I Give Up!

At this time of year there is a lot of buzz about what to give up for Lent. I planned to write the e-news intro about the Lenten practice of giving things up as a spiritual discipline. But after reading a blog by Landon Whitsitt, I decided to give up writing for Lent (or at least Ash Wednesday), and introduce you to this fine article. -Pastor Michelle L. Sevig

Giving up chocolate and beer for Lent is not what Jesus had in mind
by Landon Whitsitt

In three days, it will be Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Naturally, folks are all abuzz about how to best observe. As I read through Facebook comments, tweets, and blog posts, I find that I have had all of the typical responses.

• "I'm gonna give up chocolate or alcohol."
• "Giving things up is ridiculous. God wants us to live fully live. This whole practice is just stupid."
• "Instead of giving something up, I'm taking something on this year."

Like I said: I've said and done each of these things. I've given up something that was that important, I've wholly rejected the practice as a part of my rejection of conformist religion, and I've tried to reframe "self-denial" into "self-giving."

But each of these responses makes a mistake, in my opinion. Notice that all of them are about me. They have very little to do with what God might be doing, but about something that I'm doing. Each of these responses betray a belief that I am the one in control, that I am the one, ultimately, who matters.

Continue reading: [http://landonwhitsitt.com/]

NEXT SUNDAY    

February 26 - First Sunday in Lent 

February 26 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
• 11:45 a.m. - food4thought: Faith Stories

Sunday Forum - Special Lenten Study: Watering God's Garden: Christian Worship and Earth's Ecology

9:30 a.m. - Passavant Hall
Join us on Lenten Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in Passavant Hall to discuss the book A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth's Ecology. The author is Ben Stewart, Holy Trinity member and professor of worship at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. We are delighted to announce that Ben will be present to share in the conversation. The book makes connections between worship and care for creation. Using ancient images, contemporary science, medieval mystics, and cosmic symbols, A Watered Garden calls us to care for the ground on which God has planted us-local communities and global home. Read chapter 1 for February 26

food4thought - February 26
Stories: Faith and Work 

A doctor, a judge and a teacher walk into a bar... No, not a bar, and this isn't really a joke. It's food 4thought this Sunday, Feb. 26 at 11:45 a.m., but the three speakers who will discuss how their faith influences their work are indeed a doctor:

Chris is Pediatric Chief Resident at Rush University Medical Center

...a judge:

Rebecca is a United States District Court judge, who conducts trials in federal civil and criminal cases that arise in the Northern District of Illinois.

...and a teacher:

Scott is a Chicago Public Schools High School Junior ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Teacher at Nicholas Senn High School. He also serves as the School's Athletic Director.

Weekly readings 

Prayer of the Day
Holy God, heavenly Father, in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

President
Meggen Saka

Vice-President
Kelley Bender

Secretary
Megan Whitaker

Treasurer
Steve Hopwood

Outreach
Kristi Harreld, Sarah Hanson

Social Ministry
Ken Duckmann

Finance
Don Marsh

Property
Ed Beach, Leon Stevens

Spiritual Life
Megan Eichhorn

Worship
Johanna Olson

Ash Wednesday Service - Tonight, 7:30 P.M.

Liturgy of Ash Wednesday and Imposition of Ashes

Memorial Service for Claire Evans

Thursday, February 23, 7:00 p.m.

Cards can be sent to Claire's twin sister, Sue Wheeler at:
1915 Old Oakland Ave.
Lansing, MI 48915

Claire designated these organizations for memorials:
1) Christian Peacemaker Teams, P.O. Box 6508, Chicago, Il 60680
2) Bread for the World, 425 3rd Street SW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20024
3) ELCA's World Hunger Relief, P.O. Box 71764 Chicago, IL 60694-1764

We Still Need Food!

What's food4thought without the food? Just a bunch of thinking on an empty stomach! We need 3 people to bring bread and 3 to bring salad, as well as several volunteers to help with serving and clean-up for the 11:45 a.m. food4though session. Please email the office if you can provide this help!

Love in a Ziplock©

The children are collecting items to put in bags that will be given to the homeless. The bags will be blessed at worship and given back to you, to keep in your car or carry in your backpack or briefcase. When you come across someone who looks like he or she could use a lift, hand them a gift bag of necessities.

