by Pastor Craig Mueller

Our liturgies in the past couple weeks have had large doses of love. I don't mean the qualities of care, empathy, reverence and justice embodied within our community or amid the world, but rather the many readings from the gospel of John and the First Letter to John, both of which use language of abiding in God, laying down one's live for others, and love for others as a sign of authentic faith.

I can't help but think of Jeanette Zabel when reflecting on a love full of spontaneous joy and childlike wonder. Last Sunday we learned--after receiving a returned enewsletter with "deceased" on it--that Jeanette died of a heart attack in her sleep in April. Jeanette was a resident of Margaret Manor in Uptown, and we found out that following a brief visitation and service at a funeral home, her body was taken to Glen Oaks Cemetery to be buried next to her husband. After making a call today, I also learned that the care facility knew that Jeanette went to church somewhere on her own time, but they didn't have contact information for us.

One could say that Jeanette was mentally challenged, yet we never had any diagnosis of what that exactly meant. Amid the superficial things that sometimes consume the time and energy of most of us, Jeanette brought priceless gifts to our community. She was often filled with wonder and delight, sometimes catching people off guard by her unbridled comments. She greeted children and babies and made a diorama and collage for our Sunday School. Last year she made a birdhouse for our garden and was so proud and pleased to offer us her homemade offerings, even as she said she didn't have money to put in the plate. She spoke of a previous congregation that didn't want her to help out and got impatient with her. Yet she loved Holy Trinity: the children and adults, the pastors, and the worship.

Diversity is a word used a lot today. In some ways Holy Trinity is diverse; in other ways we are not at all. As someone told me after her first Sunday several years ago, "We need Jeanette here. She has so many gifts to offer us that we don't know how to name."

As the Church around the world celebrates the Ascension of Our Lord tomorrow (the fortieth day of Easter), I give thanks for Jeanette, a saint of God. It reminds me of the last stanza of an Ascension hymn:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Oh, to breathe the Spirit's grace.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Oh, to see the Father's face.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Oh, to feel the Son's embrace.  (LBW #159) 

At both services last Sunday we gathered at the baptismal font and offered the prayer of commendation for Jeanette: "Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your redeeming."  

I am saddened by the loss of this faithful woman whose heart was filled with such love and joy. There's no other way to say it.  

Send a note to Craig with your comments or reflections!

NEXT SUNDAY

May 20 - Seventh Sunday of Easter
The Fifty Days of Easter Continue! 

May 20 Schedule:

**Cubs Home Game!**

• 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 Reception of New Members

Sunday Forum: Color & Spirituality

9:30 a.m. - Passavant Hall
This will be a hands-on experience using only Color Aid paper, scissors and a glue stick which will encourage participants to use combinations of color in a spiritual/prayerful manner. Those who wish to will be invited to comment on their creations. Led by Richard Bough, an artist and spiritual director from Holy Trinity's Spiritual Life Center.

Weekly readings 

Prayer of the Day
Gracious and glorious God, you have chosen us as your own, and by the powerful name of Christ you protect us from evil. By your Spirit transform us and your beloved world, that we may find our joy in your Son, 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

Tonight, 6:00 p.m. Contemplative Eucharist - for the Eve of the Ascension  

Holy Trinity's First Block Party-Sunday June 3

Imagine all the fun we will have together at our very own block party. Everyone is invited--no matter how old or young you are, whether you can stay for a few minutes or the whole afternoon. This is a party for everyone!

We'll provide food to grill and games for the young at heart. You bring a side dish or dessert to share and your own beverages. We'll gather for a relaxing and engaging spirit-filled Holy Trinity Sunday celebration, beginning after the 9:30 a.m. worship service which is Holy Trinity Sunday, our congregation's feast day! Questions, please contact Megan Eichorn or Carrie Egan.

Movie Night (this coming Sat.) to Feature "The White Ribbon"

To avoid NATO Summit congestion, the May 19 Movie Night will be at 5 p.m. at the North Side condo of Ryan and Carol LaHurd, 1214 W. Hood Ave. #3 (Red Line Granville stop). They will provide soup. Please RSVP to Carol LaHurd. NOTE: Red Line construction may mean that you'll need to get off at Thorndale and walk north or Loyola and walk south.

We will view the German film "The White Ribbon." This disturbing drama raises questions about the rise of fascism in Germany, as well about some particular expressions of Lutheranism.

Rotten Tomatoes blurb about "The White Ribbon": In a village in Protestant northern Germany, on the eve of World War I, the children of a church and school run by the village schoolteacher and their families experience a series of bizarre incidents that inexplicably assume the characteristics of a punishment ritual. Who could be responsible for such bizarre transgressions?

The New York Times review 

Volunteer Opportunity: Night Ministry Outreach Bus
---Happening Tonight! 

Wednesdays: May 16, 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.  With questions or to help out, contact Ken Duckmann (773.551.2573).

May Book Club Meeting

Please join us for the next book club meeting on May 23, the location is still TBD. We will discuss the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot which should offer an engaging discussion on a controversial topic. Books for June and July are Cutting for Stone by Abraham Veghese and The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther. Feel free to join us whether you have read the book or not!

Prayer Shawl Ministry

During the first month of ministry we have gifted five prayer shawls to member and friends of Holy Trinity. It's an exciting new venture and we invite you to join us on Sunday, June 10th after worship for a brief meeting and some time to stitch and pray with others. HTLC's Prayer Shawl Ministry group is fun, creative and relaxing, and we welcome all people, whether beginner or advanced. If you have questions please contact Patrice Macken.

