The Message - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

The Message . . .
Pastoral Ponderings: Time to put away our Alleluia’s!
February 2013
Alleluia or from the Hebrew, Hallelujah; it literally means praise the Lord. This is a great word of resurrection. On February 12th we will host our traditional Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) pancake dinner. Following the dinner we will have a burial of the Alleluia service with the burning of palms, as we prepare for Ash
Wednesday.
But why do we “bury” our Alleluia? Because of the penitential character of the season of Lent, singing or
saying the word "alleluia" has historically been suspended during Lent's forty days. This period of individual and congregational reflection on the quality of our baptismal faith and life suggests that the joyful nature
of alleluia is more appropriately reserved for our Easter celebrations when it is given full and jubilant voice.
An alternate gospel acclamation for Lent that omits the alleluia is provided for all settings of Holy Communion in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
The omission of alleluia during Lent goes back at least to the fifth century in the western church. The custom of actually bidding it farewell, however, developed in the Middle Ages. The hymn "Alleluia, song of
gladness" (Evangelical Lutheran Worship #318) contains a translation of an 11th century Latin text that
compares an alleluia-less Lent to the exile of the Israelites in Babylon. The text then anticipates the joy of
Easter when glad alleluias will return in all their heavenly splendor.
Alleluia is appropriately bid farewell on the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday (the Transfiguration of Our
Lord, also called the last Sunday after the Epiphany). This is the last Sunday when alleluia will be used until
the Vigil of Easter.
Lent is an opportunity for us to “Return to the Lord our God.” Lent is an opportunity to use the forty days to
reorient our hearts and minds and lives to God. We remove our Alleluia’s to center us around removing the
clutter from our faith lives. Many people give up things for Lent, but Lent us also an opportunity for us to
take on spiritual practices that help us return to God.
The season of Lent calls us into moments of washing in our baptism and recalling the promises made, to
return to those we have not kept, and renew them. Lent provides us as a congregation many opportunities to
stop in the middle of our week at 7:00pm to stop, to pray, and hear God’s gracious words of promise and
forgiveness.
I look forward to our journey together as a congregation as this Lenten pilgrimage begins. From the removal of our alleluia’s, to the ashes places on our heads, until that Easter morning; we walk together returning ourselves to the things of life that matter most and put away the things that distract us from our relationship with God.
Let the journey begin,
Pastor Kevin
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February 2013
CHURCH CALENDAR
Sunday
February 3
9:30 am
Worship—SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY
10:45 am
Fellowship
Sunday School /Adult Forum
Wednesday
February 6
7:00 pm
Faith Alive Mid-week Service
Friday
February 8
6:30 pm
Home Bible Study
Sunday
February 10
9:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Fellowship
Sunday School & 1st Communion Class
Tuesday
February 12
6:00 pm
Shrove Tuesday Pancake
Dinner & Mardi Gras Party
7:00 pm
Service for the Burial of the Alleluia
Wednesday
February 13
7:00 pm
Ash Wednesday Service
Sunday
February 17
9:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Fellowship
Sunday School /Adult Forum
Tuesday
February 19
7:00 pm
Theology Un-corked
Wednesday
February 20
12:00 noon
Faith Formation Meeting
7:00 pm
Lenten Mid-week Service
9:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Fellowship
Sunday
February 24
Sunday School /Adult Forum
Wednesday
February 27
7:00 pm
Lenten Mid-week service
“Keep It Simple” (Alcoholics Anonymous) meets every Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. (closed meeting) and
every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. (open meeting) in the Dahlinger Fellowship Hall. Please tell others about
this hope-giving resource.
February 2013
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and Mardi Gras Party
February 12th
6:00-7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall
Shrove comes from the English verb “shrive,” which means to obtain
