Master Plan Revision to be Shared with the Trinity Congregation on

Volume 85, Number 5
A Monthly Publication of Trinity Lutheran Church
May 2016
The Messenger
New Member “Curiosity Classes” to Gather
after Worship on Sundays in May
“Curiosity classes” with lunch and child care provided will be offered on
May 1 and 8 after worship services at 12:30 p.m. A special gathering of
Prospective Members with Council leaders and members of the Trinity
staff will follow worship services on May 15 as Trinity prepares to
welcome New Members into our community of faith on Sunday, May 22.
Are you interested in exploring membership at Trinity, or curious to learn more about what ELCA-flavored Lutherans believe?
Consider attending a couple of “curiosity classes” on May 1 and 8 to meet with the pastors and key Trinity staff.
If you are interested in learning more about membership at Trinity, or if you are interested in becoming a member but cannot attend
the Sunday sessions in May, contact one of the pastors or Director of Congregational Life Angela Davis for more information.
Mark your calendar now for 12:30 p.m. gatherings after worship on Sundays in May and make plans to join us as we share food,
fellowship and faith formation together.
Master Plan Revision to be
Shared with the Trinity
Congregation on Sundays,
May 1 and 8
The people of Trinity will be invited to stay for a few
minutes after worship on May 1 and 8 to view newly
developed floor plans and conceptual drawings of a
revision to the Master Plan that was completed in the
late winter of 2016 by Progressive AE.
Conceptual drawings from the Master Plan revision include
a view from the exterior above and a fellowship area below.
With the challenge to change the scale of the $9 million
Master Plan concepts unveiled last fall, the Master Plan
Revision profiles a $4.3 to $4.9 million construction
project to accompany the $600,000 Cross Tower
project that was approved by the congregation last
December.
Some of the members of the Building Committee feel
that the new design is actually a superior concept and
worthy of consideration by the Trinity congregation
as we seek to improve contemporary worship,
fellowship, youth and gathering spaces in our facility
while upgrading systems and completing needed
maintenance throughout our facilities.
Are you ready to take a look?
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Trinity Lutheran Church
Join us immediately after the 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
worship services on Sunday, May 1 or May 8. We
will take a 20 minute tour of the Master Plan Revision
and continue to reflect together prayerfully as a
congregation on what a building project can accomplish
www.tlcgr.org
616-949-2510
to better house
our mission and ministry center.
What’s Happening at Trinity in May?
Weekly at a Glance
Sundays
Traditional worship service, 8 a.m.
Rejoice contemporary worship service,
9 a.m.
Rejoice contemporary worship service,
10 a.m.
Traditional worship service, 11:15 a.m.
Mondays
Schubert Male Chorus Rehearsal, 7 p.m.
Rejoice Band Rehearsal, 7 p.m.
Tuesdays
Women’s Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Al-Anon, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays
Quilting, 10 a.m.
Adult Forum with Pastor Bob, 10:30 a.m.
Adult Forum with Pastor Bob, 6:30 p.m.
Thursdays
Men's Breakfast Group, 8 a.m.
Art Class for Youth, 3:30 p.m.
Resound Bell Choir, 6 p.m.
Trinity Choir Practice, 7:30 p.m.
Al-Anon, 7:30 p.m.
Fridays
AA, 8 p.m.
Al-Anon, 8 p.m.
ACoA, 8 p.m.
Daily Calendar
Sunday, May 1
Stephen Ministry Peer Support, 9 a.m.
High School Bible Study, 10 a.m.
Jesus Club & The Club, 10 a.m.
Rummage Sale Set Up, 11 a.m.
Master Plan Revision Viewing, 11 a.m.
Master Plan Revision Viewing, 12:15 p.m.
New Member Curiosity Class, 12:30 p.m.
Monday, May 2
Rummage Sale Set Up, 9 a.m.
Property Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.
Oasis Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3
Executive Committee Meeting, 7:15 a.m.
Rummage Sale Set Up, 9 a.m.
Women’s Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Health Advisory Committee Meeting,
4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4
Rummage Sale Set Up, 9 a.m.
Thursday, May 5
Tuesday, May 17
Rummage Sale Set Up, 9 a.m.
Synod Assembly
Rummage Sale Pre-Sale, 6 p.m.
Sarah Guild, 7 p.m.
Girl Scouts - Forest Hill Service Unit, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18
Stephen Ministry Peer Support and
Continuing Ed, 6 p.m.
Youth & Family Open Forum with
Pastor Dan, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 6
Women's Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Rummage Sale, 4 p.m.
Al-Anon Speaker Meeting, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 7
Rummage Sale 1/2 Price Sale, 9 a.m.
Sunday, May 8
Mother's Day
Master Plan Revision Viewing, 11 a.m.
Master Plan Revision Viewing, 12:15 p.m.
New Member Curiosity Class, 12:30 p.m.
Trinity Prayer Group, 3 p.m.
Monday, May 9
Messenger Submissions Due
Blood Drive, 12:30 p.m.
Congregation Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10
Family Promise/IHN Volunteer Training,
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11
VBS Decorating Event, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 12
NARFE (National Active & Retired Federal
Employees), 1:30 p.m.
Art Class for Youth, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, May 13
Friday Morning Women's Book Club,
9:30 a.m.
Sunday, May 15
Pentecost
Synod Assembly
High School Bible Study, 10 a.m.
Jesus Club & The Club, 10 a.m.
New Member VIP Luncheon, 12:30 p.m.
