Trinity’s NEWSLETTER May 2015 Volume 21 Issue 5

Trinity Lutheran Church & Academy

11 SW 11th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Church: (954) 463-2450

Learning Center: (954) 463-2456

School: (954) 463-7471

Email: trinityftlauderdale@gmail.com

Website: www.trinityftl.org

Sunday Bible study at 8:45am Sunday Worship at 10:00am

Christ High-Ascended, Now in Glory Seated

a song for Ascension and Pentecost 2015 LSB 840 © 1984 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011368.

Christ high-ascended, now in glory seated, Throned and exalted, victory completed, Death’s dread dominion finally defeated,

We are His witnesses.

Christ from the Father ev’ry pow’r possessing, Who on His chosen lifted hands in blessing,

Sends forth His servants, still in faith confessing, We are His witnesses.

Christ, who in dying won for us salvation,

Lives now the firstborn of the new creation; To win disciples out of ev’ry nation,

We are His witnesses.

Christ in His splendor, all dominion gaining, Christ with His people evermore remaining,

Christ to all ages gloriously reigning, We are His witnesses.

As at His parting, joy shall banish grieving,

Faith in His presence strengthen our believing; Filled with His Spirit, love and pow’r receiving,

We are His witnesses.

2

The Word from Pastor-elect Jeff Carlson

Ethnic Chex Mix: (Part 2 of 3)

Day two, Sunday, of my 2013 visit to Orange County,

Southern California: We arrived at St. Paul’s just as the early

service was concluding, where people were very much like

folks we know back home. But, the next two services

surprised us. The second service involved Vietnamese

people—and the third, Koreans.

St. Paul’s church “building” is home to three distinct,

thriving Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS)

congregations. Each has its own constitution and governing

body. Yet they share the same theology, doctrine and

confessions.

My visit to the Los Angeles area changed my understanding

of “who” we are as the LCMS. I saw Chinese, Cambodian,

Indonesian, Hispanic and Korean LCMS medium-to-large and

thriving churches, each with schools bursting with energy and

distinct ethnic identities.

Within many of them exist cultural and social traditions, or,

Central Values, of the Two-Thirds World’s Shame Culture—

values these groups have held long before the LCMS, and

perhaps even before the Lutheran Church existed. First

generation immigrants pass these values on to the second.

[The Central Values of] “The Shame Culture in the Two-

Thirds” world are, “saving face”, “not causing another to

feel shame” and “maintaining honor.” These values serve

several important purposes: preserving smooth

interpersonal relationships, maintaining harmony,

minimizing potential conflict, restoring community and

solidarity, and facilitating communication between the

various levels of society. (Duane, 1993)

I found myself a bit overwhelmed—and curious: How did

these people of Buddhist, Hindu and other religious

backgrounds come into the Church of Christ? Who first

reached out and spoke to them the transformative Word of

God? How did folks of such different ethnic/cultural identities

and traditional social models ever become part of LCMS

congregations—not on a foreign mission field, but right here in

the United States? (Pt 3 to be continued in the June Edition of

the Newsletter)

Blessings, Pastor-elect Jeff Carlson

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“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

(Matthew 7:24-26 ESV) Young Jeremiah is Learning to Build!

The Learning Space Christian Academy

(TLSCA)

Greetings! I hope you have seen our new banners on S.

Andrews avenue. We are continuing to spread the word about our

preschool so that we can serve more children in our community. I

have been visiting businesses and organizations in our area to let

everyone know about our programs.

We are also planning a fun event for children and their

families on May 2nd from 11 am to 5 pm at Florence Hardy

Park. There will be a bounce house, face painting, and snacks for

everyone. I hope that you and your families and friends can make

it. Also, I'd be happy to give you some of our flyers if you would

like to share them among your friends, apartment buildings, or

workplaces. We really appreciate your support and could use your

help getting more people to know about our preschool.

I'm available to talk to you or your friends about our plans for

the preschool. I'm happy to give tours after church on Sundays or

any time that is convenient for you.

I hope to see you and your friends soon. We can't wait to see

you and your families at the party on May 2nd!

God’s Best to You, Adriana Suarez

4

Trinity Lutheran Academy (TLA)

Principal Candace Church This school year is winding down, but

here at Trinity we’re still going strong.

We invite all our families and friends to

our 3rd Annual Night of the Arts in

Trinity’s Fellowship Hall on Friday, May

8th. All our student’s Social Studies

Fair projects will be on display. This

activity is partnered with an Italian

Feast. Our

festivities will begin at 6:30 pm and continue

to 8ish. We will offer a variety of Italian

dishes for $8.00 per person, beer and wine

will be available for purchase, and we will

have a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds from this

event will go towards software for our

computer lab.

