Trinity Tidings Trinity Lutheran Church Appleton, WI

October 2017

Seeds for Growth

PHOTO HERE

Feeding the Hungry . . . Serving the Community

Shredding needed

If you have documents to be shredded, please drop them off at the church office. We need more to

keep “The Shredmann” busy

on Thursdays. Questions? Talk to

Sarah Bultman.

Help End Hunger One Step at a Time. Join the Crop Hunger Walk on October 8 - - registration at 12:30 p.m. and walk at 1:00 p.m. The 1, 3, or 6 mile walk begins at Memorial Presbyterian, 803 College Ave. Talk to Marilyn Schucknecht to get signed up to walk or for more information at Schuckie@rocketmail.com or 731-4842. Locally the Salvation Army, St. Joseph’s Food Pantry and Loaves and Fishes will benefit from this year’s walk. If you aren’t able to walk, remember you can donate to one of the walkers. Thank you!

God’s Work. Our Hands. Thank you The donations collected for Lincoln School were delivered this week. The back of Pastor Brian’s vehicle was filled with totes full of supplies, paper towels and loose items. We didn’t count every item, but here are a few quick stats:

Scissors - 37 Markers - 35 boxes Crayons - 40 boxes Cleaning Wipes - 27 containers Colored Pencils - 30 boxes Paper towel Rolls - 49 Boxes of snacks - 34 (ranging from a package of 2 to one of 90) Small Microwave - purchased using a Thrivent Action card for the Teacher’s Lounge

THANK YOU for your generous care for others in our community and our world. Check out page 6 for a few more photos.

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Worship in October

Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Tri-County Chapel 1592 Oneida St.

Menasha, WI 54952

October 1 Worship at 9:00 a.m. “God’s Name Revealed” Exodus 2:23-25; 3:10-15;

4:10-17

October 8 Worship at 9:00 a.m. “God Provides Manna”

Exodus 16:1-18

October 15 Worship at 9:00 a.m.

“God Calls Samuel” 1 Samuel 3:1-21

October 22 Worship at 9:00 a.m.

“God Calls David” 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 51:10-14

October 29 Reformation Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. “Solomon’s Temple” 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13

Midweek Worship

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Holden Evening Prayer at Grace Lutheran Church

Trinity Tidings - - October 2017

Every Sunday is Special

10/1: Superhero Sunday On Sunday, October 1 you are invited to wear your Superhero gear to worship - - any t-shirts, capes, masks, pajamas (kids) or costumes. That day we will have some fun as we celebrate the Superheroes of the Bible. 10/8: Crop Walk See the announcement on the cover of the newsletter. Remember to see Marilyn Schucknecht to participate or Marilyn, Pastor Brian or Mary Robertson to donate! 10/15: Pregame Potluck after worship Wear your favorite sports apparel from any team - - it doesn’t have to be football or a professional team. Bring an appetizer, sweet treat or finger food and stay after worship for a fun football pregame party. (We promise you will be home for the noon Packers kick-off.) A few games & other fun activities are in the works! A reminder that there is no oven at the Chapel. Plates and drinks will be provided. See you there! 10/22: King/Queen for a Day

The Lesson this Sunday is about David being called by God to be the future King. David was a shepherd boy at the time, the youngest in his family. His older brothers thought they would be picked, but God looks at the heart of people. God looks at the inside, not the outside. On Sunday, Oct. 15

th, families will receive blank crown

templates to take home to decorate, cut out and fit to their head size. Bring the crowns back on Sunday, October 22nd for the children to wear during worship and be recognized as the chosen children of God. They will be reminded that they can make a difference for others because God sees their kind and loving hearts. 10/29: Reformation Sunday Carnival Plans are in the works for a fun celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. Stay tuned foe details.

If you have ideas to make a Sunday special OR if you would like to help organize or plan a Sunday talk to Sue Ruppel, Sarah Bultman or Judy Natz. We would LOVE for you to be involved!

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Word from the Council President

Hello Trinity, On Tuesday, June 27

th, Pastor Jean, the Transformational Ministry Leader from the Synod Office,

debriefed the Council and Seeds for Growth members on the results of the Congregational Vitality Survey we took in May and June. It is a ‘snapshot in time’ of our congregation based on the people present at that time. The Survey had specific rules regarding completion and was available at the worship services from May 28

th through June 11

th to be filled out on-site.

