It is also a sad and difficult time for many who have fallen victim to creation out of control … earthquakes, floods, or tornadoes. Some people have lost loved ones, and many have lost all their processions. May each of us respond in love and mercy with our money gifts through agencies that are helping to meet the most basic and immediate needs. Keep them all in your prayers.

Don’t forget to worship during the summer months. Yes, even if you are on vacation, find a sister LCMS congregation to praise God from whom all blessings flow. Of course, Trinity’s doors are still open on Saturdays at 5:30 pm and Sundays at 8:00 and 9:30 am.

Thank you for your continued stewardship in supporting the Lord’s ministry and mission through your offerings. “God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you …” (2 Corinthians 9:7, 8a) First fruits (giving to God from the top) and regular (the first days of the week) giving make ministry and mission possible.  Thank you for your partnership in Kingdom work.

Outreach can be as simple as inviting a friend or neighbor to worship with you or inviting neighborhood kids to our VBS program to be held June 13-17.

We extend a heartfelt THANK-YOU to all officers and board members who have served the last two years.  Welcome to all who are returning again and to those who are new. May we focus on the challenges and opportunities for growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we serve the Lord with gladness.

We also say THANK-YOU to our Sunday school teachers and the other supporting staff for nurturing the faith of our children.  We are thankful also for the blessing of our Preschool,  Before and After School, and Summer Camp programs and those who staff them.

I pray that you will have a safe and enjoyable summer in all your activities.

Always in His Grip,

Vacation Bible School is just a few weeks away! Tell all of
the families in your neighborhood! We’d love to see as many
kids there as possible! Also, we are looking for volunteers to
help each morning, or set up the weekend before. If
interested, fill out a volunteer form and talk to me.
Men’s Bible Study will continue to meet this summer on
Saturday mornings at 11:00am. We will continue with the
book “Man in the Mirror.” We welcome any new members to
our group. Let me know if interested.

Monthly Challenge
It’s summer finally! For children it means no school, no
homework, more time with friends, and more outdoor
activities. For many working adults it means…very little
because they are still working. For me, it means building new
friendships, planning Bible studies outside, walking to Dairy
Mart with the youth group, and so many more things!
Here is what I would like it to mean for you—summer is not
a time to just take a break from church. Though our
worship hours change, we are still open! I promise! I want
the summer not to be a time for you to excuse yourself
from praising God, but a time for you to build that
friendship up even more intimately with Him. During the
school year I get busy with so many different things all at
once, and it is easy to forget what I am working and building
my ministry for. In the summer time, I am relaxed and
focused and have God on my mind so much more. The less
hustle and bustle, the more I look to Him in praise, in
thanks, in worship. I pray you find joy in doing the same.
Don’t come to church just because your child needs to get
to Sunday School, don’t do it just because you know there’s
a lunch right after, but do it to challenge your faith, grow in
His word, and experience His love. He does not take a break
from you, not even in the summer!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as
some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one
another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25

Every day is a day of prayer, but May 5th will provide an opportunity to participate in our National Day of Prayer. Huntley will get on board this year with special times in Deicke Park. There are two sessions: one at noon and again at 7 p.m.

Let’s not forget MOM on her special day of recognition. Watching the Passion of Christ, I noted the devotion of Mary as Jesus went through His suffering and crucifixion. The intensity of love that a mother has for her children is amazing. Thank your mothers for all their love and devotion behind the scenes. May her designated day be rightly celebrated, and may all her days be blessed by God.

The other noted day in May is Memorial Day. It is our privilege to pay homage to those who have paid the ultimate price for defending our freedom … their lives. Those who served and returned with physical, mental, and emotional scars are not to be forgotten, either. To one and all who served and do serve, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Show your support for those who gave their lives by attending the Memorial Day parade here in Huntley. Our preschool kids will once again march.

