V OLUME 35 ISSUE 1 The Trinity Times
JANUARY 2014 T
he
Fir
st W
ord
Then the Lord said to Moses,
“Why do you cry out to me?
Tell the Israelites to go
forward.” Exodus 14:15
This sentence doesn’t sound all
that amazing at first. But once you know the
circumstance to which it is spoken, it is. The Israelites
are trapped between the Red Sea and the advancing
Egyptian army—trapped and doomed, in their minds.
So, as you might expect, they’re not feeling their best.
They’re crying out to Moses to do something. What
Moses does is to appeal to God. What God does is to
have Moses issue the command for them to go
forward—forward into the Red Sea, that is.
In this brand-new year, like the Israelites, we’re going
forward…not into the Red Sea but into a new way of
bringing the newsletter to you. For most of Trinity’s
members, the newsletter will now arrive not in your
mailboxes but in your inboxes. This method is faster,
cheaper, easier on the environment and more efficient
in terms of time and resources.
That’s the big change. Here’s what isn’t going to
change. Homebound members will still get a hard
copy mailed to them with copies of the previous
month’s sermons. The content and format of the
newsletter won’t change, either. If you’re one of those
people who prefer to read off paper instead of a
screen, you can print off a copy at home that will look
just like you got it in the mail (except you won’t have
to deal with those sticker-like things that hold the
newsletter together).
For those people who don’t have access to email,
we’ll print copies of the newsletter to have available
for them to pick up after church.
I currently get three of our sister Lutheran church’s
newsletters in electronic format. I will admit it took a
little getting used to, but now it seems perfectly
normal. I want to thank you for your graciousness
during this time of transition as together we go
forward into the new year.
With you in Christ’s service!
From the Council 2
Notes From Nick 3
Youth & Young Adults 3
Children’s Ministry 4
January Golden League 5
All Women Are Welcome to
Join a Bible Study
5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Pr. Rob O’Berg
V OLUME 35 ISSUE 1 P AGE 2
3973 N. Cedar Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726-5299
Phone: 559-229-8581
Fax: 559-229-7988
Pastor Rob O’Berg
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours
Mon-Thurs 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
SUNDAY SERVICES
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
10:30 a.m. Traditional
“Coffee Fellowship”
after each service. Nursery care provided.
Your 2014 Church Council
Representatives
Your Church Council Representatives
Liz Davis.....................................…....... 449-7712
Laura Peranick....................................... . 440-0760
Mike Czeshinski.................................... . 322-1669
Kathy Gorman........................................ 645-0262
Andrew Scherf....................................... . 321-5874
Debra Gibson ......................................... 436-8086
Karen Rowe........................................... . 323-4220
Barbara Stalis.......................................... 277-3014
Steve Carlson.................................(707) 758-1885
Check Out
Our Website! Our website is
constantly being updated
with new photos, sermons, event
information and more! Go to tlcfresno.com
and don't hesitate to share our website with
your friends and relatives.
Don McClure
From The Council
Greetings Friends,
Happy New Year! Trinity Lutheran Church continues to
grow and share the love of Jesus Christ with our
neighborhood and beyond!
The recent focus of the Council has been to review and
recommend a 2014 budget to best serve the needs of our
many vibrant and impactful ministries. Many thanks to
Church Administrator Nick Droge and Pastor Rob for
their guidance as we worked through the process. Thanks
also to the diligence of Curtis Smith, we are nearing a
recommendation for a Solar provider. We anticipate
informational meetings to occur soon!
Special thanks to incoming Council members Karen
Rowe, Barbara Stalis and Steve Carlson. We are grateful
for your willingness to serve! We also want to recognize
Curtis Smith and Ann Brewer for completing two terms
of dedicated service to the TLC Council. In addition,
Mary Ann Dews, Robert Cherry and John Malmo have
been elected to the MEF (Mission Endowment Fund) for
2 and 3 year terms.
Lastly, I would like to thank each one of you for your
support and active participation in the life of Trinity
Lutheran Church. We are all part of a very special church
family. On behalf of the TLC Council, I wish you a
blessed and joyous new year!
With you in Christ,
Becky Malmo
“Like” Trinity on Facebook for
pictures, news & more!
