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LENTEN SEASON 2023 

This Lenten season, we have a fresh opportunity to embrace God's amazing love for us, His baptized children, in new ways. St. Paul says that "faith comes from hearing" (Romans 10:17), but the gospel is also communicated through the physical senses of sight, smell, touch, and taste. Jesus mentions that a good teacher brings out new treasures and reminds people of old and rich treasures (see Matthew 13:52). So each Wednesday in Lent, we will take a weekly journey to concretely see, smell, touch, and taste many biblical elements. Our Lenten series is called Promised Treasures. Just as Israel wandered through the wilderness under Moses for forty years, awaiting the Promised Land, we await heaven in the wilderness of this life. Life as exiles in the wilderness of this world is not easy or pain-free. In this valley of tears, we await our real home, the new promised land of heaven. However, until we enter our eternally promised land, the Lord calls us to be His light in this dark world (see Colossians 3; Ephesians 4). This series will begin with ashes, then proceed to salt, water, light, bread, and finally, palms. Then, during Holy Week, the focus shifts toward the water, blood, wood, fragrant oil, milk, and honey on Easter. All these beautiful Old and New Testament elements will remind you of God's eternal love in Christ, fill you with renewed hope, and increase your joy, knowing that because we are His baptized children, God is near to us now more than ever.

LENTEN 2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Ash Wednesday, February 22 Sitting in Dust and Ashes 7:00 pm

Midweek of Lent 1, March 1 Salt: The Gift That Sweetens and Preserves 7:00 pm 

Midweek of Lent 2, March 8 Water Gives You Life 7:00 pm

Midweek of Lent 3, March 15 A Light Shining in the Darkness 7:00 pm

Midweek of Lent 4, March 22 Bread of Life 7:00 pm

Midweek of Lent 5, March 29 Palms and Victory 7:00 pm

Maundy Thursday, April 6 Water and Blood 7:00 pm

Good Friday, April 7, The Old Rugged, Wooden Cross 7:00 pm

Easter Sunrise Service, April 9 The Oil of Joy and Gladness 7:00 am

The Resurrection of Our Lord, April 9, The Promised Land of Milk and Honey 10:30 am

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 pm, followed by worship service at 7:00 pm featuring the C.P.H. Lenten series "Promised Treasures."

This year's first Lenten supper was held on Ash Wednesday and hosted by the Guild. It raised $402 for the Amy Kelstrup Medical Fund. Thank you to all who supported this extraordinary effort.

Wednesday, March 1: Supper hosted by the Board of Witness & Outreach

• On the Menu: Sausage and Corn Chowder and chicken noodle soup
• F.W.O. to benefit new fetal models
• Divine Service with Holy Communion at 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, March 8: Supper hosted by the Board of Christian Education

• On the Menu: A Variety of Crock-Pot Soups
• F.W.O. to benefit T.L.C.S. (called Teacher Relocation Grant)
• Divine Service with Holy Communion at 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, March 15: Supper hosted by: OPEN

• Divine Service with Holy Communion at 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, March 22: Supper hosted by: Youth Ministry Committee

• Soups, rolls, and desserts are on the menu.
• F.W.O. to benefit V.B.S., youth groups, and S.S.
• Vespers Worship Service at 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 29: Supper hosted by: the Board of Stewardship

• Divine Service with Holy Communion at 7:00 pm.

Maundy Thursday, April 6: Supper hosted by the Board of Elders

• On the Menu: Pancakes and Sausage
• Divine Service with Holy Communion at 7:00 pm.

Good Friday, April 7: No Lenten Supper this evening

• Tenebrae Service at 7:00 p.m.

The Resurrection of Our Lord, April 9: Sunrise Divine Service with Communion at 7:00 am.

• Easter Sunday Breakfast, 8:30 am.
• Resurrection Divine Service
• with Holy Communion at 10:30 am.

MARCH ELDERS

8:00 a.m. Dennis Hirsch, 10:30 a.m. Clint Kelstrup

COMMUNION

Emma Morrison, Wava Jo Roach

PIE SOCIAL THANK YOU & REPORT

The 2023 19th Annual Pie Social raised $1,945 plus an additional $170 in donations for a total of $2,115 for Luther Classical College in Casper, WY. Thanks to all who made pies (or a cake or other dessert) and to all who attended and donated. Thank you to Stacy Regan for clerking, Dennis Hirsch for auctioneering, and Gloria Tucker and Bernice Cottom for organizing the event.

