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Great Bible Writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
What are the gospels?
"This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:24-5)
Some people think that the life of Jesus is mentioned in all 66 books of the Bible. Although all the books tell us about God's plan for Jesus to save everyone, there are only four books in the Bible that tell us the details of Jesus' life. Can anyone tell us what those four books are? They are the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The word "gospel" means good news. These books tell the good news of Jesus' life. In these four books, we can read about Jesus' birth, His life and ministry, and His death and resurrection. God chose these four men to write the biography of Jesus. Their story is very special. You hear a reading from one of these four men every Sunday. In many churches, the assembly stands to show respect for the account of Jesus' life and His very words.
Who were these very men? Let's learn a little about each one. We begin with Matthew since his book comes first. Matthew was one of the men Jesus chose to be in his special group of twelve apostles. Before Jesus met him, Matthew was a tax collector near the Sea of Galilee. He set up his table along the road and collected money from the people. Matthew was not liked by anyone, as tax collectors were often considered cheaters and traitors. You can read the story about Matthew's conversion in the book that he wrote. The book of Matthew includes Jesus' longest sermon, called the Sermon on the Mount, in chapters 5, 6, and 7.
Mark is the next of the gospel writers. He was not one of the twelve apostles. But after Jesus ascended into heaven, we find Mark traveling with Barnabas and Paul as a missionary to foreign lands. Mark's mother was also named Mary, and he was the cousin of the missionary Barnabas. Mark's gospel is the shortest of the four, but it tells about many of Jesus' miracles.
Luke is the third of the gospels. Luke was also not one of the twelve apostles; in fact, Luke may never have met Jesus personally. We know that Luke was a doctor, and he wrote his gospel to a friend named Theophilus, whom he named at the end of his book. Luke also wrote the book of Acts, which contains a history of the early missionaries, including Peter, Paul, Silas, and Timothy.
The fourth gospel is John. He was a fisherman and the younger brother of James. They were the sons of Zebedee and Salome. He was also one of the special twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. In John's book, he calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved. John liked to call Jesus the Good Shepherd. John also wrote 1, 2, and 3 John and the book of Revelation. We believe John lived to be the oldest of the apostles, dying at about the age of 100.
Take time to read the four gospels. They are special books that tell us about our Savior. Each book mentions moments in Jesus' life, but they all tell the same precious story.
Lenten Suppers & Services
Please join us each Wednesday evening throughout Lent for supper (with free will offerings) served in Trinity's fellowship hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a worship service at 7:00 p.m. featuring the CPH Lenten series "Be Gracious to Me."
This year's first Lenten supper was held on Ash Wednesday and hosted by Guild. It raised $363 (+ $142.07 balance grant money after groceries = $505.07) for the Parsonage Maintenance & Repair Fund. Thank you to all who supported this special effort.
Wednesday, March 6th
Supper hosted by the Board of Christian Education
On Menu: A Variety of Crock-Pot Soups
FWO to benefit:
Trinity Lutheran Classical School Scholarship Fund
Vespers Worship Service at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, March 13th
Supper hosted by the Board of Witnesses and Outreach
On Menu: Sausage and Corn Chowder
and Chicken Noodle Soup
FWO to benefit:
Faith Kelly (Ellis) Mendenhall Medical Fund
Divine Service with Holy Communion at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20th
Supper hosted by the Board of Stewardship
On Menu: Spaghetti
FWO to benefit: To be announced.
Vespers Worship Service at 7:00 pm
Maundy Thursday, March 28th
Supper hosted by the Board of Elders
On Menu: Pancakes and Sausage
FWO to benefit: To be announced.
Divine Service with Holy Communion at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, March 29th
(No Lenten Supper this evening.)
Tenebrae Service at 7:00 p.m.
The Resurrection of Our Lord, March 31st
    Sunrise Divine Service with Communion at 7:00 a.m.
    Easter Sunday Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.
    Resurrection Divine Service
    with Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m.
MARCH ELDERS Bruce Russell, Clint Kelstrup
USHERS: John Dane, Doug Ellingson, and Rob Dinardi
COMMUNION: Emma Morrison, Wava Jo Roach
Call News
Rev. Sean Smith of Iowa has declined and returned the call to Trinity, M.C. On February 25th, another pastoral call meeting will be held. Christina Heiss of Illinois has declined and returned the call to Trinity Lutheran Classical School, Miles City.
A NEW CHAIR OF TRUSTEES Ryan Rosencranz was elected the new chairman of the Board of Trustees. Betty Toepke is now serving as the secretary for the Board of Trustees.
