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This Week These forty days called Lent are like no other. It is our opportune time to return to the God who rescues; to receive the gifts of God’s grace; to believe with the heart and confess with the mouth the wonder of God’s love in Jesus; and to resist temptation at every turn. This is no small pilgrimage on which we have just embarked. It is a struggle Jesus knew. It is a struggle Jesus shares. The nearness of the Lord, in bread and wine, water and word, will uphold and sustain us. Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 We also have a new newsletter this week - read it here.  Last year's Lenten Devotional is up on the blog - right here. And Pastor Tom is blogging a little more than usual during lent - here it is! Since some of us are off for President's day it seems like a good day to clean up the church in anticipation of Easter. We'll do general cleaning in the community center and sanctuary. If there are special projects that you think you might want to do, please see Rene (rene@firsttrinitychicago.com) and we might be able to make them happen. Lunch, vinyl gloves, and fun will be provided!  Facebook Event Here. Theater Happening Here!  First Annual Followspot Performathon Sunday, February 14 beginning at 6pm $10 suggested donation at the door at The Bridge in Bridgeport (643 W 31st St) Click for more information! Learn more about the In>Time Performance Festival.  Two events will be taking place in the Orphanage on February 12 and 13.  Hosted by The Bridge.

Sunday: Worship 10:30 am Monday: Office Closed Tuesday: Lectio Divinia 9 am, God's Closet 5-7, Books to Prisoners 5-9 Wednesday: Bible Study 6 pm Friday - God's Closet 10-noon, Office Hours 10-Noon, AA 8:00 Last Saturday of Each Month - 7pm Ben's Movie Night Last Sunday of Each Month - 9:15am The Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group Check out some of the groups who meet or perform in our space: The Bridge, Bridgeport Alliance, The Glint, LGBT Neighbors in Bridgeport, Midwest Books to Prisoners, The Group Project, Windy City Opera, and more! 2/15/2016    Spring Cleaning 2/25/2016    7 p m Bridgeport Alliance 2/27/2016    6pm Ben's Movie Night 2/29/2016    Bow Tie Affair 3/1/2016    Camp Registration Deadline 3/13/2016    Daylight Saving Time begins 3/15/2016    Election Day 3/20/2016    Seder 3/24/2016    Maundy Thursday 3/25/2016    Easter Egg Decorating 3/25/2016    Good Friday 3/26/2016    Ben's Movie Night 3/27/2016    Easter Sunday Did you know, First Trinity is a member of Concordia Cemetery? If you have news for the benefit of the community, please send it to welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com Copyright © 2016 First Lutheran Church of the Trinity, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

E-News

This Week Witnesses to the glory of God in the face of Jesus will be unable to avoid reflecting that glory in the world. It was true for Moses. It was doubtless true for Peter, James, and John. We pray that it will be true of all of us who see the glory of the Lord in the word and in the supper and who are being “transformed into the same image” by the Spirit of God. Join us as we bury the Alleluia and Burn the Palms. Vicar Toby is preaching. It's going to be great! PS - Bring your palms! Readings: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]  Lent is here! The sign of ashes suggests our human mortality and frailty.  Wednesday, February 10 Imposition of Ashes: 7-9 am, 11am-1pm, 2-4 pm Worship at 7pm Our lenten series starts 2/17 The Servant Church: Building up the Body of Christ Each evening will include: 6-6:15 - Gather/Food 6:15-7:30 - Conversation 7:30-7:45 - Prayers/Songs   Since some of us are off for President's day it seems like a good day to clean up the church in anticipation of Easter. We'll do general cleaning in the community center and sanctuary. If there are special projects that you think you might want to do, please see Rene (rene@firsttrinitychicago.com) and we might be able to make them happen. Lunch, vinyl gloves, and fun will be provided!  Facebook Event Here. Bow Tie Affair Our first fundraiser for the 2016 Camp Fund is coming up on Leap Day, February 29! Every four years we get an Extra Day. Some call this bonus day Leap Day, but we are thinking of it as a Superlative Spaghetti Supper Day! A day where Calories Don’t Count! Join us for a BOW TIE AFFAIR to help send a bunch of Neat Kids to Camp! No dress code, non-pasta bowties are optional!     Building a Vocal Community Through a collaboration of seminaries in Hyde Park, Dr. YsayeBarnwell will be coming to Chicago to do one of her nationally-known workshops, "Building a Vocal Community." A lesson in music, African and African diaspora history, and activist history - her two-part workshop will go over the breadth of the African and African American singing tradition and show the ways that group singing can build, strengthen, and fortify community in such times as these. Just click on the EventBrite link here to reserve your spot and share this with friends.   Theater Happening Here!  First Annual Followspot Performathon Sunday, February 14 beginning at 6pm $10 suggested donation at the door at The Bridge in Bridgeport (643 W 31st St) Click for more information! Learn more about the In>Time Performance Festival.  Two events will be taking place in the Orphanage on February 12 and 13.  Hosted by The Bridge.

