TRINITY CONNECTIONS - Trinity Lutheran Church

TRINITY CONNECTIONS
To Know Christ. To Share Christ.
Trinity Lutheran Church
764 W. Henderson Avenue, Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 784-4202
www.tlcporterville.org
April 2015
Volume 57 Issue 4
From the Pastor
The Personal Trainer, p. 2
Spotlight on...
Mt. Cross Lutheran Camp, p. 3
Education
Wisdom Before Jesus, p. 4
Worship and Evangelism
At the Table and Around the Cross, p. 5
Stewardship
Toiletries Needed, p. 7
The Mission of Trinity Lutheran Church: Sharing God’s love and grace, we INVITE,
EMBRACE and NURTURE everyone unconditionally into a relationship with God
through Jesus Christ.
Trinity Connections
FROM THE Pastor
The Personal Trainer
I love personal trainers.
A personal trainer is someone who comes alongside of me
when I’m just starting a new exercise program. They are
trained to know both the human body AND principles of
movement for that body. I can depend on them to know
just what kinds of exercise I do and don’t need to do in
order to meet my goals for weight loss and/or muscle
development and toning.
The trainer is that “go-to” person with whom I first sit and
discuss my personal goals, dreams, hopes, fears and the
vision of my future self. With their knowledge and
training, they take all my “stuff” and develop a plan for me
to work through in
order to achieve my
goals. Then, they train
me on the equipment
and they teach me the
exercises in which I’ll
need to engage to reach my vision. For a time, they’ll walk
alongside of me – encouraging, counseling, helping and
even comforting me through the process.
The time will come when the trainer will step back and I
will carry on, practicing the skills I’ve been taught and
implementing the exercise routine on my own. The trainer
is still there to answer questions, but the bulk of the work
lies in my hands now.
But then will come that moment that inevitably comes to
all who are working to lose weight and develop a healthy
lifestyle – the plateau. The numbers that had been
decreasing suddenly stagnate while the numbers that
should be rising hit a standstill. I am stuck because what I
had been doing is no longer achieving the success it once
did.
What do I do?
Time to bring back the personal trainer. Yes, at that critical
moment of plateau, it’s time to call in the personal trainer
to help me get back in the game.
Now the job of the trainer is to help me evaluate whether
my goals need adjusted or whether the plan needs adjusted.
Maybe it’s both. The trainer will help me to develop a new
plan with adjusted goals so that I can continue to move
forward and take things to the next level.
2 April 2015  www.tlcporterville.com
In the gospel of John, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a
type of personal trainer – the “paraclete” or Advocate
who is called to come alongside the disciples and
counsel them, encourage them, teach them, train them,
help them and comfort them. This Advocate, the Holy
Spirit of truth, will come alongside and teach the
disciples everything and remind them of all that Jesus
has already taught them.
The Apostle Paul writes that the Holy Spirit does this
work by pouring out gifts upon the body of believers
and gathering them together to work alongside of each
other and help each other.
We are excited to have such a “paraclete” or personal
trainer to come alongside of us in the coming months.
As a council, we have decided to bring in a mentor and
coach from an organization called “21st Century
Strategies.” This consultant will work with us as a
council, staff and congregation to assess our sense of
mission, our ministry goals and practices, and to guide
us in the development of a plan for long-range success
in making disciples for Jesus Christ.
They will help us to continue building an
effective and sustainable infrastructure
for growing God’s Kingdom in this place.
Have we worked with such consultants before? Yes.
Have they helped us before? Yes. And that’s why we are
seeking their help once again. Because we have reached
a critical moment in the life of God’s church and we
need a personal trainer to help us break through the
plateau and keep moving forward in mission and
ministry in the name of Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Krista
Trinity Connections
Spotlight On…
Mt. Cross Lutheran Camp
Each month we will be shining the spotlight on one of our TLC
or partner ministries and the people who serve. As we do, one of
the things we hear over and over is “When I serve, I seem to
receive so much more than I ever feel I’m giving.” Ministry is an
investment that yields great rewards both for those who are
served and those serving. Consider how you are investing in
God’s mission and ministry with us.
