E-News

All Are Welcome! View this email in your browser

Sunday: We've been having a lot of fun this January, exploring alternative liturgies and hearing rotating musicians.  The fun continues this Sunday, at 10:30.  Come and See!    Readings and Psalm Isaiah 9:1-4 Light shines for those in darkness Psalm 27:1, 4-9 The Lord is my light and my salvation. (Ps. 27:1) 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Appeal for unity in the gospel Matthew 4:12-23 Revelation of Christ as a prophet

E-News

All Are Welcome! View this email in your browser

Sunday: We've been having a lot of fun this January, exploring alternative liturgies and hearing rotating musicians.  The fun continues this Sunday, at 10:30.  Come and See!    Readings and Psalm Isaiah 49:1-7 The servant brings light to the nations Psalm 40:1-11 I love to do your will, O my God. (Ps. 40:8) 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul’s greeting to the church at Corinth John 1:29-42 Revelation of Christ as the Lamb of God

Last Saturday of Each Month - 7pm Ben's Movie Night Last Sunday of Each Month - 9:15am Living Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group Last Thursday of Each Month - Bridgeport Alliance - 7pm Confirmation Classes 2nd and 4th Sunday of Each Month - See Pastor Tom Check out some of the groups who meet or perform in our space: The Bridge, The Glint, LGBT Neighbors in Bridgeport, Midwest Books to Prisoners, The Group Project, and more! 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 Weekly Activities: Sunday: Worship 10:30 am Monday: Office Closed, Books to Prisoners  Tuesday: Lectio Divinia 9 am, God's Closet 5-7, Bible Study 7 pm Wednesday: Yoga 7:30 pm Friday - God's Closet 10-noon, Office Hours 10-Noon, AA 8:00   Upcoming: 01/16/17    Martin Luther King Jr. birthday                   observed 01/22/17    Confirmation Class 01/28/17    Ben's Movie Night 01/29/17    Living Lutheran Magazine Discussion                   Group 02/12/17    Confirmation Class 02/18/17    Martin Luther, renewer of the church,                   died 1546 02/25/17    Ben's Movie Night 02/26/17    Confirmation Class 02/26/17    Living Lutheran Magazine Discussion                   Group 03/01/17    Ash Wednesday 03/05/17    First Sunday in Lent 03/12/17    Confirmation Class 03/12/17    Daylight Saving Time begins 03/12/17    Second Sunday in Lent 03/19/17    Third Sunday in Lent 03/25/17    Ben's Movie Night 03/26/17    Confirmation Class 03/26/17    Fourth Sunday in Lent 03/26/17    Living Lutheran Magazine Discussion                   Group 04/02/17    Fifth Sunday in Lent 04/09/17    Confirmation Class 04/09/17    Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday 04/13/17    Maundy Thursday 04/14/17    Good Friday 04/16/17    Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day

E-News

Friday: This Epiphany, we at First Trinity will be joining our mother church, First Immanuel Lutheran Church of Chicago, for the celebration of the Epiphany. Sing "We Three Kings," hear the story of the magi, and make friends with Lutherans from a couple of neighborhoods away! We will carpool from First Lutheran Church of The Trinity at 6. Worship at First Immanuel is at 6:30! See you Friday, the 6th for Epiphany! Sunday: In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing. Readings and Psalm Isaiah 42:1-9 The servant of the Lord brings justice Psalm 29 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Ps. 29:3) Acts 10:34-43 Jesus’ ministry after his baptism Matthew 3:13-17 Revelation of Christ as God’s servant Memorial for Curly Cohen A life well lived. Please join us for a service in memory of Curly Cohen. Sunday, 2 pm - 5 pm in the community center auditorium.

