Vol. 35 No. 8

August 2009

Family Page News

Trinity Lutheran Church

14 East 38^th Street, Erie, PA 16504-1558

e-mail address: tlcerie@verizon.net

web site: www.lutheranerie.com

Rev. Fred Poeppel, Vacancy / Interim Pastor

e-mail: pfpoeppel@yahoo.com

Trinity Office and Fax Number: 456-1703

Pastor’s Cell Phone: 323-1679

Pastor’s Office: 452-4888

The mission of Trinity Lutheran Church is to share the
Good News of Jesus Christ by inviting others into God’s family,
encouraging spiritual growth through God’s Word and Sacraments, and
caring for one another in the love of Christ.

“Celebrating with Thanks, Ablaze with Hope”

128 Years of Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church – 1881 - 2009

August

2 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship Service with Communion

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise Worship Service with Communion

9 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship Service

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise Worship Service

16 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship Service with Communion

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise Worship Service

23 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship Service

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise Worship Service

30 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship Service

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise Worship Service

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FROM THE PASTOR

Have you seen the new painting in the narthex / foyer next to the drinking fountain?

It was placed there by the Trinity Seniors in memory of our dear pastor and friend Rev. Mark Sallach. I’m sure he would have liked it. And if I know Pastor Mark, I’m sure he would have pointed out the significance of the painting. On the road to Emmaus, two disciples walked and talked with the risen Jesus on Easter Day until it was time for the evening meal. Up to that point they hadn’t recognized who He was, but when He asked the blessing and broke the bread, they finally recognized that it was Jesus, risen from the dead. Before the two disciples hurried back to Jerusalem to share the Good News with their friends, they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32) That is the theme verse for the Ablaze! movement of the LCMS that Pastor Mark wholeheartedly promoted.

Have you picked up one of the Ablaze! pocket reminder cards from the table at the entrance to the sanctuary? On the yellow side, the cards remind us of the Ablaze! Challenge: To reach 100 million people who have not heard about Jesus by the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation—2017. I don’t know about you, but that seems like a pretty amazing goal; 100 million is a lot of people. For comparison the population of the United States is about 300 million these days. Fortunately, the Ablaze goal is global and the population of the world is over 6.8 billion (that’s 6,800 million), so there is no shortage of people who don’t know about Jesus. LLL affiliates and partner churches around the world have eagerly accepted the challenge too.

Besides, as St. Paul reminded us in worship on Sunday, July 26 at the conclusion of his prayer in Ephesians 3:20, “[God] is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” Twenty years ago, who would have imagined the church growing in China, and once again in East Germany and Russia, and the explosion of growth in Africa? That is clearly God’s handiwork, not ours.

Also on the yellow side the cards pose a thought provoking idea: Just imagine, what if every LCMS member shared the Good News 4 times per year! If we assume that the reported membership of the LCMS is about 2.5 million and multiply by 4, that amounts to 10 million times the Gospel would be shared each year in the U.S. alone. Since the current total is 10,472,000, at the rate of 4 witnesses per LCMS member, it would take about 9 more years to reach the Ablaze goal. Not bad. But huge numbers like that are pretty abstract. What can you and I do locally / personally?

The purple side of the card shows a flame being passed from one candle to another, and asks the question, “Whom will you share your light with today?”

What is happening in the lives of the people outside our walls? … in your neighborhood? … where you work? Do they know Jesus as their Savior and Lord (their forgiver and leader)?

You have probably seen the Glenwood Hills Association in the news recently. Well, a representative called Trinity to let us know that they are putting together a Neighborhood Watch group to assist the Erie police in keeping an eye on the neighborhood. This might be a good opportunity for some of you to make some new friends in the neighborhood around Trinity. They are planning an informational meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 2 at the Jefferson Educational Society, which meets in the former synagogue at 3200 State St. Who knows where the Lord may lead you in that new mission field?

Invite someone to come along with you to church or to our next special event.

See you in church! Bring a friend!

Pastor Fred

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SUNDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP

The Adult study group is on summer vacation! Watch late summer newsletters and bulletins for information regarding the date that our Adult Bible Study will resume!!

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TRINITY SENIORS

We do not meet during July or August but look forward to seeing you at our September meeting!

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MEMBERS IN HOMES

Please remember our elderly and others who do not get out much with notes, cards, visits in person or telephone calls, as well as remembering them in your prayers.

At Independence Court: Ted Steinbarth

At Manchester Presbyterian: George Hill

At Presbyterian Lodge (on Elmwood): Hilda Papesch

At St. Mary’s (Asbury): Betty Peterson

At Sarah Reed: Amy Mares

At Sunrise on the Bay: Mary Lynch

At Village at Luther Square: Bill Guerdon

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LADIES AID SOCIETY

· Many thanks to those who supported the July 26 Bake Sale!

· Thru mid-September, the Ladies Aid invites you to join them in collecting specific school supplies that run low at Luther Memorial Learning Center. They have need of only the following items:

· pencils,

· crayons,

· colored pencils,

· eraser caps,

· markers for paper and

· markers for wipe boards

When picking up markers, please make them low odor! Thank you.