Julie and Doug McIntosh
have been taking their
kids, Dagny McIntosh and
Alondra Silva-Bucio, to church camp for a number of
years. Since joining Trinity, they have been faithful
supporters of Mt. Cross - the Lutheran outdoor
ministry site a few hours from here. They have
served side by side at family camp weekends. Dagny
even got to surf during one of her weeks at camp! Mt.
Cross has made a big impact on
their relationships with God and
with each other. Camp has
changed their lives. It can change
yours, too!
What is Mt. Cross Ministries?
Among other things, Mt. Cross is the children’s camp
associated with our synod. It is located in the hills
near Santa Cruz.
How can someone be involved?
 Go to camp as a camper-There are many different
summer camp programs designed to meet the
varying needs and interests of campers going into
2nd - 9th grade. They provide a wide range of
camp activities - some of the programs for older
kids include ropes courses and beach trips, while a
A program choice for the middle grades includes
camping in a tree house for the week! Program
costs are $400 for the week (beach camp is $525).
 Go to camp as a counselor in training—if you are
entering 10th - 12th grade, you can sign up for a
two week program, learning to be a counselor.
There is one week of training with other CITs; the
second week you are in the cabins working with
the kids and a main counselor! This program is
available in July and costs $400.00.



Go to camp as a family-You can take the whole
family and camp in either the cabins or at the
campground. Counselors facilitate activities for the
whole family. Fees range from $180-$260/person
depending on age and accommodations.
Go to camp for the weekend for free (almost):
From May 22-24 (Memorial Day Weekend)
families descend on the camp to give it a face lift
for the summer. Families can stay in cabins or at
the campground. Saturday and Sunday, participants
choose from a wide range of projects needed that
year (from cleaning cobwebs to installing carpet)
depending on the skills and willingness of each
person. The program ends Sunday, but families can
stay the night and leave Monday morning if
desired. The fees for this are $6-$20 depending on
age and when you register.
Give a donation-donations can be made directly to
Mt. Cross, or can be given to Trinity to support our
childrens’ attendance.
There are scholarships available both directly from Mt.
Cross and from our local church body. For information
on any of these options, you can either visit the Mt.
Cross Ministries website at
www.mtcross.org or ask Julie McIntosh
for more information. She can help guide
you through the process of getting
registered-especially for the family work
weekend.
Julie McIntosh, Teen Faith Leader
Trinity Connections is a monthly publication of Trinity Lutheran Church,
764 W. Henderson Ave. Porterville, CA 93257. For subscription or editorial concerns
please call (559) 784-4202 or e-mail [email protected] or fax 559) 784-9027.
www.tlcporterville.com  April 2015
3
Trinity Connections
EDUCATION
Men’s Breakfast Group
Wisdom Before Jesus:
A Conversation with Ecclesiastes
The Wisdom Literature of
the Old Testament was written during a time much like
ours—a time of transition,
rapid expansion, disruptive
change, disillusionment, and seeking for answers.
Ecclesiastes, in particular, captures that spirit in a
series of reflections on the meaning of life. Join
us as we ask, “What is Wisdom before and after
Jesus?”
th
April 5 :
April 12:
Come join our men’s breakfast group on the
first and third Wednesday of each month.
We are currently reading in the book of Acts.
Those who gather are
not scholars, just
somewhat ordinary
guys reading, sharing
and growing. We’ll be glad to have you join
us! For more info, contact Tim Halemeier at
280-8879 or Jay Warnke at 539-0567
Easter – no class
Wisdom: Towards What End?
Coming Soon….. Wisdom in the Gospel of John
Women’s Bible Study
Wednesdays Are Wild - Even For Adults!
