Author: Kathy Erat

Trinity Lutheran Church
Newsletter
October 2022

1354 S. Otsego Ave. Gaylord, MI 49735 (989) 732-4816 www.trinitygaylord.com

Young Women Fighting Perfectionism with God’s Grace
In Mission Devotions for the 20-Something Woman
Fighting Perfectionism with God’s Grace Devotions for the 20-Something Woman “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9). I think most women can say that we’ve struggled with perfectionism at one time or another. As a result, we can see it manifest as the desire for control in our relationships, jobs, grades, or even minor projects. So often our need for control and perfection can prevent us from making the decision to go out of our comfort zone and take on new challenges in order to grow in these areas of our lives. The desire for certainty of success and perfection can rob us of the peace and contentment that God has for us. However, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s grace has our imperfections covered. Because of God’s grace, we are able to take on a growth mindset in spite of our perfectionism. We can rest in the knowledge that God uses us as we are, imperfections and all, to fulfill His purpose and grow us as He sees fit. His grace is powerful enough to fill our cracks and imperfections and shine through for others to see Him through us. So, despite our flaws and uncertainty, we can receive God’s peace and proceed with the confidence that can only come from His all-sufficient grace as we trust in Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, by grace You saved me, by Your grace I live each day following Your guidance and purpose for my life. Help me to stay focused on the plans You have for me as I serve You and live in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Emily Frick, Athens, Wisconsin Published
by Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 2021 lwml.org

NEWSLETTER
October 2022

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BIRTHDAYS

The following people have October Birthdays
10/8 Cathy Pickering
10/9 Pam Beasinger
10/9 Mike Goodrich
10/9 Julie Hull
10/13 Jack Osantowski
10/17 Greyson Albrecht
10/18 Robert Wingo
10/21 Rachel Frisch
10/21 Richard Van Buren
10/23 Eleanor Raether
10/28 Janet Arner

ANNIVERSARIES

The following people have
October wedding anniversaries:
10/1 Tom & Jean Beach
10/12 Renne & Lynette Girard
10/26 Tom & Terri Raithel
10/26 Alan & Nicole Tucek
God’s blessings to all of you who celebrate your years of marriage!

FINANCIAL REPORT

The past month’s statistics report…
Date Attendance Offerings Special funds Reimbursements Total Deposit
8/28 76 $ 2,389.00 $ 40.00 $ .00 $ 2,429.00
9/4 126 $ 3,013.00 $ 1,715.00 $ .00 $ 4,728.00
9/11 57 $ 4,087.00 $ 368.41 $ .00 $ 4,368.41
9/18 67 $ 2,929.00 $ 121.78 $ 572.97 $ 3,623.75
*Mt. Hope Shared Expenses
The average weekly receipts needed to meet our 2020 budgeted expenses are $3,553.54.

KUT-UPS

In the Summer 2022 newsletter for LWR quilters is an article about Audrey Fisher of Washington. She is now 90 years of age and what an inspiration! In 1979 she became the leader of her church quilt group. The best year's quota in the early 1900s was nearly 700 quilts! She has helped make 18,000 quilts over the years of service. If you would like to read the story, I will have it available. We have two more sessions to add to the quilts we have already made. We meet Monday September 26 at 10:00 a.m. So mark your calendar, make your lunch and plan to join us please. The quilts will be blessed during the service on October 9th.

NEWSLETTER
October 2022

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STEPHEN MINISTRY

Stephen Ministers are everyday people like YOU and me, and are congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.
Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need.
Since 1975, more than 600,000 people from more than 13,000 congregations and other organizations (all over the world) have been trained as Stephen Ministers.
Over the years, well over one-and-a-half million people have benefited from the one-to-one, Christ-centered care of a Stephen Minister. This care is entirely confidential—no one knows the identity of a care receiver except for their Stephen Minister and the pastor or Stephen Leader who paired them together. The care receivers featured here willingly volunteered to share their stories.
“It Was Such a Burden off My Shoulders”
“My Stephen Minister Is Truly a Gift”
“Getting Me Plugged into My Church”
“Refusing to Give Up on Me”
“I Can Tell Him Anything”
“Connected with God in a Way I Never Felt Before”
The heart of our ministry is Stephen Ministry, the lay caring ministry system used in thousands of congregations and other organizations worldwide.
In addition, Stephen Ministries St. Louis also offers many other adult education courses, books, and videos.
If you feel you, or someone you know, could use the help of a Stephen Minister, please feel free to speak with a pastor or Stephen Leader to see how you can be assigned confidentially with your own Stephen Minister.

