Holy Trinity
Transcription
Holy Trinity
Volume 3, Issue 2 February 2013 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church holytrinityankeny.org 515-964-4348 Pastors: • Timothy V. Olson • Pam Schroeder In this issue: Page 1 • This is the Christian Life Page 2 • Your Walk (continued) Page 3 • Your Walk (continued) • Do You Belong to God? Page 4 • Families in Mission • Parents Night Out Page 5 • Pon’s Egg Roll Recipe Page 6 • Calendar Page 7 • Marriage Retreat info Page 8 • Hearty Blessings • The Book Nook Page 9 • This is the Christian Life (continued) • Sonseekers • Table to Table Back Cover • Your Walk: Pon Thipyothin Page 1 Pastor Tim Olson February brings farewells and new beginnings. On Saturday and Sunday, February 9-10, - the Festival of Transfiguration- we will say farewell to “Alleluia,” abstaining from this word of celebration until Easter. The following Wednesday, February 13 we will usher in the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday worship at 5:30 and 7:00 PM. Lent is a time of reflection and renewal; of new beginnings for our faith as we live it each day. The theme for our Lenten journey will be: This is the Christian Life and will feature a focus on what Jesus teaches us about how we live each day as his followers. Living the Christian life has always been a concern for those who follow the Lord. But, in our age, it receives special emphasis because for most people, Christian faith is little more than a bunch of ideas and beliefs that are hard to grasp. People often see little difference in the lives lived by Christians and anybody else. It is that difference they seek. Living life believing one thing and doing another leads to often accurate accusations that Christians can be hypocrites. So, we are going to walk the path of Lent asking what the Christian life each day might look like. Living the faith has always been part of Lenten observances. Fasting, prayer, and extra giving to the poor were Jewish traditions that Christians continued, especially in Lent, as new Christians prepared for baptism on Easter. Perhaps you remember giving up some food for Lent – that is a remnant of the practice of fasting. Maybe you recall giving a midweek offering – extra “alms” for the poor. Mid-week Lenten services are a reflection of increased communal prayer life. We will be gathering on Wednesday evening to observe Lent with a second emphasis on the Christian Life. We will work to live Table to Table – as in table/altar to family table at home. Continued on page 9 ...those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty Page 2 settled in the US. She said, “The language barrier was definitely a struggle for our family. We all knew we had to learn the English Continued from back cover Pon was eight years language to go to school, get jobs and just to get old when she came to around. My brother, America. She knew the English and Laotian my cousin and I went to Windsor elemenalphabets, spoke the tary school and learned Laotian language, but English through an couldn’t write it. Pon ESL class there. By the remembers feeling relieved when they left the time I went to middle school, I didn’t need refugee camp because ESL anymore. I was she knew they were always trying to perfect going somewhere that would bring a better life my English speaking and for her family. Pon was writing skills. It remains really amazed by the air- a work in progress for plane and was excited to me and my family, even discover new things. At 20 years later. Another struggle was assimilatthe same time, she was ing to the American afraid of the unknown, culture and convincing but always knew that my Mother to allow me everything would be okay because her family to play sports in middle school and high school trusted in God. and go to a homecom The Thipyothin ing dance. My Uncle, family was provided a house and car and a little Mom and Grandma were very strict as they money to get settled wanted to me focus on in Des Moines. Pon’s school and get good Mother and Uncle grades, they didn’t want used the car to drive to English language classes. us to get involved with anything else. It was Mother was able to go tough growing up with a to cosmetology classes to enable her to work as single-mom, because we didn’t have a lot of mona hair stylist here as she had in Laos. Her Uncle