A Message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am in touch with you again today even as I am headed to Charleston, S.C., to be present at the funeral tomorrow of the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, who was pastor at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and was a graduate of the ELCA’s Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Yesterday I shared with you a worship resource titled “Service of Prayer in Remembrance” for use in this Sunday’s worship services.  Today I am sending you a revised version of this resource, now titled “Service of Repentance and Mourning.” The revisions are significant and important; I would not be in touch again today if this weren’t the case. I received valuable feedback from several quarters yesterday, and I decided it was worthwhile to incorporate these responses into a revised worship resource. I hope you will be able to make good use of it. I understand that it may be difficult for some congregations to incorporate this liturgy (or portions of it) into this Sunday’s services. And I know that many of you offered prayers in response to the Charleston shooting in last Sunday’s worship. We will need to be praying about, and acting in response to, this act of racism and hatred, and the sin of racism, for a sustained period of time. I encourage you to use your good discernment and judgment to be creative, flexible and resourceful in how and when you address this situation in your congregations – in worship, in education and discussion, in your collective actions. While this Sunday is designated as one of repentance and mourning for the ELCA, our attention to this cannot be limited to one particular day. Included again for your use this Sunday is the public statement I made June 18, the day after the shooting in Charleston. Share this with your congregation. Thank you again for your ministry and all you do to share the good news of Jesus Christ and God’s healing, redemptive power. Your Sister in Christ, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Suggested Service of Repentance and Mourning: http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Service_of_Repentance_and_Mourning.pdf http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Service_of_Repentance_and_Mourning.docx   ELCA statement after the Charleston shooting: http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/long_season_of_disquiet_letter.pdf

Ash Wednesday Schedule

E-News - August 31

Join us for Worship Sunday at 10:30

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering, yet finds in God's words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn't grasp Jesus' words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.

 Readings: Jeremiah 15:15-21, Psalm 26:1-8, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28

Next Sunday, September 7 - We are excited to welcome several guests, from Brazil, including Rev. Marcia Blasi, Felipe Gustavo Koch Buttelli, Dr. Roger Wanke, and our long-time friend of First Trinity, Dr. Vitor Westhelle (USA & Brazil)! We will have lunch after worship. Bring something yummy to share?

Happening This Week

Monday:

LGBT Neighbors in Bridgeport

Tuesday: 

Lectio Divina - 9 am sanctuary

God's Closet - 5-7

Books to Prisoners - 5 pm

Friday: 

God's Closet - 10-Noon

AA 8 pm

Saturday:

Church Council 10:30

Sunday: 

10:30 AM Worship! 

Coming Up

Sunday, September 7 - Brazilian Representatives to the Lutheran World Federation visiting
Sunday, September 21- Theology: What's The Point? Discussion and Book Release Party! Special Guest, Rev. Robert Saler, Ph.D.
Sunday, September 28 – Oktoberfest
Sunday, October 5 - St. Francis Day/Pet Blessing

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!

Pentecost Sunday and Burgers with the Bishop

Some photos from Sunday's worship and cookout.  Enjoy! 

E-Newsletter - Third Sunday in Easter

Click here for the full newsletter


Sisters and Brothers! Christ is Risen! Still! Alleluia!

I pray that last Sunday was great! I saw some pictures of Josh, Matt and Ben online. With worship leaders like that...

Our trip to DC was great! We also had the opportunity to worship, as well as to bring the message of God's love for all people to the streets. Drew and I also had the opportunity to preach at a couple of rallies. 

We were introduced to our new Ministry In Context (formerly known as Teaching Parish) student from the seminary this week. Her name is Katy Jacob, preparing for ordained ministry in the ELCA. We will have seminarian Christine Doidge with us next school year, as well, in a similar capacity. Christine is a candidate for ELCA diaconal ministry. More about them this summer! 

Worship this Sunday will be at 10:30AM.

South Loop Campus Ministry Sandwich Delivery at 6pm at Grace Place - 637 S. Dearborn!

See you Sunday!

Peace and Love. 

Some Bridgeport-at-NPA-in-DC photos:

Time to Burn the Palms and Bury the Alleluias!

Sunday, March 2 - After 10:30 Worship

Still like playing with fire?

Bring your Palm-Sunday-Palms. WE WILL BURN THEM!

Bring your ALLELUIA's. We'll bury them. 

The ashes from the palms will be used for the imposition of ashes for First Trinity Ash Wednesday.

Read Pastor Tom's blog about why we bury the alleluia.

All Are Welcome!

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve Event Page

Christmas Day Event Page

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