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This Sunday This week's gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who’s number one, which leads Jesus to say something about God's take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service. Readings: Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalm 91:9-16, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45  November 1st we will celebrate 150 years, All Saints' Day and Dia De Los Muertos.  Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a festival to welcome the souls of the dead.  The living prepare an offerenda (offering) for the dead including favorite foods, candles, religious artifacts, and other remembrances.  We welcome you to bring remembrances of loved ones who have passed to add to our offerenda.   During the anniversary celebration we will remember those who founded and sustained the church over the past 150 years, as well as celebrate the diversity and culture that makes First Trinity an exciting and vibrant congregation today. With the anniversary celebration fast approaching it is time to make sure that we have help! Please email rene@firsttrinitychicago.com, speak to Rene about if/when you can help. This is all-hands-on-deck time. Thursday, October 29, 5-7- Set up auditorium Friday, October 30, 4-7 - Decorate auditorium and Kitchen Saturday, October 31, 10-1 - Decorate sanctuary Sunday, November 1: 9 am - Set up breakfast/kitchen 10 am - help with facepainting/crafts Noon - play an instrument or take a role in the Dia De Los Muertos procession. After worship - Help at reception. After reception - Help with clean up! We appreciate all the help we can get.  Thank you! Cool Events in Our Auditorium: The Bridge presents, Followspot, Friday, October 16 - Details here! The Glint is back with its final edition of its 2015 season with the "Halloween" show. Saturday, October 17 - Details here! A new Bible Study, Luther's Greatest Hits, is going great! Leading up to Reformation Day, and our 150th Anniversary, join us for the month of October as we read from works by Martin Luther. "Martin Luther's Greatest Hits." Tuesdays 7-8:30 in October. You know you'll love it.

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On the anniversary of September 11, we continue to pray for peace. Today (Friday) we will hold a memorial to celebrate the life of our brother, Walter Riley, in the chapel at noon. Walter was a regular at God's Closet, and often came to worship on Sundays.  This Sunday This Sunday we will be joined by guest preacher, Bishop Wayne Miller.  Bishop Miller is about to embark on a sabbatical, the first of his career.  We'll also welcome Rocky Torres to the family through baptism.  After worship we'll have a potluck meal, featuring homemade brats (by James Ravnic).  It's going to be a great day and one you don't want to miss!  Worship starts at 10:30. Oh!  And we're moving back to the sanctuary!  We could use some help getting it ready on Friday.  Anytime between 10-4. Three weeks ago we heard John’s gospel’s version of Peter’s confession of faith. This week we hear Mark’s version, when Peter says, “You are the Messiah.” In John, the stumbling block is Jesus’ invitation to eat his flesh, given for the life of the world. In Mark too the scandal has to do with Jesus’ words about his own coming death, and here Peter himself stumbles over Jesus’ words. But Jesus is anointed (the meaning of “messiah”) in Mark only on the way to the cross (14:3); so we are anointed in baptism with the sign of the cross. Readings and Psalm: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 116:1-9, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38  The flier for the anniversary celebration is below.  There are three things we currently need for the event: 1 - If you know a business or organization who would want to sponsor the event or donate a raffle prize, please contact welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com or share this link. 2 - We also need volunteers to help the day of the event and for tasks such as distributing fliers, picking up donations, and decorating. 3 - We need to know where to send the invites!  If you know former members, friends, or students we would like to have their address or email to invite them to the anniversary.   A new Bible Study, Luther's Greatest Hits, starts October 26. Leading up to Reformation Day, and our 150th Anniversary, join us for the month of October as we read from works by Martin Luther. "Martin Luther's Greatest Hits." Tuesdays 7-8:30 in October. You know you'll love it. And.. our mural made the news.  Read it here! Cool Community Event Alert: The Bridge Opens Fall Season with Mac Wellman's The Hyacinth Macaw, Sept.18-Oct. 4 Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm The Bridge, 643 W. 31st Street

Regular Activities: Sunday: Worship 10:30 am Monday: Office Closed Tuesday: Lectio Divinia 9 am, God's Closet 5-7, Books to Prisoners 5-9, Bible Study 7 pm Wednesday - Yoga 7 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! If you have news for the benefit of the community, please send it to welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com   Coming Up: Sep 13 - Bishop Miller preaching Oct 11 - Rev. Ronald Nitz preaching Oct 4 - St Francis Day Oct 25 - Reformation Sunday Nov 1 - Anniversary Celebration Nov 22 - Christ the King Sunday Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Day Nov 29 - December 24 - Advent Dec 24 - 7pm Candlelight Service, Lessons & Carols Dec 25 - 10:30 Christmas Day Worship & Brunch Dec31-NewYear'sEve * as part of our  year-long 150th anniversary celebration we have invited the bishop and former pastors to preach Did you know, First Trinity is a member of Concordia Cemetery?

Summer Newsletter

Click hear to read our Summer 2015 Newsletter!

This quarter's edition includes:

•   A letter from Pr. Tom
•   God's Closet volunteer, Roseann's reflection on her experience serving those in need
•   An update on planned renovations
•   An update from Amie and Kevin
•   Have ya met... Toby Chow?
•   A preview to our upcoming history book
•   And, as usual, plenty of announcements and photos!

A letter from the bishop