Trinity Lutheran Church & School

300 Broad Street

Menasha, WI 54952

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

January 2019 Newsletter

Trinity Lutheran Church & School (920) 722-2662 Church 300 Broad Street (920) 725-1715 School Menasha, WI 54952 www.trinitymenasha.com

Important Dates

• 1-1 No School-Offices

Closed

• 1-2 Classes Resume

• 1-8 Voters Meeting/

Board Meetings

• 1-14 Papa Murphy’s

Dine Out

• 1-19 Soup/Bread Sale

Begins

• 1-19 Trinity’s Family

Game Night

• 1-25 No School-Offices

Closed

• 1-26 Leadership Training

• 1-27 Celebration of Na-tional Lutheran School

Week

• 1-29 School Open

House

January 2019

Our Mission Statement: Trinity Lutheran Church & School, Menasha is a fellowship of Lutheran Christians being empowered by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God and His Sacraments to encourage, refresh, and strengthen both adults and children in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, while sharing His love with those who do not yet know their Lord and Savior.

Senior Pastor: Rev. Steven S. Billings

Assoc. Pastor/Principal:

Rev. Keith E. GeRue

Director of Music: Mr. Tim Reuning

♪ Organist:

Mrs. Nancy Lephart ♪

Trinity Voters Meeting

Tuesday, January 8th

6:30pm in the Sanctuary

(regular board meetings to follow)

To elect/vote new officers/directors for 2019

Celebration of National Lutheran Schools Week:

Sun, Jan 27th to Sat, Feb 2nd

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 New Years Day

No School- Offices Closed

2 Classes Resume 8:45am Chapel

10:30am Adult Bible 3:45pm Faculty Mtg 5pm Confirmation

7pm Choir

3 6am Men’s Bible

BB practice

4 4K at Planetarium

5

5pm Worship

6-Epiphany 9am Worship

10:30am Ed Hour

7 Pastor’s Day Off

Sewing Day 6:30pm Prayer Time

6:30pm Women’s Bible

8 6:30am Ladies Bible Pastor’s Circuit Mtg

BB practice 6:30pm Voter’s Meeting

6:30pm Board Mtgs

9 8:45am Chapel

DPI Audit 10:30am Adult Bible 5pm Confirmation

7pm Choir

10 6am Men’s Bible

DPI Audit BB practice

11 DPI Audit

12 9am Food Pantry

5pm Worship

13-Baptism of Our Lord 9am Worship

10:30am Ed Hour

14 Pastor’s Day Off

Sewing Day SCRIP Meeting

Papa Murphy’s Dine Out 6:30pm Prayer Time

6:30pm Women’s Bible

15 6:30am Ladies Bible

BB practice 6:30pm Board of Dir 6:30pm Ladies Aid

16 8:45am Chapel

3:45pm ALL Staff Mtg 10:30am Adult Bible 5pm Confirmation

7pm Choir

17 6am Men’s Bible

BB practice

18 End of 2nd Qtr

19 Soup/Bread Sale Begins

5pm Worship 6:30pm Game Night

20-Epiphany 2 9am Worship-Kids Sing

Soup/Bread Sale 10:30am Ed Hour

21 Pastor’s Day Off

Sewing Day 6:30pm Prayer Time

6:30pm Women’s Bible

22 6:30am Ladies Bible

4:45pm BB vs St. John’s, Berlin

23 8:45am Chapel

10:30am Adult Bible 5pm Confirmation

7pm Choir

24 6am Men’s Bible

9:30am Admin Mtg BB practice

25 No School-Teacher In-

Service

26 9am Food Pantry

9am Leadership Training Soup/Bread Sale

5pm Worship

27-Epiphany 3 9am Worship-Kids Sing

at Peace, Neenah Soup/Bread Sale 10:30am Ed Hour

28 Pastor’s Day Off

Sewing Day 6:30pm Prayer Time

6:30pm Women’s Bible

29 6:30am Ladies Bible 4:30pm BB vs Trinity, Oshkosh-Parent Night School Open House

