Many Christian denominations celebrate Epiphany on or near January 6. “Epiphany,” which means “showing forth,” celebrates the visit of the magi, or wise men, to the baby Jesus. These men, also known as kings, saw the star that led them to Bethlehem. The fact that these wise men were Gentiles, not Jews, teaches us an important theological lesson: Their search for the Savior shows that Jesus came for all people.

Annual Celebration of Ministry

January 20, 2013

Once again Trinity will have its Annual Meeting, which we have billed a Celebration of Ministry. This is an important time for you to hear about what has gone on in the past year and plans for the year to come. Confirmed, active members can also vote on the proposed 2013 budget and the slate of elected people. The Annual Meeting will start with a free-will lunch provided by the youth on Jan 20th at noon, followed by the meeting at 12:30. During the meeting, we will have a staffed nursery for the little ones and an activity room for elementary age children, led by youth.

Come and join this celebration of ministry at Trinity: good food, inspiring news, and a chance to participate in the ongoing business of the church. See you there!

Trinity Scholarship Fund

A $1000 scholarship shall be awarded to a student who has been accepted into any post secondary school and/or who is attending as a full-time student. Students who apply must be a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Blue Earth. Students not previously selected may reapply during succeeding years in college. Application forms are available in the church office. The application and references must be returned to the church office before February 1, 2013, to be considered for this scholarship.

www.betrinity.com

It’s a work-in-progress,

but we are on line! If you prefer to receive the “Trumpet” newsletter electronically, please send an

email to the church office at trinity@bevcomm.net.

TLCW TLCW TLCW TLCW Just a reminder that the Trinity

Lutheran Church Women will

not meet in January, February nor

March. The next scheduled

meeting is April 4, 2013.

Our course on the basics of Lutheranism filled up so quickly last fall that we had to turn away further sign-ups due to lack of space. So, we are offering another series for those who couldn’t attend last year. This time, we will feature Concordia’s Lutheranism 101, led by Pastor Mark. This material is at times light-hearted, at others serious, but at all times informative about that stuff that bored you as a youth but are now itching to know. And the best part for people seems to be the discussion! Lutheranism 101 will run for 8 Sundays, February 3 through March 24 (Palm Sunday). We will meet from 9:45-10:25 in the Centennial Room. Just like before, you will get the most out of it if you go to all the sessions, but you don’t have to be at every one to sign up for the course. You can register for Lutheranism 101 in the church office weekdays through January 21st. The cost is $20, due at time of registration.

The Trumpet January, 2013 Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA 235 East 7th Street, Blue Earth, MN

The mission of Trinity Lutheran Church, as God’s chosen and baptized people, nurtured by word and sacrament, is to live for others boldly sharing the good news of

Christ; using all the gifts we have been given.

A Word or Two…

By Pastor Mark Wilms As I move through my sixth year at Trinity, I see the bottleneck of the challenges God has appointed all of us to face. Some are the following: • An increasingly Godless society. More than ever people are turning to things of this world and our own efforts to have a better life, yet misery, immorality, cynicism, and violence only seem to be getting worse. • A distressed economy. Auto gas prices are twice what they were four years ago, many are jobless, and seniors find themselves chewing into principle. • A highly pragmatic generation of adults. “What works for me” has replaced the sense of commitment to something larger than self that our forbears had. The accent on self-esteem of the last 40 years has had its good points, but its downside is a narcissism that motivates people to be takers more than givers. • Electronic Living. People of all ages appreciate the wonders of TV, computers, tablets, and smart phones. But media and gadgets can also consume our focus to the point where many people live for what’s on a screen rather than the real world and face-to-face relationships. In the process, we become dehumanized. I could go on, but suffice it to say that these and other phenomena directly affect giving and worship attendance, not to mention faith in Christ and service to Him. Trinity feels it, but so do all the other churches. On the other hand, this isn’t a time to wring our hands and have a defeatist attitude, circling the wagons and trying just to survive.