Kids' Food Basket Lunch Packing, 1 p.m.
Monday, May 16
Synod Assembly
Outreach Committee Meeting, 1 p.m.
Oasis Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 19
Oasis Membership Meeting, 7 p.m.
Lutheran World Relief Quilting, 9:30 a.m.
Dégagé (Day Team), 6 p.m.
Resound Bell Choir (Last Practice of the
Season), 6 p.m.
Greater Hopes Support Group Meeting,
6:30 p.m.
Trinity Choir Practice (Last of the Season),
7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 20
Wedding Rehearsal, 5 p.m.
Dégagé (Marvin Team), 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
Forest Hills Service Unity Girl Scouts
Volunteer Training, 8:30 a.m.
Marriage of Jessie Altizer and Jeff
Brakora, 1 p.m.
High School Girl Scout Troop Meeting,
4 p.m.
Sunday, May 22
Holy Trinity Sunday
New Member Sunday
Jesus Club & The Club, 10 a.m.
Youth & Family Open Forum with
Pastor Dan, 12:30 p.m.
Prayer Tree Participants Fellowship Meal,
5:30 p.m.
Monday, May 23
Human Resources Committee Meeting,
6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24
Spiritual Growth Committee Meeting,
5:45 p.m.
Tuesday Evening Book Club, 7 p.m.
Monday, May 30
Memorial Day (Office Closed)
Tuesday, May 31
Youth & Family Committee Meeting,
7 p.m.
visit www.tlcgr.org for event details
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Message from Pastor Bob Linstrom
“Even if God does not bring you the answer
you want, he will bring you himself . . .”
“Everybody prays whether he thinks of it as praying or not. The odd silence you fall into when
something very beautiful is happening or something very good or very bad. The ah-h-h-h! that
sometimes floats up out of you as out of a Fourth of July crowd when the sky-rocket bursts over
the water. The stammer of pain at somebody else’s pain. The stammer of joy at somebody else’s
joy. Whatever words or sounds you use for sighing with over your own life. These are all prayers
in their way. These are all spoken not just to yourself but to something even more familiar than
yourself and even more strange than the world . . .”
Frederick Buechner in Wishful Thinking
We were gathering for our weekly Tuesday afternoon Trinity Staff Meeting and the one who was scheduled to offer devotions could
not be there. In addition, there were quite a few members and friends of Trinity on our minds and in our hearts that day, folks we
would be commending to prayer at the outset of the meeting. As I took a moment to prepare a brief devotion for our gathering, I was
drawn to the writings of Frederick Buechner on prayer.
“According to Jesus, by far the most important thing about praying is to keep at it,” Buechner continued. He went on to describe
Jesus’ teachings about persisting in prayer, with rather comic images of going to borrow bread from a friend at midnight, of persisting
in pressing your case before a crooked judge. “Even a stinker, Jesus says, won’t give his own child a black eye when he asks for
peanut butter and jelly, so how all the more will God when his children . . .” (see Mathew 7:9-11)
Persist in prayer. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing . . .” Paul writes. Buchner continues, “Believe Somebody is listening,
Believe in miracles . . . What about when the boy is not healed? When, listened to or not listened to, the prayer goes unanswered?
Who knows? Just keep praying, Jesus says. Remember the sleepy friend, the crooked judge. Even if the boy dies, keep on beating the
path to God’s door, because the one thing you can be sure of is that down the path you beat with even your most half-cocked and
halting prayer the God you call upon will finally come, and even if he does not bring you the answer you want, he will bring you
himself. And maybe at the secret heart of all our prayers that is what we are really praying for.”
I am thankful for all of you who join me in ministries of daily prayer, holding fast to those who have been commended to our
intercessions, praying even when it seems as if no answer to our prayers as we would have an answer is forthcoming. I give thanks
for Trinity’s formal prayer ministry, and for all who take upon themselves the call to pray for others in our life together. In our
faithfulness, however feeble, failing and fearful our efforts may be, God is present, bringing hope and light to the brokenness and
darkness of our hearts. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Friends in Christ, let us pray.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor Bob Linstrom
Senior Pastor
HEAVEN: New Pastor’s Class on Wednesdays in May
A new adult forum with Pastor Linstrom will be offered on Wednesdays in May at Trinity. Offered at
both 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., the subject is the text Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife
by Lisa Miller. We will encounter the great eastern and western religious traditions, popular culture and
everyday beliefs as we seek to better understand the universal desire for a celestial afterlife and how that
relates to the biblical and particularly Christian understanding of heaven.
Topics for the May Adult Forum are:
May 4
What Is Heaven? and The Miracle
May 11 The Kingdom Is Near
May 18 Resurrection and Salvation
May 25 Visionaries and Reunions
Morning and evening sessions take place
in Fellowship Hall with the exception of
May 4 which will be held upstairs in the
Adult Forum Classroom (room 213/215).
Published in 2010 by HarperCollins Publishers, Heaven is easily available on Amazon and Barnes and
Noble websites for those who wish to read along with the Pastor’s Class topics. However, reading the
book is not required! Join us as we engage in a new series in May of 2016 on Wednesdays at either
10:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. weekly.
