April Highlights
Parade of the Palms: As has become a tradition at Trinity, we celebrated Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, with Pastor Brian and Timmy leading the children in the Parade of Palms in which we welcome the Triumphant Jesus into the City of Jerusalem. It is always a joy to experience the children re-enacting this procession.
Welcome to Our Newest Members: We are pleased to welcome new members to our church family – Patrick Moore and Samantha Schreffler. Pat became a member of Trinity on Easter Sunday. He is the husband of Jenny Moore and father to Emma, Easton, Autumn and Ivy. Also becoming a member in April was Samantha Schreffler. She is the wife of Andrew Schreffler. Please welcome Pat and Samantha in worship and congregational events. We look forward to working with them in carrying out our congregation’s mission.
Chili CookOff: On Saturday, March 30th, we hosted a Chili Cookoff to raise money for this summer’s mission trip to Cincinnati. We had nine different chili recipes and 30 tasters. And the winners were… first place - Sherry McDonald and Joyce Schlegel and second place – Kylene Kroh. The event raised $310.50 for our mission trip. Thanks to all the chefs and all those who helped to eat the delicious entries. P.S. You can find the recipe for their first-place chili in the recently-published Trinity Cookbook, page 23, Award Winning Chili. Rumor has it that the secret ingredient is Harry & David’s Pepper & Onion Relish!
Breakfast with the Bible: On April 6th members of our congregation met for breakfast with members at Friedens Lutheran in Llewellyn at the Cracker Barrel in Frackville. After enjoying a delicious breakfast in conversation, a brief Bible study was had that focused on Jesus entry into Jerusalem, which is commonly the scripture that opens our Palm Sunday worship. Everyone enjoyed continuing to get to know one another and sharing in our faith and in our individual stories. We will next meet on June 15 at Friedens with more delicious food, meaningful scripture, and growing closer together.
Trinity Grounds Clean up: On Saturday, April 6th we had a great crew of hard workers come out to clean up the church grounds. Big thanks to Joe Fogarty, Blaine Morgan, Steve Schwalm, Sam Snyder, Jack Specht, Jack’s grandson Will Parker, Will’s friend Elias, and Paul Kramer. Mark Maurer was gracious enough to come at Sam’s request with a bucket of top soil in his backhoe for the south lawn and then he removed large root systems along the west side of the social hall so new shrubbery can be planted. Ross Schwalm will use his rototiller to loosen up an area along the south wall adjacent to the Sunday School rooms to allow for plantings there, also. We appreciate your work to keep our church grounds looking so nice.
Agape Community Meal: Our April Agape Meal was held on April 10th. In addition to approximately 70 people served at the church, we have a list of 19 shut-ins to whom we deliver Agape meals. If you know of a shut-in who would appreciate a warm meal on the second Wednesday of each month, please let the Kitchen Committee know. We’ll be glad to add their names to the list! We thank God that we are able to carry out this ministry at Trinity. We are so very grateful for the hands that prepare the meals, the hands that set up and clean up, and the people who come to enjoy the meal and the Christian fellowship. God Bless all who take part in this meal.
Thanks to everyone who routinely helps with set up before and clean up after the Agape Meal. We are so grateful for your help.
Sincerely, Kitchen Committee
Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt: On Sunday, April 14th we had a great time with our Sunday School Easter egg hunt. Approximately 25 children participated in the hunt. A big thanks to all the children who came out, to the parents who brought them, and to all our members who donated candy to fill the plastic eggs. We appreciate your support.
Fill the Pews Sunday: This year for Music Recognition Sunday we had the return of Trinity’s Polka Service during Sunday10:30 AM worship. Hymns and service music were set to German or polka tunes. The words to the songs were beautiful and meaningful, the music was lively thanks to Jack Umholtz on the organ, and the congregation was smiling! We also enjoyed a wonderful selection on the organ by Dan Umholtz, beautiful anthems from our Children’s Choir with Ellie Dunkelberger who did an awesome job accompanying the Children’s Choir on the piano, our Chancel Choir and the debut of our own Men’s Quartet”. What more could we ask for? Praise God!
Happy 103rd Birthday, Grace! On April 28th, Grace Shankweiler celebrated her 103rd birthday. Her Trinity Family is pleased to extend her our most sincere wishes for a happy birthday. Grace, we hope you had a great day and your year will continue to be as blessed as you are to us.
Miles to Mend: We had no requests in the month of April for Miles to Mend. Please be aware that this program is available for all who are traveling because of ongoing medical treatments. To nominate someone, see the forms in the office entrance of the church.
Organ Concert at Friedens, Llewellyn: As part of the 200th anniversary year celebrations of Frieden’s Lutheran Church Llewellyn, F. Allen Artz, III organist performed a recital on April 28th - “Celebrating Our Lutheran Heritage for 200 Years in Branch Township, PA through Organ Music and Song”. In addition to the recital, Friedens also included the blessing of their new organ. A reception of light refreshments followed the concert in the Church House next door. It was a lovely afternoon spent in their beautiful church on the hill.