Parish Caller

Tr in i ty Lu the r an Chur ch

604 S F i f t h S t r ee t Wat er t o w n W I 53 094 920 - 26 1 - 3 51 1 w w w . t r in i t yw at e r t o w n .n e t Se cr e t a r y ' s Ho u rs : M o n d a y- F r id a y 9 - 1 t r in i t ym an ag er @ch ar t e r .n e t

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, cor-recting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

At a wedding several summers ago one of the guests commented how pleased she was with the service. She appreciated the Scriptural content of the service and told me it was a Lu-theran wedding that was Bible-based. She had attended other Lutheran weddings that were not. I explained that not all Lutheran churches have the same beliefs and that we strive to base all our beliefs and actions as a congregation on the Word of God.

As was apparent to the wedding guest, we are a Bible-based church. This is not an arrogant boast. We humbly thank Christ that he has given us his Word and filled us with deep rever-ence for all he teaches us in the Holy Scriptures. Our Spirit-worked conviction is that the Bi-ble is inspired by him and that it is the only basis for what we believe and do as a Christian congregation (and as individual Christians). It is always “useful for teaching, rebuking, cor-recting and training in righteousness.”

How do we remain Bible-based? The answer is simple: by using the Bible. As long as we continue to search the Scriptures, they provide the foundation for our faith and lives.

So let’s use God’s useful Word! Our congregational ministry stresses hearing, reading, learn-ing and taking to heart the Scriptures. In September we resume the full schedule of Bible studies. The offerings are as follows:

Sundays at church (starting 9-13 at 9:15 am) – Intelligent Design: Friend or Foe in the War of Worldviews? (presenter: Pastor Dan Schroeder)

Sundays at church (starting 9-13 at 9:15 am) – Heart in Focus (personal and family fi-nances in the light of God’s Word)

Mondays at church (starting 9-14 at 7:00 am) – Very Important Chapters of the Bible

Thursdays at church (9-3 at 10:30 am) – Augsburg Confession

You are invited to attend one or more! As with every opportunity to read and hear God’s saving word, the Holy Spirit will bring spiritual growth to your faith and life. You will find the time spent with fellow Christians a blessing too.

Serving Jesus and you,

Pastor Brett Brauer

Women in Service

Parish Caller

Cakes for Bethesda For years the members of Trinity have baked birthday cakes for the individuals of Bethesda in September. They love having special cake for their birthday or for some other special occasion. The date of delivery this year will be Monday, September 14. All congregation members (teens, too) are invited to donate a cake for this ongoing project. Last year we supplied fifteen cakes (six from LPS students). The cake can be a layer or a sheet cake or an angel food, bought or homemade. If homemade, it should be simply frosted, or decorated simply (colored sugars, birthday decorations, M&M’s, etc.). Do not use toothpicks, please! (1) Freeze-wrap it; (2) Note the kind of cake on the top; (3) Be sure to note that it is for "Bethesda". Cakes can be brought to the church kitchen either on Sunday, September 13 or left on carts outside the church office on Monday, September 14 before 1:00. (They can also be brought to the church kitchen in the basement anytime the church is open before then. Or they can be brought to the W.I.S. meeting on September 10.)

Women in

Service

Divine Call Extended

On Sunday, July 26 the Trinity voters extended a divine call to Pastor Dustin Yahnke. Pastor Yahnke is currently serving

at Faith in Sussex, Wisconsin. He and his wife Jennifer have six children. Please keep Pastor Yahnke, his family and the

members of Faith and Trinity in your prayers as he deliberates his calls.

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LWMS Rock River Circuit Fall Rally

Saturday, October 17, 2015

St. Peter Lutheran Church—Helenville

Different Cultures Different Languages

Always the Same Message

8:30—Registration & Fellowship

9:30—Opening Devotion, 10:00—Business Meeting, 11:00—Speaker, 12:15—Lunch

Women of Trinity and friends are invited to join Trinity's Women In Service (W.I.S.) when they meet on September 10. The meeting will start at 1:00 in the Conference Room of the Parish Center. Pastor Brauer will present a topic and we will also enjoy cookies, coffee, cocoa and tea. LWMS Mission Box offerings will be collected at this meeting; cakes for Bethesda can also be brought to this meeting. Hostess will be Rita Schulte. We would love to have you come and join us!!

