Our Church Is Always Asking for Money!
Last month the newsletter contained information about each of us as a manager of all the possessions God has given us. Beyond the traditional request for help in raising more money, there is a hunger to know what stewardship really means and how it functions.
You may have said or heard someone else make the statement, “The church is always asking for money”. Indeed, here at Trinity we have had many special requests for funds to assist with certain projects. But is the church “always asking for money”?
It would be good for us to consider all the organizations and people who ask us for monthly payments. Our bank asks us for money for our mortgage; our utility companies ask for money for energy and water used. We make payments for our cars and our vacations. There are also credit cards and other bills to pay monthly.
The church is one of the few places in which we do not make payments or pay a fee for being a member. It is a place where we can go for comfort, for friendships, for worship, and for assurance of our salvation. Our church asking for money is a good thing because it shows that our church is alive and providing for the needs of God’s kingdom.
It is right to help the needy, to assist in educating our children, to provide funds to care for the building in which we worship. It is right to continue to do the work of the Great Commission of bringing God’s word to all.
As we consider our possessions and our stewardship of those possessions, we might remember and consider how we are managing God’s property which we often call our own. We are given the chance every day to use what God has given us for His kingdom.
Unfortunately, as sinners we are always looking for a better car, a bigger house, a new wardrobe, or more entertainment. On the good side, seeking to improve our lives is not sinful in and of itself; however we all need to remember to put our faith and our God first.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 We all need to evaluate how we are using our gifts and ask if we are using them in a God-pleasing way.
To God be the glory, honor and power.
Ann Stivers
Stewardship Chair
Commissioning and Installations
Our newly called workers, Kevin Rhode and Johanna Hoover, have both accepted their called positions from Trinity Congregation. On August 12, Mr. Rhode will be Commissioned and Installed, and Miss Hoover will be Installed at the 8:00 am service.
A Pot Luck sponsored by the School Board will be held at noon in the Parish Hall to honor these two teachers.
Thank You!
A huge thank you to Jill Huffman, Jennifer Rhode, Barbara Bass, and Kristin Klenda for organizing and leading this year’s Vacation Bible School and Lock-In.
New School Secretary
Ruth Coleman is the new school secretary. She is a member of Trinity and has been working during the summer to become acquainted with procedures and policies. We welcome her in her new job.
Upcoming Events
School
School begins on August 20 with an opening chapel service around 8:15 am. Everyone is invited to this service.
Sunday School
Rally Day will be held September 9 at 9:15 am. At this time students will be introduced to their teachers and promoted to their new classes. Third grade students will be given their new Bibles.
Careers in Christ Weekend
Learn more about LCMS professional programs during a weekend for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois, is hosting these students. For further information, go to CUChicago.edu/C4C or call 708-209-3100.
Quarterly Endowment Report
The Church Properties (Fund A) has a balance of $11,637.17 as of June 30, 2012. Interest and deposits totaled $57.33 for the second quarter, and the undistributed income on account is now $427.17. This can be used for any maintenance expenses at the church or school grounds.
The School (Fund B) has a balance of $159,893.80 as of June 30. Interest received this year is $4898.76 as of June 30. A total of $8,050.29 was used for tuition help for students. Remaining undistributed funds as of June 30 are $9,461.21.
A by-laws change is proposed to cap grants from the accumulated undistributed income not to exceed, in any fiscal year, 50% of the most recent fiscal year income.
Early Learning Center
This committee has already met several times and is tentatively planning to use our present facilities to begin an Early Learning Center as soon as next summer. Committee members are Sandra Baker (chair), Carol Becker, Betty Schott, Kristin Klenda, Sherri Amen, Amy Nation, Brenda Shelton (CPMC), Barry Walter, Sr., Kevin Rhode, and Pastor Frye.
In the two empty rooms in the school, 44 children could be served. The Center will be open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.
Orphan Grain Train
Expo 2012 will be held September 28 at 4 pm and lasting until the 8:30 pm dance on September 29 in Norfolk, Nebraska. If you have ever wanted to know more about Orphan Grain Train, this is your chance. There will be activities, speakers giving presentations about Ghana, Russia, Sudan, Mercy Meals, and many other things going on. Tickets are FREE for Friday evening and cost $60 per person for Saturday, including banquet and entertainment. Mail to:
Orphan Grain Train (Expo Registration)
PO Box 1466
Norfolk, NE 68702-1466
More information and a registration form to copy are in the church office.
The Feed 500 Project ships high quality meals to starving and malnourished people across the globe. These meals contain protein, carbohydrate, vegetables, vitamins and minerals in a formula designed especially for these people. Preparation requires only adding the meal to a pot of boiling water. From February to April, over 1.5 million such meals were shipped by our church’s Orphan Grain train to the following places: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Haiti, Kenya, The Philippines, Uganda
Orphan Grain Train needs money to ship these meals to more places. $15 will ship food for 500 people; $90 ships food for 3000! Donations may be mailed to the address above (excluding Expo Regis.) You may also donate by using Thrivent Choice.
