Trinity HighlightsThe Newsletter of Trinity Lutheran Church

700 S. Fourth St., Pekin, IL 61554

309-346-1391 ~ www.trinitypekin.com

Rev. Simeon Raddatz, Pastor773-634-0082

October, 2019

Church Wiener RoastFriday, October 4

6:00 p.m.

We will have a wiener roast here at the church,between the church and the parsonage. The churchwill provide hot dogs, drinks, and table service. Weneed some wood for the fire pit. If you can donateplease contact the church office. Participants shouldbring a dish to share, a roasting stick and lawn chairs.

There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board so weknow how many to plan for.

Come and join with your fellow Trinity membersand enjoy an evening of fall fellowship!

Prayer PartnersSunday, October 6

12:00 p.m.

The purpose of Prayer Partners is to enrich theparticipants’ prayer lives and reach out to our churchcommunity. Lunch is provided.

If you are interested in joining Prayer Partners, or justwant to find out more information about this group,please join us for a time of fellowship and a time ofspiritual growth and renewal.

“And He told them a parable to the effect that theyought always to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18:1

Operation Christmas Child

Our Sunday School is participating in OperationChristmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse. Operation Christmas Child shares the love of JesusChrist, the joy of Christmas and delivers gift packedshoe boxes to millions of boys and girls worldwide.

We are collecting items through the end of October.We are asking our Sunday School children andchurch members to bring in new, items to help packshoe boxes - for boys and girls ages 5 - 9. Gifts donot need to be expensive. You might try searchingthe dollar stores in town. Please remember itemsneed to fit inside an average size shoe box.

Acceptable items: Small dolls, stuffed animals, pens,pencils, sharpeners, brushes, combs, toy cars,crayons, markers, wash cloths, yo-yo’s, solarcalculators, socks, jump ropes, coloring books, hats,sunglasses, balls, playing cards, toothbrushes,barrettes, hair clips, school supplies, bar soap andpuzzles.

Items that cannot go into the boxes: Candy,toothpaste, gum, used or damaged items, war-relateditems such as toy guns, knives, or military figures,chocolate or food, seeds, fruit rolls or other fruitsnacks, drink mixes (powdered or liquid), liquids orlotions, medications or vitamins, breakable itemssuch as snow globes or glass containers, aerosol cans.

There are official Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in Room 10 for anyone who would like to takeone home and fill it.

Partners with Christ

Faithful stewards live theirlives in service for Christbecause Christ dwells in themand they desire to pleaseHim. We are “an instrumentfor noble purposes, madeholy, useful to the Masterand prepared to do any goodwork” (2 Timothy 2:21). God calls us into Hisfellowship and partnershipthrough His Son and equipsus to be faithful stewards.

In John 15:5, Jesus explainsfully what it means to be inpartnership with Him. Jesussaid “I am the Vine; you arethe branches. If a manremains in Me and I in him,he will bear much fruit;apart from Me you can donothing.” We are brancheswhich have no life byourselves, but we receive lifefrom the vine. The vinesupports and sustains thebranches on which the fruitappears. We are branchesthat bear much fruit as Jesus,the vine, nourishes them. Inthis way, God calls us intopartnership with Himself. Our partnership with Christ ismade possible because Goddwells in us.

1 John 4:15 reads, “Ifanyone acknowledges thatJesus is the Son of God, Godlives in him, and he in God.” When God dwells within us,we are no longer the same. He transforms and molds usinto Christians who willinglysurrender our will to seek Hiswill.

No longer is it “I” or “me”,but God who works throughus to accomplish His purpose. Our lives are dedicated toHim, and we are prepared fortasks given to us as God takesus into full partnership.

On our own we can donothing. Only as we stayconnected to Jesus can we befaithful and fruitful. Incomparison to what Jesusprovides, our part in thepartnership is small, but Godhas chosen us to extend HisKingdom. On earth, we areGod’s hands, feet, and mouth. We have been created to dogood works which He hasprepared in advance for us todo (Ephesians 2:10). WithGod as our senior partner, wecan make a difference in ourfamilies, churches, places ofwork, our communities andour neighbors.

Called by God

We read in Genesis 1:27-28, “So God created man inHis own image…male andfemale He created them. God blessed them and said tothem, ‘Be fruitful andincrease in number; fill theearth and subdue it. Ruleover the fish of the sea andthe birds of the air and overevery living creature thatmoves on the ground.’” Godcreated the world, and Hegives us the responsibility ofmanaging it for Him.

In the second chapter ofGenesis we read, “The LordGod took the man and puthim in the Garden of Eden towork it and take care of it”(Genesis 2:15). In the sameway that God put Adam in thegarden to take care of it, Heputs us in places such asschools, offices, fields,factories, etc. Wherever weare placed, we are to befaithful Christians.

