Trinity Announcer for Jan. 12, 2025

What’s Happening at Trinity—Jan. 12, 2025

E3 RESUMES JAN. 15—Mark your calendars because E3, our Wednesday evening activities, resume Jan. 15. Dinner will be provided starting at 6 p.m. with our group meet ups at 6:30 p.m. As of right now, we have several classes planned.

• Adults — “A Clash of Kingdoms” — Join Steve and Sharon Meseke for a video Bible study led by Bible scholar and historian Ray vander Laan. We join Paul, the first rabbi to the Gentiles, as he boldly begins preaching to the Hellenistic Roman citizens of ancient Greece, including Lydia! May our hope and faith be renewed as we too live in a conflicting "clash of kingdoms" as citizens of heaven. This group meets from Jan. 15-Feb. 12.
• Adults—The Intersection of Church and State—Pastor Keith explores the relationship of the federal government with the many religions that make up the community of faith in the United States.
• Middle and High School Youth—The youth group continues to meet in the Youth Lounge for group discussions.
• Preteens --The fourth and fifth graders have a place of their own and topics just for them.
• Elementary School — Those in kindergarten or older are led through activities that keep them engaged.
• Nursery — Babies and young ones are cared for by trained staff in the nursery.

COFFEE HOUR—TODAY, Trinity’s 8th grade class hosts coffee hour and having a bake sale between services and after the 11 a.m. service, while baked goods last. Tickets to the 8th grade Dinner Dance on February 8th 2025, will also be available for sale, along with some hand knit hats and gloves.

CALL MEETING TODAY at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Center for the purpose of extending a Call to Rebecca Thomas as Director of Communications and Marketing. Rebecca earned a certificate in the Director of Church Ministries at Concordia Wisconsin and the Mission Council recommends extending a call to her.

>ENGAGE GOD

BAPTISM CLASS SCHEDULED—If you would like to be baptized at Trinity, sign up for one of our baptism workshops, the next one is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Pastor Jeremy meets with adults who wish to be baptized as well as parents who wish to have their children baptized and discusses baptism, what it is and why we do it. He also explains your role and how this all plays out in the "real life" of your home. For more information or to register, visit Trinityct.org/baptism.

FIRST BIBLE—First grade parents: It’s time for the First Bible Stepping Stone! First Bible is just one of the ways Trinity partners with parents as their children grow in faith. Students receive their very own Adventure Bible and through the class, we teach the students and parents how to use it effectively. The First Bible Stepping Stone is Thursday, Jan. 23 and Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Community Center. Parents and students should attend together. A presentation of Bibles is at the 11 a.m. worship service on Feb. 2. Childcare will be available for siblings as needed. Please let us know if you will attend. Register at https://trinityct.org/firstbible/ or RSVP to the church office 586-463-2921. For more information, contact Elizabeth Szwarc at

CONFIRMATION MODULE REGISTRATION—Our confirmation modules continue through the spring. If your 6-8 grader has modules to complete, consider signing up at Trinityct.org/confirmation. If you have questions, contact Katie Erkkinen at 

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, please 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

WIDOWS GROUP—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, Jan. 17 at noon in the Church Lounge. All widows are welcome to join. If you have any questions, contact Cathy Holley at 586-243-9757. 

SUPPORT THE NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING —Trinity is sending 17 youth and adults this summer to the LCMS National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA. 25,000+ youth and adults from across the globe will be traveling to New Orleans, July 19 - 23 to be encouraged through the theme “Endure” based on Heb 12:1-3. However, we can’t make it there without your help. Please help us “CLEAR THE BOARD” by taking an envelop (or as many as you would like) from the sponsorship board in the Narthex. Inside each envelop is another. Write the donation amount on the second envelop, seal it and return it to the church office. Make checks payable to Trinity Lutheran Church – memo – National Youth Gathering. Thank you for supporting these youth and adults and making this National Youth Gathering a possibility for them to attend.

>ENGAGE THE WORLD 

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. If cooking isn't your thing but you'd like to contribute, cash donations can be turned in to 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.

GROUNDWORK GUATEMALA THANKS! Many thanks to everyone, who was able to contribute cans and bottles to Groundwork Guatemala in 2024! We raised $1,308.70, which totally covers the annual school expenses of the high school student and two young elementary students that Trinity is sponsoring. (As an Impact Mission, additional funds are provided to GG for mission and mercy work, but our can and bottle drive makes these other funds go further!) As a reminder, cans and bottles can be donated in the box outside of the Youth Lounge.

>SCHOOL AND ECC

TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL AND ECC OPEN HOUSE—Trinity’s School and Early Childhood Center Open House is Sunday, Feb. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It’s an opportunity to visit the classrooms, meet with teachers, experience the facilities and learn about the programs that Trinity offers. See why Trinity is a great place for an exceptional Christian education. To learn more about Trinity’s school visit Trinityct.org/admissions or call 586-468-8511.

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION NIGHT is Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. We will meet in the church for a devotion and learn more about the school and kindergarten program. Invite anyone you know who is interested in attending kindergarten at Trinity next year. This event is for parents only. For information, call the school office at 586-468-8511.

DINNER DANCE TICKETS ON SALE—The 8th grade hosts its annual Dinner Dance Fundraiser to support the class's spring trip to New York City. The event is Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Italian American Cultural Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. for an evening filled with prizes, raffles, basket and an open bar. Tickets are $65 each and available from any 8th grader or email 

NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK IS COMING! Jan. 26-Feb. 1 is National Lutheran Schools Week (NLSW) for Lutheran Schools around the world. The theme this year is from Hebrews 12:1-3. Stay tuned for more information about our plans to celebrate Lutheran education.

>ANNOUNCEMENTS

YEAR END GIVING—As we approach the end of the 2024 year gift giving, this is the time many of the congregation evaluate their ability to make special donations of stock or cash gifting. If you are 70 ½ or older you can give from your IRAs Tax-Free to the charities of your choice. This is accomplished via making a QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION (QCD). You don’t have to wait for the end of the year, but this option is available throughout the year. Contact your financial advisor to find out if this would be a good option for you. A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is a distribution from your individual retirement account (IRA) to a qualified charity. To make a QCD you must be age 70 1/2 or older. A QCD is not taxed, nor included in your taxable income. At age 73 when your IRA requires minimum distribution (RMD) the qualified charitable distribution can be a portion. An itemized tax return is not required. Speak to your tax advisor.

This week at Trinity—Jan. 12-18, 2025

PRAYER LIST

Special Prayers 

• † For the sick and suffering
• † For the ministry of the Early Childhood Center
• † For the ministry of youth and children’s ministry
• † For the poor, homeless and jobless
• † For those attending the Retrouvaille program
• † For the Senior Pastor search process
• † For our mission partner Macomb Habitat for Humanity
• † For our sister congregation Trinity, Utica