Newsletter - Trinity Lutheran Church

Those who are
generous
are blessed, for they share
their bread with the poor.
~Proverbs 22:9
TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Fall 2016
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturdays at 5:30 pm
Sundays at 8:15, 9:30, & 10:45 am
It is more blessed
to give
than to receive.
Acts 20:35
Harvest Home - October 8/9
Healing Worship - October 15/16
ONE Worship, Sunday, October 30
Confirmation - October 30 at 9:30 am
Welcome New Disciples
November 20
Winterfest November 20 at 4:30 pm
Community Interfaith Thanksgiving
Worship Service
November 23 at 7:30 pm
1
Wonderful day serving Mitzvah Circle Foundation in
Harleysville. Sorting, organizing, and packing clothes.
On Eagle’s Wings
service trip was to
Behchoko, North
West Territory,
Canada. Disicples
held a Vacation
Bible School for
the children of the
village.
God’s Work. Our Hands.
PEACE + SMILE BOXES
Disciples filled empty
cereal boxes with craft items,
wrapped and decorated them
with happy thoughts and well
wishes for hospitalized kids
and families.
Disciples visited with residents at
the Artman Home in Ambler and
played BINGO with them.
10,000 meals were packed by
disciples donning red hairnets.
This intergenerational service project
was for Stop Hunger Now to feed
people in need around the world.
2
Senior (Pastor)Moments
Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising
and generous ways in which God is working
in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce
troubles came down on the people of those
churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial
exposed their true colors: They were incredibly
happy, though desperately poor. The pressure
triggered something totally unexpected: an
outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was
there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far
more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the
relief of others… You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re
articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your
best in this, too. II Corinthians 8:1-4, 7 (The Message)
Dear Stewards,
“Was there a time in your life
In this Letter to the Corinthians,
when you experienced people
Paul is contrasting the “wealth
giving beyond their means like
of generosity” expressed by the
Macedonians, a people enduring
the Macedonians?”
a severe ordeal of affliction, with
the apparent response of the
Corinthians, a people excelling
in everything. Was there a time in your life when you experienced people
giving beyond their means like the Macedonians?
I recall a pastor who recently accepted a call to a new congregation. As a
going away present the congregation gave the pastor and his family a gift
of $4,000 to help with relocation and starting a new home. After prayerful
reflection the pastor and family decided to give the money to World Hunger.
Was this a sacrifice? Perhaps when considering what this money could do
in a new home. However, the pastor and family realized how much more this
could do for those who do not have daily food or clothing. What impact do
these experiences have on your own personal giving?
These verses by Paul invite us to consider how we are like the
Macedonians. Under what circumstances are we as individuals or a
congregation “pleading for the privilege” to take part in sacrificial giving?
Sometimes this happens during a time of need, like a natural disaster.
Sometimes this happens for a special project in the congregation, like
a building addition or renovation. Yet all too often we may be like the
Corinthians and give only when it is convenient. How would you describe
your motivation for financial gifts, sacrificial or convenient?
Let us pray: Lord God, you are the Creator and Provider. Help us to see
that all we have is a gift from you, entrusted to us for your purposes. Open
our eyes to those like the Macedonians in our community, those who are
willing to give even at great personal sacrifice. Open our eyes too, to the
times when we are like the Corinthians, and only want to give when it is
convenient for us. May the Holy Spirit give us strength and guidance to use
your blessings in a way that glorifies your Son, Jesus Christ, and your work
in this community and beyond. Amen.
The Rev. Paul Lutz
What is God Calling
Trinity to Be and Do?
Find out at one of the sessions below! Since
February, the Shared Vision for Ministry Team
has been diligently discerning what God is
calling us to be and do at Trinity. Please attend
a presentation and discussion around Trinity’s
vision, including a mission statement and core
values, the process used for discernment, and
next steps.
Saturday, October 15
Sunday, October 16 Monday, October 17 Saturday, October 22 Sunday, October 23
Wednesday, October 26
4:30 - 5:15 pm
Room 125/127
9:30 - 10:30 am
Room 125/127
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Room 125/127
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Room 125/127
10:30 -11:30 am
Social Hall
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Room 125/127
Questions? Please contact Bob Gamble
[email protected] or Beth Boeh beth.
[email protected].
Why We Worship
Because God finds us in worship
through the saving grace of Jesus
and we respond.
The Worship Way Point Team reported to
the Congregational Council in September. It
included a first viewing of a short video about
Why Worship, materials for distribution and
planned fall events. The Why Worship video has
been made to use at congregational gatherings,
in small groups, and will be made available
through the Trinity website.
Congregational gatherings on worship will
include the Why We Worship report, the Why
Worship video, and open discussion and
comments about worship at Trinity.
Attend a Why Worship Small Group this fall for
thoughtful attention and engaging discussion.
3
Szekely and police Chief Robert
McDyre were in attendance for the
presentation. Trinity is happy to
play a part in honoring those who
serve and protect our community
every day.
“Trinity Lutheran Church has really
stepped up to the plate to recognize
law enforcement, and any time you
have the community show their
appreciation and support for our
police officers, we at the borough are
extremely grateful,” said Lansdale
Mayor Andy Szekely. Tim Cornelius
rode the bicycle down the center
aisle and out the front door for its
first ride in Lansdale.
God’s Work. Our Hands.
Serving Our Neighbors.
On the 15th year anniversary of September 11, Trinity remembered
the terroristic act by donating a patrol bicycle to the Lansdale Police
Department along with enthusiasm and service to help others in our
community, during the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s
annual “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. This annual event is an
opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA – one church, freed
in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Using our hands for God’s
work and turning this solemn anniversary into a positive day.
The excitement was palpable in the Sanctuary and throughout the campus.
The bicycle for the Police Department was
displayed in the Lobby for all to see before the
one worship service at 9:30 that morning. The
Sanctuary was filled with youth and adult choirs
rejoicing and celebrating how our hands serve
others and disciples wearing gold t-shirts for
God’s Work. Our Hands. Everyone in attendance
was asked to write how their hands can serve
others or show kindness. Next time you are in
the Sanctuary, read some of the small and large
hands displayed around the perimeter of the
church showing God’s love to others.
At the conclusion of worship, Pastor Lutz
presented a specially equipped Cannondale
police bicycle to longtime Lansdale police Officer
and bike cop Tim Cornelius. Trinity’s Endowment
Fund made this generosity possible. Mayor Andy
4
“Trinity has really stepped
up to the plate to recognize
law enforcement...”
After the worship celebration, we
continued to share God’s love
with our neighbors through many
different service projects. In Hyson
Hall there were two service projects,
Stop Hunger Now meal packing
and creating and packing Smile
Boxes for children in the hospital.
Others disciples in gold t-shirts left
the church and engaged students
at the Silver Springs Martin Luther
School, volunteered at the Morgan
Log House, packed clothes at
Mitzvah Circle Foundation, cleaned
up our Adopt a Highway, and visited
residents at the Artman Home in
Ambler.
Presentation of
fully-equipped
patrol biccyle
to the Lansdale
Police Department.
From left to right,
Police Chief Robert
McDyre, patrol
cop, Tim Cornelius,
Pastor Lutz, and
Mayor Andy Szekely.
10,000 Meals Packaged
in One Day
It was a dynamic and powerful
intergenerational example of what can
happen when people of all ages work
together. The Stop Hunger Now activity
for God’s Work Our Hands Sunday
resulted in the packaging of more than
10,000 meals. In an opening prayer
event coordinator Mark Staples called
to mind the enormous significance of
the 15th anniversary of 9/11 and gave
thanks for the more than 60 disciples
who had assembled to offload the truck,
assemble the meals and then place the
finished goods in boxes back on the
truck. The entire process took about
four hours, and as the event drew to a
close the participants had a chance to
sample with their palates what they had
put together.
