Trinity Lutheran Church
433 S. Winstead avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 443-7462
Identity Statement:
With God We Can!
The Joyful Noise
June 2025
This month’s highlights
Wednesday, May 28 Synod Pre-Assembly
Thursday, May 29- Synod Assembly
Saturday, May 31
Sundays, June 1-29 Worship
10:00 am
Sunday, June 1 Fellowship
After Worship
Mondays, June 2-30 With God We Can!
Kitchen
9:00 am
Saturdays, June 7 – 26 With God We Can!
Farmer’s Market
Sunday, June 8 Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 10 Book Group
11:00 am
Sunday, June 22 Highway Clean-Up
After Worship
Please read articles in the newsletter for more information about ministry opportunities offered here at
Trinity Lutheran Church during June.
Please accept the invitation to participate.
be safe, be kind.
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:44-53
Look! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!
This isn’t likely the reaction the disciples had as they looked up and watched Jesus ascend to heaven. But I imagine maybe a similar flood of emotions – wonder and fear and hope.
The Ascension of Our Lord is a fixed day – forty days after Resurrection Sunday. An important event in the Church’s faith story – sadly, it’s rarely observed.
Yet even as they gaze upward, straining to see Jesus, the disciples, including us, are called not to look up for Jesus. We are invited to look around! We are held in His presence as we proclaim the Word and share the Meal. We are held in His presence when we’re in the company of others – including each other who are part of this faith community of Trinity Lutheran Church. And same as the 1st century motley crew, we – you and me included – are gifted by the promised Holy Spirit to equip and sustain and invigorate our ministry as people called to continue the mission of Christ.
Look around, dear Church! See Jesus!
Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
You continue in my prayers.
Breathe peace,
Pastor Alice
Pastor Alice will be gone Wednesday, May 28 - Saturday, May 31, to attend the pre-assembly event and Synod Assembly in Greensboro. Please call the president of the congregation or council vice-president in case of pastoral care emergency. Please keep all participating in the pre-assembly and Synod Assembly in your prayers. Thank you.
Please include in your prayers our members, relatives, and friends who have requested our prayers:
…people and land threatened by or recovering from recent weather events especially the tornadoes and storms in the mid-west, and Hurricane Helene; for our brothers and sisters who have no shelter and whose bowls are empty; for all communities wounded by violence especially Ukraine and the Middle East; and for those who feel there is no one to pray for them.
If you have added a name to the prayer list, please contact
Pastor Alice and share an update regarding the person.
Names will be rotated off the list every 30 days. Thank you.
Words of Appreciation
Thank you to everybody who has given time and effort in assembling bulletins and newsletters in May! We are truly blessed by your partnership in ministry.
Thank you to the folks who help prepare for worship and share worship leadership!
Happy Father’s Day! To all the men in our lives who provide a father’s care, love, guidance, and support, thank you! May God bless you! Take time to remember those special men in your life.
During the Easter Season (seven weeks ending June 8) the Easter Cross at the gate to the Memorial Garden will be adorned with colourful cut flowers and greenery. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the Gathering Space. Folks are needed for Wednesdays and Saturdays through June 8. All are invited to participate in this witness of the Resurrection by keeping flowers and greens fresh. Every year our neighbours comment about how much they appreciate this Easter proclamation. Thank you.
On Sunday, June 1, 2025, we will celebrate June birthdays and anniversaries during our after-worship fellowship gathering in Resurrection Hall. We will also recognize the end of this school year and all our teachers, staff, and students. Everyone is Welcome! It’s an opportunity to enjoy some conversation and light refreshments. There is a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space. Thanks!
Pentecost On Sunday, June 8, 2025, the Easter season ends with the celebration of Pentecost. This is when the Church gives thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the sacred privilege of being the visible presence of the Risen Christ in the world. You and I are members of the Church which connects us to brothers and sisters across the world. To remember and celebrate, let’s wear red! Thanks.
It’s That Time Again! Spring has definitely arrived – which means so has the invitation to mow the church lawn. The sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board near the office. Thanks!
With God We Can! and Freeze Our ministry partners at the Farmers Market have already asked when we’ll begin the 13th season! On Sunday, June 1, 2025, fresh produce will be available for Trinity folks to prepare for freezing. Quart-sized Ziploc bags are in the kitchen. It is indeed a sacred privilege to be the hands of Jesus providing vegetables for our brothers and sisters whose bowls might otherwise go empty. Thank you for your partnership in ministry. Please keep With God We Can! and Freeze in your prayers.
Love Meals A reminder that the 1st Sunday of every month is designated as Love Meals Sunday. Please bring non-perishable food items to share with folks in our community who struggle to provide food for their families. The bucket is under the side table in the Gathering Space. Thanks!
United Community Ministries
And they asked, “Lord, when did we see You hungry or naked or sick or homeless and help You?” And Jesus said, “When you care for those who are seen by the world as unimportant and easy to ignore, you care for Me.”
