+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON | 9:30 AM+
Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear. Jesus says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears. In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the Eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God’s presence to others.
We continue to worship in a hybrid fashion. Please worship in the manner which is best for your household. Although we no longer require advance signup for in-person worship, please check in with a greeter as you arrive (for contact tracing purposes if needed). If a change needs to be made to this plan, we will notify you via email.
This week’s worship will be a Service of the Word.
This Week’s Bulletin: HERE
View the August 2023 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 5:8-13
Matthew 14:22-33
Masks are now optional.
+COMMUNITY NEWS+
Welcome Back Seminarian Jessica Zurcher
Jessica Zurcher is a third-year seminarian at United Lutheran Seminary. Following the call of the Holy Spirit, she is a candidate for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Metropolitan Washington, DC Synod. Jessica works as a Grants Specialist for a non-profit in Washington, DC and lives in Capitol Heights, MD.
The ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith Remaining Sessions
The ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith has published a six-session study about government, democracy, and how Christians are called to participate in civic life; there are three remaining sessions. Good Shepherd in Gaithersburg MD will host a group to participate in the study via Zoom from 6:00–7:00 PM every other Wednesday June 28 through September 6. Please sign up to join the study by providing your name and email address through the signup link at goserve.net/blog/civic-study.
God’s Work Our Hands
On Sunday, September 10, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our 10th annual day of service. “God’s work. Our hands.” began in 2013 in connection with the ELCA’s 25th anniversary and continues to be a day to celebrate who we are—one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Make plans to join us! See Leslie S for more information.
Some Sprucing Up
During the week of Aug 7-11, the floors in the church will be stripped and waxed. During this time, access to the church will be limited. On Friday, Aug 11, the church office will be closed due to the floors in that corridor being stripped and waxed, which will prevent access. If you need to enter the church during that time, please call the office at 301-881-7275.
End of Summer Outing at the Irish Inn of Glen Echo
Let’s celebrate the end of summer by joining the session at the Irish Inn on August 21! The Irish Inn Mates, an instrumental group playing traditional tunes from the old country, performs at the Irish Inn of Glen Echo on Monday nights. Weather permitting, they play outside (and play inside in the event of inclement weather). Let’s gather at the Inn for good food and good music—no reservations required! Here’s the plan —with a rain date:
The dates are as follows:
6119 Tulane Ave
Dinner at 7:00 pm
Irish music 7:00 pm – 10 pm
Monday, August 21st (weather permitting)
OR
Rain date – Monday, August 28th (outside if nice, inside if raining)
If you have questions, please see Valerie M.
Call Committee Progress
The Call Committee journey continues. The Call Committee received 3 additional Pastoral candidates to include in our discernment process. The Call Committee completed first interviews with each candidate (all via zoom). After the first interview, 2 candidates were released from Trinity’s Call process as the Call Committee did not believe the candidates were a good fit for Trinity. An in person second interview was performed with the third candidate. While Trinity’s Call Committee thought the Candidate was a good match, the candidate decided to move forward in a call process with a Congregation outside the Metro DC synod. Our Synod will provide additional candidates as they become available.
Please continue to keep the Call Committee and the process in your prayers.
Flat Jesus is back!
Pick up a flat Jesus from the Social Hall. Color Him and take Him on your travels this summer. Snap a selfie and send it to the church. We will be displaying your pictures in future church publications.
Sharing Stories of Faith
In 2022, in an email to the Social Ministry team, Margaret F. wrote “This morning I was struck by Pastor Morales’ reminder that God shows up in the ordinary. While our food drives have become to feel ordinary, each month I feel blessed to share in God’s work in such a simple way. Yesterday’s food drive was ‘ordinary’ in that we again collected well over 300 pounds of food and a large number of gift cards—I know Bethesda Help appreciates our partnership. It is also nice to meet a few of our Luxmanor neighbors who participated.”
Margaret is the primary organizer of the food drives and delivers the food to Bethesda Help. In this long, green season after Pentecost we experience “ordinary time.” We experience God’s extraordinary love showing up in ordinary ways. How have you experienced God’s presence this summer? Please share your story by submitting to via email @ office@trinityelca.org or posting it to Carmen’s attention. They will be printed in future issues of the Trinitarian.
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for Coffee Hour! Please call the church office to sign up, or click here or contact Chelsea Y at Chelsea.kiehl@valpo.edu with questions.