The assembly process was remarkable.
Disciples donned red hairnets. The
first team assembled the ingredients,
including rice, placing the goods in
plastic packaging. Another team then
weighed the bags on a scale to assure
consistency in the quantities and then
sealed the bags. A third team placed
36 of the food bags in a carton. Lively
music helped keep energy up.
Residents Enjoyed BINGO
and Fellowship
Four disciples traveled to Artman Home
in Ambler to spend the afternoon with
residents playing a version of Bingo that
included identifying US States. Trinity
disciples helped gather residents and
then played alongside them. Despite
competing with the thrill of the first
Eagles game of the season, several
residents joined us and we had a great
afternoon together enjoying each
others’ company. ~Julia Menzo
Serving Our Neighbors in
Crisis and Need
One of the many community missions
Trinity supports is the Mitzvah Circle
Foundation, a non-profit organization that
is not faith based. They treat everyone
with kindness and compassion, restoring
hope and honoring dignity. Through
careful assessment and building personal
relationships, they determine needs
and deliver individualized assistance
to individuals and families dealing with
“It’s amazing how this whole
thing came together.”
Al Hanna
Trinity will find out eventually where the
goods they prepared will be heading.
Each single bag feeds six and requires
only heating in a pot of boiling water for
preparation. That way the meals can
be served even in the simplest, most
basic or demanding conditions where
resources may otherwise be scarce.
Stop Hunger Now has sent meals to
70 countries, including disaster zones
in the U.S. A rolling total of meals
packaged so far appears on their web
site. But a big part of the initiative is
education, explained Kathi Shaner,
Trinity’s Stop Hunger Now coordinator
for the day. “We want to make sure as
part of this preparation people come
to a greater understanding of what is
going on in the world, what the need
is,” she says. At the end of the program
many volunteers remarked about the
value of the day. It is truly a joyful
experience. ~Mark Staples
It’s a family affair for Peg Francis
and her daughter and grandson. All
three generations participated at the
Mitzvah Circle Foundation.
crisis, poverty, homelessness and serious
illness. They serve people who are unable
to obtain immediate or sufficient help
from government agencies and traditional
service organizations. Although a large
percentage of families in need are locally
deliverable (through volunteers), they also
ship to many individuals and families in
states across our nation.
donate, sort, pack, and deliver as well
as give these individuals personal
messages giving them hope to carry
on. I am so proud of the support we
provide, recognizing this very important
need.
“Wow! Thank you from the
bottom of my heart for the
wonderful gifts you’ve blessed
me with! Every item is 100%
gorgeous and most appreciated.
I have such a hug smile on
my face. It’s been a difficult 5
months for me dealing with
new health problems. Know
I cherish your help with new
bedding, clothes, and toiletries.”
~Mitzvah Circle Foundation
recipient
We were well represented on 9/11
with disciples who applied their skills to
aiding this mission with expertise and
accomplishment. I was so thankful for
the intergenerational commitment to
this deserving mission. ~Peg Francis
Many of our Trinity disciples volunteer
their time and gifts to handle the requests;
5
God’s Work. Our Hands.
Morgan Log House
Dear friends at Trinity,
THANK YOU! for the wonderful
help you provided today at the
Morgan Log House with your
“God’s Work. Our Hands. Day”
service program! First of all,
it was so good to see all the
volunteers who came to help us
at the Morgan Log House! My
memories of our ministry together
through the years are set in
stone in my heart and mind.
The servant spirit of discipleship is
alive and well in the disciples who
came to help us today. As I walked
around the site after you finished,
I said a prayer of thanks to God
for your service to a site that not
only preserves the story of the
development of our nation, but
also a place where people of faith
established the foundation of a
nation built by faithful Christians.
I’d like to say a special “thank
you!” to Donna for her efforts in
setting up the work project. I was
thrilled to introduce to our staff
and volunteer on site, folks with
whom I had served in ministry for
many years. The group included
former Council Members, children
whom I baptized, a couple whom
I married, and a faithful and
dedicated secretary with whom I
ministered. It was a wonderful day
for me. Thank you very much!!!!
May God bless you as you
serve the Gospel ministry of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In His name,
Pastor Larry Guenzel
6
g
gen· er· o s· i· ty
ˌ/jenəˈräsədē/
Cleaning our Environment
Trinity supports the Adopt-A-­Highway
program, a state-wide effort to rid the
highways of litter and to improve the
environment. On Sunday, September
11, right after the morning service,
eleven disciples participated in the
87th pickup since Trinity entered
the partnership. The weather,
conversations, and spirits were
excellent. Come join us in our next
pickup on November 12, 2016! It
normally takes less than an hour.
The Commonwealth assigned the
church 1.6 miles of Allentown Road in
Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery
County, PA. Our area of responsibility
extends from Valley Forge Road to
Sumneytown Pike.
We meet in the church parking lot four
times a year on a Saturday morning for
the pickups. Each participant receives
a pair of gloves, a bright vest, and a
couple of trash bags. ~Mark Lanan
Fun afternoon with Silver
Springs students
Silver Springs Martin Luther School
serves children who have faced steep
challenges and helps them to learn, to
grow, and to reach for a bright future.
A group of Trinity disciples enjoyed the
afternoon with the children. They played
games and provided a snack for them.
noun
the quality of being kind and
generous.
the quality or fact of being
plentiful or large.
Generosity and Trinity are
synonymous. Trinity has always
been generous with our resources
and financial support to serve our
community locally and globally. Our
disciples are very generous with
their time, resources, and talents.
In one day on September 11,
2016 for God’s Work. Our Hands.
we served thousands of people.
Generosity abounds at Trinity.
As a generous congregation
the examples of our generosity
everyday are too many to list all, but
here are some examples:
AM Kulp Elementary School
Manna on Main Street
Mitzvah Circle Foundation
Silver Springs: Martin Luther School
Bear Creek Camp
Code Blue
Mission Trips
Keystone Opportunities Center
Liberty Ministries
Namibia Music Fund
Lutheran Disaster Response
Global Barnyard
Singing Telegrams
FEAST
Seaman’s Church Institute
Dream Growers Success Camp
ESL Citizenship
VITA Taxes
Confirmation (D2D) Retreats
Martin Luther King Service Day
Meals on Wheels
Anchor House
Center City Parish
Lutheran Children and Family
Services
New Life
Kencrest
Golden Living Center
Church World Services
ELCA World Hunger Appeal
47th Trip for Appalachia Service Project - ASP
Carole Stearsman
Trinity Sponsoring
a New YAGM
Trinity’s Global Mission outreach
is sponsoring Courtney Smith as a
Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM),
assigned to serve for the year in
South Africa.
Courtney’s home church is Good
Shepherd in King of Prussia. She
recently graduated from Towson
University in May 2016 with a
Bachelor of Science in Family and
Human Services, Leadership in
the Nonprofit and is interested in a
career in service through non-profit
organizations. You can read her blog at:
littlenonprofitnerd.tumblr.com and
follow her on Twitter: @cdsmith421.
Global Mission also continues to
support the Lohmeyers on their mission
to the Dominican Republic and On
Eagles Wings in northern Canada.
