Trinity Connections
Your Weekly Update - April 7, 2021
Resurrection, Not Reversal
When she had said this, [Mary Magdalene] turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” (John 20:14-17)
 
Dear Trinity community,

It is hard to put into words how wonderful it was to celebrate Easter as we were able to do on Sunday. Eyes smiling behind masks, music from the Handbell Choir, the beauty of flowers, and the reality that, while we gathered safely, hundreds of others were joining us in ways we could not have contemplated just 13 months ago. We still haven't arrived at the “Easter Someday” that I promised a year ago, but it is coming much closer. We are emerging.

In Sunday's sermon, we looked at John's account of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ and found new meaning as we emerge from the pandemic. 
 
Key points:
  • Mary came to the tomb expecting to find Jesus' body secured in a tomb, but the Jesus she encounters is not what she expected. Christ has been transformed by his resurrection.
  • The pandemic has been a source of pain, sorrow, and even some joy. Coming out of this time will be a sort of resurrection for us.
  • But it is important to understand that resurrection is not reversal. Things will not go back to the way they once were, and we should not seek that. We will all come out scarred in some way. Just as Jesus bore the scars of his crucifixion after his resurrection, so we will carry the scars of this crisis with us.
  • So, as we emerge from the chrysalis of the pandemic, God calls us not back to what was but forward into what God is doing in the world.
  • When Mary recognizes Jesus, he replies: “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” This is a striking statement that affirms our transformation with Christ. God has transformed our relationship with God through Christ!

It would be terrible if we emerge from the chrysalis of this time to find that we’re still caterpillars. My hope is that we learn from what we have been through and emerge transformed with, among other things:
  • A greater appreciation for our loved ones, and particularly our elderly;
  • An appreciation for those who made things work in spite of challenges in health care, education, retail, delivery, etc.;
  • An appreciation for our families and the resilience of children;
  • A recognition that—as much as we have all suffered during the crisis—there are those who endure suffering we can only imagine every day due only to the color of their skin, their ethnic background, or other differences;
  • A conviction that our faith exists beyond the walls of our building—that we are a church turned inside-out, equipped and sent to love, give, and forgive out in the world every day.

For Your Reflection
  • What do you hope for yourself as you consider your own pandemic resurrection?
  • What do you hope for others (your family, our community, and the world)?
  • What can you do in the coming week to make resurrection transformation real?

A big sign of our resurrection as a church has arrived—a gradual opening up for meetings and more in-person worship opportunities. See information below for details.

He is risen indeed! Alleluia! 
2 Sunday Worship Services for Easter Season
Starting this coming Sunday, April 11, Trinity returns to two Sunday worship services, at 9 and 11 a.m., through May 23; and Wednesday services continue at 6:15 p.m. through April 28. At all three services today and this coming Sunday, eighth-grade confirmation students are leading worship.

With many worshippers now vaccinated and feeling confident about returning to in-person worship, we encourage you to register for each service at trinitywaupaca.eventbrite.com. We also welcome you to check out all the worship volunteer opportunities at tiny.cc/TLCWorship. We anticipate a return to traditional Sunday worship times at 8 and 10:30 a.m. later this year.

Our Easter season at Trinity is off to a great start. Check out the photo of the cross of life that our congregation put together on Easter Sunday!

If you graciously sponsored any Easter flowers in honor or memory of loved ones this year, you are now welcome to take them home. Thank you so much!
Church Building Reopens for Group Gatherings
Trinity's building is now open and welcoming groups of up to 15 masked, physically distanced people in well-ventilated areas. We also have the technology to host hybrid gatherings of in-person and online participants. The office staff is so happy to welcome you back! Whether you lead an existing ministry or are forming a new group, please contact Tammy or Lori at the church office and schedule your time and space in advance at 715-258-7688 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The office is also open for walk-ins during those times. Welcome back!
Masking Remains a Must Within Trinity's Walls
None of us can wait to take off our masks for good, but we're not quite there yet at Trinity. We've made steady progressions toward more in-person activity, but, with a fifth of Waupaca County residents now fully vaccinated, masking remains an important way to love our neighbors who have yet to receive the vaccine. Some members have reasonably asked whether groups of people who have all been vaccinated can assemble without masks. While we hope it won't be long before that's possible, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that vaccinated people still mask and distance themselves in public places. Trinity is such a place, which also hosts a Waupaca County meal-preparation site and preschool each week. We sincerely appreciate your cooperation as we continue to take these steps forward; we couldn't make this progress without you.

