March 31st at 6:30 a.m.

8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Special Music by Senior Choir. Breakfast will be served by the youth from 7:30–10:00 a.m.

A Word or Two … by Pastor Mark

Easter! That is coming soon, after we have walked our Lenten journey. We Christians know full well that it’s not at heart about bunnies, candy, spring, and new clothes. But there is always the possibility of our getting lost in all that stuff and forgetting the earth-shaking historical event of the resurrection of our Lord, and what it means for us. First of all, the event itself. If you are the kind who thinks that modern science, technology, and measurable truth in general is all we can count on, then I can’t say anything that would dissuade you from that. But faith sees things that are rational but still mysterious. In fact, it is by faith that scientists explore new areas, build theories and hypotheses, and confirm them eventually, coming up with things today that would have been laughed at not too long ago. In the same way, Christians have faith that God is real, totally powerful, and showed how much He can be trusted by raising Christ on the third day. If it will help you any further, I can say that both of my brothers are scientists, and they are both real believers in the risen Christ.

But apart from that, what does it mean for ME, you might ask. Let me put it this way: what gives meaning to your life? None of us can live without meaning, like animals. Or, if we sort of do, it’s a sad life. If life is to be something of deep joy, it has to be FOR something. For us Christians, life is lived for a God who would love us so much as to die on the cross for our sins and then be raised for His glory. Second: what are you going to do on the day of your death? Do you think there is a ladder to Heaven? Can you sue God to make Him save you? Answer: No, to both. But God’s clear victory over life and death, illustrated in the resurrection, means that there is reason to hope at the end of our days here. And that hope comes through faith in God’s Son, our Savior. This Easter, if you are a believer, make sure your focus stays on these truths that are more important than anything else on this earth. If you are not, try looking into this thing called faith. It just might mean more than you could ever “know.”

The Worship/Art/Music committee will be decorating the

altar area with flowers on Easter. Donation envelopes

will be available during the month of March.

Wednesday Lenten Series 7:00 p.m. Worship For the Sundays and Wednesdays during Lent, our theme will be the Ten Commandments. Take a Lenten journey this year with God’s ten rules for the life you always wanted!

March 24 – Palm Sunday Worship at 8:30 and 10:45 Children age Nursery – 6th grade will be singing. Adult Contemporary Worship March 28 – Maundy Thursday Worship at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. First Communion for 5th grade students. March 29 – Good Friday Youth-led Worship 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. March 31 – Easter Festival of Worship Services at 6:30, 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Anthem by Senior Choir. Breakfast served by the youth in the Gathering Place 7:30 - 10:00 a.m.

The Trumpet March, 2013 Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA 235 East 7th Street, Blue Earth, MN

The mission of Trinity Lutheran Church, as God’s chosen and baptized people,

nurtured by word and sacrament, is to live for others boldly sharing the good news of Christ; using all the gifts we have been given.

Saturday, March 2nd A very significant step in the life of any Christian is when they receive Holy Communion for the first time. It is the practice of Trinity to offer Holy Communion to

5th grade students, after instruction. Preparation will be March 2nd from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Gathering Place. Students will then be qualified to receive communion on Maundy Thursday.

We are in the Gospels, the four books of the New Testament that tell us about Jesus Christ. We saw how Matthew affirmed Jesus as the Messiah talked about in the Old Testament, how Mark used a fast-moving style to get his briefer Gospel across to a Roman audience, and now are moving into Luke and its moving message of healing for the less fortunate and the spiritually troubled. Luke has a large number of parables all to itself, including the beloved Prodigal Son, consistent with its portrayal of Jesus as the One who brings comfort and new life. Faith and Life meets Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 PM, and Wednesdays 9:45-11:15 AM, in the Gathering Place (same content at both). We always have treats, interesting historical background to the scripture of the day, and relaxed sharing of how it connects with our lives. Come and see!

Sunday, March 10th

February 2012 Trinity Lutheran Church met on February 13, 2013. The general fund balance is $1718.59. The line of credit is $ -0-. The current building fund balance is $12,499.59 and the current mortgage is $114,779.54. The confirmation kids will be serving a Soup Supper every Wednesday (except Ash Wednesday) during Lent. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Easter services will be held at 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., and 10:45 a.m. Breakfast will be served by the youth from 7:30 – 10:00 a.m. Envelopes will be available for donations for the Easter flowers. McDonald’s coupons are being sold once again this year and are available at the Church Office. Each coupon is $1.00, with 40 cents of every one sold coming back to Trinity. This money is used for costs for Green Lake Camp; camps will be July 28th through August 1st. The church is looking into additional options for electronic giving (link on website) and also the use of debit cards for offering during church. If you have not signed up for electronic giving, you can inquire with Donna at the church office as this is a great

opportunity to continue to support the church if you are unable to attend on a weekly basis. Frankie and Cindy Bly have agreed to represent Trinity at the Synod Assembly in June. A new Bishop will be elected at this assembly. With the 125th Anniversary fast approaching (2016) discussion has started on setting up committees for this great yearlong event. Look for further updates to follow. Reminder to Council members: the meeting in March is postponed one week to March 20th. Complete copy of minutes is available on the display rack outside the office.

