TRINITY IN ACTION September 2014
Back To School! Still In School! by Rev. Chris Singer
Well, it is Back to School! The students are in session, teachers are teaching, and parents are paying! We are certainly so blessed to be in this great country which opens up so much opportunity to learn and grow! Some of the lessons children learn are ones I remember learning long ago. So long ago that I almost forget they have to actually be taught. It feels like I have always known them. Take for example my experience of being with our Early Childhood Children in chapel. Our beloved Liz Brooks is explaining to the children what chapel is and the way we are to behave in this special place called the chapel. She explains, “Do you know who’s house this is?” All the kids answer, “God’s House!” When one little voice full of a sense of wonder and amazement asks, “This is God’s House?” It’s so simple, yet really amazing and true. God promises that wherever two or more are gathered in His name there He will be also. He dwells among His people! That thought reminds me that I am really STILL IN SCHOOL! I am living in God’s classroom and still learning. In fact, I am still taking tests; failing some and passing others. I still enjoy recess occasionally with my family when we get out for a movie or a quick trip to the lake. There are different grade levels that I move through from year to year known as the seasons of life. And most importantly I am still led by my Master Teacher and Savior, Jesus Christ! And while the lessons learned pile up over the years, I dare not think that learning is all a thing of the past; no matter what my age might be! Learning is what its all about as a disciple. Are you enrolled? As I sat here in my office I couldn’t help but be thankful again as I heard the sound of the 141st academic school year in full swing here at Trinity Klein. With amazing staff, directed purpose, incredible kids, and the love of God in Jesus Christ this campus is alive and growing! Each Sunday we gather in God’s house to learn and hear from our Savior. We keep gathering because we are STILL IN SCHOOL! See you around campus!
Editing My Life..............................Pg. 3
IN THIS ISSUE:
GriefShare Coming To Trinity This Fall...........................Pg. 5 Go Tell It On The Mountains.....................................Pg. 6 Meet the New Faces in the Church Office..............................Pg. 7 2014-2015 Trinity Klein Concert Series Calendar..............Back Cover
TLS NEWS
While it is true that we started this school year with more students than ever before, there are still openings in most grades at this time. Our theme for this year is 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Encourage one another in the Lord, and build each other up. This was the message shared with our students in our opening chapel and it is the basis for friendship skills discussed in the classrooms. You will also start to see this verse a lot more when our 2014 spirit shirts arrive. It will be displayed proudly for this school year.” Our school OUTREACH focus for this fall is The Wounded Warrior Project affiliated with Wind River Christian Camp in Estes Park, CO. Chapel offerings will be used for this purpose. Please watch these videos if you would like to learn more: https://vimeo.com/98226266 https://vimeo.com/76586272 Teams have been formed for football, volleyball, soccer, cheer, and cross country. It is a busy season for athletics. If you would like to catch a game, please check the calendar via the website. Go EAGLES! We would like to extend another round of thanks to our wonderful PTL and all who support their efforts. The new computer carts (iPads and laptops) are awesome and are most definitely being put to good use. Thank you! Our Fall Festival is right around the corner (Nov. 9). Please mark your calendar now.
@ Worship
MEET GOD
Editing My Life by Dr. William Brusick, D.M., Minister of Music
Recently I had the privilege of having a little story printed in Reader’s Digest, under the heading of “True Stories in 100 Words or Less. The first draft was way over 200 words and so over the next hour or so I worked hard weeding out the unnecessary in order to pare it down to the required 100 – not easy for me. http://www.rd.com/true-stories/inspiring/100-wordstories Doing so not only proved to be an excellence exercise in concise creative writing, but also reminded me of just how much unnecessary mental and physical “verbiage” we use daily. There are just over 41,000 recorded words spoken by Jesus in the New Testament. Not too many when you consider a 33-year lifetime (remember some of these words were recorded at age twelve) and an intensive three-year teaching ministry. I believe Jesus was a man of few words, but whose words cut right to the core. The Supreme author of “Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind,” “If you love me, keep my commandments,” “I will be with you always,” “Go therefore and baptize all nations,” and “It is finished” would certainly make light work of a 100 word essayette. For my part, I want to try and better model Jesus; being more economic in my words and deeds – listening more, speaking less and focusing on those things which are most relevant and helpful. I am not much for New Years’ resolutions, but here is one for the new Special Music season. God bless us all as we move into this exciting and challenging new season (14)
God bless us all as we enter this exciting new season (11) God bless us all in our new season (8) God bless us all (4) God bless (2)
3 September Nursery Hours: Sunday: 8:20 a.m. to end of 11 a.m. service (Ages two months- PreK) Tuesday: 8-11:30 a.m. (Two months-Kinder) Wednesday: 9-11:30 a.m. and 6-8:15 p.m. (Two months-Kinder) Contact Sarah Dill at dills@trinityklein.org if nursery care is needed. Nursery is offered for other Ministry Programs as they specify in their advertising. For additional Sunday School information contact Jeanette Singer at singerj@trinityklein. org or 281-290-4902. We appreciate donations of Goldfish, animal crackers, Cheerios, raisins, pretzels, Kleenex, baby wipes, Clorox wipes, and small disposable drinking cups. Wha The nursery is hiring caregivers for Sunday mornings. We schedule around your worship preferences. It’s a great opportunity to serve the young families of our Church and community. If you enjoy caring for and playing with children ages two months-PreK, please contact Sarah Dill for information.
t a happy lit
tle guy!
