So we carry the winter out
Far from our fields and farms and flocks
To throw his body on the grave
And pile it high with stones and rocks
So will we bury all that’s dead
Until the day when time will end,
And death will die and Christ will come.
Lord, to us folks glad summer send!
German carol, 16th century
Dear Friends in Christ,
It has been a long winter! The snow and cold perhaps has even taken its toll on the heartiest of us who enjoy
and appreciate this time of year. It is with this season in mind and with a projection to a spring which will surely
arrive, I share with you the above words of an old German carol.
Originally, the carol became a focal point for spring and Lenten celebrations in the country towns of what we
now know as Germany. Folklore led people to construct a figure of old man winter out of dead trees and
symbolically ‘bury winter.’
Within the Lenten season this task and celebration was usually reserved for Laetere Sunday, the fourth Sunday in
Lent. Laetare Sunday was so called from the incipit of the Introit at Mass, "Laetare Jerusalem" ("O be joyful,
Jerusalem") taken from Isaiah 66:10. Just past the midpoint of Lent, Laetere Sunday has been traditionally
viewed as a day of celebration on which the austerity of Lent is briefly lessened. Also, the Sunday came to be
known as the time when spring was celebrated and the above carol, “So We Drive the Winter Out, was sung.
Perhaps then by March 15, Laetere Sunday this year, the mounds of snow will have decreased, the temperatures
will have moved above freezing, and we will all want to celebrate the arrival of spring. Yet, as the carol above
reminds us, in any season the faith that is in us will lead us to the hope of “and death will die and Christ will
come.” The faith that is in us reminds us that the Jesus of suffering and death is also the Jesus of resurrection
who “to us folks glad summers will send!”
Peace & Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Paul
FOOD FOR THE POOR AND OUR CHANGE
I believe this will be our eighth year we have participated in the “Operation Starfish”
ministry of Food for the Poor. As in past years we will place an aquarium in the greeting
area of the church during the season of Lent. We invite children and adults to bring in
their coins to fill our aquarium. “I know I have coins in all sorts of places to throw into
the aquarium,” one person has related. The coins will then be counted during Holy Week
and the total funds raised will be given to the ongoing ministries of Food for the Poor. In past years your pennies,
nickels, dimes, and quarters have totaled over $500 annually with our total last year at $860!. We thank you for
your past support and look forward to seeing the levels rise on this year’s aquarium.
First Communion classes for third graders and up will begin on March 1 during
the Sunday School hour.
At the initial meeting it is requested a
parent/guardian accompany their child for that class time.
Any questions
please talk to Pastor Paul!
UPCOMING SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
March
March
March
March
1
8
15
22
Going up to Jerusalem
Going up to Jerusalem
Going up to Jerusalem
Getting Ready for Holy Week
Plants for Easter
A sign up sheet has been posted at the church for those who wish to purchase plants for our Easter
celebration on April 5. We will use our new florist, the Potting Bench, and will offer the choice of
daffodils, hyacinths, or Easter lilies. Prices and other information will be included on the sign up sheet
on one of the bulletin boards in the hallway. Or you may also call the church office for more
information.
MIDWEEK WORSHIP
DURING THE LENTEN SEASON
In past years we have attempted a variety of approaches to our Lenten journey and to our involvement of the
whole congregation in our midweek offerings during Lent. This year, as we did the last three years, we will
approach the night from this point of view. The Confirmation students will continue to meet for Confirmation from
6:30 until 7:30 after which we will worship at 7:30 PM and we invite the congregation to join us. Our themes for
each Wednesday will explore topics which speak to our Christian faith as we will discuss within our Confirmation
classes. See the calendar for the schedule!
