Trinity Presbyterian Church—4365 S.R. 776—Venice FL 34293

Seldom do I recommend books ‘outright’ but here is a plug for Not Forgotten: The True Story of My Imprisonment in North Korea. Actually, I am a slow reader but couldn’t put this volume down. I finished it in two sittings.

Kenneth Bao, a Korean-American, was a different kind of Christian missionary. For over a decade he led tour groups made up of believers to journey to North Korea. This was legal—all on the

up and up—but his ulterior goal was to have Christians go to that land and pray that God’s love would sovereignly be showered on the North Korean people.

Through a series of weird circumstances, he inadvertently had forgotten to remove various mission materials off the hard drive of his laptop computer before he entering the country.

For Summertime Reading

Without giving away the plot, the authorities seized his laptop, drummed up charges and a quick trial was followed by a sentence of imprisonment of hard labor.

For me, this was a fascinating read because so little is known about the DPRK (North Korea) and yet here is a first-hand close up of what it must be like to live in a beyond-totalitarian regime.

Most inspiring was the very range of human emotions experienced along with the loving response Bao gave to his captors. Through times of deep discouragement the Lord reassured him that he was NOT FORGOTTEN. I thoroughly enjoyed this great read—and at the end chuckled to myself—when I discovered Kenneth Bao was BOTH a Southern Baptist pastor AND a licensed Presbyterian preacher! Now, how’s that for a hybrid? Enjoy your summer! My prayers and love are sent your way wherever you are, at all points north, south, east, and west.

Pastor Chuck

Not Forgotten: The True Story of My Imprisonment in North Korea

Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them. Hebrews 13:3

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Do you have an IRA? Are you 70 1/2 Yrs of age or older? A permanent tax provision was passed in December 2015 that allows donors to have payments made directly from their IRA accounts to a not-for-profit organization. This is a great way to take your Required Minimum Distribution tax free! We are thankful to those who have already donated to Trinity with their RMD’s this year. It makes a great impact on our financial position and can possibly benefit you by reducing your taxable income and/or claiming a tax deductible donation when you file your taxes. It’s not too late to start planning for the rest of the year. Donations from your IRA’s can be used to fulfill your General Fund Pledge, prepay next year’s pledge or even better, give that gift above and beyond your pledge as a thanksgiving offering for God’s abundant blessings in your life. Make sure you check with your tax advisor for the specific requirements that must be met according to IRS regulations. If you have any questions that we can help you with, please contact Linda in the church office. —Linda Singleton, Finance

If a dog was the teacher, this might be what you would learn. When a loved one would come home, you would run to greet them. You would never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride and allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

You would take naps, stretch before rising, and play daily. You would thrive on attention and let people hug you. On those warm days, you would stop to lie on your back in the grass. Also, you would not forget that on those hot days, you would drink lots of cool water and sit under a shady tree. When you were happy, you would dance around and shake your entire body. Also, you would take delight in the simple joy of a long walk – preferably with a friend. You would be loyal and never pretend to be what you are not.

If you should want what lay “buried,” you would “dig” until you found it. And, especially, when someone was having a bad day, you would be silent, sit close by, and hold their hand.

If you were a Stephen Minister, you would be sitting there – a quiet friend. Paul Mrha, Stephen Leader

“If a Dog Were the Teacher”

Did you know that Trinity has a photo website called SmugMug? Our Trinity Smug Mug site is a wonderful place to visit if one wants to see photos of recent or not so recent events or activities that have taken place at our Church as well as photos of members of our Church family interacting and enjoying life at Trinity Pres. It also includes photos of our Trinity Board and Committee members. Church members may contribute photos by contacting the Church office. A complete, password protected, photographic catalog of Trinity Presbyterian Church members can be accessed by members (only) by requesting the password from our office. Our Smug Mug site offers an opportunity to be better connected to our Church whether one is close by, traveling or on an extended stay elsewhere. To access it go to www.trinitypres.smugmug.com

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Trinity Presbyterian Church

Although one would expect things to be a bit quiet with the hazy, lazy days of summer, the Trinity Membership is Team as busy as ever welcoming our new members!

Those who attended our last Welcome Brunch were received at our traditional service on June 8th. Nine new members joined our “growing church family”, and were greeted by our members with a reception afterwards. Those welcomed that day are Tammy Runyan-Glover, Peggy Kirk, Don and Juliann Moore, Donna Koreny, Lou and Cheryl Szekeres, and Charles and Debra Watkins.

Roberta French, Linda Mercantini and Susan Brembs are doing an outstanding job in helping our new members connect with areas that are of interest to them. And we as a church body, appreciate all those who volunteer who help us continue to thrive and serve all our Outreach programs in encouraging our church growth..