The fact is that our age today is really no different from all ages past or the ones to come. Christians have not been called to always live in a nice, productive, nurturing world. The Bible tells us that we live in the midst of great beauty in God’s creation, but also great evil that humans have within them. We battle it every day in others and ourselves. The darkness of sin and suffering has always been around, challenges have always been presented to God’s Church. We are not exempt from this. Nor are we exempt from the same grace of our Lord that Christians in the past have had. There is forgiveness in Christ for our sins. There is hope for the future in God’s sovereignty. There is joy in worshipping and serving our Lord even in the middle of the worst suffering imaginable. God’s love cannot be destroyed or even broken. It comes up again and again like a fresh new green shoot after the snow melts. No school massacres, hateful atheists, apathetic believers, economic problems, or anything else can stop it. And for that we give God thanks. As we look to the future, ours is not mainly to figure out a way to survive as a congregation, but to serve our Lord as best we can with the hand we’ve been dealt. And for that we ask His guidance and strength. When Saint Paul, the greatest missionary of all time, was suffering a recurring painful ordeal and asked God to take it away, the Lord refused. It was better that Paul should live with it because God was going to use it to His glory. Here is what the Lord said to Paul:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (II Corinthians 12:9) This is what God says to us every day, as a church and as individual believers. And He will make good on this promise, as He has on every other. It is not “success” as the world defines it that we are after, it is faithfulness, and we praise God for whatever results from that because we know it will be to His glory and our blessing.

Emotions Anonymous Emotions Anonymous is a fellowship of people of all ages and backgrounds who come together to share personal experiences and hope as we work toward recovery from various emotional difficulties. We learn how to live a new way of life by using the Twelve Steps of the program to help us find serenity and peace of mind. We meet at United Hospital District chapel on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. For more information, call 526-5227 or 526-2755 or email: emotionsanonymous-blueearth@yahoo.com

For those who have not picked up your packet of 2013 offering envelopes, they are in the back of the sanctuary. The first envelope is marked as ‘Initial’ Offering. Money in this envelope goes toward the actual cost of the offering packet.

Morning Reflections “Saved”

By Area Donor

At its December meeting, Trustees noted that sponsorships for Morning Reflections, Trinity’s daily program on KBEW-AM at 8:55 in the morning, had fallen off tremendously in the past year. It was decided to announce this need and revisit the issue by the end of January, with the possibility of discontinuing the program after decades on the air. But, the Lord works in surprising ways. We are happy to announce that, after putting the first announcement in the bulletin on the morning of the children’s Christmas musical, we received an offer on the part of Shell Food Mart in Blue Earth to fund the program every week, indefinitely! We are so grateful for this generous gift, and also thank those who have sponsored the program to this point.

HIGHLIGHTS November 2012

Trinity Lutheran Church Council met on December 12, 2012. The current line of credit is $25,620. The current building fund balance is $8980.76 and the current mortgage balance is $132,160.83. Sunday School offering through November was $525. Green Lake day camp dates will be available after the first of the year. The

Education Committee is in need of one new member. 2nd term of Sunday School starts Feb. 3rd. The new chairs have arrived for the Gathering Place. Kevin Skaare and Dale Meckes will go through the Sunday School rooms and replace damaged chairs, then the remaining chairs will be available for sale. Christmas Program was December 16th. DVD’s of the program will be available for sale in the church office for $10 each. Website is up and going, the web address is www.betrinity.com. Morning reflections will now be sponsored by Shell Food Mart. Trinity’s Annual Meeting will be held in the Gathering Place on January 20th, 2013. The Youth will be serving a meal as a fundraiser for a summer mission trip. In case of inclement weather, the back-up date will be February 3rd, 2013. Complete copy of minutes is available

on the display rack outside the office.

Faith and Life Bible Study

for January Our midweek Bible study for adults continues through the book of Matthew. We are now in the heart of Jesus’ earthly ministry, learning so much about the love and power of God, and sharing about how this impacts our daily lives. Faith and Life meets Tuesday nights 6:30-8:00 and Wednesday mornings 9:30-11:00 (same content at both), in the Gathering Place. There are always treats and coffee, and warm fellowship together. Try it out!

An Appeal for 2012/13 Offerings It’s harder for everyone in this economy, but the kinds of ministry that Trinity members want continue to require committed giving, as our members and friends are able. The greatest need is for the credit line to be eliminated and for us to move farther into the black, so that the credit line won’t have to be used as much when the drier times come in the year, as they always do. If your circumstances have not changed and you have not yet fulfilled your 2012 commitment, please do so at your earliest. If you did not make a specific commitment, it’s not too late to make a special gift to get us into the new year on a stronger basis. And, as we look forward to 2013, may the Spirit inspire all of us to sacrificial giving to ensure the continuation of Trinity’s level of ministry. THANK YOU!!

Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

Bob Dawson, Craig Hougen Neil Hougen, Greg Keebaugh,

Ryan Northwick

Sunday at 10:45 a.m. Kalin Skaare, Corey Survis Dwight Olson, Jim Erdahl

Sunday, Feb 17 Cost of ticket is $25 for a delicious elegant dinner (5:30 pm) plus musical

entertainment by Jim Ekse and Friends. Contact the church office for information on ticket sales.

Grace Notes - Lynn Wilms, Music and Worship Developer

Music has certainly filled the Sanctuary at Trinity! God’s gift of music has brought us closer to Him and our

relationships with others. We have been blessed with musicians who are little and those who are taller. All of us giving our hearts to the music which enriches our souls and minds.

The year for us started with Family Day and the theme “Dr. Seuss Shares God’s Love For His Children.” I had worked on the writing of this service during the summer and wanted to write music children could sing easily and liturgy children would relate to. Everything was done in rhyme. It was a wonderful day of having the sixth graders leading worship with a little help from my friends on the instruments. It was also special for me to have two of my exchange daughters meet for the very first time. I had written a violin piece for Lena to play and for Dasha to dance to. Pastor Mark did his part in bringing God’s word in rhyme, too. Zach Shure and (dog) puppet added their art to the day as well. We had hayrides with Harley Willmert, jumpers for the little ones, lots of popcorn and a Family Day of sharing God’s love.

Another high light of my life is preparing the children for the Christmas program. This year we celebrated the birth of Christ in outer space “In A Galilee Far, Far Away.” Lots of solos were done and the children once again told the greatest “Love Story” of all time. The little ones were Christmas Trees and they told the story of God’s love through singing, too. We also had our Christmas band that takes us every year to a special experience. Working with your children is truly SPECIAL.

We continue to enhance our worship by having two contemporary services led by our youth and adults. The worship band practices for those services as well as being a part of other special services.

When there is a fifth Sunday in the month, that month is called “Fifth Gospel Sunday.” At that service we have special themes. In July we did a service in the Gathering Place, with the youth sharing their experiences that they had in New Orleans. We heard their reflections on the trip and some speakers from the convention share their faith through word and song. In September we had a “Service of Healing.” It provided an opportunity for people to receive anointing with oil and pray for healing for others and themselves. Our Senior Choir and Bell Choir are a part of worship services every month. Mike and Sue Ellingsen direct these groups. We are thankful to have them share their musical gifts with all us and the choirs they direct. This Christmas their music reflected “The Light Come Down.” Music is also a part of our Sunday School and Release Time. It continues to be another way that children can express their faith. There are many children that come to release time that are not members of Trinity. Music is one of the ways we can be evangelists, and all the children are invited to be a part of our Christmas worship. On Wednesdays after school, children in grades one thru six are invited to sing in a group now called the Galilee Singers. With this group we work on individual solos, and I also want them to experience part singing. The new year reminds me I can begin again with things that are new and things that are old. I can create new things that become tradition and old things that still have purpose because tradition grounds us and we feel its warmth because it is familiar. The one thing that never changes is our Lord and His love for us. How we express that in music and other worship expressions can change and be like water that refreshes us and makes all things new again. I will continue to write and develop new worship liturgies and prayers. I like to create worship services with music that have tradition of our faith and use new music that expresses our faith. It is more than just picking hymns that fit scripture for Sunday worship. It is about enfolding the worshiper into the presence and praise of the Lord. This year we established a fund for screens and projectors. We need to look at other ways to help make the worship experience more creative for the people in the pews and the worship leaders. In the months ahead I will be sharing more about this with you. We can’t dismiss the fact that we live in a world filled with technology that we all use. The children and the adults are experiencing what audio and visual technology can do for them. What does this technology have to offer the church in this century and the centuries to come? This question needs to be looked at. As I write my annual report I am three days away from the children’s Christmas worship. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Trinity staff and the families who share this house of worship. We have been blessed by the gifts of music so many have shared and will continue to share. Shine bright with your light and tell all the world about the Christ born on Christmas night!

General Church e-mail

Trinity@bevcomm.net Donna Perryman, Office Admin.