Bring any of these items to church by this coming Sunday, February 26th before Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.:

• Gloves, mittens, hats or headbands
• Boxes of raisins
• Granola or protein bars
• Cough drops
• Lip balm
• Travel size tissues
• toothpaste/toothbrush combos
• Small bottles of lotion and sanitizer
• Gifts cards ($5 each) for grocery stores of fast food.

Music Series at Holy Trinity:
Mark Valenti, Pianist

Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Holding a Master's degree from Northwestern, Mark Valenti is a talented pianist and says this about his program: "My program displays an eclectic group of classical piano pieces chosen for a diverse audience. The music I will perform serves as an excellent overview of the evolution of piano styles from the lyrical, passionate Romanticism of Chopin through the colorful, atmospheric Impressionism of Debussy to the dissonant, angst-ridden Modernism of Barber." Come for a memorable time with a local Chicago pianist. A free will donation is requested.
A flier can be found here.

Operating & Capital Reserve Initiative

A special congregational meeting will be held a couple months from now. During this special congregational meeting, members will be voting on amendments to the constitution and the allocation of money between the Mission Endowment Fund, Expansive Faith capital campaign loan, and a proposed Operating, Capital, and Opportunity Reserve. To prepare for this vote we will be holding a forum immediately following the 10:30 service on Sunday, March 4th. A light lunch will be served, and the forum will include time for questions, discussion, and a presentation of our Congregation Council's recommended plan of action regarding paying off the capital campaign loan and starting an Operating, Capital, and Opportunity Reserve. Use the following links to access resources for the upcoming forum and special congregational meeting:

--Amendments to the Constitution
--Reserve Initiative FAQs 

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012
7:30 p.m. - The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday and Imposition of Ashes

LENTEN BOOKS

Two books are available to Holy Trinity members this Lent at no cost, thanks to the Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
--40 Days and 40 Nights is a series of daily meditations on biblical images for the Lenten season.
--A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth's Ecology is by Holy Trinity member Ben Stewart.


Books are available at the back of the church.  
For February 26, read chapter 1 of A Watered Garden.  

LENTEN DISCUSSION

Join us on Lenten Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in Passavant Hall to discuss the book A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth's Ecology. The author is Ben Stewart, Holy Trinity member and professor of worship at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. We are delighted to announce that Ben will be present to share in the conversation. The book makes connections between worship and care for creation. Using ancient images, contemporary science, medieval mystics, and cosmic symbols, A Watered Garden calls us to care for the ground on which God has planted us--local communities and global home. Read chapter 1 for the February 26 session. 

YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY

We are excited to announce a Lenten bible study for young adults that will be led by Holy Trinity member, Kyle Severson. The first session will be Thursday, March 1, 7:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity. Future meetings will usually be on Thursday evenings or Sundays after the 10:30 a.m. service. Books and a sign-up sheet are at the back of the church. The study book is written by Barbara Rossing, a professor at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and is engaging, accessible and colorful!

LENT MINI-RETREAT: JOURNEYS

Saturday, March 3, 9:30 a.m. - noon. This retreat builds on the interest and participation in the Advent "transitions" retreat. Come for a few quiet hours as we reflect on Lenten "journeys." After an opening time of worship and conversation there will be an hour of silence in which participants can walk the labyrinth, journal, reflect, meditate, draw, walk or simply relax and unplug from our otherwise fast-paced lives. The morning will conclude with further conversation and a brief eucharist.

Attendance Last Sunday 

8:30 - 33; 10:30 - 121   

Call for Sacred Space pictures

As the seasons change, it's time to change the exhibition in our Sacred Space Gallery (in the hall behind the sanctuary). As children have been such a visible sign of our growing congregation, it would be fun to see their bright, shining faces lighting up the Gallery. Please contact Barbara Wahler about bringing in your framed pictures of your Holy Trinity children for all to see!

Knit and Pray, Crochet and Bless

During the last year I have asked my sister, who is active in a Shawl Ministry, for two shawls: a blanket for a preemie who weighed 1 pound 6 ounces and one for our own Claire Evans. It felt like a powerful and faith-filled gift to give someone. These shawls are hand-knit or crocheted by members of a faith community, then blessed and given away in faith and hope.

Patrice Macken and Barbara Wahler are interested in starting this type of ministry here at Holy Trinity. If you have an interest, let's meet and discuss it. The first meeting will be on Saturday, March 3 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity.

To learn more about this important ministry go to WWW.SHAWLMINISTRY.COM.
Shawls ... made for centuries: universal and embracing,symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify.

StarDreamers' Land of YesYouCan!

