Council Update: Of the budget, communication, and dedication

Here is the latest from church council:

1) Congratulations to Meg Faller and Patty Hoeft.  They have agreed to serve as the vice president and treasurer, respectively.  Their service, enthusiasm and dedication to Christ and His church is greatly appreciated.

2) We are seeking two capable members to step forward to conduct an independent review of the church’s financial records.  If you are interested in performing this vital service, please contact the church office.  We’d like to complete this audit by the end of February.

3) Financial statements for 2008 will be complete by the end of January.  If not, please contact the church office immediately.

4) Meg Faller, vice president, and Arne Kristo, chairman of the Board of Deacons, have agreed to serve on the nominating committee for odd-year elections, along with Pastor.  They will complete forming the committee with two additional voters.  This year, the following offices are up for election / re-election:

• Financial Secretary
• Recording Secretary
• Third Trustee
• Director of Worship
• Director of Outreach
• Director of Stewardship
• Director of Special Ministries

If you are interested in serving in any of these positions, or continuing to serve in these positions, please contact Meg, Arne, or Pastor.  We need to know by March so that the list can be published in the April Trinitarian.

5) Send me your email address!  A great way that we can communicate with one another about what’s going on with the church and our families is via email.

For example, if there is something you wish to share with the larger congregation, perhaps a prayer request, you can send that request to the church office and that request will be shared with the congregation.  Additionally, if we are having an event or meeting, we can keep you up to date with a quick note.  I hope you’ll consider participating, as this is yet another way that we can share the Holy Spirit together.

6) The by-laws have been amended so that the budgets for the Church and School will be presented in May from now on.  Between then and now, we will have an open-door budget meeting to discuss the budget committee’s proposals, and any questions or concerns you might have.

The preliminary proposed budget shows that we will have a $17K deficit in 2009-10.  The budget committee will work diligently over the next couple months to bring the budget into balance.

Despite the difficult economic times our nation faces, we must consider our gifts to Trinity.

Please continue your faithful contributions to the Lord’s church.  Additionally, if you are moved by the Holy Spirit to do so, please consider adding to your generous gift by a small percentage per week.

Regardless, you can be rest assured that your council will work hard and make deliberate and tough decisions that are necessary to effectively continue spreading the gospel to all God’s people.

Sermon: Second Sunday after the Epiphany; Jan. 18, 2009

In pastor’s sermon this week, he concentrates on the role of God in our lives – what is His involvement?  What is “doing good”?  How are people called to do things?  He also compares the parallels that can be found in the book of Genesis and the gospel of John to illustrate the nuances of life.

Pastor also explores how life as a process and that it’s not as easy as compartmentalizing and categorizing things and people.

Gospel text: John 1:43

Sermon: Jan. 11 – The Baptism of Jesus

In this sermon, pastor discusses Jesus’ baptism, as well as God “looking over your shoulder”.

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Sermon: Jan. 4 – Epiphany

In this sermon, pastor discusses Jesus learning in the temple and the movement of church manger scenes away from the church yard and into the church.

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New council members and other news

Congratulations to Meg Faller and Patty Hoeft on their new positions of Vice President and Treasurer, respectively, on church council.

This Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m., council will meet to discuss several important topics:

• The church and school budget
• The use of the church for AA meetings
• Preparation and coordination for Lent and Easter

On Sunday, Jan. 11 following the late service, there will be a voter’s meeting to vote on a change to the by-laws regarding when budgets are due.

Additionally, we will be writing a poll available here on-line and through the Trinitarian asking for your feedback on our Christmas services and what you’d like to see changed or remain the same in future years — and potentially implemented this Easter season.

Finally, the new floor looks fantastic.  Special thanks to Sharon Plawin, Gerry Harger, Ken Leiding, Ron Jones, and Contract Carpet Sales for all of their efforts.