Since 1948

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

Since 1948

Believe it or not, the Reformation is about freedom. Why, the Gospel Lesson for Reformation Sunday is St. John 8:31-32. Jesus is quoted as saying, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Now the teaching, the truth that Jesus speaks about here, is none other than how a person is saved. In other words, it is the fact that Jesus, by His crucifixion and resurrection, defeated sin, death and the Devil for us and all people. If a person believes in Him as the Savior, that person then is free from sin, death and the Devil. In other words, his or her sins are forgiven, he or she has eternal life and he or she is a child of God. Not only that, but freedom from sin, death and the Devil brings with it freedom from guilt, uncertainty, despair and homelessness. There is freedom from guilt because all sins are forgiven and forgotten by God. There is freedom from uncertainty and despair because we really are God’s children. Not only that, but we are positive that He is with us constantly to guide, help, protect and deliver us. Finally, there is freedom from hopelessness because we are 100 percent confident of eternal life in heaven.

But now, it might be that you are not experiencing this freedom from guilt, uncertainty and despair. As a matter of fact you may even feel hopeless. Now, the reason for this is because you are not sure of your salvation. In other words, you may think that God will not forgive you because “I sin too much” or “I have committed this sin too many times.” Or you may think that God will not want any part of you because “I am too bad.” Or you may think that you may not be granted entrance into heaven because “I may not have been good enough.” Simply put, you are basing your salvation upon your own merit or works.

My dear friend, we need to remember the Reformation battle cry: “By grace alone! By faith alone!” In other words, we cannot save ourselves. Instead, as Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.” Simply put, you are saved if you believe that Jesus, by His crucifixion and resurrection, has made you a child of God—nothing more, nothing less.

Do you want freedom—freedom from guilt, uncertainty, despair, hopelessness? Trust in Jesus. Trust that He has forgiven you! Trust that He has given you eternal life. Such trust comes from God! Hear, read, study His Word. Partake of the Lord’s Supper. Through these means of grace, the Holy Spirit will renew and strengthen your faith and trust in Jesus and you will be free!

On a different note, a couple of people have asked me, “What does it cost for counseling?” Perhaps people have asked you too. I explain that this is a ministry of the church and that a sliding scale fee chart is available. I am enclosing a copy for your reference. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Also if you are married, or thinking about getting married, consider attending a video based Bible study entitled “The Power of We, God’s Gift to Marriage” by Dr. David Ludwig. The 6 week video based course will start on Thursday, Oct. 2nd from 7 to 8 pm here at church. Babysitting service is available, and a special thank you to Kelly Miles for volunteering to do this.

This course provides up-beat strategies to strengthen your relationship with God’s help. Pre-registration is helpful, but not necessary. Invite your friends. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact me, Betty Wood at 593-2405.

The Power of We "God’s Gift to Marriage"
Thursdays, 7 pm to 8 pm, October 2 - November.6

Counseling Fees

This service is an outreach ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church. The cost is determined based on an individual’s financial resources. Below are the suggested fees:

Family Income:
$00.00 to $10,000	$20.00 /hour
$10,000 to $15,000	$25.00 /hour
$15,000 to $20,000	$30.00 /hour
$20,000 to $25,000	$40.00 /hour
$30,000 or more	$50.00 /hour

These are suggested rates and are flexible.

All the money received from this ministry is returned to the church to further its mission to all of God’s children. It is our prayer that an individual does not feel that they have to pay, but rather that they would want to pay. Payment would be appreciated at the end of each session.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”. - Galatians 6:2

Betty Wood
Director of Christian Outreach
Trinity Lutheran Church
Wellsville, New York 14895
(585) 593-2405

Daycare Making Gains - Financially, Children, Quality of Care

As the fall season has started, many new children have started at the daycare. Enrollment has peaked 50 part and full time children and a staff of 14 part and full timers.

“Babies are us” church members and TCD teachers Nancy Link and Barb Delity are quick to say. They now have 10 all total at various times and days. Ages range from the extremely young ones at 6 weeks to those nearing 15 months who are walking. The toddler department is also up to full speed with no openings. Two new staffers have been hired and are a wonderful addition. The preschoolers, your director would say, are the most challenging. They have really developed their individual personalities and are busy, busy, busy … learning colors, shapes, name-printing, etc. In the mornings, the school age total enough to almost fill the Wellsville school bus that routinely picks them up. Afternoons are also busy as the children return.

On a more serious note, as the director and on behalf of the daycare, I wish to reaffirm the daycare’s intent to become increasingly more financially-fit for the rest of this year and for next year. The daycare fully realizes the wise and conservative usage of church financial support. This support has decreased since the inception of the daycare program, but still has a ways to go. The congregation is to be thanked for the generous support, not just financial, but through prayer, time, patience, and effort.

The daycare was started for local mission work, community and Christian outreach. With our beautiful facility and the daycare need within our community, we are filling a need. The daycare is a business, yet we must remind ourselves, it is much more. Our staff plant the seeds, nourish them, encourage growth, and we all await the harvest.