This month I will explain the third section of the report about connecting with the World. The focus of these questions were about serving and sharing our faith. The vast majority of people viewed Trinity as a positive force in the community that addresses social concerns. We also interact with the local community and seek social justice and advocacy. Our scores were lower in the area of equipping people to share their faith with others and sharing information about being Lutheran. At the meeting we talked at length about what would be involved in sharing information about being Lutheran. Most of us had never thought about that. When the scores were broken down even more, 52 people felt they were equipped to share their faith, but only 30 people had meaningful spiritual conversations outside of church. Forty-seven people said they were comfortable inviting others to church, but only 9 said they actually did it. There seems to be a big difference in feeling comfortable about something and actually doing it! To address the issues of sharing faith and sharing information about being Lutheran, the Council has made it a priority to hire someone to promote our Faith Formation. Faith Formation is a process where we identify who we are as Christians and practice that faith in the world. Hopefully by the time you read this we will have hired someone and they will be on their way to developing the faith practices and appropriate ministries we need. Faith Formation is a life-long learning process which includes everyone and develops community. In the area of questions about God’s active presence in our personal daily lives and in our congregation’s daily life, we scored very favorably. Sixty people felt that God is concerned and directly involved in their daily lives and the life of our congregation. We are a spirit led group! Next month I will go into details about our results in the area of vitality and sustainability. Generally, we scored well in all the categories of the Survey and are a sustainable congregation that needs to focus, pursue, explore and expand on how we love God and our neighbors to make us more Vital in the future. The Seeds for Growth process will help us answer these questions! Peace,

Sue Ruppel Council President

Save the date: Breakfast at Trinity

returns on Sunday, November 12

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Reformation Day -- 500 Years! October 31st marks the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. It is a day to bear witness to the hope and joy we have through Jesus Christ. Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses started a dialogue that changed the way we receive and share the gospel which continues today.

This anniversary is an opportunity to communicate the Lutheran Reformation’s significance for faith and life in the 21st Century and the freedom we have in Christ that liberates us to joyfully serve our neighbors. It is a time to give thanks for the power of God’s word’s to free, renew and unite all creation in Christ.

This day also provides a wonderful opportunity to commemorate, with Lutherans and Roman Catholics together, the continuing work of reconciliation in the Christian church -- our common understanding of past, our collaboration in the present, and our hopes for the future.

Standing side by side, we can continue to grapple with our theological differences, developing our relationship in new ways, even gently correcting our own and each other’s memories. But such conversation is more productive when we can also pray side by side.

I plan to attend the Prayer Service to Commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation at Ascension Lutheran Church in Milwaukee on October 31st. Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and Paul Erickson, Bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will gather with the faithful to give thanks for the gifts received through the dialogues between Catholics and Lutherans that have taken place over the last 50 years.

If these all seems a bit odd -- remember as a church of reconciliation, renewal and rebirth -- we are all

connected as one body in Jesus Christ. The booklet From Conflict to Communion (a 2013 report prepared for a Lutheran-Catholic common commemoration of 1517) states it this way: “Because Lutherans believe that they belong to the one body of Christ, Lutherans emphasize that their church did not originate with the Reformation or come into existence only 500 years ago. Rather, they are convinced that the Lutheran churches have their origin in the Pentecost event and the proclamation of the apostles” (par. 222).

And as the document says, “The beginning of the Reformation will be rightly remembered when Lutherans and Catholics hear together the gospel of Jesus Christ and allow themselves

to be called anew into community with the Lord” (par. 245).

We know that it is not the Lutheran church that saves, but Christ. Our conduct on this Reformation Day gives us the occasion to tell everyone that two once oppositional communities are now standing side by side, praising God for their common baptism, offering their joint repentance, and committing themselves to a common mission.

In the unity of Christ! Pastor Brian

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Trinity Tidings - - October 2017

October is Pastor Appreciation Month . . .

& Office Manager Appreciation Month at Trinity Trinity is so blessed to have Pastor Brian to lead us through these times of transition and

change. Let’s show him how much we truly appreciate all of the work he does for us. Sarah

continues to do a wonderful job organizing, planning, thinking outside the box, and keeping us

informed about everything during this transition. She has gone out of her way to make this time

for us as smooth as possible. We can all show them how much they are appreciated for all the

hard work they do, by showing our appreciation in ways big and small.