The fourth Sunday of May will be our Voters Meeting. There will be the placement of officers and boards to serve for the next two years … July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2013.  The nominating committee may ask you to serve. Please accept their invitation as from the Lord.  Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Vacation Bible School will be held the third week of June. We will be taking afterservice door collections to help underwrite this unique ministry and outreach.  Envelopes will be made available in the pews for your donations. Thank you for your support!

Our Sunday school season draws to a conclusion this month.  Thank you, teachers, for your time, commitment, and dedication instructing the young lambs entrusted to your care.  Watering the seed of faith leads to growth in the wisdom and knowledge of their Lord and Savior.

TLC will also bring the school year to a close. We want to thank the director, teachers, staff, and board for another great year. Though we were tested and tried, the integrity of our program stood tall and has grown stronger in the process. We need to always lean on the Lord and not our own understanding.

I encourage you to remain faithful in your worship. Word and Sacrament are God’s fuel … without cost … to equip you in ministry and mission. And yes, when you do go on vacation, find a sister LCMS congregation to offer your praise and prayer.  Look around your neighborhood for those who may be
disconnected from the Lord and invite them to “come and see” Jesus with you at worship. (Yes, we are air-conditioned.)

Always in His Grip,

From Galatians 2: 9-10, we can see these parts in action. “When James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship (koinonia; LIFE TOGETHER) to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised (martyria; WITNESS). Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do (diakonia; MERCY). (LW: from the president)

The Witness, Mercy, and Life Together of the Church centers on the cross of Jesus. The Church’s Witness to the world proceeds from the cross of Jesus, where He died to forgive the sins of the entire world. The Church’s work of Mercy is enabled by the cross, where Jesus showed His love for us. As He loved us, we go and love our neighbor, helping, serving, and showing mercy to them when in need. The Church’s Life Together is lived under the cross of Jesus. Each of these is held together and connected by His cross. Each overlaps and flows into the other yet retains a distinctive emphasis and purpose.

As the Church lives in Christ, the Church also follows this pattern, this threefold emphasis of Witness, Mercy, and Life Together. (Rev. Dr. Albert B.
Collver III LW: feature story p. 15)

As our small groups gather once again to study God’s Word (Life Together), invite friends and neighbors to join them (Witness), and plan outreach projects (Mercy), this foot print of Biblical ministry will be blessed by our heavenly Father who encourages us to be about His business.

In His Grip,

This month there is one ball that we as a congregation need to keep rolling, and it centers on our small group Bible studies. We had a great response to our 40 Days of Community campaign a few months ago. Now we want to see those small groups getting back together. In addition, we’d love to see more people invited and included, and even new groups altogether emerging
from the congregation! I have plenty of resources and ideas if you need a new Bible study topic. But I can only help when groups come to ME for them. So let me know what your group plans on doing, or if you would like to be part of a new one!

Joe is starting a men’s Bible study! We will be meeting on Saturdays.

Children’s choir has taken a break since the Christmas season, and we are looking forward to starting it up soon in February. For more information, feel free to talk to Sue Kittel or Joe Janda.

The kids watched movies projected on a wall in the church basement one Sunday afternoon after church. It was so much fun! Popcorn, soda, pizza, and some great flicks made it a fun afternoon! The parents seemed very appreciative to have the afternoon to themselves to watch the Bears game. Kids want to do it again soon, so talk to Joe about what movies we should watch!

All Confirmation students are strongly encouraged to go on the Walcamp retreat with Joe and Mrs. Dvorak.  We are looking at going the first weekend in March. It’s always a fun time. We need your registration money in NOW so we can tell them how many are going. Talk to Joe Janda or Nancy Dvorak for more information.

Monthly Challenge
It seems in my own views that to some, church is an hour a week where we go to God to feel better about whatever our failings were that past week. Then we leave God to go and hopefully not mess up as much until next Sunday (or maybe we won’t have to go at all!) when we give Him our attention again. This should not be so!

