Bridgeport Ecumenical Lenten Speaker Series

Advent 2014

First Trinity Advent 2014

When pain of the world surrounds us with darkness and despair,

when searching just confounds us with false hopes ev'rywhere,

when lives are starved for meaning and destiny is bare,

we are called to follow Jesus and let God's healing flow through us.

We see with fear and trembling our aching world in need,

confessing to each other our wastefulness and greed.

May we with steadfast caring the hungry children feed.

We are called to follow Jesus and let God's justice flow through us.

The church is a holy vessel the living waters fill 

to nourish all the people, God's purpose to fulfill. 

May we with humble courage be open to God's will.

We are called to follow Jesus and let God's Spirit flow through us.

4We praise you for our journey and your abundant grace,

your saving word that guided a struggling human race.

O God, with all creation, your future we embrace.

We are called to follow Jesus and let God's changes flow through us.

-When Pain of the World Surrounds Us, Jim Strathdee, 1978 Desert Flower Music

Happy New Year!

This year, November 30 is the first Sunday in the season of Advent, the first Sunday in the calendar of the church.

Advent is a season imbedded with rich symbolism, expressing or pointing toward the many emotions that surround expectation, waiting, and the anticipation of the arrival of something or someone yet unknown. Hope, fear, joy, anxiety, calm, confusion, excitement, longing, uncertainty, absence, impatience, elation--these and many others are appropriate and natural emotions as we anticipate the arrival of God’s presence in a new, special, and unexpected way.  

The candles on our Advent wreath--blues, and pinks, sometimes purples--along with the liturgical colors of deep blue are reminiscent of the hues that appear at the end of deepest, darkest nights, just before dawn, and the arrival of a new Day. A circle of evergreen reminds us of Life that persists through seasons, even as the world seems dormant and lifeless.

At First Trinity, each year we sing a special hymn as we light our Advent wreath. This year, it is sung in place of the Gospel Acclamation. Replacing the acclamation helps us to focus on the not yet presence of Christ and God’s Reign--a Reign we claim is simultaneously already and not yet. We add one verse to the song each week in Advent, as we light one additional candle on the wreath; each week the promise moving closer toward us.

This year our Advent song is ELW #704, When Pain of the World Surrounds Us. This song reflects a deep longing both for Christ as promised at Christmas, and the new Day that is hoped and longed for by so many of Advent’s apocalyptically-oriented readings, readings that imagine the only way the world will ever be fixed or just or peaceful will be by a radical reorientation of all things at the hand of God.

When Pain of the World Surrounds Us

Advent 1 - In pain and despair, healing and hope

Advent 2 - In fear and need, love and justice

Advent 3 - In emptiness and void, God’s Spirit

Advent 4 - In struggle and confinement, grace and change

We pray this Advent you will find meaning and hope in the symbols and songs, the scriptures and traditions, and through the means of grace God works through in your life. Whether this season brings you anxiety or hope, despair or joy, while we await new Presence and a new Day, we are incredibly grateful for your presence, and our time together.

May God’s peace be with you always, and may the fire of Love burn in your heart.

Dream Team Line-Up for "A Hard Rain Is Gonna Fall" Jesus and Justice Camp

Things are gearing up for this year's Jesus and Justice Camp, "A HardRain is Gonna Fall!", August 12-15, 
6-9pm each day, at the church community center! 643 W. 31st Street. Following are bios of our featured leaders and facilitators. In addition to good food, songs, trust falls, and human knots, expect improvisation exercises, eye-opening stories, and important, life-giving, and challenging conversations. Faith, freedom, justice, struggle, love. Enjoy!

Tuesday: William Schmidt, Waters of Creation: Breathing Beauty into Chaos : And Improv Awesomeness

William Schmidt hails from the northwest side of Chicago (near O'Hare). He attended Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA) where he earned a B.A. in Theater Arts. In 2010, William earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University (Chicago, IL). He has taken improvisation classes at The Second City and IO Theater. William currently teaches language arts, drama, and public speaking at De LaSalle Institute (Lourdes Hall campus). He is a proud member of the Bridgeport community.