30 8:45am Chapel

10:30am Adult Bible 5pm Confirmation

7pm Choir

31 6am Men’s Bible

4:30pm BB at New Hope

Tr in ity Lutheran Church & School

300 Broad Street

Menasha, WI 54952 January 2019

Celebration of National Lutheran Schools Week

1/2 BAEHMAN, Duane 1/3 KROES, Nick PEOTTER, Georgina VOIGT, Myles 1/4 MEIDAM, Kenneth 1/6 GROSHEK, Joseph KRAUSE, Judith 1/9 HENKEL, Blaine HENSON, Sara VOIGT, Doris 1/12 BROWN, Finley

1/12 ELLIOTT, Charlotte VOIGT, Roger 1/13 NIELSEN, Bart 1/14 TSCHIRGI, Joyce WOLTER, James 1/15 BROWN, Riley MOORE-SMITH, Emma 1/16 HERTZIGER, Tammy 1/17 MEIDAM, Helen REUNING, Alexandra ROSIN, Jerry

1/18 BRADLEY, Randy 1/24 MODERSON, Michael 1/26 KAMPRATH, Ashlee KONWINSKI, Chester 1/27 BOSS, Cari DANIELS, Cody 1/29 ROSS, Jean 1/30 NIELSEN, Ethan RALEIGH, Sharon

CISKE, Stan & Johanna 1/1 LUKASAVAGE, Robert & Diane 1/8 JOERNDT, David & Mae 1/11 ZIRPEL, Randy & Renee 1/16 HAANEN, Tom & Carrie 1/20

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Trinity Membership Update

New Members/Transfers In: Rachel Thomas Released/Transfers Out: Phil, Salli Nickolai & family, Christine Breunig

Baptisms: None Weddings: None Members Who Have Passed: None

25For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God. Job 19:25-26

BIRTHDAYS

Trinity’s Game Night Saturday, January 19, 2018 Approx. 6:30pm Pizza & beverages will be provided by your Board of Outreach. Bring your favorite game & snack to share!

WANTED: Please save #3 juice or coffee cans for the Altar Guild team to use for flowers. Drop them in the Church Office or the Church Sacristy. Cans should be approx. 7” tall with a 3” dia.

Congregational Planning Meeting For year 2019 will take place

Saturday, February 2nd after worship. More details will follow.

Questions, please contact Blaine Henkel, Congregation President at (920) 729-4445.

Snow Removal Help is required this winter for Trinity’s sidewalks & entry ways. Sign-up on spinner or call call Sally at (920) 422-2054.

BumblePuppy Collection If you have Fall/Winter items that you no longer want, bring them to the Small Hall (mark BumblePuppy) or contact Elaine W. (920) 470-9090.

Trinity Financial Report November-18

General Fund Checking & Savings

Weekly Income

Date

Gen. Fund

Offerings Matching Funds

School

Transfers BOTR Other Income Total Income

11/4/18 $12,808.51 $735.00 $322.00 $13,865.51

11/11/18 $12,441.73 $357.00 $12,798.73

11/18/18 $12,538.44 $337.50 $51.55 $12,927.49

11/25/18 $9,659.05 $989.44 $862.29 $10,494.66 $22,005.44

Total $47,447.73 $989.44 $2,291.79 $10,868.21 $61,597.17

Weekly Expenses

Date Regular Bills Thrivent Match Memorial Fund BOTR

Other

Accts/Misc

Expenses Total Expenses

11/4/18 $1,527.39 $1,527.39

11/11/18 $19,743.76 $19,743.76

11/18/18 $3,062.80 $7,414.10 $10,476.90

11/25/18 $30,837.29 $30,837.29

$55,171.24 $7,414.10 $62,585.34

Beginning Balance - General Fund $5,630.69

Income for Nov-2018 $61,597.17

Expenses for Nov-2018 $62,585.34

Ending Balance - General Fund $4,642.52

Offering/Matching Funds YTD $364,262.60

Expenses YTD $365,702.60

BOTR Income YTD $13,314.58

BOTR Expenses YTD $37,770.50

Mortgage Balance $1,159,344.15

LCEF Steward Acct - Endowment Holding $2,243.97

Endowment Funds Account $21,657.53

Memorial Fund Account $12,222.92

RBC Account $31,536.34

Beginning Balance - Restricted Accounts $90,561.16

Income for Nov-18 $5,014.19

Expenses for Nov-18 $11,731.58 (Loaned $30,000 from restricted)

Ending Balance -Restricted Funds $83,843.77

Debts Repay Balance $11,074.36

Past Due Bills $30,000.00

1

Hand in Hand Hand in Hand Hand in Hand Hand in Hand iiiin Hungaryn Hungaryn Hungaryn Hungary

Year 2 December 2018

For G

od has not given us a sp

irit of fear, but of power and

of love and of a

sound mind. –

2 Timothy 1

:7

Sziasztok! Hello from Hungary!