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Council Corner
Trinity Congregation Council
Members 2015-2016
Standing committees of the Congregation
Council coordinate the mission & ministry
of Trinity and provide their leadership in
developing new programming. Each
committee has a council committee
person who acts as the liaison between
the council and committee. Executive
Committee members and Committee
contacts are:
Congregation Council Executive
Committee
President: Brad Blair, 616-430-7529,
bblair@mkassoc.com
Vice President: Dan Babin, 616-818-9122,
dpbabin50@yahoo.com
Treasurer: John Basher, 616-974-9482,
jbasher66@gmail.com
When I was first elected to Trinity’s Congregation
Council and started in June of 2013, it surprised me
that, though Trinity did have an endowment fund for
benevolence causes, it wasn’t “advertised” very much.
It surprised me even more that, at that time, we didn’t
have a building endowment fund at all.
My conservative financial upbringing had me thinking
that non-profit enterprises, including churches, need
these types of “forever gift” funds available to make
sure that the “needy” don’t go needy in challenging
times. Such funds also ensure that building repairs
can be done when truly needed versus when funds are
available which can often delay the repair and increase the cost.
So I decided to pray about it.
My prayers began to be positively answered some months ago when Trinity formally put
an Endowment Fund Committee together. This committee is charged with managing both
the existing Mission Endowment Fund as well as the newly created Building Endowment
Secretary: Carrie Wygmans, 616-481-2489, Fund which was initiated by a generous anonymous gift of $5,000.
cwygs@comcast.net
Senior Pastor: Rev. Robert Linstrom,
616-949-2492, ext. 15,
robert.linstrom@tlcgr.org
Congregation Council Members
I was concerned that it would take many, many years for the Building Endowment Fund to
reach its minimum amount of $100,000 in order to be eligible to make distributions. And I
noticed we hadn’t seen substantial growth in the Mission Endowment Fund over the past
few years.
Children’s Ministries: Kathy Bush,
616-485-0031, bushkj@yahoo.com
So I decided to pray some more.
Congregational Life: Neil Sendler,
616-581-1853, nsendler@grcity.us
Imagine my joy at hearing of the two recent gift announcements Pastor Bob highlighted
in his letter in the April Messenger. What incredibly positive answers to prayer! I have
been at Trinity a long time and I have always looked at Mary Bowman as one of our
“Mother Teresa” type saints. A tireless worker for the good of others, never complaining
and always asking what else she could do. Her “estate” gift of $150,000 includes $75,000
to increase our Mission Endowment Fund. So here again, through working in the background from her heavenly home, Mary’s legacy continues to work for others here on earth
and will continue to forever. And the anonymous “matching grant” gift of $50,000 to our
Building Endowment Fund gives me great belief that we will be able to reach the $100,000
minimum goal much sooner than I would have anticipated.
Endowment Fund: Mike Mason,
616-826-8501,
mikemason2005@comcast.net
Fellowship: Brenda Heacock,
616-915-0717, b.heacock1@gmail.com
Finance: John Basher
Health Ministries: Jane Renwick,
989-737-5934, jrenwick@comcast.net
Hospitality: Tess Lundgren, 616-889-9503,
tesslundgren@gmail.com
Human Resources: Dan Babin
Outreach: Wendy Johnson, 616- 940-3130,
davidbj7796@sbcglobal.net
Property: Jim Coates, 616-254-9447,
thecoates627@gmail.com
Property: Gene Gunderson, 231-409-0106,
geneogunderson@gmail.com
What wonderful examples these are of Christian charity. God has truly blessed us with
loving, caring members willing to share their time, talents and possessions; all of which
are, of course, gifts from above.
Your brother in Christ,
Brad Blair
Congregation Council President
Spiritual Growth: Carrie Wygmans
Stewardship: John Fox, 616-949-2510,
jklsafox@comcast.net
Worship and Music: Rick Radke,
616-682-1198, radketrac@comcast.net
Youth and Family: Mikaela Bradley,
616-826-5599,
mikaelabradley98@gmail
Youth and Family: Michael Mulligan,
616-949-2510, mdmulligan@hotmail.com
Youth and Family: Taylor Sytsma,
616-914-1862, sytsmat@mail.gvsu.edu
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Message from Associate Pastor Dan Schewe
I feel like we don’t live in a very grateful culture. The more I watch and listen to, the more I feel
this. So often I hear that there are not enough resources to go around (oil, food, money, energy,
and so on), and we better hold onto the resources we have to make sure no one else gets them.
I also hear that there is not enough space for everyone, so we better not make space around us for
them, whoever they are, because they will take what little space we have carved out for ourselves
and there will no longer be a space for us. On and on the message goes, that there is just not
enough for all, so we better cling with all our might to what we have scraped out for ourselves!
I perceive that this mentality of scarcity is deeply ingrained in our culture, and it seeps into us. It
changes the way we see the world and how we interact with others. We start to think that there
isn’t enough for everyone, and that everything is limited, so we need to stake our claim and make
sure we get ours. Even when we don’t want to operate according to this mindset, it is still there,
lurking in the recesses of our minds trying to guide and direct us. It’s like a little voice in our head
whispering that there won’t be enough for me.
I wrestle with these thoughts often, do you?
Yet the scriptures point us away from living like this. There is a refrain all throughout scripture of
thankfulness, like the rhythm section driving a song. Again and again we read “Give thanks to the
Lord ...” because we need to be reminded of this. This scarcity mentality is not a new thing. I think
it is something deep within us that has helped us survive as creatures, but is contrary to how we
are called to live. It’s just another example of the brokenness of the world we live in. I find that
this refrain of thankfulness tries to point us to a different way of living, to being a people of
gratitude. We should be thankful for what we have been given, not obsessed with what we think
we have earned but remembering that we have been given to graciously, and in turn get to give to
others graciously. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are called to be a people of open hands
giving away freely, not of closed hands holding onto tightly.
