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WORSHIP Summer WorshipSaturdays 5:30 pm
Sundays 9:00 & 10:30 am
CHRISTIAN CARE ASP Mission Trip
Boyd County, Kentucky July 7-15
On Eagle’s Wings Mission Trip July 27-August 13
FAITH FORMATION
Vacation Bible School July 9 - 13, 9 am - 12 noon
Bear Creek Day CampJuly 2-6 (no camp July 4)
9 am - 3 pm
FELLOWSHIP
Iron Pigs Baseball Game July 15, 1:35 pm
Seniors Bus Trip Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe
October 8
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There was lots of excitement in the air inside on June 10! Although it rained for the picnic, everyone enjoyed the same activities inside. Children enjoyed games, face painting, balloon artistry from a clown, and a fabulous show by a magician. Thanks to everyone who helped make our annual picnic a fellowship event to remember.
Annual PicnicTHANK YOU DAVE OLSON!
A special celebration was held on June 10 for Dave Olson and his musical leadership on the organ for the over 15 years! Below ASP team had a car wash to support their mission trip to Boyd County , Kentucky.
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You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give. ~Winston Churchill No person was ever honored for what they received. Honor has been the reward for what they gave. ~Calvin CoolidgeBe thankful for what you have; you will end up
having more. If you concentrate on what you do not have, you will never, never have enough. ~Oprah Winfrey No one ever became poor by giving. ~Anne Frank These sayings reflect what it means to have an attitude of gratitude. Being a Christian is really all about adjusting our attitude. It is about making an intentional decision to live our lives for God, not for ourselves. To have an attitude of gratitude is to understand always that nothing belongs to us. Every breath we take, every sunset we enjoy, every child’s prayer, every morning mist, every ocean breeze, every mountain view, every dollar we possess, and every grace moment is from God.
God is not so much concerned about how much we give, but about our motivation or intention behind the giving. Again, it is our attitude that we are called to examine. Are we cheerful about giving, do we see it as a privilege to give? Do we give out of sense of duty, all the
while worrying that we will not have enough? Do we forget that God is a cheerful giver? What if giving is not so much about what we do; but who we are? God gives us resources, talents, treasure, and time to invest for God, for God’s purposes, for God’s glory.A wise woman, who was traveling in the mountains, found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. “I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable the stone is but I give it back to you in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.” Let us pray: Father, Creator of all, thank you for summer! Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank you for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy your creation. Thank you for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to you this summer. Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of your presence and light my path with your word and counsel. As I enjoy your creation, create in me an attitude of gratitude. Amen.
The Rev. Paul Lutz, Senior Pastor
Senior (Pastor) Moments
TO HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF
GRATITUDE IS TO UNDERSTAND ALWAYS THAT NOTHING
BELONGS TO US.
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT OR MINISTRY!
A new online worksheet and form have been created with easy instructions and quick submission for all events, happenings, etc around Trinity. The worksheet can help you plan your promotion with deadlines and vital information. The online form is easy to use. Please use these forms for all communications for:
• Social Media• Thursday Email• Website• Flatscreens• Lansdale Lutheran• Trinity Weekly
SOCIAL EMAIL WEBSITE FLATSCREENS LUTHERAN WEEKLY MEDIA Newsletter
DATES TO POST Thursday Email Upcoming Event DATES DEADLINES Due Tuesday Due Wednesday Section Due Wednesday May 29, 2018 for weekend for weekend August 3, 2018 September 14, 2018 October 26, 2018 February 1, 2019 March 22, 2019 May 31, 2019
DATE of EVENT Separate Email Page of Group What Issue DATE TO START Must be HUB approved & END 3 weeks maximum
DATE TO START & END
COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHEET
Use this form as a worksheet for yourself. After you charted everything, go to trinitylansdale.com/media and fill out the online form.
These worksheets and forms can be found on the FORMS page of the website or at trinitylansdale.com/media.
Please start using the forms for your weekly submissions to communications. Any questions, please email Victoria Thomas at [email protected] or call 215.368.1710.
ALL GENERATIONS TOGETHER
A new fall Sunday schedule is detailed on page 6. Join us as we CONNECT, BUILD, and GROW together.
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Bob Gamble Team Leader
Peg Francis Dave Weber Maria Brown Vicki SealDirector for Christian Care & Fellowship
CHRISTIAN CARE HUB TEAM
Meg EhmTeam Leader
Amy Rosborough Nancy Mellon George Turner Vicki SealDirector for Christian Care & Fellowship
FELLOWSHIP HUB TEAM
Jean BirenbaumTeam Leader
Joe Howard Chip Kern Polly Stewart Danette GriffithSenior Director for Chrch Management
ADMINISTRATION HUB TEAM
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Ministry Hub Teams FORMED FOR CHRISTIAN CARE, FELLOWSHIP AND ADMINISTRATIONOur last three hub leadership teams are filled! These teams will engage with the ministries in their hubs and meet with Council to plan and coordinate the ministries, review the effectiveness of current ministries, vision and explore new ministries, support the ramp-up and ramp-down of ministries and communicate with the congregation about what’s happening in their hub.Ministry Vision Team members are identified and recruited by the Nominating Committee and approved by Council. Members serve for two year terms, and can serve for two consecutive terms. Now is the time to reach out to these team members to learn about the ministry teams and join a ministry!
