12 will be serving breakfast on Easter Sunday morning, April 24 between the Sunrise Chorale Service and the 10:30 Easter Celebration Worship service. We will serve from 8:00 until 10:00. All youth 7-12 have been mailed this special service event information.

Deb, Youth Committee

 

Easter Breakfast Menu:

Egg Dish, Fresh Fruit, Muffins, Quick Breads, Rolls, Coffee

Orange Juice

Milk

 

Trinity has been enrolled as a charitable organization in Melaleuca's catalog shopping opportunity. Melaleuca offers quality products that are safer for your home, cost less than retail and earns 5% commissions that comes back to Trinity Youth.

Contact: Nancy Raths for more information.

 

Trinity Train

Year 1 ~ Story 7

Lent & Easter

Theological Focus: God calls me to be a new creation

What we will learn:
The students should know the following at the end of the session.

1. God loves us and wants us to change our bad behaviors into good behaviors

2. God sent us his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins

3. Jesus dies on the cross but rose again and lives forever with God

4. Because Jesus lives, we too get to live forever with God.

Trinity Train Salvation Stations:

4-year-olds - Grade 2:

God’s Garden - Art: Pretzel Baking

Theatre – Movie Veggie Tales

Grand Temple-B: Stories from the Bible

Grade 3 – Grade 6:

Art Room A: Empty Tomb Baking

Grand Temple-A: Bible Story – bring your bibles!

Signs of God: Greatest Adventures: Easter Story

Bible Memory Verses

Grades 3-6

God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life (John 3:16)

4-yr-olds – Grade 2

You are dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19b)

 

Earthquake Relief 2011: Japan

Ways to Give

Check or money orders sent to:

ELCA Disaster Response
39330 Treasury Center
Chicago, IL

60694-9300

Write "Pacific Earthquake & Tsunami" on your check's memo line.

 

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

On Friday an 8.9-magnitude earthquake caused severe damage and led to a tsunami that overwhelmed cities and farmland in Japan. Tsunami warnings have been raised around the Pacific Rim. ELCA Disaster Response is monitoring the situation and preparing this church's response, both internationally and domestically as needed. All 22 ELCA missionaries in Japan have reported that they and their families are safe and well.

The ELCA and its predecessor church bodies have a long history in Japan, dating back to 1892. The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church has a rich tradition of education and service to those who are in need, and we will continue to walk alongside our companions in ministry as they respond to the disaster.

Your prayers are this church’s first response to this disaster. Please offer personal and congregational prayer for those affected by the Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami.

Contributions can be made to ELCA International Disaster Response for the Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami Response. Your gifts will be used to assist those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by this disaster in Japan and other affected islands.

Thank you for your gifts. Your prayers and partnership are needed.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

 

Quilting

The 8:30 am Monday Quilting has ended 3.28 and resumes in September. A New quilting class is being offered for beginners. This class will be geared towards those who have never quilted before. Please join me 7-8:30 pm on Thursdays starting April 7th. The first time we meet you will be introduced to the pattern and will be given a supply list. Call or email me with questions Amy Jenson.

 

Good Friday Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

Calling all Men! The Men’s Fellowship is sponsoring a Good

Friday Breakfast from 7-8 a.m. on Friday, April 22 in the Trinity

Church Basement. The cost for breakfast is $5.00 and all are welcome. Come ready to head off to work. We will have you on your way by 8!

 

2011 Baccalaureate Service

As the Kenyon-Wanamingo Class of 2011 prepares to complete their high school education, the local pastors are once again offering a Baccalaureate service for students, teachers, family and friends. The service will take place on Wednesday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. More Details to come.

 

Faith In Action…

A Volunteer Program providing services to older adults and those with difficult life circumstances.

  • Care-giver respite and friendly visiting
  • Chore and housekeeping
  • Ride to medical appointments
  • Ride for shopping needs

Cost of services: There is no charge for services. Faith In Action is a non-profit program dependent on donations and contributions. Volunteer opportunities.

Call 507-732-4445 or visit our Web site

 

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