To the great church in Yankton named Trinity Lutheran, I often reflect on difficult questions and striving to find answers. One question that has fascinated me for most of my life is this; What is the meaning to life? I remember the movie City Slickers and the character Curly, played by Jack Palance, describes his view to the meaning of life. Curly talking to Mitch says, “You know what the secret to life is? Mitch says, no, what? Curly holds up one finger and points to his index finger, Mitch says your finger? Curly says not my finger but one thing, just one thing. Mitch says what is that one thing? Curly responds that is what you have to figure out.” So here is my one thing that I have figured out. The meaning to life ,as I understand it, has to do with the interconnectedness of relationships both macro and micro. Everything and everyone is connected by way of relationships both positive and negative. No one person is greater than another person, even if one person has more means by which to live; we are all connected. I have never been to the Notre Dame Cathedral that burned a few days ago, even though I have studied its architecture and its artwork in the stained glass windows. When it burned, a part of me wept for the loss. Another words, what happens in Paris affects me in Yankton. I am not on the map of the majority of human beings on the planet. Yet, I could meet Shadrach (a good friend of mine from India) fifteen years ago and our connectedness happened because of a relationship I had to someone else I knew in India. Even if you were a monk who lived in the desert hundreds of years ago, it is possible that though a desert mystic not in relationship to anyone at his time that, that persons writings might influence all of us who read him now. Because of the interconnectedness of being in relationship to others, our faith relationship to God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit can help others searching for the meaning to life when those questions arise. So one aspect of the meaning to life might seem obvious to some or it might cause you to think that is not the meaning to life for me. It is my hope that even trying to answer the question is worthwhile and does create opportunity for growth in how we live and move and shine our lights to the world around us. Summer is coming,

Pastor Jeff M. Otterman

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA)

Worship, Serve, Proclaim www.tlcyankton.com 403 Broadway, Yankton SD 57078 Telephone (605) 665-7415

Senior Pastor David Wildermuth srpastor.tlc@iw.net (605) 660-3458

Associate Pastor Jeff M. Otterman j.otterman@me.com (605) 645-0396

Secretary’s email: doris.tlc@iw.net (Doris) or sec.tlc@iw.net (Julie)

No Wednesday night activities or Sunday School: *last day of Confirmation - May 1

*last day of Sunday School - May 12

Saturdays Contemporary Service 5:30 p.m.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sundays Contemporary Service (until May 19) 8:15 a.m. (beginning May 26 every other weekend) 9:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 9:30 a.m. (beginning May 26) 8:30 a.m. Traditional Service (until May 19) 10:45 a.m. (beginning June 2 every other weekend) 9:00 a.m.

Church Happenings

Gifts and Memorials

In Honor of Ron & Jan Bertsch For Debt Reduction from Darlene Kunde and

Clark & Sandra Van De Walle

In Honor of Ron & Jan Bertsch

For Trinity Choir from Wayne & Jolene Williamson

In Loving Memory of Vyonne Bak

For Trinity Choir from Norma Andersen

In Loving Memory of Duane Bauder For the Capital Campaign from Pauline Finck

In Loving Memory of Justice Steven Zinter For the Capital Campaign from Jerry & Marti Pollard

In Memory of Charles R. Huntley

For Debt Reduction from Ron & Jan Bertsch

In Memory of Rodger Harts For Debt Reduction from Jerald & Sheila Swedlund

Church Happenings

Baptism Marriage Cara Stanosheck Fred Hornstra, Jr. & Karen E. Dawson Daughter of James & Andrea Stanosheck April 5, 2019 Born: December 28, 2018 Baptized: April 7, 2019

MAY MISSION OF THE MONTH: BIG FRIEND, LITTLE FRIEND “Big Friend-Little Friend, Inc. has been around since 1977,

improving the lives of residents of Yankton and surrounding areas. Their

mission is ‘to positively impact area youth through fostering one-to-one friendships with caring

adult mentors, who help facilitate positive character’. BFLF works with youth ages 7-14 years.

These youth reside in Yankton, Gayville, Irene, Crofton, Tyndall and Tabor. Requirements for

becoming a Big Friend: you must be 18 years of age, live in Yankton or surrounding areas, be able

to pass a background check, and have 2-4 hours per month to spend with your Little Friend.

