Trinity Announcer for Feb. 16, 2025

What’s Happening at Trinity—Feb. 16, 2025

HARDT-RATHE MATCHING CHALLENGE! The Hardt-Rathe Scholarship fund assists families who desire a Christian education for their children but need financial assistance. With the continued support of the congregation to the Hardt-Rathe Scholarship Fund, Trinity provides an average of $30,000 to families with tuition needs each year. Thanks to an anonymous donor, during the month of February, any donations to the scholarship fund will be matched up to $5,000. All contributions are tax deductible. Checks can be made payable to Trinity Lutheran Church with the memo line “Hardt-Rathe Fund.” You may also elect Hardt-Rathe as your offering option in Elexio if you give online. For more information, contact Mark Brown at

RESTORE THE ROOF—Help us raise $200,000 for the repairs of our Sanctuary Copper Roof and Gutter through the “Restore the Roof” campaign. Significant work was done on the roof of Trinity over the past year. Due to the extreme damage under the Sanctuary roof, many copper panels had to be replaced and repaired. Wood laminated boards under the overhang and concealed gutter needed replaced as well. Thankfully, Trinity has the funding available to do the work but that funding now needs to be replenished. Please help us “Restore the Roof” by contributing to our goal of $200,000 through the end of the 2025. Contributions can be dropped off at the Church Office (marked “Roof”) or can be done through the Elexio app by selecting Restore the Roof from the offering fund option. For more information, contact Debbie Simmons at

DIRECT YOUR CHOICE DOLLARS TO THE ROOF—All Thrivent members have Choice Dollars to distribute to non-profit organizations. Thrivent members’ 2024 Choice Dollars need to find a home before March 31. All funds designated to Trinity Lutheran Church, School and ECC will be allocated to the Restore the Roof fund. There are two ways two for directing Choice Dollars. Go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call 800-847-4836 and say "Thrivent Choice" at the prompt. Please take a few minutes and designate Trinity.

>ENGAGE GOD

E3 CONTINUES—E3, our Wednesday evening gathering and activities for all ages, continues throughout the winter! Free dinner is served at 6 p.m. followed by the meetings at 6:30 p.m. There is something for everyone in the family. For more information, call the Church Office at 586-463-2921.

UPCOMING E3 OFFERINGS—Beginning Feb. 19, Trinity has two new E3 offerings for adults. At E3, we offer free dinner beginning at 6 p.m., followed by the group meetings at 6:30 p.m. We have youth group, a preteen group, elementary school group and the nursery available. Join in to Engage God during the week.

• “How We Got the Bible.” The story of the Bible has been called “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” But did you ever wonder where the Bible came from? Who wrote it? Why did they write it? Who decided which books to include? In this study, Dr. Paul Maier travels to the Bible Museum in Goodyear, Arizona, to take a look at “How We Got the Bible.” Led by Pastor Gary in the Community Center
• Cultures in Conflict: Paul Proclaims Jesus as Lord, Part 2. In this video Bible Study from Ray vander Laan, we learn from Paul as he preaches in Corinth and Athens, helping us to better live in a culture where the worldview conflicts with Christianity. Our hearts will be encouraged as we see how God continues to use the seemingly small and weak to bring about His great plan of redemption. Led by Steve and Sharon Meseke in the Chapel.

SAVE THE DATE—FIRST COMMUNION CLASS—Our First Communion Faith Stepping Stone for 5th graders begins Thursday, March 20 (does not meet March 27) and runs three weeks. The classes are held from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Community Center. Fifth graders and their parents attend the class together to prepare the students for receiving the Lord’s Supper. Students are able to participate in the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday, which is Thursday, April 17. To register, or get more information, visit www.trinityct.org/firstcommunion.

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES AND CLASSES

MONDAY NIGHT WOMENS BIBLE STUDY The Monday Night Ladies Bible Study continues Mondays at the NEW TIME of 6:30 p.m. in the Church Lounge. We will be studying "Luke in the Land" by Kristi McClelland. Questions? or to reserve a book, contact Bonnie Young by cell or text at (586) 350-3222.

TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY—Meet to enjoy God's Word every Tuesday morning 9:30-10:45 a.m. Led by Mary Hartman and Lila Tirsell. Meets in the Church Lounge.

A BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN—Wednesday mornings from 6– 7 a.m. in the Church Lounge. Hot coffee, study guides and Christian fellowship await you! Questions? Contact Pat Anderson at

SATURDAY MORNING MEN’S STUDY—A Saturday morning men’s Bible study meets in the Church Lounge at Trinity at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Brian Lanko at

>ENGAGE GOD’S PEOPLE

WOMEN’S LEAGUE MEETS THIS WEEK—Trinity’s Women’s League meets Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 6 p.m. (not 6:30) in the Church Lounge. Don’t miss out because this meeting begins with a potluck dinner and speaker - Penny Armbruster from the Luke Clinic! Afterwards, we'll get our monthly “business” updates, collect mites, and discuss the April Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser, May banquet location, and suggestions from members. Visitors are always welcome, just bring a dish to pass for the potluck! For more information, contact Debbie Graham-Large at (313) 318-6513.

WIDOWS GROUP MEETING—Did you know Trinity has a group for widows? This group, Kindred Spirits, meets monthly on a Friday for fellowship and camaraderie and then the group goes out to lunch. Kindred Spirits group meets this Friday, Feb. 21 at noon in the Church Lounge. All widows are welcome to join. If you have any questions, contact Cathy Holley at (586) 243-9757.

JOIN TRINITY’S PRAYER TEAM—Trinity has a group of people who pray over the submissions that come in from our website and special requests. If you are interested in praying for those in need, provide your name and email address to Audrey Lidtke at  She will forward prayer requests as they arise. No meetings required.

INTERESTED IN DOING A CROSSTALK?—Trinity’s Crosstalk audio devotions are distributed each weekday during Lent. We are looking for those who want to participate by writing and recording a short devotion. Topic and verses will be provided. Contact Steve Adams at or stop by the Tech Booth.

CALLING ALL MILITARY MEMBERS—If you or a family member are serving in the armed forces, contact Pastor Gary. We’d like to make sure our records are up to date and we are praying for you. For more information, email or call 586-463-2921.

>ENGAGE THE WORLD 

NON-FOOD PANTRY ITEMS NEEDED—While your generosity helps us keep our food pantry stocked with canned goods, meats, bread and more, there are other items we need that aren't able to be purchased with our Simply Give cards. Things like shampoo, deodorant, laundry soap and other hygiene items are needed by our pantry users. If you are able to donate any of these items, bring them to the church and leave them at the office or outside of the Food Pantry.

HARP MISSION 2025-WE NEED YOUR MUSCLES & TRUCKS!! Prayerfully consider letting us add you to our on-call list to help move furniture items for “Stuff the truck.” This may only require helping retrieve household items 1-2 days in May or June. Youth/teens are welcome to help and we give volunteer hours. If you have a truck or trailer and wouldn’t mind meeting us at a location in May/June to pick items up, please let us know. We cannot do stuff the truck without you!! The mission trip to Caldwell, Ohio is June 8-13. Consider joining us for our first impact meeting Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We welcome former and new team members. Direct questions to Shawn McCormick 586-610-1127 or 

FEED THOSE IN NEED-Trinity provides meals/casseroles for Family of God in Detroit on the second Wednesday of every month. Volunteers are needed to help cook or donate a dish. You can even just donate fruit, muffins, rolls or sweets. Members from our congregation deliver and serve at the mission. Cash donations are also accepted at the Church Office or via Venmo to Cathy Essig (@CLEssig). Family of God serves meals to over 100 people in the Detroit community 6 days a week. Call Karen Langreet at (586) 445-2460 or (586) 291-6273. For more information on Family of God, visit http://www.fogdetroit.com.

>SCHOOL AND ECC

HEY BATTER, BATTER! Get ready for our third season of Mel Ott baseball starting this spring. The teams play other Lutheran churches in the district, and the program is open to both boys and girls who are school and/or church members. Registration packets are available at the Welcome Center. For more information, contact Nicole Thomas at (586) 623-8191.

>ANNOUNCEMENTS

PASTOR GARY’S RETIREMENT-Pastor Gary’s last Sunday at Trinity is Sunday, June 15. There will be one service that Sunday and a reception is planned for noon-3 p.m. at the Italian American Cultural Society. Mark the date on your calendar. Ticket information and more details will be available soon.

GRACE MUSIC FESTIVAL—National and local artists including Colton Dixon, Jon Reddick, Sean Rodriguez, Blake Reynolds and Connor Roy perform at the 4th annual Grace Musical Festival at Lake St. Clair Metro Park on Saturday, July 19. The event also includes a kids’ zone, food trucks, vendors, a message, prayer tent and more! Visit gracemusicfestival.com for information on tickets, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, contact Lisa Duffer at (586) 873-3385.

This week at Trinity—Feb. 16-22, 2025

PRAYER LIST

Special Prayers 

• † For the sick and suffering
• † For the Ministry of our School
• † For all who serve at Trinity and the faithful use of gifts and talents
• † For the Senior Pastor search process
• † For our mission partner MCREST
• † For our sister congregation St. John Rochester