Links: Chicago and Around the World 
by Pastor Craig Mueller

One of the joys of attending the annual synod assembly of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod is to sense the connections-the links-we have to other Lutherans throughout the Chicagoland area. During the bishop's report this year, two ministries were highlighted that have connections to Holy Trinity. Former seminarian Matthew Stuhlmuller spoke briefly of his call to be a Mission Developer for a new congregation that will be located on North Avenue near Oak Park. The church will be a second site for Redeemer Lutheran in Park Ridge which is providing financial support for this new venture.

In addition, Pastor Erik Christensen spoke of the growth that has happened at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Logan Square. Several years before the 2009 change in ELCA policy regarding gay clergy, St. Luke had only twelve persons in worship. They took a risk and called Erik, an openly gay pastor. They have now grown to about seventy persons on a Sunday morning.

A highlight for me was seeing a video presentation highlighting ELCA ministries-links to the church not only in the United States, but around the world. The video is about nine minutes and I highly encourage you to watch the You Tube version! It is easy for a congregation to get wrapped up in its own context and identity and fail to see its links to the Church across the nation and around the globe. In the video you will see:

1. a church in Columbus, Ohio located in an area of deep poverty that was about to close its doors. Now it is a multicultural church that serves the neighborhood and welcomes a diversity of people to its Sunday services.
2. a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and her connection to the Lutheran Church in Liberia, one of 90 global churches that receives mission support through our offerings.
3. Santa Maria de Guadalupe (Lutheran Church) in Irving, Texas, one of 60 new congregations formed in 2011, also from mission support as a result of offerings from ELCA congregations. Santa Maria is made up of immigrants, and has a unique outreach to the Hispanic community. You will love to see the energy of this thriving community of faith!

It's a great You Tube video! Watch it!

And remember, as we occasionally sing songs from the Global Church-Asian, Hispanic, African and others-we are connected to the people of God who worship God in many languages and styles of music. Our worship is enriched as we celebrate our links to the Church around the world!

Send a note to Pr. Mueller with your comments or reflections!

NEXT TWO SUNDAYS

June 10 - Pentecost 2

June 10 Schedule: 

• 9:30 a.m. - Eucharist
• 10:45 a.m. - Worship Times Forum (Passavant Hall)
• 10:45 a.m. - Prayer Shawl Ministry (St. Mark's)

Worship Times Forum

An open forum will be held following the 9:30 a.m. service to hear some results of the Worship Times survey; share concerns, ideas and conversation regarding the worship schedule at Holy Trinity; and to discuss the above in light of the Voices guiding principles. Read more about the rationale behind this process.

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 following worship in St. Mark's room 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.

Prayer of the Day
All-powerful God, in Jesus Christ you turned death into life and defeat into victory. Increase our faith and trust in him, that we may triumph over all evil in the strength of the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Weekly readings 

June 17 - Pentecost 3

June 17 Schedule:

• 9:30 a.m. - Eucharist
• 10:30 a.m. - Fellowship in Garden  
  (weather permitting)

Prayer of the Day
O God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Weekly readings 

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

Last Week's Attendance 

9:30 a.m. - 181(Holy Trinity with baptisms)  

Ordinary People/Extraordinary God: VBS

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, and only a few spots are left!

Eat, Drink, Read: Book Group

So it is summertime and hopefully the speed of your life has slowed down a bit. We like to slow things down a bit for our reading during the summer months and have decided to take June and July to read our next book selection, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Veghese (July meeting date to be determined). This doesn't mean that we won't get together for June. Oh no, this means that we will gather just to Eat and Drink on Tuesday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. for dinner at Andies Restaurant (5253 N. Clark). Free parking at US Bank one block north of the restaurant. The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther will be our book for August. All are welcome!

Next Movie Night to be July 21

All are invited to enjoy a light supper and movie at church on Saturday, July 21, at 5 p.m. The film "Amélie" features a charming and unusual young woman, as well as the lovely Montmartre region of Paris. See and read more at Rotten Tomatoes. Please bring snacks and/or beverages to share.

Marriage Equality Faith Petition

Equality Illinois is coordinating a people of faith petition in support of measures that would grant all Illinois families the right to marry. The petition along with the names and religious affiliation of its signers will be given to public officials, published on the Equality Illinois website and may be made public in a press release. Read more about it and sign the petition.

"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: August 26 (9:30 a.m.). More info.

Next New Member Orientation Date: TBD.  More info.

