Since 1948

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

Since 1948

Believe it or not, the month of June is about to begin. June has always signified the beginning of Summer even though according to the calendar Summer doesn’t officially begin until Friday, June 20th. Because Summer is beginning, I thought it would be good to inform you of some of the significant activities and opportunities for Christian growth that will happen here at Trinity the next three months.

1. Confirmation: On Sunday, June 1st at our regular 10:30AM Worship Service three youth will publicly confess their faith in God, who He is and what He does for us, through the Rite of Confirmation. The three youth are Tyler Bennett, Lauren Bledsoe, and Rachel Fahs. I pray that you will support these youth with your prayers and attendance.
2. Sheba Fundraiser: In an effort to raise money for Sheba so that she has land on which to build her orphanage where she teaches children about the salvation won by Jesus Christ, there will be a fundraiser at Gargoyle Park, Olean on Saturday, June 14 from 7:30AM-10:30PM. There will be food, activities for children and adults, and live music all day. Our congregation will be sponsoring a Flea Market with all proceeds going to Sheba. Please collect your rummage (please, NO CLOTHING AND SHOES). YOU CAN START BRINGING YOUR RUMMAGE TO THE CHURCH ON June 1st. Once again I pray you will be able to support this event.
3. Benefit Fundraiser: Our congregation will be raising money to help Heidi Campbell, Logan Culver, and Bill Wonderling with ever increasing medical expenses as they fight serious diseases. The fundraiser will be held Saturday, June 21st. There will be a Beef-on-Weck Take out only Dinner from 2:00PM—5:00PM. The cost is $7.00 per ticket. Tickets are on sale now in the church office and after services. Along with the dinner, we will sponsor Music-in-the-Pavilion from 2:00PM to 10:00PM. Thrivent Financial will match 50 cents to every $1.00 raised. I pray that you will support this event. Remember, as we do this, we are in reality witnessing God’s love in Christ. (PS. We will need many volunteers to help work at the above two fundraisers. More information concerning needed help will be found in upcoming bulletins. There will also be sign-up sheets on the table in the church lounge.)
4. Christian Growth Opportunities

   I. Sunday Adult Bible Class: Our Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue through the Summer. We meet from 9:00AM to 10:00AM each Sunday in the Dorcas Room. We will conclude our study on “What Lutherans Believe?” In particular, we will study “The Means of Grace”, namely our belief about the Holy Scriptures, Baptism, and The Lord’s Supper.

   II. Bible BBQ: Bible BBQ will meet Wednesdays, beginning June 18th in the Pavilion. In case of rain, we’ll meet in the Fellowship Hall. This year’s theme is “Jesus’ Miracles”. Some of the miracles we will study are Water Turned To Wine at Cana, The Feeding Of The 5000, The Healing Of A Paralyzed Man, Jesus Walks On Water, The Healing of the Centurion's Servant, The Resurrection of Lazarus, and The Resurrection of Jesus. We will begin at 5:30PM with a BBQ. Hamburgers, hotdogs, condiments and drinks will be supplied. Participants are asked to bring a salad or dessert to pass. There will be a free will offering to cover expenses. If you would like to attend, please sign-up so that we will know how much food to prepare. The sign-up sheet is located on the table in the church lounge.

   III. Vacation Bible School: This year’s VBS will run from Monday, August 11th through Friday, August 15th. This year’s theme is “Friendship Trek” which will focus on the truth that Jesus is our good, perfect, forever friend. Each day will begin at 5:30PM with a light supper. From 6:00PM to 8:00PM children will participate in learning Bible stories about Jesus, crafts, music, bible memory, and games. We need volunteers to lead certain learning stations, volunteers to lead children to the different learning stations, volunteers to lead crafts, volunteer to lead music, and volunteers to prepare the light supper. Your help will be greatly appreciated. There is a sign up sheet on the church lounge table.

   IV. Sunday School: There will be no Sunday School during the months of June—August and Labor Day Weekend. Christian Education Rally Day will be Sunday, September 7. Sunday School will resume Sunday, September 14.

   V. Bible Breakfast: Bible Breakfast will recess for the summer. The last Bible Breakfast Class will be Tuesday, June 10th. Class will resume on Tuesday, September 16 at 9:30am in the Dorcas Room. We will continue our study of Genesis.

5. Favorite Hymns: Everyone has favorite hymns. During the summer months I would like to incorporate some of these favorite hymns in our worship. I cannot promise to use all the hymns suggested, but I will try to include as many as possible. There is a sheet on the table in the church lounge. Please write the name of the hymns on that sheet.

There will certainly be other activities and Christian Growth opportunities that will take place in the Summer. Be sure to consult the bulletin to stay informed.        

