July Newsletter - Trinity Lutheran Church

Trinity Lutheran Church
5005 I-40 West
Non Profit Organization
July 2016
U.S. Postage Paid
Amarillo, Texas 79106
Amarillo, Texas
Change Service Requested
Permit No. 307
Trinity Epistle
Trinity Lutheran Church, Christian School & Child Care
Pastor Hesse - God’s Chosen People
Last month we started a sermon series of “Living As God’s Chosen People.” When we as a
congregation of God’s people started this journey I thought for certain we would be spending most of
our time on these Words from chapter 2:9-10, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him
who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now
you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
However, if you notice carefully the sermon texts throughout this preaching series; you will discover
that those particular verses are not listed.
These verses from God’s Word ought to be comforting, just look at the words used to describe us.
God uses words like “chosen,” “royal,” and “holy.” Peter writes that you were once a nobody. You
were once insignificant, a subject of God’s wrath because of sin. Now, on the other hand, you have
received mercy, you are no longer part of the insignificant darkness that plagues the world because
you have received the mercy shown to you in Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus know that
massive transformation that our Savior has accomplished for us by His death and resurrection. We
know the massive transformation that Christ has promised that we always have life, even in death our
future is life in the resurrection. We are part of Christ’s massive transforming love that has been put
into motion in the world. However, your transformation is not all about you.
As the world changes around us, you might be thinking it is getting worse. Recently, we have a new
record of mass causalities in a shooting set by the tragic events in Orlando. Many loathe with disdain
the cycle of another political season upon us. Many are despondent with threats in our world. Even in
our own community there is a heightened sense urgency about our safety after the incident at our local
Walmart. It would be easy to conclude the world is in chaos. It is certainly obvious the sin is still very
much apart of our world. Being a Christian, one of God’s chosen people does not make you immune
to sin and the chaos of the world. Being a Christian makes you, God’s light in the darkness. Being one
of God’s chosen people who is additionally described as royal and holy makes you one of the heralds
of the excellent mercy and love of God in a world of sin and chaos.
Inside this issue:
Family Life Ministry
2
VBS
3
Tiger News
4-5
Ushers/Greeters
7
Child Care
8
Elders
8
Merger Letter
1011
Special points of
interest:
Luther had it right when he commented on the Epistle of First Peter. He wrote, “We have no other
reason for living on earth than to be of help to others. If this were not the case, it would be best
for God to kill us and let us die as soon as we are baptized and have begun to believe. But he
permits us to live here in order that we may bring others to faith, just as He brought us. But as
long as we live on this earth, we must live in hope.” (AE, 30.11)
 July Calendar - Pg. 6
As “God’s Chosen People” we must live in hope. We must live in the hope that comes from Christ
alone. I pray the remainder of our mediation on First Peter this month will be beneficial to you as
people who live in hope and can share that hope with others.
 Insights from the Epistle of 1
Peter - Pg. 8
Pastor Brian Hesse
Josh 1:9
 July Birthday’s - Pg. 7
 Sunday School - Pg. 7
 Piano Donation - Pg. 8
 Work Day Pics - Pg.9
 CEF News - Pg. 11
Sunday Services At Trinity
8:00 A.M.,10:30 A.M.
& 6:00 P.M.
Sunday School & Bible Class
9:20 A.M.
You are Cordially Invited to Attend
July 2016
Rev. Brian Hesse, Senior Pastor
Charessa Koontz, Director of Youth & Family Ministry
Mr. Rick Ryan, Principal
Meliea Cox, Child Care Director
Christian School & Child Care
Trinity Lutheran Church
of the Merger, the Implementation Finance Committee will insure the transfer of any funds into the accounts of Trinity
Lutheran Church.
7. The existing governance committees including Boards of Elders; Boards of Trustees; Christian Day School Boards;
Sunday School Boards; Youth Boards; Boards of Evangelism; Boards of Stewardship; Boards of Social Ministry and
Boards for Childcare Service and any other committees from both congregations will combine, working with joint
chairpersons, until the next regularly scheduled church elections in the summer of 2016.
July Family Life Ministry News
8. Major ministry activities of both Church’s, e.g. BBQ Sunday, Angel Breakfast, etc. will continue as outreach efforts of
the unified Church as approved by appropriate boards and council.
