1 In this issue: Altar Candle Sponsors………………………...3 Attendance .................................. …………….3 Quilting…………………………………… ......... 4 Young at Heart ............................................... 4 Calendar ...................................................... 11 Council/Committee Contacts………………...12 Council Highlights ........................................... 8 Passages ..................................................... ..3 Pastor Susan’s Message .............................. .2 Youth……………………………………………..5 Faith Quest ..................................................... 7 Stepping Stones ............................................. 7 523 4 th Ave. SE, Jamestown, ND July 2020 Vol. 17 Issue 7 Trinity Lutheran Church Bond Trinity’s purpose: Connect with God and with each other. Share God’s good news with all. Returning to in person worship Trinity started inviting people to return for in person worship at 8:30 am on Sundays. See pages 5 and 10 for the ways volunteers can help and for what to expect during the phased return plan.
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Bond - Trinity Lutheran Church - Home · I don’t keep plants in my house and I don’t keep them in my office. Here’s what happened. We were looking for projects during quarantine
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Trinity started inviting people to return for in person worship at 8:30 am on Sundays. See pages 5 and 10 for the ways volunteers can help and for what to expect during the phased return plan.
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This spring, for the first time ever, we planted a small garden. I’ve never been a gardener. Some of you have heard me say that I have a terrible track record with all plants. I don’t keep plants in my house and I don’t keep them in my office. Here’s what happened. We were looking for projects
during quarantine and decided to plant seeds in cups. Then suddenly the seeds were too big for the cups. Aaaaaaaand now I have a garden. So each day I water and pull weeds around the pumpkins, cucumbers, peas, carrots, and strawberries. Suddenly I get why people garden. Seeing the garden grow is so exciting and hopeful. I love to see the growth and imagine the results. Often in the Bible, God is compared to a gardener and the Kingdom of God to a garden. I was pondering this as I worked on my garden the other day and here’s some truths about gardens and the Christian life: WEEDS - Weeds compete for the water and nutrients in the soil. Like a garden there are weeds in our lives that take the life away from us. Sometimes the weeds are people who drain our energy or spirit. Sometimes weeds are the distractions that keep us from what is life-giving and make us fail to thrive. Sometimes the weeds are habits we need to break or truths we need to hear about ourselves. Sometimes the weeds are hard to see and even look like good plants, but they don’t bear fruit. Whatever the weeds are we need good gardeners to help us uproot them. A supportive group of family and friends, people who are honest and loving, can do a lot of the weeding in your garden. A relationship with God that includes prayer and time to listen for God’s guidance is another powerful tool when eradicating the weeds in the garden that is your life. These gardeners can help you see what’s a weed and what’s a plant you want growing in your life, what is life-giving and what isn’t. PESTS - There are a variety of outside influences that will infiltrate your garden and cause havoc. The cute bunny we loved to see hopping in our yard also ate all the strawberries out of our garden. Here’s where good boundaries
are important. In our garden we put up a fence. In your life boundaries will keep people from taking what you aren’t willing to give them. It’s ok to say no and to know your limits. When you discover that the boundary you have isn’t strong enough, it’s ok to upgrade. (The bunny totally hopped over our first fence). Here again you can call on your gardeners to help you create and maintain healthy fences to keep your garden growing. WATER - Watering the garden has become a morning ritual and I’m learning a lot about how much water is needed. Sometimes there’s plenty of rain. Sometimes the days are hot and dry. Water to a garden is like the Word of God for Christians. We need to connect with God’s Word everyday. When life gives us dry days, we need God’s words of promise and love even more. Here is where God is the master gardener, offering us exactly what we need to thrive when we soak our roots in his living Word. SUN - Gardens need sun. The gardens that are our lives need the Son. This is the easiest metaphor of all. We cannot grow without God’s love embodied by God’s beloved son. Listening to the Word of God made flesh in Jesus Christ will help us thrive and grow and bless those around us. Whether you are a gardener or not, I offer you this metaphor. Like a good gardener God loves to see us grow and imagine the results as our lives unfold. May this summer be one of growth for you and may your growth be a blessing to the world around you! Blessings, Pastor Susan Haukaas
This statement by Martin Luther is posted outside my church office. "I am strongly persuaded that after theology, there is no art that can be placed on a level with music, for besides theology, MUSIC is the only art capable
of affording Peace and Joy to the heart." I eagerly look forward to the time when we can again fill our sanctuary with a congregation raising their voices in song. I am grateful to those soloists and instrumentalists who have provided special music during these past months. And I am deeply grateful to the six members of Celebration who have faithfully come together each week - practicing proper distancing - and providing the music for the 10:45 Service each Sunday. My fondest wish now is that once we can truly come together we will discover even more people who will wish to raise their voices in song and provide instrumental music. Music brings joy and hope and a rich expression of faith. Let us all look forward with eager anticipation to renewed excitement in our worship. Dick Morris
Christ in our Home devotion books
The July, August, and September edition is
available at Trinity. Copies will be placed
outside the building by the north door for pick
up Sundays through Thursdays (unless it is
raining.)
