Trinity Weekly March 27th

Trinity Family

A Message from Pastor Tom Zehnder

Dear Trinity Family,  Come this weekend we enter into the Holy of Holies of the Christian Church Year. It is indeed a “holy week” in the life of our Lord Jesus.  This Sunday gets its name after the procession formed when Jesus entered Jerusalem. The crowds met him with cheers, with waving palms and garments on the road. They sensed He was extraordinary, and that somehow He had come there for their sakes.

And He had, not just for their sakes but for us too as He headed to the Cross to give His life for our salvation and then to the triumph as He broke through the bonds of death on glorious Easter morning.

We will be celebrating every moment of these events and the Holy Week Services. Don’t miss anything!

Can hardly wait to be speaking about these things with you in worship!

FOUNDATIONS CLASS OPPORTUNITY. Beginning at 4:15 PM the Saturday after Easter, there will be four sessions. This gathering is for all who wish to know more about The Church and the Lutheran Church as well. It will be an excellent opportunity for “old time Lutherans” to brush up and become excited about belonging first of all to Christ, and then to this particular manifestation of the Body of Christ, The Lutheran Church. No pressure! No hard questions! Just warm and enlightening conversations. The topics are: THE WORD OF GOD; THE TRIUNE GOD; THE CHURCH OF GOD; THE ETERNAL PLAN OF GOD.  For those who are not formally members of Trinity or another Lutheran Church and who wish to affiliate formally with Trinity, this is the door to that relationship. We provide child care, snacks, and a convivial and interesting time! Please join us.  Please email TLC@TrinityDowntown.com to sign up!

Holy Week, Easter, Ministry Teams, Confirmation, Stewardship Journey…and so much for awaits!  Whopee!  trz

Volunteers needed for 1.5 hours of your time!

We have several parents with small children who will be attending the new member Foundations class beginning Saturday, April 11.  We are in search of several more volunteers to provide care for several young children during the four classes this Spring 4:15-5:45.  Please contact the church office if you are willing to serve in this way. TLC@TrinityDowntown.com

Last chance to sponsor Easter Lilies  

The flowers that make Trinity especially beautiful during the Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations are provided by members of our Trinity family who wish to remember loved ones, or simply express special thanks to God.  Order forms are in the Narthex. Please print clearly & place in the offering plate.

Upcoming Lenten Worship

April 2nd - Maundy Thursday services at 12:10pm and 7:00pm.

April 3rd - Good Friday services at 12:10pm and 7:00pm.

April 4th - Easter Vigil service at 6:00 pm

April 5th Easter Sunday services at 6:30 am, 8:00 am, 9:30 am, and 11:00 am

Special Voters Meeting, This Sunday,  March 29

This Sunday, March 29 at 12:30pm please join us in the Sanctuary for a Special Voters’ Meeting.  This meeting is being called for the specific purpose of securing approval from the Voters’ Assembly to establish a Call Committee and initiate the process of issuing a Divine Call for a Senior Pastor, in accordance with Trinity’s By-Laws.  We expect this to be a very short meeting.  Please plan to attend.  Thank you.

What Do You Believe?

Every year our hearts are stirred by the public confession of our Confirmation Class students.  Beginning this weekend, the ten young men and women will stand before their fellow Trinity Lutheran church family members and express what their young faith filled heart and mind understand about Christ being the center of their life. David Mooney, Spenser Tesch, and Tyler Tellock will share this weekend.  Please keep all of these students in your prayers as they grow in their faith and move toward the Rite of Confirmation on April 26th: David Mooney, Spenser Tesch, Tyler Tellock, Thomas Kauffman, Alexander Erpenbach, Reagan Jeffery, Zack O’Rourke, Laura Fischer, Harrison Koller, Madeline Rawlings

What has four wheels and……

Right now Trinity’s golf cart only has four wheels!  Despite the valiant effort of Mr. Bill’s mechanical tinkering and J.J. Alexander’s battery donation, that little buggy won’t move.  Please help Trinity continue and expand the ministry of compassion and good will to people in downtown Orlando.  Currently every Wednesday morning, free coffee is distributed to commuters traveling by the corner of Livingston and Rosalind/Magnolia using the coffee cart. Soon, this beverage distribution may hit the road for weekends at Lake Eola.  BUT only if we have an electric cart that will go!   Contact J.J. Alexander: 407-538-1011 or the church office: 407-488-1919 X101 with your donation support.

