9-07-2025

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Announcements: September 7,  2025

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost on September 7, 2025

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-35    The Cost of Discipleship

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Salt Without Taste Is Worthless

34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

 Prayer List

Cancer:  

Neal Bowman (brother of Charlie Bowman)

Sharmen Lowenberg

Tyson Stuart

Jane McNeill (friend of Corene Walter)

On-going health concerns, Hospitalized, or Recovery:

Kevin Larsen (brother of Mark Larsen)

Martin Herzberg (son of Bruce and Beth Herzberg)

  Shellie Wimer (friend of Doug Gooding

  Terri Higgins (friend of Bullocks)

  Nate Bentley

  Tracy Booth

  Cindy Isdahl

  Jack Quee

  Kenny Kile (friend of Melody Stoner)

  Curtis Decker (brother of Joy Brown

Shut-ins: Dorothy Cook

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., Sept. 7       8:30 am Bible Class in FH

                             9:30 am Divine Service/HC

                          Trustees Meeting following Divine Service

                         10:30 am Fellowship Time in FH

                         Preschool Board Meeting following Divine Service

                           6:00 pm Food & Fellowship

Mon., Sept. 8        12:30 pm   Preschool

Tues., Sept. 9     7:00 am Early Risers Bible Study in FH

                             8:30 am   Preschool

                              12:30 pm   Preschool

Wed., Sept. 10      12:30 pm Preschool

                            1:30 pm Naomi Circle in FH

                            6:00 pm Youth Confirmation Class

                            6:30 pm Boards meet in FH

                            7:00 pm Church Council in FH

Thurs.., Sept. 11    8:30 am Preschool

                            9:45 am Preschool Chapel

                              12:30 pm Preschool

                            1:45 pm Preschool Chapel  

Sun., Sept. 14    8:30 am   Bible Class in FH

                            9:30 am   Divine Service/HC

                              10:30 am   Fellowship Time in FH

                              3:00 pm   Mini-golf Outing for all ages

   (details are in a paragraph on the back side of announcements)

 Attendance from last Sunday, August 31, 2025

Church Attendance  94     Communed  70

Bible Class (not held)

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, September 7, 2025

Accompanist:  Julie Lang

Acolyte:  Rebecca Swanson

Ushers in September: Dennis Brown, Doug Gooding, Kevin Kruse, Jim Hagen

Elder of the month for September: Doug Gooding

Finance Team in September: Dean Hadley & Ed Booth

Altar Guild for September:  Candace & Karl Peterson

       2025 Budget Report through August 31

2025 Annual Budget             $ 207,238.00

Budget Needs Though August 2025     $ 138,158.67

General Funds Received Through August    $129,188.90  

Deficit to Date                    $8,967.77

At the July Voter's meeting Voters approved a contract 

to repair the flat roof at a cost of $37,850.00.  In an effort to 

conserve Trinity's resources we are asking for members to help offset these costs by giving to the Building Fund.  We have received to date $2,100.00.  Prayerfully consider giving to the Building Fund.

Kevin Kruse

Financial Secretary

 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 another way to aid parents in teaching their children.

Trustees Meeting this morning, Sept. 7. in the fellowship hall, following Divine Service

Other board meetings at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10 in the fellowship hall. (Unless meeting at a different time selected by each committee.)

Church Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10 in fellowship hall.

Portals of Prayer:  Copies of this devotional book found in a basket at the back of the church.  It runs through the end of Sept.   If you did not receive a copy or need more for friends, please help yourself.

Naomi Circle will meet  at 1:30 p.m. this Wednesday, Sept. 10 in the fellowship hall.  Bible study will be from the SUMMER QUARTERLY page 16, “ That Human Touch”. 

Sunday School kick-off  We will use the Mini Golf outing next Sunday, Sept. 14 as our Sunday School Rally Day event. It will begin at 3pm at the Lowenberg residence south of Afton. 2572 210th St Hot dogs, buns, condiments, and s'mores fixings will be provided. Feel free to bring a snack to share.

Kids: bring your parents and friends! If you haven't attended in the past, you should really join us. It is a fun afternoon of fellowship at a beautiful location!  More information will be coming.  Watch the announcements for updates.

Special Missions Sunday on Sept. 21:  On Sunday, Sept. 21, Pastor Steve Schulz, from Mission Central in Mapleton, IA will be our guest speaker.  During Bible Class/Sunday School  time he will give a presentation on LCMS Mission Work and about Mission Central.  He will lead the Divine Service.  During Fellowship Time he will be available to speak to individuals and to answer questions about missionaries and their work throughout the world.  Pastor Rutz will be out of town that day.

LWML Group Rally: Trinity LWML is having a rally on Saturday, October 4th at 9 AM.  Fellowship time begins at 8:30 AM.  Lunch included.  Bring Mites and group offering.  In-gathering items are Fareway, Walmart, and/or HyVee gift cards, and pre-packaged snacks (enough for 12 children).  If you are a Lutheran, and a lady you are welcome to attend.  There will be LWML Q&A.  There will be a servant activity, Bible Study, meeting, and more.  We have much to discuss!  Childcare is available, if we have volunteers.  See the flyers for more details.  Sign up sheets are in the Narthex.  Questions should be directed to Alexis Swanson.

Childcare Volunteers needed Saturday, October 4th during the LWML group rally.  It would be best if at least one is 18 years of age or older.  Please sign up in the Narthex.  Questions should be directed to Alexis Swanson.