ey. We had to be very careful about where studied car mechanics we spent our money. at DMACC. Grandpa later passed away in July We made sure we had enough money for bills of 1998. Through it all, Grandma would always and didn’t do many activities, such as going on look to God. Pray to family vacations, going God. Remember, as to the movies, etc. Our Pon Thipyothin says, family loved to fish, so “Through all of the ups and downs God is there. every summer, we spent We always look to God.” the weekend driving to Red Rock in Pella or Big I asked Pon if she Creek in Polk City to could describe any specific struggles as they fish. “ The Well Pon had no trouble speaking of her blessings. “Our greatest blessing is coming to the United States – we are forever thankful that God brought us here. We wouldn’t know where we would be if we didn’t come here. The journey from Laos to America has led us to know God and given our family a new life in Iowa. We have so much to be thankful for so we count our blessing every day. A few proud milestones include the day my Mother became a U.S. citizen (everyone in the family is now a U.S. citizen, Grandma was the last one to get hers in 2009 after three tries); when each of the kids graduated from high school, and the day I received my Finance degree from Iowa State University. Additionally, I have been blessed with a wonderful career at Principal and also met the love of my life there.” The Thipyothins were members at Trinity Lutheran for 20 years and would call it their home church. Pon told me about their experience at Trinity. “Mother and Uncle played and sang in a Laotian church band. Our family attended the Laotian service at Trinity Lutheran for many years. My brother, my cousin and I all got baptized there. We went to Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, church camps in Okoboji and got confirmed there. We all loved Christmas time, because we got to sing in Christmas programs and be part of a play to tell Jesus’ birth story. The Laotian service also held an annual Christmas celebration, which had a full agenda including worship, singing, and skits about the birth of Jesus and drawing for prizes with raffle tickets. And the food was also wonderful; we always had plenty of food that everyone brought to share. We always looked forward to going to church on Sundays.” After Pon’s graduation from East High, she earned a finance degree at Iowa State. She then visited Laos and found her Father. But many years and experiences had caused them to grow apart. After graduation she worked at Principal in commercial lending. As the economy slowed, Pon chose to move into a banking job. This job turned out not to be what Pon was interested in and she prayed every day for a new job. Remember, as Pon Thipyothin says, “Through all of the ups and downs God is there. We always look to God.” Finally she landed a paralegal job. Soon, her contacts and career path led her back to Principal where she now works in commercial loan servicing. Pon now helps her Grandmother in the Laotian tradition of family caring for all generations. No nursing homes. Continued on page 3 The Well Page 3 Continued from page 2 Pon is and has been the “go to” person for all of the challenges of the refuge family in this new land. Pon is the translator, navigator, family advocate, tax person, and cook for family gatherings. But she knows she is blessed and will always look to God in the good times and bad. I hope you’ll get to meet Pon, her brother Olay and his wife Dah and their children, Kaylanha and Izayah. Dah is a Nursery Attendant here at HTLC and is also helping out with the 3 and 4 year old preschool church school. Pon is anxiously awaiting her marriage to Ben Sitzmann, which will take place on July 6, 2013. A favorite verse of Pon’s (Food for Thought): Psalms 18:2 “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” And a favorite recipe (Food for Family) Pon said “My friends and family have mentioned that I make the best eggrolls, so I would like to share this recipe.” (Find this recipe on the back of the calendar in this newsletter.) - By Jean Murphy Do You Belong to God? What does it mean to “Belong to God”? Are there any qualifications that must be met? You must be of German decent? You must be at least 56 inches tall? You must have blue eyes? The good news is God