Camp Trinity--Summer Camp Registration Now Open  

Camp Trinity has a wonderful summer planned for your children.  Registration is now open.  Forms and information about the weekly camp themes are available online and in the school office.  Please register early ($100 registration fee is reduced to $75 until May 1st). We anticipate a healthy enrollment this summer and we want to be sure to save space for your child. E-mail Julia Malenke with any questions( jmalenke@trinitydowntown.org)

Time to Take A Spring Break

Ladies, the time to travel north and take a break with fabulous women is Saturday, APRIL 18.  The Orlando East LWML women join together for a morning of chatting and growing in faith at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Sanford.  A great breakfast, tasty lunch, Pro-Life speaker, Lord’s Supper, and laughter filled conversation will take you away from daily stress. Bring your favorite recipe written on 5 cards and a WalMart gift card to cover the cost of ingredients for that recipe.  These will be donated to the Redeeming Life Maternity Home located next door to Redeemer Church.  Oh!  A tour of the home (with 2 new babies) is included on Saturday too. Contact Mary Lou Evanchyk with questions:407-275-8096, or look for the flyer on the LWML table in the Narthex.

Trinity Downtown ByLaws Revision

Revisions can be found online (click here) on the TrinityDowntown.com website under Member Resources/Constitution and Bylaws.  Please submit questions, comments, and revisions to Stephanie Landis at stephanie.weidner@psiusa.com or to the Church Office at TLC@TrinityDowntown.com, no later than March 25, 2015.  Thank you!

March 18 Update to the Nominations for Trinity Downtown Leadership

To the Members of Trinity Lutheran Church and School,

Please note the following changes to the initial slate as of March 18, 2015:

• Catherine Simmons has been added as a candidate for Leadership Council Member at Large.
• Brendan O’Brien has been added as a candidate for Elder
• Don Behrmann has withdrawn, with regrets, as a candidate for Leadership Council Member at Large because of work obligations.
• As a clarification on the Member at Large opening positions:  since Ted Lange (currently a Member at Large) is the candidate for President, the Nominating Committee recommends that Rocky Smothers be elected to complete the final year of Ted’s Member at Large position in order to retain historical insight and experience.  For the other two Member at Large positions, the Nominating Committee recommends a vote to elect two of the four candidates (Wendy Havens, Susan Roby, David Tesch, and Catherine Simmons).

As Chair of the 2015 Nominating Committee and in accordance with Trinity’s Constitution and By Laws, I submit the following listing as the Committee’s slate of nominees for the open Leadership Council and Elder positions, presented to the congregation on February 22, 2015 and posted by February 27, 2015.  Published postings are placed for public viewing in the Trinity Weekly (both email and printed), the bulletin board in the Loggia area adjacent to the School Office, and on the TLCS Website, at TrinityDowntown.com under Member Resources/Official Reports.

1.  Leadership Council Nominations for the 2015 – 2017 Term

(The fourth Member at Large position is currently held by Carolyn Burnette who has one year remaining of her 1st 2-year term.)

      2. Elders Ministry Team Nominations for the 2015 – 2017 Term

(Elders who are in the middle of their terms are Ulysses Floyd, Steve Kerestes, Robert Trapp, Jr., and Cal Wacker.)

Currently several Elder positions remain with no nominees. We will continue to petition the congregation through our nominating process for members qualified and able to serve in this capacity.

Respectfully submitted,

Glenda Frazier, Leadership Council, Member at Large, Trinity Congregation

Nominating Committee:  Glenda Frazier, Pastor Tom Zehnder, Rocky Smothers, Paul Soost, John Strandquest

Renew in Me a Right Spirit

For many weeks you’ve either skipped over this message or read it thinking “not for me”, “too expensive” “can’t get away”.  There is no excuse to allow an opportunity for peace and renewal to pass you by. Find a woman who doesn’t struggle with the challenges of motherhood, marriage, finances, and health and you will be in heaven. Strength for the Journey retreats, held all over the nation, are weekend retreats offering hope.  We are blessed that Julia Malenke’s guidance and commitment for a Florida chapter resulted in a local retreat location. The Canterbury Retreat Center in Oviedo is a close destination that feels far-away.  Led by women who have experience teaching, counseling and facing their own life challenges with others beside them, this weekend away will give you comfort and support.   Reserve your spot NOW for April 10-12, 2015.  For more information click here.  There are scholarship funds available to help you with financial assistance.

Food on the Fifth

THIS IS IT!  Bring your canned and boxed food items to church on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.   For almost a decade, Trinity has purposefully gathered canned and boxed food on the Fifth Sunday weekends. This food collection will benefit the Senior Citizens who use the Plymouth Food Bank. The counselor intern at  Lutheran Counseling Services in Winter Park takes charge of this on-going ministry, and we are delighted to partner with one of our benevolence ministries to share food and compassion in our community.  Consider easy open cans and foods that are simple to prepare as you shop for your donation.  Let’s make it a goal to fill he donated Publix grocery cart three times over!  

