2014 No. 6 July 2014

At the request of the Church Council, the Chancel Remodeling Design Team met on April 28th with Dan Grasso and David Quade of Sinclair/Hille Architects from Lincoln. The team took the architects into the Trinity Worship Center and shared with them our rationale, vision and goals for updating the front of our worship space. As reported in the May Tidings, the Design Team had established a set of clear goals: 1) to keep the redesign as simple as possible; 2) to give the Chancel a cleaner, more modern appearance; 3) to better facilitate our more relational style of worship and 4) that the new Chancel design be flexible and multifunctional to accommodate traditional and modern worship, weddings, funerals, special events, dramas and Holy Communion movement.

The two architects asked many clarifying questions, took measurements and photographs of our existing Chancel space and took home a set of church blueprints to copy. Two weeks later we received a contract proposal by which Sinclair/Hille would provide three initial plan ideas, then work with our Design Team to narrow them down to one final design and provide final design

drawings and an artist’s rendering. At its June 9th meeting, the Church Council voted unanimously to contract with Sinclair/Hille at a cost not to exceed $5,800 to design the project. You can visit the Sinclair/Hille Architects website at www.sinclairhille.com and see for yourself the many examples of the work they’ve done for churches, schools, and residential and public buildings.

Worship is the lifeblood of any church. After all, God made us for worship. We thrive spiritually when, in our hearts, we are moved to love, thank and praise God. In the preaching of the Word, we learn of our need for the forgiveness of sins and of God’s grace in Christ. In the sacraments of the church we experience and receive the manifold blessings that God offers to us through Jesus. Of course, this can happen by the Word of God alone no matter what

the appearance or condition a building is in. Yet, the design of the worship space in a church can either be a help to draw people into worship, or it can be a hindrance by distracting them from worship. We want to draw people into worship without distractions, such that people will know they stand in the very presence of Christ.

Chancel Remodeling - Church Council Secures the Services of Lincoln Architectural Firm: Sinclair/Hille Architects

by Pastor White

Our group of ten and Palestinian Christian guide Deeb (at left)

TOUR OF ISRAEL WAS “SPECTACULAR” by Pastor White

Bryan Dicke (from Trinity) and I traveled with eight others (from Sioux City and Ankeny, IA, Omaha, NE and Mankato, MN) on a 10-day tour of Israel April 29—May 8. It was one stunning site after another. Most recalled specific biblical events, and many enabled us to literally “walk where Jesus walked”—like at the Southern Steps (or “Teaching Steps”) of the Temple Mount. Excavated in 1967 they are still intact. Jesus would have climbed these to enter the Temple courts and likely taught his disciples while standing on them. Or, like the grassy slope near Capernaum where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. It’s impossible to know the exact spot, but that hillside probably looks much like the one upon which they sat that day. Our view looking out over the Sea of Galilee was what they saw. One day we climbed the rocky

More Photos on Page 2 ►

JUNE COUNCIL NOTES by Judy Dicke, Council Secretary

Offerings to Date ................................ $277,625 Other Income to Date ............................... 9,128 Total Income to Date ............................ 286,753 Income Budget to Date ........................ 285,495

Expenses to Date ................................. 288,468 Expense Budget to Date ...................... 297,996

TRINITY’S FINANCIAL

UPDATE

Year-to-date through May 31, 2014

ravine that goes up into the mountains from the Dead Sea to the spring where David hid in a cave from Saul, and there David spared Saul’s life (1 Samuel 24). The reward for a rigorous climb on a 95 degree day in the desert was the beautiful waterfall and spring at the head of the ravine. Our accommodations and tour bus (new) were first rate. We loved our Palestinian Christian guide Deeb Dides who was a catalogue of knowledge. The fellowship within our

group was very rich with laughter, shared experiences and at times serious reflection. It was a joy getting to know one another, and now we have new brothers and sisters in other cities. I was blessed to lead worship and devotions with our group at the Garden of Gethsemane and to offer Holy Communion at the Garden Tomb. Touring the Holy Land can be personally transformative; after having done so, many say that they will never again read the Bible the same way.