Office Hours: Mon. - Thurs., 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Sun., 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 

June 3, 2012
The Holy Trinity
John 3:1-17
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

3-D God; 3-D Life

Early this year I saw my first 3-D movie, with 3-D glasses: Hugo. It is about a boy who lives alone in a train station. There are no gimmicks, like in the movie Avatar. Director Martin Scorsese makes a simple story seem big. A Doberman chases Hugo through a train station. Or we see Hugo rushing up chairs to the clock tower. It feels like it is bursting out of the screen. Sometimes it felt so close and real, that it caught me off guard. The 3-D is like a pop-up storybook made real.

There are 3D glasses for movies. Now there are 3D televisions. We talk about three dimensions in space: length, width and depth. Perhaps 3D is also a way to talk about life. What dimensions in life do we see?

Continue reading the sermon.

Listen to the sermon.

Listen to full services. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 7

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study

FRIDAY, JUNE 8

    6:00 p.m.  Holy Trinity Game Night (Lincoln Tap Room)

SATURDAY, JUNE 9

SUNDAY, JUNE 10

    9:30 a.m.  Eucharist

    10:30 a.m.  Worship Times Forum (Passavant)

    10:30 a.m.  Prayer Shawl Ministry (St. Mark's)

    12:00 p.m.  Desouza Studio Recital

MONDAY, JUNE 11 

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group

TUESDAY, JUNE 12

    7:05 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13

    9:00 a.m.  LVC Training (Passavant)

    7:05 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 14

    9:00 a.m.  LVC Training (Passavant)

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study (St. Marks)

    1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

    7:15 p.m.  Congregation Council Meeting (Passavant)

FRIDAY, JUNE 15

    1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

    6:15 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

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

SUNDAY, JUNE 17

    9:30 a.m.  Eucharist

    7:00 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

MONDAY, JUNE 18

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group

TUESDAY, JUNE 19

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20

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

Full Calendar of Events  

 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Thursday, June 7  - Seattle, chief of the Duwamish Confederacy, died 1866

Saturday, June 9 - Columba, died 597; Aidan, died 651; Bede, died 735; renewers of the church
These three monks from the British Isles helped keep the light of learning alive during the Middle Ages. Columba founded three monasteries off the coast of Scotland. Aidan was a pastor who led people to works of charity. The Venerable Bede was a Bible translator, historian, and hymnwriter.

Monday, June 11, 2012 - Barnabas, Apostle
Barnabas was not numbered among the twelve apostles, but the book of Acts gives him that title. After Paul was converted to Christianity, Barnabas welcomed him to Jerusalem, and later the two traveled together on missionary journeys.

Thursday, June 14 - Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, died 379; Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, died around 385; Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, died around 389; Macrina, theologian, died around 379
The Cappadocian fathers, as the three men in this group are known, explored the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Basil's monastic rule forms the basis for Eastern monastic life. Gregory of Nazianzus defended orthodox Christianity in Constantinople. Gregory of Nyssa, Basil's younger brother, wrote on the spiritual life. Macrina, older sister of Basil and Gregory of Nyssa, was the leader of a community dedicated to asceticism, meditation, and prayer.

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

This past Sunday we welcomed in baptism:
»  George Osborn Dunkel - parents James & Holly Dunkel;
    sponsors Christopher Dunkel & Heather Yodts.
»  Reagan Hunter Fleckenstein - parents Erin & Jason Fleckenstein;
    sponsors Emily Collins & Mark Fleckenstein.
»  Maya Elizabeth Bala - parents Heidi Mueller & Mark Bala;
    sponsors Brett Mueller, Michael Bala & Dawn Zerneke.
»  Rosemarie Luiza Butler - parents David & Maria Butler;
    sponsors Karen & Eric Scruggs.

Brian Jones and Jeremiah Peterson celebrated their wedding here at Holy Trinity last Saturday.

Alison Strickler and Aana Marie Vigen, along with their son Benjamin Gabriel, warmly invite all members and friends of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago to celebrate the renewal of our vows and Civil Union during the 9:30 a.m. worship service on July 22, 2012. We will host a festive champagne and dessert celebration following the service.

The Holy Trinity faith and friendship community is a powerful, gracious, and joyous presence in our lives. You help nourish and sustain us as a couple and family. So, we hope many of you can join us in this time of promise-making, blessing, and celebration!

Check Out These Links for more interesting discussions, conversations, questions and ideas!

• 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>