Summer Vacation Plans

HELP IS NEEDED NOW.  Although July seems so very far away, planning for the few weeks away from school routine is here.  Trinity Lutheran Church is planning a week of fun July 20-24. YOU are needed now.  Adult volunteers are the core of Vacation Bible School success. This summer, children ages 4 through 5th grade will experience a Jerusalem Marketplace.  YOU are needed NOW for preparation BEFOREhand.  This is an opportunity for adults to participate without taking time off work or finding a babysitter.  The “marketplace” is filled with booths  of bakery items, clay pots, woodworking, easy sewing or weaving, jewelry making, and musical instruments.  All these booths need display items you can lend or donate. All these booths need supplies for the children to make items as well as items they can “buy” with their offering money. Contact Deaconess Liz with questions and offers for assistance with planning and executing this exciting short-term mission opportunity.  407-488-1919 X 127 or eborth@trinitydowntown.org.

Trinity volunteers needed for a public event/fundraiser at Trinity

106.7 and Trinity Downtown will host the "Cheap Shots" basketball game right here on our campus! This event is open to the public and will be advertised on 106.7.  What an amazing opportunity to put Trinity on the Community map!  Whether you participate in the game, volunteer, or just want to watch, it's a $5 per person for a night of family fun & fundraising for TLS.   In order to make this event something special, please consider your time and talents in one of these ways:

• We need a basketball TEAM! At least 8 adults, male/female, 18 or older. (Trinity members, staff, parents, friends and family-our whole Trinity Community!) to play against the Cheap Shots team!
• We need volunteers to work the ticket booth, direct traffic, and help with crowd control.
• Some talent for a fun halftime show would be much appreciated as well!!

School families can earn PRICE hours through this event!  Email our Parent Teacher League ASAP at  PTL.TLCS@gmail.com to sign up to help or for more information.

Silent Auction 2015--Masquerade Madness, April 25th

More details for this event can be found online.  The success of our annual Silent Auction fundraiser depends on the generosity of church members, school families and community businesses. Please consider a donation in support of our Trinity Lutheran School ministry.  You may also be able to reach out to local businesses which might be interested in a tax deductible donation to the auction as well.  We are in need of a parent or parents who can help follow up with donation requests.  Donations of auction items for sale or cash donations to offset expenses are all welcome.  Please contact auction chairperson Tess Tourelle at tess@prolitsupport.com or Keri Packman at kpackman@trinitydowntown.com.  The staff, teachers, parents and children of Trinity Lutheran School thank you in advance for being a participant in our Silent Auction.  We look forward to a wonderful evening entitled Trinity’s 15th Annual Silent Auction Event – “Masquerade Madness”.  Please don’t hesitate to contact a chairperson if you have any questions or would like us to pick up your donation. The deadline for donated items is April 20, 2015.

Parking Solutions

When you visit the Church or Finance offices, please park in the back of the building along the left side property fence line, labelled T.L.C.S.employee parking.  Access to Amelia Avenue is gone and traffic flow in and out of Trinity’s campus is through the Magnolia Building parking lot. The driveway of the Magnolia building is a TWO WAY drive. No parking will be permitted along the Magnolia driveway any time of day or evening.  Please do not use “Tenant Parking” or “Parent Drop off” spaces between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Also, save the “Pastor Parking” spots for the ministry staff.  Pastor Zehnder, Pastor Billy, and Deaconess Liz come and go often from the campus and would like to return to an empty spot.  Thank you!

Save the Date – Golf Tournament

It is our pleasure to announce that Trinity Lutheran School will be hosting this year’s ”Pastor Sam Hoard Memorial Golf Tournament” on May 9, 2015, at Celebration Golf Club.  Please visit our webpage listed below to learn more about this tournament and to register.  Register soon as spots will fill up quickly!  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Josh Brink at JABrink@TrinityDowntown.com.  http://www.trinitydowntown.com/golf

Can’t Make it to Church?

If you or a family member cannot make it to church,  please contact Trinity’s Visitation Pastor, Rev. Dennis Glander.  He would be very happy to visit with you and bring Holy Communion to you at home.  You may contact him at 407-249-0361 or cell 407-409-1179 or via email at  dglander1326@att.net.  

Sermons Online

Did you know?  On Trinity’s website, you can access the Sunday sermons online.  If you really enjoyed the message and want to listen again or share it with someone else--just click on the link!   Sermons Online

It’s 3 p.m. What are you doing?

