Happy Mothers Day from Pastor Doug

I sure wish I could be with you here today to celebrate Mother's Day. Although not all of us are mothers, each of us had a mother, the one who bore our tiny infant body and brought us into life and helped to raise us.  To you, Mom, thank YOU! Personally, Desiree and I will be with my mother this weekend in TN. Not only will we celebrate Mother's Day with her we will also be celebrating her 80 th birthday.

2018-2019 Stewardship

"Giving - from a heart motivated and touched by God"  

Thank you Trinity for your response!  Bob Gordon and Bob Meyer report that we are doing well with 51 pledges already in after little more than one week.  Our giving numbers also look good. If you have not yet turned in your pledge, please do so soon. I want to announce to the congregation on Sunday, May 20, how much our combined pledges total and celebrate how God has touched each of our lives and motivated us to respond with such an attitude of gratitude.

Together we are encouraged to rise to a challenge to make one step in growth in our giving of time, talent and treasure - from wherever you are now, moving just one step further. Below is a chart that represents possible growth steps in weekly giving.  Addition information on next steps for time and talent will be provided in the weeks to come.

Welcome Pastor Weerts

Many thanks to Pastor Milan Weerts for preaching this weekend while Pastor Doug is away. Pastor Weerts has recently agreed to serve as Trinity's shut-in and visitation pastor. We're thrilled to welcome him to the Trinity Ministry Team!  

More about Pastor Weerts

The Rev. Dr. Milan G. Weerts is a Nebraska native growing up on a farm. He felt the call of God into pastoral ministry as a child and graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1961. He received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He married Marjorie Ann Schmitt, Pensacola, FL (a 2 nd generation Florida native) in 1959 and they are the parents of two adopted children. All of his ministry has been in Florida except in 1988-1999 when he served as Senior Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School, Janesville, WI. He also served at Pastor here at Trinity from 1977-1988. He is currently a member of Woodlands Lutheran Church, Montverde, FL and also assists with visiting Homebound and Shut-ins at that congregation. You may contact him via email Milan.Weerts@TrinityDowntown.com.

Baby Bottle Fundraising for Redeeming Life Starts Now

Welcome Deaconess, Liz Borth, from Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries as she shares with us the importance of the work of Redeeming Life's maternity home and transitional housing!  The Baby Bottle Fundraising Campaign for Redeeming Life Maternity Home starts this weekend and runs through Fathers Day! In celebration of life, Trinity members have the opportunity to partner with Redeeming Life Maternity Home as they reach out to pregnant women in crisis.  Redeeming Life provides critical services to expectant mothers and their unborn children by giving them hope and an opportunity for a bright future.  The home provides residents, some of whom believe that their only option is abortion, a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered home. At Redeeming Life they experience, many for the first time, what it means to love and to be loved in Christ, while learning to support themselves and their child. It's easy to participate. Just pick up a baby bottle at one of the exits on Mothers Day and fill it with coins, cash or a check over the coming weeks. Bring it back to church on Fathers Day and know that your generosity is making a huge difference for the women and babies being served at Redeeming Life!

Meeting Monday at 6:30pm

Campus Development Task Force town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary.  Learn more about what campus plans are being made to adjust to meet ministry needs.

Reaching out to Orlando's Homeless

Servant Saturday for the WHOLE TRINITY FAMILY!

On Saturday, May 19th, from 9-11am (optional lunch together afterward) volunteers from throughout our Trinity family are invited to participate in a fantastic opportunity to reach out to our homeless neighbors AND to learn from some of our local ministry partners who serve to meet the needs of Orlando's homeless day in and day out!  We'll be serving with, and receiving training from, staff from the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness and the HOPE Team ! THIS is an opportunity you don't want to miss!! The TRINITY FAMILY will help by providing a "surge" of people who can reach and connect with more of our homeless neighbors in a single day.   You must be 18 or older to participate .  If we have some youth who want to help out, we can have a second group (also for anyone who can't be out in the heat) who can assemble hygiene kits with toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, and personal notes in the office during this same time frame. The CFCOH provide refreshments for volunteers, and will gather everyone together after the experience briefly to share thoughts and insights. SIGN UP NOW, as space is limited.  Email  TLC@TrinityDowntown.com or call 407-488-1919 x101 with your name, email and cell phone number or sign up online at https://goo.gl/forms/TzrNgcEMi6HvLjm82 