Camp TLC has groups for adults, as well as teens
and children. A free community dinner begins at
5:30 pm and campfire and learning groups meet
from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Study groups will finish a
fabulous book entitled "Hope For the Flowers."
It’s a tale partly about life, partly about revolution,
and lots about hope for adults and others (including
caterpillars who can read). Grab your spouse, partner or significant other… grab your kids or grandkids...grab a friend and come join the wildness of
Camp TLC Wednesdays!
4 April 2015  www.tlcporterville.com
This ladies group meets on the 2nd Thursday of
each month in the Fireside Room here at TLC.
Meeting starts at 2:00 pm. It is an open group
for all women –from TLC or community.
They are studying the
Book of Romans along
with some Reformation history and
writings of Martin
Luther.
For more information, please contact Gloria
Miller (359-6533) or Carolyn Sharp (784-6746)
Trinity Connections
WORSHIP & EVANGELISM
At the Table and Around the Cross
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 2nd
Friday, April 3rd
Maundy Thursday
Holy Communion and
Stripping of the Altar
Community Good Friday 12:00 pm
First Congregational Church
Good Friday
Here at TLC
Sunday, April 5th
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
Community Sunrise Service 6:30 am
Murry Park at the cross
Easter Breakfast @ TLC 8:30 am
Here at TLC – freewill offering
Easter Festival of
Resurrection
w/ Holy Communion
10:00 am
Celebrate Resurrection Life!
Join us on Sunday, April 5th for the Festival of the
Resurrection. We celebrate the risen and living Lord
Jesus who conquered sin
and death. We celebrate
our own promised resurrection from the dead. We
celebrate the gift of new
life here and now even as we await its fulfillment in
the time to come. Here is the Easter Sunday schedule:
8:00 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Holy Week is a time for somber reflection upon
the final days leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
We are called to find ourselves within these events as
we gather to remember. Join
nd
us April 2 for Maundy Thursday “At the Table”
and on April 3rd for Good Friday “Around the
Cross.” Worship is at 7pm on both of these days.
Maundy Thursday worship includes a time for us
to “wash the feet” of our
neighbors as we assemble hygiene kits for the homeless,
then share in the Holy Meal
with Christ, and finally to experience His betrayal as we
strip the altar and leave in silence. Good Friday
worship includes a time for reading of Christ’s
Passion as we gather around the cross.
Learning to Tell the Old, Old Story
We are currently moving
through a three-year reading cycle on Sunday mornings that will help us to learn
the narrative story of the Bible. “The Story” is broken
into 9 major themes that center on the presence of God in
the person of Jesus Christ.
After Easter we will begin a
6-week exploration of how
“The People of God” became
“The Kingdom of Israel.”
Join us Sundays at 10 a.m.
Easter Breakfast served for choir
Easter Breakfast
Worship w/Holy Communion
www.tlcporterville.com  April 2015
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Trinity Connections
YOUTH & FAMILY
Let Your Creativity Run Loose!
Wednesdays Are Wild!
Color, tone, texture, pastels,
chalks, paints – and friendship - all part of the fun of
Imagine Community Art
Center’s “Art Camp” hosted
here at TLC, Wednesdays
from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Did
we mention camp is FREE and geared for children from our surrounding community? For more
information and to register, contact ICAC at 559781-1510.
What do faith, laughter, sharing life stories, eating
dinner, learning Bible stories, making friends, making memories and talking
to God all have in common?
Let the Little Children Come
Jesus loved children. We love them, too! And we
want them to know and grow in the love of Jesus
Christ. So let the children come!
Children are welcome at
TLC – especially on
Sunday mornings for
worship and faith formation. Worship begins
at 10:00 am and includes a children’s sermon
right up front. Kids can then stay and worship
with their families or can head to the KidZone for
storytelling, crafts, music, games and more – all
designed to support the message learned in worship while helping children explore their faith in
God.
They’re all part of the
wildness that is Camp
TLC!
