Trinity Weekly
News & Updates
April 10, 2021
Voters Meeting
All safety protocols will be followed as in worship services, and so we'll be meeting in-person in the Sanctuary THIS Sunday, April 11, after worship (about 11:30am). Please join your Trinity family to learn more about how things are going and plans moving forward! Documents attached here, and will be presented at the meeting as well.

Voters Meeting 4.11.21 PowerPoint for Finances
Forward In Ministry Survey - begins next week IMPORTANT AND TIME SENSITIVE
You will hear more about this survery in the Voters Meeting this Sunday.
Through this brief survey (approximately 15 minutes), which will be made available to you in next week's Trinity Weekly, we want to check in with you to see how Trinity might better serve you and move forward in ministry in the weeks and months ahead as we turn the corner on this COVID-19 season. Surveys will be shared both digitally and in print. You may choose either. Please be candid in your responses. Your responses will be confidential (i.e., select church leaders will see only aggregated responses and open-ended comments; avoid personal identifiable information in comments). Please complete this survey online (or return print copies to the the church office) no later than Wednesday, April 28.
Thank you, in advance, for helping us better understand our Trinity family ministry needs and opportunities.
NEXT WEEKEND APRIL 18
"FAM" - Care Communities for Foster/Adoption Families
Thank you to all who have responded in interest to Trinity's Family Advocacy Ministry (FAM) awareness and orientation events. Since November, we have had 7 members go through our equipping orientation, to be a part of the Care Communities we will be forming around foster families who live around us. Did you know that 90% of foster families who have Care Communities to wrap around them, feel so supported that they end up fostering more children, and for longer lengths of time? This is why we're so excited about this ministry! Our next awareness event is Sunday, March 18, 11:15 in the loggia 3 classroom (just west of the Sanctary). Just ONE hour of your Sunday for a truly important cause. The next step will be the equippng session, Wednesday, March 21 at 7pm via Zoom.

Kelley is also happy to host a mini event for your small group Bible study - online or in person. Please email her at skyblu@bellsouth.net.

To RSVP to foster care movie awareness event next Sunday (4/18, from 11:15-12:15), please click here: Promise Serves - A Promising Plan for the Welfare of Children.  Please let Kelley Lane know if you will be attending virtually or in person, by emailing skyblu@bellsouth.net.
To RSVP to the volunteer orientation, on Wednesday (4/21 from 7-8 pm), click here: Promise Serves - A Promising Plan for the Welfare of Children
Easter Lily Sponsorships

Thank you for Your Sponsorships of Easter Lilies

Donated by Calvin and Lynn Wacker
in loving memory of Linda Stroker
and in thanks for Hudson Wacker.

Donated by Doug and Desiree Kallesen
in loving memory of Orville and Polly Boggess, Lyle Kallesen,
and in thanks for Jesus, Everyone’s Savior.

Ushers and Greeters Needed

“If any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” John 12:26
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

No experience is necessary—only the desire to give unto our Lord and allow all those who enter Trinity's sanctuary to feel welcome and be a part of our family here at Trinity.
As our numbers in worship are increasing, our need is growing to have our team of "Those Who Serve in Worship" fully staffed with volunteers. Our goal is to have ushers and greeters serve just once a month on behalf of He who saved us. You may also ask to be scheduled for just one service to partner with a veteran usher and see what it's like before signing up for once a month service. If you feel that tug on your heart to serve your Lord in some way and make our church feel more like home to all who visit, or if you have any questions, call or email Brian Paul, 407-489-3363, bpaul1@hotmail.com.
Peace Comfort Dog LOVED seeing you this Easter
Peace isn't just there for Trinity's worship services, she's reaching out into our community with God's love and compassion! So, if you know of someone who would love to be visited by Peace and her team, please talk to Paul Soost or any member of the Comfort Dog team. They would love your help in getting Peace's schedule booked up a bit more. And if you're interested in being part of Team Peace, please talk to Paul Soost. Have you thought about being a handler and taking Peace on visits? There's a place for you on our team. Talk to Paul Soost at sooster67@yahoo.com!

