Soon the season of Lent will be upon us (it begins on Ash Wednesday February 22nd). In the early church Lent was a time of preparation for persons being instructed in the Christian faith before their baptism. Following the model of Jesus’ time in the wilderness, new adult converts practiced Lenten penance and prayer for 40 days while waiting to receive their baptism, confirmation and first Lord’s Supper at the Easter Vigil.

Today Lent calls us to take time out and look back on the impact of our baptism in our lives. How are we doing, we who have died to sin and come alive to new life in Christ? In repentance we ask our Lord to clear our hearts and lives of sin’s self-centeredness.

While self-denial has usually been thought of as “giving up something for Lent” I would like to suggest that we might rather “practice giving to others.” We give up sinful, self-serving ways, and we replace them with new ways to give time and energy and forgiveness to those in need, as Christ gave himself for us, forgiving our old debts and reconciling us with God. This is the heart of Lenten preparation. This is the heart of the Easter message.

Please join us each Wednesday in Lent for soup suppers and Holden Evening Prayer.
The Fellowship Committee is organizing the suppers. Call Marion Keating if you would like to know how to help!

The Old Rugged Cross

It was a practice in some congregations to strip the Christmas tree of its branches and make it into an “Old Rugged Cross” that was displayed in the chancel during the season of Lent.   Today most churches have artificial trees.  Never the less, we will have an “Old Rugged Cross.”  It will be the focal point for displaying Lenten symbols, which tell the story of Jesus’ last days.

Meals for Miss Debbie and Family - A Thank You

Thank you to all who have provided meals for Miss Debbie and her family. They have greatly appreciated it. We have decided to continue this mission for another month. If you are able and would like to provide a meal on Tuesday or Thursday evening, just let Laura Taylor know at knltaylor@yahoo.com or 818-2619.

Miss Debbie made it through her 10 treatments of radiation by mid-December, and is continuing with weekly chemotherapy. She had a CT scan January 3rd which showed the tumors are getting smaller. Please continue to pray for her and her family.

The TLC Learning Center Committee is working very hard trying to hire a new Director in the absence of Miss Debbie. We hope to have someone up and running by February. In her absence, Krista Hartley is running the business with gracious help from staff and the Committee. Times of transition can be very challenging for all involved. Please keep the staff, families, and Committee in your prayers.

The Center has full-time and part-time openings in the Cruiser classroom (2.5 to 3.5 years old) and the Challengers Classroom (3.5 to 5 years old). Please help us get the word out to the community so we can fill these openings.

We are looking for someone to help refinish the preschool classroom chairs. They are the older style of chair with steel frames and wooden seats and backs. The wood is becoming chipped and worn. If you were gifted the talent of wood-working and have extra time to help out, please let us know. This is a project we hope to have done by summer.

Peace Be With You! - TLC Learning Center Committee

Keep us Informed!

If you are in need of a pastoral visit, please make this known to the office.
If you are in the hospital, please put “Lutheran” on your admission work or call the office to let us know you are hospitalized.

Pastor Ann is very willing to visit you! She just needs to know where to find you and when to come. Keep us informed!

Giving Thanks

Each month in the Heartbeat we say “thank you” to the many people who use their time and talents in our congregation. Let us know who we should add to our monthly lists. Thank YOU! Click Here to see those we thank this month.

A Vision for Trinity Lutheran Church
Submitted by Sue Thilo

In June, at the request of Church Council, a Vision Committee was named and charged with the task of outlining immediate and short-range strategic plans for Trinity. As a starting point, we reviewed Trinity’s Mission Statement and studied data from TLC’s Mission Profile (developed in preparation for the recent Pastoral Call Process). Among other resources, we’ve also utilized information from Pastor Ann’s June 2010 Report and materials from the recent brainstorming session on youth and family.

In Trinity’s Mission Profile, the congregation lifted up four Mission Priorities for Trinity in the areas of Youth, Music, Worship, and Community Outreach. Committee work-to-date has focused on these Mission Priorities, and we are drafting goals and strategies to support them. Our committee of eight has met regularly throughout the summer, and we look forward to sharing our thoughts and recommendations with the Council and the congregation when our preliminary report is ready.

Questions and suggestions are welcome! Members of the Vision Committee include Sue Thilo (chair), Mike Grabenstein (vice-chair), Shannon Erwin, Pastor Ann Frerks, Carrie Gridley, Kay Nelson, Darin Payton and Gavin Weiss. See Vision Report

Read More News of Trinity Lutheran Church in 'News Shorts'