Sunday: Worship 10:30 am Monday: Office Closed Tuesday: Lectio Divinia 9 am, God's Closet 5-7, Books to Prisoners 5-9 Wednesday: Bible Study 6 pm Friday - God's Closet 10-noon, Office Hours 10-Noon, AA 8:00 Last Saturday of Each Month - 7pm Ben's Movie Night Last Sunday of Each Month - 9:15am The Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group Check out some of the groups who meet or perform in our space: The Bridge, Bridgeport Alliance, The Glint, LGBT Neighbors in Bridgeport, Midwest Books to Prisoners, The Group Project, Windy City Opera, and more! 1/28/2016    7 p m Bridgeport Alliance 1/30/2016    6pm Ben's Movie Night 1/31/2016    9:15am The Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group 1/31/2016    Winter Warm Up Party 2/7/2016    Transfiguration of Our Lord 2/10/2016    Ash Wednesday 2/15/2016    Spring Cleaning 2/25/2016    7 p m Bridgeport Alliance 2/27/2016    6pm Ben's Movie Night 2/29/2016    Bow Tie Affair 3/1/2016    Camp Registration Deadline 3/13/2016    Daylight Saving Time begins 3/15/2016    Election Day 3/20/2016    Seder 3/24/2016    Maundy Thursday 3/25/2016    Easter Egg Decorating 3/25/2016    Good Friday 3/26/2016    Ben's Movie Night 3/27/2016    Easter Sunday Did you know, First Trinity is a member of Concordia Cemetery? If you have news for the benefit of the community, please send it to welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com

A Community of Open Doors!

See more photos from Holy Week below or on Facebook.  He Is Risen!  Alleluia!  read more here! Doubting Thomas Sunday With Special Musical Guest, John Urban The Easter season is a week of weeks; seven Sundays when we play in the mystery of Christ's presence, mostly through the glorious Gospel of John. Today we gather with the disciples on the first Easter, and Jesus breathes the Spirit on us. With Thomas we ask for a sign, and Jesus offers us his wounded self in the broken bread. From frightened individuals we are transformed into a community of open doors, peace, forgiveness, and material sharing such that no one among us is in need. Readings: Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 This Week: Sunday: Worship 10:30 am Monday: Office Closed Tuesday: Lectio Divinia 9 am,  God's Closet 5-7, Books to Prisoners 5-9, Office Hours 5-7 Friday - God's Closet 10-noon, Office Hours 10-Noon,  AA 8:00 Sunday - Worship10:30 am Last Saturday of Each Month - 7pm Ben's Movie Night Last Sunday of Each Month - 9:15am The Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group If you have news for the benefit of the community, please send it to welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com If you are interested in writing for our May newsletter, send your submissions to welcome@firsttrinitychicago.comor speak to Rene after church on Sunday! Coming Up: Sat Apr 18 - Bridgeport Clean & Green Sun Apr 19 - Matt Holmes preaches* Sat May 9 - Ben Adams Ordination in Pickney, MI Sun May 3 - Bob Leone 10 Year Anniversary! Sun May 10 - Mothers’ Day Sun May 17 - Joe Hopkins Graduates from Chicago Theological Seminary Sun May 24 - Pentecost Mon May 25 - Memorial Day Fri May 29 - SYNOD ASSEMBLY Sat May 30 - SYNOD ASSEMBLY Sun May 31 - Rev. Connie Leininger preaching * The Jun 11 - The Art Bowl Wed Jun 17 - LSTC Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception  Sat Jun 20 - Upcylce/Resale Fair Sun Jun 21 - Fathers' Day Sun Jun 28 - Pride Sunday Sat Jul 4 - Independence Day Sun Jul 5 - Trinity Kids at Lutherdale through July 10 Sun Jul 19 -10:30am Camp Sunday Tue Aug 11 - August 14 - Jesus and Justice Camp Sun Aug 16 - 10:30am Rally Day and Blessing of Back Packs Sat Sep 12 - TriSox - White Sox Faith & Fellowship Game Night Sun Sep 13 - Bishop Miller visits * October (TBD) Rev. Ronald Nitz visits* Sun Oct 4 - St Francis Day Sun Oct 25 - Reformation Sunday Sat Oct 31 - Halloween Sat Nov 1 - Anniversary Celebration Sun Nov 22 - Christ the King Sunday Thu Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Day Sun Nov 29 - Advent Sun Dec 6 - Advent Sun Dec 13 - Advent Sun Dec 20 - Advent Thu Dec 24 - 7pm Candlelight Service, Lessons & Carols Fri Dec 25 - 10:30 Christmas Day Worship & Brunch Thu Dec 31 - New Year's Eve * as part of our  year-long 150th anniversary celebration we have invited the bishop and former pastors to preach

e-News!

