This I Believe
by Dr. Aana Vigen, Associate Professor of Christian Social Ethics at Loyola University Chicago, and member of Holy Trinity

You may or may not be familiar with the NPR series. This was NOT on NPR -- just for Loyola -- a program connected with Ministry is doing it here and they asked me to be a panelist. These are my remarks:

My name is Aana Marie Vigen and I believe that faith matters; that we have a responsibility to the future; and that grace abounds. (I'm a teacher so I can't just say one thing!). I'd like to say a word about each conviction.

First, faith matters. By "faith," I do not necessarily mean belief in the Christian God or other religious deity. I profess faith in Christ every Sunday at my local Lutheran church. Yet here, what I mean is that what we most fundamentally trust will affect how we live-in profound and tangible ways.ⁱ What matters to you? Achieving a certain professional role? Being able to pay off loans? Winning accolades? Making a discovery? Having a certain kind of lifestyle? Not all choices are equal. Sometimes we make the mistake of loving or trusting something as most important that really is not worthy of such intense devotion. St. Augustine speaks of how we must take care in ordering our loves. Perhaps Jesus, as recorded in Matthew's Gospel, puts it best: "Be careful of where you store up your treasure for where you treasure is, there is your heart." (ref. Matt. 6: 19-21)

In short, thoughtful discerning of what we love-of what we trust-and of how we measure success-is an incredibly important and ongoing task. The choices we make on this fundamental level shape every contour of our lives-from majors to what we do after college, to whom we marry, the friends we keep, and most of all, the endeavors to which we dedicate our sweat, passion, intellect, and years. So, choose wisely. For what do you most hope? For what will you make sacrifices? By what criteria will you measure the meaning of your life?

Continue reading Aana's remarks...

Send a note to Aana with your comments or reflections!

NEXT TWO SUNDAYS

July 22 - Lectionary 16

July 22 Schedule: 

• 9:30 a.m. - Eucharist w/ Renewal of Vows: Aana Vigen &Alison Strickler
• 10:30 a.m. - Champagne and cake reception  (Passavant Hall)

Renewal of Vows

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!

Prayer of the Day
O God, powerful and compassionate, you shepherd your people, faithfully feeding and protecting us. Heal each of us, and make us a whole people, that we may embody the justice and peace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Weekly readings 

July 29 - Lectionary 17

July 29 Schedule:
***CUBS HOME GAME***

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

Prayer of the Day
Gracious God, you have placed within the hearts of all your children a longing for your word and a hunger for your truth. Grant that we may know your Son to be the true bread of heaven and share this bread with all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Weekly readings 

BIRTHDAYS:
Kate Berlin 7/18 
Eric Breese  7/20
Austin Johnson  7/20
Kim Duffy  7/21
Mary Larkin  7/23
Abigail Egan  7/25
Beth Mankowski  7/25
Michael Musgrave  7/25
Joel Klaff  7/26
Carolyn Pirotte  7/26
Robert Cullen (Bob)  7/30
Clyde Andrew Walter  7/30
Rilla DeSouza  7/31

BAPTISMS:
Ethan Fiegel  7/18
Carol Schickel  7/19 
Mitchell Kittlaus  7/22
Kelly Duncombe  7/26
Clyde Andrew Walter  7/30
Ryan LaHurd  7/31
Matt Leisinger  7/31
Michelle Sevig  7/31 

ANNIVERSARIES:
Raymond Pickett  7/18
Mike & Rita Schnell  7/18 
Erica & Michael Moriarty  7/22
Jeff & Megan Whitaker  7/22
Adam & Amber Damerow  7/29
Becky Sims & Randy Wilson  7/29 

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

Stewardship and Worship
Johanna Olson

Last Two Week's Attendances

July 8, 9:30 a.m. - 138
July 15, 9:30 a.m. - 135

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.

Website Facelift

In an effort to keep up with our ever changing community, as well as stay current with new web standards and practices, our administrator Josh would like to give Holy Trinity's website a face-lift. He's looking for one or two advisor-colloaborators to help with the design process. If you (or someone you know) has any passion for web-design (specifically with layout, color scheme, fonts, etc...) or even has an eye for design in general, and would like to collaborate with Josh in the design of Holy Trinity's future web-presence, please email him now.

Book Club Meeting

Please join us for the next book club meeting on Tuesday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at the home of Amy Fanale, 1765 W. Altgeld, Unit E. We will be discussing the book Cutting for Stone by Abraham Veghese. The book for August is The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther. Feel free to join us whether you have read the book or not!

