Trinity First Lutheran Church

Bulletin Announcements

February 25, 2007 through March 3, 2007

We are very happy to have everyone present at this service of worship. It is here that we can find light for any darkness. It is here that we may find the blessings and comfort which God alone can offer. Welcome!

Prepare for Worship next Sunday by reading:  Jeremiah 26:8-15     Philippians 3:17-4:1     Luke 13:31-35

Mite Box Sunday - Today! : Thank you to everyone who brought a mite box today. Although we "designate" certain Sundays throughout the year as special Mite Box Sundays, the mites can be brought any time and given to Rosetta or Bea.

Today's Coffee Hour Donations will be given to our neighbor across the street, Community Emergency Services. The food shelves are always in need of cash so they can buy large quantities of food at reasonable price. Please give a generous donation.

The "Vintage" Church Plant is entering an exciting new stage! Visit www.vintagechaos.info to learn all about it!

Neighborhood Canvassing! Join Pastor Jacob and others as we get to know our neighors and invite them to spiritual growth activiies at TFL. We've got lots of meaningful spiritual growth opportunities to offer them ... from Bible Studies to Men's Groups to Movies! No experience necessary. We'll meet form 11am-1pm this Saturday, March 3rd.

God's Word Does Not Return Empty!  Come to the 11:00 am Bible study on Sunday March 4 and hear about how God's Word is accomplishing His desires and achieving His purposes in Nicaragua. Jonathan & Heidi Breitbarth (Heidi, is our Director of our "Tiger Club" After School Christian Outreach) will share of their recent mission trip to Nicaragua where they spent 15 days encouraging the very young Lutheran church body there and being encouraged by what God is raising up among the nations. On Thursday, March 8th, Heidi will give a more in-depth presentation to the women of the LWML. That presentations begins at 1:30 pm.

Next Elder Meeting will be on March 7.

To God be the Glory this Easter! - Would you like to express praise and thanks to our Lord by presenting flowers for use in the Sanctuary this Easter Sunday, April 8th? If so, please use this form and turn it in to the church office by Sunday March 25th. Tulips $8.50; Easter Lilies $9.00; Pink Hydrangeas $12.00

Buy FoxFaith Movie Tickets and Support Trinity First! Visit www.foxfaithfund.com and enter our church code of 100013 and a credit of one dollar per ticket will be donated to Trinity First at the end of the theatrical release. The first eligible film is The Last Sin Eater, a movie based on the best-selling book by Francine Rivers and directed by Michael Landon, Jr. now out in theaters.

Contact Information for David and Ramona Bond - Knowing that many of you would like to send a note to the Bonds during this difficult time, please contact our church office for their contact information.

Tibetan New Year (Losar) is Sunday, February 14-21. The celebration of Losar can be traced back to the pre-Buddhist period in Tibet. During the period when Tibetans practiced the Bon religion, every winter a spiritual ceremony was held in which people offered large quantities of incense to appease the local spirits, deities and protectors. Today they talk about channeling positive energy, either way it is spirit appeasement. This is the biggest holiday in the Tibetan calendar and last year during Losar is when Sheila went into hospital to have her left ovary and fallopian tub removed. In the middle of the night Sheila felt a black spirit with a tail visit her in the hospital and ask if she would be willing to give her life for even one Tibetan. Right after that she started to bleed from her operation. She called me and we prayed and the bleeding stopped. We felt as if this was an attack from the enemy - all of last year was full of attacks from the enemy. We are asking you to especially pray for us during this time because we feel that the spirit world is very active. Tibetans even clean their homes out prior to Losar to clean the evil spirits out for the New Year. - Blessings, Bob & Sheila Nikl

Worship Folders for Shut-Ins - We currently mail the worship folder to three of our members each week. If you know of any others who would appreciate receive it, please let Sara Neterer know.

Hospitalizations, Births and Funerals ... Please phone the church office if you or someone you know is hospitalized, has given birth, or is in need of funeral arrangements. Due to privacy laws and lack of staff, hospitals and nursing homes seldom (if ever) phone the congregation or pastor when you enter the hospital.

Preaching Schedule for the weeks to come:

A Measure of our Faithfulness Last Week
 + There were 54 in our Sunday Worship Service on February 18
 + There were 57 in our Tuesday Night Worship on February 20
 + Last week's offering: $2,674.00

An Accounting of our Finances:
Amount needed weekly to meet budget and pay off line of credit by 6/30/07 : $5,450.00
General Fund received last week: $2,674.00
Amount ahead / (behind) on plan: $(6,125.00)

Hispanic Mission Minute  -  by  Abby Dawkins
All in a Name  Have you ever wondered, "Why are there so many different terms when referring to Spanish-speaking people?" or "Am I using the correct one?" For Latinos, identity is important as is often self-ascribed by the individual depending on culture and past experiences. Often times Spanish-speaking individuals feel stripped of their identity upon entering the U.S. Once coming from countries with distinct backgrounds and cultures, they are now labeled with others of similar language and physical features (skin color, facial structure, and hair texture) with different terms. For many these terms can have baggage attached. Let's take a look at a few terms: Hispanic: "refers to the influence of the Spanish culture and language on a group of people who suffered years of colonization." It includes Spanish-speaking people (including those from Spain [Quinones-Rosado,2000]) Latino/Latina: [indicates] people who come from South America, Central America and Mexico - includes territories in the United States that were taken from Mexico, and some of the Caribbean islands - takes into account indigenous cultures and African ancestry - Includes Brazil (Nydia Garcia-Preto). Pray that our Spanish-speaking neighbors would find their true identity in Christ.

Intern Somali Love - by Doug Stoeckicht
It's the beginning of Lent, as all of you know, and the tradition is to give up something. This year I'm throwing a twist on things. First, I will be spending more time in prayer each day specifically the last 30 days with the Somali Prayer Guide. This is something that is truly important to me. Secondly, I am going to spend more time in prayer for Trinity First as I continue to spend my internship here. You have welcomed me in, and I am truly grateful for that. I encourage all of us to spend some extra time each day praying for our neighbors and our church during this Lenten seasons. Praise be to God.

Live Conversations presented by CrossPollination Ministries - March 24, 10am-4pm at the University of MN in the Coffman Memorial Center Room 324.
CrossPolination is a mentoring ministry that helps train you to talk to others about Jesus. We use a simple Law/Gospel method in talking with people about God. Specifically, we inquire of one's knowledge of the 10 Commandments. We help them understand that no one can keep the 10 Commandments as God demands. When people come to this understanding and experience a personal conviction in breaking the Law; we share the saving Gospel of Jesus.
To register, or for more information, call Paul Vavrin at 763-670-5368 or visit www.cpmin.net .

Handbell Concert - Friday April 20 - Come and listen to the first annual Concordia University Handbell Ensemble Concert on April 20 at 7pm in the Graebner Memorial Chapel at Concordia University, St. Paul. It will be a night filled with the dazzling sight of over 60 gleaming bells rung by the ensemble, creating peaceful melodies and energetic rhythms. - a night you won't want to miss! Free will donation will be taken to help refurbish the bells. For more information, please contact Carolynne Mathis, Director at 763-755-3530 x 7812.

Ladies, Save This Date! On Saturday, May 12th, Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth is sponsoring "Women's Forum - From cradle to grave: The Vocation of the Lutheran Woman." The keynote speaker will be Mollie Ziegler Hemmingway. The focus: "Recovering a positive Lutheran approach to issues of God's design for women in singlehood, marriage and sexuality."  If you have questions, please contact Jean Small at 763-525-0272 or at jsmall@quest.net .