Wednesday: Rev. Liz Muñoz, Waters of the Flood: Seeking Abundance in Oblivion

Liz Muñoz was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the working-class Latino neighborhood of Boyle Heights in East L.A. Her parents emigrated from Mexico and bequeathed to their children a strong faith in God’s unconditional love, a duty to community, a commitment to peace and justice and a mischievous sense of humor. Liz attended Princeton University where she received a B.A. in English Literature. She earned credentials in Bilingual General and Special Education, and worked for eighteen years as a teacher for LAUSD in the inner city. In 2002, she left the teaching profession to attend the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, where she received her MDiv. In seminary, she was deeply influenced by liberation theology and its approach to Biblical interpretation.Ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in 2005, she served as Associate Rector at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hollywood. In 2006, Liz was called as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Hollywood, a multicultural, bilingual parish on the edge of a variety of diverse neighborhoods. In the Diocese of Los Angeles, Liz served on the Program Group on AIDS Ministry and the Program Group on Christian Education and Formation. In addition she collaborated with other priests and lay leaders working in Latino ministry to form the Hispanic Leadership Institute. The aim of the institute was to provide formal training and skills to Latino leaders in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Liz currently serves as Associate Priest at Saint James Cathedral, and vicar at La Iglesia Episcopal de Nuestra Señora de las Américas. Liz is married to 

Dr. Ray Pickett, a Lutheran pastor and New Testament Professor at LSTC. They share their home in 

Little Village with two dogs and two cats that make certain that the Rev and the Prof don’t ever get an exaggerated sense of their importance.

Thursday: Kristina Tendillia, Waters of Deliverance: Following the Liberator / Finding a Way

Kristina Tendilla is a community organizer with SOUL- Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, a senior volunteer staff at Benton House, a founding member of Bridgeport Alliance, and a proud resident of the Bridgeport neighborhood. She is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia and was raised by two hardworking immigrant parents from the Philippines. In high school, she co-authored In Our Aunties’ Words, a community oral history book revealing the journey of 1960s Filipina immigrant women diaspora in her hometown. A queer Filipina American social justice leader, she has worked in public service for a number of Chicago community organizations, including the community activist theater group CIRCA-Pintig; the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE), where she was organizing for immigrant rights and strengthening Asian American voter engagement; and Benton House, where she founded programs that 

serve hundreds of low-income and immigrant families. Kristina also represented the Filipino American community in the Mayoral Asian American Advisory Council. In Bridgeport Alliance, she worked with others to push for the closure of the dirty coal-fired Fisk and Crawford power plants, and moved the Chicago Transit Authority and other elected officials to offer more accessible public transportation on Chicago's Southside. Last year, she was honored with the 2013 SOUL (Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation) Leadership Award, and in 2014 with the Illinois Asian Pacific American Leadership Honor. Her current work is centered around ending mass incarceration and stopping the criminalization of the poor and people of color. She continually works to build a multi-racial, inter-faith movement, and is at the forefront of fighting for racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Friday, Professor Bill Host Waters of Baptism: Heirs of the Promise / Servants to All

With 30 years experience as a meeting professional, Bill joined the faculty of Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL in 2001. He was involved in teaching event and hospitality management courses and is responsible for the development of the event planning curriculum at RU. 1979-83, prior to his appointment at RU, he was an independent meeting consultant and also served as the director of meetings and conventions for the Automotive Service Industry Association, an international trade association. In 2006, Bill co-authored a book on Chicago hotel history titled “Early Chicago Hotels” based on his personal collection of over 850 hotel postcards and ephemera.

Awesome Lutheran Stuff: Bill became active in Lutheran Campus Ministry at Kutztown State College in PA, 1969-1974; and served as Secretary on the board of directors of Mid Atlantic Lutheran Student Movement from 1972-1974 .He Graduated from GSC with a BA in Humanities, his concentration in art history, minoring is speech and theater, and African American studies. 1974-1976, Bill served as field staff for the Lutheran Student Movement (LSM-USA). During that time, he traveled two-thirds of the United States via bus to local, private, and public colleges organizing people and planning conferences. 1976-1978 Bill served as Special Assistant for Student Affairs for the Lutheran Council USA, Division of Camps Ministry and Higher Education, and acted as Executive Director of LSM-USA. He was also LSM's representative to World Student Christian Federation, North America. Bill served as youth delegate of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) to the Lutheran World Federation in 1977 in Tanzania, and represented the Lutheran Student Movement, working with student movements in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Zambia. He served as Director for LSM-USA conferences.