Common activities matches to do together include going to the library, playing catch, disc golfing,

kayaking, bike riding, swimming, fishing, going to the Laser Barn, NFAA Archery Center or Summit

Center, and many other things. The important part of being a mentor is to just be there for your

Little Friend. Building positive character and being a good role model is part of being a mentor as

well.

Big Friend-Little Friend also holds monthly Fun Functions for Big Friends, Little Friends and

family members to get together and do a fun activity. Examples of these include renting out the

Yankton Ice Arena, the Summit Center swimming pool, Wild Water West, The Pavilion in Sioux

Falls, flying with the Young Eagles program, and many more. We also teach how Character ties into

each activity. Youth learn while having fun – it’s a win-win situation!

BFLF also began offering one-on-one tutoring services in January of 2015.

For information on how to enroll your child as a Little Friend, become a Big Friend, or to

help the program in some other way, you can contact BFLF in several ways: go to their website at

bigfriendlittlefriend.org, call them at 665-6766, e-mail the at info@yanktonunitedway.org or visit

them in person at 610 W 23rd St, Suite 11, in the United Way Nonprofit Center.

“Be a Hero. Mentor a Child!”

“Treat a child as though he already is the person he’s capable of becoming.”

The Office will be closed on

May 27, 2019 in observance of

Memorial Day.

Thank you to Ron Bertsch, Jim DeBoer, Brian Engebretson, Arlin Likness and Kyle Repp for their April 19th visitation to the inmates at Springfield. Trinity

Lutheran is grateful for the time you give to this outreach ministry.

“Meals On Wheels”

A big thank you to those members of Trinity who helped to deliver Meals on Wheels during the month of April. These generous people are as follows: Matt & Abbie Bertsch, Lois Bottolfsen, Neil & MaryEllen Bowes, Diane Houdek, Charles & Cheryl Leiferman, and Helen & Mike Miller. “Meals On Wheels” is always welcoming new volunteers. Please call Shari Hovland at (605)661-4142 if you would like to share in the joy of providing a very important service to those in need.

“Older Wiser

Lutherans”

There will be no

meeting of the OWL’s

during the month

of May. Keep

your eyes open

for an

announcement

about meeting in

early June!

Mark your calendar

May 2 National Day of Prayer @ County Government Center May 4th 7:00 p.m. Mount Marty College Performing Arts

presents John Rutter’s “Requiem” in the Bishop Marty Chapel

May 28th 5:00-7:30 p.m. 28th Annual “Kid’s Art Fest 2019” at Riverside Park.

Contact Julie Amsberry at 665-9754 or email Director@YanktonAreaArts.org

to participate.

July 25 8:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Aging Faithfully Conference at Augustana

University Elmen Center/Registration began April 1 ($25), $35 on/after

July 15

Mount Marty College

Performing Arts

presents John Rutter's

"Requiem” on

Saturday, May 4, 2019 at

7:00 p.m. in the Bishop

Marty Chapel.

The performance will

feature a soprano soloist, professional

orchestra and the choirs of Mount Marty

College. This event is free and open to the

public. For more information contact Brandon

Connell at brandon.connell@mtmc.edu.

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

Trinity will have a new member orientation on May 4th & 5th at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. New member reception will be on May 12th at 9:30 a.m. Please join us to learn more about what it means to be a Lutheran at Trinity! Contact the office with questions at (605)665-7415 or email: doris.tlc@iw.net or sec.tlc@iw.net

KOINONIA Koinonia will be on May 23rd and will be held the 4th Thursday of each month through October. If you know of someone who is not able to get to church, this may be great for them! Transportation is provided, a brief (half hour) communion service is held in the Sanctuary and followed by a provided lunch in the Growth Room (middle room of the Multi-Purpose Room). This is a ministry of Trinity and there is no charge.

Call Linda Balfany @665-5012 for more information.

May 1st Dinner at Big River Burrito and walk the bridge

May 8th Laser Barn and Dairy Dock

Schedule of Events:

Prayer Shawl Ministry Knitters & crocheters welcome

for any project! Help us make shawls

or other items that can provide

comfort to those who may need it! We

will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of

each month at 7pm in the narthex.

If you have questions or need a ride,

please contact Trinity Lutheran

Church @665-7415.

See you May 14th

at 7pm!

Bible Day Camp Mark Your Calendars! Bible

Day Camp will be June 17 - 20, 2019!

