Trinity Lutheran Church Christian School & Child Care

Rev. Brian Hesse, Senior Pastor

Charessa Koontz, Director of Youth & Family Ministry

Mr. Rick Ryan, Principal

Meliea Cox, Child Care Director

July 2016

Sunday Services At Trinity

8:00 A.M.,10:30 A.M.

& 6:00 P.M.

Sunday School & Bible Class

9:20 A.M.

You are Cordially Invited to Attend

Non Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Amarillo, Texas

Permit No. 307

Trinity Lutheran Church

5005 I-40 West

Amarillo, Texas 79106

Change Service Requested

Last month we started a sermon series of “Living As God’s Chosen People.” When we as a congregation of God’s people started this journey I thought for certain we would be spending most of

our time on these Words from chapter 2:9-10, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a

holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him

who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now

you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

However, if you notice carefully the sermon texts throughout this preaching series; you will discover that those particular verses are not listed. These verses from God’s Word ought to be comforting, just look at the words used to describe us. God uses words like “chosen,” “royal,” and “holy.” Peter writes that you were once a nobody. You were once insignificant, a subject of God’s wrath because of sin. Now, on the other hand, you have received mercy, you are no longer part of the insignificant darkness that plagues the world because you have received the mercy shown to you in Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus know that massive transformation that our Savior has accomplished for us by His death and resurrection. We know the massive transformation that Christ has promised that we always have life, even in death our future is life in the resurrection. We are part of Christ’s massive transforming love that has been put into motion in the world. However, your transformation is not all about you. As the world changes around us, you might be thinking it is getting worse. Recently, we have a new record of mass causalities in a shooting set by the tragic events in Orlando. Many loathe with disdain the cycle of another political season upon us. Many are despondent with threats in our world. Even in our own community there is a heightened sense urgency about our safety after the incident at our local Walmart. It would be easy to conclude the world is in chaos. It is certainly obvious the sin is still very much apart of our world. Being a Christian, one of God’s chosen people does not make you immune to sin and the chaos of the world. Being a Christian makes you, God’s light in the darkness. Being one of God’s chosen people who is additionally described as royal and holy makes you one of the heralds of the excellent mercy and love of God in a world of sin and chaos.

Luther had it right when he commented on the Epistle of First Peter. He wrote, “We have no other

reason for living on earth than to be of help to others. If this were not the case, it would be best

for God to kill us and let us die as soon as we are baptized and have begun to believe. But he

permits us to live here in order that we may bring others to faith, just as He brought us. But as

long as we live on this earth, we must live in hope.” (AE, 30.11) As “God’s Chosen People” we must live in hope. We must live in the hope that comes from Christ alone. I pray the remainder of our mediation on First Peter this month will be beneficial to you as people who live in hope and can share that hope with others. Pastor Brian Hesse Josh 1:9

Pastor Hesse - God’s Chosen People

Special points of interest:

July Calendar - Pg. 6

July Birthday’s - Pg. 7

Sunday School - Pg. 7

Piano Donation - Pg. 8

Insights from the Epistle of 1

Peter - Pg. 8

Work Day Pics - Pg.9

CEF News - Pg. 11

Family Life Ministry 2

VBS 3

Tiger News 4-5

Ushers/Greeters 7

Child Care 8

Elders 8

Merger Letter 10-11

Inside this issue:

July 2016

Trinity Lutheran Church, Christian School & Child Care

Trinity Epistle

Page 2 Trinity Epistle

July Family Life Ministry News

Church Camp 2016

July 10th-15th

Camp Ceta Glen

Sunday School News:

Summer Sunday School Theme is “Faith: Believing

What Jesus Did Can Change Me.” We will be going

all around the world to see how the disciples spread

the gospel and the impact it still has today.

Remember that we start in the music room on

Sunday mornings for opening worship.

Children’s Worship Center Bags have been redesigned thanks to our TLCS!

New bags have tags by age group: Infant/Toddler, PreK-K,

and Early Readers.

Please make sure that the items get returned to the right bag for the next little worshipper.