1974-1980 Bill was a founding member of Lutherans Concerned for Gay people. He served as a "Johnny Appleseed" of the organization to college campuses in the US. 1980-1982 Bill became administrative assistant to Lutherans Concerned/North America (LCNA), and served as a board member of the Chicago chapter through 1990, serving as Secretary, Co-chair, and at large. In 1999 Bill received a Masters of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Roosevelt University. He is currently the owner of HOST Meetings and Events and Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at RU. Bill was tenured in 2008. Since 2008, Bill has served as a board member for Lutheran Campus Ministries of Illinois. He has served on the board of South Loop Campus Ministry since 2007. He has been a  member of Christ the Mediator, Christ the King in the Loop, and Augustana Lutheran Churches in Chicago. 

summer into fall + 2013

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF

THE TRINITY

WEEKLY

Worship + Sundays, 10:30AM

Lectio Divina Meditation + Tuesdays, 8:30AM

Bible Study + Tuesdays, 7PM

Drawing Classes + Tuesdays (6/18-8/20) 10AM-Noon

God's Closet Clothing Pantry + Tuesdays 5-7PM; Fridays 10-Noon

MAY

Sunday, May 19 + Pentecost Sunday + Voters Meeting

Sunday, May 26 + Trinity Sunday

May 31-June 1 + Metro-Chicago Synod Assembly

JUNE

Sundays, June 2, 9, 16, 23 + Post-Worship:

Bible Study on Sexuality and Relationships

Saturday, June 29 + Chicago Hunger Walk

Sunday, June 30 + First Trinity/Grace Place Pulpit Swap (Fr. Ted Curtis Preaching)

AUGUST

August 20-24 Jesus and Justice Day Camp + Evenings at First Trinity

SEPTEMBER

Sunday, September 22 + Annual OKTOBERFEST and Anniversary Kick Off!!!

OCTOBER

Sunday, October 27 + Reformation Sunday

+ 312.842.7390 + 643 w. 31^st st. + Chicago + www.FirstTrinityChicago.org +

Easter Resurrection!

Easter Sunday Worship & Brunch

10:30AM Sunday, March 31, 2013

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

Holy Week and More!

Sisters and Brothers! Here's what we've got coming up!

+

3/23, 6PM Christian Seder

Friend of Trinity, Rev. Krogh will be leading us, once again!

3/24, 10:30AM, Palm Sunday, Church procession from chapel into sanctuary 

Also, come see our new chapel windows! They look GREAT!

3/28, Maundy Thursday / Foot Washing 7pm

If you've never done this, you should. It's great, 

3/29, Good Friday Service of Darkness 7pm

Speakers this year include Jim Majka, Adrian Nelson, Rene Paquin, Kristin Ostberg, Seminarian Joe Hopkins, Chaplain Matthew Holmes, and Alicia Ibarra.

This is one NOT TO MISS!

3/31, Easter Sunday, Worship followed by brunch 10:30AM

4/7, Doubting Thomas Sunday and The Baptism of Baby Wind/Holmes! 10:30AM

Chaplain Matt Holmes Preaching

Se you soon!!!

Ash Wednesday

ASH WEDNESDAY, FEB 13, 2013

IMPOSITION OF ASHES 7AM-6PM

WORSHIP AND IMPOSITION 7PM

FIRST TRINITY COMMUNITY CENTER CHAPEL, 643 W. 31st St. 
(RSVP on FACEBOOK)

See our full Lenten schedule here.

Lent Wed Night Soup Studies 2013

the way of the cross /

the way of justice / the way of liberation?

Suffering, Injustice, and Redemption: in our lives, and in the Scriptures. 

Lent guided by reflections on the Way Of The Cross. With guest lecturers, scholars, and professors,

hot soup, and meditations / evening prayer.

First Lutheran Church of the Trinity with Christ the Mediator Lutheran Church

643 W. 31^st Street (Trinity) + 3100 S. Calumet (CTM)

31^st Street, Chicago

Wednesdays in Lent 6:30-8:00PM

WED 2/20 @ CTM (3100 S. Calumet)

Christ's Unjust Condemnation To Death /

Unjust Trial / Corrupt Government

WED 2/27 @ Trinity (643 W. 31^st St)

Christ Takes His Cross / Is Met By Simon

Solidarity In Suffering / Co-struggle / Compassion

WED 3/6 @ CTM (3100 S. Calumet)

Jesus Is Stripped / Nailed /

Humiliation / Sexuality / Dominance / Abuse

WED 3/13 @ Trinity (643 W. 31^st St.)

Jesus / John / Mary

A New Community, A New Family, Agape

WED 3/20 @ CTM (31oo S. Calumet) 

The Tomb Is Sealed /

Is It Finished? / Resurrection? /

Redemption? / Restoration?

