Stories to Tell: Giftedness

I can’t begin to understand the story of my giftedness for ministry without noting the influence of other brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the persistent planting of the seed to consider pursuing ordination by a host of pastors I worked with in outdoor ministry over several summers, I surely would not be serving as one of your pastors today. Thankfully, “ministry” takes a host of forms that go far beyond that of a pastor. This weekend, we find ourselves at the pinnacle of our “Stories to Tell/Gifts to Share” series as we reflect on many of the stories we’ve heard from members in recent weeks (also found on our website in case you missed them!) and the ways in our experiences in and through Holy Trinity have furthered the mission of Christ. First, November 14 is “Commitment Sunday,” when you’re challenged and encouraged to bring forward your “Faith Promise” you’ve been praying over, offering it as an act of worship. These commitments have proven to be essential to ministry, consistently providing over 90% of the income upon which we carry out our ministry. As we’ve noted, this next year will likely prove to be particularly challenging, so it’s essential that we all put our “best feet forward!”. Please share yours in a timely way so that our Visioning has the very best information in crafting an initial proposed ministry budget for 2022. If you’re unable to make it to worship in person, drop your card in the mail this week, if you would! It makes all the difference in determining what we can do! We’re going to be focusing on “spiritual gifts” this Sunday and the unique ways in which God has designed and equipped each of us for playing a vital role in God’s story! We’ll be sharing conversation with Angie Weiler, who has helped us focus on gift discernment as an important element in our ministry together. I’m intrigued about that dialog and hope that you may find it to be a refreshing and grace-filled approach to discerning how you might best serve as Christ’s disciple! I’m humbled by a spirit of Thanksgiving in this season of gratitude. I am thankful for each of you for the ways in which you love and serve your neighbors both within and beyond the congregation. I regard it as a high honor to share this journey of faith with you. Thank you for risking the vulnerability required to do so! Hope to see you Sunday (or Wednesday)! Pastor Tim

Stories to Tell: All Together

Dear Friends,

Do you wonder what your church is up to especially when you are not in the building?? Just in the past month …

• We celebrated the gift of sewing, crafts, and compassion with the donation of quilts to Lutheran World Relief. Thank you to the Crafts at the Table for guiding and teaching us!

• Premise Keepers have faithfully continued to assist our custodian, Alex, to keep the building shining. Join the team on Monday Mornings at 8 a.m. for cleaning and conversation!

• Facilities Team is coordinating the installation of a new automated handicap entrance for the main doors. There was an anonymous donation to cover the entire cost. The use of this door will benefit so many people of all ages and capabilities. We are scheduled to have electricity wired to the doors next week.

• Men’s Small Group met on Thursday evenings. EVERYONE is invited to join them for a special servant event on November 11 from 1-3 p.m. They will be serving at Houses Into Homes. Please contact Pastor Ron Schardt at (elrons62@gmail.com) so they have an idea of how large the team will be!

• 15 Students were Confirmed as Members in a special Worship Service on October 24.

• Family Ministry has grown! We have learned about our Neighbors, carved pumpkins in the sanctuary with a special prayer, and had a special visit with Pastor Dirk from Free Indeed.

• Wednesday Youth Night (WYN!)

  • Club 56 continues to grow! Family Ministry and Club 56 alternate curriculum so we can maximize our resources.

  • High School Ministry continues to grow! Three of our members are on the North Liberty Volleyball Team and brought the team to Youth Group. We have an amazing team walking alongside our youth including Kent, Deb D., Deb B, Rachel, and Suzanne.

  • Confirmation is led by Pastor Tim and his team as they study the Year of the Bible.

  • WYN Worship has grown to be fairly consistent with 40-70 people each week.

• We had 16 households who hosted a Trunk for our first Trunk or Treat on October 31

  • We have stories of children, youth, and adults who had an afternoon of fun and outreach. Youth brought their friends to host a trunk, a grandfather brought his grandsons, children of all ages hosted, families went from trunk to trunk and collected a lot of treats, launched a stuffed pumpkin or two off the observation deck and celebrated amazing fellowship!

• Each week we have worshipped, prayed, walked along one another in our joys and our challenges.

This coming weekend we will dig into a story about the beloved woman and her handful of coins as she shared her treasures! Intentional Discipleship opens up our hearts to joyful giving!

Praise the Lord, Holy Trinity is vibrant inside and out!

Blessings to you and your household,

Pastor Katie

The October 14 Post Someone Forgot to Post

Dear Friends,

In my very first seminary class, my professor was teaching in front of a crowded room and I was taking it all in. Out of the blue, she said something like, "See, Katie wears a cross." All eyes went directly on me. I quickly put my hand to my neck and covered the small golden cross that I had worn for years. My face went hot, my cheeks red, and I looked up at her with shock. Had I done something wrong by wearing a cross in a seminary? As she continued to teach, it became clear that she was in the midst of a teachable moment, not at my expense, but to get the class to focus on our intentions.

Her lesson was on intentional discipleship. She taught about how Jesus' life and death wasn't then, nor it is now, a transaction for our lives. A life with Jesus isn't about fame and power; it is about a heart that is transformed to live like Jesus.

She concluded her lesson by asking me why I wore the cross. I replied "When someone looks at it, it is a cross. But when I turn it up at me, it is the letters J and C, for Jesus Christ. It reminds me to whom I belong." If I had been able to think it through, I would have added that wearing my cross is a reminder to strengthen and humble me. I respond to a hurting world with courage and conviction that I am saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. I am loved and forgiven forever.

Our Scripture for this weekend is Mark 10:35-45. This passage talks about knowing Jesus, following Jesus, and ultimately having a heart like Jesus for our neighbor. That has been our journey together for the past several weeks of "God's Word, Our Hands." I want to challenge you and me to go beyond the limited sermon series and ask ourselves daily: "To whom do I belong?" How will my neighbor know by my response to the hurts and joys of each day that Jesus is at the center of my world always (Mark 10:43-45)?

We ask just as the disciples did: "What can I do?" We have provided for you in the newsletter, our bulletins, our website, and in the decór inside the building many ways to respond to the needs of our community. I invite you to take immediate action on yet another way to be part of the community.

On October 31st from 3 to 5 p.m., Holy Trinity will host a Trunk or Treat. We will have cars lined up in the parking lot filled with simple decorations and lots of goodies to hand out. Children will go "Trunk or Treating" safely and as a community. How can you help? We need Trunks and we need Treats!

• Contact the church office or Pastor Katie if you can volunteer to host a trunk.

• Be on-site with your vehicle by 2:30 p.m.. The event runs from 3 to 5.

• We have a limited number of decorations if you need some help!

We will see you on-site for Family Sunday School or worship on Sundays or at Wednesday Youth Night (WYN). Stay intentionally connected!

Blessings to you and your household,

Pastor Katie