Worship HUB Leaders Karen Bergey Team leader [email protected] Lynn Lentz Team member [email protected] Norma Nish Team member [email protected] Amy Toth Team member [email protected] Baxter, Director for Worship Renewal Staff Liaison [email protected]
Faith Formation HUB Leaders Beth Boeh Team leader [email protected] Lisa Cravener Team member [email protected] Ashley Han Team member [email protected] Tom Mellon Team member [email protected] Karen Matthias-Long, Director for Faith Formation, Staff Liaison [email protected]
Christian Care HUB Leaders Bob Gamble Team leader [email protected] Francis Team member [email protected] Dave Weber Team member [email protected] Maria Brown Team member [email protected] Vicki Seal, Director for Christian Care & Fellowship Staff Liaison [email protected]
Fellowship HUB Leaders Meg Ehm Team leader [email protected] Rosborough Team member [email protected] Nancy Mellon Team member [email protected] George Turner Team member [email protected] Vicki Seal, Director for Christian Care & Fellowship, Staff Liaison Staff Liaison [email protected]
Administration HUB LeadersJean Birenbaum Team leader [email protected] Howard Team member [email protected] Kern Team member [email protected] Stewart Team member [email protected] Griffith, Senior Director for Church Management, Staff Liaison [email protected]
CHRISTIAN CAREEucharistic MinistryVisitationFuneralsGrief SupportGreen TeamAltar Flower DeliveryTLC Dinner TogetherLove LinksTLC ConnectHealthTLC GardenCode BlueAdopt a HighwaySocial MinistryGlobal Ministry/On Eagle’s WingsASPPrayer ShawlPrayer PartnersQuiltersVeterans
FELLOWSHIP Discipleship Evangelism/New Connections Hospitality Coffee Hour Greeters Welcome Desk Hosts New Disciples Fellowship Small Groups Nursery Book CLubs Trinity Seniors Garden Club MOPs WELCA Men’s Breakfast Special Events (ChurchPicnis, Advent Family Night, Softball, CROP Walk
ADMINISTRATION Clerical Work Assistants Columbarium Committee Copier Operators Counters Writers Mailing Help Phone Aids/Front Desk Coverage Energy Management Evening Security Team Safety & Security Management Safety & Security Team Maintenance Assisting Crew Maintenance Support Group Archives Disaster Response (Worker Bees)Disaster Response Management
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And we’ll all share the vision, who in Christ we all shall be. Come, rejoice in the mission of a new community. In this place where we gather, Jesus, still our restless souls; to your Spirit we will listen. We will go. (Hymn: Rejoice in the Mission, Text: Dan Bielenberg)
The Sunday Morning Schedule Team reconvened again this spring with the task of checking in with the congregation after living into our new schedule for several months. We began to plan for a survey and forums, analyzed data we received, and worked toward making a decision about whether or not to make another change to our Sunday morning schedule.
The hymn text above paints a marvelous picture of a community that is united around mission, gathers to be fed and to listen to the Spirit, and is then sent out into the world to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This is our desire for our Trinity community!
There is also a strong connection between these words and the team’s intentional effort to be prayerful and to listen for the Spirit’s movement in our conversations. We took our work of evaluating how things have been going very seriously. We even invited the hub team leaders and staff liaisons to come and be a part of the decision-making. We knew that the impact of another schedule change would be felt across all the ministry areas and so we sought their input.
On June 14, the Council approved our unanimous recommendation to move ahead with a new schedule beginning September 9, 2018:
Fellowship time will be open in Hyson Hall from 8:15 – 10:45 am, and the 5:30 pm Saturday evening service will remain the same.
You may be wondering about the wisdom of another shift in the schedule after just one year. We wrestled with that as well. We believe that this schedule says that we as a community value our mission statement, that we are committed to growing in our faith together, and that we have a desire for the whole body of Christ – including children – to be present when we gather to worship. We are working on some things that will go along with the schedule change:
• Three tracks of Adult Learning opportunities from which to choose
• Wiggle Time added to the 10:30 service
• Extend nursery child care to include children up to age 5
• Occasional Intergenerational learning activities during Faith Formation that will foster relationships and learning for all.
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God is calling us to embrace diversity and to connect all generations in this Spirit-led new Sunday morning schedule. Be sure to look for new Faith Formation opportunities for all ages in the Trinity Weekly, and in the fall issue of Lansdale Lutheran available in late August, or at trinitylansdale.com.
Sunday Morning Schedule Team: Karen Bergey, Meg Ehm, Norma Nish, Craig Dietterick, Jeff Billingsley, John Strobel, Deb Neves, Andrea Baxter, and Paul Lutz
New Sunday Morning Schedule for the Fall ALL GENERATIONS TOGETHER
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 8:30 am Contemporary Worship 9:30 am Faith Formation (Sunday School) for all Generations 10:30 am Traditional Worship (no change to the radio broadcast)
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I never thought I would teach Sunday School! I do not have teaching experience and I looked forward to dropping my kids off and enjoying coffee in Hyson Hall. It wasn’t
until a friend said she was overwhelmed with teaching by herself that I casually offered to help her. I remember wondering what I had gotten myself into…It has turned out to be one
of the best experiences I’ve had at Trinity! I have met so many wonderful kids and their families. I’ve learned so much as I’ve prepared to teach the Bible stories in a way that makes sense to Second Graders. My faith has grown tremendously as I’ve been a part of how kids interpret the Bible and apply it to their lives. I love hearing the kids share joys and sorrows with each other and I love the small group dynamic that develops throughout the year. And, I’ve had a lot of fun! I would encourage anyone to consider teaching Sunday School… I think you would be amazed at how rewarding it is!
It has turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve
had at Trinity!
Ashley Han
I Never Thought I Would T each Sunday School
Nacho Average Sunday School!
This fall faith formation at Trinity is going to look a little different. Sunday morning classes will take place from 9:30 - 10:15 am falling between the early (contemporary) service which starts at 8:30 and the late (traditional) service which starts at 10:30.
To celebrate and share what all this means, the Faith Formation Hub is holding a special event, “Nacho Average Sunday School” on Sunday, August 5, at 11:30 am in Hyson Hall for disciples of all ages. The hub leadership team wants to hear from children and youth about their experience with faith formation (Sunday School) and from older youth and adults about their dreams for their own faith formation experience. The three track format for older youth and adults will be explained and there will be an opportunity for those disciples to share the kinds of things they would like to explore in these tracks. Teachers will be on hand to talk about their experiences in sharing the Good news with the children of Trinity.
