Vol. 36 No. 3

March 2010

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

Trinity Office and Fax Number: 456-1703

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.

129 Years of Ministry – 1881 to 2010

WORSHIP SERVICES

March

7 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship with Communion

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise with Communion

14 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise

21 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship with Communion

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise

28 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise

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FROM THE PASTOR

How is your Lenten journey going this year? Last month I gave you several suggestions for tools you could use to add something to your daily devotions for Lent. As you know life these days seems to be busier than ever. With all the things on our “to do lists” it’s easy to find yourself at the end of the day feeling guilty that you haven’t spent any time in prayer or meditation with Jesus. If you’re like me that’s a perfect opportunity to repent and ask His forgiveness before you go to bed. After all repentance and forgiveness is what Lent is all about. Besides, I can’t think of a better thought to have on your mind and heart as you drift off to sleep.

However, if you want to spare yourself some of the guilt, and get your day off to a great start, why not start your day with the Lord? One way to do that consistently is with an e-mail from Lutheran Hour Ministries every morning. I have found it very helpful and convenient. Or if you prefer, you can download and print a hardcopy for yourself like we did at Trinity for Advent. There are two options.

The traditional devotion for long-time Christians, written by semi-retired LCMS pastor Rev. Vern Gundermann is entitled, “From the Mount of Transfiguration to Mount Calvary.” Pastor Gundermann “takes the reader alongside Jesus as He completes His earthly mission in His Father's service. Everywhere Jesus went—whether along a dusty back road or a paved city street—what stood front and center for Him was the cross. And it was against those rough timbers that He—the Christ, God's “anointed one”—would ultimately find Himself nailed.”

If you have a friend who is a new believer (or isn’t quite sure yet) LHM has another devotional for you to share with him or her, entitled, “Walking with Jesus.” “During the Lenten season, the Church acknowledges Christ's passion and celebrates His victory over the forces of darkness. The consequences of misapprehending the significance of Christ's atoning work on the cross and what His resurrection from the dead means for each of us cannot be overstated. In Walking With Jesus, LCMS educator Chuck Strohacker puts the reader on an inside track showing what that victory means in the life of a believer.”

Even if you don’t choose to use one of these devotional aids, please spend some time browsing through the LHM website. It has a wealth of excellent out reach tools and resources available for men’s groups, for women, “JCPlayzone” for young children and “JCParentzone” for parents, Bible studies, evangelism training, and mission trips. Let me know if something you see touches your heart, or just pass on the information to someone you know who could use a little help.

God bless your Lenten journey as you remember Jesus’ journey to the Cross for you, and grow closer to Him in a personal relationship each day. See you in church! Bring a friend!

Pastor Fred

Cell phone: 814-323-1679 Email: pfpoeppel@yahoo.com

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SCHEDULE OF LENTEN SERVICES

Maundy Thursday, April 1:

5:30 pm – Trinity Lutheran, Erie

7:30 pm – Holy Trinity, Albion

Good Friday, April 2:

12:00 pm – Trinity Lutheran, Erie

7:00 pm – Holy Trinity, Albion

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RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI / PANCAKE BRUNCH

Many, many thanks to all who attended the pancake brunch on Sunday, February 28 … we had a wonderful turnout and the food was scrumptious as always – even the homemade applesauce – thanks to Art Anderson, John Anderson and their team of workers.

If you were unable to attend the brunch but would still like to donate toward the Haiti Relief Fund, please get your donation in by Sunday, March 7. Thanks!

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TRINITY SENIORS

Trinity Seniors meets on Wednesday, March 10 at 12:00 Noon at church. This is a catered meal and reservations are required. Price is $7.00.

Deadline for purchasing tickets is Sunday, March 7.

Committee #1 (Lois and Dick Yeager, Nancy Rusnak) will be in charge of the dining room. There will be a special Lenten devotion at this meeting.

Plan to join us for an afternoon of food and fellowship!

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LADIES AID - “Start the 2010 Season Luncheon"

All ladies of the church are invited to a luncheon furnished by the Ladies Aid executive board. Reservations are required by Sunday, March 7.