With the opening up of Advent markets, Christmas decorations up, Szent Miklós day having come

and gone, Secret Santa parties at school, and a plethora of Christmas related practices going on… it

definitely feels a lot like Christmas!

The first weekend of December found me in Vienna for our MCN Central Europe fall retreat. It was

wonderful to come together as a group, study the Bible together, and just have time to catch up and

encourage one another. I am so thankful for the group that I serve alongside (even though we are

spread throughout Hungary and Slovakia).

Since returning, it’s been a whirlwind of Christmas preparations mixed in with all the every day

activities. For me this season is packed with musical moments. For example, this past Sunday

morning found me at two different churches (thankfully, they were only ten minutes apart from each

other). The choir was singing at a 9am service at one church and then I was playing piano for the

service in Manda. This Thursday I’m headed to a church with students from the kollégium for some

sort of Christmas/Advent performance there. This Saturday we have school, and I’ve been asked to

present on what faith and churches look like in both the U.S. and in Taiwan. I’m excited to share this

with the students, and I’m also excited that some elementary school students from the WI were also

willing to share about what faith means to them or things that they enjoy about church! Next week, I

offered to take some of my classes to the auditorium and said that I would play piano and we could

sing some traditional American Christmas carols together. The students were so excited that they ran

to one of their other teachers immediately after class to share! A neat thing about all of these

preparations for Christmas – at school, church and the kollégium – is that through them God has

opened doors for more conversations about Him with students and friends.

To the left: Photos

from fall retreat

To the right: Some

Christmas story

‘comics’ that my 3c

students made.

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Talking about Christmas in Class

As we started talking about Christmas in my seventh-grade class, one of my students asked, “What if Jesus isn’t

real?” Another student later added, “Many people these days say that there is no reason for Jesus to be a part

of Christmas. He doesn’t belong.” Wow. I hadn’t anticipated these issues being discussed in English class that

morning; however God used this as an opportunity for me to remind my students how much He loves all of us –

so much that He sent His son Jesus.

What if Jesus isn’t real? This question came from the same student who most weeks when it’s time to pray says,

“We already prayed today [implying: we don’t need pray again].” I shared that as I Christian I believe Jesus IS

real, and that history, the world around us (in creation), and even science supports the Bible. “If Jesus isn’t real,

when we die, someone should come back and tell us,” my student continued. “If Jesus isn’t real, when we die,

then there’s nothing to come back and tell,” I answered. He tried to push it a little farther. We talked about the

story in the Bible about the rich man and the poor man who died (Luke 16:19-31). I asked him, “If Jesus isn’t

real, when we die, what do we lose from believing in Him?” “Nothing,” my student answered. “If Jesus IS real,

when we die if we don’t believe in Him, what do we lose?” I asked. “Everything. We go to hell,” my student said.

Then he added, “I believe in Jesus. I’m just saying, what if someone died and came back, say on the television, to

tell us He’s not real.”

Jesus doesn’t belong in Christmas. This came up because we were talking about how certain Christmas traditions

started, such as Christmas trees or gift giving. Although I couldn’t refute that Christmas has also become a

secular holiday and also celebrated by non-Christians, I could remind the class that not only the Bible but the

traditions remind us that, whether or not Jesus was born on December 25th (which was another things that came

up), He definitely is a part of Christmas and belongs.

I am currently 18% funded for year two. Please prayerfully

consider partnering with me in God’s mission here in

Hungary. You can learn more and give online at:

https://missionofchrist.org/service/groshek-amanda/

Prayer Requests:

- Thanksgiving for a restful fall retreat.