Sunday school students here for the Camp Promo received registration information for 2019-20 Sunday school year (blue sheet) and Bible Day Camp (white sheet). Please

complete and return by the end of the Sunday school year! Or

go to tlcyankton.com (resources) to find the

registration forms.

Trinity Lutheran will be changing our worship times again this summer

beginning Memorial Day Weekend on Sunday with a Contemporary Service and ending the summer schedule on

Labor Day Weekend. The summer schedule is as follows: Saturdays @ 5:30 p.m. Contemporary Service

Sundays @ 9:00 a.m. Contemporary service on May 26th (every other weekend)

Sundays @ 9:00 a.m. Traditional service on June 2nd (every other weekend)

The high school youth group is collecting supplies for the

Pathways Homeless Shelter. The youth group will be

delivering them and learn about their program and the need

in the community. If you would like to contribute, here is a

list of the requested items. Please deliver items to the

church and place in the baskets under the information table.

Toilet Paper

Paper towels

Plastic Cutlery

Garbage bags (13gal or larger)

Laundry Soap

Storage bags (sandwich, quart

& gallon sized)

Bath Towels

Wash cloths

Diapers & wipes asst sizes.

(3,4,5 most common)

Food storage containers

Reuseable bags for

groceries

Magic erasers

Cleaning cloths/rags

All Purpose Cleaner

Toilet cleaner

Bathroom Cleaner

Swiffer sweepers

Windex/Glass Cleaner

Air fresheners

Medical supplies (first aid kits,

cold/flu medicine)

Education

Pam Brockberg pam.tlc@iw.net 660-7569

May

1 Final night of Confirmation for the school year

5 Sunday school students sing during worship

5 Confirmation Introduction w/ 5th graders & parents 10 am

8 Adult Huddle meeting with Confirmation guides

12 Last day of Sunday school

19 Graduation Milestone 8:15 am

19 Graduation Reception 9:15 am

Graduation Milestone: Sunday, May 19, during the 8:15 am worship service, there will be a graduation blessing with Trinity’s graduating High School seniors. You may offer your

congratulations and celebrate with them, during the reception in the narthex, following the service.

Camper Fundraiser: There is a bulletin board in the Education hallway with envelopes. Take

an envelope (or 2) and put in the amount listed on the front. Thank you for helping Trinity

send our youth to summer camp.

Mark Your Calendars! Bible Day Camp will be June 17 - 20, 2019!

Sunday school students here for the Camp Promo received registration

information for 2019-20 Sunday school year (blue sheet) and Bible Day

Camp (white sheet). Please complete and return by the end of the Sunday

school year! Or go to tlcyankton.com (resources) to find the

registration forms.

We can still use the remind app for text message announcements! If you would like to be included in a group text for reminders, cancellations, etc about Sunday school and Confirmation, please text @tlc7415 to 81010.

Operation Christmas Child: We are collecting Hygiene Items (toothbrushes, deodorant, combs, hair brushes, soap, washcloths, etc. You could also bring hair accessories, backpacks, water bottles, flashlights, solar calculators, sports balls with mini-air pumps, stuffed animals, etc. If you are interested in helping, please place any of these items in the basket in the narthex.

Get in on the Planning! Education committee still needs members! Help oversee adult educational

opportunities as well as Trinity’s Sunday school, Spark, Confirmation and Milestone Ministry

programs. Plan fun family events throughout the year, organize VBS and fundraisers to help send

students to summer Bible camps. Contact me to volunteer.

Thank you to everyone who provided soup for Wednesday night

Lenten meals!

Executive Council Minutes - March 17, 2019

6:30 p.m. Committee Meetings 7:30 p.m. Congregational Council PRESENT: Pastor Dave Wildermuth, Pastor Jeff Otterman, Pastor Kwen Sanderson, Jim Wehrer, Dave Spencer, Dan Semmler,

Arlene Ryken, Nick Moser, Ted Risty, Wayne Johnson, and Sherrie Wehrer. A. Congregational Council B. Opening Devotions – Pastor David Wildermuth

1. Pastor gave the devotion from Psalm 27:14. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart.” C. Committee Reports (short summary-1 minute each)

1. Youth and Family by a) No report was given. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 20th. b) Pastor Dave did inquire about a project. He knows of a one-story house that needs to be scraped, primed, and painted. Thrivent would help with the supplies and the youth would do the work. Nick said his brother Jon would help supervise. Pastor will move ahead to pursue this project.