Hymnals
Would you like to borrow a hymnal for a couple
months or purchase your own so you can sing
along with worship? Please call the church office
252-2841 and leave a message.
Meggen will make arrangements for you to pick
one up or help you place an order with Augsburg
Fortress. Cost is approximately $25 plus shipping.
Pew editions and e book versions are available.
The Salad Luncheon That Wasn’t!! Trinity Women of the ELCA rely on income from
our 2 fundraisers to fund our benevolences and
to pay the $100 monthly for kitchen cleaning
which the Women have committed to finance.
COVID-19 made the salad luncheon an impossibility,
with the fall bazaar decision still pending Trinity
women have been very generous in providing a
tasty assortment of salads for the salad luncheon
and pies and other items for the bazaar, as well
as working at both events. In lieu of the salad
luncheon donations of salads and labor, we are
appealing to the women to donate cash to fund
our benevolences and kitchen cleaning commitment.
Please bring/send to the office: checks are
payable to Trinity Lutheran Church, on the memo
line, write: Women of Trinity.
In the last 3 years our benevolences have included:
3rd Grade Bibles $217.44, $273.60, and $201.26;
Red Willow Bible Camp $300, $300, $400;
Head Start $150 each year;
Safe Shelter $200, $400, $200; and
Salvation Army $200, $300, $300.
Additionally, we have twice given $500 to Lutheran
Disaster Response and funded Lutheran World
Relief twice with $100 and $200. We have
provided $300 for Trinity Youth to attend the
churchwide youth gathering and $200 for Trinity
quilting supplies as well as $188.32 for Trinity
confirmands’ flowers, $150 for Lost and Found
Ministries (a drug and alcohol rehab program),
$100 for Perry Center for unwed mothers, and
$300 for tornado relief in Watford City.
We also urge women to consider becoming a part
of Women of Trinity. In non-COVID times we
meet at noon in the conference room on the 2nd
Thursday of most months to plan events and to
disburse funds. Our core group has grown smaller
and older each passing year and new faces and
ideas are welcome!!! When regular monthly
meeting of “Ladies’ Aid” became a “thing of the
past”, the core group continued meeting and
planning as they were reluctant to end the
funding of the benevolences.
Anyone who shares that passion for continuing
the benevolent work is asked to notify the office
or Ruth Urdahl at 952-1733.
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Community Notices
Stay Safe and help prevent the spread of COVID 19.
Wash your hands.
Cover your cough.
Stay home if you are sick and ask yourself if this trip is necessary if you are well.
Find more information at www.cdc.gov or health.nd.gov
SCAM ALERT
During the past couple of months, several
false email addresses have been set up
pretending to be Pastor Kristi Weber.
Please know,
1) I have not changed my email address.
2) I will not ask you to purchase gift cards
to help someone in need.
3) If it doesn’t “smell right,” it’s NOT.
Any time Trinity is requesting donations,
you will hear from a known source and will
see it in all the regular places Trinity
provides information.
If in doubt, call the church office 252-2841.
Thank you.