Thurs 3/28 - Maundy Thurs, 7pm, 1^st Trinity

Friday 3/29 - Good Friday, 7pm, 1^st Trinity 

Baptism Of Our Lord Sunday 1/13/13

Baptism Of Our Lord Sunday

January 13, 2013, 10:30AM

First Trinity GREEN CHAPEL

First Trinity Community Center

643 West 31st Street!

ALL ARE WELCOME

The Sounds Of Silence, by Chaplain Matthew Holmes

Written by Matthew Holmes, Hospice Chaplain, member at First Trinity, and a pretty neat guy.

Among death’s most painful trials is silence. I had a particularly loud and boisterous patient, Viv, who I saw many times and with whom I enjoyed lively conversations. As is the case with all of my patients as a hospice chaplain, one day I went to Viv’s house and she wasn’t talking anymore. The aggressive form of cancer which had been growing in her body for years without much pain or distress had finally decided to show its hand. This once vibrant and animated woman now lay in bed nearly motionless except for the irregular raising and lowering of her chest with each breath.

Sitting with the dying is something I do often, but somehow sitting with Viv seemed strange to me. Nothing was strange about the situation itself; what was odd in the tragedy playing out before me was not the scenery, nor the show, it was the volume. Her room had always been full of noise, but then it was silent - Viv had lost her voice.

As Viv lay there in that blue hazy space between life and death, I wondered what she would have said. I still don’t know, but I do know Viv’s last action on this earth was letting go and that, in doing so gracefully, she said a lot. She waited for her family to come from all around the country, going weeks without any real food, drink, or conversation. After the last person had come, she finally let herself go. The way her daughter saw it was that in living so long Viv was telling her family how much she loved them, in her release she was saying that there is nothing to fear in death. Even the great silence of the grave can be overcome by simply listening more closely and being open to different forms of communication.

Viv’s story is not unique, many of the dying are able to communicate great and beautiful truths about love, fear, faith, and hope simply in how they die if we pay attention. Scripture reminds us time and time again that it is often the silent whom carry with them the greatest wisdom. Moses, who needed Aaron to communicate for him, was the first to know of Israel’s release from slavery. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was unable to speak after finding out the good news that his son would be born. John, the writer of Revelation, was silenced by exile. The first witnesses of Jesus’ miracles are often told by Christ not to speak about what they have seen. Prophets did and continue to go unheard.

Scripture reminds us that that the silent often carry the greatest of insight, and the knowledge of the divine. So it is in our world today, when so many are silenced because of their race, class, social status, or political ideals.

One of the things I love and dread most about a service at First Trinity is the prayers of the people. A seminary worship professor would give us an “F” on the prayers. Often you can’t hear what people are saying, people pray for subjects upon which we are far from agreement, and - let’s face it - they go on for a long time. I must admit that sometimes, not often, but sometimes, I even get bored during the prayers. 

But that seminary professor would be wrong.

By allowing making time for everyone, and listening to everyone’s point of view, we are giving voice to each other: we are giving voice to the silent.

Trinity actually does this a number of ways: in opening our doors to the community, in allowing protesters to sleep on our floors, in sharing stories at God’s closet. To me, giving voice to the silent is one of the great and unique things about Trinity.

Because of this I believe it is out of Trinity and places like it that the Word of God can be heard most clearly in new and powerful ways. I ask that we not forget this great gift and call of our congregation. That we may keep our ears and our hearts open, and wait for the silent to speak.

Christmas Schedule

Happy holidays! 

First Trinity welcomes... well... Everybody. Even you!

We look forward to your visit.

643 W. 31st Street. 

Free parking on the north/south streets

& we have a small parking lot 

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

+Lessons & Carols+

Monday, December 24, 7 PM

Christmas Day Worship & Brunch

Tuesday, December 25, 10:30 AM

Commemoration of the Holy Innocents

Sunday, December 30, 10:30 AM

Guest Preacher Rev. Joan R. Harrell

Of Protestants, Protesters, and PB&J -Rene Paquin

This article was recently published in the December 2012 First Trinity Newsletter. If you would like to be on our snail-mail list, email welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com. Enjoy!

Of Protestants, Protesters, and PB&J -Rene Paquin

Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give. ~Edwin Arlington Robinson

When I came to this neighborhood, Bridgeport welcomed me.  Over the last year, members of  First Trinity have treated me like I was family, though I am not a member and had never been to worship.  So when I had the opportunity to join Pastor Tom in welcoming the NATO protesters, I had to be there.  Officially I welcomed them as a representative of Bridgeport Alliance, but in reality, I was there because it felt right.

