3-23-2025
Third Sunday in Lent
Announcements: March 23, 2025
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Third Sunday in Lent on March 23, 2025
Ezekiel 33:7-20
I Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Repent or Perish
13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Prayer List
Cancer:
Dannie Stephens
Neal Bowman (brother of Charlie Bowman)
Cindy Driskill
Alex Stephens
Cloa Faulkner (sister of Cindy Isdahl)
On-going health concerns, Hospitalized, or Recovery:
Michael Hobbs (member)
Dona Bowman (member)
Dick Stream (brother of Cindy Isdahl)
Kevin Larsen (brother of Mark Larsen)
Martin Herzberg (son of Bruce and Beth Herzberg)
Javier Solis Saldana
Maggie Dory
Shellie Wimer (friend of Doug Gooding)
Francine Lang (granddaughter-in-law of Langs)
Terri Higgins (friend of Bullocks)
Carol Holste (Trinity Preschool teacher)
Shut-ins: Clara Buchanan
Military:
Kyle Marchok (husband of Lola Hembry’s granddaughter)
Missions:
Trinity Preschool (Creston)
Life Care Clinic, (Stuart, Creston & Atlantic)
Concordia Mission Society
Pastor James and Christel Neuendorf (Puerto Rico)
Pastor Daniel Vogel (Denison Hispanic Ministry)
Pastor James and Angela Sharp and Family (Uruguay)
Rev. Dr. Walter and Robyn Steele, (East Africa)
Jesse Liebmann (Romania)
Rachel Krause (Germany)
This Week at Trinity
Sun., Mar. 23 Third Sunday in Lent
8:30 am Bible Class and Sunday School
9:30 am Divine Service/HC
10:30 am Fellowship Time
1:00 pm Painting Class with Diana Miller in FH
Mon., Mar. 24 12:30 pm Preschool
Tues., Mar. 25 7:00 am Early Risers
8:30 am Preschool
12:30 am Preschool
Wed., Mar. 26 12:30 pm Preschool
No OWLS this month.
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
7:00 pm Lenten Service
Thurs., Mar. 27 8:30 am Preschool
9:45 am Preschool Chapel
12:30 pm Preschool
1:45 pm Preschool Chapel
Sat., Mar. 29 8:30 a.m. Spring LWML Rally at Immanuel Lutheran
Church in Greenfield
Sun., Mar. 30 Fourth Sunday in Lent
8:30 am Bible Class and Sunday School
9:30 am Divine Service/HC
10:30 am Fellowship Time
Elders Meeting following Divine Service
Attendance from last Sunday, March 16, 2025
Church Attendance 75 Communed 61
Adult Bible 24 Sunday School 12
Attendance at March 23 Lenten Service 29
When writing down names on the attendance side of the attendance cards, remember to include any children who are attending church with you.
Serving at Trinity on Sunday, March 23, 2025
Accompanist: Julie Lang
Ushers in March: Josh Riley, Eric Eklund, Dennis Brown
Acolytes: Mallory Williams and Lincoln Means
Elder of the month for March: Mike Lang
Finance Team in March: Jim Nelson and Eric & Jeanna Eklund
Altar Guild for March: Janette & Mike Lang
LIFE TOGETHER
VISITORS: We are so glad you joined us today. We collect offerings during our worship services. While we
believe this is a chance for each believer to be a good steward of the gifts they have received from God, you are welcome but not expected to give an offering while you are our guest. If you would like to learn more about the Lord’s ministry here at Trinity please call Pastor Rutz.
He would love to get acquainted and visit at a time that is convenient for you. You are also invited to join members in the fellowship hall after this morning’s service.
Attendance Cards: Visitors and members are asked to fill out an attendance card and to list names of each family member in attendance. Turn in your card at the back of the church at the end of the service.
On Sundays when there is Holy Communion please list the names of those who will be communing on the Holy Communion registration side of the card. Hand it to an usher as you go up for communion.
If you have moved or your phone number or email address have changed, please note any changes on the attendance card so that we can update our records in the office.
Weekly bulletins, announcements, and sermons continue to be available on the church website.
Children in the Divine Service Sheets are available from the basket in the back of the church. Parents are encouraged to read these to/with their children. Each week will have a short explanation of a different part of the church service or about something found in the church. They are other way to aid parents in teaching their children.
Lifelight: We have been studying LifeLight courses for over 30 years at Trinity. It has been a great joy to share God’s Word with so many of you over the years. After much prayer and consideration I have decided that I can no longer lead this great Bible study. Anyone who is interested in continuing the LifeLight program is encouraged to speak with me or with Pastor Rutz. I want to thank all who have faithfully participated in the LifeLight Program. God’s blessings! Mike Lang
Midweek Lenten Services Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Painting Class: There is still time to sign up for today’s painting class! Diana is offering a second painting class. This one is open to adults and children ages 5 and up. The cost is $25. A parent or guardian will need to be present. A sign up sheet for the class can be found in the narthex. Feel free to bring snacks to share to the painting classes and your own drink.
OWLS Update: OWLS will not meet in March. They will resume after Easter.
LcClinic will be hosting their annual Fundraising Banquet in Creston on Thurs., April 3 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Supertel Inn & Conference Center. If you are interested in attending you may RSVP by phoning 641-782-2150 or online at www.iowalcclinic.org . Their latest newsletter is on the table in the narthex.
Easter Flowers: If you would like to provide flowers for Easter services, refer to the yellow insert in today’s bulletin. Please note that orders need to be turned in by Sunday, April 6.
Birthday Party for the whole congregation on Sunday, April 6 at 4:00 P.M. If you’d like to provide a cake and decorate a table please sign up on the sheet found on the table in the narthex. Join us for cake and games.
Easter Schedule April 20
7:00 a.m. Sunrise Divine Service with Holy Communion
Easter Breakfast following the Sunrise Service
10:00 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion
Easter Breakfast will be served by the Trinity Preschool’s Board. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the Preschool’s general fund.
Menu will be: biscuits & gravy, sausages, eggs, fruit, rolls and coffee/juice.
Wanted: Rolls for the Easter Breakfast: We are in need of donations of rolls for the Easter breakfast. We’d like a total of 9 dozen. If you are able to provide some, please sign up on a sheet found on the table in the narthex.
Spring Zone LWML Rally will be held on Saturday, April 26 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clarinda beginning at 9:00. For more information, pick up a flyer from the table in the narthex.
JANITOR JOB OPENING
We thank Cindy Isdahl for being Trinity’s janitor for a number of years. She has done a great job and for that we are grateful.
Cindy plans to retire from this job the end of March. Beginning April 1 we will need someone to take over this position. If you are interested or for more information please speak to Rick Hadley, chairman of the board of trustees. His phone number is 641-208-2202.