In Peace, Pastor Kristi Weber
How can I volunteer to prepare for people to
return for in-person worship?
Thank you to everyone who helped get Trinity ready to
welcome people back for in-person worship.
Additional help is needed:
Sewing Masks: A pattern, fabric and supplies will be
provided for sewers who are willing to make cloth
masks for people who do not have them.
Goal: 5 people making more kid sized masks by July 15
Ushers: Receive training on new procedures for seating,
receiving offering, directing traffic flow, and communion.
Four ushers are needed for each service each week.
Summer Lawn Care A volunteer lawn mowing team
will be caring for Trinity’s lawn this summer. To volunteer,
Eric Knodel, Pastor Susan Haukaas, Pastor Kristi Weber
Minutes: Judy moved that the minutes of the May meeting be approved. Seconded by Leslee. The motion passed. Treasurer’s Report: Erin moved to approve the report. Seconded by Jon. The motion passed. ACTION ITEMS
A. Review of congregation owned housing at 506 5th Ave SE. from the letter of understanding: “This
letter shall be in effect from October 1, 2019 until August 31, 2020. By June 30, 2020, either party may give 60 days’ notice of the intention to separate housing from the compensation package or of the intention to renew this agreement with the same or different terms.”
Jon moved to renew agreement now with the same terms. Seconded by Judy. The motion passed.
B. Appoint Audit Committee: Becky Knodel, Steve Brubakken, plus one more. It is time to Audit the 2019 financial records. The third person will be identified soon.
C. Notice about Estate Gift – call for special meeting on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. for Council to discuss how the estate gift impacts Trinity’s financial planning. Council is asked to add to the “dream bigger” list between now and Sunday, June 21.
D. Appoint small group to oversee resuming in person worship and activities at Trinity (14 days
declining known active cases of COVID-19 in Stutsman County). Mitch, pastors and one more. E. Update about new video/sound tech to support online worship with people present. Pastor Susan shared the proposal from Dakota Sound. Page 1 ($7,295) is for the upgrades to Live Streaming worship set-up. Not included in this proposal is the computer program ProPresenter to run all the tech. That will cost an additional $300. Computer in the sanctuary will also need to be upgraded ($500-$1,000). Page 2 ($10,150) includes upgrades to the sanctuary displays. It would replace the screen and projector with two large screen televisions. This would allow us to run ProPresenter on the screens. $15,000 is budgeted in current Connect Share Grow Capital Campaign funds for technology up grades. Judy moved to approve moving forward with the items listed on the proposal, plus the necessary software and computer, with a total not to exceed $22,000. Seconded by Nathan. The motion passed. Professionals from Dakota Sound will also provide an estimate for technology in the Fellowship Hall.
▪ Next meeting: special meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 to discuss estate gift ▪ Next Executive Committee Meeting: noon on Tuesday, July 14 ▪ Next regular meeting: 7 p.m., Monday, July 20, snacks and devotions by Judy
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Financial Snapshot—Trinity’s General Fund
Through May 2020
Year to Date Income $ 140,800
Year to Date Designated Income* +$ 1,300
PPP Loan Income +$ 38,900
Year to Date Total Income $ 181,000
Year to Date Expenses -$ 166,500
Surplus (deficit) $ 14,500
*Designated income includes funds received for specific bills paid through Trinity’s General Fund.
Trinity received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan of $52,450 in April. The amount noted
above is the amount of that loan used for eligible expenses in April and May. Trinity plans to apply
for loan forgiveness to turn the portion of the loan that was used for eligible expenses (payroll, utili-
ties, mortgage interest) into a grant.
Thank you to congregation treasurer, Judy Brueske, for keeping a close eye on this process to help support Trinity’s ministries during a time when the financial circumstances of many congregation members have changed and in person attendance at worship has been minimal.
Without the PPP Loan, Trinity would have had a deficit of nearly $17,000 through the end of May.
By the end of June, the full amount of the PPP Loan will have been used to cover eligible expenses and Trinity will need to have income that covers monthly ministry expenses. Thank you for your generosity that sustains Trinity’s ministries when people are limiting in-person activities.
