MARCH 2002



  

A Word From Our Pastor

Where were you when…President Kennedy was shot? Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon? The September 11th tragedy took place? The hymn writer asks a similar question concerning the events of holy week: “Were you there when…?” How would you answer his question?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

Romans 4:25 says that: “(Jesus) was delivered over to death for our sins…” Yes! We were there when Christ was crucified…it was your sins and mine that caused him to be crucified on the cross!

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? 

Colossian 2:13-14 says that: “…you were dead in your sins…God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross.” Yes! Jesus took the law of God, the law that we cannot keep, and fulfilled in OUR PLACE by nailing it to the cross.

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? 

Romans 6:4 states that: “We were therefore buried with (Jesus) through baptism into death…” Yes…yes we were there – in our baptism, our selfish, sinful nature was crucified and buried with Jesus!

Were you there when God raised Him from the tomb? 

Romans 6:5 also states: “…we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.” Once again, the answer is: YES! In baptism, we were not only there at the cross and in the tomb, but along with Jesus we were raised to a new life in Him. 

After each question, ‘were you there’, the hymn writer then states: “Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble…” When one considers all that Christ did, when we consider how God connected us with the CROSS, when we consider the miracles of Good Friday & Easter Sunday – I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but tremble either! I want to invite you to go with our Lord again to the upper room, to Calvary, to the cross, to the tomb…as we observe Holy Week and renew the power of the cross in our lives. 

God Bless You…Pastor Phil.

Sara's News For March & April

Youth Schedule

King’s Kids 
March 10th, 2-4pm 
Easter breakfast centerpieces Group Games

Jr. Youth 
March 17th 
Ice Skating @ Tranquility Park Watch for time and prices.

Jr. High District Retreat 
April 5-6  
7th & 8th grade 
Registration deadline: March 25 Limited to 26 youth (Gathering of the Talents is the same weekend)

Sr. Youth 
April 12-14 
Jesus Retreat @ Concordia University Wisconsin Registration deadline: March 8th

Weekly Bible Study Sundays @ 6pm

All Youth 
March 13th 
Lenten Meal Chicken Noodle and Beef Vegetable Soup Bread Rolls, and Dessert 
We’ll be asking families of the youth to help prepare the meal.

March 31st Easter Breakfast

Camp Luther 

Summer Camp Brochures/Registration Forms and Scholarship Applications are available in the church office through Sara Pritzl. Some brochures have been placed on the youth bulletin board.

Any high school students who are interested in volunteering at Camp Luther for 1 or 2 weeks this summer can get the information from Sara as well.

5-Year Plan/Vision for Youth Ministry 

I recently began interviews with youth to gather information about who they are and where they are. So far, all of the youth that I’ve interviewed are high school students who are active in our youth program. I still need to interview some of the senior youth who are less active as well as Jr. Youth; both active and inactive.

I would also like to get input from parents of youth as well. If you are a youth or a parent of a youth who would like to add input to our planning process, please contact me at the church office during regular hours or at home (753-0385). Hopefully, we’ll get enough input to begin building goals and plans for the future of the youth program. Thank you! Sara Pritzl Camp Luther 1050 Road 4 Schuyler, NE 68661-7145 Phone & fax: 402-352-5655 campluther@juno.com

High School Youth

can spend 1-2 weeks serving God and kids this summer at Camp Luther. Junior Servants help in maintenance, kitchen, & program duties. Volunteers are also needed to work with campers with mental retardation and others to work with horses. These volunteers work under the supervision of our college staff. If you are (or you know of) a responsible, mature high school youth who loves God and kids, please contact Camp Luther at (campluther@juno.com or 1-888-639-5809)

Special Services

Palm Sunday 
March 24 
8:00 & 10:30 Services

Maundy Thursday 
March 28 7p.m. Service 
“Last Supper Drama”

Good Friday 
March 29 4:30 p.m. with Holy Communion 
8:00 p.m. “Song of the Shadows”

Easter Vigil 
March 30 – Sat. 6:00 p.m.

Sunrise Service 
6:00 a.m. @ Memorial Cemetery

Easter 
8:00am & 10:30am both with Holy Communion

Principal's Notes

Shine Like Stars: 

LEADING 

This is the theme of our 2002 National Lutheran Schools Week celebration, March 3-11. How would you define leadership? Here are some suggestions: 

Lutheran schools shine like stars in leadership. They shine because Jesus is the servant leader who sacrificed His life for each of us.