2.Trustees by Ted Risty a) If there is another large snowfall, we will need to hire someone to move the snow piles away. b) Had trouble with 3 boilers. Got one running and had to get other 2 fixed. c) A folding machine was purchased for the office for $606.00. d) The riding lawnmower needs repairs. Will get this fixed before mowing season. e) Need to fix small roof over the lean-to. f) The approximate cost is $12,000.00 to paint the Heritage Hall. The flooring will also need to be replaced. The lighting has to be updated along with some wiring.

3. Education by a) No report was given.

4. Deacons by Wayne Johnson a) During the summer there will be only one Sunday morning worship service at 9:00 a.m., alternating between Traditional and

Contemporary. b) Discussed the flowers for Easter. The Deacons will collect money to purchase the flowers. The cost of the Hydrangeas will be

$14.00 and $32.00. The cost of the Tulips and Daffodils will be in the $15.00 range. 5. Stewardship by

a) No report was given. 6. Evangelism by Sherrie Wehrer

a) The “All Hearts Gather” event was a success. Would like to do it again. b) Discussed the Board Retreat. Are looking into the Guest Book situation. It was decided to hand out a gift bag to each guest.

Will have the greeters stand at both east & west entry doors. Mainly the west door. The ushers will stand at the Sanctuary doors.

c) Decided not to have the Blue Books, just the Connection Cards. After the youth are confirmed would like to have them become readers, ushers, and etc.

d) College Student Outreach will be in April. Will be mailing HyVee cards and a greeting wishing them good luck on their finals. e) New Member Orientation will be on Saturday, May 4th at 6:30 p.m. with an introduction to our Committees and on Sunday May

5th at 6:30 p.m. showing a DVD of Martin Luther. The New Member reception will be on Mother’s Day, May 12th between the Sunday morning church services. The E-Team will take care of this and provide the refreshments. f) On Saturday morning, May 4th the Spring Event Style Show will be held in the Heritage Hall.

g) The Annual Picnic has been set for August 25th at Riverside Park. The church service will be at 10:00 a.m. with a picnic to follow. Sherrie will make the reservations.

7. Pastor Wildermuth’s Report a) There are more Baptisms on Pastor’s calendar.

b) The Saturday evening worship service on June 1st will be changed from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. because of the Synod Assembly being held on June 1st in Sioux Falls.

c) Compassion Sunday is Sunday, May 5th. d) On Saturday, June 15th and Saturday, September 28 Pastor has weddings scheduled. e) Pastor may be gone on September 7th.

8. Pastor Otterman’s Report a) Pastor officiated a funeral last Friday. b) Pastor has a wedding scheduled for Saturday, June 20th. c) Pastor said his Confirmation classes are going great. Things are good.

9. Befriender’s Ministry Report by Pastor Kwen a) In February Trinity’s 16 Befriender’s volunteers made 71 connections with 43 Kin. Of these connections, 63 were in person,

7 by phone, and 1 by FaceTime/Video. 24 connections were less than 15 minutes, 19 were 15-30 minutes in length, 15 connections were 30-60 minutes in length, and 13 were over one hour. Communion was given 9 times to our Kin. 3 more Befrienders will start giving communion to our Kin.

b) The monthly meeting was held on Tuesday, February 26th with 12 in attendance. Next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 26th at 6:30 p.m.

A. Executive Council 1. Treasurer’s Report by Dan Semmler

a) Checking This-Year-To-Date is $47,120.00. This is $5,000.00 more than Prior-Year-To-Date of $42,186.00.

b) MM Fund’s This-Year-To-Date is $5,432.00.

c) We are <$15,692.00> in the hole for the This-Year-To-Date.

d) Outreach Ministry had an expense. Utilities (Gas) was up. February had no major expenses.

e) Dan stated that interest stops when the FD MM Fund II drops below $5,000.00.

f) A motion was made by Pastor Jeff to transfer the FD MM Fund II into the FD Money Market Fund. Nick Moser seconded the

motion. Motion carried.

2. Approve Treasurer’s Report

a) A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was made by Pastor Dave. Dave Spencer seconded the Motion. Motion carried.

3. Additions to Agenda

a) March meeting was changed from the 14th to the 17th because of flooding and snow.

b) Synod Assembly voting members.

c) Nebraska Flood Relief

d) Painting Heritage Hall.

4. Approve Agenda

a) A motion to approve the agenda was made by Ted Risty. Dan Semmler seconded the motion. Motion carried.