Sunday – 8:30

Dale Meckes, Ray Hornke Rick Dickman, Dan Olsen

Sunday – 10:45 Jim Brooks, Mike Jacobson Todd Smith, Clinton Benz

Randy Frandle

The Wartburg College Choir will be performing at Trinity on Fri., April 19 .

We will need host families for the students in the choir. You as a family provide a bed and a breakfast for them. Please think about sharing your home with these great people. Morgan Dickman is a member of this college choir.

Memories bring the past to life again! I looked forward to Easter with great anticipation. Getting ready for Easter meant going through Lent first and then Holy Week. Wednesday nights were difficult when math assignments were due the next day or chemistry experiments had to be written up. But missing church was not an option for me or my family. Lent meant repentance and preparation. We were waiting for the Christ who would die for my sins and the sins of others. God loved us so much He sacrificed His own Son. A Son who died on a cross. It is something none of us can completely understand. It is beyond human understanding. However our hope is not only in the death of Jesus, but in His Resurrection. God is the ultimate source of our life. In the midst of our busy lives, He is our refuge and strength. The God of grace is always with us and will not let us go.

Easter is finally here. My grandmothers and grandfathers will be here soon. We will all go to church together. We sit in the third pew on the right, facing the altar. Mom and Dad sing in the choir. My sister Carol and I have new dresses, shoes and bonnets. My two brothers are all dressed up, white shirts and ties, too. I stand up and sing the processional hymn “Jesus Christ is Risen Today.” The pipe organ and the trumpets sound so loud and majestic. The good news is spoken by all of us, “Jesus is Risen!” “He is Risen Indeed.” This means that all of us who believe will live with God forever!!!!!!

Notes to Remember

Sunday, Mar. 3rd Worship with Holy Communion, special music - Hand Bells Wednesday, Mar. 6th Lenten Worship at 7:00 p.m., special music - Senior Choir Sunday, Mar. 10th Worship Daylight Savings time begins Wednesday, Mar. 13th Lenten Service, special music - Hand Bells Sunday, Mar. 17th Worship Sunday Worship Times Wednesday, Mar. 20th Lenten Worship at 7:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Palm Sunday, Mar. 24th Worship with Holy Communion All the children sing: Pre-School - 6th grades - Both Services Maundy Thursday, Mar. 28th at 6:30 p.m., Worship with Holy Communion 5th graders First Communion Good Friday, Mar, 29th, at 6:30 p.m. Youth - Led Worship Easter Festival Worship, Mar. 31st at 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Senior Choir Anthem during 8:30 and 10:45 worship

Lynn Wilms Music and Worship Developer

General Church e-mail Trinity@bevcomm.net

Donna Perryman, Office Admin.

Rev. Dr.Rev. Dr.Rev. Dr.Rev. Dr. MarkMarkMarkMark F.F.F.F. WilmsWilmsWilmsWilms Pastormark@bevcomm.net

Lynn Wilms, MusicLynn Wilms, MusicLynn Wilms, MusicLynn Wilms, Music And Worship DeveloperAnd Worship DeveloperAnd Worship DeveloperAnd Worship Developer

lynnmusic@bevcomm.net Cindy Bly, Education DirectorCindy Bly, Education DirectorCindy Bly, Education DirectorCindy Bly, Education Director

Tlced@bevcomm.net Kim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth Director

Kimmykimmyj@gmail.com

If you would like to receive your Trumpet newsletter electronically,

just send Donna an email at trinity@bevcomm.net

Church Office Hours are

Monday – Friday 8:30 – 5:00 p.m. (507) 526-3463

Listed below are birthdays of members in the church active data base. If there is an addition or correction, please call the church office (526-3463). March 1 – Lisa Kittleson 2 – Jim Firkins, Parker Kienitz Addison Smith 3 – Brooke Sabin 4 – Carson Strukel 5 – Eddie Ekstrand, Carly Passante, Emilie Pirsig, Ken Skaare, Kim Slette-Baker, Mary Jane Taylor, Craig Wells 7 – Tailor Douglas, Colleen Knudtson

