NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Holy Trinity artist Richard Bough has prepared 14 new pictorial representations of each station. The liturgy includes a brief scripture reading and reflective prayer at each station and connects Jesus' suffering to the needs of the world. A special Stations of the Cross for families will be offered during the Sunday School hour on Palm/Passion Sunday, April 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Photography - Seminarian Cuttino Alexander
Photography is a great way to capture a moment in time, but can it also convey something spiritual? Photographers of all styles and skill levels will be invited to share their favorite photos that they have taken. The group will discuss ways in which photography can move beyond just Facebook and Flickr and become a deeply meaningful spiritual practice. Participants are requested to bring their own photos (digital or printed) that communicate a spiritual message.

Still In Need of Easter Flowers Sponsors!

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE!! 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!

The Easter Vigil and elegant champagne reception that follows (9:30 p.m.) are the highlight of the year at Holy Trinity, and the hospitality team requests the help of the community. This is an updated list of items/personnel still needed: 

• Set-up - 2 hours Saturday afternoon (5 people)
• Clean-up - following the reception (5 people)
• Meatballs - about 100 from each volunteer (2 people)
• Cheese and Crackers - 2 boxes of crackers, 16" cheese tray (2 people)
• Veggies - variety for a 12" tray (2 people)
• Fruit Skewers - 50 skewers (4 people)
• Lemon Bars - 48 bite-sized pieces (1 person)
• You may also provide financial assistance for the reception

For more information, please contact Kara Grimme. To sign up, check the sheet in the back of the church or email Josh in the church office. Thank you for volunteering and sharing in this wonderful event!

Another Way to Help: Polish, Fold and Staple 
Are you free next Wednesday morning, April 20, any time 9:00 a.m. or after? We will gather to polish altar ware for Easter, and to help assemble (fold and staple) the Easter Triduum bulletins. A wonderful way to help prepare for Easter, and socialize! E-mail Josh to volunteer. 

April 17 - Palm/Passion Sunday Liturgy - 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
     Stations of the Cross for Families - 9:30 a.m.
April 21 - Maundy Thursday Liturgy - 7:30 p.m.
April 22 - Good Friday Liturgy - 7:30 p.m.
April 23 - Great Vigil of Easter - 7:30 p.m.
     Champagne reception to follow
     Parking available at the McDonald's lot (for $10.00) beginning at 7:00 p.m.
     Neighborhood 383 parking permits will be provided as well.
April 24 - Easter Day - Festival Eucharists at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
   NOTE: Cubs 1:20 p.m. home game, plan accordingly  

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.

After a standing-room only crowd of nearly 370 last Easter, we are offering two Easter Sunday morning services this year--at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Both services will feature music by our choir and a brass ensemble. Please note Easter Day is also Cubs home game this year. Please consider taking public transportation or car-pooling. If you drive, you may want to consider the 9:00 a.m. service to leave time for parking. It is usually easier to find parking west of Southport and to walk the 5 - 10 minutes to the church. Due to the schedule change, there will not be an Easter breakfast this year.

Holy Trinity Day at Wrigley Field!
We have just received word that the Chicago Cubs are offering Holy Trinity members FREE tickets to the Chicago Cubs - St. Louis Cardinals game on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:05 p.m. Each HTLC member household may request up to six tickets by e-mailing Josh in the office by May 1. You may pick up the tickets on Sundays, May 1 or 8, or during office hours that week. We ask that you only request the number of tickets you will actually use, and that you do not sell any of the tickets, but you may share them with family and friends. We look forward to this church / Cubs outing together on May 10! 

The Fifth Sunday in Lent
April 10, 2011
Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

WALKING THROUGH GRAVEYARDS

It's hard to imagine such hopelessness, such helplessness.
The terrain of Japan has become a graveyard, many bodies still not recovered.
Other bodies have been buried in mass graves, separated by pieces of plywood.
Almost unthinkable for a country that prides itself on dignity, honor, and showing respect.
In a bowling alley converted to a mortuary,
some families were able to walk through lanes of coffins,
hoping-yet dreading--that they might see a brother, mother, son.
Each anguished cry, a sign that a loved one had been found.

Has it been that long ago that an earthquake devastated Haiti?
And what of the killings from the uprisings in the Middle East?
Or the devastating death and loss that AIDS brought to Africa,
or even to this country, especially in the eighties and nineties?
Graveyards. Graveyards of loss and sorrow.

Read the rest of the sermon here
Listen to this sermon here
Listen to the entire service here 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Tuesday, April 19 - Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church
These two brothers studied with Luther at the University of Wittenberg and then returned to their native Sweden to introduce the Lutheran reforms. Olavus published a catechism and hymnal; Laurentius was a professor who defended the office of bishop and later became one. 

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2010 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26481.