in this issue …

Page 2 Pastor’s article continued Souper Bowl of Caring A Prayer for Valentine’s Day Page 3 Long Ranger Planning Team article Commitment Sunday Black History Month Page 4 Worship & Music Ministry News Bookends Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Ash Wednesday Page 5 Martin Luther & Music Food of the Month Men’s Fellowship Breakfast & Bible Study Tidings Reminder Page 6 Prayers for Members, Friends & Military Page 7 Prayer Concerns

The Tidings

February 2017

Monthly Newsletter of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Dear Friends in Christ, Sunday, January 15 we began our Stewardship Program “The Earth is the Lord’s”. That first week we talked about our vocation to be partners and co-creators with God on this 8th Day of Creation. We were reminded that “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” (Dr. Seuss/The Lorax) Below is the list those who worshipped that day created of ways to take care of the Earth. If you have additional ideas, email them to me and I will pass them along.... Plant more trees!! Compost /see below*

Re-usable water bottles Recycle

Mulch with lawn trimmings and leaves Household Garden

Turn off water while brushing teeth Carpool or bike

Reusable lunch containers Use Rain Barrels

Wash out Ziplock bags Turn OUT lights

Organic fertilizers on gardens/lawns Use LED bulbs

Plant a butterfly garden Solar panels/hot water

Change air filters regularly Re-usable bags

Pick up trash and don’t litter Use reusable plates

Use geothermal energy Buy local from farmers

Repurpose...donate usable items to AMVETS, Purple Heart, etc.

Shop at second hand stores

Participate in Electric Company energy saving programs

Volunteer...Patuxent Refuge; Chesapeake Bay, etc.

Community garden with neighbors (Laurel Presbyterian has one!)

For the Church Building, many of the above pertain. The following were specifically noted:

Pastor’s article continued on page 2

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The Souper Bowl of Caring utilizes Super

Bowl weekend in America to mobilize young people to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. Its vision is to transform Super Bowl weekend (the weekend of the first Sunday in February) into America's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving. Young people collect monetary and food donations during the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. 100% of the money and food is then given directly to local charities of the group's choice.

Started at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, the Souper Bowl of Caring has branched out to include schools, businesses and congregations of all faiths. In 2015, 6,676 groups across the country participated; over 8 million in cash and food was collected and donated; and 5,181 charities helped.

L.O.U.D. youth will be in the Welcome Center on Sunday, February 5 collecting money and canned goods to be donated to LARS. We hope that you will give generously to this very worthy cause. L.O.U.D Youth Ministry

A Prayer For Valentine's Day

from Out of the Ordinary by Joyce Rupp

Praise to the One whose love stirs the ancient embers sparks the breath of prayer

Praise to the One whose love entices the wandering beckons the confused

Praise to the One whose love grows wings on the weary dreams hope in the discouraged

Praise to the One whose love soothes with the ointment of mercy transforms with the touch of compassion

Praise to the One whose love threads the energy of friendship stitches the strength of fidelity

Praise to the One whose love tickles the soul with laughter urges the heart toward joy

Praise to the one whose love embraces the untamed dances with the passionate

All praise to this Gracious One All gratitude to this Beloved All love to this Mentor of Friendship All devotion to this Shaper of Hearts.

Keep doors shut, especially during summer service when air conditioning Solar panels on church roof To advocate for the environment, google “groups advocating for the environment” or “Creation Care team ELCA” or “Delaware-Maryland Synod Creation Care”. Make sure you check out any organizations on Charity Navigator to be sure they are being good stewards of your resources! Finally, take time to NOTICE the roses and then stop to smell them. That is, notice the world around you and take time to enjoy this 8

th day of God’s creation!

~Pastor Connie *Composters are available in Howard and Anne Arundel County at their Landfill according to the internet.

Pastor’s article continued from page 1.