So how do we do this, how do we lean into this way of living more and more?
I think we start by saying thank you more often. Those two little words don’t seem like much and
are often words thrown away, used with no meaning just said to say something. I think we should
start using them more and meaning them. We should realize just what we have been given, and be
thankful for it.
I am thankful for you, the community of Trinity Lutheran Church. I am thankful for how you have
received me and my family, how you have wrapped your arms around us and embraced us. I am
thankful for the generous gifts of membership at the Meijer Gardens and the Children’s Museum
you have given us. We enjoy them often. I am thankful for your witness in the Grand Rapids
community, for all of the good work you are a part of trying to help everyone in this area know
that they are loved by God and that there is a place for them at the table of grace. I am thankful
that you have called me as one of your pastors, and thankful for the work that is ahead of us as we
discern the path into the work to which God has called us.
For what or whom are you thankful? How can you tell them that today?
Shalom,
Pastor Dan Schewe
Associate Pastor
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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$50,000 Building Endowment Fund Challenge Grant
Watch for your Invitation to give with Matching Funds
in May of 2016
As noted in the April issue of this newsletter, an anonymous donor has challenged the
people of Trinity to give to the newly developed “Building Endowment Fund” and to
know that every dollar given up to $50,000 will be matched dollar for dollar. The goal of
the gift is to make the Building Endowment Fund active in generating annual distributions
to provide for building maintenance and improvements beyond the operating budget of
the congregation. After receiving a seed gift of $5000 in 2015, the Endowment Fund
Committee agreed that the Building Endowment Fund would need to reach a balance of
$100,000 before it becomes active. If the matching gift challenge is met, the fund will
have achieved that threshold.
Watch for a special mailing in early May outlining the $50,000 Building Endowment
Fund Challenge Grant and watch for progress in meeting that goal in the weeks and
months ahead!
Trinity Lutheran Church Budget vs. Actuals
Month of March 2016
Total Income
Total Expenses
Operating Income (Loss)
Budget
90,500
82,123
Actual
88,150
87,251
8,377
899
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
(2,350)
(5,128)
-2.7%
-5.9%
(7,478)
Giving was about 3% below budget for the month. At the same time, spending was higher than
budget for Property (boiler), Utilities were lower than budget (warmer winter than prior year), and
Payroll was lower than budget (Parish Nurse was on medical leave for the month).
2016 Fiscal Year to Date
February to March 2016
Total Income
Total Expenses
Operating Income (Loss)
Budget
175,500
158,250
Actual
176,927
157,154
Variance
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
1,427
1,096
17,250
19,772
2,522
0.8%
0.7%
YTD Giving is up 1% above budget. YTD spending was higher than budget for Property
(boiler), Utilities were lower than budget (warmer winter than prior year), and Payroll was
lower than budget (Parish Nurse was on vacation/medical leave for the past two months).
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Open Forums with Pastor Dan
Trinity families with school-age children (pre-school through high school) are invited to meet together with Pastor Dan to share with
him your dreams, goals and passions for our ministries at Trinity. The question posed to the groups of parents and all others who are
passionate about our ministry to children and youth, will be, “When a child ages out of our programs, what do we want them to
know, have experienced, believe, and be like?”
Please see below for the specific dates and times that work best with your schedules and the ages of your children. Please join us as
we vision and dream about what the future of our student ministries can be. Refreshments will be served at each meeting and child
care is available.
Youth and Family Open Forum:
Children’s Ministry Open Forum:
Families of students entering or currently in middle school and
high school, and all other Trinity members passionate about our
youth and family ministries and our students’ faith journeys, are
invited to an event on Wednesday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. or
Sunday, May 22 at 12:30 p.m. Pastor Dan wants to hear what
your dreams, goals, and passions are for our Youth and Family
Ministries.
Families of students entering or currently in elementary school,
and all other Trinity members passionate about our children’s
ministries and our children’s faith journeys, are invited to an
event on Wednesday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. or Sunday, June 5 at
12:30 p.m. Pastor Dan wants to hear what your dreams, goals,
and passions are for our Children’s Ministries.
Fundraisers for Trinity’s Youth Mission Trip
Rummage Sale
May 5 - 7
Drop-Off Contributions:
Rummage
Sale
Sunday, May 1, 2 to 5 p.m.
Monday through Wednesday, May 2 - 4, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Pre-Sale: Thursday, May 5, 6-9 p.m. ($5 admission)
Sale: Friday, May 6, 5-9 p.m. &
Saturday, May 7, 8 a.m.- noon
Schubert Support for
Trinity Youth Mission Trip
The Schubert Male Chorus of Grand Rapids - which has been practicing
at Trinity this year - will once again be contributing $12 of every $18
concert ticket sold to support our Youth Mission trip this summer. The
Chorus is the oldest, continuously performing male chorus in the United
States.
The concert will be at East Grand Rapids High School's Performing Arts
Center on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. Contact Trinity choir members
Ken Block (616-780-0707) or Doug Haneline (231-679-2668) for tickets.
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Art and Music Camp for Children
Art and Music Camp returns to Trinity this summer June 13 to 18 from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children who have completed 2nd
through 8th grade are welcome to attend this FREE camp. To register for Art & Music Camp go to http://bit.ly/1SZQw2H.
