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GRAPEVINE FEBRUARY 2014

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 612 Main Street

Westbrook, ME 04092

Karen, Pastor Bonnie, Editor Phone – (207) 854-5653 Phone – (207) 854-5653 Email – pastor@trinitywestbrook.com Email – office@trinitywestbrook.com

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Regular hours of Worship 10:30 am Sunday School at 9:15 am for all ages

PASTOR’S REFLECTIONS

The long December days of darkness are gradually moving into longer hours of daylight. In spite of the relentless cold of this winter, we all know that there are days ahead when the sun will shine and actually warm the earth. Light has a way of doing that, of bringing hope into the darkest and coldest corners of our lives and warming our hearts. Epiphany is the season of light, as the baby visited by the magi matures into a man who is baptized and commissioned for a ministry that brings light to the world. However, Jesus never fulfilled his mission of bringing light to the world by himself. He called disciples to travel with him, ordinary people who would learn from him, albeit slowly, and carry on his light after he left this earth. Jesus is still calling disciples, ordinary people like you and me. We are called to do his mission of bringing light to the world, but never doing it alone. We are part of a community of faith that is commissioned to work together. Sometimes that is a challenge, as we all make mistakes, tending to look out for ourselves first, running in the other direction when the going gets tough, stepping on toes and creating hard feelings along the way – not unlike those original disciples. But let us never forget that we are bearers of the light of Christ. That means that we live in a community where forgiveness is foremost and the light we radiate is filled with love and kindness.

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Eva’s 95th Birthday-Breaking Bread Trinity Live Nativity – December 2013

Saint Lucia Pageant – December 2013

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Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Don’t miss a thing at Trinity!

“When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost,

To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among brothers and sisters, To make music in the heart.” Howard Thurman

"Souper" Bowl of Caring Sunday Feb. 2nd is this year's big day for the Super Bowl and while millions of people watch this one game, more food will be prepared and consumed than during any other regular season game. In 1990 a faith-based crusade began with young people who wanted to make a difference and help fight hunger and contribute their efforts through volunteerism. Their efforts have grown to over 8,000 groups who last year raised $7 million and since 1990 over $98 million has been given to help those in need. At Trinity we like to continue on with the young people's efforts and support the "Souper" Bowl of Caring program. This year the organization we chose is the Westbrook Community Meal. This weekly program is a true testament to the needs here in our own community to provide a warm meal for individuals & families who don't always have enough to eat. Please consider donating on Feb. 2nd during the fellowship time as our Youth will be around with Pots to take up a collection for our Weekly Community Meal. We will also receive some matching funds through Thrivent. Canned food and non-perishable items are also welcomed. Thanks for your support. Brenda for Social Ministry

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT During the months of January and February, in the season of Epiphany, Pastor Karen has been preaching a series on the Fruit of the Spirit. You can find the nine evidences of this fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. Come and see how your faith can bear fruit!

LENT Easter is late this year, thus delaying the start of Lent until March 5, Ash Wednesday. The midweek Lenten services this year will be at First Lutheran in Portland. More details about the Lenten season

will be upcoming in next month’s Grapevine.

CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS New Council members, (Doug , JoAnn, Beth, Elsie, Pastor Norm, Priscille, Bob, Deb and Alitza),were voted in at the Annual Meeting on January 26. Council met briefly after the meeting and elected officers: President - Beth; Vice President –

Pastor Norm; Secretary – Elsie. Jane, Treasurer and Karen as Pastor are ad hoc members of the council.

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SPRING GATHERING OF WOMEN - ELCA – Planning Meeting on Saturday, February 8, 10 am-1 pm @ Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Augusta. See bulletin board for more information or email Sherri at SMcKay50@hotmail.com

A VALENTINE TEA will be held for all seniors, members and friends, on Friday, February 14 at 12:00. Our tea cups and tea pots are ready. There will be delicious food and beverages, as well as

great entertainment. Please RSVP to Alice and also let her know if you need transportation. HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING - Seeking Caring and Compassionate Hospice Volunteers! This special 20-hour training will prepare you to be part of the VNA Home Health Hospice team bringing comfort to individuals and families facing a terminal illness. The gift of your presence for companionship, caregiver respite, and practical non-medical help will be treasured by those you support during this difficult time. Who: Caring volunteers to visit hospice clients; When: Four Fridays: March 7, 14, 21, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, March 28 - 10:00-3:00; Where: VNA Home Health Hospice, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, ME 04106; How: Call Linda Hopkins, 400-8714 for an application or e-mail hopkinsl@emhs.org A pre-training interview is required – Call today for more information! GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP STARTS MARCH 5th - Wednesdays, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, March 5 through April 9 at VNA Home Health Hospice, 50 Foden Rd. in South Portland. This will be a closed group (same group of people meeting for the 6 sessions) that works best if you are able to attend all sessions. You must speak with Linda to register to attend this group. For more information or to sign up for the group, call Linda Hopkins, Bereavement Coordinator, 400-8714 or e-mail hopkinsl@vnahomehealth.org.