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Doctrine and Policy Regarding Marriage Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

(Adopted by the Trinity Church Council July 27, 2015)

The Bible teaches that marriage was established and given by God at the time of creation. As he designed and insti-tuted it, marriage is the life-long union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). It is a relationship that is to be honored and kept pure (Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:22-33). As a man and woman promise life-long faith-fulness to each other as husband and wife, God himself joins them as one. Marriage is not simply a contract between two consenting individuals, nor is it merely a creation of human society, culture, or tradition. God himself instituted marriage at the time of creation, and God himself joins a man and woman in marriage today The biblical teaching on marriage emphasizes the blessings God intends to convey to those joined together in the mari-tal relationship. Through marriage God provides partners well suited and complementary to one another. In marriage, God provides a partner who will provide encouragement and support. Marriage is also to be the God-ordained means to procreate and to establish a stable environment in which children can be nurtured both physically and spiritually. Marriage is the one context God intended for the use of the blessing of sexual intimacy, where the sexual union of one man and woman is an expression of love and oneness rather than a sinful satisfaction of lust. Finally, since we live in a fallen world, in marriage God provides a restraint for selfishness and sin as each partner strives to live the pure life that God intends for his people (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). This is the Bible’s teaching about the origin, definition, and nature of marriage. For that reason it is also the doctrine of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Every congregation and called worker accepts the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice. That marriage is the God-ordained union of one man and one woman is the clear teaching of the Bible, and therefore is the teaching and con-fession of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The policy and practice of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, a member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, is consistent with the synod’s beliefs and teachings regarding marriage. We believe that marriage is the sacred, life-long union between one man and one woman. Therefore, our pastors will not officiate in any marriage ceremony or celebration, and our church sanctuary may not be used for any activities related to a marriage ceremony or celebration, that is inconsistent with these beliefs.

Meals on Wheels—September 8-11

Trinity members are again being asked to deliver meals to homebound Watertown residents. The meals are picked up at Perkins at 11:30 am and delivered around town. Detail driving instructions are provided. Each route takes less than one hour. A sign-up sheet can be found in the Fireside Room.

Forward in Christ and Meditations Renewal Time It is time to renew our subscriptions to Forward in Christ and Meditations from Northwestern Publishing House. For-ward in Christ is a monthly magazine and costs $11 per year. Meditations comes out four times a year and begins with the new church year after Thanksgiving. The cost for this daily devotion booklet is $14.50 per year. If you are inter-ested in receiving either or both of these publications, you will find the sign-up sheet in the Fireside Room. Payments may be made out to Trinity and given to the church office. Deadline to sign up is September 6.

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Financial Sta tus Thanks be to God for the gifts given for the work of the church.

Trinity’s new fiscal year began on July 1, 2015. The voters approved an annual budget

of $728,479, an increase of 3.46%. To meet our budget, our needed weekly offerings

increased to $14,000. The weekly offerings for the month of July averaged $10,812. His-

torically the summer months are low, but if this trend continues, vital programs may

need to be downsized or eliminated.

Fellowship Committee Upcoming Events

September 14 Skate Party

September 20 Church Picnic

October 10 Fall Festival

December 2 Advent Suppers Begin

December 6 Advent by Candlelight

Senior Choir The new season of Senior Choir begins on Tuesday, September 8 at 7 pm. What does it take to be a choir member? A love of music. A desire to praise God. A willing-ness to learn new music and singing techniques. The music has been chosen, the singing dates have been set. Now we need you! Director Naomi Fritz invites you to come and lift your voices in praise to God. All voices, both experienced singers and first-timers, are welcome and needed.