LENT SUPPER REPORT: The Feb. 14th, Ash Wednesday, Lenten supper hosted by the Guild raised $363 + $142.07, the balance from a Thrivent Action Team Grant for parsonage maintenance and repair. Total: $505.07.
LENT SUPPER REPORT: The Feb. 21st Lenten supper hosted by the LYF and LYT raised $292 for the LYF and LYT Youth Groups.
Free Cloth Material
The congregation is welcome to go to the basement quilting storage room and take whatever material is on the tables that you would like to have. Please use the boxes and sacks provided. (Please do not take plastic totes.).
Daylight Savings Time begins
Sunday, March 10th. On Saturday, March 9th, before going to bed, set your clock ahead for 1 hour.
St. Patrick's Day
Sunday, March 17th
"What shall I render to the Lord?
for all his benefits to me?
I will take up the cup of salvation.
and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord.
now in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.
Oh Lord, truly, I am your servant."
Psalm 116:12-16a
The first day of spring
Tuesday, March 19th
Ladies Guild & Lutheran Women's Missionary League
Trinity Lutheran Guild met on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, in the fellowship hall with seven members and one guest, Mary Luhr, in attendance. The hosts were Wava Jo Roach and Pam Schreiber, serving a delicious dessert. The president, Theresa Scheid, opened the meeting with a prayer. Pam shared her devotion. Bible study was "equipped" by Lutheran Woman's Quarterly. We closed our Bible study by singing "Lord of All Hopefulness," accompanied by Pam.
The roll call response was, "What is your favorite Bible story?"
The Treasurer's Report: Absent—None.
The December 2023 minutes were read with a correction made. Emma Morrison and Theresa were on January communion duty. The minutes were approved with the correction.
Florence Lodwig shared correspondence and a new address for Leona Lentz if anybody would like to send her a note.
Old Business: Joyce Holmlund and Maureen Klapmeier are cleaning out the quilting storage room. Material will be donated to any congregation member if they would like any. Maureen has notified the local quilting group, First Lutheran, and Our Savior if they would be interested in the material. Peggy will be putting it in the bulletin as well. Theresa thanked all the members for their help with the Ash Wednesday soup supper; proceeds are going to Parsonage Maintenance & Repair.
New Business: There will be a Dual Circuit Pastor's Conference at Trinity, M.C., on May 13–15, 2024. Guild members are asked to assist with meals and snacks. At our April meeting, we will finalize the details. Birthday wishes were sung to Wava. The meeting closed with praying the Lord's Prayer.
Duties for March are:
Communion: Emma and Wava Jo
Hostesses: Maureen and Theresa
Devotions: Florence
Bible Study: All Guild Members
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. All ladies of the congregation are welcome to attend.
In his service,
Ginger Mueller, Guild co-secretary
Montana LWML Convention 2024, Polson, April 26th through 28th
*** Important Details for Your Information***
The registration deadline is April 3.Â
Hotel rates at the Red Lion are guaranteed until March 15.
Bring one quilt (in place of the banner) to be displayed and given to those in need. If you have more quilts to donate, please box them for the Orphan Grain Train, which will be at the convention, or the World Relief Drive. I believe it will be May 11, 2024. (I will send more confirming information later.)
The Montana Missive in April will have more convention information. Bring crafting items for the Mission Mountain Mercantile for Mites. Gather with your congregation.
Another item that is being collected will be new athletic shoes for teens in need. Please bring in a shoe box, if possible. There will be at least two mite donation times. The mercantile sales will also be for mites. Also, you never know what might happen at the banquet.
There are amazing and inspirational speakers from the National LWML. We will also hear about a challenging yet successful mission on the Crow Reservation. You will experience fellowship, worship, gain further understanding of the National LWML, meet fellow sisters in Christ, and maybe make a new friend or two.
*** Important Deadlines: March! 5th, Hotel Rates ***
April 3rd Registration deadline
Website: MT District LWML
Gather the ladies and take a "short" drive. Join many other ladies in Polson.
In Christ's love,
Sheryl Scheafer
406-208-5611Â
20th Annual PIE Social
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Directly following the 9 a.m. service.
Trinity Lutheran Church fellowship hall.
Sign up today to bring pies for this event.
Pie by the slice (free-will offering).
Auction of whole pies.
Proceeds to equally benefit:
New Pastor Moving Fund and Luther Classical College, Casper, WY.
You can help the Orphan Grain Train feed 100's or even 1000's. Your donation of just $15 will feed 500 Mercy Meals; $150 will feed 5000 Mercy Meals.
