September 25th-October 1st,2026

A Message from Pastor Davis

Luke 14:11 – “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The kingdom of God is always upside down and backwards like this. We must die in order to live. We must be humbled so we can be exalted. It’s like this with giving as well. When we give away, then we receive much more than we bargained for: peace of mind, contentment, joy.

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THANK YOU FROM FAMILY PROMISE

Family Promise of Athens would like to thank Trinity Lutheran Church members for your recent donations from the list of everyday items that was posted in the newsletter. These supplies will help support the families that have recently left the program and are starting on their journey to independence. Trinity members donated $635.80 in cash. This is the best cash donation ever.  I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for everyones generosity. You may donate items during the year by placing them in the donation chest in the Gathering Room. If you have any questions,

please contact Jo-Ann Thorne (706)202-2740.

Help Us Bless Local Families! 🧡

Trinity Lutheran Church is collecting diapers for the Athens Area Diaper Bank, and we invite our church family to join us in this important ministry!

The Athens Area Diaper Bank works to help families experiencing diaper need by providing diapers to local families through community partner agencies. Their goal is to make sure babies have the diapers they need to stay clean, dry, and healthy, while helping ease some of the financial burden on families. In 2025 alone, the organization distributed more than 824,000 diapers to 17,800 children.

Every package of diapers can make a difference! All sizes of diapers and pull-ups are needed, and the Diaper Bank accepts both new and opened packages.

We ask our Trinity family to prayerfully consider picking up a package or two on your next shopping trip and helping us share God's love with families right here in our community.

Please bring your diaper donations to the church and place them in the box in the Gathering Room.

Thank you for helping us care for our neighbors and for being the hands and feet of Christ in our community! ❤️

Dear Church Family,

You are warmly invited to join us for our Mission Advancement Initiative Support Banquet on Monday,October 12th,from 5:30 PM to 7:45 PM. This special evening will be a wonderful time of fellowship, celebration and vision-casting as we look ahead to the future impact of our ministry. Come hear inspiring updates and learn how you can partner with us in advancing our shared mission.

There are three easy ways to secure your seat for this event:

Sign your name on the physical signup sheet located in the gathering room.

Please register as soon as possible to help us finalize our preparations. We look forward to sharing this impactful evening with you!

Introducing Our New Servant Spotlight! 🌟

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” — Colossians 3:23

We are excited to introduce a new Servant Spotlight at Trinity Lutheran Church! ❤️

Our Servant Spotlight is a special way for us to recognize and celebrate the wonderful members of our church family who faithfully give their time, talents, and hearts in service to the Lord and His church.

So often, the work that keeps our church family strong happens quietly behind the scenes—serving on Boards, helping with events, caring for others, volunteering, teaching, maintaining our church, and simply stepping up whenever there is a need.

We want to take time to say THANK YOU! Your willingness to serve is a beautiful reflection of Christ’s love and an example of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 🙏

Each Servant Spotlight will introduce you to members of our congregation and share a little about the ways they serve our church.

We are blessed beyond measure by those who serve so faithfully! May we continue to encourage one another, use the gifts God has given us, and serve with joyful hearts.

❤️ “Serve the Lord with gladness!” — Psalm 100:2 ❤️

These are just a few of our members who donate their time to the church grounds along with the Board of Church Properties and many others. Thank you !!

Dear Trinity Family,

We invite you to join us in sharing the love of Christ by participating in Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child this year. Together, we have the opportunity to bless children around the world who may have very little and bring hope to families facing poverty and hardship.

For many children, the simple gifts packed in a shoebox may be the only Christmas present they receive. More importantly, each shoebox is a reminder that they are loved—not only by caring people like you, but by our Heavenly Father, whose greatest gift to us is His Son, Jesus Christ.

As we prepare our hearts for the Christmas season, let us remember the words of Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35). By packing a shoebox, you can be the hands and feet of Christ, sharing kindness, compassion, and the hope of the Gospel with a child in need.

Please prayerfully consider participating in this wonderful ministry. Whether you fill one shoebox or several, every gift is a blessing and every act of generosity helps spread God's love to children who need it most.

Thank you for your faithful hearts and for helping us make a difference this Christmas. May God bless you for your generosity as we come together to share His love with children around the world.

National Collection Week for shoeboxes is November 16-23, 2026.

Feel free to reach out to Nina Clement or Leah Lutz with any questions.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions/

LWML NEWS

The large collection box for mites will be available Sunday,

October 4th. It will be in the back of the church and go to the front during the offering time. You may either put your mites in before service or during the offering. There will be small mite boxes in the back of the church each Sunday for you to take home to fill. Please remember to include your children and grandchildren in this opportunity to aid in God's work. Mite box contributions amount to millions of dollars that fund district and national mission grants. 

