Trinity Lutheran Church & School CONNECTED...Secret Vocation | The Intercession of Jesus | The Gift...

Volume 18, Issue 5 • May 2020

TRINITY'S

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday

8:00 am - Worship Service

9:15 am (Gym)

Contemporary Worship Service

9:15 am

Sunday School/Bible Classes

10:30 am - Worship Service

Wednesday

6:30 pm - Worship Service

2nd Wednesday each Month

11:00 am

Monthly Senior Worship

FEATURED INSIDE:

Homebound . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Bible Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

School/Children . . . . . . . . . . 6

Women's/Ladies Aid . . . . . . . 8

Stewardship . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Lectionary/Bdays . . . . . . . . 13

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

What Will Tomorrow Bring? by Michael J. Roth

CONNECTED

"Connected" is published monthly by:

Trinity Lutheran Church & School

619 Main Street • St. Joseph, MI 49085

Church Office: 269-983-5000 • School Office: 269-983-3056

I am writing this article from my home

during Holy Week. That I am writing from

home is not all that unusual, I do a lot of

work from home. What is unusual is the

stay at home order from the governor

that I should stay at home and avoid

social contact. A month ago, I had never

heard of social distancing. I certainly

knew nothing about coronaviruses and

COVID-19, just a few weeks before that.

How much can change in a short time!

As you receive this newsletter at the

beginning of May, what will be the

situation? Will matters be better or

worse? If you are laid off, will you be

back to work? Will the Stay Home, Stay

Safe executive order be lifted? I know

school will not be back in session for face

to face classes, although online learning

will continue. Will life be back to normal?

What is the new normal? Only the Lord

knows the future.

It is not only during uncertain times that

we should put our future in the Lord's

hands. In the best of times, we do not

know what the future will bring. The

Bible tells us in James 4:

Come now, you who say, “Today or

tomorrow we will go into such and such

a town and spend a year there and

trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you

do not know what tomorrow will bring.

What is your life? For you are a mist

that appears for a little time and then

vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say,

“If the Lord wills, we will live and do

this or that.”

We can plan all we want. We

can insure against the future. We

can take precautions and have

contingency plans. We can do all

humanly possible, but we cannot

predict or control the future.

There is nothing wrong with

being prepared. We commend

the Boy Scouts and the Coast

Guard for their moto, Semper

Paratus (always prepared or

always ready). But, as James

points out, you don't know what

tomorrow will bring. The best we

can do is say, “If the Lord wills.”

Although I disagree with their

belief in a false god, I have

always appreciated the very

common Arabic expression,

inshallah (If Allah wills). Every

day is in the Lord hands.

This is a good thing. There is no

better place to be than in the

Lord's hands. If this current

pandemic passes into our

memory, something else

unpredicted will come along.

Other crises and challenges will

occur for our nation and world.

Unplanned and difficult

situations and events will occur

in our own personal lives. That is

the way it is in our fallen world.

But there is no need to worry.

The God who sent His Son to

rescue us from sin and death,

will see us through into eternity,

come what may. He who created

and redeemed us is faithful.

TRINITY LUTHERAN

CHURCH & SCHOOL

619 Main Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Church Office: 269-983-5000

Church Fax: 269-983-8933

School Office: 269-983-3056

School Fax: 269-983-0037

Early Childhood Center: 269-983-0040

www.trinitystjoe.org

STAFF DIRECTORY

Pastor Michael Roth, Senior Pastor

269-983-5000 x412 • Cell: 269-932-8456

[email protected]

Deacon Scott Kizer

269-983-5000, x 402

[email protected]

Melissa Graham, Dir. of Youth & Family

Ministries

269-983-5000, ext. 410

[email protected]

Paula Steuernagel, Dir. Of Music Ministry

269-983-3056, ext. 113

[email protected]

Vicar Timothy Schmeisser

269-983-5000, x415

[email protected]

Chelsie Schmeisser, Deconess Intern

269-983-500, x405

[email protected]

Terry Bird, Principal

269-983-3056 x101

[email protected]

Robyn Adams, ECC Director

269-983-0040, x201

[email protected]

Susan Moore, Financial Coordinator

269-983-5000, x403

[email protected]

Betty Perrone, Church Secretary

269-983-5000, ext. 401,

[email protected]

Nathan Chaffee, Technology

269-983-5000 x430

[email protected]

Connected

MEMORIALS

The following have made a gift to

Trinity Lutheran or School

In memory of JoAnne Hackbarth:

JoAnn & Sue Piper

Rev. Zong Houa & Neng Yang

W & C Sitas

Arlene Dudley

Lynne Hillmann

James & Marcia Stueber

George & Marilyn Hackbarth

Ron & Deb Meier

Jeannette & Gretchen Laven

James & Patsy Ausen

Lois Schmidt

Rev. David Kipfmiller

Alvin & Barbara Lutringer

Randall & Kim Hackbarth

Ron & Mary Patzer

Mark & Katie Hartfield

Russell & Melissa Meier

Tom & Terry Bird

Patricia Laulainen

Agnes Lay

Gladys Pickering

Norma Truhn

Shirley Truhn

Brian Berndt

Fred & Janet Brecht

Gus Damaske

Bill & Connie Haase

Elna Kempff

Steve & Heidi Lockman

Tom & Jen Milnikel

Sylvia Lieberg

Louise Mueller

Mike & Amy Peirce

Bob & Nancy Perry

Mike & Terri Rushlow

Amy Semenak

Bill & Janice Stouffer

Carl & Sharon Warren

Fred & Beth Wassilak

Irma Wedde

Linda Williams

Joyce Stallman

Erv & Jane Moses

Joel & Diane Robinson

Paulette Heesch

Joyce Rudowske

Don Hackbarth

Steve Cayo;

Gerhardt Doroh, WL;

Dorothy Duschek;

Dianne Fernan;

Gladys Grieger;

Ellie Grimm, WT;

Bob Humberg, CT;

Joan Jasper;

Elsie Jasper;

David Karsten;

Catherine Klug;

Shirley Krumrie, WT

Judy Lambrecht;

Reinhardt Lippert; CT

Dallas Miltibarger;

Dorothy Mutz; CT;

Linda Pedde;

Anna Pesko, WL;

Deanna Reschke; WL

Jean Roberts, WT;

Fern Schmaltz;

Elizabeth Schults, RM

Adele Schultz;

Lydia Sharpe;

Sharon Tescallo;

Martha Tilly

Edna Volkers, WT;

Jack & Marian Wagner; CP

Lillian Wendt, WT;

Dorothy Winters; Florida;

Diane Woodford;

Henry & Lydia Zacha;

Duane Ziemke, VA;

Tom & Joan Zonka

Please encourage our

homebound members and

others you may know to

watch Worship for Shut-Ins,

Sunday mornings at 11:00

a.m. on WHME-channel 46.