Donations to Orphan Grain Train may be sent to: P.O. Box 1466, Norfolk, NE, 68702-1466.
Please note on the memo line: Mercy Meals or other specific mission of OGT that you would like to support.
Trinity Lutheran Classical School (TLCS) News
TLCS Classroom Expansion
Work has begun on the new basement classroom #3. Donations are welcome. Please make checks payable to Trinity Building Fund and note in the memo: Classroom Expansion.
Preschool News
"Shepherding Jesus' Lambs"
Since October 3, 1988
February was a busy month for the preschool.
Each student decorated a bag with Valentine's hearts that was filled with Valentine's goodies from their classmates. The students colored "Grow in His Love" cross magnets, "God is Love" heart magnets, or "Grow in the Love of Christ" flower magnets. The 3 and 5-day students made a pipe cleaner heart ornament with beads. The two-day students made a necklace with Valentine's beads. All the students took turns playing a Valentine's bingo game. Some students brought special treats and drinks for snacks. After a snack, musical chairs were played and enjoyed by all.
Students were tested the first two weeks in February to get ready for parent-teacher conferences. Thank you to all the parents who came to the conferences on February 19th and 20th.
The two-day students started learning their numbers. They worked on numbers 1 and 2.
The 3 and 5-day students worked on the letters Q, R, and S. They turned a Q into a quail, an R into a rabbit, and an S into a snake.
The five-day students made a Queen's Quilt book, a rabbit book, and a shark book.
The two-day students had fun stamping pink, purple, red, and white hearts onto paper for their heart picture for a Valentine's Day craft. They dot-painted "Cat in the Hat" pictures for Dr. Suess's week. They also painted a paper plate yellow and decorated it with colored pom-poms for Dr. Suess' "Put Me in the Zoo."
The 3 and 5-day students colored bear parts, cut them out and glued them around a heart. They also glued purple, pink, and red construction paper pieces onto a white heart with a message that read, "I Love You to Pieces." They decorated socks for "Fox in Socks." They colored and cut out fish and a tank for "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish." The 5-day students made Truffula trees with small paper plates covered with tissue paper and mounted on large popsicle sticks.
In the chapel, we learned about God's miracles. Some of the children's favorite stories were of Jesus turning water into wine, Jesus calming the storm, Jesus walking on water, and Jesus healing people.
Students participated in the CART snack and dessert sales fund-raiser from February 6th–27th. Thank you for your support of our school!
Special thanks go out to Dwayne Taylor for taking time out of his busy schedule to come in and fix the main sink and faucet in the preschool room. We appreciate your work!
Families are invited to join us for a Lenten supper at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th, hosted by the Board of Christian Education, serving a variety of crock-pot soups with a free-will offering for the TLCS Scholarship Fund. Stay and join us for worship service at 7:00 p.m. with participation by the TLCS K–8th students singing.
Our Easter break will be March 28–April 1.
Watch your March mail for registration packets for the 2024–2025 school year.
Shepherding Jesus' Lambs, God's Blessings,
Mrs. Virginia and Mrs. Haley
Celebrate Lutheran Schools
Trinity Lutheran Classical School will give stuffed animal lambs to all newborn babies born at Holy Rosary Healthcare, Miles City, on March 3–9, while they last.
Kindergarten - 8th Grade (K-8) News
We celebrated Valentine's Day in February. What a great opportunity to teach about God's love for us! The children heard how God showed His love for us through the sacrifice of his own Son, Jesus. We also talked about how we can share that same love with others, not just on Valentine's Day but every day! We will continue to talk about God's love as we approach Holy Week and hear just how much Jesus had to suffer to save us!
We had parent-teacher conferences on February 19th and 20th, followed by a winter break.
The students participated in the CART snack and dessert fund-raiser on February 6th–27th. Thank you for your support of our school!
The K-8th will be participating and singing during a Lenten service on Wednesday, March 6th, at 7:00 p.m. The children need to be in their classroom no later than 6:45 p.m. Families are invited to join us for supper before service at 5:30 p.m., hosted by the Board of Christian Education, serving a variety of crock-pot soups with a free-will offering for the TLCS Scholarship Fund.
Our Easter break will be March 28–April 1.
Watch your March mail for registration packets for the 2024–2025 school year. Get your forms in by May 1 to secure your spot. Those new students applying or returning students reapplying for an ACE scholarship must be registered before applying. The FACTS Grant & Aid System opens to accept applications for ACE Scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year on March 1st at 8:00 a.m. through April 30th generally.
