NEXT SUNDAY: Third Sunday of Easter 

Today's gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them, and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord's day.

• 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 and Reception of New Members
  
  • Music: Choir
• 11:45 a.m. - Fair Trade Sales 

Domestic Violence--What Churches Can Do

It's likely you know someone who has experienced abuse.. a friend, family member, maybe even yourself. It's a fact that domestic violence happens in a variety of homes and is more prevalent than most of us imagine.Why do people stay in violent relationships? Why do people abuse the ones they love? How can the cycle of violence be stopped? What can we as a faith community do to prevent violence?

We began to tackle some of these questions last Sunday, and look forward to continued discussion on May 8th.
Leaders Michelle Miller, Joshua Judd-Herzfeldt, and Carol Schickel will share information and resources they received during the training for creating "Healthy and Safe Congregations."

Members will be selling various fair trade goods such as coffee, chocolate and other goods at the back of the church following the 10:30 service. Stop by and see what they have!

This week's lessons 

O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples
in the breaking of bread.
Open the eyes of our faith,
that we may see him in his redeeming work,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

8:30 - 19; 10:30 - 121

Take a break from the busy city life, and join us for a simple, contemplative eucharist amid the Easter candle and flowers.

Response has been phenomenal and we are out of tickets!  For those who have signed up, don't forget to pick up your tickets sometime this week during office hours or on Sunday before or after one of the services!  Remember, these are bleacher seats, so first-come first-served.  Arrive to the game early if you want a good seat.  We will all try to sit in right-center field! There will be a free-will offering for Chicago Cares, a charity supported by the Cubs. 

Memory Verse ~ Seminarian Steven Dickens
Wednesday, May 11 - 7:30 p.m. (Choir Room)
Sometimes the best way to get through the day is to stop and "restart" it. By taking a quiet time to sit and be with God for a moment, we can center ourselves on God by using a memory verse to bring us back to what's really important.

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.
MENU:
Herb roasted pork, braised cabbage, potato dumplings, homemade bread and dessert

PLEASE SIGN-UP TO HELP WITH:
1. Two people to bring bread.
2. Two people to bring dessert.
3.  Three-four persons to help Matthew Peterson cook and serve, 9:30 - 11:45 a.m.  that morning.
3. Three-four persons to help with clean-up.
Click now to volunteer! 

The wait is over! You can finally buy your Yahtzee Night tickets! Purchase them online, or go to the Yahtzee Night table at the back of church at the end of service to make your reservations. BUT WAIT ... THERE'S MORE! Another way you can contribute to this night of charity and fun is to donate your favorite bottle of wine. These bottles of wine will be used for our carnival style game Wine-Ring -Toss. Send your well wishes to the winner of your bottle by sharing your story with this wine when you drop off your bottle to either Josh in the office or to the Yahtzee Night table at the back of the church. Whether you can join us that night or not, these are some ways you can support Team Trinity and their work with local charities. This is a Thrivent Matching Funds event. All proceeds from ticket sales and the Wine-Ring-Toss will be donated to local charities. Any questions? Please contact Kristi Harreld.      

Sunday, June 12 (Pentecost), 11:00 a.m - noon. St. Mark's Room. All are welcome. Topics will include the civil union law, estate, planning for same-sex couples, and adoptions concerns. Led by Michael J. Drabant, an attorney who specializes in issues related to same-sex couples and LGBT rights.

Do the everyday food choices you make matter? What does faith have to do with the sustainability movement? Can one really eat locally? Can cooking be a spiritual practice? Spend midsummer digesting these and other questions. Learn what the Bible says about food and being stewards of creation, sharpen your cooking skills, and get some dirt under your nails at an organic vegetable farm. Member Matthew Petersen will lead a 7-8 week class on Saturday mornings beginning July 9. For more information, or to sign-up, email Matthew.   

Last Sunday's Sermon

May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
Pr. Michelle L. Miller

Welcome to the Second Sunday of Easter--you know that's the liturgical name, right? But it's also called "Low Attendance Sunday" due to the big shift in numbers from last week. And to a select few it's become affectionately known as "Associate Pastor Sunday"...But that's only for those lead pastors lucky enough to have an associate to assign preaching duties to on "Low Attendance Sunday."

Most people recognize this Sunday by its starring character: "Doubting Thomas." Each year we read the story about the disciples meeting Jesus after the resurrection, and Thomas' insistence on seeing and touching the wounds of Christ before he believes in the resurrection.   

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

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

Check It Out!

By Jim Walis:
This morning most Americans are feeling a sense of relief at the news that Osama bin Laden is dead. He was truly an apostle of hate, a dedicated purveyor of violence in response to every grievance, a manipulator and distorter of religion for political purposes, and a man responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. Nevertheless, it is never a Christian response to celebrate the death of any human being, even one so given over to the face of evil. Violence is always an indication of our failure to resolve our conflicts by peaceful means, and is always an occasion for deeper reflection.[more...]

Response from ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson:
The death of Osama bin Laden is an occasion for solemn remembrance. We remember the lives of all whose deaths resulted from his choosing hatred and violence. We stand with those who continue to mourn the death of loved ones while giving thanks for their lives, their love and their faith. We also continue to hold in prayer all whose service in the military, in government and in humanitarian and peacemaking activities contribute to a safer and more prosperous world. [more...]