If you have thought about teaching Sunday school but were hesitant due to time constraints come learn about the team teaching approach to be implemented this year. Flexibility is the name of the game as we recruit three leaders (teachers/assistants) per class. Using this model, teachers do not have to teach or necessarily be present each Sunday.
Come join the fun, eat some nachos and churros, and learn about the wonderful opportunities to grow in faith awaiting you and starting in September. Save the date, August 5, 11:30 am
Share Your Faith Story Sharing your story does not have to be long, complicated, or even well written. It can be a simple instance or moment
in time where you felt God’s presence around you. Whatever your story or God Wink, we’d love to hear from
you! We all grow when we share stories of God in our lives. Pick up a brochure from the wall communication racks or
email your story to [email protected].
Deacon Karen Matthias-Long
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Living Generously SAYING THANKS FOR SUMMER GIVING… “We want to thank the people of Trinity for the generosity of their giving in summers past and all year round,” says Steve Griffith, a disciple who serves with other Trinitarians on an initiative called “Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity” (CCCG).
Trinity is one of 16 congregations regionally taking part in CCCG, an educational activity of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to examine and revitalize congregations’ understanding of giving. “Those explorations include coming to a greater understanding of the biblical foundations of generosity and also exploring alternative means of giving,” Griffith explains.
Many churches experience a summer slump in giving patterns as church disciples vacation, thus attending less frequently. “Trinity givers frequently practice generosity with such actions as mailing in summer offerings when they are away or even paying their offerings in advance,” Griffith says. “And we want to thank them for being so faithful.” Trinity members may also make gifts to the church on line electronically from their checking accounts if they so desire by making the church a payee. “Our family’s decision to give electronically is positive in several ways. It assures Trinity of consistent, predictable giving. It also is a great time-saver for us. It is good to know that our giving continues even where we are away!” says CCCG member Bill Graeff. Trinity members and friends can sign-up on their own by going to the church website, or the church office can assist in setting up this practice.
“Summer giving plays a vital role in maintaining the congregation’s ministry,” Griffith says. “While some congregations experience a bit of a downturn in activities in the summer, that is not the case with Trinity,” he notes. For example, Trinity has a church picnic, a new church day camp offered by Bear Creek Camp right in Lansdale July 2-6, Vacation Bible School July 9-13 for an estimated 200 students, and a trip to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs baseball game July 15 to name just some of the activities scheduled.
“Most of all we want to express our gratitude to the people of Trinity for their generosity,” Bill Graeff says. “Together we make a huge difference in what the congregation is able to do in our community and beyond and loyal, regular giving makes our vital ministry possible.”
Watch for future stories about the activities of CCCG with tips on how you can continue to be a vital resource for our church.
Mark Staples
JANKE SCHOLARSHIP
The Endowment Committee is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2018 Janke Scholarship, Jake Loburak.
The Janke Family Trust Educational Fund was established through the generosity of the Janke family, members of Trinity. The scholarship is awarded annually to a TLC member who is a graduating high school senior planning on continuing higher education. The recipient shall exemplify truthfulness, fairness, the ability to build good will and friendships, and provide mutually beneficial experiences to all concerned.
Jake Loburak is a recent graduate at North Penn High School, where he was an active member of the NPTV, reporting and producing hundreds of hours of high school events. At Trinity Lutheran Church, Jake has been an active member of the Congregational Council for the past five years. He doesn’t take a summer break, either. He has helped as a Vacation Bible School volunteer, and well as a volunteer for our TLC Dinner Together weekly meals. He rounded out his TLC service as a communion assistant, usher, greeter, and coffee hour host.
Jake will be attending Neumann University, in Aston, PA, this fall, where he is planning to major in communications and digital media.
Faith Formationfor all ages
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Faith Formationfor all ages
Wow! I am amazed at all the helpful and rich resources “out there” that many of you may find helpful. As you prepare for the summer months, here are a few I would like to share with you. Let me know which of these are helpful for you. Or let me know if you found a resource worth sharing. I would love to post it here. Also, if you are looking for a resource to address something in particular, let me know and I will be happy to curate resources that may be most helpful for you.
Podcast and VlogEnter the Bible (www.enterthebible.org) is designed by Luther Seminary faculty to help you understand what you read and explore stories, people, and places in the Bible. “Whether it’s for personal devotions, exploring the Bible or participating in a group study, you’ll dig deeper into the Word with summaries, outlines, background, and videos.” It is designed to help you understand more about the Bible and how it relates to your faith and life. On the opening page, my first “go to” place is “Everything You Wanted to Know About the Bible but Were Afraid to Ask.” A click on the icon takes visitors to a page titled “Luther Seminary’s Bible Q & A” where, in the right hand column are archives of topics covered by seminary faculty. You might be interested in vlogs such as “What Does Grace Mean?” (December 2014), or “How Faithful Christians Come to Different Conclusions” (August 2014), or “Once Upon a Time: Kids and Story.”
WebsitePracticing Families (www.practicingfamilies.com) is an on-line ministry that seeks to support families in their efforts to follow the way of Jesus. Included on this website are (1) prayers and practices you may want to use with your family, (2) stories of how we experience God in the midst of family life, and (3) spiritual insight gleaned from parenting and about parenting.
MovieFred Rogers once said, “The greatest thing that we can do is to help somebody know that they’re loved and capable of loving.” Learn more about the life and legacy of Fred Rogers in the documentary film Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (This is not the Tom Hanks film that you may have heard about). Entertainment Weekly says the film is “a balm of kindness and empathy in divisive times.” Having had the privilege of recently seeing the screening of this film, I couldn’t agree more. Fred Rogers reminds us of our humanity, something we need to practice with one another across all kinds of divides.
BookLife Together (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) is a classic and certainly worth the read for the troubling times in which we live. Bonhoeffer wrote this book when he taught in an underground seminary in Germany during World War II. Written during a time when there was a lot of hatred and suspicion, Bonhoeffer called people to love. “I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me,” he writes. Bonhoeffer shares important reflections on what it means to live in Christian community. This is an important book for all Christ-followers to read. Summer is a perfect time to form a group to study and discuss Life Together.
