Trinity Announcer for Jan. 5, 2025

What’s Happening at Trinity—Jan. 5, 2025

THANK YOU—Thank you for your generous offerings and donations this holiday season. We are blessed by your generosity as we work to fulfill our mission of forming fully devoted followers of Jesus.

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.

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.
• 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 are cared for by trained staff in the nursery, where they can play or sleep until you are done with class!

>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—After a break for the holidays, our confirmation modules are back and 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

NEW MONDAY NIGHT WOMENS BIBLE STUDY The Monday Night Ladies Bible Study resumes on Monday, Jan. 6 at 7 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

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION FOR YOUR MARRIAGE—Presents under the Christmas tree are wonderful gifts, but can they heal a hurting marriage? Transforming your marriage into a mutually satisfying relationship is a "gift that will keep on giving." Retrouvaille is a Christian peer ministry designed to help heal troubled marriages. The next Retrouvaille program begins Friday, Jan. 10, in Farmington Hills. For confidential information or to register call 800-470-2230 or visit HelpOurMarriage.org.

>ENGAGE THE WORLD 

JANUARY 2025 HAITI TRIP—A team is traveling to Cap-Haitien, Haiti this coming Jan. 15-22 and they need our help! The team will see up to 800 Haitians for reading and distant eyeglasses. Distance glasses will purchased from MOST Ministries, but the team is in need of reading glasses with the strength in the +1's, +2's, +3's and +4's. Haiti is dusty so the team is also taking donations of .5 oz eye drops. Contact Kim Waller at 586-202-8843 or Keith Waller at 586-215-4084 to schedule a pick up or drop off.

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.

>SCHOOL AND ECC

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.

RAISE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR GIFT CARDS—By purchasing gift cards through the Raise Right program, you can earn money towards your school tuition and help Trinity in the process. Over 400 vendors participate and it’s as easy as ordering online. For information, contact Rachel Nyboer in the school office at , or visit raiseright.com.

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 

>ANNOUNCEMENTS

A CONGREGATIONAL CALL MEETING is Scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Center - Mission Council would like to invite you to the scheduled Congregational Call Meeting on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, between services at 10:30 a.m. This is for the purpose of extending a Call to Rebecca Thomas as Director of Communications and Marketing. Rebecca just completed her certificate in the Director of Church Ministries (DCM) at Concordia Wisconsin and the Mission Council is recommending that we extend a call to her.

ELEXIO ISSUES LAST WEEK—Last weekend, Elexio’s check-in system experienced an error. Those who check in using that system were unable to record their attendance. If you were at church, had an issue with attendance and did not already contact Rebecca Thomas, email and your attendance for last weekend will be corrected.

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. 5-11, 2025

PRAYER LIST

Special Prayers 

• † For the sick and suffering
• † For those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries
• † For the ministry of Trinity Counseling Center
• † For the Senior Pastor search process
• † For our mission partner Hope for Haiti
• † For our sister congregation Good Shepherd, New Baltimore