New Church Council Members for 2015
At our annual meeting on Sunday, Feb 8, the following members agreed to serve as our Church Council
for the coming year:
President:
Vice President:
Co-Secretaries:
Financial Secretary:
At Large Members:
Finance Committee:
Richard Theg
Debbie Jones
Barbara Belanger, Cindy Haines
gil Softcheck
Janet Buehler, Sue Correia,
Liz Haskell, Heather Pianfetti
Don Rhoda, Allan Patenaude, Jim Harflinger
We ask your prayers of support and love for all of our Council members as well as all who serve this
community of faith. We, also, give thanks for our outgoing Council members – Micki Ketchum, John
Isaksen, and Eric Hansen, who served for many years as President!
In other news the annual meeting of the congregation approved the 2015 budget as presented
by the Finance Committee and the Church Council. Another article in this newsletter
provides more information concerning the church roof replacement.
MISSION STATEMENT
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Church Website at trinityfairhaven.org
In the Spirit of the Loving God
We Worship
Nurture
Witness
Serve
Celebrate
In the cross of Christ!
Annual Meeting (Roof Replacement)
At the annual meeting on February 8 the congregation approved the bid of East Coast Property
Management to replace the church roof at the cost of $38,400. An ensuing discussion centered on the
current fundraising campaign as well as the financial resources available to pay for the roof.
Currently, we have received $20,600 for roof repair. It was suggested we continue to encourage the
membership to make either a one time donation or donations over a period of time toward the
Property Fund. We realize some may be more comfortable spreading their donations to this project
over a period of time. Currently, we have funds available, from the current property fund, stock
assets, and a Thrivent mutual fund, enough to cover the cost of the roof replacement. However, we
would hope donations will continue so that we do not exhaust our resources.
Office Hours Change for Spring 2015
Due to an unavoidable change in his teaching schedule, the Parish Administrator’s hours for the next few months
will change to 2:30-4:30pm MW, 10am-2pm TuTh, and 1-5pm Fridays. The office schedule will return to normal
after May 5. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause .
CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION
Church Phone
Pastor Paul’s Cell
Pastor Paul
John Softcheck
508 993-6351
508 264-5624
pasttlc@yahoo.com
jsoftcheck@gmail.com
REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
(Listings may be extended 3-12 months via the parish office)
Cynthia Lavoie (12/15)
Liv Haines (12/15)
Lois Tonnessen (11/15)
Sarah (9/15)
Lindie (8/15)
Brian Rowbotham (7/15)
Sarah Murray (7/15)
Svein Hetland (6/15)
Zachary Hollister (6/15)
Debbie Kackley (6/15)
Jon Helm (5/15)
Leigh Yoho (5/15)
Toni W. (5/15)
Verna (4/15)
Linda Amaral (4/15)
Robert Hardy (4/15)
Harold Thuestad (4/15)
Paul J (4/15)
Marsha Takarian (4/15)
Mark Matson (3/15)
Sigrid Gundersen (3/15)
David & Betty Durfee (3/15)
Leigh (3/15)
Fred Belanger (3/15)
Jana Dupont (3/15)
Jim Miller (3/15)
Sue Sellers (3/15)
Joseph Gaudiello (3/15)
Magnus Aadland (6/15)
Marie Spence (6/15)
Shepherd’s Pantry
We thank all who continue to support the Shepherd’s Pantry through the food items dropped into the
“Shepherd’s Pantry” container in the greeting area of the church. If you wish to volunteer as part of
the Trinity team please contact Jackie Johansen, our church representative. Her phone number is
508-763-3492 and her e-mail is jackie.johansen@comcast.net Thank you!
MARCH 29
PALM/PASION SUNDAY
Worship at 8:15 & 11:00
Procession with Palms, Dramatic Reading of the Luke’s Passion – “The Cry of the Whole Congregation
Worship at 9:30
We journey from entering Jerusalem to the Upper Room to Gethsemane to the Trial to the Crucifixion with hearts and
tears and song!
APRIL 2
MAUNDY (HOLY) THURSDAY
Worship at 7:00 PM
Corporate Confession, Individual Absolution, First Communion, and Stripping the Altar! A night that moves into:
APRIL 3
GOOD FRIDAY
Worship at 7:00 PM
Light and Darkness, Silence & Prayer, and the Words of Jesus from the Cross!