Deacon Karen Matthias-Long
Youth Ministry8th Grade Students Calling all rising 8th graders (students entering 8th grade or up for the 2018-19 school year)!
Registration for confirmation (D2D) ministry will be happening this summer. Look for a letter in the mail in a few weeks outlining the details about the ministry and for upcoming dates for new family orientations happening in late summer!
Do you enjoy learning about Jesus? Do you love being surprised? Have you been wondering how you can use your gifts around Trinity? Consider this an invitation to serve as a Sunday school teacher/assistant beginning in the Fall. You do not need to be a certified teacher to serve in a Sunday school classroom. But what you do need is a sense of adventure, a good sense of humor and the ability to be present. Our youngest Trinity disciples need caring adults in their life who can share the love of Jesus with them. Is that you? If so, please contact Karen Strobel at [email protected] for more information.
NYG, Houston Bound! Thirty-four youth and adults are getting ready to be changed and make changes in Houston from June 25 through July 1 at the 2018 ELCA National Youth Gathering. Thank you for supporting us financially and with your prayers as we prepare to depart to share a week with 30,000 of our closest friends. We are ready to learn, worship, serve and enjoy fellowship with our fellow Lutherans from around the globe and with our neighbors in Houston. We have been getting to know each other through teambuilding meetings, raising much needed funds through spaghetti and chicken dinners, Parent’s Nights Out, pancake breakfasts, yard clean up and learning a little about the experience awaiting us in Houston. Look for updates on the Trinity Facebook page and for information on the livestreaming of the Mass Gatherings. Thanks again for all your support!
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Jared R. BrandtNorth Penn High SchoolWilkes UniversityElectrical engineering major with a focus on Nanotechnology and joining the Air Force ROTC programAchievements: North Penn Air Force JROTC-Lieutenant Commander, Commander for the National Color Guard team that competed in Dayton, Ohio and Daytona Beach, Florida and over 150 hours of community service.Participation at Trinity: Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO)— Lower Montgomery County Representative from 2014 to 2016, Sleepout for Homelessness, JYG, SHYG, National Youth Gathering in Detroit, ASP, D2DTrinity Memory: All the friends that I have connected with at Trinity.
Noah Clemens North Penn High SchoolTemple University, Fox School of Business, Management Information Systems major Achievements: J.V. Soccer, Varsity Football, PA State FBLA Competition in Hershey, Mini-THON, staff writer on Knight Crier (newspaper), weekly contributor to NPTV Mornings, announcer for Softball team home games and moderator at the Fall School Board town hallParticipation at Trinity: Vacation Bible School teacher, National Youth Gathering in Detroit, Appalachian Service Project (ASP).Trinity Memory: Going to the youth gathering in Michigan, and on both ASP trips to West Virginia and Kentucky.
Brint HadlerPerkiomen Valley High SchoolWidener University, civil engineering majorAchievements: Eagle Scout ,Order of the Arrow-Brotherhood Rank, Red Cross Certified Life Guard, Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW)Participation at Trinity: Youth Group, D2DTrinity Memory: Youth Group with Mark Ristine
Jake Loburak North Penn High SchoolNeumann UniversityCommunication and digital media majorAchievements: KYW New Studies program, High school Emmy award nominee and winner of 3 Emmy awards. Janke ScholarshipParticipation at Trinity: Council member, usher, greeter, media and video, Trinity picnic, TLC Dinner Together and Winterfest.Trinity Memory: I enjoy filming the service on Sunday.
Melissa McGuire North Penn High SchoolTemple University, nursing majorAchievements: National Honor Society, Water Polo State Champs (‘14-’17), Swimming State Champs ‘16Participation at Trinity: VBS Tribe Leader, Sunday School helper, Cookie Shoppe baker, Broad Street Ministries, and Parent’s Night Out.Trinity Memory: A combina-tion of D2D classes/retreats as well as VBS as Tribe Leader.
Kyle Robert Morse La Salle College High SchoolWest Virginia UniversityNursing majorAchievements: Participated in various outreach programs at school - Homeless Outreach, Secret Santa, Kairos, Explorers Inc., Service trip to ChicagoParticipation at Trinity: VBS, ASP, D2D, AcolyteTrinity Memory: Fondest memory was ASP.
Congratulations Graduates!
On April 29 Trinity recognized our graduating seniors at our worship services. Graduates came to the front and family and friends laid their hands on the graduates as we prayed for them. Later that evening a special service was held in the Chapel which included the distribution of prayer shawls and the much anticipated painting of the hands on the wall in the WELL, as well as a family dinner.
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Roberta Slawinski North Penn High SchoolGwynedd Mercy University,Occupational sciences majorAchievements: Mother Mary Bernard Scholarship to Gwynedd Mercy University; President of the Leo Club; Honor Roll and Distinguished Honors, grade Link Leader; Certified LifeguardParticpation at Trinity: VBS teacher, LifeSong Singers, Kids Rock, Chaos, Here We Go, Sleepout for Homelessness, 30 Hour Famine, JYG, SHYG, Broad Street Ministry, National Youth Gathering, Detroit and Houston, Serve Boldly Mission Trip, Week of Hope Mission Trip, Faith on the Frontier, South Dakota Mission Trip and D2D Confirmation ClassTrinity Memory: D2D Confirmation Class
Henry Strobel North Penn High SchoolDuquesne UniversityMusic Education major Achievements: Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 and Region VI Chorus, Penn State Argument Challenge Writing Award Finalist, 3rd Degree Blackbelt in Shaolin Kempo karate, Youngest Villaris Martial Arts Sensei in Pennsylvania, SEPA Synod Council Youth Representative, LYO/SEPA Youth Leadership Team Vice President, Member of Bear Creek Camp Strategic Planning Team, Top 10% of High School ClassParticipation at Trinity: Assisting minister, acolyte, communion assistant, lector, biblical storyteller, usher, greeter, youth groups, Broad Street Ministries, Week of Hope, Serve Boldly Mission Trip, National Youth Gathering, youth choirs, from Cherub Choir through Lifesong Singers as well as with Daybreak, planned 30-hour famine events and other local youth events.Trinity Memory: I will miss Lifesong singers the most. Mrs. Baxter and Mrs. Saul are very funny, creative, inspiring, kind and talented, and it’s very fulfilling to participate in the growth of young musicians.
