T RINITY T ODAY February 2015 OUR CHURCH EXISTS TO RELATIONSHIP WITH VITAL, LIVING FAITH IN JESUS’ NAME WELCOME ALL PEOPLE INTO EQUIP PEOPLE WITH A JESUS CHRIST SEND US INTO THE WORLD TO SERVE TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH . 502 NORTH 4 TH STREET . BISMARCK, ND 58501 . 701.223.3560 FAX: 701.223.3561. [email protected] . 8:30 AM R ADIO BROADCAST . 1270 AM (KLXX) W EBSITE: WWW .TRINITYBISMARCK.COM From Information to Transformation: Faith is Living in the Way of Jesus. Lenten Worship: Wednesdays at 12:05 and 6:30 p.m. Suppers: Wednesdays at 5:15-6:15 p.m. See page 2 for menus Since the beginning of Christianity, the church has at times sent the wrong message about what exactly faith is. Often faith has been presented as knowing things about God; or knowing things about the Bible. But when Jesus talked about faith, it wasn’t about being informed about God, it was about being transformed by God. Faith wasn’t a series of ideas to be memorized; it was a way of life to be lived. Faith was and is living in the way of Jesus. So the question becomes- What is the way of Jesus and how can we live it together as individuals, as families, and as the Church? Join us this Lent for a series that explores what it means to live in the way of Jesus. Feb. Feb. March March March March 18: 25: 4: 11: 18: 25: Baptism & Initiation: Baptized into the way of Jesus. Worship & Transformation: Transformed for the journey of faith. Prayer & Communication: Speaking and listening to God. Communion & Reconciliation: Life together as the body of Christ. Learning & Re-formation: Re-forming our minds in Jesus. Service & Re-creation: Partners in God’s re-creation of the world. Musical Moments Joanne Swonger—[email protected] Director of Music and Worship Chancel Choir will begin rehearsing for this year’s cantata “Colors of Grace” on Thursday, February 19th. Rehearsals will be held in the basement Music Room at 7 PM. This cantata’s dramatic symbolism and lush musical score calls us to consider the many shades of grace bestowed upon us through Christ’s humility, service, and love. “Colors of Grace” will be presented Palm Sunday, March 29th at both Sunday morning worship services. All who would like to join the choir in singing this beautiful cantata are welcome to come to our rehearsals! Think how joyous it would be to walk through the church entrances on Easter morning and be greeted with butterflies and flowers in a rainbow of colors! Special plans are now underway to add Easter decor in the narthex for the Easter season. If you would like to be part of the fun of decorating, please visit with Joanne Swonger. We will be meeting soon to make plans and get organized. The decorating itself will be done on Saturday morning, April 4th, in preparation for Easter Sunday. Youth in the Arts Month is in March and is quickly approaching. Every spring for the past several years we have enjoyed “Youth in the Arts” month at Trinity. Trinity’s children and youth can be involved by sharing music, reading prayers/ scriptures, or showing artwork. Artwork may be contributed by an individual or a church school class/confirmation small group. Be thinking about what you would like to share with us in March! Trinity’s new leaders for 2015 President: Donna Jean Becker 1st Vice President: Terry Mertz 2nd Vice President: Steve Shilling Secretary: Shirley Branning Council: Charity Fix; Kevin Forde; Ray Hegel Nominating Committee: Eric Peterson; Mike Baltzer; Bruce Murry; Dan Donlin; Nickki Utter Audit Committee: Todd Lang Trust Fund Committee: Richard Bjornson Convention delegates: Dwight Offerman; Cindi Bussiere; Mike Mastel CHILDREN & YOUTH Gracia Johnson—[email protected] Youth, Family Life, and Christian Education Coordinator . Wings Youth Group Our multi-church youth group for grades 6-12. We’ll meet Sunday, February 8 at Faith Lutheran (1402 E Ave C) from 6 to 8 pm. We’ll head over to Hillside Ice Rink for some broom ball and then back to Faith for hot chocolate. Dress warm! Hope you can join us! Camperships Because we believe in the value of Christian camping, Trinity Lutheran Church will provide scholarships of half the price of camp (not to exceed $100) to anyone enrolled in Trinity ministries wishing to go to an ELCA Bible Camp. To receive your scholarship, contact Gracia at [email protected] or 223-3560. Check out what Camp of the Cross has to offer this summer at their website: www.campofthecross.com. Vacation Bible School Save the Date for VBS this summer at