absolution for one’s sins by confessing and doing penance. We eat of
the “sweeter” foods as reminder of the richness, before going into
Lent. Suggested free-will donation of $5.00 per adult and $3.00
per child.
Service for the Burial of the Alleluia
February 12th 7:00pm
During our pancake dinner the children of our church will be
invited to decorate our Alleluia banner. Following dinner, we will gather
for a brief service to bury the Alleluia and to burn our palms into ashes
as we prepare not only for Ash Wednesday, but for the Great Forty Days
of Lent when our Alleluias are put away.
Ash Wednesday Services of Holy Communion and
Imposition of Ashes
February 13th
7:00pm
Mid-Week Lenten Services
Wednesday’s at 7:00pm
February 20th and 27th
March 6th, 13th, and 20th
February 2013
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Worship Assistants
February 3, 2013
February 10, 2013
Greeter: Carol Miller
Greeter: Elsie Irlinger
Acolyte: Gracie Helou
Acolyte: Hank Ivey
Assisting Minister: Barbara Hansen
Assisting Minister: Cheryl Mendenhall
Lay Reader: Ann Bishop
Lay Reader: Carol Cottingham
Communion Assistant: Julie Foss
Communion Assistant: Marcus Mendenhall
Usher: Dennis Christian and Bob Poole
Ushers: Russ Anderson and ST White
Tellers: Dennis Christian & Lindsay Bishop
Tellers: Russ Anderson and Charlene Cullen
February 17, 2013
February 24, 2013
Greeter: Steve LaMontagne
Greeter: Carol Drongberger
Acolyte: Harlie Ivey
Acolyte: Matthew Helou
Assisting Minister: Gail White
Assisting Minister: Cathy Crimi
Lay Reader: Carol Cottingham
Lay Reader: Virginia Gable
Communion Assistant: William Gable
Communion Assistant: Julie Foss
Ushers: Carol Miller and Dennis Christian
Ushers: Bob Poole and ST White
Tellers: Mike Cottingham & Dennis Christian
Tellers: Lindsay Bishop and Bob Poole
Flowers
The 2013 Altar Flower sign up is now posted in the Narthex! Altar
flowers are $45.00. When making your check payment, please note
that it is for “flowers” on your check and place it in the offering
plate. Please note, flowers will not be ordered until we receive
payment, so please remember to submit payment at least 1 week in
advance! Please contact Debbie in the office with any questions!
February 2013
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Faith Formation News
February All-Kids Sunday School: Jesus Is. . . Part 1: Living Water
Kids in grades PreK-6 gather around the piano after worship for a hands-on exploration of stories from
the Gospel of John.
February 3: Game Day: What's to drink?
Fill up on fun and hear how Jesus welcomes our questions.
February 10: First Communion Class
All children are welcome to attend and help bake communion bread. Contact
Pastor for more information.
February 17: Art Time: Well, well, well
Make water art and hear how the church helps get safe drinking water to people around the
world.
Children will sing during worship this Sunday!
February 24: Science Fun: Dancing Waters
Our hearts bubble over with God's surprising love!
Adult Sunday School
Adult Sunday School began the Animate Faith series on Sunday, January 27th. The series is built around
short DVD segments designed to spark conversation or the big questions of faith:
Can people be spiritual without being religious?
What if learning about Jesus was more like a Japanese dojo?
How is reading the Bible NOT like reading Jane Austen?
Join seven leading Christian voices in exploring these and more with passion, creativity, and a dash of humor.
Contact Cathy Crimi for more information.
Confirmation
On February 3 the confirmands will join youth across the country for Souperbowl
Sunday, a national grassroots effort to address hunger and poverty in our local
communities. This year our collection will go to Samaritan Ministries and non-perishable
food items to Second Harvest. Peanut butter and canned tuna are especially needed.
Confirmands: please arrive early and plan to stay after church to man the soup pots
and count donations for the national tally! Thank you!
February 2013
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More from Faith Formation
The Home Bible Study of Acts continues on Friday, February 8, 6:30 p.m. World Upside Down journeys with Paul to Athens. Pastor Kevin will lead. Contact Bud and Carol Miller
for details and location.
The next Theology Uncorked will be at 7 p.m. on February 19. Contact Pastor
for topic and location.
Volunteer Opportunities for the month of February
Get involved at Holy T
Marketing:

