HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Trinity Topicsk.b5z.net/i/u/6037801/f/TrinityTopicsfeb2016.pdfFeb. 7...
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1 February 2016 Trinity Topics HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH www.sancarloshtlc.org From Pastor Lori Do you fast during Lent? Can you feast during Lent? Do you have to choose? My birthday always falls in Lent, and I sometimes feel vaguely guilty about celebrating, as though Lent must be a piously somber and relentless trudge toward the cross, pretending we don’t know that the sunrise of Easter morning will rend the shroud of grief cast over Good Friday. “Lutherans live in the beautiful tension of and. We are simultaneously sinner and saint. We need the law that tells us the truth about our sinfulness and the gospel that tells us we are a new creation in Christ, freed and forgiven by God’s grace.” (Worship Matters, p. 16) What if we fast and feast during Lent? Ash Wednesday is Feb. 10. Even as we receive the ashes on our foreheads – that sign of human frailty and mortality – we trust in the grace that underlies our Lenten contemplations and the disciplines of prayer, fasting and giving to the poor. When we focus on fasting – giving up coffee or chocolate or a favorite computer game for Lent – we shouldn’t lose sight of feasting on the love and promises of our faithful God, revealed in Christ. After all, what is the point of the fast but to consider the mystery of grace? Have you ever tried giving up a food or activity, or fasting from a particular behavior during Lent – from negative thinking or gossip or certitude? Was it difficult? What did you learn about yourself and about God? A few weeks ago I invited you to join me in the spiritual practice of gratitude. Some of you have shared with me – and I hope with others, too – what you have “caught” yourself being thankful for. I’ve been taking a moment each morning to jot down in a small notebook someone or something I am thankful for from the previous day. Now I’m wondering how this practice of gratitude will interact with Lent: what will the interplay of fasting and feasting be like? What if we fast from worry and feast on gratitude? What if we “fast from facts that depress and feast on truths that uplift; fast from self-concern and feast on compassion for others; fast from emphases on differences and feast on the unity of all life”? (From Lenten Litany on Fasting and Feasting, William Arthur Ward.) And let’s not forget prayer and care for the poor, the other Lent disciplines. May we approach Lent with prayer, service to those in need, and supporting one another in fasting from what draws us away from God and one another while feasting on the mercy of the One who has given us the law and the gospel – the truth about our slavery to sin, and the good news that in Christ we are a new and free creation. Interim Pr. Lori Eickmann
Transcript of HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Trinity Topicsk.b5z.net/i/u/6037801/f/TrinityTopicsfeb2016.pdfFeb. 7...
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February 2016
Trinity TopicsH O L Y T R I N I T Y L U T H E R A N C H U R C H
www.sancarloshtlc.org
From Pastor Lori
Do you fast during Lent? Can you feast during Lent? Do you have to choose? My birthday always falls in Lent, and I sometimes feel vaguely guilty about celebrating, as though Lent must be a piously somber and relentless trudge toward the cross, pretending we don’t know that the sunrise of Easter morning will rend the shroud of grief cast over Good Friday. “Lutherans live in the beautiful tension of and. We are simultaneously sinner and saint. We need the law that tells us the truth about our sinfulness and the gospel that tells us we are a new creation in Christ, freed and forgiven by God’s grace.” (Worship Matters, p. 16)
What if we fast and feast during Lent? Ash Wednesday is Feb. 10. Even as we receive the ashes on our foreheads – that sign of human frailty and mortality – we trust in the grace that underlies our Lenten contemplations and the disciplines of prayer, fasting and giving to the poor. When we focus on fasting – giving up coffee or chocolate or a favorite computer game for Lent – we shouldn’t lose sight of feasting on the love and promises of our faithful God, revealed in Christ. After all, what is the point of the fast but to consider the mystery of grace? Have you ever tried giving up a food or activity, or fasting from a particular behavior during Lent – from negative thinking or gossip or certitude? Was it difficult? What did you learn about yourself and about God?
A few weeks ago I invited you to join me in the spiritual practice of gratitude. Some of you have shared with me – and I hope with others, too – what you have “caught” yourself being thankful for. I’ve been taking a moment each morning to jot down in a small notebook someone or something I am thankful for from the previous day. Now I’m wondering how this practice of gratitude will interact with Lent: what will the interplay of fasting and feasting be like? What if we fast from worry and feast on gratitude? What if we “fast from facts that depress and feast on truths that uplift; fast from self-concern and feast on compassion for others; fast from emphases on differences and feast on the unity of all life”? (From Lenten Litany on Fasting and Feasting, William Arthur Ward.) And let’s not forget prayer and care for the poor, the other Lent disciplines. May we approach Lent with prayer, service to those in need, and supporting one another in fasting from what draws us away from God and one another while feasting on the mercy of the One who has given us the law and the gospel – the truth about our slavery to sin, and the good news that in Christ we are a new and free creation.
