+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or Online | 9:30 AM+
In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In Jesus’ parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others. In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and we go forth to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for the abundant life of God.
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 October 2023 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
Masks are now optional.
+COMMUNITY NEWS+
Welcome Bishop Richard Graham
Richard Graham was born in the Midwest and raised in Lutherville, outside of Baltimore. He was ordained in 1978 and served congregations in Hagerstown, Annapolis, and College Park before being elected bishop of the DC-Metro Synod in 2007. He and his wife Nancy Ann still live in College Park. They have two married daughters, one who lives in Delaware with her family and one who lives with her family in Hungary.
Adult Forum
How much of the Bible have you read? Maybe you’ve started with good intentions and gotten bogged down in Leviticus. Maybe you’ve just read the gospels or the Old Testament histories and stories. Maybe you’ve read the whole thing, cover to cover. Maybe you’ve just picked out some of your favorite stories or Psalms. No matter how much you’ve read, whether you’ve read it all or only a little, the Adult Forum class now is for you. We will be using Daniel Erlander’s Manna and Mercy to try to understand the Bible as a whole—its major themes and messages, ultimately covering both the Old and New Testaments. This fall we will start with six sessions that will take us up through the people of Israel settling in the land of Canaan (approximately Genesis to Judges). Please join us to experience this wholistic approach to God’s Word. —David K
All Saints Sunday
Please begin submitting names and death dates for those you would like remembered on All Saints Sunday, November 5. Please note that the remembrances are for those who have passed away since November 1, 2022. Please email names to the office. Thank you.
Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry
We are excited to have our Little Free Library (LFL) and Little Free Pantry (LFP) open for business. Both are located near the entrance of the southside parking lot (the big lot), facing Old Georgetown Rd.
The LFL has 2 shelves and is accepting children’s and young adult books (lower shelf) and adult books (upper shelf). The books may be new or gently used books in good condition.
The LFP is accepting food items (no produce or perishables), as well as non-food items. Please review the list below for suggested items and items to avoid. Additionally, please consider the time of year. Containers may be damaged when the contents freeze. Contents may spoil if sitting in hot weather for an extended period. Pull-tab cans are good for those with limited kitchen gadgets.
Questions can be directed to Stella, Jerry, and Social Ministry members.
What types of items should be provided in the LFP?
- Individually packaged snacks: boxes of raisins, granola and protein bars with NO chocolate, fruit snacks, juices
- Food not requiring kitchen preparation: nuts and seeds, dried fruits, granola, nut butters, applesauce, cereal (especially those good for snacking)
- Toiletries: facial tissue packs, bar soap, hand wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant
- First aid items: mini first aid kits, bandages, topical antibiotics, anti-itch crème, hand sanitizer,
- Seasonal items: sunscreen lotion, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, sunglasses, hats, gloves, scarves
What types of items should NOT be provided in the LFP?
- Perishable items that need refrigeration
- Food within a 3-months of its best by date
- Food with damaged packages
- Dented cans
- Fresh produce of any kind
- Food that is spoiled or moldy
- Homemade or home-canned food products
- Opened or re-packaged foods (do not break bigger packages of food into smaller packages due to possible contamination and lack of nutrition label)
Faith Formation Bulletin Board
The bulletin board outside of Room 11 has information about our faith formation offerings this academic year. Individual flyers will be posted there about Adult Forum guest speakers. Please check it out.
Connect to Trinity’s Hearing Assistance System
Follow these easy steps to get connected:
1. Download the AudioFetch app to your smartphone or tablet.
2. Connect your phone/tablet to the AudioFetch WiFi network.
(No password should be required.at this time.)
3. Connect your phone/tablet to your listening device. This will be unique to your situation:
●Bluetooth hearing aid
●Bluetooth earbuds
●Wired headphones
Please come to the A/V table if you need assistance.
Children’s Koinonia —Saturday, October 28th, 9:00am-12pm
Children are invited to gather in the social hall for a morning of fun and fellowship. We will paint pumpkins, make bird feeders, and play games. A snack will be provided. Toddlers and preschoolers are welcome as well. Young children need to be accompanied by a parent.
Please RSVP to Valerie M. so enough materials can be purchased
A Note from the Call Committee
With each interview, we ask the pastoral candidate to open with a brief devotion and prayer. In a recent interview, the Call Committee was touched by a prayer shared. The prayer is a graceful reminder of the need to trust in God. The Call Committee and Trinity’s journey to find our new Pastor continues. Please keep us in your prayers.
Patient Trust
Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—
and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you;
your ideas mature gradually—let them grow,
let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time
(that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit
gradually forming within you will be.
Give Our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incomplete.
—Teilhard de Chardin
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+
Choir Retreat | October 14
Council Retreat | October 21
Food Drive | October 21
Children’s Koinonia Day | October 28
Reformation Day | October 29 WEAR RED!
Women’s Center Dinner | October 29
All Saints Sunday | November 5
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Oct 15 The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
(Coffee Hour to Follow)
10:45 am Sunday School Classes and Adult Forum
Mon, Oct 16
7:30 pm Heavenly Handbells Rehearsal
Tues, Oct 17
10:00 am Stephen Ministry Training
11:00 am Staff Meeting
7:30 pm Congregation Council Meeting
Thurs, Oct 19
7:30 pm Trinity Singers rehearsal
Sat, Oct 21
9:00 am Council Retreat
9:00 am Food Drive
Sun, Oct 22 The Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
(Coffee Hour to Follow)
10:45 am Sunday School Classes and Adult Forum
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Trinity Singers | Thursdays | 7:30 pm | Room 9
Sunday School and Adult Forum Classes | 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 | October 21, 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
Interfaith Works Women Center Dinner, Sunday, October 29th
The Social Ministry Team is assisting in the Interfaith Works Woman Center Dinner. The entrée is being provided, but sides, desserts, and drinks are needed at Trinity by noon on the 29th.
Please review the signup through the link below and contribute what you are able. We’re also looking for 3 people (not limited to Social Ministry team members) to serve dinner.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4CABA82F4-interfaith1#/
Thank you.
+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:
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
Viola Cleo B, online prayer request
Gene B, friend of Kim and Pam B
Pam C, sister of Mike M
Pastor Sarah F-M, friend of Anita S
Josefa F-V, friend of Len S
Betsy G, friend of Margaret F
David G, friend of Tad and Vi D
Bishop William G, Bishop of Maryland-Delaware Synod
Joe J, friend of Sarah M and Tom K
Terry K, brother-in-law of David and Leslie C
Anne L, friend of Len S
Randi L, friend of Mike and Valerie M
Juan-Maria M-M, friend of Len S
Kathy M, niece of Margaret and Greg F
Beatriz N, Vera and Ben N’s grandmother
Linda P, cousin of Julie N
Martha R (Sterling Care), friend of Trinity
Cristobal R-M, friend of Len S
Cristobal R-S, friend of Len S
Karen and Harold S, friends of Pamela B
Paul S, brother of Steve S
Alex V, friend of Sunhee P
Victor V and family, friends of Kim and Pam 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 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.