The 2022 Pie Social raised $1,150 for congregational social events. The 2021 Pie Social raised $1,397 for the Cross on the Hill. The 2020 Pie Social raised $2,000 for the Capital Building Fund, which was applied to the principal on the loan we had at the time. Thank you all for your generous support throughout the years!

You are welcome to continue to donate to Luther Classical College at any time. L.C.C. donations may be made through the church using your designated offering envelopes.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS

On Sunday, March 12. On Saturday, March 11, before bed, spring your clock ahead by 1 hour.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Friday, March 17, 2023 

"Let us press on to know the Lord; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains, that water the earth." Hosea 6:3

FIRST DAY OF SPRING

Monday, March 20, 2023

OLD EYEGLASSES

Trinity has a collection box for old eyeglasses. The eyeglasses left here will be taken to Wal-Mart and put in their eyeglass drop box. If you have prescription eyeglasses or reading glasses you no longer use, please bring them out of the drawer and donate them for mission use. You may place glasses in the eyeglass collection box in the Trinity narthex above the mailboxes or take them to the "Eye Glasses" donation box by the Optometry-Vision Center at Walmart. Either way, they will be repurposed for use by those in need.

CAYMAN ISLAND MISSIONARIES

Rev. Gerald & Heidi Paul

Many disillusioned Cubans try floating on homemade rafts to "freedom" wherever they might be, sometimes being picked up by the Caymanian Coast Guard. These refugees are housed on Grand Cayman until they are deported back to Cuba.

Recently, Yoly, a Cuban Caymanian and member of Safe Harbour, brought us into contact with Raisa, also a Cuban Caymanian who has contact with Cuban refugees. We met with Raisa, who directed us to where the refugees had just been moved the week before. The Cubans were so excited to meet us. The news spread from one to the other that a pastor had arrived for them. Initially reserved, the guards welcomed having a pastor pray with them and the Cubans. "We need it too!" they told us. However, before leaving the vehicle, the guards told us we first had to get permission from Cayman Immigration Enforcement (C.I.E.). However, C.I.E. seems reluctant to grant permission, as each time we ask, they give a different story about why we can't this time, but maybe next time. In the meantime, members of Safe Harbour Church are collecting gently used clothes and shoes so the Cubans can wear decent clothes back to Cuba—they can only take what they're wearing at the time of deportation.

We keep returning to the C.I.E. and praying they permit us to minister to these Cubans.

To help support the work of LCMS Missionary Gerald Paul, make checks payable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO, 63166-6861. On the memo line, include Gerald Paul—Cayman Islands. Thank you for being so supportive.

PRESCHOOL NEWS

The preschool students had lots of fun at our Valentine's parties. Each student decorated a bag, then we hung them off the counter, ready to be filled with cards and goodies. Hearts were hidden all around the classroom for the children to find.

We finished up our Zoo Unit. Then it was time for our Valentine's Unit. The students made bears with painted hearts and used markers to make dots on wooden hearts. Then we added a magnet on the back. The students painted hearts the following two days and made a Peanuts Valentine crown. We read many books and played with educational table toys like puzzles, sewing cards, sensory bins, and patterning alphabets and numbers with candy hearts.

All students made covers for their report cards. Our next unit will be on Dr. Suess.

Our three-day students studied the letters P, Q, and R. We reviewed the letters M-N-O-P. We made a P into a piano, a Q into a quail, and an R into a rabbit. Students traced each letter and reviewed all the letters they had studied so far on the back of their papers.

For the two days, the students have been working on numbers. So far, we have practiced 1–5. They rainbow trace a large number on Tuesdays. On Thursdays, they write the number on lined paper with their names outlined on the back of their papers.

Our five-day students do a letter review on Tuesday and Thursday; we reviewed P, Q, and R. We have also worked on consonant-vowel-consonant words, rhyming, and beginning math. Students were tested on CVC words for their report cards and did well. They want to learn more and more. On Thursdays, they also do a journal page where they draw and trace a picture, then write words accompanying the image.

In the chapel, we have been studying God's miracles:

• Jesus turns water into wine.
• Jesus catches fish.
• Jesus calms the storm.
• Jesus heals.
• Jesus restores life.

