by Seminarian Chris Brown

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church! This name has quite a reputation at LSTC. The name just being spoken brings so many thoughts in the hearer's head. The first few thoughts are immediately, "progressive," and "high church." I know these were the two thoughts in my head when I wrote it down on my preference sheet for my school's Ministry in Context program. These two terms, however, are much too ambiguous to really capture what my experience has been this last year.

Yes, Holy Trinity is a progressive church with various radical statements of welcome, whether it is the welcoming of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters into the building, or the welcoming of any person, regardless of belief, to the Lord's Table. And yes, it is a "high church;" but this is so much more than doing liturgy straight from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book, having the pastors and interns in collars, and the people in robes.

Holy Trinity, from my perspective, has combined all these amazing facets into a wonderful place of community, with radical inclusiveness that is not only spoken, but lived out in the worship. The liturgy, something I grew up detesting because I experienced it as dead, is alive and thriving, and the Spirit is conspicuously hard at work. Holy Trinity has been a place of immense growth and discovery for me, and it is my hope that everyone sees how unique a church it is.

Everything I have seen in the worship services I have learned about in my worship class, yet, Holy Trinity seems different than what I have experienced at other churches that have the same style. In reflecting on this, I have come to the conclusion that this does not make sense. Usually a highly traditional church is such because the worship style, the organ, the hymns, the robes, the words, are what the members of old are used to. But Holy Trinity has such a diverse demographic. Thus, it has become clear that this place of worship thrives because it is authentic.

There is ownership in this place, not just the building, but the service itself. The music, the words that are spoken and heard, the gifts that are shared and the ministry that is done is a part of every person there, and this shines in the way the people sing, listen, talk, commune, and live in fellowship with each other. For someone like me coming into this setting with perceptions already created, this novel feeling is so obviously infectious! It infects the people who walk in with the Spirit and it has infected me so severely that I am constantly thinking how I can be a part of this incredible work of God in my life and in my ministry.

I want to thank each and every person for this experience. Thank you for sharing your space, your lives, your stories, and thank you for welcoming me. Holy Trinity is a gorgeous and tangible fruit of God, and being able to offer its space and experiences for the students at LSTC to be a part of is an amazing gift too. You all have affected me in ways that I'm sure will continue to come to light as I continue on in my own journey, and that, I will take with me for the rest of my life.

In God's Peace,

Chris Brown   

Send a note to Chris with your comments or reflections!

NEXT SUNDAY

April 22 - Third Sunday of Easter
The Fifty Days of Easter Continue! 

April 22 Schedule:

• 8:30 a.m. - Simple 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 Baptisms
• 11:45 a.m. - Brief Congregation Meeting (Passavant Hall)

Sunday Forum - Today's Readings

9:30 a.m. - Passavant Hall
A discussion of the day's scripture readings, led by Seminarian Ben Adams. 

Weekly readings 

Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord's resurrection. By the grace of Christ among us, enable us to show the power of the resurrection in all that we say and do, 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
John Flowers, Leon Stevens

Spiritual Life
Megan Eichhorn

Worship
Johanna Olson

Special Congregational Meeting - April 22nd

This coming Sunday, we are holding a special congregational meeting following the 10:30 a.m. service. During this meeting members will be voting on amendments to the constitution, the allocation of money between the Mission Endowment Fund, Expansive Faith capital campaign loan, and a proposed Operating, Capital, and Opportunity Reserve.

Use the following links to access resources for the upcoming special congregational meeting:

--Amendments to the Constitution (amendments are highlighted)
--Reserve Initiative FAQs
--Reserve PowerPoint (presented at March 4th's forum)

Tonight, 6:00 p.m. Contemplative Evening Prayer

Come for some peace and quiet. Bask in resurrection joy in our beautifully decorated sanctuary!

Dream Group Meeting

Next Dream Group meeting will be April 19 from 9:15 - 10:45 a.m. in St. Mark's room. With questions, contact Karol Weigelt.

Daytimers in April

Daytimers will meet in the choir room for lunch and conversation on Thursday, April 19th around 11:30 a.m. Anyone free during the day is welcome to join.

food4thought, April 29 
"Advocating for a Slow-Down Movement"

9:10 a.m. in Passavant Hall 
Led by Rev. Joan Beck, Director of Spiritual Formation and Pastor to the Community at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Join us for a light breakfast and conversation. Pastor Beck will also be our preacher at both services on April 29. 

Organ Recital - Doug Williams

Sunday, April 29 - 3:00 p.m.

(Click for larger image)

Mark your calendars for three important dates in 2012:

--June 3: Holy Trinity Sunday picnic/block party
--June 8: Game Night Fundraiser
--December 2: Christkindl Market

...and find answers to three questions you may have:

1. WHAT are these events? June 3rd is Holy Trinity Sunday, so we'll celebrate with a water-themed block party. June 8th's game night and Dec 2nd's Christkindl Market will be our major fundraising events for 2012.
2. WHY are we having these events? Our annual summer picnic space is limited, so we're eager to take the party to the street--literally. As for our two major fundraisers, we're building on the momentum from last year's events as well as starting with seed funding in this area of the budget--an improvement over 2011! We continue to look for ways to reach out to the community and engage with intention as we work to raise money to support local benevolence at these events.
3. HOW can I be a part of these events? We're looking for people who can help with these events in the coming months! For info about the picnic/block party, contact Pastor Michelle or Megan Eichhorn. For info about Game Night, contact Kristi Harreld or Meggen Saka. Finally, anyone with an interest in making crafts, food, or otherwise helping with Christkindl Market, contact Sarah Hanson or Erika Robeck