“ISRAEL TRIP” and PHOTOS (Continued from Page 1)

Pastor White and Bryan Dicke at Ein Gedi where David hid from Saul

The Sea of Galilee from very near where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount

NEW TRINITY MISSION PROJECT

The Missions Board arranges teams of volunteers each month except July to pack Mercy Meals for the Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk. This is done on the third Tuesday of each month. Teams of 8 to 16 volunteers leave from Trinity at 4:30 p.m. and return after a couple hours of work. The June team is complete, but volunteers are needed beginning in August. For more information contact Gale Barnes at 402-276-7564 .

Trinity Lutheran Church Council met June 9, 2014. President Kendall Christensen called the meeting to order. Pastor White led the recharge.

Pastor White reported that the stained glass window will be installed in the Prayer Room later in the week.

Pastor White presented a model comprehensive plan that may be followed for property projects. A motion was made to ask the Endowment Board to fund the Sinclair/Hille Architects design for Chancel remodeling, carpeting for hallways, Fellowship Hall and Fireside Room and a new line array speaker system.

Kendall Christensen and Pastor White will lead the Recognition of Pastor Zurek’s 40th Anniversary of Ordination at the 8:30 and 10:30 Worship Services on June 15.

Pastor White suggested that the end-of-year giving and/or an Extra Mile campaign would be scaled back if there is a major fund raising campaign for the Chancel remodeling.

Gary Spuit spoke about the line array sound system for the sanctuary. The system allows individual speakers be tuned into a wide but vertically narrow beam of sound for equal distribution and minimal reflected sound.

Bob Becker presented the quarterly Missions Board report. He reported that Jim Hackney is in Russia and Pastor Nestor in Germany and that there are additional projects.

The Sinclair/Hille proposal for architectural services was discussed and accepted so the project could proceed in a timely manner.

The meeting closed with prayer. There will be no July Council meeting unless deemed necessary. The next meeting will be August 11, 2014, at 7 p.m.

T hanks to all of you for your cards,

letters, prayers and well-wishes on my 40t h anniversary in the ministry. Your kindness means a lot!

Pastor Doug Zurek

Russ Ferris Memorial Men’s Golf Outreach

Friday, July 18 Club 91, Leigh NE

5:00 p.m...............Meet at Trinity Parking Lot 5:45 p.m........................... 4 Person Scramble

Call the Church Office to sign up. Deadline: Tuesday, July 15

The cost is $30 and includes cart, green fees, cheeseburger dinner & beverage. Fabulous gifts and prizes! Teams assigned upon registration.

Mark the date! Invite a friend! SPONSORED BY MEN’S MINISTRY

JOY CIRCLE 2nd Tuesday of the Month—2:30 p.m.

Fireside Room Call Doris Hicks (402-564-9838) for additional information.

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ay, J

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. . .

Eigth Grade Confirmation Retreat . . . The Leadership C

enter . . . Aurora, N

ebraska

Lots of Water Fun!

Time For One-on-One Hoops

Just Hangin’ Out

Working On a Class Poster Competition

FIRESIDE FORUM--“SANCTITY OF LIFE” We are so wonderfully made! The gift of life in every stage is precious and sacred. Medical science has made it possible to do some wonderful and some questionable things in regard to life and health.

Join us at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday morning in the Fireside Room as we take on some difficult and controversial questions. You will learn a lot and will be challenged in your thinking.

Our Summer NEW MEMBER SEMINAR will be Sunday July 13, 20 & 27.

Who can attend? ► Anyone who wants to join ► Anyone who is interested in

knowing more about Trinity Lutheran

► Anyone who wants to know more about the teachings of the Lutheran Church. Call the Church Office or contact Pastor Zurek.