Bulletin/Worship Folder
After receiving predominantly positive
feedback during our Worship Folder
(Bulletin) style trial this summer, we
prepared a similar set of resources for
the next portion of the Church Year. One
of the positive aspects of this style of
Worship Folder is that we save about
1000 sheets of paper each week, a
tree every two months, helping us be
better stewards of the environment.
Your feedback has helped us to make
a few modifications and even think
about trying additional options. Contact
Eric Gombert at the Church Office with
questions or feedback.
As the school year came to an end and kids were planning fun events that
they were going to participate in over summer, Trinity’s youth and leaders set on a
journey from June 16-24 to serve the folks of Appalachia. For 47 years, ASP has
made homes warmer, safer, and drier for families and Trinity Lutheran has been
serving over 31 years in the southern states. This past summer, a crew of three
vans headed down to Chapmanville, West Virginia to serve and transform lives
of individuals that desperately needed our help. Throughout the week, the crews
worked on building new roofs, replacing flooring, painting, constructing new decks,
reframing walls, and ministered to the families. Every year, special bonds grow, not
only with the people we serve, but within ourselves to be stewards of God.
The one thing that always draws me back is how incredible our youth are at Trinity
and what wonderful young adults they have become. In such a turbulent world, it
is refreshing to see the kids give up a week of their time to make a difference for
others. Here are some direct quotes from our youth and leaders regarding their
experience this year.
“Every year, ASP takes me away from
whatever minor troubles I’m having
at home, and places me into a family
that struggles every day. I never know
what the family is thinking, but I know
that God is listening to us and watching
over them, and I’m sure they feel
just a little bit more comfort from our
presence.”
- Amanda
“I love to make new friends and bond
with the families that I serve. I always
take a picture of my family every year
to remember them. I enjoy helping
people in poverty.”
-Earl
“This experience gives me the
opportunity to extend and deepen
friendships among the ASP team
members and working with the youth.
I’m glad to be able to guide and
enable these young people to step
out in faith with each other. This is
my third year and each time I learn
something new.”
-Carole
“This was my second year on ASP and
I plan on going back every year I can.
It is amazing the friendships that you
make with people over the years. It’s
the one place I can leave it all behind
and focus on the family that God gave
me to serve.”
-Emma
7
F
aith-­based generosity ‘a way of life’
for Trinity disciples Bill and Linda Graeff
Mark Staples
Philadelphia. At Paul’s Run, a Lutheran
continuing care retirement community
in Northeast Philadelphia, she spent 10
years as a geriatric nurse practitioner. “I
worked with people from the time they
were living in an apartment until they
drew their last breath,” Linda says. “I
got to know them very well. I came to
understand that I couldn’t ‘fix’ some of
their situations, but through nursing I
could make their days a little bit better.”
Linda and Bill Graeff of Blue Bell,
Trinity members for 20 years, have
a faith-based understanding of what
generosity means.
“I really don’t think of us as more
generous than anyone else,” Bill says
after thinking about it for a bit. “We have
been blessed beyond expectations.
Our faith and understanding of giving
involves making good use of our time,
treasure and talents on behalf of others,
based on what we have been given first
by God.
Biblical passages that have made a
lasting impression on Bill and Linda
are found in Matthew 25: 14-30; the
Parable of the Talents
“... Generosity becomes an
everyday thing that comes
about as you interact with
people and situations. When
we give it’s because we’ve
been given to first – by God.”
“One thing we try to do is use our gifts
as an opportunity to support those
8
whose needs are greater than our own,”
Bill explains. “We try to look inside and
outside of the church. It is a way of
living out our faith. We don’t always do
what we probably should. But when you
live by faith I think generosity comes
naturally. You encounter hardship
situations and you help out. Generosity
becomes an everyday thing that comes
about as you interact with people and
situations. When we give it’s because
we’ve been given to first – by God.”
Bill says his views were changed a few
years ago by reading the Max Lucado
book, It’s Not About Me. “That book
really changed me,” he says. “I’ve
never seen the world so focused on
the individual as it is today,” he says.
“Life is about giving to others, and
God gets the glory when you look at
life like that. When you give, it all
comes back. People have been very
generous to us.”
“Faith calls us to serve others,” Linda
explains. Serving as a nurse both in
critical care and geriatric nursing in
the past has given her a professional
path for service. “I’ve spent time in
nursing trying to help people and their
families get through difficult situations,”
she says. Her critical care nursing
took place at Einstein Hospital in
Her compassionate care for others did
not stop at the workplace. Bill and Linda
described Linda’s care for a widower
who once lived in a neighboring
townhome. He is in his 80s, and it has
been a challenging situation as he has
no family nearby to help him. He now
lives at Artman Home. “Faith gives me
“Faith gives me resaons for
generously giving of my time.
It goes beyond the walls of the
church to live out our faith
every day of the week.”
reasons for generously giving of my
time” Linda explains. “It goes beyond
the walls of the church to live out our
faith throughout the week.”
Bill Graeff has spent his entire career in
the world of manufacturing. He worked
at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown for
29 years.
Since 2006 he has worked for a private
investment partnership and is currently
a corporate executive with Consolidated
Aerospace Manufacturing, a company
that makes aerospace components for
commercial aircraft and the military and
defense industry. The company has five
divisions-one in Wilmington, NC, where
Bill once served as interim president;
one in Cleveland to which he frequently
Thank you so much for your generous gift to Manna! Your donation helps
provide warm meals for neighbors like Mary and her four young girls. Life
was a day to day struggle. In her need, Manna was able to help her with
emergency financial aid, food, groceries including diapers, and other baby
supplies.Thank you for your care to our neighbors in need.
~Manna on Main Street
travels, and three in southern
California. “I have a corporate
role in which I try to contribute
my experience to the benefit of
the group at large,” he explains.
Mentoring others is a way to live
out one’s faith, he says. “I really
enjoy walking through our plants,
talking to people and getting to
know them.”
What are examples of components
the company makes? When
boarding a commercial airliner
a passenger “probably wouldn’t
notice some of the components we
make,” Bill says. “For example, we
make aircraft latches for various
applications. We also make
pins for the overhead storage
compartments for the Boeing 787
aircraft and fasteners and fittings
for engines, and clamps and
couplings. These products are not
glamorous! But they are essential
for safe and efficient operation.
In addition their needs enable
employment of hundreds of team
members in our plants.”
Bill is bullish on manufacturing in
the United States. “I tell people
they should jump into it,” he
says. “There is a perception
that manufacturing is all being
outsourced to other countries.
But that is not altogether true.”
(Manta Media, Inc., lists 1,844
manufacturing concerns in
Pennsylvania alone.)
How did Bill and Linda get to
Trinity? “We met in a singles group
at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in
Huntingdon Valley,” Bill explains.
Shortly after marrying, the couple
decided to come to Trinity in part
because his parents, Bill and Marie
Graeff, worshipped at Trinity.
“We found Trinity to be such a
welcoming community,” Linda
explains. “There were so many
Your NEXT
ST P
Trinity Lutheran
activities for children.” Sons Daniel,
20, and Matthew, 18, quickly
became a part of those activities
when they were much younger.
We felt spiritually fed here,” Linda
adds.
Linda and Bill quickly became
involved in BEEP, the Building
Expansion Events Planning
initiative that Carole Kriebel, Janet
Roberts and others had created
to generate continuing interest
and excitement through creative
events around Trinity’s physical
expansion during the mid and late
1990s. The expansion created new
office space, sanctuary transepts
and the chapel that adjoins the
sanctuary, and additional meeting
and classroom space.