Missionary Update - Wasmunds
Dear friends and family, As we approach the end of Lent, we continue to reflect on what Jesus has done for us by going to the cross. We send you our latest update. You should be able to view it by downloading a higher resolution PDF version. Peace in Christ to you,
The Wasmunds: Matt, Dee Dee, Lily and Olivia
LCMS missionaries in East Asia

Misionary Update - Lehmans
The Lord has continued to bless the mission here in Spain through the Lenten season.
Please click the link below to read our newsletter. It will fill you in on all that is going on with our family and with your brothers and sisters in Christ living in Spain. Read Newsletter
Sponsor a Child's Bible
Do you know the purpose statement of Trinity's Child Development Center? We've just updated it this year and we feel very, very grateful for what Trinity Downtown is able to provide to local children and families through the CDC. The purpose statement is:

Trinity Lutheran School's Child Development Center
nurtures the development of the whole child 
from a core foundation of faith, 
preparing them spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally
in partnership with their family
for future academic success and to lead purpose-filled lives for Christ.

So, in keeping with our purpose, each year Trinity Downtown gives a brand new children's Bible, The Jesus Storybook Bible, to every child who graduates from our four VPK classes. As these children leave our Lutheran child care center and begin Kindergarten at a new school, we send with them, and their families, the best gift we can give - a foundation of faith, nurturing and preparating, and the Word of God -- with a note inside that will remind them for years to come of their Trinity Family!

Each Bible is $7 or a case of 20 for $139. Please consider sponsoring one or more Bibles for these children. Checks can be sent to the office or dropped in the offerring plate with VPK BIBLES written in the memo line.
Sharing Trinity Family Moments
Send in your photos of Trinity Family moments- pictures of your study groups, special birthdays, rehearsals, etc. With so much isolation right now, let's do more to share photos and stories to keep in touch. We'll share them in the Weekly. Send to Chanda at TLC@TrinityDowntown.com.
Trinity Family Moment
Early morning Easter fun with the Cox family!
Portals of Prayer
The April-June edition of the Portals of Prayer devotional booklets are available now in the Narthex (free).

If you aren't back to worshipping in person and would like to pick up one in the office or at drive-through communion, please email TLC@TrinityDowntown.com so we can make sure they're in the right place for you.

Thanks!
Livestreaming
We're livestreaming Sunday 10am worship every weekend.

If you need any help finding any services or subscribing to our YouTube channel, please contact Chanda at TLC@TrinityDowntown.com or 407-490-7339.

You can find the Saturday services on Trinity's website and posted on Facebook weekly.
Children's Sunday School and MS/HS Youth Bible Study
These Sunday classes are not yet meeting in-person. Planning is underway now with tentative plans to re-launch Children's and Youth Bible Studies in August with the new school year.
Christian Yoga
Christian Yoga continues online via Zoom on Mondays @ 6:30pm. Now more than ever - the relaxation of yoga is a tremendous benefit. Email Beth for more information at baschu4@bellsouth.net.
Support Trinity Downtown while you shop!  
Start your Amazon shopping from Amazon smile, and you’ll a small percentage of your shopping totals will be donated to Trinity ministries! THANK YOU!
CONNECT - LEARN - GROW

Small groups connect you to others where you can learn, connect, and grow in ways which will strengthen and equip you to share the gospel and serve in your local community and beyond! That’s straight from Trinity’s mission statement and our commitment to bring people one step closer to Jesus.
 
Trinity’s mission: to share the gospel through ministries which strengthen and equip people for Christian witness and services in downtown, metropolitan Orlando and the world.  

Currently Running Groups (see red notes for NEW info)

Immerse Bible Reading Experience, Book 2: Beginnings
  • Book needed, daily readings, eight week plan
  • MONDAYS at 7pm with Pastor Doug, via ZOOM.
  • Join Zoom Meeting by going to this link:
  • Meeting ID: 871 5950 5495
  • Passcode: 872275
  • More info about ordering, audio book access and supplemental materials can be found HERE
Immerse: Beginnings is the second of six volumes for use in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Beginnings takes the reader on a new and unique journey through the first five books of the Bible: the Pentateuch. In Beginnings readers follow the ancient nation of Israel from its earliest ancestors to the moment it is poised to enter the land God promised them. As God’s covenant community follows the instructions laid out in the Pentateuch, they not only receive God’s blessings but also are uniquely positioned to bring renewal and healing to the world and to show all peoples the true character and nature of God.

