MAY TRINITY TIDINGS
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I’m going to share with you an article from a blog by Pastor Matt Behrens for Easter, April 2020. What he wrote speaks well to our hearts and minds today. -- Pastor Beck The Darkness is Real, But Not Real Scary If you go hiking in the woods and you come across an old log which has been on the forest floor for an extended time, what happens if you kick at it? It starts to crumble. The insides fall apart like so much paper mache and sawdust. What if you roll the log over and look underneath? What do you find at work in the dark? Worms and pill bugs and other creepy crawlies slither away to escape the light. These assistants in the process of decomposition do their work in those dark places. These are all signs of decay. Decay is a part of this world. It's what we expect to see happen to all things on earth. But King David expected something else. He wrote these words in Psalm 16:
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, Or let your holy one see corruption. (Psalm 16:10) This is the unexpected event of Easter. You and I would expect the work of decay to continue in those dark places where life used to exist. You would expect a body laid in a tomb would begin that process of breaking down. You would expect the dark of the grave would invite the creepy crawlies to come out, and encourage the deterioration of a corpse. But we celebrate Easter because the unexpected happened. The resurrection of Jesus runs contrary to what we see in this world. It's the opposite of what we take for granted. The decay which we would expect to spread in dark places was unable to overtake his body. This is unexpected news. This is good news! This is news we need to hear, because there are many dark places in this world. There are many places where decay seeks to gain a foothold. The darkness is not confined to tombs. Decay may be accelerated in death, but it starts long before. Some of the darkness in our present context includes: Widespread sickness and death Job losses Isolation from friends and family Plus, decay is trying to gain a foothold in the dark places of our minds. Anxiety about myself and others weighs heavy. Questions loom over future plans. It's as if my head has become home to all sorts of creepy crawlies. This is why you and I need to remember that Jesus went into those dark places. He suffered loss. He faced death. He allowed the darkness of the grave to cover him. But the dark places did not own him. Decay could not overtake him. For you will not…let your holy one see corruption. (Psalm 16:10) Guess what?...The darkness does not own you either. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) In one simple statement, the Apostle Paul both acknowledges the darkness around us, and highlights the hope given to us. God's word is honest about the darkness and decay in this world. The Bible is forthright about the difficulties we will face. But the Bible also lets us know the darkness will not win. Jesus is the light who came into the darkness. He is the life who entered this world full of death. He went to the dark places we encounter. Continued on page 2
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He experienced the darkness of death and the grave…and he came back. Jesus subdued the power of darkness. He set a limit on the darkness of death and decay. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5) He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! This is not just good news. This is good news for you! The new life Jesus lives is the life he gives to you. The life which cannot be touched by decay is the life in which you share. The light which overcomes the darkness is the light of your life. Yes, coronavirus is still present in our world. Yes, we still experience loss and grief and pain. Yes, darkness is around us. But we find hope in our God. Our God is no stranger to darkness; instead, he is present as our light in the dark. Our God knows the decay which threatens us; yet he will not let his holy one see corruption. David's words in Psalm 16 point to Jesus and they point to you. Jesus is the Holy One sent from God the Father to break the hold of darkness and death. He was untouched by decay. The darkness could not mark him. You are the holy one in Psalm 16 too! You are made holy in Christ. You share in his life. As God raised Jesus to new life on Easter, you are raised to new life as well. Generosity in Times of Need
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:34)
In times of trouble, Christians are even more generous. We trust that God will provide for all our needs. This crisis comes with financial strain -- in our personal lives, our community and our church. HOW CAN YOU HELP He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Community Assistance Fund: Through a donation to Trinity a special fund has been established to meet the growing needs of the COVID + + + -19 crisis. Do you need help? Do you know of someone in need? Funds will go directly to help with gas, groceries, bills, immedi- Looking ahead in May ate needs of those most impacted. Please contact the church office at Until COVID guidelines for assembly 320-252-3670 if you or someone you know needs help. change, Trinity will continue the Contribute to the assistance fund directly by writing a check to Trinity 8:00am Sunday morning worship on Lutheran with “Community AssistaFund” in the memo. Contributions radio (KVAL 800AM) and online should be above and beyond your regular giving. (Facebook Live at Trinity Lutheran Church-SaukRapids or at Regular offering: In this time of separation, we continue to worship www.Trinitysr.org and click on the FaGod with our gifts and offerings. Continue to faithfully support our cebook icon near the bottom of the church and the mission God has given us in this critical moment. page). At this time, we do not know Helping Hands: Can you help? If you are interested in volunteering to when we can resume “in person” worreach out to those in isolation with a word of encouragement or to vol- ship services. Continue to watch for upunteer for serving your neighbor, contact the church office: 320-252- dates as restrictions are lifted. 3670. + + + Do you have medical questions or needs? Our parish nurse, Jennifer Worship bulletin and Connect sheet Machula, is available for a call. Contact Jennifer at 320-267for the upcoming Sunday are availa1587. This is a time for the church to step FORWARD. Romans 12:13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
ble on Friday afternoons on our website: www.trinitysr.org by clicking on the “bulletin” button.
