Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Latrobe, PA
Growing in Faith ● Reaching out in Love ● Making Disciples
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Vol LXXIII Number 1 January 2021
Friends,
Happy New Year---again! We’ve already been working through the New Year in the church beginning with the first Sunday of Advent; now the calendar year catches up and we begin a New Year with new hopes, dreams, and goals. We have a clean slate, so-to-speak. We get to renew our commitments, make new goals, and start fresh. That can feel really liberating or really overwhelming!
You may know from experience that New Year’s resolutions often are hard to keep. So, I am not going to ask you to do that. As your Intentional Interim Pastor, part of my call is to get you ready to move forward to call a new pastor. I would like you to be an active participant in this process of moving forward. I would like to invite all of us into a season of prayer and discernment. From now through the end of Lent, I’d like you to take some time each day and pray for our congregation. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and ask Jesus to show us very clearly the way He would have us move into the future. You might already have ideas about how to do that, but instead of trying to tell Jesus what you think we should do (which is what I often end up doing!) genuinely listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. You might be surprised at what you hear!
I know moving forward can feel scary and sometimes unsettling. You’re not alone. The future holds promise and challenges for sure, but we are in this process together and being held by the strong arms of Jesus. There’s no better place to be.
I look forward to hearing from you about what you are hearing from the Holy Spirit in your prayers.
With you in Christ,
Join us for the…
Monday, January 18 thru Monday, January 25
The Greater Latrobe Ministerium will be holding an online worship service. More details will follow!
Even though we cannot gather in person we are still able to worship together through the radio and online.
Did you know that you can watch Trinity’s Facebook Livestream without a Facebook account?
Just visit: www.facebook.com/trinitylatrobe/live on Sunday mornings at 8:15am!
Don’t have access to a computer?
You can listen to Trinity’s worship service live on the radio on WCNS 1480-AM or 97.3 Lite FM
on Sunday mornings at 8:15am also!
Did you know that we also have other opportunities for virtual fellowship?
Keep an eye out on Trinity’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/Trinitylatrobe) and Trinity’s website
(www.trinitylatrobe.com) for various ways to fellowship with your church family digitally.
Join us for…
Morning Devotions
Every Monday thru Saturday—9:00am on Facebook or YouTube
Children’s Messages
Every Sunday—10:00am on Facebook
Adult Sunday School Class
Every Sunday—9:30am on Facebook
Children’s Story Time
Every Sunday—7:30pm on Facebook
We have experienced some connectivity issues in the past few weeks with our radio broadcast and our livestream. We want to apologize to those that may not have been able to listen in or watch the worship. We are working on these connectivity issues and will have them fixed by the time you are reading this article. Thank you for your patience! We are so glad we have the option to
gather virtually during this pandemic.
Amanda Cole, Herb Harris, Kathe Houck, Donna Jeffrey, Mike Macey, and Dana Shannon
Christina Andrae, Mary Ann Coulston, Sara McDowell, John McManamy, Linda Reed, and Jason Sheppard
Zachary Arbore President
Kathe Houck Vice President
Dana Shannon Secretary
“In sure and certain hope
of the resurrection”
The death of any loved one is a difficult time in all our lives and we long to be in community, to give thanks for that person, hear the proclamation of God’s victory over death in Jesus Christ, and to commend our loved one to the love and mercy of God. We remember the following people and their families in our prayers.
+John E. Waldron, Jr. 11/20/2020 +John P. Stark, Sr. 11/21/2020 +Thelma D. Brown 12/11/2020 +David F. Smeltzer 12/17/2020 +Margaret L. Steele 12/25/2020
We are Looking for Good Helpers!
There are needs for volunteers to serve on several different committees at Trinity. The Property committee is in need of some members to aid in decision making and if you’re also handy with tools
or paintbrushes, please step right up.
The Social Media realm is also wanting more input and assistance with Livestreaming, Facebook, and other areas. This is where you can showcase you talents in helping produce
great content for the rest of us! Join Trinity’s
Multimedia committee today!
The Personnel committee also needs help to steer and direct the staff so they can continue to be our rock! Without a
solid staff such as ours, not much could or would get done! All kidding aside, these areas and many more are in need of your expertise. Yes, you! You add value to everything Trinity
has and does. Please consider these opportunities as your invitation to be that change.
Contact the church office at 724-537-4450 if you would like to get involved or have any questions!
Staying Connected
It started with the shutdown in March. Frantic scrambling by Trinity’s staff quickly got our Sunday worship service online, using a cell phone to record and stream to Facebook. This allowed members to participate in worship, with both audio
and video, from the safety of their homes. During the initial closure, over 500 people were viewing the service each week. Our Easter Sunday service had over 4000 views!
