Trinity Weekly
September 3, 2021 Edition
|
|
What is Labor Day?
What does Labor Day mean to you? Can it teach us something about how we, as Christians, and Lutherans, "live in the world, exercise our faith, and find meaning in what we do?" We've found a great article on just that! Exerpts from "A Lutheran Look at Labor Day" from the Lutheran Witness September, 2010 (full issue here):
Christians, and Lutherans in particular, are in a position to revitalize Labor Day. The early church took over pagan holidays and gave them a distinctly Christian meaning. Christians today can do the same with Labor Day, turning it into a holiday that honors, celebrates, and reflects upon the doctrine of vocation.
God’s Labor and Our Labor “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him” (1 Cor. 7:17).
The word vocation comes from the Latin word for “calling.” It means that God assigns us to certain courses of life and then calls us to different tasks, offices, and avenues for service.
The doctrine of vocation is Luther’s theology of the Christian life. It has to do with how Christians are to live in the world, how they exercise their faith, and how their ordinary lives are charged with meaning. More specifically, vocation addresses how God works through human beings. He gives us our daily bread through the vocation of farmers, millers, and bakers. He protects us by means of the governing authorities. He grants healing by means of the medical vocations. He creates works of beauty by working through artists and musicians. He creates new life and cares for children by means of mothers and fathers. God is at work in all of the people who do things for us—the ones who built our houses, made our clothing, prepared our food, picked up our trash, designed the technology that we enjoy, worked in the factories to manufacture what we need, gave us services to make our lives easier—and He is at work through us. Luther goes so far as to say that vocation is a “mask of God,” that behind the server in the restaurant who brings us our food, behind the shopkeeper, behind the business executive, and behind us in the things that we do for others, God Himself is hidden.
When we thank God for our meals and for all of our other blessings, we are acknowledging His labor that is manifested in human labor. Vocation is another example of the Lutheran principle that God works through means. In His spiritual kingdom, God works through the Word and Sacraments. In His earthly kingdom, He works through vocation to care providentially for all of His creation. Being conscious of vocation makes us appreciate all the people through whom God serves us, helping us see in every laborer the presence of God.
Contrary to today’s usage, the word vocation does not just mean “job.” Each Christian has multiple callings that can be categorized into what Luther describes as the three estates that God has established for human life: the church, the household, and the civil government (Large Confession 1528; Luther’s Works 37). All Christians have been “called by the Gospel” and, by virtue of their Baptisms, are made part of the Church.
CHURCH God calls pastors through whom He proclaims His Word and administers His Sacraments... Laypeople, too, have callings in the Church, as they serve each other in the ordinary work of the congregation: singing in the choir, serving on boards and committees, passing out bulletins, and taking part in the church’s ministries.
FAMILY God has also called us into families, into the vocations of the household. Fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters are all, in the words of Luther’s Small Catechism, “holy orders” in which God has placed us. Luther classifies the work by which we make our livings for ourselves and our families—the modern sense of vocation—within the estate of the household, thus subordinating work to family. One might wonder why on Labor Day, we don’t work on a day that honors work. For Luther, spending time with our families is one of the most important vocations that we have.
COMMUNITY God has also called us into a civil society—into a community, a nation, a culture. Thus, we have the vocation of citizen. Christians should thus exercise the duties of citizenship, which for Americans include voting, deliberating on the issues of the day, and actively participating in the culture where God has placed us. To these estates, Luther adds a more general category he calls “the common order of Christian love” (Large Confession 1528). This is the realm in which we interact with people from all vocations in the course of everyday life. It includes friendships, informal interactions, and the realm of the Good Samaritan. Here too we are called to service.
The purpose of every vocation, according to Luther, is to love and serve our neighbors. Scripture tells us to love God and to love our neighbors (Luke 10:27). Our relationship to God, though, is not based on what we do. Nor is our love for God anything of our doing. “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Our relationship with God is based solely on the gift of His Son. But our faith in Him bears fruit in love for God, who then sends us into our vocations to love our neighbors (see The Freedom of the Christian; Luther’s Works 31). Each vocation has its own neighbors whom we are to love and serve.