VBS 2016 Words cannot express my extreme gratitude to all of our many volunteers, participants, donors (especially Thrivent), prayer warriors and more who

made our VBS such a success with over 160 children participating. We are so thankful for our preschool staff who saw the value of this program and even included the 2 year olds in this year’s theme of Jesus is the Light of the World! Such a blessing and such a joy! Check out some of pictures in this newsletter.

Page 11

Texas District Church Extension Fund

For Information concerning CEF investments and application

forms, contact Trinity’s CEF rep. Bob Johnson

of the Merger, the Implementation Finance Committee will insure the transfer of any funds into the accounts of Trinity Lutheran Church.

7. The existing governance committees including Boards of Elders; Boards of Trustees; Christian Day School Boards; Sunday School Boards; Youth Boards; Boards of Evangelism; Boards of Stewardship; Boards of Social Ministry and Boards for Childcare Service and any other committees from both congregations will combine, working with joint chairpersons, until the next regularly scheduled church elections in the summer of 2016.

8. Major ministry activities of both Church’s, e.g. BBQ Sunday, Angel Breakfast, etc. will continue as outreach efforts of the unified Church as approved by appropriate boards and council.

9. The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Trustees Chairperson, and Child Care Chairperson of Christ Lutheran will remain in those positions until the legal dissolution of Christ Lutheran Church. These representatives will be non-voting, ex-officio members of the Church Council of Trinity Lutheran Church.

10. Worship services will continue at the unified Trinity Lutheran Church at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, and 6:00 pm.

11. Staffing for the unified church at the time of Merger will be as follows: Pastor Brian Hesse will serve as Senior Pastor, Mrs. Charessa Koontz will serve as Director of Family Life Ministry, and Mr. Rick Ryan will serve as Principal of Trinity Lutheran Christian School. All other faculty and staff of Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran at the time of the Merger will be retained in their respective positions subject to the review of the Church boards based on program and budget needs.

12. A merged Governance Committee will review, update and draft, in accord with The Texas District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod a Constitution and bylaws of the unified congregation. Upon adoption, this Constitution and bylaws shall be submitted to the District Committee on Constitutional Review for approval by the Texas District LCMS Board of Directors in accordance with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s By-laws.

Page 10 Trinity Epistle

This Article of Partnership/Merger Agreement was presented to the Voter’s at our May meeting. This was the duty given to the Implementation Governance team in meeting the obligation of our April Voters Meeting. On June 24

th, at our next Voter’s

Meeting, this document will be ratified and sent onto the District and other governing officials. If you have any corrections that you would like amended please let Elder Jose Garcia, Elder Randy Parker or Family Life Minister Charessa Koontz know as soon as possible.

Merger Agreement for

Trinity Lutheran Church Amarillo, TX &

Christ Lutheran Church Amarillo, TX

Now come Trinity Lutheran Church (Trinity Lutheran) and Christ Lutheran Church (Christ Lutheran), and acting through an affirmative vote of their respective congregations, enter into this Merger Agreement (Merger).

Whereas, Trinity Lutheran Church is a Church founded in 1921 which is operated at 5005 Interstate 40 West in Amarillo, Texas and has been registered as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Texas since August 1940; and

Whereas, Christ Lutheran is a Church founded in 1954 and has operated at 2400 N Coulter St. in Amarillo, Texas and has been registered as a non-profit corporation under the Laws of the State of Texas since August 1954; and

Whereas, in the fall of 2015, the pastoral leadership of Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran began conversation and prayerful consideration whether a merger of the two congregations would be beneficial to both congregations and Trinity Lutheran’s stated mission “REACHING, TEACHING, AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS THROUGH THE SAVING LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST”; and

Whereas, in the winter of 2015- 2016, the Administrative Councils of both Churches determined to explore the possibility of a merger further by the selection of members to a Trinity-Christ Exploratory Committee to explore issues related to the Merger of the two churches; and

Whereas, there have been multiple information sessions conducted at both churches to explain the progress of the Merger talks and the required process for effecting the Merger; and

Whereas, on March 13, 2016 and April 3, 2016, the members of both Christ Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran approved the Merger of the two churches by a 2/3 affirmative vote of both congregations' members in a paper ballot vote; and