Prayer Lists
Often forgotten in prayers are pastors, teachers, and missionaries who work for the Lord. Each month in this newsletter there will be a list of those for whom you can pray. Add them to your prayer list!
The following missionaries have birthdays this month:
Aug. 1 Joshua Lange, Asia
Joy Jones, Vietnam
Aug. 2 Michelle Sawyer, Hong Kong
Aug. 6 Michael Kersten, Hong Kong
Aug. 8 Megan Ferrin, Hong Kong
Aug. 9 Joyce Erber, Ghana
Aug. 10 Susan Frerking, Vietnam
Aug. 11 Fungchatou Lo, Cambodia
Aug. 13 Rachel Powell, Peru
Aug. 15 Ed Auger, Cayman Islands
Rebecca House, Asia
Aug. 16 David Mahsman, Germany
Aug. 18 Julia Lutz, Papua New Guinea
Steven Winkleman, Vietnam
Aug. 20 Sarah Schaff, Vietnam
Aug. 21 Dee Dee Wasmund, South Korea
Aug. 22 Julia Mueller, Peru
Military chaplains with August birthdays:
Chaplain Jeremy Gorline, Germany
Chaplain Michael Moreno, Norfolk, NE
Chaplain Gregory Todd, Camp Lejeune, NC
Chaplain Glen Wurdeman, Afghanistan
Birthdays in our Congregation
August 1 Kolbie Rios, Kylie Schmeeckle
August 2 Brooke Hosier, Garrett Pape, Landen Sierra
August 5 Dorothy Geer, Owen Klenda, Zane Schmeeckle, Matt Silz
August 7 Ken Becker, Caitlin Swoape
August 9 Marian Heitschmidt, Tim Hoff, Deb Poitz, Michelle Quint, Brent Schroeder
August 10 Ed Gerken
August 11 Pam Monsees, James Rees, Jana Sena, Scott Underwood
August 12 Lane Musgrave, Ryan Parsons, Thea Silz
August 13 Daniel Moore, Bob Petersen, Deanna Thompson
August 15 Roger Doll
August 16 Jill Gleason, Lindsey Silz, Sandra Smith
August 17 Landrey Walter
August 18 Ron Yetter
August 19 Tom Gonzales, LeRoy Repp, Florence Wacker
August 20 Sy Northrup, Kalissa Reagan, Kebri Reagan, Trevor Schrum, Natasha Windsheimer
August 21 Justin Frye, Kolten Kugler
August 22 Christi Jess
August 24 Jeannette Walter
August 25 Ben Blecha, Gene Schlegel, Wayne Schmeeckle, Gerry Thiel
August 27 Kelly Pauli
August 28 Glenn Doty, Blair Jess, Janet Montel
August 29 Jennifer Amen, Tammy Berbee, Brandon Schlueter
August 30 Ryanne Bolinger, Mike Groves, Pat Groves, Barry Walter III
August 31 Greg Pope, Tim Rousselle
Anniversaries in our Congregation
10 years ago… August 31
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Kugler
11 years ago… August 4
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Thiel
13 years ago… August 12
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Swoape
14 years ago… August 8
Mr. and Mrs. Sean Gleason
14 years ago…August 15
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Staley
15 years ago… August 1
Mr. and Mrs. Colby Becker
16 years ago… August 3
Mr. and Mrs. Lauren Walter
18 years ago… August 12
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Thiel
19 years ago… August 28
Mr. and Mrs. David Gray
20 years ago… August 15
Mr. and Mrs. Derek Gerken
21 years ago… August 31
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Amen
22 years ago… August 6
Mr. and Mrs. Curt Poitz
29 years ago… August 5
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Heaton
31 years ago… August 1
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Freidenberger
35 years ago… August 27
Rev. and Mrs. Frank G. Frye
38 years ago… August 24
Mr. and Mrs. Brent Schroeder
42 years ago… August 30
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Yetter
43 years ago… August 22
Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Thiel
44 years ago… August 18
Mr. and Mrs. Rod Washburn
45 years ago… August 6
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Schott
56 years ago… August 3
Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Windsheimer
56 years ago… August 5
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Petersen
PREPARING FOR
THE DIVINE SERVICE
August 5, 2012 ~
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 16:2-15
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:22-35
August 12, 2012 ~
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 19:1-8
Ephesians 4:17-5:2
John 6:35-51
August 19, 2012 ~
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Proverbs 9:1-10
Ephesians 5:6-21
John 6:51-69
August 26, 2012 ~
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 29:11-19
Ephesians 5:22-23
Mark 7:1-13