Help Holy Trinity Welcome a Refugee Family

It's that time of year to begin thinking about how you can help with Holy Trinity's annual refugee project through Refugee One. We won't know much about the family until they arrive in late August, but there is a lot we can do to prepare. Please visit the sign-up sheets in the back of the church to select from a registry of needed household items. If you're interested in volunteering your time, you can sign up to help decorate the apartment, greet the family at O'Hare airport, or help the family once they arrive. We also need financial gifts to meet our fundraising goal of $2,000-enough to pay for the first three months of rent.

Questions? Contact Laury Rinker and Scott Hendrickson. Thanks for your help!

Weekly Meditation Group Movie Night - July 27

The Chicago Weekly Sitting Meditation Group (meets here at Holy Trinity) is having a movie night! We will screen "Wake Up," a documentary about the spiritual journey of a young man named Jonas Elrod who is unwittingly placed on a spiritual path when he begins visually sensing the presence of the spirit world. His loving but skeptical girlfriend, Mara accompanies Jonas as he seeks out an amazing group of religious teachers, scientists, mystics and spiritual healers who help him unravel the intricate puzzle thrust into his life. Jonas will be taking questions following the film via skype. The screening will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 27 in Passavant Hall and a voluntary donation of $6.00 will help to cover screening rights and space use. Click through for more information and to RSVP.

Lift High the Cross: Masonry Project

The congregation has authorized a $21,000 masonry project that will include removing, cleaning, and replacing the limestone peak of the front of the church, thus addressing issues of leakage and safety. In addition, a new stone cross will be placed at the peak, as the former cross was cracked and needed to be removed so that it did not fall. Gifts to this special project will allow the congregation to use less of the newly established Reserved Fund. Please write "masonry/cross" on your check or give online at Holy Trinity's website. Thanks for your support of this important work so that Holy Trinity's building may continue to support our mission and ministry.

ELCA Youth Gathering

The ELCA Youth Gathering evening program will be streamed each night, July 18-21, 7-8:30 p.m. Central Time, and worship on Sunday, July 22, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. CDT at www.elca.org/gathering.

Energy Healing Workshop at HT

Anyone interested in or curious about metaphysical experiences are welcome to come learn about energy fields at this Intro to Chakras workshop (Saturday, August 18 from 10-12:30). You'll have an opportunity to experience your own energy fields and explore how modern science and Western medicine work together with these ancient healing modalities. Barbara Wahler (a member and part of our Spiritual Life Center) brings in Massage Therapist Heather McCutcheon for this special workshop. Cost is $20 in advance/$25 at the door and massage therapists can earn 2.5 CEs. Register at www.herestherub.com; contact Barbara if you have any questions. P.S. Heather will be giving demos at church on Sunday, Aug 12!

Iftar in the Synagogue

Thursday, August 2, 2012
"Iftar" is the breaking of the daily fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. This inspiring annual event has grown tremendously in recent years and become an important gathering for both Jewish and Muslim communities. The evening, brought to you by the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, includes Jewish and Muslim prayers, engaging speakers, conversation and a kosher/halal dinner.

For the first time, this year we will celebrate "Iftar in the Synagogue" across the city, in three locations on the same night. The locations are:

* EVANSTON: Beth Emet The Free Synagogue, 1224 Dempster, Evanston
* CHICAGO NORTH: Temple Sholom of Chicago, 3480 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
* CHICAGO SOUTH: Beth Shalom Bnai Zaken, 6601 S. Kedzie, Chicago

RSVP
Space at "Iftar in the Synagogue" is limited. Please RSVP by sending an email to jmcbi@jcua.org and include the following information:

* Your full name
* The number of people in your party (including yourself)
* Location you plan to attend (Evanston, Chicago North, Chicago South)
* Your phone number (optional)

"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 normally prepares and serves a meal once per month, but the shelter is closed for the summer months due to lack of funding. 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. 

July 8, 2012
Lectionary 14b
Mark 6:1-13
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

THE UNFAMILIAR

Oh, the assurance of familiarity. Knowing something or someone well. It's a bit like comfort food. We know exactly what it is and why we like it.

This oft-quoted line comes from Mark Twain: "Familiarity breeds contempt ... and children."

Maybe familiarity is the problem in today's gospel. The Nazareth folk recognize Jesus and remember his humble family. And somehow the synergy of faith and healing doesn't come together. And it leaves both the hometown people and Jesus astonished. The Nazareth townies are amazed at Jesus' reputation but they find it hard to believe that such an ordinary man - from among them - could be the means of divine power. And Jesus is equally astonished at the people's unbelief. They fail to realize that they, too, can be part of everything Jesus is saying and doing. Their ordinary lives can be transformed, but it's too far outside the box for them. The default setting is to stick with the familiar: the ways we've always thought and done things. 

Continue reading the sermon.

Listen to the sermon.

Listen to full services. 