October Birthdays

1    Albert Vossler
2    Tim Taylor
3    Jackie Sweet
6    Justin Cornelius, Kay McCulloch
8    Gwyn Shear
9    Dan Flurschutz
11    Berwyn Hauser
16    Tyler Bennet
17    Annie Ball, Tracy Schmitt
18    Bernadette Schmitt
19    Rachel Fahs, Linda Gridley
20    Taylor Mae Hurd
22     Brenda Kruger
23    Arlene Leave, Jane Pinney
26     James Dunne
27    Doris Heysham
28    Nancy Link

October Anniversaries

2    Ben & Judy Cornelius
10     Barry & Shelly Dunne
12     Mike & Kay McCulloch
13     Alpheus & Senta Streeter

LADIES AID

We were pleased to welcome 13 ladies to our first fall meeting. Devotions were done by Eleanor Cott entitled “don’t rust out”. It compared our interaction with the Lord to a car that rusts out due to neglect.

Our topics of interest centered around our upcoming Hearts and Hands craft show, the cabbage cutting on Sept. 21 and our shelf sitters which have been in limbo. Many hands make short work of all the jobs we do so we pray for good turn outs for all events. We closed with the reciting of The Lord’s Prayer.

Jean Rushmore & Joanna Schmitt treated us to cupcakes & vanilla ice cream. Thank you ladies.

Respectfully,
Sally Dannheim, Secy.

Dorcas’ 44th Year!

September 8th, 2008 started the 44th year for Dorcas! Seven ladies met and tied one large and colorful quilt.

“Thanks” to Shirley Neu for three very pretty quilt tops! “Thanks” to Ken Brandes for a monetary gift to Dorcas. Without friends we could not work.

Betty Havens pinned the edges on two quilts and Edna Lehman and Dot Herke clipped coupons to be sent to army personnel.

“Contentment” (printed on this page) was read by June Helmer. Eleanor Cott read “Not Lost in the Crowd” and Betty Havens read the story of “Art and Walter”. “Art and Walter” is the story of the vision of Disney World by Walt Disney and explained to Art Linkletter whom he asked to invest in his dream.

Next Dorcas work session is Monday, Sept. 22. Dorcas meets the 2nd & 4th Mondays at 9:30am. All welcome to come and lend a hand.

Submitted by
June Helmer

MENS CLUB

The regular monthly meeting of Men’s club was held in the fellowship hall with 10 members present. A delicious spaghetti dinner was enjoyed by all. Thanks Dave and crew.

A short business meeting was held to discuss the upcoming sauerkraut dinner and everyone was asked to help with the cabbage unloading and cutting.

Next month’s meeting will be held at the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, October 21 at 6 pm.

Paul Vossler, Secretary

SENIOR CITIZENS

Our September 4th meeting was held in the Dorcas Room. We welcomed our guests Fred and Sally Dannheim and Gary and Jean Rushmore. We admired and appreciated Jean’s table decorations.

After our meal June led devotions, “Happiness is Being Poor in Spirit”. Cards were signed for six shut-ins and Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were given.

We discussed the future of our meetings because of low attendance. Eleanor Cott made the motion that we meet on December 4th and then make a final decision on whether or not to continue with Senior Citizens. This motion was seconded by Edna Lehman.

The meeting closed with The Lord’s Prayer.

Submitted by
Dorothy Herke

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
ABBREVIATED MINUTES
AUGUST 18, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM by President Jim Helms and we opened with a prayer from Pastor Morris.

Members in attendance were Dick Kling, Carol English, Julie Shaver, Kristen Crawford, Betty Wood, Eleanor Cott, Lois Flurschutz, Kay McCulloch, Pastor Morris, Fran Lanphier, Kato Aldrich, Jim Helms, Barry Dunne, Linda Gridley, and Cathy Farwell.

Reports were read and accepted from the previous minutes, the Treasurer, and the Financial Secretary. Daycare gave us a nice report, a full copy of which is on file with the minutes. Then Education gave us a report on how VBS went this year. Properties just wanted to let everyone know that the flooring project is just about complete and so is the air conditioning. Our President also wanted to remind us that it is time to start working on the budget and will start doing that in next month’s meeting. Copies of all report's given are on file with the minutes and available in the Church Office. Meeting was closed at 7:50 with the Lord’s Prayer.   

Respectfully submitted
by Cathy Farwell, Secretary

Save the Date!
A Thrivent supplemented Pizza Sale
Fundraiser for Larry Brant
Saturday, October 18th

Hear Ye, Hear ye, Hear ye!

Next year, 2009 will be the year of our 150th year celebration of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville. Tuesday, October 14th at 4pm we are holding our first meeting to prepare for the event. Anyone that is interested in helping in any way please come and lend both your ideas and help. We also ask that you go through those old scrap books and photo albums and if you find church related items that you share them with the committee. All items that you wish to have returned will be returned to you. This is truly something that does not happen every day or every year so lets make it a big and wonderful celebration of service to God and community. Any item can be left with Betty or Deb at the church. Thank you in advance for your help.