Trinity Family
Perspectives on Cooperation from Pastor Martin
I was in chapel with about 100 three and four year old children from our school ministry this week. They are amazingly well-behaved, but getting them to focus on one single thing can be challenging. It worked for a couple of minutes as 13 of them acted out Jesus and the Disciples going up the mountain into Jerusalem. However, attention spans at that age are short, and I was on the verge of losing them.
But then it was time to PRAY – “fold your hands, bow your heads, and repeat after me.” Great co-operation! And then it was time to SING – “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart.” Great co-operation! I complimented them, and had them say, “CO-OP-ER-ATE!” They said it confidently – apparently they hear it from their teachers regularly.
You’ve probably noticed that adults have problems co-operating, too – except when we’re engaged in a COMMON MISSION. PRAY & SING! We do the Lord’s Prayer together marvelously well, don’t we? We sing a favorite hymn together like an angel chorus! COOPERATION is a beautiful thing!
I’ve seen some great examples of cooperation in my three months at Trinity. The week before school started–that huge move into 16 new CDC classrooms. Moving all the furniture in and out of the K-8 classrooms so all the floors could be waxed. When people are “on a mission,” things get done! And when it’s the RIGHT MISSION, God’s work moves forward…in marvelous ways! In spite of all the change Trinity has been through, enrollment is UP to 285 in the CDC, and UP to 79 in K-8. I had the privilege of eating lunch with about 80 of our CDC staff (that’s right 80!) on move-in day. What a fantastic bunch of “servants!” I had the joy of being involved with the K-8 staff team-building activities the week before school started. What a talented, joy-filled crew of God’s best!
COOPERATION–focused on Christ’s mission–is a beautiful thing to behold!
Let me tell you about a couple more examples “behind the scenes.” Most churches don’t have to figure out procedures to co-ordinate nearly 100 staffers, plus the work of 100’s of volunteers. In a small church almost everything is communicated by “word of mouth.” In a large church like Trinity that would produce total CHAOS! The church I served in Ohio went through “Growing Pains” during a period of rapid expansion in the 1990’s. Then we moved into a large new facility similar to Trinity’s New Century Center. Our problems were far from over. A whole new set of PROCEDURES were required to COORDINATE our use of the new facilities, and our CO-OPERATION on new activities.
So, here I am watching a renewed spirit of COOPERATION unfold at Trinity. I’m watching Policy Manuals be updated, and Personnel Manuals revised, and Requisitions and Purchase Orders become routine. Next time I’ll tell you more about Communication channels. Remember those 100 kids in chapel? PRAY & SING—do specific activities that help us FOCUS!
Guess what? Adults are just big kids…and all the activities we need to foster a spirit of
COOPERATION are worth the effort. Clearly-defined position descriptions! A consistent job review process! Short-term and long-term goals! No, we’re not all the way there yet. But Trinity’s leaders are taking the right steps, and as these things are implemented during the coming year, the spirit of COOPERATION will get even better. And our FOCUS on the MISSION of “Bringing People One Step Closer to Jesus” will become sharper.
I have yet to meet a person on our staff whose heart isn’t committed to Bringing People One Step Closer to Jesus. Maybe one exists somewhere, but I haven’t met them. (And if one does exist, chances are they’ll discover soon there’s no greater joy in life than Bringing People Closer to Jesus…even the angels in heaven rejoice when it happens!) Maybe you haven’t thought about Trinity’s challenges as “GROWING PAINS,” but that’s exactly what they are. You’ve all experienced growing pains personally – whether it was outgrowing your clothes every year as a kid, or buying maternity clothes when you were pregnant. Growing pains are a PAIN…they mean CHANGE, and change is always uncomfortable. But GROWING is GOOD! It means new LIFE and increasing MATURITY.
