+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or Online | 9:30 AM+
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.
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 Bulletin: HERE
View the September 2023 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Masks are now optional.
+COMMUNITY NEWS+
Welcome Pastor Ron Zschoche
Pastor Ron Zschoche (pronounced Chucky) has served the ELCA in Montana and the Pacific Northwest for over forty years. He grew up near Portland, Oregon and most of his family lives there. He comes from a long line of Lutheran pastors. One great, great, etc. grandfather became a Lutheran pastor at the time of the Reformation, so his family claims partial credit for helping the Reformation to happen! His ancestors moved to Missouri in the 1840’s from Germany, and helped to form what is now the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
Pastor Ron moved to this part of the country in 2017 in order to live closer to his daughter and her family. He loves being part of their lives and especially the grandpa-thing with his eight-year-old grand-twins.
The ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith—One Remaining Session
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. 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. There is one session remaining:
September 6—Session 6: How Do We Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord in Civic Life
Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday, September 10th Children young and old are invited to bring their school or work bags to worship. We will bless the bags and their carriers at the end of the service.
God’s Work. Our Hands.
Sunday, September 10th marks the 10th anniversary of congregations throughout the ELCA joining to offer a day of service known as God’s Work. Our Hands. For the 10th Anniversary, Trinity has expanded beyond a day of service and has various service projects extending from September 9th through September 16th. Join us for some or all of the acts of service below:
Stella B-A received a Mission Endowment Fund grant last year to fund her vision of a “little library” at Trinity. On September 9th and 10th — help us to bring Stella’s vision to life. We will be assembling 2 little libraries. Starting at 2pm on Saturday, we will begin painting, assembling the boxes, and setting posts in concrete/cement; allowing for dry time, the project may need to be completed on Sunday.
On September 9th, from 10-12pm, the Social Ministry team is organizing a group to volunteer at Interfaith Clothing, located at 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, from 10-noon.
On Sunday, September 10th, after service, there will be an intergenerational project in the social hall to assemble children’s snack bags for Bethesda Help.
On Tuesday, September 12th, from 1:30-6pm, there is an American Red Cross Blood Drive at Trinity.
On Saturday, September 16th, from 9-12pm, is Trinity’s monthly food drive to support Bethesda Help.
God’s Work. Our Hands. Join us.
Cleaning the Attic
On September 15 and 16, Trinity will be completely cleaning and organizing the attic. All the items in the attic will be removed; these include costumes, Christmas ornaments, cookbooks etc. The space will be cleaned and new shelving will be installed. The contents will subsequently reorganized, rehomed, or discarded. If you want to join in or if you have any questions, please see Mike M or Pam B.
Please Remove Items From the Handbell Equipment Room
Please remove any items you have left behind in the handbell equipment room. There are currently a ladder, a pole to change light bulbs, and numerous other items which are making it impossible to get to our file cabinets and the handbell/handchime storage cabinets. This room provides access to the furnace room, organ pipes, sound system, and handbell equipment, but is not a general storage room for other items. Rehearsals will be starting again soon, so your help in clearing our room will be greatly appreciated.
Call Committee Progress
The Call Committee journey continues and is starting interviews with additional candidates identified by the Synod. To date we have received one additional candidate, but the Synod is expecting to provide additional names for consideration shortly.
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
How have you experienced God’s presence this summer? Please share your story by submitting it via email to 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+
Interfaith 5K Race | September 4
First Choir Rehearsal | September 7
God’s Work Our Hands | September 9 and 10
Blessing of Back Packs | September 10
Heavenly Handbells Rehearsal | September 11
Red Cross Blood Drive | September 12
Trinity Attic Cleaning | September 15 and 16
Food Drive | September 16
Sunday School and Adult Classes | September 17
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Sept 3 The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
(Coffee Hour to Follow)
Mon, Sept 4
Church Closed – Labor Day
8:00 am Interfaith 5K Race
Tues, Sept 5
11:00 am Staff Meeting
7:00 pm Stephen Ministry
Wed, Sept 6
7:30 pm Worship Ministry Team
Thurs, Sept 7
7:30 pm Trinity Singers choir rehearsal
Sat, Sept 9
10:00 am God’s Work. Our Hands.: Sorting clothing at Interfaith Clothing
2:00 pm God’s Work. Our Hands.: at Trinity
Sun, Sept 10 The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Service of the Word
(Coffee Hour to Follow)
11:00 am God’s Work. Our Hands.: Making lunch bags at Trinity
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Come and Make a Joyful Noise
Trinity Singers Choir rehearsals resume on Thursday, September 7th at 7:30 pm.
We’d love to have you join us! All voice parts and experience levels are welcome. If you are interested, please speak with Mary B.
All the earth worships you,
They sing praises to you,
Sing praises to your name
—Psalm 66:4
Sunday School and Adult Classes | Sundays | 10:45 am | Room 10
These forums return Sunday, September 17th, 15 minutes after the end of worship.
This year there will be 2 children’s Sunday School groups: K through 3rd grade and 4th grade and up. The younger children will continue with our lectionary curriculum and the older children will study the Old Testament this year.
Adult Forum will offer a variety of series and guest speakers, starting with a brief history lesson on the Lord’s Supper on September 17th. Please see the Trinitarian for more information about topics this fall. We hope there will be something of interest for everyone.
Trinity Singers | Thursdays | 7:30 pm
Sunday School and Adult Form | Sundays | 10:45 am
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
Heavenly Handbells return September 11
Stephen Ministry | See the Calendar for meeting dates
Mission Endowment Committee | See the Calendar for Future meeting dates
+DONATIONS AND AID NEEDED+
Registration for the Interfaith 5K on Sept 4 is still open. We are team “Trinity Lutheran Church”. See https://mocointerfaith5k.org. Registration for the Interfaith 5K on Sept 4 is open until 8:00 pm Sunday.
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.
Food Collection: Food Drive | September 16, 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
+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
Kathy B, custodian and friend of Trinity
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
Pastor Paul O, friend of Trinity
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
Carolyn T, daughter of Jim V
Alex V, friend of Sunhee P
The Voigtsberger family, friends of Greg and Margaret F
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
deaths
Thomas Beckley, Esq., + August 10, 2023 +, brother-in-law of Fred Sanford
*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.