has no qualifications! Belonging to God is about loving God. In Mark 12:30 it says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” God has shown over and over, through Christ, complete and absolute love for us. Belonging to God is about returning that love. But, how do you love with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and strength? Take a moment to picture what that kind of love must look like. To me it seems risky to love God that much. To me it seems like it is hard to do what God asks because it is hard to trust God will provide what I need. Why do we doubt so much? Why do we not trust that God will take care of all our needs, just as God promises? It is also hard because loving God back means I put God in control, and it is threatening when we feel that we are not in control. But, “belonging to God” means we allow God to rule our lives, putting God in charge of everything. This includes our time and money and our possessions. If we remember, God has entrusted all thing to us while we are on this earth. It takes a tremendous faith and trust! But the faith is also given to us by God. How strong is your faith and trust? God loves us in spite of our response to our calling. It is hard for us to imagine or duplicate the un- conditional love that God shows over and over. The rewards of “Belonging to God” are immeasurable! Even though God requires nothing from us, giving to God and working for God gives me an inner strength and calm; an inner trust and confidence. It means your relationship with Christ is growing. You are part of an extraordinary group in the journey with Christ. There is room for all and enough work for all. Find a way to get involved. Join in finding the solution of spreading the Good News of “Belonging to Christ”. Give with all of your heart. Know and trust that God is good!! “Belonging to God” is a lifetime journey, a real lifetime – now and forever. What are you willing to sacrifice and give to live a life that belongs to God? – Duane Suhr, Generosity Team Leader Page 4 The Well Families in Mission On March 3, the HTLC Families in Mission group will be meeting from 2:00 – 4:00 to prepare Manna Bags and bags of laundry soap to be distributed to needy individuals in the Des Moines area. What are Manna bags? They are bags full of items that an individual might need or use on a daily basis, or merely use as a means of survival. The bags can be distributed formally by various organizations, or individuals can keep one in their car Parents Night Out February is always a tough month. With everyone in the family reeling from the effects of cabin fever and add in the pressure of trying to find a night to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one February quickly becomes Stress City. Well those of us who are participating in the Middle School and High School Mission Trips have thought of a and hand it out their car window if they see someone in need on the street. We invite all members of HTLC to join us as we serve our community in this way. If you’re not able to attend but would like to help with supplies, please consider donating some of the following items or gift cards to Hy-Vee/ Target/Walmart so we might purchase the items ourselves. Please bring all items to church no later than March 3. Please place the items in the marked bin in the Narthex. Items needed for laundry soap bags: Boxes of Borax laundry soap, Bars of Ivory bath soap OR Fels-Naptha laundry soap, Arm & Hammer, Washing Soda (not the same as baking soda), Snack-size Ziploc bags Items needed for Manna Bags (these are merely suggestions – feel free to bring other items if you would like): Granola Bars, Bottles of water, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Individual bags of snacks, Gallon-sized plastic ziploc bags, Small containers of juice, Fruit cups, Raisins, Vienna sausage, Plastic forks/spoons, Gift certificates or coupons for free Whoppers, sandwiches, etc., Washcloths, Small bars (hotel-size) of soap, Hotel-size bottles of shampoo or conditioner. way that we can help you out (at least with providing you some child care for a much needed night off). On Friday, February 8th, from 5-9pm we’ll be having a Fundraiser called Parents Night Out. We’ll be providing age appropriate activities for kids from birth to 5th grade (Professional Nursery staff