This week, our Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will meet for its 40^th Convention, under the theme “Immeasurable Hope”, based on Romans 5:5. This gathering, normally held every three years, is the body which will elect leaders and set the direction of our District through the adoption of resolutions.  It is also a time for worship, study, and inspiration as we continue our walking together as “Synod in this place”.

The first days of the Convention, May 5-7, will be held virtually online via Zoom, with sessions each evening from 7-9 PM.  On Monday, there will be a Convention Bible Study on Romans 5.  Tuesday’s session will have a study in the Lutheran Confessions.  Wednesday we will hear the first part of a report from our District President, the Rev. Dr. William Harmon, as well as the awarding of Servant of Christ recognitions.  Each of these evening sessions will also include Floor Committee meetings to finalize preparations of the resolutions which will come before the convention for consideration

The final days of the Convention, May 8-9, will have sessions held in person in Richmond, VA.  This will be the time for the election of our District leaders and for the adoption of resolutions, as well as hearing a report from our LCMS President, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison.  There will also be time for worship, including a Thursday evening Divine Service with the Synod President preaching; and Morning Prayer to begin the session on Friday led by Pastor Schiebel.  Also at the Convention, Pastor’s election as Circuit Visitor will be ratified and he will be installed along with the other Circuit Visitors and members of the District Board of Directors to serve for the next Triennium.

You are invited to view the online sessions of the Convention as you are able.  To receive the Zoom link, please register by using the link below. Once registered, you’ll receive all the details you need to join the online Convention

(Unfortunately, the in-person sessions from Richmond will not be available for viewing.)

For more information about the Convention, please visit the Convention page on the SED Website at: se.lcms.org/resources/sedconvention25/.

Please keep this important gathering in your prayers as we seek the Lord’s will to be done among us as we carry out His mission in the place He has planted us to serve.

Dear Trinity Family,

Christ is risen! And the joy of His resurrection continues to fill these Easter Days.

Yesterday at worship, I announced that the Seminaries of our LCMS were holding their placement services this week as Vicars and Interns, and soon to be Pastors-elect, will be sent out to either continue their learning “in the field” or to begin their Calls in their first field of service. We pray the Lord’s blessings on them all as they say along with the Prophet Isaiah, “Here am I, send me!”

If you would be interested in viewing these very special services from the Seminary Chapels, here are the links you will need.

Peace and blessings,
+Pastor

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana:

https://ctsfw.regfox.com/2025-call-day

Monday, April 28th at 7:00 PM ET
Vicarage and Deaconess Intern Assignment Service
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, President of the LCMS, preaching

Tuesday, April 29th at 7:00 PM ET
Candidate Call Service
The Rev. Dr. Scott Murray, 3rd Vice President of the LCMS & Chair of the CTSFW Board of Regents, preaching

Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Missouri:

Wednesday, April 30th

4:00 PM ET: Service of the Word with the Assignment of Vicarages and Deaconess Internships
The Rev. Dr. William Harmon, President of the Southeastern District, LCMS, preaching

8:00 PM ET: Service of Evening Prayer with the Assignment of Calls
The Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor, Bishop/President of the Atlantic District, LCMS, preaching

(A side note: Presidents Harmon and Taylor were both classmates of Pastor Schiebel’s at Concordia-Bronxville.)

Join us at Trinity as we celebrate with the whole Church the Days of our salvation as we walk with our Lord Jesus in this Most Holy Week.

THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY
April 13, 2025

9:30 AM – The Liturgy of Palm Sunday
with the Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem; the Solemn Reading of the Passion according to Saint Luke; Sermon: “Jesus, Our King”; and the Celebration of Holy Communion

HOLY (MAUNDY) THURSDAY – The First Day of the Easter Triduum
April 17, 2025

7:00 PM – The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday
with Confession and Absolution; Sermon: “Jesus, our Servant”; the Celebration of Holy Communion on the anniversary of its institution; and the Solemn Preparation of the Church for Good Friday

GOOD FRIDAY – The Second Day of the Easter Triduum
April 18, 2025

7:00 PM – The Liturgy of Good Friday
The Office of Tenebrae with the Adoration of the Cross; the Solemn Reading of the Passion according to Saint John; Sermon: “Jesus, Our Savior”; and the Solemn Prayers for the Church and the World.

THE FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD: EASTER DAY
The Third Day of the Easter Triduum
April 20, 2025

8:00 AM – Easter Fellowship Breakfast in the Multi-Purpose Room
9:30 AM – The Festival Divine Service of Easter Day
with Hymns and Special Music; Sermon: “Jesus, Our Redeemer”; the Renewal of Baptismal Vows; and the Celebration of Holy Communion

Dear Trinity Family,

Friday greetings to one and all!

Just wanted to let you all know that the concrete work was done on Thursday morning and we have the all clear to be able to walk on it today! So, when you come to church on Sunday, feel free to use the front entrance of your choice.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and look forward to seeing you at church!