- Thanksgiving for the doors God opens to

share Him with those around me. Prayers that

God would continue to work in the hearts of

my students and coworkers, drawing them

closer to Him; and that He’d continue to give

me the words to say when they ask.

- Prayers for good health at school for teachers

and students.

Left: Hand turkeys made by

some of the third graders

that share what they are

thankful for.

Right: A group of friends I

had over for a Thanksgiving

coffee.

Question 59. What does God forbid in theSeventh Commandment?

God forbids every kind of robbery, theft,and dishonest way of getting things.

Catechetical CommentsA Series

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

This month we begin to look at the Seventh Commandment:

You shall not steal.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor'smoney or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protecthis possessions and income.

The Catechism 1991 answers the question:“What does God forbid in the SeventhCommandment?” by saying: “God forbids everykind of robbery, theft, and dishonest way of gettingthings.” It then cites the following Scriptures:

Lev. 19:35 – You shall do no wrong in judgment,in measures of length or weight or quantity.

Ps. 37:21 – The wicked borrows but does not payback, but the righteous is generous and gives.

Eph. 4:28 – Let the thief no longer steal, but ratherlet him labor, doing honest work with his ownhands, so that he may have something to sharewith anyone in need.

2 Thess. 3:10 – If anyone is not willing to work, lethim not eat.

Bible narratives are also mentioned, illustratingthe various kinds of stealing. These include theaccount of Achan, who kept property from theCanaanites defeated at the city of Ai (pronounced“eye”) when the Lord clearly instructed theIsraelites to destroy all within the city or devotethem to the Lord’s treasury (Joshua 6:17-18).

These things belonged to the Lord, so in keeping

them, Achan was stealing from God. Do we notsteal from God by keeping for ourselves thetithes and offerings we owe Him?

Reading further, we see the account of Judas,who used to help himself to the disciples’ money,as keeper of the money bag (John 12:6).

Also listed here is account of Gehazi, theservant of the prophet Elisha, who tricked theservants of Naaman into giving him gifts of moneyand fine clothing (2 Ki. 5:20-24).

Deceiving someone into giving you thingsunder false pretenses is stealing.

It seems as though there’s a lot more to stealingthan robbing someone at gunpoint.

Stealing also involves cheating, lying, andoutright theft.

A person may be guilty of breaking the seventhcommandment by cheating on their income taxesor by using their work hours for personal things orby misrepresenting an item they have for sale.

By many different acts, then, we may be guiltyof stealing.

Is it stealing, for instance, to “round up” yourwork hours on your time card? God certainlyfrowns on this!

But we seem to have all kinds of excuseshandy. And they seem so easily justified in ourminds. But isn’t it still stealing?

You bet it is. God forgive us! T

Humbly in His service,Rev. Steven S. Billings

Senior Pastor

From the Principal

The Naming of Jesus Of all the Names that God gives to men in the Scriptures, there are two names that stand

above all others: Yahweh and Jesus.

The first is the personal Name that God gave to Moses as He sent him back to Egypt to

deliver His people. Moses asked for a Name. God replied that He-is-the-One-Is. That is what

Yahweh means in English. This is the Name that the King James wrongly translated as Jehovah.

Our which modern translations usually translate is as Lord with small caps.

This Name was more than a revelation of God’s power, authority, and holiness. It was also more than a statement

of His being, His realness contrasted with the imaginariness of idols, and His being the source all that it is. In this Name

God revealed more of Himself for in this Name God sent Moses to bring His people out of affliction and restore them

again to fellowship with Himself that they would be His people. This Name wasn’t about power or Divinity as we

usually so much as it was about persistence. He is the One who is and who keeps on being. Pharaoah was also persistent,

but he could stand against Yahweh and his messenger Moses forever. He eventually caved and then undone in the killing

waters of the Red Sea. So it is that Satan is persistent as well, yet he cannot stand against Yahweh either. God persists. He

abides. He endures. He is steadfast and sure. He is.

And that Name plays into the Name Jesus. For the name Jesus is a combination of the name Yahweh and the verb

saves. It means Yahweh saves.