My challenge for you this month is to find a reason to physically and/or spiritually involve yourself here at church. It may be a voluntary task that takes five minutes, or perhaps you are looking for something to do semi-regularly.  Maybe you just want to chat and get to know Pastor Kittel, or Joe better. Perhaps you want to hang out in the sanctuary for some quiet prayer time (yes, it is open during the week!). It’s a way to break through that wall separating church life from our “real lives.”

Worship may be an hour or so once a week, but our faith should be exercised and apparent in our daily lives. We should remember that there are opportunities to grow and build relationships with each other throughout the week, and not just over coffee between services. Stop in and say hi to Joe, Janice, and Pastor.  See what new art projects are hanging in the preschool hallway. Sharpen the communion pencils. Not only are you lending a helping hand at your church, but it helps keep your faith on the surface, and helps you to focus on God’s loving presence, which is working EVERY day of the week. And not just on Sundays. If you need ideas, visit us here any day!

As in 2010, so also in 2011, we are called to walk in obedience and to continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose.

The apostle Paul is a realist and reminds us that the world we live in and the life we live is but a drop in the bucket over against eternity. He encourages us to count everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, our Lord.

How does your walk with the Lord look? Paul tells us to do everything without complaining or arguing, so that we may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which we shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life.

Paul encourages us to pursue by faith our heavenly prize. He says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b, 14)

That sounds like a great New Year’s resolution, doesn’t it?

May God meet all your needs in the New Year according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Always in His Grip,

A special thanks to the teachers and parents that helped out with this project. You will never know just how much I appreciate all that you do!  Children’s choir has taken off, and had some great Christmas performances last month! We will continue to meet and plan some more songs to sing throughout the springtime! For more information, talk to Sue Kittel or Joe Janda.

I am planning some fun events for the 5th and 6th graders this spring, so get ready! Some of the events include bowling, movies, board games, waterparks, and others! If you have ideas, let me know!

Monthly Challenge

It’s a month of resolutions! Do you usually succeed at your resolutions, or do you falter like many people do? Do you tell your resolutions to anyone? Or do you keep them to yourselves? It’s easy to fail if you are the only one that ends up disappointed. This year, grab yourself an accountability partner! Find someone trustworthy that you know will help you stick to your goals. Whether it’s dragging you to the gym every morning, throwing out your cigarettes, or to encourage you to continue your education, it’s easier to meet goals and to persevere through roadblocks when someone is there expecting us to continue.

Now, have you told God about your goal? What if He was the one you’d be letting down? Pray about your goal, ask for his guidance and strength, and see how much easier it is to keep going. Blessings to you all as you begin your
resolutions this 2011!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:1-2)

When Jesus was born, the birth notice was given on a grand scale, Luke 2: 8-14.  It was given by an angel of the Lord. And after the announcement was made, a heavenly choir proclaimed words which remain a treasure even today, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

And who was that first audience? Shepherds! What an anti-climax – shepherds!  The news of Jesus’ birth was not announced to successful and powerful people living in palaces in Jerusalem and elsewhere. It was announced to people classified as outcasts.  The shepherds were outcasts because of their necessary isolation fromreligious ordinances. They cared for animals that belonged to others. The sheep they cared for were bound for temple sacrifices. Shepherds were not permitted to give evidence in a court of law. They were not even permitted to enter the Jerusalem Temple.

But something dramatic happened that first Christmas night. The Gospel of Luke (2:9) tells us that the angel of the Lord delivered that message of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds and that the “glory of the Lord shone around them.” At that time, the religious leaders taught that the glory of the Lord dwelt in the Jerusalem Temple, specifically above the Foundation Stone located on the floor at the center of the Holy of Holies.

The Ark of the Covenant was destroyed with the destruction of Solomon’s Temple in 587 B.C. by the Babylonians. After the exile, those who returned to Jerusalem felt the need for a symbol of God’s presence and so they rebuilt the Temple. Rabbinic tradition says they found the very stone Jacob used for a pillow while sleeping at Bethel (Genesis 28) and placed it where the Ark of the Covenant had previously stood.

