Today's gospel opens with further reflection on Jesus' baptism. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the one anointed by the Spirit. In the liturgy we come and see Christ revealed among us in word and meal. We go forth to invite others to come and worship the Holy One, and to receive the gifts of grace and peace made known among us.

Schedule this Sunday:

• 8:30 a.m. - Simple Eucharist
• 9:15 a.m. - Choir Rehearsal
• 9:30 a.m. - Adult Forum and Sunday School
• 10:30 a.m. - Sung Eucharist
   
• Music: Choir
• 11:45 a.m. - food4thought: VOICES Around Tables
   

food4thought
 Immediately after the 10:30 service

Come get to know some of Holy Trinity's wonderful people!

Holy Trinity is a wonderful, diverse and interesting congregation! Come and meet some new people, and share conversation about our church. Why is Holy Trinity important to you? Where is God calling our congregation and where should we put our effort and energy?
MENU: Baked Sustainably Harvested Midwest Whitefish; Tarragon Beurre Blanc; Roasted Local Radishes and Potatoes; Wilted Greens with Garlic; Homemade Bread and Desserts from HTLC Members
CAN YOU HELP? We need 3 - 4 people to help with clean-up for about a half hour after the event. Let the office know if you can help.
 

Sunday Forum

Sallie McFague's The Body of God
Kerry Tupper - 9:30 a.m. (St. Mark's Room - upstairs)
In September we used a current bestselling novel as a starting point for a discussion of various approaches to the religion-science dialog. Join us now as we examine a theological system that embodies one of the most exciting contemporary approaches to the issue. Sallie McFague's The Body of God (published by the ELCA's Augsburg Fortress Press and mentioned in Pastor Mueller's Easter sermon in 2007) brings the author's perspective on religion and science to the global ecological crisis and suggests that the church needs to take bodies very seriously, including seeing the Earth as God's body. This will be an introductory presentation and discussion; familiarity with the book is not necessary.

Lessons for Next Sunday

Prayer of the Day
Holy God, our strength and our redeemer,
by your Spirit hold us forever,
that through your grace
we may worship you and faithfully serve you,
follow you and joyfully find you,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Attendance Last Sunday
8:30 - 17; 10:30 - 198

Tonight - January 12

7:00 p.m. - Brief Contemplative Eucharist
7:30 p.m. - Second Wednesday Event - Tibetan Bowl Relaxation Session
CANCELLED--the leader is ill. An alternate experience may be offered.

Great Financial News
THANK YOU Holy Trinity members and friends! We ended the 2010 year with a $6000 surplus! We appreciate the many special year-end gifts that we received in December. Not only did we make up the $13,500 shortfall from the end of November, we are able to begin 2011 in a healthy position.

Support The Lutheran Magazine
Each January we seek special donations to cover the costs of providing The Lutheran magazine to Holy Trinity members. A gift of $10 would pay for one subscription but larger gifts are welcome as well! We are proud of our own Julie Sevig
who is a writer/editor on the staff. Write a check to Holy Trinity or donate now online.
 

Take the Survey!

If you have not taken the Holy Trinity online survey, click here. All the responses will be used at the leadership retreat on January 22 (see below).

Voices: Culminating Retreat
Saturday, January 22, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
After several months of listening together, interviewing members of Holy Trinity and our neighbors and community members, we are ready to gather the responses and develop an umbrella strategy for the next phase of our ministry. Council members, staff, and other leaders who attended the retreat in October will be encouraged to attend; others are welcome as well! To sign-up please e-mail the church office.

New Member Orientation

Maybe you've attended Holy Trinity a few times or many. Maybe you are looking for a church home. Maybe you have mixed feelings about church and whether it is for you. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome at Holy Trinity! Here is a special invitation to learn more about Holy Trinity, what makes Lutheranism unique, meet some other folks, and find out more about our mission and ministry. Orientation sessions are held four times a year. The next session is Sunday, January 30. We will meet from 9:00 - 10:20 a.m., followed by the 10:30 a.m. worship service. We continue upstairs in Passavant Hall over a light lunch, concluding before 1:00 p.m. Sign-up at office@htchicago.org or on the yellow slip in the pew rack.

Concert commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr.
 "We Dream a World" a commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sunday, January 16th, 3:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity
Tickets $15 at the door
Featuring the choral group "With One Voice" 
Partner for the concert:
Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self Defense Center 
WITH ONE VOICE! is making powerful, inspiring music and partnering with social justice organizations to bring awareness and support to their causes. We sing dynamic choral music from around the world that celebrates diversity and humanity. More information.
 