will be present for our littlest kids!). So if your kids are ready for a night away from their parents (or the other way around) full of games, crafts, snacks, and maybe even a movie this event is for you! Sign-ups for Parent’s night out will be available at the Welcome Center in the Narthex. The cost of this event is up to you as we’ll be accepting free will donations with all proceeds going to support the High School and Middle School mission trips this summer. - Krista Gerth - Andrew Karrmann Pon’s Egg Roll Recipe Egg Roll Filling Ingredients: • 1 small bag of coleslaw mix • 1 lb lean ground pork • 2 rolls of clear vermicelli noodles (soaked, drained and cut into 2 inch lengths) • 2 carrots (peeled and shredded) • 1 onion, diced • 1 or 2 eggs (depending on liquidity of mix) • ¾ cup of oyster sauce • 1 teaspoon of sugar • 2 teaspoon of black pepper • 2 ½ teaspoon of salt • 2 teaspoon of msg (optional) • 3 package of egg roll wrappers (25/pkg) • 1 liter of vegetable oil for deep frying Makes approximately 60-70 egg rolls Mixing steps: 1. Place ground pork in large mixing bowl and add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of msg, ½ teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and ¼ cup of oyster sauce. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. 2. In another large mixing bowl combine all vegetables (coleslaw, onions, carrots) and clear vermicelli noodles. Add 1 teaspoon of black pepper, ½ teaspoon of sugar, 1 ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of msg and remaining oyster sauce. Add the ground pork mix and 1 egg (or 2 if consistency of mix looks dry but don’t want it to be wet). Next, hand mix thoroughly until the ground pork is mixed in well with the vegetables. 3. Next do a taste test. Take a spoonful of the egg roll mix and cook in microwave (about 25-30 seconds per side). If the mix tastes okay then proceed to wrap the egg rolls. Assembling the Egg Rolls: Ingredients/Supplies: • 3-4 egg yolks for sealing the egg roll (crack in small bowl – you can save the egg whites) • Large aluminum tray to set egg rolls in (lay paper towel on tray and stand egg rolls up) 1. Place a heaping spoonful of the mixture (filling) in one corner of an egg roll wrapper. Slowly and tightly roll the wrapper up half way and fold in the sides (burrito style) and continue to roll tightly until you get to the top corner. Seal the top corner with a good dab of the egg yolk. 2. Repeat rolling steps until all the filling is gone. Frying the Egg Rolls: 1. Deep fry in 3 inches of very hot oil until golden brown on both sides. (They cook very quickly.) Drain on colander or paper towels. 2. Cut each egg roll in half crosswise and arrange on a platter. Serve warm, with spring roll sauce and enjoy! Note: You can also freeze the eggrolls if you don’t want to fry them right away. Make sure you cover the aluminum tray with a layer of wax paper and sealed with a layer of aluminum foil (make sure edges are sealed tightly). They keep for 3-4 months in the freezer. Once you’re ready to fry them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. S 5 12 19 26 3 8:30 am Monday Morning Coffee 4 5 9:00 am Willing Workers and Paint Pound and Praise 10:30 am Staff Meeting 1:00 pm WPT 7:00 pm Confirmation Guide Book Study 7:00 pm Trinity Ringers 9:00 am Willing Workers and Paint Pound and Praise 10:30 am Staff Meeting 1:00 pm MVT 6:30 pm Caring Cadre 7:00 pm Trinity Ringers am Monday Morning25 8:00 am Worship 24 8:30 9:30 am Worship Coffee 6:30 pm College Moms 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 3:00 pm Gather for Games Women’s Ministries 5:00 pm MS Fellowship Event 7:00 pm HS Bible Study 26 19 9:00 am Willing Workers 12 and Paint Pound and Praise 10:30 am Staff Meeting 1:00 pm MVT 5:15 pm Caring and Discipleship SMA 7:00 pm Hannah Bible Study 7:00 pm Trinity Ringers 9:00 am Willing Workers and Paint Pound and Praise 10:30 am Staff Meeting 1:00 pm WPT 6:00 pm Financial Review Committee 6:30 pm New Member Exploration Class 7:00 pm Lydia Bible Study 7:00 pm Trinity Ringers 8:30 am Monday Morning18 Coffee 5:00 pm Hearty Blessing Casserole Prep 7:00 pm Confirmation Guide Book Study High School Ski Trip 8:00 am Worship 8:30 am New Member Brunch 9:30 am Worship with New Member Reception 9:30 am Church School 9:30 am Adult Education 11:00 am Worship 11:00 am