Trinity First Lutheran Church

Bulletin Announcements

March 4, 2007 through March 10, 2007

With heartfelt joy, we welcome all who have come to worship our Lord. Greetings! May God bless you abundantly.

Prepare for Worship next Sunday by reading:  Ezekiel 33:7-20     1 Corinthians 10:1-13     Luke 13:1-9

God's Word Does Not Return Empty!  Come to the 11:00 am Bible study today! 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.

You Are Invited to the Annual Talent Show and Ice Cream Social here at TFL! As part of National Lutheran Schools Week, our school will be hosting a Talent Show at 6:30 pm. on Thursday, March 8th. Come encourage our children as they perform, then join us for the Ice Cream Social immediately following.

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

The Stained Glass Window renovation project is completed and paid for - All glory to God! Thanks to the following people and organizations: Marie Bristol (coordinator), Wendy Colglazier, Katherine Doepke, Gloria Groenke, Bob and Laura Kane, Ellen Kay, Deane Lienke, Henry Schauer, anonymous givers, matching funds from Thrivent for our 150th Anniversary, Memorial for Frieda Miller, Trinity First Foundation, and the Wednesday morning Bible class. Total amount $62,000. Awesome! And oh, so beautiful!!! Thanks be to God!

A Note from the Finance Chair: If you are not able to put your offering in the plate on Sunday, please feel free to mail it in to the office. This will help us with our cash flow each week. Thank you!

We have two college-aged, Spring break servant groups that will be on-site in the coming days. A group March 9-18 from Cedar Falls, IA and a group March 10-24 from Concordia University, WI. Please send up prayers of thanks for the many ways that these young people aim to bless us - and on their spring break, no less! And thanks in advance for your understanding if the building seems more crowded or "lived in" than normal.

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

March is Food Share Month - There is a small barrel near the south entrance (parking lot side). All non-perishable items will be taken to Community Emergency Services as they faithfully serve the needy in our community Please give generously!

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.

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 20 in our Sunday Worship Service on February 25
 + There were 55 in our Tuesday Night Worship on February 27

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: $
Amount ahead / (behind) on plan: $(11,575.00)

Hispanic Mission Minute  -  by  Abby Dawkins
Unidos en Cristo / United in Christ
"There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-5) As I looked up from my bulletin a beautiful sight caught my eye. There in front of me I saw numerous dark-haired children joyfully praising Jesus together in Song. Half of their smiling faces were of Latino descent and the others of Hmong background. Unity - this word brings feelings of both hope and of disappointment. We all desire it in our own lives and it therefore brings hope. Jesus prayed for it to be present among his followers and tells us that we are one because of Him. This word also bring disappointment at times because we realize that was we still live in this world full of sin, disunity seems to be more prominent in our daily lives and relationships. Pray: that God would bring unity between cultures, brothers, and other daily relationships. Pray: for nurtured relationship between these children and that their faith would continue to grow.

Intern Somali Love - by Doug Stoeckicht
I met a homeless man on the street Tuesday. He was digging through the garbage outside of a tea shop downtown, finishing cups of tea that were thrown away. I was immediately drawn to this person, because as he was pulling cups he was writing on them with a sharpie. I couldn't help but ask him why he was writing on the cups. He responded by telling me he writes on them because every few hours he'll come around again and search through the garbage, and he writes so he know which ones he's checked. My heart was broken at that moment. Let's pray for our fellow neighbors so that they don't need t always dig through the trash for a warm drink.

Camp Omega - The 2007 summer camp program is open for registration. The 70 different week and weekend programs for children and families focuses on providing a vibrant and fun Christian community where campers learn, grow and apply the Christian faith. Please visit www.campomega.org, call 507-685-4266, or pick up a brochure in the church office.

WMPL Potluck / Presentation highlighting Chris & Kristin McWeeny. Join them on Tuesday, March 6th. The McWeeny's met in Ecuador where Kristin was serving as a WMPL missionary (since 1992). They have served in an urban church plant, rural evangelism, and children's ministry. Chris has been involved in rural medical outreach through eye care and Kristin has sought to share the gospel through English teaching in several schools. Last term Chris also served as secretary of the Radio Hope Loja Board. They have 2 children, Timothy (8) and Sophia (4 1/2). The potluck starts at 6pm with worship, presentation and prayer at 7pm (232 Clifton Ave, Mpls).

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 .