Daniel Trumpp North Penn High SchoolUniversity at BuffaloMechanical engineering majorAchievements: Eagle Scout ( I made four raised beds for the green team garden outside Trinity), High School swim team, NPAC (north Penn aquatic club), Towamencin swim team, North Penn NASA research team, North Penn EPICs club, North Penn engineering programParticipation at Trinity: Acolyte, communion assistant, usher, and youth groupTrinity Memory: The New Year’s Eve Eve party from a few years ago. I will miss all the friends and family I’ve made during my time at Trinity the most.
Jacob Trumpp North Penn High SchoolFlorida Institute of TechnologyAviation Science majorAchievements: Arrow of light Eagle Scout, Auto club vice presidentParticipation at Trinity: Youth group, acolyte, communion assistant, and currently still an usherTrinity Memory: I’ll miss getting to see all my friends and family every Sunday all together at worship
Matthew West North Penn High SchoolTemple University, College of Science and Technology Biology majorAchievements: Honor Roll, President’s Education Award for Educational Excellence in 9th grade, township baseball, travel roller hockey, Boy Scout First Class level, food collection, cleaned portions of Pennypack Park and local township roads.Participation at Trinity: Sunday school classes, greeter, and served coffeeTrinity Memory: Friendships made through D2D. Small groups with Mrs. Staab and Mr. Tucker during D2D.
Graduating high school
or college is one of those
times of transition full of
both joy and anxiety about
the future. Our graduating
seniors at Trinity have
served both God and their
communities by sharing
their gifts willingly. Please
join all of us as we wish
them Godspeed. Please pray
for them and their families
as they venture into these
new uncharted territories.
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Trinity’s Organ In Need of Assessment and Repair
Trinity’s Martin Ott organ, Opus 90, was completed in 1999 and was first used for services on December 19, 1999. The organ contains over 3,700 pipes in size from a pencil to over 16 feet long. It was formally dedicated on March 5, 2000, during two memorable concerts. The instrument has been in constant use ever since for services and recitals by many regional and nationally renowned organists.
Five years later it was discovered that some of the pipes structural integrity was compromised and there was indication that they were beginning to collapse throughout the organ including six of the largest pipes visually apparent in the façade. Research done by the organ builder and the pipe builder in Europe concluded that the primarily tin metal used to build many of pipes was too soft - meaning lacking other metals/alloys that would have provided added strength and rigidity. At the time of production this was unknown to the pipe and organ builder.
Between 2005 and 2012 a number of stopgap measures and repairs were undertaken by Martin Ott, the pipe builder and our caretakers of the instrument to slow or stop the sagging and leaning of the compromised pipes. Several pipes were removed and sent to be repaired and some pipes were replaced by the original pipe builder. Over time, other measures have been taken to slow or stop the deterioration of the compromised pipes.
Sadly these efforts have not been enough. Increasing numbers of pipes have continued to be problematic and we now have no choice but to take additional measures to insure the long range viability of the organ.Consequently we have had to remove six of the façade pipes for safety reasons and make arrangements for
these pipes to be replaced with new pipes made by a company in Ohio. Additionally it is necessary for
a total assessment of all the pipes in the organ to determine the full extent of the problem. Arrangements are being made with a new company Trinity has engaged for this effort as well as for the future maintenance and tuning
of the organ.
Trinity’s Council has also authorized the reestablishment of the Organ Fund as a vehicle for all of us to use to cover the costs associated with the assessment and repair of the compromised pipes and for continued maintenance of our organ. This will be an outstanding way to participate in the repair and preservation of this musical treasure.
Dave Olson
DONATE TO THE
ORGAN FUNDto help with
repairs
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“Demystifying Worship” came out of a desire to more fully communicate about things related to worship. Other questions – some of which have come up in schedule change forums – include: What do the terms traditional and contemporary mean in worship? How are hymns chosen? How should applause be handled in worship? What feeds you in worship? If you have wondered about something in worship and you’d like to understand it more fully, please submit a question to [email protected].
This month’s question: Why should children worship together with the whole community? To see the answer go to trinitylansdale.com/demystifying-worship
250 Envelope Project HONOR A GRADUATE AND A CARD WILL BE SENT TO THEM.“Retreats and gatherings and youth groups”...oh my! These are just some of the ministries that our Trinity youth and caring adults participate in as a way of building relationships and growing their faith. How awesome is that? You might be asking, “How can I help to ensure that these ministries continue as Trinity moves forward?” Well, you can do that and support these young people by contributing to the “250 Envelope Project.”
How it works Choose an envelope with a number on it. The number on the envelope corresponds to the donation amount.
Make a donation equal to that number (or an amount you find most comfortable). Example: Envelope #7 would have a $7 donation; Envelope #177 would have a $177 donation (make checks payable to Trinity Lutheran Church and write “250 Envelopes” in the Memo).
Fill out a slip with your contact information and/or you can sign a card to the graduate you are honoring. We want to be in relationship with you even if it is through an email, a call, or a letter.
Return the donation with the slip in the original numbered envelope to the display table in the Lobby, Trinity office, or in the collection plates during any services.
I have a new idea for a ministry. What do I do next?
I’ve been leading this ministry forever and need a break. Can you help me find a replacement?
How do I join an existing ministry?
I’d love to get involved in a ministry, but which one is right for me?
Can children be part of this ministry? (Answer: Yes!)
How will the Ministry Vision Teams change my ministry?
Which hub (organization of the ministries by core value) is my ministry in?
I have an idea for fundraising for my ministry. Now what?
I love this ministry but need more people to be involved. Can you help me find more people?
