Trinity Family
From Pastor Martin
I’m feeling a little more connected to Trinity’s history after the dedication of the Pastor Ron Fink memorial stained glass window last weekend and getting to meet Millie Fink, and some more Trinity School servants, Barb Huehn and the Eggerts. Now it’s time to prepare for another Trinity tradition…Thanksgiving Dinner. More details to come on this – it will be Thanksgiving x 3.
The Sunday, November 22 Trinity Family Thanksgiving Dinner after church. This will include Staff Appreciation as we honor all of our Trinity staffers at that meal. Then on Tuesday it’s the School Thanksgiving Dinner. Finally we’re going to have a Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. (Watch for an opportunity to sign up to serve or to donate for the cause.) There is so much for which to THANK GOD!
Thanksgiving Week will be preceded by a special Prayer Service.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Prayers for Healing, from 5 – 5:45 pm Saturday, November 21 in the sanctuary before the Saturday 6 pm service.
You can see why our worship theme for November will be “THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!” We are Growing Together…to Shine Brighter! This weekend we’ll be looking at the Joy of Generosity, especially as we think about generous support for:
- LHM Regional Outreach Conference November 13-14. Last Chance to Register Would you like to learn new ways to share the hope that you have in Jesus Christ? At this conference you will be inspired and prepared to share the blessings of a life in Christ with people in your life. Hear from well-known speakers and local Christian leaders how to communicate the Gospel to others in word and deed. Visit www.lhm.org/roc or call 1-800-876-9880 for more information or to register today!
- The Redeeming Life Maternity Home Gala Saturday, November 14. Deadline is Monday, November 9. There is still room for you who have a passion for supporting pro-life decisions. Simply bring your checkbook and your desire to help women who choose life for their baby to Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Sanford. Tours of the Maternity Home begin at 5:00 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:00 p.m..
- The LiveUCF Gala Saturday, November 14 Celebrating our ministry to the University of Central Florida. You are invited to an elegant evening learning about and celebrating the ministry of LiveUCF. It is being held, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Orlando. We are grateful for our many partners, individuals and congregations who provide the resources we need to continue in ministry. The annual gala is a night to lift up the work we accomplish together. During the evening you will have the chance to hear about our Fall ministries, meet our Board of Directors, and talk with students and leaders while enjoying wonderful food and drink. More information & ticketsLiveUCF.com/Gala or 321.287.7742
We also have the privilege of welcoming Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Greg Seltz as our guest preacher at Trinity, 11 am on Sunday, November 15! He is in town for the Regional Outreach Conference (see article above). We want to make sure no pew is empty as Pastor Seltz’s message is videotaped for future use. Stay for “meet & greet” after worship!
Rev. Seltz has served since February 2011 as Speaker of Lutheran Hour Ministries’ flagship ministry, The Lutheran Hour radio program, which airs on more than 1,600 stations across North American and on the American Forces Network. He has helped Lutheran Hour Ministries develop a bold vision for expanding the reach of The Lutheran Hour through live broadcasts and other twenty-first century media. This will be a unique time to listen to and see Rev. Seltz in person as he delivers his message “Readied for That Time” – How our most advanced technology soon becomes worthless and obsolete, but God has a life for you in Jesus that lasts forever. (Mark 13:1-13). This worship experience will give you an unprecedented look and direct involvement in the recording of a nationally broadcast Lutheran Hour sermon. Join us for this unique worship service with a fellowship meet and greet afterward.
Exciting days are coming for Trinity now that the Senior Pastor Call Process is underway. The Call Committee needs your input for the congregational survey (online or paper copy) and at Focus Groups on Nov 14/15. We want this to be a congregationally-based process…from beginning to end.
We Need Your Input As we move forward with working to bring a new Senior Pastor to Trinity, your thoughts and ideas are critical to the process. Starting on Saturday, November 7, we ask that you take five minutes to complete an online survey at http://www.customercontactinc.net/survey/trin/trinlogn.htm (either click on the link or copy into your browser). The information you provide will allow the call committee to complete our self-study and in turn help the District when making additional candidate suggestions. If you are unable to complete the survey electronically, hard copy surveys will also be available in the school office and in the sanctuary – just return completed surveys to the same location. The deadline for completing the survey is Monday, November 30.