DOES GOD LOVE ALL THE UNIMPORTANT PEOPLE? by Pastor Wayne A. Nestor

Too many people never begin to do what God has blessed them to be able to do because they are waiting to sing like an American Idol winner, or swim like Michael Phelps, or dance like Ginger Rogers, or throw like Tim Tebow, or golf like Tiger Woods, or preach like Billy Graham or coach like Tom Osborne. What did the team of engineers do when the Apollo 13 capsule was in trouble? Right, they looked at all the resources at their disposal … they examined every resource in the capsule and designed a solution. God does not make junk! There are not any unimportant people in God’s eyes! He looks at you and sees so many great possibilities … He is eager to anoint His children with power from

on high. As believers, we are not to lurk in the shadows; but we are to stretch into the light of the cross, much like new shoots on a pruned fruit tree will do. They grow and stretch that the goodness of the sun’s energy will work its work so that wonderful fruit is produced. John Mason observed, we are new creations (in Christ), not just rebuilt sinners. Jesus calls us friends and the Bible says we are wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)! Someone once observed, he who expects nothing will never be disappointed. When doubting, God Himself asked Abraham and Sarah, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14) Many people talk a good convincing talk but are doin’ nothing with the talents God gave them. John Trapp once observed,

“It is better to be pruned so as to grow, than to be cut up to burn”! This summer, expect God to do some great things in your life, with your life … ask Him for some big dreams to pursue; do a survey and make some changes for His glory that there’d be fruit for His honor! 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Be like babies … they like changes!

The Crosstalk Radio Talk Show is heard each weekday on over 90 radio outlets across America and worldwide on the Internet. Crosstalk covers the issues that affect our world, our nation, our families and the Christian church from a perspec-tive centered in the Word of God. Whether we discuss the economy, the political scene, the continuing moral collapse of our na-tion, legislation that affects the family, or the state of evangelicalism, our authority is found in the unchanging standard of the Holy Scriptures.

Veteran co-hosts Dr. Vic Eliason and Jim Schneider have worked as a team for over 20 years to bring solid information to the body of Christ.

CrossTalk is heard Monday through Friday at 2:00 p.m. On your radio station KTLX 91.3 fm

Join the largest

ongoing international call for Christians to

pray for the Muslim World.

PRAYER GUIDES AND A SIGN-UP SHEET are available at Grand Central.

www.worldchristians.com

Jews for Jesus recently completed their “Life from the Dead” campaign in Moscow. Their team of 20 people delivered 222,000 Gospel tracts and gathered 900 contacts for follow-up work. That number includes 451 Jewish people who agreed to hear more about the Lord! The next “Life from the Dead” campaign is in Berlin Germany July 2—9 followed by Budapest from July 23—August 9. Please pray for the Jews for Jesus campaign.

“FULL OF SURPRISES!” by Pastor Wayne A. Nestor

My recent ministry trip to Lutherstadt-Wittenberg in Germany was full of surprises. I participated in 17 services during my 14 days there and brought messages during 14 of these. Both the Castle Church (pictured to the left) and City Church are closed for renovation in anticipation of the 500 year Reformation anniversary in 2017. Seeing both buildings covered with scaffolding was a great reminder that we are all a work in progress; and, when honest, we’ll acknowledge that we too need some renovations at times … maybe physical, often spiritual and in the heart. I’m looking at the calendar anticipating a weekend to offer a Trinity coffee hour after one of our own Sunday services to share with you numerous photos in a PowerPoint

presentation, tell of extra ministry opportunities which come my way and offer a Q&A session as we enjoy coffee or juice and a Luther cookie. Yes, I brought home several packages of “Luther Cookies” to share during such a coffee hour … hope you can be there. What a distinct honor and privilege to minister alongside Rev. Dr. Christa Hansen of Hadersleben Denmark and Rev. Dr. Hanna Kasparick during the Pentecost Sunday worship service with the All Saints Church (the Castle Church) congregation in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg. Pastor Hansen is from the All Saints Church’s sister-congregation in Denmark. Pastor Kasparick is co-pastor of All Saints and President of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Wittenberg. Being seven time zones ahead of us here in Columbus, I was able to ask the Lord’s blessing on my home church during this worship service. L-to-R: Dr. Christa Hansen, Dr. Hanna Kasparick, Dr. Wayne A. Nestor

