Trinity Family
From Pastor Martin
- Why is Easter such a BIG DEAL? Here’s what sets Christianity apart from every other religion in the world: GOD HIMSELF comes down from heaven to rescue us. Our Savior Jesus dies on the cross to pay for our sins, and then demonstrates what God has in store for us: RESURRECTION from the dead…ETERNITY in heaven! In a world full of terrorists and tragedies, EASTER IS THE ANSWER! Let’s celebrate in God’s house with our brothers and sisters in Christ!
EASTER WEEKEND WORSHIP Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Easter Vigil Saturday 6 PM
Easter Sunrise Sunday 6:30 AM
Easter Worship 8, 9:30, & 11 AM
(Pancake Breakfast…. after Sunrise service until 10:45am)
- Live UCF Weekend, April 2 & 3 We are blessed with the return of Pastor Billy Brath as our guest preacher on April 2/3 as he updates us on Live UCF ministry.
- Installation Day, Sunday, April 3, 11am We’re planning the first-ever installation for Mr. Justin Tayon on Sunday, April 3, when his mother is able to leave her organist duties up in Illinois and join us. Mr.Mike Rott-mann will also be installed. And, now that Dr. Kevin Brockberg has accepted the position of K-8 Executive Director, he will be installed as well.
- Contribution Catch-up Time! As we face a “three payroll month” in March, we’re praying that the Lord will move our congregation to catch up on a shortfall of $60,000+ in offerings this fiscal year. Please pray: “Lord, thank for Your blessings. Please provide for Your work at Trinity through Your people. Grant us strong faith and generous hearts! In Jesus name. Amen!
- Campus Revitalization Projects Watch for the new railings around the sanctuary…the project is going forward. And we’re down to about $1300 needed to upgrade lighting around the sanctuary and loggia. Contributions can be made at church by earmarking “Campus Revitalization” on your check. Talk to Eric Havens, our General Manager for more detailed information.
Easter Resources
- 10 fun ways to keep Easter about Jesus http://wearethatfamily.com/2012/03/ten-fun-ways-to-keep-easter-about-jesus/
- And more http://www.thedatingdivas.com/holidays/easter/100-ideas-for-a-christ-centered-easter/
- Easter Egg activities http://tinkerlab.com/60-egg-activities-for-kids/
Guests in Easter Worship this Sunday
This Sunday will be one of the highest attended days of the year for our church. It may be the highest. There will be some people you don’t know. Some of them are guests. Others are members who attend infrequently. We have an opportunity to make an impression on these people with a few simple acts. Here are nine servant actions for each of us to consider.
- Pray as you enter the property. Pray for the guests. Pray for the services. Pray for the pastors and the sermons.
- Park at the most distant spot available. If you are able, leave the closer parking places for guests.
- Greet people. (even if you’re not a “greeter.” They may be guests. They may be members from a different service time.. It’s okay to introduce yourself to either.
- Look for people to help. You know the place well. Many others will not. Be a guide. Help someone who looks like he or she needs help.
- Sit as close as possible to the front of Sanctuary. Save the back rows for guests and late entrants, so they don’t have to walk past so many people.
- Sit in the middle of the pew. This will allow people to be able to come in and take a seat without walking in past you.
- Sit closely, and be ready to offer to scoot over with a smile if needed. The Sanctuary may be full at some services. Be willing to sit a little closer than usual.
- Pray as you leave. The Holy Spirit is likely working in many persons who attended. Pray for His continual work in the lives of all who attend!!
These are simple acts. They are acts of service. These acts of kindness and service on Easter are important. Won’t you commit to do the same on other days of worship as well? THANK YOU!
Easter Sunday – No Sunday School Classes
Please note, no Sunday School on Easter morning, all ages. Please enjoy a time of fellowship at the pancake breakfast in Fellowship Hall between services.
Two Gatherings for Trinity Women
April brings spring fever – get out of the house and have fun! On Saturday, April 16, you are invited to the Lutheran Women in Mission gathering at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Breakfast, lunch, and time together fills the morning with friendship and fun.
On Thursday, April 21, spend an evening in our own “home” with a Spring Salad Supper & Speaker. Merry Jo Moran, our own Trinity sister as well as speaker for Harbor House, will share information on the importance of Harbor House’s work. Harbor House is a shelter for victims of domestic violence and includes a shelter for the pets of those families. Paws for Peace is the only shelter in Central Florida where the pets of domestic abuse victims are safe with loving owners. Come and learn more and enjoy a fabulous salad supper. Mark your calendar with more details to follow soon.
