TRINITY

TRUMPET January 2020

Notice of Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday February 2, 2020

On Sunday, February 2nd, Trinity will hold our annual Congregational meeting and potluck lunch. More information on the potluck to come, but start considering your favorite dishes now. The purpose of the annual meeting is to review the events of the past year, including the church ’s finances and reports of various committees and activities, select lay attendees to the 2020 Synod Assembly, and cover other important matters for the Congregation. The printed annual report will be available a week prior to the meeting (Sunday, January 26), so that you will have time to review it in advance. Please plan on staying after worship for this important and interesting meeting. The Annual Meeting is a great time to celebrate our successes over the past year and to dream for what God might be calling us to in the upcoming year.

Request for Annual Reports If you have a report to be included in the printed Annual Report, please submit it to Pastor Kjersten via email (pastor@tlcbattlecreek.org) by Tuesday, January 14th.

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Pastor Kjersten’s Thoughts

New Year, New Gospel: Introducing Matthew OK, in fairness, the church year started with the first Sunday of Advent on December 1st. But we are still early in our year with the Gospel of Matthew, so it feels pertinent to start with some fun facts on this Gospel will whom we will be journeying throughout 2020. First off, who was Matthew? Popular Christian tradition called this the Gospel of Matthew after Matthew the tax collector, one of Jesus’ disciples (9:9; 10:3). However the Gospel itself makes no such claim of authorship. Most scholars think the writer of Matthew was probably a second generation follower of Jesus, placing the writing of Matthew’s Gospel somewhere around 80-90 CE. Based on the Gospel’s concern for the correct use of the law, and the frequent use of scriptural references that seem to come not from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew scripture), but from the author’s own Hebrew-to-Greek translations, the writer of Matthew’s Gospel was likely a Jewish leader or scholar, possibly a converted rabbi or former Pharisee. Helping build the case for Matthew’s education level, the Gospel displays some unique characteristics that set it apart from Mark and Luke. For one, Matthew’s Gospel has a propensity for patterns and pairs. I mentioned a few weeks ago, the Gospel begins with a genealogy of Jesus, broken up into three groups of fourteen generations. It was a common practice of first century scholars to associate numerical values with Hebrew letters and derive meaning from the totals of those numbers. The numerical value of the Hebrew spelling of David is fourteen, thus the emphasis on Jesus as the descendant of David. Matthew also groups all of Jesus’ teachings into five great speeches, possibly echoing the five books of Moses. Matthew also includes twelve “fulfillment citations,” which draws on the symbolism of the number twelve, for the twelve tribes of Israel. As for pairs, Matthew frequently took something from Mark and doubled it. There are two feeding miracles in Matthew, two men with demons needing to be cast out, two blind men. The funniest example of this doubling finds Jesus riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday upon “a donkey, and a colt, the foul of a donkey.” While Peter is a central character in all the Gospels, he received special importance in Matthew. And, particularly unique, Matthew is the only Gospel to specifically address the role of “the church” after Christ’s ascension. All of this information, while interesting, serves to bring out the three major themes Matthew’s Gospel is trying to express. The first is the abiding presence of God. For Matthew, it is critically important that God is present in the person of Jesus. God was always present with God’s people even before Jesus, but nevertheless the birth of the one called Emmanuel, “God with us,” is something unprecedented. What’s more, this Emmanuel will continue after Jesus is gone. Jesus’ parting words to his disciples and to us makes the promise to be “with you always, to the end of the age” (28:20). The second key theme for Matthew is the Jewish law and the Christian faith. Sometimes seen as in conflict, for Matthew these are two sides of the same concern. The law is not abolished in Jesus, rather it is fulfilled. Matthew was written to help the “church,” the followers of Jesus, to live as disciples. The law remains crucially important to Matthew not as a promise of salvation, for salvation is through Jesus, but as guidelines for how to live together in community. Finally, Matthew is concerned about “people of little faith.” Four times, Jesus referred to his disciples with this seemingly diminutive phrase. This is in contrast to two outsiders, a centurion and a Canaanite woman, whom Jesus referred to as having “great faith.” Rather than meant to diminish the disciples, this characterization both helps to emphasize their dependence on Jesus and to highlight their opportunity for growth. Throughout the Gospel, we see the disciples faith grow, demonstrating the possibility for our faith to also grow. Peace, Pastor Kjersten

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THIS NEW DAY, THIS NEW YEAR, THIS NEW DECADE