Interim Pr. Lori Eickmann
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y F A C I L I T I E SH O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F EF A C I L I T I E S U P D A T EH O L Y T R I N I T Y H A P P E N I N G S
Burning of PalmsSunday, February 7
As we prepare for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, all worshipers are
invited to bring their palm fronds from last year’s Palm/Passion Sunday worship. We will burn the palms
following worship in the courtyard and use the ashes in our Ash Wednesday
Service on February 10.
Midweek Supper/Worship in Lent
Wednesday Nights | 6:30 pm
February 17 & 24 | March 2, 9 & 16
Soup supper begins at 6:30 pmWorship at 7:15 pm
If you would like to bring a hearty soup, salad, bread, or dessert, please sign up in the breezeway.
In observance of President’s Day,
the office is closed Monday, February 15
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10
A Service of Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes
at 7:00 pm
Holy Trinity Lutheran ChurchWelcome Statement
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in San Carlos celebrates and shares God’s gifts by worshipping together, caring for each other, and doing God’s work in the community and beyond.
We believe that Christ has made us one body with many members, sharing in God’s grace and unconditional love.
We joyfully welcome ALL people, without exception — of every age, sex, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, or anything else that divides us — to join with us in
worship, learning, fellowship, prayer and service.
“For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. ... there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of
you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26, 28
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y M I N I S T R I E SH O L Y T R I N I T Y F A C I L I T I E SH O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F EF A C I L I T I E S U P D A T EH O L Y T R I N I T Y H A P P E N I N G SH O L Y T R I N I T Y E V E N T SH O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F EH O L Y T R I N I T Y M I N I S T R I E SD E C E M B E R C A L E N D A R SW I D E N I N G O U R W E L C O M E ( W O W )H O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F EH O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F EH O L Y T R I N I T Y M I N I S T R I E SW I D E N O U R W E L C O M E ( W O W )H O L Y T R I N I T Y H A P P E N I N G S
Mark your calendars for upcoming Adult Forums!
Sundays at 9:15 am | Beilstein Hall
Feb. 7 “Out of the Water” Session 1: A Pharaoh Who Did Not Know Joseph – Exodus 1:1-14
Feb. 14 “Out of the Water” Session 2: They Are Not Like Us – Exodus 1:15-21
Feb. 21 “Out of the Water” Session 3: Civil Disobedience: The Daughters of the Revolution – Exodus 1:22 – 2:10
Feb. 28 “Out of the Water” Session 4: The Hyphenated Egyptian – Exodus 2:11 – 3:10
March 6 “Out of the Water” Session 5: What is That in Your Hand? – Exodus 3:11 – 4:17 (selected verses)
March 13 “Out of the Water” Session 6: Now You Shall See What I Will Do – Exodus 5:1 – 6:7 (selected verses)
March 20 Palm Sunday – no forum
March 27 Easter – no forum
April 3 Rediscovering Female Imagery for God in Scripture – Pr. Lori
April 10 Rediscovering Female Imagery for God in Scripture – Pr. Lori
April 17 Rediscovering Female Imagery for God in Scripture – Pr. Lori
April 24 Rediscovering Female Imagery for God in Scripture – Pr. Lori
May 1 Lutheran/Roman Catholic Statements of Agreement – Pr. Lori
May 8 Lutheran/Roman Catholic Statements of Agreement – Pr. Lori
Pastor Kemp guides a discussion on Biblical passages regarding physical and mental disabilities.
Adult Forum’s “Confronting the Bias of Physical and Mental Disabilities” brought to life with presentations by Lisa Kersten (Tourette’s Syndrome) and Gigi Schmuckal (physical challenges and autism).
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F E
Call Committee News
Important first steps for the Call Committee are clarifying Holy Trinity’s identity and core values and revisiting our mission. Six small group meetings were conducted with the congregation in January to collect feedback on who we are and what are some of the challenges we face. Thank you to everyone who kindly provided input. The information is very useful as we prepare our Ministry Site Profile for the synod. Following is a brief summary of the responses in most consensus for all six groups:
What are you excited about at HTLC right now? Young people and youth in the congregation are providing energy and joy as they develop in their faith journey.