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Holy Communion While appreciative of online worship services during this time, we long for the day when we can gather together in as a congregation once again. Normally, it is in our gathering together as the body of Christ at Trinity that we celebrate Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar. It is a communion with Christ and one another. Our pastors regularly bring the
sacrament to our members who are unable to join in the corporate worship. During this unusual time, our pastors are ready to make arrangements for Trinity members to receive the Sacrament. We will observe the guidelines in place for our community and not assemble large groups. Please contact the office or pastors to set up an appointment for your household if you so desire. MAY MEMORY VERSE: “ And
Watch TLC’s Website for Updates
Online E-GIVING
Please check the Trinity website for frequently for current information. Website: www.trinitysr.org Other sites: Facebook: Trinity Lutheran Church -Sauk Rapids and YouTube channel: Trinity SR Daily Devotions for District Check out the daily devotions in this challenging time from pastors around the MN North District under “Bring It Home — Together We Pray”. It is on the district website:
www.mnnlcms.org Family Viewing Looking for some movies the family can watch? There are also video series on Christian history and Bible studies It is all free to view and donor-supported. Check it out: www.watch.redeemtv.com Church Contact Information Church Office: 252-3670 Church Fax: 202-1095 E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.trinitysr.org Office Staff Pastor David Hinz Pastor John Beck Pastor John Bakou
I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” Ezekiel 36:26
It is easy to sign up for online giving. Just go to www.trinitysr.org and click on the give button at the top of the page. It is easy and safe and insures that Trinity’s ministry will be able to go on even in difficult times such as what we are experiencing now. Thank you to those who have faithfully remembered Trinity with their offerings.
Our Response in Faith General
Missions
4/5
5,355.00
360.00
4/12
13,395.00
90.00
4/19
11,155.00
225.00
Additional Contact Information Admin. Assistant: Judy Rehwaldt Traditional Music : Daniel Reineke 248-7367 Contemporary Music: Ruth Immerfall 291-9293 Prayer Chain: Delores Volkers 252-2101, Parish Nurse: Jennifer Machula Prince of Peace School Office: 251-1477
Friday Saturday
Jeremiah 52:1-34 Lamentations 1:1-22
May 3 Monday Lamentations 2:1-3:66 Tuesday Lamentations 4:1-5:22 Wednesday Ezekiel 1:1-2:10 Thursday Ezekiel 3:1-5:17 Friday Ezekiel 6:1-7:27 Saturday Ezekiel 8:1-9:11 May 10 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 Ezekiel 12:1-13:23 Ezekiel 14:1-15:8 Ezekiel 16:1-17:24 Ezekiel 18:1-19:14 Ezekiel 20:1-21:32
May 17 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Ezekiel 22:1-23:49 Ezekiel 24:1-27 Ezekiel 25:1-27:36 Ezekiel 28:1-26 Ezekiel 29:1-32:32 Ezekiel 33:1-34:31
May 24 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Ezekiel 35:1-36:38 Ezekiel 37:1-39:29 Ezekiel 40:1-42:20 Ezekiel 43:1-27 Ezekiel 44:1-31 Ezekiel 45:1-46:26
Trinity Lutheran Church
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2163 Mayhew Lake Rd NE Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-4554
St. Cloud, MN Permit No. 35
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WESTSIDE LIQUORS Great prices - Great service 8 locations: Sauk Rapids & St. Cloud FUNERALS CREMATION PREPLANNING www.williamsdingmann.com
Waite Park, East St. Cloud, Little Falls, Sauk Centre, Albertville. Baxter, Rice, Sartell
Bob & Linda Feuling www.westsideliquor.com
Leann Klimek and Toni Kasella CPA’s 1139 Franklin Ave. NE #3 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (320) 774-2035
The Pictorial Directory The directory project has been postponed until the fall. You may receive an email from LifeTouch confirming this. Please watch for more information in the summer!