Last Saturday of Each Month - 7pm Ben's Movie Night Last Sunday of Each Month - 9:15am Living Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group Last Thursday of Each Month - Bridgeport Alliance - 7pm Confirmation Classes 2nd and 4th Sunday of Each Month - See Pastor Tom Check out some of the groups who meet or perform in our space: The Bridge, The Glint, LGBT Neighbors in Bridgeport, Midwest Books to Prisoners, The Group Project, and more! 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 Weekly Activities: Sunday: Worship 10:30 am Monday: Office Closed, Books to Prisoners  Tuesday: Lectio Divinia 9 am, God's Closet 5-7, Bible Study 7 pm Wednesday: Yoga 7:30 pm Friday - God's Closet 10-noon, Office Hours 10-Noon, AA 8:00   Upcoming: 01/06/17    Epiphany of Our Lord 01/08/17    Confirmation Class 01/16/17    Martin Luther King Jr. birthday                   observed 01/22/17    Confirmation Class 01/28/17    Ben's Movie Night 01/29/17    Living Lutheran Magazine Discussion                   Group 02/12/17    Confirmation Class 02/18/17    Martin Luther, renewer of the church,                   died 1546 02/25/17    Ben's Movie Night 02/26/17    Confirmation Class 02/26/17    Living Lutheran Magazine Discussion                   Group 03/01/17    Ash Wednesday 03/05/17    First Sunday in Lent 03/12/17    Confirmation Class 03/12/17    Daylight Saving Time begins 03/12/17    Second Sunday in Lent 03/19/17    Third Sunday in Lent 03/25/17    Ben's Movie Night 03/26/17    Confirmation Class 03/26/17    Fourth Sunday in Lent 03/26/17    Living Lutheran Magazine Discussion                   Group 04/02/17    Fifth Sunday in Lent 04/09/17    Confirmation Class 04/09/17    Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday 04/13/17    Maundy Thursday 04/14/17    Good Friday 04/16/17    Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day

Sweet and Sour Chicken for God's Closet

Many of the youth at First Trinity helped to make and serve the meal for God's Closet today, and then stuck around to do a bunch of cleaning and set up in the chapel.  We are truly blessed to have such a fun and giving group of kids.

Many people asked for the recipe for the Sweet and Sour Chicken, so here it is:

First the chicken

2 Chicken Breasts cut into about 1" pieces

1 cup Flour

1 tablespoon Salt

1 tablespoon Pepper

4 Eggs

Toss the chicken first in the flour, then the eggs, then the flour again.  Fry chicken in about 1/2" vegetable oil (and set aside in a preheated warm oven.  Be careful not to overcrowd the frying pan and add more oil as needed.  

Next the vegetables

2 Red Peppers

1 Red Onion

10 oz Carrots

Cut all vegetables to about 1" pieces.  Sauté the carrots in the same oil as you cooked the chicken until they are just starting to get soft, then put them in the oven with the chicken.  Repeat that process with the onions and the peppers. 

The Sauce and finishing touches

2 cans Pineapple Chunks (drained)

1 bottle Pantai Norasingh Mild Chili Sauce in 30.5oz

Put the pineapple in the frying pan and just as they get hot add the sauce.  Cook for about 2-3 minutes.  Remove the chicken and veggies from the oven and pour the sauce and pineapple over the top.  

We had some parsley and sesame seeds today so we topped the dish with those to make it extra pretty.  

Serve with white rice, and expect it to disappear quickly!  

E-News

This Week: On a long winter evening we gather to proclaim the coming of the light.  Amid our broken world we proclaim that the prince of peace is born among us. God comes to us in human flesh—in Christ’s body and blood—so that we may be bearers of divine light to all the world. Christmas Eve Lessons and Carolsbegins at 7:00 pm on Saturday, December 24. All Are Welcome! On this Christmas morning the people of God gather to celebrate the birth of the Word made flesh,  The meaning of Christmas is made clear: the light shines in the darkness.  We go forth to be bearers of light as we proclaim this good news to all the ends of the earth.  Christmas Morning Worship is followed by a potluck brunch.  Worship starts at 10:30 on Sunday, December 25.  All Are Welcome! There will not be Godly Play on December 25 or January 1, but we look forward to seeing the youth in the New Year!

E-News

This Week: We're sending this week's E-News a day early to remind you of an incredible opportunity to have the most possible fun on a cold winter's night you can imagine!  It's our annual Beer and Carol event!  Join us tonight at Rocky's around 8 pm to sing until you can't sing anymore!  This Sunday Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday in Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death. Readings and Psalm Isaiah 7:10-16 The sign of Immanuel Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80:7) Romans 1:1-7 Paul’s greeting to the church at Rome Matthew 1:18-25 A God near at hand Our MIC Students, Samantha and Malina, both wrote pieces for our recent newsletter about Advent.  If you have not read them, or want to read them again, click here! Godly Play is every Sunday at 9:15 am. All kids, 11 and under are welcome. Coffee will be on for parents. We are looking for folks to provide snacks for youth on Sundays. If you are interested, please speak to Erika or Patti. I wonder, what is Godly Play?  Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond. Come join us!