Trinity! All kids preschool to grade 5 are welcome to join us June 7-11. Watch for more details. Lenten Suppers Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6:15 pm in Fellowship Hall Free Will Offering Feb. 18: Chili Cook-Off & Silent Auction Feb. 25: Sloppy Joes Mar. 4: Tacos Mar. 11: Spaghetti Mar. 18: Baked Potato Bar Mar. 28: Tatertot Hotdish A Trinity Youth Fundraiser 2 Stephen Ministry The Banquet Karla Sadowsky—[email protected] Can you hear me? Banquet Director The Banquet is moving along at full speed. We have all of 2015 Thursday meals filled and only five open dates for the Saturday lunch. We are very blessed to have such wonderful support in our community for this great and much needed ministry. I am asking for regular volunteers to help out once a month on Thursday’s. I have lost five of my regular coordinators that have been with The Banquet since inception and they have given so much to this ministry, but it was time for them to retire. If you feel like this is something that you would be interested in doing, please contact me at 202-4749 and I can give you details. Please check out our website www.BismarckBanquet.com for weekly hosts and statistics. Thank you and God Bless! Message from Trinity’s new president, Donna Jean Becker My husband, Wayne, and I were looking for a church to celebrate our faith in the early 1980’s. I grew up in a large church in the Bismarck/Mandan area, so coming into Trinity seemed like a comfortable fit. I didn’t know too many people, but Trinity welcomed me in even when I was not a member. That came much later. We had small children so it wasn’t long before we were getting involved with church school activities. I took a turn at being a Church School teacher, Confirmation Guide, Chairperson of the Board of Christian Education, and now President of the Council. When you converse with someone, are you focused on listening… or is part of your mind already working on what you will say when it’s your turn to talk? If your attention is divided, you may miss an important part of the message your conversation partner is trying to convey. Listening, really listening, involves more than the ears. An effective listener uses the ears to hear words and tone of voice, the eyes to pick up messages from the speaker’s body language (posture and eye contact), and the heart to perceive and empathize with what the speaker feels. The mind becomes part of the listening package only after the message has been received from ears, eyes, and heart. A good listener will also summarize the message to confirm it was received accurately, and only then will it be appropriate to make a response. Listening is one of the first skills introduced to Stephen Ministers-in-training, because listening one of the primary ways a Stephen Minister provides care to someone in need. A skilled listener is better able to give the kind of understanding, acceptance, support, or comfort the speaker is looking for. According to writer and management consultant Margaret J. Wheatley, “Listening is such a simple act. It requires us to be present, and that takes practice, but we don’t have to do anything else. We don’t have to advise, or coach or sound wise. We just have to be willing to sit there and listen.” A simple act? Perhaps, but what a gift you may give someone just by listening! The Stephen Ministry articles this year will provide glimpses into Stephen Minister training topics that you may find helpful personally and that may also be informative if you have considered whether Stephen Ministry might be for you. If you want to know more about Stephen Ministry at any time, contact a Stephen Leader (Karen Botine, Margaret Fiechtner). And if you are in need of care, fill out the Confidential Care Request card in the pew rack and drop it in the Confidential Care box at the Welcome desk in the lobby. It is so exciting and rewarding to be part of a church who has as one of its mission goals to be reaching out to the community, and be a part of the community….especially in these changing times our state is going through. We have many opportunities for YOU to become involved. Just step forward. It is amazing what a little leap in faith can do and where it will lead you. YOUR GIFTS Julie Schaffner – [email protected] Altar Guild needs members Altar Guild is looking for new members. They are responsible for changing the Paraments, maintaining the furnishings of the altar and delivering Altar Flowers to the hospitalized. For questions contact Marla Laxdal at 255.7650 or consider attending their annual meeting on Monday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. in Katie’s Parlor, located behind the kitchen in the old church basement. Financial Director We have finished 2014 in the BLACK! Thank You, THANK YOU for your generosity! Year End 2014 Income Expenses Income less expenses December Actual $114,797.41 $ 59,069.34 $ 55,728.07 Year-to-date Actual $732,942.75 $704,546.58 $ 28,396.17 Our Christmas Offering, Heart River Bridges of Hope, brought in $2,959. 