How has the couple been involved
since? Linda has taught Sunday
School and in Trinity’s Vacation
Bible School. She has been a
guide in “Dare 2 Deviate,” the
congregation’s confirmation
initiative. She’s been involved in
refugee resettlement activities.
Worshippers can easily notice how
she videotapes sermons during
worship. She then edits the video
and posts the sermons on line
for shut-ins and those who miss
church on a given Sunday. She
also does photography for the
church.
Bill is quick to note he wishes
he could volunteer more, but
business travel interferes. He
serves on Trinity’s Human
Resources Committee that relates
to Trinity’s staff. Bill serves as an
usher, received Stephen Ministry
training, served on the former
Congregational Enrichment
Committee that involved itself
with strategic planning for Trinity
and supporting the work of the
Congregation Council.
Are you NEW here and
looking to join or just interested
in learning more about Trinity?
Take the next step and attend our New
Disciples’ Gathering this fall. The class
sessions are held during the learning hour
from 9:30-10:30 am in Social Hall for four
weeks.
Topics include: Meet the Pastors, Spiritual
Gifts and Discipleship, Lutheran History,
Family Ministry, Visitation Ministry, and getting
to know others new to Trinity.
Four Session classes: October 16, 23,
November 6 and 13. New disciples will be
received on November 20, 2016.
Fill out the NEXT Steps cards in the pews or
contact Vicki Seal in the church office
at 215-368-1710 to be put on the invite list
or for more information.
Would you like to get involved?
Make it a Family Gathering!
Serving in worship with your family is a
wonderful experience. Join one of our usher
teams. This can be an intergenerational
family team.
Mentor Today!
In this journey you will find new friends along
the way. Reach out to a new disciple,
encourage participation, and extend an
invitation to worship. Share your faith story
or listen to another’s story. God has given us
all a “story” and has called us to share in this
journey together. If you would like to guide
someone along the way, consider joining the
Mentor Ministry!
To get involved contact Vicki Seal at
[email protected]
or call 215-368-1710.
9
Get to Know
Andrea Baxter
Andrea Baxter serves
as Trinity’s Associate
Director for Music.
While you may see her
behind the piano at the
8:15 service on Sunday
mornings, behind the
scenes, Andrea is
busy teaching/leading
many weekly classes
and rehearsals for children, youth, and
adults. She teaches two weekly Musikers
in the Making classes, as well as music for
each of the preschool classes. Almost 50
children gather on Wednesday evenings for
separate Cherub Choir and Joyful Chorister
rehearsals with Andrea, and 24 teenagers
rehearse on Sunday mornings along with
co-director, Sharon Saul. Trintinnabulators,
Trinity’s advanced bell choir, resumed
rehearsals under Andrea’s leadership in
September as well. Andrea feels strongly
about music being an impetus for faith
formation in all of her rehearsals. In addition,
each ensemble serves an important role in
the worship life of the congregation.
Andrea and husband Brent
have rescued two greyhounds.
Andrea has a Bachelor of Science degree
in Music Education from Susquehanna
University, and a Master of Music from
Carnegie Mellon. She was raised with
her two siblings in Tamaqua, PA, residing
together in the family’s funeral home.
Andrea enjoys traveling to new and
different places.
Andrea and her husband Brent live in
Montgomeryville with their three children,
Adam, Nathan, and Simon. Adam is a junior
at the University of Pittsburgh, Nathan is a
senior at North Penn, and Simon is in 6th
grade at Bridle Path Elementary. In her
spare time, Andrea enjoys biking, hiking, and
cooking. She can frequently be found on the
sideline of one of her son’s soccer games!
10
SEPA Synod Servant Trip
to South Dakota
In case you haven’t heard about it
yet, a group from our congregation
participated in a SEPA Synod servant
trip to South Dakota. They were all so
grateful for this opportunity and rather
than having us tell you about their
experience, we thought we’d let them
share it themselves:
“The synod trip to South Dakota this
summer was a trip much different than
I expected. Over the course of the
trip I learned that many of the Native
American traditions and cultures are
still alive today. I, as an outsider of
Native American culture: especially
the Lakota tribe, was surprised
to witness and take part in these
traditions that had previously seemed
so foreign to me. I learned so much
rich and ancient history about the
Lakota culture that has changed the
way I live my day-to-day life. Some
of the things we learned were about
religious beliefs, song and dance, and
roles in the community that contribute
to their culture.
“Over the course of the two weeks I
made many friends that I am still in
contact with, even after my arrival
back home. I strengthened my
relationship with God by doing his
work on the reservation and seeing
His beautiful creation.
“To anyone that did not attend the
trip, I highly encourage you to go next
time. The two weeks you will spend
there will open your eyes to a new
culture that you may not otherwise
see. You will make new friends and
relationships, and you will have a
better understanding of our God at
work and how you can show His love
through your hands.” – Bella Laurens
(11th Grade)
“While I was in South Dakota, I met
lots of new people. The relationships
that I formed with my fellow Lutherans
are some I will never forget. We were
one big family on a mission from
God. Not only did I make friends with
my peers, but also with the Native
Americans. They were very friendly
and welcoming. They taught us so
many interesting facts about them and
their culture. It was an experience of
a lifetime.” – Berta Slawinski (12th
Grade)
“The Lakota people are some of the
most spiritual people I have ever
met. They are very absorbed in living
their faith every moment of each day,
believing that everything they have,
see, and touch comes from God. I
had the incredible honor of meeting
“I strengthened my
relationship with God
by doing his work on the
reservation and seeing His
beautiful creation.”
Chief Hollow Horn Bear, who is an
amazing person and storyteller. I
spent time with him in the sweat
lodge, where I learned humility and
a spiritual re-birth - an experience I
will never forget. Thank you!” – Matt
Shade (freshman at Temple)
“As Berta’s mom, I am so grateful that
Berta was able to participate in the
South Dakota Servant Trip. Thanks
to all who contributed donations to
make the amazing trip happen for
our Trinity disciples. I especially want
to acknowledge WELCA for their
generous monetary gift. My family is
truly blessed to be members of Trinity
Lutheran Church.” – Sue Slawinski
(mom)
Please connect with these youth and
others like them so you can hear
more about what God is up to in their
lives. We also hope you know what a
difference you mean to them. Thank
you for your generosity in supporting
our youth and families, both financially
and in prayer. Because of your
generosity in giving to Trinity and its
programs, life-changing experiences
like this trip to South Dakota happen.
Thank you for
your continued
love and
support.
Strong Center,
Open Door
Small groups are one of the best ways to get to know other Trinity disciples, explore new
ideas in a caring and safe environment, and grow in your faith and discipleship.
Why Worship Matters - Facilitated by Norma Nish
October 4 - November 1
Worship is central to the Christian life and WHY we worship deserves –
even requires – our thoughtful attention and engaging discussion. We will
use the book Why Worship Matters by Robert A. Rimbo as a resource for
how our worship at TLC connects us to God’s mission for the life of the
church and the world. Sundays at 9:30 am in Room 125/127 as a small
part of Adult Forum with co-facilitation by Mary Kieras or Tuesdays at 7
pm in Room 125/127
Why Worship Matters - Facilitated by Sandy Cottrell
Oct. 9, 30, Nov. 13, 20
In a time when American liberties and freedoms are taken for granted, we
pause to consider and discuss “why we worship”. What happens in worship that distinguishes
the life of a Christian with regular worship attendance versus those of faith who choose to skip
that extra step in their life as a Christian. How does Trinity’s renewed efforts to focus on values
and mission impact our thinking about worship as a component of optimizing our spiritual
journey. The book Why Worship Matters by Robert A Rimbo will be the jumping off place for
these discussions. Sundays at 10:40 am/Parlor
Bible Book Club - Facilitated by Beth Boeh, Ingrid Skilbred, Katie Risser, and Sue Kramlik This small group meets weekly to learn and discuss more about the Bible and how it applies to
our current events and daily lives. The discussion is based on daily readings completed at home.
