trinity lutheran church 149 honness lane trinity...

149 Honness Lane Ithaca, New York 14850

(607) 273-9017

Trinity Lutheran Church

Trinity Tidings April / May 2016

Robert Foote, Pastor [email protected]

www.trinityithaca.org

Holy Land Heaven and Hell and Surprise Blessings

By Pastor Foote

I never had any burning desire to go to the Holy Land, sometimes called the "Biblical lands." I guess with books, magazines, the Internet, and others' personal testimonies, I

felt as though I had exposure enough to get by.

But sometimes God just blindsides us with blessings!

That is what happened a year ago when my wife and I were awarded a surprise grant by the Triad Foundation, through the influence and assistance of one of our members. The grant was more than sufficient to enable us to tour the length and breadth of the land of Israel this past February.

Through consulting with people who had visited Israel, and with Herb Israel's grandson Daniel who happens to be living there, we were able to plan a trip which took us west, south, east, and north throughout the land. By the way, if you would like more information about the work that Daniel is doing there, please speak with me. It is important work, but for the sake of propriety, I keep it close to the vest, but I am free to share it with people individually.

Many people ask us the question, "What was the most significant experience which you had during your travels?" Honestly, there were so many memorable and powerful moments it's hard to name them. But when I pressure myself to come up with an answer, the most memorable thing may be that God was teaching the Israelites something about heaven and hell in the topography of the Biblical lands.

We are reminded that Abraham and his forbears did not live in the land of Canaan, the first name for Palestine/Israel. Life started off in the Mesopotamian Valley, and Abraham later migrated west by God's calling to Israel. You may remember God's call to Abraham in Genesis 12, "Go forth from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you …" It was an epic calling from God, not unlike that which He offers to people to whom He presents the Christian faith.

Other than the ultimate journey which will end in victory over sin, death, and the devil, God does not necessarily reveal what will be the penultimate journey, or the bridge between conversion and the grave. When Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow me…," He is inviting Christians to a general life of sacrifice, but He does not give them the details of how those sacrifices will eventually be made. The implication is that sacrifices will be made throughout life. Without knowing where he was going, Abraham answered the call, followed God's voice which led first northwest and then south, finally ending up in the city far south called "Beersheba."

We were blessed to be able to visit this city. Today the modern city of Beersheba lies to the southwest of the ancient city whose foundation stones are amazingly still intact. During our trip, this was the first time I felt truly "unnerved," in the sense that I realized it was possible the ground I was walking upon had been visited by Abraham himself. The ancient atmosphere was enhanced by a modern shepherd keeping his flock below the old city walls. Abraham was involved in the naming of the city. (See Gn. 21 for more). The city probably got its name from the well Abraham's men dug. In the Bible you will hear the phrase "even to Beersheba..." (I Sam. 3:20). The phrase had a double meaning: the town represented the furthermost southern area where water was available, and thus the southernmost habitable and arable land in Israel.

Beyond Beersheba was the Negev, the desolate wilderness which is as large as the northern land of "milk and honey." It is as if there are 2 Israels: a hellish, lifeless, waterless land, which was where the Israelites first dwelt for 40 years after the Egyptian captivity, and a lush, fruitful, well-watered land of promise to the North.

When talking about this recently, I was reminded by a member that the spies had brought back the promise of the fruitful land and visible signs of it, the large and abundant fruit of the North.

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This promise sustained them in the journey in the wilderness...along, of course, with the presence of the Lord. For me, the witness and hope of the future which awaits us is similar to the message of Christ. He offers a promise of a place of life. Easter is one visible sign of that place. (The sacraments and fruit of the Spirit are others.) To get through this mortal land of testing and death, we trust in the promise, we taste the visible signs, and we walk with -- and rely upon the Lord -- for direction, mercy, and strength for this journey.