Since those initial weeks, Trinity’s technology has progressed. We now use a dedicated video camera linked to a laptop and connected to the sanctuary PA system, providing better picture and sound. Hiccups still occur, but that is part of the
development of any new technology. Your patience and understanding are appreciated as we go forward with enhancements.
In addition to Sunday services, weekday devotions (125 views average), Children’s messages (50), and Sunday Evening Story Time (50 – 100+) are now provided. Church meetings are routinely held via video conference, or with a video option for members when in-person meetings are possible. Special events, such as “Digital Gingerbread House
Decorating” are being hosted. Services such as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day can be pre-recorded and edited, allowing more people to participate safely than would be possible in a live streamed service, and making the services
more festive. More activities and enhancements are in the planning stages!
We are blessed to have dedicated staff and members willing to take on the challenge of taking Trinity deeper into the world of streaming and video conferencing. We are excited as we look forward and provide more ways for members to stay in contact, worship, be engaged, and participate in activities while being safe in their homes. Post pandemic, these
new ways of participating will not go away – they will continue, be an integral part of Trinity’s ministries, and provide more opportunities for our members.
If you are not “tech savvy,” or don’t have access to the internet, don’t despair! Services will still be available on the radio and we are being diligent to ensure that no current method of communication is being discontinued; just new ways of
staying in contact are being added. If you have ideas for better ways of reaching out, staying in touch, and staying engaged, please contact the church office. We are learning as we go forward!
We send a big ‘THANK YOU’ to all the volunteers who helped to prepare, package, and deliver the 165 meals for
the 40th Annual Thanksgiving Day dinner. Thank you to everyone who stood on Weldon Street in
the rain to greet those who came to pick up meals, especially to Lucas Grohal who made the event even more festive by sporting a turkey costume. Thank you
to those who so generously donated the 9 turkeys and 5 turkey breasts.
Another big ‘THANK YOU’ to those who helped with the Christmas Baskets this year! Whether you coordinated, packed, delivered, or assisted with pick ups,
thank you! Your help makes a difference!
Your kindness and generosity helped to brighten the holidays for many
in our community.
ELCA World Hunger
Offerings collected each week go a long way to bring hope to many in need. Thank you!
ELCA World Hunger Offerings YTD: $10,567.34 We will have drive-thru communion every Sunday
in January from 10:00am—11:00am.
Please note that this is subject to change and updates can be found on www.trinitylatrobe.com
WELCA 2021 Designated Outreach
This year WELCA is collecting baby items for
“Blessed Bundles” by providing SWPA families with the following items:
Disposable Diapers (Size Preemie through 7)
Wipes—Scented, Unscented and Hypoallergenic
Baby Toiletries (Baby Wash, Baby Shampoo, Baby Lotion, Diaper Cream, Baby/Toddler Toothbrushes)
Gently Used Baby Equipment (Infant Swings, Pack & Play, etc.)
Gently Used Toys, Activity Centers, Play Mats, Books, etc.
New Bottles, Sippy Cups, Straw Cups
Gently Used/New Bibs, Baby and Toddler Utensils
Target Gift Cards (This is where most of our diapers are bought)
Please call the church office at 724-537-4450 to schedule a time to drop off items. Please contact Linda Reed directly with any specific questions at 724-433-2034.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make your check payable to ‘SWPA Women of the ELCA’ with a designation of ‘Blessed Bundles’ and return to the Church Office.
“Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever
welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me
but the one who sent me.” Mar k 9:36 - 37
Trinity has always been truly blessed by the generous giving of our members, and we continue to be blessed during the current challenging times. Although giving has decreased since the start of the pandemic, Trinity is still strong and has the ability to weather this stormy time. We are able to sustain - and grow - our ministries, and will be even stronger when
times return to a “new normal”.
Commitments of Giving made by members for 2021 have also decreased, by about 15 percent, from 2020’s commitments. In light of the great social and economic uncertainty we are all experiencing, this modest reduction is
a tremendous testament to the stewardship commitment of our members.
Thank you to all who support Trinity through your faithful gifts of time, talent, and treasure, and your Commitments of Giving for 2021!
The pandemic provides the opportunity to do things differently and explore new opportunities. Seizing these opportunities takes time, talents, and money, but by leveraging our many assets we are not only keeping Trinity strong
during the pandemic, but setting the foundation for an even better Trinity in the future. We are starting new ministries, expanding established ones, and developing new ways of staying connected and engaged.
In times of scarcity and in times of plenty we will always have enough as God provides for our every need.
Thank You!
Dear Congregation,
In this time of confusion and upheaval, please let all of us show appreciation for our staff, who unselfishly provides us with solid ground. They are working diligently for you and God, in many ways.