Volunteer Opportunity: Night Ministry Outreach Bus

Wednesdays: May 15, August 15, October 17 @ 6:00 p.m.
Volunteers from Holy Trinity will be preparing "meals in a bag" for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth in Rogers Park. We will need volunteers for the purchase of food, drinks, and a snack and soft fruit. We will also need volunteers, who are aged 22 and up, for the serving of the 'meals in a bag' in Rogers Park. We will meet at Holy Trinity at 6:00 p.m. (if you would like to attend the worship service at 6:00 come up after it is done) to assemble the food and then carpool to Rogers Park to meet up with the Outreach Van and distribute the food. The event should conclude around 10:30 or 11:00 p.m.

Last Week's Attendance 

8:30 a.m. - 30
10:30 a.m. - 127

Lakeview Action Coalition Assembly

Save the date! Come together with other members of the Lakeview Action Coalition for this spring's biggest assembly for justice! It is time to advance our issues campaigns on access to healthcare, affordable housing, homeless youth, and economic justice, and celebrate our victories. Join us on Sunday, May 6, 2012. 2:00-3:30 p.m. (doors open at 1:30pm). St. Paul's UCC (2335 N. Orchard Ave.). See either Ken Duckmann or Steve Fanale for information on the assembly or for LAC information/to serve on any of the task forces.

Analyzing and Understanding Systemic Racism Workshop

This 2.5 day workshop will help you understand and analyze racism in our Church and society. Join us for an exploration of:
--The definition of systemic racism;
--The three manifestations of racism--individual, institutional, and cultural, and their effects on both communities of color and white communities;
--The issue of racism and the task of dismantling racism from spiritual, ethical, political and social perspectives, with the goal of equipping people to combat racism within their institutions and in the larger society.

April 26-28, 2012 - LUTHERAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT CHICAGO, 1100 EAST 55TH STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60615

This workshop is conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect, caring and safety, and is not based on confrontation, guilt and judgment. Anyone who has an interest in developing a deeper understanding of racism and its impacts on our church and society is invited to attend. PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE - $35 PER PERSON (ELCA), $105 (Non-ELCA) Cost includes lunch, course notebook and workshop materials. See Barbara Wahler or Ken Duckmann for more information.

Taizé Gathering for Young Adults - 'Pilgrimage of Trust'

May 25 to 28, 2012 (Memorial Day Weekend)at DePaul University in Chicago. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 from all over the United States and Canada will take part.  For more information about the Pilgrimage of Trust please take a look at this site. Here you will find many resources explaining what the Pilgrimage of Trust is, as well as a provisional program for the Memorial Day weekend, and a short video promoting the event. 

"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. Next dates are May 16, August 15, October 17.  Watch the e-news for details.

--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: June 3 (9:30 a.m.), August 26 (9:30 a.m.). More info.

Next New Member Orientation Date: TBD.  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. 

April 15, 2012
Easter 2b
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

THEY DIDN'T SEE IT 
The Titanic sank 100 years ago today. There are several recent theories why the crew and a nearby ship didn't see the iceberg. How do we not see signs of the resurrection around us? When do we have sinking feeling, overwhelmed by grief, disappointment, loss or sadness? How does our faith help us to see in new ways, that we may practice a radical resurrection faith as did the early church?

Listen to Pr. Mueller's sermon here (no text version) 

Listen to past sermons here
Listen to entire services here 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Evening Prayer

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 19

    9:15 a.m.  Dream Group

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study

    11:30 a.m.  Daytimers

    6:00 p.m.  HTLC at Lakeview Pantry

FRIDAY, APRIL 20

    1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

    12:05 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

    7:00 p.m.  HTLC at The Crib Shelter

SUNDAY, APRIL 22

    8:30 a.m.  Simple Eucharist

    9:15 a.m.  Choir Rehearsal

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

    10:30 a.m.  Sung Eucharist with Baptism

    11:45 a.m.  Brief Congregational Meeting

    1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

MONDAY, APRIL 23

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group

    7:05 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

TUESDAY, APRIL 24

    7:05 p.m. Cubs Home Game

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25

    1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist

    7:00 p.m.  Endowment Committee Meeting

Full Calendar of Events  

 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Thursday, April 19 - Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church
These two brothers studied with Luther at the University of Wittenberg and then returned to their native Sweden to introduce the Lutheran reforms. Olavus published a catechism and hymnal; Laurentius was a professor who defended the office of bishop and later became one.

Saturday, April 21 - Anselm, Bishop of Canterbury, died 1109
This eleventh-century monk was one of the greatest theologians of the Middle Ages. He is remembered for emphasizing the maternal aspects of God, and for the theory that the Son of God became human in order to make the necessary payment for our sin.

Sunday, April 22 - Day of the Creation (Día de la Creación) (LLC)
This observance invites us to notice and give God thanks for the wonders of the created universe. As stewards of that creation, we are also challenged to be careful in our use of it.

Monday, April 23 - Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960
Born in Kobe, Japan, Kagawa was orphaned as a young child. Later, when he became Christian, he was disowned by the rest of his family. Wishing to bring Christian principles into society, he worked among poor people, established schools and hospitals, and worked for peace.   

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

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