THAT’S WHAT’S HAPPENING AT TRINITY! It’s an AMAZING PLACE…with AWESOME OPPORTUNITIES…and all the CHALLENGES that come with GROWTH! Friends, don’t get discouraged! The Lord is doing great things here! –Pastor Jim Martin
Time to Wear Purple
A hat, a tie, a dress, a blouse, a shirt; It’s a celebration of LWML — Lutheran Women in Mission! All women (and men too) can help celebrate this special auxiliary of the LCMS by wearing purple to next weekend’s worship services, October 3 & 4, 2015. Purple reminds us of the royalty of our Lord Jesus Christ. Purple was the special dye used in ancient Greece by Lydia, a business woman converted to Christianity. Read about her in Acts 16. The LWML uses purple as a reminder of mission outreach, our Heavenly kingdom, and the importance of all God’s people.
Deaconess Liz is celebrating you, the women of Trinity, with all the Lutheran women of the Florida-Georgia District this weekend in St. Petersburg. She’ll be back next week with renewed vigor and energy for the month long October spotlight on Lutheran Women in Mission.
Mites – Money that Changes Lives
Millions of dollars grow from your nickels, dimes, quarters and pennies. Those little cardboard boxes or paper cups generate millions (yes, Millions!) of dollars for international mission work. Locally, hundreds of thousands support food banks, build schools, provide transportation, feed families, and help restore hope for homeless men and women. Pastor and Church Worker scholarships account for 30% of District mite money. What a mitey mite! Pick up an empty box from the East Narthex this weekend and fill it for the special worship service mite dedications October 3 & 4.
Thanks for the Goodies
Every Sunday in October, the ladies of Trinity will donate baked goods for our Sunday Coffee Hour. October is the month we celebrate the faithful and quiet support of women of the LWML. Your free will offering will support scholarships for our Trinity school students, for the women of Trinity attending LWML conventions and retreats, and to fund the annual shipping cost of 65-75 quilts for Lutheran World Relief.
Trinity’s Congregational Picnic Returns
The Fellowship Ministry Team will host a picnic on Sunday, October 11, 2015 in the Courtyard following the 11:00 service. The lunch menu will include pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, baked beans, corn pudding, and drinks. Trinity members are asked to bring desserts in the following way: If your last name ends with A-H please bring a pie; I-P please bring a cake, cupcakes or brownies; Q-Z please bring a dozen cookies. A free will offering will be collected to help defray expenses, however, for anyone visiting Trinity, please feel free to be our guest, don’t worry about money or bringing a dessert, and enjoy an afternoon of fellowship with us! Of course, volunteer help is always needed. If you can help any time that day, we will be setting up starting at 9am. Tear down and clean up will follow the picnic, and will take less time with more help! Please email Wendy Havens at hvns87@gmail.com to help.
Want to Make A Difference?
Trinity’s Outreach Team is committed to bringing people one step closer to Jesus. Does that sound like a good idea to you? Then consider joining us next Wednesday at 1pm in the Magnolia Conference Room to find out how we’re going to make a difference in more lives. We’re digging deep into Lutheran Hour Ministry’s Outreach resources so we can touch hearts and change lives in the name of Jesus. Sign-up in the narthex, or email Jim.Martin@Trinitydowntown.com for more info.
Want some Training to Prepare to Make A Difference through Outreach at Trinity!!
Check out the Lutheran Hour Ministries-Regional Outreach Conference! No doubt you’ve heard the terms“Millennial” and “GenX” in recent news regarding the decline of the church. Are you wondering just who they are, and why they are disinterested in church? ROC Orlando will answer how you, the church, can teach these generations to be discerning, influential followers of Christ. Learn more and register at lhm.org/roc today! November 13-14, 2015 at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel • Orlando, FL Reduced registration fees are now $99 for adults and $49 for youth (14-18). (Trinity adults will receive a $79 rate since we’re hosting the worship service for LHM that weekend! Contact the office for the discount code TLC@trinitydowntown.com) We would love to see a large group of Trinity folks there to learn more about outreach in the church today!!