Read more about the Rise Up Eggstravaganza! http://school.trinitydowntown.com/learning-about-jesus/
Nursery Care on Sunday Mornings
Sunday morning nursery care will move to the first floor of the church, below the front entry area/Narthex, beginning on Palm Sunday. Trinity Downtown provides nursery care for infants and children through 3 years old during all Sunday services for children whose parents are participating in worship or Bible study on campus. (Please note, children are always welcome in worship services).
Senior Pastor Call Process Update
The Senior Pastor Call List for Trinity has been returned by President Walton for our consideration. Pastor Ken Green, our Circuit Visitor, then called each candidate to ask if they were able to “give consideration to a call at this time.” As a result, we have a final Call List containing the following nine candidates:
- Rev. Jeffrey Anderson – Bethel Lutheran Church, Morton, IL
- Rev. Scott Bruick – St. John, Seward, NE
- Rev. Karl Galik – LCEF Consultant, Gainesville, FL
- Rev. Robert Goodwin – Grace, Menomonee Falls, WI
- Rev. Dr. Dennison Goff – Messiah (Vacancy Pastor), Tampa, FL
- Rev. Dr. Mark Larson – Candidate Status, St. Louis, MO
- Rev. Jacob May – Emmanuel, Hampton, VA
- Rev. Gary Schuschke – St. Luke, Oviedo, FL
- Rev. Paul Sizemore – Mt. Olive, Irmo, SC
Your Call Committee is now holding detailed meetings to thoroughly digest the attributes and potential fit of each candidate. Through research, conversation, video-conference interviews, in-person visits, and much prayer, we hope to narrow down the pool and bring a recommendation to the congregation soon. Feel free to direct any questions you may have about the process to Stephanie Landis at stephanie.landis@psiusa.com. Thank you.
Baptism Celebrations at School Chapel Services
We’re doing a Celebration of Baptism in our school chapel services at 8:30 and 9:30 on Wednesday, April 27. We’re also providing the opportunity to be baptized, for those who weren’t previously baptized. Pastor Jim Martin will be available be available before or after school to talk with you (details coming soon), or you can talk with your child’s teacher, Patty Moser, or Kevin Brockberg.
Don’t forget to direct Thrivent Choice Dollars®
Grant funding from Thrivent Financial through its Thrivent Choice® program can help support organizations you care about!. Don’t let designated Choice Dollars expire. Eligible Thrivent Financial members who have been designated Choice Dollars have until March 31, 2016, to direct any remaining 2015 Choice Dollars. Help support Trinity Downtown! Go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more and find program terms and conditions. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt. For further information about Thrivent Financial &/or Thrivent Choice, call Rick Ackerman, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, Financial Consultant at (407)650-0065 or by email at richard.ackerman@thrivent.com.
Service Project
The Sr. Confirmation students will participate in a on-campus retreat on SATURDAY, APRIL 30. The theme for the day and class verse is: Luke 9:23 deny your #selfie take up your cross and follow Him. Part of the day includes a service project of making care-packages of self-care items. We need your help. Please help us make 50 bags! We need deodorant, (new) socks, lip balm, wet ones, granola bars, etc. where confirmands will assemble kits to distribute. Please leave items in Narthex in box labeled #selfie. We could also use a snack break during the day. Would you like to provide a snack for our confirmands- sweet treat and water bottles? Please email Jenn Blackwood mom23girls@cfl.rr.com.
Do You Support Vacation Bible School?
What many think of as tradition, or a must have, is really essential ministry for community outreach and inreach. For decades, churches have been dedicating 1 or 2 weeks to sharing Jesus’ Gospel message to children who may not hear it any other way. Trinity’s VBS is currently scheduled for July 25-29, 2016. But to make it happen, a co-director and teacher volunteers are needed RIGHT NOW, Please, do not wait for a personal invitation from a staff member. Pray first, and then listen as the Holy Spirit moves you to share your talent where it is most needed. Contact Deaconess Liz : eborth@trinitydowntown.org or 407-488-1919 X 127.