Grief Share - Grief Recovery Support Group
  • New Series BEGINS MAY 4, 2021
  • Discussion leader is Norma Smith, contact at normie1939@gmail.com
  • Tuesdays at 1pm, Fellowship Hall, in-person, workbook needed
  • Each weekly session is a stand-alone session - so you can join at any time and at any pace!
GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. You’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. Grief Share support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and have been trained to facilitate this support group. Please share with others who may need to hear about this. These groups are open to all. To learn more visit https://www.griefshare.org/ . Questions? Contact Trinity’s Ministry & Communications Coordinator, Chanda, at 407-490-7339 or TLC@TrinityDowntown.com
 
Participants will gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. It is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. GriefShare meets weekly for 13 weeks. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:
  • Video seminar with experts Each week your GriefShare group will watch a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic reenactments, and on-location video.
  • Support group discussion with focus After viewing the video, you and the other group members will spend time as a support group, discussing what was presented in that week’s video seminar and what is going on in your lives.
  • Personal study and reflection During the week you will have the opportunity to use your workbook for further personal study of the grieving process and to help sort out your emotions through journaling. Your group will spend time discussing questions and comments from the workbook study.

Prayer Bible Study Group
Pastor Doug leads an evening prayer group on Wednesdays at 7pm. For a weekly check-in, a lesson on prayer, and time to pray with and for one another, contact Pastor Doug for the Zoom meeting invitation at doug.kallesen@trinitydowntown.com.

Adult Bible Study - Studying Lectionary Readings
Sunday Mornings 8:45am adult group will meeting in-person at Trinity with the option of Zoom link for those who aren't yet meeting in-person! Studying lectionary readings each week. Contact Gregg Yawman at gyawman@instetag.com for moreinformation.

Adult Bible Study - IMMERSE Bible Reading Experience - POETS coming up next
DATES TBA
  • Sunday mornings
  • Tuesday morning and evening
  • Saturday evening

Tuesday Morning Women’s Group, "Women of the Word" - WOW
Jump in anytime!
  • Book needed $13, weekly reading assignment, jump in anytime
  • Tuesdays at 9am, Loggia 3, in-person. Contact Terry at mammierocks@yahoo.com to sign up.
"Surrendered" (40 Devotions to Help You Let Go & Live Like Jesus) by Barb Roose.
If you struggle with control, this devotional is for you. Are you in the midst of a hard or heartbreaking season of life? Do you try to control your situation or other people? Do you struggle to let go? ...If you answered yes to any of these questions, this forty-day devotional journey is for you. Within these pages, you're invited to embrace the life-giving power of surrender as you learn to let go and live like Jesus-fully trusting God's power, presence, promises, and provision for your life.

Online/At Your Own Pace

Rev. Milan Weerts shares a study on "The End Times" and "The Gospel of John." You can follow along via Pastor Weerts' Facebook page. Pastor Weerts uses the ESV translation but you can use your own favorite translation for study as well. If you have specific End Times questions, send them to Pastor Weerts at StrongInChrist@CFL.RR.COM   
Covid-19 Safety Procedures

Visitors on Campus
Masks are required for all those visiting the Trinity campus. You are required to respect a six foot minimum distancing from the person you are scheduled to meet with. If you feel ill or have been exposed to or test positive for Covid-19, please do not enter the campus. We will gladly reschedule the meeting to a Zoom meeting if needed.

Use of Trinity meeting rooms for Bible Study groups or meetings
  • masks are required of all attending (all those over 2 years old)
  • 6 feet distancing is required between all individuals not in the same primary household
  • no food or drink during meetings because this requires one to remove their mask to eat or drink .

Sanctuary Capacity with Social Distancing
Please note that we are able to accommodate fewer than our usual maximum capacity in the Sanctuary while following social distancing guidelines. With many still worshiping online from home, we do not believe we will reach that capacity right away and plan to move to two services on Sunday before that happens. However, if that increase in attendance happens more quickly than expected, we may find ourselves in a situation where we have to turn someone away once the Sanctuary is full. Please be aware of this possibility and know that we are doing our best to anticipate attendance and seating needs.

Required Quarantine
*We ask that if you have had direct exposure (within 6ft, 15 min, with or without a mask) to someone who is now being Covid tested because they suspect they are ill or were directly exposed, please self-quarantine until you find out that person's results. If that person tests negative, all is well. However, if that person tests positive, you have now been directly exposed to someone who is positive and must take the necessary CDC steps to quarantine until: 1- you have experienced 6 days of NO symptoms and a PCR on day 7 that comes back negative, OR 2- you have experienced a full 10 days completely symptom free. Thank you to all who have taken these steps to keep others safe!