March, we will celebrate Dr. Suess, Lutheran education, Lent, and the Trinity.

Preschool parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for March 16th and 17th. I will create a list for you to sign up for this event. There will be no school for our preschool students on those two days.

Trinity Lutheran Classical School will give stuffed animal lambs to all newborn babies born at Holy Rosary Healthcare, Miles City, March 5–11, while they last.

Shepherding Jesus' Lambs, Mrs. Pam Henman, and Mrs. Virginia Rhoades 

2023-2024 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR

Please get in touch with the church office at 406-234-4983 to be put on our list to receive fall registration information. We will soon begin registering students for our fall 2023–2024 school year. Please ensure 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.

KINDERGARTEN - 8TH GRADE NEWS

This school year is starting to fly by! Just a couple more weeks till the end of the third quarter. Parent-teacher conferences were held on February 20th and 21st, along with winter break that week.

We have just finished our snack sales fundraiser, which ended on February 28. We appreciate those who ordered! Thank you to all who help and support us in our mission outreach: our school!

We will commemorate Lutheran Education in March. We are looking forward to participating in the March 8th Lenten service. The children will be singing and participating throughout the 7:00 pm service. The children love to show off what they have been learning and also sing. Join us for supper from 5:30–6:30 pm, hosted by the Board of Christian Education, serving a variety of crock-pot soups with a Free Will Offering for the T.L.C.S. K–8 Teacher Relocation Grant. We hope you can come and join us for this supper and service and the other Lenten services!

The children continue to grow and learn as we go through the year. The students are constantly working on concepts they have learned to help ensure they are internalized. They are always learning new pieces to add to those concepts as well.

One of our joyous duties as teachers is to share God's love and promises with the children we teach daily. We get to show the children how much God loves them and what He has done for them through His Son, Jesus. That is done through our Biblical studies, where they hear the different accounts from the Old and New Testaments. The older students dig deeper into those accounts in their study with Pastor Schreibeis. Our 8th graders are even going through an apologetics course with him. They are learning how to defend their faith out in the world. What a blessing to teach this to our children and "train them up in the way that they should go!"

CALLED TEACHER INCENTIVES

In the hope of incentivizing the individual called by our congregation to accept the call to serve as a teacher in our school, a family of our congregation has anonymously offered to match, dollar for dollar, up to $1,000 of all contributions toward establishing a "relocation grant." If you feel moved to give toward this effort, please make your check out to T.L.C.S. and mark your check or envelope as "relocation grant." Thank you.

Trinity Board of Christian Education

Your sister in Christ, Michelle Rice

LCMS PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION

Whereas God loves us and sent His Son to be our Savior; and

Whereas God alone works to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil; and

Whereas God delivers that salvation to us by grace through faith because of Jesus; and

Whereas Lutheran schools provide opportunities for teachers and students to teach and hear this good news of God's love; and

Whereas Jesus told His church to "make disciples of all nations"; and

Whereas Jesus told His church to make disciples by "teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you"; and

Whereas faith comes through hearing the word of God, and

Whereas the students in Lutheran schools are disciples of Jesus through their baptism and faith, which come through hearing; and

Whereas the teachers in Lutheran schools are also disciples through baptism and faith; and

Whereas salvation by grace through faith because of Jesus comes through God's word; and

Whereas Lutheran schools teach the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection to sinners; and

Whereas hearing and learning God's Word continue throughout a Christian's life, and

Whereas every Christian bear witness to Christ to his neighbors, and

Whereas Lutheran schools strive for excellent instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, and all other areas to prepare students for service in this world; and

Whereas National Lutheran Schools Week is an occasion to encourage the church to Make Disciples for Life; therefore, be it

Resolved that January 22–28, 2023, be officially proclaimed as National Lutheran Schools Week in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Note: Trinity Lutheran Classical School, M.C., celebrates Lutheran Education the first whole week of March, as this is when the LCMS initially used to celebrate it, and the timing is better for us.

SENT TO SERVE

Celebrate Lutheran Education at Trinity Lutheran Classical School

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 

MAKING DISCIPLES FOR LIFE

The celebration of Lutheran schools provides more than 1,800 preschools, elementary schools, and high schools with the opportunity to celebrate the blessings of Lutheran schools and to proclaim God's work in their schools and communities.

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 proclaim these great blessings within the communities we serve. Our schools are incredible incubators for the faithful witness of God's amazing love for us through Christ by teachers and students alike.