If you or someone you know

has become homebound &

would like a Pastoral visit,

please call the Church Office

at (269) 983-5000.

Homebound Members

BG-Berrien General, CM-Country Manor Bridgman, CP-Crown Point, CT-Caretel,

GA-Golden Age, J-Jordan's, OG-Orchard Grove, PR-Pine Ridge; RM-Royalton Manor,

WL-Willows, WRR-Wild River Rest Buchanan, WT-Whitcomb Towers,

WTB-Woodland Terrace Bridgman, WW-West Woods Niles


Stephen Ministry

As the COVID 19 Pandemic continues, so does our stress during the isolation. Our Stephen

Ministers are currently providing care strictly through 'Telecare', Telecare is care that is provided

through phone calls, facetime, video chats, or electronic means, Please don't hesitate to reach out

to Betty Perrone in the church office, if you might be interested in getting connected with a

Stephen Minister you could talk with!

STEPHEN MINISTERS CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE:

� In a crisis

� The family & friends of people in crisis

� Grieving

� In need of long-term care

� Dying

� Hospitalized

� Divorcing

� Experiencing losses as they age

� Going through a crisis with childbirth

(This is only a few examples of potential care-giving situations.)

Our Stephen Ministers are Here to Care!

Stephen Ministry is our congregation's one-to-one caregiving ministry. God works

through Stephen Ministers to plant a seed of hope and healing in a person whose

life seems barren and forlorn because of some crisis or tragedy.

May Anniversaries

Mike & Tami Genovese 5/1/1976 44th

Scott & Jan Kizer 5/8/1999

Harold & Kathy Kasischke 5/13/1978 42nd

Patrick & Stacy Assell 5/14/2016

Jeffery & Jennifer Lyon 5/16/1998

Larry & Mary Doroh 5/18/2007

Rich & Janet Ellis 5/20/1972 48th

Dale & Sue Brewer 5/20/1989

Roger & Linda Csepregi 5/21/2016

Donald & Debra Patzer 5/21/1993

Fred & Beth Wassilak 5/28/1960 60th

Bradley & Joyce Wendzel 5/28/1988

Michael & Terri Rushlow 5/30/1981

Duane & Susan Case 5/31/2003

Tim & Cindy Ernst 5/31/1975 45th

If you do not see your anniversary listed,

please call the Church Office at 983-5000 to

update your records.


Life Development Classes for Spring 2020

All Classes are Pending, Please Call Ahead to Confirm

Connected

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:00am Worship (Sanctuary)

9:15am Contemporary Worship (Gym)

10:30am Worship (Sanctuary)

MONTHLY SENIOR COMMUNION WORSHIP

(resumes in March)

11:00am Second Wed Each Month (Ministry Center)

WEDNESDAY MIDWEEK WORSHIP

6:30pm Worship (Sanctuary)

ADULT MINISTRY / BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

SUNDAY

ADULT BIBLE STUDY – "STUDY OF JESUS' LAST EVENING BEFORE

HIS CRUCIFIXION" — “Upper Room” Study of John 13-17

The most intense evening in the history of Christianity is Thursday

evening, the 14th of Nisan. We find Jesus with his disciples in the

upper room gathered for the Passover festival meal. Inspired by

the Holy Spirit, St. John dedicated 5 chapters of his Gospel (13-17)

to this evening. Almost 25% of the gospel covers these few hours of

one evening. Starting on Sunday, March 1st at 9:15 am, the

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study will begin a verse by verse

discussion of this special evening. It will be the subject of the

Lenten Season on Sunday mornings which will include but not be

limited to Jesus washing the Disciples feet; the prediction of his

betrayal and of Peter's denial; the promise of the Holy Spirit; and

Jesus' longest recorded prayer. Please join us for this concentrated,

focused study of Jesus' last evening before his crucifixion. It

promises full spiritual growth and blessings.

LEADER: Tom Bird

LOCATION: Fellowship Hall

TIME: 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

TUESDAY

GREEK

Anyone interested in getting their Greek on? A small group of a

former Greek class is going to continue their Greek education by

delving into the book of John. Robert Lawrence will be leading. No

previous Greek required. We will be meeting the 1st and 3rd

Tuesdays at 7pm, Ministry Center upstairs. If interested, please

contact Nancy Pedde, 269-470-5611 or

[email protected]

LEADER: Robert Lawrence

LOCATION: Ministry Center, 2nd Floor

TIME: 7:00-8:00 p.m. (1st & 3rd Tuesdays)

WEDNESDAY

SON-RISERS BIBLE STUDY – LUTHERAN SPIRITUALITY –

WITNESS (Sharing our Faith) (Beginning April 15

Spirituality is a common term today, but what does it mean? To find

the right answer, Lutheran Spirituality directs adult Bible study

participants to God's Word. Lutheran Spirituality explores the

Bible, Luther's Small Catechism, and the Lutheran hymnal as

integral resources for living out our faith in a spiritually

confused--and confusing--world. In His Word, the Lord teaches

His believers to pray. It is through prayer, and His grace, that we

can approach His throne with our praise, confessions,

fears...everything! This study encourages participants to rejoice in

prayer as a great privilege, to follow the guidance of the Holy

Spirit as they pray, to approach God the Father in prayer with

faith in Jesus as their Intercessor, to join with the congregation in

praying for the world, and so much more. Sessions include: Our

Secret Vocation | The Intercession of Jesus | The Gift of Prayer |

Praying with Jesus | Complaining | Congregational Prayer

LEADER: Pastor Michael Roth

LOCATION: Lighthouse Café, Ministry Center

TIME: 6:45-7:45 a.m.