Christians have good reason to celebrate Labor Day, which, in light of vocation, can be an occasion to thank God for His gifts and His presence in the work that He gives us to do and in the work through which we are blessed by others.
|
|
Specific Needs in Worship Services
- PowerPoint / Soundboard Operators and ushers are needed for 11:15am worship (students with PowerPoint experience are welcome to serve)
- Additional ushers for 9am and 11:15am (since 10am volunteers were split)
- Additional greeters for the 9am and 11:15am services so we're able to have one at each door
|
|
THANK YOU - September Serving Schedule
Thanks to all who are serving in worship! We have multiple openings and needs to fill, but we're looking much better as we approach moving to two services each Sunday. You can view this schedule on the website as well at church.trinitydowntown.com/those-who-serve.
|
|
|
Sunday School for Adults 10:15-11:00am |
|
Sunday School / Classes for Children and Students 10:15-11:00am |
|
Childrens Sunday School, MS/HS Sunday School and Confirmation Start September 12
-
Children's Sunday School for children 4 years through 5th grade will utilize a curriculum published by Kingdom Quest. Serving this year: PreK-4 and Kindergarten with Mrs. JoAnne Gueswelle: 1st-2nd grades with Mrs. Desiree Kallesen, and 3rd through 5th grades with Mrs. Gail Wilkosz.
-
MS and HS Youth Bible Study will begin with a study of Paul, co-lead by Faith Finger and her father Tom Finger, utlizing Right Now Media video study resources.
-
Confirmation Instruction will be co-lead by Pastor Doug Kallesen and Mr. Tim Norris, studying from Luther's Small Catechism and various resources.
For details and to PRE-REGISTER NOW:
for MS/HS Youth or Confirmation
forChildren's Sunday School
|
|
Name Tags
When we move to two services on Sunday, you may run into someone you don't recognize, or you may have forgotten someone's name... so let's pull out those name tags and start wearing them again so that we can address one another by name!
If you do not yet have a name tag, please sign up on the from provided in the Narthex. The cost of your first name tag is covered. If you lose your name tag, you can order a replacement at your expense. Thank you!
|
|
Meet the Music Director, Tom Naus
Join us after the late service on Sunday, September 12, for a meet and greet with our Music Director, Tom Naus, and members of the choir.
Music Ministry News
Parish Choir just started weekly rehearsals on Wednesday, August 25, at 7:30 p.m. We meet in the Church Balcony. Our first Sunday to sing will be Sunday, September 12, 11:15am service. Our plan is to sing every Sunday.
Bells will begin weekly rehearsals on Wednesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. Please meet in the Church Balcony. Our first Sunday to ring will be determined and we'll also determine frequency of ringing, as well.
Come join us with new Music Minister Tom Naus
for a new season of ringing and singing at Trinity!
|
|
Welcome to our new Church Ministries Administrative Assistant!
Please welcome Katherine Snyder to our Trinity family!
Katherine Snyder was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and is thrilled to now be exploring the Orlando area. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Lancaster Bible College and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary. In her free time, Katherine loves to drink coffee, read, and go on spontaneous adventures with friends. She is excited about this new season in Florida and cannot wait to see all the adventures that happen over the coming months!
Katherine will serve Tuesdays through Fridays, 9am to 3:30pm in the church office. You can reach her at extension x100 or at Katherine.Snyder@trinitydowntown.com. Please be sure to give her a warm welcome when you're on campus! Thank you!
|
|
Peace Cares. Peace Shares.
Peace's groomer - All Creatures Pet Grooming - has started taking in pets that need to find new homes. Their generous and loving nature saves dogs and cats that otherwise might be put down. Peace wants to help them! Peace and team are collecting dog and cat food, treats and toys - any flavor, any brand - to help support their efforts. All Creatures Pet Grooming has been very generous to Peace, donating their time and services to provide free grooming every month. That's why Peace is so anxious to help them and give back.
Please bring any donations and leave it in the Narthex in Peace's box. If money is easier, you can give cash or check to Paul Soost, Peace's Top Dog. Checks should be made out to Trinity Lutheran Church with Peace Shares written on the memo line. Please bring all donations by Sunday, September 12. Please help Peace give back to All Creatures Pet Grooming as they find new homes for dogs and cats in need. Thank you!
|
|
Who to Call?