Adult Education 7:00 pm HS Bible Study 17 Tuesday Wednesday 6 am Bulletin Stuffers 6:30 am Son Seekers - Men’s 7 10:30 Ministries 12:30 pm Mom 2 Mom 9:00 am Mom 2 Mom 7:30 pm Esther Bible Study 10:30 am Bulletin Stuffers 12:30 pm Mom 2 Mom Friday 8 1 S 2 9 16 23 30 7:30 am Men’s Bible Study 9:00 am It’s a Girl Thing Women’s Ministries 5:30 pm Worship 7:30 am Men’s Bible Study 5:30 pm Worship Saturday March 2013 S M T W T F 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 9 2 9:00 am LWR Quilt Makers 1:00 pm Prayers for Caregivers 5:30 pm Children’s Choirs 6:00 pm Soup Supper 6:30 pm Worship 7:00 pm Children’s Ministry 7:30 pm Chancel Choir 7:30 pm HS Youth Group 8:15 pm Grace Abounds Rehearsal 27 6:30 am Son Seekers - Men’s 28 Ministries 9:00 am Mom 2 Mom 2:30 pm Blood Drive 6:30 pm Inviting SMA 5:30 pm Children’s Choirs20 6:30 am Son Seekers - Men’s 21 6:00 pm Soup Supper Ministries 6:30 pm Worship 9:00 am Mom 2 Mom 7:00 pm Children’s Ministry 6:30 pm Council Meeting 7:30 pm Chancel Choir 7:30 pm HS Youth Group 8:15 pm Grace Abounds Rehearsal 10:30 am Bulletin Stuffers22 7:30 am Men’s Bible Study23 12:30 pm Mom 2 Mom 9:00 am Altar Guild 4:00 pm WOW Widows5:30 pm Worship Widowers Outing Ash Wednesday am Son Seekers - Men’s am Bulletin Stuffers15 High School Ski Trip 13 6:30 14 10:30 16 No Church School or Ministries 12:30 pm Mom 2 Mom 7:30 am Men’s Bible Study Confirmation 9:00 am Mom 2 Mom 5:30 pm Worship 9:00 am LWR Quilt Makers 1:00 pm Prayers for Caregivers 5:30 pm Worship 7:00 pm Worship 8:15 pm Grace Abounds Rehearsal 11:00 am Health Cabinet 6:00 pm Financial Review Committee *Normal Church School, Confirmation & Choir Schedules* Thursday February 2013 *Normal Church School, Confirmation & Choir Schedule* 4:00p Middle School Hang-out 6:15p Confirmation (6th & 9th grade) 4:15p Church School 7:00p HS Youth Group 5:00p Upper Room Cafe (9th-12th grade) 5:30p Children’s Choirs 7:00p Chancel Choir 5:30p Late Hang-out 7:15p Confirmation (7th & 8th 6:00p Church School grade) 6:00p Adult Education 8:15p Grace Abounds Rehearsal Foundations Monday Food Pantry Weekend 10 8:30 am Monday Morning11 Coffee 8:00 am Worship 7:00 pm Worship SMA 9:30 am Worship 7:30 pm Children’s Team 9:30 am Church School Meeting 9:30 am Adult Education 11:00 am Worship 11:00 am Adult Education 7:00 pm HS Bible Study 8:00 am Worship 9:30 am Worship 9:30 am Church School 9:30 am Adult Education 11:00 am Worship 11:00 am Adult Education 4:00 pm Hearty Blessing Casserole Prep 7:00 pm HS Bible Study Sunday January 2013 S M T W T F 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 Marriage Retreat Page 7 Riverside Marriage Retreat: March 1-3, 2013 What does a Marriage Retreat look like at Riverside? The weekend is filled with sessions with our speakers, God’s Word, worship, skits by our program team, lots of fun, fellowship and laughter. It is a time to get away from our normal schedules, the phone ringing, demands as being parents, housework, cooking, dishes, yard work, etc.! Take the time to be with your spouse in an atmosphere which encourages godly marriages, lasting relationships, friendships within marriages, and fellowship with others. What couples enjoyed most about the Marriage Retreat weekends: “Time together, Riverside is a safe place, being reminded what God desires from us as man and wife, meeting new friends, date night entertainment, the speakers, laughing so hard together, time away from busy schedules, kids, phones, and work, being in God’s creation, praying together for the first time!” Theme: “Completely One” “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” God’s intent and design for marriage is that the two shall become as one. The very things that attract us to each other initially can later be the very things that pull us apart. During this retreat we will explore the differences that tend to keep couples from becoming completely one and discover how we can begin to value and accept these differences, so we can experience the oneness God intended. This year’s speakers, Jim & Kathie Hobson, have been married for over 30 years, have two married daughters, and have been National Directors of Christ-Life Ministries since its inception 12 years ago. Kathie has served as a therapist in clinical and church settings. Jim & Kathie have a passion to see people become who they were