We will be hosting a new Members Brunch was held on July 31st, we will be receiving that class on Sunday August 14th. If you have previously attended a welcome brunch and feel that this is now the right time for your membership at Trinity, you are welcome to be received as part of this

class. Please contact the church office and let them know that “You’re In” or feel free to contact me directly at 910-297-3681.

These are exciting times at Trinity even in the “quiet summer days” and we encourage everyone who knows someone who needs a place to worship to invite them to attend our church with you. Our warm and loving church family may be just want they need and have been searching for! God Bless. —Elder Bob Lamberty

COMPUTER

SAVY?

Do you have a couple of

hours each week to

donate to the church?

We are in need of some

IT help to assist with our

worship services on

Sunday mornings.

It requires learning the

software, building the

program, and running it

on Sundays at least once

per month.

If this sounds like

something you could help

us with, contact Joan

Mrha at 941-485-8575

or the church office (941-

493-0018).

It’s a GREAT way to

serve your church!

Family Promise

Trinity will be hosting Family Promise the week of Sept. 11 through the 18th.

People have walked by my table at church and waved their hands, saying,” I am too busy”. They say this without even knowing how little time is involved. We are all busy but we only need about two hours of your time, one time for that week… more if you want.

We have an incredible group of people who help us, but our ranks are at a low in the summer. Graham and I do the organizing and we have Shirley and Deny Radefeld, and Kate Allison who find people to bring food. Susan Mather and her crew set up the rooms with all necessities. Carol Ann Mancuso gets our Evening Hosts, again, 2 hours, once a week. The Broshars and the Elliotts make sure we have supplies available. Volunteers to launder the sheets at the end of the week. Jo Ellen comes in and does crafts with the kids, Graham finds 2 people to stay overnight. Obviously, more than 2 hours. I can’t list all the people who pitch in but they are greatly appreciated. The success stories of families served have been listed in our Sunday bulletin. Can you imagine having small children and living in a van because you have no home? Without the churches involved, there would be no program. Why not join us for this vital ministry, it will only take 2 hours of your time during that week. Just tell us what area you are interested in and we will find a slot for you, contact Barb Middelthon at 941-486-4210.

COULD YOU GIVE 2 HOURS?

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—Susan Brembs

One Nation Under God—A Christian Hope for American Politics.

On Wednesdays we have seen 30-40 folks gather to ask questions like: How can a Christian maintain their witness with integrity while being engaged in the slimy mess known as American Politics? Issues such as Life & Death, War & Peace, as well as Immigration & Immigration Reform have all been put on the table, to name a few, for discussion.

Kudos to everyone involved in making THE CHRISTIAN AND POLITICS—while sticking to a biblical world view—such an amazing summer success story! —Pastor Chuck

Boomers&MORE have been gathering every other Wednesday during these “lazy, hazy” days of a Southwest Florida summer.

What’s the draw? For one thing, there is some great FOOD involved. To date, Colleen Lamberty’s clarion call for heavy Hors ‘Doeuvres has made for some great feasting. Plus Dave McQuiston’s reputation for SLIDERS—not the baseball kind—achieved fame on a

couple of evenings. And then— Juanita Fauser’s LEMONADE SOCIAL—was false advertising, it was a downright orgy of deserts! And yes, there was HAIL CAESAR SALAD night…when we all ate healthy! Food aside, the real draw has been the subject matter for the series: THE CHRISTIAN IN POLITICS.

Boomers&MORE have been using Bruce Ashford’s soon-to-be classic book

September will soon be here and I would like to thank all of those that gave of their time and talent to sing in our “Summer Choir.” I am hoping that many of you will continue with us in our regular chancel choir which will start rehearsals on Wednesday evenings, September 7th at 6:30pm. If there is anyone in our congregation who would like to sing with us, you are most welcome to attend this first rehearsal. Our Bell Choir will also start rehearsals on September 7th at 5pm. If you have ever been a bell ringer or would like to learn to play, we would be delighted to have you join us at this rehearsal. I am planning to have another old fashion “Hymn Sing” some Sunday afternoon in early October during which you will get the opportunity to select and sing some of your favorite hymns that we don’t always get a chance to sing during our church service. Our choir will also be presenting a Christmas Cantata on December 4th. Both the Chancel Choir and the Bell Choir provide a wonderful opportunity to praise the LORD in song and also enjoy the joy of good fellowship with other musicians involved in these choir. If you have any questions, please contact me at 941-497-1849 or email: singersue@hotmail.com.