The indelible image of the dusty rocky Negev, contrasted with the vibrant green northern Israel, will remain with me. Even the two "Seas" seem to represent the difference between a life focused upon Christ and a life focused upon ourselves. The abundant Sea of Galilee to the north receives fresh water and sends it out to the South via the Jordan River. The Dead Sea further south takes in the water of the Jordan... but has no outlet. It just takes... and it is aptly named "Dead."

God has offered that we walk with Him - "The Living One" and the Giving One, to trust in His promise of the future. He wants us to rely upon Him for grace and direction in this journey through a veil of tears. He wants us to walk with Him, the One Who conquered death. He wants us to learn to give as He gave. Hence the abundant life!

On this journey with you,

Pastor FootePastor FootePastor FootePastor Foote

Prayer and Pie

In April Prayer and Pie will meet Tuesday, April 5 at 10:30 a.m. We typically gather in

Pastor's office. We share our joys and concerns; then we spend some time in prayer. After, we enjoy a time of fellowship and pie together. The

entire gathering usually lasts around 60 - 90 minutes. Everyone agrees that it is a time of great spiritual fervor and fellowship, so if you come you will be blessed! As St. Paul said, "pray without ceasing." Our next gathering will be May 7 at 10:30 a.m.

GriefShare

April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, June 7

GriefShare is a Christian faith-oriented care and support group for those who have suffered the pain of loss of a loved one by death. Our current session is meeting Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. People are free to join the group in the midst of the 13-session sequence.

For more information about GriefShare you may ask Pastor Foote, Marti, or Cheryl Cox, our Deaconess intern. You may also check out our own website which has information about our GriefShare group as well as links to the GriefShare main website.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast

April 9 and May 7 Men's Prayer Breakfast will meet the second Saturday in April, April 9 and on May 7, at 8:00 a.m. for fellowship, food, Bible study and prayer. The topic is death, not such a bad topic after Easter. The award winning video was well received and we discussed it at some length, so we are on session #2, "Which way are you going?"

Please join us the first Saturday of most months at 8:00 a.m.

After-church Lunch Bunch

LUNCH BUNCH consists of anyone who likes to go out for lunch after church on Sunday. We meet at a different restaurant each month and each person orders and pays for their own meal. The group ranges from a few to thirty or more and comments are always favorable. You might wish to join us around 12:30ish

on APRIL 10th at APPLEBEES and on MAY 8th at SPRING HOUSE. If you have questions, contact Walt Reimers at

273-5742 or Martha Clark at 227-2681

Potluck & Prayer

April 22 and May 20 Another prayer and praise opportunity is

Potluck & Prayer. Families are encouraged to gather in the fellowship hall at 6:15 for a potluck dinner. We always have plenty of food so if you can’t bring a dish-to-pass, come anyway! After dinner the children can play while the teens and adults have a popcorn-style prayer.

Champions for Christ, Part 2

April 30 – 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

“Champions for Christ” is the “ongoing mission and ministry process of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ithaca.” that has met at various times over the last 19 years. On Saturday – April 30 – we will gather for our second meeting with fellowship at 8:30 a.m., followed by the meeting starting promptly at 9:00 a.m. and ending by noon. We continue

with our theme from the first meeting in January, “That They May Be One” from John 17:22. All members of Trinity are invited and needed for this process.

From the January meeting, Trinity members prioritized six mission and facility issues (Outreach to the community, Campus and Young adult ministry, Supporting a vicar, Handicap accessible bathroom, Furnace/HVAC, and Space needs). Volunteers have been investigating logistics, costs, etc. for these ideas, and report their findings at this meeting.

Any decisions from this meeting will be formally voted on at a subsequent special voters meeting to be announced (within a month of the Champions meeting).

We continue to seek the prayers of God’s people at Trinity for these specific issues: “that we may be one;” that we would keep God’s mission paramount in our minds; that we would be creative and faithful as we look to the future; that we would trust that God works through His Church, and we trust that the decisions that are ultimately made together are decisions that we will joyfully accept and support. We especially seek the prayers of God’s people!

