Trinity Connections
Your Weekly Update - October 20, 2021
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The Unexpected Glory of God |
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35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. (Mark 10: 35-38)
In our Gospel reading this week, we see James and John boldly asking Jesus to put them in positions of power and authority when he comes into his glory. They had no idea what they were asking for, and so often we make the same mistake. Rather than pray that God’s will be done, we approach God with specific ideas about what we want, how we want it, and when we want it delivered. Which, as I noted in Sunday’s sermon, is a human impulse that we can trace back to the Garden of Eden.
Key Points from the Sermon
- James and John have a particular vision of what Jesus’ glory will look like, a vision that we may carry in our heads, with a sort of superhero Jesus on a golden throne, ruling with power and might.
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But that vision is at odds with what we read in the Gospels. Instead of a golden throne and a jeweled crown, the glory of God is found at the cross, wearing a crown of thorns…with Jesus, crucified and dying, suffering with us.
- When we think about glory as it relates to Christ, we tend to think about the suffering part as only a set-up to the glory part – the risen and conquering Christ. We like stories of triumph, with battles fought and glory won.
- Life is messy, and bad things happen. No matter how much we might want to think we can be saved by our own bootstraps, positive thinking, or get-rich-quick schemes, what we get with Jesus is the cross – a God who suffers both with us and for us. It is on the cross that God is in God’s glory, not just after the suffering.
- As Jesus tells James and John, we don’t always know what we’re asking for, but we do know that God is with us, bringing life to what is dead.
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This is what we remember and celebrate every time we gather around the communion table, whether that gathering happens in the sanctuary or over the internet. We remember that Jesus is given to us and for us. Not when our lives are perfectly ordered, but right where we are now.
All this makes me think of the invitation to communion I heard at a church I used to attend. This is God’s invitation to us, today and every day. “So come, those of you who have great faith, and those of you who wish you had more. Come, those of you who have tried to follow Jesus and those of you who have failed. Come, those of you who depend on this meal for your whole life and those of you for whom it is a strange and mysterious thing.” Amen.
For Your Reflection
- Have there been times in your life when you didn’t get what you prayed for, but when – on looking back – you could see the hand of God in what did happen?
- We are told to pray for what is on our hearts, but also to pray “thy will be done.” How do you reconcile these teachings?
- Oftentimes God draws near to us in the ordinary places of our live. Where have you seen the love and mercy of God today?
Life is complicated and the path of discipleship, of following Jesus, isn’t always clear. But no matter how difficult the journey is, whether we find ourselves on top of a mountain or walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we know that God is with us, in the midst of the messiness of life.
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Fall Worship Schedule in Full Swing |
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As we wrap up our sermon series for fall, "On the Road: The Journey of Discipleship," Trinity is settling into our new worship schedule:
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8 a.m. Sundays.
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9:30 a.m. Sundays, with a 9:30 a.m. Sunday School hour that begins in the sanctuary and breaks out from the worship service into classrooms after the children's message.
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6:15 p.m. Wednesdays, a contemporary service before the 7:15 Confirmation hour and 8:15 Crossover Bible study for high-schoolers.
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6 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month (next service Saturday, Nov. 6).
The "Trinity Time" radio broadcast also continues to air at 9:30 a.m. on Lakes 92.7 FM.
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Final Constitution Discussion Tonight |
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A proposed revision to Trinity's constitution is available in print and at tiny.cc/TLC21Draft, with the existing constitution printed alongside the new draft as well as notes explaining the differences. The most notable change is a smaller Church Council with 12 voting members instead of the current 17, with officers selected from within the Council instead of being elected by the larger congregation.
Members of the Governance Task Force and Church Council have been hosting information and discussion sessions. The final session will be tonight at 7:15 in the conference room. If you are unable to join in person, you can participate via Zoom; simply click here.
There will be a special congregational meeting on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 9 a.m. for a first vote to accept changes to the constitution. The final vote to institute the revised constitution will be at the annual congregational meeting on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022.
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Celebrating 20 Years of Tiny Treasures! |
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Trinity's Tiny Treasures Preschool is all grown up—20 years old and counting! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate this past Sunday with cake and coffee! We're so thankful for the blessing Tiny Treasures has been and continues to be for students and families in our community.
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Pray for Those Grieving Quinten Rohloff |
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Trinity grieves with the family and friends mourning the heartbreaking loss of 20-year-old Quinten Rohloff.