THRIVENT CHALLENGE GRANT AWARDED TO TRINITY Our congregation has been awarded an opportunity to receive up to $5000 with a Thrivent Challenge Grant. Money donations made and received for storage space (shed) and freezer for our Community Meal between December 1, 2013

and March 31, 2014 will be supplemented 50 cents for each dollar raised up to a total grant of $5,000. If you would like to contribute, a check can be made out to Trinity Lutheran Church with "Meal grant" on the memo line.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS - CONGRATULATIONS to three of our Rejoicing Spirits regulars, (that we know of) who participated in the Special Olympics and brought home medals – Jenny, Matt, and Robert. They competed in very cold temperatures and lots of snow falling. Jenny won bronze medal in the 200m and won a silver medal in the 400m.They all worked very hard and had a great time at the

games. We are proud of you!

Trip to Germany JoAnn recently traveled to Germany, the homeland of her ancestors, with her daughters, Leona and Jessica and her granddaughter, Ilse. They spent time in Berlin and in Nuremberg (where she visited her first church), Munich, Schwinger, Ulm, Cologne and then back to Berlin! JoAnn will be doing a journal - ask more about her interesting and very exciting trip!

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ONGOING

ETHIOPIAN AND ERITREAN FELLOWSHIP IN SONG AND PRAYER – Our Ethiopian and

Eritrean brothers and sisters from Westbrook and greater Portland are meeting weekly at Trinity every Saturday at 3:00pm in the fellowship hall for a Celebration of Prayer and Praise in their native languages.

REJOICING SPIRITS – Third Sunday in the month at 4:00 pm: Casual and user friendly for those with disabilities or mental challenges. We have a sign language interpreter. Families and

caregivers, as well as anyone else who would like to attend are invited. The next worship service will be Sunday, February 16 fellowship meal hosted by the Worship Committee.

PRAYER GROUP – Meets Wednesday at 11:15. Many prayer concerns have been lifted up and many thanksgivings raised. We invite all who cannot attend to consider praying with us at 11:15 on Wednesday from wherever you are at that time. There are prayer request cards and a box to place them in after they are filled out on the table next to the office door.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY meets the first Wednesday of the month at 10:00am. We would love to have you join us!

PAUL’S PALS (Paul’s Pals meets on Sunday afternoons, one Sunday a month at 2:00 PM, to sing at an area Nursing Home.) February 23 – Canco at Birchwoods

SENIOR SAINTS (Senior Saints meets on Wednesday, the third Wednesday of every month at 11:00 at North Deering Congregational Church for Bible Study and lunch. Please contact Mary Ann Gagnon ahead

of time to reserve a spot for lunch. At 2:00 PM, they gather to sing at an area Nursing Home) This is a reminder that Senior Saints will be doing an extra program in February. We will be singing for the Westbrook Senior Citizens gathering on Monday, February 3 at 1:30. They would like us to arrive at 1:15. They meet at the Westbrook Community Center, Wescott School. Wednesday, February 19, we will sing at the Inn at Casco at 2:00.

COMMUNITY MEAL: Every Wednesday at My Place Teen Center, from 5:00-6pm, a free meal

is served for anyone in the community. It is sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church doing food prep, serving and cleanup, with the Wayside Food Programs providing the ingredients. 679

meals were served in October and 534 meals in November at My Place Teen Center! This Outreach Mission is in need of volunteers on Wednesday afternoons to cook and later to serve or clean up. Please contact Jane Sinclair. BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are being offered at the community meal.

THURSDAY NOON COMMUNITY MEALS Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church at 810 Main Street - Thursday Noon Community Meals. See Trinity bulletin board for more information. If you have any questions please feel free to call the church (854-9157) Monday through Friday, 8am-3pm. Menu – 2/6/14 Roast Pork; 2/13/14 Shepherd’s Pie; 2/20/14

Meatloaf; 2/27/14 Beef Pie; 3/6/14 Chicken & Gravy

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THANK YOU!