When: Thursday, March 11 at 12:15 pm
Where: 930 West Gore Rd (Nancy Rusnak's house)
What: Luncheon, fellowship, and meeting

Karlynn Bernhard will give our devotion. Please plan to join us to hear about the 2010 season.

Also, coming up is a Bake Sale planned for Sunday, March 28.

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PASTORAL CALL COMMITTEE

Rev. David Beutel (our Circuit Counselor) will join us on Sunday, March 14. As he did with the Call Committee, Rev. Beutel would like to talk with the congregation at large to discuss the call process, etc. … so please mark your calendar today and plan to attend either service on March 14 to hear what Rev. Beutel has to share with us!

Members of the Call Committee, please note that the next meeting date has yet to be determined.

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DORCAS

Dorcas meets every Tuesday at 9:30 am to trim stamps for missions.

If you have any questions, please contact Trudy Sallach.

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ALTAR FLOWERS

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

March 7 – Dick Wenger in memory of his parents, J. O. and Emma Wenger

March 14 – Mark and Luanne May in memory of Clyde, Marge and Ken

March 21 – Frank and Pat Surrena in memory of Pat’s parents, Donald and Dorothy Sexauer

March 28 – Karlynn Bernhard in memory of her father, Ed Petrusch

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TRINITY SHAWL MINISTRY GROUP

Members of the Trinity Shawl Ministry Group … please note that the next dedication of shawls will be on Sunday, March 28. Please have your completed shawls at the church by 11:00 am on Saturday, March 27.

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UPDATES TO MEMBERS & FRIENDS DIRECTORY

Please update your copy of our members and friends directory as follows:

Change of Address

Max and Gertrude Weber, now residing at :
Springhill Senior Living Community
2323 Edinboro Road, Suite 171,
Erie, PA 16509

New Address and Phone Number

Victoria Lawhon
9521 Wattsburg Road
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 490-2257

If you move or change your phone number, please notify our church secretary! Addresses are particularly important when we send out our newsletters. Any newsletter that is non-deliverable comes back to us and we are charged a fee of anywhere from $1.09 to $1.59 for the return. We are also charged for new addresses that are still within the USPS forwarding time period … so please, help us keep our mailing lists current!! Thanks!

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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, Ruth Steiner

At Presbyterian Lodge (on Elmwood): Hilda Papesch

At Presque Isle Rehab (on Schaper): Audrey Baker

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

At Sunrise on the Bay: Mary Lynch

At Village at Luther Square: Bill Guerdon

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EASTER LILIES

Easter lilies will be available at a cost of $8.00 each.

Place orders in a well-marked envelope and drop in the offering plate. Include information as to “in memory of” or “in honor of” if desired. Checks should be made out to Joann Kaufer.

Order deadline is Sunday, March 21.

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WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

WCTL, our local Christian radio station, presents a Women’s Conference entitled Rejoice, Refresh, Renew! to be held on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at McLane Church in Edinboro. Tickets are $25 (including lunch) and are available at Beacon Books, The Olive Branch, WCTL studios and online at wctl.org. The guest speaker will be Lisa Whelchel … better known as “Blair” from The Facts of Life.

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SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY

The Adult Bible Study meets at 10:15 am every Sunday morning and has started a new study guide entitled, “God’s Word for Today: Ezekiel”

All are welcome to begin their day of worship in this study led by Millis Parshall.

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CHURCH COUNCIL AND VOTERS

The next Church Council and Board Meetings will be held on Monday, March 8 at 7:00 pm.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact one of the following Council Members:

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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ATTENTION ALL GROUPS & MEMBERS OF TRINITY

I can only include in the bulletins and newsletters the information that is provided to me. If I am not notified, then I do not know to add, change or remove an item from publication. Please keep me informed … I’d rather hear the information more than once than not hear it at all.

Thanks,

Louise

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SAFE KIDS DAY

Volunteers are needed to help Safe Kids Erie and the Erie County Department of Health organize and run Safe Kids Day at Jefferson Elementary School on Saturday, May 8 between 10:00 am and Noon.