Have you ever wanted to know who to call in your neighborhood if you suddently need a ride to church when your car won't start or have a tree down after a hurricane, or maybe just to have someone to meet for coffee?? Zip lines can connect you to Trinity friends living in your home zip code.
Connecting with your Trinity family outside of worship and church events is essential! We all need a line of connection to a smaller group of Christian friends with whom we can share our lives, grow in Christ, have some fun, and to encourage one another in personal outreach efforts in our own circles of influence. For that reason, we'd like to connect people living in the same or adjacent zip codes so that you've got multiple nearby church family members with whom to connect throughout the week!
Sign up via the link above, or visit the webpage at THIS LINK
If you'd like serve as your zip code's contact person, (sending emails, making a few phone calls...) please contact Chanda Gillenwater, Trinity's MInistry & Communication Coordinator. The goal is to connect every person at Trinity with their very own ZIP LINE where they can build those deep relationships.
|
|
Missional Living / Outreach - Share a Simple Invitation
Always feel free to copy the images in your Trinity Weekly and pass them along to someone with a personal note from you inviting them to visit. If you have a special opportunity and would like a printed copy to share, or multiple copies for a group of people, we'd be happy to make those available to you! Contact Chanda at chanda.gillenwater@trinitydowntown.com or 407-490-7339.
|
|
Middle School Youth Gathering
Registration is now open for the in-person Middle School Youth Gathering. It will be held at Lake Yale Conference Center from November 5-7, 2021. DCE Emilie Stooksbury will be the speaker! Some of you may remember Emilie from her onstage presence at the 2019 National Youth Gathering. Information, forms and the registration link are available online. We will have protocols in place and will do our best to keep this a safe environment for everyone, as we monitor guidance from the CDC and the State of Florida.
|
|
Open Positions at Trinity Downtown
We're seeking a part time Sunday childcare worker for our Nursery. Please share this job opening with anyone you feel might be a good fit!!
|
|
What are you up to lately?
Meeting your Bible study friends for coffee sometime? Making strides in a new study? Engaged in service in your own neighrbohood? Sharing a devotion with a friend at work? Tell us about it and send in a photo. Let's share more about the Trnity family doing life together!
DID YOU KNOW? Most people check out a new church of childcare center online before ever actually visiting. They read our Trinity Weekly online, read over the pages of our website, look at campus maps, listen to the sermons, check out our Facebook page, browse the YouTube channel, and in all those areas, they see PHOTOS of the life of Trinity. That's why we like to have as many photos as possible from our Trinity family, in all aspects of the life of the Chruch.... so that we can post these in the Trinity Weekly, share on the Website, and use as Marketing material to show others what we're all about and reduce some of that "FIRST TIME GUEST" anxiety. Whether its photos of campus work days, of the choir sining via Zoom, kids in Fridat Comunion, Confirmation Essays, Confirmation classes, Trinity members in a meeting or Bible study group all spaced out with masks on, a group out in the community doing a service project with family and friends. ALL of them tell the story of what it's like to be part of the Trinity Family PLEASE, Send in your photos of Trinity Family moments! Send LOTS! Send to Chanda at TLC@TrinityDowntown.com.
Wasmund Missioanry Update
Dear friends and family, Post-summer greetings to you in Jesus’ name. We send you our latest newsletter for a brief update from South Korea. You should be able to view the update by downloading this PDF version. Peace to you in Christ,
The Wasmunds -- Matt, Dee Dee, Lily and Olivia
LCMS missionaries in East Asia
|
|
LCS WE CARE 5K
At the We Care 5k you’ll never move alone while helping your community thrive! Lutheran Counseling Services is hosting an all ages 5k run and walk on October 30th. The We Care 5K will benefit their Older Adult Ministry which serves vulnerable older adults who struggle with loneliness and other life transitions. Your registration will help provide these community members needed counseling services and are 100% supported by donor contributions. Register by September 15th to get the early bird special of only $25 and help get older adults “moving” too.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
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.