Go to facebook.com/tlcfresno
THE TRINITY T IMES P AGE 3
Notes From Nick!
I wish you all a very Happy New
Year. I am looking forward to
spending a whole calendar year
here at Trinity. During my time
here in 2013 we saw some very
exciting things that have helped to further God’s
Kingdom. Both the youth and children’s ministries
saw phenomenal growth; bearing witness to Trinity
being a Matthew 28 church – “go and make
disciples.” But Trinity is also a Matthew 25 church
– “I was hungry and you fed me.”
Your generosity makes all of the work Trinity does
in the neighborhood and in the world possible. It’s
that generosity that helps to spread God’s joy to all
the kids that come to News Spirit Charter Academy,
to the Trinity Kids Club, to the Quest and
Momentum ministries, to Golden League, to the
exercise class and to the many other activities that
occur here. I look forward excitedly to discovering
with you all what God has planned for Trinity in
2014.
God’s Peace to you all
Thank You!
To all who remembered the church staff, myself and
my family with cards, notes and gifts for Christmas,
allow me to thank you for your thoughtfulness. It is
both gratifying and encouraging to know that you
are thought of during Christmas time and your kind
expressions meant a lot. Again, many thanks!
Pastor Rob
Momentum &
Young Adults!
Happy New Year!! Youth and
Young Adult Ministries are
looking forward to a great new
year!
Jr. High and Sr. High School Winter Camp is
January 10-12th! This year we will be taking middle
and high school students to Fresno United Winter
Camp at Hume Lake! The dates are January 10-12th.
If you are interested in registering your student for
winter camp please let me know as soon as possible.
Registration forms and deposits are due as soon as
possible.
A special aspect of United Fresno winter camp is
that Trinity is partnering with over 20 youth groups
in and around Fresno. The vision of United Fresno is
for youth pastors and students to join together as one
body in Fresno County to show the world the love
and reality of Jesus Christ. This winter camp
weekend is only devoted to youth groups that
participate in United Fresno. There will be breakout
sessions by church and schools, so that students can
come together as one body in Christ to transform
their church and school campuses for Christ.
January 15th, 2014 is the due date for the missions
application for the August 2014 Guatemala mission
trip. This mission trip is open to juniors & seniors in
high school, and young adults at Trinity Lutheran
Church. If you would like to receive more
information about this mission trip please email me
or Stephanie.
Young Adult Ministries will be looking forward to a
couple new events this year. Stay tuned for more
information to come!
Nick Droge Mariah Dje
P AGE 4 THE TRINITY T IMES
Children’s
Ministry News
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Our Christmas party this year
was a huge success! It was
exciting to see so many of the
families who are a part of Children’s Ministries all
together. There were over 130 parents,
grandparents, and kids who were able to enjoy a
wonderful meal, puppet show, a fun evening of
fellowship, and sixty-eight kids received gifts.
We could not have done it without help! I want to
say a very big thank you to Pastor Rob and
Mariah who helped with the food and prep, the
Momentum team who helped serve dinner and
clean, the TKC staff, Kristi Czeshinski, Cathy
Elliot, Kathy Brown, Karen Gregory, the Turpin
family, the Plessmann family, and the Zoe Zone
Puppet Team. I also want to thank everyone who
has supported Children’s Ministries this year by
purchasing cards or in other ways. Thank you so
much for a wonderful year of fun and
ministry. We look forward to everything that will
happen in 2014. Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year!
Music News!
2013 is quickly becoming the past
and we have much to be thankful
for. We are very appreciative to
our members for being so
supportive of the various music
programs.
When recognizing and thanking people for their
various contributions, of course, one person stands
out head and shoulders above all the rest and this
person is our Organist/Pianist, Helga Medd. While
not to discount any other month, this past
December Helga had a gigantic responsibility with
Lessons & Carols and the Christmas Eve services.
Think about this. All the hymns, all the liturgy, all
the special music, all the choir, all the soloists,
even the praise team. All of them involved Helga
learning and playing with them. Helga was
Outstanding! Thank You Helga.
We are very fortunate to be able to bring in outside
musicians, such as: Laura Porter, Principal Harpist
for the Fresno Philharmonic; Max Hembd,
Trumpet; Valerie Salcedo, Soprano, Principal with
the Fresno Grand Opera and Linda Marie Hurst,
Flute. These people add so much to our services.
