Every Person

Every Story

Sacred

Worship with Us

Saturdays 5:00 pm Traditional

Sunday 8:45 am &

11:00 am

www.tlcmidland.org

November 13th, 2026

Jesus tells a story about a man preparing to leave on a journey. Before he goes, he calls three servants and entrusts each with a share of his wealth. One receives five talents, another two, and another one. In Jesus’ day, a talent was a large sum of money (about 1.5 million dollars). Even the servant who received one talent held years’ worth of wages in his hands.

While the master is away, the first two servants put the money to work, and each doubles what he received. The third digs a hole and buries his share. When the master finally returns, the first servant brings him ten talents. The second brings four. Both hear the same words of praise and the same invitation. “Enter into the joy of your master.”

The third servant has kept every coin, but he has spent all that time afraid. Convinced that his master is a harsh man, he explains why he hid the money. The story ends painfully. The master takes the talent away and sends the servant out. I linger over the servant’s words, “I was afraid,” because I know how easily fear can talk me out of doing some good. How often have I put off calling someone who is grieving because I couldn’t think of the right words, when what they needed was to hear a familiar voice?

As I think back on Commitment Sunday at Trinity, what I feel most is gratitude. Thank you for the commitments you brought forward and for the encouraging responses so many of you have shared. I picture what those gifts can become. 

This week, consider one gift already in your hands. Perhaps you have time for that phone call. Perhaps there’s room at your table. In Christ, you are already loved, and so is the person who comes to mind. What might happen if you reached out today?



See you at worship,

Pastor Jeff

With great joy and gratitude to God, we are pleased to share that the Church Council has recommended The Rev. Kristen Ulmanis to the congregation for a call to serve as our new part-time Associate Pastor of Congregational Care!

Pastor Kris' story is deeply connected to Trinity as she grew up in this congregation where her Christian faith and identity first took root. Please see below for a more detailed introduction from Pastor Kris.

NEXT STEPS: On Sat. Nov. 14 (following the 5 PM service) and Sun. Nov. 15 (between the two services) we will have a 2-part congregational meeting, with each session to include 1) an opportunity to meet and learn more about Pastor Kristen, 2) a short Q&A session to learn more about the position, followed by 3) a congregational vote to call Pastor Kristen Ulmanis to serve as our new part-time Associate Pastor of Congregational Care. Voting members should plan to attend in person in order to vote during one of the two scheduled sessions (absentee ballots will not be available for this vote).

Please continue to pray for Pastor Kris, her family, and our congregation as we take these important next steps together. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us with wisdom, joy, and hope for our continued ministry together!

Dear Trinity Lutheran Congregation:

I am delighted and grateful to you for considering me for your Pastor of Congregational Care. With this candidacy, my call to pastoral ministry has come full circle.

My initial call occurred while I was living in Midland and working as a Certified Nurse Assistant at a nursing home. I had returned to Midland after receiving my bachelor's in philosophy, seeking a faith community and vocational direction. Returning to Trinity, where I had been baptized and confirmed, felt like a homecoming. While working with residents in a nursing home, a yearning to serve their spiritual needs entered my heart. Pastor Kirk Havel was part-time then, serving primarily as a visitation pastor. He encouraged and supported my entry into candidacy, then seminary.

At the time, Trinity was financing the tuition of a number of seminary students. I was blessed to become a recipient of that generosity. I entered Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 2009 and graduated in 2013 with no debt and a burning desire to help a congregation fulfill its mission in a changing world. In 2014, I was ordained here at Trinity and installed as the pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Casco Township, Michigan. We did some very effective ministry together, but living so far from my immediate family took its toll. After four years, I took a leave from call and returned to Midland, which was a huge loss for me.

After exploring chaplaincy in Saginaw, I eventually made myself available to serve as a supply pastor. That came to a halt in 2020 with the pandemic. In 2021, my three-year allowance for a leave from call expired, but I was not ready to resume pubic leadership out of consideration for the health of my family. After those concerns subsided in 2023, I eagerly returned to worship at Trinity and eventually experienced a yearning to fulfill my call again. However, I knew I needed to be an integral part of my immediate family to serve effectively as a pastor. This would limit me geographically to Midland. I prayed and waited for direction. Then in June of this year, I was informed of this position and promptly began the process of being reinstated to the roster of pastors available for call.