Contact Tim Van Der Bilt, Diane Biser, or Larry Biser with questions. Art and Music camp this year includes:
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Tie-dye t-shirt making
Pasta stain glass
Choir by Diane Biser
Bell Choir by Larry Biser
Sand bowls
Photography by Angela Davis
Sand stone art
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Yarn light fixture
Organ/Harpsicord presentation by Larry Biser
Optional afternoon activities include:

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Trinity Lutheran Church
Tuesday: Art Museum and Public Museum
Wednesday: Trip to the beach for sand castle building and
practicing new photography skills.
www.tlcgr.org
616-949-2510
Youth and Family Job Postings for Spring Interviews
During the summer of 2015, a Pastoral Transition Task Force
and the Congregation Council acted to create a FTE (full-time
equivalent) lay Youth and Family staff position to work handin-hand with pastors and key volunteers to help lead our Youth
and Family ministry, from newborns through high school.
Replacing the current Children’s Ministry position, it will be
filled by one full-time staff person or multiple part-time staff
persons working with different age groups. Interviewing for this
position/these positions was put on hold when the call process
began to move quickly to fill the Associate Pastor staffing at
Trinity last fall.
With new Associate Pastor Dan Schewe now among us, and
giving thanks for his experience in, and passion for Youth and
Family ministry, the Council has authorized the posting of this
position/these positions again and springtime interviews are
underway.
Job descriptions have been written and the interviewing
committee has begun meeting with candidates. It is anticipated
that the lay Youth and Family staff will work closely with our
new Associate Pastor.
If you have interest in learning more about, or applying for,
our Youth and Family staffing at Trinity, please contact Senior
Pastor Bob Linstrom at 616-949-2492, extension 15 or
robert.linstrom@tlcgr.org.
High School Youth Group News
Kids’ Food Basket
Mission Trip Update
The High School Youth Group recently went to Kids’ Food
Basket and helped pack sack suppers. Our group of ten people
was tasked with packing celery sticks and peanut butter in
assembly line fashion. We plan to go back and help pack on
Sunday, May 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. Please sign up on the clipboard
outside of the youth room or on the Facebook page to attend!
Our next Mission Trip meeting will be Wednesday, June 22 from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This meeting is mandatory for all Mission Trip
participants!
We will go over the packing lists, schedule for the week, group
covenant, and then enjoy pizza and social time .
The High School Youth Group will also be decorating supper
sacks during BASIC/High School Bible Study on May 15.
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Blood Drive at Trinity in May
A big shout out to everyone who donated and baked for our Lenten blood
drive. Thanks to you, we again exceeded our goal!
Michigan Blood will be at Trinity on Monday, May 9 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
to again accept your precious donations. Childcare is provided. PLEASE
contact Sue Babin to schedule an appointment at smbabin@yahoo.com or
616-272-3902. Signing up in advance allows Michigan Blood to provide
adequate staff. Also, PLEASE be sure to eat an iron-rich diet! Remember,
the need is constant, so please give if you are able.
Did you know that a person can donate blood every eight weeks, or about six
times a year? Plan now to donate blood at Trinity on May 9 and then again
when we host a Blood Drive on Monday, July 25!
Exploring Housing Options for Seniors
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
A program for seniors and those who affect their lives will take place on Friday,
May 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. Seniors will find answers to questions such as:
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Can I live in my own home no matter what?
Who will care for me if I become injured?
What should I look for if I decide to downsize?
What are the financial considerations?
Speakers for the event include:
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Larry Yachcik, CEO of Porter Hills Retirement Communities and Services,
Laurie Placinski, Interior Project Designer, Progressive AE,
Roberta Verva, Research Coordinator, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation
Hospital,
Wayne Dantuma, Owner, Always Best Care Senior Services, and
Kathleen Aguilar, Associate, Miller Johnson.
This event will be held at Frederick Meijer Gardens. A light lunch is available.
Space is limited. RSVP: registration@aaawm.org or 616-222-7042.
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Diaper/Undie Collection - Mother’s Day to Father’s Day
Shocking, isn’t it?!
One child goes through thousands of disposable diapers! Now imagine you are on a limited
income and can’t afford to buy them! As a result, you might resort to changing your baby’s
diaper only once or twice a day. Soon you have a very unhappy baby with diaper rash!
Beginning on Mother’s Day and continuing through Father’s Day, we will gladly welcome
your contributions of diapers and underwear. Please consider donating all sizes of NEW
unopened packages of children’s, women’s and men’s underwear, undershirts and socks
as well as diapers. You may place your donations in the labeled bins located in the narthex,
outside Centennial Hall and the church office. Monetary gifts are also appreciated. If you
are writing a check, make it payable to Trinity Lutheran Church, and write Diaper/Undie
Sunday in the memo line.
The underwear will be distributed through local Grand Rapids organizations that serve our
community’s most vulnerable families. There is a need, especially, for larger adult size
underwear and undershirts such XXXL.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Interfaith Hospitality Volunteer Training
Trinity members will have an opportunity to learn more about Family Promise and the
program through which Trinity and other area congregations provide shelter and hospitality
for homeless families: Interfaith Hospitality Network or IHN.
Kate O’Keefe and Lisa Cruden from Family Promise will present an information/volunteer
training session at Trinity in the Adult Forum classroom on Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Participants will learn about this amazing organization as well as information about the issue
of homelessness and the effects it can have on the adults and children involved.