Our volunteer groups give extraordinary personal
time to bring outstanding musical elements
to our services. I want to recognize and thank the
following people in Bells and Chimes.
They are: Dorothy Belcher, Mary Ann Dews,
Eileen Donnelly, Diane Durando, Gretchen
Huebner, Lynda Roberts, Terry Roberts (Bell
Chaplain), Karen Gregory, Jan Turpin and Melanie
Young.
I want to recognize and thank our Chancel Choir
members. They are: Sopranos: Erica Bird,
soloist; Susan Brunkhorst, Joy McMillan,
soloist; Lori Kamlade, Pastors assistant; Kellie
Maul, Communion assistant; Mary Helen Maul,
Sandy Miller, Cathy Panten, Kristen O’Berg, Edith
Schumacher and Layla Solomon, soloist.
Altos: Barbara Axt, Phyllis Klotz-Lea, Megan
Kuneli, Pastors Assistant; Jolene Marshall (Choir
Manager); Kathryn Sherman; Judy McGrath,
Brittany Truax, soloist and Lee Wagner.
Tenors: Gil Axt, soloist; Barbara Stalis, Jim
Turpin, special soloist; and Bob Zoldoske.
Stephanie Anderson Greg Panten
V OLUME 35 ISSUE 1 P AGE 5
Basses: Christopher Bohlin, Steve Carlson, John
Malmo, Terry Roberts (Choir Chaplain) , Gary
Koch and Bill Weber.
We also added additional Kyrie "Chanters". I want
to recognize and thank them. They are: Erica Bird,
Lori Kamlade, Megan Kuneli, Kristen O'Berg, Joy
McMillan and Jim Turpin.
I want to recognize and thank our Kid's choir
members. They are: Topanga Scherf and
MacKenzie McMillan.
I want to recognize and thank our Praise Team.
Clinton Wilcox, Leader, Keyboard/vocals; Juliette
Cerecedes, vocals; Lisa Collins, vocals/soloist;
Brittany Truax, vocals/soloist; Jordan Kast, guitar/
vocals, Tyler Bardon, bass/vocals; Andrew Scherf,
guitar and Bill Cerecedes, drums/percussion
elements.
We are all blessed by these people and their
devotion to the Trinity music programs.
En Christo!
Greg Panten
Psalm 100, vs. 1-2; Make a joyful noise to the
Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with
gladness; come into his presence with singing.
January Golden League
Carolyn T. Linn, author of Heaven
Is Amazing, will be our inspiring
speaker at the Golden League
January luncheon. Carolyn was raised in a pastor’s
home and was married to an academician. She
volunteers in lay ministry, advocates for mental
illness and travels internationally. Join us on
January 15 for lunch and opportunity to hear this
outstanding speaker. If you are not called for a
reservation contact Nadine Boyd at 322-1474.
2014 Altar Flower
The 2014 Altar Flower sign
up sheets are posted on the
bulletin board across from the
financial office. Flowers may
be given in memory of a
loved one or in honor of a
special occasion. For more
information, contact Cathy at the church office at
229-8581.
All Women Are Invited To Join Our
Women Of The ELCA Activities!
There are five "circle" groups which meet monthly
for Bible study, community building, and to learn
about and take part in the many outreach ministries
happening regularly. YOU are invited to any
meeting, any month!
Evening Spirit - 3rd Monday, 6:45 p.m., at church
Good Morning - 3rd Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., at church
Good News - 3rd Tuesday, 1:00 p.m., in homes
(ask church office for location)
Mary-Martha - 2nd Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., at church
Priscilla - 2nd Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., at church
The monthly studies come from the "Gather"
magazine, and this year each month we study one
Bible woman to see what we can learn from her life
that will help us today. You are welcome. For
information, [email protected]
Blood Drives In 2014
Mark your calendars for Blood Drive
dates in 2014. Sunday, February
16, April 27, June 29, August 24 &
October 26. Remember when you
donate drink plenty of fluids for two
days before and the morning you
donate and also eat a healthy breakfast. The Blood
Mobile parks in the north parking lot between
9:30 thru 12:00. The sign up sheet will be in Luther
Hall two weeks before the drive.