Call Committee Focus Groups In order to compile your thoughts and opinions about our direction for a new senior pastor, we will also be holding focus group meetings. Immediately following each church service on Saturday, November 14, through Sunday November 15, the call committee will be holding small group meetings to get additional input into the call process. This is a great opportunity for you to tell us where Trinity needs to be heading!
Senior Pastor Nominations The period for making nominations for our new Senior Pastor is now open! We encourage all Trinity members to make nominations of qualified candidates. Simply complete the Nomination Form, which can be found on the Trinity Downtown website or via hard copy in the sanctuary. Nomination forms must be returned by Tuesday, December 8, and can be given to any member of the Call Committee: Ted Lange, Stephanie Landis, Mike Kunze, Jen Blackwood, Bonnie Roby, Rocky Smothers, Mike Hoffman, or Pastor Martin.
Don’t miss out on an opportunity to learn more about Kindergarten (and beyond!) at Trinity Lutheran School on November 17th!
Kindergarten and Beyond at Trinity Lutheran School–Please join us! Buzz Lightyear and Woody (we’re not kidding) welcome you and your family to our Kindergarten Round-Up on Tuesday, November 17. The Chuck Wagon rolls up to the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 for a BBQ dinner, followed with yoga and dance for the children (this is beyond mere babysitting) while parents will learn about the transition from VPK to Kindergarten and Trinity from Patty Moser, Brooke McKinnon, Stacey Carroll, and Kevin Brockberg. We’ll end by 7:00, plenty early for you and your family to mosey into your snug bedrolls after this Round-Up, pardner!
Parents, read about Megan Miessler’s November 16 Workshop on Brain Development and Parenting.
Parent Seminar On November 16, Megan Miessler, MSW, LCSW, DCE from Lutheran Counseling Services will be presenting a Parenting Talk on “Understanding the Brain.” Attuning to a child’s emotional needs requires an understanding of how their brain works. In this session you will hear how children and adolescent’s emotional reactions can give insight to what is taking place within their brain. This session will also provide you with some hands on tools to assist children and adolescents in coping with stressful situations. To make this event available to all it will be offered at 9am, 12pm, and 5pm in the Art room of the K-8 Education Building. Please join us!
One more thing… We’ve been hearing ideas about how we can promote better communication across our campus and throughout our whole Trinity family. The church staff and Communications Team are processing the possibilities. Please, Keep the Ideas Coming! Share your thoughts with us via email TLC@TrinityDowntown.com or call Chanda at 407-488-1919 x101.
–Pastor Jim Martin
Trinity Supports Overseas Missionaries
Did you know that we support four missionary families?
- The Trumps (Kenya)
- The Clausings (Eastern Africa)
- The Wasmunds (S Korea)
- The Lehmans (Spain)
For more information about each of these families, please check the missionary page on Trinity’s website. Want to help us get the word out? We need a volunteer to update our Missionary Display in the sanctuary. If you can help, please contact Chanda at TLC@TrinityDowntown.com or 407-488-1919 x101.
Growing Together Christmas Tree Ornaments
Coming soon! Growing Together Christmas tree ornaments!
Helping those in Need
Trinity school children are designating their November chapel offering for the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Food Pantry. Our church family will add Food on the Fifth donations to make the gift to the food pantry at least 3 grocery carts full! The Prince of Peace Food Pantry is able to provide groceries to over 300 families from Orange County each month, this is equivalent to 15,000 pounds of food a month. Don’t forget your canned and non-perishable food items the weekend of November 28-29. Please check the “sell by date” to insure your gift is top quality.
Funding for those in Need
Did you know our congregation keeps a special fund ready to help anyone in need? Trinity’s Pastoral Staff is often approached by members and non-members for a variety of financial assistance crises. Every time we share our grocery shopping extras with a community food bank, we also take a door offering to fund the special Discretionary Fund. Bring your donation to church the weekend of November 28-29 and place in the collection plate when you enter or as you leave worship services.