"THE WIRED WORD"

The Wired Word class uses questions and Scripture considerations

from current events, topics, and happenings in the United States

and around the world as a basis for adult, intelligent and

provocative discussions. Members of the class are truly thinking

about their beliefs and the Biblical applications to their own day-

to-day lives.

LEADER: Rich Hackbarth

LOCATION: Lighthouse Café

TIME 6:30-8pm

THURSDAY

ADULT BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

Join with a host of other adults for a time of fellowship and study

of God's Word.

LEADER: Pastor Tom Batsky

LOCATION: Lighthouse Café, Ministry Center

TIME: 9:30am– Coffee and breakfast treats

10:00-11:00 a.m. – Bible Study

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY

SUNDAY

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL

Children's Sunday school will meet each Sunday morning at 9:15

to dive into God's Word together! Children will learn all about

the Bible while also being equipped with Biblical life application!

Sunday School is open to children age 3 years to 4th grade. You

may register your child at anytime during the year. The class

begins promptly at 9:15am and ends at 10:15am. Sunday School

is located in the Children's Ministry Room on the lower level next

to the fellowship hall. Contact Melissa Graham in regards to the

Children's Sunday School program at 983-5000, ext. 410.

JR HIGH BIBLE STUDY (5th -6th Grade)

This Bible study will meet in the 4th grade classroom (Room

#213) upstairs in the school, at 9:15 on Sunday mornings. They

will be diving into The Story where they will walk through the

Bible each week and learn all about Jesus's love for us!

LEADERS: Mrs. Terry Bird, room #213

LOCATION: 2nd floor of School

TIME: 9:15-10:15 a.m.

JR HIGH CONFIRMATION (7th & 8th Grade, non-Trinity Students)

7th & 8th grade Public School Confirmation will meet in the Solid

Rock at 9:15 every Sunday Morning. We will be going through the

Catechism and preparing them to be confirmed!

LEADERS: Melissa Graham & Vicar Schmeisser

LOCATION: Solid Rock Cafe (700 Church Street)

TIME: 9:15-10:15 a.m.

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP

Join us for relevant Bible studies, games, and snacks! If you have

any questions please contact Melissa Graham. Contact the church

office to be added to the email list for this group. Activities will

vary throughout the year.

LEADER: Melissa Graham

LOCATION: Solid Rock Café

TIME: Sundays, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

FRIDAY

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP

Jr High Youth group meets once a month from 5:00-7:00 p.m at

the Solid Rock Café, and is available for 5th-8th grade students.

We are in need of adult volunteers that are interested in making

real life connections with youth in our congregation and

community! If you are interested in volunteering or would just like

more information please contact Melissa Graham, 269-983-5000,

ext. 410.

LEADER: Melissa Graham

LOCATION: Solid Rock Café

TIME: Fridays, 5-7 p.m. (Once a month)

SUPPORT GROUPS and CARING MINISTRIES

STEPHEN MINISTRIES

Stephen Ministries Mission: Christ caring for people through

people. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who

receive special training to provide one-to-one Christian care to

people experiencing challenges in life- such as grief, loneliness,

divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss, and many other life

difficulties. God didn't plan for you to have to carry the burdens of

life by yourself! Let our Stephen Ministers walk with you! To learn

how to receive care from a Stephen Minister, or if you have an

interest in becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Pastor Roth, a

Stephen Leader, or the church office. STEPHEN LEADERS: Pastor

Michael J. Roth, John Kroonblawd, Sheila Kroonblawd, and Betty

Perrone.

All Bible Studies and Groups are dependent upon the “Stay Home Order” being lifted.

Please call and verify as the dates get closer.



Life Development Classes for Spring 2020

All Classes are Pending, Please Call Ahead to Confirm

WIDOW'S SMALL GROUP

As widows, we can gain strength from other widows

going through a similar walk in life. Whether you

are a recent Widow, or you have been a widow for

many years, this small group is for you! We will

learn from each other as we go. This group meets on

the 2nd Saturday of the month, from 10:30a –

12:30p held in the Ministry Center. If you have

questions or want more information, contact Betty

Perrone at 269-983-5000.

ALZHEIMER CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Come and join other caregivers, friends, and family

members of those with Alzheimer's. You will gain

support, be able to ask questions, get advice and

share resources. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

REMAINING 2020 MEETING DATE:

Monday: May 11th

LEADER: Debby Miskill

LOCATION: Church Fellowship Hall

TIME: 6:00-7:30pm

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

MUSIC MINISTRY at Trinity Lutheran Church:

The Adult Choir - Have you considered praising God

with your voice in a more designed atmosphere?

Come join your fellow members and fellow music

lovers on Wednesday evening at 7:30pm (right after

service) in the music room of the school. There's an

elevator for those who have difficulty with stairs and

there's always happy faces and accepting voices to

join you. No previous experience required. You only

need to want to learn more about God and about

music. Please come: it really IS a lot of fun!

• Hand bell Choir Practice – Tuesdays 7-8 p.m.

(Music Room)

• Adult Choir – Wednesdays 7:30-9 p.m.

(Music Room)

• Contemporary Praise Team – Wednesdays

7:00-9:00 p.m. (Gymnasium)

Want to do something but not sure what? If you sing

or play an instrument, talk to Paula Steuernagel or

Brad Chaffee to get connected to serve the church

with your musical talent.

WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB

Join other women for a lively discussion of a book of

the Month. Check the Women's Ministry page in the

Connected for the current book selection. The Book

Club meets on the third Saturday of the month.

LEADER: Nancy Pedde

TIME: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

PLACE: Biggby Coffee

All Bible Studies and Groups are dependent upon the “Stay Home Order” being lifted.