What are some of the gifts and resources this congregation has? We have experienced lay leaders who are talented and resourceful. We also have outstanding musical resources and members generous with their time and financial gifts. Our facilities are recently renovated and include a parsonage.
Are there any unmet needs for our congregation? Seniors and shut-ins in our congregation need a team that can assist with visits and rides.
What are some of the challenges we face? Holy Trinity is in an out of the way location without much visibility to the community. We are also challenged to maintain our good energy during the interim period and to maintain good financial stewardship twelve months per year.
Approximate timeline for the call process in 2016:
• January: small group meetings with congregation to clarify core values
• February: on-line survey with congregation to prioritize gifts for ministry
• March: complete draft of HTLC Ministry Site Profile
• April: review Ministry Site Profile with HTLC Council and Bishop’s office
• May: submit completed Ministry Site Profile to Bishop’s office
• June: Bishop’s office screens candidates and provides 3-5 names to Call Committee
• Summer: Call Committee interviews 3-5 candidates.
Please keep the Call Committee in your prayers as we work through the process of calling a new pastor.
Call Committee members: Greg Bohlmann, Bobby Rodgers, Mary Webb, Anna Friedman, Gaby Knauth, Lisa Antonino, Doug Southard, and Barbara Padilla.
Pastor Lori’s Schedule at Holy Trinity
Pastor Lori’s contract at HTLC is 3/4 time. Generally, office hours are 10 am - 2 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, then home in the afternoons and Friday (and Saturday morning). On-site Sunday. Monday is her day off. This schedule is fluid to accommodate night meetings and other events. Please call for an appointment if you'd like to talk!
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F E
January Council Meeting:
• Pastor Lori presented three reports to Council highlighting her meetings with congregation members and findings for consideration as the congregation moves forward in the call process:
o A sampling of comments from the “listening meetings”o Pastor’s report for Annual Reporto Initial Interim Ministry Report summarizing listening meeting comments, past surveys and
reports and identifying common themes with recommendations for consideration• Treasurer’s Report:
o December receipts were up over $3,200 from prior month.o End-of-year giving was approximately $1,000 above annual expenses, but below budget.o In 2015, a total of $136,637 was paid against the loan leaving a balance of $173,654.
• Council received updates on Call Committee, Organist position and parking lot sign progress. All are proceeding as planned.
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y E V E N T S
Lydia Circle (WELCA)
Tuesday, February 16| 12:15 pm
We will meet at the Elm's San Carlos, in Harriet Platt's suite. We continue to explore Paul's letter to the Philippians. February Bible study, titled "Servant-shaped soldiers", can be found on page 42 in your January/February issue of "Gather". Please review the study. Bring your Bible, Gather and your lunch. Tea and light refreshments will be served. As always, all Holy Trinity women are welcome.
& Book StudySaturday, February 13 | 8:00 am Beilstein Hall
Join us for some food, fellowship, and good conversation!
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYSA birthday is God’s reminder to enjoy life. May your birthday be a day of
celebration!
2/6 Holden Telfer
2/8 Cathy Bready
2/10 Betty Schornstein Amanda Schrof
2/11 Jim Baker
2/13 Kristin Fox Abram Vorhes
2/17 Marion McDowell Jeff Paulson
2/18 Ruby Phillips Coke Stimmler
2/20 Barlow Gilmore
2/22 Debben Hoffer
2/23 Larry Richards
2/24 Jennifer Ledwith
ANNIVERSARY WISHES!God bless you as you celebrate your
years together!
Siggi & Lynn Garbe-Recknagel2/14/1999 (17 years)
Sunday, February 14
Champagne & Chocolate Reception | 3:00 pm
Love is in the Aire — an afternoon of music to benefit San Francisco Night Ministry
Featuring members of the San Francisco Opera Chorus & special guests. St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1111 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco. $25 at the door | $10 seniors & students. Visit www.sfnightministry.org or call 415-935-7862.
February 26-28Registration is open at www.spsyc.org/elementary-retreat.html until 2/16. Don't miss SPSYC's incredible elementary retreat this year with key speaker Pr. Abby The elementary retreat theme Love is a Verb: Creation, as we dive into the creation story of Genesis. In order to guarantee a spot for the retreat, you MUST register now! Early registration allows aspiring youth to better prepare for activities and events to guarantee a wonderful retreat. Please, register today and come join us at Mt. Cross in February!
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F E B R U A R Y C A L E N D A R S
Worship Leaders
If a conflict prevents you from serving as scheduled, arrange a trade and/or substitute and notify the office at 650.593.0325 or [email protected].