Adult Study & Support Groups
- Weekly Men's Thursday morning IHOP Breakfast and Devotions Group (ongoing)
- Immerse Bible Reading Experience, Book 3: Prophets (Mondays with Pastor Doug)
-
Grief Share - Grief Recovery Support Group NEW SERIES BEGINS AUG 31
- Prayer Bible Study Group (ongoing)
-
Begins Sept 12 - Adult Bible Study - IMMERSE Bible Reading Experience - POETS
- Additional POETS Studey groups: Tuesday morning women's group, Thursday evening women's group, Saturday evening adult group
-
Tuesday Morning Women’s Group, "Women of the Word" - WOW STARTS SEPT 7
- Online/At Your Own Pace - multiple options
Little Ones (6 weeks through 3 years)
Nursery Care: Accepting resumes now. (see job posting above)
Children (4 years though 5th grade)
Begins SEPT 12: SUNDAY SCHOOL returns for children and youth 4 years through 5th grade
Youth (6th grade through 12th grade)
Begins SEPT 12: Sunday School/Bible Study for MS & HS Youth, 10:15am Youth Room
Begins SEPT 12: Confirmation Instruction for 7th and 8th graders, 12:30pm FellowshipHall
|
|
September 6 Closed for Labor Day
September 12 NEW WORSHIP SCHEDULE BEGINS
September 12 Children's Sunday School Begins, MS & HS Bible Study begins
September 12 Confirmation Begins
September 12 IMMERSE: Poets and Sermon Study Adult Sunday classes begin
September 12 Meet the Music Director after late worship
September 25 Memorial Service for Lo Phillips 11am
September 26 Voters Meeting
|
|
All prayers are kept on the list for a period of three weeks, so please resubmit long term prayer needs regularly.
Those Fighting Cancer
Mary, Rachel Cottle, Jan Fry, Kurt, bruce S, Jamie J, Rick B, andy S, Sandy Allen, Karl S, Sandy Allen
Health Concerns
Rocky Smothers, Norma X, Edwin, Stan, Shane Russell, Bobby & Sheila Watson, Tom and Debra, Colby G, Tamra G, Richard Mathews, Sandy Thompson, Jeramie, Linda C, Morgan Z, Charlie L, Norma X, Clara M, Hazel H, Callie, Bob, (hospitalized), Kevin Cavanaugh, Miriam (Lois Raymond's sister)
Other Needs
- Jon, Dan and Liz - safe traveling to Italy
- For the Chasie family
- Marina- prayers for her husband to find a job here so he can move from NY to Orlando and reunite with family
- For Phil - prayers that a new heart will become available for him
- For all those affected directly or indirectly by the effects of Alzheimers - strength, grace and comfort for them and their families
- For Cody and Madison - as they move to Chicago, may God bless them and guide their steps, look over them as they plan and travel, and lead them to a fantastic new church family
- For Lina Blackwood - blessings on her transition to collage and all that goes with that!
- Jeremie, Keith, Mindy, H, Karen E, Margaret
Surgery and Recovery/Recently Hospitalized
Joyce Soost, Enid, Adrienne, Michael, June D., Naomi, Rocky S, Tyler H, Tom W, Diane Banks, Gracie Hestor, Brenda Gusewelle, Len Gabriel
Peace and Comfort
- For the family and friends of George Frasier
- For Lory and family after the loss of her husband to Covid and for the speedy recovery from Covid for the rest of the family.
- For Tamra Gillenwater and family, after the loss of her mother to Covid and prayers for her father, who has Covid, to be restored to health.
- For Margaret
- For the family of Becky Lan at the death of her sister.
- For the family and friends of Merle Evanchyk, grandmother of Charles Evanchyk
- For widows Irene Flowers and Kozzette Hill
- For the family and friends of Jeff Hartwell, cousin of Debbie Holley.
- For the family and friends of Bonnie Hahn, wife of Bruce Hahn.
- For the family and friends of Matthew Boisselle, who are grieving his sudden death. Matthew is the nephew of Gregg & Dardie Yawman.
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
Thanksgiving
- For Pastor and Mrs Schaefer's continued recovery from Covid
- For Pastor Milan and Marge Weerts recovery from Covid
- Prayers of thanks for God's daily provisions
- Rocky Smothers continued recovery
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. Reach out, listen, connect, and have those hard conversations. Love is first. Love wins.
Additional Prayers
- For world, state, and local leaders in making safe decisions about Covid
- 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 of thanks for God’s daily provisions.