If you would like to express your gratitude for either Pastor Brian or Sarah, there are a few ways

Trinity Council would recommend:

Sending a note or email of encouragement, card of appreciation or reminder that you are

praying for our church staff.

A hug, handshake or smile are always welcome.

If you would like to share a financial gift, any monies collected will be split between Lutheran

Disaster Response and Crossways Camping Ministries equally. These are two organizations

that Pastor Brian and Sarah support. Donations can be put in an envelope marked

“Appreciation Month” and put in the offering plate or sent to the office. Those donations will

be recorded on your Contribution Statements at the end of the year.

October 8th

is the official Pastor Appreciation Sunday, but let’s try to spread that appreciation

for the entire month…..and the rest of the year!

Thanks from the Trinity Council

Starting in October we're collecting donations to help out CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a national association in the United States that supports

and promotes court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children in order to provide children

with a safe and healthy environment in permanent homes. Casa of the Fox Cities is a member of the

National CASA Association.

List of Donations:

Birthday cards all ages and boy and girl.

Gift bags and tissue.

Uno cards.

Gift cards for gas.

Casa is central to fulfilling society's most fundamental obligation by making

sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for and protect a child's right to

be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to learn and grow in the

security of a loving family.

Lift up a child's voice. A child's life.

Notes: Each child is given a

gift and card on there birthday.

So to have extra cards and

wraps helps a lot. The children

play Uno with their appointed

volunteer.

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That We May Be One The East Central Synod of Wisconsin and the Diocese of Green Bay will be joining together to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation!

Join us on Sunday, October 29th at 3:00 p.m. for a prayer service, with Bishop Gerald Mansholt and Bishop David Ricken, preaching. Following worship, there will be an hour-long workshop entitled, “Ecumenical Marriages: A Mirror of Lutheran – Catholic Sharing”.

As the Lutheran-Catholic document From Conflict to Communion has so powerfully observed, there have been a number of key things in our modern world that have led to the need for greater dialog and cooperation between Lutherans and Catholics. One of those key things is the reality of ecumenical marriages between Catholics and Lutherans. Few things illustrate the potential for greater unity among Christians than ecumenical marriages. With this in mind, this workshop will consist

of a panel discussion led by two Catholic-Lutheran ecumenical couples, Mary Ann and Jeff Otto, and Maria and Tom Nelson.

The workshop will focus on these couples, who in their marriages, daily live out the Christian unity that we are working toward by the grace of the Spirit. Everyone is invited to this workshop as we glean from those couples how to live into greater Christian unity.

Sunday, October 29, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Green Bay (2771 Oakwood Drive) Worship begins at 3:00 p.m. Workshop will be held from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.

School supplies for Lincoln Elementary and some of the young men who helped carry in the donations!

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Faith in Nature A story of a VITAL CONGREGATION Visit New Life Lutheran Church in Dripping Springs, Texas, on a Sunday and you’ll be greeted by friendly faces as well as three giant, century-old oak trees that frame their worship space - - the great outdoors. Although some might describe New Life’s venue as nontraditional, its pastor, Carmen Retzlaff, says that this outdoor worshiping community is actually a return to ancient times when everyone worshiped outside. The central Texas climate makes outdoor worship possible nearly year-round, but New Life also has a large event tent and outdoor heaters to use when it’s cold or raining. How did the new congregation land on worshiping outside? In 2010, the ELCA Mission Investment Fund purchased 12 acres of land and was holding it for New Life until members had enough money to erect a building on the site. After a few years of using a rental property, the congregation decided that it had fallen in love with the land and didn’t need to wait to have a building, Retzlaff said. Three years ago, they committed to using the great outdoors as their church. “I can only credit the Holy Spirit that [our members] were so willing to know that our mission was to reach out to people with the good news of God’s love and not to build ourselves a church like the one we came from, “ Retzlaff said, referring to the funds her former congregation received from the ELCA churchwide organization to start New Life.

Without having to worry about constructing and maintaining a building, the congregation has more energy to focus on outreach, including its regular community-service Sundays, which have found the congregation’s members cleaning up a portion of a highway and pausing for communion at the site to make their work part of the liturgy. They also reach out to their neighbors by serving coffee and fruit to day laborers weekly, hosting Bible studies in dance halls and coffee shops, and donating vegetables from their community garden to a food pantry. Member Jenni Peterson and her husband joined New Life after attending Lutheran congregations for years. “What we found at New Life was the same grace in another setting, “ she said. “We all work together to care for our beautiful piece of land, and through monthly service project , care for our community. Reprinted from Stories of Faith in Action 2017-2018 ELCA

Seeds for Growth Updates: On Sundays, October 8 & 22 and November 5, all are invited to stay after worship for updates from the Seeds for Growth Team. Gather for treats and then join in the conversation.