Grab a Gift
Trinity Shares Christmas with children through YOUR generosity. For the past 7 years, we share our Joy in Jesus with children in our community. Again this year, we partner with Angel Tree Ministries to help incarcerated parents give Christmas presents to their children and food to the children’s caregivers for a holiday dinner. The goal of this project is to help the families build and maintain a loving relationship. Trinity members add our special touch as we share the Christmas message with the children and their caretakers. GET YOUR ANGEL TAG. Time is running out for purchasing and returning donations. Please take one or more ornaments and return the requested item with the ornament by November 29. Please do not wrap the present and do not use the adhesive side of the ornament to attach it to the present.
Touch-A-Truck Planning Meeting
This is our biggest event of the year and we need your help! Please join us for a Touch-A-Truck planning meeting on Wednesday, November 11, at 6 pm in loggia classroom 103. Or, contact PTL.TLCS@gmail.com to learn more about how you can get involved. Volunteer opportunities available during Touch-A-Truck; PRICE hours apply for K-8 parents and students, and in Grades 6-8 it will serve to earn credit toward the cost of upcoming field trips to Driftwood, and Washington DC.
A Hands On Way To Serve
We have several very short-term volunteer opportunities to help make the Trinity Shares Christmas program a success. If you would like to help sort, deliver, or write Christmas greetings, or have any questions about Trinity Shares Christmas, please contact Glenda Frazier at whitemice@bellsouth.net.
Trinity Members with Children in the K-8 or CDC School Ministries
The Outreach Team is looking for Trinity members with children in the CDC and school to assist with introducing school families to our church family. If you have a heart for the Gospel and Great Commission, we need your help! Please contact Bill Ruffier at wruffier@dwklaw.com. Thank you.
Thank you from Rev. Jonathan Clausing & Family
We just received word of your October gift of $93.75, and we again want to express our gratitude to be partners with you in bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of east Africa. Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. We leave for Kenya in just over two months now, and we will keep you updated on the work God is doing through you. God bless you!
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.
Trinity’s Website
Take some time to check out the rest of the TrinityDowntown.com website. Find out more about Youth Ministries, Women’s events, Bible Studies and more. Check out the photos of your church family and read more about how to get connected. And, please send your best event photos to TLC@TrinityDowntown.com so we can share them on the website. Thanks.
Charity Craft Show Benefiting the Rescue Mission
November 21st, 10am – 2pm: There will be a Charity Craft Show at Boone High School (1000 E. Kaley St) to raise money for the Homeless through Orlando Union Rescue Mission. There will be hourly door prizes, drawings, competitions, food trucks, and free crafts for children. The first 100 adult guests will get a free “swag bag” with samples and freebies. Come out for a fun family day, do some early Christmas shopping for unique gifts, and help the homeless of Orlando at the same time. www.orlandohelpinghandmade.com.
Youth News
Middle School & High School Bible Classes available at 9:30 Sunday Mornings
MS and HS Youth Sunday classes provide 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
Upcoming Events
- Sunday, November 22nd 6pm, Turkey Day Party!
- Saturday, December 12th
- 2pm: Christmas Shopping Fundraiser/Servant Event
- 6pm: Christmas Party
- 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
November 6-8 Middle School Youth Gathering
November 11 Veterans Day Chapel Service 8:30am
November 13-14 LHM Regional Outreach Conference, Orlando
November 15 Rev. Greg Seltz from LHM guest preaching, reception
November 16 Parenting Seminar by Megan Miessler 9a,12p, 5p
November 17 Kindergarten and Beyond
November 22 Trinity Family Sunday, Congregational Thanksgiving Dinner
November 25 Thanksgiving Eve Worship 7pm
November 26 Thanksgiving Day Worship 10am
November 27 Feeding 100 Homeless (details soon)
November 29 Food on the Fifth Sunday
