An Evening with Santa!

The Art Bowl

All Are Welcome! View this email in your browser

Last summer First Lutheran Church of the Trinity was blessed to be able to send  two students to summer camp at Lutherdale Bible Camp in Wisconsin.  Kids that might not have otherwise gone to camp were swimming, canoeing and even riding a zip line.  It was really cool! This summer we have seven kids who want to go.  Over the last year they have created lasting friendships over weekly service and fellowship activities at the church.  They worked together to create a fantastic Christmas Pageant, and this summer they have been raising money for camp with their lemonade stand.     Can you help us get them the rest of the way there?   This Thursday night is The Art Bowl.  Dan Pugh of Eugene Barnett & Associates has collected hundreds of hand-made, ceramic bowls, created and donated by local artist and children.  These bowls will be on offer to the public for a $20 (or 2/$30)  contribution. After selecting a bowl people are invited to share a meal of soups and chili made by local chefs and foodies. There will even be vegetarian and vegan options! 100 percent of all contributions will go directly to the First Trinity Kid’s Activity Fund to help pay for summer camp and other children's activities. The Art Bowl will take place in the auditorium of First Lutheran Church of the Trinity, 643 w 31st Street.  Doors open at 6:30 pm.  There will be raffles, music, and the First Trinity Kid's Lemonade Stand will be giving away free samples! We'll have raffle tickets for sale at the event. Raffles include: - White Sox Backpack Cooler - Picnic in the park gift basket - Ricobene's Gift Card - Paul Konerko mini statue in box - Three pot crock pot - Two dozen made-to-order tamales - Some other neat stuff! Raffle tickets are $3 each or 2/$5, 4/$10. Winners do not need to be present. Come, get a beautiful, one of a kind bowl, while helping some great kids have a beautiful, one of a kind summer!

Time for another clearance!

Everything is Free!!!
Help us clean out our overstock!

Saturday, May 2
10 am - 4 pm

All Are Welcome!
Donations Accepted!
First Trinity Youth will be selling Lemonade and Crafts to help pay for their Summer Camp.

First Lutheran Church of The Trinity
643 W 31st St, Chicago, Illinois 60616

God's Closet is the free, volunteer run clothing pantry at First Lutheran Church of the Trinity. Recently we were blessed with a large donation from a thrift store that went out of business. Between those donations, our regular "spring cleaning" donations and the generosity of our neighbors, we are overfull again. When this happens, we open for an extra day or so to clean out. 

As always, God's Closet is intended for anyone with a need. Those who need clothing, teachers, crafters, and artists in need of craft supplies, whoever.

The First Trinity Kids' group will also be selling lemonade, crafts, baked goods and raffle tickets to help fund their upcoming trip to Lutherdale Bible Camp.  

God's Closet Mission Statement:
Heeding the biblical commands to care for the poor, to clothe the naked, and to love one's neighbor as one's self, and recognizing the call of faith to be responsible stewards and caretakers of an increasingly fragile planet, God's Closet at First Trinity strives to provide an alternative source for clothing and other goods in the Bridgeport community. The intent of God's Closet is to provide both resources for those in need in a life-giving way, and a "green" venue for the redistribution and re-purposing of clothing and other goods.

We are currently open to the public on the following days and times:
• Tuesdays, 5 to 7 pm
• Fridays, 10 am to Noon
• Sunday Mornings after 10:30 Worship

Need more info?
https://sites.google.com/site/firsttrinitylutheranchicago/clothing-pantry

Ben's Movie Night

Beer and Carols!

Hallo-Weenie Roast

Friday, October 31
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hot Dogs, Smores, Campfire, Tricks, Treats, Songs, Bike Powered Hayrides, Apple Bobbing, Fun, Etc.  
643 w 31st Street, Chicago - 31st and Lowe
All Are Welcome

This party is geared toward kids, but adults are welcome and will have plenty of fun and silliness too!  

Anyone interested in contributing toward the party: we could use bags of individually wrapped candy to pass out to trick or treaters. Thanks!

Oktoberfest Wrap Up

Last Sunday we enjoyed First Trinity's annual Oktoberfest Worship and Celebration.  A very full day included outdoor worship with communion, great German food prepared by Tom Fashing, German and American beer, Filbert's root beer and ginger ale, landjaeger from Stiglmeier, soft pretzels, kids making pretzel necklaces,  sweets and snacks, dancing, the Bears game, fun raffle prizes, and Nagelspielen: the Striking Hammer game.

We hope everyone had a great time and look forward to your suggestions for next year when we will be celebrating our 150th Anniversary: Still Reforming After All These Years!

God's Work, Our Hands

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, the nearly 10,000 congregations of this church gather to serve communities in ways that share the love of God with all of God’s people.

Locally, First Trinity and Park Advisory Council member Jim Peters invites us to celebrate God's Work, Our Hands on Saturday, September 20 from 9 am - noon at Palmisano Park. Tools, gloves, snacks, and training are provided. Contact welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com or if you know Jim you can contact him directly.

“When one congregation or a group of congregations gather for service in their local communities, they are the church in that place, taking care of that part of God’s vineyard.” says ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.

Facebook Page Here

Oktoberfest

Pr. Drew's Last Day - Taco Party and Open Mic!

Join us Sunday, August 24 for a celebration and send of for Drew Rindfleisch as he completes his first year at First Trinity.

We are planning on a taco party (there will be a list below) and an open mic talent show. Tell a joke, sing a song, make us cry, make us laugh! It's gonna be a fun time!

Worship is at 10:30 and the party will start immediately after (about Noon) in the Orphanage.

Stuff to bring - please sign up after church or email welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com:

Taco filling - beef

Taco filing - chicken

Taco filling - vegan

Flour tortillas

Corn tortillas

Tomatoes

Onions

Salsa 

Limes

Lettuce 

Guacamole

Cheese

Beans

Sour cream

Olives

Some super special topping we did not even think of!

Tri-Sox!

We had a great time at the park. 41 members and friends of First Lutheran Church of The Trinity all in matching grey from Hardscrabble Gifts.  Oh, yeah, and the Sox Won!  More photos here.