+HAPPENING AT TRINITY+
Quarterly Interfaith Women’s Center Dinner | August 14
August Food Drive | August 19
Nationals Baseball | August 19
Irish Inn Event | August 21 (Rain Date: Aug 28 )
Interfaith 5K Race | September 4
God’s Work Our Hands | September 9 and 10
Red Cross Blood Drive | September 12
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Aug 13 The Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Service of the Word
(Coffee Hour to Follow)
Tues, August 15
11:00 am Staff Meeting
7:30 pm Congregational Council Meeting
Sat, Aug 19
9:00 am Food Drive
4:00 pm Nationals Game
Sun, Aug 20 The Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
(Coffee Hour to Follow)
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Adult Forum | Sundays | 10:45 am | Room 10
We will return in September
Trinity Singers | Thursdays | 7:30 pm
We will return in September
Faith Formation for Youth | Sundays | 10:45 am
We will return in September
Trinity Men’s Group | Every Second Wednesday | 1:00 pm | Zoom
Contact the church office for zoom info
Heavenly Handbells | Mondays | 7:30 pm | Sanctuary
We will return in September
Stephen Ministry | See the Calendar for meeting dates
Mission Endowment Committee | See the Calendar for Future meeting dates
+DONATIONS AND AID NEEDED+
Quarterly Interfaith Women’s Center Dinner – Monday, August 14
Trinity will be hosting the Quarterly Interfaith Women’s Center Dinner on Monday, August 14, 2023. The Social Ministry Team will be providing the protein and vegetarian main courses; we need your help with the sides, drinks and dessert. Link to Sign Up Genius for the event: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4caba82f4-interfaith1#/
Food should be dropped off on Sunday August 13. We need the following for the sides
2 packages of ditalini (small ring macaroni)
2 14oz packages of cole slaw mix
1 red onion
2 cucumbers
2 green peppers
2 8oz cans of water chestnuts
6 large tomatoes
1 13″by 9″ chocolate cake
1 13″ by 9″ cake – non chocolate
2 gallons of lemonade
Food Collection: Food Drive | August 19, 2023 | 9-noon | See the list of critical food needs here
Thanks to the many congregation members who continue to support our monthly food drives to support Bethesda Help. We are also pleased that each month we welcome donations from members of the neighborhood. Each month we drop off between 300-500 pounds of food and 10-20 gift cards. Bethesda Help is very appreciative and recognizes Trinity each month in the BH newsletter. Trinity’s food drives will continue the third Saturday of the month from 9-12. The list of food donation requests is on Trinity’s website. If you have any questions please contact Margaret F at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com
Registration Open for the September 4 Interfaith 5K Race
Registration for the Interfaith 5K on Sept 4 is now open. We are team “Trinity Lutheran Church”. See https://mocointerfaith5k.org
Five Montgomery County religious communities are partnering to create the seventh annual Interfaith 5K race. The 2023 race beneficiaries are Gaithersburg Help and C-4, an interfaith group serving the needs of the Colesville Community. For more information, see the website above, or contact Leslie S.
Red Cross Blood Drive | September 12 | 1:40pm to 6pm
Trinity is proud to support the Red Cross’ humanitarian mission to help ensure there is lifesaving blood available to patients in need. Help give the gift of life by donating at Trinity’s next blood drive on Tuesday, September 12, from 1:40-6; the sign up is now open on the American Red Cross’ website.
In the past year, The American Red Cross has implemented changes to long existing restrictions and creating greater donor eligibility. There is more information available on the ARC website. The following is a note about the change to the Individual Donor Assessment (IDA): Under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s new individual donor assessment, all donors will be asked the same sexual behavior questions to determine individual risk for exposure to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The overall blood donation process is not changing – all donors will now be asked some new questions during Health History. This update eliminates questions based on sexual orientation and treats all potential donors with respect while maintaining the safety of the blood supply. Years of data have demonstrated that this new eligibility screening process ensures a safe blood supply.
This is a community drive, all are welcome; donors of all blood types are needed. Please help us get the word out in the community… invite a friend, add to a list serve, post an announcement!
If you have questions, please contact Margaret F at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com.
+REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS+
We are grateful that people have been lifting up our members and friends in prayer during Zoom gatherings. Please also call the office at 301-881-7275 or email office@trinityelca.org to add them to the list below.
nursing/rehabilitation center:
Philip T (Manor Care Potomac)
Yulie N (Village at Rockville)
home
Isabel F, Tigist G, Lineth M, Anya N, Vimala P, Elizabeth R, Gio S, Margo W
family and friends*
Donald B, brother of Marilyn C
Erik B, friend of Valerie M
Lonnie B, friend of Carol B
Pam C, sister of Mike M
Pastor Sarah F-M, friend of Anita S
Betsy G, friend of Margaret F
David G, friend of Tad and Vi D
Terry K, brother-in-law of David and Leslie C
Randi L, friend of Mike and Valerie M
Juan-Maria M-M, friend of Len S
Linda P, cousin of Julie N
Martha R (Sterling Care), friend of Trinity
Karen and Harold S, friends of Pamela B
Paul S, brother of Steve S
Andrew T, friend of Leslie C
Carolyn T, daughter of Jim V
Alex V, friend of Sunhee P
Gerry W, friend of Tom K and Sarah M
first responders
Lisbeth N-D
Greta S & Linda A, sister & sister-in-law of Anita S
Vanessa B, friend of Elizabeth & Ben R
*For family and friends, prayer requests will be kept on the list for 4 weeks. To renew, please complete another card/call the office.
+RESOURCES+
Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrinityELCA/streams
+OFFICE HOURS+
Carmen will be in the office from 9-5 on Monday-Friday. Please contact the office or a council member if you have a request for pastoral care.