I’m still a little confused by the changes. Can someone explain?
Find all the new leaders and team information on page 5! Start asking...
10things to ask the
NEW HubLeaders & Teams
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Join us for a very special journey in learning! Register today!
Registration for 3, 4, and 5-year-olds.Space is limited.
Welcome Our NEW DISCIPLESJoin us in welcoming all of the new disciples here at Trinity. The following became disciples on Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Damon and Jane AdamsMatthew and Walter
Jess and Wes Parsell
Yoa-Yu Zhang James and Rachel McCallister Baby Mackenzie Grace
Jeanne Hartzell
Kathy and Al Ziegler
Tara and Wren Miller Lucy and Lydia
Not pictured:David Grenbarg
Welcome to our New Associate Director for Worship RenewalWelcome to Emily Brands as the new Associate Director for Worship Renewal. Emily holds a bachelors degree in music education from Moravian College and is previously served as the Minister of Music at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Johnsonville, PA. In addition to
playing the organ and piano, Emily also plays the trombone. Please help welcome Emily to Trinity.
Lutheran Disaster Response Eastern Pennsylvania has been busy these past few months, specifically in response to Hurricane Maria. We are partnering with Hispanic agencies in cities like Reading, Allentown, and Philadelphia
to develop resources and help identify those in greatest need of support. Many are coming to Pennsylvania to stay with friends and family. This is difficult for both the host families and evacuee families. Our greatest need is for housing. In addition to people located in the big cities, there are also families receiving FEMA assistance who are right here in Lansdale. LDR-EPA is proud to be leading a coordinating role among agencies but also proud and humbled to be partnering with groups like Mitzvah Foundation to deliver much needed personal items and clothing to newly arriving evacuees. Together with our partners we have served several hundred families. Funds are going to support case management efforts, as well as to support families in transition and with emergency needs. Checks can be made out to Lutheran Congregational Services, with LDR noted in the memo line. They can be mailed to Lutheran Congregational Services, Liberty Lutheran, 7002 Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002.The Lutheran Disaster Response program is administered throughout eastern PA by Liberty Lutheran Services.
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DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS
ASP - The Appalachia Service Project is asking for donations of water, snacks, Gatorade, and chips.
VBS - Michael’s gift cards The craft committe is asking for Michael’s gift cards or money towards craft supplies.
Bear Creek Day Camp - Lunch donations for the five counselors for the week of July 2-6 (no camp July 4).
NYG - Book Drive Collecting Amazon gift cards and money to purchase books for Houston youth.
Food Collection - Manna on Main Street Place in large white boxes in the Lobby and in Hyson Hall. In-demand items: peanut butter, tuna fish, canned fruit, canned soup, canned meat, cereal, pasta, diapers, and baby formula.
Trinity Seniors Bus Trip Tuesday, October 9
Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe
Depart 9:30 am church parking lot and return 6:00 pm. All are welcome!
Included - lunch and a performance by the “Four Freshmen” featuring vocal and instrumental
sounds from the Beach Boys, Frankie Valli, Mamas & Papas, etc.
Cost - $79.00, includes show, lunch, transportation and driver’s gratuity. Reservation
and payment due September 19, 2018. Contact - Sylvia Kellet, 215-361-9992, for reservations.
Checks should be made payable to Trinity Lutheran Church, Attn: Vicki Seal, 1000 West Main Street,
Lansdale, PA 19446.INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
Trinity’s Story PART THREE
The year was 1918 and the United States and Lansdale looked forward to a time of peace and hope. World War I had ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and the “boys came home” amid celebrations and hope. Woodrow Wilson was our President and the future looked bright. In 1920, the 19th amendment to the constitution was passed, granting the right to vote to women. Women’s fashion had also changed and skirts were becoming shorter causing a boom in the stocking industry. Several stocking mills were built in Lansdale and in the early part of the 19th century the manufacturing of stockings became the biggest industry in Lansdale. Times were changing.
After the retirement of our long time pastor, Rev. Becker, a new pastor was installed. The Rev. Howard Paules was called from the Hilltown parish to serve at Trinity. During Rev. Paules eight year tenure, he nurtured the growth of the congregation and helped enlarge the church building. A Sunday School had always been an important part of Trinity but by 1924 it had grown too large to be housed in the church. In order to serve the growing population, a Sunday School Building was built on East Second St. directly behind the church. The Sunday School attendance at that time was well over three hundred children and adults. Pastor Paules was active in the wider church and served as secretary and president of the Norristown Conference of Lutheran churches.
Following Pastor Paules, the Rev. Elwood Schwenk became our pastor. He served for only two years (1927-1929) and left to lead a pastorate in Lebanon, PA.The Rev. W . Paul Reumann arrived at the beginning of the economic depression in 1929. For the first decade of his tenure, Trinity and Lansdale experienced hard times. There was often a struggle to meet the church budget. Plans for building a new and larger church were put aside. Pastor Reumann brought many strengths to his ministry. His preaching was probably one of the reasons Trinity saw growth, slow at first and then more rapidly as times got better and Lansdale grew larger. Serving as Trinity’s pastor for the next 33 years, Pastor Reumann led Trinity through the second World War and the planning and building of our current facility on West Main Street. But more about that next time.
Lyn Dimmig
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Trinity’s ColumbariumA Place of Peace
Since the dedication of the Columbarium and Memorial Garden at Trinity, 183 niches have been purchased. Each niche can contain two urns, which are supplied as part of the purchase.
Who is Eligible to be Buried in the Columbarium?Inurnment in the Columbarium will be available to any member or former member and current employees of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. This will include, and be limited to, their spouses or significant others, children, and grandchildren, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and their spouses or significant others.
CostsA niche is $850 which includes two urns and the inscription on the urn. This is required at the time of purchase. At the time of death, a fee of $190 covers the inurnment and the inscription on the wall. The latest development is that the section of wall does not have to be removed and transported to the inscription company; rather the work is done onsite.
