First Lutheran Church of the Trinity
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Join us for Worship: Sunday 10:30 am

Support The Mission
Please consider including First Trinity in your year end giving. We will be calling friends, family, and members of First Trinity on December 5. If you make a donation before that date, you will help us expand our reach, giving us one less person to call! And of course, thank you to those who have already given time and donations to help support and fund the ministry and mission that we hold in our hearts, and the community that we love.

Week of Sunday, December 3
First Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, and come! The psalmist’s plea in Psalm 80:2 has become familiar to us in the Advent prayers. Isaiah wants God to rip the heavens open. Both cry out for an apparently distant, angry God to show up, to save, to restore. When we hear Jesus describing the coming of the Son of Man with stars falling from heaven, it can sound dire and horrible, not like anything we would ever hope for. But when we really look at the suffering of people God loves, we can share the hope that God would tear open the heavens and come.

Readings and Psalm
Isaiah 64:1-9
Prayer that God would come with power and compassion
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80:7)
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Gifts of grace sustain those who wait for the end
Mark 13:24-37
The sudden coming of the Son of Man
We are a faith community
Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting is scheduled for this Sunday, December 3. At this time we will elect a new church council and officers and vote on our budget. All are welcome to attend, however, those who are not yet members will not be able to vote. If you are unsure of your membership please speak to Pastor Tom or Rene in the office. If you would like to become a member please, speak with Pastor Tom!

In memory of
Irene Ford

Friday, December 1: Today we will gather in loving member of our friend and sister, Irene Ford. Please join us for a service and share some good memories! Service will be held in the First Trinity Community Center Green Chapel at NOON on Friday, following God’s Closet.

Time to Clean House!

Saturday, December 9 at 9 AM – 5 PM

We need your ELBOW GREASE!!! There is a property at the church that needs some major cleaning and we need your help!!! Click here for details!

Called to grow in the spirit

Tuesday Bible Study
Every Tuesday we meet to read and discuss the Bible and share prayer together. All Are Welcome + You Are Invited. Tuesdays 7 pm in the Community Center Kitchen.

Living Lutheran Discussion Group
Living Lutheran is a publication of the ELCA that is distributed free to all members. Each month we gather on the last Sunday of the month at 9:15 am to discuss the recent issue. Join us in the community center kitchen for this month’s meeting, December 31.

Bring a copy of Living Lutheran or use one of ours! All Are Welcome + You Are Invited!

First Trinity Kids
Parents with youth ages 11-16 who are interested in participating in confirmation are encouraged to contact Vicar Samantha@firsttrinitychicago.com for more information. Additionally, plans are coming together for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering. Students entering high school will be eligible to attend and there are scholarships available. Speak to Vicar Samantha for details!

Youth 10 and under are invited to Godly Play, an innovative approach that helps children to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond. Come join us Sundays, 9:15 am.

Radical Discipleship Training

Join First Trinity for our first ever Day-long Radical Discipleship Training. We are stoked. Click here for details!

Love as Christ loves us

God’s Closet

Hours:
Tuesday 5-7 pm
Friday 10 am – Noon

God’s Closet is our free, volunteer run clothing pantry. All are welcome to take clothes, donate, share or serve a meal. If you are interested in serving a meal please contact gcloset@firsttrinitychicago.com.

Participate in God’s liberating work of justice and peace

Bridgeport Alliance

Those interested in working to bring justice and peace to our community are encouraged to join Bridgeport Alliance. BA was founded in part by members of First Trinity and continues to meet in our kitchen (at least) monthly. If you are interested contact info@BridgeportAlliance.org or visit their Facebook page.

Next Meeting and Holiday Party – December 7 – Click here for details.
Redevelopment Process

First Lutheran Church of the Trinity has entered into a redevelopment partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the ELCA.

The redevelopment process is focused not only on sustainability of resources, but on creating a culture where our congregation is participating in the work of the spirit.

Each month our redevelopment team will identify something new to focus on, or we will continue to work in the areas recommended by the Synod. These areas are Growth, Shared Leadership, Discipleship, Stewardship, Contextual and Relevant Worship, and an Inclusivity Plan.

The latest redevelopment news is always available on our blog!