Camp TLC meets on Wednesdays, from 5:30 to
7:00 p.m. and includes a free community dinner
followed by campfire time and learning groups for
children, youth and adults.
Groups will read and discuss a
fabulous book called Hope for
the Flowers by Trina Paulus.
It’s a tale partly about life, partly about revolution, and lots
about hope for adults and others
(including caterpillars who can
read).
Calling All Teens!
“I like coming.”
“It’s a safe place to explore your
questions about life, God, relationships and more.”
“You don’t have to know everything or anything to participate.”
“I like that people know my name.”
6 April 2015  www.tlcporterville.com
These are just some of the sentiments youth are expressing about our Sunday morning and/or our
Wednesday night youth groups. Grab your friends
and join in the good times! Here’s what’s ahead:
 Sundays, 9:00 am – a discussion of “Women in
the Bible” led by Julie McIntosh
 Wednesdays, 5:30 to 7:00 pm – dinner and discussion “Hope for the Flowers”
Trinity Connections
STEWARDSHIP
Toiletries Needed
Caring & Sharing
Our Maundy Thursday “footwashing” ceremony
will actually be an act of service for the homeless of our community. During
worship we will assemble hygiene kits to distribute through
our pantry. We need the following trial/travel size items: chapstick, lotion, conditioner, and
toothpaste. Toothbrushes also
needed.
If you would like to donate to our Caring &
Sharing Fund, baskets are available on Sunday
mornings for your contributions. Or you may
include a donation in your offering envelope and
designate it for Caring & Sharing. These monies
offset the emergency assistance needs (utilities,
rent, housing, gas/transportation, etc.) of people
in our community.
Thank you for helping
restock our food pantry
Especially Needed:
● Hot & Cold Cereal
● Dry Milk
● Stew & Soups
● Canned Fruit
● Canned Veggies & Meats
● Jam & Jelly
● Spaghetti Sauce, pasta
● Dry beans
Donations may be brought to
church on Sunday mornings or
during office hours,
M-Th 9 to 3
In expressing my thanks
and appreciation to all
that helped me during my
illness, I failed to mention a
special person, Pastor Pat
Ciupek. Her visits, prayers,
kindness and love meant so
much to me while I was in
the hospital. Pastor Pat,
may you be blessed for
the kindness you have
shown me.
Rose Johnson
www.tlcporterville.com  April 2015
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Trinity Connections
FROM THE WIDER CHURCH
TLC Becomes a “Neighborhood Market”
Cal Baptist’s “New Song” in Concert
We are excited to begin a partnership with the
“Lutheran Hunger Network” as they expand from
Fresno into Kings and Tulare County. Starting sometime this summer, we will become a monthly host site
for a Neighborhood Market food distribution ministry. Trucks from the Community Food Bank will
bring in pallets of fresh
produce and other items
for us to bag and distribute
at no cost from our parking lot. Before we can be a
host site, we must learn
the process. There will be
opportunities for us to observe and help with other Neighborhood Markets
over the next few months. These markets begin prep
work at 8am and distribution at 9am on Saturday
mornings. Clean up is usually over by 11am/12noon.
Sign up or call the office to participate in one of these
upcoming markets and learn:
 Sat., April 11 – Bethany Lutheran, Kerman
 Sat., May 2 – Bethel Lutheran, Fresno
Once again this spring, we will host the ladies show
choir of Cal Baptist University, “New Song.” Last
year’s concert was such a success we couldn’t help but
have them back for more!
Faith Lending Library at Your Fingertips
Did you know that as part of the Sierra-Pacific Synod
of the ELCA, you have access to a faith lending library located just north of us in Fresno?
That’s right – the SP Synod has a Resource Center
available to you in your walk as a disciple of Jesus
Christ. Resources in this library can be accessed by
bible study leaders, pastors, youth leaders, worship
leaders and YOU!