created to be so they can fulfill their God-given purpose. Through Christ-Life’s program, Ultimate Journey, they equip people to have productive lives, love-filled marriages and emotionally healthy children. Please pray about coming to the Marriage Retreat in March 2013! Bring some friends! Maybe you know a couple who would really like to come, but child care and/or money is prohibiting them. Can you help, or could you find help for them? The registration fee is a great GIFT to give for Christmas and anniversaries! Housing Options & Fee $130 - Riverside housing - couples stay in individual cabins or rooms. $210 - Viking Hotel (3 miles from camp in Story City) $100 Commute - sleep at home, attend all the programming at camp *Fee includes all meals and programming REGISTER NOW! Couples arrive Friday evening and the retreat ends with a brunch on Sunday around noon. You DON’T want to miss this weekend! Consider giving the weekend as gift to someone! They will appreciate it! Find the registration form at: http://www.riversidelbc.org/images/downloads/registration/2012marriageretreatflier.pdf Or at the welcome center at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Page 8 The Well you. I am thinking about you. You are not alone. Welcome to the neighborhood. Welcome baby! Jesus loves you! Since June 2012, an estimated 50 casseroles have been Be kind to one another, tenderhearted. shared throughout - Ephesians 4:3 the Ankeny com Truly by the act someone’s mother – a munity. Think about someone you know of the Holy Spirit, I new widow. With who could use a bit became involved with the presence of the of nourishment for my small group - it is Holy Spirit among their soul, a break a group made up of us, our answer befrom the grind, or an persons who genucame clear and so acknowledgement of inely care, want to did Hearty Blessings something good – and serve, and pray for Ministry. Hearty then open the door to guidance. Each of us Blessings is a simple the Hearty Blessings were feeling the nudge way to share a home Freezer, located in to do something – to cooked meal and the Fellowship Hall. serve in a new way, give the gift of Jesus Choose any size casbut unsure of what to to those within and serole of these recipes: do. When we gathbeyond these church scalloped potatoes ered in the conference walls. The gift of room to share ideas food, especially when and ham, manicotti, or vegetarian. So we heard a story of delivered to a neighgo and serve and let how much a delivered bor’s door says many someone know they casserole meant to things: I care about The Book Nook • “Borders of the Heart” by Chris Fabry J.D. Jessup finds himself near Tuscon - his life will cross a line and he will not be able to turn back. • “Talk of the Town”, “Word Gets Around”, and “Never Say Never” by Lisa Wingate - engaging stories matter. Our hope is twofold; that the freezer is always empty, and that others will come forward to share in preparing casseroles. Recipes and supplies are provided as well as a little personal guidance from one of our small group members. Casseroles are to be prepared in the HTLC kitchen and cooks are encouraged to share a casserole together – nourishing their fellowship. For more information contact [email protected] or leave your name at the front office and one of us will contact you. - Linda Hope - Penney Wilson bestseller. Tyndall - Charles Towne, South • “God Loves You” by Carolina is the Dr. David Jeremiah with small-town home of the three Also a New York charm. Wescott sisters. Times bestselling • “Have a Little Faith”, Their journey leads author that God “The Five People You them face to face loves us is the most Meet in Heaven”, and with danger and profound truth in “For One More Day” newfound faith in the univers. this by Mitch Albom God. book will enable - These books • “Swish” by Ron you to know God possess the rare Sampson - the in a way that will magic of drawing Evolution of AAU connect you to His the reader back women’s basketball grace. to them again and as told by Rod Lein. • “Charles Towne again. Author is a Belles” by M.L. - Library Committee New York Times The Well Page 9 Calling All Men! Continued from cover Each week, Church School, Foundations, Confirmation classes and all who want to worship learn – and yes – eat, will engage in a multigenerational evening that