Please call and verify as the dates get closer.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY

Trinity, through its Family Activity Team offers some very exciting family oriented events during the year. They are designed to bring adults and

children together for fellowship, laughter, learning and fun. Watch this newsletter for more information.

Please don't hesitate to contact the Church

Office at 983-5000, if you have any questions.

Connected

School

Trinity Lutheran School sends our warmest

greetings to your house, reminding you

that school is still in session. We have now

learned how to teach from a distance.

The new learning curve is not without its

challenges. Our teachers miss their

students and are sure the parents miss the

teachers too.

Please continue to keep our students, their

families, and the teachers in your prayers.

If there are special needs you are

experiencing during this pandemic be sure

to contact our office or email.

We are passing out lunches to families

once a week on Tuesday's from 11am-

1:00pm. If you have a need for lunches

please let Jenna or Terry know.

We are accepting applications for the fall

session and are looking forward to our

classrooms being filled again. If you have

any question regarding registration for

school please email Jenna at

[email protected] or Terry at

[email protected].

We are here for you and continue to lift

you up in prayer.

Serving our Risen Lord together,

Mrs. Terry Bird

ECC

In these uncertain times it is hard for me to write about

what has happened in the ECC and what will be

happening, because we just don't know. We temporarily

closed our doors on March 27, 2020 in the hopes of being

able to reopen in 2 weeks on the 14th of April.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that will happen. We are

hopeful that by May we will be up and running again and

the nation will be on the road to recovery.

Our teachers and lead caregivers are in contact with all of

our families. They are keeping the children busy with

activities and projects to do at home. They are sending

videos, reading stories online and hosting Zoom meetings.

I have been able to attend a few and they are so fun. The

kids miss each other terribly and you can hear and see that

as they get a chance to interact with each other for the first

time in quite a while. Our families are strong and doing

well, which is good to see.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers as we all face this

pandemic challenge. I encourage you to be in God's Word

daily, attend services online and be in constant prayer for

our church, community, state and nation. Pray too, for the

ECC and its staff, many of which their job here was their

only source of income. Pray the Stay Home Stay Safe order

is lifted and we can all get back to our usual routines, even

just a bit.

Ultimately we just need to remember: He is Risen! He is

Risen Indeed! Alleuia!!

Blessings,

Robyn Adams, Director

Youth, Children's, and Family Ministry

Melissa Graham, Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Due to the virus shutdown we will be postponing Confirmation Sunday. We will release the date of

Confirmation at a later time.

These are uncertain times that we are living in and everyone at Trinity is missing all the children and

families! While our ministry events for this month may be postponed or moved around that does not

mean that ministry stops. We are reminded in John 16:33 that Jesus has already overcome all our

crises and worldly problems. He says "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have

peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." We can

find comfort in these words and know that this is just a season in our lives, and seasons change.

God has a plan for us far greater than we can ever imagine. Trinity cannot wait to see your families,

and we're counting down the days until we can be at church together again!


The Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen was forced to modify its service this month to comply with safety

precautions for the COVID-19 pandemic. Two high school volunteers helped to bake 120 cupcakes and

assemble sack lunches to be distributed at the Soup Kitchen. Kids from our Early Childhood Center

decorated bags with a message of love. It was great to serve God's people in this hour of need.

Community Outreach Statistics March 2020

Benevolent Fund | Suspended due to COVID-19

Community Dinner | Cancelled due to COVID-19

Sort-N-Share | Suspended due to COVID-19

Sleeping Mat Ministry | Suspended due to COVID-19

Food Truck

Households –156, Individuals – 485

Seniors – 62, Children – 179

Veterans - 16, Volunteers – 11

Pounds of Food – 8200

Drive Through came to our Mobile

Food Truck. Volunteers assembled

boxes of food and our guests were

able to drive through, pop the trunk or

open the back seat and food was

loaded directly into their vehicle.

Things went remarkably well for our

first effort and we will repeat it again

for April. Sadly, we ran out of food

before we ran out of needy families at

our March event. Plans are underway

to increase the amount of food we are

able to give away and grants have

been applied for. As always – to God

be the Glory and thank you volunteers.

Connected

WOMEN'S MINISTRY

Women's Book Club

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

The Butler family has had their share of trials—as sisters Althea, Viola, and Lillian can attest—but nothing

prepared them for the literal trial that will upend their lives. Althea, the eldest sister and substitute matriarch, is a

force to be reckoned with and her younger sisters have alternately appreciated and chafed at her strong will. They

are as stunned as the rest of the small community when she and her husband Proctor are arrested, and in a

heartbeat the family goes from one of the most respected in town to utter disgrace. The worst part is, not even her

sisters are sure exactly what happened. As Althea awaits her fate, Lillian and Viola must come together in the house

they grew up in to care for their sister’s teenage daughters. What unfolds is a stunning portrait of the heart and

core of an American family in a story that is as page-turning as it is important.

When: 3rd Saturday Time: 10:30am

Place: Biggby Coffee Leader: Nancy Pedde

Sleeping Mat Ministry / PLARN Gathering (resumes after Easter)

The Sleeping Mat Ministry is looking for volunteers to assist in cutting the plastic bags. Also assembling the bags

into Plarn (plastic yarn) and crocheting the Plarn into the mats. Once a mat is completed they will be distributed

into our community to the homeless. This is something that can be done at home or you are in invited to come to

the Plarn Gathering which meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, from 2:00-4:00pm in the Lighthouse Cafe,

Trinity Ministry Center. The most important thing that we all can do is keep those that are homeless in our prayers.

For more information please contact the church office.

TRINITY QUILTERS meet on Thursdays, from 11a – 2:30p to work on quilts, to date this year, they have

completed 24 + quilts to be sent to the less fortunate overseas, through the Lutheran World Relief organization.

They are also providing small quilts for infant baptisms at our church. Work can be done at home making squares

and then bringing them back to the group to put together. If you know how to tie knots you can be of great help to

this group. If you have questions or are interested in joining this group, call Helen @ 429-8503 or the church office

at 983-5000.