For more information about the resources available,
check out their website at
www.resourcecenterspselca.org
“New Song” will be with us on Wednesday, May 6th
for dinner and an evening of faith-filled choral music.
Last year’s concert included hymns, praise songs, and
choral anthems for all ages. This year promises to be
more of the same beautiful
music for the Lord. Join us
for dinner at 5:30p.m. and
then stay for the show at
6:30p.m. There is no ticket
charge but a free-will offering will be received to help
offset ministry travel expenses for the “New Song”
choir.
We will also once again need host homes to house
these lovely ladies for the night. Each home must be
able to take at least two students and transport them to
and from the church Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Breakfast should be provided at the host homes on
Thursday morning. Sack lunches will be provided by
the church. Bedding should be in the form of actual
bed, sofa bed, or air mattress (and the students can
share a bed).
Sign up sheets are in the church entryway or you can
call the church office during office hours or you can
contact Carolyn Sharp at 784-6746. Carolyn is arranging a team for making the sack lunches here at TLC as
well as working with housing needs.
Community Worship During Holy Week
Join your brothers and sisters in Christ from all denominations for Holy Week remembrances. There are two
opportunities for community worship:


8 April 2015  www.tlcporterville.com
Good Friday, 4/3 at 12 p.m. at 1st Congregational
Church downtown
Easter Sunrise, 4/5 at 6:30 a.m. at Murry Park on
the east side of town (around the cross)
Trinity Connections
April Birthdays
3 Taylor Quiram
6 Norma Brown
7 Owen Linton
7 Scott Nelson
8 Patty Kennel
8 Daniel Rueger
9 Carla Cauwet
9 Breannia Wiles
10 Jordyn Bedard
11 Samara Bedard
12 Jon Orosco
13 Betta Olle
14 Hailey Kavern
15 Rose Johnson
17 Stephanie Gwinn
18 Virgil Christianson
19 Luke Worsham
20 Deanna Buringrud
22 Vern Elston
25 Linn Wiseman
28 Terry Bedard
28 Harold Boyer
29 Gerald Aanestad
“Good Morning” Eileen Todd, asked
me to thank all of you for your wonderful healing prayers. She came
through surgery just fine and is now
home. She feels great and is looking
forward to being able to be transferred
to a wheel chair and taken out into the
fresh air. She can no longer walk, but
has not given up hope. Thank you all
again.
Sincerely Eileen Todd
(by June Mowles)
April Anniversaries
13 Mary and Topper Clark
29 Linda and Bob Johnson
__________________________________
Members on the Move
We are sad to see our congregational family and friends move on to new adventures
and places, but here are their new addresses so you can stay in touch.
Dewey and Jordy
are already moved
and settled in Arizona. Richard and
Barbara are looking
to be moved by the
middle of this
month.
Dewey and Jordy Sommerfeld
18830 N. Grandview Dr.
Sun City West, AZ 85375
Richard and Barbara Amrhein
263 La Costa
Dayton, NV 89403
Home phone 775-301-6034
www.tlcporterville.com  April 2015
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Trinity Connections
PRAYERS AND PRAISES
Sharing Prayer
Requests
 Write a note on the
Welcome cards in
worship. Mark “Prayer
List”, “Prayer Chain”
or “Confidential—For
Pastor Only.
 During office hours
(M-Th 9am to 3pm
or call the church
office at 559-784-4202.
After hours, leave a
message at the church
office OR if it is urgent,
call Pastor Krista at
(559) 359-5592.
Prayer List
Requests on the prayer
list are lifted up in
prayer during worship,
by our prayer and
healing team, AND
posted in the bulletin
board in the TLC
entryway. Prayer list
requests are not sent out
by phone.
Prayer Chain
Requests are prayed for
in worship AND are
shared by phone and
email with those on our
Prayer Chains.
Prayer Marked “For
Pastor Only”
This prayer is not
shared on the prayer list
or the prayer chain.