My loose translation of Matthew 25
Trinity Lutheran Church has been asked to sponsor the ministry of our local shelters in the month of June through a contribution of general supplies. This effort is in addition to our monthly collection of food. The list of requested items follows:
55 gal. trash bags
13 gal. trash bags
laundry detergent
bleach
toilet tissue
napkins
paper towels
dish detergent
8 oz. foam cups
12 oz. foam bowls
plates (dinner size)
Please place contributions in the Gathering Space. Your assistance will help folks living in the various shelters that provide housing for many brothers and sisters who have no place else to call home – men, women, children. Now that we are nearing the close of school, the need will increase. More children will be served meals through the shelters – children who during the school year receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. The need is great in our community. This congregation has always been very generous – and I thank you! I am blessed to serve with such faithful folks who live what they confess they believe, who take seriously who God has claimed each of you to be – partners in the mission of Christ. If you have any questions, please contact me. And, I ask that you please keep those served by UCM and the staff in your prayers.
Together in Christ,
Pastor Alice
PS A reminder that UCM is one of our partners in With God We Can!.
The Book Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am (unless otherwise announced). On June 10, we will discuss The Judge’s List by John Grisham. In July, we will discuss The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Come join us for this time of fellowship and conversation.
July 12 Intergenerational Vacation Bible School from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm! The theme this year is Who Jesus Calls Neighbours. The primary text is Luke 10:25-37 (the parable of the Good Samaritan). This is the Gospel assigned for Sunday, July 13, 2025. Worship on that Sunday will continue the VBS theme (and will gather in Resurrection Hall). After worship, we’ll share lunch. Watch for information in coming Sunday bulletins and the July newsletter. Hope to see you on July 12!
Community Worship Service will gather on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 6:00 pm. Plans are still being made for this annual worship service. Please save this date and plan to participate in this time of blending our voices with brothers and sisters from many other denominations. Watch for more information. Please keep those who plan this event in your prayers. Thanks.
Summer Movie and Discussion on the Wednesdays in August. More information coming in July newsletter and Sunday bulletins.
Notice for the Congregation’s Information
Effective May 22, 2025, our staff person has ended her time serving as Administrative Assistant for Trinity Lutheran Church. She has realized that the needs of her family demand more of her attention, encroaching on her energy and availability to meet the responsibilities of her position here.
I am grateful for the gifts she shared during her tenure.
I hope that she finds peace.
Pastor Alice
Congregation Council
May 18, 2025 meeting
Cluster Reports
Worship Cluster
April
Adorning the Easter Cross- Every Saturday starting April 19th through June 7th. We will be adorning the Easter Cross weekly during the Easter Season. The Easter Cross is located in front of the gate of the Memorial Garden facing Winstead Ave. We will need fresh greenery and flowers weekly. If you have greenery and or flowers in your yards, please let Pastor Alice know.
May
· Thursday, May 29th – Ascension of Our Lord
June
· Sunday, June 8th- Day of Pentecost (red)
· Sunday, June 15th- Holy Trinity (white)
· Sunday, June 22nd- green season begins
Faith Growing
Stewardship
· Please pray for God’s guidance as you reflect on your partnership in Trinity’s ministry through your financial stewardship. Thank you.
Christian Education
· We have been studying Romans each while also branching out and discussing aspects of the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed. Paul’s continuing message of our role in sharing the gospel of salvation is one that is key to our faith. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. As he says, our fears about for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Come join us on Sunday morning at 9 AM.
· The children’s Sunday school will continue to use Whirl, an ELCA lectionary-based resource.
· Sunday School will pause for the summer after Sunday, May 18th.
Caretaking Cluster
Family Life
A sign-up sheet is available for June-September
hosting after worship refreshments.
Finance
- The Capital Campaign for refinancing the mortgage and roof replacement is ongoing. Through April 30th, $3,432.00 has been collected.
- Congregational leaders have been scheduled to count offerings and make deposits through June.
Property
- The cable that Brightspeed installed still has not been buried. The company has been notified that it is in the way of cutting grass.
- The contractor has completed the installation of the Air Handler and has been paid.
- There are open dates on the sign-up sheet for grass cutting.
- The batteries for the emergency lighting have been checked.
- The Fire extinguishers have been checked.
- A plumbing contractor repaired several leaking faucets, toilets, and pipes.
Invitation Cluster
Evangelism
· YouTube, Facebook and the website are continually updated.
· Photo Consent Forms In order to honor privacy, we ask that everybody signs a photo consent form to be kept on file for a year. Copies are available on the information table in the Gathering Space.
Social Ministry
· Love Meals A reminder that the 1st Sunday of every month is designated as Love Meals Sunday. Please bring non-perishable food items to share with folks in our community who struggle to provide food for their families.
· Meals on Wheels Thank you to Trinity people who served meals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The next date for us to participate is Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
· With God We Can! will resume Sunday, June 1, 2025.
TLC
Book Group –The book group usually meets at 11:00 am on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The book selection for May is Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The June selection is The Judge’s List by John Grisham. All are welcome.