Yours in Christ, Michelle Rice
Where will your child be attending school in the fall?
LET US KNOW OF YOUR INTENTIONS.
TRINITY LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL, PRESCHOOL & K-8th. 406-234-4983
"Connected"
Celebrate Lutheran education.
Trinity Lutheran Classical School
The Vine and the Branches
"I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is
that bears much fruit, for apart from me
You can do nothing." John 15:5
This theme emphasizes the importance of staying connected to God and one another when we face challenges and difficulties and when we share in joys and triumphs! It encourages Lutheran schools to continue to cultivate an environment of faith, love, and fellowship where students can learn, grow, and thrive.
The celebration of Lutheran schools provides more than 1,800 preschools, elementary schools, and high schools with the opportunity to proclaim and celebrate God's work among us in the schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
We thank God for the opportunity to provide excellent academic preparation for the children we serve. We are most grateful for the opportunity to share Jesus' amazing love with children and their families.
We take this opportunity to reflect on, proclaim, and celebrate the blessings of Lutheran education within the communities we serve. Our schools are amazing incubators for the faithful witness of God's amazing love for us through Christ by teachers and students alike.
NOTE: Trinity Lutheran Classical School, M.C., celebrates Lutheran education the first full week of March, as this is when the LCMS originally used to celebrate it and the timing is better for us.
The Board of Christian Education is Seeking:
On-call, substitute preschool aide to fill in when the regular aide is out sick or otherwise not available.
On-call K-8, substitute teachers fill in when a teacher is out sick or otherwise unavailable.
If interested, please contact the school headmaster, Pastor Schreibeis, or the chair of the board of Christian education, Elnora Ottenbacher.
(Pam Henman, Sarah Trogden, and Erica Norland will be co-directing this year's VBS.; dates to be determined.)
Children's Chime Choirs
Director: Michelle Rice
The beginner chime group meets for practice every 1st and 3rd Monday from 3:45–4:15 pm.
The intermediate chime group meets for practice every 2nd and 4th Monday from 3:45–4:15 pm.
The Advanced Chimes meet for practice every Tuesday from 3:45–4:30 p.m.
No chime practice on any 5th Monday.
If there are no chimes on any given day due to no school or other event, there is no make-up session, and the schedule continues the same.
Classical Christian Education
Trinity Lutheran Classical School
Preschool and K–8th Grade
2024–2025 Academic School Year
Please contact the church office at 406-234-4983 to be put on our list to receive fall registration information.
We will soon begin the process of registering students for our fall 2024–2025 school year. Please make sure the church office has your child on the list for a fall class. Thank you for choosing Trinity Lutheran Classical School for your child's early education.
Cherish What God has Given
In the Small Catechism, Luther follows a pattern when explaining the Ten Commandments. With each commandment, there is something prohibited and something commanded. There is something wrong that must be avoided, and there is something right that must be done.
The one time this pattern is not followed is with the Sixth Commandment.
"You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other" (SC I).
Here, the catechism focuses solely on the positive: we should live in a chaste and decent manner in both word and deed, and husbands and wives should cherish and honor one another.
Keeping this commandment and all of the commandments is a lot easier if you see your chastity and your spouse as a gift from God that is to be protected and cherished. In the same way, you will find keeping the Fourth Commandment easier if you see your parents and other authorities as a gift from God, given to you for your blessing.
This is the key stewardship insight that runs through all of Christian life: everything that we have has been given to us by God. We deserve none of it. All of it comes to us through God's fatherly kindness and open-handed generosity. If I know that everything I have—every possession, every relationship, every ability—is a gift from God, then my perspective changes. All of these things are both gifts to be cherished and things that I should direct towards God's purposes. My possessions should be shared generously according to how God has called me in my family, church, and community. My spouse should be cherished, loved, and encouraged in faith. My children are on loan from my own Heavenly Father, and I have but a brief time to show them the path of righteousness. My neighbor is a gift from God so that I can imitate His kindness toward me.
No matter the gift, everything has been given to me by God so that I may participate in His own goodness and open-handed generosity.
lcms.org/stewardship
Life Quotes
"There is hope in Jesus, the Light of Life!"