Rev. Dr.Rev. Dr.Rev. Dr.Rev. Dr. MarkMarkMarkMark F.F.F.F. WilmsWilmsWilmsWilms

Pastormark@bevcomm.net Lynn Wilms, Lynn Wilms, Lynn Wilms, Lynn Wilms, MusicMusicMusicMusic

aaaand nd nd nd Worship Worship Worship Worship DeveloperDeveloperDeveloperDeveloper lynnmusic@bevcomm.net

Cindy BCindy BCindy BCindy Bly, Education Directorly, Education Directorly, Education Directorly, Education Director Tlced@bevcomm.net

Kim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth Director Kimberly_Jacobson@hotmail.com (Kimberly underscore Jacobson)

If you would like to receive your

Trumpet newsletter electronically,

just send me an email at trinity@bevcomm.net

The following names are from the active membership list in the church database. If there are additions or corrections, please contact the church at 526-3463. January 1 – Kathy Haase 2 – Eric Huber 3 – Justine Hougen, Amy Smith Todd Smith 4 – Mary Evans, Sharlette Goodrich, Patty Hanson, Paul Knudtson, Erin Nowak 5 – Mattie Hanson, Marvis Stensland, Nadine Wickersham-Krull 6 – Brad Huse, Jan Sonich, Lisa Wirth 7 – Dorothy Nassen, Perry Olson, Rylee Wagner 8 – Marcus Eckles

9 – Todd Levenhagen, Jacob Olson 10 – Téa Armstrong 11 – Brady Rauenhorst 12 – Nathan Eitzmann 13 – Trudy Harmon, Carol Ruser 15 – Travis Armstrong, Dave Classon 16 – Shannon Leyva 17 – Don Ostberg, Zach Thompson 18 – Amelia Weerts 19 – Vanessa Bromeland, Katie Erdahl, Noah Johnson Mark Loge, Mark Sohn 20 – Beth Cory, Kyle Erdahl, Brian Montgomery, Dan Odden, Lani Sohn, Jen Zierke 22 – Fred Levenhagen 23 – Trenton Stindtman 24 – Ryan Dutton 25 – Ray Holland 26 – Bob Bogan, Verne Tibbetts 27 – Dennis Guerrin 28 – Lorene Kampf, Merrian Koskovich 29 – Rachel Anderson, Brandi Jacobsen 30 – Jayden Levenhagen, Nancy Long, Sharon Pausewang Mark Wickersham 31 – Vi Evans, Heidi Knutson John Kuhn, Steve Thompson Jim Wagner

Trinity’s Annual meeting is set for Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Lunch will be served by the youth at noon (baked potato bar, salad,

garlic toast and bars) with the meeting starting at 12:30 p.m. We will provide childcare again this year. 2013 proposed budget will be presented and voted on.

The congregation will also be voting on the slate of Officers: President – Carol Anderson Vice President – Linda Adams Secretary – Kara Drake Treasurer – Bonnie Gartzke Financial Secy – Jerry Sonich Deacons – Tasha Cartwright, Julie Goodrich and Karl Kampf Trustees – Geary Wells, Ray Holland and Ryan Northwick St. Luke’s Board of Directors – Maria Lindberg

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013 under the theme, “Always being made new.” The ELCA is the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. We are a church rooted in Scripture, tradition, the Lutheran Confessions and the rich histories of our congregations. Throughout 2013, we will be celebrating the stories that have made us vibrant and distinctive yet brought us together as nearly 10,000 congregations, 65 synods and numerous churchwide ministries freed in Christ to love and serve neighbors in our communities, our country and around the world. In Jesus Christ we are not unchanged. It is through our willingness as a church to boldy participate in God’s work in the world that we are made new day by day. I am grateful for your leadership, support and prayers in making the work of this church possible. Thanks be to God!

In God’s grace, The Rev. Mark S. Hanson

Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Office Hours Monday thru Friday

8:30 -12:00 1:00 - 5:00

(507) 526-3463

Happy New Year!

As we enter the season of Epiphany we stress the importance of telling and sharing the good news of Jesus birth. The wise men presented their gifts to the baby Jesus as a form of worship. As we begin a new year we say thank you to all our teachers and education staff who share their gifts to nurture the faith of Trinity’s students!

WOW!

What a wonderful morning we had sharing the story of the greatest gift ever given – Jesus. Our children’s Christmas musical was a time of worshiping and praising God. As our children sang from their hearts I felt a little taste of what Heaven will be like with all God’s children singing and praising our Heavenly Father. A special thank you to who were involved in the musical. There were many, many hours put in by many different folks. May God bless your faithfulness and commitment!

After a Christmas break,

all classes begin again: Regular Sunday School classes begin on January 6. Confirmation class begins on January 2. Elementary Release Time classes resume on January 9.