UrnsInurnments in the niches may be made only in the urns provided by the Church. Other urns will be accepted only if they provide permanent inurnment and conform to the size of the niche. All niches will be enclosed with a uniform granite panel, which will later be engraved with the name of the Decedent, the date of birth and the date of death.
How to PurchasePlease contact Danette Griffith, Senior Director for Church Management, at 267-498-5907, or [email protected]. You will need to make an appointment to come in, fill out some forms, and select your niche. Remember, $850 is due at the time of purchase. Flexible hours are available to meet with Danette.
Columbarium Committee The current Columbarium Committee members are Al Hanna, Warren Ditzler, Denny Smith, and Danette Griffith. This committee exists to administer the operation of the Columbarium.
ONLINE SHOPPERS, remember while purchasing online at Amazon to go to
smile.amazon.com.
We received $49.77 for the first quarter of the year from
your purchases.
Sign in with your current Amazon account and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases
to Trinity. Please select Trinity Lansdale.
I GIVE ELECTRONICALLY
Ele
ctro
nic
Giv
ing
Something New in the Pew!The number of Trinity members who find electronic giving a convenient way to show their generosity for the many blessings God has given them continues to grow. At the same time, we have heard that some electronic givers feel that they don’t get to participate fully in the offering each week. Also, we have heard from parents who want to give electronically, but still would like to use participation in the offering time to teach their children about regular, faithful giving. Although members who give electronically can use (and we anticipate this to continue) their offering envelope by marking the box that denotes electronic giving and putting it in the offering plate, we thought we would add another more eco-friendly option. Each week members will find cards marked “I Give Electronically” in the pew rack. We encourage those who give electronically to put one of the cards in the offering plate as it passes by. Doing so will allow all members to participate in the service, and offer an opportunity for parents to teach faithful giving to their children. The new electronic giving cards will be recycled back to the pew racks.Information about electronic giving is on the reverse side of the card. We encourage all givers to Trinity to learn more about electronic giving. ~Trinity Generosity Team
Danette Griffith
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Over the past three months, Trinity’s Congregational Council has been defining an organizational structure and detailed processes to guide Trinity throughout 2018 and beyond. The Council has a new look and feel this year. The smaller Council, as approved by the Congregational vote on February 25, is more flexible and has been meeting twice a month to provide the necessary direction and guidance to all facets of Trinity’s new lay-led congregation and to allow Council to focus on more strategic governance. The Congregational Council is committed to several core beliefs which will dictate how they operate as a Council: Communication, Transparency, Trust, and Accountability.
Here are a few of the items that Council has been working on:
The selection of Council Officers and the appointment of Council Liaisons to support the HUB ministries leadership teams.
Council meetings will be held twice per month on the second and fourth Thursday and are open to the general membership. Please notify the Council Secretary, Teri Lanan, of your intention to attend so we can ensure that adequate seating is available and if you wish to discuss a specific topic.
The creation of five (5) Ministry HUBs provides the backbone of activities at Trinity. By developing, prioritizing and overseeing over 70 ministries, they directly impact all facets of life at Trinity. The Council has created a Council / HUB Review night on the second Thursday of every month to provide a forum for direct Council / HUB discussions and the opportunity for all HUBs to collaborate and communicate on issues of mutual interest.
Congregational Council – What has been happening??
The Council held a retreat in April with the objective of creating four strategic initiatives and specific Council objectives for 2018. These will be fully shared in the near future.
A new Standing Committee of Council – the Policy Committee is being formed as a permanent extension of the work initially managed in transition by the Council Implementation Team. They will continue to update existing, and create new, policies that specifically address the Council’s governance oversight of the staff, the lay-led ministries, and the strategic direction Trinity will follow.
The Nominating Committee has worked diligently to identify Trinity candidates that have volunteered to serve in leadership positions on each of the five (5) ministry HUBs. Each of the Ministry HUB Leadership teams has been approved by Council and is currently underway towards evaluating their ministries and setting priorities ‘for 2018. These leadership teams were installed during worship and are already embracing their important role in Trinity’s leadership.
A Clergy Implementation team has been created to determine the optimal clergy structure that operates within the new Lay-Led congregation. The structure and roles of the clergy will be developed to align with the implementation of the HUB Ministry structure and the input from the congregation. Kristin Wiersma, a veteran consultant to Trinity, has been engaged to work with the team and specifically solicit thoughts and feedback from the congregation. Council intentionally selected Kristin because of her rich history consulting with Trinity as we have engaged in Moving Trinity Forward and the resultant efficiencies.
Building / Sanctuary projects – A building and campus the size of Trinity requires continual maintenance and repair. The Council reviewed several large-scale projects to ensure that the proper analysis and evaluation is being completed as well as the appropriate steps are taken to provide a comprehensive prospective plan for timing and costs. Council will authorize the funding of capital projects and fund-raising efforts in the future and hold those projects to a rigorous reporting transparency for both status and ongoing approvals during the progress of work. Examples of this work and the lessons we learned include:• An historical review of the Education Wing Asbestos project
completed over the summer of 2017 to remove all asbestos and rebuild structurally.
• The Sanctuary Organ requires some immediate maintenance. Several of the larger pipes were identified as needing replacement. Council has engaged an organ repair company to provide a complete assessment of the entire organ to better understand all of the issues that need our attention in order to bring this wonderful instrument back to original, working condition. More information will be shared with the congregation as it becomes available.
If you have any questions, please contact any member of council. All council members are listed on the Trinity website.