The High Priest, who entered the Holy of Holies once each year on the Day of Atonement, sprinkled the blood of a goat on the Foundation Stone to atone for the sins of the people. With the birth of Jesus, the glory of the Lord is out of the Temple, incarnate in Jesus, and revealed first to outcasts.

When the shepherds rushed to Bethlehem to see for themselves what had been told them, they found the Savior (our key to time and eternity) in a simple manger in a simple house. Although as outcasts they were barred from the Temple, they had no hesitation to enter where the Christ Child lay. How wonderful that in God’s wisdom and love the angels should appear to them – the doomed and the outcast – that night. Having heard and seen the gift of God to the world in His Son, these “outcasts” glorified God and told others!

The cry and prayer of God’s people down through the centuries was that God would “rend the heavens” and come down to rescue them and restore them as a nation. (Isaiah 64: 1, 2)

That first Christmas night, God answered their prayer. He came down the “back stairs” of Bethlehem, through the “servants’ entrance,” and placed Himself in the arms of a chosen virgin named Mary.

As time went by, the people discovered He had not come to rescue them from the Romans, but from their sins. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Today we can declare to the world that the Good Shepherd loves and cares for all people and wants to give them peace.
Christ came on that first Christmas for one great purpose, from the manger to the cross – to die for our sins. Now God offers forgiveness, inner peace, and eternal life to all who will repent and believe in His Son. This is the Christmas message! It is your mission to come and see, then go and tell!

Always in His Eternal Grip,

Christmas Pageant Update

I am so excited for the children’s Christmas pageant this year! It’s my first time experiencing Trinity’s Christmas. This year’s pageant will be performed in a fresh way this year. An original play has been written, incorporated with beautiful music that the kids are already practicing. It’s not the Christmas season until you hear those kids singing! What a blessing! Everyone is invited to attend the pageant on Sunday, December 19th!

Fifth and Sixth Grade Activities

Beginning in the new year, I’m hoping to provide some fun opportunities for our 5th and 6th graders! Some events in mind include bowling, movie nights, sledding, board game day, picnics (in warmer weather…someday), and many others! It’s a time to build relationships with God while also building relationships with each other. Be on the watch for upcoming dates of these awesome events!

Monthly Challenge: “Run on Batteries”
That’s it. We submit. We give in. Technology is here, and we simply cannot do without it! With so many devices that can access anything on the internet within the palm of our hand, how can people NOT know which celebrities were the best and worst dressed at the American Music Awards?! Or the top ten places in the world to retire? Or making sure you bid the highest on that grilled cheese sandwich on Ebay claimed to have been bitten by Angelina Jolie? After all, it’s just SO IMPORTANT!  While I too am a fan of technology, utilizing Facebook and Twitter for both work and personal use, and I do feel naked if my HTC Hero smartphone isn’t within an arm’s reach, I am encouraging everyone (myself included) to take time out of your hectic, online, emailing, texting, tweeting, chatting day and simply UNPLUG! Turn off the cell phone, shut down the computer, even click off the  television. Sit in the middle of your house and listen to how much quieter everything is…..now what?  Now, you take that time you would be spending shopping online, or playing mafia wars on Facebook, and you give it to God. Open your Bible (a real one in your hands, not just on biblegateway.com). Spend time in prayer. And not just alone—get your kids to turn off the video games and spend time discussing a Bible passage, and praying with each other. Make this a regular thing this month.  Whether it’s a half hour a day, an hour a week, whatever you are able to give in your own home can make a big difference. When we’re wired and plugged in and attached to so many gadgets we become pseudo robots, we feel like we have all of the answers in our hands. We must remember that God has us in His hands. He is the only one with the real answers we seek. So unplug and go to God, and let others do the googling.

Something to ponder: If it’s zero degrees outside today and it’s supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold is it going to be?