Ascension Service & Catechumen Questioning

Thursday, May 5 is Ascension Day. Our worship service will begin at 7:00 p.m. and we will celebrate Holy Communion. That service will also include the questioning of our second-year Confirmands, Aiden Bedore and Kevin Harding. Come and hear what they have learned in Confirmation class and you will get a refresher of the teachings of Luther’s Small Catechism. This is most certainly true!

LWML Spring Rally

The Eastern District Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) Convention is being held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Binghamton, New York on June 10th -

12th. We are expecting about 250 people to attend this event which we, the New York Central South Zone, are hosting. Registration forms have been placed in each ladies mailbox and extra ones are posted on the bulletin board. If you find that you are unable to attend the whole weekend, you are encouraged to invite other women to carpool with you to the banquet on Saturday evening where we will have a delicious meal, a motivational speaker and musical entertainment. This event is something that you won't want to miss! We are looking for a delegate to represent Trinity. If you might be interested, talk to Martha Clark or Vivian Tatem.

Pigs and Sheep and VBS!?

This year's Vacation Bible School theme is "Barnyard Roundup."

Although we typically do not talk about the people in Scripture having "barns," there were certainly "Barn-like" structures (remember Luke 12), and there are an awful lot of pastoral and agrarian symbols and stories which are great for introducing people to "The Good Shepherd" Who laid down His life for the sheep.

This year's vacation Bible school will be Monday through Friday, June 27 - July 1. Most likely because we are avoiding the Fourth of July this will be a bigger VBS than normal. As always we are looking for lots of helpers: people to set up on

Friday, June 24 in the evening, mundane task "minions" meet in April or May and/or June, leaders and support people for the week of VBS, decorators, shoppers,

and the list goes on! Speak with Mary Milbrath about what jobs are needed and what you are specifically looking to do.

Because of the theme, we are looking for items which have a farm motif.

We are even looking for sheep, goats, and/or pigs, straw or hay bales, or maybe even a donkey. It would not be the first time that we have had such an animal visit VBS. Please speak with Mary Milbrath or Sheila Foote if you have animals which might visit VBS, or farm related items.

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This year we are also looking for people who may be willing to sponsor individual VBS items. You can do this in 2 ways: increase your offerings to match the amounts listed, or in the case of some items like ice cream etc., you may purchase directly the ice cream & fixings, etc. The church in general provides a generous budget line for vacation Bible school (currently $3000). But every year the expenses go up ($CD music approx. $300; take-home collectibles approx. $350, etc.; item values are available upon request of Mary or Nancy Gifft).

Every year between 150 and 200 children turn out for our vacation Bible school. It is always a great week of fun, and faith. And Historically the VBS children and families, along with members of Trinity, have been extremely generous for our mission projects. This year our goal is to raise $5000 for Feed My Starving Children.

Above all please keep this year's vacation Bible school in your prayers, promote it with your neighbors, and invite families to participate.

The Bible stories for this year's vacation Bible school are: Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10), the feeding of the 5000 (Mark 6), the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), The Prodigal Sons (Luke 15), and Jesus visits with Mary after the resurrection (John 20).

Reformation Weekend at Trinity

This year Trinity will once again host the circuit Reformation gathering. We welcome Rev. Dr. James Voelz, a recently retired professor of New Testament Greek at both seminaries. Dr. Voelz is not only an excellent teacher, but a fun Christian to be around. (Yes, the two can go together.)

We are working on having Dr. Voelz be a speaker at Cornell Friday night; he will lead a circuit gathering Saturday morning (October 29), followed by our Reformation service and a German style luncheon hosted at Trinity. On Sunday morning (Oct. 30) Dr. Voelz will teach our adult Bible classes.

Thanks to our Snow Stewards

We thank the generous few who volunteered to shovel the sidewalks this winter so our preschool and after-school families could safely get in and out of our building! When volunteers weren’t available, Hope and her family did the work themselves. Although we didn’t have very many snow days, we appreciate those who helped. In particular we appreciate Salah, the tenant in our refugee house for pitching in, and the youth and men who covered Sunday mornings for us.