"Team Trinity"
Please consider joining Team Trinity today!  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Check the 'Team Trinity' site for upcoming opportunites.  It is Holy Trinity's goal to register as many members on-line to assist in helping with our ministry projects within the community.  Simply log-in now and sign-up online to volunteer today: http://holytrinity.volunteerhub.com.  Let's serve those in need together!

Dates to Remember:

• Sunday, January 16, food4thought - Conversation Around Tables
   
• Saturday, January 22 - VOICES Retreat, 9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.
   
• Sunday, February 6, Annual Congregation Meeting
   

New Members: View pictures/bios of new members from 2010: January here, May here, October here, and December here.
Next Baptism Dates: Feb. 27, Apr. 23, 2011. More info.
Next New Member Orientation Dates: Jan. 30, May 1, 2011.  More info.

Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Wed., 1:00-8:00 p.m.; and Sun., 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
    7:00 p.m.  Brief Eucharist
    7:30 p.m.  Second Wednesday Event - Cancelled; alternate plan pending
    7:30 p.m.  AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13

    10:00 a.m.  Revelation Bible Study - Rossing, Chapter 8
    7:00 p.m.  Dream Group

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

    8:30 a.m.  Simple Eucharist

    9:15 a.m.  Choir Rehearsal

    9:30 a.m.  Adult Forum and Sunday School
    10:30 a.m.  Sung Eucharist

    11: 45 a.m.  food4thought - Conversations Around Tables
    3:00 p.m.  With One Voice MLK Concert
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19
    7:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist
    7:30 p.m.  AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20
    10:00 a.m.  Revelation Bible Study - Rossing, Ch 8
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22
    9:00 a.m.  VOICES Retreat


 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK
 Saturday, January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr., renewer of society, martyr, died 1968
An American prophet of justice among races and nations, King was an eloquent preacher, a leader of the nonviolent resistance to race-segregated society, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Born on this date, he was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Monday, January 17 - Antony of Egypt, renewer of the church, died around 356
One of the earliest of the Egyptian desert fathers, Antony gave away his sizeable inheritance and became a hermit. Later he became leader of a group of monks who devoted themselves to prayer, worship, and labor.

Monday, January 17 - Pachomius, renewer of the church, died 346
Born in Egypt, Pachomius became a Christian while a soldier. He became a hermit (a solitary monk) and organized others into a religious community. His rule for monasteries influenced later ones in both the Eastern and Western churches.

Tuesday, January 18 - Confession of Peter
Today the church remembers the apostle Peter's great acknowledgement of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God." This festival serves as a fitting beginning to the week in which we particularly pray that all Christians might be united in faith and witness.

Those ill or in special need: Victims of the shooting in Tuscon, Arizona and their families; our political leaders and our country; the family and friends of Donald Herzfeldt who mourn his passing; Bob & Carol Stoher; Sam Zangri; Paul Geist III; Christine, friend of Susan Twetten; Mary Cannon; Sam Patitucci; Patti Ann Smith; James Emery; Brent Vicknair; Sam Horcher; Colin and Veronica Fiegel; Sam and Ang Zangri; Mark Sauer; Barbara Wahler's friend, Jim Haring; Jen Hopwood's friend Gabrielle; Bill Glawe, Garrett Glawe's grandfather; The Levine family; Alan Stang, Jeff Stang's father; Paul Weber; Scott Johnson's mother, Virginia Johnson; Chris Stelter's grandmother; Rick Boyum's mother; Victor Jimenez; Vivian Carter; Marji Shannon's sister; Ken Duckmann's nephew, Anthony Drago.

Those in leadership: President Barack Obama and members of congress; Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and Metropolitan Chicago Synod Bishop Wayne Miller; the pastors, staff and congregation council at Holy Trinity.
 
Serving in the Military: Benjamin Brackley, in Afghanistan.
 
Metropolitan Chicago Synod Prayer Rotation:
 

• Edison Park Lutheran Church, Chicago IL
   
• Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Archbishop Andres Poder
   
• Northeastern Iowa Synod, Bishop Steven L. Ullestad
   

Ministries Supported by Holy Trinity: ELCA World Hunger Appeal; RefugeeOne; Lakeview Action Coalition; Lakeview Pantry; Lakeview Shelter; Lutherans Concerned; The Night Ministry; Christian Peacemaker Teams; Arise Chicago; Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches; The Lutheran Volunteer Corps; Anti-Racism Team of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod; Holy Family Lutheran Ministries; Lutheran Youth on the Northside (LYONS).