Donations may be placed in the designated box in the narthex.

· Ladies Aid is still collecting small to medium sized boxes that bracelets, earrings etc. sometimes come in. We are unable to use cardboard boxes, but rather the boxes that are usually hinged, and are fabric (velveteen) covered. A collection box with a display of the types of boxes we need is on a table in the narthex. Thank you for your assistance.

· After church dinners, please offer your assistance in the clean up of the social hall and kitchen. A few tend to do all the work and help would be most appreciated!

· If you would like to borrow anything from the church social hall, such as chairs, tables, kitchen pans, etc., you must check with Nancy Rusnak, Ladies Aid President, first! If she is not available, please contact our Head Trustee, Sam Steiner. (Please note that the newer white tables cannot leave the building!!)

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ALTAR FLOWERS

Special thanks to those who contributed altar flowers in church for August:

August 2 – Don and Marlene Okel in memory of Jean Okel

August 9 – Bev and Jerry Behringer in memory of their parents and their grandson, Nicholas

August 16 – The Leretsis family in memory of Milly Borys

August 23 – Max Kader in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Kader

August 30 – Jerry and Edie Neidinger in memory of their loved ones

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SPECIAL MUSIC

The Choir is on break for the summer months, but if you would like to volunteer to provide special music during one (or more) of our summer services, please see the sign up sheet on the bulletin board and/or talk with our Organist/Choir Director, Linda Federici. We welcome new and old talent!

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DORCAS

Dorcas is on break for the summer … but please continue to save your cancelled stamps! You can place them in the box at the top of the State Street entrance.

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LWML – Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League asks you to pray for missions every Monday at noon. No matter where you are, please take a moment to pray for missions work around the world, for missionary families, for financial support of outreach through our church body and any other work of the LWML. Remember to pray especially for our missionaries, the Esala’s. Thank you.

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Would you consider working on a MISSION TRIP??

It is time again to offer up yourself as a mission-minded person … willing to serve where God’s people are in need!

If you are interested, please contact Mark May at 725-2560 or Art Anderson at 456-1319 … they would like to hear from you!! Those who volunteer will decide whether to go to Camp Restore in Louisiana again or elsewhere.

Do not delay …the number of interested people must be submitted very soon!

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THANK YOU

Thank you all for praying for my brother, Don, and my family these past three months.

We miss my brother terribly but rejoice that he is with the Lord and is no longer in pain.

Also, many thanks to all who worked so very hard to put on the dinner following my brother’s funeral … it was wonderful and my family and I appreciated it very much.

And I will always remember the outpouring of love in person and through cards … you are an amazing and loving congregation! God bless you!

Also … many thanks for supporting the Mercyhurst NE LPN Spaghetti Dinner on July 26!

Louise

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JULY HAPPENINGS

Born: July 17 – Isabella Marie Pamula – daughter of Briana Carner

Died: July 15 – Donald Allen Page – brother of our church secretary, Louise

Married: July 25 – Samantha Cook and Curtis Randall

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AUGUST TO-DO LIST

COUNTERS 11:15 am

August 2 Mark & Luanne May, Dick & Dot Smith

August 9 Art Anderson, Vince & Neva Cunningham

August 16 John & Brenda Johnson, Tyco & Sharon Swick

August 23 Ben Anthony, Sam Steiner, Millis Parshall

August 30 Mark & Luanne May, Dick & Dot Smith

If you are unable to serve a scheduled date, please make a substitution or call
Art Anderson at 456-1319.

ELDERS 11:15 am 6:00 pm

August 2 Dick Wenger Terry Lawrence

August 9 Carl Marzolf John Anderson

August 16 Tyco Swick Terry Lawrence

August 23 Dick Wenger John Anderson

August 30 Carl Marzolf Terry Lawrence

If you are unable to serve a scheduled date, please make a substitution or call
Tyco Swick at 868-9393.

LOCK-UP DUTY 11:15 am 6:00 pm

August 2 Sam Steiner Art Anderson

August 9 Millis Parshall Tim Hinds

August 16 Mark May Sean Bartlett

August 23 Sam Steiner Art Anderson

If you are unable to serve a scheduled date, please make a substitution or call
Sam Steiner at 833-8704.

USHERS 11:15 am

August 2 Mark May, Millis Parshall, Dick Smith, Dick Yeager

August 9 Vince Cunningham, John Johnson, Mark May, Dick Smith

August 16 Vince Cunningham, Mark May, Millis Parshall, Dick Yeager

August 23 Mark May, Millis Parshall, Dick Smith, Dick Yeager

August 30 Vince Cunningham, John Johnson, Mark May, Dick Smith

If you are unable to serve a scheduled date, please make a substitution or call
Terry Lawrence at 602-3185.

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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Please keep in mind that the church office only has the information that you have provided. Please update us as to any mistakes or omissions. Thank you.

