UPCOMING SUNDAY  

• 8:30 a.m. - Eucharist (about 45 minutes)  
• 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School and Sunday Forum (below) 
• 10:30 a.m. - Sung Eucharist
• 11:45 a.m. - Sunday School pizza party

The Power of Forgiveness (in Passavant Hall)
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11 our gospel text is about forgiveness. Come at 9:30 to watch this documentary with feature stories on the Amish, the 9/11 tragedy and peace-building in Northern Ireland, along with interviews with renowned Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, Elie Wiesel, Thomas Moore, Marianne Williamson and others. The film explores the role of forgiveness in various faith traditions, and looks at the intensity of anger and grief that human nature is heir to.  

For the first time in 20+ years there will be four groups of children. The older ones (grades 3 & 4) will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. up in St. Mark's room. The rest of the children will join Pr. Miller in the Nave for an opening session with stories and singing from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Then they will go to their classrooms with their teachers until 10:20.  

Celebrate the first day of Sunday School with a pizza party. On September 11, after the 10:30 a.m. worship service, all children and their parents are invited to join in on the fun upstairs in Passavant Hall. Please RSVP to Pastor Miller.

Weekly readings 

August 28, 9:30 - 123
September 4, 9:30 -  91

Take a break from the busy city life, and join us for this simple, contemplative eucharist.

The Crib - David Weasely
The Crib an innovative low-threshold overnight shelter for young people, run by The Night Ministry and housed at Lakeview Lutheran Church. Rev. David Weasley, The Night Ministry's Community and Congregational Relations Coordinator, will facilitate a conversation about The Crib, the youth who call it home, and ways to get involved. The program will also include a brief overview of the history and other programs of The Night Ministry.

A WAY TO SHARE: For September 18 we invite you to bring underwear, socks, large size deodorant, or gift cards for youth who stay at the shelter. Please bring them to the back of the church as you arrive for worship; the Sunday School children will carry them forward during the offering.

School has started for the kids, which means new teachers, new friends and lots of learning fun. Now what will you do for yourself? Join us for Mom's Night Out. Not only do we learn and grow in faith, we also have a lot of fun with new friends. Please join us on the 2nd Friday of the month, September 9 from 7:30-9:00 p.m., at the home of Carrie Egan. If you can make it, please RSVP to Carrie and she will send you her address and directions.
If you can't make it this week, please mark your calendar for the second Friday of each month -- Oct 14, Nov. 11, etc-- and join us in the future.

An Evening of Remembrance and Hope
Saturday, September 10 - 8:30 p.m.
Daley Plaza Chicago, 50 West Washington. More info online.

Fourth Presbyterian - Sunday the 11th  - 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Chicago Sinai Congregation, The Downtown Islamic Center, Fourth Presbyterian, and Holy Name Cathedral, this service will feature prayers and reflections by leaders from each of the faith communities and instrumental music by Lamajamal. Also featuring the world premiere of "Voices of Peace," specially commissioned for this service and composed by Aaron David Miller. Forth Presbyterian is located at the corner of North Michigan and Delaware (across from the John Hancock Center). More info online.

One of Holy Trinity's most popular offerings, these groups meet in a home for dinner in which the host provides the main course and others provide the side dishes. Sign-up as a couple, with a friend, or by yourself by filling out a form at the back of the church or by emailing the office and letting us know which dates you are available, if you are willing to host 8 - 10 people, if you are vegetarian, and if you request a location near an el stop. Over 50 people participate in dinner groups at Holy Trinity; it's a great way to meet new folks in our community! Sign-up by September 14; groups will meet October 15, 16, 23 or 29.

This group meets every other month to watch a film followed by a discussion of its spiritual themes. You are welcome to bring a salad, fruit or healthy snacks to share.
Next film (Saturday, Sept. 17, 5:00 p.m.): Precious
Precious is an emotionally poignant film directed by Lee Daniels and adapted from Push, a 1996 bestselling novel by Sapphire. This is a deeply spiritual film that conveys the many ways in which loving, kind, and compassionate people can be catalysts for real change in the lives of others. (more at Spirituality and Pracitce)

Kyle Severson has agreed to lead the Children's Choir this year. All children age five and older are encouraged to participate in the choir which will sing during worship three times throughout the year. In addition, Pastor Miller has asked the Children's Choir to sing at her Civil Union Ceremony on October 8th. Watch for more information to come, but for now save the rehearsal dates of September 18, 25 and October 2 as well as the worship leadership dates of October 8 and 9.

