Annual Congregational MeetingTrinity Lutheran Church

Sunday, January 26, 2020Following Worship on that day!

Family Worship at 10:00 AM

Election of Church CouncilApproval of Budget

BrunchPlease bring a main dish to share.

ALL Members are encouraged to attend.

Dear Friends in Christ,

I’ll begin with a story personal. This past July, on what would prove to be one of the hottest days of this year, I was privileged and humbled to officiate at the marriage of my granddaughter, Rachel, to her now husband, Mike. The time stamps of the call of ministry are many and varied. They embody the richness of God’s grace and love – celebrations of joy and hope in the person of Christ. Reaching a point along the journey of ministry and bless Rachel and Mike in their marriage is one of those time stamps – to share in their love for each other and to embrace family and friends with the love God brings us in Jesus. Could I have ever imagined, when I began this call to ministry, that I would stand before this couple, in the backyard of a farmhouse when the heat index was over 100 degrees, sharing in this moment with them and all gathered on that day. Such is life both personal and vocational. Such is the journey of ministry.

As I consider the numerous time stamps of my ministry this past year among you and into the greater community, I am grateful to the God who gives me grace and strength to share in the Gospel and I am thankful for your share in that ministry of the Gospel through this year and all years. In numerous ways my gratefulness to God and to you is most pronounced this year. I say this because it’s been a tough year of heartbreak and loss. As the numbers suggest at the end of this report I officiated at the most funerals of any year I have served as a minister. The reasons for those who died were expected and unexpected, tragic and blessing. And, I know, as we navigated these waters together, we embraced each other in the love of Christ and we shared the comfort and

strength of God’s presence. Thank you for your support and encouragement, for your grace and wisdom, and for your willingness to serve families and friends with the consolation of God’s love in the midst of their grief.

I, also, know though that I, and this community of faith, live into faith each and every day. Our various ministries in this report present their own time stamps of your faith living and for your part in these ministries and mission opportunities we are blessed as a church. More than the ‘official’ ministry stamps of participation, I am always pleased and content in the knowledge of those everyday faith living encounters in which you share. There is joy and rejoicing in your doing ministry – serving and helping others both neighbor and stranger. You do these things and you shower care and compassion just because it’s what we do in response to the Gospel and the grace of Christ in our lives.

As I reflect upon 2019 I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to lift up that grace of Christ in the lives of others through the nurturing of their faith and in serving the greater community. As imperfect as I am I’d like to believe God continues to work through me into the lives of others providing hope. It is always my hope and prayer that in some small way that is the case for all of you – that, by the grace of God, I, and all of God’s people in this community of faith, share in the hope which we have in the crucified and resurrected Christ.

It is in that hope we share in the joy of the Gospel good news. This year, as with all years and all days, there is joy and gladness. Because, even as it was a tough year, it was, also, a year in which I celebrated with you the joy of our calling. I smile with joy at all the opportunities I was given opportunity to celebrate with you in worship and fellowship, in witness and service. I treasure those times – stamps upon my heart. I treasure your support

and encouragement of me and my ministry. I am blessed to be able to serve you alongside the staff of Trinity Lutheran – valuable partners in my ministry among you. And, I am, especially blessed for the person and presence of Rebecca in my life who continues to give me her wisdom and understanding, and her love and playfulness when I need these things the most.

As I begin this year and new decade with you, I look forward to the hope of our calling as God’s people in this place wherever the journey will lead us. Whereever that journey leads us may we we discern the Spirit working through us as God stamps the grace of Christ into our hearts.

Peace and Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Paul

Official Acts

Sermons 189 Baptisms 4 Funerals 21 (plus 4 committal services) Weddings 3 Classes 60 Meetings 76New Members Received 14

TLC Church Council Annual ReportJanuary 2020

I’ll begin as I did last year, with disbelief at how quickly another year has passed. One thing I am certain of, however, is how impressed, inspired, and grateful I am when I consider your continued witness to Jesus and the Cross – within our Church boundaries and in the greater community.

I also want to thank each member of the Church Council for their time, talent, and effort over the past year! I as I’ve said in the past and still can’t say it enough - that goes double for you, Pastor Paul! Thank you, Thank you! During our monthly meetings (and throughout the year), this group has faithfully and cheerfully carried out the business of the Church. Here are their names (please take a bow!):

Vice President Gina DepresFinancial Secretary Debbie JonesFinance Committee Jim Harlfinger

Eric HansenRecording Secretary Gil Softcheck

Council Members Annie JellisonHeather Pianfetti

Debi RoderickKaren Turner

There are also many others who have assisted on various committees, furthering our capabilities to fulfill our mission at Trinity Lutheran and out into the community. Thank you all so much for your efforts!