8 – Kate Ellingsen, Marie Northwick, Jody Omland 9 - Sharon Erichsrud, Brandyn Olsen, Layla Orcutt, Lori Passante 10 – Sue Ellingsen, Mackenzie Lein 11 – Ashley Arends, John Wagner 12 – Brooklyn Arends, Jake Berndt, Zach Shure 13 – Soren Fering, Cala Nassen 14 – Barb Anderson, Ryan Northwick 15 – Brady Anderson, Bruce Anderson, Hunter Myers, Jill Rotterman 16 – Loni Atzenhoefer, Cheri Brooks, Sarah Fering, Heidi Schutt, Allen Nuessmeier 17 – Virginia Johnson, Jaysie Volkenant 18 – Russ Hornke 19 – Dallas Barslou, Haley Resutek, Berdette Teigland 20 – Grant Holmseth, Rachel Keebaugh, Andrew Sabin 22 – Mike Jacobson, Tim Juba Max Rotterman, Tyler Schonrock, Zachary Stratioti 23 – Katelyn Kuechenmeister Jerry Skaare 24 – Janice DeBoer, Marlys Meyer, Gil Olawsky, Betty Trytten 25 – Mara Fenske, Brooke Frandle, Aaron Nuessmeier Megan Resutek 26 – Jeanette Hanson, Stacy Howard, Katie Kuhn, Shelby Rock, Donna Skogen, Edwina Walker, Bonnie Williams 27 – Herman Heupel 28 – Carlos Leyva, Linda Sohn Earl Walker 29 – Jase Casey, Abbott Dahlberg, Hans Kittleson, Jacob Olson 20 – Samantha Barslou 31 – Heidi Fenske, Stephanie Fernholz, Florence Lein, Darwin Olson

Confirmation students and their mentors are helping serve the Lenten Soup Suppers and are assisting as Ushers during worship. Mar 6: Soup – Kari Werth’s group Usher – Julie Loge’s group Mar 13: Soup – Julie Loge’s group Usher – Brian Montgomery’s group Mar 20: Soup – Brian Montgomery’s group Usher – Julie Goodrich’s Group Lenten Soup Suppers are Free Will offering. Proceeds will go towards the youth group mission trip to Chicago in July, 2013.

Tuesday April 9, April 9, April 9, April 9, 2013201320132013 5:00-7:00 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church Gathering Place

The menu will include roast beef -- just like what is served at the food stand during the Faribault County Fair. Also on the menu is: mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade potato salad and homemade coleslaw, pie, brownies and ice cream. Come and enjoy good food and fellowship with your family and friends. Proceeds go to the mission projects of the Trinity Lutheran Church Women.

2013 is the 25th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Each month, a snippet of history will be shared in this column.

The Rev. Herbert Chilstrom was the first ELCA bishop, elected to his post at the church's constituting convention in April 1987. He was re-elected to a four-year term at the 1991 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Fla. He is the former bishop of the Minnesota Synod of the Lutheran Church in America, one of the three church bodies which merged to form the ELCA on Jan. 1, 1988.

Chilstrom was the church's chief ecumenical officer and represented the ELCA in several national and international organizations. He served as a vice president of the Lutheran World Federation based in Geneva. He headed a committee for the National Council of Churches who explored special relationships between the NCC and Roman Catholics and evangelicals.

A native of Litchfield, Minn., from 1958 to 1962 Chilstrom served as pastor of the Faith Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, Minn., and Augustana Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, Minn. In 1962 he became a professor of religion and academic

dean at Luther College, Teaneck, N.J. He held that position for eight years before accepting a call to be senior pastor of First Lutheran Church, St. Peter, Minnesota, in 1970. In 1976 Chilstrom became bishop of the Minnesota Synod.

Chilstrom is also an author. His works include the book Hebrews -- A New and Better Way. He has been a contributor to Faith and Ferment, Augsburg Sermons, and Lutheran Book of Worship Occasional Service Book.

______________________

During the Constituting Convention in 1987, it was decided that the ELCA would be less hierarchical, more diverse and open to all voices. Representation principles would provide for more equal numbers of women and men on boards, committees, and at assemblies, broader representation of laity and of people of color. This would provide a substantial change.

The convention made a final decision on the site for the churchwide offices -- not Milwaukee, but Chicago.

Baskets of Promise is a Lenten service project for Lutheran World Relief. Collecting Personal Care Kits that are shipped to families

around the world is a reminder of God’s call to love our neighbor. These kits not only provide necessary support for families recovering from disasters, but they point us to the Easter hope of Christ’s resurrection and glory. Each Personal Care Kit contains: One light-weight bath-size towel (maximum 52 in. by 27 in.), dark color recommended. Two bath-size bars (4 to 5 oz.) soap, any brand, in original wrapping. One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging. (Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size envelope; no plastic bags or wrap.) One sturdy comb One metal nail clippers (attached file optional). The Trinity Lutheran Church Women are asking your family to accept the challenge of completing one kit (6 items) during Lent. Items can be left in the basket at the back of the sanctuary.