If you have considered helping with IHN at Trinity but would like to know more before
volunteering, this session is for you. If you have volunteered with IHN but have never
attended a volunteer training, you will find the information very interesting and valuable.
All are welcome to join us - if for no other reason than to know what your church is doing!
Dégagé Panhandler Vouchers
For some time now, it has been possible for Trinity members and friends to purchase
Panhandler Vouchers from Dégagé Ministries. For $2 per voucher, these can be distributed
to people who are publicly asking for money. Each panhandler voucher, when taken to
Dégagé Ministries in downtown Grand Rapids, can be used for the purchase of a simple,
nutritious meal, a hair cut, a locker for a week, a pair of warm socks, one load of laundry
and much more.
Look for the displays like the one pictured to the left outside the main office, in the narthex
and at both entrances to Centennial Hall. Vouchers can be purchased using the instructions
on the displays.
Panhandler vouchers are a wonderful way to genuinely be of help to those who are
struggling in a time of crisis.
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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616-949-2510
Mother’s Day is May 8
Bring your favorite mother to worship!
We will celebrate the gift of family at Trinity on Mother’s Day, May 8.
A new ‘reverse offering’ will occur again in 2016 with the presentation
of a carnation to all women in worship that day – we will honor mothers
and grandmothers and all families – we all have a mother to lift up in
thanksgiving!
We will also kick off the annual Trinity Diaper Drive on Mother’s Day,
an appeal that will conclude on Father’s Day on June 19.
Start off your Mother’s Day celebration with the Trinity family gathered
in worship and let us be those who intentionally give great thanks to God
for the gifts of faith, family and friends.
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / Kenishirotie
“Clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything
together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14
Six Trinity Voting Members at the May 15-17 Synod Assembly
Senior Pastor Bob Linstrom, Associate Pastor Dan Schewe and four lay representatives, Jim and Sue Coates and Norm and Jan Palm,
will represent Trinity Lutheran Church of Grand Rapids as voting members at the May 15-17 Assembly of the North/West Lower
Michigan Synod in Grand Rapids. Please keep these voting members in your prayers as they seek to care well for our ministry
together in the wider regional and national expressions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
At the April meeting of the Congregation Council, it was decided that we would "tithe" (up to $2000) of the offering received at
Trinity on Sunday, May 8 and would designate that amount for the Synod Assembly offerings. The offerings for 2016 Synod
Assembly will be split evenly between the ELCA World Hunger and the North/West Lower Michigan Synod Disaster Fund.
Help for the Family of Steve Baribeau
Steve Baribeau, the 49-year-old son of Trinity members, Jack and Donna
Danielson, tragically died on March 28, 2016 after spending several weeks in
the hospital fighting influenza and double pneumonia. Steve leaves behind
his wife, Ellen, and five children.
Steve was, and his family remains, active members of Immanuel Lutheran
Church in Grand Ledge. If you are interested in helping this grieving family
financially, donations would be gratefully accepted. Please make your checks
payable to Ellen Baribeau and send them in Steve’s memory to:
Immanuel Lutheran Church
501 S. Clinton Street
Grand Ledge, MI 48837
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Trinity Lutheran Church
www.tlcgr.org
616-949-2510
Start of Summer Celebration
Do YOU like to have FUN?
Do YOU like to help others have FUN?
Director of Congregational Life Angela Davis is looking for volunteers
to assist with this year’s Start of Summer Celebration on Wednesday,
June 15, 2016. With the help of many people, we are all able to enjoy
a summer evening together!
Volunteer opportunities for the Start of Summer Celebration include
set-up, clean-up, grilling, activity supervision, and more. If you would
like to be involved with the planning and implementation of this
exciting event, please contact Angela Davis.
Highlights of the evening include:
• Dinner favorites - pulled pork, hot dogs, fruit salad, chips and more!
• Bingo, bounce house, sidewalk chalk, face-painting, and more!
• Bring your lawn chair/picnic blanket, and your friends and neighbors!
Mark your calendars now for Trinity’s Start of Summer Celebration
and let Angela know how you would like to be of help!
Trinity’s Start of Summer Celebration
Wednesday, June 15
Seeking Bingo Prizes for this Year’s
Start of Summer Celebration
Director of Congregational Life Angela Davis is looking for donations
to be used for Bingo prizes during the Start of Summer Celebration.
As you can see in the photo on the right, the winners of Bingo have
had an exciting array of items from which to choose in the past!
All types of gifts are appreciated and should be appropriate for various
age ranges such as 4-10, 11-16 and 17 and up. These prizes do not
need to be expensive. Bingo winners enjoy gift cards, meal cards,
games, movie passes, accessories, toys, etc. Please drop off Bingo
gifts no later than noon on Tuesday, June 14.
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Trinity Lutheran Church
www.tlcgr.org
616-949-2510
Save the Date
Trinity Connections Form
Please use this form to share updates and requests. Our faith
family at Trinity supports our daily journeys of faith, shares
God’s gifts of love and grace, and responds to people in need.
Complete this form and drop in the offering plate or Church
Office, or mail to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 Fulton St. E.,
Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
Please check all that apply:
Welcome Visitors - Let us get to know you!