CANCER & FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP

Cancer & Friends meet the 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm in the church fellowship hall. If you are a patient, survivor, spouse, family, friend, or a caregiver you are all welcome to attend the meetings. We can all help each other. Hope to see you at the meetings, everyone is invited. I will have more information it in the bulletin or the October meeting You can call or contact Elaine Raschke by email elaineraschke@gmail.com , you can also call or text at
989-350-4391.

NEWSLETTER
October 2022

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LWML NEWS

LWML NEWS
Our LWML September meeting was a breakfast gathering at Bob Evans restaurant. President Carla Elenz shared what is going on with upcoming LWML activity, and it was decided that our upcoming meetings will be held at 5pm the third Tuesday of the month, with a soup supper in our Fellowship Hall, followed by a brief business meeting and then a chosen activity. On October 18th we will be creating Thanksgiving devotional journals – a fun and creative activity for which all supplies will be provided. Each participant will go home with a self-created booklet which will enhance your devotional preparation for the Thanksgiving month of November. In November our ladies will meet on November 15th at 5pm, enjoy a soup supper together, then learn about creating a charcuterie board by our experienced member, Ann Mertz. You will make one to take home. That meeting will also include the assembly of collage baskets for our church members in college.
LWML Sunday is October 2nd. LWML women will be assisting with service activities that day and will participate in assembling Health Kits for Lutheran World Relief after our worship service. Wear your purple on LWML Sunday 😊. There will be a BAKE SALE that day during our Fellowship Hour, with all donations being directed to missions of various kinds.
LWML FALL ZONE RALLY is Saturday, October 8th, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kalkaska. There will be a guest speaker, election of officers, and an ingathering. See the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall for more details. It starts at 10am, with registration at 9:30am. They would like to know how many from our church are attending so that they have enough lunch provisions, so please sign up on the hallway bulletin board if you plan to attend.

COUNCIL NEWS & NOTES

WILL YOU SERVE?
God has blessed our congregation with many gifted people, who gather together as our church family to worship our Lord and serve one another and our community, as is our responsibility in God’s family of believers. We have many opportunities available, and here listed are ways you may consider serving. This is certainly not a complete list, but these are some known areas that are currently in need of assistance.
Board of Stewardship: We currently have a vacancy in the position of Chairman of the Board of Stewardship. Our Board of Stewardship helps with the promotion of our peoples’ use of their time, talents, and treasures. Contact Bob Erat if interested.
Treasurer: Mark Mohr has done a tremendous job as our church treasurer, but he has expressed a desire to be relieved of this position, due to time constraints with his employment. Trinity has been using QuickBooks for our money management software. If you are interested in this position or want more information, please contact Mark Mohr or Bob Erat. Kathy Erat will continue as assistant to the Treasurer, so if you are willing to be our treasurer, know that you will have an assistant.
Board of Outreach: Our Board of Outreach is seeking people who will support our outreach efforts. If you have a passion for outreach, please consider participating in this way, sharing your ideas, and implementing new efforts to get the Word out! Contact Bob Erat if interested.
Counters: Our counters serve under the leadership of our Financial Secretary and are used to count the Sunday offerings. We could use a few more people who would be willing to be on a counting team (2 counters per Sunday) to stay after church and count the offerings received that day. The frequency depends on how many counters we have. Currently a counter is scheduled about once every 5 weeks, but with more counters, it would be less often. Please let Joann Whitney know if you would like to be a Counter, 231-585-6163.
Greeters: Our greeters play an important role in welcoming members and visitors alike to our worship services. Sometimes the greeters are the first person a visitor sees when attending Trinity’s worship services, and it speaks loudly of our friendliness and welcoming attitude. If you would like to be a greeter, please let Kathy Erat know, 989-732-7153, or email to kathyerat@charter.net.
Ushers: Our ushers arrive ½ hour before the start of services and hand out bulletins to our worship guests. During communion they direct our congregation as they approach the altar rail to be served communion. Instruction will be provided. Call Jim Kunisch, 989-732-2803 if you are willing to be an usher.
Home Bible Study Groups: Home Bible study group participation is a great way to grow in fellowship around the Word of God. Small groups allow for a Christian togetherness at a deeper level. We currently have only one active home Bible study group. We could use another one (or more). There is a demand for participation, but the current group is maxed out. If you are willing to host and/or lead a home Bible study group, please contact the Erats, 989-732-7153. Materials for use are available from our church Bible study inventory.
Many other service opportunities also exist. Please consider your giftedness and allow God to use you in His service.

NEWSLETTER
October 2022

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COUNCIL NEWS & NOTES CONT.