Now I can see that what looked like such an enormous loss in my life ended up leading me to the most appropriate opportunity to serve Christ's church. Only God could orchestrate that! This position could not come closer to matching my interests and gifts. Much of the ministry in this position entails walking beside our aging members and their families, work that inspired my initial call. I also enjoy facilitating lay leadership, a crucial piece of this position as well. Moreover, this position would grant me the privilege of presiding at worship and funerals again. It is a great honor to lead families through the loss of loved ones, and presiding at Holy Communion would be a treasured gift.

Therefore, it would be an honor to serve Trinity as its Pastor of Congregational Care. It would be an honor to work in partnership with Pastor Jeff. It would be an honor to help Trinity fulfill the part of its Strategic Plan that seeks to invest in relationships within the congregation. Finally, it would be an honor to serve you, the people of Trinity, who have believed in me and supported me since my youth.

Thank you for considering me for this call. I look forward to further conversation with you all.

Your sister in Christ,

Church events will be cancelled

Monday, November 23-Friday, November 29. 

We will get new carpet put down in the Narthex during this time. We will not be able to walk on the floors where the workmen are working. The elevator will also be getting an update and will not be available this week. Please check with the office or your group leader if you have any questions.  

UPDATE to On-Line Giving Donations

Transition to Subsplash: 

Many of our members choose to provide one-time or recurring gifts via on-line giving in support of our mission and ministry activities. After many years of using the Vanco platform for on-line giving, we are now in the process of transitioning all on-line giving to Trinity via credit card or ACH bank transfers to Subsplash – consolidating Trinity’s digital giving options with the same platform we currently use for our church website.

Timing: Transition to Subsplash for on-line giving can start immediately. We plan to phase out all giving via Vanco by December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, Subsplash will be the sole digital giving option for all Trinity members.

Setting up a Subsplash Account: See the following link for guidance on 1) setting up a new Subsplash account and 2) discontinuing recurring giving via the Vanco platform. 

Link: https://www.tlcmidland.org/give. If you need any assistance, you can contact the church office (989-631-0692) for additional help with the process.  

We appreciate your flexibility and partnership as we move through this important transition for on-line giving!

Samaritas

If you are a Thrivent Member you are given Choice Dollars that can be directed to the non-profit of your choice. Samaritas would appreciate your selection. Every day Samaritas helps children stay safe, families stay together, refugees build new lives, older adults age with dignity, and individuals overcome barriers to health and well-being. For more than 90 years, Samaritas has offered compassionate services and strong community partnerships – creating opportunities for people to thrive and communities to grow stronger.

All you have to do is sign in to your Thrivent account, go to the Choice Dollars page, and choose Samaritas for your Choice Dollars. A quick and easy way to make a huge difference! By directing Choice Dollars, you are recommending that Thrivent donate a portion of its charitable funds to one or more nonprofit organizations. All funds distributed under the Choice Dollars program are exclusively Thrivent’s funds and are never owned by, or paid on behalf of, clients.

 Thank you for supporting Samaritas! Visit us at Samaritas.org or email giving@samaritas.org with any questions.

You don't want to miss this!

ELCA 2027 Youth National Gathering!

Stop in the office to sign up!

Pageant Announcement:



Youth Sunday School

& Confirmation Class:

Sunday, November 8^th there will be NO Sunday School class for children and NO Confirmation Class, due to The Charge.

The Ignite schedule for

Wednesday, November 4th &

Wednesday, November 11th will stay the same (all classes will meet on Wednesday).

A Very Mixed-Up

Christmas Pageant:

Wednesday, December 16 at 6:30pm

Rehearsals begin Wednesday, November 11 at 6pm and Sunday, November 15 at 10am! These first two rehearsals will include relaxed auditions for speaking roles (no need to prepare, but please attend one of these dates).

Questions? Ask Melanie at mlonsway@tlcmidland.org

Kids' Praise

We love children in worship! 



Children ages 3 through 3rd grade are invited to Kids’ Praise during our 8:45 and 11:00 worship services!

Children explore the same Scripture lessons and themes as the rest of the congregation through age-appropriate teaching, music, prayer, and engaging activities.

Come learn, grow, and celebrate

God’s love with us!

A Rainbow of Faith: 

Building an Inclusive Church

 This group equips and empowers people of faith to become informed, compassionate, and courageous allies of the LBGTQIA+ community. Rooted in the inclusive love of Christ, we listen, learn, share stories, explore scripture, and grow in our ability to advocate for the dignity and full belonging of every person. Whether you are a longtime ally or just beginning your journey, you are welcome in this grace-filled space for honest conversation and meaningful relationships. 