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SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 9:00 am Worship (Tri-County Chapel)

2 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study

(Grace)

3 4 9 am Bible Study

6:30pm Worship

(at Grace)

5 6:30 pm Singers

(at Grace)

6 7

8

9:00 am Worship (Tri-County Chapel)

12:30 p.m.

Crop Walk

9 2 pm Worship

at Heritage

10

6:30 p.m.

Seeds Team

Mtg.

11 9 am Bible Study

6:30pm Worship

(at Grace)

12 Change or Die

Conference

6:30 pm Singers

(at Grace)

13

14

15 9:00 am Worship (Tri-County Chapel)

PREGAME

POTLUCK

News. Deadline

16

17 6:30 p.m.

Council Mtg.

18

9 am Bible Study

6:30pm Worship

(at Grace)

19

6:30 pm Singers

(at Grace)

20

21

22 9:00 am Worship (Tri-County Chapel)

23 2 pm Worship

at Heritage

3:30 pm

HHH Mtg.

24 6:30 p.m.

Seeds Team

Mtg.

25

9 am Bible Study

6:30pm Worship

(at Grace)

26 9 am

Newsletter Team

11:30 am

Red Ox Luncheon

6:30 pm Singers

(at Grace)

27

28 4pm Serve at

Homeless

Connections

29 9:00 am Worship (Tri-County Chapel)

REFORMATION

SUNDAY

30

31

Trinity Lutheran Church Appleton, WI

October 2017

Trinity Tidings - - October 2017

9

WORSHIP TEAM SCHEDULE October 2017

October 1 Greeter: Jen Cornelius Altar Care: Judy Natz Acolyte: Levi Cornelius Ushers: 1. Kay Schroeder 2. Steve Schroeder Reader: Leanne Meidam Wincentsen Communion Assistants: 1. Shirley Connell 2. Jeanne Beckley Healing: 1. Jean Haese 2. Leanne Meidam Wincentsen Children’s Time: Dena Weber Fellowship: Carla Knoke

October 8 Greeter: Jeanne Beckley Altar Care: Sandy LeMoine Acolyte: Can you help? Ushers: 1. Jerry LeMoine 2. Sandy LeMoine Reader: Jean Haese Communion Assistants: 1. Amy Kopischke 2. Jeanne Beckley Children’s Time: Kay Schroeder Fellowship: Amy Kopischke

October 15 Greeter: Chris Vander Wielen Altar Care: Judy Natz Ushers: 1. Steve Schroeder 2. Kay Schroeder Acolyte: Mitchell Vander Wielen Reader: Sharon Helms Communion Assistants: 1. Shirley Connell 2. Sarah Bultman Children’s Time: Leanne Meidam Wincentsen Fellowship: Shirley Hoogacker

October 22 Greeter: Chris Vander Wielen Altar Care: Shirley Hoogacker Acolyte: Mitchell Vander Wielen Ushers: 1. Can you help? 2. Can you help? Reader: Wanda Fischer Communion Assistants: 1. Jean Haese 2. Wanda Fischer Children’s Time: Dorothy Warren Fellowship: Sandy LeMoine

October 29 Greeter: Kay Odegaard Altar Care: Judy Natz Acolyte: Can you help? Ushers: 1. Steve Schroeder 2. Kay Schroeder Reader: Sharon Helms Communion Assistants: 1. Kay Odegaard 2. Sarah Bultman Children’s Time: Chrisanna Barricklow Fellowship: Sue Ruppel

October 29, 2017

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Opportunities at Trinity to Study

GOD’S MESSAGE for You

Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. at Grace in the Kitchen Bible study groups from Grace and Trinity have decided to combine and meet on

Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. in the kitchen at Grace. Please consider joining to study

God’s message for us. It should be a fun experience, with lots of good discussion. The

study is based on the ELCA lectionary gospel lesson for the week.