School Ministry Fundraising Support NEEDED from YOU
Whether you are a staff member, parent, or church member, Trinity Lutheran School’s PTL has plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in our shared ministry events. PTL events like our first-ever Fall Pumpkin Patch and the HUGE annual Touch-A-Truck event connect our school, church, and surrounding community. These events not only raise funds to support our school (Infants to 8th Grade), but they draw big crowds from the surrounding community to our church! We need your help to make them happen!
- PTL’s First Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser
Volunteers Needed for PTL’s First Pumpkin Patch fundraiser! To get involved, please contact Brandi Meyer at brandi_lee@yahoo.com
- Pumpkin Delivery contact to be on campus when the pumpkins are delivered sometime during the week of October 16th.
- Adults to be on campus that day to unload pumpkins.
- Volunteers to distribute flyers around town to advertise our Pumpkin Patch.
- Sales volunteers, October 17-31. Hours: M-F 3:15 – 6:15 pm; Sat 9 AM – 7 PM; Sun 9 AM – 7PM
- Touch-A-Truck – Saturday, November 14, 9a-1p
Chairpersons are beginning to coordinate their planning for this annual event on our campus. Our success hinges on the active participation of all of our school families as this is the PTL’s major fund raising effort of the year. Are you able to help? Please contact PTL.TLCS@gmail.com. Volunteer opportunities available during Touch-A-Truck; PRICE hours for parents and students in Grades 6-8 will work to earn credit toward the cost of upcoming field trips to Driftwood, and Washington DC.
Ministry Partners Fundraising Events
You have an opportunity to learn more about local community caring organizations Trinity supports and add your personal sustaining or one-time financial gift. Don’t let a good meal with like minded Christian men and women pass by. Find your passion and bring a friend for an evening of good food and uplifting, heart stirring stories.
Want to help those in need of Counseling support?
Saturday, October 10: Lutheran Counseling Services Anniversary Banquet. SEATS ARE FILLING FAST! DON’T MISS THE CELEBRATION!!!!! Lutheran Counseling Services 25th Anniversary Banquet. October 10, 2015. 5:30-8:00 pm. Music Styling’s of David Ludwig, Jr. Masters of Ceremony, President Walton, LCMS and Bishop Schaefer, ELCA, Catered by Chef Scott, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Orlando. TICKETS ON SALE NOW: 1 for $20 or grab a friend and pay $30 for 2. Visit www.lcsfl.com/events or call Jamie at 407.644.4692 to get your tickets TODAY. Table and Event Sponsorships are also available.
Want to support Life?
Saturday, November 14: Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries 2nd annual dinner highlights the life of unborn and newborn children residing at the only Lutheran maternity home in Florida. Located in Sanford – only 30 minutes from downtown Orlando – Redeeming Life is a real home of love and acceptance sharing God’s grace and mercy. Trinity is committed to supporting life from conception so this is a high priority ministry. Our gracious host church is Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Sanford where the evening celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. Contact Deaconess Liz – 407-488 1919 X127 0r eborth@trinitydowntown.org to reserve your spot at the Trinity table.
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 Events
- Upcoming Events
- Friday, October 30th 7:30pm, Costume Party!
- 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!
Middle School Youth Events
- October 4: Parent/Student meeting for MS Youth Gathering, 2pm, School building
- November 6-8 MS Youth Gathering: We are excited to let you know that registration is now open for FEARLESS – the 2015 Middle School Youth Gathering. Our speaker this year is DCE Audrey Duensing-Werner who will give us insight into our Romans 8:11 verse and delight us with her humor. Our band this year is ALL THINGS NEW. Go to http://flgadistrict.org/msyg/ to get all the information. If you’re interested, please contact Mrs. Jennifer Blackwood at mom23girls@cfl.rr.com.
Trinity Events
Sept 30-Oct 1 Book Fair at TLS
October 1 Grandparents Day at TLS
October 11 Fall Fellowship Picnic after 11am worship
October 17 Pumpkin Patch Sales begin
October 23 Fall Festival (details coming soon)
November 6-8 Middle School Youth Gathering
November 14 Touch A Truck 9a-1p