God’s self-revealing often combines verbs and nouns with His Name. He calls Himself: Yahweh-Jireh “The

LORD will provide” or “The One Who is provides” (Gen. 22:14). He is also called ahweh-Nissi “The LORD is my

victory” or “The One who is my victory” (Exod. 17:15). He is also Yahweh-Mekaddesh “The LORD sanctifies” (Exod.

31:13), Yahweh-Shalom “The LORD is peace” (Judg. 6:24), Yahweh-Sabaoth “The LORD of hosts” (1 Sam. 1:3; Jer.

11:20; cp. 1 Sam. 17:45). Yahweh-Rohi “The LORD is my shepherd” (Ps. 23:1).,. Yahweh-Tsidkenu “The LORD is our

righteousness” (Jer. 23:5–6; 33:16), and Yahweh-Shammah “The LORD is there” (Ezek. 48:35).

Then comes Jesus, the Messiah, the prophet like Moses, from among our brethren, and He is Yahweh-Yesh or

Yesh-uah – The LORD saves or The One Who Is – who preserves – who endures – who abides – saves.

This isn’t simply God’s name for the purpose of allowing us to call upon Him – though it is that. Jesus says: “If

you ask anything in My Name, I will do it (John 14:4). But it is more: it is His essence, His defining and transcendent

characteristic. He is the Lord who saves. He saves by providing the victory that sanctifies and bestows peace. This He

wins for us by defeating the hosts of Hell in His self-offering sacrifice. Shepherding us into and for His own

righteousness. The Lord is here, not in a column of smoke or a burning pillar, not hidden behind a curtain, but here in His

risen Body and Blood, given and poured out for our redemption. Here the Lord saves.

Jesus is the eternal Word of the Father. He reveals the Father and the Spirit to us. He prays to His Father in John

17:6 (ESV) “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world.” This manifestation of the

Father’s Name is the manifestation of salvation. St. Peter preaches of the Name of Jesus in Acts 4:12 (ESV) saying: “And

there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

What does this have to do with a new year? I don’t know. It is not the Church that established January 1st as the

new year. It is simply happenstance that on the last night of the year the Church asks us to consider the Name of Jesus,

because it happens to be one week after Christmas Eve. But ceremonies are important, more important than we tend to

know, and turning the calendar to a new year is an important ceremony. It marks the passage of time. We are all hoping

that somehow 2019 will better than 2018. We all know that it probably won’t be.

So maybe the Name of Jesus is an apt topic for meditation, maybe being grounded in the Name of Jesus, the Lord

who saves, is the best way to face old regrets and new possibilities, old sorrows and near fears, to close one chapter and

begin another. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

What’s happening around The School. ➢ January 2 School Resumes

➢ January 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 24 Basketball Practice

➢ January 22 Basketball at Home against Saint John’s / All Saints Berlin

➢ January 29Basketball at Home against Trinity Oshkosh

➢ January 31 Basketball at New Hope

➢ January 20 9:00 am Students sing at Trinity

➢ January 27 9:00 am Students sing at Peace, Neenah

➢ Lutheran Schools Week January 27 – February 1 Watch for more details to come.

➢ No School Teacher In – Service February 1

What an exciting time to be a servant in the LORD’s harvest.

Thanks for being a part of the Trinity family.

This Photo by

Friends of the Pipe Organ & Grand Piano

Soup & Bread Sale

JANUARY 19TH THRU

FEBRUARY 10TH Before & After Services

A variety of Soups and Breads

will be available.

A ready-made meal to warm the day.

Bring in your favorite soup or bread to

support the maintenance of our Organ &

Piano. Jars & instructions will be available

in the Narthex in January.

Contact Elaine with any questions (920) 470-9090

(If you have a favorite, you’d like us to make - let us know)

On behalf of our food pantry coordinators & recipients, thank you for your generous food donations gathered during our Thanksgiving Eve service. We also thank the school children for their part in making a great impact on those who need food for their families. We have been so blessed with all the food & financial donations received over this past year. Thanks for your continued support of this very important outreach ministry. We have seen a large increase in the number of people needing assistance, your support is appreciated. God’s blessings to you! - Your Food Pantry Coordinators

To everyone that baked cookies, worked the cookie sale, and/or purchased cookies. Our profit was $1000, of which

$100 is tithed to Trinity's General Fund. The $900 will be used for mission projects and to assist with Church and School projects. We are grateful! -Trinity’s Ladies Aid/LWML

All Trinity congregation members for your gifts, beautiful cards, prayers & kind thoughts during this Christmas season.