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PASTORAL ACTSAt the Grave3/31/18 Mark Dean4/1/18 Katherine “Kay” Leidy4/8/18 Edith “Edie” Rupp4/28/18 Kevin Galante5/19/18 Dr. William Thomas Lemmon5/21/18 Miriam “Mim” Quirk
At the Font4/14/18 Lukas Christian Smith, son of Bradley James Smith and Christi Marie (Corl) Smith4/21/18 Nora Rose Mondschein, daughter of Cory Alec Mondschein and Tara Lynne (Davis) Mondschein4/29/28 Jameson Raymond Adams, son of Kelly Jon Adams and Kristen Nicole Young4/29/18 Allen Peter Vajda, son of Janos Peter Vajda and Sarah Wright Vajda4/29/18 Karson Reese Kroeger, son of Keith Douglas Kroeger and Daniela Theresa (Coppola) Kroeger5/26/18 Madelyn Renee Gibson, daughter of Brian Joseph Gibson and Monique Danielle (Labrecque) Gibson5/26/18 Alexander Joseph Gibson, son of Brian Joseph Gibson and Monique Danielle (Labreque) Gibson 5/26/18 Lyla Evey Durant, daughter of Rock James Durant and Lindsay Nicole (Mauer) Durant5/27/18 Evan Joel Clayton, son of Brian Eugene Clayton and Linda Joy (Hare) Clayton
Financial Update
Year-to-date April 2018 Actual Budget VarianceRevenues $564,021 $594,099 $(30,078)Expenses $584,910 $614,500 $(29,590)Net Surplus (Deficit) $(20,889) $(20,401) $(488)
JULY BIRTHDAYS4 Nelda Fluck 602 N. Broad Street Apt B202 Lansdale, PA 194466 Della Pohlig 660 N. Broad St., PC408 Lansdale, PA 194467 Janet Higgins 4215 Brittany Pointe Lansdale, PA 1944620 Betty Rota 337 Sherwood Ct. S. Souderton, PA 1896421 Kay Ziegler 1290 Allentown Rd., Apt 156 Lansdale, PA 19446AUGUST BIRTHDAYS14 Marie Kelly 776 Sunmeytown Pike, Rm C22 Lansdale, PA 1944614 Dottie Stefanco 233 Woods Drive Lansdale, PA 1944618 Al Boorse 1090 Arbour Lane Quakertown, PA 1895128 Dorothy Bresel 925 Perkiomen Ave Lansdale, PA 1944625 Nancy Haberle 325E Church Ave, Apt 205 Telford, PA 18969
Homebound Birthdays Please consider making their special day a bit brighter by sending them a birthday card.
Front Desk Please welcome Maria Brown at our front desk. She is working while Gay Brunt-Miller is on medical leave. You can reach her through Gay’s email or call the front desk at 215-368-1710.
Office Hours The office will close at 12 pm on Fridays until September. All staff will be allocating their hours to different days to make up this time.
Summer Nursery Caregivers We are looking for nursery caregivers during the 9 am worship service. If you are interested, please contact Vicki Seal, [email protected].
Clergy Implementation TeamWe’re back! The Clergy Implementation Team (CIT), that is.After a hiatus of the last several months during the resizing, election and prioritizing of Trinity’s new Council, this team is again engaged, meeting, and working with a consultant from the Joshua Group who assisted Trinity in the past. You may remember her – Kristin Weirsma. As a reminder, the purpose of the CIT is to discern the optimal clergy configuration based on Trinity’s mission, values, and priorities along with emerging ministry needs and opportunities – the aspirations and needs expressed by you, the congregation. This team is not a call committee. Members of the Clergy Implementation Team are: Teri Lanan, Carol Connor, Ashley Han, Cort Birenbaum, Liz Ricketts, Clay Luxton, Cindy Weiss, and Pastor Lutz.
Feel free to connect with anyone on the team with your questions or concerns. Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks!
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The Lansdale Lutheran Published by Trinity Lutheran Church
Senior Pastor: Paul Lutz
Pastor for Visitation: Chris Glod
Director for Worship Renewal: Andrea Baxter
Senior Director for Church Mgmt: Danette Griffith
Director for Faith Formation: Deacon Karen Matthias-Long
Director for Fellowship & Christian Care: Victoria Seal
Director for Early Learning: Lisa Corr
Director for Communication & Editor for Lansdale Lutheran: Victoria Thomas
Church Accountant: Cathy Pezzuti
Associate Director for Worship Renewal: Emily Brands
Administrator for Family Ministry: Karen Strobel
Manager for Buildings & Grounds: Dennis Smith
Nursery Coordinator: Cathy Grever
Maintenance Staff: Saci Bartos, Maryanne Swords- Greene, Susan Underkoffler, Jen Willison, Dalton Dimmick
Admin. Assistant for the Pastors: Patti Tancredi
Admin. Assistant/Receptionist: Gay Brunt Miller
Admin. Assistant for Worship Renewal: Miwa Sperring
Office Assistant: Karen Brown
Global Outreach: On Eagle’s Wings, Northern Canada; Bill & Nicole Lohmeyer, Puerto Rico, Young Adult
in Global Mission, ELCA
To reach a staff member, call 215-368-1710 or find their email address on the staff page of the website.
Submit articles for the next issue to [email protected]
or in the church office by noon on August 3, 2018. www.trinitylansdale.com
215.368.1710 l email: [email protected]
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church1000 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19440trinitylansdale.com l 215.368.1710
Connect with others at Trinity! From the monthly Trinity Seniors luncheon above to our annual Trinity Tea with a performance from an Elvis Impersonator to the Joyful Choristers trip to Washington, DC. Fun for all ages!
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Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPermit No. 167 Lansdale, PA
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED TIME DATED MATERIAL
1000 W. Main StreetLansdale, PA 19446
REGISTER TODAY ONLINE!July 9 – July 13, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
The theme this year is Shipwrecked – Rescued by Jesus.
REGISTER TODAY on our website!
It takes a lot of people to make VBS successful. Please consider coming on board to help!
Contact Lisa Corr at [email protected] if you are interested.
GIVE ONLINEtrinitylansdale.com/giveClick GIVE NOW Log in, create an account, or continue as guest
TEXT TO GIVEText trinitylansdale to 73256Click link in text message response and follow prompts
MOBILE GIVINGDownload Realm Connect AppSign in or create an accountTap the giving icon on bottom
GIVE AT CHURCHGive using your offering envelopes or use the blue envelopes in the church pew
WAYS TO GIVE