Lutheran schools are leaders in Christian education, offering a quality Christ-centered education for all ages. Lutheran schools are served by faithful leaders in the classrooms, in administrative positions, and in many other roles. Lutheran schools (early childhood centers, elementary schools, high schools) of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are leading children to Jesus in all parts of this country and in the world.

We are led by His grace shining on us so we may continue to “Shine Like Stars” at Trinity Lutheran School! 

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Dan.12:3

HEIFER PROJECT 

This is the list of animals that the students of Trinity were able to purchase with their January chapel offerings – over $1600 worth! These will go to needy families around the world, providing not only food but also income so that they can become self-supporting. This chapel project supported an organization called Heifer International. Praise God for generous hearts – that Shine Like Stars with His love!

“Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name, lead and guide me.” Ps. 31:3 

CELEBRATE LUTHERAN SCHOOLS 

We are celebrating the blessings of our school during the week of March 3-11 with many fun activities:

SAFE SITES FOR FAMILIES 

ENROLLMENT FOR 2002-’03 

The Board of Child Ministry has chosen not to raise tuition for the new school year! Re-enrollment forms and half ($80), or all ($160), of the registration fee should accompany the form. These need to be returned NO LATER THAN March 11. We cannot guarantee a spot for students who enroll after that date. 

Enrollment will be opened up to new students on March 12. Forms may be picked up at the school office, or you may call the school office, 721-5959, and we will be glad to send you one. 

We also have a number of ways to assist families with the financial burden of tuition. If you would like more information, stop by the school office at East for more information.

DATES TO REMEMBER 

Shine Like Stars as you keep JESUS FIRST!

Vicar's Spot: Vicar, Michael Meyer  

Be Still...

February 24, 2002 was my son Caleb’s 1st birthday! It seems just like yesterday that we brought both Stacey & Caleb home from the hospital. I got to thinking again about Caleb’s birth and the critical, scary hours that we endured after his birth…the hours we faced not knowing what was going to happen to our little boy. 

As a million “What if” questions ran through my head, it must have been the Holy Spirit that reminded me of a verse from God’s word—“Be still and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10.  I needed to leave things in the only hands that things could be left in…the faithful, strong and caring hands of God. 

In our fast-paced world, sometimes the very thing we need to do is often what we don’t do: We need to simply sit still and have our hearts filled with the counsel God. When we do that, we are better prepared for whatever the day brings. 

Sometimes the most godly thing we can do for ourselves is to go to sleep. Sometimes the most godly thing we can do for our family or friends is to take a break and recoup our strength. Maybe that’s why the words of Jesus that promise us rest, are so compelling to us because of our endless desire and quest to REST—and not just to rest in a physical sense, but to rest the heart, to find peace and finally settle down in a lush, fertile valley of contentment. 

Do you and I frequently take time to “be still?” Do we know where to find rest, a clear conscience and the ability to sleep at night and live with yourself? The answer lies in living by the very faith that was given by the Father who made you & me. 

If we want to bring under control a fast-paced lifestyle, we need to take our focus off of the unnecessary; if we want to be where God wants us to be, we need to concentrate on the necessary. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Ps. 46:1

Living in the Light of the Son,

Vicar Mike

Attendance

Feb.

 6pm 8am 10:30am Total

Sunday School

 Adult Bible Class
2/3 154 160 334 648 114 122
9/10 94 80 280 454 86 90
16/17 150 170 328 648 124 99
23/24 133 171 396 700 115 127
Lenten Services  
  4:30 7:00 Total
13 262 156 418
20 250 168 418

LLL News

The LLL met Tuesday, Feb. 19th with 18 members and 6 guests. After the table prayer and return of thanks, everyone enjoyed soup prepared by Max Borgmeyer and Clarence Kerschinske, and a variety of pie, furnished by members. 

President Max Borgmeyer introduced Sara Pritzl, who spoke on how she got into Church work and her education and training to become a Youth Director. 

Max opened the business meeting and minutes were read and approved with a change of motion for the profit of the meal served on Ash Wed. Motion was to made to wait until after the East Egg Hunt to decide an amount to give Orphan Grain Train. 156 people were served with a profit of $383.00; and the Treasurer reported a balance of $788.00. Motions were passed to accept Treasures report and to pay the bill from Oriental Trading Co. of $42.99. 

Max read letters of thanks from Orphan Grain Train for the previous gift and from 1st Lutheran for Advent Booklets. Also read was information on the LLL bowling tournament to be held in Grand Island, and on the LLL State convention to be held in Omaha, March 1st, 2nd, & 3rd. Clarence Kerschinske informed the group of a new name for AAL/LBH, and Merne Rohfls reported on the Orphan Grain Train’s activities. 

