|
Trinity Connections
Your Weekly Update - Wednesday, November 30, 2022
| |
|
By Pastor Andy
We’re in a new church year in this new season of Advent, and it comes with hope for a change to the patterns of our troubled lives and broken world. Sometimes it seems like the only things that aren’t broken in our world are the problematic patterns in which we find ourselves. Thankfully, in Advent, we remember that Jesus is coming again to change things, and, meantime, he’s already here. As I noted in my Sunday sermon, our focus for this new church year is on Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus is heralded as Emmanuel, “God With Us,” and where the risen Jesus promises to be with us always, to the end of the age. Awaiting the coming of Jesus at that end of the age means being prepared. Being prepared means knowing we already have the one thing we really need: Jesus, who is already here. Altogether, we find great hope in the promise that Jesus will break every pattern of the world’s brokenness—and that the pattern of Jesus’ presence with us will never be broken.
| | | |
|
It's Stewardship Appeal Week!
2023 will be another pivotal period for Trinity’s growth and another opportunity for our family of faith to be generous in Jesus’ name. With that, we invite Trinity members to consider prayerfully how you can serve and give with gratitude in the coming year. Our Stewardship Appeal Week is now under way and will culminate in Trinity’s Sunday worship services on Dec. 4. We ask that you please complete an intention card with your intended offering for 2023 if you haven’t already and submit it by mail, in person, or online by this coming Monday, Dec. 5.
This year’s Growing in Generosity, Rooted in Faith stewardship appeal emphasizes God’s call to service, gratitude, and giving in the coming year. With your support, Trinity will continue to grow as a church that cares about our community and connects people with God, each other, and our work in the world. You can offer an online intention card here. All who turn in an intention of any amount will be entered into a drawing to win a Trinity community gift basket.
Please note that the intention card allows you to commit your gifts to both the general fund that fuels our ministries and the building fund that covers Trinity’s monthly mortgage payments—both are so important. No matter how much you decide to give in 2023 and how you allocate it, each intention will bless our congregation and each of us as givers. We are grateful to God for your support, now and always!
Trinity's Stewardship Team
The Stewardship Team begins to create the materials for the annual Stewardship appeal in the spring. We want to thank the Stewardship Team for all the effort they put in throughout this year. Team members include Deanna Hannigen, Rick Voss, Kerry Lee Blanke and staff members Shannon Anderson, Alicia Dorsett, and Pastor Andy. A very special thanks also goes out to Hank Holterman who uses his time and talents to create our wonderful brochure each year. Thank you for making a commitment to support your church in 2023.
| |
|
Give to the Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is up. It’s bare now, but on Wednesday evening, students will load it with items to meet some basic and immediate needs of our neighbors. How can you help? Glad you asked. You can:
Donate cash to help buy items. Donate via the offering, online, or drop by the office. Be sure to note “Giving Tree” on your check or in space provided online.
Donate new items to hang on the trees to the church office. Items such as:
- Food items that won’t be damaged by freezing – e.g., snack bars, soup packets, mac & cheese)
- Gift cards ($5 to $10) – e.g., DQ, McDonalds, Kwik Trip, dollar stores
- Things to keep people warm – blankets, scarfs, & mittens of sufficient quality to keep people warm
- Underwear and socks – good quality wool socks will be appreciated
- Hygiene and first aid products – such as tooth brushes, feminine pads, band aids
Let people know – both those who need help, and those who can give it.
| |
You're Invited to Join Us!
| |
Join us as Trinity welcomes the very talented Waupaca High School Madrigals at the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Dec. 4. They will sing Advent and Christmas songs at the end of the service. | |
No cooking for you if you stop by for the youth fundraiser spaghetti dinner! Proceeds from the meal go toward youth trips and programs. Be sure to stay for the Shepherd's Quarter concert | |
This is one holiday concert you will not want to miss! Shepherd's Quarter has a wonderful lineup of music for you. The Trinity Children's Choir will make a special concert appearance. All are welcome. | |
|
Communion Changes Coming Soon
Beginning Wed., December 14, we will be changing the way we distribute communion during our worship services. We will return to using individual wafers and small cups of wine or grape juice. Individually packed gluten-free wafers will also be available for those who need them. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk with Pastor Erin.
| |
|
Check Out the Current Calendar
Each month you'll find a calendar with all the Trinity events on it. Be sure to save the dates for those important, upcoming activities.
| |
Men in Mission - Join Us For Breakfast!
The Men in Mission ministry group will be having breakfast together and discussing the bible on Saturday, December 3, 8 a.m. at the Waupaca Woods Restaurant. All are welcome to share in fellowship. Any questions can be directed to Doug Pickar at 715-281-5983.
| |
|
November Donation Opportunities | |
Trinity's November ministry spotlight is for ELCA World Hunger. Please check out the display in the Koinonia Room to learn more. | |
Trinity's last day to collect for Miracle Tree is Thursday, Dec. 1. Items may be brought to the office entryway from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thank you for supporting this community giving event. So many will be blessed by your generosity! | |
Double Your Impact With Lutheran World Relief | |
|
All around the world, families have been suffering, and our congregation’s love can be part of the solution.
Our neighbors are facing compounding crises such as violence, natural disasters, disease, and extreme weather. The war in Ukraine has only exacerbated suffering for communities already teetering on the edge of devastation—to learn more, watch "A Terrible, Perfect Storm."
Thanks to the generosity of nearby Nelsonville Lutheran Church, all congregational gifts given by Dec. 31 through Lutheran World Relief to help those impacted will be doubled—up to $200,000! Your gift will provide food, shelter, medical services, and other necessities.
Gifts can be made online at lwr.org/match, in the church offering plate, or by mailing to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Please write “congregational match” in the memo line of any checks or on envelopes designated for this purpose.
| |
Worship in Person or at Home | |
Join us for in-person worship at Trinity, 206 E. Badger St., Waupaca. Services are at 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sundays and 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays.
Sunday video worship services are LIVE at 9:30 a.m. on Trinity's YouTube channel.
You can also listen to "Trinity Time" at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on Lakes 92.7 FM.
| |
|
Please consider making offerings to Trinity:
In person: Offer your gifts during 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. The office is open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Online: Click the "Give Now" button below.
| |
|
If you have an urgent need to get in touch with a pastor, especially when the church office is closed, call or text 715-256-7789. You can also access this pastoral care line by calling Trinity and following the prompts through the voicemail system.
| | | | | |