July 15, 2012
Lectionary 15b
Pr. Michelle L. Sevig

I feared my own head might be served up on a platter if I offered to host one more party. Julie actually put a moratorium on my hosting activities after an intense spring filled with social gatherings. A church picnic, a block party, a goodbye dinner for a friend, a picnic for the kindergarten class, a backyard BBQ for the local school council and a several impromptu dinners with friends, had nearly wiped us out.

But I like hosting parties; gathering people together for good meal and a festive celebration. I enjoy getting ready for the event, preparing the food, dressing up the table, lighting the candles and welcoming guests.

Continue reading the sermon.

Listen to the sermon.

Listen to full services. 

THURSDAY, JULY 19

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study - Passavant Hall

    1:20 p.m. Cubs Home Game

FRIDAY, JULY 20

SATURDAY, JULY 21

    5:00 p.m.  HT Film Night - Amile

SUNDAY, JULY 22

    9:30 a.m.  Eucharist w/ Renewal of Vows

    10:30 a.m.  Reception In Passavant 

MONDAY, JULY 23

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group (Montrose Beach)

TUESDAY, JULY 24

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25

    7:00 p.m.  Endowment Committee Meeting

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

THURSDAY, JULY 26

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study (Passavant Hall)

FRIDAY, JULY 27

    1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

    7:30 p.m.  Meditation Group Movie Screening: "Wake Up"

SATURDAY, JULY 28

    12:05 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

    5:00 p.m.  Common Solutions

SUNDAY, JULY 29

    9:30 a.m.  Eucharist

    1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

MONDAY, JULY 30

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group (Montrose Beach)

    7:05 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

TUESDAY, JULY 31

    7:05 p.m. Cubs Home Game

WEDNESDAY, August 1

   1:20 p.m.  Cubs Home Game

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

Full Calendar of Events  

 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sometimes called "the apostle to the apostles" because she told them of her encounter with the risen Lord, Mary was a woman of Galilee who followed Jesus throughout his ministry. She was present at Jesus' crucifixion and his burial.

Birgitta married at age thirteen and had four daughters. Widowed at age thirty-eight, she gave all that she owned to the poor, and founded a community of monks and nuns led by a woman. Her work is continued today by the Society of St. Birgitta.

James and his brother John were the sons of Zebedee, fishermen by trade before their call from Jesus. He was the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred, and his death is the only one recorded in scripture (Acts 12:1-2).

These three German-born musicians have done much to enrich the life of the church. Schütz was an early master who focused on settings of biblical texts. Bach wrote over 300 cantatas along with works for organ and instrumental pieces, and has been called the "fifth evangelist" for the way he proclaimed the gospel in music. Handel's great work, Messiah, is a setting of scriptural texts.

Friends of Jesus, Mary and Martha are remembered for the hospitality of their home that they offered him-Martha focused on serving their guest, and Mary on listening to him. Their brother Lazarus was raised from the dead as a sign of the greater resurrection to come.

Sunday, July 29 - Olaf, King of Norway, martyr, died 1030
Considered the patron saint of Norway, Olaf went from a life of piracy to becoming Christian and declaring himself king of Norway. He revised the laws and tried to administer them fairly. Driven from Norway in a rebellion, he was killed in battle trying to regain his kingdom.  

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

News about former seminarians:  
Matthew Stuhlmuller (2012 alum), called to serve as associate pastor and mission developer at Redeemer Lutheran Church, park Ridge, IL. He was ordained at Redeemer on Sunday, June 3.

Crystal Solie (2012 alum) who recently accepted a business analyst position with a growing athletic recruitment firm in Chicago called NCSA. Crystal writes, "I'm still looking for part time ministry work in the area and hopeful that the right opportunity will come up for our family. And, of course, there is the hope that a formal first call will come into the picture at some point in the future. So the plan for the moment is to stay in Evanston, enjoy our growing family, and discern what God is asking us to do in the midst of everything. Needless to say, we are very happy and excited about what the next years will bring!"

James and Rachel Chapman welcomed Adelaide Elizabeth Chapman to their family on July 10th. Congratulations!

Agnes would have said 'yes'

By Julie Sevig | from The Lutheran 

Cora Azalea Van Steenhuyse was only 5 weeks old when she met Agnes Thompson, her great-grandmother. Thompson, 96, had suffered a stroke and Cora's parents, Tessa and Tyler Van Steenhuyse from Urbandale, Iowa, brought Cora to the hospital so the two could meet.

Cora Azalea Van Steenhuyse was baptized by Mark Urlaub at the beginning of her great-grandmother's funeral March 26. "We were there three hours after getting the call from my mom," said Tessa Van Steenhuyse, Thompson's granddaughter. "We went with the hope of making it in time for Grandma to meet her...

Continue reading... 

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>