Max closed the meeting with a reading of Romans 12: 15-21 and the Lord’s Prayer was prayed in unison. 

Next meeting will be Tuesday, March 19th, 7:00 p.m. Business will be to prepare for the Easter Egg Hunt, and election of officers. Max appointed Gary Moll, Merne Rohlfs, and Dale Echtenkamp to the nominations committee. 

Art Akins, V.P.

P.S. A Big Thank You to all that attended the Ash Wednesday meal.

Sunday School

Trinity WILL have Sunday School on Easter Sunday March 31st. However, the common opening will not be held due to the Easter breakfast which will be served in the gym. Please bring your children directly their classroom at 9:15 for lessons about Jesus' glorious resurrection. He is risen! 

Sunday School children who will celebrate birthdays in March include:

God's blessings to all of you on your birthday!!!! 

Make a renewed Lenten commitment to attend adult Bible Study and bring your children to Sunday School. See you Sunday!

Financial Administrator - Erik Borgmeyer  

Live Life! 

I am going to change gears a little bit from my normal financial article and ponder something with you. Do you live life to the fullest? Do you live life, as God wants you to live? Consider this: an older man who had just learned he was going to die wrote this. “If I had my life to live over again I’d try to make more mistakes next time, try not to be so perfect. I’d relax more, I’d limber up, and I’d be sillier than I’d been on this trip. In fact, I know very few things, except my faith that I would take so seriously. I’d be crazier and I’d certainly be less hygienic. I’d take more rivers, and I’d watch more sunsets. I’d eat more ice cream, and fewer beans. I’d have more actual troubles and fewer imagined ones, because ninety percent of things we worry about actually never happen. See, I was one of those people who lived prophylacticly, insanely, insensibly, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, that doesn’t mean I didn’t have my moments. In fact, I’d try to have nothing but wonderful moments side by side. Living the now not missing the now, because that’s what life really is, a wonderful series of ‘nows’ Not tomorrows, they may never come; not yesterdays they’ve been and there is nothing you can do about them. So you made a mistake, so tough God forgives you. But there’s now, don’t miss it. Everything else is illusion except what’s happening between you and me right at this moment. If I had to do it all over again, I’d travel lighter next time. If I had my life to live over again, I’d start barefoot earlier in the Spring and stay that way later in the Fall. I’d play hooky more, I’d ride more merry-go-rounds, I’d smell more flowers, I’d hug more children, I’d tell more people that I love them. If I had my life to live over again. But you see, I don’t. You know I have a strong feeling that this wonderful quality of humanness with all of its wonders is God’s gift to you and what you do with it is your gift to God. Don’t satisfy yourself with anything less than offering God the perfect gift that you are and have a blast doing it.” 

Bud Frame 

I think this article articulates the joy of life God has given us but do we always live life the way God wants us to live? The answer is NO! We are by nature sinful and unclean, but God does forgive us and loves us. I hope this article maybe gave you some encouragement that life is fun, but the real fun is yet to come. We must prepare ourselves here on earth for our life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While we are here on earth there is many things we can do to give glory to God, and have fun doing it!

Erik

Thank You

Theresa and I want to thank our Trinity church family for all their support during Mike’s illness. We know that we were supported by many prayers. The visits by Pastor Vance, church staff, and members of the congregation supported the ideal of a caring family. We thank you for the cards, gifts of food, phone calls, visits, and genuine caring. Mike has been too ill to really know or care through much of this, but I can not even begin to express how much it has meant to us or how much it has supported us during this ordeal! Members of Trinity Lutheran Church have shown that they are truly a caring family! 
Cheryl Hartwell

Dear Trinity Lutheran Church: On behalf of the West Omaha Lutheran School Association, I want to thank you for your generous gift of $500 for the Believe the Miracle campaign. Any specified area of donation has been honored. Thank you for your prayers and support as we look forward to continued growth with the Lord’s blessings. Please keep the board and our staff in your prayers throughout the following year so that we may continue to do God’s work and answer His call to provide our children with a Christian education. 
In His service, 
David W Mueller 
Executive Director

The Boy Scouts, leaders and parent of Troop 109 wish to thank the members of Trinity Lutheran Church for their continued support in helping Troop 109 have another successful Scout Soup Feed this year. 
Scott Anderson, 
Scout Master & Soup Feed Committee

To all those who so unselfishly donated to the Tuition Assistance Fund: Thank you so much for your donations to the Tuition Assistance Fund. Your generosity has helped to keep our children in a Christian environment on a daily basis. Thank you for understanding the importance of keeping our children in the “Light”. You are a true blessing from God to our family and others alike. God bless you! 
A Trinity school family

Board of Ministry Minutes: February 28, 2002 

Chairman Tom Mueller called the meeting to order. Sara Pritzl opened the meeting in devotion and prayer. 