Please join us for discussions even if you haven’t completed the readings!! Sundays at 9:30
am in the Conference Room upstairs (Room 264)
Words of Worship (WoW) - Facilitated by Andy Lowe and Dick Olson
WOW will explore the Sunday epistle reading. This group looks closely at the meaning and
message of the reading and relates it to the participants’ everyday lives.
Sundays at 9:30 am in the Parlor
Coffee with Jesus - Facilitated by Chris Johnson - Coffee with Jesus
(authored by David Wilkie) is a collection of cartoons drawn from the
Radio Free Babylon comic strip. Sundays at 9:30 am in Hyson Hall
In this 10th anniversary year of
the publication of “Evangelical
Lutheran Worship,” Trinity is
pleased to be one of three
locations for this ELCA event
focusing on Lutheran worship
in our current context. This will
be held at Trinity on FridaySaturday, November 4-5, 2016.
More information is available
from the ELCA website
(www.elca.org/Our-Work/
Congregations-and-Synods/
Worship/Evangelical-LutheranWorship).
Also, mark your calendar
and plan to attend the Hymn
Festival co-sponsored by
Trinity and The Lutheran
Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia.
Friday, November 4 at 7 pm
Festival of Song
Leaders:
Michael Krentz (primary
musician), Eric Gombert (choir
director), Aimee and Joel
Pakan-Tangled Blue, (song
leaders), Jennifer Baker-Trinity,
(commentary)
All singers, from Trinity and
beyond, are welcome to
participate in the festival choir.
Contact Eric Gombert at the
Church Office.
Wednesday morning Bible Study (a large small group) Facilitated by Pr. Lutz
Exploration of Luke’s story of Jesus. Wednesdays 10 - 11:30 am in Room 125/127
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis - Facilitated by Jean and Cortney Birenbaum
C S Lewis was baptized in the Christian faith, became an atheist, and later
reaffirmed his Christian faith. The book is based on his legendary radio talks
during World War II, in which he set out to “explain and defend the belief
that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times”. It provides an
opportunity for believers and non believers to hear a powerful, rational case for
the Christian faith. Join us as we explore what one of the greatest writers and
thinkers of the 20th century has to say about “Mere Christianity”. Wednesday
at 7 pm in Room 122 for 6 weeks
If you have suggestions for another small group topic or would like to facilitate
a small group, please contact Pastor Lutz or Katie Risser.
Please sign up here, on FORMS page of website, or in the Lobby on Sunday mornings.
Community Interfaith
Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Service on Wednesday,
November 23 at 7:30 pm
11
On Eagle’s Wings
Dave Weber
It was a banner year in Bechoko in northern Canada,
this summer. It sounds strange even as it’s written, but
truly, there was a lot going on! Where to start? Let’s try to
paint a new different picture of this place that we visit as
“missionaries”. There is a Roman Catholic nun who has
lived there for 25 years. She has referred to us as “Here
come the four disciples” when we were only a team of
four. Sister Diane greets us every year with a huge smile.
Some of us think she looks at us as a little crazy. Who
rides around at night looking for buffalo, or sings rock
songs at the top of their lungs just to get the kids going?
Who takes the kids for a walk (sometimes all 40 of them),
going to the playground, only to have little boys strip to
their little underwear and hop in the lake!
and duck. You can guess where that came from. All this
went on well into the night.
This place is not what you might imagine. It’s not desolate.
It’s remote, but not desolate. There is a certain quiet,
especially in the morning. There’s some contentment;
and there’s a great deal of love. The people are poor,
but not hungry, nor are they backward. They live in small
houses, heated, and many have Ford F150 trucks out
front. Sometimes I think Appalachia has moved north.
Sometimes I think they are better off than our Southern
brothers and sisters. They go to Yellowknife, about an
hour’s drive away, to shop, go to the doctor, and yes, for
entertainment. In some homes you will find the internet.
With the arrival of more cell towers, we now can call
home. On our last nite in the village we even watched the
Olympic opening ceremonies in the parish house.
There is little to no religious education there. The families
carry a faith instilled by early missionaries, mainly Roman
Catholic. They don’t care what we call our religion. All
they care about is that we bring them the stories of Faith,
Hope, and Love. We tell the little kids how Jesus loves
them. We tell them how WE love them. The parents, and
chief, and elders repeatedly tell us how thankful they are
that we come. This year we had some help from a lady
who cried as she saw how many kids came every day and
how they heard the Good News.
This year we
did the usual
“We bring them hope that
things. We
the outside world has not
went to see our
forgotten them. We bring them friend Giselle
who keeps
care, and most importantly we in touch with
bring them LOVE and JESUS.” us all year.
Giselle works
in the village
and many times invites us for dinner. This year, we met
her neighbors who were busy filleting and smoking
fish for winter. They happily showed us how to do this,
explaining how to use the entire fish. “The kids like to eat
the eyeballs”. Eech! We tried little sticks that look like
cinnamon sticks, but were actually made from fish roe.
Did I say they use the entire fish!!?
On Thursday, there was a native funeral. It
was an opportunity to see a native ceremony
that ended up not being that much different
from ours. However, you have probably never
loaded a casket into the back of a pick up
truck and walked to the cemetery. Nothing
unusual here folks. Also on Thursday, it was a
kind of community day. The people came out
for fish filleting contests, duck plucking (!), and
canoe races. There were buffalo hamburgers,
hot dogs that we didn’t ask about, and fried fish
12
So you thought you were donating to a poor,
underprivileged, destitute group of unfortunate aboriginal
people huh? Well, they don’t have a ton of money. Their
clothes come from who knows where, all second or third
or fourth hand. They hunt and fish and scrape out an
existence. It’s not easy living in a village with dirt roads,
no running water, and no sewers. Your money is going to
them in quite a different way. It’s traveling with your Trinity
OEW team. We bring them hope that the outside world
has not forgotten them. We bring them fun, even for a
week. We bring them care, and most importantly we bring
them LOVE and JESUS.
It was a banner week in Bechoko. We sometimes talk
among ourselves that maybe we won’t go back next year
because it’s long, and exhausting, and difficult. After all,
we’ve been going for a long time. And then the kids hold
your hands and tell you how long it will be before you
come back next year. The parents just assume you will be
back, almost expecting this great week to happen all over
again. The elders bless us. The chief tells us how much
good we are doing. THAT’S where your donations are
going, and we have only scratched the surface.
Masi Cho……Thank You!
SERVING
Medical Porfessionals
OCTOBER 9 at 1:30 pm
CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide
events sponsored by Church World Service
and organized by local groups to raise funds to
end hunger at home and around the world. The
North Penn/Lansdale CROP Walk returns 25
percent of the funds raised to Manna on Main
Street, a Lansdale-based food pantry and soup
kitchen serving more than 30,000 meals a year.
There are many ways you can participate in the
CROP Hunger Walk:
• Walk the route
• Support a walker with a donation
• Be a volunteer helper on walk day
• Recruit and promote the walk
• Pray for the CROP Hunger Walk and for
the poor and hungry
Walkers start and end at Trinity. You can
register by picking up a packet from the church
office, going to the FORMS page on our
website or go to to www.crophungerwalk.org/
LansdalePA and joining our Trinity Lutheran
Church Lansdale team, or in person on Sunday,
October 9, 2016.