- For aid and comfort for the people of Haiti
- People in the path of hurricane Ida and people in Afghanistan and our troops
|
|
Giving and Attendance Numbers from August 25-26 |
|
In Person Attendance
42 In Person Saturday
60 In Person Sunday
102 Total In Person
|
|
Online Attendance
9 Online Saturday
17 Online Sunday
26 Total Online
|
|
POW-MIA Day - Honoring Those Who We Will Never Forget
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council will host an official POW-MIA ceremony to honor United States Military prisoners of war and those still missing in action as part of national POW-MIA Day. The ceremony renews our commitment to bringing prisoners of war home to their families and vowing to never forget those missing in action. The event will take place on Friday, September 17, 2021, at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in the DeVos Room at 10:30 a.m.
Did you know? Downtown Orlando Ambassadors
We know that individuals experiencing homelessness are a reality for communities, and ours is no exception. Many of these individuals are open and receptive to services that can help them with basic needs such as clothing, food and hygiene, but they're not sure where to turn. Orlando's Downtown Orlando Ambassadors help bridge that gap, and provide direct, on-the-street connections for our most vulnerable individuals to critical social services. By offering those who are experiencing homelessness a helping hand and a warm smile, these ambassadors are working to make Orlando a city for all. Listen to one of our Ambassadors, Amanda, talk about her efforts to help those experiencing homelessness. You can also visit orlando.gov to get more information on those experiencing homelessness, as well as view suggestions on ways you can help.
Job Hunting?
Amway Center is hosting its annual summer job fair on September 7. As the premier sports and entertainment venue in the region, the arena offers unique and unrivaled work experiences across a variety of part-time positions. Amway Center and its partners are seeking a team of professionals with a desire to support their favorite hometown sports franchises and world-class performers and that thrive in a fast-paced and exciting environment. All job fair participants will receive two free tickets to an upcoming Amway Center event. Applicants are encouraged to bring their resumes for same-day onsite interviews, as our partners will be making on-the-spot offers.
City of Orlando's COVID-19 Vaccine Site Information
If you need assistance, more information or want to find a vaccine site, here are the details:
Upcoming Vaccine Sites within City Limits:
- Seven days a week, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Camping World Stadium
- September 5, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Orlando Farmers Market
- September 9, 9 – 11:30 a.m. Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center
The St. Luke's Concert Series
|
|
St Paul Lutheran in Boca Raton
St Paul Lutheran in Boca Raton has officially announced the placement of their comfort dog. https://www.facebook.com/JemimahComfortDog. Please welcome Jemimah Comfort Dog to Florida! Jemimah and team will be commissioned at St Paul's services this weekend. Please include Team Jemimah and their ministry in your prayers. We're excited to have another Florida dog to partner with. --Team Peace
|
|
Current Covid-19 Safety Procedures
|
|
July 30, 2021: Update on Covid-19 Safety Procedures
Trinity's safety procedures will continue to evolve and adapt in consideration of local, state and federal updates and guidelines. Our current update takes into consideration the recent State of Emergency in Orange County, Florida. As of July 28, 2021, in Orange County, the 14-day rolling positivity rate for Covid-19 had increased to over 15%, on July 27 alone there were 1,371 positive tests, and certain providers have reported that up to 30% of the positive cases are of vaccinated persons. Further, based on Center for Disease Control guidance, the primary and most important mode of transmission for COVID-19 is through close contact from person-to-person.
Because of this significant increase in Covid-19 cases in our area, Trinity's Leadership encourages all in attendance at public worship, church meetings, and study groups to socially distance. When distancing is not possible, we encourage you to wear a mask. This is especially relevant when individuals meet in close proximity to one another (ie: small group meetings in classrooms or offices).
Trinity's Child Development Center continues to REQUIRE mask-wearing at all times by all adults in the facility and continues to structure parent access to limit the number of people on site at one time - all to reduce the possibility of exposure and ensure our best possible opportunity of keeping classrooms open and fully staffed.
*Trinity will continue to offer both in-person and online worship, as well as at-the-rail and in-the-pew communion options.
*Disposable masks are available at both Sanctuary entrances for anyone who needs one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
