+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or ONLINE | 9:30 AM+
In today’s reading from Deuteronomy we are called to choose life by loving and obeying God. Much of today’s gospel reading echoes portions of the Ten Commandments. Jesus’ instructions to the crowd reveal a pattern of behavior that honors both God and the neighbor, resulting in life and health for the whole community. We too are invited to embrace these commandments, not out of fear of retribution, but because God has promised that to do so means life for us.
This Week’s Online Bulletin: HERE
View the February 2023 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 119:1-8
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Matthew 5:21-37
Masks are now optional. Please read more here.
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.
Welcome Pastor Paul Collinson-Streng!
This week, Pastor Paul Collinson-Streng has joined Trinity as our interim pastor for February through April. He recently served as Interim Pastor at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Baltimore, after retiring from Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairfax. Pastor Paul has been a Campus Pastor in Baltimore and Austin, TX, and has even been a Pastor in Mexico City. He will be our half-time pastor through April 23. Please give him a warm welcome! Pastor Paul can be reached by cell or text at 410-258-7603. Feel free to leave a message.
+COMMUNITY NEWS+
Lenten Soup Suppers | Thursdays in March, 6:00 pm
Join us in the social hall for a simple supper of soup and bread prior to Lenten vespers. We will start at 6:00pm, allowing for plenty of time for conversation and fellowship. There is a sign-up link below to RSVP (so we have an estimate as to how many to set up for) and provide a soup or bread. Signing up would be helpful, if you forget, come join us anyway. Thanks
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4caba82f4-lenten#/
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
On Sunday, February 12th, or earlier, we ask that you bring in cans of soup for Manna. Alternatively, monetary donations can be made as well, just be sure to indicate that it is for Manna. Thank you.
Farewell and Godspeed to Anita Smallin!
Sunday we say goodbye, thank you, and best wishes to Anita Smallin. Anita joined us as our Director of Youth and Family Ministry nearly nine years ago. She has been a steady presence through many changes and transitions at Trinity, including three pastors and a pandemic! Anita will be working as the associate director of a senior center in Fairfax County, Virginia. This is a great opportunity for Anita to grow and to use her many talents, and we wish her well. There will be a special coffee hour reception Sunday for Anita following the service. Please celebrate her and her many contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church these past nine years! We love you, and we’ll miss you!
Farewell Coffee Hour in Honor of Anita
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, February 12th, and plan to join us for worship and fellowship afterwards with a special coffee hour as we bid farewell and godspeed to Anita as she embarks on a new calling. Leslie C. and Jeanine B. are taking the lead on planning this special coffee hour. If you have any questions, please reach out to them. And please watch for any additional updates. Sign up for future coffee hours here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4caba82f4-coffee
Farewell to Amanda
This week we say goodbye and thank you to Amanda MacPhee, our Office Administrator. Amanda has been with us since June of 2021. She has accepted a fulltime position at another church in Spencerville, Maryland. Amanda wrote, “I have genuinely enjoyed my time with Trinity and I believe my experience here has prepared me for this new role I am taking on.” Godspeed and Farewell Amanda!
Call Committee Moving Forward
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
At the December Congregational meeting, the Congregation established a Call Committee to work with the Synod on the search for a full time Pastor for Trinity. Members of the Call Committee include Jerry Boegler, David Cradlin, Margaret Fitzwilliam, Nancy Jacobson, Ana Nunes and Thor Nielsen.
The primary roles of the Call Committee are to update Trinity’s Ministry Site Profile, to interview candidates and recommend a candidate to the Council and Congregation. The Call Committee will keep the Council up to date on our progress, but works independently of the Council.
The Call Committee jumped right in; meeting twice in December and plans to meet weekly for the next six to eight weeks. The members understand the need to be faithful and to approach our work with open hearts, always grounding our work in prayer.
In December, the Committee met with Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey, Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility and Candidacy. We will be working closely with her throughout the process. The Committee selected Margaret Fitzwilliam as Chair who will be the contact for the Synod.
The Committee will communicate with the Congregation throughout the process. Please watch for updates in Tidings, Bulletins and Trinitarians. Please do not hesitate to reach out to a Committee member with questions.
We ask for the Congregation’s prayers and patience as we engage in this process of discernment and we joyfully look forward to finding a new pastor to walk alongside our Congregation.
Anchored in Christ, The Call Committee
Trinity Prayer Event for the Call Process: Intergenerational Sunday School February 26, 2023
Have you wondered how Trinity, as a congregation, can support the call process of a new pastor? Trinity’s Stephen Ministry program is sponsoring an Intergenerational Congregational Prayer Event, to be held after the church service on the first Sunday in Lent, February 26. At this prayer event, we will learn new ways of opening our hearts in prayer to specifically listen and be guided by the Holy Spirit. There will be opportunities to pray together and pray individually, try a variety of prayer practices, including some art work and breath prayers, and to continue to pray for our congregation in the days, weeks, and months ahead. We welcome Trinity’s children at this prayer event, which will be an intergenerational time of prayer. The children will take part in Trinity’s annual pretzel-making experience as well as other children’s prayer opportunities. Join us for this time of prayer and be a part of a beautiful way of coming together as a spiritual community to prayerfully support our call process for a new pastor as it continues.