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CA

M Co

lu

mn

This summer continues to bring both extreme temperatures and extreme needs to our doorsteps here at Trinity’s C.A.M.! While you may have noticed the absence of our wonderful “snowbird” brothers and sisters, you might not have realized that the numbers of clients being served at C.A.M. actually continues to increase! This is obviously both a blessing and a bit of a challenge. Because while we absolutely love being able to offer assistance to those of our community, we also of course deplore that the numbers of those finding themselves in such need are so great! So I would like to extend again my enormous gratitude to all of you who are praying for our clients and for all of God’s ministries here at Trinity, to all of you who give of your time and efforts as volunteers, and to all of you who support these good works financially. Truly you are beloved messengers of God. And I thank Him for each and every one of you. We have so much happening right now at C.A.M. I could nearly write an entire book! But I’ll leave you with but a few headlines here…and invite you to ask the specifics of me in person! C.A.M. is currently the largest social support outreach effort in south Sarasota County. We continue to supply groceries to approximately 600 households in our community each month. We are now feeding hot, healthy four-course prepared meals in our facility to over 1,000 people every month. We are also providing free clothing, bicycles, children and elder care supplies, SCAT bus passes…and much, much else! All of this is increasing in numbers and all greatly positively affecting our very neighbors, all in partnership with a growing number of congregations within our region, and all due to your obedience to His call to love. So I want to publicly thank you here as a group, my Trinity Presbyterian brothers and sisters! And I would also like to invite you to come speak with me about so many wonderful details of our church and our C.A.M.—and let me also thank you in person! Your friend and brother in Christ, Todd Miller, Director

Knitted Knockers??

I’ll bet that title got your attention and peeked your interest. Allow me to tell you a tidbit of what this is all about and what it has to do with us. Knittedknockers.org is a nonprofit organization. They knit these lightweight prosthetics and donate them free to cancer survivors who’ve undergone mastectomies. By doing so it gives cancer survivors opportunity to feel ‘whole’ and confident following this life changing surgery. So what does this have to do with Trinity? We have been asked if we would be a host site for south county women to come, receive, and to be blessed. Each second Wednesday of the month (beginning August 10th) from 1 to 3pm, Joan Carlson and Tova Cravens (of Bradenton) will be at Trinity to assist those interested / in need of these knitted prosthetics without charge. To volunteer as a knitter or for more information, contact Tova Cravens at 941-349-5928 or Joan Carlson at 941-747-1892. For a pattern and to learn more about the knitted knockers movement, go to www.knittedknockers.org. Please feel free to pass this information along to someone who may benefit.

KNITTED KNOCKERS

A Lighter Alternative Prosthetic

We’re On The WEB www.trinitypc.org Ph. 941.493.0018

Trinity Presbyterian Church—4365 S.R. 776—Venice FL 34293

THE MISSION of Trinity Church is to: INTRODUCE people to Jesus Christ, DEEPEN faith and make disciples,

ENCOURAGE community, and PROVIDE opportunities to use our spiritual gifts both locally and throughout the world.

GARDENS OF VENICE TEAMS HONORED

On Thursday, July 14th we held a special luncheon as a thank you to our Gardens of Venice Ministry Teams.

We marked the 2nd year anniversary of this ministry on Sunday, July 3rd with the residents at the Gardens. Everyone had a great time.

For those who may not be familiar with this ministry, allow me to fill you in.

week went and if they have a prayer need. It is truly a time enjoyed by all. The residents are so thankful that we are there and our team members always feel blessed.

Those who were able to attend the luncheon are pictured above: (back row) Bob Lamberty, Jim Phillips, Barb Winsmore, Brenda Ward, Rev. Jim Sharp, Ron Jansen, Walt Brembs, (center) Mollie Phillips, Diane Jansen, Dot Scheeres, Shirley Kmetz, Susan Brembs, Joanne & Walt Fillman, & Colleen Lamberty. (front) Joellen Huddy, Roberta French, Doda Rye, Doris Kerper, & Juanita Fauser.

We currently have four teams who provide a worship service every Sunday at 1pm. The teams serve on a rotation basis—which means they serve once each month.

The services are 30 minutes in length, we read Scripture, sing hymns, have prayer, and hear the word preached.

Following the service is a time of fellowship when we talk with each resident present. Find out how their

Team Members who were not able to make the luncheon include: Bonnie Wendler, John & Susan Mather, Steve & Sandy Aldrich, Wilson & Florence Barker, Rev. John Henry, Todd Miller, Doug Hamstra, Mona Lee Burr, Rev. Bill Gaydos, Rev. Lewis Trotter, and Pastor Chuck Wiggins.

Our team members each use their gifts / talents. Everything from greeting the residents, leading music, playing the piano, assisting in worship, to preaching. If you so feel led to help us out, even a few times a year, please contact the church office (941-493-018) and let us know. —Bob Lamberty Outreach Chair