+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or ONLINE | 9:30 AM+
It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.
This Week’s Online Bulletin: HERE
View the July 2023 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
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.
+COMMUNITY NEWS+
Welcome Back Pr. Cindy Baskin
Pr. Cindy, now retired from active ministry, has served as a supply priest/pastor in both Episcopal and Lutheran congregations. She and her husband live in North Potomac and enjoy traveling.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is sponsoring Coffee Hour, Sunday, July 23rd. Please talk to a Stephen Minister about any questions you may have about this important ministry at Trinity. There are also bulletin inserts and pew cards that have information about Stephen Ministry. We plan to start a new training class on Friday evening, October 6th. Let us know if you would like to train to become a Stephen Minister, or if you or someone you know needs a Stephen Minister. Please contact Miriam M for additional information: mamendenhall@verizon.net.
No Livestream July 30 or August 6!!
Please be aware there will be NO LIVESTREAMING OF SERVICES ON JULY 30 AND AUGUST 6 This lack of activity is due to the shortage of livestream volunteers. Currently, recruitment is underway for participants to be trained as livestream operators. Please contact Jeanine or John B if you are interested.
The ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith
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. Each session listed below includes a video and guided discussion. 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. Participants are also asked to give feedback to the ELCA on the content after each session to help the task force draft a social statement.
Please sign up to join the study by providing your name and email address through the the signup link at goserve.net/blog/civic-study. Participants will be emailed the Zoom information prior to the sessions. Here is a listing of the sessions:
- June 28
- Session 1: How Is God’s Invitation to Discipleship Lived Out in a Democracy?
- July 12
- Session 2: How Do Christians Address Controversial Civic Issues?
- July 26
- Session 3: What Are Lutheran Views on Civic Life?
- August 10
- Session 4: What Are the Objectives of Democracy in the United States?
- August 24
- Session 5: What’s Faith-based Living Got to Do With Civic Life?
- September 6
- Session 6: How Do We Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord in Civic Life?
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.
Trinity Women’s Retreat September 29-30
Friday 7:00 pm through Saturday 3:00 pm
R.S.V.P. Deadline is August 1st
We will be going on retreat Friday through Saturday in September, staying in the main camp area at Mar-Lu-Ridge in Jefferson, MD (1 hour from Trinity). The cost for the 1 night plus breakfast and lunch on Saturday will be $90, plus $10 for materials, drinks, and snacks. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Staying at the main camp will give us easy access to the dining hall, labyrinth, chapels, and the trail to shock rock for those so inclined. The theme and schedule (including end time) will be worked out over the summer, but there will be a mix of structured time and down time.
Friday dinner will be on your own before you leave or come early (5:00 p.m.) and bring a bagged dinner to have picnic style. Snacks and water will be supplied for our stay. The cabins have 2 sleeping rooms and 2 bathrooms downstairs and a gathering space upstairs. You will need to bring a pillow, bed linens (twin) or sleeping bag, and toiletries and towel. Carpooling will be an option. Please watch for more details as plans come together. If you have any questions or want to reserve your space, please see Valerie M.
Please use the attached registration form to provide basic information and dietary restrictions.
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. If you need to access the church during that time, please call the office at 301-881-9725.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game!!! – Washington Nationals Game – Saturday, August 19th
A group outing is being organized to see the Nationals play the Phillies in a 4:00 p.m. game. Carol B. is collecting information about group pricing but if there is enough interest, ticket price should not exceed $20. Contact Carol B if interested at csbruno@usa.net.
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 has first interviews scheduled with each candidate (all via zoom). Based on each interview, the Call Committee will determine whether to invite the candidate to meet in person with the Call Committee. The summer presents scheduling challenges with vacations, but we are optimistic that any second interviews can be completed within a few weeks. Please continue to keep the Call Committee and the process in your prayers
Peace, the Call Committee.
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.
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+
Deadline for Women’s Retreat | August 1
Quarterly Interfaith Women’s Center Dinner | August 14
August Food Drive | August 19
Nationals Baseball | August 19
Interfaith 5 K Race | September 4
God’s Work Our Hands | September 9 and 10
+Next Week at Trinity+
Livestreamed services on Trinity YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@TrinityELCA/streams
Sun, July 23 The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
(Coffee Hour to Follow)
Tues, Jul 25
11:00 am Staff Meeting
Sun, Jul 30 The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
NO LIVESTREAMING NEXT WEEK
(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+
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
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
Registration Open for the Sept 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.
+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
Tigist G, Margo W, Lineth M, Isabel F, Gio S, Vimala P, Anya N
family and friends*
Erik B, friend of Valerie M
James B, father of Mary B
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
Linda P, cousin of Julie N
Martha R (Sterling Care), friend of Trinity
Karen and Harold S, friends of Pamela B
Andrew T, friend of Leslie C
Carolyn T, daughter of Jim V
Alex V, friend of Park S
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
Pr. Lowell ‘Lou’ Schuetze , July 12, 2023, friend of Steve and Donna S
*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.