FMSC MobilePack News

We are excited to let you know that the Ithaca MobilePack is scheduled for September 22, 23, and 24, 2016 at the First Congregational Church! We hope you will plan on joining us again as we work together to help eliminate hunger in our world.

There are three ways you can help right now...

1. Donate to the Ithaca MobilePack so that we will have the financial resources to pack 300,000 meals this year. We need about $66,000 in donations to pay for the meals. Donations can be made through our website at www.ithacamobilepack.org or by sending a check to Ithaca MobilePack, PO Box 265, Ithaca, NY 14851

2. Help to spread the word about the Mobile Pack by participating in our MobilePack T-Shirt Days! We invite everyone who has packed to wear your MobilePack t-shirt on May 1, and during the Ithaca Festival Parade and Festival Days, June 3-5. If you don't have a t-shirt, but would like one, the new ones are in! Send us an email at [email protected] and we will make arrangements for you to get one! Adult shirts are $15, youth are $10. They are red this year and will be available at our VBS.

3. Shop at the Charity Yard and Bake Sale that the LDS Church (114 Burleigh Drive) is hosting on June 18 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.. They will have tons of treasures and all proceeds go to benefit the MobilePack. If you have things that you would like to donate, that would be great too. You can contact Kayleen at [email protected] for more information.

In the coming months we hope you will talk to your friends and neighbors, members of your faith community, and colleagues at work and workout buddies at the gym about the MobilePack! Tell the story of Feed My Starving Children, invite others to join you, and start getting people excited to help in this incredibly worthy cause!

Trinity Youth Win Major Awards

This month, our own Quinn Bedore and his high school robotics team celebrated the culmination of weeks of work for a win at their regional competition held at RIT. On January 8, FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics revealed this years challenge to waiting teams around the country. Team 639, Code Red Robotics at Ithaca High School, was one of them and the challenge was exciting two alliances of three robots each would meet on the field and attempt to breach one anothers strongholds castle-like structures into which boulders (soccer-like balls) are shot. Field obstacles simulating moats, drawbridges, and other medieval defenses would also need to be conquered. Teams are released specs of the field and detailed rules as well on Jan 8. From that date, the team has six weeks to design, build, program, test and perfect their competing robot before it is crated and sealed, not to be touched until competitions.

The high schoolers and their mentors (dad Jim Bedore is honored to be one of those) work tirelessly from 4:30 to 9:30 every school night and from 9 to 5:30 every Saturday for the next six weeks. (That’s before homework!) So much time, energy, thought, and heart went into the building of the robot and the strategy of the game. The competition could not have been more exciting. Quinn helped design the robot, served as a team welder and was one of the 4 team members composing the drive team who controlled the robot on the field, but every team member is responsible for the robot being on that field. Teams compete in alliances and gracious competition and a collaborative spirit are celebrated perhaps more than the engineering itself. Code Red and two other teams won the regional in an exciting match where they played Trumansburg’s team who Code Red had been cheering for wildly all through the competition. Both teams did an admirable job. Code Red also won NASA’ elegance in engineering award, which comes with a $5000 prize to pay the teams entrance fee into Worlds, the international competition held in St. Louis, where Quinn and his team will compete beginning April 27. Go Code Red! -------------------------------------------------------------------

(Excerpt from Lansing Star, March 25, 2016)

Elsa Brenner is one of three Lansing High School students who won national awards in this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition. Close to 320,000 works of art were submitted this year and 226 received awards. Elsa was a Gold Key winner and won one of the five regional Best-in-Show awards that put her in contention for a national award. Initially she was to

receive a regional silver key award based on a photo submitted, but when the judges saw her piece in person they elevated it in ranking, resulting in a Best of Show award.