Peace and blessings,
+Pastor

After quite a long wait to get through the permitting process with the county and city, we are able to celebrate the coming of spring by having our long-awaited sidewalk repairs and replacement completed at the front entrance of the church!

We are hopeful that this project can be completed this week and that it will not pose any problems for our worship on Sunday morning, March 23rd.

With that hope being expressed, we need to announce an alternate plan for those who will be attending our Lenten Service this Wednesday, March 19th. As things at the front doors of the church will be inaccessible, we ask those coming to worship and the meal beforehand to please enter the building through the rear of the building by the multi-purpose room door on the upper level of the education wing.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding. If we need to make alternate plans for entering the building on Sunday, we will let you all know as soon as possible.

Peace and blessings,
+Pastor

Our Southeastern District, LCMS hosted a webinar on February 19, 2025 on the topic of the history of Black Lutheranism in the Southeastern District.  For those who were unable to attend the event live, the District has made the link for the video available.

In this webinar, explore the rich history of Black Lutheranism in the Southeastern District, tracing pivotal moments from the establishment of Immanuel Lutheran College in 1903 through the present day. While providing context through broader Black Lutheran history in America, we’ll examine the unique institutions, leaders, and communities that have shaped our district’s faith journey and continue to influence our shared ministry today.  The speaker is Warren Lattimore, a Th.D. student at Duke Divinity School, currently serving as the vacancy pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Greensboro, NC, the mother church of Immanuel Lutheran College.

To view the webinar, please click here.

Dear Trinity Family,

Greetings to you all on this frosty, winter afternoon!

After hearing word about the state of things after our small snow event last night, I am happy to report that the snow removal crew has been at the church and they have cleared and treated the entrances. With that news, we have decided to hold in-person worship this Sunday for those who are able to come out tomorrow morning. As usual, we will also be livestreaming the service on Facebook for those who feel that they cannot make it. Either way, we will be happy to have you with us as we receive the Lord’s gifts together in this special service remembering Our Lord’s Baptism and our own.

One side note…Having a parking lot is a blessing, however as it is a gravel lot, it is hard to completely clear it of snow, especially when we have had it in the amounts this past week. There is space available, especially towards the “top” of the parking lot. Spaces for on-street parking in front of the church are also a bit limited based on the way the city did their plowing.

In short, we leave it to everyone’s best judgment on their church attendance plans. So, whether you are with us in-person or online, the invitation of the Christmas hymn still applies: “O Come, All Ye Faithful!”

See you at worship!

Peace and blessings,
+Pastor

Dear Trinity Family,

God’s blessings be with you this day!

With the first “snow event” to come to our area in the last few years, it has proven to be a bit of disrupter to things going on this last week. And with the forecast predicting another “minor snow event” this weekend, it seemed best for us to be a little proactive about our plans at Trinity.

We will be postponing our church undecorating to next Saturday, January 18th.

As for worship for this Sunday, we are hoping that we will be able to gather for in-person worship to celebrate the Feast of Our Lord’s Baptism. This will depend upon how quickly we will be able to remove any additional snowfall from the church entrances and sidewalks. From the last snow, the parking lot is still a little bit snow covered as we cannot plow a gravel lot “bare”, and there is limited on-street parking from the plowing done by the city.

If we should be unable to have in-person worship on Sunday, we will send out another email message (and online posting) no later than 7 PM on Saturday. Service will be led by Pastor and held online at a time to be announced.

Thanks for your understanding and patience. And please stay safe and warm.

Peace and blessings,
+Pastor

Dear Trinity Family,

Greetings to you all as we approach the yearly remembrance of our Savior’s Birth! We pray that this season is a blessed one for each of us and that you will be able to join us for the events we have planned for these holy days.

Below you can find our scheduled services and events as well as some announcements about this Christmastide at Trinity.

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Eve
December 24, 2024 – 7:00 PM
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Join us for this traditional service of candles, carols, and Holy Communion as we welcome the Lord Jesus on the night of His Birth.

For those worshiping with us online, we invite you to have a candle nearby to light along with us as we hear the Christmas Gospel from Luke during the service.

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Day
December 25, 2024 – 9:30 AM
Christmas Day Festival Service

We will gather together on this happy morning to celebrate the Word Made Flesh with carols and the celebration of Holy Communion.

Gathering in this morning hour, this worship moment is for everyone, and especially for those who may find it difficult to travel after dark. This service will have different carols, hymns, and readings from the night before, so if you were with us on Christmas Eve there will be something “new”.

The First Sunday after Christmas
December 29, 2024 – 9:30 AM
Christmas Season Divine Service and Christmas Carol Sing

On this Sunday during the Twelve Days of Christmas, we will continue our Trinity Family tradition of holding a Christmas Carol Sing in place of the day’s Sermon. Holy Communion will be celebrated.

The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord – Observed
January 5, 2025 – 9:30 AM
Festival Divine Service

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, we will anticipate the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany as we recall the visit of the Magi to the Child Jesus with this service of carols, song, and the celebration of Holy Communion

Church Undecorating
January 11, 2025 – 10:00 AM

Even though we hate to see all of the beautiful decorations of the season come down, we would like to have extra hands to make light and quick work of putting away all of our church’s festive trimmings for another year.