Readings and studies for Wednesdays in October include:

October 4 - Matthew 21:33-46 October 11 - Matthew 22:1-14

October 18 - Matthew 22:15-22 October 25 - Matthew 22:34-46

You are Welcome to…“Keep in Touch” with God and with one another!

Refreshments provided!

First Monday of the Month Bible Study

Are you interested in unwrapping the character and mysteries of God? How about experiencing the sweetness of His ever presence in our daily lives? Then join us for the Monday evening Bible Study on October 2. We will meet thereafter on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Grace for lots of exciting discoveries, a few laughs, refreshments, and lots of healthy discussions about how God transforms our lives every day! All are welcome! Please contact Mary Robertson with questions or suggestions for study at 450-1350 or ROBERTSON190@aol.com.

Noonhour Philosophers

First English Lutheran Church Noon - 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays

Oct. 4 GENERATION DIFFERENCES IN WORKPLACES Barb Tengesdal, Ph.D, Executive Director, Wisconsin Headstart Assoc. Oct. 11 CONTEMPLATIVE TRAVEL Father Patrick Twomey, Episcopal Priest for 30 years. Oct. 18 PROGRESS IN DEMENTIAL INCLUSION: A REPORT FROM BERLIN Susan McFadden, Ph.D, professor Emerita of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh Oct. 25 HOW DO GENES WORK? WHAT CAN GO WRONG TO CAUSE GENETIC DISEASE? Elizabeth DeStasio, Professor of Biology and Genetics, Lawrence University

“Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even

more boldly...pray boldly - for you too are

a mighty sinner.”

Written by Martin Luther to his friend, Philip

Melanchthon, in a letter on August 1, 1521.

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Community Happenings

October 2017 NEWS

October 1 means come to Fox Valley Lutheran Homes Commons for a luscious piece of homemade pie and ice cream. Then take time to see all the wonderful Silent Auction items awaiting your perusal! This has been our Fall Fund Raiser for several years, and this year it will help us get started on turning about bathrooms into safer places by converting some of our tubs into walk-in showers. Your presence at our Pie and Ice Cream Social, your donations of pies, silent auction items, and your support all year round is felt and appreciated

We thank the teams from First English Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church, both in Appleton, who were at Fox Valley Lutheran Homes, on September 10, for “God’s Work, Our Hands” day to do special projects for us. Balcony railings were painted and basement storage cages were cleaned. Thanks to all the workers!

If you would like to learn more about what’s coming up at FVLH talk to either Pastor Brian or Sandy LeMoine. Both are members of the FVLH Board of Directors.

Becky Luett, Deacon Executive Director

ELCA World Hunger October Speaking up for justice will make a positive difference for vulnerable people in your community, Become an advocate for causes you care about by making calls to agencies and legislators or writing letters. What will you do to change the world around you?

•Talk to women active in Women of the ELCA for issues •http://www.womenoftheelca.org/filebin/pdf/resources/StandUpfor_Justice.pdf •Talk to leaders in your church or community about their concerns •Talk to teachers and others in education about their concerns •Pray for guidance •Contact LOPPW for advocacy training. http://www.loppw.org/ “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action” (1 John 3:18).

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Feeding the Hungry . . . Serving the Community

Trinity Lutheran Church believes

we are all connected as one body in

Jesus Christ. Through faith and work,

we strive to share God’s “daily bread” with all people until no one hungers

Trinity English Evangelical

Lutheran Church Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 2364 Appleton, WI 54912-2364

920-734-9895

An ELCA congregation www.trinityappleton.com

Congregation Council President . . . Sue Ruppel 739-8558

Vice Pres. . . Jeanne Beckley 739-2426 Secretary . . . Lynn Ann Clausing Rusch

323-7801 Treasurer . . . Chris Anderson-Kroiss

585-8988

Dena Krueger . . . 257-3691 Judy Natz . . . 419-7126

Mary Robertson . . . 450-1350 Dorothy Warren . . . 734-0280

Feel free to contact any of these individuals with your thoughts, needs or

concerns for Trinity.

Staff

Pastor Brian Bankert pastor@trinityappleton.com Office Manager Sarah Bultman office@trinityappleton.com Accompanists Katie Mueller Mitzi Britton Dale Jepson Pastoral Care: Please contact the church office at 734-9895. In case of emergency, you may contact Pastor Brian on his phone via voice or text - 703-314-1931.

Church Offices

Grace Lutheran Church 900 N. Mason St.

Appleton, WI 54914

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - Noon & 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.