“Every human life is someone for whom Jesus shed His blood. Every human life is one He wants to call to faith in this redemptive event.” - Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, executive director of Lutherans For Life – A “Life Quote” from Lutherans For Life
TRADITIONAL: Sunday 8:30 a.m. & Wednesday 7:15 p.m. CONTEMPORARY: Sunday 11 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sunday 9:50 a.m.
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Grow to Know God Springing Hope 1:27
The Moms and Miracles group will meet on September 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join us for fellowship and fun as we support each other in raising our foster and adopted children. Children are welcome. Contact Mary Ann Day at springdays@outlook.com or 832-585-2931 for more info.
FELLOWSHIP CLUB The Saturday morning Ladies SonRise Bible Study will start a new DVD series, Reclaiming Eve, on September 6 at 8 a.m. All women are invited to attend. For information and books call Jean Webber at 281-350-5220.
6 ber ers m e ) t rad g sed Sep th eu 8 b & ’t can 7th s sse (pa 5 $2
Regular CREW (high school Grow Groups) will begin Sept. 14 with a Check out the Pier for NEW registration time! Doors information to the Pier will open at 6; Java Spot will be open from 6 to 6:30; CREW will run from 6:30 to 8!
Wednesday, August 13, at 10:30 a.m. Table games will be played and a pot luck lunch will be shared.
50 + Trips
On September 30, the county bus leaves at 8 a.m. from the Family Life Center and travels to Sealy. A tour guide will board the bus at the Sealy Visitor Center and lead the group to tour the Hayne’s Mattress Factory, Guardian Angel Church and San Felipe de Austin State Historical Site. Lunch is at Tony’s in Sealy. Cost of the trip is four dollars per person plus the cost of your lunch. You can pay for the tour when you board the bus. Please RSVP to Jean Smith in the Church Office so we can get an accurate count for the county bus. We have a 26-passenger bus which requires a minimum of 13 passengers for a trip.
Confirmation Info:
Second-Year Confirmation Retreat is Sept. 27-28. Green registration cards and Carolina Creek forms are due in the youth office by Sept. 21. Classes for those attending public school start Sept. 7, 6-8 p.m. in FLC 213. Grow Groups for ALL seventh and eighth graders start Sept. 10, 6-8 p.m. in the Pier. Pizza, drinks, candy and chips will be available for $1.
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Serve and Love God
Volunteers Needed in Church Office Volunteers are needed to work at the Receptionist Desk from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Hours are flexible. If interested, please call 281-376-5773.
GriefShare Coming to Trinity This Fall This program features biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed. Past participants have related how helpful the information and follow-up discussions were to them. Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Too often people, including Christians, tend to stuff their grief instead of allowing it to do the Godgiven work for which it is intended. Don’t allow fear of what others may think to keep you from what could help you. Confidentiality is very much a part of this program. Your bereavement experience may be recent or not so recent.
You will find encouragement, comfort and help in grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, other family member, or friend. No matter what the cause of your loved one’s death, this is an opportunity to be around people who understand what you are feeling. You will learn how to recognize the symptoms of being stuck in grief and that you do not need to live in bondage to certain emotions. You will learn valuable information about facing your new normal in life and renewing your hope for the future. GriefShare will be held Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. in room S101. (Bridal Room) Cost: $15 for workbook Child care: Yes! Questions: Contact Jean Smith at smithj@trinityklein.org. To register, call the church office OR register on Trinity’s website at www.trinityklein.org.
Serve Ministry Contacts
GriefShare
Jean Smith Spring Hope 1:27 Mary Ann Day Carol Mueller Braille Jean Webber MOPS Laura Royer Jennifer Padilla DivorceCare Pastor John Health Jean Webber Lydia Guild Janelle Oberg Ladies Aid Beverly Evans Men’s Club Brian Ashe
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Go & Share God
Go Te l l I t On T h e M o u n tains
by Rudy Zoch
relationships with our fellow climbers were developed. Mountain top experiences prevailed as we took pictures, journaled and had the feeling of excitement, exhilaration and gratitude ... and so it is when going to Kenya. Just as the Disciples knew that being on top of Transfiguration Mountain was a good place to remain there in that special closeness to their Lord, we desire to remain on the mountain tops of our lives. We thrive on the spiritual energy of these events and share our experiences with others ... and so it is when going to Kenya. Psalm 118:23 comes to mind. “This is the day the Lord has made, let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow that rob us of the joys of today. Let’s relish the moment and make the decision to climb the mountains we seek in our life. Could it be that one of them is to go on a mission trip to Kenya next October or May?” Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!” Rudy Zoch’s picture of Mt. Kilimanjaro On last Fall’s mission trip to Kenya we were driving along the traffic-laden Mombasa Highway. As we neared the village of Oloitokitok, before our very eyes stood the lofty and majestic mountain, Kilimanjaro. I was reminded of the many references in the Bible on mountains. After the Resurrection the eleven disciples went to the Mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Here He gave the Great Commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Why did we climb mountains? Why do we go to Kenya? A reasonable answer came from the African-American spiritual, “ Go tell it on the mountain…” When we decided to climb a mountain, a lot of preparations had to be made. The most important, being the decision to go. We made plans and secured proper clothing, equipment and supplies. Read articles and maps ... training ... acclimation ... anticipating a fruitful and joyful trip with fellow climbers. At times the trail was rocky with numerous switchbacks. We met many interesting climbers and chatted with them. Close
Trinity’s Early Childhood kiddos came to visit the Food Pantry and brought food along with them to help feed our community!
