+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or ONLINE | 9:30 AM+
Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives.
This Week’s Online Bulletin: HERE
NEW! Families, please view This Week’s Children’s Bulletin: HERE
View the March 2023 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
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+
Lenten Reflections
I am making it my Lenten discipline this year to write a blog piece each week of Lent. I thought I would offer them to you for your reflection. Each piece will close with questions to ponder. The themes I’ve selected are wilderness, enough, kairos, call, sighs, hospitality, and waiting. Valerie M
Lent 4 – Call
A sense of call is not limited to clergy or even church work.
vmwishes.com/2023/03/16/week-4-call/
(opens in a new tab)
Memorial Service for the Rev. Kathleen Blaner April 1
Dear members and friends of Trinity,
The Rev. Kathleen Louise Blaner, former member of Trinity, died in Florida on August 20, 2020.
Trinity will hold a memorial service of resurrection for Kathy on April 1, 2023 at 11:00 am, followed by a light luncheon.
The reception committee is looking for a few more food donations. We need a salad or veggie tray, a batch of cookies or brownies, rolls, and juice. Please contact Leslie S at lcsjwm@verizon.net . Thank you.
2023 Congregational Leadership Opportunities
The 2023 Nominating Committee is seeking suggestions for candidates for Council, Mission Endowment, the 2024 Nominating Committee, and delegates to the Synod assembly in June. These functions are all important ministries within Trinity. During these transitioning, transformational times, your leadership is more important than ever!
If you have questions, are interested in serving, or want to suggest someone to serve, please share your thoughts with one of us: Jeanine B, Tom K, David K, Valerie M, and Nancy N. For further information, please see also the upcoming April Trinitarian article.
Trinity’s Lenten Benevolence Offerings will go to Lutheran Disaster Response this year. Lutheran Disaster Response brings God’s hope, healing, and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. We will focus on domestic relief. There are many immediate needs here. Visit the ELCA Disaster Response webpage (https://elca.org/disaster) to learn more about how you can help.
Lenten Soup Suppers and Holden Evening Prayer | 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 before the service starts at 7:00 pm. 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 for supper anyway. Note: Midweek worship will be in-person only.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4caba82f4-lenten#/
Easter Flowers | Please order by Sun April 2
It is time to order flowers to decorate the sanctuary for Easter services! If you wish to order, please fill out the following form and include it with your payment.
___ Easter Lilies @ $17.50 each (double stem)
___ Blue Hydrangeas @ $32 each
(Pink hydrangeas are not available this year)
Please check if you would like to: ___ donate ___ pick-up
Easter flowers are given to the glory of God
By ______________________
In memory of __________________
In honor of ___________________
Please make your check payable to Trinity Lutheran Church and indicate “Easter Flowers” in the memo line. You may put your check and order form together in the Sunday offering plate or mail them to Trinity.
The Way of the Cross
Palm Sunday – Easter
A self-guided Stations of the Cross will be placed around the Social Hall. Each station will have an image, a reading, and a prayer. You are invited to spend some time during Holy Week walking and reflecting on Jesus’ last days. Stations of the Cross is an ancient tradition which started in the first centuries of Christianity. While in the early days, walking the way of the cross may not have been a liturgical, formal event, pilgrims were known to visit sites in and around Jerusalem where Jesus had been known to have spent time and where the events of Holy Week took place. Consider spending some time with these images and passages as you are able.
Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch
Sunday, April 9th
Join us immediately following worship on Easter morning for our Easter Egg Hunt for children in elementary school and younger. Then stay for a buffet brunch, generously hosted this year by Fred S.
Your Congregation Council
During this time of Trinity’s transition, we wanted to keep you up to date with Council activities. They recently held a retreat with congregation coach Michelle Snyder, and a summary of their day is outlined in this month’s Trinitarian (link to it is above). Your Council members are: Mary B, Carol B, Cathy C, Greg F, Valerie M, Nancy N, Len S, Frederic S, Leslie S, and Kim B, President. If you have any concerns or questions, please speak to a member or send an email to Council@trinityelca.org . Thank you!
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+
Soup Supper and Lenten Worship | March 16
Reverse Yard Sale and Food Drive | March 18
Kathleen Blaner Memorial Service | April 1
Red Cross Blood Drive | April 18
Interfaith Women’s Center Dinner | April 30
Graduate Recognition | May 14
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Mar 19, Fourth Sunday in Lent | 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 11
Tues, Mar 21
7:30 pm Congregation Council
Thurs, Mar 23
6:00 pm Soup Supper
7:00 pm Holden Evening Prayer
7:30 pm Trinity Singers- Choir Room
Sun, Mar 26, Fifth Sunday in Lent | 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 11
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Adult Forum | Sundays | 10:45 am | Room 10
Trinity Singers | Thursdays | 7:30 pm
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 (No rehearsal March 20)
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 | March 18, 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
Trinity Reverse Yard Sale to Benefit A Wider Circle | March 18, 2023 | 9-noon
We will be collecting smaller, gently used household items, clothes, and toys in the Trinity parking lot on March 18th to donate to A Wider Circle. Their mission is to end poverty using a holistic approach to integrate on-the-ground services for the creation of stable homes, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization. We will sort and transport your donated items to A Wider Circle where the items will be given to help people in need. If you have items to donate, please bring them to Trinity on March 18th from 9am – 12pm. Please contact Henry C with questions.
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:
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, Pam B
family and friends
Lonnie B, friend of Carol B
Bud B, friend of Trinity
Donald B, brother of Marilyn C
Karen B, cousin of Julie N
Pastor Sarah F-M, friend of Anita S
David G, friend of Tad and Vi D
Family & friends of Rev. Lamar K, friend of Tom K
Martha R (Sterling Care), friend of Trinity
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+
Carol B will be our interim admin 9-3 Mon-Thurs, and interim Pr Paul Collinson-Streng will be in the office on Tuesdays but also can be reached by phone or text at 410-258-7603, or email pastor@trinityelca.org
