Since 1948

The TELCO Online Congregational News of Trinity Lutheran Church - Wellsville, NY

Since 1948

Well, Easter is over. Or is it? This question came to my mind this past Monday. You see, for the past month I have been personally studying the Book of Acts. Through this study I have noticed that not only is Jesus’ crucifixion central to the Apostles’ preaching and teaching; but also His resurrection. Furthermore, they, along with their fellow believers made both Jesus’ crucifixion and His resurrection the core of their daily lives.

I honestly believe that a large number of Christians view the resurrection as something that took place in the past that will affect their future. The past is that Jesus did physically rise from the dead. The future is that because He physically rose from the dead, when He comes again on the last day, He will physically raise all back to life and take all those who believe in Him as their Savior with Him to live forever in the glory and perfection of heaven. Is this your view of Jesus’ resurrection? I know that there are many times that I think of the resurrection in this way.

There is no doubt that the Bible clearly teaches that we can be 100% sure that we will physically live with God forever in heaven because God raised Jesus from the dead. However, if we view the resurrection in only this way, it becomes an event that we think about every once in awhile. Why, we may only think about it on Easter. Thus, it never becomes a part of our daily lives, which is the complete opposite of the Apostles and early Christians. The result is that we forfeit the comfort, peace, strength, and hope we need for our daily lives.

Now, it may very well be that you are wondering what I am writing about. You may be thinking that I am denying, or at least down playing, the view that Jesus’ physical resurrection is our guarantee that God on the last day will physically raise us from death to eternal life. I would never do that. As I already wrote in this article, such a view is fact-absolute truth for the Bible teaches such. However, the Bible teaches more. Think about our earthly lives. Life is not easy. It is difficult, sometimes extremely difficult. We face and battle a constant barrage of temptations. The result is unrest and even exhaustion. We sin daily, constantly the result is guilt which, at times, becomes so heavy we feel as if it will crush us. People, even those close to us, even loved ones, sin against us. The result is anger and hurt, some of which is extreme. We face constant trials and tribulations. The result is frustration, confusion, and anxiety which, also at times, becomes so heavy we feel as if it will crush us. Neighbors, friends, loved ones die. The result is sadness and grief which can become so immense that we are enveloped in despair. Finally, there is the fact that one day we will die. The result is fear and even feelings of hopelessness
However, God’s Son Jesus Christ died on the cross to win the forgiveness of our sins, thereby, reuniting us to God now and forevermore. Moreover, on the third day He was physically raised back to life. Therefore, He did win salvation. But there is more! He is alive! Because He was raised from the dead and is now alive, He, day after day after day raises us up to a new life. Daily we struggle with temptation. But daily He raises us up by giving us His strength to carry on the battle. Daily we sin. But daily He raises us up by making us righteous in His sight by forgiving all our sins. Daily people sin against us. But daily He raises us up by moving us to strive to forgive through His forgiveness of our sins. Daily we experience trials and tribulations. But daily He raises us up by assuring us that He is always, always with us. Loved ones die. One day we will die. But daily He raises us up by assuring us that He is the first fruits of those who fall asleep in Him. As He was physically raised from the dead, those who die with faith in Him as the Savior will be physically raised to life and live with Him forever in the glory and perfection of heaven. Yes, the resurrection of Jesus is also about the fact that because He was raised from the dead, He, day after day after day raises us up to this new life with Him which gives us comfort, peace, strength, and hope.

Is Easter over? No! As I have just written, it is a daily affair. Thus, may we ponder it daily as well as His crucifixion for in it God will give us the comfort, peace, strength, and hope He wants us to experience and which we so desperately need.

Happy Easter!

Tomorrow is the first day of spring. However, as I write this article, it is cold, rainy, and gloomy. I hope that today when you are reading this, it is warmer, sunny, and bright. This weather reminds me of the trials and tribulations that each of us must face. Even though there are dark days, eventually things will brighten. This is the hope we have because of our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

I certainly am looking forward to warmer days, and with warmer days come exciting outdoor activities. There are two events that I would like you to consider getting involved in.

The first is participating in “manning” the booth at the Allegany County Fair. This event is held in July and I will have more information available as the week approaches.

The other exciting event is the huge fundraiser being held on Saturday, June 14 at Gargoyle Park in Olean. Several western New York churches are working together to hold a day long event to help raise money towards the purchase the land for the children’s orphanage in India.

Sheba Sunayana visited western New York last fall and spoke at Trinity in September before returning home. Sheba along with the help of several widows have taken in 153 children off the streets and are providing food, clothing, shelter, health care, and a Christian education to these children. With this new land purchase, Compassion Clement Mission (CCM) will have a permanent orphanage. On the land a well can be drilled for much needed fresh water, crops can be grown, goats, chickens and a buffalo can be grazed. This will provide milk, meat and fresh eggs for the orphans. Their present meals consist of rice 3 times a day, a piece of chicken once a month and drinking water has to be purchased daily.

At the moment, Sheba can only employ teachers for the children with the Indian Government’s permission, and provide for the children up to approximately 7th grade because they are in rented premises. Those who complete 7th grade have to be turned back onto the streets and into a predominantly Hindu community to steal, beg and perhaps, revert back to Hinduism and slavery. With the land purchase, a Mission for the orphans will be constructed and a Christian high school can be built to teach the orphans up thru high school. What makes this orphanage different from so many is that these children are hearing God’s word everyday. Praise be to God!