Interfaith Women’s Shelter Dinner | Sunday, February 12 | 11:00 AM
We are providing dinner for the women at the Interfaith shelter. Please review the sign-up linked below for more details. There are items that are easy to pick up and drop off for those short on time or who don’t cook. We also need up to 3 volunteers to serve dinner that evening. Any questions should be directed to Valerie at valerie@vmwishes.com. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4CABA82F4-interfaith1
2022 Annual Giving Statements
Statements were mailed the first week of February. Please contact Carol B, Financial Secretary, if you have not received one.
2022 Benevolences
In addition to the many generosity of members supporting Social Ministry drives and efforts addressing special needs all year long, each year a portion of Trinity’s Congregational spending plan includes an allocation for benevolences. The following organizations received contributions from Trinity in 2022:
For efforts in Refugee support
Lutheran Social Services
La Sagrada Familia
Solution in Hometown Connections
For efforts addressing poverty and food insecurity
Manna Food Center
A Wider Circle
Gaithersburg Help
InterFaith Works
Mar-Lu-Ridge Scholarship Fund
Other Special Needs/ Projects
Lutheran Disaster Response
Baltimore Area Aftercare Program (A partner of The Community of St. Dysmas working with individuals released from of prison)
Scotland AME Zion Building Fund
Montgomery County Interfaith 5K
+HAPPENING AT TRINITY+
Save the Dates:
Interfaith Dinner | February 12
Farewell Coffee Hour | February 12
Food Drive | February 18
Ash Wednesday Service | February 22 | 7:30 pm
Intergenerational Prayer Event Setup | Feb. 25
Intergenerational Prayer Event | Feb 26
Soup Supper and Lenten Worship | March 2
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Feb 12, Sixth Sunday after Epiphany | Food Collection
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service (Coffee Hour to Follow)
10:45 am Adult Forum-Room 10
10:45 am Children’s Sunday School- Room 8
11:00 am Interfaith Women’s Shelter Dinner
Mon, Feb 13
7:30 pm Heavenly Handbells
Tues, Feb 14 | Happy Valentine’s Day!
Amanda’s last day in the office
Wed, Feb 15 | Trinitarian Newsletter Deadline
Thurs, Feb 16
7:30 pm Trinity Singers- Choir Room
Sat, Feb 18
9:00 am Food Drive
Sun, Feb 19, Transfiguration of Our Lord | Food Collection
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service (Coffee Hour to Follow)
10:45 am Adult Forum-Room 10
10:45 am Children’s Sunday School- Room 8
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Adult Forum | Sundays | 10:45 am | Room 10
Trinity Singers | Thursdays | 7:30 pm | See the Calendar for Future rehearsal dates
Sunday School for Youth | 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
Stephen Ministry | See the Calendar for meeting dates
Mission Endowment Committee | See the Calendar for Future meeting dates
+DONATIONS AND AID NEEDED+
Food Collection: Food Drive | February 18, 2023 | 9-noon | See the list of critical food needs here
Our monthly food drive collection will be given to Bethesda Help (bethesdahelp.org). Thanks to all for their ongoing support of the food drives – the need in the community continues to grow. 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
Afghan Refugees (LSS): Lutheran Social Services (LSS) is reaching out with immediate needs due to the influx of Afghan refugees arriving in this area. They are in need of drivers, storage space, rooms on a temporary basis, and housing settlement. Contact: https://lssnca.org/help/donate-goods.html
+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:
Martha R (Bethesda H&R)
Philip T (Manor Care Potomac)
Yulie N (Village at Rockville)
home
Tigist G, Margo W, Lineth M, Isabel F, Gio S, Vimala P, Anya N
family and friends
Lonnie B, friend of Carol B
Donald B, brother of Marilyn C
Vern W, brother in law of Sabrina R and Mark L
Peter M, brother of Sarah M
Debbie P, sister of Thomas K
Karen B, cousin of Julie N
Adelino & Anila, friends of Trinity
Family and friends of Leanne Elliott
Pastor Sarah F-M, friend of Anita S
David G, friend of Tad and Vi D
Karen and Harold S, friends of Pamela B
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 four weeks. After four weeks, please complete another card/call the office.
+RESOURCES+
Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrinityELCA/streams
+OFFICE HOURS+
MONDAY: 9:30-3:30 PM
TUESDAY: 9:30-3:30 PM
THURSDAY: 9:30-3:30 PM