Needs new members with experience in any form of advertising, public relations, communications or marketing.

In Desperate Need of a Graphics person.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Rundi Ream or Xiommi Schimmelpfennig
Fellowship:
Is welcoming members who want to volunteer to set up refreshments during fellowship and help
with the set up and cleaning as well.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Patty Anderson or Xiommi
Schimmelpfennig
Worship:
We are looking for volunteers to be Greeters, Ushers, Acolytes, Assisting Ministers, and Communion Assistants.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Xiommi Schimmelpfennig
February 2013
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What do YOU think? Join the Round Table!
We will have an ideas sharing meeting after church on Sunday March 3rd. At the meeting we can
discuss the direction of the church and how we can keep moving forward. Please bring your thoughts
and energy. This meeting is open to everyone. Pastor Kevin will lead the meeting! See you on
March 3rd.
Prayer Needs
Members: Linn Folger; Gloria Kleve for a good and speedy recovery;
Friends: Terry Hall, battling cancer, sister of Pat Cowan; Tony Poole, brother of Bob, in the hospital in
Greensboro, NC; Tammy Dronberger on the death of her father; Maureen Ramos, recovering from leukemia; Barry Midget’s family upon his death from a brain injury, friend of the Dronberger’s; Dale Pulcher’s
family on his passing, friend of Barbara Hansen; Ralph Strahm, in hospice, friend of Barbara Hansen;
Marian Glenn, niece of Suzi Sittel, for healing; Lucy Krull, a child from St. Paul Lutheran, Maryville, TN,
suffering from recurring cancer; Agnes and Len Akland for healing; Sue Hasse, neighbor of Charlene and
Tom Cullen, who is receiving experimental treatments for cancer; Friends: Juliana Perez for health; Stacy
Evans, battling a brain tumor; Jenalee Schimmelpfennig, child birth; Carmen Aponte for health; Sylvia
Vielez for health; Donna and Shawn Whiting, with Shawn’s diagnoses of stage 4 pancreatic cancer; family
of Donna Bledsoe on her passing after a car accident; LeeAnn Montgomery, friend of Lee Perry, recovery
from surgery to remove tumor; Stella Stawiski, mother of Carol Cottingham, with progressive macular degeneration; The family of Jeannine Henriksen, great aunt of Kris Helou, who passed away;
February Celebrations
Happy Birthday to . . .
2/12
Aaron Mason
2/5
2/19
2/19
2/21
Mike Franklin
Tsegaye Mehari Arku
Patty Anderson
Gloria Kleve
2/27
Ken Folger
2/28
Molly Robert
February 2013
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Council Updates

Wondering what the council is up to? Here are some quick bullets from Bud Miller.

November was a good month, only a $900 deficit, much less than previous months.

Pastor’s report was submitted. Council approved Pastors new housing allowance. This does not
change his overall compensation.

Plans are being made for an event in February or March. Possibly a Sock Hop.

We will again have the Shrove Tuesday/ Mardi Gras pancake dinner.

Planning has begun on VBS.
Questions? Contact Bud Miller!
E-I-E-I-O
Beginning on Shrove Tuesday, February 12th, HT will be embarking on a
Lenten mission called "Holy T buys a Farm!" This project is an ELCA
World Mission project in which it is possible to "buy a farm" for a family to
put an end to poverty. Our goal will be to raise $715, which will purchase a
cow, several goats, pigs, and chickens along with farm implements and educational training. You can check out the ELCA website at https://community.elca.org or if the link fails,
Google ELCA Good Gifts Program for information.
Look for the "FARMometer" in the fellowship hall which will be rising as donations are
collected. Contact Carol Cottingham at [email protected] for any questions you may have.
OFFERING ENVELOPES
There are still a number of 2013 offering envelopes that need to be picked up. If you
have not picked up your new box please look for them on the table by the coat rack.
Holy Trinity Office Hours are Monday-Thursday from
9:00am-12:00 noon.
Please submit announcements by 9:00am Tuesday morning for the
upcoming bulletin.
February 2013
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Do you have something to submit for the March issue of The Message? Please
submit to Kris Helou no later than Sunday, February 24th.
February 2013
Page 10
February 2013
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Don't miss A Night of Nostalgia! Dress in your most fabulous 20's/30's regalia or come as you are and
purchase a unique headpiece or accessory at the event. Prizes for best costumes! We'd love to see you
and all your friends at the downtown Hilton 7pm-midnight on Saturday, February 2 for an incredible
night of music, dancing, food, and games. Come hear JoDee Messina and the Pat Patrick Band, learn
some vintage dance moves from the Bellevue Dancers, and enjoy the open bar, yummy food, and casino
games. You'll love the great auction prizes- tickets to Keith Urban, Martina McBride/George Strait, and
Widespread Panic shows, passes and lodging at Dollywood, a Maggie Moos Ice Cream truck party for
50, Jack Daniels Distillery tour and dinner, and more amazing surprises! All proceeds go to our building expansion fund. Get your tickets now at www.anightofnostalgia.com!
If you have a green thumb, we'd love help this spring as work begins in the garden. Have another special talent you'd like to share with us, please call 779-6309!
We are closed Feb. 15 and 18 for conferences and in-service.
5 25 S n e e d R o ad
N as h v i l l e , T N 37 2 2 1
Holy Trinity Staff
Rev. Kevin Strickland
615-829-3981 (cell)
Pastor
David Dorn
Director of Music
Debbie Robert
Administrative Assistant
Bill Gable
Organist Emeritus
Church Phone #:
615.673.6289
Church Fax #:
615.673.6292
Church Email:
[email protected]
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Holy Trinity Lutheran
Church Mission
Statement
Disciples of Jesus Christ called to
proclaim God's grace and serve the
community