One of the most life-affirming gifts we can give each of the children we teach is knowledge of their Savior. Christ's love and sacrifice affirm that every life is essential and valuable. The unborn, the elderly, the differently abled, the suffering, the hungry, and the poor all find their value in Him. Christ, the embodiment of love, has an answer to every life issue, and His gifts of life and forgiveness provide hope. Lutheran educators go above and beyond the secular classroom when we share Christ and His life-affirming love with students.

WITNESS AND OUTREACH

Read Luke 6:27–38

Loving our enemies is one of the most challenging things for sinful people like us. Our sinful nature would rather hate, get even with, or hold grudges against our enemies. Yet, with the Holy Spirit's help, the love we share with our enemies may be the example and witness that leads someone else to see God's love for them in Christ Jesus.

"Love one another, just as I have loved you, You also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples." John 13:34-35

ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN

You can help Orphan Grain Train feed 100 or even 1000. Your donation of just $15 will provide 500 Mercy Meals; $150 will feed 5000 Mercy Meals.

Send donations to the Orphan Grain Train. P.O. Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466.

Please note on the memo line: Mercy Meals or other specific missions of O.G.T. that you would like to support.

LIFE QUOTES

"There is hope in Jesus, the Light of Life!"

==================================

"But death isn't a part of the life for which we were created—for we were created. You didn't morph from pond scum into an intelligent hairless monkey; you were handcrafted by the Lord of the Universe."

- Hannah Nissing, Bulldogs4Life, & Y4Life team at Concordia, Nebraska

"Despite the hardships we experience and the sin we face, God's work submerges us in a pool of joy; through our Baptism, He daily refreshes us, strengthening our bonds to Him and each other. Yes, we Christians are connected more deeply than participation in any march or gathering can offer. By God's grace, we have become family. We share a home and a future." 

- Michelle Bauman, Y4Life

"When we ignore the baby in the womb and focus instead on what is now being labeled as the rights of the mother and women's health care, we are turning our backs on God. Never has God authorized killing and called it a right. Never has God condoned promoting abortion and calling it health care. His love for life is evident throughout Scripture. What are we doing when we ignore His sacred Word?" 

- Virginia Flo, Lutherans For Life

"The God who chose to give us life at the moment of fertilization is the same God who decided to rescue us, redeem us, and provide us with salvation. And He did it by sending His Son, Jesus, to experience every stage of human life so we could be forgiven and given life everlasting with Him.

- Rev. Craig Michaelson, Faith Community Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada

The mission of Lutherans for Life is to witness the sanctity of human life through education based on God's Word.

Are you hurting from an abortion? Words of Hope can help. Call 1-888-271-8679.

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS

Make your annual designation before March 31.

YOU MUST RENEW THE DISTRIBUTION OF YOUR CHOICE DOLLARS EVERY YEAR. YOUR CHOICE OF A PREVIOUS YEAR DOES NOT CARRY OVER.

Since 2010, over $370 million has been distributed to thousands of churches, schools, and other nonprofits through Thrivent Choice. Through this program, eligible members can recommend places where Thrivent donates millions of charitable outreach dollars each year. Your Choice Dollars can help support the mission and ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Classical School.

Think of the impact you and other eligible Thrivent members can make by directing your Choice Dollars to Trinity, M.C.

All 2022 Choice Dollars have been made available by Thrivent for eligible Thrivent members to direct. 2022 Choice Dollars MUST BE directed by March 31, 2023. Running Choice Dollars is easy to do. Just call 1-800-847-4836, and when prompted, say "Thrivent Choice." Have your member I.D. or contract number available. The Member Connection Center is open Monday–Friday until 5 pm M.S.T.

Please make your annual designation today. Designate your choice funds to Trinity Lutheran Church, Miles City, MT, or Trinity Lutheran Classical School, Miles City, MT. For help, contact Thrivent Rep. Jessica Cayko Sidney's office at 1-406-433-2689.

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 purchase service project materials, food for dinners, advertising, etc. Apply for grants at least 21 days before the event. Thirty days in advance is best.

Ginger Mueller applied for a $250 Thrivent Action Team Grant to help with the Guild's Lenten Supper on Ash Wednesday, February 22, and Elnora Ottenbacher to help with the Board of Christian Education's Lenten Supper on March 8.

