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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

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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

E-News

First Trinity E-News God promises Jeremiah that a "new covenant" will be made in the future: a covenant that will allow all the people to know God by heart. The church sees this promise fulfilled in Christ, who draws all people to himself when he is lifted up on the cross. Our baptismal covenant draws us to God's heart through Christ and draws God's light and truth into our hearts. We see God's heart most clearly in the way Jesus shares human suffering, in an agony both the John and Hebrews readings describe. Readings:  Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 Tickets for Seder are now available online or by contacting the church office at 312-842-7390. 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.  Click or contact Pr. Tom for details!  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!

Congratulations to friend of First Trinity and Nagelspielen champ, Ben Adam, on his upcoming ordination.  Ben has accepted a call as assistant pastor / mission developer at HTLoop, and will continue to serve at South Loop Campus Ministry.  His ordination is set for  May 9th at Shalom Lutheran Church in Pinckney Michigan

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First Trinity E-News

We are having a great time at Catechemmunity.  Be sure to join us next week! 

The First Trinity Community Lenten Devotional is available for download, on the blog, on by following #FTLent on Facebook, Twitter and Google+, or you can just pick up a paper copy on Sunday!

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The third covenant in this year's Lenten readings is the central one of Israel's history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The ten commandments are one of the chief parts of Luther's catechism, a core piece of baptismal instruction. They begin with the statement that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else claim first place in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods.

Readings
Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22

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On Sunday, March 15 (2:30 PM) Windy City Opera is going to be doing a performance of La Boheme at First Trinity.  Suggested donation is $10 ($5 for students and seniors).  This is a neat opportunity to hear professional singers perform a classic opera right here in Bridgeport, for a great price!  

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Tomorrow is the makeup day for Ben's Movie Night.  Free movie, popcorn, and fun!  Potluck beverages and snacks!

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Tickets for Seder are now available online or by contacting the church office at 312-842-7390.

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On February 24 Nativity of Our Lord Parish, and First Lutheran Church of the Trinity visited the Br. David Darst Center for the first of our 2015 Ecumenical Lenten Speaker Series.  Sr. Donna Liette, C.PP.S and Sr. Carolyn Hoying C.PP.S from Precious Blood Ministry Of Reconciliation and Sr. Sharon Bossler, OP, from St. Leonard's Ministries spoke about 
Life on Purpose: Contemplation and Justice.  

The second in the series takes place Thursday, March 12 at Nativity Of Our Lord Parish (3700 S. Union Ave.); Maria Fitzsimmons from Organizing Catholics for Justice will speak about Faith and Action: The Baptismal Call for the Kingdom of God.  

Fellowship, soup and bread start at 6:30PM, and the special guest speakers at 7:00PM.  We are excited about our collaboration, and we look forward to seeing everyone there. All are welcome.

E-News

First Trinity E-News read more here!

We are having a great time at Catechemmunity.  Be sure to join us next week! 

The First Trinity Community Lenten Devotional is available for download, on the blog, on by following #FTLent on Facebook, Twitter and Google+, or you can just pick up a paper copy on Sunday!

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The second covenant in this year's Lenten readings is the one made with Abraham and Sarah: God's promise to make them the ancestors of many, with whom God will remain in everlasting covenant. Paul says this promise comes to all who share Abraham's faith in the God who brings life into being where there was no life. We receive this baptismal promise of resurrection life in faith. Sarah and Abraham receive new names as a sign of the covenant, and we too get new identities in baptism, as we put on Christ.

Readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38

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Tomorrow is Ben's Movie Night.  Free movie, popcorn, and fun!  Potluck beverages and snacks!

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Tickets for Seder are now available online or by contacting the church office at 312-842-7390.

Catechemmunity Bridgeport Ecumenical Lenten Series Holy Week

Lenten Devotional Movie Night Seder

Christian Seder

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.  

Join us for Holy Week!

APRIL 13, 2013

10:30AM, Palm Sunday, with a grand Procession into the large Sanctuary!

6:00PM, Christian Seder with guest leader Rev. Jon Krogh

April 17, 7pm - Maundy Thursday worship and foot washing 

April 18, 7pm - Good Friday Service of Darkness

April 19, 7pm - Easter Vigil at Augustana Lutheran Church

April 20, 10:30am - EASTER worship and brunch AND EASTER EGG HUNT!!!