You have probably heard already about the upcoming fundraisers. A short recap: Sat. June 14th from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm in Gargoyle Park, Olean, NY will be the TTOP fundraiser for Sheba and the children in India. Go to our website www.trinitywellsville.org for program details. Also the next Sat. June 21st is the Beef-On-Weck for Heidi Vossler Campbell, Logan Culver, and Bill Wonderling. The dinner is served from 2 pm to 5 pm. ,and is take out only, but take it out to the Pavilion for music, silent auction, and raffles. This event will be held here at church, and funds will be supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Also keep in mind the Allegany County Fair coming in July. People are needed to “man” the booth. Our theme this year is “The Good Shepherd”. I am looking for a very large picture of Jesus, as He is portrayed as the Good Shepherd. If you have one you would like to loan, please contact me as soon as possible. Please continue to pray for all of these events, as well as our Daycare, VBS, and Confirmands. I once read that for evil to succeed requires no good is done. (Something like that).

Well I see a lot of good being done here and all because we are responding to the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All glory be to God! If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please contact me at 593-2405 or bettywood@trinitywellsville.com

Blessings,
Betty

SENIOR CITIZEN NEWS

Seven members plus our guest, Jean Rushmore, met in the Dorcas room for our May 1st meeting. After our luncheon we returned thanks and Eleanor Cott let devotions titles “He’s Waiting”, urging us to spend more time talking with God. Cards were signed for shut-ins and Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were given.
Our next meeting will be on Sept. 4 when hopefully our attendance will increase. We invite new members to join us. The committee for the Sept. 4th meeting will be June Helmer, Dorothy Herke and Edna Lehman.

Submitted by Dorothy Herke

June Birthdays

3 Carolanne Schmitt
4 Kristin Fahs
5 Alexis Merrick, Mary Monroe
10 David Pinney
11 Courtney Klein
15 Janice Vossler
16 Gladys Sweet
18 Lauren Lynch
19 Tim Hand, Brooke Nicholas
22 Jada White
24 David Helmer, Sr., Brittany Norton, Brandon Strawser
26 June Helmer
28 Andrea Vossler
29 Haleigh Golish
30 Olivia Hanks

June Anniversaries

16 Claire & Marie Coyle
18 Barry & Linda Gridley
27 Al & Ginny Vossler, Bob & Ruth Lehman
28 Scott & Jennifer Patrick
29 Pete & Cathy Farwell

LADIES AID
   
The ladies Aid enjoyed their Annual Banquet at Castaways on May 13. The next meeting will be held on June 3 with Sheba as guest speaker. Come join us!    

MENS CLUB

The Men’s Club and guests enjoyed the Annual Banquet at Moonwinks in Cuba. Julie Shaver was honored with roses and “Woman of the Year”. The dinner was well attended and enjoyed by all.
Next month’s meeting will be on June 17 at the fellowship hall.

Paul Vossler, Secretary

DORCAS

May 12th, the Dorcas gals tied 2 large quilts. We really were tying that day! Thanks to Janet Vargo for two quilt liners. Eleanor Cott read an article “Avoiding the Unclean”. June 2nd we will have our last meeting before the summer break. This is an all day session, so please bring a salad to share. No meetings during July and August. Dorcas resumes September 8th, 2008. Have a great summer!

VBS IS COMING!

AUGUST 11-15, 2008 Please start thinking about volunteering

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-ABBREVIATED MINUTES
APRIL 21, 2008

The meeting was called to order by President Jim Helms with the following attendees: Jim Helms, Pastor Robert Morris, Kato Aldrich, Fran Lanphier, Barry Dunne, Lois Flurschutz, Carol English, Marv and Betty Wood, Julie Shaver, Eleanor Cott and Linda Gridley. The minutes and reports were read and approved. Full reports are available in the church office.

The Daycare board and staff were commended by the board for their hard work and dedication in keeping the daycare running smoothly despite the difficulties of late. Their future plans include a summer program for school-age children. The Evangelism committee is looking for volunteers to act as greeters on Sunday mornings and shepherds to keep in contact with congregational members that have been absent from services. The youth group is being well attended and recently spent the night at the Spring Fling in Houghton.

Pastor reported that there are several more people starting the membership process to join the church. Sunday attendance was up in March by 18 and the Lenten services were well attended. Gary Shaver is entering the Specific Ministry Program through Synod and the church will support him with funds designated for religious education, with Pastor as his mentor. Saturday night services will resume in May. Plans are being made for a Mission Festival tentatively scheduled for March 18th while Sheba is visiting from India. Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of August 11th-15th. A committee is being formed to plan the celebration for the church’s anniversary in 2009.

Respectfully submitted,
Kay McCulloch

The complete minutes are available in the church office.