In Celebration of Black History Month StarDreamers Theatre Company [HT member Barbara Wahler is a co-founder] invites you to a spectacular adventure for young and old!

Larger-than-life mythical characters compete in a struggle for the very future of humankind. Evil minions use stolen mystical powers to de-throne a king by instilling fear and nightmarish visions in the children of his usually peaceful and empowered nation. The king must find a way to help the people to believe in themselves ... but how? See Will Crutcher's book come to life in this fun & inspiring theatrical production for all ages!

Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Unity in Chicago, 1925 W. Thome Ave.
Suggested Donation: Adults, $10 / Kids under 16, free
Tickets available at the door or by calling 773.973.0007.
StarDreamers Theatre Company's mission is to encourage children to reach for their dreams thru inspiring, uplifting entertainment.

Lakeview Action Coalition: Charity Care

Do you have unpaid hospital bills? If you are uninsured and are struggling to pay your bills, you may qualify to have your bill reduced or erased. Hospitals call this charity care. Come to Lakeview Action Coalition to get help filling out a charity care application. Join us on Monday, March 5, 5-8pm, 3225 N. Sheffield.Please bring a photo ID, copies of your bills, and documentation of any form of income you receive. Contact Hannah at Lakeview Action Coalition with any questions. 773-549-1947 x387 or hgelder@lakeviewaction.org.

"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 Lakeview Pantry

Holy Trinity members help hand out food at the Lakeview Pantry on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. For more information or with questions, contact James Perez.

--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.

--PAWS Chicago

Spend an evening socializing shelter dogs and cats! Attend periodic adult volunteer nights where you can spend time acclimating dogs and cats to a life with a family by playing with them, brushing them, petting them, showing them how to play with toys, or just letting them curl up on your lap. You are welcome to pick dogs or cats - or both! THERE IS NO NEED TO ATTEND ORIENTATION. For socializing, you will be shown what to do at the Center. If you would like to do more advanced things, like walk dogs, feed the dogs and cats, etc., contact Beth Morris to talk about scheduling a more advanced orientation. .

Next Baptism Dates: April 22. More info.

Next New Member Orientation Date: April 15.  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. 

February 19, 2012
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Pastor Michelle L. Sevig

I've only been on the radio once. Eric and Kathy from the Mix were commenting on a magazine story about women who prepare for a marriage or wedding even before they have a boyfriend. They asked for women to call in and tell their stories of wedding gowns purchased or down payments made for a wedding reception. Well, I just had to call in. With a little embarrassment in my voice, because I know the whole story now, I told Eric about how I had bought a rocking chair with my high school graduation money, so I could rock my babies that I would one day have, after I marry the perfect husband and move into a spacious suburban house. Funny how things change; I still have the rocking chair, but it's collecting dust in the basement of our condo building, and was never used to rock any of my three babies conceived through a donor.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

    7:30 p.m.  Ash Wednesday Liturgy w/Imposition of Ashes 

    7:30 p.m.  12-Step Groups (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall) 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study (chapter 19) 

    7:00 p.m.  Claire Evans Memorial 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

    5:00 p.m.  Common Solutions 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26

    8:30 a.m.  Eucharist

    9:15 a.m.  Choir Rehearsal

    9:30 a.m.  Sunday Forum (Passavant Hall) and Sunday School

    10:30 a.m.  Sung Eucharist

    11:45 a.m.  food4thought: Faith Stories 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group  

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist 

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

Full Calendar of Events  

 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK
Thursday, February 23 - Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, died 156
Because he is said to have been known by John, the author of Revelation, as well as the important early church fathers Irenaeus and Ignatius, Polycarp serves as a vital link in church history. He was burned at the stake at age 86 for refusing to renounce his faith.

Saturday, February 25 - Elizabeth Fedde, deaconess, died 1921
Born in Norway and trained there as a deaconess, Fedde was asked to come and minister to the poor and to seamen in New York City. She established the Deaconess House in Brooklyn as well as Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis.

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

 Congratulations to Elizabeth Milnikel and John Kregor who were married at Holy Trinity on Saturday, February 18. 

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

Online Lenten Devotionals 

At this link, scroll down to find a variety of online Lenten devotionals to check out! 

• Living Lutheran: A Daily Blend of Stories, Culture and Community - <link>
• Spirituality and Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys - <link>
• Big Questions Online - <link>
• Religion dispatches - <link>
• Sightings (The Martin Marty Center) - <link>