Your Weekly News & Updates
Celebrating the Life of Pat Cording
Mrs. Patricia "Pat" Hughes Cording (Garguila) died, after a short illness, in her home on January 10, 2018 (her birthday) in Orlando, FL at the age of 85.  You may read the full obituary here .

The viewing will be at Colonial Chapel Carey Hand Funeral Home at 2811 E Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32806 on Sunday, January 14 from 3-6pm. A funeral is scheduled at Trinity on Monday, January 15, 2018 at 1pm with a viewing prior to service from 12-1pm.  The family will greet guests in Trinity's Sanctuary before leaving for the privateInterment at Chapel Hill Ce metery on Harrell Road, Orlando, FL.

Update from Leadership Council President, Ted Lange
Note: Sunday Voters Meeting cancelled
This past Monday evening a large number of our congregation gathered in the sanctuary to take a step back in time and review the campus ministry plan we call the Trinity Century II plan.  Rocky Smothers led a discussion on some of the history of Trinity leading up to the focused effort of nearly 50 members of this congregation to seek God's will for Trinity Downtown. 

The New Century Center which houses our state of the art Child Development Center was the first manifestation of the vision. Rocky explained how turns of events in the economy and Trinity itself have led to delays in progress of other components of Trinity's vision for how properties support our ministries.  

The presentation ended with a number of questions from the congregation about this history but more importantly on what next for Trinity.  The original Trinity Century II plan was developed over months of time by not less than 50 individuals who passionately met concerning Trinity's future. These is also a hundred years of history of planning, sacrificing and celebrating Trinity's presence in the heart of Orlando.  Answers won't come quickly but I promise that the Leadership Council supported by the hard work of the Campus Development Task force are working on resolving our most pressing property concerns which are 1) Uniting all of our staff on the main Trinity campus, 2) developing a plan to renovate and create a sound business plan of the Magnolia Property, and 3) developing a plan of action to preserve and renovate the Ruth Lane Residences to serve the needs of the congregation. These are the immediate needs for our campus properties that will support a much stronger Trinity focus on our ministries as well as providing stability to begin planning implementation of the Trinity Century II vision.

The special voters meeting scheduled for Sunday the 14th is being postponed to provide time for the Leadership Council and Campus Development Task force to develop specific plans of action to bring back to the congregation for discussion.  We anticipate that between 45 and 60 days from now, we will be ready to spend time talking through plans with the congregation.  We will schedule a Special Voters Assembly at that time.

Moreover, Pastor Kallesen and the Leadership Council will continue to focus on our Cottage Meetings where we hope to engage small groups on their core beliefs and values concerning Trinity.  

The meeting on Monday night ended with Pastor Kallesen calling for corporate prayer for Trinity, for the Trinity family, and for those who seek to invest their time in discerning God's will for our properties.  A motion was made for all involved to set their alarm at noon each day to take a break from their activities for a quiet moment to focus on Trinity through prayer .  I encourage each and every one of you to take this time on behalf of Trinity.

The Power of Intercessory Prayer, Devotion from LCC
"So he said he would destroy them -- had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them."  Psalm106:23

Sometimes God moves sovereignly, giving you neither notice nor explanation. Other times He moves only in answer to prayer. The prayers of Rees Howells, 'the Welsh intercessor', were so powerful that they're credited with thwarting the Nazis and influencing certain events in World War II. Thank God for knowledge and ability, but some things only happen when we ' give ourselves continually to prayer ' (Acts 6:4). The Bible says God would have destroyed Israel 'had not Moses...stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath .' Behind some of the greatest spiritual awakenings in history was an unseen, unsung force known as 'intercessors'. Many of the victories we celebrate in the open are first won by such people in the secret place of prayer. It's a specialized ministry, and God could be calling you to it. Even though your limbs may not carry you beyond your own front door, through prayer you can limit Satan's movements and defeat his best-laid plans. Through prayer you can call the forces of heaven into any situation, anywhere, anytime, for anybody. No wonder Satan downplays the power of intercessory prayer and will do whatever it takes to keep us from giving ourselves to it. There's no distance in prayer. God said, ' Ask...me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession ' (Psalm 2:8). It's time to move beyond our 'bless me' prayers and start claiming bigger things for God . When what we declare on earth lines up with what God has decreed in heaven - it will be done! (See Matthew 18:18.) Trinity Reminder:  Don't forget to set your phone alarm for noon each day (or a time that works better for your schedule) to pray for the mission and ministries of Trinity, for the Trinity family, and for wisdom, discernment and courage. Thank you!