If you recently applied for and received a Thrivent grant to help with a project or event, please inform the church office to acknowledge it.

You may contact Elnora at (234-6211 for help applying for one of these grants online.

LENTEN DISCIPLINE: DENYING THE SELF

We are at the beginning of Lent. During the Lenten season, the church calls our attention to the sufficiency of what God gives. It points to the sufficiency of God's grace in the atoning work of Jesus. It shows us the sufficiency of faith in Jesus' work for us. It makes known the sufficiency of God's word in faith and life.

But Lent doesn't just remind us of the sufficiency of God's spiritual gifts — the gifts that pertain to our redemption and salvation. Lent also reminds us of the adequacy of God's physical and temporal blessings that pertain to this body and life. In other words, it reminds us of the importance of godly contentment, outward discipline, and body training.

This outward training of the body teaches us not to give in to every desire of our flesh but to learn to say no to them. And it does this so that it is no sin if you fail. It is a way to practice without putting yourself in a compromising situation.

Fasting is an excellent example of this outward training. When you fast, you practice saying no to your body's desires. But if you fail and break your fast, you have not sinned. But you have learned something about how your flesh works, how difficult it is to fight against it, and how you need help from above to discipline the desires of your body.

Another example is almsgiving. An increase in giving to the church and its mission during Lent is also a form of outward training. We all know that our flesh finds security in money and stuff. You are training your flesh by committing to give more to the church. You are training yourself to be content with what God gives through this outward discipline. You are practicing saying "no" to your desires. Again, if you fail, you have not sinned. But you've learned just how powerful your flesh is — it leads you instead of you leading it. You've learned that you need help from above to be content with what God gives.

That is why St. Paul instructs young Pastor Timothy this way: But godliness with contentment is significant gain; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, and into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Through this craving, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Tim. 6:6–10)

Our sufficiency is not in ourselves; it is in God. Let us learn this without sin by training our flesh this Lenten season. lcms.org/stewardship

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

In his book New Testament and Mission, Johannes Nissen states, "That God can use such a fragile fellowship in His mission is something of a miracle. This miracle is due to the promise that concludes the last commission: "I am with you always, to the end of the age."

That God would use us, fallen humans as we are, to proclaim a message of hope in this hopeless world is a miracle. Yet the total of the propagation of the Christian Church lies in those words of Jesus, "I am with you always..." In a world that constantly proves that man's wisdom is folly and brings us to naught, what joy this message gets to the ear of the hearer! Christ is with us! He is with us, reigning over His church, feeding, forgiving, strengthening, and sending His people according to His purpose.

We have the joyous opportunity to witness the One who gives life in its fullness: in preaching, teaching, at the altar, in our homes, in our work, or in whatever way He has called us to do so. So, let us pray fervently to the Lord of the Church that He would remind us that we are not on our own. The success or failure of the church is not in our hands. He is with us always, to the end of the age! - Rev. Todd Kollbaum, LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission, Reaching Rural America for Christ

A LENTEN HISTORY LESSON

Though Easter dates vary, most of the Lenten season occurs during March. The word "lent" comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrases lenctentid (meaning "March") and lencten (meaning "spring").

The first reference to Lent dates back to 325 AD, in one of the 20 canons decreed at the Council of Nicaea. By the eighth century, Christians started observing Lent, and a 10th-century monk named Aelfric connected the use of ashes and "the Lenten fast" to the pre-Easter period.

Lent lasts 40 days to represent Jesus' time in the wilderness when The devil tempted him. The six Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday aren't counted as part of Lent; instead, as the traditional day of worship, they're considered "mini-Easters."

DISPELLING THE DARKNESS

On Good Friday, many churches hold a Tenebrae worship service. Tenebrae (Latin for "darkness" or "shadows") is an ancient Christian tradition that re-creates the emotions of Jesus' passion and death. The sanctuary gradually grows darker. A strepitus (Latin for "loud noise") may signify the closing of Jesus' tomb. As the service concludes, a Christ candle stands alone on the altar, reminding worshippers that victory is coming on Easter morning.

When Scottish missionary Peter Milne died in 1924, the thankful people he'd served in the South Pacific inscribed this message on his headstone: "When he came, there was no light; when he died, there was no darkness."

Death's darkness couldn't conquer Jesus, the light of the world, so it does not conquer us. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5, ESV

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