Thank You , Social Ministry.
V OLUME 35 ISSUE 1 P AGE 6
January Birthdays & Anniversaries
Violet Simes 1/1 Cheryl Mohr 1/2 Gloria Russ 1/4 Helen B. Brown 1/5 Ron Copp 1/5 Jacqueline Gilbert 1/5 Donna Todd 1/5 John McConnell 1/7 Bob Smith 1/7 Jazzlynn Cook 1/9 David Huillier 1/12 Caroline Mendyk 1/13 Erica Collins 1/14 Bill Gorman 1/14 Ken Engelman 1/15 Gregory Becker 1/18 Frank Plessmann 1/18 Kay Hele 1/21 Thor Hansen 1/25 Shirley Harpain 1/26 Jan Odahl 1/27 Carmela Willingham 1/27 Kayley Noble 1/28 Edna Diel 1/31
David Lara & Jane Ocean Jr. 1/9/2008 Don & Karen Gregory 1/10/1981 Dennis & Dee Donnelly 1/22/1983 Brian & Laura Peranick 1/24/1987 Wayne & Doni Truax 1/30/1993
P AGE 7 THE TRINITY T IMES
With you in Christ’s service!
Senior Exercise Class
All are invited to join the Senior
Exercise Class meeting at Trinity
on Mondays and Wednesdays from
11:00 am-12:00 pm in Luther Hall.
We work on strength, balance and
flexibility while sitting in a chair or standing with
the help of a chair. Equipment is provided.
Donation is $2.00. Jennifer Jordan is the leader.
Submitting Articles for Newsletter
Please submit your articles or information items
for the “Trinity Times”, our church newsletter
directly to the church office. Articles are due by
the 15th of each month. You may email
[email protected], fax to 229-7988 or bring the
information
Hearing Impaired Information
The Sanctuary is equipped with hearing assistive
technology. If you have a hearing aid, turn on your
telephone coil. You will get direct microphone
sound through your hearing aid. Also available are
independent units for checkout from ushers Enjoy
being able to hear as you experience worship with
us!
Taizé Prayer Weekend
Taizé Prayer Weekend is January 24-25, 2014 at
Holy Family Episcopal Church, 1135 E. Alluvial
in Fresno. (Home of the first public labyrinth in
Fresno. For details, contact. Go to
www.earthprayers.net/taizefresno.htm
Here Is A 'Heads Up' For Women!
Every three years, we have a retreat especially for
the women of Trinity. This is sponsored by our
Women of the ELCA, but you need not be a circle
member to attend. The date is Friday night, April
4, to Sunday noon, April 6. Once again it will be
held at the beautiful ECCO retreat center near
Oakhurst. It is a relaxing time, a time of getting to
know one another and a time of inspiration. We
are tentatively thinking of centering the weekend
around the study of spiritual gifts, with relaxed
time to come to identify and claim your own gifts.
Our leader will be Valora Starr, a staff person in
the office of the Women of the ELCA in Chicago.
She is a fun and challenging speaker. Get this on
your calendar now. Women of all ages are
welcome; Valora is especially hopeful that there
will be some younger women in the group.
Paul & Evelyn McConnell
2100 Fowler Ave. #241
Clovis, CA 93611
JANUARY 2014
Trinity Lutheran Church
3973 N. Cedar Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726
Our Mission:
To Lead People Into The Life-Changing Love of Jesus Christ
Sundays
9:00 am-Contemporary Worship Service
9:00 am-Kid’s Choir in Music Room
9:15 am-Chancel Choir in Music Room
10:30 am-Sunday School (K-6) in Youth Room
10:30 am-Traditional Worship Service
10:30 am-Momentum AM (7-12) in Room 12
Mondays
11:00 am Senior Exercise Class LH
6:30 pm-Momentum in Room 12 (High School)
Wednesdays
9:30 am-Office Closed for Staff Meeting
11:00 am Senior Exercise Class LH
6:00 pm-Quest in Youth Room
6:00 pm-Momentum 78 in Room 12 (Jr. High)
6:30 pm Sr. Bell Rehearsal - Music Rm.
Thursdays
7:00 pm-Traditional Choir in Music Room
WEEKLY CALENDAR