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eNews
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
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| Greetings! | |
"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people."
~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
 Though these words were spoken nearly five decades ago, they hold true today. The current generation is no different than the generation to whom King was speaking. Nor was that generation different from any other generation. We so easily vilify the 'vitriolic words and actions' of those who undermine the values and morals of a just, peaceful and loving society, but so rearely do we 'do' anything about it.
We are content to talk and listen, watching and observing as young men shoot senators, radicals blow themselves up, taking innocent lives with them, politicians are accused and sometimes convicted of illicit behavior.
We are content to mumble to one another behind closed doors and in the privacy of our own spheres of comfort that these people are 'bad,' that somehting is 'wrong' and that someone should 'do something' about it.
King is not saying that we must all go out and become saviors, leading a revolution against all of the violence, bigotry, hatred and wrongdoing of the world. To ask that is more than unrealistic. Instead, take time to be intentional in what you do. Think before you speak, and weigh your words carefully. Take time to stop and see the world around you. Every little thing you do, be it smiling at a stranger, helping a homeless person, donating money to charity, volunteering your time with underpriveledged children, listening to a friend in need, adds up. Furthermore, you are planting the seeds of behavior and action which, when repeated enough, become habit, growing into larger and more impactful actions and behaviors. These will be passed on to your children, who will emulate you in your right action.
King is not preaching a radical new message. These words echo those of Jesus and his disciples. Overcoming the 'appaling silence' means following the example of Christ--being Christ for your neighbor--embodying the selfless love of God in Christ for that unknown person in need. Were that person you, you would want the same treatment.
~Josh Judd-Herzfeldt
Holy Trinity Parish Administrator
Quote source: "Letter From a Birmingham Jail" <link>
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UPCOMING SUNDAY
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 Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross--as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by sickness, sin, or evil. Light dawns for us as we gather around the word, the font, and the holy table. We are then sent to share the good news that others may be "caught" in the net of God's grace and mercy. 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
Sunday ForumThis Sunday: Reflecting on the Scriptures of the Day
Seminarian Steven Dickens - 9:30 a.m. (St. Mark's Room - upstairs) Lessons for Next Sunday Prayer of the DayLord God,
your lovingkindness always goes before us and follows after us.
Summon us into your light,
and direct our steps in the ways of goodness
that come through the cross of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. |
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| CELEBRATIONS | BIRTHDAYS:
Elsa Romo 1/19
John Flowers 1/20
Marikka Pretz Anderson 1/21
Jonathon Widener 1/22
Louise Goos 1/24
David Easterbrook 1/25
Jeffrey Stang 1/25
Sherrie Bonarigo 1/27
BAPTISMS:
Samuel Stelter 1/20
Louise Goos 1/24
Paul A. Molinelli 1/25
Rachel Chapman 1/27
ANNIVERSARIES:
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NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
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Attendance Last Sunday 8:30 - 18; 10:30 - 141 Tonight - January 197:00 p.m. - Contemplative Eucharist Taize Service on January 26, 7 p.m.If you like the use of the piano in worship, if you like a quiet, contemplative service, if you appreciate candles and incense, if your spirit seeks some spiritual nourishment, we hope you will come to the Contemplative Eucharist in the Style of Taize. The liturgy includes some simple repeated chants, and a generous period of silence. We appreciate Andrew Fredel coordinating these monthly services.
Daytimers in JanuaryDaytimers will meet for lunch and conversation on Thursday, Jan. 27th, at 11:30 a.m. here at church. Please bring whatever you'd like - hotdish, salad, rolls, dessert. Drinks will be provided. Anyone free during the day is welcome to join us. Visitors From The Church Of Finland Last Wednesday Holy Trinity hosted about eleven persons from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. Pastor Mueller and several members talked about our worship life and context for ministry. All of the visitors are on the national worship staff of the Lutheran church of Finland. They also met with Ben Stewart at the Lutheran School of Theology, and ELCA churchwide worship staff. The Finns were very intrigued with our congregation, the sanctuary, the organ, and our liturgical tradition.
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.
Voices: Culminating Retreat
This Sa turday, 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.
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Sunday, February 6, following the 10:30 a.m. service
Potluck: bring a main dish, salad, or dessert to share The meeting will include: 2010 reports, election of congregation council members, and a report from the Voices initiative.
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| LAST SUNDAY'S SERMON | |
 The Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 16, 2011
Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42
Pr. Craig M. Mueller
POINTERS
There has been a lot of finger pointing in the past week. In the wake of the Tucson shootings reporters, writers, bloggers, columnists, ministers, politicians, and perhaps us as well, have tried to make sense of what happened. And usually it leads to pointing. Pointing out the charged, partisan political milieu of recent times. Pointing out the need for stricter gun laws. Pointing out ways to be more attuned to mental illness. Pointing out possible ways to avert such a tragedy.
It seems everyone has had something to say. Sometimes simplistic. Sometimes divisive. Sometimes helpful.
We gather today in the context of a faith community. Gathered around the Word made flesh. Nourished by a meal that strengthens, forms and defines us. To what might we point amid this time of grief and soul searching?
Read the rest of the sermon here
Listen to the sermon here.
Listen to the entire service here.
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FURTHER UPCOMING EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND NEWS
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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.
"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:- 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.
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CALENDAR
| 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
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23
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
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26
7:00 p.m. Contemplative Eucharist - Taize
7:30 p.m. AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27
10:00 a.m. Revelation Bible Study - Rossing, Ch 9
COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK Wednesday, January 19 - Henry, Bishop of Uppsala, martyr, died 1156
When Erik, King of Sweden, determined to invade Finland for the purpose of converting the people there to Christianity, Henry went with him. Henry is recognized as the patron saint of Finland.
Friday, January 21 - Agnes, martyr, died around 304
Agnes was a girl of about thirteen living in Rome. The details of her martyrdom are not clear, but she gave witness to her faith and was put to death as a result, most likely by the sword. The church has honored her as one of the chief martyrs of her time.
Tuesday, January 25 - Conversion of Paul
The week of prayer begun by the remembrance of Peter's confession now comes to an end as we recall the pivotal moment in the life of the other pillar of the early church, the apostle Paul. His encounter with the risen Christ turned him from persecutor of the followers of Christ to one of their leaders.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2010 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26481.
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AMONG OUR COMMUNITY
| Please send news about awards, new positions, life passages and other important events in your lives for this section of our e-news.
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| IN OUR PRAYERS |
Those ill or in special need: Victims of the shooting in Tuscon, Arizona and their families; our political leaders and our country; 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; 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:
- Epiphany Lutheran Church, Elmhurst IL
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia, Bishop Sijifredo d. Buitrago
- Northern Great Lakes Synod, Bishop Tomas A. Skrenes
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).
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 CHECK IT OUT!
| 12 Energy Boosters
 Early January, post-holidays, is a time when many of us run out of energy. We feel draggy and depleted. There are spiritual practices which can help us boost our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing. Nurture yourself with our 12 Spiritual Energy Boosters, and you'll be renewed in body, mind, and soul.
Read more.
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HOLY TRINITY E-NEWS is the weekly electronic newsletter of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago. To unsubscribe click on "safeUnsubscribe" below. E-newsletter submissions and prayer requests should be sent to office@htchicago.org by Monday at 4:00 p.m.
Website: www.holytrinitychicago.org
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Josh Judd-Herzfeldt and Craig M. Mueller
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
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