+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or ONLINE | 9:30 AM+
Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.
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
Matthew 21:1-11
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:14-27:66
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 6 – Hospitality
This week we reflect on a wider view of hospitality.
https://vmwishes.com/2023/03/30/week-6-hospitality/
(opens in a new tab)
Memorial Service for the Rev. Kathleen Blaner April 1 (in-person and livestreamed)
Dear members and friends of Trinity,
The Rev. Kathleen Louise Blaner, former member of Trinity, died in Florida on August 12, 2020.
Trinity will hold a celebration of Kathy’s life on Saturday April 1, 2023 at 11:00 am, followed by a light luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Montgomery County Humane Society (https://www.mchumane.org/donate).
HERE is a link to the livestream.
HERE is a link to the bulletin.
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 | TONIGHT, 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. Note: Midweek worship will be in-person only.
Calling all children!! The handbell choir needs your help to ring some bells on Palm Sunday April 2. Please meet Mrs. Converse by the baptismal font before the service for a quick preview of what we’d like you to do. It will be easy and fun.
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.
Holy Week
We invite you to attend special services this week. They will be in-person and livestreamed.
Palm Sunday | April 2 | 9:30 am
We remember Jesus’ triumphant ride into Jerusalem and his being taken as prisoner by the Roman authorities.
Maundy Thursday | April 6 | 7:30 pm
On Maundy Thursday we will hear the call by Jesus to serve another and celebrate the Last Supper. This service includes communion, stripping the altar, and hand washing.
Good Friday Tenebrae | April 7 | 7:30 pm
On Good Friday we mourn the death of Christ upon the Cross. Our service will focus on the last words of Jesus and increasing darkness.
The Resurrection of our Lord
Easter Sunday | April 9 | 9:30 am
Celebrate and worship the Risen Christ with us during this festival worship service.
Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch
Sunday, April 9th
Join us immediately following worship on Easter morning for our Easter Egg Hunt (peanut free!) for children in elementary school and younger. Then stay for a buffet brunch, generously hosted this year by Fred S.
A/V “Open House” April 16
The Trinity A/V team will be holding an open house for anyone interested in the mechanics of how we livestream our worship services. If you have ever wondered exactly what we are doing at the table in the back of the sanctuary, now is your chance to see what we do.
We are in need of a few more people to join the A/V team. Perhaps once you have seen what exactly happens back there, you would consider joining us. We are planning on holding this event immediately after worship on April 16. Hope to see you all there.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mike Mayer.
Proposed Storage Project
For a number of years now, we have been storing the air purifiers and the A/V equipment in the nursery space in order to lock them into a secured room.
With the push to revitalize the nursery, this is no longer a good solution. Before leaving, Anita had proposed repurposing the space under the stairs leading to the balcony/storage room at the social hall for this purpose. This will consist of constructing a semi-permanent structure that fills in the currently underutilized space yet still gives access to the electrical outlet. There are mock-up drawings available near this space and on an easel for the next few weeks. If you would like to provide feedback or comments, please speak with Mike M.
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 30
Kathleen Blaner Memorial Service | April 1
Bethesda Help Food Drive | April 15
Red Cross Blood Drive | April 18
Intergenerational Sunday School | April 23
Interfaith Women’s Center Dinner | April 30
Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting | May 7
Graduate Recognition | May 14
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Apr 2, Passion/Palm Sunday| 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
Mon, Apr 3
7:30 pm Heavenly Handbells
Tues, Apr 4
7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Supv (Rm 10)
Thurs, Apr 6
7:30 pm Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Worship Service
8:30 pm Trinity Singers- Choir Room
Fri, Apr 7
7:30 pm Good Friday Tenebrae Worship Service
Sun, Apr 9, The Resurrection of Our Lord| Food Collection
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
11:00 am Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Adult Forum | Sundays | 10:45 am | Room 10
Please join us after the service for a discussion of the ELCA social statement: Faith, Sexism and Justice ( https://www.elca.org/fsjstudyguide). Together we will explore the impact of sexism on our society and how we are called to act with justice so that everyone may experience the abundance of God’s creation. This week we discuss how patriarchy and sexism hurt us all and damage our relationship with God and with each other.
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
Stephen Ministry | See the Calendar for meeting dates
Mission Endowment Committee | See the Calendar for Future meeting dates
+DONATIONS AND AID NEEDED+
It’s spring at Mar-Lu-Ridge
Upcoming events include the annual Spring Work Day on April 1 and Camp Day on April 16. The Work Day helps prepare the camp for the busy spring and summer season. On Camp Day visit Mar-Lu-Ridge to see what camp is all about: arts and crafts, camp/cabin tours, archery, and more. Through Trinity’s benevolence fund we help support camperships for children who cannot afford to go. The camp experience can make a difference for a lifetime. To learn more about them and about all their events check out their website at https://www.mar-lu-ridge.org
Food Collection: Food Drive | April 15, 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
American Red Cross Blood Drive at Trinity | April 18 | 1-6 pm
Help give the gift of life by donating at Trinity’s next blood drive on April 18, 2023 from 1-6 pm; the sign up is now open on the American Red Cross’ website: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time
If you have questions, please contact Margaret F at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com
Trinity Intergenerational Sunday School Buckets Project!
On Sunday April 23rd we will be putting together emergency clean-up buckets for people that have been affected by natural disasters. These buckets will be sent to Church World Service (CWS) but we need your help. See the poster with sticky notes out in the social hall with instructions if you want to help in collecting the items for the buckets. (Take a sticky note for each item you plan to purchase.) We will need these items by April 23rd but if you want to drop them off earlier or have any questions please contact Henry C at hrcradlin@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
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
Peter M, brother of Sarah M
Martha R (Sterling Care), friend of Trinity
Karen and Harold S, friends of Pamela B
Amanda v L
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
