OCTOBER 2015 GRAPEVINE

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 612 Main Street

Westbrook, ME 04092 Karen Indorf, Pastor Bonnie Wright, Editor Phone – (207) 854-5653 Phone – (207) 854-5653 Email – pastor@trinitywestbrook.com Email – office@trinitywestbrook.com Sunday School begins @ 9:30 am Worship begins @ 10:30

PASTOR’S REFLECTIONS

It is a busy time of year as we move from the relaxed days of summer into the busy activities of fall. Children are back to school, sporting and music activities are in full swing, the leaves will soon need raking, Busyness also fills our church calendar with committees meeting again, choir rehearsing and singing, Sunday School nurturing our children, small groups sharing faith stories, service activities reaching out to neighbors. Where do we get the inspiration and energy for participation in church life? I think that without worship on Sunday morning and regular prayer contact with God, the rest can become simply one more thing to do on our busy calendars. Unfortunately, spiritual life is often one of the first things to go when too many demands and stressors become overwhelming. Instead of being the center of what nurtures us for the rest of life, our relationship with God can become an afterthought, something to call upon only when a crisis hits. Perhaps we do not intend for that to happen, but it subtly creeps in on us and soon we find ourselves adrift. If this scenario is happening to you, I urge you to make your relationship with God a priority once again. If you have questions or concerns about your faith, or about your church, I would love to talk with you one-on-one about those concerns. Or at least set aside time every day to talk with God and time every week to hear his word and sing his praises and share in his holy supper. I give thanks for everyone who forms the body of Christ at Trinity, whether you are at the center of our church life, sustaining your faith and the faith of others, or on the margins wondering if you belong or even want to. Where there is hurt, may there be forgiveness and healing. Where there is doubt, your questions are important and need to be heard. Where there is apathy, may the Holy Spirit fill you anew.

Pastor Karen

“Breaking Bread With Friends”@ Greta’s “Breaking Bread With Friends”@ Honor’s

“God’s Work – Our Hands” –Thank you to: Ron & Shirley, Brenda A, Alexis & Bev, Alitaz, Kat, Jen, Addie,

Brenda O, Deb K, Cathie, Priscille, Doug, Pastor Karen, Jane S & Kevin

Trinity’s newest worshipper – Deborah! “Farewell” to Adanesh

EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS!!

I Heard It Through the Grapevine!”

PAUL’S PALS will sing at Ledgewood Manor in Windham on Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 pm

SENIOR SAINTS will meet at IHOP at 11:00 on Wednesday, October 21 for bible study and lunch and will sing at South Portland Nursing Home at 2:00 pm.

YOUTH GROUP The Portland area Lutheran youth group will meet at Trinity on October 25 3:00-5:00. All youth in 5th-8th grade are invited.

BOOK STUDY meets at Mr. Bagel on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon.

IN RECOGNITION OF WORLD FOOD DAY Altrusa of Portland is hosting the annual Empty Bowl- Project FEED supper at Woodford’s Church 202 Woodford St. Portland ME from 5pm-7pm Saturday October

10th, donation $10.00- all proceeds to benefit hungry people in Maine. Come and enjoy homemade delicious soups- made by Altrusans, locally baked breads, scrumptious desserts.

Luther and the Reformation 500 Years Later

In two years the 500th anniversary of the posting of Martin Luther's 95 theses on the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg will come to pass. In collaboration with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Adventures in Language & Culture, a Harpswell travel organization serving clients for 20 years, has arranged a 12-day tour to include the significant places in Luther's life and ministry. The itinerary includes Worms, where he was told to recant his theses; Eisenach, where he entered the monastery; Eisleben, where Luther was born and died; Wittenberg, where the historic posting took place; and Dresden, as guests at a Lutheran service at the Frauenkirche. Richard Horner, Dean of the Maine Conference of Lutheran Churches and Pastor of Holy Cross in Kennebunk, is delighted to serve as “pastor-in-residence” for the group. The tour is from September 22 to October 3, 2016 and the price is $3495* which includes airfare from Boston, double occupancy in 3* and 4* hotels, deluxe motor coach with escort while in Germany, and several meals. Because ALC specializes in small custom group tours, they recommend taking at least 18 participants for affordability but no more than 24 to enhance congeniality. Enrollment before October 15 comes with a $200 credit toward the total cost of the tour. Good Shepherd and Pastor Horner are interested in getting in touch with anyone who would find such an experience a positive expression of their Lutheran faith. If you are interested to any extent please contact Arnie Besier at abesier@myfairpoint.net or ALC directly at info@AdventuresinLanguage.com. There are postcards about the tour on the table outside the office. For details of the itinerary, including early enrollment incentives*, log on to ALC’s website and click on Journeys, plus . . .Look for us at www.AdventuresinLanguage.com

NEWS FROM SOCIAL MINISTRY Thank you for all your past donations of used clothing. However, because we do not have a need for it at the present and we do not have storage space to keep it. In the future, we will announce when there is a special or urgent need for clothing. Thanks for your thoughtfulness!