First Trinity E-News

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

Join us as we process from the chapel into the church and celebrate Palm Sunday.  We'll gather in the chapel at 10:15, and the procession will start at 10:30.  Color of the day is Red!

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We've got a few baptisms Easter Sunday,
And, I think, a new member or few.
Wanna join in the fun?
Of course you do. 

New Member Class March 28 - Tomorrow!  Click or contact Pr. Tom for details! 

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New Newsletter!  Just in time for Holy Week!  The summer edition will be coming out in May, please contact welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com if you would like to contribute!

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Sunday starts Holy Week!  It's going to be a good one.  Look at the events below for the full schedule.

Holy Week Flier

Everything you wanted to know about Lent (at First Trinity) but were not sure who to ask...

It starts now! This morning we buried the Alleluia (read Pr. Tom's blog here! to learn why we do this) and we'll use up any remaining Alleluia's at Bernice's tonight.  

Our Lenten Devotional is ready!  There are many ways to get it.  Follow #FTLent on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.  Check the Lenten Devotional page on our Blog.  Grab the PDF here on our website.  Pick up a paper copy from Rene on Ash Wednesday. 

Below is the calendar of all of the upcoming events with links (where applicable - more to come).  This calendar does not include God's Closet (Tuesdays 5-7, Fridays 10-Noon), Lectio Divina (Tuesdays 9 am), or AA (Fridays 8pm).  

Wed Feb 18, 2015 

•     Ash Wednesday!
•     Ashes 7-9:30, 11-1, 2:30-4:30
•     6:30 pm Catecummunity 
•     Ash Wednesday Worship 7:30

Sun Feb 22, 2015 

•     9:15am The Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group 
•     10:30am Worship with Communion 

Tue Feb 24, 2015 

•     6 p m Bridgeport Ecumenical Lenten Speaker Series - Darst Center

Wed Feb 25, 2015 

•     6:30 pm Catecummunity  - Who Am I?

Sat Feb 28, 2015 

•     7pm Ben's Movie Night - Racing Stripes

Sun Mar 1, 2015 

•     10:30am Worship with Communion 

Wed Mar 4, 2015 

•     6:30 pm Catecummunity - What is the Body of Christ?

Sun Mar 8, 2015 

•     Daylight Saving Time - Spring Ahead!
•     10:30am Worship with Communion 

Wed Mar 11, 2015 

•     6:30 pm Catecummunity - Who is my Neighbor?

Thu Mar 12, 2015 

•     6:30pm Bridgeport Ecumenical Lenten Speaker Series - Nativity of Our Lord Parish

Sun Mar 15, 2015 

•     10:30am Worship with Communion 

Wed Mar 18, 2015 

•     6:30 pm Catecummunity  - Who Else is my Neighbor?

Sun Mar 22, 2015 

•     10:30am Worship with Communion 

Tue Mar 24, 2015 

•     6:30pm  6 p m Bridgeport Ecumenical Lenten Speaker Series - First Trinity

Wed Mar 25, 2015 

•     6:30 pm Catecummunity - Now What?

Sat Mar 28, 2015 

•     7pm Ben's Movie Night - Shadowheart

Sun Mar 29, 2015 

•     9:15am The Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group 
•     10:30am Worship with Communion - Palm Sunday 
•     6:30 pm Seder

Thu Apr 2, 2015 

•     7pm Maundy Thursday

Fri Apr 3, 2015 

•     7pm Service of Darkness 

Sat Apr 4, 2015 

•     Easter Vigil - TBD

Sun Apr 5, 2015 

•     10:30am Easter Sunday Worship
•     12pm Easter Egg Hunt

If you still have questions, send them on over to welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com or call 312-842-7390.  

Holy Week and Easter

Good Friday This Evening

GOOD FRIDAY

+ TENEBRAE +

Service of Darkness

March 29, 2013, 7PM

First Lutheran Church of the Trinity

643 West 31^st Street + Chicago, Illinois 60616 + 312.842.7390

Reflections By Our Community Members:

Father forgive them, for they know not what they do - Alicia Ibarra

Today you will be with me in paradise - Joe Hopkins

Behold your son: behold your mother - Kristin Ostberg

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? - Adrian Nelson

I thirst - Rene Paquin

It is finished - Jim Majka

Father, into your hands I commit my spirit - Matt Holmes

Press from dnainfo on our Service of Darkness