Pebbles from the ROC “Never leave them without!” My Dad and Grandpa, who were also pastors, repeated these words many times to me (Pastor Tim Mueller). If you could only say one thing to someone and then never see them again, what would you say? God says it best in His Word, “preach Christ cru-cified”. At our ROC Youth Center, we never leave the teens without hearing about Christ, the only Savior from sin. What a joy it will be to see the many teens in heaven brought to faith by that powerful and saving Gospel told to them through our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center for Youth.

Many hours of hard work were put in by so many at the ROC Rummage Sale which again raised over $10,000 for THE ROC. We were overwhelmed by the many items donated and the many hours given. Some literally gave

hundreds of volunteer hours. Thank you so much!

Volunteers are greatly needed at THE ROC. Help-ing at THE ROC is a great volunteer opportunity for Christ as you can help as little or as much as you wish. Stop by to talk to Pastor Mueller to see if serving at THE ROC is meant for you. Thank you.

Remember that THE ROC is an eligible organization for Thrivent Choice dollars (free money for Thrivent members to designate). Designate your Thrivent Choice dollars by calling 1-800-847-4836 or by going to https://www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice. You should find THE ROC by searching for "Watertown Recreation and Out-reach Center for Youth". Thanks so much.

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Ceilan “J.R.” Baker

Darlene Hill

Ruth Martin

Doris Baumann

Herman and Pat Zastrow

William Ulm

Betty deGalley

Bradley and Linda Johnson

Gene and Anita Sorensen

Earl Roberts

Dan and Laurie Cole

Joseph and Elizabeth Hoffman

Sandra Kastens

William Ruebl

Kris and Kim Roeseler

Noreen Paar

Marilyn Flaherty

Sherry Fickau

Pastor and Lisa Brauer

Jerald and Sandra Pinnow

Mary Patz

Richard Scultz

Larry and Lyn Quinn

Camille deGalley

Stuart and Jane Boese

Bob and Kim Turney

Judy and Ed Kohlhoff

Julie Traub

Michael and Susan Ogrezovich

Thomas and Agnes Sheridan

Thomas and Lisa Lindert

Jim and Linda Moeller

Remembering those fallen asleep in Jesus

New Members—

Judy Wade—by profession of faith

Eric and Monica Vertein (Children-Ashley, Anthony, Am-

ber)—transfer from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Crandon, WI

Those who have left—

Ruth Wendland—transfer to Brooklyn Lutheran Church.

Brooklyn Park, MN

Membership Changes

Hear t in Focus

Heart in Focus is a faith based financial course that will be offered as a Sunday morning Bible Class,

9:15-10:15 am, from September 13-November 1. This WELS authored course will emphasize a num-

ber of issues: using God’s money wisely, shifting your priorities, and keeping your focus. The cost is

$15 per person/couple. A copy of the workbook and registration forms are available in the Fireside

Room. Please register by September 6 so that the workbooks can be ordered for the class. If you

have any questions please call Tom Horton at 920-988-0504

Parish Caller

College Students—Where you Going?

Trinity college students, we want you to know we are thinking about you. We want to keep in touch. Please send us

your school address so we can send you this wonderful newsletter. (Hey, at least it’s mail!) We will also get you on the

mailing list for a free subscription to Forward in Christ and Meditations. Watch for a mailing from church with a self

addressed postcard you can send back to us.

Are you ready for some football!!!!

Sunday, September 13

Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears

Family Pizza Party

Trinity-St. Luke’s School – Western Avenue

11:30 am – kickoff at noon

The game will be televised on big screen in the gym for all to enjoy – bring your

favorite chair. (If your favorite recliner needs electricity – bring your own extension cord.)

Pizza & soda will be provided. (A free will offering will be collected to help defray costs.)

You are welcome to bring your favorite tailgate food to share.

Sign up in the Fireside Room

Hosted by the Centennial Celebration Committee

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Bible Activity Hour and Bible Classes

After the summer recess, Bible Activity Hour (Sunday School) and Bible Classes will resume in September.

Bible Activity Hour is for all children from age 2 through Grade 6. The group is split into two groups with the age 2

through Kindergarten in Mrs. Strucely’s classroom at the bottom of the south stairs. Grades 1 through 6 meet in the

East Fellowship Hall.

