There are more updates in this week's worship video, but here are a few on what's happening at Trinity.
REOPENING: We have already begun to reopen some ministries of the church. This includes the reopening of the soup kitchen, albeit with curbside pickup, spearheaded by the SSKP and Vicki Harris. Though we did close down our building, we had allowed some vital ministry programs to make the decisions themselves whether they would remain open or not. None of them did. We anticipate the possibility of some of our recovery groups returning but under strict protocol.
As for in person worship: Our Bishop, Jim Hazelwood, sent a letter to the congregations of our Synod asking our churches to remain closed to inside worship until at least July 1st. He posted a video explaining his reasonings which you can view HERE.
Even before that our council agreed to hold off on in-person worship until I returned from the second part of my parental leave which begins Wednesday, May 27th and ends July 8th. It both offsets some of the losses to our budget and avoids the near impossible task of trying to find a supply pastor in this moment. We will evaluate thereafter and be sure to communicate with you.
BUDGET: Thank you to everyone who has been able to continue making financial contributions to the ministries of this church. We are so appreciative. And if you are not in a position to give financially, we are so grateful for all the ways you give your prayers and time and participation in our online worship and small group ZOOM activities. Your presence is a blessing for us.
It goes without saying that, like everyone else's, our budget has taken a hit during shutdown. But many have been able to continue their giving and some have decided to make their year-end pledge up front. We are also grateful for those who've made special offerings during this period. Additionally, and many thanks to Steve Kilby, Trinity applied for and received monies from the Paycheck Protection Program out of the CARES ACT. Because of these things, we are confident in Trinity's financial safety going into the summer.
WORSHIP DURING PARENTAL LEAVE: We will be joining worship with Zion Lutheran Church in Portland, CT. Their pastor happens to be one of our favorites (former Trinity member) Sara Stall-Ryan, who is excited to invite us to worship with them.
To see their worship videos, find their YouTube page by searching Zion Lutheran Church Portland CT. (You can find the link HERE). Their worship videos are posted at 9am every Sunday morning.
If you are ever willing to participate in worship like you do at Trinity by doing a reading, providing music, offering a prayer, please send Pastor Sara and email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
EMERGENCY PASTORAL CARE: Pastor Geoff Sinibaldo, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (203) 807-6474 Other Inquiries: Leadership Contacts at TLCcenterbrook.org
Curbside Soup Kitchen at Trinity Lutheran Church
We are back in action. Thank you SSKP and Trinity volunteers. If you or anybody you know is in need of a fresh meal at lunchtime on Fridays, drive on (or walk on) by anytime between 12-1pm!
Interested in contributing financially or your time? Contact Vicki Harris (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to get more information?
Worship, Sunday, May 24th. Ascension Sunday: Jesus Works From Home?
Thanks for those who helped put this service together. Watch HERE.
You can view all past worship services and devotionals at our channel HERE.
Sunday School Lesson!
For the next 8 weeks, pretty wonderful Sunday School lessons will be posted in this space here for you to watch as a family. They're being released by SPARKHOUSE (our curriculum provider) and now they are available to you. God Bless!
Week 1: Doubting Thomas. Watch HERE. Week 2: Emmaus Walk. Watch HERE. Week 3: Early believers. Watch HERE. Week 4: God's House. Watch HERE. Week 5: The Promise of the Holy Spirit. Watch HERE. Week 6: The Ascension. Watch HERE.
The next Trinity Book Discussion will be held on Friday, May 29th, at 7:00 p.m. through a Zoom conference meeting. The relevant Zoom meeting information is set forth below. We will again be discussing short stories. The two short stories for the next Book Discussion are linked. "Thank You M'am" is a short story written by Langston Hughes, an African-American writer perhaps best known for his poetry and considered a leader of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920's. The story involves an encounter between a woman and a teenage boy who tries to steal her purse. "Parker's Back" was written by Flannery O'Connor, a devout Roman Catholic and one of the most celebrated female short story writers of the 20th century. This work, filled with religious symbolism, tells the story of a man who moves from a self-indulgent lifestyle to a life of sacrifice and pain for God.
All are invited to participate in the Book Discussion. We always have interesting discussions and great camaraderie. This a wonderful way to stay connected during this time of social distancing. Don't forget your glass of wine or other beverage of choice! -----------------------------------------------------
Topic: Book Club Time: May 29th, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
If you are able, please continue to send in your pledge. Our ministry is 100% dependent on the giving of our members and the "passing the plate," both of which will be greatly affected in the weeks and months ahead.
Trinity Lutheran Church Box 112 Centerbrook, CT 06409
Benevolence Committee
Church, many in and outside our faith community have lost jobs and work and are struggling. We want to remind you about our Benevolence committee. If you find yourself in need of help with a bill, money for prescriptions, food or gas cards, or something else, please reach out to Pastor Brett (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 203.560.0012) or Barb Hesser, the chair of the committee (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 860.655.9687) and we can make an anonymous request to the committee on your behalf.
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TUES. MAY
Church Council 7pm ZOOM Meeting
"Sunday Sermons with Pastor Brett" Pastor's sermons now available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and SoundCloud
Check wherever you get your podcasts for "Sunday Sermons with Pastor Brett" and catch up on sermons you may have missed. Subscribe, like, write reviews, so that others outside of the Trinity community might connect with the message and learn about our church.
Are you ordering from AMAZON SMILE? Instead of ordering from Amazon, order from Amazon Smile. Use your same log-in, get the same product, but Amazon donates back to charity!
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
The important note: You must login to AmazonSmile.com Please consider choosing TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH of CENTERBROOK, CONN as your charity of choice.
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