Urgent Prayer Requests
If you have an urgent prayer request that can’t wait until you fill out a yellow prayer card during worship, please submit it via email to Pray@TrinityDowntown.com. While submitting a yellow card during worship is still the preferred way to share prayer requests, sometimes a prayer need can’t wait until Sunday. Your prayer request (first name and basic details of the prayer requested) will be shared with a team of committed weekday prayer warriors and will also be added to Trinity’s regular printed prayer list for the congregation. All prayers are kept on the printed list for a period of three weeks, so please resubmit long term prayer needs regularly so that they stay on the printed list. Thank you.
3rd Annual 2016 Prayer March For Persecuted Christians and Jews
April 16, 6:30-8:30pm, Trinity’s Fellowship Hall: Round Table Discussion on persecution of Christians and Jews with an expert panel including Senator Alan Hays. On April 17, 3:30 – 7:00PM @ Lake Eola. Gather at the bandshell. This is a free event, open to the public. The march will cover one mile and take about 45 minutes, ending back at the bandshell at approximately 5pm where you will hear from an international group of speakers who know persecution first hand and will tell their stories. We will be praying for the persecuted adn the persecutors. For more information contact Rev. Bruce Lieske 407-359-0449 or Alan Kornman 407-702-0494
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Youth News
High School Youth – Escape Game!
The high school youth are going to try their hand at one of Orlando’s best Escape game adventures! Join us Sunday, April 3rd at 1pm in the Trinity Parking Lot. We will drive over together to the location on International Drive! Bring $20 for the game & $5 for ice cream afterwards! Invite friends because its going to be challenging & a blast! Call or email Laura if you have any questions! (407)404-3242 or trinityhsyouth@gmail.com
Sr. Confirmation Retreat
Sr. Confirmation students will participate in a on campus retreat on SATURDAY, APRIL 30 1:00-5:00 then dinner and attend 6:00 service. The theme for the day and class verse is: Luke 9:23 deny your #selfie take up your cross and follow Him. Part of the day includes a service project of collecting self-care items: deodorant, socks, lip balm, wet ones, granola bars, etc where confirmands will assemble kits to distribute. Please help them make 50 bags! Please leave items in Narthex in box labeled #selfie. We could use a snack break during the day. Would you like to provide a snack for our confirmands- sweet treat and water bottles? Mark your calendars. Please make every effort to be there. Any questions? Want to help? Please email Jenn Blackwood mom23girls@cfl.rr.com. Many thanks to Thrivent for a grant to help cover expenses for the day. #livegenerously
Sr. Confirmation Class Schedule
Due to retreat plans on April 30th, there will be no class on May 1.
Middle & High School Bible Classes available at 9:30 Sunday Mornings (not Easter morning)
MS and HS Youth each have their own Sunday classes providing opportunities for students to grow deeper in their relationship with God as well as their relationships with others. Meet the Youth Ministry Team leaders in the second floor classrooms of the K-8 building for fellowship and study time each week.
High School Youth July 2016–National Youth Gathering–check website for more information!
For more info: Contact Laura (407) 404-3242 or Mike (727) 686-7403, email TrinityHSYouth@gmail.com, check the Trinity Website or the Trinity HS Youth Facebook page!
Important Dates
April 2 & 3 LiveUCF Weekend, Pastor Billy guest preaching
April 3 Installations for Justin Tayon, Mike Rottmann and Kevin Brockberg
April 30 Sr. Confirmation Retreat
May 15 Confirmation Sunday
April 24 Sunday, 12:15-2pm New Member Focus Groups
April 27 Wednesday, Baptism Celebration in School Chapel Services
April 30 Confirmands Retreat
May 15 Confirmation Day
Attendance & Giving
| 20-Mar-16 | |
| Worship Attendance | |
| 6:00 p.m. | 36 |
| 8:00 a.m. | 60 |
| 9:30 a.m. | 136 |
| 11:00 a.m. | 137 |
| Total | 369 |
| Sunday School Attendance | |
| Adult’s Bible Class | 35 |
| High School Bible Class | – |
| Middle School Bible Class | 4 |
| Children’s Bible Class | – |
| Confirmation Class | – |
| Contributions | |
| Current & Missions: | |
| C & M Budget | $22,705 |
| C & M Actual | $14,128 |
| Faithfully Forward | $1,576 |
| Historical Debt | $230 |
| Faith Factor | 0 |
| Dedicated Funds | $2,094 |