** In case of bad weather listen

to KBEW for any changes or

cancellations. Remember if

school is cancelled or dismissed

early all Trinity classes will be

cancelled as well.**

Stewardship Update:

Our Sunday School offerings continue to multiply. Students and teachers have given over $650 to Trinity since September. As we give to the work of our church, we are giving to God. Keep up the good stewardship! God’s Blessings to everyone as we continue together in ministry in 2013!

Scroll down for the Junior/Senior High

Youth News

GIFTS FOR UGANDA:

Sunday School students collected crayons and coloring books for an orphanage in Uganda. If you forgot to bring them on the 16th they can still be brought in. A group will be taking them over later in January. Needed are 8 pack boxes of crayons and coloring books -- items that can be put in a suitcase. Thanks!

It’s a work in progress, but the new Trinity website should give you current information on events and activities -- especially relevant to children in Preschool through 6th grade.

www.betrinity.com

ELCA New Orleans !!

Informational

JanuaryJanuaryJanuaryJanuary YouthYouthYouthYouth NewsNewsNewsNews

OUR EMPTY NEST GOT A NEW BIRDIE Last month I had a post on Facebook that made people “freak” out a little bit. Here is what it said….

We are beyond excited to announce we are expecting.......... Our new daughter from the

Netherlands moves in tomorrow! We are blessed with the opportunity to be host parents to Anne.

(Ana)

As you can imagine when people read the first line they probably about fell off their chair.

We have wanted to have an exchange student for years but Collin’s needs came first.

Collin is doing great and life for us has finally slowed down a bit as he started college in

Austin this fall; so we decided next year would be a great time to get a student. We started

the application process and were asked numerous times “are you sure you don’t want one

this year?” My response was always the same… “No, we aren’t ready for one.” We really

wanted an empty nest for a year first. I’ve learned a lot of things in my 46 years on this

planet and one of them is this… sometimes what we want and what God has in mind for us

is totally different. What does God have to do with Anne coming to be a part of our family?

I think He has everything to do with it! I knew she needed a home and it was really pulling

on my heart strings. I had already met her and thought she was lovely but I still felt we

weren’t ready. Then I prayed about it and everything changed. I got the confirmation from

God and we went from being unsure to being beyond excited to make her a part of our

family and we had a week to get ready for her. Lots of excitement filled our house, much

like getting ready for a new baby! The Lord prepared our hearts to welcome her in. She’s

only been with us a week and I already can’t imagine having to send her back home next

summer! She is a pure joy and I expect that we will learn just as much from her as she

does from us. She is a beautiful, sweet, tender-hearted young lady and we feel blessed to

have the opportunity to be her host parents. So... silly me, thinking that I would ‘’like’ the

nest to be empty for a year. And now I wouldn’t want it any other way. I may have not been

expecting a baby but I am expecting to continue to be amazed at how God knows best and

how He blesses my life. So next time you see her in church, (she loves Trinity) introduce

yourself, because I consider you my family, too!

7up (Sunday School

for 7th grade and up)

9:35 a.m.

Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27th

“Our little bundle of joy, Anne”

Psalm 126:3 “The Lord has

done great things for us, and

we are filled with joy.”

SALSA: 4:00 P.M.

(7-8th graders) January 2nd, 16th, 23rd, 30th

SWAP 7:00 p.m. (SENIOR HIGH)

January 2nd, 16th, 23rd, 30th

Kimberly Jacobson, Junior and Senior High Youth Ministry Kimberly_jacobson@hotmail.com 507-525-0747

Meeting and Meal Now I would be the first to say that “meetings” aren’t probably on the top of my list of favorite things to do as part of my

job, but they are a necessary part. They are a great way to educate people about what’s going on at Trinity. And I think you will agree there’s a lot going on, which is a good thing! The Annual meeting is January 20 and is open to all Trinity

members — so mark your calendars. • The youth going to Chicago next summer will be serving a meal right after 2nd service and the meeting will start at

12:30; so you don’t have to worry about dinner either. We will be done early enough for you to take a nap or watch football, so it’s a win-win!

____________________________________________________________

The youth will be serving a baked potato bar, Caesar salad, garlic toast and bars.

FREE WILL OFFERING

If there are weather related cancellations, I will have them posted on my facebook page. I also list events and other important information regarding events and trips. If you have a facebook and haven’t added me and would like these updates please feel free to do so. Thanks