 Have visited Trinity
 New to the area
 Seeking a church home
Cares/Concerns
Would appreciate a visit from a pastor
Prayer request (describe below)
Would appreciate being connected to a Stephen Minister
Health concerns for self or family member (describe below)
Please add a member of my family in the military (describe below include position, armed services branch and location)





Family Changes
 We’re expecting or adopting! Anticipated arrival _________
 Birth (share details below)
 Death of family member (share details below)
Address/Phone Changes
 Address Change
 Phone or email change
June 1 – Children’s Ministry Open Forum with Pastor Dan,
6:30 p.m.
June 5 – Graduate Sunday
June 5-12 – Family Promise/Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)
June 5 – Jesus Club Teacher Brunch, 10 a.m.
June 5 – Children’s Ministry Open Forum with Pastor Dan,
12:30 p.m.
June 5 – Lutheran World Relief Quilting Bee, 1 p.m.
June 11 – Dégagé (Stouten Team), 6 p.m.
June 12 – Summer Worship Schedule Begins
June 12 – Trinity Prayer Group, 3 p.m.
June 13 – Messenger Submissions Due
June 13-17 – Art & Music Camp, 9:30 a.m.
June 13 – Congregation Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
June 15 – Start of Summer Celebration, 6 p.m.
June 15 – Stephen Ministry Peer Support and Continuing Ed,
6 p.m.
June 17 – Dégagé (Talsma Team), 6 p.m.
June 19 – Father's Day
June 21 – Staff 2016-2017 Calendar Planning Meeting,
12:30 p.m.
June 23 – Lutheran World Relief Quilting Bee, 9:30 a.m.
June 23 – Oasis Membership Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
June 25-July 2 – High School Youth Mission Trip
June 27-July 1 – SpringHill Day Camp, 9 a.m.
JULY
Other
 I’d like more information (describe below):
First Name
JUNE
Last Name
Address
July 3 – Lutheran World Relief Quilting Bee, 1 p.m.
July 4 – Office Closed Independence Day
July 10 – Trinity Prayer Group, 3 p.m.
July 11 – Messenger Submissions Due
July 11 – Congregation Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
July 15 – Dégagé (Marvin Team), 6 p.m.
July 17 – Richmond Park Pool Party, 5:30 p.m.
July 18-22 – Camp VBS, 9:15 a.m.
July 21 – Dégagé (Day Team), 6 p.m.
July 24 – One Worship Service with Picnic, 10 a.m.
July 24–29 – Camp at Stony Lake
July 25 – Blood Drive, 12:30 p.m.
AUGUST
City State Zip
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Email
Cares/concerns, prayer requests, family changes and ideas:
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Trinity Lutheran Church
Aug. 7 – Lutheran World Relief Quilting Bee, 1 p.m.
Aug. 8 – Messenger Submissions Due
Aug. 8 – Congregation Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 13 – Dégagé (Stouten Team), 6 p.m.
Aug. 14 – Trinity Prayer Group, 3 p.m.
Aug. 15 – Outreach Committee Meeting, 1 p.m.
Aug. 15 – Finance Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 15 – Oasis Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 18 – Lutheran World Relief Quilting, 9:30 a.m.
Aug. 19 – Dégagé (Talsma Team)
Aug. 22 - Human Resources Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.
Aug. 23 - Spiritual Growth Committee Meeting, 5:45 p.m.
www.tlcgr.org
616-949-2510
May Birthday and Anniversary Celebrations!
May 1
Kellee Flemming
Sheyda Johnson
Nancy Mattson
Sharon White
Gretchen & Drew Flemming
Tim & Leigh Ann Hunt
Debra & Larry Petrick
May 2
Marina Kosiorek
Dave Straw
Andrew VanderWall
Sarah & Michael Bernard
Mary & Mark Johnson
Jenna & Matt Ludeman
Ailee & Andrew VanHagen
May 3
Doug Brackmann
Maria DeVita-Krug
Lindsey Mooney
Ainsley Reges
Caleb Thamban
May 4
Matthew Candela
Kris Fox
Miles Hagmeyer
Julia Kessel
Kelsey Krupp
Matiss McNally
Deb Pollert
Cindy Zientarski
Laura & Paul Reges
May 5
Aaron Knoll
Isabelle McKinney
Daniel Mukendi
Gabriel Mukendi
Jane Smith
Shirley & Myron Pearson
May 6
Connor Kuhlmann
Renee & Bill Fisk
Jennifer & Jonathan Sommers
May 7
Amy Beuker
Madison Fisher
Michael Lake
Kari Ruble
Bill Thorsen
Gerrit Veltman
Mary Minch-Carwell & Bob
Carwell
Connie & Tim Duitsman
May 8
Britten Rodammer
Ellery Smith
May 9
Logan Coles
Anna Griewahn
Mitch Haggart
Marilyn Leese
Mary Leese
Bradley Price
Doug Start
Jennifer VanVliet
Becky Westphal
Dan Workman
May 10
Adam DeVita-Krug
Cody Lamprich
Michelle Landman
Melissa Morin
Randy Preston
Becky & Doug Bacon
Wendy & Bradley Price
May 11
James Day
Bethany Lee
Chris Straw
May 12
John Basher
Beth Courtney
Steven Fox
Caitlin Oliver
Beth & Jim VanderWall
May 13
Roy Black
Kristin Bradley
Mary Candela
Sharon Flink
Alaina Steketee
