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Sunday, July 18, 2004 Helping through loose change is an effort of the Stewardship Ministry to create awareness and raise funds for the ELCA World Hunger program. An empty 5 gallon water bottle located in the narthex serves as our collection container. Starting March of 2004 we are collecting funds that as of July 1 totaled over $900.00. What an accomplishment and what a great and supportive response from our congregation. We are able to help with grain, food for infants, livestock, and other agricultural efforts to help those who are hungry in Africa. The collecting will continue throughout 2004, and possibly beyond. Wednesday, July 7, 2004You're probably wondering why a 1989 Mercedes Benz 560SEL is being posted on a church web site. The automobile was donated to Holy Trinity and we must sell it. The 560SEL was appraised at $10k. If you're interested, please make offer. See AutoTrader.com for more information. Thursday, July 1, 2004By: Dick Londgren
During the May 20-22 Synod Assembly of the Southwest California Synod, members of Holy Trinity participated in several ways. Pastors Frank and Janet served as "voting members" (the term which replaced the past role as "delegates") along with the reset of the Holy Trinity "team" of voting members which included: Jim Esmay, Dick and Anita Londgren, and Miriam Nakayama.
Pastor Janet assisted in the Communion that was part of one worship service. The Assembly also included worship in other forms, as well as Bible study on Friday and Saturday mornings. Pastor Frank and former Pastor Larry Johnson wer recognized for their years of ministry. Prof. Fred Tonsing, although not in attendance, was recognized for his retirement from California Lutheran University.
Aina Abrahamson not only took part in the Global Mission meetings and helped at the exhibit, she distributed signs so various congregations -- including Holy Trinity -- could demonstrate their support of several missionaries. Dixie Hanson was the organizing force behind the banquet held by the Lutheran Office of Public Policy which was informative and lively.
At the busy coffee counter sponsored by California Lutheran Homes, Bob Peper of Holy Trinity helped pour the java in the popular hospitality room. He's a past-president of that organization.
Synod Bishop Dean W. Nelson guided the gathering at the LAX Marriott with a steady hand and warm style, as voting members approved a 2005 budget of nearly $1.75 million, voted for several resolutions, and elected many members of the synod to a variety of positions.
As part of the assembly "show and tell," presenters shared information about Church-wide, regional, Synodical and local programs and organizations during the plenary sessions and during smaller workshops. The Friday night banquet featured Ann Martin, a Lutheran who is anchor on CBS Channel 2. She provided humorous insights related to reporting the news.
The Southwest California Synod includes congregations in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Thursday, July 1, 2004As I start to write this it is actually the middle of June, we have these deadlines you know. This week has been a week of mourning for President Ronald Reagan, and was preceded by a weekend of remembrance of those brave men who were involved with D-Day so long ago.
As we come to the 228th celebration of our nation's founding, I am struck by our need to remember. To remember the sacrifices made by thousands, to remember the promise of this land outlined so wonderfully by our fore-parents so long ago. I am also struck by the fact that we need to regularly rededicate ourselves to the principles by which we live. The need to follow and to move along in the pursuit of life for all people, liberty and freedom for all people, and the pursuit of happiness, is paramount in our definition of who we are.
To accomplish this we must always remind ourselves that we have this freedom, but with every freedom comes a corresponding responsibility. It might mean serving in the military or in a position in government. It might mean being diligent in our use of our vote or in helping to solve community problems. It might mean cooking a meal or washing the sheets for a homeless program and we could go on and on. But it does mean that we do not take for granted what we have, but we work to ever strengthen those principles.
We live in the most free, and prosperous country the world has ever known. Give thanks to God for that. But, I also know God asks much from those He has given much to. I believe that would be the United States of America. May God help us to fulfill the dream of those who begin this noble adventure so long ago.
Come celebrate our independence on July 4th, and later in the month join us for an old fashion Ice Cream Social.
See you in church, Pastor Frank. |