Whereas, upon joint approval of the congregations Christ Lutheran physically moved to Trinity Lutheran Church on May 15, 2016, and is conducting its worship activities at Trinity Lutheran Church, but continues to operate its child care facility and conduct other ministry and outreach activities at the former Christ Lutheran Church location since that time. Now therefore come the members of Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran and agree as follows:

1. Effective May 15, 2016, Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran will merge to worship as one church in accordance with the provisions of The Texas District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

2. The name of the unified church will be: Trinity Lutheran Church.

3. The mission of Trinity Lutheran will remain: “REACHING, TEACHING, AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS THROUGH THE SAVING LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST.”

4. The unified church shall operate as a non-profit corporation under the registration of Trinity Lutheran Church.

5. A name change will be filed with appropriate local, state, and federal entities to reflect the change in name of the Christ Lutheran Church property and holdings to: Christ at the Woodlands Lutheran Church – A Ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church - LCMS.

6. The assets, liabilities, income and debts of both churches will be combined into the financial records and holdings of Trinity Lutheran Church. Those assets will include all checking, savings, money market, certificate of deposit or other financial assets currently held by either of the two churches along with all real and personal property. This shall also include the building mortgages, but both mortgages shall remain separate. Both church Finance Chairs (Comptroller/Treasurer) have already provided current financial statements to the other church. Prior to the legal effective date of Merger, the accounting firm of both entities will analyze the financial statements for accuracy. Upon the legal effective date

Page 3

Page 4 Trinity Epistle

MORE TIGER NEWS…

Our Summer Scrip Program continues and is ready to help you! There are plenty of cards to help with

all your regular purchases and all those special events, projects, and summer vacations still left to do! All

are very important and all provide a great and unique way to support our school! Check out our Scrip

Table every Sunday morning after first service.

School Summer Office Hours – During July the school office will be open each day, Monday through

Thursday, from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. or Mr. Ryan will be happy to set a time to meet as needed by

appointment.

Tri-State Volunteers Needed...The Tri-State Fair Parade will be here soon and we would

again like to participate with a float representing our church, school, and child care centers! We are in

need of creative and enthusiastic individuals to begin the planning and construction of a parade float that

will once again share the Gospel message to our community! We had a great time last year and need

willing volunteers to be part of the float committee! We hope to have this committee in place by August 1st!

Please contact the church office if you are willing to be part of this important journey sharing the

ministries here at Trinity with our community! We hope to hear from you soon! Another great way to share

your gifts and talents in special and important ways!!!

ENROLLMENT FOR NEXT YEAR

CONTINUES…

We continue to reach out into the community and to all families wanting to enroll for next year with great incentives for NEW

families! Please be an Ambassador for Trinity and share your Trinity story. We have LOTS of materials for you to share! We

also have Application forms and Registration material available through the school office. Please contact Mr. Ryan for more information on how you can help spread the news about us! NOW is the time to reach out to families and share the great

things about TLCS! Be an Ambassador for Trini-

ty...TODAY!!!

NEEDING TRINITY TEACHERS AND STAFF!!! We continue our search for those servants to join our Trinity Ministry Team! We are seeking applicants to help fill the following positions: ECE Teacher for our Pre-Kindergarten 3s & 4s classroom. Full

or Part-time possibilities. Teacher-Aides for Pre-Kindergarten classroom. P.E. Teacher for part-time position All who are interested in any of these positions or know of a person who might want to be part of this ministry in any of these capacities, please contact Mr. Rick Ryan.

Trinity School Ministry Prayer List!

Please continue to keep our

Trinity One Family in your

prayers as we look to strengthen

our school ministry and help to

grow our ministries!

Blessings for guidance and direction with

NEW and EXPANDED programs in Pre-

Kindergarten next year, and the needed

staff to serve!

An increased TOTAL enrollment for next

year.

An increased enrollment in each grade…Pre-

Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grades 1– 5! Bless our efforts to return ALL of our Trinity

families!

Reach out to bring twenty (20) NEW

STUDENTS to Trinity!

The Spirit of God to move all our families to

make this happen!

Help us to build on God’s blessings!

Living Life, TOGETHER, in CHRIST as… One Family!