3 TRINITY LUTHERAN C HURCH 502 NORTH 4TH STREET BISMARCK, ND 58501 PASTOR STEVE SATHRE PASTOR PAUL SCHICK NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. BISMARCK, ND POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 419 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED WOMEN’S MINISTRIES · The Bible Study Leaders Study is held the first Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. If anyone plans to attend, please call Jan in the church office prior to that day. · The Thankoffering - Watch for dates. This money goes directly to the ELCA National Office. Faith and Freedom February 20th 6-9pm, Jesus & Charity: What is Healthy Giving? Please Join us every third Friday of the month for Faith and Freedom, a time of learning and relaxation. This month we will spend the first hour exploring what it means to follow Jesus’ commands to show generosity to those who are in need in light of real world concerns such as: When am I called to give? Is giving ever wrong when it supports dependency? How can I ensure that I am giving to individuals and organizations that are actually making a difference? From 7 to 9 pm is free time for you to enjoy with your spouse or friends. This event is meant for all ages of Beer and Hymns Beer and Hymns will resume on February 2 at the Harvest Brazilian Grill in downtown Mandan. Please join us for a night of spirited hymn singing, beer, and other drinks, and fun! All persons 21+ are welcome. Join us and bring a friend! Pastoral Ministries Funerals John Job Don Smith Joseph Westby Leo Swenson Trust Fund Spotlight The Same… But Different As a result of the congregation’s decision at the 2014 annual meeting, the Trust Fund Committee now manages two (2) distinct funds, the Trust Fund and the North Dakota Tax Credit Endowment Fund (the Endowment Fund). Much of 2014 was spent developing guidelines and documents to assure that requirements of legislation are met and that the Committee has the necessary information to honor the intent of each giver. As you consider where to place your gift, the following information may be helpful: · Gifts to both Funds are permanently invested and only the income is used. Capital gains are reinvested to grow the principal of each Fund. Income from both Funds may be combined to support projects. · A Trust Fund gift -- you may designate how income from your gift will be used – for worship & music, for scholarships, for building maintenance, world missions, etc. Gifts to the Trust Fund do not qualify for the North Dakota tax credit. · An Endowment Fund gift -- a gift to this fund does qualify for the North Dakota tax credit (pick up the donation forms in the church office). Because of accounting requirements for designated gifts you may not specify how the income from your gift is to be used. If you have questions about either the Trust Fund or the Endowment Fund, talk to a Trust Fund Committee member: Wade Anderson, Karen Botine, Chuck Krueger, or Susan Weiand. Camp of the Cross A special campaign, “Building on the Shores of Faith,” has been undertaken to fund the construction of a new and longneeded dining, kitchen and program facility at Camp of the Cross. The members of Trinity Lutheran will join Lutherans from across the region in supporting this fundraising effort. Our congregation has set a goal of $50,000, and we hope to reach or even exceed that goal. Over the past few weeks, you have learned about Camp of the Cross Ministries and the “Building on the Shores of Faith” campaign. The week of February 2 is Commitment Week for the campaign, and during worship services on February 4 and 8, you will have an opportunity to make a pledge in support of this effort and help us reach our goal. By doing so, you will help ensure that this important ministry continues for our young people. Your support will make it possible for many more youth, families and adults to participate in programs and retreats at Camp of the Cross for generations to come. 4