For more information, please email CROP Walk
coordinator Amy Toth at [email protected].
Calling all PA’s, CRNP’s, RN’s,
LPN’s, CNA’s, EMT’s, MD’s,
DO’s!!! Trinity’s Health Ministry
is looking for volunteers to
assist with monthly blood
pressure screening. The time
commitment is minimal. We
screen after each service on the 4th Saturday/Sunday of
the month. You may volunteer at your convenience and
availability. Please contact Sue Slawinski at 215-393-9636
or [email protected].
NEW Veterans Ministry
Attention all Veterans! A brand new
Veterans’ Ministry has successfully
launched here at Trinity. If you are a
Veteran or know anyone who is a Veteran
from any of the US military branches from
any time served, you are invited and welcomed to participate.
The ministry meets monthly on a Thursday evening, 7 pm.
The next meeting is October 13, in the church. For more
information contact Jim Hulton at [email protected],
by phone at 484-467-8364, or Chip Kern, beetle325@verizon.
net, or phone 215-855-0994.
Gently Used Shoe
Collection
Pastor Dane and Andrea Baxter
and LifeSong will travel to Mediator
Lutheran Church in Philadelphia
on October 23. As part of a pulpit
exchange Pastor Dane will preach
and LifeSong will join together with the choir to sing. Pastor
Goodrich will come to Trinity to preach that morning. As a part
of this exchange, LifeSong will collect gently used shoes that
the community center near the church uses as a fundraiser.
Shoes can be dropped off in Hyson Hall until October 22.
Annual Coat Drive
The Prayer Shawl Ministry group would like to
welcome all who knit and crochet (or would like
to learn) to join us for our first fall meeting. The
group will meet the first Wednesday of the month
from 6:30-8 pm in Room 126. Our handmade
shawls are given to those in need of God’s love
and healing. We look forward to seeing you!
Please contact Amy Rosborough for additional
information at [email protected] or
610-812-1429.
The Sarah Circle will be
holding its annual coat drive
for the children of Patterson
School in Philadelphia and
AM Kulp Elementary in
Hatfield on October 22,
23 & 30 in Hyson Hall. The
children and parents are always so thankful for our help.
Please join us at the WELCA table to purchase a coat with
hats and gloves. If you like to shop, we also have bags
available for you to take and purchase a coat yourself and
return it to the WELCA table for delivery.
13
Organ Scholarship
Karen Wright & Mark Staples
Each year since the Sanctuary organ
was installed, Trinity has offered an organ
scholarship which provides funding for
organ lessons with Trinity’s Director for
Music for 9 months. Over these 16 years,
the recipients have included both young
people and adults with varied degrees of
keyboard experience. Amy Rosborough
was the recipient of the 2016 scholarship
and has written the following about her
experience.
Recently a single mom came to Trinity in despair. She had lost her
job and was dealing with health issues. Unable to afford her rent, she
had heard about our church and didn’t know where else to turn. Trinity
networked with the Montgomery County agency Community Connections
and Manna on Main Street to see what resources might be available
to her. Then Trinity, Manna, and a few other community faith-based
organizations developed a plan to pay her debt before the court date
that could have resulted in her becoming homeless. In the meantime the
single mom found a job at a Giant Food Store.
Did you know that I won the Organ
Scholarship at Trinity Lutheran Church?
In truth, I think that I was the only one
to apply. People first reaction is “what”?
Do you play the piano? And then the big
question “why”? My returned response
back was the church weekly said that
anyone could apply. If you were thinking
the same question, then my question to
you is “why not”?
This story of community partnership is just one example of differencemaking service your church imparts thanks to people like you – stories
often not noticed. It is also a celebration of a longstanding partnership
with Manna on Main Street, an agency committed to ending hunger in
the North Penn region by providing food, social service, education, and
community outreach. Manna distributed 462,000 pounds of food pantry
goods in the past year and served 38,677 meals to folks in need. Manna
also provided emergency financial aid to 1,500 people in 2015. The
agency has outgrown its space in recent years NOT ONCE, but twice.
Now Manna has moved to the North Penn Commons in the Borough of
Lansdale at the Main Street site of the North Penn YMCA.
Our church members have a multitude
of talents to be shared which allows us
as individuals to grow in our faith and
extended community. When coming to my
weekly lesson and practicing during the
week, it provided me a sense of purpose.
Although you can spend time with God
anywhere, it seems more majestic sitting
behind a huge pipe organ pressing all the
buttons and keys at your own free will. It
provides a time to reflect. Let’s face it; we
need God more than he needs us. Not
only was this a wonderful experience to
learn something new but I made a new
friend named Eric. You too can have this
experience by applying for the 2017 Organ
Scholarship. ~Amy Rosborough
Contact Eric Gombert at the Church Office
for an application or with questions.
Organ Assistant
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be
the organist during worship? You can learn
more by offering to be an organ assistant
during a worship service when you would
join Eric Gombert at the organ console for
a service, watch up close and even get to
help turn pages, operate stops, and possibly
even play a note or two. No (musical)
experience necessary. Open to ALL
ages. Contact Eric Gombert at the
Church Office today.
14
How You Can Help
What is North Penn Commons and how will it work? Perhaps you’ve read
of it. Manna on Main Street will occupy the new 133,535-square-foot
facility with three other partners, the YMCA, Advanced Living, offering 60
new apartment homes to help address the shortage of affordable housing
in Montgomery County, and The Peak Center of Lansdale, with a mission
to help older adults live independently and remain active.
Each North Penn Commons agency will operate more efficiently and
interact together, thus expanding their capacity to serve. For example,
The Peak Center can use YMCA instructors to teach fitness programs to
Peak members. Peak will provide space for a computer lounge for visitors
to the Commons while Manna contributes the computers. Advanced
Living Communities looks forward to having its apartment homes as
part of a “city within a city” for its residents with the YMCA’s educational
opportunities so close at hand. Another example of partnership will be
a new Manna café open to the public. Manna will work with Catalyst
Kitchens to teach professional food preparation to trainees preparing
them for real jobs in the area’s restaurant and food service industry.
Now, we’re asking you to become a donor partner with Trinity on behalf
of this vital and exciting new project. Funding has been secured from the
commonwealth, Montgomery county agencies, and long-term and internal
funding. Trinity has been invited to be among the North Penn faith-based
partners to contribute to the “One Four All Campaign.” The challenge
to Trinity: Raise $15,000 toward the $6 million campaign. Your Trinity
Endowment Committee has agreed to support this community venture by
matching the gifts of Trinity donors, like you, up to $7,500.
A task force of Trinity members has been formed to share information with
the congregation and to coordinate our fund raising efforts. Any member
will be happy to discuss the project with you. Brochures about North Penn
Commons and information on making a donation can be found in the
church office and at the Welcome Center.
Trinity’s North Penn Commons Task Force: Tamera Hatton, Marcia Hoffa,
Tom Mellon,Tom Mohr ,Mark Staples (Co-chair),Donna Watson, and
Karen Wright (Co-chair)
My First D2D Retreat
Angelo DePeppe
This summer, I went on the second year
D2D retreat at Bear Creek Camp. D2D is
the confirmation program at Trinity Lutheran
Church. We meet during the schoolyear on
every other Wednesday. The second year
retreat is for the class that has finished
one year of the program. This was my first
time going on a D2D retreat, and I was
not sure what to expect. I thought it would
be a lot of lessons and work. We left on
Friday afternoon, and drove up to the camp,
which is near Wilkes-Barre. When we first
arrived, I was shown around the grounds.