We are blessed to serve you. Happy New Year! -Rev. Steven S. Billings & Rev. Keith E. GeRue

Getting to Know You: Alan Manteufel Alan was born on March 7, 1965 in Aurora, Nebraska. He was baptized at First Evangelical Lutheran in Aurora & confirmed at Cross of Christ in Oshkosh, WI. Alan graduated from Neenah High School & furthered his studies at UW Rock County, Janesville & Fox Valley Technical College. He served in the US Marine Corp from 1983-1987, stationed at the New River Air Station in Jacksonville, NC & was in the US Army Reserve from 1989-1991 stationed in Madison, WI. He was employed as a Correctional Officer, Sargent until his retirement. Alan is married to Deborah, they have three children

(Rebekah, Caleb & Josiah) & two grandchildren (Alan & Lyanna). His hobbies include: watching his grandson, serving as an Elder at Trinity & being a professional tinker/putzer. Alan has been a member of Trinity for 18½ years. His favorite Bible verses are Psalm 122 v.1 & 1 Chronicles 28:9. His favorite Bible songs are “Abide with Me” LSB 878 & “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise” LSB 917.

NURSE NEWS- January 2019 National Glaucoma Awareness Month What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma? The most common type of glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma. It has no signs or symptoms except gradual vision loss. For that reason, it’s important that you go to yearly comprehensive eye exams so your ophthalmologist, or eye specialist, can monitor any changes in your vision. Acute-angle closure glaucoma, which is also known as narrow-angle glaucoma, is a medical emergency. See your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: severe eye pain, nausea, vomiting, redness in your eye, sudden vision disturbances, seeing colored rings around lights or sudden blurred vision What Causes Glaucoma? The back of your eye continuously makes a clear fluid called aqueous humor. As this fluid is made, it fills the front part of your eye. Then, it leaves your eye through channels in your cornea and iris. If these channels are blocked or partially obstructed, the natural pressure in your eye, which is called the intraocular pressure (IOP), may increase. As your IOP increases, your optic nerve may become damaged. As damage to your nerve progresses, you may begin losing sight in your eye. What causes the pressure in your eye to increase isn’t always known. However, doctors believe one or more of these factors may play a role: dilating eye drops, blocked or restricted drainage in your eye, medications, such as corticosteroids, poor or reduced blood flow to your optic nerve, high or elevated blood pressure. How Is Glaucoma Treated? The goal of glaucoma treatment is to reduce IOP to stop any additional eyesight loss. Typically, your doctor will begin treatment with prescription eye drops. If these don’t work or more advanced treatment is needed, your doctor may suggest one of the following treatments: Medications or Surgery. Will a Person with Glaucoma Go Blind? If your increased IOP can be stopped and the pressure returned to normal, vision loss can be slowed or even stopped. However, because there’s no cure for glaucoma, you’ll likely need treatment for the rest of your life to regulate your IOP. Unfortunately, vision lost as a result of glaucoma cannot be restored.

Trinity Menasha’s Sanctuary- Second in a Series

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. Psalm 26:8

This series of articles is intended to help us better appreciate the beauty and rich symbolism found in the sanctuary we worship in every week here at Trinity Lutheran Church in Menasha. Because we are here so often, it is easy to miss the richness and beauty of the decorations and the meaning behind many of the symbols that are found here. Our first article focused on the high altar. This month we will focus on the pulpit and lectern. Shown below are some pictures of the pulpit and some of the symbols on it.

It is from the pulpit that we receive God’s Word in the form of a sermon as delivered by Christ’s representatives,

our pastors. Pulpits have been used in the Christian church since the 3rd century A.D. when permanent churches

began to be built. Pulpits are raised platforms to facilitate our view of the pastor and the hearing of God’s message.