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You haven't heard from us in a while, but the Long Range Planning Team has been busy creating a survey for the collection of ideas and suggestions from the congregation in the effort to develop a Long Range Plan for Holy Trinity. The definition of "long range planning" in this effort is 3 - 5 years. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete, but please take the time to thoughtfully respond. We're using the Survey Monkey software, which is user-friendly, and we are including plenty of space for individual responses. This will not be just a multiple choice survey. While the survey will be anonymous, at the end of the survey you may submit your name to indicate if you would be willing to be interviewed by a member of the Team so that you can share your ideas in more detail. More information will be published later this month as we get closer to distributing the survey. Thank you in advance for carefully considering what God is calling this congregation to do and to be in our local community and beyond. Long Range Planning Team: Stephanie Smith Robin Smith Dale Lehman Aida Lebbos John Peterson Pastor Connie Karen Brownell

Long Range Planning Team Preparing

a Congregational Survey

President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Since then, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme.

If you would like to learn more about the men and women who fought for racial equality in America, go to the History channel www.history.com/ ministries/blackhistory or check your local TV listings for the History and Public Broadcasting channels.

Monday, February 20

Thank you, God, for your gift of new life through Christ. Help me to

make the most of it! Amen.

Stewardship Commitment Sunday February 5

We will end our Stewardship Program with Commitment Sunday. You will have the opportunity to present your commitment card and have it blessed during either service that day.

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Bookends The next meeting of Bookends will be on February 20. We will discuss Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole. This is a sweeping story told in letters, spanning two continents and two world wars. At our March 20 meeting, we will discuss the very-popular-with-bookclubs-book, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Ove is a curmudgeon with staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. But behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. This book is a "thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others." (Booklist review) Bookends meets on the third Monday of the month at Panera (off Rte 198) at 6 PM. Read the book and show up for a lively discussion. Questions? Call Karen Brownell at 301.595.4449 or mammakar@aol.com.

Worship & Music Ministry News This year the Epiphany season is a long one, so the month of February will find us enjoying the transition from Epiphany through The Festival of the Transfiguration of Our Lord on February 26. Following Transfiguration we move into the Lenten Season with Ash Wednesday on March 1. We encourage you to participate fully in all our worship services. In February, we will offer Holy Communion at the 11:15 service on the 5th and 19th and at the 8:30 service on the 12th. On the Festival of the Transfiguration, Holy Communion will be offered at both services. I want to thank all the staff and musicians, as well as the Altar Guild, for the meaningful Advent and Christmas season they provided the congregation. I especially want to thank those who came out to help de-decorate the Sanctuary, Barbara Schwarz, Betsy Hoidra and Karen Brownell who brought along her 18 month old grandson Kent who was delightful. I tried to teach him something about “mechanical advantage,” (using a pair of pliers to loosen a thumb screw). He was attentive, but I don’t think he caught all the subtleties. Before he left, I said, “Well, Kent, did you learn anything today? He said, “No.” Well, I expect it was my teaching style that was found wanting! The next meeting of the Worship & Music Ministry is Tuesday, March 6.

Jim Thomas Worship & Music Ministry Chair

All you can eat Pancake Supper

Tuesday, February 28

5:00 - 7:00 PM Fellowship Hall Benefits Youth

Ministry Programs

Ash Wednesday is March 1. We will have the Imposition of Ashes at 11:00 AM. In addition, our Ash Wednesday worship service will be at 7:00 PM that will include the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion.

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Next gathering Saturday,

February 11 at 7:30 AM

in the Fellowship Hall

Just a reminder

that articles for the

Tidings are due on

the 2nd Friday of

each month. March

articles are due to

the office on

February 10.

Food of the Month for the

Hungry

SOUP

Bring in canned or box soup and place it in the green box just outside the entrance to the worship space.

Martin Luther and Music

Lutherans sing! To mark the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, each month we will share the story of a piece of music by Martin Luther. This month we look at the Advent Hymn, “Savior of the Nations, Come”. Having just celebrated the coming of our Lord and now his manifestation in the season of Epiphany, this hymn proclaims Jesus’ birth and victory. This 16th-century hymn by Martin Luther was one of 37 hymns composed by the reformer. The English translation we sing is actually a third-hand version from the German “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” in 1523 which was, in turn, a translation of the Latin “Veni, Redemptor gentium” ascribed to Ambrose of Milan (c. 340-397). The musical style is plainsong. Therefore Luther’s composition is less an original hymn than a reworking of an existing Latin text and plainsong tune to make it more accessible for congregational use. The hymn is essentially a song restatement of the second article of the Nicene Creed relating to the Incarnation of the Lord. Savior of the nations, come, Virgin's Son, make here Thy home! Marvel now, O heaven and earth, that the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood, by the Spirit of our God, Was the Word of God made flesh—Woman's Offspring, pure and fresh. Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child of the Virgin undefiled! Though by all the world disowned, still to be in heaven enthroned. From the Father forth He came and returneth to the same, Captive leading death and hell--high the song of triumph swell! Thou, the Father's only Son, hast o'er sin the victory won. Boundless shall Thy kingdom be; when shall we its glories see? Brightly doth Thy manger shine, glorious is its light divine. Let not sin o'ercloud this light; ever be our faith thus bright.