Our new computer system and lab is up

and running, our students and teachers are enjoying these learning

tools as part of our curriculum.

Registration and re-registration packets have distributed and

we are looking forward to a strong finish to this school year and

planning our 2015 -2016 school year. Please keep us in your

prayers as we continue to provide a Christ-centered education to

the children in our area.

Trinity’s Council touring our Academy’s new computer system and student lab: Deb Dias of our Academy; Bonnie Gosley, Treasurer; Pete DeVito, President; Chris Babler, Finance Team; Ron Berchert, Vice President; Barry Strauch, Finance Team; Cory Howard of DNS, lead designer of the new system; and Pastor-elect Jeff Carlson

5

Organ Concert at Trinity

Tuesday, May 12th at 7:30 pm

by Thomas Herzer

Organist at the Castle Church, Wittenberg, Germany

The Castle Church in Wittenberg is where Martin Luther first preached the Gospel the Holy Spirit enabled him to rediscover from his careful, scholarly study of the Bible. That study led him to post his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church on October 31,

1517, setting in motion the Reformation that still defines our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

On Sunday, May 3rd, Mr. Herzer will present a benefit concert at the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University in Indiana—America's largest collegiate chapel and second largest in

the world. The Chapel is of a special design, and the greatest

concert organists of our generation have performed on its Redell Memorial Organ.

As he continues his tour in the United States, Mr. Herzer will

present “an incredible group of works” here at Trinity, followed by a “Meet & Greet”.

Thomas and his wife Sarah serve as music educators for seminarians (pastors in training), as well as choir directors and performers for those attending the Castle Church, other area

congregations, and tourists visiting historic Wittenberg. He speaks of the experience of making the same walk daily between the seminary and the church building that Luther made almost five hundred years ago.

The organ they play in the Castle Church was built in 1863 by the well known German romantic organ builder Friedrich Ladegast. It is a completely mechanical action instrument with 4 manuals and

pedal and 57 stops, and was restored in 1994 by the German organ builder Herrmann Eule.

Mr. Herzer’s tour is to raise funds for a new organ to be installed in time for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation on October 31, 2017.

6

Trinity Lutheran Church & Academy—May 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

8p Haitian Prayer

2 Annex First Saturday 10-3p Youth Car Wash

3 Easter 5

8:45a Bible Class

10a Worship

11:15a Women’s

Club 2-5p Piano Recital

4 10a Women’s Bible Study

5

6 10a TLS Chapel

7p Sr. Youth

7

6p Bells 7:15p Choir

8 6:30-9p TLS Night of Arts/ Media

Center Italian Feast Fundraiser 7p B.U.S.H. 8p Haitian Prayer

9

6:30p Couple’s Club

10 Easter 6

MOTHER’S DAY

8:45a Bible Class

10a Worship

11 10a Women’s Bible Study

11a Council

12

7:30p Organ Concert

13 10a TLS Chapel

7p Sr. Youth

14

6p Bells 7:15p Choir

15

8p Haitian Prayer

16 8a Men’s Bible Study @ Copper Kettle

17 Easter 7

8:45a Bible Class

10a Worship

18 10a Women’s Bible Study

19

20 10a TLS Chapel

7p Sr. Youth

21

6p Bells 7:15p Choir

22

8p Haitian Prayer

23

24 Day of

Pentecost 8:45a Bible Class 10a Worship

31Holy Trinity

8:45a Bible Class 10a Worship Celebrate Pastor

25

Memorial Day

26

27 10a TLS Chapel

7p Sr. Youth

28

6p Bells

7:15p Choir 7p Tarpon River

29 TLS 1/2 Day

6p Piano Recital 8p Haitian Prayer

30

7

Trinity Lutheran Church & Academy—May 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