Page 9

Board of Child Care

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21

Home of the Tiger Cubs! 1. Next meeting date – July 11, 2016 at 6:10 pm at TLC 2. Enrollment/Waiting list – 137 (4 starting soon). Includes 57

for summer 3. Assistant Director Rebecca Tobias will begin the process of

getting Director’s license 4. Carpet/Tile - Hallway’s and bathrooms – continue to

explore options 5. Implementation Committee (Merger) working on

a. Wage/benefits conformity b. Policy/Procedures Manual c. Parents Handbook d. Employee Manual e. Electronic Direct Deposit (coming) f. Christ in the Woodlands (CITW) employees have changed pay dates to conform with TLCC

Board Members: Margaret Brooks, Sue Buescher, Val Compson, Pam Davis, Patty Goff, Steve Hauter, Brittany Nash, Sue Pennington, Kim Roberts, James Wells

Elders

The board of elders thanks Bob Johnson and Kyle Wilkins for their service to the congregation. As Bob and Kyle leave the board, we welcome Bill Brohlin, Howard Herm, and Chuck Boissenet. We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in making our Vacation Bible School so much fun for the children in attendance. We especially recognize the large number of youth who responded to the call for volunteers. We have many reasons to be proud of our kids! Please don't hesitate to call any member of the board of elders with your concerns and questions. Know that we keep our Trinity family in our daily prayers. Walk with Light, Rick Black

Piano Donation West Texas A&M recently purchased new pianos and Mike Johnson was able to have one of the very good replacements donated to Trinity Lutheran School. Thank you to Mike for your efforts in obtaining the Piano and the Mike and Jeff Schwartzenberg for moving it from WT to Trinity.

Living As God’s Chosen

People

Insights from the Epistle

of I Peter

Week Six: People Who Are Home (July 3)

Suggested Reading: I Peter 3:1-14

Week Seven: People Who Hurt (July 10)

Suggested Reading: I Peter 3:15-22

Week Eight: People in Masks (July 17)

Suggested Reading: I Peter 4:1:12

Week Nine: People in Practice (July 24)

Suggested Reading: I Peter 4:12-19

Week Ten: People of Grace (July 31)

Suggested Reading: I Peter 5:1-13

Page 8 Trinity Epistle Page 5

JULY/AUGUST 2016 CALENDAR DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Celebrating 68 Years of Lutheran School Ministry… Living Life TOGETHER in Christ as ONE FAMILY!

Monday, July 4th…School Office Closed - July 4th Observance

Monday – Thursday, July 18th -21st…Administrator’s Conference – Dallas/FW

Wednesday, August 17th…First Day of School! Opening Worship of our 69th Academic year at 9:00a.m.!!! Get your Tiger Summer Spirit Items NOW…you can purchase Tiger Mugs, Athletic Bottles, Baseball Caps, along with many other items from our Tiger School Store that will help to show the Amarillo community your true Tiger Spirit. Contact the School Office for your summer ordering needs!

YOU CAN FIND OUT THE LATEST ABOUT YOUR TRINITY TIGERS BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AT

www.trinitylutheranschool.org or on our Trinity School Facebook page!

Leave a Legacy of Love for Trinity! Support your school ministry through these means and impact lives forever…

♥ Ruth Stelzer Memorial Endowment

♥ Trinity Scrip Program

♥ 2015-2016 Scholarship Needs

♥ Trinity’s Birthday Challenge…Only ONE more month remains!

♥ Thrivent Action Teams… All Thrivent members have two (2) $250 opportunities to support projects for

the church, school, and child care. We can use ACTION TEAMS to help with classroom projects for the

summer! It is easy to do! There will be many project opportunities available for July and part of August and

for our upcoming school year, too! Please see Mr. Ryan for details.

♥ CHOICE DOLLARS…Don’t forget to designate those free dollars!

♥ Any Designated Gifts of personal interest to the school!!!

IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE

PROGRAMS and ANY SCHOOL MINISTRY NEEDS…

PLEASE CONTACT MR. RYAN!

Serving Our Master Teacher!