Trinity Ministry Center, Lower Lounge

Thursdays between 11am – 2:30pm

WIDOW'S SMALL GROUP

As widows, we can gain strength from other widows going through a similar walk in life. Whether you are a recent

Widow, or you have been a widow for many years, this small group is for you! We will learn from each other as we

go. Our meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday, at 10:30a.m., in the Ministry Center. If you have questions, contact

Betty Perrone at 269-983-5000.

Everything is Subject to Change, Call to Confirm

Those Serving

in the Armed

Forces

U.S. Marines

Gunnery Sgt Andrew C. Wedde, Marines,

stationed at Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD;

Grandson of Irma Wedde

CPL Paul Jersey, stationed in Camp Lejeune,

North Carolina; son of Tim & Jill Jersey

U.S. Army

1st Lt. Aaron Hinkelman, stationed in

Afghanistan, grandson of Gus & Judy

Hinkelman

PFC Riley Engel, stationed in Italy, grandson

of Gus & Judy Hinkelman

U.S. Navy

Lt. Adam Roth, Naval Aviator, son of Rev.

Michael and Amy Roth

Lt. Mark Williams, Navy Pilot, stationed at

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Oak

Harbor, WA, nephew of Linda Williams

U.S. Air Force

Airman 1st Class, Evan Pyatt, US Air Force,

stationed in Travis AFB, California; Grandson

of Bill & Margo Pyatt

Tech Sergeant, John Pyatt, US Air Force,

stationed in Minneapolis, son of Bill &

Margo Pyatt

Lt Haleigh Wendzel, US Air Force, stationed.

in South Korea, daughter of Brad & Joyce

Wendzel, granddaughter of Alton & Millie

Wendzel

U.S. Coast Guard

AMT3 Camille and EM3 Kyle Crabtree,

stationed in Suffolk, VA, niece & nephew of

Jan Dasse

Please keep all of our Servicemen and women in

your prayers. May God keep them safe from harm

and bring them home to their families soon. If your

status has changed, please call the church office.


FROM THE ARCHIVES By Janet Frazier

Our Church, Our Area

Need I say I love the history of our

church and our area. There is a lot of it

in our Trinity's archives. Let me share

this info I recently found.

This first photo I have seen many times

in various publications. I know you have

too. It pictures a quiet neighborhood,

looking east from Main Street at the turn

of the century. Pearl Street is shown

running from the bottom of the photo to

the top. Trinity Lutheran Church is at the

lower left on the corner of Court and

Pearl Streets. Further down Pearl Street

is St. Peter's Evangelical church which is

on the corner of Church and Pearl

Streets. That building is still standing

today. Note: Trinity was said to have

the highest steeple in the St Joseph area.

Trinity's white frame church building

served our congregation when built in

1886 to 1925 at which time our present

church was built. As Trinity grew, the

property kept growing too. When a

larger church building was needed, the

congregation bought the homes on the

other end of Court Street and our

present church was built at that site. The

1886 white frame church was torn then

down and the empty space became the

playground for the school children.

When the new 1952 school was built, the

new school building filled the rest of the

block.

Now, the reason I am so interested in

these photos. The “neighborhood” photo

was said to have been taken from the

“high School” on Main Street. High

School?? -- Main Street?? Now, look at

the next photo. This photo is a picture of

that school, which was named Union

School. It was a three story school

building housing the “high school” and

probably the other grades. It was built in

1872 and served the community until

1936 when it was demolished. A two

story school building replaced it. We

know that school as Washington School,

an elementary school.

You will know it as the Berrien County Administration

Center. Now isn't that interesting?

Connected

Stewardship

At the time of this writing we are all living out stay

“at home orders” from our president and governor

in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. In most

instances if we are working, we have to work at

home. We have to stay at home and can only

spend time with those with whom we share a home.

We have to stay home and can't attend church

services or have direct fellowship with our church

family. Our children have to stay home from

school, and can't play with their friends. Many

individuals and families have lost jobs and income

on top of everything mentioned above and have to

cope with all the challenges this represents. We all

need to find hope in John 16:33 “I have said these

things to you, that in me you may have peace. In

the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I

have overcome the world.”

Growing up, my siblings and I always complained

that we had to eat everything on our plates, we had

to clean our rooms, say our prayers, brush our

teeth, take a bath, go to school, go to church, and

so many more had to's. My dad had a great

comeback response to all of our had to's – he told

us we didn't have to do anything, but instead we get

to do everything we do. He also had a reasonable

explanation to go along with every get to

comeback. We didn't win any of those discussions.

Let's take a look at our current situation from my

dad's perspective. If you are lucky enough to still

have a job, you may get to work at home. Whoa,

that means you get to be home all day. You don't

have to drive to work. You may get to learn and

use new technologies like Skype, Teams, Zoom and

so forth. You get to connect more with your family

both in your own home and perhaps elsewhere, as

you check on other family members via phone or

social media. The same applies to your neighbors

and friends. You may get to reach out to them from

a distance offering your love, care and assistance.

Children get to stay home from school and learn in

a new environment. They get to reconnect with and

spend quality time with family members, in ways

that wouldn't happen if they were in school. They

get to understand what it takes to run a home, and

they may even get to help.

Church members may have to miss attending

church services, but perhaps get to spend more time

on personal Bible study and meditation on God's

Word. They also get to spread God's message of

hope and love through social media, as everyone

strives to stay connected even more in this way. I

got to participate today in one of Pastor Roth's Bible

studies via Zoom. It was great, just different than our

normal face to face Bible studies.

Consider this, we get to adapt to what hopefully will be

a temporary job loss and shortage of income. The

government is going to help us adapt with an infusion

of money for businesses to help keep us employed or to

re-employ us, and we will be receiving some money as

individuals as well, to help cover some of our family

expenses. What about our church? While it is trying to

adapt by streaming Wednesday and Sunday services

and holding Zoom Bible studies, it has a different

financial struggle than we do in our homes and

businesses. WE are the church, and currently we aren't

present at Sunday services to donate and tithe as we

usually do. During this shutdown period and beyond,

remember that you can always mail a check into the

church office at any time, or you can give to Trinity

through the Smartphone App – Givelify. You don't have

to be present on Wednesday evenings or Sunday

mornings in order to financially support Trinity in these

difficult times or at any other time.