With these goals in mind, we hope to provide as much support as we can. We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to participate in any way. We need people to oversee raffles, food booths, games for the children, advertising, parking attendants, sound system, garbage pick-up etc. etc etc. Sheba will also be visiting at this time. Please consider helping in anyway you can.

Blessings,
Betty Wood

Daycare Makes Changes ~ Continues to Prosper

Over the past few weeks some personnel changes have taken place. New part time staff has been added to provide the necessary care for the many children. The position of director is undergoing a change due to administrative reasons. In the interim, Assistant Director Angela Chandler is taking care of the daily “nuts and bolts” of operations with help from all the board members.

The children are beginning to age, strange as this may sound! A special birthday frequently means a change in classroom. At age 18 months, an infant becomes a toddler; at age three, a toddler becomes a preschooler. Come summer, our toddler room will be bulging at the seams! The preschool will also show a significant increase. As the children grow, so does the staff grow and change. Scheduling is an interesting, yet satisfying, challenge.

April Birthdays

1 Ashley Farwell, Greg Flurschutz, Helen Link
3 Barbara Cline, Joshua Cornelius, Doris Mallory
4 Ron Lanphier
5 Thomas Brainard
7 Marvin Wood
8 Bailey Bennet, MacKenzie Bennet, Matthew Vossler
10 Cindy Flurschutz
11 Ruth Lehman
12 Terrence Lynch
13 Arthur Havens
16 Kristen Crawford
19 Carol Barnes
20 Kelly Miles
23 Mary Eldridge
24 Deborah Vossler
28 Duane Cornish, Craig Martin
29 Betty Havens, Carl Leave
30 Glen Kruger

April Anniversaries

1 Carlton & Marlene Bledsoe
8 Craig & Deb Martin
19 Don & Janice Vossler
20 Art & Betty Havens

LADIES AID

We had a light attendance at our March meeting. We look forward to our “snowbirds” return. The devotions were read by Jane Pinney followed by prayer. A thank you goes to Shelley Dunne for the fine basket she put together for the day care event in February.

We approved giving an Easter Memorial to honor our 2007 deceased members. They are Joan Collins, Louise Hauser, Anna Vossler, Lorraine Krentz and Eleanor Simons.

A slate of officers will be presented for approval at our next meeting. Please take not of our date and time change starting next month. We go back to 2nd Tuesdays starting April 8th at 7:00 pm. In the Dorcas room.

We closed with the Lords prayer. This was followed by refreshment brought by Dot Cornish and Marge Knowles. Very nice ladies.

Respectfully submitted,
Sally Dannheim, Secretary

DORCAS

The ladies tied one large quilt with many colorful blocks for the different seasons.

Betty took two quilts for Friendship Fire victims & delivered some lap robes to the nursing Homes.

Our next meetings are April 14 & April 28. Please join us!

SENIOR CITIZEN NOTE

THE APRIL 3 MEETING OF SENIOR CITIZENS IS CANCELLED.

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON THURSDAY, MAY 1 AT NOON. BRING YOUR APPETITE AND A DISH TO PASS.

THANK YOU...

...to our church family for all of your thoughts, prayers and cards sent during our recent illnesses.

Ralph & Pauline Brown

The Krentz family thanks the members of Trinity for their cards, prayers, memorials & expressions of love and care.  Mom's twin daughters, Jo and Jan were the earthly angels holding her until God and His heavenly angels came to take our dear Mom, Lorraine Krentz to glory on Sat., Feb. 2nd. 

Memorials were given to Twin Tier- orphanage in India and to Trinity Lutheran Choir.  God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine...Eph. 3:20.

FIRST TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
ABBREVIATED MINUTES
February 18, 2008

Meeting was called to order at 7:05PM and opened with a prayer from Jim Helms. Members in attendance were Jim Helms, Fran Lanphier, Dick Kling, Carol English, Linda Gridley, Lois Flurschutz, Kay McCulloch, Eleanor Cott, Pastor Morris, and Cathy Farwell.

Monthly reports reviewed and accepted. Full reports on file in the church office.

Daycare mentioned they have full enrollment capacity for the current staffing they have. Properties noted the tile work in the kitchen is finished and the Youth have finished painting the new youth room downstairs. There was some water damage which caused problems with our fire alarm system which has been repaired and is back up in running order. More updates are needed on the church part for the system. Pastor reported that several new members will be joining our church soon and his Basic Christian Education Class is going well.

The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer and adjourned at 8:05PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Farwell, Board Secretary

Did you know:

• You can get CD copies of our Sunday Adult Bible Studies, Worship Services and Pastor's Sermons?
• Pastor's sermons are available for listening or download to your computer or MP3 player on-line at www.trinitywellsville.org?
• Giving copies of the sermons to others is a great and easy way to share your faith?

If you would like copies of the Bible Studies, Services or Sermons for yourself or for sharing contact Pete Carlin at 593-5884 or Email audioministry@trinitywellsville.org or contact the church office.