8p Haitian Prayer

2 Annex First Saturday 10-3p Youth Car Wash

3 Easter 5

8:45a Bible Class

10a Worship

11:15a Women’s

Club 2-5p Piano Recital

4 10a Women’s Bible Study

5

6 10a TLS Chapel

7p Sr. Youth

7

6p Bells 7:15p Choir

8 6:30-9p TLS Night of Arts/ Media

Center Italian Feast Fundraiser 7p B.U.S.H. 8p Haitian Prayer

9

6:30p Couple’s Club

10 Easter 6

MOTHER’S DAY

8:45a Bible Class

10a Worship

11 10a Women’s Bible Study

11a Council

12

7:30p Organ Concert

13 10a TLS Chapel

7p Sr. Youth

14

6p Bells 7:15p Choir

15

8p Haitian Prayer

16 8a Men’s Bible Study @ Copper Kettle

17 Easter 7

8:45a Bible Class

10a Worship

18 10a Women’s Bible Study

19

20 10a TLS Chapel

7p Sr. Youth

21

6p Bells 7:15p Choir

22

8p Haitian Prayer

23

24 Day of

Pentecost 8:45a Bible Class 10a Worship

31Holy Trinity

8:45a Bible Class 10a Worship Celebrate Pastor

25

Memorial Day

26

27 10a TLS Chapel

7p Sr. Youth

28

6p Bells

7:15p Choir 7p Tarpon River

29 TLS 1/2 Day

6p Piano Recital 8p Haitian Prayer

30

8

Regional Outreach Conferences (ROC) from Lutheran Hour

Ministries encourage and equip God's people to be mission-

minded witnesses for Jesus Christ! ROCs are designed to

empower you to live every day in the joy of the Gospel. Conference highlights include:

keynote presentations from well-known speakers

interactive multi-media sessions

breakout sessions on hard-hitting topics to reach our

communities with the Gospel;

small- and large-group discussions on pertinent outreach

subjects; on-site advice from outreach consultants and

technology experts to enhance your personal, congregational

and online witnessing skills.

ROC-Orlando NOVEMBER 13-14, 2015

Have you heard the terms like "Millennials" and "GenXers" in

recent news regarding the decline of the church? Are you

wondering just who they are, and why they are disinterested in

church?

This is just one topic that Lutheran Hour Ministries' 2015

Regional Outreach Conferences will seek to answer. Discover

how you, the church, can teach them to be discerning, influential

followers of Christ to their peers.

This is your opportunity to rub elbows with bestselling author

and researcher David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Group, as

he helps to clarify the "lost" generation. Be inspired by The

Lutheran Hour Speaker, Rev. Greg Seltz as he shares his unique

experiences through keynote and workshop presentations.

Meet other lay leaders, and pastors in the church who can

shed light on what's working for them in their congregations. Be

equipped. Be empowered. Be uplifted and encouraged to engage

in your community to make a change. Be SENt!

For more information, and to register, see http://

www.lhm.org/roc/default.asp

9

Volunteers help with Illinois tornado recovery adapted from an article by Roger Drinnon,

manager of Editorial Services for LCMS Communications

After a “wedge” tornado ripped through some rural towns in Northern Illinois on April 9, 2015 Lutherans continue to respond with compassion, care and, most importantly, with the Gospel.

Volunteers from Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) and LCMS districts across Illinois have assisted the distressed communities.

The tornado had hit with a wide swath, bringing trees down onto houses, ripping the roofs off others, and leaving some houses as nothing more than slabs.

The reported EF-4 tornado came with wind speeds of 166-200 miles- per- hour; EF-5 is the highest tornado rating used by the National Weather Service when a tornado’s wind speed exceeds 200

mph. Wedge tornadoes are typically wider than other twisters and can be mistaken for large, dark cloud formations in some cases. This one came suddenly, around 7 p.m. on April 9th, leaving local residents stunned by its swift devastation.

“At first, you think everyone is overreacting, then you start hearing ambulances,” said Robert Challand, a 45-year-old Rochelle resident who has lived there most of his life. Challand’s two children attend St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Rochelle, IL, which became a staging facility for LCC disaster-response volunteers.

“Thankfully, there was an open house going on at Tilton Elementary that may have saved about a dozen families who would have been in their houses when the storm came through.”

“It wasn’t until Friday morning that we were able to discover the

damage left behind by the tornado,” said the Rev. Greg Hoffmann, pastor at St. Paul. “People are in shock, and some are still waiting for relatives to show up.”

Hoffmann said he is amazed by the timely response of the volunteers who came to help. “We have over 275 volunteers here, including chainsaw crews and 14 comfort dogs with 18 handlers,” said Tim Hetzner, the Northern Illinois District disaster-response

coordinator and LCC president.

Hetzner said in addition to Rochelle, other affected Illinois towns

include Fairdale, Kirkland and Lindenwood, and the storm’s path also included a lot of farmland.