Our choir has been rehearsing a new piece with a beautiful, haunting melody in a minor key which shifts to a major key on its last verse for a very uplifting feeling as the text delivers a powerful summary of all that has come in the previous verses. The words are excellent as we start the new year, 2020. Lord of the sun that burns so bright; Rays that touch the lost in sight and give to all both light and life: Grant us this day new faith. Lord of the waters flowing free; Crystal rivers endlessly that run their course through eternity: Grant us this day new hope. Lord of the gentle winds that blow words assuring soft and low, Dwell in our hearts that we may know: Grant us this day new life. Lord of all blessings that come our way, Grant to us hope and faith we pray. Grant us your strength while still you may, And grace for the challenge of this new day! The words and music are by Douglas E. Wagner, a native of Chicago who currently lives in Indianapolis. He is a composer and arranger of music and has published more than 3000 music titles since 1973 and sold more than 16 million copies worldwide to date. This includes works for choir (sacred and secular), concert band, orchestra, handbell ensemble, organ, piano, instrumental solo and voice. His music has been performed in concert settings, on television and on radio broadcasts in the United States, as well as on concert programs in more than two dozen foreign countries. He served for 30 years as a secondary school music educator and administrator and now de-votes all of his time and energy to writing, editing and their allied activities. Mr. Wagner has undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from Butler University and has also served several denominations as a church musician. He is currently the Executive Editor of the Heritage Music Press choral catalog. The choir has commented on how the piece reminds them of Native American roots. The text with many nature references and the minor key give this distinct mood to the words and music. It reminds us of the caregiving of the earth for which we are responsible. And even though the piece was written over 40 years ago, it is so relevant to this upcoming decade and the crucial decisions that will impact our lives, our children’s lives and the life of the planet. We certainly need to be granted the strength and grace for the challenge of this new day. David Lipps Director of Music

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Roadrunners on the Road to D’Nicio’s Parlour Thursday, January 9th at 11:30 am

This year, Roadrunners is going to explore some of our neighborhood restaurants. Our first outing of 2020 will be just down the street at D'Nicio's Parlour, just down the street at 1275 E. Columbia Ave. Featuring both a traditional Greek menu, and a full compliment of ice cream options, this promises to be a great adventure. As always, we meet at 11:30. COME ONE COME ALL! If you need transportation or assistance to attend, please call the church office or talk to Tish Gancer. See Wayne Walentowski for more information.

Collecting Family Fare Receipts

2019 was a good year for our collection of Family Fare receipts . As of the end of the year we have collected $14,000 in receipts. We need to get $100,000 in receipts and we will receive $1,000 from Family Fare. Even if you don't shop there, talk to friends and relatives who might shop at Family Fare and explain our goal of $100,000 in receipts to get our $1,000 in return. Thank you to all who have brought their receipts and to those who bring them in the future. — Wayne Walentowski

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Woman’s Co-op News Members of the Woman’s Co-op Frontline Services training program practiced writing formal business letters by

writing thank you letters to Trinity talking about what being a part of Co-op has meant to them. We will be

running these letters in the Trumpet so you can hear what Co-op means to members in their own words.

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Learning

Sunday School

Sunday school takes place during worship, where the kids are invited to learn about the same readings and themes in the regular worship, but at a more kid level. After the Prayer of the Day, the kids are invited to have a Kids Time with Pastor, then they will leave for their lesson. They rejoin worship after the Prayers of the People, so they can be in worship for communion. We are still looking for volunteer teachers and leaders. See Javana Cosner to get involved.

Bible Conversations Wednesdays at 10 am and 5:30 pm

Ever hear a text read on Sunday and think, I’d like to know more about that? Easter is a great time to get to know Jesus better through scripture. Every Wednesday, join Pastor Kjersten in the lounge at 10 am to read and discuss the Gospel text for the upcoming Sunday. This is a wonderful, easy conversation and no prior reading/knowledge is required.

Women’s Bible Study at St. Peter Lutheran

The women of Trinity are invited to join the women of St. Peter for two new Bible studies:

Wednesday morning at 10:00 am on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays of the month; the nature of the study (Bible/book) to be determined. Thursday's at 12:00 pm where we will begin a new study entitled: Heaven on Earth: Studies in Matthew.

Service

Serve Breakfast at St. Thomas Saturday mornings, February 1st, and May 3rd

During the winter, the St. Thomas breakfast program switches to Saturday mornings. Trinity and St. Peter are partnering to volunteer to serve breakfast three Saturdays in the winter. Mark these dates to help out with this fund and important ministry.