Attendance

Present

Executive Board

Erik Borgmeyer, Barb Cook, Dawn Gilfry, Mike Meyer, Julie Patchen, Sarah Pritzl, Pastor Phil Vance

Board of Ministry

Rodney Borgmeyer, Helen Einspahr, Jon Gilfry, Mark Harms, Judy Ilten, Dave Kerschinske, Mike Lathrop, Greg Lund, Tom Mueller, Joyce Pasold, Dave Ridder, Terrie Reisdorff, Warren Sund, Rick Vogel

Excused

Paul Heinemann 

Special Guest

Steve Parr, Larry Andreasen. 

New Members

Dave Ridder and Mike Lathrop, were welcomed into the Board. 

MOTION

Board Reports 

Board of Elders - Warren S.

There were no additions to the submitted report. 

Board of Youth - Sarah P. 

The Sweetheart dance was a success. 

Board of Child Ministry - Barb C. 

Board of Spiritual Life & Growth - Rick V. 

Board of Properties - Dave K & Greg L. 

There were no additions to the submitted report. 

Board of Finance - Erik B. 

Board of Day Care - Dawn Gilfry 

no report given. 

Committee Reports 

Executive Committee

no report given 

Personnel Committee - Jon G. 

Windows -  Guest Larry A. 

Unfinished Business 

A MOTION was made by Rick V. to establish the Web Site as a sub-committee of the Board of Spiritual Life & Growth. Terrie R. seconded the motion. The motion carried. 

Strategic Business 

Building Committee - Steve Parr 

Staff Position - Pastor Vance 

A MOTION was made by Warren S. and seconded by Dave K. to adjust the title of the vacancy from Assistant to Associate Pastor. The motion carried. 

A MOTION was made by Jon G. to allow Pastor Vance to amend the Associate Pastor call documents to state “The Board has the intent to review the health benefits of 2002-2003.” And to direct the personnel committee to review this issue. Warren S. seconded this motion. The motion carried. 

Principal candidate Mr. David Hinkle will be here Friday 2-22 through Sunday 2-24. 

New Business

A MOTION was made by Warren S to approve the transfer in of Jerry & Debra Bicking, Nicole and Jay from St Paul’s Arlington and to approve the transfer outs of Ron & Cindy Meyer, Cory, Angela, Andrew, Megan to Good Shepherd, Lincoln, and Riley Hubach to Grace Lutheran Pocatello ID. Greg L. seconded the motion. The motion carried. 

New Board Assignments are as follows: Board of Elders: Warren S and Mike L Board of Child Ministry: Helen E. and Paul H. Board of Spiritual Life & Growth: Judy I. and Rod B. Board of Finance: Jon G. and Dave Ridder Board of Daycare: Joyce P. and Rick V. Board of Youth: Terrie R. and Mark H. Board of Properties: Dave K. and Greg Lund. 

A MOTION was made by Warren S. and seconded by Terrie R. to allow Rick Vogel to serve a one-year term. Motion carried. *A MOTION was made by Rick V. and seconded by Dave K. to approve Vicar Meyer, Sara Pritzl, Vickie Gilligan and Julie Patchen as members of the Executive Board of Ministry. Motion carried. 

A MOTION was made by Greg L. and seconded by Rick V. to appoint Josh Fickbohm to the Board of Properties. 

The meeting closed in prayer by Tom M.

Respectfully submitted by Lisa Brandt

Miscellaneous

Stained Glass Windows Update!

For those of you who haven’t heard – the Bereans have agreed to Trinity acquiring the stained glass windows from the old Church. If you are interested in contributing to the expense of the removal, storage, putting in new glass for the Bereans, and eventually re-installation in our new facility, please contact Erik or make your check payable to Trinity Lutheran Church and mark the envelope “Windows”. Thank You!

Church Library Update: 

A New video (V-138) Happy Healthy Babies & Moms

Two new Children’s Devotion books in the children’s section: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep And Thank You for This Food They feature prayers, actions, and songs.