"With Christ, we testify that violence is not the way to peace."

Then they arrived.  Tired, hungry and a little smelly.  They were exhausted from a day of travel, protesting and walking the 4 miles from Grant Park.  They were happy to sign the peace agreement that Tom had written.  They piled wearily into the chapel where we had introductions, learned the rules and welcomed our guests.   More than a few of the travelers asked me if there was any food, so we feasted on a dinner of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and potato chips. They were so grateful, one might have thought that I had presented them with a thanksgiving dinner.  

The thing is, for me, it was a time of thanksgiving.  After the FTP march that had taken place on the previous Tuesday, I was scared.  As a person who dedicates a great deal of my time to enacting positive change, I was scared that a small group of anarchists had reversed all of the good work that Bridgeport Alliance had done.  I wanted these protesters to come to our neighborhood, and I wanted to be able to hold them up as an example of the fact that most of the protesters want peace.  They want to have their voices heard and improve the world.  

When the travelers arrived on Friday night there was a concert going on upstairs.  There would be another concert on Saturday, a quinceañera, and an art show.  Sunday there would be three worship services, and the church's voters meeting.  In other words, it was a busy weekend!  The people hosting the concert allowed all of the occupiers to attend for no charge.  We gave them access to God's Closet where many of them found a clean t-shirt, something warm to sleep in and maybe even a book or two.  They thanked us at every turn.  

"...welcome organizers, protesters, and activists as a part of Christ's ministry at First Trinity in Chicago. "

Many of these people came with no money, no change of clothes, no bedroll.  It seemed that they had been given the impression that once they arrived in Chicago everything that they needed would be provided for them.   They were given sanctuary at First Trinity only to have some of their sense of safety taken on when they woke up with cameras pointed at them on Saturday morning.  The media came, and one channel decided that entering the church and filming sleeping protesters would make good B-roll.  I spoke with the camera crews and reporters who were there and explained that I did not want them to cause our neighbors any distress and that I would appreciate it if they left.  One of the reporters told me, "You're hosting protesters.  You have to expect this."  

That's fair.  I did expect some of it. But what I did not expect was the amount of respect that the protesters showed the church and the neighborhood.  When they walked to the church they broke up into small groups to avoid causing alarm to anyone who may have seen them.  They cleaned up after themselves and the concert goers who left beer bottles around the parking lot.  One young man, eating a banana that we had provided, tried to hand me $5.  I told him that their gratitude and respect for our neighbors was enough, and I meant it.  

I enjoyed their stories, I relished their enthusiasm and even though I did not agree with all of the things that they are protesting, I appreciate that they are fighting for all of us.

"Here I Stand I can do no other"

It's no coincidence that I attended worship services at Trinity for the first time on NATO weekend.  I spend time at the church, but I am not a christian.  Pastor Tom told the guests, "You don't have to be christian to stay here, you just have to be peaceful."  I was inspired by Pastor Tom's openness to attend church services this weekend, for the first time in many years.  I wanted to see what it was all about.  I am glad that I did.  

One of the guests who had come from Oregon told Pastor Tom and I that, "I gotta tell the churches back home, they're not doing it right."  I can't speak for other churches, but I do know that Trinity is doing it right.  You have created a church that acts as a center for the community, and offers sanctuary to lowly, the poor, the peacemakers, and the persecuted ... and even a cynic like me.  

God's Closet In Need of Toys and Winter Clothing!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

God's Closet, the free-store ministry of First Trinity is a completely volunteer run clothing-and-other-goods closet. All items are completely free to all visitors. And all donations are distributed to those in need.

God's Closet is currently asking for your help in easing the cold this season!

Donations of clean blankets, gloves, socks, and winter clothing are very much appreciated as our sisters and brothers, especially those currently without housing, seek to battle the cold.

We are also looking for toys as Christmas approaches, so that every kid can get something cool and fun under the Christmas tree!

Tax receipts are available upon request.

All are welcome to donate and to shop at God's Closet.

Tuesdays 5-7pm; Fridays 10-Noon.

First Trinity Community Center. 643 West 31st St.
Like us on facebook here!  312 842 7390

All Saints Sunday & Commemoration of the Dead 11/4

Sunday, November 4, All Saints Sunday, First Trinity will have a special worship service remembering all the saints (loved ones and relatives) who have gone on before us.

As soon as you'd like, please start bringing in photographs and other memorabilia of loved ones who have died, and that you'd like to remember on All Saints Sunday. 