Our sextons, Ron and Ken, our secretaries, Carol, Jenny, Lori, and Kelsey, our musicians, Debbie and John, our Health and Wellness coordinator, Christine, and our very own Kathe Houck, who volunteers all of her time here
at Trinity. These individuals, are here serving so that you can be informed, participate as best as you can, provide support via the phone, Facebook, our website, and the printed material you receive at home. Not to mention, their
continued support for our called staff, in all of their duties.
They are a wonderful blessing to Trinity. They deserve a pat on the back, a welcome phone call, an email acknowledging appreciation, or a card of thanks from all of us. A small thank you goes a long way in rejuvenating
the spirit, of our own essential workers. Please join us in thanking those who serve our Trinity community!
Pastor Paula, Barb Artuso, Darlene Loftus, Jack Wright Linda Reed, Dave Campbell, Lucinda Nicely
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 331 Weldon Street Latrobe, PA 15650 Phone: (724) 537-4450 Fax: (724) 537-2011 Email: office@trinitylatrobe.com www.trinitylatrobe.com Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Latrobe, PA Permit #73
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T r i n i t y E v a n g e l i c a l L u t h e r a n C h u r c h , L a t r o b e , P A
Growing in Faith ● Reaching out in Love ● Making Disciples
Vol II Number 1 January 2021
Ted Talks and Trinity Walks… A Hiking Adventure awaits you!
In December we hiked the West Penn Trail. Ted Massa gave the history of this interesting historical area. The bridges are circa 1907. Watch for information regarding a hike in January. Get out and get moving! Come enjoy the beautiful nature that God has given
us while meeting new friends and maybe seeing some familiar faces.
I would like to start this new year by thanking all of you whom I have met in my past several months at Trinity. I truly appreciate your kindness. I am thankful you have all become a part of my life. I am looking forward to getting to know
more of you as we continue to journey in faith while helping others.
Peace and love!
We have been taught through learned experiences that a new year must bring a new you. Well what is wrong with the old you? As far as I can see you are not too bad. You are doing what you can to make your way
through this ever changing world.
So instead of creating a new you, how about focusing on just adding a couple of things to make the already good you into an even better you. Let’s face it, God loves you just the way you are. But God does like it when you take care of the you he has created. So what can we do to help make ourselves better and honor God while
in the process? We can do the following things for the love of ourselves and for the love of God: 1. Start your day with prayer.
2. Exercise your body daily: get that blood flowing.
3. Drink plenty of water: hydration is important to maintain good health. 4. Exercise your mind: read a good book or do a crossword puzzle.
5. Think positive thoughts: Good mental health starts with positive self-talk and positive thoughts. 6. Do something to help someone in need: Helping others can be very rewarding
and you might make a new friend in the process.
7. Volunteer here at Trinity, there are many ministries awaiting your gifts!
8. Commit to watching the weekly church services: Pastor Paula, Kathe, and Pastor Clement are wonderful vessels of God’s work.
9. Surround yourself with like-minded, positive people. 10. Participate in a hobby that brings you joy.
This is just the start. Create your own list that has meaning to you. Enter into the New Year with joy and happiness!
I was having a conversation with three ladies who came to help with the Christmas boxes. When they were done with their tasks they shared some of the things they were doing to pass their time. One visited a local nursing home down the street from
her house with her therapy dog. And although the nursing home was closed, the residents could visit her puppy through the window. The other spent her time helping
neighbors with daily tasks as well as taking them meals. The third one volunteered her time participating in social activities and games within the community. They all spoke more of helping others than they did of themselves. It occurred to me in this moment that I had just visited with three angels. We then talked about the fact that although we were not meeting as a church in person, they were still being the church to their communities. It is great getting to know the many angels here at Trinity. I have added three more people to my
list of volunteering angels. What a great job I have that I am able to interact with angels on a regular basis.
Thank you, ladies for being you, and Thanks be to God!
Diabetes affects many people in our area
There are resources available
Center For Information We're Here To Help
Representatives at the American Diabetes Association® Center for Information are available to guide you to
diabetes information and resources, as well as local programs and events. To reach these representatives, call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or email askada@diabetes.org.
https://bit.ly/3aPkFD0
Did you see this guy on Facebook?
His name is Pastor Nathan Pile.
He calls Sequanota home. In his recently posted video, he has reminded us of the importance of getting outside into nature. Birds singing, the wind blowing, the sun
shining, it all adds to both our mental and physical health. If you are up for an adventure with the family or a group of friends, head out to Sequanota, or one of our
local parks, and get some exercise. Sitting on the porch for a little while in the cold winter months can help as well if you are unable to get away from home. It is important
to get fresh air and enjoy the beautiful nature of our surroundings. It will be worth the effort. I promise!