Vicar Mike mentioned Carrie Ten Boom in his Feb 16-17 sermon. Your church library has these books of hers: Clippings from my Notebook Carrie Ten Boom’s Prison Letters In My Father’s House Tramp for the Lord

Voters’ Assembly/Special Mtg. March 20, 2002 6:00 p.m. – Gym

Core Values of Trinity Lutheran Church: § We exist to share a faith in Jesus Christ that works in real life. § We seek to work with flexibility. § We work with an optimism born of trust in God.

Opening:

Agenda: Decision to extend call to the Principal Candidate (Tabled Motion from 2-17-02 meeting)

Closing:

Congratulations! 

Katie Andreasen, Lisa Cook, & Bethany DeLozier, Students at Concordia University, Seward, were awarded the annual NEBRASKA ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONS FOR CONCORDIA scholarship. This school year the scholarship was $800 per year for full-time students. 

NACC was established in 1981 and now has a membership of 121 Nebraska District congregations. The primary objectives of NACC are to elicit regular and fervent prayers on behalf of Concordia, to recruit students for service to God and His people and to provide scholarships to student members of NACC congregations who attend Concordia.

Ladies Aid

Ladies Aid meets the first Thursday of each month in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity. In special months we eat out, as we did for our February Valentines luncheon that was at the Fremont House. Next Meeting is March 7th at 1:30 pm for our “Spring Meeting”. Guests & visitors are welcome! Linda Shepard, Secretary

Note to All

There are several Church Directories that still need picked up – If you had a family portrait taken and have yet to pick up your FREE pictorial directory, please call Vickie at 721-5536.

There are also several contribution statements that have not been picked up. These are located in the church office.

American Red Cross Fremont Blood Drive

Alliance Church Monday, March 18 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. & Tuesday, March 19 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for appt: Melissa 721-2386

The Crisis Center Needs Volunteers! 

Want to make a difference in someone’s life? Volunteer at the Crisis Center for Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault! 

Who are We? The Crisis Center is a non-profit organization that assists victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. We offer free confidential services to those living in Dodge, Burt, Cuming, Washington, and Saunders Counties. Services include: crisis intervention, a 24-hour hotline, medical and legal referrals and education. 

What Could I do? Most of our volunteers assist with our 24-hour Crisis Line. The Crisis Center answering service contacts you and you return the victim’s call, so you volunteer from home! 

How do I become a volunteer? Contact the Crisis Center office at 721-4340. You must go through a volunteer training class before becoming a crisis line volunteer. Classes are starting Saturday, March 2nd at 9:00 a.m. 

Why should I volunteer? By being a volunteer, you can make a difference in the life of a victim. Our volunteers are very important to us at the Crisis Center and we could not do it without their help! 

Call today!!! 721-4340

Care Corps Inc. Homeless Shelter

Care corps, Inc. is the Northeast Nebraska area homeless shelter, providing nearly 7,500 nights of shelter in 2001. The staff and volunteers are developing our Life Skills program. We are offering self-enhancement sessions for our clients to help them gain stronger day-to-day living skills. Volunteers can help by donating their time to teach one of these sessions. We have in mind topics such as: nutrition, coping with stress, parenting, legal aid, money management, job readiness and health/wellness. If you know anyone who would like to lead a session please contact Amy Lutt at 721-3125.

Jobs For Persons Age 55+ 

Employment with local businesses And nonprofit agencies. Classroom and on-the-job training also available. Senior Employment Service – 727-3907 406 E 6th St., Fremont, NE 68025

Delta Tau Sorority Pancake Feed

Sunday, March 3, 2002 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sinai Lutheran Church Free Will Donation 941-5111 for questions

Three Easter Programs will be Broadcast 

We are blessed to have: “Easter Is,” “The Puzzle Club Easter Adventure,” and “3 Days” broadcasting throughout the United States this Easter season. For current information on dates and times log on to our website www.lhm.org. or you can call our hotline at 1-800-442-0324. 
Lutheran Hour Ministries Who help the church proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through radio, television and other media.

Italian Spaghetti Feed 

Friday, March 8 5:00-9:00 p.m. Cost: $5 per adult $3 for children 10 and under $15 for entire family Spaghetti, salad, deserts, and beverages will be served. Entertainment will be provided.

Proceeds to benefit Concordia Lutheran Jr/Sr High School yearbook staff in order to provide a yearbook to each and every student telling the story of how Concordia came about and having all the other characteristics of a normal school yearbook.
Contact person: Brent A Schultz 391-6141 (W) 991-6763 (H) 319-7571 (cell)

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