Kelm & Reuter, P.A. 111 7th Ave. S. PO Box 40 St. Cloud, MN 56302 (320)252-2841 or (888) 950-2265
1287 North 2nd Street, Suite101 251-1423 “The Sauk Rapids Law Firm”
May Birthdays First Name Patricia Elaine Paul Cody Nicole Layla Joshua Jacob Diane Obuuy Destanie Anne Dean Halley Brendan Joshua Spencer James Madison Michael Paige Russell Allie Zachary Akway Nyla Eli Dennis Marvin Britney Frank Ginger Jason Emily Jordan Corina Louise Benaiah Karl Joanna William Amber Vicki Cham Cassidy Brynn
Last Name Kjorlien Sowa Wegner Zoellner Bastian Hallerman Kaeter Staneart Gooch Omot Benson Cham Henkemeyer Keske Schwartz Kutzorik Lyness Wainright Walker Wiese Woitalla Hackett Johnson Bratland Okello Wendt Huinker Miller Neubert Nieters Riehm Jarnot Kardell Kath Mendel Miller Erickson Hinz Anderson Volkers Adkins Kulow Neils Obang Kulow Felchle
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Marie Charolang Emma William Jan Thomas Joseph Duane Tanya Leona Chokoni Tim Edna Alberta Corrine Matthew Alivia John Cameron Garrett Carly Emily Aaron Connee Linda Emily Obang Cody Matt Josh Janice Delores Taenaesha Grace Nicholas Ronald Elaine Kathleen Marlene Michael Janet Tiarah Austin Te-jwock James
Knapek Omot ProwDockendorf Feuling Gratke Machula Morey Unke Boettcher Kula Philip Volkers Grabuski Pierce Lanz LurkenTvrdik Hejhal Nack Ngo Sarazin Hackett Novak Reginek Cossairt Feuling Mooney Ochan Wurdelman Beck Morey Schleicher Wainright Cooley Roesch Lindquist Schaefer Poepping Stueve Vogel Milner Tucholke Watson Besser Oman Volkers
May 16 May 16 May 16 May 17 May 17 May 17 May 17 May 17 May 18 May 18 May 18 May 18 May 20 May 20 May 21 May 21 May 22 May 22 May 22 May 22 May 23 May 23 May 23 May 24 May 24 May 24 May 24 May 24 May 25 May 25 May 25 May 25 May 26 May 26 May 27 May 28 May 29 May 29 May 29 May 30 May 30 May 30 May 31 May 31 May 31
Baptism Birthdays in May First Name Gary Jim Kaden Zachary Charlotte Lynn Theresa Jeff Lori Jillayn Jamison Jennifer Jeanna Joshua Brandon Kelsey Linkin Irene Kyle Paul Gordon Wade Mindy Brett Spencer Jody Russell Scott Haley Randy Jami Frank Delroy Jill Joshua Dawn Kathleen Brandon Brandon
Last Name Fleahman Hejhal McLaughlin Milner Peterson Snyder Wainright Weishalla Zipp Maselter Reginek Koehler Borgerding Kaeter Hejhal Kulow Lyness Wolf Lindquist Lindquist Rehder Bastian Woitalla Anderson Buerkle Miland Hackett Lazer Evenson Heyne Novak Riehm Kardell Schlueter DuChene Linkert Ness Sornberger Voss
Baptism May 1 May 1 May 1 May 1 May 1 May 1 May 1 May 1 May 1 May 2 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 4 May 5 May 5 May 5 May 6 May 7 May 7 May 7 May 8 May 8 May 9 May 9 May 9 May 10 May 10 May 11 May 11 May 11 May 11 May 13 May 13 May 14 May 14 May 14 May 14 May 14
Sarah Paul Caleb Zachary Kimberly Timothy
Middendorf Niemela Ramler DuChene Schwartz Thole
May 15 May 15 May 15 May 16 May 18 May 18
Arlene Tyler Hannah Eric Samantha Tristyn Nicole Logan Wendy Cade Clara
Boese Haffner Morin Nieters Volkers Anderson Bastian Herbst Leeb Paul Sprengeler
May 19 May 19 May 19 May 19 May 19 May 20 May 20 May 20 May 20 May 20 May 21
Craig
Richards
May 22
Ayers Jayme Darien Nathan Lacey Ginger Garrett Jason David Christopher Eric Dan Marlene James Zachary Nancy Candice
Putnam Paul Prow Welsh Wendt Jarnot Feuling Kardell Eisenlohr Helgeson Helgeson Larsen Vogel Wainright Bratland Cloeter Kampa
May 23 May 24 May 24 May 24 May 24 May 25 May 26 May 27 May 28 May 28 May 28 May 29 May 29 May 29 May 30 May 31 May 31