Our Youth Education programs continue to be a success! If you missed the Christmas Pageant, you missed another wonderful performance and reminder of the joy that comes with the season through the birth of a child! Though our numbers may be small, the hard work and dedication of Heather Pianfetti (and Deb Jones, and the rest) is really making a difference!

The Worship & Music committee’s efforts behind the scenes make Sunday’s worship service meaningful and uplifting. We continued the tradition of an annual service at the beach, with another successful gathering at Fort Phoenix. The committee is also searching for an organist to fill in when Linda takes a needed break from time-to-time. Many thanks to Klara Barlow for her assistance in this regard over so many years!

The Property committee has also been busy with various projects. Thanks to those who have helped on the clean-up day. While Pat Vieira continues to do such a great job in maintaining our Church (THANK YOU, Pat!!!), there are plans forming to focus on the inside of the building in coming weeks/months. We are also getting ready to complete some much-needed updating at the Parsonage. Look for opportunities to help us generate funding for a new kitchen… can you say “Kithcen Aid II”???

Regarding our financial status, the Finance Committee report is available for review (THANK YOU, Jim Harlfinger!). Many thanks to YOUR (the congregation’s) generosity!!! It showed brightly as we managed to finish the year in the black (again)! In particular, thanks for the generosity that made December a special month with significant gifts. This will make it easier to continue our ministries and complete necessary projects in 2020.

And here is a short listing of some of the great things we’ve accomplished during 2019: We continued our new approach to Stewardship with the Stir It Up campaign!!! (The reverse offering

led to so many wonderful stories again! A new TLC tradition has begun…)

We continue our efforts locally with food and shelter for those in need.

The Homecoming Fair with Brats and Marty lives on! (Thanks again, Debbie and Tom!)

Another wonderful success (and show of your generosity) with the Family-to-Family campaign that warmed the hearts of many families in need at Christmas time!

I’m sure I’m missing many other acts of wonder and kindness that are so commonplace within our Church walls and outside into the community.

FINAL NOTE: We are actively seeking new council members. Come join in the fun, we’d love to have you!!!Looking forward to 2020, let’s continue to Stir It Up, sharing our ministry at Trinity Lutheran and beyond!

Respectfully,

Richard Theg, Church Council President

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP aka SEWING CIRCLE

Women’s Fellowship continues to meet on Tuesday mornings at 10:00am. Skills, both practical and spiritual, are shared as well as food, fun, fellowship, devotion and prayer. Week after week, support is offered by sharing stories of faith and hope. In service to the sick and the homebound, cards of comfort and encouragement are sent on a regular basis. In addition, working ladies and ladies unable to meet on Tuesdays (and some men), work at home knitting and crafting in preparation for the fair. All of these individuals are a blessing and an important part of our mission and continue to play a vital role during the Christmas Fair.

The annual Christmas Fair is the highlight of the year. Proceeds from the Fair support the ministry of the church along with local community outreach programs. In addition to the church, this year’s proceeds went towards purchasing a cake for the Confirmation class, donating to Community Nurse and Hospice of Fairhaven, the Salvation Army and the Shepherd’s Pantry. In addition, some of our spare hats, scarves and baby blankets were donated to the New Bedford Women’s Center, St. Anne’s Hospital and the pastors Survival Kits for the Homeless.

If you knit or sew or want to learn, you are welcome to join the Women’s Fellowship ladies on Tuesdays where coffee and conversation awaits your arrival.

Mission Report

As a congregation we affirm that the church and this congregation is God’s mission and that we are part of Christ’s ministry and mission to the whole world, whole society, whole person, and the whole church. In other words, the mission and ministry of the church is to meet the physical, spiritual, emotional needs of people, families, neighborhoods, communities, and nations. Your generous support of our outreach to all people speaks well of an understanding that Trinity is alive and well in our ministry to the needs of the whole. Thank you and read on.