JULY 2014 by Glenda Lundstrom

BREAKOUT MISSION TRIP - Orphan Grain Train and Mercy Meals

Last week, the Orphan Grain Train sent a container of supplies including school desks, furnishings, textbooks, medical supplies, hygiene kits and 21,000 mercy meals to the Philippines. 2,100 of those mercy meals were packaged by our Breakout Mission Team! Thanks to the generosity of our congregation, the mission team was also able to assemble 102 hygiene kits and deliver them to the OGT for the Philippines. It was a privilege for us adults to serve with these 7th Graders. They were hard workers, took direction very well and were just excited to serve and bring relief from human suffering in the name of Christ. Their parents and our congregation can be proud of them.

Mercy Meals Hygiene Kits

Visit our website trinitykidsandteens.com to see the July Parent Link. Some topics are:

• Religious Freedom - We’ll be celebrating our many freedoms in July. We can also remember those people who cannot worship freely. Learn the facts & how to pray.

• Teachable Moments - Game ideas to teach kids how poor choices weigh us down. • Movie Review - Planes: Fire & Rescue Music Review - Breathe In by Taylor Franklyn

Go directly to the website or access it through our main Trinity website, trinityalive.org/ ministries

SUMMER SUNDAYS - Sunday Mornings 9:30-10:15 Age 3 - Grade 6

“Weird Animals” Where Jesus’ love is one-of-a-kind!

It’s a habitat filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, touch and sometimes taste. We met the ten lepers and the Samaritan woman at the well and engaged in the stories to experience how it is to be left out and different. But kids are discovering the overwhelming love of Jesus, and “He is with us ALWAYS.” It is a truth that transforms us. We can better cope, and we can show the love of Jesus to others. Hands-on Mission Project: The Kid-to-Kid operation this year is POURING OUT GOD’S LOVE. We learned how kids in India may walk several miles each day to get water for their family. The water they get may be brown and filled with parasites. For every $2.50 our kids donate, a child in India can have clean water for a year at school—plus a clean bathroom and a place to wash their hands every day. Kids can make a difference!

Balloons represent water filling a glass as kids make donations for clean water.

1st Andrew Kurtenbach Kendall Lippstreu Calen Staub Wyatt Swanson Dennis Yates Pastor Doug Zurek

2nd Alainna Glester Betty Harms Joshua Novak Beth Sloan Pastor Tim White Kenneth Young

3rd Mike Drinnin Tricia Kersting Carrie Korgie Judy Moeller Marlene Reinke Angie Rinne

4th

Mike Birkel Joey Boden Neil Carnes Kevin Haney Justin Hollis Susan Loseke Kelly Steiger Roy Tonini

5th

Nicole Kuncl

6th Leigh Becher Jaydyn Blum Aaron Leimser Zetha Nelson Lynn Sjuts

7th Blake Barcel Michelle Ernst Todd Jansen Marcia Muhle

8th Shantelle Bruhn Makenna Cherry Janice Cothern Pat Ebke

9th Jean Bradley Millie Christensen Suzanne Klutman Pamela Moeller Miranda Swanson Carson Wessel Cindy Wondercheck Betty Yates

10th Brian Charipar Beverly Glock Jeff Muhle Dan Pennington Olivia Rath Kay Sprunk

11th Todd Bollig Aleta Heins Aubriana Kasper Ed Kinzer Art Runge Kathryn Schaf Tana Smith Linda Vondruska

12th Debra Baker Julie Groteluschen Dawn Lewis Michael Loontjer Augie Noyd Susan Schaad

13th Deb Coufal Connor Dush Kathy Klug Melodee Pedersen

14th Matt Allsman Jeremy Ernst Lydia Rabinowitz Karen Rahtz Sharlene Seipel Aaron Ueding

15th Carrie Blum Richard Eickholt Glenna Engdahl Nickolas Gragert Hannah Hoefer Denise Kruse Whitney Rawhouser Jon Trabert Mark Walkenhorst Harvey Welch