By the time this issue of the Connected comes out, I am

hopeful that we will be near the tail end of this virus.

So, what then? What's next? At some point, we will

get to go back to work, back to school, and back to

church. That doesn't mean, however, that we can't

continue with some of the adaptations we have made

during this Coronavirus outbreak. We should continue

to learn and use new technologies, as they will certainly

be part of our future. We should continue to nurture all

of our relationships, with God, family, friends,

neighbors and even strangers. We should of course

return to and support our beloved Trinity Lutheran

Church and School in any way we can, including

renewing and continuing our relationships with our

church family, and through offering our time, talent and

treasure.

It is my prayer that you and your family have all made it

safely through this Coronavirus event to this point in

time. I pray that God will see you and your family

safely through this virus, however long it lasts. Praise

be to God for His everlasting mercy, faithfulness and

love!!

Respectfully submitted by John W. Bock

What Now, What Next….


JOIN SAGES FOR OUR FIRST TRIP/TOUR OUTSIDE AFTER A LONG COLD

WINTER ON TUESDAY, MAY 19th

We will be meeting at the Coloma North Berrien History Museum, 300 Coloma Ave.,

Coloma at 10 am for a tour on both the forest-to-fruit-belt exhibit and the southwest

Michigan crate, basket, and veneer machinery collection….really cool! A donation is

recommended instead of set fee. From there we head to Friendly Restaurant for lunch

around 11:30-12 to 12:50 for lunch on your own.

The day concludes by going to Silverstone Gardens, 300 S. M 140, Watervliet at 1 pm to tour the backside of the

nursery ~ they just don't use a hose to water those pretty plants….it is truly amazing. Plus, it is Senior Citizen Day,

therefore we get 10% of any purchase.

So, put on a smile and escape to a spring outing of enjoying those blossoms and warm weather. Everyone must

provide their own transportation ~ so team up if you like or come/go by yourself as you like. Maps will be given to

Betty at church office on how to get to our destinations.

RSVP to Betty at by Wednesday, May 13th, at the church office.

Pending the government stay home order

S.A.G.E.S

Bill and Janice Stouffer have continued to come into the church during the

COVID19 shut down to prepare the Altar parliaments before each recording of

the worship services. It made such a tremendous difference to all of us as we

viewed each service! So we could continue to enjoy the beauty of our church.

During Holy Week they were there on four separate occasions to prepare for

three services and also to help distribute the Easter Flowers. Thank you for your

devoted service in caring for our church!

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO BEHIND THE SCENES!

Connected

ANNUAL ACTUAL % OF ANNUAL ANNUAL YTD ACTUAL % OF ANNUAL

BUDGET YTD BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET YTD BUDGET

TOTAL REVENUE $2,294,653.00 $1,670,191.01 72.79% $2,209,447.51 $1,690,371.54 $1,759,583.28 79.64%

TOTAL EXPENSES $2,234,367.00 $1,697,963.17 75.99% $2,253,306.61 $1,689,980.05 $1,695,028.41 75.22%

REVENUE OVER/(UNDER) EXPENSES $60,286.00 -$27,772.16 -46.07% -$43,859.10 $391.49 $64,554.87 -147.19%

6/30/2019 3/31/2020

LONG-TERM DEBT

Church Extension Fund Mortgage $726,516.92 ($88,620.04) $637,896.88

TOTAL DEBT $726,516.92 ($88,620.04) $637,896.88

Over/(Under) to YTD Over/

WEEKLY ENVELOPE & PLATE Contributions Meet Budget (Under) Budget

March 1, 2020 $20,188.82 $6,833.05 $38,910.68

March 8, 2020 $15,757.01 $2,401.24 $41,311.92

March 15, 2020 $15,098.97 $1,743.20 $43,055.12

March 22, 2020 $5,647.00 -$7,708.77 $35,346.35

* No services 3/18 to 3/29 due to

March 29, 2020 $10,457.00 -$2,898.77 $32,447.58 COVID-19 virus

Totals $67,148.80 $369.95

Weekly Envelope & Plate Budget Needed: $13,355.77

CASH REPORT--MARCH, 2020

DAILY LOW BALANCE $263,297.91

DAILY HIGH BALANCE $387,849.22

DAILY AVERAGE FOR THE MONTH $347,999.99

GENERAL FUND

2018-2019 2019-2020

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL

CONGREGATIONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT—2019/2020 FISCAL YEAR

July 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020

A more detailed

Treasurer's Report is

available for viewing in the

Church Office.

Respectfully submitted,

Gus Damaske, Treasurer

Donating Blood

We were scheduled to have

a Blood Drive in Friday, May

8th, which has been

cancelled due to a shortage

of staff. The Red Cross is

still desperately seeking

donors! If you would like to

help keep the blood supply

stable during this time,

please go to

www.redcrossblood.org to

get information on how you

can help!


We Are Celebrating...

The following Trinity Members are celebrating birthdays this month:

If you do not see your birthday listed, please call the Church Office @

983-5000 to update your records. We indicate the age of members 80 years &

over. If you do not want your age listed, please contact the Church Office.