The camp has a basketball court, hiking
trails, and a high ropes course, along with
the “Flying Squirrel” where you are hooked
into a harness on a cord and shot up to the top of the rope. Once we had all
arrived, we split up into pairs, and did a team building activity. We were given
the task of making a tower out of masking tape and paper, and my partner
and I built the tallest tower and won the competition. The theme of the lessons
for the weekend was “Law and Gospel.” At our two meetings on Saturday,
we discussed the ten commandments, and the sacraments of baptism and
communion. However, we also had a lot of free time, when we could have fun
and relax. We played card games, and went on a hike in the woods. We also
went on the “Flying Squirrel,” which was exciting. Before each meal, several
of us helped prepare the food for the meals, which was a fun experience.
Throughout the weekend, I got to know everyone in my group better, I enjoyed
the experience a lot, and I will certainly go again.
Preorder Your Soup
Our homemade soups at the annual Craft Show sell out quickly. Guarantee your
order by preordering and calling Peg Francis at 215-361-9151. This year’s
quart-size soups are chicken corn chowder and vegetable soup for $7 each.
Support Lutheran Charities
October is
Lutheran
Charities
month. Since
1974 Lutheran
Social Ministry
Organizations (SMOs) in
Southeastern Pennsylvania have
served a wide range of people in
need. Today, this support network,
comprised of five organizations,
serves more than 100,000 children,
families and senior adults (about
one in 50 people regionally). These
SMOs are part of Lutheran Services
of America (LSA), a national Lutheran
network of 300 SMOs.
Lutheran Charities is:
• Diakon, serving seniors with
residential services and troubled
youth, as well as providing
adoption and foster care
programs.
• Ken Crest, serving children and
adults with intellectual disabilities
and autism.
• Liberty Lutheran, serving senior
adults with a range of continuing
care residential community
options, stay-at-home support
and offering long-term recovery
from natural disasters, an initiative
directed by Trinity’s own Julia
Menzo.
• Lutheran Settlement House,
supporting the most vulnerable
inner city residents with
educational, training and senior
services, including a 24-hour-aday bilingual domestic violence
hotline.
• Silver Springs Martin Luther
School, educating and treating
children ages K-8th grade who
struggle with emotional and
behavioral challenges.
“Together we can do more…”
Your envelope gift can help these vital
agencies become more sustainable.
Lutheran Charities is a model first
envisioned by Reformer Martin Luther
when he advocated for a “Community
Chest” for Wittenberg, Germany’s
most disadvantaged neighbors. For
more information, check out www.
Lutherancharities.org.
“God does not need your good works,
but your neighbor does.” – Martin
Luther
15
MUSIC
YOUTH
Daybreak & Trinity Choir Welcome You!
Today’s Opiod Crisis
What can we do as a community?
Both Daybreak and Trinity Choir welcome your participation even
if you can’t commit to weekly rehearsals. Regular opportunities
are planned for you to join us by attending one rehearsal and then
singing the following Sunday. Contact Eric Gombert at the church
office to receive information about upcoming possibilities.
November 2, 6:30 pm
This educational and interactive program will
feature a panel including experts in the addiction
field, those who have experienced an addiction to
prescription drugs, and family members who have
also been impacted by this national health crisis.
All are welcome. It is vital that we come together
as a community and learn all we can about
opioids, both prescribed (such as Vicodin)
and illicit (such as heroin), and their potential for
addiction.
Register at todaysopioidcrisis.eventbrite.com
Flute Players
Calling all flute players. Would you
be interested in being part of a flute
ensemble at Trinity? Contact Amy
Rosborough (amytheknitter@gmail.
com) or Eric Gombert at the church
office with interest or questions.
Let Us Know When You Are Hospitalized
Did you know that the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) established a Privacy Rule?
This Privacy Rule gives you rights over your health information
and sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your
health information. As a result, we do not know, and cannot find
out, if you are in the hospital, rehabilitation center, or skilled
nursing facility unless you tell us.
First Holy Communion is offered to children
second grade and up who are not currently
receiving Holy Communion.
First Communion Classes are for both the parents
and the child. They will take place on Saturday,
October 29 and November 12 from 9-11 am in
Social Hall. The expectation is that the family will
attend both classes. First Holy Communion will be
offered on Sunday, November 13, 2016.
We would like to visit you when you are hospitalized. All three
pastors and several trained disciples make hospital visits on
a regular basis. We, however, continue to miss visiting some
members because we didn’t know they were hospitalized. The
hospital can not tell us if you are there!
Please, call or have a family member call the church office when
you are hospitalized, so we can provide care, prayers, and
support for you. Unless YOU let us know, we won’t know.
To get more information, contact Pastor Lutz
or Pastor Skilbred by email or by calling the
church office at 215-368-1710. To register go to:
trinitylansdale.com/elementary.
College Bound
Students!
We will miss you here at
Trinity and would like to send
a care package to you at
college. Go to our website on
the FORMS page and fill out
all your information. You do
not need to be a freshman in
college. All college students
are welcome!
16
ONLINE SHOPPERS, remember
while purchasing online at Amazon
to go to smile.amazon.com.
Sign in with your current Amazon
account and Amazon will donate
0.5% of the price of your eligible
AmazonSmile purchases to Trinity.
Please select Trinity Lansdale.
New Expanded Prayer Ministry
Offers Help and Hope
H. James Hilton III
Trinity’s proposed Prayer
Partner/Team Ministry,
with hopeful beginnings
of one thought in mind –
to encourage individual
members to pray in their
time of need. It is a value
being added to the worship
services held each week.
Anything of value in the
Kingdom of God is initiated in, and dependent on, prayer.
Prayer has the highest priority in the Bible. The Bible invites
us, in fact, commands us to pray. And the lives of well known
Godly people throughout Biblical history were characterized by
prayer. Prayer can be for ourselves, for others, for situations,
surrounding conditions, praise, worship, thanksgiving,
confession, or supplication. More can be done by prayer than
anything else; it is the church’s greatest asset. It is intended
that this ministry will expand the prayer ministry already in
place at Trinity.
People ask for prayer regarding a specific concern weighing
on their hearts and minds. Asking others to pray with you for a
concern is filled with promise. Sometimes we may be too close
to the problem to know what to pray for. Other times having
someone pray with you adds great encouragement and new
understanding or insight. Whatever the reason for asking for
prayer, it becomes a blessing as your request is brought to the
Lord, filled with faith. He will hear and answer it in His perfect
way and timing. With this thought in mind, there are special
and caring people, known as Prayer Partners, who can be
available after each service to offer encouragement and to pray
with anyone about their prayer requests. They are delighted to
offer prayer about requestor concerns and take these requests
to God. God already knows about them anyway, for He cares
and has promised to answer prayer. Prayer Partners can be
readily seen at the front of the sanctuary upon the completion
of the services. They wear name badges and are awaiting
anyone with concerns to come to them and ask for prayer. It is
important to note that all prayer requests are strictly confidential
and presented in private. Both the prayer requests and the
prayers offered remain permanently inside the walls of the
church sanctuary.
g
ABUNDANT
enerosity at Trinity!
Trinity disicples go above and beyond their
weekly giving to the annual budget. There are
many outreach programs throughout the year
that disciples support very generously.
Approximately
$100,000
has been given in 2016 to the following
outreach programs and services.