What financial changes have happened at Trinity since March 2020?
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan provided funds to keep all full-time, part-time, and
Stepping Stones employees paid at the same rates as in February. The PPP Loan also paid
mortgage interest and utility bills for April and May.
With fewer people in the building, the needs for cleaning were reduced. Trinity reduced the
number of hours paid to ServiceMaster for cleaning, but will redirect those hours to having the
carpets cleaned in the Fellowship Hall, Gathering Space and hallways.
Some congregation and community members have experienced reductions in hours or cuts in
pay. Others have been working more hours. Some small businesses have had fewer clients and
customers. Others have seen stable demand for their services and products. Farmers have been
planting and ranchers have been calving, but markets have been fluctuating and some farmers
finished last year’s harvest the same week they finished this year’s planting.
Some members have switched to giving online or to mailing their offerings to Trinity. Others
are waiting to return to in person worship before making an offering. Thank you to everyone
who has been supporting Trinity generously with prayer and with financial gifts that match your
current financial circumstances.
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WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN I RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP
AT TRINITY?
All people who are sick are asked to stay home to protect their neighbors.
People who are vulnerable are encouraged to worship at home for their own safety.
Sunday 8:30 am worship
You are invited to attend. This service will also be broadcast on the radio.
If you attend in person, please expect:
SEATING – will be in designated areas of each pew to practice social distancing. Ushers will
direct you to and from your seats. Pew cushions will be removed.
MASKS – bring a mask from home and wear it. If you do not have a mask, one will be
provided for you to wear. Masks are intended to help slow the spread of droplets that are
sent out when people speak, sing, cough and sneeze. The pastors will wear masks when
they are near people, but not when they are in the front leading worship.
PROJECTION – words for worship will be projected on the screen. No bulletins or hymnals will
be present. Worship guides will be available online for people listening on the radio.
GREETINGS – greet people verbally only. Handshakes and hugs can wait. After worship, no
coffee or food will be served. Please do not linger to visit. Talk with people from a distance
of at least 6 feet.
WORSHIP PRACTICES – offering plates will be near the door, not passed during worship.
Communion will not be part of the 8:30 am service until several weeks have passed.
TOYS FOR CHILDREN – parents are asked to bring their own quiet toys for children to play
with during worship.
STAY IN THE SANCTUARY AND GATHERING SPACE – the Fellowship Hall, Lower Level and
Balcony will remain closed.
Sunday 10:45 am livestream only (please participate from home)
Wednesday 6:30 pm (please participate from home watching the re-posting of Sunday
10:45 am)
After two additional weeks with no spikes in cases of COVID-19, people will be invited to
worship in person on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.
In person worship at 10:45 am on Sunday will wait at least until July 26.
Watch TrinityJamestown.com and Facebook for information about when in person
worship will resume.
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Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e
Wed
T
hu
F
ri S
at
All events subject to change. W
e
are closely monitoring the status of
positive Covid-19 cases in
Stutsm
an County. T
he worship
schedule may be m
odified
accordingly.
S
tepping Stones classes
may resum
e in July. Go to
steppingstonesplay-
center,com for registration
details.
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3 Office C
losed
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Independence Day
5 8:30am W
orship—in person
10:45am W
orship-online
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Staff M
eeting
2:30pm T
ext Study
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orship—in person
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ffice Clo
sed
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8:30am W
orship– in person
10:45am W
orship– online
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1:00pm S
taff Meeting
2:30pm T
ext Study
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6:30pm W
orship—in person
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ffice Clo
sed
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8:30am W
orship—in person
10:45am W
orship-online
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1:00pm S
taff Meeting
2:30pm T
ext Study
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6:30pm W
orship –in person
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ffice Clo
sed
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8:30am W
orship—in person
10:45am W
orship-in person?
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Staff M
eeting
2:30pm T
ext Study
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6:30pm W
orship—in person
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ffice Clo
sed
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Trinity Lutheran Church 523 4th Ave SE Jamestown, ND 58401 Address Service Requested