Quinten, who grew up at Trinity, died Sunday, Oct. 17, three years after the sudden death of his mother, Trinity member Trisha Taber. Please pray for all those who knew him, that they might find comfort in the promise of eternal life through Christ.
Quinten's older sister, Brooklyn Rohloff, acknowledged that his death was a suicide: "Please know, this is never the answer. There is always someone who will listen to you and that LOVES you and will miss you. Myself, along with my entire family and his friends are crushed."
A memorial service for "Q" will be at 6 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 22, at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca after visitation from 3 to 6 p.m. Quinten N. Rohloff's obituary is available here.
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South African Partnership Meeting Oct. 28
Are you interested in learning more about Trinity's partnership with Saron Parish in South Africa? All are invited to attend this informal meeting, especially new members! Join us at Trinity in the Multipurpose Room on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 9 a.m. We hope to see you then!
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Affirmation of Baptism 2021
This year’s high-school freshmen will be confirmed on Sunday, Oct. 31. These awesome ninth-graders are rounding out their confirmation years with activities like a recent work day at Pine Lake Camp.
There will be two services to celebrate the soon-to-be adults in our church on Sunday the 31st at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Since Oct. 31 is Reformation Day, there will also be special music for the 8 a.m. service. Be sure to join us for this momentous day. Thanks be to God!
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Trunk or Treat at Trinity
Join us in Trinity's parking lot from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, for Trunk or Treat! Deck out your vehicle, wear your costumes, and get ready to hand out goodies to trick-or-treaters.
There will be a prize for the three best decorated trunks, so start planning your decorations now!
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Hayride in Rural
Sunday, Nov. 7, from noon to 3 p.m., Dean and Carmen Sondrol are bringing back Trinity's annual family hayride and picnic at their home in Rural! Come enjoy an afternoon of fellowship, fun, and great food!
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Pancake Supper
Join us Tuesday, Nov. 9, for our annual Pancake Supper, which will again be drive-thru style. Pick up dinner and support Trinity's ministries at the same time!
We need volunteers to make this a great success! Proceeds benefit our young people, especially by providing children's Bibles.
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Do you enjoy sharing knowledge and creativity with little ones? If so, Tiny Treasures has an opportunity available for an assistant teacher. For more details, check out the job description or contact Joni Radley at 920-574-1736; you may also email her. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Pressing on Amid the Pandemic |
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Amid the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Trinity continues to make adjustments that allow us to keep people safe while continuing to offer in-person worship, meetings, and other gatherings. Of particular concern is the safety those who are most vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 infection. If you have not been vaccinated or if you have a compromised immune system, Trinity's Health Committee recommends that you consider attending worship and other indoor gatherings virtually. If you do decide to attend in person, the Health Committee recommends that you wear an N95 mask. Trinity now has N95 masks available—we thank those who have made donations to offset the cost.
With gratitude for your caring cooperation with Trinity's current policy of masking for those age 4 and up, the Health Committee offers this additional guidance for members of our faith community:
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If you have yet to be vaccinated and are able to, please get the shot! The vaccine continues to be very effective in the battle against the virus, and everyone in Wisconsin age 12 and older is able to get the vaccine for free. Past infection with COVID-19 does not assure protection from the Delta variant, so people who have had past COVID-19 infection are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
- Please, please stay home if you do not feel well or have knowingly been exposed to the coronavirus.
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Remember that Trinity continues to make worship available to you in the safety and comfort of your own home. Video worship services are live on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. on Trinity's YouTube channel. You can also listen to "Trinity Time" at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on Lakes 92.7 FM, WDUX.
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Find Devotions and Other At-Home Resources |
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Trinity's website has a wealth of material, including links to devotion sites, on the At-Home Resources page.
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Worship in Person or at Home |
Join us for worship in person at Trinity, 206 E. Badger St., Sundays at 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.; Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.; and at 6 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Our current policy is for those ages 4 and older to wear masks inside the church building.
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Video worship services are LIVE on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. on Trinity's YouTube channel.
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You can listen to Trinity Time at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on Lakes 92.7 FM, WDUX.
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Please consider making your offerings to Trinity as follows:
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In person: Offer your gifts as you enter the sanctuary for worship.
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By mail: Send checks to Trinity Lutheran Church at 206 E. Badger St., Waupaca, WI 54981.
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By drop-off: Deposit offerings in the secure box just inside the south door nearest the church office. The office is open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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Online: Click the "Give Now" button below.
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Trinity Lutheran Church, Waupaca, Wis.
715-258-7688
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