New Women's Bible Study starts Tuesday

Living a Chocolate Life is a women's Bible study that warmly invites all to savor God's rich and endless supply of grace in Christ. Whether you're sampling bitter nuggets of pain to sweet morsels of joy, this study reminds you that the Holy Spirit fills us with sweet faith in our Savior-and it is only He who can truly satisfy. Written with a fun chocolate theme, each session focuses on one aspect of life as a Christian woman, encouraging you towards introspection and personal reflection. Designed to be 45-60 minutes long, each session includes at least one recipe for a chocolate dessert item, a Bible verse to memorize, chocolate trivia, and suggestions for group activities. Answers are provided in the back. Created for women 18 years and older, this study is ideal for women who have never attended a Bible study, or for women who are looking for a different type of Bible study.

This women's group, "WOW" (Women of the Word) meets on Trinity's campus in the first floor conference room of the Magnolia building on Tuesday mornings from 9-10:30am. For questions or directions message through Facebook, email TLC@TrinityDowntown.com or call the office at 407-488-1919 x101.

Adoption & Foster Care (AFC) Ministry Team

Do you have a heart for God's children? If yes, then we need YOU! We are starting a new human care ministry team at Trinity, the Adoption and Foster Care Ministry Team, and are looking for members to participate and families we can serve! Which of the categories below do you fit in?

1) I've adopted or fostered a child (or children).

2) I might be interested in adopting or fostering in the future.

3) I'm not called to foster or adopt, but I know God has called us to serve Him by supporting these children and families in some way.

In the coming months, we'll be hosting meetings for people in each category.  The first meeting is for those who have adopted/fostered before and will be held on June 3 at 12:30 in first loggia classroom (hallway west of the Sanctuary, classroom furthest from the church).  Please email Kelley Lane at skyblu@bellsouth.net, with the heading "AFC Ministry Team" and let her know which category you fall under and to RSVP for our first meeting if you have adopted or fostered. If you know anyone else who might be interested - perhaps a neighbor or coworker who has adopted or fostered, please share the news, and give them Kelley's information. We cannot wait to serve the Lord in this manner that's so near and dear to His heart!

Singing Opportunities!

There are two great opportunities coming up to sing praises to God with a choir (no long-term commitment!):

Come help the Parish Choir fill the choir loft as we Make a MORE Joyful Noise! and serve the Lord with Gladness!  See a Choir member or email Paul at sooster67@yahoo.com or Glenda at whitemice@bellsouth.ne t for additional information.

Lay Leadership Elections

Christ's blessings & peace! Brother Ted has appointed me to chair this year's Nomination Committee. I wanted you to know who your Nominating committee folks are and bring you a short update! The committee consists of: Pastor Doug, Sr. Elder Tom Finger, Maggie Bowles, Mary Beth Brink, Kelley Lane and me. Please thank these folks for their service when you see them. Our task is straight forward this year. Only 2 positions are up for the Leadership Council Members at Large (odd years), Tim Norris and Gregg Yawman.  Both are eligible for another term. There are also some Elder position that will need filling. Please be sure to get your nominations submitted as soon as you can via email to nomcom@trinitydowntown.com or notify any Leadership Council Member for Leadership and Pastor or Tom for any Elder nominations. You can of course also let any committee member know as well or the Church Office.

There has been some questions recently about whether or not multiple nominations for the same position are allowed. Of course they are! The best elections have multiple voting opportunities for any position. Without this, elections could be rubber stamped and redundant. So, I encourage you to pray about the two LC and Elder positions and who you think should be nominated. Please submit these names soon. God's blessings for your efforts and support. JBWYA! Respectfully, Gregg Yawman, NomCom Chair

Comfort Dog Update

Passing of the Vest Ceremonies June 30 & July 1

Trinity's LCC Comfort Dog arrives on June 23 when our team of seven Handlers returns from training in Chicago. Join us at any of four worship services on the weekend of June 30 & July 31 for the Passing of the Vest ceremony where Trinity's Comfort Dog is officially presented to the congregation and the community by Lutheran Church Charities. Services times are Saturday, June 30 at 6pm, or Sunday, July 1 at either 8am, 930am or 11am. After each Sunday service Trinity will host a reception where everyone will have an opportunity to meet and greet Trinity's comfort dog in person as well as members of the Comfort Dog Ministry Team, and many friends and supporters of this ministry. Trinity Downtown is blessed to become a part of this amazing ministry which out into the community sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ! This invitation is open to all! Please share! To learn more about how you can support this outreach initiative, please visit http://church.trinitydowntown.com/comfort-dog-ministry/ .