5. Approve Minutes

a) A motion to approve the minutes was made Pastor Jeff. Nick Moser seconded the motion. Motion carried.

B. Old Business

1. Update on Mortgage & Capital Campaign by Jim Wehrer

a) The Mortgage now owed is $576,424.00 on February 28th before the March 15th payment.

b) There are 10 months payments in the bank.

2. Constitutional Amendments from Annual Meeting by Nick Moser

a) On March 31, 2019, after the 10:45 Worship Service, we will be taking a final vote to amend Trinity’s Constitution.

3. Youth Director Position by Jim Wehrer

a) Pastor Dave, Nick Moser, and Jim Wehrer met with Nick Raab.

b) After a discussion no decision was made.

c) Nick Raab will get back to us before our next meeting on Thursday, April 11th.

C. New Business 1. Committee Retreat Comments from February 10, 2019 by Jim Wehrer

a) Jim handed out a list of 20 notes from our Retreat. We discussed each one.

b) This list of notes will be given to each of the Committees to go through and discuss at their next meeting on April 11th. These

suggestions will be brought back to our Executive Council meeting in May.

c) A motion was made to go back to mailing out the Parish Key to every church member, but one can opt out if you do not want a

mailed copy by Sherrie Wehrer. Dave Spencer seconded the motion. Motion carried.

d) There was a discussion concerning Wednesday evening services during the summer. It was agreed on to have services on

Wednesday evenings, with a start date of May 29th at 6:30 p.m. These services will be called, “Sundays on Wednesdays”. We will

sing our favorite hymns. The youth will be asked if they would like to form a Youth Praise Team. Details will be worked on having

a Tailgate or Pot Luck meal before or after the Worship Service.

2. Designation of Lenten Offerings by Jim Wehrer

a) Discussed the offering money. A motion was made to give ½ to the Confirmation Camp and ½ to the Wayatan Retreat Center by

Nick Moser. Ted Risty seconded the motion. Motion carried.

3. Appointment of Ron Bertsch – Stewardship Committee by Jim Wehrer

a) A motion was made to appoint Ron Bertsch to the Stewardship Committee by Nick Moser. Pastor Dave seconded the motion.

Motion carried.

4. Request for Grandparent’s Prayer Group

a) This group will meet at the church. Pastor Dave said all are welcome. Pastor Kwen is working on this prayer group.

5. Synod Assembly Voting Members

a) The 2019 Synod Assembly will be held on May 31st through June 1st at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Sioux Falls. A motion was made by

Nick Moser to have Julie Stotz, Dave Spencer, Jim Wehrer, Sherrie Wehrer, Pastor Otterman, Pastor Wildermuth, with

Pam Brockberg as alternate to be Trinity’s Voting Members. Ted Risty seconded the motion. Motion carried.

6. Nebraska Flood Relief by Dave Spencer

a) The Red Can Donation for the Flood Relief raised $2,100.00 at Trinity’s two Sunday morning Worship Services. $200.00 of this was

used to buy water with other members bringing and donating water. 3 pickup loads were taken to Santee. HyVee made 500 catered

meals. The balance of the money, $1,900.00, will used for water or etc. The need will probably last for 6 weeks or more.

7. Painting the Heritage Hall

a) This was discussed above during the Trustee Committee Report.

Adjourn and Close with the Lord’s Prayer 1. A motion to adjourn was made by Pastor Dave. Pastor Jeff seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted.

Arlene Ryken, Secretary

2019

MINISTERS: The Congregation

CLERGY: — 605-665-7415 Ext. #

Senior Pastor: Rev. David Wildermuth 202 (cell: 660-3458)

Pastor: Rev. Jeff Otterman 203 (cell: 645-0396)

STAFF: — 605-665-7415 Ext. #

Jean Barkley - Adult Bell Choir Co-Director

(volunteer)

Pam Brockberg 210 - Director of Christian Education

Lilah & Mike Gillis - Praise Team Leaders

Julie Grosshuesch 200 - Office Secretary

Duane Hirsch - Custodian

Jan Jans - Parish Nurse (volunteer)

Fran Mollet 205 - Financial Secretary

Marilyn Nyberg - Organist

Doris Sprecher 201 - Office Secretary

Linda Stevens - Adult Bell Choir Co-Director (volunteer)

Kathleen West - Adult Choir (volunteer)