7 “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift” (2 Cor 9:15)! This is St. Paul’s exclamation upon hearing the Corinthian church’s response to the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his request for support of the Church in Jerusalem. The Christians in Corinth heard and received God’s mercy in Christ, and they responded to St. Paul’s call to support Christians in Jerusalem with a collection. The Corinthian’s joy filled Jerusalem’s need.
it goes against our natural inclination to think that what I have is mine to do what I want with. This is our sinful nature. It is our selfishness and our greed. And it convicts us. How can we who have been given everything—life, food, clothing, house, home, forgiveness, divine sonship, an eternal inheritance—be so stingy with what we give to the church, the place where we hear about and receive all that God gives us and does for us? We are all guilty of this kind of thinking. And the only godly response is to repent and The reality of stewardship is that because of God’s trust in the Gospel. For if God has given you His own generosity in the giving of His Son to die on the cross Son, will He not give you all things? Yes. He will. This for us, we should also be generous with all that we is His sure and certain promise. God provides for His receive from Him. What do we receive? Everything. All people. He provides everything we need for this body that we are and all that we have is the Lord’s. He is the and life and for the life that is to come. creator and the giver. We are His creatures and those who receive what He gives. The church is a mercy place. It’s a place where God’s mercy in the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus It sounds easy. And it is. But then again it isn’t. Christ, is given and received. For us who believe the Stewardship is easy because it is God’s work in us: Church is the place of forgiveness, life, and salvation through what God gives, we give to others. Through in the face of sin, death, and the power of the devil. what God gives, we support the work of the church for There we inhale God’s mercy in Word and Sacrament, the life of the world. He gives; we receive. And like our and exhale this same mercy in love and service to our generous Father in Heaven, we, as His children, use neighbor, in giving what we have received from Him. what He gives to us to love and serve others. And that is an enduringly joyful thing to do. Our joy fills our neighbor’s need because His joy filled ours But stewardship is also difficult. That is because (Heb 12:2). Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!
MEET
T New Faces Of H E
TRINITY
Meet Sandy Theiss. Sandy is the new receptionist in the church office. Sandy is a retired teacher from Klein High School and she loves cats! She now sits at the front window to greet visitors and answers the phones and directs callers to the appropriate people. Some of her duties also include inputting Sunday School attendance, and recording baptisms, marriages, and confirmations. Sandy also handles the church mailings, prayer list, scholarship applications, and a whole host of other things. If you haven’t already come by to say hi and meet Sandy, she’d love to meet you! If you need to reach her, you can call the office at 281-376-5773 ext. 201, or her direct line is 281-290-4925. Sandy’s email address is TheissS@trinityklein.org.
Altar Flowers
Members who wish to commemorate a special occasion (anniversary, birthday, etc.) may donate a flower arrangement for a Sunday church service. Please sign the book located on the table on the west side in the church narthex. A member of the Anna Circle will call and verify all the information and order the arrangement for you. The florist will send you an invoice afterwards. The cost is $50 per arrangement.
Trinity member and local pharmacist Jim Brown will be giving flu shots on Sunday, August 28 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The cost is $25 or free with Medicare B. To reserve a dose, please e-mail to nbrownbear@hotmail.com or call 281-651-0812. Submission deadline for the September issue of Trinity In Action will be August 15. Please send your content to Melissa Kasper at kasperm@trinityklein.org.
Sunday, September 28th 7:00 pm
Duo Scordatura Nicholas Leh Baker, Violinist Faith Jones,Violist
Sunday, November 16th 4:00 pm
Bach & Sons Dr. Jeannine Jordan, Organist David Jordan, Media Artist
Sunday, December 14th 7:00 pm
2014 - 15
Trinity Klein Concert Series
Christmas at Concordia
Concordia Lutheran High School Jonathan Held, Director of Bands Michael Palomaki, Director of Choirs
Sunday, January 25th 4:00 pm
Houston Winds Fred Angerstein, Conductor
Sunday, February 15th 4:00 pm
Avguste Antonov Pianist
Sunday, March 8th 4:00 pm
Concordia Seward Symphonic Band Dr. Andrew Schultz, Conductor
5201 Spring Cypress Rd Spring Texas 77379 281.376.5773 TrinityKlein.org 1/2 mile W of Kuykendahl
Sunday, April 26th 4:00 pm
Houston Bronze Ensemble Bill Nave, Artistic Director