Endowment
Mother’s Day Blankets - Church World Services
Lutheran Disaster Response
Father’s Day - Lutheran Charities
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund
White Gifts-Abington Health Children’s Clinic
Local Help Appeal
Hunger
Facility & Major Repairs
Appalachia Service Project
Giving Tree - Student Ministry
Singing Telegram
Code Blue
WELCA - School Supplies, Coat Drive
On Eagle’s Wings
Bear Creek Scholarship
North Penn Commons
Helping Hands
Radio Sponsorship
FEAST
Manna on Main Street
Meals on Wheels
Keystone Opportunity Center
Anchor House
Lutheran Charities
For prayer promises look in Luke 11:9-10 “Ask, and it
will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it
will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives,
and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be
opened.” Ephesians 3:12, (NIV) states that “In Him and
through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom
and confidence.” Feel comforted in knowing that you
can bring your requests before God in a new Prayer
Partner Ministry.
17
Homebound
Birthdays
PASTORAL ACTS
At the Grave . . .
The folks below are
members of Trinity who, for
one reason or another,
can no longer attend
worship services
regularly. Please
consider making
their special day a
bit brighter by
sending them a
birthday card. Be sure to let them
know that you’re a member of Trinity
and that their presence is missed.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
There are no November birthdays
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
5 Charlotte Bean
1135 Pinegrove Ave.
Lansdale, PA 19446
13 Bernice Sensenig
101 Sunset Drive
Lansdale, PA 19446
8/4/16
9/7/16
Esther Rogers
Marian Detwiler
At the Font . .
2/7/16 Daniel Thomas Nissen, son of David and Kristina (Posteraro) Nissen
2/20/16 Riley Claire Winterhalter, daughter of Brian and Lindsay (Tiemeyer) Winterhalter
3/5/16 Hannah James Smith, daughter of Bradley and Christi (Corl) Smith
3/19/16 Luke David Holsonback, son of Scott and Shannon (Bird) Holsonback
4/23/16 Amelia Bridget Gill, daughter of Matthew Gill and Sarah Tarpey
4/24/16 Owen Karl Scheckenbach, son of Eric and Bridgette (McGuire) Scheckenbach
4/24/16 Annalies Margaret Sucheski, daughter of Adam and Marilyn (Niederbuhl) Sucheski
4/24/16 Gregory Leonard Sucheski,
son of Adam and Marilyn (Niederbuhl) Sucheski
Bless those in Need
Our October food collection
will benefit Center City Parish
and others in our community
in emergency need. Please
consider donating some indemand items: peanut butter,
tuna fish, canned fruit, canned
soup, canned meat, cereal,
pasta, diapers, and baby
formula. Items can be placed
in the large white boxes in the
lobby and in Hyson Hall.
Thank You!
At the Altar . .
9/10/16 Katie Sue Mascaro and Kenneth Butler
10/15/16 Michelle Garrison and
John Ryan
10/22/16 Jennifer King and Michael Krajewski
26 Louisa Verhovshek
142 Farringdon Lane
Souderton, PA 18964
You’re Invited to Celebrate…
You are invited to join Kevin and Becky Schanely in celebrating
their marriage . A worship service will be held on Sunday, November
20, to recognize their marriage at 10:30 am at St. John’s Lutheran
Church , 3104 Main Street, Sumneytown , PA. If you plan to attend ,
please assist them in planning for the day by responding via email to
[email protected] by Sunday, November 6. They look forward to
celebrating this important milestone with their many church families.
Financial Update
General Fund Operations Year to Date as of July 2016:
18
FOOD COLLECTION
Giving and Other Income
Actual
$907,157 Budget
$902,946
Expenses
$936,257 $1,046,629
Surplus (Deficit)
$(29,100)
$(143,683)
Variance
$ 4,211
$(110,372)
$114,583
Capital Campaign Update
95% received
Charitable Grant Program
As of September 6, eligible benefit
members of Thrivent Financial have
designated $13,319 Thrivent Choice
Dollars to Trinity for 2016! Through the
Thrivent Financial charitable grant
program, members may select where
Thrivent Financial distributes part of its
charitable grant funds – including
Trinity. Don’t miss this opportunity to
help support Trinity.
Go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or
call 1-800-Thrivent and state “Thrivent
Choice” to designate funds.
November 20
4:30-7 pm
Enjoy advent
crafts and dinner.
Fun for all ages
The Lansdale Lutheran
Published by Trinity Lutheran Church
Senior Pastor: Paul Lutz
Pastor for Family Ministry: Dane Skilbred
Pastor for Visitation: Chris Glod
Senior Director for Church Mgmt: Danette Griffith
Director for Discipleship Gifts: Victoria Seal
Director for Early Learning: Lisa Corr
Director for Communication &
Editor for Lansdale Lutheran: Victoria Thomas
Director for Music: Eric Gombert
Associate Director for Music: Andrea Baxter
Associate Parish Musician: Sue Sheppard
Church Accountant: Cathy Pezzuti
Asst. to Pastor for Family Ministry: Karen Strobel
Asst. to Pastor for Family Ministry: Miwa Sperring
Manager for Buildings & Grounds: Dennis Smith
Nursery Coordinator: Cathy Grever
Maintenance Staff: Saci Bartos, Maryanne SwordsGreene, Susan Underkoffler, Dalton Dimmick
Admin. Assistant for the Pastors: Patti Tancredi
Admin. Assistant/Receptionist: Gay Brunt Miller
Office Assistant: Karen Brown
Global Outreach: On Eagle’s Wings, Northern
Canada; Bill & Nicole Lohmeyer, Dominican Republic;
Young Adult in Global Mission, ELCA
LifeSong Singers started the year with a retreat on
September 24. We partnered with Mediator Lutheran
Church in Philadelphia where we served together by
cleaning up the neighborhood and helping to paint the
inside of a community center. Then we had some fun at
Spruce St. Harbor Park at the Delaware Waterfront.
To reach a staff member, call 215-368-1710 or find their
email address on the staff page of the website.
Submit articles for the next issue to [email protected]
or in the church office by noon on October 21, 2016.
www.trinitylansdale.com
215.368.1710 l email: [email protected]
19
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
TIME DATED MATERIAL
1000 W. Main Street
Lansdale, PA 19446
Harvest Home
FOOD DRIVE
If you ever find yourself in need and must visit a local food pantry, you will be given
a shopping list of items that you are eligible to receive from the pantry each week.
Below is a list that is distributed to clients each week by Manna on Main Street, our
local food pantry, to supply a family of 4 food weekly. Please consider adding these
items to your shopping list and donating them on Harvest Home, October 8-9,
during worship.
Soups/Broth
Canned Meat
Tomato Product
Beans
Starches
Pasta/Pasta Meal
3
Canned Fruit
6
3Rice2
2
Canned Vegetable
6* 2
* No canned green beans or corn
3
Breakfast Items
1
4
Miscellaneous Items 3
“Miscellaneous” may include, but is not limited to juice, peanut butter, jelly, salad
dressing, etc. Flyers available at Welcome Desk.
20
Thank you for your contribution!
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 167
Lansdale, PA
Create Your Profile on
Trinity’s New Church
Management Software
Recently, Trinity’s administration
subscribed to a new church
management system. This system,
called Realm, connects the
database, the giving records, and
the accounting system, therefore
making several processes much
smoother. As part of this, you will
receive an invitation to create your
own account in the next two weeks.
You will be able to look up contact
information, and keep track of your
giving. If you haven’t received an
invitation by October 14, please
contact Danette Griffith at dgriffith@
trinitylansdale.com. Once you have
created your account, you can
easily log in from Trinity’s website.