Community Events

Throughout the year, there are various benefits and other community-wide events sponsored by non-profits organizations, school booster clubs, the Chamber of Commerce, etc. Posters for these events are usually placed on the bulletin board in the foyer near the southeast entrance to the church.

Announcements that are directly related to Trinity Lutheran Church will be placed in the bulletin and/or “Trumpet” newsletter. If there is room, community events will also be printed in the bulletin.

Other important March dates:

Saturday, March 2 (9:00 -11:00 AM) 1st Communion Instruction for 5th Grade families Sunday, March24 (Palm Sunday) All Sunday School students sing in worship. You still have the opportunity to purchase the DVD of our Christmas musical – “In a Galilee Far, Far Away.” If you preordered a copy please stop in the office to pick it up.

MC DONALD’S MONEY IS BACK : As Bible camp fees continue to go up, we want to help families as much as we can so all students have the opportunity to go to Bible Camp. Coupons can be purchased after worship, at coffee hour, or in the office. For every dollar purchased Trinity receives 40 cents. Eat at McDonald’s and help a camper! IT’S TIME TO REGISTER FOR CAMP :

1. Green Lake Day Camp – July 28-Aug. 1 Students completing Kindergarten – Fourth Grade!

Registrations have been passed out in Release Time and Sunday School. If your child did not receive one, let Cindy know or stop by the office.

Day Camp Needs: Adult volunteers (choose a day or even a half day to help)

Host Home: for 3 – 4 Green Lake staff (not responsible for meals) Families to provide evening meals for Green Lake staff

2. Preschool Family Night: Monday, July 29, 5:30 – 7:30 PM For students who will start Sunday School in the fall (age 3 by Sept. 1) through students entering Kindergarten in the fall. Once again, the Green Lake staff will provide the programming. Details will be mailed to families in early summer.

3. Green Lake Bible Camp: July 28 – Aug. 2 Registrations can be mailed directly to Green Lake or register online at www.gllm.org . **NOTE** All Bible camps are the same week so families can plan on one week for all age students to attend camp.

**NEW CAMPING OPPORTUNITY **: If the Green Lake week doesn’t work for your family OR you would like a camp closer to home, I have received information from Okoboji Bible Camp. There are several weeks available in June and July for all age groups. The fee is even a little less. A Trinity family actually attended last year and had a wonderful time. Brochures will be available to students in Release Time or call Cindy at 526-3463.**

Second term Sunday School is well underway. There are regular classes each week in March except Easter Sunday – March 31! Remember there are three opportunities to worship – 6:30 (sunrise service), 8:30 and 10:45. The youth will also be serving breakfast.

March Youth News Be in the “know” and L ive Dangerously… What would you think if you knew that I told kids I think they should go out and live dangerously? I am sure the first thing that comes to your mind is, “Are you nuts?” As I sit down to write this newsletter, I just returned home from an amazing weekend with some of the Trinity kids. We went to an event that was hosted by a Lutheran Church in Rochester and had the opportunity take part in 4 workshops and listen to an amazing speaker talk about finding certainty in an uncertain world. We also went out to Ironwood Christian Ranch and went tubing (the kids tubed, I didn't) and they had a blast! Something that the speaker talked about really stuck with me and I would like to share it with you. He said there are 3 kinds of people. 1. Spiritually dead: They “know” of God, but they don’t “know“ God in a personal way; therefore they are spiritually dead. 2. Spiritually defeated: people that are Christians but look at all the uncertainty in the world and feel lost. 3. Dangerous: THEY ARE THE ONES THAT KNOW THE ONE WHO KNOWS… (let me explain) . These are people who are dangerous to the enemy and the world. You see, the world says, “you don’t know anything” . But Jesus tells us: I want to unleash you into the outermost places in the world because you know me. You know that I know that the world is full of uncertainly, but I want to encourage you to follow me anyway and trust me, and I go with you. He says…. If you believe in me and can be a witness for me; and be strong and courageous in a world of uncertainly you are dangerous to the enemy!

I think that the theme for this event really tied in well to my scripture emphasis for the year about conformity. I feel that kids conform to the ways of the world because they are uncertain about who they are. And the world is so uncertain that it becomes a vicious cycle. My prayer is that the kids can stop that cycle and can discover who they are, and can go into the world living dangerously!

Soup suppers will continue through

March 20th, serving from 5:00 – 6:30. Proceeds help the

kids going to Chicago for a

mission trip this summer.

Youth-led

Good

Friday

“Stations of

the Cross”

6:30 p.m.

Easter BreEaster BreEaster BreEaster Breakfastakfastakfastakfast Caramel French Toast

Berries and whip cream

Sausages

Scrambled eggs

Juice and coffee

Serving from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Proceeds help the Chicago mission trip