FEBRUARY 2016
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
319:15 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM AnnualCongragation Meeting12:15 PM Coffee andFellowship12:30 PM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
16:00 PMJazzercise--Beilstein Hall
27:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall7:30 PM CallCommitteeMeeting7:30 PM CYMTMeeting
37:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom
49:15 AM Sr.Zumba--BeilsteinHall6:00 PMJazzercise--Beilstein Hall
57:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple--Beilstein Hall
65:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
79:15 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:30 AM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
86:00 PMJazzercise--Beilstein Hall
97:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall
107:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:00 PM AshWednesdayService with HolyCommunion
119:15 AM Sr.Zumba--BeilsteinHall6:00 PMJazzercise--Beilstein Hall
127:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple--Beilstein Hall
138:00 AM Men'sBreakfast -Beilstein Hall5:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
149:15 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:30 AM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
15PRESIDENTSDAY - OBSERVED
1612:15 PM LydiaCircle7:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall7:00 PM CouncilMeeting
176:30 PM MidweekLenten Service7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom
189:15 AM Sr.Zumba--BeilsteinHall
197:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple--Beilstein Hall
205:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
219:15 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:30 AM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
226:00 PMJazzercise--Beilstein Hall
237:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall
246:30 PM MidweekLenten Service7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom
259:15 AM Sr.Zumba--BeilsteinHall6:00 PMJazzercise--Beilstein Hall
26SPS YouthElementaryRetreat7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple--Beilstein Hall
27SPS YouthElementaryRetreat5:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
28SPS Youth ElementaryRetreat9:15 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:30 AM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
296:00 PMJazzercise--Beilstein Hall
17:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall
26:30 PM MidweekLenten Service7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom
39:15 AM Sr.Zumba--BeilsteinHall6:00 PMJazzercise--Beilstein Hall
47:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple--Beilstein Hall
55:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
2/7 2/14 (Youth) 2/21 2/28
Organ/Piano Rachel Phillips Jeff Kabel Stacy Cullison Stacy Cullison
Assisting Minister Brian Kersten Erik Vorhes Gary Wiessinger Pamela
Bohlmann
Lector John McDowell Youth Lisa Kersten Lynn Garbe
Recknagel
Acolyte Anna Friedman
Mackenzie Friedman Zora Vorhes Cameron
Martin Sound System
Operator
Greg Bohlmann Bob Beuthel John
Schornstein Dave Pitts
Altar Guild Barbara Richards
Pamela Bohlmann Vivian Southard Karen
Schornstein
Greeter(s) Anni Wunderlich
Julianne Fredericks Peter Meier Cathy Bready
Ushers Dave Pitts Richard
Wunderlich Leroy Padilla
Greg Bohlmann John
Schornstein
Dick Rescho John McDowell
Nursery Assistant Parent to Stay Parent to Stay Parent to Stay Parent to Stay
Coffee Host Knauth Fischer Cathy Bready Friedman
Counters Lisa Telfer Mary Webb
Barbara Padilla
Mary Webb
Greg Bohlmann Andrea Reiser
Lisa Telfer Chris Kidwell
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Holy Trinity Lutheran Church149 Manzanita AvenueSan Carlos, CA 94070Phone: 650.593.0325Sunday Worship 10:15 am
Want to go green? Please contact Holy Trinity ([email protected]) to replace your printed copy with an electronic copy of our newsletter.
STAFF................................ ............................................Interim Pastor The Rev. Lori Eickmann Office Administrator Monica Cryan
[email protected] [email protected]....... ................................................................Dir, Child & Family Ministries The Rev. Erica Schemper Nursery Care Jo O’Brien
[email protected] obrien@sancarloshtlc.org.........................................Organist/Pianist Guest Organist Bookkeeper…………………………………………..Allen Erickson
2016 COUNCIL OFFICERS & MINISTRY TEAM CHAIRS........................................................ ..........................................................President Lori Friedman Worship & Music Erik Vorhes
[email protected] ...................................Evangelism & Outreach Gary Wiessinger............................. ...................................Vice President …………..Anita Reimann Stewardship Peter Meier, Barbara Padilla
........................................................... ..................Secretary Bob Beuthel Social Concerns Barbara Padilla, Hillary Wiessinger................. .......................................................................Buildings & Grounds Bob Beuthel, Leroy Padilla Youth Lori Friedman
............................................. ..................................................Congregation Life Peter Meier Financial Secretary Mary Webb..................... ................................................................Endowment. Cathy Bready, John McDowell Treasurer Petra Gilmore
........................Education/Sunday School Erica Schemper [email protected]