9. The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Trustees Chairperson, and Child Care Chairperson of Christ Lutheran will
remain in those positions until the legal dissolution of Christ Lutheran Church. These representatives will be nonvoting, ex-officio members of the Church Council of Trinity Lutheran Church.
10. Worship services will continue at the unified Trinity Lutheran Church at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, and 6:00 pm.
11. Staffing for the unified church at the time of Merger will be as follows: Pastor Brian Hesse will serve as Senior Pastor,
Mrs. Charessa Koontz will serve as Director of Family Life Ministry, and Mr. Rick Ryan will serve as Principal of
Trinity Lutheran Christian School. All other faculty and staff of Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran at the time of the
Merger will be retained in their respective positions subject to the review of the Church boards based on program
and budget needs.
Sunday School News:
Summer Sunday School Theme is “Faith: Believing
What Jesus Did Can Change Me.” We will be going
all around the world to see how the disciples spread
the gospel and the impact it still has today.
Remember that we start in the music room on
Sunday mornings for opening worship.
12. A merged Governance Committee will review, update and draft, in accord with The Texas District of the Lutheran
Church – Missouri Synod a Constitution and bylaws of the unified congregation. Upon adoption, this Constitution and
bylaws shall be submitted to the District Committee on Constitutional Review for approval by the Texas District
LCMS Board of Directors in accordance with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s By-laws.
Church Camp 2016
July 10th-15th
Camp Ceta Glen
Texas District Church Extension Fund
Children’s Worship Center Bags have been
redesigned thanks to our TLCS!
For Information concerning CEF
investments and application
forms, contact Trinity’s CEF rep.
Bob Johnson
New bags have tags by age group: Infant/Toddler, PreK-K,
and Early Readers.
Please make sure that the items get returned to the right
bag for the next little worshipper.
VBS 2016
Words cannot express my extreme gratitude to all of our many volunteers,
participants, donors (especially Thrivent), prayer warriors and more who
made our VBS such a success with over 160 children participating. We are so
thankful for our preschool staff who saw the value of this program and even
included the 2 year olds in this year’s theme of Jesus is the Light of the World!
Such a blessing and such a joy! Check out some of pictures in this newsletter.
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Trinity Epistle
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This Article of Partnership/Merger Agreement was presented to the Voter’s at our May meeting. This was the duty given to the
Implementation Governance team in meeting the obligation of our April Voters Meeting. On June 24 th, at our next Voter’s
Meeting, this document will be ratified and sent onto the District and other governing officials. If you have any corrections that
you would like amended please let Elder Jose Garcia, Elder Randy Parker or Family Life Minister Charessa Koontz know as
soon as possible.
Merger Agreement for
Trinity Lutheran Church Amarillo, TX &
Christ Lutheran Church Amarillo, TX
Now come Trinity Lutheran Church (Trinity Lutheran) and Christ Lutheran Church (Christ Lutheran), and acting through an
affirmative vote of their respective congregations, enter into this Merger Agreement (Merger).
Whereas, Trinity Lutheran Church is a Church founded in 1921 which is operated at 5005 Interstate 40 West in Amarillo,
Texas and has been registered as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Texas since August 1940; and
Whereas, Christ Lutheran is a Church founded in 1954 and has operated at 2400 N Coulter St. in Amarillo, Texas and has
been registered as a non-profit corporation under the Laws of the State of Texas since August 1954; and
Whereas, in the fall of 2015, the pastoral leadership of Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran began conversation and prayerful
consideration whether a merger of the two congregations would be beneficial to both congregations and Trinity Lutheran’s
stated mission “REACHING, TEACHING, AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS THROUGH THE SAVING LOVE OF JESUS
CHRIST”; and
Whereas, in the winter of 2015- 2016, the Administrative Councils of both Churches determined to explore the possibility of a
merger further by the selection of members to a Trinity-Christ Exploratory Committee to explore issues related to the Merger of
the two churches; and
Whereas, there have been multiple information sessions conducted at both churches to explain the progress of the Merger
talks and the required process for effecting the Merger; and
Whereas, on March 13, 2016 and April 3, 2016, the members of both Christ Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran approved the
Merger of the two churches by a 2/3 affirmative vote of both congregations' members in a paper ballot vote; and
Whereas, upon joint approval of the congregations Christ Lutheran physically moved to Trinity Lutheran Church on May 15,
2016, and is conducting its worship activities at Trinity Lutheran Church, but continues to operate its child care facility and
conduct other ministry and outreach activities at the former Christ Lutheran Church location since that time.