connects the table of the altar to the table at home. The schedule will be a little different than previous years and is available elsewhere in this publication. We invite all to come and be part of living the Christian life and of connecting Table to Table in this season of Lent. This is the Christian Life! – Pastor Tim Check Out the Sonseekers! You are invited to the Son Seekers small group that meets each Thursday morning at 6:30 AM in the Gathering Place. Join this group of 12 – 15 men for some time of coffee, fellowship and Bible Study. The group meets for an hour so you can get to work on time. Many have said “this is something that I have been looking for”. There is also interest in getting a group started later in the day for those who are not early birds or whose work schedule just doesn’t fit the current meeting time. If you are interested in a new group, contact Chad Rademacher at 635-0242 or [email protected]. Wednesday Worship and Education in Lent Ash Wednesday Worship in the Sanctuary at 5:30 & 7:00 focusing on confession and forgiveness, the imposition of ashes and holy communion. There will be no meal, no children’s choirs, and no church school this evening to provide families and individuals the opportunity to worship. Table to Table: Midweek Lenten worship and education Connections, relationships and learning often take place around the tables in our homes. From February 20-March 20, all ages are invited to share a simple meal together and then remain at their tables for worship and teaching in Fellowship Hall. 5:30 – 6:00: Kids choirs 6:00 – 6:25: dinner at tables 6:25 -6:30: clear and set for worship at our tables 6:30 – 6:50: gathering worship rite 6:50 – 7:15: learning time (Foundations, Wed. Church School and Confirmation) 7:15 -7:30: closing rite 7:35: adult choir Each week, Church School, Foundations, Confirmation classes and all who want to worship learn – and yes – eat, will engage in this multi-generational evening that connects the table of the altar to the table at home. We encourage families to participate together rather than drop children off at the church. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 517 SW Des Moines St. Ankeny, IA 50023 holytrinityankeny.org February 2013 Phone: 515-964-4348 Fax: 515-963-0830 Email: [email protected] Welcome – Equip – Serve Pon Thipyothin This month we will walk further than ever before. Some 8500 miles; going half way around the globe. But don’t concern yourself about such a long journey. It will be OK. As Pon Thipyothin says, “Through all of the ups and downs God is there. We always look to God.” The faith walk of Pon Thipyothin and her family begins in the Southeast Asian country of Laos in the late 1980s. Laos is a predominantly Buddhist country. There was so much corruption and unrest that people are fleeing their homeland. Pon’s family, headed by her Grandma Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Ankeny, IA 50023 Permit No. 6 Return Service Requested (Phimpha) decided to flee to a refugee camp in Thailand. There were eight of them altogether, including Pon, her brother Olay, her cousin Ae, her Mom Oudawn, her Uncle Sam, her Aunt Meuang and her Grandma and Grandpa. They had no money. Their Father was left behind as he worked in a city ten hours away. The family lost track of each other and eventually resigned themselves to leading separate lives. The Thipyothins lived at the camp for five years waiting to win a sponsorship to the United States, while their Grandpa suffered from stroke and lost his speech and movement on the right side of his body. The refugee camp sustained the family with food, shelter and schooling. But five years is a long time to wait for an opportunity to resettle, find jobs and start over. Five years is a long time to “make do” and have nothing of your own. Five years is a long time to wonder what will happen to you and your children. But five years is a perfect amount of time for God to work in our hearts. While they waited, Thai missionaries brought the story of Jesus to the people there. Grandmother was baptized at the camp and would become the family matriarch of the Christian faith. Finally, the Thipyothin family was chosen by Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Moines, IA to come to the Unites States in February of 1992. Continued on page 2