Pastors Blog

Dear Friends, Rally Day is this weekend! “Chris Cakes” will serve breakfast immediately after worship in the Fellowship Hall. A Bounce House will be in the Fellowship Hall for children and young people – there is, however, a weight limit — I asked for a friend! Hopefully this will be the first of several, all congregation and community intergenerational events like the Cornfest and other gatherings. At the Forum the following week on September 18, we will hear from some of our Stephen Ministry Leaders. A new class may be in the works! At the September 25 and October 2 Forums, various Community Leaders will be interviewed by Beth Llewellyn and available for questions from participants. As we move forward with a likely Capital Campaign we are paying very close attention to what many told us during the Listening Sessions with our guide from Kairos. It is extremely healthy, rare and unusual that the number one priority from the Listening Sessions was not maintaining, surviving or the status quo, but: “Working to increase our ministry’s impact in the community.” One piece of the two community panels is to learn special neads in the community. For instance, “The Fellowship Hall” is obviously in need to renewal – but how can it best be used, “to increase our ministry’s impact in the community.” As you know, Choir Rehearsals have resumed Wednesdays at 7:00 P.M. New choir members, including High School students are most welcome! On September 15 we welcome Kate Larson-Stephenson as our new Director of Congregational Life. The “A Time for Roots and a Time for Wings’ seminars are in September and October. We hope to welcome NEW MEMBERS on October 23. If you are interested in more information or want to inquire about becoming a part of Trinity please let me know. Faithfully, hopefully, and lovingly, Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

Dear Friends, We welcome Sunday Pastor Michael Brecke! And beginning September 15, we welcome Kate Larson-Stephenson as our new Director or Congregational Life! Kate’s office will be next to mine. As we add staff this month we can be especially grateful for the generosity of the congregation. I am thankful Rick Ehert compares the generosity of the congregation through the years. Aside from Decembers, the month of August this year is the strongest in the last 5 years. Through August: 2018: $222,932 2019: $229,716 2020: $188,188 2021: $233,476 2022: $261,901 Rally Day is September 11 with an all-congregation intergenerational pancake breakfast feed. We hope to welcome NEW MEMBERS on October 23. If you are interested in more information or want to inquire about becoming a part of Trinity please let me know or note that on the worship pad. Faithfully, hopefully, and lovingly, Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

Dear Friends, Are you ready for some …..Fall! Students have returned to school, college football games are again on TV (finally), and I was given tickets with pregame meal to see Kansas vs. Tennessee Tech! Rock Chalk! For your “attention,” I have not yet seen, in person, the KU basketball or football teams lose a single game. It was a good thing last year the only football game I was in person was against South Dakota! And Fall is here at Trinity. 10 good things to bring to your attention: #1 Look this week in the mail for an extensive summary of the “Listening Sessions” that incorporate the hopes, thoughts and dreams of nearly 80 Trinity members as we move closer to a capital appeal. #2 On August 31 at 7:00 P.M. one of the best church choirs in Lawrence resume rehearsals in the choir room! #3 We welcome on September 4 our beloved former Interim Pastor Michael Brekke as our guest preaching pastor. #4 Rally Day is September 11 with an all-congregation intergenerational pancake breakfast feed. The first of what I hope are several yearly all congregation and community intergenerational events like the Cornfest! #5 On September 15 we welcome Kate Larson-Stephenson as our new Director or Congregational Life. #6 Faith Formation classes resume September 18 for young people, while the adults learn more about Stephen Ministry in the Fellowship Hall. Keep in mind the ongoing Bible Study at 8:30 A.M. in the Conference Room and ASL Signing class in the library at 9:00 A.M. on Sunday mornings #7 The Cantemos and Lawrence Children’s choirs have resumed rehearsals respectively on Wednesdays and Mondays. I cannot tell you what a joy it is to hear children singing during the week or playing the piano in the rooms along the back hallway during their lessons with The Music Clubhouse teachers! #8 The “A Time for Roots and a Time for Wings’ seminars are in September and October (see the announcement). #9 We hope to welcome NEW MEMBERS on October 23. If you are interested in more information or want to inquire about becoming a part of Trinity please let me know or note that on the worship pad. #10 The Livestream equipment is being moved downstairs in order to enable more folks to join a Sunday crew! Faithfully, hopefully, and lovingly, Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