From Rocky Smothers, Campus Development Task Force
To my Trinity Brothers & Sisters in Christ who were able to attend the Trinity Town Hall Meeting on Monday evening, January 8, I thank you.  It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to 're-introduce" those present to the Trinity Century II Ministry & Site Plan ; a privilege because way too much time has passed since the Congregation adopted this vision without maintaining the necessary focus on the plan by Parish Membership.  Here are several very key components of the plan, which must be honored when any considerations are under review, to any revision of the plan details:"
  • This Trinity Property 5.2 acre site plan was presented and approved by the Orlando Historic Preservation Board, and the Orlando City Commission (with three separate votes necessary for approval), as a Planned Development.
  • All of the property owned by Trinity is platted with the City of Orlando as a single property, not individual property sections.
  • Every entrance and exit point is necessary to the Planned Development as a single property plat.
  • Any changes to the plat, or the Planned Development approved by the City of Orlando would need to go through the same review processes as the original plans presented, back in CY2008 & CY2009.
  • Engaging in such an endeavor with the City of Orlando, would be a long & tedious undertaking with no guarantee of final approval; which could I believe only be achieved with the full support of the Lake Eola Heights Homeowners Association; which as our experience tells us is challenging to garner.
You will find the "condensed" Century II, PowerPoint deck which was presented at Monday evening's Town Hall Meeting on Trinity's Website under the Official Reports tab , as well as a President's Page letter from Rocky Smothers back in January 2012, which summarized events kicking off the planning for Phase I of the development plan.

Member Photo Directories
The Directories have arrived!  Please note, each family who "sat for" or submitted a picture can pick up a directory in the Narthex this weekend. Once all those have all been picked up, we will see how many are left to be shared.  Thank you.  

Trinity's Servant Saturday 
Event: January 27  Planning Meeting: *date change to Jan 21
Trinity's next Servant Saturday event, where the Trinity Family goes out into the community to serve others, will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries in Sanford, Florida from 9am to 2pm. There will be an informational meeting held on Sunday, January 20th at 12:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact Terry Boggs at mammierocks@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating. Some of the areas that are needed for help:
  1. Winter Cleaning-Living room and kitchen is in need of deep cleaning.
  2. Refurbish Patio-Electrical expertise is needed to add a ceiling fan, staining or painting metal frames for patio furniture, hanging up pictures on cement walls, and help with redecorating with materials provided.
  3. Mommy's Day Out- Need two babysitters to give moms a few hours without their child (16 yrs and above).
  4. Wooden Swing- Knowledge of staining a swing.
  5. 2nd Patio- carpentry knowledge to add counter space for kitchenette, decorate with items given, and electrical expertise.
Sign up in the Narthex. Join us Sunday, January 21 at 12:30 in Fellowship Hall for a planning meeting!

OWLS Fellowship
On Friday, January 26 at 11:30, let's meet for lunch at Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant at 925 N. Semoran Blvd.Orlando. Please e-mail robert.w.gordon@hotmail.com or call 407-897-1418 to confirm. Wishing everyone a HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Easter Event 2018
Coming to Trinity Saturday, March 24, 2018 is "Walk with Jesus" - an interactive family event to teach and celebrate the key events of Holy Week. The first planning meeting for volunteers will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 6pm in the downstairs conference room of the Magnolia Building. Please join us to hear more about the WALK WITH JESUS curriculum and how you can help!

$20 CPR & First Aid Training - Feb 17
Trinity is hosting CPR and First Aid Training which is open to Trinity families and staff February 17, from 9am-12pm here on campus. The special reduced cost for the class is $20 per person. If you would like to sign up, please email CDCFrontdesk@trinitydowntown.com or call the office and ask to speak with Meridith Swanson  by February 2. Payment is required in advance. $20 cash or check will be accepted; checks should be made payable to Trinity.
Donuts and Devos

A Sunday morning Bible Study for youth in Middle-High School will begin on Sunday, January 21, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. in the undercroft Youth Room. Come for treats...stay for truth!

Summer VBS 2018

Coming to Trinity next summer, June 18-22. The first planning meeting will be held on Sunday, January 28 at 12:30 p.m. Please join Julia Malenke to hear more about the SHIPWRECKED curriculum and how you can help!