Ordinary People/Extraordinary God

Vacation Bible School (VBS) this year will be August 6-10 at Luther Memorial Church in Ravenswood. Young adult counselors from Lutherdale Bible Camp will bring the camp experience to us in the city and lead the older children on a fun-filled faith adventure. The younger children will also have fun playing games, doing crafts and exploring Bible stories.

Through the lens of Biblical characters the youth will experience that God's love is for all, that we are God's children, that God is with us in hard times, that God's love transforms us, and that we are called by God in this world. Please register quickly, deadline to register is June 15.

HT Kids Pictures - Phase II

Now that we have a number of children "on the wall" in our Sacred Space Gallery, it's time to see our "Old Kids." Yes, we want the adults in our community to bring in pictures (framed, ready to hang) of themselves-both yesterday and today. Please bring in separate pictures and we can have fun guessing which grown picture goes with which little picture. You can bring your photos to Josh in the office. Contact Barbara Wahler if you have any questions.

Last Week's Attendance 

8:30 a.m. - 26
10:30 a.m. - 140

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Each year the mayor's office sponsors Kite Day at Montrose Harbor, and this year you're invited to join other HTLC families for a fun day filled with crafts, games, and of course, flying kites. The festivities go from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. Kite Day at Montrose Harbor is always loads of fun, but it will be even better shared with friends from church. Bring a picnic lunch and your own kite and let's play. Contact Pastor Sevig for more information and to make arrangements for a meeting place.

VOX 3 Concert - Veiled Faces

The girls tell their side of the story in this recital that pairs history's great composers with several world premiere compositions! Many of the female characters in the Bible are nameless, forever hidden-fascinating characters known to us only as "Lot's Wife" or "The Bleeding Woman." Others are infamous, like Jezebel, whose name has become a symbol for a brazen, lustful woman. Still others are both familiar and mysterious, like Eve, who glimpsed both paradise and a fallen creation, or Mary, who trembled at the angel's words, then at the foot of her son's cross. Major works by Hindemith, Fauré, and Handel are featured alongside new songs and cycles by Chicago composers Amos Gillespie, Adam Gustafson, Randall West, Eric Malmquist, and Randall Moore. The program will be performed four times, with varying music and performers. Performances will be on May 27, 31, June 1, 3. Please visit the VOX 3 website for specific repertoire and performer information.

Food, Faith, and Sustainability

Do you have a desire to know where your food comes from and the effect it has on creation? What does the Eucharist have to do with food sharing? Why do some neighborhoods have access to foods that others do not? Come chew over these questions and others as we explore the intersections between food, faith, and sustainability.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Inspiration Kitchens-Uptown (4715 N. Sheridan Rd.) and share a meal (prepared together) and discussion. To help guide our discussion we will be reading Just Eating. If interested in attending, contact Anna and Matthew Petersen (ampete09@att.net)

"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 Bus

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. With questions, contact Ken Duckmann (773.551.2573).

--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. 

May 13, 2012
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Pr. Michelle L. Sevig

And now, let the wild rumpus start!... Of course that's a most famous line from Where the Wild Things Are by beloved author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, who died this past week. The impact of his work--and especially this book--has been the source of many conversations this last week, even featured on the NPR program Fresh Air.

In this book, published 50 years ago, a wild little boy is sent by his mother to bed without anything to eat. While in his room, Max's imagination runs wild and he interacts with all kinds of imaginary beasts; and eventually he is named "king of all wild things." A wild rumpus ensues. But Max, the king of all wild things, though he was having a great time playing with the wild beasts, was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all...so he gives up being king of where the wild things are, comes back into his very own room where he finds supper waiting for him. "And it was still hot."

Continue reading the sermon here

Listen to past sermons here
Listen to entire services here 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist

    6:30 p.m.  Night Ministry Outreach Bus (Meet in Kitchen at HTLC)

    7:05 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

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

THURSDAY, MAY 17

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study

    6:00 p.m.  HTLC at Lakeview Pantry

     7:05 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

FRIDAY, MAY 18

     1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

SATURDAY, MAY 19

    1:00 p.m.  Wedding

      6:15 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

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

SUNDAY, MAY 20

    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

    1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

MONDAY, MAY 21

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group

TUESDAY, MAY 22

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist

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

Full Calendar of Events  

 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Friday, May 18 - Erik, King of Sweden, martyr, died 1160
Erik is considered the patron saint of Sweden. As king of that nation, he tried to bring peace in the region, and to spread Christianity in Scandinavia. He was also known for his attempts to make fair laws and to protect those who were poor or sick.

Monday, May 21 - Helena, mother of Constantine, died around 330
Influenced by her son to become Christian, Helena (or Helen) lived an exemplary life of faith. She is also remembered for traveling through Palestine building churches on the sites she believed to be associated with Christ's life.  

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

Recommended: The Last Quiet Places 

Quiet, Gordon Hempton says, is a "think tank of the soul." The acoustic ecologist has criss-crossed the world searching for and recording some of nature's most elusive sounds. He says the experience of silence is in danger of being lost and explains why nature's "silence" is vital to our minds, our relationships, and the natural world as well. He walks us through those environments - from the Hoh Rain Forest to thunder in the Kalahari Desert.

Listen to the entire NPR show "On Being," hosted by Krista Tippett or read the transcript here.

• 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>