In today's gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God's grace flowing from the waters of baptism.

The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation before baptism at Easter. As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal--offering us the life-giving water of God's mercy and forgiveness.

Read John 4:5-42 to prepare for Sunday's liturgy

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: Cantors - Natalie Ford, Beth Milnikel,
  Paul Reineck, Brian Von Rueden

Sunday Forum

Lent Book Discussion: Rediscovering Values
Pastor Craig Mueller - 9:30 a.m. (St. Mark's Room - upstairs)
During Lent we discuss themes from Holy Trinity's 2011 book for Lent, Rediscovering Values. For Sunday, read chapters 7-10. 

Lessons for Next Sunday

Prayer of the Day
Merciful God, the fountain of living water,
you quench our thirst and wash away our sin.
Give us this water always.
Bring us to drink from the well
that flows with the beauty of your truth
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Attendance Last Sunday
8:30 - 26; 10:30 - 162

Tonight 7 p.m. - Evening Prayer

Includes homily and favorite songs from Holden Evening Prayer 

 

Sponsor Flowers For Easter

We welcome special gifts to provide flowers for our Easter celebration.  Please designate:
1.  Either 'In Memory of...', 'In Honor of...', or 'In Thanksgiving for...'
2.  Amount, gifts of any amount from $20 - $500 are welcome.
3.  Send or bring a check to Holy Trinity with the above information, or give online now from our website.  Thank you for your generosity! 

Ushers/Greeters Needed

Looking to get a bit more involved and meet some new people here at Holy Trinity?  We are in need of volunteers to help before and during the service as ushers and greeters.  Responsibilities include smiling, greeting people, handing out bulletins, helping visitors, counting, collection of offering, and guiding people for communion.  Please email Josh in the office if you are interested and willing.  Indicate whether you prefer to help at the 8:30 or 10:30 service.  Thank you for all of your great work! 

Book Group Meeting - MARCH 28

Drink, Eat Read... Long before the avalanche of praise for his work-from Oprah Winfrey, from President Bill Clinton, from President Barack Obama-long before he became known for his talk show appearances, Members Project spots, and documentaries like Waiting for "Superman", Geoffrey Canada was a small boy growing up scared on the mean streets of the South Bronx. His childhood world was one where "sidewalk boys" learned the codes of the block and were ranked through the rituals of fist, stick, and knife. Then the streets changed, and the stakes got even higher. In his candid and riveting memoir Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun, Canada relives a childhood in which violence stalked every street corner. Come join the Book Group discussion of Canada's childhood memoirs on Monday, March 28 at 7:30pm at Becki Fiegel's house (3903 N Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60613). Hope to see you there!

Annual Easter Party

Saturday April 23, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Families with young children are invited to join us for a fun gathering at Holy Trinity. Children and their parent(s) will enjoy the craft activities, decorating Easter eggs, and searching for treasures in the garden. Please e-mail Pastor Michelle Miller if you plan to attend.

Easter Party Volunteers
4 - 6 more volunteers are needed to host the Easter Party. We need craft helpers, egg fillers and hiders, and snack preparers. Having non-parents participate in the celebration enables parents to be with their own children and fully enjoy the party. E-mail Pastor Michelle Miller to volunteer.

Love in a glovebox (A.K.A. Love in a Ziplock)

Help Holy Trinity's Sunday School children help those in need by picking up the following supplies for a second round of this popular project:
[gloves, hat or headbands (you may find these on clearance now); boxes of raisins; granola bars; cough drops; lip balm; travel-size Kleenex; combs; Ziplock bags; socks; tooth brushes and toothpaste (sample size); hand sanitizer; $5 gift cards to a fast food restaurant or grocery store; CTA card] 

Bach Cantata Sunday at Saint Luke Church 
Cantata BWV 148, Bringet den Herrn Ehre Seines Namen, will be performed in the context of Evening Prayer this coming Sunday, 4:00 p.m. at the Church of Saint Luke, 1500 W. Belmont. On his popular WFMT "Morning Show" Chicago's Carl Grapentine frequently plays an excerpt from a Bach cantata showcasing German trumpeter, Ludwig Guttler. It's obviously a favorite, and it is the first movement of Cantata 148. As engaging as that movement is, the entire cantata provides even more for the listener. Based on a poem by Picander (the poet also of the St. Matthew Passion), the cantata invites the believer's attention to worship and the gathering of the Christian assembly. That call provides this cantata a home during Lent when Christians take opportunity to honestly evaluate their lives of faith.

A Jazz Passion

The story of Jesus' final days told in the jazz medium will be presented on Sunday, April 3 at 4:00 p.m. at Saint Luke Church, 1500 W. Belmont, Chicago. This staged Passion story is told through original jazz compositions performed by a 12 piece orchestra of Chicago-area jazz professionals with soloists and choir drawn from the Lakeside Singers of Chicago. Generous sponsors make it possible to offer FREE ADMISSION. There is free parking and wheelchair access. The production lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. For more information, call Saint Luke at 773-472-3383 or visit them online.

Baptism Seminar--It's for Life!

Thursday, May 5, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
This seminar is offered for expectant parents, parents with newborns, those planning a baptism in the coming months, parents or others who would like a refresher on the meaning and theology of baptism. All parents planning to have a newborn baptized are asked to attend this seminar at some point before or after the birth of their firstborn child.

Baptism isn't a one-time event--it's for life! Topics of the seminar will include baptismal theology, the role of parents and sponsors, and scheduling a baptism. For more information talk to Pastor Michelle Miller or e-mail her.

Meditation Group at Holy Trinity
Mondays at 7:00 p.m. You are welcome as a beginner or as an experienced meditator trained in a specific method. This is a drop-in group and you can attend as you are able. For more information, and to RSVP for each session, click here  

"Team Trinity"

Please consider joining Team Trinity today! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Check out Volunteer website 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!

Job Opening: The Macarthur Foundation has an opening for an Electronic Communications Specialist. For details, click here

Dates to Remember:

New Members: View pictures/bios of recent new members: October here, December here, February here.
Next Baptism Dates: May 15, June 26, August 21, October 23, December 4. More info.
Next New Member Orientation Date: 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. 

Those ill or in special need: the people of Japan and Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church; Ashley Kincaid; Jack Stelter; Meggen and Yoshi Saka; Tish Depner and those who grieve her death; Amy Rouce's father, Phil, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer; Kathy Lund; those struggling with infertility; Susan Pare, Bruce Beal's mother; Paul Hanson; Liam Anderson; 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, congress and judges; 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:  

• Faith Lutheran Church, Aurora IL 
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, Bishop Walter E. Obare Omwanza 
• Northwestern Ohio Synod, Bishop Marcus C. Lohrmann 

Ministries Supported by Holy Trinity: ELCA World Hunger Appeal; RefugeeOne; Lakeview Action Coalition; Lakeview Pantry; The Crib; 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).