PLEASE HELP PARISH CARE We are collecting the following items to be used as game prizes for the residents at Springbrook: pretty socks for women, socks for men, cans of soda, colored pencils, crayons, large print crossword puzzles or word-find books, adult coloring books, small photo albums, decks of cards, candy bars. There is a bin near the back door to place your donations. Thank you! TWO SPECIAL OFFERINGS IN OCTOBER *October 18 is Mission Sunday. The offering will be designated to “My Sister’s Keeper”. This program supports women recently released from prison and helps guide them through the transition back to society. *October 25 is Reformation Sunday. Please remember to wear red. The offering will be designated for the Malaria Initiative Campaign. OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD---The Samaritan’s Purse, shoe box program is our annual project that has

become a fun way to show our support. Shoe boxes are collected along with items to fill the boxes. Individual “gift boxes” will be put together for boys & girls ages 2-14. These boxes will make their way around the world to children in faraway places with little to no necessities or toys. Last year we put together and/or donated 77 boxes to the collection location in Portland. We will have another “shoe box packing party” this year and assemble packages for the different age groups for boys and

girls. We will have a display set up in the fellowship hall and we’ll provide a list of items we are asking for to fill these boxes. This should be an easy way for all to participate whether it’s providing the shoe-boxes, donating items to fill the boxes, helping in packing the shoe-boxes, helping with the luncheon before the “party” or helping to deliver the boxes to the collection location. Our goal is 80 boxes this year. We can do it!!!!!!!

Operation Christmas Child……shoe packing party after worship on Oct. 25th. A lunch will follow social time and after the packing will begin. Mark your calendars!! SEE GIFT IDEAS FOR SHOE BOXES ON LAST PAGE

ON-GOING

ETHIOPIAN AND ERITREAN FELLOWSHIP IN SONG AND PRAYER – Our Ethiopian and Eritrean brothers and sisters from Westbrook and greater Portland are meeting weekly at Trinity in the fellowship hall for a Celebration of Prayer and Praise in their native languages. Worship will be on Sundays, October 4, 11 and 25 at 4:00; and on Saturday, October 17 at 2:00. REJOICING SPIRITS meet on the third Sunday of each month at 4:00 pm. The worship is casual and user friendly for those with disabilities or mental challenges. We have a sign language interpreter.

Families and caregivers, as well as anyone else who would like to attend are welcome. The next worship service will be Sunday, October 18. The fellowship meal will be sponsored by the Social Ministry Committee.

MONTHLY PRAYER SERVICE Every third Sunday of the month, (October 18 is the next service) after the sharing of the peace, Pastor Karen will be present in front of the annex for persons who would like individual prayer, for themselves or someone else. Anyone is invited to come. You may pray silently or

come forward to pray with pastor. She will be there as long as someone wants to pray. Tricia Bumby will be playing violin during this time with soothing background hymns of healing which will also provide privacy to those who come forward to pray. Contact Pastor Karen if you have any questions.

PRAYER GROUP – Meets Wednesday at 11:15. Many prayer concerns have been lifted up and many thanksgivings have been raised. We invite all who cannot attend to consider praying with us at 11:15 on Wednesday from wherever you are at that time. There are prayer request cards and a box to place them in after they are filled out on the table next to the office door.

ALL AROUND THE TOWN

(Nice hat Jane!)

COMMUNITY MEAL The Community Meal is back at the My Place Teen Center after the renovation of the kitchen and dining area. Every Wednesday from 5:00-6:00 we serve a free hot meal and warm fellowship, with food provided by Wayside Food Services. 364 meals were served in August. Volunteers are needed to cook, serve and clean up. See Jane Sinclair or Ted Deschambeault for more information. BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are being offered at the community meal.

WORSHIP HELPERS

Thanks to all the Assistants, Readers and Acolyte/Crucifers. If you are unable to perform this duty on specified date, please arrange for a substitute and let Bonnie know so the correct name may be put in the Sunday bulletin. Readers and Assistants please supply your replacement with your prayers or readings that are e-mailed to you. Thank you.