Thank you to the volunteers from Trinity who consistently help prepare the meal, set up, serve and clean up for our weekly community meal. Some volunteers work once a month and there are those who work every Wednesday from 1 o’clock to 7:30. A big thank you to Abera & Werkenesh, Alice & Ted, Brenda, Beverly G., Dick & Marilyn, Elsie, Priscille, Norm B, Shelly, Ken, Deb K, JoAnn G, Jane D, Pam B, Kevin, Shirley, Carey & Peggy, Darlene, Mike, Christina, Ralph, Mary K., Tujube, Pastor Karen and Jane S. We served over 6000 meal to our guests in 2013. A BIG THANK YOU to all who participated in our gift to the City of Westbrook – the Live Nativity. Thank you to Ted & Ralph for again building the stable and putting up the lights, to Elsie for the costumes, to Hillary Knight and the Wilde’s family for bringing animals, to Pastor Karen for helping with the costumes and Bethlehem Café and to Jane S. for coordinating this event. Dear Members – Thank you for your generous contribution to the Good Samaritan Fund. The money wisely goes to people in need of help with oil and food. Once again, thank you for your thoughtful gift. Ann Dear Trinity Lutheran – Thank you! Your believing in us is inspiring, helpful, and so needed. We are humbled by your support and are grateful for your friendship! You enrich our lives. May your 2014 be filled with extraordinary moments, gentle friendships and stellar opportunities! Thank you, Donna My Place Teen Center Dear Friends at Trinity Lutheran Thank you for your generous donation to Friendship House in 2013 and support of men in recovery, here. With the help of our friends and supporters, we continue to serve men in Greater Portland and throughout Maine as they seek recovery from addiction and substance abuse. Our supporters play a large role in the many success stories we see throughout the year, as men gain sobriety, steady employment and long term housing solutions. It is a blessing to see hope restored and relationships rebuilt in many of their lives! Thank you again for sharing in these stories. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I wish you all a blessed coming year. Sincerely, Herb, Executive Director, Friendship House

On behalf of our thousands of seafarers, I would like to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation for your church’s gift of $227 to the Mission. Your willingness to reach out and impact these often forgotten men and women who daily risk their lives for our benefit makes a powerful statement. As I and our other ship chaplains visit these ships, we hear the words of gratitude from

the crew “Thank God for the Seafarers Mission? What would we do without your visits?” Rev. Stephen, Executive Director and Senior Chaplain

To Parish Care We thank you for your gifts this Christmas Season and inviting us to go with you for lunch at the Mills home. We wish you a Happy New Year filled with blessings. Love, Roger & Sally ****************************************************************************************** I want to thank the Parish Care Group for helping me through the difficult 2013 period in my life. You have been wonderful! As a longtime member, since 1951 or 1952, it is gratifying to see our church involvement in so many areas and the solid accomplishments that have resulted. People do make a difference and ours are especially talented! We often forget that many of our parents were immigrants and really had to struggle with language, different customs and challenging work opportunities, as a first generation American, I am pleased to see how well our congregation has responded to welcoming our new Americans. Sincerely, Steve

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****************************************************************************************** You do a great job of caring for the people of Trinity – also for any of God’s children who come to your attention. What a blessing you are! Your grateful friends, Emma, Jinn, Honor ****************************************************************************************** Thanks again for the special New Year and get well wishes for the New Year. You are all my special friends. I feel better each day thanks to Our Lord and God. Love & Prayers, Mary ****************************************************************************************** Thank “You All” (my southern blood!) for not one BUT two – “Greetings” for the past Holiday and the New Year! When you are a pretty much “shut-in” it is so nice to receive “Greetings”! May each and every one who took the time to sign my greetings-May I wish you and your family the Best of Best New Year! God Bless! Betty (Elizabeth) ****************************************************************************************** To Trinity Lutheran What would Westbrook do without you folks? Thank you so much for the $1,200. Westbrook Food Pantry “Santas” Thank you for helping a family for Christmas. The kids were surprised and you created wonderful memories for them. They drew some pictures of their favorite things. We were truly blessed!!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU!

Sent from my iPhone Hello, It's Krista! I hope this email finds everyone in good health and faith. I just want to thank everyone for the box of goodies I received from Trinity Lutheran. I'm so lucky to have a congregation that remembers the people serving over here in Afghanistan. I'm doing well, very busy pulling medical coverage for job sites and convoys around the country.

Not every place I go has Internet, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to say thank you. I’ll try and keep in touch by email or letter. Thank you again. The medics I work with loved the treats as well!!!!

Take care and thank you.

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A Bit from Bonnie

In a word, there are three things that last: faith, hope, and

love; but the greatest of them all is love. (1 Cor. 13:13)