Now therefore come the members of Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran and agree as follows:
1. Effective May 15, 2016, Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran will merge to worship as one church in accordance with the
provisions of The Texas District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
2. The name of the unified church will be: Trinity Lutheran Church.
3. The mission of Trinity Lutheran will remain: “REACHING, TEACHING, AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS THROUGH THE
SAVING LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST.”
4. The unified church shall operate as a non-profit corporation under the registration of Trinity Lutheran Church.
5. A name change will be filed with appropriate local, state, and federal entities to reflect the change in name of the Christ
Lutheran Church property and holdings to: Christ at the Woodlands Lutheran Church – A Ministry of Trinity Lutheran
Church - LCMS.
6. The assets, liabilities, income and debts of both churches will be combined into the financial records and holdings of
Trinity Lutheran Church. Those assets will include all checking, savings, money market, certificate of deposit or other
financial assets currently held by either of the two churches along with all real and personal property. This shall also
include the building mortgages, but both mortgages shall remain separate. Both church Finance Chairs (Comptroller/
Treasurer) have already provided current financial statements to the other church. Prior to the legal effective date of
Merger, the accounting firm of both entities will analyze the financial statements for accuracy. Upon the legal effective date
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Trinity Epistle
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Living Life, TOGETHER, in CHRIST as…
Trinity School Ministry Prayer List!
Please continue to keep our
Trinity One Family in your
prayers as we look to strengthen
our school ministry and help to
grow our ministries!
 Blessings for guidance and direction with
NEW and EXPANDED programs in PreKindergarten next year, and the needed
staff to serve!
 An increased TOTAL enrollment for next
year.
 An increased enrollment in each grade…PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grades 1– 5!
 Bless our efforts to return ALL of our Trinity
families!
 Reach out to bring twenty (20) NEW
STUDENTS to Trinity!
 The Spirit of God to move all our families to
make this happen!
Help us to build on God’s blessings!
One Family!
ENROLLMENT
CONTINUES…
FOR
NEXT
YEAR
We continue to reach out into the community and to all families
wanting to enroll for next year with great incentives for NEW
families! Please be an Ambassador for Trinity and share your
Trinity story. We have LOTS of materials for you to share! We
also have Application forms and Registration material
available through the school office. Please contact Mr. Ryan for
more information on how you can help spread the news about
us! NOW is the time to reach out to families and share the great
things about TLCS! Be an Ambassador for Trinity...TODAY!!!
NEEDING TRINITY TEACHERS AND STAFF!!!
We continue our search for those servants to join our Trinity
Ministry Team! We are seeking applicants to help fill the
following positions:
ECE Teacher for our Pre-Kindergarten 3s & 4s classroom. Full
or Part-time possibilities.
Teacher-Aides for Pre-Kindergarten classroom.
P.E. Teacher for part-time position
All who are interested in any of these positions or know of a
person who might want to be part of this ministry in any of these
capacities, please contact Mr. Rick Ryan.
MORE TIGER NEWS…
Our Summer Scrip Program continues and is ready to help you! There are plenty of cards to help with
all your regular purchases and all those special events, projects, and summer vacations still left to do! All
are very important and all provide a great and unique way to support our school! Check out our Scrip
Table every Sunday morning after first service.
School Summer Office Hours – During July the school office will be open each day, Monday through
Thursday, from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. or Mr. Ryan will be happy to set a time to meet as needed by
appointment.
Tri-State Volunteers Needed...The Tri-State Fair Parade will be here soon and we would
again like to participate with a float representing our church, school, and child care centers! We are in
need of creative and enthusiastic individuals to begin the planning and construction of a parade float that
will once again share the Gospel message to our community! We had a great time last year and need
willing volunteers to be part of the float committee! We hope to have this committee in place by August 1 st!