WORSHIP HELPERS FOR OCTOBER – THANK YOU!

OCTOBER ASSISTANT READER ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER 4 Bill S Christina S Fente S 11 Carey P Amanuel S Eleshadaye D 18 Christina S Cathie B Delia S 25 Abera D Ron P Bev M

THANK YOU!

Dear family and friends of Trinity, We thank you for all the kindness and concern you have shown to us through this difficult time. We thank you for your gifts to the Memorial Fund in Roger’s name. Please keep us in your prayers. Love, from Sally and family. GOD’S WORK-OUR HANDS – Thank you to all who donated items for the fire victims and the misplaced family. The only items still needed are: spring and frame for double bed, bureaus, night stands, living room chairs and lamps. The people pictured and named on page 2 picked up furniture and delivered it to a misplaced family of 6 on North St. We also picked up items for the fire victims and took them to a warehouse while the family awaits housing. We then went to two nursing facilities and served ice cream & sang to the residents. Jane S.

I would like to thank you for the scholarship for Camp Vega. It was very fun and I learned a lot about God. I also made new friends. Thank you very much. From Eleshadaye Thank you for giving me the scholarship. I had a blessed time at camp. Thank you so much. I learned so much about God. I can’t wait to go next year. From Fente

KIDS’ KORNER Knock, Knock

Who’s there?

Ice cream Ice cream who? Ice cream every time I see a ghost!

Crispy Phyllo Wrapped Hot Dog Mummies - From Food Network Kitchens

Ingredients One 16-ounce package bun-size hot dogs (8 hot dogs), each halved crosswise 2 ounces Cheddar, cut into 16 thin slices 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 8 sheets phyllo dough 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted Ketchup, yellow mustard, barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauce, for serving and decorating Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut a slit in each hot dog piece and stuff with a slice of cheese. Set aside. Combine the salt, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl. Working with one sheet of phyllo at a time and keeping the rest covered under a damp towel or paper towels, lay a phyllo sheet on a large cutting board or counter and lightly brush with melted butter. Lightly sprinkle with some of the spice mix and fold in half lengthwise. Brush the top with more melted butter and cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips. Using 2 pieces of stuffed hot dogs per phyllo sheet, wrap half of the strips around each piece of hot dog to create a mummy look. Leave a small section of hot dog exposed towards the top so it looks like the top part of the face peeking out from the phyllo wrappings. Don't worry about frayed edges or tears-- it will add to the mummy look. Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining phyllo, melted butter, spice mix and hot dogs. Re-melt the butter if it cools down too much while forming the mummies. Bake until the phyllo is crisp and golden brown, about 25 minutes. If desired, dot ketchup or mustard eyes on each mummy using a toothpick and serve with extra sauces for dipping, after calling Bonnie to join you!

THE LIGHT SIDE

A Bit from Bonnie

More American Presidents were born in the month of October than any other month. They were John Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Chester Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter.

Here are a few interesting things that happened during the month of October:

Free rural delivery of mail began in the United States, October 1, 1896. The first "Model T" Ford was put on the market, October 1, 1908.

The Soviet Union launched its first artificial satellite, Sputnik, October 4, 1957. The first double-decked steamboat, the Washington, arrived at New Orleans, October 7, 1816.

The great fire of Chicago began, and burned for about 30 hours, October 8, 1871. The U.S. Naval Academy opened at Annapolis, Md., October 10, 1845.

Columbus landed in America, October 12, 1492. The United States flag was formally raised over Alaska, October 18, 1867.

The U.S.S. Constitution, better known as Old Ironsides, launched, October 21, 1797. The first transcontinental telegram was sent, October 24, 1861

Gift Ideas for Shoe Box Ministry

Fill your shoe box with one or more items from each “something”:

6 things to light up the world of a child in need

1. Something to love (teddy bear, doll, soft toy)

2. something for school (notebook, pencil case, pens, pencils etc.)

3. something to wear (t-shirt, shorts, underwear, cap, sandals, thongs, etc.)

4. Something to play with (tennis ball, cars, jump rope, marbles, yo-yo, etc.)

5. Something for personal hygiene (toothbrush-no paste), hairbrush, comb, hair clips, scrunchies, etc.

6. Something special (bag, sunglasses, necklaces, bracelets, stickers, craft kit, photo of yourself, etc.

DO NOT PACK

Any items that might leak, or melt, any kind of food or candy, used or damaged items,breakable items,

war related toys, play money and playing cards, anything of religious, racial or politcal nature.