eNews October 5, 2011

October 5, 2011

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Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Greetings!

Pirotte My name is Carolyn Pirotte, my husband Christopher and I have been attending Holy Trinity Church for almost four years now. Christopher and I came to Holy Trinity initially seeking premarital counseling. Like many young couples, we thought we had all the answers on how to successfully manage the ups and downs life can bring. Now a little over three years into our marriage, I am amused at my "pre-marriage ignorance" as I reflect on the numerous times we have sought the advice and guidance from our family, friends and God.

It was during our first premarital meeting with Pastor Mueller (yes, the one in which we put on our "best couple" act) that we knew there was something very special about Holy Trinity Church. During our several meetings, Pastor Mueller encouraged us to discuss challenging issues that may lay ahead and provided us with the resources and tools that we may use to successfully navigate the challenges life can bring. These tools have assisted us in times of stress, loss of family members, loss of job, or just when I think, "Oh Lord, is he ever going to learn to take the trash out?" We were also encouraged that in times of happiness and success that we should reflect on the blessings God has given us. Most importantly, Pastor Mueller provided us with the support, love and acceptance that reinforced in us the significance of having God and fellowship in our lives.

Since that time, our connection with Holy Trinity has grown. Holy Trinity has introduced and offered numerous ways in which Christopher and I can continue to grow in our relationship with the church and God. We have enjoyed many volunteer activities that have allowed us to develop friendships with other members of the church as we as serve our community. We recognize that through tithing and volunteering we are supporting our church and community so that they may continue to support others. Christopher and I reflect daily on the blessing that the Lord has provided us with, including our health, happiness, family, friends and each other. Through those reflections, we are reminded of the generosity and grace God and the church has given to us. As we begin to think about our upcoming commitments to the church and community, I encourage each of you to reflect on the blessings in each of your lives and consider a way in which you may share your blessings with others.

- Carolyn Pirotte

Connect, Strengten

YOU ARE INVITED TO HOLY TRINITY'S
GENEROSITY BRUNCH

This Sunday, October 9
Following the 10:30 a.m. service
Brunch prepared by a special team of Holy Trinity chefs.

Brief talk by Dan McAdams, a research psychologist at Northwestern University. Dan studies how people create happy and meaningful lives. Come to hear his thoughts, share yours, hear others and just enjoy yet another facet of this encouraging, generous community. We hope you join us.

UPCOMING SUNDAY

October 9 - Lectionary 28

In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In Jesus' parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others. In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and we go forth to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for the abundant life of God.

October 9 Schedule:

8:30 a.m. - Eucharist (about 45 minutes)
9:15 a.m. - Choir Rehearsal
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School and Sunday Forum (below)
10:30 a.m. - Sung Eucharist with Reception of New Members
11:45 a.m. - Generosity Appeal Kick-Off Brunch

Sunday Forum - October 2-30

Worship Matters: Centripetal Worship: The Evangelical Heart of Lutheran Worship. - Pr. Craig Mueller
Please read chapter two.

Weekly readings

Prayer of the Day
Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples and poured out your life with abundance. Call us again to your banquet. Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure, and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

In This Issue

Quick Links

Next Week's Scriptures

ELCA Website

Purpose & Principles

Purpose Statement
Open to the Mystery...
Connect, Strengthen, and Serve with Joy!

Guiding Principles
--Act with courage
--Be radically inclusive
--Cultivate empowering relationships
--Delight in God's beauty
--Engage with intention

CELEBRATIONS

BIRTHDAYS:
Jessica Sime 10/05
Sonja Nordstrom 10/06
Lynn Horn 10/07
Karen Swanson 10/10
Russ Williams 10/10
Bob Anderson 10/12

BAPTISMS:

ANNIVERSARIES:
David Bonarigo & Sherrie Bonarigo 10/7
Michelle Miller & Julie Sevig 10/8
Patrice & Mike Macken 10/10
John Kelley & Keith Dorwick 10/11

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Contemplative Eucharist - Tonight, 6:00 P.M.

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

Join the CROP Hunger Walk - October 16

- Date: October, 16, 2011
- Time: 2:00 p.m.
- Location: UIC Campus- Student Center East
750 S. Halsted St., Chicago
- Contact: Pastor Michelle L. Miller

It's not too late to give or walk! See the links below or contact Pastor Miller for more info

Sign up to walk here (just search for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church),
Donate to this cause here!

Mom's Night Out

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, October 14 from 7:30-9:00 p.m., at the home of Beth Mankowski. If you can make it, please RSVP to Beth 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 and join us in the future.