Celebrating their birthday this month are:

2	Lois Gressley, Millis Parshall	14	Jeffrey Vogt
3	Martha Swick	20	Kelly Lobaugh
4	Shirley Bleil, Colleen Herman	21	Alisabeth Goetsch
7	Andrew Krahe	22	Christine Billen, Briana Carner
8	Mary Haller	24	Joan Aron
12	Joanne Krahe	25	Art Anderson
13	Livia Billen, Carolyn Counasse	27	Marylou Bartlett

Celebrating their anniversary this month are:

8/6/1962	Ben & Norma Anthony
8/6/1999	John & Brenda Johnson
8/11/1962	Sid & Norma Saxton
8/21/1965	Gerald & Beverly Behringer
8/21/1976	Gary & Rachel Sayre
8/23/1947	Jerry & Edie Neidinger

Congratulations on your special day!

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ABLAZE … The Lutheran Church sharing the Gospel

Let’s be Ablaze for Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ! That’s the theme for many of our church body’s efforts this decade. Many people need to know the love and care of our Lord Jesus Christ! We all respond to the Gospel in a variety of ways. Our responses can be in any of the identified ways, as on our banner at church - LEARN, PRAY, GIVE, TELL, SEND, GO, and CELEBRATE.

Consider being involved in some manner with sharing the Gospel with another person. We are keeping a tally to join in with our national and international partners. You can add your witness events to the total by filling out the orange cards available and submitting them to the box in the church – signed or unsigned.

ABLAZE UPDATE:

International Goal - 100,000,000 Latest tally - 10,472,127 (as of 7/24/2009)

Trinity’s Goal - 4,400 Latest tally - 190 (as of 6/26/2009)

For information about the movement, go to our church body’s website – www.lcms.org

Here is a recent story from the website:

Prison Ministry Provides Opportunity to Discuss Salvation in Athens, Ga.

Ron Raschke, of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, Ga., shares about a prison inmate who was eager to learn more about salvation after hearing about being filled with the Holy Spirit. 07/03/2009

A recent inmate was very receptive to hearing the Gospel, praise God! After teaching approximately 12 prisoners about being filled with the Holy Spirit, I buzzed the guard to signal that I was ready to leave. Just before the door opened, a young man asked me what he needed to read in order to learn about being saved. I quickly told him to read the first five chapters of Romans. When I came back the next week, the man was ready to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. I prayed with him, told him to come to our church when he gets out, and offered to mentor him. The young man’s name is Marvos. He is seventeen years old and is in jail for some gang related activity. Pray for Marvos that the seed planted will root in good soil through reading the scripture, attending church, associating with Christians, and developing a prayer life.

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CHURCH COUNCIL AND VOTERS

As many of you have seen, the doors on the State Street side of the building have been replaced. Within the next week or so, the new door will be re-keyed to match the existing locks so you will once again be able to enter the building through that entrance!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Sam Steiner or Mark May.

President – Mark May 725-2560

Elders – Tyco Swick 868-9393

John Anderson 881-1335

Terry Lawrence 602-3185

Carl Marzolf 734-1231

Richard Wenger 476-1549

Trustees – Sam Steiner 833-8704

Art Anderson 456-1319

Sean Bartlett 881-6910

Tim Hinds 864-5284

Millis Parshall 864-1370

Congregational Secretary – Jeannette Copley 825-6842

Financial Secretary – Doris Swan 864-5217

Treasurer – Marina George 881-4331

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“Kid’s Letters to God”

Dear God,

¼ Thank you for the baby brother but what I asked for was a puppy. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up. Joyce

¼ How did you know you were God? Who told you? Charlene

¼ I bet it’s very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only four people in our family and I can never do it. Nan

¼ Did you really mean, “Do unto others as they do unto you?” If you did, then I’m going to get even with my brother. Darla

¼ My grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. How far back do you go? Love, Dennis

¼ Do you draw the lines around the countries? If you don’t, who does? Nan

¼ Did you mean for giraffes to look like that or was it an accident? Norma

¼ Please send Dennis Clark to a different summer camp this year. Peter

¼ In Sunday School they told us what you do for a job. Who does it when you are on vacation? Jane

¼ In school we read that Thomas Edison made light, but in Sunday School they said you did it first. Did he steal your idea? Sincerely, Donna

¼ It is great the way you always get the stars in the right place. Why can’t you do that with the moon? Jeff

¼ I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday night. That was really cool. Carol

August 2009 Trinity Lutheran Church Calendar of Events
SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
						1
2 11:15 am Traditional Service with Communion 6:00 pm Today’s Praise with Communion 7:30 pm Glenwood Hills Association “Neighborhood Watch” Meeting at 3200 State St	3	4	5	6	7	8
9 11:15 am Traditional Service 6:00 pm Today’s Praise	10	11	12	13	14	15 Memorial Service for Gerda Mushrush (Geneva, PA)
16 11:15 am Traditional Service with Communion and Baptism 6:00 pm Today’s Praise	17	18	19	20	21 Wedding Rehearsal	22 3:00 pm Barone / Windsor Wedding
23 11:15 am Traditional Service 6:00 pm Today’s Praise	24	25 Deadline for September Newsletter Articles!	26	27	28	29
30 11:15 am Traditional Service 6:00 pm Today’s Praise	31