Mr. Rick Ryan

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Page 6 Trinity Epistle

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2

Bountiful Baskets/Fellowship Hall - 9-11am

3 Social Ministry Mtg. - 9:30am Bible Study - 7pm

4 5 6 7 Life Light/Parlor - 9:30 am

8 9 Bountiful Baskets/Fellowship Hall - 9-11am

10 11 Child Care Bd. Mtg. - 6pm

12 Quilting/Parlor - 9am Elders Mtg. - 6pm

13 14 Implementation/Parlor - 6pm

15 16 Bountiful Baskets/Fellowship Hall - 9-11am

17 18 19 School Bd. Mtg. - 7pm

20 21 Life Light/Parlor - 9:30 am Church Council - 6pm

22 23 Bountiful Baskets/Fellowship Hall - 9-11am

24 Voter’s Mtg./w Potluck following 10:30 service Bible Study - 7pm

25 26 27 28 Life Light/Parlor - 9:30 am

29 30 Bountiful Baskets/Fellowship Hall - 9-11am Fish Fry/Fellowship Hall - 6:15pm

31 Bible Study - 7pm

JULY 2016

Church Camp - July 10-15

National Youth Gathering - July

15-20

Secretary Off 1/2 day 14th all day 15th

National Youth Gathering - July 15-20

Page 7

Bubba Davis 7/2 Bill Moore 7/3 William Baker 7/4 Chris Pilgrim 7/5 Martin Kunkel 7/9 Natalie Wetsel 7/9 Caitlin Zanchettin 7/9 Meaghanne Edwards 7/11 Jakob Schwartzenberg 7/11 Ed Grund 7/12 Dwayne Henson 7/12 Brooke Davis 7/14 Ruleen Howard 7/15 Ken Lindemann 7/15 Eric Koontz 7/16 Annika Schwartzenberg 7/16 Monica Wetsel 7/17 Kylar Evans 7/20 Betty Rathjen 7/20 Jack Starbuck 7/20 Suzanne Garcia 7/21 Laurie Hurst 7/22 Brandi Dahl 7/23 Sarah Black 7/24 Jeff Schwartzenberg 7/25 Elaine Schlegel 7/26 Janice Ray 7/27 Christopher Bell 7/28 Steve Misch 7/28 Andrew Beggs 7/29 Briana Mendez 7/30 Jaxon Nash 7/30 Easton Nash 7/31

USHERS 10:30 AM Service Art Schneider Shane Parish Michael Fenner Rick Black Micah Black GREETERS 8:00 AM Service Mr. Paul Unger 10:30 AM Service M/M Jim Ackley

We will follow the same Greeter schedule from last year. If you would like to change please contact Janell Janhsen or

anyone on the Evangelism board. Join Us For Sunday School - 9:20 AM

Class Topic Kristin Platter “Luther’s Writings on the Minor Prophets” Pastor’s Office Pastor Hesse Islam Fellowship Hall Rick Ryan From Lent to Easter and Beyond! Parlor Sarah Black Boundaries with Children Rm. 1/School Hall High School Put a Stamp on Your World Basement-Youth Room Grades 6-8th 252 Basics Rm. 4/School Hall Grades 3-5th 252 Basics Rm. 7/School Hall Grades K-2nd 252 Basics Rm. 2/School Hall Grades PK3 & PK4 252 Basics Rm. 6/School Hall

Remember that Sunday School for children and youth PK-8th grade begins in the Music Rm/Rm #3 with an Opening

Worship before dismissal to individual classes!

Trustees

We wish to thank all who turned out for the facilities work day. (30 plus) Debris removal, landscaping, painting( kitchen &

portico), etc. both facilities. A big thank you to Kristen, Nancy, Kimberly, Elaine for fixing and serving the lunch meal for all of

the crew. All projects are progressing toward completion . We thank all who donated toward the projects. THANK YOU! Plans

are in the makings to have another work day in the future for both campuses.

Circle the date of Saturday, July 30th at 6:15 pm. The Trustees will be having a FISH/CHIPS FRY! Devotion,

Entertainment, Singing , Etc. Then feast and fellowship. Free will offering toward on going improvements.

Gods Blessings

In Christ Service

Trustees