As reported in the Lansing Star newsletter, “"I wanted to capture the happiness of dogs, my favorite animal," Brenner says. "I do a lot of dog training and work with dogs outside of school, and I wanted to bring that into the classroom. I had made a piece using yarn last year and I really liked the results. I wanted the focal point to pop out, so I used acrylic paint for the background, and the tongue and nose in oil pastel and paper collage, because I am most comfortable in oil pastel."

Her piece will be part of an exhibit of about 300 works of art opening in June at New York City’s New School’s Parsons School for Design and Pratt Institute Gallery before going on tour around the nation. Elsa plans to attend the opening ceremony on June 2. See her art work below – For full appreciation, view it on our website: www.trinityithaca.org / newsletter

“Remember the Poor” Pedestal

Anita Aluisio, Lay Deacon board chair

For some time now a couple of us have wanted Trinity to make a local help commitment and then independently the pedestal was born. As the amount of money collected grew, it was decided that those funds should be combined with the Sunday School offering which had already been designated to feed the poor. As of January, the combined total was approximately $1000. As we already volunteer at the Kitchen Cupboard, it was decided that half would go to the Cupboard with the remaining to be equally divided between 5 other food and meal assistance organizations. So, you have answered the prayers of a few to accomplish the goal of feeding the many local persons in need of good nutrition, food. Thank you for answering our specific prayers and the prayers of those not knowing from there their next meal will come.

Membership Changes

Dearly Departed Janet Curtiss passed away peacefully on

Saturday January 2. Janet was born in Flushing Long Island and moved to Union Springs at an early age. She worked at Cornell University before embarking on a successful career as a travel agent with AAA. After retirement, Janet became the traveler instead of the travel planner. Over many years she traveled the world, enjoyed fine dining, rides in a dugout canoe, cuddling with Iditarod puppies and more. She loved animals, becoming Pet the Pet Program where she provided pet therapy visits to nursing homes. We celebrated her life at a memorial service at Trinity on April 2.

Birth of Hannah John and Becky Feuerbach

announce the birth of their daughter, Hannah Rosa Feuerbach, born March 21, 2016 at Cayuga Medical Center. She is a healthy baby, and Samuel is thrilled to be a big brother.

Baptism

Christiana Allnatt was baptized at our Easter Sonrise service. See details and pix on following pages.

New members welcomed! We were blessed to be able to welcome new

members this past fall, and a new class of 4 communicant members will join in April. We welcome, Linda Osborne, Mitchell Perry, Kyla Quinn, and Richard Ruckdeschel Mitchell and Kyla are engaged to be married this summer. More information to follow in next month's newsletter.

We also welcomed into communicant membership on Maundy Thursday two of our confirmands, Kevin Harding & Aiden Bedore. Aiden and Kevin are planning to be confirmed on Reformation Sunday, October 30 of this year.

Please Remember Trinity

Lutheran Church in Your Estate Planning

Recently one of our sainted members, Henry Radke, left a portion of his estate to Trinity which helped to open doors to new opportunities for mission, ministry, and very necessary upgrades and improvements. You may have participated in the first Champions for Christ gathering in January where we began to discuss mission and ministry - this was largely prompted by Mr. Radke's gift. The second one will be held April 30 on Saturday morning. When you remember God in your estate planning, please include Trinity Lutheran in your plans.

Women’s Candlelight Dinner

Fifty women gathered at Trinity for a lovely evening of laughter and friendship as we celebrated the 13th Annual Candlelight Dinner. The tables were set with the best china and lots of candles. The food was plentiful and delicious; There were long lines at the dessert table. I suppose it was hard to make a choice with so many to choose from.

Christine Milbrath played beautiful pre-dinner music. Our three young ladies, Christiana Allnatt, Rebekah Milbrath and Amanda Santana, read a special poem “Shopping for Mothers”. After Sharing the Peace, the Candlelight Choir lifted their voices in song with “The Gift of Love.”