Dear Friends, I am delighted to introduce, or “reintroduce” Kate Larson-Stephenson as our new Director of Congregational Life. Kate will begin working an average of 30 hours per week September 15. To refresh memories, Kate is the sister of Jacob and Leah Larson. Kate’s primary responsibilities will include leading the congregation in working with children, youth and family ministry. It is vitally important to see such ministry as the ministry of the whole congregation and not just staff and parents. We hope to have intergenerational all congregation events. As we ease into the new position, we hope the position can include and oversee: Inter-generational church-wide events such as a church picnic, Cornfest, Easter Breakfast, Progressive Dinners, Bus trips to places of interest such as the WWI Museum or other regional attractions. Better coordination of hospitality on Sunday mornings and other occasions. Special thanks to Anne Brockhoff, Belinda Sturm, Beth Llewellyn, and Karen Taft Nicholas for leading the search! Faithfully, Hopefully, and Lovingly, Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ, Last week and this week our 2nd reading has been from the book of Hebrews and contains some of the most meaningful words in the Bible.  Last week: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  And this week: “ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. This week’s Hebrews reading makes it clear that the early church understood suffering to be signs of devotion to the gospel.  What does this mean for us, for whom striving for even the minimum of    material peace would still rank as luxury in the eyes of the early church? And what does it mean for us to speak of dedication to a God who at times doesn’t appear to reciprocate dedication? Despite the difficult and challenging readings today, that encouraging verse emerges in Hebrews: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, . . . let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us” (12:1). Most of us, children included, carry a fondness for those who have shaped our lives and our faith—parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Sunday school teachers, and pastors, maybe even the people we regularly sit near in worship.  May we give thanks for those in the great cloud of witnesses who have shaped our faith and may we be included in their number. Faithfully, Hopefully, and Lovingly, Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ, Grace and peace to you! Last week while riding my bike across Iowa with 20,000 – 30,000 others, I read the heartbreaking   Facebook posts and emails about the murder of Sarah, Tyler, and Lula Schmidt, who members here before moving to Cedar Falls. I was glad to have the Sunday off.  What could anyone say……again?  These things don’t happen in Iowa.  These things don’t happen to people known to us.  Oh wait, they sadly do!  A month ago it was in the church parking lot at the I35 interchange in Ames that I used for two years on my way to the church where I served as the interim pastor.  Columbine was nearly 25 years ago.  Stoneman Douglas, New Town, Charleston, Orlando, Las Vegas and on and on – will this ever change?  Had I preached last Sunday I might have skipped ahead a week to our reading this Sunday from Hebrews: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. If you were asked, “What is faith?”  Or, “Tell me about your faith?”  You could not do better than, “(MY) Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.  The conviction of things I do not see.”  What a    meaningful passage.  A concise definition of faith. So if faith is indeed the assurance of things we fervently hope for but cannot see with our eyes, then yes things can change, but only if people of faith and good will participate in the public square. Special thanks to Pastors Randy and Lou for leading worship and being available during the last week of July. Faithfully, Hopefully, and Lovingly, Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

July 31, 2022 I hope everyone is enjoying the respite and renewal of summer. Even with the summer there is wonderful spirt, energy and generosity at work in our faith community.  Thank you to all who participated in the Missional Assessment phase of our engagement with Kairos. The participation was exceptional. We expect a report the last week of July. The council looks forward to the discernment that this phase provides as we seek to claim the vision that God has for our  congregation and the blessing of this church facility in His service. More to come soon. Teams, Committees and Council continue to meet to steward our ministry and I am grateful for that commitment and witness. Our Sunday worship did not take the summer off as people continue to  return to the pews and we have had wonderful weekly special music. Importantly faith development continues with adult forums, prayer groups, and group socials. Please stay connected with the weekly newsletters, eblasts and mailings. The flow of communication is strong! If you have any questions or insights to share never hesitate to reach out to myself or any member of council. Blessings Beth Llewellyn, Council President bethllewellyn55@gmail.com

Dear Friends in Christ, Grace and peace to you!  If you are reading this on Sunday, I will be huffing and puffing (after attending chapel) on the first day of RAGBRAI —  the shortest 53.2 day bike ride from Sergeant Bluff to Ida Grove, Iowa and returning Sunday.  In other congregations I’ve served I’ve been accompanied by friends in the congregation, but at Trinity, ahem……maybe in 2023!  I will be posting each day on Facebook but my access to emails might be limited by geography.  Special thanks to Pastors Randy and Lou for leading worship and being available this last week in July. Faithfully, Hopefully, and Lovingly, Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,   Worship was exceptionally meaningful last week with the wonderful singing, Pastor Lou’s  cantering and David Cason’s organ playing leading the congregation in song and liturgy!  The attendance was good for a Sunday in July when we had nearly as many worshipping via livestream. Our overall lighting is much improved with lighting now focused on the font, altar, and pulpit – Baptism, Eucharist and Word!  The sound should be improved, especially on the livestream when the equipment arrives!  The livestreaming volunteers will move downstairs to the corner on the pulpit as soon as the desk arrives.  We would love to have more volunteer crews and our willing to offer a stipend to someone with a flexible schedule who can livestream weddings and funerals.  Several hundred people, including Jane Warren’s 104 year old father were able to be “present”  her funeral though physically they were hundreds of miles away. Usually with a measure of tongue in cheek I  encourage you to sit toward the front.  We need to be increasingly aware of our livestream worshippers! Some are likely worshipping with us for the first time and  determining whether to come to the beautiful sanctuary.  Our worship attendance is MUCH better than this photograph would indicate and which is what worshippers see at home.  So be an evangelist and sit toward the front!   Faithfully, Hopefully, and Lovingly,   Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor  

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dear Friends in Christ, Thank you for the installation and reception on Pentecost last week.  It was a lovely day.  I have heard several comments from folks who enjoyed seeing so many people in the sanctuary once again – so keep that in mind!   When it is safe for you – you are missed when you are not here. We are not changing any of our protocols in keeping with the guidance of Douglas County – but stay tuned during June! There remains the need for especially the following volunteers: #1  Our Trinity Pet Pantry which now serves once a month on the first Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon – and to set up the day before on Friday, also from 9 a.m. to noon. #2  Acolyte and Crucifer Coordinator. #3  Radio Broadcast and Flower Coordinator.  Charts for both are in the hallway or you may call the church office.  The radio broadcast is $90 and the flowers are $55. #4  Sacristan:  Someone to help with robing, candle lighting, and making sure worship assistants have what they need. Contact the church office if you can serve in an any of these, or another capacity. May 30, Holy Trinity Isaiah 6:1-8:  Isaiah’s vision and call Psalm 29:  Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Ps. 29:2) Romans 8:12–17:  Living by the Spirit John 3:1-17:  Entering the reign of God through water and the Spirit   June 6, The 2nd Sunday in Pentecost Genesis 3:8–15 God confronts Adam and Eve in the garden Psalm 130 Wait for the Lord, for with the Lord there is steadfast love. (Ps. 130:7) 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 Renewed in the inner nature Mark 3:20–35 Doing the work of God as brothers and sisters of Christ   In Christ, Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]