5/1 Ex. 39:32-40:16; Luke 8:22-39

5/2 Ex. 40:17-38; (Lev. 1:1-7:38); Luke 8:40-56

5/3 Lev. 8:1-13, 30-36; Luke 9:1-17

5/4 Lev. 9:1-24; Luke 9:18-36

5/5 Lev. 10:1-20; (Lev. 11:1-15:33); Luke 9:37-62

5/6 Lev. 16:1-24; Luke 10:1-22

5/7 Lev. 17:1-16; Luke 10:23-42

5/8 Lev. 18:1-7, 20-19:8; Luke 11:1-13

5/9 Lev. 19:9-18, 26-37; Luke 11:14-36

5/10 Lev. 20:1-16, 22-27; Luke 11:37-64

5/11 Lev. 21:1-24; Luke 12:1-12

5/12 Lev. 23:1-22; Luke12:13-34

5/13 Lev. 23:23-44; Luke 12:35-53

5/14 Lev. 24:1-23; (Lev. 25:1-55); Luke 12:54-13:17

5/15 Lev. 26:1-20; Luke 13:18-35

5/16 Lev. 26:21-44; (Num. 1:1-2:34); Luke 14:1-24

5/17 Num. 3:1-16, 39-48; (Num. 4:1-8:4); Luke 14:25-15:20

5/18 Num. 8:5-26; Luke 15:11-32

5/19 Num. 9:1-23; Luke 16:1-18

5/20 Num. 10:11-36; Luke 16:19-31

5/21 Num. 11:1-23, 31-35, Luke 17:1-19

5/22 Num. 11:24-29, 12:1-16; Luke 17:20-37

5/23 Num. 13:1-3, 17-33; Luke 18:1-17

5/24 Num. 14:1-25; Luke 18:18-34

5/25 Num. 14:26-45; (Num. 15:1-41); Luke 18:35-19:10

5/26 Num. 16:1-22; Luke 19:11-28

5/27 Num. 16:23-40; Luke 19:29-48

5/28 Num. 16:41-17:13; (Num. 18:1-19:22); Luke 20:1-18

5/29 Num. 20:1-21; Luke 20:19-44

5/30 Num. 20:22-21:9; Luke 20:45-21:19

5/31 Num. 21:10-35; Luke 21:20-38

Sundays and Festival Days (Series A)

5/3 Fourth S. of Easter

Acts 2:42–47; 1 Peter 2:19–25; John 10:1–10

5/10 Fifth S. of Easter

Acts 6:1–9; 7:2a, 51–60; 1 Peter 2:2–10; John 14:1–14

5/17 Sixth S. of Easter

Acts 17:16–31; 1 Peter 3:13–22; John 14:15–21

5/21 The Ascension of Our Lord

Acts 1:1–11; Eph. 1:15–23; Luke 24:44–53

5/24 Seventh S. of Easter

Acts 1:12–26; 1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:6–11; John 17:1–11

5/30 Pentecost Eve

Ex. 19:1–9; Rom. 8:12–17 (22–27); John 14:8–21

5/31 The Day of Pentecost

Num. 11:24–30; Acts 2:1–21; John 7:37–39

Daily Lectionary

5/1 Nicholas Addis, Mary Shuler, Mark Zerbe

5/2 Anne Loikits*, Kenneth Toffelmire

5/3 Robert Karsten, Andrew McDowell, Sarah Ringer

5/4 John Bieri, Pamela Fetke, Noah Lyon, June Matz,

Robert Miskill, Nancy Pedde

5/5 Jackson Helsley, Linda Knuth, Kurt Krieger

5/6 Kaitlynn Lute, Michael Mantei, Olivia McQueen,

Loren Wilson

5/7 Ashley Ask, Kaylie Field, Rebecca Price, Karla Romano,

Kelsey Sites

5/8 Michael Hendrickson, Janice Ogonowski, Craig Schmidke

5/9 Wayne Petzke, Helen Schillinger*, David Werner

5/10 Daniel Poole

5/11 Tyler Mathews, Donna Pechtel*, Michael Sleep Jr,

Dylan Smith

5/12 Kimberly Kelly

5/13 Taylor Krieger, Debra Mihlhauser, Maddox Wall

5/14 Nicholas Evans, R. Keene Evans Jr*, Patricia Karsen*,

Jeremy Koenig, Jill Scroggins-Hubble

5/15 Kaitlin Thumm, Christopher Wohler

5/16 Miriam Dorn, Peter Fellows

5/17 Amy Pedde, Ellie Primerano, Kelly Wilford

5/18 Jordyn Ross, Jacob Roth, Jenna Wood

5/19 Robert Hauch*

5/20 Richard Klatt, Abigail Lane, Reinhard Lippert*

5/21 Esther Iliff, Emily Lockman

5/22 Barb Butler*, Isaac Glisson, Logan Moore

5/23 Brian Block, Nathan Warner

5/24 Lisa Halliday, Ben Jakubs, Kolby Mantei, Lois Pape*,

Kristin Taylor

5/25 Kayla Demorrow, Sofia Hall, Sadie Piaskowski

5/26 Tim Ernst, Marcia Kasischke*, Ashley Machacek,

Bradley Pliley, Kassidy Siek

5/27 Kay Britenfield, Grace Lute,

Dustin Toffelmire

5/28 Steve Shuler

5/29 David Devore, Scott Morgan,

Beth Wassilak

5/30

5/31 Layla Frazee, Dottie Gietler,

Jan Plangger, Erin Schroeder

*Special Birthdays

Connected

Weekly Events

Sunday

Worship, 8 & 10:30a, Sanctuary

Contemporary, 9:15, Gym

Adult Bible Study,, 9:15-10:15a, CFH

Children's Sunday School, 9:15-10:15a, CMR

Jr High Confirmation, 9:15-10:15a, SRC

Jr High Bible Study, 9:15-10:15a, room # 213

Senior High Youth Group, 6:30-8p, SRC

Monday

Ministry Leadership Team Mtg, 1:30-3p,

MC-1st floor

Plarn Gathering, 2-4p, LHC

(2nd & 4th Monday)

Men's Basketball, 6-8p, Gym

Tuesday

Greek Class, 7-8p, MC-2nd floor

(1st & 3rd Tuesdays)