Please contact the church office if you are willing to be part of this important journey sharing the
ministries here at Trinity with our community! We hope to hear from you soon! Another great way to share
your gifts and talents in special and important ways!!!
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Trinity Epistle
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Board of Child Care
Piano Donation
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in
the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!
Amen. Eph 3:20-21
West Texas A&M recently purchased
new pianos and Mike Johnson was able
to have one of the very good
replacements donated to Trinity
Lutheran School.
Home of the Tiger Cubs!
1. Next meeting date – July 11, 2016 at 6:10 pm at TLC
2. Enrollment/Waiting list – 137 (4 starting soon). Includes 57
for summer
3. Assistant Director Rebecca Tobias will begin the process of
getting Director’s license
4. Carpet/Tile - Hallway’s and bathrooms – continue to
explore options
5. Implementation Committee (Merger) working on
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Wage/benefits conformity
Policy/Procedures Manual
Parents Handbook
Employee Manual
Electronic Direct Deposit (coming)
Christ in the Woodlands (CITW) employees have
changed pay dates to conform with TLCC
Board Members: Margaret Brooks, Sue Buescher, Val Compson,
Pam Davis, Patty Goff, Steve Hauter, Brittany Nash, Sue
Pennington, Kim Roberts, James Wells
JULY/AUGUST 2016 CALENDAR DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
Celebrating 68 Years of Lutheran School Ministry…
Living Life TOGETHER in Christ as ONE FAMILY!
Thank you to Mike for your efforts in obtaining the Piano and
the Mike and Jeff Schwartzenberg for moving it from WT to
Trinity.
The board of elders thanks Bob Johnson and Kyle Wilkins for
their service to the congregation. As Bob and Kyle leave the
board, we welcome Bill Brohlin, Howard Herm, and Chuck
Boissenet.
We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in making our
Vacation Bible School so much fun for the children in
attendance. We especially recognize the large number of youth
who responded to the call for volunteers. We have many reasons
to be proud of our kids!
Please don't hesitate to call any member of the board of elders
with your concerns and questions. Know that we keep our
Trinity family in our daily prayers.
Monday, July 4th…School Office Closed - July 4th Observance

Monday – Thursday, July 18th -21st…Administrator’s Conference – Dallas/FW

Wednesday, August 17th…First Day of School! Opening Worship of our
Academic year at 9:00a.m.!!!
69th
Living As God’s Chosen
People
Insights from the Epistle
of I Peter
Get your Tiger Summer Spirit Items NOW…you can purchase Tiger Mugs, Athletic Bottles, Baseball Caps, along with many other items from our
Tiger School Store that will help to show the Amarillo community your true Tiger Spirit. Contact the School Office for your summer ordering needs!
YOU CAN FIND OUT THE LATEST ABOUT YOUR TRINITY TIGERS BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AT
www.trinitylutheranschool.org or on our Trinity School Facebook page!

   
Leave a Legacy of Love for Trinity!
Week Six: People Who Are Home (July 3)
Suggested Reading: I Peter 3:1-14
Week Seven: People Who Hurt (July 10)
Elders

Suggested Reading: I Peter 3:15-22
Week Eight: People in Masks (July 17)
Suggested Reading: I Peter 4:1:12
Week Nine: People in Practice (July 24)
Suggested Reading: I Peter 4:12-19
Support your school ministry through these means and impact lives forever…
♥ Ruth Stelzer Memorial Endowment
♥ Trinity Scrip Program
♥ 2015-2016 Scholarship Needs
♥ Trinity’s Birthday Challenge…Only ONE more month remains!
♥ Thrivent Action Teams… All Thrivent members have two (2) $250 opportunities to support projects for
the church, school, and child care. We can use ACTION TEAMS to help with classroom projects for the
summer! It is easy to do! There will be many project opportunities available for July and part of August and
for our upcoming school year, too! Please see Mr. Ryan for details.
♥ CHOICE DOLLARS…Don’t forget to designate those free dollars!
♥ Any Designated Gifts of personal interest to the school!!!
IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE
PROGRAMS and ANY SCHOOL MINISTRY NEEDS…
PLEASE CONTACT MR. RYAN!
Serving Our Master Teacher!