COMMUNITY FOOD GIVEAWAY

Trinity will be hosting a Community Food Giveaway in our church parking lot on Friday, October 7th. Trinity has recently become a licensed agency for ordering/scheduling food truck deliveries. We have ordered a straight truck (as opposed to a semi-truck) to deliver food at about 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 7th. We need LOTS of volunteers to pull this off. Volunteers will need to arrive by 9am to get organized and instructed as to the procedures we will follow. If you can come and help, please sign up on the bulletin board sign-up sheet across from the church office, or call Kathy Erat, 989-732-7153 if you have questions or to let her know of your intent to help. We will have a lunch provided for our volunteers.
Beyond volunteering, we also need help in spreading the word of our food giveaway to those who may be able to use the food. We want to be God’s instruments of assistance in helping our community in need. Please tell others about this event. At the giveaway, we will take the recipients’ names, but there will be no questions asked about qualifying need. Additionally, please pray that this event goes well and that those who have need will be helped and perceive this as evidence of God’s provision and care.
One of our past Community Food Giveaways
One of our past Community Food Giveaways

NEWSLETTER October 2022

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DUAL PARISH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

We will be having a Joint congregation meeting Monday October 3 at 6:30 pm at Mt. Hope Grayling. This is to extend a call to Rev James Travis.
Thanks any questions 989-370-5056
Terri

FAMILY FARE

Family Fare Direct Your Dollars points are currently 134,596! We are closing the gap with only 15,404 points to go. Thank you for remembering to bring in your receipts.

FOOD PANTRY

Our next date Trinity volunteers at the food pantry is Friday, October 21, from 11:45 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. The sign-up sheet is on the board across from the office. Your help is needed as it takes at least four people to "shop" and pack and one more to do the paperwork. Please sign up.
A big Thank You! goes out to Wally Beasinger who has represented Trinity Lutheran by serving on the Otsego County Community Food Pantry Board of Directors for quite a long time. He has decided to step down and requested that another from our church replace him. The board meets only six times a year. If you would like to serve on the board, or have questions, please see Donna Cottrell.

BIBLE STUDIES

Sunday morning bible study w/ Tom Beach is at 10:30 am after the church service. Starting September 11th.
Wednesday morning bible study w/Rev. Ken Bernthal is at
10 am in the fellowship hall. Starting September 14th.
Erat’s Home bible study dates for September are
September 15th & 29th.
Please contact Kathy Erat if interested.

PRAYER CHAIN

Stay In Touch: Here easy ways that you can stay in touch with what's going on at church if you're not already! Trinity has a Prayer Chain email that includes special requests from our members. This is a great way to support one another in holy prayer. If you do not have a computer and would like to be on the prayer chain just drop off you name and phone number Please email Elaine in the office if you're interested in being on these email lists.secretary@trinitygaylord.com

NEWSLETTER
October 2022

TRINITY CHURCH LIBRARY

Our church library has a LOT of great reading material to share with you! There are biblical reference books, inspirational readings, children’s books, and interesting Christian novels with a religious dimension. Wander in, take a look at our shelves (across from the church office), and feel free to sign out a book in the red spiral binder. Please mark in the sign-out book when you return it, as well.

OSBORN FUND

Osborn Fund: We have a special fund called the Osborn Fund that helps provide financial assistance to members who may find themselves in some kind of need at Trinity Lutheran Church. This was created back in 1973 in loving memory of Royal Osborn, who was an Elder and active participant at Trinity. It has helped numerous people over the many years.
If you are in need: Please don't hesitate to contact our pastor or your Elder who will help you apply confidentially for assistance through this fund. Examples of assistance given in the past year include: help with rent payment, utility bills, propane gas, and car repairs.
If you are able to donate: The integrity of this fund depends upon donations from members who are able to give above and beyond their normal church offering. If you would like to give a special contribution in order to help your fellow brother or sister in Christ, this would be a good place to direct your funds. You may place your donation in an envelope at church and mark it "Osborn Fund" and place it in the offering plate. Many thanks!