Our next meeting is December 13 at 10:00 am in the Chapel.

Trinity Welcomes New Members!

Do you want to learn more about us?  

Whether you're new to our congregation or just want to learn more about who we are & what we believe, we invite you to join us for a

New Members' Information Session.  

We will meet on Sunday, January 10th for a

New Member Class at 10:00am

(following worship) in the Chapel.  

During this session you will have the opportunity to learn about our church mission, beliefs & ministries, meet some awesome church members, get connected & ask any questions you may have.  

We look forward to seeing you there and welcome you with open arms. 

Coffee with Joe

Join Joe Monday's from 6:30-8:30pm at Live Oak Coffee House

on Ashman St. 

Come and hang out, do homework, talk philosophy and theology, or just read a book! I'll buy you a drink!  

Pull Up a Chair for

Pub Theology!

Wednesdays at 7:15

at Nord Social

(after Ignite)

This fall, adults of all ages are invited to gather at Nord Social on Wednesdays after Ignite for good conversation, meaningful connection, and thoughtful exploration of faith and life.

Pub Theology is a national program that offers engaging conversation topics designed to deepen our understanding of God, one another, and the world we share. No theological expertise is needed—just bring your questions, your experiences, and an open heart.

Come as you are. Bring a friend. Pull up a chair.

There is a place at the table for you!

Contact Vicar Sophie with questions.

Visit Trinity Lutheran Church on the web!

Holy Land Pilgrimage

There are places where scripture feels closer than the ground beneath your feet.  Where the stories you have heard all your life take on wind, water, stone, and prayer.

We invite you to join this Holy Land Pilgrimage—a sacred journey to the places where Jesus lived, taught, healed, died, and rose again. Together, we will walk the hills of Galilee, float on the waters of the Dead Sea, pray in Bethlehem, and stand in Jerusalem where faith, history, and hope meet. This pilgrimage is about being formed, deepening faith, and letting the land of the Bible speak to our hearts in new ways.

Basic Details: January 14-28, 2028. Led by Pastor Jeffery Gramza. All meals, lodging, transportation, and guided experiences included. Includes round-trip airfare from Detroit. Total cost: $4,490. An optional extension to Egypt (Jan. 29 - Feb. 1, 2028) offers the chance to continue the journey into the story of God’s people.

We invite you to pray about this pilgrimage—whether God may be calling you to go, to walk, to wonder, and to listen more deeply.

November 22nd: Deliver Christmas Greens: 

Join Middle School and High School as we deliver the Christmas Greens Sunday Nov 22nd after the second service. I’ll get us some good donuts and hot cider, and we’ll knock ‘em all out together. If you are a parent or high schooler who can drive, please consider bringing your vehicle so we can divide and conquer. Joe will also be sitting across the street before and after all three services (Saturday and Sunday) to pass out greens to those who want to pick them up themselves. 

Come hang out if you’ve got time! 

November 22nd: “What’s the deal with Christmas?”

Have you ever wondered where all our Christmas traditions come from? Like who’s the dude in the red suit with the big back? Why are we bringing trees inside and hanging stuff on them? Why does Grandma keep making that gross fruit cake? Are any of these pagan traditions we stole?

AND WHAT DOES ANY OF THIS HAVE TO DO WITH JESUS’ BIRTHDAY?

Join us on Sunday night, Nov 22nd during youth group (5:00-7:00pm) for a lively discussion of all this and more! We’ll discuss where all this comes from and address some common misconceptions about

Christmas and the “reason for the season”.

OPEN TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL

(and anyone else who wants to come!)

November 29th: No Youth Group due to Thanksgiving Break.

December 6th: College Care Package Night

We will be assembling college care packages to send to all our friends who are in college and about to go through Finals Week! If you know someone who would like to receive a care package,

Email Joe at jjohnson@tlcmidland.org to make sure they are on the list.

December 13th: Holiday Party

Please join us for a Middle School and High School Holiday Party from 5-7pm!  Bring a white elephant gift (Joe will have a few in case you forget one). Come celebrate the end of the year with us!!!

Food Donations

Don’t forget that Trinity helps support the food pantry with non-perishable food, paper products or personal care items the 1st Sunday of each month. Your donations can be brought to the church at any time during the month and placed on the shelves near the elevator.                                               

Good people of Trinity:  

The Benevolence team has been made aware of a need for food for the pantry at the Monarch Academy located in the juvenile facility here in Midland.