St. Peter Stamp Ministry

St. Peter Lutheran Church is collecting cancelled stamps to support mission and ministry in Latin America through the Alliance Stamp Ministry. The stamps are sorted and sold to collectors, with the money used to publish Spanish speaking Sunday school materials. If you’d like to join St. Peter’s efforts, there is a box on the Sign Up for What’s Up table to gather cancelled stamps.

Opportunities for Learning / Opportunities for Service

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January Worship Volunteers

If you need to switch your dates, please be sure to call and let us know who you have arranged to replace you.

Monday - Thursday: Church office (269) 963-5356

Friday - Sunday: Pastor Kjersten (805) 458-6074

Sunday, January 5 - Epiphany

Assisting Minister - Jeff Andert

Altar Servers - Rose Walentowski / Leah Schuler

Usher - Bill Sullivan

Prayers - Wayne Walentowski

Sunday, January 12 - Baptism of our Lord

Assisting Minister - Diane Klecker

Altar Servers - Mary Conklin / Rose Walentowski

Usher - Mary Conklin

Prayers - Kendra Witkowski-Lehman

Sunday School - Chase Lehman

Sunday, January 19 - Second Sunday After Epiphany

Assisting Minister - Tish Gancer

Altar Servers - Vicki Walentowski / Tish Gancer

Usher - Jonathan Hartzendorf

Prayers - Mary Conklin

Sunday School - Diane Klecker

Sunday, January 26 - Third Sunday After Epiphany

Assisting Minister - Ellis Cutler

Altar Servers - Jeff & Diane Andert

Usher - Wayne Walentowski

Prayers - Linda Hermann

Sunday School - Javana Rae

January Birthdays

1/16 - Millie Sullivan

1/19 - Maxine Hammond

1/19 - Kathleen Millard

1/30 - Dick Everson

1/31 - Linda Hermann

January Anniversaries

1/18 - Bill & Millie Sullivan

Readings for January

Sunday, January 5

Isaiah 60:1-6

Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Ephesians 3:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12

Sunday, January 12

Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalm 29

Acts 10:34-43

Matthew 3:13-17

Sunday, January 19

Isaiah 49:1-7

Psalm 40:1-11

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

John 1:29-42

Sunday, January 26

Isaiah 9:1-4

Psalm 27:1, 4-9

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Matthew 4:12-23

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MEMBERS

Maxine Hammond

Joyce Shaffer

Sharon Cutler

Vivian Herdman

Melissa Combs

Family and friends of

Marleen Reiser

Family and friends of JoAnne Purcell

FRIENDS, FAMILY & OTHERS

Lanny Johnston, Jr. (Sharon’s son)

Bill Elliott (Maxine’s son-in-law)

David Klecker (Diane’s

brother-in-law)

Peter Ruehlman

Linda Elliott (Maxine’s

daughter)

Jim Himes (Maxine’s nephew)

HOMEBOUND and in

CARE FACILITIES

Margaret Vogt

Mickey Long

Don Herdman

CHURCH COUNCIL

Diane Andert, President 968-3712

Kendra Witkowski, Vice President 967-3474

Laurie Swanson, Secretary 729-5464

Kathy Chapman 660-8548

Tish Gancer 832-4719

John Kolodizieizyck 731-5575

Eileen Martens 964-9120

Wayne Walentowski 830-5094

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT WITH TRINITY

FACEBOOK

Trinity’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/trinity.church.581

“Like” the Trinity Facebook page to follow events and activities.

WEBSITE

Trinity website: http://www.tlcbattlecreek.org

Check out the What’s New tab to see the latest events going on at Trinity. You can also find transcripts of Pastor

Kjersten’s sermons under the Worship tab.

TRUMPET

To update your newsletter email/mail preferences, contact the church office at office@tlcbattlecreek.org or 963-5356.

Let us know if you would like to be added our quarterly mailing list to receive a color brochure of what’s new at Trinity.

ONLINE GIVING

Trinity now has online giving. Simply go to Trinity’s website, http://www.tlcbattlecreek.org and click on the yellow button

that says “Donate” on the bottom left corner of the page. Or go to Trinity’s Facebook page and click on the blue button that

says “Donate” on the right side of the page.

CHURCH STAFF

Kjersten Priddy, Pastor

pastor@tlcbattlecreek.org

(805) 458-6074

David Lipps, Director of Music

lippsdr@gmail.com

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