"We were made for light and life. God's Word and Sacraments cast darkness aside in our lives; they draw us closer to Him and make us strong for salvation. cling to the promises of Christ. May we recognize that we are blessed for life even when we are surrounded by darkness, and may we, in our darkest seasons, through the work of the Holy Spirit, lean toward the Son for light and hope." Michelle Bauman, Director of Y4Life
"With gentleness and respect, we witness to our faith in Jesus so that others will come to believe in Him and eagerly await His return. All who confess Jesus as Lord look forward to His Second Coming with a joy far greater than idle mirth. We are encouraged as we remind each other that our Savior is coming back, and we pray that He will 'hear and grant our fervent plea. ' Come, Lord Jesus!" Dr. Carol Geisler
"God loves everybody. God loves people, big and small. God loves people of every age. God loves people, no matter where they live. All people are special to God. The Bible says, 'For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand' (Ephesians 2:10). God has good things for each of us." Â Timothy, a sixth grader from southern Minnesota who has Down syndrome
"So let us be sober, putting on faith and love as our breastplate and the hope of salvation as our helmet, encouraging one another and building each other up as together we faithfully wait, expectantly wait, joyfully wait—for Jesus." Rev. Dr. Anthony (Tony) Cook, guest speaker on "The Lutheran Hour
"The disciples and the first-century Christians may have felt like they were on the losing side. They had their doubts and fears. Maybe you do, too. They may have lost some earthly things. You may, too. But Jesus takes away the fear and the doubt. You have hope in His resurrection. You have hope even through the trials of life. You have a living hope in your living Lord." Rev. Peter Sulzle, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls, MN.
The mission of Lutherans for Life is to witness the sanctity of human life through education based on God's Word. www.lutheransforlife.org
Hurting from abortion? A word of hope can help. www.word-of-hope.org; 888-271-8679.
Thrivent Choice Dollars
Make your annual designation before March 31st.
YOU MUST RENEW THE DISTRIBUTION OF YOUR CHOICE DOLLARS EVERY YEAR. YOUR CHOICE OF A PRIOR YEAR DOES NOT CARRY OVER.
Your choice of dollars can help support the mission and ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Classical School.
All 2023 Choice Dollars have been made available by Thrivent for eligible Thrivent members to direct. 2023 Choice Dollars must be directed by March 31, 2024. Directing Choice Dollars is easy to do. Just call 1-800-847-4836 and, when prompted, say "Thrivent Choice." Have your member ID or contract number available. The Member Connection Center is open Monday–Friday until 5 p.m. MST. Please make your annual designation today. Designate your choice to Trinity Lutheran Church, Miles City, MT, or Trinity Lutheran Classical School, Miles City, MT. For help, contact Thrivent Rep. Jessica Cayko at the Sidney office at 1-406-433-2689 or Elnora Ottenbacher at 406-234-6211.
Thrivent Action Grants
Each member of Thrivent is eligible to apply for two $250 Action Team grants per year for the local community or world mission ministry of their choice. The money comes in the form of a $250 pre-paid VISA card to be used to purchase service project materials, food for dinners, advertising, etc. Grants must be applied for a minimum of 21 days in advance of the event, although it is best to apply at least 30 days in advance.
In January, Ginger Mueller applied for and received a $250 Thrivent Action Team Grant to help the Alex and Amber Helland families with travel expenses for Mira's medical procedures.
Pam Schreiber applied for and received a $250 Thrivent Action Team Grant to help with the guild's Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14th, Lenten Supper, and the Parsonage Maintenance & Repair Fund.
Elnora Ottenbacher applied for and received a $250 Thrivent Action Team Grant to help with the Board of Christian Education's Lenten Supper on March 6th.
Marlus Amsden was to apply for a Thrivent Action Team Grant to help with the Board of Stewardship's March 20th Lenten Supper.
If you have recently applied for and received a Thrivent grant to help with a project or event, please inform the office so it can be acknowledged.
You may contact Elnora at 234-6211 for help in applying for one of these grants online.
"In Easter Life!"
Knowing how everything ends is a blessing for Christians. Jesus' victory over death gives us hope and confidence for this life—and for the life to come.
"The church does not pretend; that is, it does not know what will happen with the crucified Jesus," writes Thomas Hopko in The Orthodox Faith. "It does not sorrow and mourn over the Lord as if the church itself were not the very creation that has been produced from His wounded side and the depths of His tomb. All through Holy Week services, the victory of Christ is contemplated and the resurrection is proclaimed."
Indeed, Jesus' followers know His story—and therefore our story—ends in Easter life!
From the beginning of creation in Genesis to the end times in Revelation, God refers to Himself as 'us" or "our" and thus describes the doctrine of the Trinity. The word trinity comes from "tri," meaning three, and "unity," meaning one. God is three distinct individuals—God the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—in one true God.
"There are three different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and everyone, it is the same God at work." 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
"For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three are in agreement." JOHN 5:7-8
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." MATTHEW 28:19