November 1, 2023
Here’s what’s happening this week at Trinity!
What’s Next for Trinity?
Thank you again to Rev. Kurt Hendel for leading the Saturday and Sunday services for Reformation weekend. Jobey Hendel and Sue Phelan are working diligently to find supply [substitute] pastors. Pastors to deliver sermons have been recruited through the month of November. Additionally, Jobey and I met remotely with Rev. Dr. Bullock last week. At the recommendation of Rev. Dr. Bullock, the Council is establishing a transition team. Council members are taking the lead on identifying tasks and leaders. For example, the Worship Committee is working diligently to plan worship services through November. Please thank them for their work when you see them! Members and tasks include: Music: Mark Peters and Cindy Maynard; Altar Care: Jan Wenski; Bulletins and Missals for the pastor: Linda Kay; Readers, Ushers, and Communion Assistants: Jan Wenski; A/V team for the 11:00 service: Mark Peters. Other members of this committee are Jobey and Kurt Hendel, Sharon Mason, Maggie Vaggle, Amy Luckett. Major tasks such as Confirmation, visiting the sick, and Sunday School are covered for the near future, but help will be needed long term.
Additionally, the Council is beginning to identify tasks that require completion in preparation for the 2024 call process, such as updating the Ministry Site Profile submitted during the 2018 call process. In terms of timeline, the soonest we can hope for an interim pastor to be at Trinity is January 2024. Recruiting an Interim Pastor is a work in progress. Because our congregation is so busy with worship, programs and events, Rev. Dr. Bullock would like to recruit someone for us who would be skilled in managing our very busy congregation. She has someone in mind, but that person will not be available until after January 1, 2024. It is a work in progress and start dates are tentative at best.
When I asked Rev. Dr. Bulock how we, as a congregation. should approach this time of transition, she gave this advice: Be transparent regarding the process, provide constant communication, keep the congregation members positive, and reassure that ministry will continue but may not be exactly what we are used to. I would add flexibility and a sense of humor would also be helpful!
Please continue to pray for our Trinity congregation and especially our leaders, continue to love each other and work together in service of God and neighbor. As always if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the Council members. Their names are printed in the weekly announcements. To God be the glory!
John Boecker, Council President
Changes to Weekly Announcements:
We have received feedback that having announcements sent on Wednesdays and Fridays is a bit redundant. So beginning next week we are trying something new and there will only be announcements sent on Fridays. If you would like to provide more feedback regarding this matter, please call the office. Thank you!
Worship
Worship times - Saturday at 5:30pm, Sunday at 8:30 am & 11:00am
This Sunday: All Saints Sunday
Lectionary Readings: Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 34:1-10, 22, 1 John 3:1-3,
Matthew 5:1-12
Large Print Bulletins are available upon request.
Christian Education:
Youth and Sunday School - classes will be held at 9:45am.
Confirmation Class –Wednesdays at 6:30pm. Please enter at the library and meet in the church. Classes will be held in the youth loft.
Registration - Sunday School, Confirmation and Triniteens registration is still on going and open. Please visit our website for more information and to register.
Sharing – Food - Faith – Fun
Seniors Meeting – Thursday November 2nd 12:30pm. Don’t forget to bring your left over Halloween candy so it can be brought to the Veteran’s Home in Manteno, when we go. Also, if you are not in the Senior Fellowship Group, but would like to donate candy for the same reason, just bring it to the office! Thanks!
All Saints Sunday – Please join us November 5th for our annual church service commemorating All Saints Sunday. On this day people gather across the world in worship to give thanks to God for all the beloved who have left this life in the past year, who now rest in peace with God.
Koinonia (Event Planning) Committee- Are you interested in planning food, faith and fun at Trinity? Join us for our Koinonia meeting on Tuesday, November 7th at 6pm in the library.
Women of the Church – New board members needed! Women of the Church will meet on Tuesday, November at 7pm in the library.
Accepting donations this week for our Mission of the Month - The month of November will focus on Bethshan. Donations can be made by using an envelope in the pews and marking it for the mission or it can be done online using the drop down box.
Spiritual Care:
Visitation - If you would like a home visit, if you would like prayer, or if you have experienced a change in your wellness, please contact the office. We are happy to serve you!
Prayer Requests – Please contact the office with any prayer requests you would like to share.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Teaching the Love of Christ
Saturdays at 5:30 pm / Sundays at 8:30am & 11:00am
9701 Brandt Ave, Oak Lawn IL 60453
(708) 422-0193
trinityol.org