Book Group

The Book Group will be meeting next on Monday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Susan Boin. The book we will be discussing is The Kitchen Boy, by Robert Alexander. It is a story about the final days of the last tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, and his family and what might have happened to them, told through the eyes of a kitchen boy who accompanied them into exile. We hope you can join us, whether you have read the book or not! If you have questions, call Susan at 773-935-6148.

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, September 25. 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. To sign up email Josh in the office or indicate on a yellow slip in the pew rack.

Mark Your Calendars - Generosity Brunch, Sunday, October 9

Sunday, October 9 following the 10:30 service. Celebrate the ministry of Holy Trinity and our vibrant community as we kick-off our 2012 Generosity Appeal!

"Team Trinity" Volunteer Opportunities

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

--The Crib

The Night Ministry will be reopening their youth/young adult homeless shelter, The Crib, in August. Holy Trinity will be preparing and serving a meal once per month. On the third Saturday of each month, volunteers will meet at Holy Trinity at 7 p.m. to prepare the meal, then will head to The Crib to serve the meal. For more information, speak with or email Ken Duckmann.

--The Night Ministry Outreach Van

Holy Trinity will be assembling and distributing 'meals in a bag' with the Night Ministry in Rogers Park on a quarterly basis. Stay tuned for more information and how to help out.

 

New Members: View pictures/bios of recent new members: May here, February here.

Next Baptism Dates: October 23, December 4. More info.

Next New Member Orientation Date: September 25, November 20.  More info.

 

Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Wed., 12:00-7:00 p.m.; and Sun., 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

Messrs. Lancaster and Vaughn are both active musicians on the concert stage and in northern Indiana churches as well as teaching music on the undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Lancaster has appeared in several operatic and oratorio roles as well as in concerts at venues from Ann Arbor, Michigan to New York's Carnegie Hall and Taipei, Taiwan. Mr. Vaughn studied organ with Craig Cramer at Notre Dame University and has made concert appearances recently at Notre Dame and with the South Bend Symphony. The program will include music of Fauré, Buxtehude, Dupré, Pinkham and Howells, among others.

August 28, 2011
Lectionary 22a
Matthew 16:21-28; Romans 12:9-21
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

LOSING EVERYTHING

Tough words about following Jesus. Peter doesn't want to hear any talk about suffering and he gets a good scolding. And then come these enigmatic words from Jesus: Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Those who lose their lives will find them.

Imagine what it would be like to lose everything. Threats of hurricane Irene have brought anxiety and careful preparation. No one wanted a repeat of Catrina! And the earthquake on the East coast earlier this week caused jitters, even if the damage was minimal. Yet thousands of families and kids did lose their homes and all their possessions after the tornado in Joplin, Missouri in May. What would it be look to lose everything and to start over? To be without all our stuff?

September 4, 2011
Matthew 18:15-20
Lectionary 23a
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

How do you deal with conflict? Do you avoid it? Do you confront the person you are angry with? Are you passive aggressive?

I figured there would be some kind of "conflict management" inventory online. And of course, there were several. Many of you know I get into the Myers-Briggs personality inventory and others like it. I know there always limits. And people don't want to be put into a box. But I think they're kind of fun, and often enlightening.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7   

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist

    7:30 p.m.  AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall) 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study

    7:15 p.m.  Congregation Council Meeting

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

    6:00 p.m.  Mom's Night Out

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 

    8:30 a.m.  Eucharist     

    9:30 a.m.  Sunday School and Sunday Forum

    10:30 a.m.  Sung Eucharist  

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group  

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist

    7:30 p.m.  AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall) 

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.

Jessica Ittner and John Richardson gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth on September 1,

Dave and Dana Wurzburger gave birth to twins, Isaac Timoth and Abigail Antoinette on September 3.

Paul Nicholson and Lee Hubbell celebrated their relationshiop with a Civil Union service on September 3.

Please send news about awards, new positions, life passages and other important events in your lives for this section of our e-news.

Check It Out!

MENTIONED IN SUNDAY'S SERMON

You can't make this up:

The limits of self-made religion

by Lillian Daniel, from the Christian Century 

A man recently told me about his faith life, as people are wont to do with ministers. He said, "I'm spiritual but not religious. I want to give you my testimony about why I do not attend church."

Now when I meet a math teacher, I don't feel the need to say I always hated math. When I meet a chef, I don't need to let it be known that I can't cook. When I meet a clown, I don't admit that I think clowns are scary. I keep that stuff to myself. But everybody loves to tell a minister what's wrong with the church-and it's usually some church that bears no relation to the one I serve. 

Read more.