Trinity Lutheran School News

Do You Have Children in Grades K through 8?
Kindergarten through Grade 8 Registration for 2018-19 begins Tuesday January 23 at Trinity Lutheran School. You are invited to meet Trinity's teachers for our Round Up and Round Table events at 4:30 or 6:30 on January 23 as our enrollment campaign begins. At identical hour-long sessions, VPK families will walk through a Kindergarten day and fly through an entire year's Curriculum (yes it is true that Trinity teachers do create miracles), while Grades 1-8 teachers lead conversations about Literacy, STEM, Student Services, and After School Programs at (you guessed it) round tables for small-group interaction. Check out our 
 and reserve your spot for the Round Up or the Round Table, and to register your children for free child care or Hip-Hop lessons.

Carwash January 28
On Sunday, January 28th the 7th and 8th graders will be washing cars for $5.00 each. They will be outside the Magnolia Building from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ready to make the outside of your car look clean and sparkling! Park your car by the Magnolia Building before the church service your attending starts. An attendant will be there to show you a spot to park and collect the $5.00. The students will wash your car while you're at church. It will be ready for you to pick up after the worship service. You'll find a special note from the students on your car - look for it on the windshield. Thank you for supporting the 7th and 8th graders by getting your car washed. All the proceeds will go towards their upcoming trip to Washington D.C.  Questions?  Please contact Mrs. Strohschein at  Brittany.Strohschein@trinitydowntown.com

Trinity Lutheran School PTL News
YourParent Teacher League has a lot of important items to share with you regarding upcoming PTL events.  Please carefully read the information below:

Science Night, January 25 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Your PTL is excited to bring back Family Science Night with the Orlando Science Center.  The theme is "Bio-Adventures".  Kids will be able to visit tables that include Heart Highways, Bad to the Bone, Plants Up Close, Colorful Chlorophyll, and Mealworms.  Would YOU like to host a table and meet some TLS families? To volunteer, sign up through SignUp.com:   http://signup.com/go/RVTRvAr.  

Touch A Truck, March 3
Touch A Truck is less than 8 weeks away!  This is the schools' biggest fundraiser and a huge community outreach event for church ministry. We need your help to make it a success.  There are many opportunities to volunteer.  Currently we are in need of the following:   Finance Committee,  Sponsorship Coordinator, and many m isc. Volunteer Opportunities in prep and the event day itself.

Please support Touch A Truck by volunteering your time.  To hear more about this year's event, please join the  PTL Board Meeting on January 18 in the first loggia classroom .  The meeting will begin at 5:30 pm.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact  ptl@trinitydowntown.com .

Box Tops, Ongoing
Please reminder to continue bringing in box tops to the front office or the Narthex. This is a great way for Trinity Lutheran School to earn money for school needs. The school just received another check for $454.60 so clip, clip, clip! Thank you!

Important Dates

January 14  Voters meeting CANCELLED
January 21  National Lutheran Schools Week Kickoff
January 21  MS-HS Youth Bible Study Begins @9:30am
January 21  12:30pm Servant Saturday Planning Meeting
January 23  TLS Kindergarten Round-Up, Gr. 1-8 Round Table
January 25  Family Science Night
January 26  OWLS Fellowship
January 27  Trinity's Servant Saturday at Redeeming Life
January 28  CarWash by TLS MS Youth fundraising for D.C. trip
January 28  VBS Planning Meeting 12:30pm
February 6  "Walk with Jesus" Planning Meeting
February 14  Ash Wednesday

Attendance and Giving
Weekend of January 7

Bible Study

Children 20
Youth -- No class
Confirmation - No class
Adults 20

Worship

6pm 52
8am 54
930 85
11am  111
Total in Worship 302

Giving

Last week C & M  Actual Recd: 17,514 Budgeted: 15,250 - Over/(Short): 2,264
YTD C&M  Actual Recd: 441,337 Budgeted: 440,250  Over/(Short): 1,087
Bridge To The Future  Received: 280 YTD: 34,970
Faith Factor  Received: 1,500 YTD: 15,300
Trinity Resurrection  Received: 0 YTD: 15,080
Faithfully Forward  Received: 200 YTD: 12,275
Comfort Dog  Received: 0 YTD: 2,050

Quick Links

Trinity Downtown | 407-488-1919 | TLC@TrinityDowntown.com | TrinityDowntown.com
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