LWML will meet again at Trinity, Saturday, October 3rd and will meet every other month after that. (Even numbered months).

Tuesday's Ladies Bible Study will resume in the fall.

September 27th - Voter's Meeting

October 4th - Lisa Williams

October 11th - PPC

October 18th - Harry Bufford

October 25th - Reformation Luncheon

Potluck in Fellowship Hall

    *  PASTOR’S PANTRY UPDATE *  

        MID-SEPTEMBER 2026

A BIG THANK YOU to all the people who have been donating items and money. The pantry is thriving. Traffic has been high. We have provided food for several TLA families and staff this month. We have a great variety of items and groceries. We welcome all donations! All of your donations have been perfect! Keep in mind items should be normal size cans/packages.

Canned Vegetables:(all veggies) corn, green beans, peas, limas, carrots, mixed vegetables, canned beans, sweet potatoes, potatoes, canned fruit (all varieties)

Canned Meats: tuna, chicken, spaghetti with meatballs, chili, beef stew, ham, Vienna sausage, pork 'n' beans, ravioli, beef-a-roni

Pepperoni, beef jerky etc. 

Canned Soup: All varieties !  

Boxed Meals: Hamburger helper, tuna helper, taco dinner, pasta dinner, chili dinner, mac'n'cheese deluxe, etc.

Pasta Noodles (not lasagna) spaghetti, elbows, rotini, wide egg noodles, ramen square and cup

 Pasta Sauce: Red, alfredo, taco sauce and salsas

Cereals:  All varieties, instant grits

Snacks: cheese'n'crackers, cookies, chips, canned nuts, pop tarts, pickles ,popcorn, corn chips, protein bars

Powder drink packets

Other items: Peanut butter, packs of instant potatoes, sucess rice, can/jar gravy, jelly/jam, honey, syrup, flour soft taco/burrito tortillas plastic forks, spoons, knives, mustard, ketchup mayo, salt/pepper, cooking oil, pancake mix, brownie mix, corn bread muffin mix

 We do have a small freezer available. We use cash donations to buy ground beef and other meats. 

Are You a Thrivent Member?

As a Thrivent member you may have Choice Dollars that can be directed to the organization of your choice.

Directing Choice Dollars is easy!

Visit thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more OR call 800-847-4836 and say "Thrivent Choice" after the prompt.

Please take a moment to direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars® to support the ongoing work of Trinity Lutheran Church.

THANK YOU, Thrivent members, for supporting TLC/TLA!

If you have any items you would like to donate, let us know and we can post them for you in the newsletter.

On behalf of our TLA team, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Suzanne Miller and Janet Rodekohr who has generously purchased gifts from our Amazon Wish List. Your kindness and support mean the world to us and make a real difference in the lives of the children we serve.

Each item you've donated helps us create a more enriching, joyful, and nurturing environment for our little ones. From educational toys to essential supplies, your gifts are already bringing smiles and blessings into our classrooms.

We are truly grateful for your continued love and support. Thank you for being such a vital part of our ministry and for helping us care for our children with such grace and generosity.

With gratitude,

The TLA Staff

****Click Here To Purchase Gifts for TLA****

Volunteers Needed at Trinity Lutheran Academy! ❤️

Our daycare is looking for church members who would be willing to volunteer their time and talents at Trinity Lutheran Academy. Whether you can help for a few hours, read to the children, play with them, assist with activities or simply lend an extra pair of hands, we would be so grateful!

Volunteering is a wonderful way to share God’s love with our youngest members and support our teachers and staff. Every helping hand makes a difference !

If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know. We would love to have you join us at the Academy! ✝️💙

Thank you for helping us nurture, love, and care for these precious children!

Shut In List

Here is a list of our brothers and sisters who are unable to venture from their home. Please consider sending them a card or encouraging note to remind them that they are loved.

Aluminum Can Recycling

This is a reminder that Trinity recycles aluminum cans (drink cans only). The receptacles are located in the fenced area behind the Fellowship Hall kitchen. Just place your bagged cans (squash them if you can, but it’s ok if you can’t). Proceeds go to Trinity Youth Group.

Follow us online and on social media!

Website: Trinity-Athens.org

Instagram: @trinitylutheranchurch_athens

Facebook: @Facebook.com/tlcathens

YouTube: @trinitylutheranchurchacade4823/streams