The Shepherd’s Pantry

The local community food bank known as the Shepherd’s Pantry continues as a generous ministry of the congregations of Fairhaven and Acushnet. Trinity has been involved with the pantry from the pantry’s beginnings and, throughout the years, we have had faithful and dedicated volunteers who have served. Marie Mindle is our church representative and, if you want to be involved in the work of the Pantry, please contact her or the church office.. Below we share excerpts from two recent, end of the year, emails from those who administer the work of the Pantry:

As we head into a new year, we wish to thank all of our loyal volunteers who come out week after week in all kinds of weather, to make sure that the Pantry is up and running for our Saturday opening. Thanks to all who helped out in any way for another successful year in our mission of helping the hungry. During the year, we helped a total of 86 families every week, or 4,300 families with almost 10,000 family members. How many people can say that they helped 10,000 hungry people this year?

We will be observing the 20th anniversary of our first opening back in the workshop of the old Tripp School on Bridge Street in Fairhaven in January of 2000. Since then, we have never had to close for lack of food, as members of our sponsors churches and other donors have kept us going with their generous help. God bless everyone who has helped us in any way during the past 20 years.

Market Ministries (Soup Kitchen)

Thank you also to those who volunteer to serve on the first Monday of each month. We welcome more volunteers in this role. Please call the church office if you wish to volunteer. This year we, also, began to volunteer to help serve a Sunday evening dinner to the residents of the Grace Shelter House and the overflow shelter residents during the winter months. Dates of this service are nonspecific and are dependent on when we are needed. If you would like to be a part of this team, please contact Pastor Paul

Inter Church Council of Greater New Bedford

We continue our financial support of the Inter Church Council. The ICC is a vital ministry to our greater communities as seen in the role it continues to play in such ministries as its work with those struggling with addiction, suicide prevention, as well as many other needs of the community. Pastor Paul serves as a Board member.

Souper Bowl of CaringOn February 3 the congregation of Trinity came together to worship and to share in a soup luncheon to benefit the Shepherd’s Pantry. We offer our thanks to the Confirmation class, to all who made soup, and to all who supported this year’s efforts. Our worship that day reflected the power of the Spirit as the students led worship and presented a skit called “The Twelfth Man on the Team!” Through your involvement in this annual event we once again saw a generous amount raised of over $1,200 for the Pantry. What is marvelous about this experience is that all

monies go directly to feed the hungry of our area. Please note that in the 17 years in which we have participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring, we have raised over $20,000. Every cent has been given to the ongoing ministry of the Shepherd’s Pantry. Thank you!

Food for the Poor

During the season of Lent, we entered our eleventh year, led by the children of the church, in a Food for the Poor ministry called “Operation Starfish”. We invited the whole membership of the church to bring their pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters and any other loose change which we collected in an aquarium. Some even emptied their banks into the aquarium. In 2008 we raised $600. In 2009 we raised $500. In 2010 we raised $500 plus, in 2011 we raised $500 plus, in 2012 we raised $500 plus, and in 2013 we raised $500, in 2014 we raised $860, in 2015 we raised $740, and in 2016 we raised $640, in 2017 we raised $660, in 2018 we raised $563, and last year we raised $818.00, our largest total ever!!!! Thank you.

Baskets of Promise

During the season of Lent we entered our fourth year in the ministry called “Baskets of Promise.” As a ministry of Lutheran World Relief, we joined in assembling school care kits for distribution to children throughout the world. From the children to the adults the greeting area of the church became filled with notebooks, scissors, pens, pencils and other educational items. We are grateful for your support of this ministry.

ELCA World Relief and Disaster Relief

The year of 2019 was a year filled with its share of natural disasters. As we witnessed the devastation to communities from these events, the congregation responded with generous hearts to support the ongoing work of the ELCA Disaster Fund. We are grateful for your support to our brothers and sisters throughout the world. The White Elephant room at our Christmas Fair raised $205.00 for ELCA Good Gifts. With those funds we purchased chicks, a goat, and a microloan for a woman starting a business! Thank you to Ruth and Gail and our Confirmation Class for serving on that day!!!

Family to Family Project

In conjunction with local social service agencies we participated in the Family to Family project. We were provided the names of 45 children in need this Christmas season and, through angels on a tree, members were invited to choose an angel and purchase gifts for their individual. The

Confirmation class sponsored one child and we went shopping to provide gifts for this child. Thank you to all.

Christian Education/Nurture

We continue to see and experience the Spirit of the living God in our nurture of people of all ages within the congregation of Trinity Lutheran. Our Christian Education class has grown since last year with approximately 10 children who attend on a regular basis. Debbie Jones and Heather Pianfetti are continuing to serve as Christian educators on Sundays this year. Family members of the children also help out a great deal when needed which is appreciated. We are so fortunate to work with a great group of bright and funny children.