Required Notice
If you (staff member, church or CDC family, guest, volunteer, etc) have had direct exposure to someone who believes they may have been exposed and are now getting tested, or have had direct 1:1 exposure to someone positive for Covid-19, or test positive for Covid-19 yourself, and have been on Trinity's Campus for worship, volunteering or other reasons, please immediately notify a member of Trinity's Administrative Team (Pastor Doug Kallesen, Chanda Gillenwater, Liz Roberts or Patty Moser - email TLC@TrinityDowntown.com). Your name will be kept in confidence, while Trinity makes its best effort to determine which others you may have had contact with to inform them of the need for testing and/or quarantine.

Worship Safety Procedures - MUST READ
  • If you are feeling ill, have a fever or any of the symptoms related to Covid-19, please stay home and join us for ONLINE worship.
  • The wearing of masks is required for all in attendance except for children under the age of two. Proper use is required - mask should fully cover your nose and mouth for the entire service, even while singing.
  • The Pastor is permitted to remove his mask to give the sermon in order to communicate effectively - for this reason the front two pews of church will remain empty to allow for additional distancing between the pastor and guests.
  • All hymnals, Bibles, pencils, attendance and prayer cards have been removed from the pews. There will be no printed bulletin. This removes all items which would have multiple contacts.
  • The carpets will have been steam cleaned and sanitized. All surfaces inside the Sanctuary will be sanitized, including the pews and pew cushions. These areas will be re-sanitized after the Saturday night service in preparation for Sunday morning.
  • Please enter the Sanctuary from the front (south) doors or the west side door (ramp).
  • There will be hand sanitizer available at both the front door and west side door - please use before you enter and as you leave.
  • You will be welcomed into the Sanctuary by an usher or greeter who will escort you to your seat. They will also be able to answer any questions that you might have.
  • The pews and aisles will be marked to facilitate safe social distancing.
  • No hugs or handshakes are permitted.
  • We will be administering in-pew communion rather than having the congregation proceed to the altar to receive the bread and wine. Each communicant will be given a sanitized plastic bag containing the bread and wine (gluten-free wafers will be available to those who need them) at their seat. Pastor will provide instructions detailing the exact procedure to be followed at each service.
  • At the conclusion of the service everyone will be asked to remain seated until it is their row’s turn to leave the sanctuary.
  • Collection plates will be placed at the front doors and west side door from the church to receive the tithes and offerings of those attending the service.
  • There will be receptacles for the used communion kits at each exit as well.
  • Worship will be posted online as it has been, so if you are feeling ill or wish to worship from home for any reason, you may certainly do so!

* Childcare/nursery will not be available until further notice. Children are always welcome in worship services!
* Children's Sunday School and Youth Bible Study decisions are being made now. Updates coming soon.
Community News
LCS is Hiring a Part Time Receptionist
Lutheran Counselign Services is looking for a part time front desk receptionist. The job will consist of answering phones, scheduling and checking in clients. If you are interested in joining a professional staff who offer a variety of mental health services,and want to help those in need you can go to "lcsfl.com - who we are - join our team", to see a full detailed description of the position.  LCS is a nonprofit 501c(3) with many of our services funded through grants and donors. This allows us to offer sliding scale fees to the clients and supplement therapist fees. At LCS, our clients find a safe and caring environment where licensed mental health professionals provide counseling services that are available to the entire Central Florida community. We hope you will prayerfully consider joining our team. https://lcsfl.com/who-we-are/join-our-team.html

Maintaining Mental Health During Difficult Times
Saturday, April 10, 9-11am. Learn from mental health professionals how coping with stress and the unknown in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about and your neighborhood stronger. Learn techniques to share with your neighborhood to reduce stress and maintain a positive attitude. CLICK HERE
The St. Luke's Concert Series
To view ONLINE concerts, visit St Luke's website for links. Links to watch live.
April 11 Voters Meeting, 11:30am, Sanctuary
April 16 Moving Forward In Ministry Sruvey Begins
April 18 Awareness Meeting for "FAM"
April 21 Equipping Meeting for "FAM"
Apr 28 Final Deadline for Survey Responses
Submit your prayer requests by emailing them to TLC@TrinityDowntown.com.
Your prayer request will be added to Trinity’s weekly emails for the congregation.
All prayers are kept on the list for a period of three weeks, so please resubmit long term prayer needs regularly.