This Lent we are joining Lutheran World Relief’s Baskets of Promise campaign. Each week, we will
collect a different item that we will use to assemble Personal Care Kits that give people around the
world tools to stay healthy in life’s most challenging situations.
Our goal is to assemble 50 LWR Personal care Kits during Lent.
Here is our collection schedule:
February 22: Bars of soap (4 to 5 oz., any brand, in original wrapping.
March 1: Bath Towels (light weight, maximum 52” x 27”, dark color recommended)
March 8: Toothbrushes (adult size, in orginal packaging)
March 15: Combs
March 22: Nail Clippers (metal, attached file optional)
March 29: Bars of Soap again.
We will assemble our Personal Care Kits on Wednesday, April 1, at 6:00 PM at the church. We will,
also, serve a dinner to those who attend! Families are encouraged to join us that night! A sign up
sheet is available on a table in the greeting of the church so we can plan accordingly for the dinner.
For more information you may contact Pastor Paul or visit Lutheran World Relief’s website and search
“Baskets of Promise.”
TLC PLAY AND LEARN CAMPUS
Snow days, school vacation and more snow just makes everyone at THE Play and Learn Campus look
forward to spring. The children have not had the opportunity to go outside and exercise, so we have
started to improvise with inside jumping jacks and running in place. We still have the ones who are
just as happy to sit on our area rugs and build with LEGOS or read a good book.
To start dreaming about warmer weather, we will host a Caribbean Getaway dinner at Trinity on
March21st. Everyone is invited to share in this wonderful delicious meal and great ambiance. The
children will be work on creating decorations and adding their ideas to the menu. We look forward to
seeing you at this fundraising event and the children look forward to serving you
Our service project this time is sharing, along with the church, in Lutheran World Relief’s "Baskets of
Promise". We sent information home with all the parents and children on what to bring in and we have
a plastic bin to collect all items. We hope staff, parents and children share their giving hearts.
Gail always comes up with interesting and fun activities for everyone and the children enjoy cooking
with her. When we have an afternoon to watch movies, they jump up to help Gail make bags popcorn
for everyone.
Gail and I want to thank you for your continued supportof our after school ministry. We also ask that
you continue to keep us in your prayers as we care for the children, redirect their energies and
nurture them with love.
With Love and Blessings , Ruth E. Medeiros
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD
APRIL 5
FESTIVAL OF HOLY COMMUNION
AT 8:15 AND 11:00 AM
FAMILY WORSHIP CELEBRATION
AT 9:30 AM
EASTER SUNRISE AT FORT PHOENIX
5:36 AM
EASTER EGG HUNT
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
10:00 AM
Hunt for eggs, check out the Easter Bunny. Parents are invited to bring breakfast or
snack food items to share.
TLC Play and Learn Campus Happily Presents
A Caribbean Adventure
March 21st at 5:30 PM
On March 21st at about 5:30 PM our very own Play and Learn Campus will let loose a
culinary extravaganza.
This event will feature a buffet style meal with pretty much
something for everyone. We’ll have salad and shrimp and pork and chicken and rice,
and...(getting hungry? Good!)
The cost of this event is a free will donation and all profits will benefit the after school
program, and of course everyone is more than welcome. If you’d like, you may even dust
the snow off of your Hawaiian shirt and wear it!
So set aside that date and bring your family, your friends, and your appetite. We can guarantee that
faster than you can sing, “Don’t worry, be happy!” you will forget about winter and revel in the
tropical splendor of the Caribbean! A sign up sheet is posted on a bulletin board in the hallway to give
the cooks an idea of how many to expect.
High School Seniors
Scholarship applications are available in the church office.
Please see John for the
applications. We offer two scholarships: the Trinity Education Scholarship and the Ingvald
Frostad Scholasrship. Deadline for submission is April 30.
Adult Bible Study
After a winter hiatus the Monday evening Adult Bible Study group returns on March 2.
Join us at 6:00 PM!