2022 Church Personnel/Leaders
Pastor Paul Schneider
Pastor Ken Bernthal
Elaine Raschke, Secretary (989) 732-4816
E-mail: secretary@trinitygaylord.com
Church Council
President Bob Erat
Vice President Tim Arner
Secretary Kathy Erat
Board of Education Nancy Ely
Board of Outreach Elaine Raschke
Jennifer Martin
Board of Properties Roger Raschke
Board of Stewardship Vacant
Treasurer Mark Mohr
Assistant Kathy Erat
Financial Secretary Joann Whitney
Assistant Karl Scheiterlein
Member at Large Jim Kunisch
Member at Large Donna Cottrell
Event/Communication Coordinator Tina Stier
Elders
President Tim Arner
Vice President Ken Mertz Wally Beasinger
Tom Raithel
Paul Schneider
Glenn Smith
Other Leaders
Stephen Ministry Laurie Breen
Sunday School Superintendent
Sharon Techel
Vacation Bible School Nancy Ely
Youth Directors Dave Beyers
Staci Brown
Adventures in Faith Carla Elenz
Children’s Church Marge Kunisch
Helen VanDuse
Cancer & Friends Elaine Raschke
Choir Director Tom Beach
Organ/Piano Tom/Jean Beach
Virtual Organist Bob Erat
Judi Stutzman
Terri Raithel
Library Laura Beach
Kut-Ups Donna Cottrell
Nehemiah Group Roger Raschke
Altar Guild Co-Chairpersons
Judi Stutzman
Karen Schneider
Ladies Guild
President Elaine Raschke
Secretary Sharon Kwapis
Treasurer Leslie Martin
LWML “Women for Christ”
President Carla Elenz
Vice President Tina Stier
Secretary Marge Kunisch
Treasurer Kathy Erat
Christian Growth Jennifer Martin

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DATE	TIME	ELDER	USHERS	GREETERS	COFFEE SERVERS	COUNTERS	ALTAR CARE	CHILDREN’S / TALK
10/2	9:00 am	Tim / Arner	Linda / West, / Risa / Sherman	Kathy / Erat, / Sharron / Kato	LWML	Nancy / Ely, / Sandra / Smith	Judi / Stutzman	Nancy / Ely
10/9	9:00 am	Glenn / Smith	John & / Judi / Stutzman	Risa / Sherman, Leslie / Martin	Paul & / Karen / Schneider	Donna / Cottrell, / LaVerne / Scheiterlein	Nancy / Ely	Nancy / Ely
10/16	9:00 am	Tom / Raithel	Terry & / Bill / Stiles	Beyers / Family		Wendell / Smith, / Karl / Scheiterlein	Linda / West	Nancy / Ely
10/23	9:00 am	Ken / Mertz	Jim & / Marge / Kunnisch	Larry & / Joann / Whitney		Janet / Arner, / Kathy / Erat	Jeanine / Boldrey	Nancy / Ely
10/30	9:00 am	Dave / Beyers	Larry & / Joann / Whitney	Pam & / Wally / Beasinger		Brian / Techel, / Karl / Scheiterlein	Kathy / Erat

October 2022 Service Schedule

Jim K. Kathy E. Nancy E. Joann W. Judi S. Nancy E

LOVE GOD
LOVE OTHERS
SERVE THE WORLD

PRAYERS AND PRAISES

Our God is a great God! We thank and praise Him for…
Continuing care of our congregation during our pastoral vacancy;
People who tirelessly carry on with the tasks God has given them to move our church forward in His mission;
The gift of Christian support during our trials;
The gift of His Word to guide us along life’s path, which ultimately leads us to our eternal life with Him.
Oh Lord, you have given us so much! Please grant us one thing more—a grateful heart!.

Our policy for bad weather is to cancel all activities when the schools are closed. Worship Services are very seldom cancelled unless you are notified by email or a phone call.

If you would like info on summer camp we have a brochure in the office about Camp Concordia in Gowen MI. Camping experiences are available for students grades 1-12. Inquire in our office, or go to
www.campconcordia.org.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Daily Devotion	1
Birthdays & Anniversaries	2
Financial Report	2
Stephen Ministry	3
Osborn Fund	3
Cancer & Friends	3
Carla’s Story	4-5
Outreach	5
Covid Food Dist. Truck	6
LWML 5-5-5 Walk	6
Movie Night	6
LWML News	7
Kut-Ups	7
Family Fare	7
Praise & Prayer	7
Kids Page	8
Church Personnel/Leaders	9
Prayer Chain	9
Service Schedule	10
Church Calendar	11

SUMMER CAMP
Summer camp

January-June 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Daily Devotions 1
Birthdays & Anniversaries 2
Financial Report 2
Kut-Ups 2
Stephen Ministry 3
Osborn Fund 3
Cancer & Friends 3
LWML 4
Church Picnic 4-5
Memorials 6
Family Fare 7
Food Pantry 7
Bible Studies 7
Prayer Chain 7
Church Library 8
Church Personnel/Leaders 8
People Who Serve 9
Church Calendar 10

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS

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