Scripture does not tell usthat only a few are called;rather, it clearly states that weare all called. In Isaiah 43:1we are told, “Fear not, for Ihave redeemed you; I havesummoned you by name; youare Mine.” God calls each ofus personally by our ownname. By name, God callseach of us through the HolySpirit in Baptism; He forgiveseach of us our sins through theSacrament of the altar, and Hegathers and enlightens each ofus through His Word, but wechoose whether we will servethe Lord or ourselves.

We are called into thisprivileged position ofresponsibility. God in Hissovereignty has chosen us tobe His hands, feet, and mouthto extend His kingdom. Fortunately, God not onlycalls us, but He also equipsand strengthens us to befaithful, and to serve Himfaithfully.

AugustAttendance Report

2018 2019Average Attendance114 98Average Sunday School Attn. 60 53Average Communion Attn. 41 39

AugustFinancial Report

YTD YTD BudgetIncome: $16,296 $162,906 $165,024Expense: $20,431 $206,894 $226,668Surplus (Deficit)(4,135) ($43,988)

Gifts to the Lords work at Trinityin August were significantly lessthat operating expenses. Inaddition, for the first time in 2019,year to date gifts dropped belowthe projection. This is seensometimes over the summermonths when families vacation. Normally, gifts recover inSeptember and October asfamilies catch up on theircommitments. Expenses for themonth were in line with budget.

Let’s give thanks to the Lordfor his continued blessings!!!

Rob FornoffChairman - Board of Finance

The Concordia SocietyThe Concordia Society met

on September 12 at 1:30 p.m. Marcella Harms was thehostess and the devotionleader. Our next meeting willbe Thursday, October 10 at1:30 p.m. The hostess anddevotion leader will be MillieCordes. Visitors are welcomeand new members needed.

August Sunday SchoolPerfect Attendance

Emily AntonHunter AntonLeah BrownLexi Brown

Elizabeth DevermanAlex O’Conner

Shut-in of the monthSome members cannot attendchurch and it is important thatwe remember them in ourthoughts and especially ourprayers. During the monthplease pray for them and sendthem a card.

Our October shut-in of themonth is:Dorothy Schrieber205 Twin Oaks Dr.East Peoria, IL 61611

Attention VeteransIn an attempt to honor any of our

members who have served ourcountry in any branch of the militaryservices, we’d like to compileinformation on them. This includeseveryone, alive or passed away. Thetype of information needed is: name,alive or deceased, branch of service,approximate dates served, anycombat involvement, any specialawards received, picture (in uniformor not). This should be turned intothe church office. Near Veteran’sDay we hope to have a specialdisplay to honor our veteran’s.

Lutheran Women’sMissionary League

LWML News

Mite boxes for LWML are collectedon a quarterly basis. Please pick up amite box. They are located on theback window ledge in the sanctuaryor on the bulletin board. They willbe collected again in December.

Reformation Day is Thursday, October 31. Quotes from Martin Luther:

The whole being of any Christian is faith and love. Faith brings theperson to God, love brings the person to people.

God created the world out of nothing, and so long as we are nothing,He can make something out of us.

A Christian is never in a state of completion but always in a process ofbecoming.

No one can believe how powerful prayer is and what it can effect, exceptthose who have learned it by experience. Whenever I have prayedearnestly, I have been heard and have obtained more than I prayed for. God sometimes delays, but He always comes.

October Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

October 1Ryan McCoyJane MillerMary Ann Vaupel

October 5Patty Loberg

October 6Brian IngrassiaAmy Watson

October 7Christopher AdkinsPat CooleyBernard Harms Jr. October 11Nicholas Maquet

October 13Nicklaus Hernan

October 14Hollie LandiVittori

October 15Dana BelcherBarret Speck

October 16Marcus BennettZachary CooneyAshley Fornoff

October 17Debra Cooney

October 18Hermene Upchurch October 21Don AlexanderKiel BaldesKreigh Look

October 22Roger Simpson

October 23Kelly HoehnJohn Mattheessen

October 25Rocky Crawford, IIArlene Moldenhauer

October 28Summer Watson

October 29Loretta Harms

If your birthday oranniversary was omittedor a date is incorrect,please contact the churchoffice so we can updateour records.

Anniversaries

October 4Chris & Randi Deverman

October 7Nicklaus & Toni Hernan

October 11Dan & Vicki Egli

October 12Bob & Paula Mattheessen

October 13Owen & Jane Miller

October 19Jeff & Pam Hemp

October 21Richard & Gina Kuhn

October 22Mike & Kelly Hoehn

October 23Dave & Nicole Harms

October 24Trent & Billie May

October 29Amy & Doug HandBryan & Cassie DunnSue & Steve Taylor

Trinity’s Service Volunteers - October 2019

ACOLYTES10/06 8:15 a.m. Gage Cutting

10:45 a.m. Matthew Juergens10/13 8:15 a.m. Lauren Hand

10:45 a.m. Jenna Owens10/20 8:15 a.m. Cecelia Utke

10:45 a.m. Matthew Juergens10/27 8:15 a.m. Hunter Anton

10:45 a.m. Jenna Owens

BIBLE BREAKFAST HELPERS10/06 Jerry & Karen Steenbergen10/13 Pat Cooley & Norma Rebuffoni10/20 Kathy Seidell10/27 Theresa McDonough

