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As Vicar Andrew concludes his internship with us in the next several weeks, we look forward to affirming and celebrating his learning and serving among us at a single worship service on Sunday, June 2 at 9:30 am.  The service will be followed by brunch for the whole congregation.  Please RSVP for brunch at the Collection and Sign-up Corner in the Gathering Space or contact the church office.

On Saturday, June 1 from 6:00-7:00 pm, Vicar Andrew will be performing a concert of the Christian children’s music he’s written.  CD’s will be available for purchase at that time as well. Everyone is welcome and invite a friend!

As another school year comes to a close, Holy Trinity would like to recognize our members of the Class of 2019.  Graduating high school seniors will be affirmed during worship on Sunday, June 2.  Those graduating from college or graduate school will be recognized in the newsletter. If your family includes someone graduating this year, please list his/her name, institution from which they’re graduating, degree received, and post-graduate plans on the back of the All Good Gifts card or send an email to laura.hudson@engagedbygrace.org so we might share their good news with the rest of the Holy Trinity family.

According to the commitment that Holy Trinity makes to all the children baptized among us, we support the faith of our second grade students by presenting them with Bibles engraved with their names.  If your child is in second grade or older and has not received a Bible from Holy Trinity, please contact Pastor Steve so they can be included.

God surrounds us with people.  Some are easy to love and care for, while others are difficult to be around.  Jesus said, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you(John 15:12). Jesus tells us that we cannot pick and choose whom we want to befriend and love.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we share God’s love with any and all whom God puts in our path.  Our awareness that God loves us will compel us to go out and love others.  For more information about stewardship, please contact Max Buban.

For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 051919

Holy Trinity’s library committee is hard at work organizing and settling in our new place across from the church office.  We are working on reorganizing the collection to help you find what you need as well as make it a cozy and peaceful space for reflection. Bear with us as we make it a better space for you.

New to the collection are a couple of in depth studies from the Great Courses organization.  We are really excited about these great additions!

First is a series of 24 half-hour audio lectures on From Jesus to Constantine

From Jesus to Constantine: A History of Early Christianity, Parts 1 & 2is a series of 24 lectures by Professor Bart D. Ehrman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the early history of the Christian church.  The lectures begin with The Birth of Christianity and end with Christianity and the Conquest of Empire.  These lectures are history lessons to enlighten strong believers and non-believers alike.  Theological discussions are limited to what is necessary to enlighten the listener of the significance of events and actions of people; the political, cultural, religious condition of the various groups in the period of roughly 300 BC to 400 AD; and to explain why and how theologies changed internally as well as how they influenced history.  The lessons learned from these lectures should help any listener understand similarities and differences among the many Christian denominations that exist in the world, help them understand how these differences of opinion may have arisen, and provide a groundwork to assess the significance and validity of the reasons for those differences.

Second is a series of 24 half-hour video lectures on Luther: Gospel, Law & Reformation
He was only one man—a humble monk and Bible professor—yet he sparked a religious rebellion that changed the course of history. Who was Martin Luther? What made his theology so explosive in 16th-century Europe? Was it really his intention to start Protestantism, and with it a new church?Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation will help you reach your own conclusions. This course explores Luther’s theology, the circumstances surrounding his conclusion that the papacy was “antichrist,” and major issues and events in the Reformation as it unfolded in Luther’s life after he posted his famous 95 Theses on the door of the church of Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517.  (excerpts from Great Course site)

We hope you will enjoy these new additions about up-to-date information on these timely and informative subjects.

Following is a brief recap of the approved minutes from the April 2019 Church Council meeting:

• There was an increase in attendance at this year’s 7pm Lenten services (mid-day continued strong).
• Currently looking for delegates for the Southern Ohio Synod gathering in June.
• May’s Adult Forum class will discuss what it means to be a Christian in the world.
• Vicar Andrew’s last day will be May 15. He will continue as a part-time employee until his first call.
• Holy Trinity was approved for Office 365/OneDrive non-profit account. Testing team has been assembled.
• Income and expenses are within expected estimates for this time period.

What brings you contentment?  Is it a hefty retirement account?  Is it a good report from your doctor at your annual physical?  Is it seeing your children involved in a career that brings them success and fulfillment?  The Apostle Paul spoke about contentment.  He said he had learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:12). According to him, contentment does not exist in what we have or what our circumstances are.  The secret, said Paul, is in Christ who enables us to do everything with the strength He gives us. For more information about stewardship, please contact Max Buban.

For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 051219