Yoga at Trinity

Thank you to all who came to our first Trinity Yoga class. It was a big hit with 15 attendees. Next class will be Monday May 21 -  every first and third Mondays. Email Beth at baschu4@bellsouth.net  to confirm you're coming. Class starts at 7, please arrive by 6:50pm. THANK YOU!  Bring With You : A Yoga mat (and block if you have), $5, Comfy clothes, smile and enthusiasm!!! (Yoga class meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall)

Calling Trinity's Youth!  

If you currently are in grades 8-11 it is time to really think about the opportunity of participating in our Synod's National Youth Gathering that takes place in July of 2019.  This is an opportunity to grow closer to God and see His presence in YOUR life.

What is the National Youth Gathering?

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=QbGw8dVAvMc&feature=youtu.be

We would fly to Minneapolis the day before the events begin and prepare for 5 days of worship, fellowship, exhaustion, faith building, Bible study, singing, playing games, and friendship growth with our group and 25,000 of our closest brothers and sisters from around the world!  In a time when the world doesn't always put Christ first, what an awesome blessing and opportunity this is to be with fellow believers.

What can I expect for the 2019 Youth Gathering REAL.PRESENT.GOD? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOECFFmfaa8

Please think about, pray about, and ask questions!  Talk with Julia Malenke, Crystal Jones, or Jennifer Blackwood about their Gathering experiences as youth and adults!  They will all tell you wonderful stories of fellowship and growth. We have this summer to really think about the year of preparing to go to the Gathering. There will be fundraising events such as parking cars on campus during Downtown events, the possible return of the Sweetheart dinner, bake sales, and sponsorships.  The preparing is really part of the whole Gathering experience.

Non-refundable registration of approximately $350 will be due in December.  The total estimated expense for the 5 days including air, hotel, food costs, and program costs is expected to be about $1,300 per youth.  We have great potential to be very successful in fundraising efforts to cut those costs to at least half if not more.

We hope you are excited about this opportunity!

Recognizing our Trinity Family Graduates on June 3

If you or someone you love is graduating this year, please send in their name and details of where they're graduating from (what school/what grade/program/degree), and we'll share it during announcements during worship on June 3. Email TLC@TrinityDowntown.com or call 407-488-1919x101. We'll also include photos of our TLS graduates: 78 VPK grads, 18 Kindergarten grads and 4 Eighth Grade grads!  Congrats!

Camp Trinity Early Registration Open Now

Read our latest blog about all that's planned for 2018 Camp Trinity! Like and share to let friends and neighbors know about TLS Camp Trinity too!

Ministry Partner News

Redeeming Life Maternity Home

RLOM is searching for a new Residential Manager to work with the ministry. Position Summary:  "As the Residential Manager you will reside in the home, on duty 5 days per week, with our residents and provide a positive, safe and orderly living environment for all.  To that end, you will be responsible for the day to day operation of the household. You will assist the Director of Program Ministries in monitoring residents program goals and responsibilities.  While you will have private living quarters much of you time will be spent interacting with and providing support to the residents." For the full job description or to apply, please contact Sheryl DeWitt at sheryl@rlom.org .

Important Dates

May 13 Happy Mother's Day-RLOM Baby Bottle Fundraising Starts

May 14 Campus Development Task Force Town Hall Meeting 6:30 Sanctuary

May 19 Servant Saturday in Downtown Orlando with the HOPE team and CFCOH

May 20 Confirmation Sunday 11am worship

June 3 Make a Joyful Noise 8am & 11am

June 3  Adoption and Foster Ministry Team - meeting for adoptive/foster parents

June 11   Campus Development Task Force Town Hall Meeting 6:30 Sanctuary

June 18-22  Summer VBS: Shipwrecked

June 25 (Monday) Voters Assembly Meeting 6:30 Sanctuary

June 30 & July 1 Comfort Dog Passing of the Vest Ceremony at all worship services

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