New Prayer Concerns
The Family and Friends of Mary Gray - (Tim Halemeier) - for comfort and peace in the Lord at Mary’s death
Dan Quick (Louise Warnke) - for comfort and healing as he undergoes cancer treatment
Marcia and Aubrey (Nancy Chadwell) - for strength and healing and for wisdom in making decisions about
future care needs
Vern Elston (Julie Elston) - for a new living situation and for help in his battle with mental illness and addiction
Julie Elston - for courage, strength and discernment of God’s voice and for peace and protection for those who
live in her home
Continuing Prayer Concerns
The Family and Friends of Raymond (Rami) Avila - (Kay and Don Anderson) - for comfort and peace as they
mourn Rami’s death
Carol Baggett and Family - for comfort and peace at Clarence’s death
Donna Boyer - for continued healing, strength and comfort
Carol Johnson (Donna Boyer) - for strength and recovery from bronchitis
Bill Johnson (Donna Boyer) - for positive doctor evaluation for his knee
Mason and Zana (Karen and Art Cardell) - for continued strength in mind and body and the awareness of the
presence of the Holy Spirit
For Family and Friends of Joe Angel Rivas, Sr. (Tami and Dave Hensley) - for comfort and peace as they
mourn his death
Jason Mitchell (Avis Lindroos) - for healing and comfort from broken pelvis and complications from accident
Isaiah (Tim Olson) - for strength to continue living his life and to know God’s presence
Bill Morton (Linda Johnson) - for healing related to heart surgery and complications
Clain Randolph (Linda Johnson) - for healing after heart attack
The Family and Friends of Antonio Toste (Kay and Don Anderson) - for comfort and peace as they mourn Antonio’s death
Eileen Todd - for healing in the midst of open heart surgery
Rose Johnson (Helen Zenz) - for continued healing and strength
Bev Watkins - for continued healing
Tim Olson - bless his health and the well-being of the TLC congregation
The Sierra-Pacific Synod - for wisdom and a spirit of true fellowship in our shared ministries
Those unable to worship with us:
Hilda Zeitler - Sun Villa
Phyllis Rengstorf - Home
Agnes Larson - Home
Mary Clark - Sierra Valley Rehab Wanda White - Saratoga Retirement Community
Those serving in the U.S. military, especially:
Gary Hanner
Samantha Brumley (Navy)
Nathan Elliott (Marines-Afghanistan)
Jeremy Kelly (Army)
Cheyenne Lembke (Air Force)
Stephan Porter (Army)
Marc Jon George (Army)
Joey Rodriguez (Marines)
Kristin & Toph Lake (Navy)
Tim Stringer (Marines)
Melissa (Mowles) Groot (Air Force)
Samantha Orosco (Middle East)
Christian Beer (Navy)
David Kramer (Iraq)
Brandon Bedard (Army)
Marcus Foster (Navy)
Jeff Gray (Army)
Alex Rodeck (Navy)
Linnet Slater (Army Guard)
Christopher Walters (Army - Jordan)
Thank you for the prayers. Thank God for the healing
Prayer Concerns will be posted at TLC for three weeks unless otherwise requested
10 April 2015  www.tlcporterville.com
Trinity Lutheran Church
764 W. Henderson Ave.
Porterville, CA 93257
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To Know Christ. To Share Christ.
Our Sunday Morning Schedule
Bible Study
Worship
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Located At:
764 W. Henderson Ave.
Porterville, CA 93257
(559)784-4202
TRINITY CHURCH COUNCIL
President, Judy Trimble
Vice-President, Karen Cardell
Secretary, Julie McIntosh
Treasurer, Carol Bentz
Financial Secretary, Jill Stokes
Worship/Evangelism, Ray Cauwet
Fellowship/Membership, Debra Rodriguez
Education/Stewardship, Ann Marie Wagstaff
Property, Linn Wiseman
The Rev. Krista T. Vingelis
E-mail: [email protected]
www.tlcporterville.org