This was especially true in the days before modern sound amplification systems became available. Trinity’s pulpit is made from oak wood. Oak is a very solid and durable wood. Notice that there are clusters of four

oak leaves on the pulpit. Oak has been thought of as a symbol of the strength of faith and virtue and of the

endurance of the Christian against adversity. Some have suggested that Christ’s cross was made from oak wood.

The symbol of the open book with a sword through it on the front of the pulpit also has the words Spiritus Gladius

written on it. The words are Latin and mean Sword (Gladius) of the Spirit (Spiritus). (Think of the sword the Roman

gladiators used.) This symbol is derived from the following passages that describe the Word of God: Ephesians 6:10

through 20 describes the whole armor of God and verse 17 says that we are to take up “the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God”. Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-

edged sword“. Revelation 1:16 in describing the return of the Son of Man (Jesus) says that: “from his mouth came

a sharp two-edged sword”. It is through the hearing of God’s word and the work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to

and keeps us in the true faith to life everlasting. Another symbol on the pulpit is the fleur-des-lis which is a French term that means “flower of the lily”. It has

historically been used in the Church as a symbol representing the one Triune Godhead, three persons, Father, Son

and Holy Spirit in unity. The other symbol is the wooden arch just below the top of the pulpit. Its meaning is less

clear but it could indicate that from the pulpit we hear the two distinct teachings from God’s Word, that being both

Law and Gospel.

Shown are pictures of the lectern.

It is from the lectern that we hear the reading of the passages of Scripture appointed for each week of the Church year. They usually consist of an Old Testament passage, a passage from one of the Epistles (apostolic letters) and a passage from one of the four Gospels. Together they center on a theme for that week that is carried throughout that service. The construction of the lectern is very similar to that of the pulpit but it is a bit smaller. It is also made of oak wood, has the clusters of four oak leaves and the arch just below the top. It does have another distinctive symbol, that being a torch. In ancient times torches were used to light the home or to light the way to allow safe travel after sunset. The torch has several scripture passages that remind us of its significance. Psalm 119: 105 says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Isaiah 2:5 says: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Jesus says in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When we hear God’s word spoken in the lessons, we receive His light, so our faith may be strengthened and that we may walk in the light of the Lord. The next time you come into the sanctuary take a closer look at the pulpit and the lectern, come to appreciate the symbols that decorate them and what they mean. Stay tuned for more about our beautiful sanctuary.

Serving Our Lord with Gladness- January 2019

Senior Pastor: Rev. Steven S. Billings, Associate Pastor/Principal: Rev. Keith E. GeRue Elders of the Month: 5pm Tom Harrmann, 9am Lee Weinig

Worship Date/Time

Acolyte Serving

Elder on Duty/ Comm. Assistant Greeters Lectors

Ushering Crew

Jan 5 5pm 6 9am

Nate Boss Josiah Nielsen

Harrmann/Drum Weinig/Henkel

Volunteer Lynn Olson

Sandy Guiley Colyn Hopfensperger

Harrmann Reinke/Weinig

Jan 13 5pm 14 9am

Simon Siegel Ethan Nielsen

Harrmann/Dionne Weinig/ Bathke

Volunteers D & R Collingwood

Karen Riske Joshua Bailey

Maynard Wray/Sexmith

Jan 19 5pm 20 9am

Dominic Corrente Rebekah Nielsen

Harrmann/Buksyk Weinig/Olsen

Jean Zeinert Barb Sexmith

Julian Mahoney Elizabeth Bahrns

Colby Zirpel/Pomerenke

Jan 26 5pm 27 9am

Allison Corrente Aaron Schmidt

Harrmann/Colby Weinig/Volunteer

JoAnn Schultz Jan Bathke

Laurel Wirth Phil Moore

Voigt Diesch/Maynard

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT TRINITY, MENASHA

Applications Are Being Accepted For-

• Full-time Church Administrative Assistant position. Contact Roger Voigt (725-9908), Board of Elders Director, for job description/wage info.

• Part-time Business/Office Manager position. Contact Blaine Henkel (729-4445) Congregation

President, for job description/wage info.

• Part-time School Cook. Contact Pastor GeRue (725-1715), Principal, for job description/wage info.

If you or someone you know is interested in any of these positions and would like to job shadow or view the job in progress, please call Renee in the Church Office (920) 722-2662 #1.