Kathy & John Fuger
May 14
Shauna Allchin
Gabe Larson
Patricia Mutch
Kari Proux
Ashlee Wetherington
May 15
Leah Bredwell
Ashley Moore
Bruce Youngman
Alexis & Dan Schewe
Diane & Dennis Tanis
May 16
Christopher Blair
Theresa Lake
David VanVliet
Cori & David Beckett
Linda & Tom Snow
May 17
Renee Bennett
Dixie Brinks
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Trinity Lutheran Church
(May 17 continued)
Tim Duitsman
Donna McPheron
Brian Scalabrino
John Teichow
May 18
Sandra Alcazar-Kohnke
Grayson Bernard
Michelle Quinn
Sophia Warren
May 19
Laurie Brush
Tom Demmon
Justin Ulrich
Joy & Dan Prusak
Joyce & Wayne Snyder
May 20
Jane Barsema
Bonnie Cleveland
Scott Dulecki
Missi Glass
Jenna Grzelak
John Johnson
Kristy Nikolajuk
Zachary Wurl
Kirstine & Hal Brocker
May 21
Catherine Baker
Douglas Lee
Jim Reeve
Noah Salasky
Martha Blandford & Patrick
Ladwig
Judith & Robert Mallen
May 22
James Boyse
Brenda Conway
Karlene Hantle
John Meilner
Christopher Schau
Heather & Brandon Kimble
May 23
Austin Johnson
Ginta McNally
Emily Volkerding
May 24
Bob Carwell
Bill Grinstead
Ilene Seadal
May 25
Andy Cisler
Maddison Cross
Terry Cross
Donovan Estep
Max Haggart
Susan Knoll
Alex Luders
www.tlcgr.org
616-949-2510
(May 25 continued)
Venta Norris
Sheree Smith
Brittany & Jeff Fischer
Patricia & Craig Mutch
May 26
Susan Boyse
David DeStefano
Ava Ezell
Myles Olson
Anne & Tom Anderson
May 27
Jack Meilner
Jim Willman
Michelle & Doug Lee
Alice & Steve Molloy
May 28
Ingrid Brang
Alice Molloy
Brett Reges
Kathleen Sommers
Nicol Weiss
Collin White
Kristen Zarou
Kim & Mike Horn
Kathleen & Larry Longstreth
May 29
Bev Karman
Ken Marvin
Erma Wilcox
Carol & Dan Butler
Kristine & David Candela
Liz & Jason Coles
Linda & Bill Grinstead
Susan & Terry Knoll
Mary & David Kovac
Debbie & Rick Kulas
Nikki & Todd Webber
May 30
Alex Brock
Cliff Hartline
Samantha Kuipers
Ken VandenBout
Jill & Peter McKinney
May 31
Ryan Beld
Jason Coles
Anne Marie Ludeman
Taylor Otten
Wendy Price
Jim Searfoss
Stacy Sendler
Mary Smoes
Allie & Ryan Idema
Toni & Norm Petersen
Ilze & Jeffrey Schlanderer
Lindsey & Nate Skalandis
Pizza Party & Ice Cream Social for Prayer Tree Participants
Since the fall of 2015, many of our Trinity members have been
participating in an intergenerational opportunity through which
older members have been praying for our younger church family
members.
On Sunday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. in Centennial Hall, we are
bringing together the 52 adult Pray-ers and the 71 young people
they have been praying for since the fall. We will gather for
fellowship, pizza, ice cream and a toppings bar.
Invitations were sent out the middle of April. If you did not
receive your invitation in the mail, please contact Director of
Congregational Life Angela Davis.
Trinity Lutheran Church
2700 Fulton Street East
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Main Office: 616-949-2510
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (M-F)
www.tlcgr.org
Mission: T rinity L utheran Church is a dynamic family called by God to nurture each other in our daily journeys of faith and to joyfull y
increase our response to all people in need, sharing God’s gifts of love and grace.
Staff
Direct Dial:
616-949-2492
(then dial extension #)
facebook.com/tlcgr
Rev. Robert Linstrom, Senior Pastor (ext. 15)
robert.linstrom@tlcgr.org
Beth Humphreys, Wedding Coordinator
weddings@tlcgr.org
Rev. Dan Schewe, Associate Pastor (ext. 24)
dan.schewe@tlcgr.org
Cheryl Reeve, Rejoice Worship Coordinator
616-490-8316, cheryl.l.reeve@gmail.com
Diane T. Biser, Director of Children’s Choirs (ext. 18)
616-292-8211, dtbiser@att.net
Sylvia Stouten, Director of Discipleship/Messenger Editor
(ext. 21) sylvia.stouten@tlcgr.org
Larry G. Biser, Director of Music/Organist/Director of Bell
Choirs (ext. 18), 616-304-7259, lgbiser@att.net
Tim Van Der Bilt, Director of Children’s Ministry (ext.14)
tim.vanderbilt@tlcgr.org
Angela Davis, Director of Congregational Life (ext. 29)
angela.davis@tlcgr.org
Jodi VanGorp, Office Coordinator (ext. 10)
jodi.vangorp@tlcgr.org
Niki Ferguson, Sexton (ext. 17)
nicolette.ferguson@tlcgr.org
Dr. Elizabeth West, Associate Organist, 616-212-1584
west@hope.edu
Linda Heine, Parish Nurse (ext. 19)
linda.heine@tlcgr.org
Ashlee Wetherington, Finance Assistant (ext. 11)
ashlee.wetherington@tlcgr.org
Sidney Hoeksema, Trinity Choir Director
616-554-2998, sidney.hoeksema@tlcgr.org
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Trinity Lutheran Church
www.tlcgr.org
616-949-2510