September 2019 page 1

THE TRINITY

HERALD

notes and news from

Trinity Lutheran Church and School 8781 Brunswick Rd,

Minocqua, WI 54548 715-356-2255

www.trinityminocqua.org Our mission at Trinity Lutheran Church is to teach the Word of God, to train believers for lives of Christian service, and to tell the good news of Jesus Christ to the Northwoods community and to the world.

ALL IN

Isn’t it discouraging to work with someone who is only half-hearted, who is only going through the motions?

An athlete just signed the $300 million contract but only jogs to first base or refuses to play defense on the field. One spouse no longer wants to work at the marriage. Your doctor seems to have his mind more on his golf game than your imminent, serious surgery. Your mechanic correctly diagnoses the problem in your vehicle but fails to fix it the first time (and it costs more than he said it would).

It’s frustrating when people aren’t fully committed and completely dedicated, when they’re not “All In.”

Jesus is certainly “All In.” His commitment to us is clear and full. And his expectations of us are quite high as well.

The gospel costs nothing but demands everything.

Author Mark Batterson makes this statement in his book entitled, “All In.” But he’s merely quoting Jesus. “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27) Honestly, either Jesus is Lord of all in my life, or he’s Lord of nothing. Following Jesus isn’t a half-hearted endeavor. Imagine Jesus’ frustration with his followers (with us!) when we’re not “All In.”

In September, we’ll begin a six week series of messages under the theme of “All In” because following Jesus with less than all our heart and soul and mind and strength is unacceptable and not enjoyable. Here are the Scriptures and themes:

September 8/9 Luke 12:49-53 All In: Into the Fire of Peace!? September 15/16 Luke 13:22-30 All In: To the Narrow Door September 22/23 Luke 14:1, 7-14 All In: A Life that Imitates Christ September 29/30 Luke 14:25-33 All In: Count the Cost October 6/7 Luke 15:1-10 All In: Soul Search October 13/14 Luke 16:1-13 All In: With the Master’s Money

These readings from Luke’s Gospel are all familiar, and they are all (mostly) unique to Luke. They all take place after Jesus’ transfiguration, within six months of Jesus’ death on the cross. There is urgency in the words and works of Jesus here, urgency that he wishes to plant in our hearts and lives. These readings cover a broad spectrum of the Christian life: worship, discipleship, outreach, and stewardship.

The gospel costs nothing but demands everything.

This isn’t a threat or something to be feared. By grace, this is a truth to embrace.

To God alone be the glory! Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

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WORSHIP NOTES

BIBLE STUDY NOTES

WELCOME HOME SUNDAY: THE BLESSING OF “HOME”

Please remember the following members and friends of Trinity in your prayers and your words of encouragement to them:

Helen Anderson Walt Andrus Don Berndt

Jordan and Justin Grebe Karen Ives

Carolyn Johnson Doris Juntunen

Pearl Klug Laura Lee

Sheila Lemke Toni Plunkett Ron Rathke

Harvey Sadler Shari Stresing

Brandon Trapp

If you would like to be included on this prayer list in future newsletters please contact the church office.

WORSHIP AT TRINITY

Sundays at 9 am Bible Class & Sunday School

at 10:30 am Mondays at 6:30 pm

Heavenly Father, your delight is to manifest yourself to us as the divine Giver of all good things for this life and for that which is to come. You have given us life and breath and all things needed to sustain that life in body and soul. You did not even spare your only Son, but gave him up for us all. Grant that we may understand ever more deeply the wonders of your love. Kindle in us an increasing love for you and a growing joy in your forgiveness, that we may grow ever more generous in the gifts we return to you. Help us to be more and more like our Lord Jesus, who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor that we through his poverty might become rich. Remind us of the multitudes who still do not know you, and lead us to be ever more generous in our offerings that the gospel may be taken to the far corners of the earth. In the Savior's name we ask this. Amen.

If you are unable to make it to worship, you may listen to one of our sister congregations services through local radio stations on Sunday mornings.

Zion, Rhinelander Services on WYCE 93.7 FM at 9:00 am

Christ, Eagle River Services on WERL 950 AM at 10:00 am

RADIO SERVICES

PRAYERS STEWARDSHIP PRAYER

Mid-week Bible Study (Wednesday @ 12:15 p.m.) has resumed! We’re digging into the book of Romans, picking up where we left off in early summer. Currently, Romans 8-9 are our focus.

Sunday Bible Study (Sunday @ 10:30 a.m.) On Sunday, September 8th, we begin a study of the book of Joshua under the theme: “Joshua: Be Strong.” God’s first recorded words to Joshua were, “Moses my servant is dead.” (Joshua 1:2) Joshua would lead God’s chosen people during a time of unprecedented transition (from Moses to Joshua) and discovery (entering into the Promised Land of Canaan). Are there lessons to be found for Christians today in this book? Plenty! Join us!

There’s something about home. Home is where you relax after a long day of work. Home is where you can let your hair down, because you know the people there will love you, even with your quirks and flaws. Home is where you feel most safe, in a world which is anything but.

Jesus intended for his church to be more than a school where we learn about God’s Word. He intended it to be more than a cathedral where we praise our Creator. Jesus intended for church to be a home, a place where we gather with Christian family and enjoy all the blessings of home.

