Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Trinity Lutheran Church
TRINITY TRUMPETER Newsletter

February 2012
Volume 11, Issue 2

The Lenten Season Is Fast Approaching!

As Pastor Josh’s article on page 3 points out, Lent begins Ash Wednesday, which is
Wednesday, February 22, this year. Mark your calendars now:
Wednesday, February 22 - Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season.
Soup supper at 6:00 p.m. followed by worship service at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, February 29, March 7, 14, 21, and 28 – Soup suppers at 6:00 p.m.
followed by Midweek Lenten Services at 7:00 p.m.

Sermon – 4th after Epiphany
Mark 1:21-28
January 22, 2012
“what came over me?"

Are you possessed? Do you struggle with demons?

Demonic possession has been a popular subject matter for Hollywood. The demon takes over someone, their eyes turn back, their head twists around, their body convulses. And maybe this is not your experience. Perhaps this has made it difficult to identify how we might struggle with evil, to identify evil in the world.

Sermon – 3rd after Epiphany
Jonah 3:1-5,10
January 22, 2012
“can you run from God?"

Jonah is one of the better known books in the bible. It’s well known for the part where Jonah is swallowed up by a big fish. So, why was Jonah swallowed up by the fish? Let’s look at the background. Open your pew bibles to page 844 to Jonah chapter 1.

Date: December 31, 2011

To: Members of the Congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church

From: Rev. Joshua D. Ebener, pastor

Re: 2011 Annual Report from the Pastor

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” – Hebrews 13:2

Sermon – 2nd after Epiphany
1 Samuel 3:1-20
January 15, 2012
“listen, God is calling”

There is a story of a man who kept falling asleep during the sermon. His pastor was getting frustrated and, one Sunday, decided to teach the man a lesson.
As was his practice, he started to preach slowly, almost in a monotone -- sure enough, the man soon fell into a deep sleep.
The pastor then said to the congregation, "Everyone who wants to go to heaven, stand up." Everyone stood ... except, of course, the man who was fast asleep.

Sermon – Baptism of our Lord
Mark 1:4-11
January 8, 2012
“something in the water”

There must be something in the water. Have you heard this expression? What’s in the water? I think this a good question for today. What is in this water that we marked our neighbors foreheads with during the Thanksgiving for Baptism?

Let’s revisit the rite for Thanksgiving for Baptism: “We give you thanks, O God,
for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters.”

Sermon – Name of Jesus
Luke 2:15-21
January 1, 2012
“what’s in a name?”

What significance does your name have for you? Why were you given that name?
The process of naming a newborn child is very important. After all, a name is something you have for life. Some kids grow up resenting their name.

TRINITY TRUMPETER Newsletter
Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Beach

January 2012
Volume 11, Issue 1

Trinity Lutheran Church
Annual Congregation Meeting, Part 2

Trinity’s Annual Congregation meeting, Part 2, will be held Sunday, January 22, 2011, following the worship service. The major item on the agenda will be:
• the review and acceptance of the Trinity Lutheran Church
Annual Report 2011.

Sermon – Christmas Day
John 1:1-14
December 25, 2011
“it’s the thought that counts”

Merry Christmas! I’m sure you probably opened some Christmas gifts this morning already, or maybe you are waiting? What was the most memorable gift you ever received? (that could be good or bad)

Now maybe the most memorable gift you ever received didn’t come in a bow… maybe it was a memory, a conversation, a visit from a loved one you had waited a long time to see. Certainly the families of the troops coming home from Iraq right now are getting the best Christmas present they could ever ask for.