PAWS Orientation at Holy Trinity

PAWS Chicago will be at church on Sunday, October 16th, immediately after the late service to provide an orientation to discuss PAWS and to share information about ways to get involved, both through Holy Trinity and on your own. While you do not have to attend this orientation to volunteer with Holy Trinity and socialize with the animals, you do need to attend if you would like to participate in extra activities at the Adoption Center, including walking the dogs, feeding the animals, or cleaning litter boxes. You will also learn about opportunities to foster animals, PAWS events, and ways to get involved with the animals that require additional medical attention.

Please note that attendance at this orientation does not commit you to further participation with PAWS. However, if you do attend and decide you would like to do more, the Holy Trinity orientation session will serve as the official "orientation" PAWS requires of new volunteers and you will not need to attend another session at the Adoption Center. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Morris.

Thank You!

Thanks to you, over 185 recipes were collected for our first-ever cookbook fundraiser! Entitled "Cook with Joy - Holy Trinity Lutheran," the cookbooks are now at press and will be available for purchase at our December 4 Christkindl Market fundraising event. We were thrilled to receive so many wonderful recipes, as well as their accompanying stories. Additionally, this project exceeded our expectations of involving so many contributors, which was a main goal of the project. Thanks to everyone who generously shared recipes and typed them so we could meet our deadline!
- The fundraising committee

BOOK GROUP

The book group will be meeting Monday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Becky Sims, 1702 W. Barry, 773-388-3590. The book we will be discussing is The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. We hope you can join us, whether you have read the book or not!

RefugeeOne Winter Clothing Drive

Holy Trinity will be holding a winter clothing drive on behalf of RefugeeOne, one of our ministry partners, during the month of October. Please bring only Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Coats, and Boots by Sunday, October 30. They can be used, as long as they are clean and in good condition. Clothes should be dropped in the bin at the back of the church. Donations will help refugees in need as the winter months approach.

Calling All Artistic Types!

If you have some art or craft you've created that can be displayed on a wall, please contact Barbara Wahler (773-973-3785 or Ribitmsw2004@yahoo.com) We're looking for local art work by Holy Trinity members and friends in our Sacred Space Gallery. Ideally, we will be able to rotate the exhibits every few months or so - with very little blank white walls in-between! Anyone who has something they'd consider sharing with the rest of the world [that comes through our halls], please let us know! Sunday School teachers are encouraged to provide children's art.

Antiracism at HT?

We talk a lot about diversity at Holy Trinity. Claire Evans and Barbara Wahler are interested in exploring how our diversity can grow into an identity as an antiracist church. If you are interested in being a part of a Holy Trinity Antiracism Team or would like to discuss what this means, please contact either Barbara (Ribitmsw2004@yahoo.com) or Claire (clairee@cpt.org. We'll decide on a meeting once we have generated some interest.

Learn more about the Antiracism Movement. The three manifestations of racism -individual, institutional, and cultural - affect both communities of color and white communities. With the goal of dismantling racism in our synod, the MCS Antiracism Team sponsors a 2-1/2 day Analysis of Systemic Racism workshop October 20-22, 2011. The training will take place at the Cardinal Meyer Center, 3525 S Lake Park Ave, Chicago. To register in advance and for more information, please go to the Another Pebble website. The cost is only $35 for ELCA members ($105 for others). If you have questions, you can contact HT members Eric Bjorlin, Ken Duckmann, or Barbara Wahler who are members of the MCS Antiracism Team.

FURTHER UPCOMING EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES AND NEWS

Worship Attendance Last Sunday

8:30 - 24; 10:30 - 169 (and 25 or so pets)

Holy Trinity Christkindl Market

Mark your calendars for Holy Trinity's Christkindl Market, our holiday bazaar and fundraiser, on Sunday, December 4. There will be lots of fun activities for the whole family and many ways to get involved. Here is a way you can help make this a wonderful event:

Are you crafty? We are seeking Holy Trinity's artists and artisans who would like to display and sell their work at this event. In exchange, you'll be asked to donate one item to the silent auction. Please contact Sarah Hanson if you are interested in reserving space at the craft tables.

Watch your email and the bulletin for more announcements about this event. If you would like to volunteer on the event committee, please email Sarah Hanson.

Advent Mini-Retreat: Transitions

Saturday, December 3, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The season of Advent is about endings and beginnings. Often we find ourselves in times of transition, whether it involves jobs, careers, relationships, family, location, living situation, or retirement. This retreat will provide a time for reflection and conversation around themes of change; waiting and preparation; endings and beginnings; spiritual resources for times of upheaval. To prepare, participants may read one of four recommended books. Information found here. Leader: Pr. Craig M. Mueller.