On October 20th, we are celebrating Welcome Home Sunday. We will talk about the importance of having the support of a Christian community. One major goal for this Sunday? We want to have 100% of our members in attendance. Let’s pack the house! Let’s see what that looks like, when every member comes together. Please do everything possible to set that date aside so you can join your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Information regarding September and October worship and the series “All In” can be found in the opening article of this newsletter. Beginning Sunday, October 20th, we’ll begin a series of messages based on the theme of “Welcome Home,” in conjunction with Welcome Home Sunday (Oct. 20 & 21).

September 2019 page 3

WELCOME HOME: HOW TO “WELCOME HOME” SOMEONE YOU HAVEN’T

SEEN IN A WHILE

MINISTRY UPDATES TRINITY SCHOOL

T

Opportunity to Serve –We’re looking for someone willing to take over messaging for our lighted sign on County Road J. This involves changing the message every couple of weeks (or whenever appropriate). Pastor Luchterhand is happy to work with you at devising both the messages and their timing. Please contact with questions or to express interest.

Trinity Seedlings is a new opportunity at Trinity! It’s all about “Planting Jesus in the Hearts of Toddlers.” Our PreK teacher, Mrs. MeLissa Wieting, is leading this effort (it begins in September, first Friday!) to reach families with children who are too young for PreK, but not too young for Jesus. Who’s going to get the word out about this? Do you even have to ask? Pick up a “forest green” flyer in the fellowship hall and share with families who have children ages 0-3!

Fall Christian education programs for our youth will begin soon. Sunday School begins on Sept. 8th. Public school confirmation instruction (for 7th & 8th graders) and Bible History classes (for 5th & 6th graders) begin Sept. 4th.

Grief Support Group will meet again in September (2nd Wednesday at 11 a.m.). This is an excellent opportunity to both encourage others and be encouraged by God’s Word and others who have also endured the loss of loved ones.

Youth Group had a July meeting in which we engaged in a Trinity Trivia/Scavenger Hunt. A dozen teens attended. We’ll resume monthly meetings on September 4th (1st Wednesday eve, 6:15-8 p.m.). Of special note: we’ll begin planning for attendance at the next WELS International Youth Rally (June 23-26, 2020) at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN.

School is in full swing at Trinity. We are excited to be starting our 44th year! We have 34 students in grades K-8 and 12 in our preschool classes. We have been blessed with not just returning students, but new students and families as well.

Volleyball games will be starting in September. Watch the church calendar and the bulletin for upcoming home games. Everyone is invited to attend and cheer on your Trinity Tigers!

Please keep Trinity Lutheran School in your prayers. Even if you don’t have a student at the school, YOU are part of the school. Please feel free to participate in any of the activities at Trinity.

Upcoming Dates at Trinity School

Thursday, September 12 HOME Volleyball Game vs. Zion,

Rhinelander 4:30 pm

Friday, September 20 K-8 Kickball Tournament

All Day at Christ, Eagle River

AWAY Volleyball Games at Zion, Rhinelander

(triangular with St. Peter, Schofield) 4:30 pm

Sunday, September 22 Students sing for worship

9:00 am

Thursday, September 26 AWAY Volleyball Games at

Peace, Antigo 4:30 pm

Midweek Chapel We invite you to join the students for our midweek chapel on Wednesdays at 8:15 am. These midweek chapel services will be held each Wednesday at 8:15 am during the school year. The students have chosen to send their mission offerings to WELS Christian Aid & Relief.

The Welcome Home initiative is an effort to encourage everyone in our church family to attend worship, not just for one Sunday, but on a regular basis. Simply put, we’re especially seeking to reach low-attending and non-attending members for no other reason than this: they need Jesus’ Word and Sacraments for growth in faith (just as regular attenders do!).

Someone returning to worship after a long absence or after sporadic attendance will likely feel uncomfortable. Depending on circumstances, shame (as well as sin and guilt) may be a part of the picture. Here are a few principles to keep in mind as we welcome anyone to worship, but especially someone we haven’t seen in a while:

Christian love – and specifically Jesus’ compassion for the lost (Luke 15:20, Matthew 9:36; 23:27) – needs to guide our church welcome.

Avoid humor and sarcasm in greeting a returning member. This isn’t the time or place for snide comments or caustic rejoinders.

Speak to uplift and build Christian family. If admonition and correction are needed at some point, seek to offer that only in the context of Christian love.

Say something helpful. Often, we might not know what to say, so we’ll say nothing. Say, “Welcome! Good to see you!” or “How nice to see you!”

Follow up later in the week to say how nice it was to see them in church. Offer to get together for coffee or lunch. Keep the lines of friendship and communication (and Christian love!) open.

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For children ages 0-3

First Friday of every month

8:30-9:30 am

Meet in the school library

There is no cost to attend.

Children must be accompanied

by a parent or caregiver.

Our first meeting is

Friday, September 6.

If you know someone who

might be interested in Trinity

Seedling, please have them

contact:

Church office at

715-356-2255

-OR-

MeLissa Wieting

608-617-7040

melissawieting@hotmail.com

Fall Bible Class

Opportunities

Sunday Morning Bible Class

and Sunday School 10:30 am (starting Sept. 8)

Bible study will begin an examination of the book of Joshua

entitled, “Joshua: Be Strong.”

Lunch Break Bible Class

Wednesdays at 12:15 pm

Youth Group

6:30-8:00 pm (starting Sept. 4) Held the First Wednesday of the

month For those in high school

Grief Support Group

11:00 am (Sept. 11) Held the second Wednesday

of each month.

Welcome Home Sunday

Sunday, October 20 and Monday, October 21

See the newsletter, upcoming bulletins, and mailings for more

information.