We continue to use the children's Sparks bible and worksheets that coincides with the gospel and/or lessons for the day. The Spark's children's bible reading allows us to remind the children of the important lesson and the worksheets serve to reinforce the lessons. The worksheets are for pre-readers and readers,. We often use a combination of the worksheets in order to have something for all age groups. The children also have been given

religious craft projects that are usually seasonal in nature. In addition, the children were so excited to perform in the Christmas program; they did a fantastic job!!!

As with every year, one emphasis of the nurture of our children has been their service to the greater community through Lutheran World Relief, Food for the Poor, and the Christmas “Family to Family” project. We do live Jesus into the world. Thank you then to all volunteer teachers for your work with the children and to all parents for their support and encouragement. Our confirmation program continues on Wednesday evenings where we nurture the faith of the young people of the church. This year’s class consists of great group of 6 young people. The adult study group continues to meet on Wednesday mornings when we study the lessons and readings for the upcoming Sunday. You are welcome to join us for this time of fellowship and nurture.

Property Committee

We would like to begin by expressing our thanks to Patricia Vieira, our church custodian, for her care of the church property. Day after day Patricia is here to watch over the property and becomes our eyes to point us to those areas of the church which need to be fixed, repaired, or improved. With her help we continue to generate a list of those needs which is posted on a bulletin board in the hallway of the church. We invite you to examine the list and take any of these projects as a way to serve the church.

One major project which occurred this year was the removal of many of the hedges and bushes around the perimeter of the church building. After 40 years there was a need to open up that space. The Council approved this need and we enlisted the church’s landscaper to accomplish the work.

The Committee welcomes any and all members who would like to be involved in the work of the Property Committee. We are, always, seeking people to help in any way.

WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE REPORT

“Worship is a unifying event in the life of a congregation. It is the one time when...members join together in a common purpose--to worship and thank God for God’s grace given to all in Word and Sacrament.” (elca.org.worship committee)

Trinity’s Worship and Music Committee meets each month to plan the worship experience for all services. In addition to choosing hymns to deepen and enhance the worship service, the committee makes liturgical changes such as new worship services to help focus our understanding of the different liturgical seasons. We continue to be a church of Word and Sacrament where the Gospel is preached and shared in water, wine, and bread. We, also, continue to serve the greater community as we open our doors to others in the

community such as the annual Hospice remembrance service held in conjunction with the Community Nurse of Fairhaven. Worship takes on many forms as witnessed by these photos: the Blessing of the Animals service and our annual beach service at Fort Phoenix. We, also, are committed to bring comfort and hope to families through a meaningful ministry in times of death. This year we, especially, embraced this aspect of our ministry and we are forever grateful to Pastor Paul, Linda Leahey, and all involved with this ministry as well as the work of the Bereavement Committee led by Linda Johannessen

We continue as a church to be blessed by committed musicians in this church who enhance the liturgy through our organ and the TLC band which has supported the 8:15 and 9:30 a.m. services approximately once a month. We have also witnessed the continuation of vocal talent in our services including soloists and a small but enthusiastic choral group at the 11:00 am service. You are more than welcome to join them in song!

A word also needs to be shared concerning the faithful ministry of Klara Barlow in the worship life of this congregation. After many years of service to this congregation as choir director and substitute organist, Klara shared with the committee it was time for her to step away from these duties. Klara indeed exemplified these words of Martin Luther in her ministry: “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise.” We offer Klara our highest praise and give thanks for her ministry among us.

With Klara’s ‘retirement’ we are currently seeking individual(s) to serve as a pianist, substitute organist, and to work with our choral group in that capacity.

We appreciate those are willing to serve in important ways in each service by ushering, being communion assistants, and reading the lessons. We welcome anyone who is willing to help out. If interested, please call the church office and let John Softcheck, our Administrator, know. The committee welcomes feedback from the congregation. This year’s members include Pastor Paul, Linda Leahey, Klara Barlow, Dolores Fitzgerald, Kathy DaCosta, and Janet Buehler.

Attendance

Service Total #Services Average

8:15 1,321 45 29 (29)

9:30 1,552 45 34 (32)

11:00 1,752 45 39 (46)

Total 5,414 52 104 (108)

The numbers above include one service only Sundays on January 27 (75), February 3 (118), Palm Sunday (April 14 –two services) (134), May 12 (98), August 25 (109), November 17 (92) and December 22 (163).