           The pantry benefits both the residents at the facility and their families who are experiencing food insecurity. I would like to do a food drive to collect canned goods, boxed food items, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, and snacks for the young people and their families. Please consider a donation for this worthwhile project!  For the next week I’ll have a donation box in the Narthex labeled

“Monarch Academy at Juvenile Facility.”                                          

Open Door



We are looking for help with making and serving lunch on

November 25th. We arrive about 9:30, make lunch, and serve it.

We are usually done around 1:30 PM. If you are interested in helping,

please contact Lee Smith at (989) 415-5020.

Imagine waking up on Thanksgiving morning

and realizing it’s just another Thursday.  You haven’t heard from family in a long time. No one is expecting you to show up. No place at the table is waiting for you.  Just another day wondering if you’ll have a meal to eat. 

Together, we can set a place for them at our table.

You can give a Thanksgiving meal for just $2.30 and

offer a seat at the table to a neighbor in need. 

Want to make room for even more neighbors?

Provide meals and care for an entire table!  

You can give online at: midlandopendoor.org  

Coffee & Conversations

Come join us on Monday's at 1:00 PM and Tuesday's at 9:00 AM at

Stranded Yarn and Coffee. 



If any questions, feel free to contact

Cindy Anderson at (281) 435-6556. 

One of the many ways we make connections with God and with others is through the gift of Bible Study! Consider joining one this week.

Sunday's Coming Bible Study

Come join us on Wednesdays at 10:00AM in the Hearth Room as we look at lessons for the coming weekend and enjoy a lively discussion.

Trinity Men's Ministry

Join us December 17 at 7:30AM in the Conference Room.

All Men Welcome!

Antioch Circle

invites all women to our Bible study on the third Tuesday of every month at 1:00 p.m. in the Hearth Room. This fall, we are finishing our study of Esther in Max Lucado's book You Were Made for This Moment. Newcomers are welcome anytime. No need to purchase the book; we can share. We read the book aloud together and answer questions that apply the text to our daily lives. Contact Judy Richardson for details. Please join us!

Friendly reminder – If you or someone you know is ill, or going into the hospital, or know of someone in the hospital and would like a visit from our Pastors, please let us know because we love to visit. Mid-Michigan does not notify us nor do they allow access to the data base of who is currently in the hospital. The only way we can visit is if we have a name.  

Prayer Shawl Ministry

A prayer shawl is more than just fabric and thread—it is a tangible expression of love, faith, and God’s presence. Every stitch carries a silent prayer, each knot reflects hope, and every finished shawl becomes a vessel of peace. Through this ministry, we wrap others in warmth, comfort, and the power of prayer, reminding them that they are never alone, no matter what they are facing.

Whether gifted to someone experiencing illness, grief, or a time of joy, these shawls symbolize God’s unending love and care. As hands knit or crochet, hearts intercede for the recipient, knowing that prayer transcends distance and time. It’s a beautiful way to serve, combining the simplicity of crafting with the sacred act of prayer.

In this ministry, we are reminded that our hands can be instruments of God’s grace. Each shawl becomes a message: You are prayed for, you are loved, and God is with you.

These Prayer Shawls are available for you to take and use or for you to give to someone else. We have many available right now at the back of the sanctuary.

Christ In Our Home

The newest edition of Christ In Our Home

is now available at Trinity's Coffee Café!

This daily devotional offers inspiring Scripture readings, reflections, and prayers for October, November, & December.

Both regular and large-print editions are available. Be sure to pick up your free copy today and enrich your daily walk

with Christ.

Adult Sunday School

Will NOT meet this weekend.

Visioning Trinity's Future

We have created a spot on the church's website to keep you updated with our process of visioning and strategic planning.

• What's next?
• What's happening?
• Meeting minutes.

It will all be there. Check back often. Continue to pray for this process. Commit to getting involved in the process.

Live Stream Worship

Worship with us online:

Saturday at 5:00PM

Sunday mornings at 9:30AM

Click on the YouTube icon to access our live streams and recorded services.

Online Offerings

Click the button below to safely and easily give an offering to support

Trinity's Mission and Ministry.

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Trinity Lutheran Church

3701 Jefferson Ave.

Midland, MI 48640

989-631-0692

www.tlcmidland.org