COMMUNION SERVERS10/06 8:15 a.m. Bob Lutz10/13 10:45 a.m. Scott Thompson10/20 8:15 a.m. Terry Knollenberg10/27 8:15 a.m. Bob Lutz

10:45 a.m. Scott Thompson

SCRIPTURE READERS10/06 8:15 a.m. Bob Lutz

10:45 a.m. Scott Thompson10/13 8:15 a.m. Owen Miller

10:45 a.m. Brad Juergens10/20 8:15 a.m. Terry Knollenberg

10:45 a.m. Brad Juergens10/27 8:15 a.m. Bob Lutz

10:45 a.m. Scott Thompson

Attention Parents ofCollege Students!

If your child is going to college this fall,please notify the church office of their newaddress. We would like to include them onour mailing list so they can receivenewsletters and other mailings. Please notifychurch office of their address and e-mailaddress.

GREETERS10/06 8:15 a.m. Brad & Kim Cordts

10:45 a.m. Millie Cordes & Pam Buerkett10/13 8:15 a.m. Jim & Donna Deverman

10:45 a.m. Mike & Kathy Seidell10/20 8:15 a.m. Dave & Theresa McDonough

10:45 a.m. Ron & Hermene Upchurch10/27 8:15 a.m. Matt & Melissa Deverman

10:45 a.m. Mike & Sheryl Jones

USHERS10/06 8:15 a.m. B. Cordts, O. Miller

10:45 a.m. B. Juergens, G. Steenbergen10/13 8:15 a.m. D. Harms, C. Whitley

B. Schmidt10:45 a.m. M. Seidell, R. Fornoff

10/20 8:15 a.m. B. Cordts, O. Miller10:45 a.m. B. Juergens, G. Steenbergen

10/27 8:15 a.m. D. Harms, C. WhitleyB. Schmidt

10:45 a.m. M. Seidell, R. Fornoff

ALTAR FLOWERS10/06 Bob & Paula Mattheessen, for their 28th

wedding anniversary on October 12.10/13 Owen & Jane Miller, for their 41st wedding

anniversary on October 13.10/20 Mike & Kelly Hoehn, for their 31st wedding

anniversary on October 22.10/27 Bryan & Cassie Dunn, for their 8th wedding

anniversary on October 29.

Mid-Week StewardshipThought

The Mid-Week StewardshipThought is e-mailed out weekly,usually on Wednesday morning. Included in this e-mail is “TrinityNews” which highlights thingshappening at the church.

If you are not receiving this weeklye-mail please contact the churchoffice with your e-mail address.

October 2019Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

6 PM CHURCH

COUNCIL

2

4:30 PM YOUTH

CATECHESIS

7 PM CHOIR

REHEARSAL

3 46 PM CHURCH

W IENER ROAST

5

68:15 AM W ORSHIP/

COM M UNION

9:30 AM S.S. & BIBLE

CLASS

10:45 AM W ORSHIP

12 PM PRAYER

PARTNERS

7 7:15 PM DARTBALL

1ST BAPTIST AT

TRINITY

87 PM BOARDS OF

CHRISTIAN SERVICE -

EVANGELISM

7 PM BOARD OF

CHRISTIAN

EDUCATION

94:30 PM YOUTH

CATECHESIS

7 PM CHOIR

REHEARSAL

101:30 PM CONCORDIA

SOCIETY

11 12

13

8:15 AM W ORSHIP

9:30 AM S.S. &

B IBLE CLASS

10:45 AM W ORSHIP/

COMM UNION

147:15 PM DARTBALL

1ST PRESBYTERIAN

AT TRINITY

156:30 PM GSLS BOARD

164:30 PM YOUTH

CATECHESIS

7 PM CHOIR

REHEARSAL

177 PM BOARD OF

TRUSTEES

18 19

20

8:15 AM W ORSHIP/

COM M UNION

9:30 AM S.S. & BIBLE

CLASS

10:45 AM W ORSHIP

217:15 PM DARTBALL VS

SAN PRAIRIE

22 234:30 PM YOUTH

CATECHESIS

7 PM CHOIR

REHEARSAL

24 25 26

278:15 AM W ORSHIP/

COM M UNION

9:30 AM S.S. & BIBLE

CLASS

10:45 AM W ORSHIP/

COM M UNION

5:00 PM M EN’S MINISTRY

28 7 PM BOARD OF

ELDERS

7:15 PM DARTBALL VS

1ST CHRISTIAN

29 309 AM NEW SLETTER

ASSEM BLY

31

Reform ation

Day

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Pekin, ILPermit No. 100

Trinity Lutheran Church700 S. Fourth St.Pekin, IL 61554

(Return Service Requested)

Friday, October 4 6:00 p.m.

Church Weiner Roast

Sunday, October 6 12:00 p.m.

Prayer Partners

Entire month of October

Gathering items for Operation Christmas Child