Those Fighting Cancer 
Jamie J, Rick B, Sandy A, Karl S, Bruce S, Christine M, Gail W
 
Health Concerns 
Charlie L, Norma Simmons, Clara M, Hazel H, Tuley B, Jessica and family, Allen C, Claudia K
 
Other
Mindy, H, Karen E, Margaret

Peace and Comfort
  • For the family and friends of Everette Fischer (member of Zion Lutheran) Everette Henry Fischer was born on October 9, 1933 in Gotha, Florida and passed away on April 5, 2021 in Ocoee, Florida. Visitation will be held on April 15, 2021 at 5:00 pm at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 428 E PLANT ST, WINTER GARDEN, FL. Funeral Service will be held on April 16, 2021 at 1:30 pm at Zion Lutheran Church, 16161 Marsh Road, Winter Garden, FL. Committal Service will be held on April 16, 2021 at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL. Reception will be held on April 16, 2021 at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 428 E PLANT ST, WINTER GARDEN, FL.
  • For the family and friends of Robert E. Trapp, Sr. Robert's Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, April 17 at 11am at Trinity Downtown followed by a Reception in teh gymnasium. Robert Edwin Trapp, 97, was born on October 9, 1923 at 8 South Hughey Avenue, Orlando, and has been a lifelong resident of Orlando. His parents, Maria Dorthea Mueller Trapp and Rev. George A. Trapp came to Gotha, Florida in 1915 where he was installed as the Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church. During that time Pastor Trapp served the mission station in Orlando and organized and was founding Pastor of what became Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Orlando, (Trinity Downtown) where Robert has been a lifetime faithful member. He attended Hillcrest Elementary, Memorial Junior High and graduated Orlando High School, class of 1941. Robert served honorably during World War II in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman-Pharmacist Mate, second class, from 1942-1946. His lifelong career was in insurance. He was employed at the American Fire and Casualty Company and in 1969 it became Ohio Casualty Company where he advanced to Vice President of the Auto Casualty Division. He retired after 44 years on January 1, 1986. While there he met and fell in love with his wife of 65 years, Josephine M. Trapp, who preceded him to God's home in 2015. Robert was the last of Pastor Trapp's boys. Preceding and still greatly loved and missed are brothers George A., 1981, Louis O., 1998, and Elmer G., 2003 and recently includes the losses of sister-in-laws Peggy Trapp, 2018, Catherine Henderson, 2020, and Lee Trapp, 2021. Left to grieve but celebrate his life are sons Robert Edwin Trapp, Jr. and his wife Debra Anne, Orlando; John "Rick" Fredrick Trapp, Orlando; Michael Louis Trapp and his wife Jo "Jo" Ann Trapp, Apopka; 3 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be private. A memorial service will be planned at a later date at Trinity Downtown. We'll post an update as soon as details are known.

Surgery and Recovery/Hospitalized

Confidential Prayers
For those prayers that have been shared in confidence, you know the details, Lord. We lift them up to you.

Our Trinity Missionaries
Wasmund Family in East Asia, Trump Family in Kenya, Clausing Family in Tanzania, Lehman Family in Spain, Young Family in Kenya
 
For Our Communities - For Our Nation - For Our World
We pray for our nation, for our Nation's leaders, for its people, and for our future together as One Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all! We pray that we may all be a reflection of Christ's love, sharing grace and mercy, living in peace with one another. Let's reach out, listen, connect, and have those hard conversations. Love is first. Love wins.

Additional Prayers
  • For all those caring for aging and/or ill family members in need
  • Prayers for our CDC staff & families, Trinity membership and all Trinity staff & leaders
  • For all those struggling with mental health issues
  • Prayers for all of the front line workers in our community and nation; our doctors, nurses, EMT, fire fighters, special needs caregivers, essential workers and police.
  • Prayers for all those who have Covid-19 to be restored to full health
  • Prayers for those who have lost their job or who have been furloughed. And we give thanks for those who have found new employment or have been able to return to their jobs.
  • Prayers of thanks for God’s daily provisions. 
 
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