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Heavenly Father, we pray that you comfort those who grieve, those who are lost, those who doubt, and those who are sick. Give faith in the midst of all that troubles your people. Shut-Ins and Long Term Health Issues: *designates member *Pastor Tom *Christine Patton *Charlie Nolan *Frank Hart *Joyce Herring *Annaliese Ashley *Joyce Weir *Betty & Bill Girvan *Eva Rice *Walter & Bette Ortel *Wes Westrom Michael Johnson Kristin Switzer Lewis Rose Krissy Biles

Military & Mission: *designates member

*David Lundeen Chris Passmore *Mark Comstock Kevin Fraley Ashley Fortson Kevin Quigley James Klinger II Billy Bogus Bill Zgieb Christopher Nolan Scott Pendergraph Jonathan Schwarz Paul Westrom Jr. Kristina Westrom Adam Bowers Desiree Fortson Jeffrey Houston We pray God’s blessing for Robert Fox who retired from the Navy in January after 20 years of service; and for Diane Rithman and Adala Gotomo who were received in membership in December and January.

Keep Them in Your Prayers

February 2017

Prayer Concerns

Let us pray….

1. For adequate shelter for those living out of doors during the winter cold.

2. For more effective screening techniques to prevent cancer.

3. For zeal for the Gospel for those who are called to mission in foreign lands.

4. For safety for law enforcement personnel who put their lives at risk for the sake of our

safety and security.

5. In Thanksgiving for the generous donations made to the Souper Bowl of Caring.

6. For the churches in our communities that they may be lively places of teaching,

evangelism and worship.

7. For forgiveness from our African-American neighbors for our history of slavery, racism, and

ghettoism.

8. For wisdom and patience for both new and experienced parents.

9. For the Christians of Northern Nigeria as they face the terror of Boka Haran.

10. For God to call out from the church individuals to serve as Pastors to lead our congregations.

11. For the guidance of the Holy Spirit for those who are preparing for ministry.

12. For healing of our nation’s waterways, especially the Chesapeake Bay system

13. For our State Legislators as they discuss and vote on issues that they will remain true to their

commitment to serve the needs of all in the State.

14. In Thanksgiving for the expressions of love we give and receive today.

15. In Thanksgiving for health care workers especially those who serve in dangerous places.

16. For the chronically ill and those who care for them, especially those on our prayer list.

17. For our local schools that they be effective places of teaching and learning for all.

18. For those diagnosed with gallbladder and bile duct cancer.

19. For TSA workers, pilots, flight attendants and all who fly.

20. In Thanksgiving for our President and for all who have served in that capacity.

21. For plumbers, electricians, mechanics and all whose skills ease our lives.

22. For healing for those broken in body, mind or spirit.

23. For healthy choices for those who struggle with weight loss and weight gain.

24. In Thanksgiving for those who clear our streets when the snows fall.

25. For hope and healing for all who are living with cancer.

26. For garbage workers and all whose work is difficult and dirty, but whose work improves the quality

of our lives.

27. For those who live with diabetes, heart disease or multiple sclerosis.

28. For the long, dark nights of winter to give way to the blossoming of spring.

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Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 7607 Old Sandy Spring Road, Laurel MD 20707

301.725.1666 — FAX 301.725.2532 Web: www.htlclaurel.org — Email: htlc.laurel@verizon.net

Holy Trinity Christian Day School www.htlcdayschool … 301.317.6600 … htlclaurelmd@gmail.com

The Rev. Connie Miller, Pastor

February Worship Schedule 8:30 & 11:15 Worship

10:00 Sunday School for all ages