Everyone in Wisconsin age 16 and older is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost. If you have yet to be vaccinated, be sure to find out how you can take that step to help us get across the finish line into a mask-free future!
Funeral Set for Friday in Iola
Trinity grieves with member Abbey Leder and her family at the death of Joe Krentz, who regularly worshiped at Trinity with Abbey; their 1-year-old daughter, D’vorah; and the rest of the Leder family. Joe died by suicide on Monday, March 22. The Leders urge anyone who is contemplating suicide or self-harm to get help; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255, and Trinity’s pastors are also available for support. A funeral service for Joe is set for 1 p.m. this Friday, April 9, at the Iola Car Show grounds, 700 E. State St., Iola, after visitation beginning at 11 a.m. Click here to read the obituary for Joseph M. Krentz Jr. from Maple Crest Funeral Home.
Bishop Edison-Albright to Be Installed Sunday
By the grace of God and the call of Church, the Rev. Anne Edison-Albright will be installed as the fifth bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's East Central Synod of Wisconsin this Sunday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. The service will stream live on the synod's website and Facebook page. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will preach and preside.

Bishop Anne was previously pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Stevens Point before becoming director of college ministries at Luther College. She was elected in September 2020 at our synod's virtual assembly and began as bishop in December. Welcomed less formally with a service in January, she will be officially installed on Sunday. Please keep Bishop Anne in your prayers as she leads our synod!
Scholarships Still Available for Trinity Students
Applications for Trinity's 2021 undergraduate and seminary scholarships are now available from the church office or at tlcwaupaca.org (click "Resources," then "Forms," then "Scholarships"). Applications must be returned to tlcwaupacascholarships@gmail.com or to the Trinity office, 206 E. Badger St., Waupaca, WI, 54981, no later than Thursday, April 29, at 4 p.m. This is a firm deadline.

Also, InFaith Community Foundation is offering two scholarships to benefit members of churches including Trinity that have an active endowment fund held at InFaith.

InFaith Community Foundation Scholarship – Two $5,000 scholarships
To be eligible, candidates must:
  • Be a high-school graduating senior and a member of a congregation (such as Trinity) that holds an active organizational endowment fund at InFaith;
  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Plan to attend an accredited college or university and seek a four-year degree; and,
  • Be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must be high school graduating seniors seeking a four-year undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university. This scholarship award, established in 2013, provides educational opportunities to two individuals who demonstrate financial need, high academic achievement, and a commitment to serving their community.

WomenLead Scholarship – Two $3,000 scholarships
WomenLead recognizes the need for diverse leadership in ministry, nonprofits, and civic organizations and seeks to accelerate the extraordinary leadership of women to lead change using their talents to educate, advocate, and activate. The Chris Andersen WomenLead Scholarship was established in 2017. Two $3,000 educational scholarships will be awarded to women of Christian faith seeking a master's or doctoral level degree that will prepare them to serve in public service, nonprofit leadership, and/or in Christian ministry. Women of diverse backgrounds (race/ethnicity, age, faith) eager to lead through bold action, innovative vision, and faith-inspired passion are encouraged to apply.

Applications for these scholarships are due April 30, 2021. More information is available at thriventcharitable.com/grants/scholarships. If you have any questions about the scholarships or the application process, contact InFaith at scholarships@infaithfound.org or 800-365-4172.
Pitch in for Strawberry Fest June 19 at Trinity
Save the date: Saturday, June 19! Celebrate the beginning of summer with Strawberry Fest, a family festival that features a downtown art/craft fair with more than 100 vendors from across the Midwest, strawberry shortcake, a children’s costume contest, live entertainment, great food, and more. Due to construction on Main Street this year, Trinity has been asked to help host the event on the church property this year! We are partnering with the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, and this is a great opportunity for our church to raise funds in a myriad of ways. If you are willing to donate special items for a silent auction or volunteer in any capacity to help make this event a great success, please email Trinity Volunteer Coordinator Tammy Wright at twright@tlcwaupaca.org or contact the church office at 715-258-7688 Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Find Devotions and Other At-Home Resources
Trinity's website has a wealth of material, including links to devotion sites, on the At-Home Resources page.
Remote Worship Options Continue
Those at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 are encouraged to continue worshiping online or via our radio broadcast. 

  • Video worship services are LIVE on Sundays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. on Trinity's YouTube channel.

  • You can listen to Trinity Time at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on Lakes 92.7 FM, WDUX.

View past worship services and other video messages from Trinity by clicking the buttons below.
Your Giving Matters
Please consider continuing your weekly offerings to Trinity as follows:

  • In person: Offer your gifts as you enter the sanctuary for worship.

  • By mail: Send checks to Trinity Lutheran Church at 206 E. Badger St., Waupaca, WI 54981.

  • By drop-off: Deposit offerings in the secure box just inside the south door nearest the church office. Beginning April 5, the office is open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

  • Online: Click the "Give Now" button below.
Trinity Lutheran Church, Waupaca, Wis.
715-258-7688