One of the highlights of the evening was the talk by Cornell scientist, Pastor’s daughter, wife, mother and friend, Kristine Champion. She had pictures of the people who encouraged her along the way from childhood to present. It was God’s Perfect Plan. With each picture was a short story of how the person had guided her along with several Bible verses. It was very moving and I think it made many of us hope that we could be an auntie or grandma to her kids while they are here at Trinity like others had been to Kristine growing up in her home church.

We always open and close in prayer and have Lisa play the special Candlelight Benediction “Pass It On." Peg and I thank all of you that have supported the Candlelight Dinner and look forward to seeing you again next spring.

Christiana Allnatt Baptism

At the Easter morning Sonrise service we welcomed Christiana An Yu Hope Allnatt into the baptized membership of Trinity! Christiana is the daughter of Scott and Hope Allnatt, and sister of Gloriana. She is originally from Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province The People Republic of China. She is 13 years old and is in the seventh grade at Covenant Love Community School. Her Godmother is her aunt Gloria Carol Russell Nelson. Aunt Gloria lives in Wisconsin. Please include Christiana in your prayers as she grows in Christ!

Trinity Gallery

This year’s Couples’ Valentine Dinner was February 27. About twelve couples gathered together with fellowship, hors d’oeuvres, and a catered dinner on beautifully decorated tables. A Skype session with Rev. Dr. David Ludwig, director of “The Power of We Center for Family & Community Relations” was impressive and thought-provoking. The evening concluded with a renewal of wedding vows (pictured above) and yummy dessert.

Chef Michael Thompson preparing made-to-order omelets for the

Men’s Prayer Breakfast.

Rev. Alex Kowles, director of Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center, popped in to visit our Prayer and Pie group in March. Pastor Knowles stopped by to personally thank us for the special gift Pioneer received when Trinity shared a tithe of Henry Radke’s memorial gift.

The Reimers “kids” hosted a coffee hour to honor Walter’s and Betty’s birthdays.

Holy Week Events

On Palm Sunday we continued our tradition of processing to the cross in our backyard,

singing Hosanna and waving palm branches.

Karen Morby gave the children’s sermon at our Easter Sonrise service.

After our Easter Sonrise service the Youth Group treated us to a delicious breakfast of omelets, quiche, pancakes, and fruit and muffins. Thrivent Financial donated funds for us to use. Thank you!

Worship Assistants

** Communion Altar Care for April: Darcy Bedore and Katie Forker ▼ Altar Care for May: Geri Anderson and Betty Reimers

Date Elder Acolyte Ushers Lay Deacons

April 3 ** Clif Pollock Aiden Bedore Jim & Quinn Bedore Anita Aluisio

April 10 Dick Burlew Christiana Allnatt Bill & Mary Brodie Walt and Betty Reimers

April 17 ** Teddy Brenner John & Elsa Brenner Dick & Peg Burlew

April 24 Kevin Harding Kwang Yul Kim and

Walter Reimers Sheila Foote

May 1 ** Rebekah Milbrath Eeva Krusius and David Thurston

Myrth Guest & Susan Schattschneider

May 8 Tyler Santana Jim Morby and Renee Brutvan

Pat Hollingsworth & Janet Krizek

May 15 ** Ryan Milbrath Sue Schattschneider

& Jeff True Walt and Betty

Reimers

May 22 Amanda Santana Ray & Mary Wheaton Dick & Peg Burlew

May 29 ** Bill & Mary Brodie Anita Aluisio

Attendance

Worship Communion

Sunday, February 7, 10:30 am 75 62

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7:00 pm 39 26

Sunday, February 14, 10:30 am 73

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 7:00 pm 32


Wednesday, February 24, 7:00 pm 44


Wednesday, March 2, 7:00 pm 28

Sunday, March 6, 10:30 am 77 62


Sunday, March 13, 10:30 am 82


Sunday, March 20, 10:30 am 78 61

Maundy Thurs, March 24, 7:00 pm 69 55

Good Friday, March 25, 7:00 pm 55

Easter Sonrise, Mar 27, 7:00 am 56

Easter Sunday, March 27, 10:30 am 111 72

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