Our teens meet in the Teen Room at the bottom of the southeast stairs, and the adult Bible Class meets in the West

Fellowship Hall.

Parish Caller

Hey Kids (and those young at hear t) Let’s Go Skating! Need more information? Contact Roger Virgil at 262-804-0093

Zumba Class

Instructor Traci Norenburg has begun teaching low impact Zumba classes on Saturdays at 9:45 am.

The classes are held in the TSL Western Avenue Gym and cost $5 a class. New members are welcome

any time. For more information, contact Mary-Anne Schwartz at 920-261-5286.

When: Monday, September 14

Where: Express Skate

Time: 6-8 pm

Cost: $4

4 Healthy Reasons to Roller Skate 1. It’s good for your health.

2. It improves mental health.

3. It helps boost self-confidence.

4. It encourages team spirit.

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Centennial Celebration Committee Repor t The Centennial Celebration Committee is excited to report the following upcoming events: Stone Creek Coffee – The committee is serving and selling Stone Creek Coffee. This coffee is made in the Milwaukee area and is sold as a fund-raiser for organizations. The coffee is being sold for $15 for a one pound bag. Orders can be placed on Sunday’s in the Fireside Room. Payment will be made upon delivery. If you have any questions please con-tact Laurie Cole. Coffee & Treats – These are still being served in the Fireside Room between services and after late service through Sunday, September 6th. Please join us in fellowship and enjoy goodies. Packer vs Bears Pizza Party – This will be held on Sunday, September 13 beginning at 11:30 at Trinity-St. Luke’s West-ern Avenue campus. This is a family event – pizza and soda will be provided with a free-will offering to help defray ex-penses. Sign-up in the Fireside Room. Join us for this afternoon of fellowship to cheer the Packers and watch them beat “da Bears”. Advent Supper – The committee will be serving one of the Advent Suppers in December. Family Game Night – Discussion on organizing a Family Game Night, Trivia Night and Card Party. Looking for input on these events. Daddy and Daughter Dance – Plans are going on for a Father/Daughter dance early in 2016. Centennial Anniversary Cookbook – Plans are underway to begin gathering recipes to create an anniversary edition of Trinity members favorite recipes. Women in Service will be asked to help with this project. Start looking for your fa-vorite recipes that you would like to share in this cookbook. Lenten Supper – The committee will serve one of the Lenten Suppers during the Lenten season in 2016. These are a few of the ideas the committee is working on. We are looking for input from the congregation for other ideas. Does anyone have ideas to involve our young members of the congregation? Not only are these events for fel-lowship but also to help offset the expense for the Centennial Celebration on November 6, 2016.

Thank you for your input. The Centennial Committee

Pioneers Pioneer registration is Tuesday, September 1 at 6:30 pm. Please join us! Any child is welcome, grades 1-8. There are registration sheets in the Fireside Room. We will meet at TSL's Clark Street location in the commons area. PLEASE bring a jump rope for each person attending (including parents). NOTE: If raining that evening, everyone MUST bring gym shoes also. Any questions? Please contact Kirsten Young at (920)390-2966.

Lutheran Girl Pioneer District Camp—September 18-20 at Camp Phillip District Camp is open to all girls in grades 5-8. Girls form friendships at camp that last a lifetime! Mothers, please join

us. This is a great weekend with your daughters, other moms and leaders. Camp information and forms are available

on the Pioneer bulletin board. Please contact Julie Radant at 920-285-8305 by September 1 if you plan on attending.

The LGP Rock River Valley District is made up of congregations from Hartland, Oconomowoc, Watertown, Janesville

and Fort Atkinson.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Church Office—920-261-3511

trinitymanager@charter.net

Trinity Lutheran Church

604 S Fifth Street

Watertown WI 53094

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

WATERTOWN WI

PERMIT NO. 120

www.trinitywatertown. net

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Pastor Brett Brauer

trinitypastor@charter.net

CELL: 920-915-9070

HOME: 920-261-1599

Regular Schedule

Resumes September 13

Sunday

8 & 10:30 am

Wednesday

6:30 pm