 A
from your DCOI am sure everyone is looking
forward to Spring. We have already enjoyed some beautiful days already. Hopefully by the
time you read this, flowers are blooming and temperatures are rising. As I am writing this
article, I hear Pastor and the children from the Daycare spending time together in the
sanctuary. I hear laughter, singing, stories, and praying. What a wonderful experience.
These little children love to hear the stories about how much Jesus loves them, and they
love to sing about His love too! Please continue to pray for them. They are so precious in
His sight. Please feel free to join us Wednesday mornings at 10:00.
Now onto another topic. SMILIE, SMILE, SMILE!
Yes, if you didn’t get a chance to have your picture
taken for the special 150th Anniversary Church Directory now’s your chance! Make ups
for pictures is scheduled for TUESDAY, APRIL 21. You will find sign-up sheets in the
lounge. Please make every attempt to participate. By having your picture taken, you help
us get extra pages to include more pictures and information about organizations and
activities here at Trinity. Thank you in advance for doing this.
Finally in closing and on a more serious note, I had the
privilege of attending a workshop entitled “RESPECTING CHOICES, ADVANCE CARE
PLANNING” in Belmont. This workshop was sponsored by the Allegany Western Steuben
Rural Health Network and based on the program from Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation
in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Upon completion of an on-line course and the one day workshop, I
became certified as an Advance Care Planning Facilitator. My role is now to help
individuals and their families prepare for end of life issues. By beginning the process
now, there is time to make decisions based on your faith, beliefs, and values. Families
are better prepared and can gain a “peace of mind” about what decisions have to
be made in the event you or your loved one cannot speak for themselves. If you would like
more information please contact me. We can then make arrangements to set aside a time to
talk.
In closing with prayer:
Lord, let my life be a space in which you can work in the
world.
Clear away my inner rubbish, and fill me with your Spirit of healing, delight, and peace,
so that everything I do may be the fruit of your life in me. - Amen.
Betty Wood, DCO
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
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
Look for the Red Buggy!
Spring is here: the red buggy is rolling down the sidewalk! After our long winter, the
daycare tots are getting out into the fresh air. Nancy Link is managing four babies at a
time in her buggy. The toddlers and preschoolers are stretching their little legs walking
down the sidewalk. The playground fund is alive and hopefully growing.
As for other daycare news, a surprise inspection by our
state licensor happened Thursday, March 19th. TCD is proud to say, “we aced it!”
as no faults were found, no citations given. The electric plugs were all covered, the
children were engaged in meaningful activities, and classrooms were well up to par.
Relief… until the next visit in approximately three months! This also means for all
who want back door entry, come on in!
The other good news is our financial shape. 2009 has
started well, although one must not count one’s chickens too confidently or too soon!
For January and February, and likely March, the balance sheet has us “in the
black.” This is another very major relief, but we must continue to monitor revenue
and expenditures very carefully.
For part of our March spiritual connection, take a look at
our bulletin board near the rear entrance. We have been striving to add meaning to the
secular March lion-lamb theme by focusing on Jesus our good shepherd.
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
February 16, 2009
ABBREVIATED MINUTES
In attendance were Pastor Robert Morris, President Jim
Helms, Betty Wood, Fran Lanphier, Dick Kling, Barry Dunne, Linda Gridley, Carol English
and Kay McCulloch.
Properties Committee reported that the mop board in the
fellowship hall and the flooring and mop boards in the basement bathrooms will be
replaced. A new sewer pump for the basement bathroom has also been ordered. Carol English
reported that the Daycare showed a profit for January. Betty Wood reported that the India
Mission has their land. They were able to purchase it and pay for the paperwork to be
filed. More funds will be needed to continue our work with them and pay back loans.
Yearend statistics reported by Pastor were as follows: 121
weekly attendance, 12 baptisms, 3 weddings and 10 funerals. Pastor Dick Helms’ work
continues at the local nursing homes with 140 total communions and 138 visitations in the
month of January. A new shut-in list has been comprised by Pastor and reviewed by the
Elders.
Any new bequests that have not been designated for a
certain purpose will be voted upon to decide where they will be applied after 10% of them
is sent to missions. Jim Helms presented a Fund Transfer Request form to be used by any
organization looking for funds beyond their budgeted amounts.