16th LaDonna Davis Sylvia Want Linda Went

17th David Eickholt Eric Henry Stacey Langmack Alex Moje Melissa Ramaekers Connie Talbott

18th

Abby Hollis Ashley Thomson James Weber

19th Kerry Belitz Crystal Kula Becki Manak Charles Pagel Doug Rudat

20th Dan Brodecky Kathy Hausen Tiffany Hunt Adam Munson Tanner Schultz

21st Amanda Bennett Marcia Cady Hunter Derochie Caitlynn Mann Kristi Peters

22nd Carroll Borchers Robyn Fiala Lynn Fricke Ian Henry Brian Meister Caitlyn Stange Zach Walkenhorst

23rd Jeremy Blahak Larry Lueschen Galen McBride Mary Pietz

24th Andy Aldrich Kelly Aldrich Laurie Aldrich Donna Dubsky Joan Johnson Sharon Leffers

25th Christina Hagelstien Brian Reiner

26th Blaize Drummond LeAnn Kjergaard Jeff Peabody Kerri Steiner

27th Scott Anderson Dustin Groteluschen Morgan Rahtz Brian Schroeder Patty Swirczek

28th Faye Berkheimer Taylor Brodecky Robin Efta Candice Sanley Shauna Seebohm

29th Berdella Donoghue Lon Jochens Carolyn Kasper Tenley Schultz Karen Spall

30th Joni Armbruster Ashlyn Bakersfield Fred Chittenden Ken Dornacker Stephanie Dubbs Amber Endorf Jacob Parker Teresa Reynoldson

31st Kristel Hall Quinn Peach

WORSHIP SERVICE BROADCAST

KTLX 91.3 FM – Saturday - 5:30 p.m. ♦♦ Sunday - 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. live broadcast.

CABLE TELEVISION – Worship Service Rebroadcast ... one week delay on Columbus Cable TV Channel 13: Saturday at 2 p.m. ♦♦ Sunday at 6 p.m. ♦♦ Monday at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, July 1 1:30 Prayer Shawl

Wednesday, July 2 6:30 High School Gravity

Friday, July 4

Saturday, July 5 5:30 Worship Service

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Sunday, July 6 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Summer Sundays Age 3 to Grade 6 Fireside Forum

Monday, July 7 3:30 Holy Communion Prairie Village 7:00 High School Girls Retreat 8:00 G.Y.M. Young Men’s Bible Study

Tuesday, July 8 9:15 Peace Circle 2:30 Joy Circle

Wednesday, July 9 6:30 High School Gravity

Friday, July 11 6:30 Friday Men’s Ministry

Saturday, July 12 7:30 SAMM’s Men’s Bible Study 5:30 Holy Communion Worship Service

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Sunday, July 13 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Summer Sundays Age 3 to Grade 6 Fireside Forum New Member Seminar

Monday, July 14 9:30 Faith Circle 8:00 G.Y.M. Young Men’s Bible Study

Tuesday, July 15 5:15 Endowment Board Meeting

Wednesday, July 16 6:30 High School Gravity

Friday, July 18 6:30 Friday Men’s Leaders Meeting

Saturday, July 19 5:30 Worship Service

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Sunday, July 20 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Summer Sundays Age 3 to Grade 6 Fireside Forum New Member Seminar

Monday, July 21 3:30 Holy Communion Golden Living Center 8:00 G.Y.M. Young Men’s Bible Study

Wednesday, July 23 6:30 High School Gravity Lock In

Thursday, July 24 1:00 Piece Makers

Friday, July 25 6:30 Friday Men’s Ministry 11:45 NAOMI’s at Columbus Senior Center

Saturday, July 26 7:30 SAMM’s Men’s Bible Study 5:30 Worship Service Commissioning for High School Mission Team

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Sunday, July 27 7:15 High School Mission Trip leaves for Oklahoma (returns August 2) 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Summer Sundays Age 3 to Grade 6 Fireside Forum New Member Seminar

Monday, July 28 8:00 G.Y.M. Young Men’s Bible Study

Wednesday, July 30 6:30 NO High School Gravity (Mission Team in Oklahoma)