Christmas is coming soon!  If you plan to bring a dish to pass for the potluck brunch on Christmas Day you can let us know here.

January 2017 Calendar

Commemorations
Sunday, January 01, 2017 - Name of Jesus - By Jewish law, every baby boy was circumcised and named on the eighth day of life, so on the eighth day of Christmas the church celebrates this event in Jesus' life. The keeping of the covenant as well as Jesus' name are signs of God's salvation given to us through him.

Monday, January 02, 2017 - Johann Konrad Wilhelm Loehe, renewer of the church, died 1872 - A nineteenth-century German Lutheran pastor, Loehe worked to enliven the church with the eucharist at its center, from which would flow evangelism and social ministry. He sent pastors to North America, Australia, New Guinea, Brazil, and the Ukraine.

Friday, January 06, 2017 - Epiphany of Our Lord Sunday, January 08, 2017 - Baptism of Our Lord

Monday, January 09, 2017 - Adrian of Canterbury, teacher, died around 710 - African by birth, Adrian (or Hadrian) worked with Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, in developing the church in England. He was director of a school at which church leaders were trained.

Sunday, January 15, 2017 - Martin Luther King Jr., renewer of society, martyr, died 1968 - An American prophet of justice among races and nations, King was an eloquent preacher, a leader of the nonviolent resistance to race-segregated society, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Born on this date, he was assassinated on 
April 4, 1968.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017 - Antony of Egypt, renewer of the church, died around 356 - One of the earliest of the Egyptian desert fathers, Antony gave away his sizeable inheritance and became a hermit. Later he became leader of a group of monks who devoted themselves to prayer, worship, and labor.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017 - Pachomius, renewer of the church, died 346 - Born in Egypt, Pachomius became a Christian while a soldier. He became a hermit (a solitary monk) and organized others into a religious community. His rule for monasteries influenced later ones in both the Eastern and Western churches.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - Confession of Peter - Today the church remembers the apostle Peter's great acknowledgement of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God." This festival serves as a fitting beginning to the week in which we particularly pray that all Christians might be united in faith and witness.

Thursday, January 19, 2017 - Henry, Bishop of Uppsala, martyr, died 1156 - When Erik, King of Sweden, determined to invade Finland for the purpose of converting the people there to Christianity, Henry went with him. Henry is recognized as the patron saint of Finland.

Saturday, January 21, 2017 - Agnes, martyr, died around 304 - Agnes was a girl of about thirteen living in Rome. The martyrdom are not clear, but she gave witness to her faith and was put to death as a result, most likely by the sword. The church has honored her as one of the chief martyrs of her time.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017 - Conversion of Paul - The week of prayer begun by the remembrance of Peter's confession now comes to an end as we recall the pivotal moment in the life of the other pillar of the early church, the apostle Paul. His encounter with the risen Christ turned him from persecutor of the followers of Christ to one of their leaders.

Thursday, January 26, 2017 - Timothy, Titus, and Silas, missionaries - These three early Christian men were missionary companions of the apostle Paul. Timothy became bishop of Ephesus, Titus bishop of Crete, and Silas was imprisoned with Paul at Philippi until they were delivered by an earthquake.

Friday, January 27, 2017 - Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith - Women as well as men were important Christian leaders from the beginning, as demonstrated by these coworkers of the apostle Paul. Lydia, a seller of purple goods, lent her home for a church; Dorcas was known for charitable works; and Phoebe was a deacon in the church at Cenchrae.

Saturday, January 28, 2017 - Thomas Aquinas, teacher, died 1274 - One of the most brilliant and creative theologians in the church's history, Aquinas worked to bring together scripture and the philosophy of Aristotle. A member of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), Aquinas was also a hymnwriter. 

Birthdays!
3 - Renee G
6 - Joe H
9 - Jennifer M
13 - Toby C

15 - Rachel W
23 - Erika H
24 - Elma R
28 - Andrew M