Respectfully submitted,
Kay McCulloch
Dorcas Guild
March was a busy month, we tied two quilts Shirley Neu
gave us a large colorful quilt with interesting blocks - couple of tigers, two tepees,
some strawberries, rabbits and lots of gay multi-colored blocks! We enjoyed tying this
pretty quilt. Betty pinned the edges one large quilt.
Janet will be back with us in April! We have done basket
of household items for Brenda & Glen Kruger.
April 13th & 27ths are regular meetings - come and tie
a knot!
Ladies Aid
Our last afternoon meeting brought out twelve members.
Devotions were done by Ruth Kling.
After our usual business we critiqued the Valentine’s
Dinner of February 15th. Shelly also discussed the upcoming corn beef & cabbage dinner
right after church March 15th. The sponsor is our youth group.
During our snack which was provided by president June, she
read from the 1994 brochure on the 100th Anniversary Concordia Ladies Aid banquet. Many
things have changed over these past years, yet many things are much the same.
The meeting ended with a reminder of our April Ladies Aid
meeting will be held the first Tuesday of the month, April 7th at 7:00pm.
Respectfully,
Sally Dannheim, Secretary
8th ANNUAL
EASTER EGG HUNT
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009
10:30AM – 11:45AM
FOR CHILDREN: AGE 2 – 4TH GRADE
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
470 N. MAIN STREET
WELLSVILLE, NY 14895
(585) 593-3311
SINGING WITH THE LUTHERANS
By Garrison Keillor
I have made fun of Lutherans for years. Who
wouldn't, if you lived in Minnesota ? But I have also sung with Lutherans and that is one
of the main joys of life, along with hot baths and fresh sweet corn. We make fun of
Lutherans for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their
lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings
like them!
If you ask an audience in New York City, a
relatively Lutheran less place, to sing along on the chorus of 'Michael Row the Boat
Ashore', they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their
underwear. But, if you do this among Lutherans they'll smile and row that boat ashore and
up on the beach! And down the road!
Lutherans are bred from childhood to sing in
four-part harmony. It's a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing
alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head
against that person's rib cage. It's natural for Lutherans to sing in harmony. We're too
modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're singing in the key of C
and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally
fulfilling moment.
I once sang the bass line of Children of the
Heavenly Father in a room with about three thousand Lutherans in it; and when we finished,
we all had tears in our eyes, partly from the promise that God will not forsake us, partly
from the proximity of all those lovely voices. By our joining in harmony, we somehow
promise that we will not forsake each other.
I do believe this: These Lutherans are the
sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you're dying, they'll
comfort you. If you're lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you're hungry, they'll give you
tuna salad!
The following list was compiled by a 20th
century Lutheran who, observing other Lutherans, wrote down exactly what he saw or heard:
1. Lutherans believe in prayer, but
would practically die if asked to pray out loud.
2. Lutherans like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with
more than four stanzas.
3. Lutherans believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they
don't notify them that they are there.
4. Lutherans usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of
suffering for their sins.
5. Lutherans believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their
stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
6. Lutherans feel that applauding for their children's choirs would make the kids
too proud and conceited.
7. Lutherans think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing
the peace.
8. Lutherans drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.
9. Some Lutherans still believe that an ELCA bride and an LCMS groom make for a
mixed marriage.
10. Lutherans feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in
the Fellowship Hall.
11. Lutherans are willing to pay for a meal at church.
12. Lutherans think that Garrison Keillor stories are totally factual.
13. Lutherans still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and think
that peas in a tuna noodle casserole add too much color.
14. Lutherans believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves
too seriously.
And finally, you know you're a Lutheran when:
* It's 100 degrees with 90% humidity
and you still have coffee after the service;
* You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can;
* Donuts are a line item in the church budget -- just like coffee;
* The communion cabinet is open to all, but the coffee cabinet is locked up tight;
* When you watch a 'Star Wars' movie and they say, 'May the Force be with you', you
respond, "and also with you";
* And lastly -- it takes 15 minutes to say 'Good-bye'.
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HAPPY EASTER