NEXT SUNDAY: Second Sunday of Easter 

In today's gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Throughout the coming Sundays of Easter the first two readings will be from the Acts of the Apostles and the first letter of Peter. Even as the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we rejoice in the new birth and living hope we receive in baptism.

• 8:30 a.m. - Simple Eucharist
• NO CHOIR 
• 9:00 a.m. - New Member Orientation
• 9:30 a.m. - Adult Forum and Sunday School
• 10:30 a.m. - Sung Eucharist
  • Music: Cantor - Paul Reineck
• 3:00 p.m. - Wedding of Jessica Stevens and Von Barnes 

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. E-mail to sign-up or for more information.  

Almighty and eternal God,
the strength of those who believe
and the hope of those who doubt,
may we, who have not seen, have faith in you
and receive the fullness of Christ's blessing,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Maundy Thursday - 70
Good Friday - 99
Easter Vigil - 159
Easter Day: 9:00 - 258; 11:00 - 166 (424 total)  

Many Thanks to All Who Helped with Holy Week/Easter Services: 

+ our sacristans--Joel Cruz, Kerry Tupper, Andrew Walter, Kyle Severson, and Carolina Glauster;
+ all who served as assisting ministers, crucifers, readers, torchbearers, ushers, communion assistants, thurifers, dancer,  banner bearer, and altar preparation;
+ our Minister of Music, David Brackley, members of the choir, cantors, brass and strings for their inspiring music;
+ the committee that planned, coordinated and served at the Easter Vigil reception--Kara Grimme, Russ Williams, Karol Weigelt and Rich Campbell. Special thanks, also, to Rich for donating the champagne!
+ all who polished silver and brass, assembled bulletins, and helped with other tasks last Wednesday
+ those who assisted with the Easter party last Saturday;
+ Richard Bough for the wonderful new Stations of the Cross we used for the first time this year;
+ Josh Judd-Herzfeldt for his faithful work with dozens and dozens of tasks this past week.   

Special Easter Service In The Style Of Taize 
TONIGHT, 7:00 P.M.

Contemplative eucharist with simple chant-like refrains. Come for some peace and quiet in our beautifully decorated Easter sanctuary. Special Easter solo by Kirsten Leslie.

Our Thursday Bible Study will resume this coming Thursday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. and will study the scripture passages, themes, and images in the coming Sunday's liturgy. On Wednesday, May 4, we will be taking a field trip to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in Hyde Park. We will meet at Holy Trinity at 10:00 a.m. to carpool. At 11:00 a.m. we will attend the seminary chapel eucharist, at noon we will eat lunch in the refectory, and at 1:00 p.m. we will have a tour of the rare book collection which includes several Luther testaments, original editions of the King James Bible, and many others. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail Pastor Craig Mueller. (There will be no Bible Study on Thursday, May 5)

The Chicago Cubs are offering Holy Trinity members and friends FREE bleacher seat tickets to the Chicago Cubs - St. Louis Cardinals game on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:05 p.m. Each 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!

How Can I Keep from Singing?~ David Brackley
Following the 10:30 a.m. service; lunch provided
How does a closeted, gay, life-long conservative evangelical become an Episcopalian and end up in a Reconciling in Christ congregation like Holy Trinity? What part did hymnody play in this all-encompassing transformation? Come and find out as Holy Trinity's Minister of Music, David Brackley, shares some thoughts from his own history and from the hymnal.

Congregational Council Update

• Join us for the May 10th Cubs game. Contact Josh (office@htchicago.org) for tickets and plan to sit in right-center field.
• Join us for the May 12th council meeting. The meeting will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Passavant Hall. All are welcome.
• Join us for the May 20th Yahtzee night fundraiser and help us meet our local benevolence goals.
• Do you have a great idea for fellowship? Let us know, and we will help you advertise it to other Holy Trinity members.

Holy Week/Easter Sermons

Maundy Thursday,
April 21, 2011
Pastor Michelle Miller

... In tonight's gospel reading we see once again that Jesus' love is poured out in unimaginable ways. His hands reach into a servant's bowl, dripping wet and ready to wash the dry cracked feet of the disciples. Performing the work of a slave his hands are down in the basin; gently massaging the dirty, worn feet of his followers and making them clean. This night was not a night for mysterious words or hidden parables. It was time to be direct and clear. Tonight Jesus gives a new mandate, "that you love one another." Read the entire sermon. 

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Good Friday
April 22, 2011
Pastor Craig Mueller

TREE OF BEAUTY

When I went running by the lake last Monday we were four weeks into spring. But there had been some snow the night before. And I wish I had worn gloves and a cap. But one thing told me that it wasn't February: there were green buds on the trees. (Continue reading...)

Easter Vigil
April 23, 2011
Pastor Craig Mueller

OH, YES!

It's one of the first words we learn: no! As we go through life and face its setbacks, and disappointments, you can see how easily it is for us to feel the negative. And when life is at its bleakest, to cry out: Oh, no! (Continue reading...)

Easter Day
April 24, 2011
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

LOSS LIFTED HIGH

So what do Easter services and baseball games have in common? A crowd. High energy. Some ritual.

And ... victory! It's all about victory, right? The Cubs are even. Ten and ten: ten wins and ten losses. By the way, welcome to those doing the doubleheader of Easter church and a baseball game today!

And here we are blocks from Wrigley Field singing of Christ's victory over death. The words "victory" and "victor" pervade Easter hymns. Not to mention the great song from Revelation we will sing shortly: This is the feast of victory for our God, Alleluia! (Continue reading...)

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Friday, April 29 - Catherine of Siena, theologian, died 1380
This theologian was the first woman among Roman Catholics to receive the title "Doctor [teacher] of the Church." Catherine was a Dominican sister known for her mystical visions as well as her work on behalf of people who were poor and imprisoned. 

Sunday, May 1 - Philip and James, Apostles
Philip was one of the first disciples of Jesus, and called Nathanael to "come and see." He later responded to an Ethiopian official's request for teaching and baptism. Little is known of James, the son of Alphaeus, called "the Less" to distinguish him from another apostle named James.

Monday, May 2 - Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, died 373
Best remembered for defending the teaching that Christ was fully God against those who taught otherwise, Athanasius was an influential church leader around the time of the Council of Nicea. He was banished from Alexandria five times for his forthright views. 

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