Jesus died at 3 p.m. on a dark Friday. He gave all He had to give so everyone else would benefit.  Thank him with a short prayer at 3:00 p.m. every day until Easter.  Make a good habit of prayer.  You can add prayers specifically for our Trinity children too. Use a Bible verse like: “Jesus, take these little children into your arms and bless them.” or say, “Lord show your mercy and love.”  Any simple prayer can be lifted to our heavenly Father and easily repeated daily. If you would like to receive a short prayer every day for your child and school, simply visit  www.momsinprayer.org

Facebook Updates

If you have a Facebook account, search for Trinity Downtown-Trinity Lutheran School. Articles, photos, and information are posted regularly on classroom activities, events, construction, and more. Please like the page so that you receive a notification when something new is posted.

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Youth News

 6th Grade Confirmation

We have been making our way through the New Testament these past few weeks.  Our Bible studies have given us some “food for thought”, but now let’s take some time in a different way to walk and study His Word.  We will NOT meet for class on Sunday, March 15 or 22 which is the beginning/end of Seminole and Orange County spring breaks.  We will also NOT meet for class on Sunday, March 29 (Palm Sunday) or Sunday, April 5 (He is Risen!).  I encourage you to worship with your families.  During this time you will be required to write up two church reports, and then turn them in on Sunday, April 12.  These forms will be available in the Narthex.  If you don’t see one, please ask an usher.  And don’t forget your memory work verses are due by April 26.   Confirmation years are a journey in your life long walk with the Lord.  Spend the time now learning how to strengthen that relationship.  Any questions please email (mom23girls@cfl.rr.com) or call (407-620-0485).  Blessings, Mrs. Blackwood.

Upcoming Trinity High School Youth Events

All ages--tell your parents--bring your friends--spread the word--join us for some fun!

March :  29th -- Palm Sunday Picnic 12:30pm

**Just a reminder that the Palm Sunday Picnic this Sunday is not cancelled. We will be meeting at the lawn across the street from Panera, by the pagoda at Lake Eola! We will provide sandwiches, drinks and some lawn games; you bring a side! Please RSVP & tell us what you are bringing 🙂 INVITE FRIENDS!

April : 19th -- A Day on the Town (Service project & community involvement)

May : 3rd -- Summer Bash, details TBD

Contact Laura (407) 404-3242 or Mike (727) 686-7402 for more info!

Or email TrinityHSYouth@gmail.com

8th Grade Confirmation News

We are entering into the home stretch, with only a couple of months left before the big day!  As we move toward the Rite of Confirmation there are some special events coming up:

• Seder Meal, Thursday, April 2, 5:00pm (seated by 4:50pm), Fellowship Hall

• Confirmation faith discussion and sharing, Wednesday, April 22, 7:00pm, Sanctuary

• The Rite of Confirmation, Sunday, April 26, 11:00am service, Sanctuary

We look forward to walking with you through these Confirmation Days! Questions? Contact Elder, 8th grade confirmation teacher, Tim Norris at norris.timothy@gmail.com.

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Trinity Events

April 3                All offices/school programs closed for Good Friday

April 6                All offices/school programs closed for Easter Monday

April 10-12        Strength for the Journey Women’s Retreat

April 11              Foundations Class/New Member Class

April 14             Trinity Downtown vs. 106.7 Cheap Shots Bball Game

April 19              Voters Meeting, 12:30 Sanctuary

April 25              Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser

April 26              The Rite of Confirmation at 11am Worship

May 9                 Stewardship Drive Kick Off

May 9                 Sam Hoard Memorial Golf Tournament

May 31              Consecration Sunday

July 20-24         VBS

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TLS News

Viking Challenge

While you may have missed the kick-off event at Lake Eola, the Viking Challenge continues through March 31.  Challenge all of your friends to support this effort to finish our soccer field and renovate our library.  Click on school.trinitydowntown.com/VikingChallenge. After you participate in your physical activity (like attending Saturday’s Kick Off event!), record a video message challenging your family and friends to participate in a physical activity and encourage a monetary gift to Trinity.  Then share that recorded message via email, Facebook or other social media.  When you share on social media please use the hashtag #TLSVikingChallenge.  Use your phone or video recorder to record your message, please note that a suggested script can be found on the Viking Challenge webpage. Proceeds are used to benefit the entire school!

Camp Trinity--Summer Camp Registration is now open

Camp Trinity has a wonderful summer planned for your children. Forms and information about the weekly camp themes are available in the school office and online.  Please register early ($100 registration fee is reduced to $75 until May 1st). We anticipate a healthy enrollment this summer and we want to be sure to save space for your child.  E-mail Julia Malenke with any questions at  jmalenke@trinitydowntown.org

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Attendance & Giving