The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord
The First Sunday after the Epiphany
January 12, 2025 – 9:30 AM
Festival Divine Service

Even though we now find ourselves in a new season of the Church Year, the revealing of the God-Man Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World continues at His Baptism by John at the Jordan River. As we remember Jesus’ Baptism, we will also remember our own Baptisms by renewing our Baptismal Vows in this service, reminding us of the life we have been given and share with our Lord through this Sacrament.

Church Office Holiday Information

During the days of the Christmas Holiday, December 24-January 5, the church office will be closed to allow our staff to have time at home with their families.  The staff will be checking the office answering machine daily for any messages.  Should any pastoral emergencies arise during this time, you may also contact Pastor directly on his cell phone.  Pastor will be returning to his study on Monday, January 6th, and the office will return to full staffing on Tuesday, January 7th.

A blessed Christmas to you all and prayers for a holy and joyful New Year!
Look forward to seeing you all at Church!

Peace and blessings,
+Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our 40 day Lenten Journey is nearing its completion now that we have reached the “Holy of Holies” of the entire Christian Year: the celebration of God’s great acts of love and salvation accomplished for us by Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

We hope that all of us will take the opportunity to use these holy days as a moment to deepen our prayer and meditation on what our Lord has done for us by listening intently to God’s Word, especially the history of His Passion and Resurrection, and receiving the Lord’s Gifts of grace in Absolution and His Supper. Through our corporate worship and private devotion in these days, may our spirits be uplifted, our minds filled with the mighty acts of God, and our hearts overflowing with gratitude and praise for all that our Lord and Savior has accomplished to bring us eternal life and everlasting salvation.

Resources for Personal Prayer and Meditation During Holy Week

As we individually keep these days of Holy Week with our own prayers and meditation, we are providing for your devotional use a couple of items which we offered to our Trinity Family in the past. First, is a guide for Meditating on the Lord’s Passion through the reading of the Passion found in each of the Gospels or through use of “The Passion History”. The other is a devotional booklet, “From Palms to Passion”, which provides morning and evening meditations for each day of Holy Week.

Passion Readings for Holy Week

From Palms to Passion Devotional

Our Worship Schedule for Holy Week

We hope and pray that you will be able to join us for worship during these Holy Days, either in person as we gather together at Trinity or by livestream available on our church Facebook Page. (Videoed services are available for later viewing, also on the church Facebook Page.)

THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
PALM SUNDAY
March 24, 2024

8:30 AM     Adult Bible Study in the Multipurpose Room

9:30 AM     The Liturgy of Palm Sunday
Join us as we begin the days of Holy Week through this special liturgy which includes the Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem; the Solemn Reading of the Passion according to Saint Matthew; Sermon by Pastor, “Exalted Humility”, and the celebration of Holy Communion.
Palms and Palm Crosses will be distributed.

THE EASTER TRIDUUM – THE THREE DAYS

HOLY (MAUNDY) THURSDAY
March 28, 2024

7:00 PM     The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday
As we enter into the great days kept in remembrance of the Lord’s Passion, join us in gathering as did the Lord and the Twelve for that Last Supper they shared together. This solemn Evening Commemoration of the Lord’s Supper will include Confession and Absolution; Sermon by Pastor, continuing our Lenten Sermon Series, “Guided to the Cross”: “Guided to Service”; the celebration of Holy Communion on the night of its institution; and the Preparation of the Church for Good Friday.

GOOD FRIDAY
March 29, 2024

7:00 PM     The Liturgy of Good Friday
Come and keep the remembrance of this Friday which is truly “good” because it brings us forgiveness, life, and salvation through Christ and His Cross. We will spend time meditating on the great redemption won for us in praying through the Office of Tenebrae–the “Service of Darkness–which includes the Adoration of the Cross; the Reading of the Passion according to Saint John; Sermon by Pastor: “Guided to Sacrifice”; and the solemn Prayers for the Church and the World.

THE FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION OF
OUR LORD – EASTER DAY
March 31, 2024

8:00 AM     Easter Fellowship Breakfast in the Multipurpose Room

9:30 AM     The Festival Celebration of the Resurrection
Share in the rejoicing of the victory over sin, death, and the devil won for us by our Risen and Ever-Living Lord Jesus in this festive liturgy on Easter Day. This festival service will include Easter Hymns and Special Music; Sermon by Pastor, concluding this year’s Lenten Sermon Series: “Guided to New Life”; the Renewal of Baptismal Vows; and the celebration of Holy Communion.

May the Lord richly bless all of us as we walk in His way–from palms and “Hosannas”, to the Upper Room and Gethsemane’s betrayal, to trials and condemnation, seeing His mocking and bearing the cross, to Calvary and burial, and finally stand rejoicing at His empty tomb, shouting with joy that life and salvation are won and ours forever.

See you at worship this Holy Week!

Peace and blessings,
+Pastor