Trinity First Lutheran Church

Bulletin Announcements

March 18, 2007 through March 24, 2007

Blessings and greetings to one and all. In the name of Christ, you are welcome today and every day!

Prepare for Worship next Sunday by reading:  Isaiah 43:16-21    Philippians 3:4b-14    Luke 1:26-38

Dear Trinity First - by Doug Stoeckicht
I just want to thank the family of Trinity First, who has welcomed me in so openly and lovingly. It's a blessing to start an internship and feel welcomed right away. I will keep Trinity First in my prayers as I continue my college days, and continue those prayers long after. The experience I have gained through this congregation and it's staff (and even students!!!), has forever impacted and changed my life. The opportunities that were presented to me through the workers here is something I don't think I could find at another congregation. I think it is something amazing to find a church with it's own special uniqueness. I may not have met all of you, but for those I have met, and briefly conversed with, I think you for showing me the hospitality unlike any I have experienced before in the from past congregations.

Like I mentioned earlier I have learned many new things that before this internship I had no knowledge of. The first and most important thing that I have found is that I love our Somali neighbors so much that I am going to continue working with them when I return to Seattle. I have learned the amount of persistence that is needed to work in the ministry outreach field. Before this internship I have had close to no experience working in any type of office setting. Kevin and Pastor Jake both whipped me into shape and now I feel that as I go back to Washington I have the skills needed to enter the mission after graduation. I have also learned what it's like to be a part of a loving congregation such as Trinity First, you're not the richest congregations in the world money wise, but you're rich in love for God, and as well as each other. I believe that is a blessing in itself and more than money can ever offer. I pray for more blessings upon Trinity First Lutheran.

As I go back to Seattle to finish up my undergrad education, I will be graduating the first week of June, and then hoping to continue to stay out in Seattle and spend a few years in ministry. However, I am open to wherever the Lord may lead me. If any one of you would want to be updated you can feel free to e-mail me at stoeckicht@tlc.edu, and I would love to keep everyone updated as I finish up my college education. I again want to thank Kevin B, Pastor Jake, Trinity First Staff, and it's congregation. Thank you all for a life changing experience.

In Him,  Doug Stoeckicht

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!

The LWML Spring Rally will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, on Tuesday March 27th. Registration at 5:45 pm is followed by dinner and a program at 6:30 pm. The speaker is Pati Kachel from Salt of the Earth Story Tellers and her subject is "Be Faithful Daughters of Heaven." Everyone is invited. Tickets are $6 and available from Bea. Please stop and see the poster on the bulletin board by the church office.

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.

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 65 in our Sunday Worship Service on March 11
 + There were 43 in our Tuesday Night Worship on March 13

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: $2,347.00
Amount ahead / (behind) on plan: $(13,356.00)

Hispanic Mission Minute  -  by  Abby Dawkins
The People That In Darkness Sat  -  I sat making my Eggo waffle a few days ago, enjoying the east of modern conveniences as I watched the snow falling outside my window. I heard the "pop" of the toaster and made my way to the kitchen, claming my rumbling tummy as I went. I had not taken two steps when "POP", this time time at a much louder decibel hit my ears and the whole apartment turned pitch black. I had blown a fuse. O how I longed for the light so that I could see! It dawned on me how beautiful light truly is. There are hundreds of people around us who are spiritually sitting in darkness. They are unaware of the Light of the World, Jesus, who longs to give them life. He has come to bring light to our darkness! Share that light with someone today. Pray: the Jesus, the light giver, would shine in the lives of those who do not know him yet. "The people that in darkness sat A glorious light have seen: the light has shined on them who long in shades of death have been" (#106 TLH, v.1)

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.

On the Frontlines in the Middle East - In 1969,l Ambassador Thomas Boyatt received the State Department's Meritorious Honor Award for risking his life to save passengers and negotiating their release in Syria during the 1969 hijacking of a plane - on which he was a passenger - by Palestinian guerrillas. In the summer of 2006, students from Concordia University were evacuated from Concordia archaeological excavation at Hippos due to the outbreak of war on the Israeli - Lebanon border. Come and hear stories from the front lines about the conflict in Palestine. Discuss the possibilities for peace in this Middle East hot spot. A public forum will e held on Monday, March 19 on the campus of Concordia St. Paul in LTC 214-215 at 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm. The forum will be moderated by Dr. Mark Schuler, director of Concordia's project at Hippos. Ambassador Boyatt is Concordia's 2007 Woodrow Wilson Fellow.

Concordia Academy - Bloomington & Metro East Lutheran High School Concert - The bands and choirs of CA-Bloomington and Metro-east Lutheran (of Edwardsville, IL) will hold a joint tour concert on Friday, March 23 in the Dan Reuss Gym at CA-Bloomington. The concert starts at 7pm There is no admission cost; a freewill offering will be taken. Plan to join us in welcoming the Metro-East students!

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 .