Mr. Rick Ryan
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Week Ten: People of Grace (July 31)
Suggested Reading: I Peter 5:1-13
Walk with Light,
Rick Black
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Trinity Epistle
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USHERS
10:30 AM Service
Art Schneider
Michael Fenner
Micah Black
JULY 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
Bountiful Baskets/
Fellowship Hall - 911am
3
4
5
6
Social Ministry Mtg.
- 9:30am
7
8
9
Life Light/Parlor 9:30 am
Bountiful Baskets/
Fellowship Hall - 911am
Bible Study - 7pm
10
11
12
Child Care Bd. Mtg.
- 6pm
Quilting/Parlor 9am
13
Elders Mtg. - 6pm
14
Implementation/
Parlor - 6pm
15
National Youth Gathering - July
15-20
Secretary Off 1/2 day 14th all day 15th
Church Camp - July 10-15
17
18
19
16
20
School Bd. Mtg. 7pm
21
22
Life Light/Parlor 9:30 am
Bountiful Baskets/
Fellowship Hall - 911am
23
Bountiful Baskets/
Fellowship Hall - 911am
Church Council 6pm
Bubba Davis
Bill Moore
William Baker
Chris Pilgrim
Martin Kunkel
Natalie Wetsel
Caitlin Zanchettin
Meaghanne Edwards
Jakob Schwartzenberg
Ed Grund
Dwayne Henson
Brooke Davis
Ruleen Howard
Ken Lindemann
Eric Koontz
Annika Schwartzenberg
Monica Wetsel
Kylar Evans
Betty Rathjen
Jack Starbuck
Suzanne Garcia
Laurie Hurst
Brandi Dahl
Sarah Black
Jeff Schwartzenberg
Elaine Schlegel
Janice Ray
Christopher Bell
Steve Misch
Andrew Beggs
Briana Mendez
Jaxon Nash
Easton Nash
National Youth Gathering - July 15-20
24
25
Voter’s Mtg./w
Potluck following
10:30 service
Bible Study - 7pm
26
27
28
Life Light/Parlor 9:30 am
29
7/2
7/3
7/4
7/5
7/9
7/9
7/9
7/11
7/11
7/12
7/12
7/14
7/15
7/15
7/16
7/16
7/17
7/20
7/20
7/20
7/21
7/22
7/23
7/24
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/28
7/29
7/30
7/30
7/31
Shane Parish
Rick Black
GREETERS
8:00 AM Service
Mr. Paul Unger
10:30 AM Service
M/M Jim Ackley
We will follow the same Greeter schedule from last year.
If you would like to change please contact Janell Janhsen or
anyone on the Evangelism board.
Join Us For Sunday School - 9:20 AM
Class
Topic
Kristin Platter
“Luther’s Writings on the Minor Prophets”
Pastor’s Office
Pastor Hesse Islam
Fellowship Hall
Rick Ryan
From Lent to Easter and Beyond!
Parlor
Sarah Black
Boundaries with Children Rm. 1/School Hall
High School
Put a Stamp on Your World
Basement-Youth Room
Grades 6-8th
252 Basics
Rm. 4/School Hall
Grades 3-5th
252 Basics
Rm. 7/School Hall
Grades K-2nd
252 Basics
Rm. 2/School Hall
Grades PK3 & PK4 252 Basics
Rm. 6/School Hall
Remember that Sunday School for children and youth PK8th grade begins in the Music Rm/Rm #3 with an Opening
Worship before dismissal to individual classes!
30
Trustees
Bountiful Baskets/
Fellowship Hall - 911am
We wish to thank all who turned out for the facilities work day. (30 plus) Debris removal, landscaping, painting( kitchen &
portico), etc. both facilities. A big thank you to Kristen, Nancy, Kimberly, Elaine for fixing and serving the lunch meal for all of
the crew. All projects are progressing toward completion . We thank all who donated toward the projects. THANK YOU! Plans
are in the makings to have another work day in the future for both campuses.
Fish Fry/Fellowship
Hall - 6:15pm
Circle the date of Saturday, July 30th at 6:15 pm. The Trustees will be having a FISH/CHIPS FRY! Devotion,
Entertainment, Singing , Etc. Then feast and fellowship. Free will offering toward on going improvements.
31
Gods Blessings
In Christ Service
Trustees
Bible Study - 7pm
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