LCMS Office of National Mission disaster responders travel from St. Louis to provide care, comfort and relief for disaster victims while providing the assurance of the Gospel throughout the exasperating experience of recovering from such a crisis. They explain: “We can

be confident that God is here protecting these people, and He will use this terrible tragedy for good.”

http://blogs.lcms.org/2015/illinois-tornado-recovery Posted April 13, 2015 / Updated April 14, 2015

10

Connecting faith & finances for good

STRENGTHEN

Your Community

Make an Impact with a Thrivent Action Team

If you’re a Thrivent Financial member, you can lead a

Thrivent Action Team to bring people together for a one

-time project to help others be wise with money and live

generously.

You can:

Coordinate an educational event.

Conduct a service activity.

Organize a fundraiser.

Thrivent will provide:

Resources to help you plan the event.

Promotional items, including Thrivent T-shirts.

Community Impact Card with $250 of seed money.

Learn more at Thrivent.com/actionteam and apply online.

Not a member of Thrivent? Share your service idea with

me. Together, we can make a difference.

Contact me for more information:

Kristi Clark ChFC, CLU, CAP

150 E Palmetto Park Rd. STE 800

Boca Raton, FL 33432

561-465-7477 or Kristi.Clark@Thrivent.com

11

No one has ascended into heaven

except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man …

“I am ascending to my Father and your Father,

to my God and your God.”

(John 3:13; 20:17 ESV) Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Let’s celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord! Why? Because, it’s one

of the most special days in the Church Year. Here are seven reasons Jesus might say why His ascension is so important*:

1. "It is finished." Your debt to your Maker? I've paid it—in full.

2. Wherever you've failed, I've succeeded—and My success now

belongs to you. That's why My Father sent Me: to trade your sin for His forgiveness at My expense.

3. If you can't yet see this, you will. When people could see what I accomplished, they didn't. The Day is coming when no one will miss it.

4. Now I'm making a place for you with Me, My Father, and Our Spirit. It's better than you could ever imagine!

5. Until I bring you here, you've got My Father's ear. I tell Him about you—what you're facing every day. We're concerned, and we've got you covered.

6. So, don't worry. I've poured out on you Our Spirit—the Holy Spirit. He lives in you, to battle the spirits of your own

selfishness, this world’s sway, and Satan’s seduction.

7. Those evil forces won’t have the last word—in your life, or in

the universe. I will, when I reappear to restore all creation. So, do what I send you to do today. Complete your mission in this life, as I did mine.

Jesus came down from Heaven, was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary, born of her in Bethlehem, escaped from Egypt, grew up in Nazareth, was baptized by John in the Jordan, taught the Truth, did the miraculous, suffered the unthinkable, endured the worst in

our places, overcame it all for us on Easter morning, went back up to our Father—and now rules, at work everywhere, to hear our prayers, and finally will right every wrong.

Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Tom Hackett He who descended is the very one

who ascended higher than all the heavens,

in order to fill the whole universe ...

When he went to the highest place,

he took captive those who had captured us

and gave gifts to people.

(Ephesians 4:10 NIV, 8 GW)

*See, for example: Joel 2:28; Daniel 12:1-3; John 14:2-4, 16; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:1-11; 2; 7:56; Romans 8:9-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesian 1:22-23; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 22:3

12

By God's amazing grace, He wants us to GROW:

Go to our neighbors near and far

Reach out to listen, learn, and love

Open our hands and hearts in Jesus' name

Welcome them to life together in Christ's Kingdom

Printing provided by:

PRINT BASICS / DAY & NITE Marketing

1061 SW 30th Ave Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

(954) 354-0700

Trinity Lutheran Church & Academy 110 SW 11th Street Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315

Helping to fund

Trinity’s Youth Ministry

Collection Box in the Fellowship Hall

Baptismal Birthdays 05/02 Roy Gosley

05/02 Barbara Berry

Cliff Berry II

Kelly Kavanaugh

05/08 Greg Rossman

05/12 Dick Gosley

05/17 Joan Walkling

05/20 Robert Casimir

Thomas Cwalinski

Jennifer deMare

BIRTHDAYS 05/04 Don Church

05/10 Susan Ali

05/17 Mike Gioseffi

05/24 Eileen Griewisch

05/25 Patricia Berry

Hazel Carlucci

05/29 David Gulyas

05/31 Tom Furness

Verna Gioseffi

Coming Events

Saturday, May 2nd:

10am-3pm Youth Car Wash

Annex First Saturday Friday, May 8th:

6:30pm Our Academy’s Night of the Arts & Social Studies Fair /

Italian Feast Tuesday, May 12th:

7:30pm Organ Concert Couple’s Club on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 6:30pm,

at the 11th Street Annex Men’s Bible Group on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 8:00am at

the Copper Kettle on S. Andrews Ave. Sr. Youth meet on Wednesdays at 7:00pm