We will arrange them around the altar and have a special ceremony to remember them at First Trinity during 10:30 morning worship.

Email Pr. Tom with any questions.
firsttrinitypastor@gmail.com

REFORMATION Sunday 10/28!!

Dear Friends, 

Join us SUNDAY, as we celebrate 495 years of protest, reform, and the other ongoing works of the Holy Spirit inside and outside the church. Tom Fashing will be providing smoked sausage and saurekraut for us all. Trinity band will rock "A Mighty Fortress," And there may even be a guest appearance by Martin Luther himself. Color of the day is Red. Wear it. Bring a friend. Bring some love. RSVP on facebook!  Peace.

Greetings / Elections / Orphanage Halloween / Campus Ministry / REFORMATION / Donate Costumes

First Lutheran Church of the Trinity

Serving Chicago Since 1865

www.FirstTrinityChicago.org, + facebook.com/first.trinity.chicago

Sunday 10:30am Worship, God's Closet Tuesday 5-7pm and Friday 10-Noon

Bible Study Tuesday 7:30-9pm. AA Friday 8pm

Greetings / Elections / Orphanage Halloween / Campus Ministry / REFORMATION / Donate Costumes

October 19, 2012

Dear Members and Friends of Trinity... Happy Friday!

It's been a busy week at First Trinity: God's Closet numbers are up, Tuesday night Bible Study is lively and well intended, and, for a couple of weeks, we need you to be thinking about who you'd like to see elected to positions of leadership here at the church.

Elections

Attached is the list of openings handed out at the Voters Meeting last Sunday. Your nominating committee this year is Marge Fashing (chair), Claudia Hajdas, Ben Huey, Kristin Ostberg, Charlie Rumppe, Larry Carey and Pastor Tom. Please offer them any suggestions or concerns!

**Ghouls Night Out at The Orphanage**

Come on down for a night of spooky fun and costumes. You know you love costumes.

Line up, as of now: 6:00PM Monks of Sadness, 6:30 Diode Milliampere,

7:15 Immovable Types, 8:00 Hannah Frank Trio, 8:45 Overman,

9:30 DJ Ken 10:00 Captain Krack, 10:30 The Beat Traveler.

$5 Suggested donation.

Clickhere for more info and to RSVP via facebook!

South Loop Campus Ministry

This Semester, Lutheran/Episcopal Campus Ministry Ooffers a community meal and conversation Every Sunday at 7pm, at Grace Place, 637 S. Dearborn. Any post-high school student is welcome to attend. More info on SLCM here. 

REFORMATION SUNDAY

A week from this Sunday is Reformation Sunday! Be sure to join us in celebrating 495 years of Lutheranism and Protestantism. Color of the day will be red.

Costumes Needed for God's Closet

Help a kids in the community get a good costume for Halloween! Donate costumes to God's Closet! Thanks!

As always, see you Sunday for 10:30 Worship!

God's Peace.

Pr. Tom

Sunday, October 28, Ghouls Night Out at the Orphanage : Get spooky and get down!

Hallowe'en costume party time has arrived...

Live music! 6:00 Monks of Sadness, 6:30 Diode Milliampere, 7:15 Immovable Types, 8:00 Hannah Frank Trio
8:45 Overman, 9:30 DJ Ken, 10:00 Captain Krack, 10:30 The Beat Traveler

Bryon Medina debuts his Rock Trio, the Haves, performing their first ever show, as "The Monks of Sadness".

POTLUCK! Bring a treat to share!

$5 suggested donation

RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/477589848939704/?fref=ts

Rachel Wind preaching Sunday, September 30 at First Trinity

First Trinity's own Rachel Wind will be preaching this Sunday, September 30, at 10:30am Worship. Rachel has a degree is social work from St. Olaf College and a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She currently works at LSTC as Regional Gift Coordinator. 

Rachel is the author of a vegan blog, a soon-to-be-mother, and she is married to a "goof-ball" named Matt. 

                                                                                     We're very excited to hear from Rachel this week!

God's Closet Needs Kids Clothing and Halloween Costumes

God's Closet at First Lutheran Church of the Trinity (643 W. 31st St.) is currently in need of fall and winter jackets, shoes, and other clothing for kids, especially for ages 4-7. We are also in need of Halloween Costumes so our kids can go trick-or-treating in style. God's Closet is a ministry of First Trinity and is completely volunteer organized and operated. All items in the closet are completely free of cost to the community. All donations are greatly appreciated, and receipts for your tax-deductible donation are available upon request. Thank you!