For more information, please see the signup sheet on the east parking lot bulletin board and/or contact Steve Tauriello at the Erie County Department of Health at 451-6700.

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SERVANTS THIS MONTH

COUNTERS 11:15 am

March 7 Ben Anthony, Sam Steiner, Millis Parshall

March 14 Mark & Luanne May, Dick & Dot Smith

March 21 Art Anderson, Vince & Neva Cunningham

March 28 John & Brenda Johnson, Tyco & Sharon Swick

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

March 7 Carl Marzolf John Anderson

March 14 Dick Wenger Terry Lawrence

March 21 Carl Marzolf John Anderson

March 28 Dick Wenger Terry Lawrence

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

LOCK-UP 11:15 am 6:00 pm

March 7 Mark May Sean Bartlett

March 14 Sam Steiner Art Anderson

March 21 Millis Parshall Tim Hinds

March 28 Mark May Sean Bartlett

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

USHERS 11:15 am

March 7 Vince Cunningham, John Johnson,

Mark May, Dick Smith

March 14 Vince Cunningham, John Johnson,

Millis Parshall, Dick Yeager

March 21 Mark May, Millis Parshall, Dick Smith,

Dick Yeager

March 28 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	Brenda Lawrence	16	Gertrude Weber
4	Tim Baird		Michael Yokoff (father)
	Kayla Surrena-Williams	21	David Giles
5	Richard Wenger	22	Eric May
7	Neva Cunningham	24	Ed Fickenscher
9	Beverly Behringer	25	Anna Dzuricky
10	Mark May		Danielle Pfeifle
16	Maggie Balter	29	Bryce Dolak
	Joseph Sayre

Celebrating their anniversary this month are:

According to our records, we have no anniversaries being celebrated in March. If you are celebrating your anniversary this month, however, please let our church secretary know. Thanks!

Congratulations on your special day!

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18^th KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY WEEKEND

As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, please help John Anderson and others as they minister to those incarcerated at the Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut, Ohio between March 18 and March 21.

If you have any questions, please contact John Anderson at
871-2736 or 881-1335.

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March 2010 - - Trinity Lutheran Church - Calendar of Events
SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
	1	2 9:30 am Dorcas	3 7:30 pm Choir Practice	4	5	6
7 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service with Communion 1:00 pm Confirmation Class 6:00 pm Today’s Praise with Communion Last day to purchase tickets for Wednesday’s Trinity Seniors Luncheon!	8 7:00 pm Church Board and Council Meetings	9 9:30 am Dorcas	10 12:00 pm Trinity Seniors Luncheon 7:30 pm Choir Practice	11 12:15 pm Ladies Aid luncheon and meeting at Nancy Rusnak’s home	12	13 Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead tonight!
14 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service 4:15 pm Confirmation Class 6:00 pm Today’s Praise Guest Speaker: Rev. David Beutel	15	16 9:30 am Dorcas	17 6:00 pm Deadline to drop off cookies for Kairos Prison Ministry 7:30 pm Choir Practice	18 Kairos Prison Ministry begins	19 ----------------------------	20 First Day of Spring! ----------------------------
21 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service with Communion 4:15 pm Confirmation Class 6:00 pm Today’s Praise Kairos Prison Ministry ends	22 <----- Last day to order Easter Lilies!	23 9:30 am Dorcas Last day to submit articles for April’s newsletter!	24 7:30 pm Choir Practice	25	26	27 8:30 am WCTL Women’s Conference begins 11:00 am Deadline to drop off completed shawls
28 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service with Baptism, Shawl Dedication, and Ladies Aid Bake Sale 4:15 pm Confirmation Class 6:00 pm Today’s Praise Palm Sunday	29	30 9:30 am Dorcas	31 7:30 pm Choir Practice	Looking ahead: April 1 Maundy Thursday 5:30 pm – Trinity Lutheran, Erie 7:30 pm – Holy Trinity, Albion	Looking ahead: April 2 Good Friday 12:00 pm – Trinity Lutheran, Erie 7:00 pm – Holy Trinity, Albion