Hand Bell Choir Practice, 7-8p, Music Room

Wednesday

SonRisers Bible Study, 6:45-7:45a, LHC

Care Team, 10a-11a, MCB

The Wired Word, 6:30-8p, LHC

Mid-week Worship, 6:30p, S

Adult Choir Practice, 7:30-9p, Music Room

Contemporary Praise Team Practice, 7-9p, SRC

Thursday

Adult Bible Fellowship, 9:30-11a, LHC

Quilters, 11a-2:30p, LHL

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Sunday, 5/3

Monday, 5/4

Exec. Comm. Mtg, 5:30-6:30p, MCB

Bd of Education, 6:30-8pm, MC-2nd fl

Tuesday, 5/5

Greek Class, 7-8p, MC-2nd fl

Handbells, 7-8p, music room

Wednesday, 5/6

Thursday, 5/7

National Day of Prayer

Friday, 5/8

June Connected Due

School Auction, 5:30-9p, Amer. Legion, St

Saturday 5/9

Widows Small Group, 10:30a-12:30p, LHC

Sunday, 5/10

Monday, 5/11

Plarn Gathering, 2-4p, LHC

Alzheimer Caregiver Group, 5-6:30p, CFH

Church Council Meeting, 6:30-9p, MC-2nd fl

Tuesday, 5/12

Pastor's Winkel, 8:30a-1p

Stephen Ministry Peer & Cont. Ed, 6:30-9p, LHC

Wednesday, 5/13

Trinity's Incorporation Day – 1867

Senior Worship, 11a-1p, LHC

Thursday, 5/14

Friday, 5/15

Jr Youth Group, 5-7p, SRC

Saturday, 5/16

Women's Book Club, 10:30-11:30a, Biggby Coffee

Sunday, 5/17

Monday, 5/18

Bd of Prop & Finance, 6:30-8:30p, MCB

Tuesday, 5/19

Caretel Communion Service, 10:30a

SAGES, 10a-1p, off site

Crisis Team Meeting, 3:30-5p, School

Greek Class, 7-8p, MC-2nd floor

Wednesday, 5/20

Royalton Manor Communion Service, 10a

Whitcomb Tower Communion Service, 1p

Thursday, 5/21

Friday, 5/22

Saturday, 5/23

Sunday, May 24

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day – campus closed

Tuesday, 5/26

Soup Kitchen, 10a

Stephen Minister Peer Supervision, 6;30-9p, LHC

Wednesday, 5/27

Ascension Eve Worship, 6:30p, S

Thursday, 5/28

Mobile Food Pantry, 4p, MC parking lot

Friday, 5/29

Saturday, 5/30

Community Dinner, 11:30a-1p, LHC

Sunday, 5/31

Family Picnic, 1-3p, Trinity

National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 7th

June Connected Articles Due, Friday, May 8th

School Auction, Friday May 8th, 5:30-9p,

Amer. Legion, St.

Widows Small Group, Sat, May 9th, 10:30a-12:30p,

LHC

Plarn Gathering, Monday, May 11th, 2-4p, LHC

Stephen Ministry Peer Supervision, Tues, May 12th &

26th, 6:30-9p, LHC

Senior Worship, Wed. May 13th, 11a-1p, LHC

Women's Book Club, Saturday, May 16th,

10:30-11:30a, Biggby Coffee

Caretel Communion Service, Tues, May 19th,

10:30am

SAGES Group, Tuesday, May 19th,

10a-1p, off site

Royalton Manor Communion Service,

Wed, May 20th, 10a

Whitcomb Communion Service, Wed,

May 20th, 1p

Soup Kitchen, Tuesday, May 26th, 10a

Ascension Eve Worship, Wed. May 27th,

6:30p, S

Mobile Food Pantry, Thursday, May 28th,

4:00p, MC Parking lot

Community Dinner, Saturday, May 30th,

11:30a-1p, LHC

Family Picnic, Sunday, May 31st, 1-3p, Trinity

Back Lot, CFH, CMR

This Month at Trinity

May 2020

CFH-Christian Fellowship Hall; CMR-Children’s Ministry Room; LHC-Lighthouse Café; LHL-

Lighthouse Lounge; MC-Ministry Center; MCB-Ministry Center Boardroom; S-Sanctuary; SRC-

Solid Rock Café; SCH-School; WC-Welcome Center

PLEASE NOTE...

EVERYTHING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE & DEPENDANT UPON THE STAY HOME ORDER

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Non-Profit Organization

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PAID

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Permit No. 301


619 Main Street

St. Joseph MI 49085

Newsletter Submissions

To meet publication deadlines, all

articles must be received by the

2nd Friday of each month.

Please don't forget to include your

phone contact information!

Turn information into the Church Office

in person, by fax 983-8933, or e-mail

to [email protected]

Questions? Suggestions?

Contact Betty Perrone at Church office.

Faith in Verse:by Bob Lawrence

Take Heart, Have Hope, Wait Patiently

Take heart, have hope, my spirit, And do not be dismayed;

God helps in every trial And makes you unafraid,

Await HIs time with patience Through darkest hours of night

Until the sun you hoped for Delights your eager sight.(verse three LSB 754)

So here we are. We find ourselves challenged by a tiny virus which has taken on all the power and might

of the strongest nations on earth. All their weapons and wealth have failed to stop the spread of this

microscopic threat from crossing their borders. In its wake we are shaken at the way it has changed our

way of life and sapped our security. What can we do when we all feel so vulnerable?

First, we can all take heart. How? By realizing that man has and always has been totally vulnerable to the

whims of nature and the universe. The good news is that we also have always persevered thanks to our

loving God who has always been watching over us whether we feel the need for his protection or not. He

is the one who created our world and the universe and has never let us down. There is no reason to think

one virus is going to change that.

Secondly, based on this proof of His love and protection we can find comfort in the gift of hope. While the

world has placed all its hope on elections, officials, agencies, stock markets, and "happy" thoughts,

Christians have put their faith in God who transcends all of man's creations and has made provisions for

His creation both in this world and the next. If we indeed have placed our hope in Him for our eternal

salvation, how much easier is it for us to hope He will care for us in a global crisis?

And finally, the last word of advice this hymn offers is to wait patiently. We waited through the Depression

and two world wars and made it to this millenium in good shape. Have we not yet learned that God has

His own outline for history and will work His will to accomplish His purposes in His own timeframe?

Whatever happens will happen when it should and will work for the good of His own people.

Let us all then embrace both our vulnerability and our hope in our faithful God. In His good time He will

make His will known to us and we will once again rejoice in it.

Trinity Lutheran Church & School CONNECTED...Secret Vocation | The Intercession of Jesus | The Gift...

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Transcript of Trinity Lutheran Church & School CONNECTED...Secret Vocation | The Intercession of Jesus | The Gift...