CPR Class at Holy Trinity

Ten people have now expressed a desire to enroll in a CPR class that will be held at HTLC on Saturday, October 29 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in Passavant Hall. It will be conducted by Deft Resources who taught it for us about three years ago. It will include basic CPR, the Heimlech Manuver for choking and an introduction to the defibrillator or AED (automatic external defibrillator). The cost is $20. Please give this money to Kathryn Vigen or Josh in the office by October 16. If there are still people who would like to be included, there may be room for a few more. Please contact Kathryn by e-mail to register.

"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 has reopened their youth/young adult homeless shelter, The Crib. 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: 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.

Sermon - September 25

October 2, 2011
Lectionary 27a
Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

STOP THE MUSIC

It's inspiring. Having animals in church: resting quietly or occasionally barking, meowing, purring. Bringing creation into this worship space. Inviting the spirit of St. Francis into our urban lives. Singing his great canticle of creation: "All creatures worship God most high." Brother wind, sister moon and stars, sister water, brother fire, mother earth.

Can you feel the crescendo building? We earth creatures joined together in praise to God. I can imagine people of different races and religions holding hands across the earth singing: "We are the world, we are the children." Or "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. I'd like to hold it in my arms and keep it company."

Continue reading this sermon here

Listen to past sermons here
Listen to entire services here

CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5

6:00 p.m. Contemplative Eucharist

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

10:00 a.m. Weekly Bible Study - John 2

5:00 p.m. Worship Pilgrimage Group Dinner

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

3:00 p.m. Miller-Sevig Union Ceremony

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9

8:30 a.m. Eucharist

9:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Sunday Forum - Chapter 2

10:30 a.m. Sung Eucharist

11:45 a.m. Generosity Appeal Kick Off Brunch

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10

7:00 p.m. Meditation Group

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

6:00 p.m. Contemplative Eucharist

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

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Thursday, October 6 - William Tyndale, translator, martyr, died 1536
Tyndale was ordained a priest in England, and wished to translate the Bible into English. He was opposed in this by King Henry VIII, causing him to flee to Germany. He completed the New Testament in 1525, but before he could finish the Old Testament, he was tried for heresy and burned at the stake.

Friday, October 7 - Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor in North America, died 1787
Divided Lutherans in America asked leaders in Europe to send someone who could take charge and unite their work. Muhlenberg was sent, and was effective in organizing the American Lutherans. Among other accomplishments, his liturgical principles became the basis for the Common Service of 1888.

Monday, October 10 - Massie L. Kennard, renewer of the church, died 1996 (TFF)
A native of Chicago, Kennard was a major figure in supporting and working toward ethnic and racial inclusiveness in the former Lutheran Church in America. Ordained in 1958, he served in positions including Director for Minority Concerns of the Division for Mission in North America.

AMONG OUR COMMUNITY

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

IN OUR PRAYERS

Those ill or in special need:

Barbara Wahler;
Yoshi Saka;
Mary Lynn Brooke;
Norma Brooke;
Kay Scott;
Phyllis Zangri;
Myleen Dunleavy;
Merri Pierce;
Mary Stoner;
Carol Stoner;
Norm Andersen;
Yanan Haring;
Maureen Zarrella;
Marji Shannon's sister;

Paul Weber;
Lisa Bouzek;
Scott Johnson's mother, Virginia Johnson;
Chris Stelter's grandmother;
those struggling with infertility;
Mark Avery and Amy Rouce;
Caroline Judd-Herzfeldt;

Kathy Lund;
Susan Pare;
Sam Zangri;
Paul Geist III;
Christine, friend of Susan Twetten;
Mary Cannon;
Sam Patitucci;
Patti Ann Smith;
Brent Vicknair;
Mark Sauer;
Alan Stang, Jeff Stang's father;
Teah Barthalomew;
Victor Jimenez;
Vivian Carter;

Serving in the Military: Benjamin Brackley, back in the states after having served in Afganistan.

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).

Check It Out

At church of Beethoven, the music is the message

"Music," Ludwig van Beethoven said, "is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life."

Transcending dogma, creed, culture and even language, music has the power to elevate the soul as well as the mind. It's the source of a type of faith that is as often discovered outside traditional organized religion as within it.

While spirituality and religion are not mutually exclusive, in the parlance of our time, music is "spiritual but not religious."

It's a paradox understood and embodied by the late classical cellist Felix Wurman, creator of the enigmatic Church of Beethoven, founded in an abandoned gas station on old Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.