Announcements/News
Youth Group to Start Sunday Evening 10/23/2022 at 5pm!
Posted 6/25/2021
Just finished a wonderful VBS experience!!! Thanks to Sue Cook and all the volunteers for the exceptional experience in teaching the kids about Jesus!!! How Jesus is God and cares for me, Jesus is with me all the time, Jesus heals me, Jesus is with me and give me life, and Jesus calls me to tell about Him. Please take a look at the video on the main page that Jen Smith made up from all of the pictures. --- Vicar David
Posted 12-29-2020
Bible Study and Confirmation will be cancelled for this week. We pray that everyone stays safe and healthy as they welcome in the new year.
Posted 12-18-2020
Due to decreased attendance the last week or so we will postpone our Voter’s Meeting until January 10 in hopes that more people are up to attending services by then. We pray that those who are feeling poorly get well soon.
God’s Blessings.
Posted 12-15-2020
Due to the fact that a number of people who participate in Wednesday Bible Study are all sick, we will not have Adult Bible Study this Wednesday.
There is Advent Service tonight at 6:30. Services are available online if you should desire to hear them.
God’s blessings and stay safe.
Posted 11-30-2020
Over the past few weeks, it has come to our attention that there are more and more people who are reluctant to attend worship services because of concerns regarding COVID. Most notably have been concerns about people not wearing masks. Some parishioners have explicitly stated that they will not attend until everyone is wearing masks. Other parishioners have explicitly stated their intention to never wear a mask. Both positions are based on heartfelt beliefs about the nature of this disease and the efficacy of masks.
In I Corinthians, Paul speaks of how he has become all things to all people in order to proclaim the word of God. It is in this spirit that Trinity Lutheran Church is making the following changes to our COVID -19 response.
Each week, we will have parishioners in the sanctuary and others in the fellowship hall. They will self-select their attendance based on their masking preference. Each week we will flip the “maskers” and the “no-maskers” so each group has an equal chance to be in the sanctuary. Those in the fellowship hall will have the Vicar preside do the “pastor-mime” (as opposed to pantomime in case you missed my horrible pun) and he will go in during the beginning of the Service of the Sacrament and bring Communion back for those that wish to receive it. Communion will continue to be provided in a “contactless” process in both areas. In this way we hope to provide for as many parishioners as possible and make all as comfortable with their safety as possible. (If you are not wearing a mask, please be aware of those that are in regards to incidental contact to make sure, in the full spirit of Christian love and fellowship, they feel safe with any interactions you may have.)
Therefore, we will begin this process on the coming Sunday service (December 6). We will start with the “maskers” being in the sanctuary and the “non-maskers” being in the fellowship hall. If numbers for the Advent services make it difficult to socially distance in the sanctuary, this process will be replicated for those services also.
This process has been reviewed and approved by the Pastor and the Board of Elders. It is our sincere prayer that it makes more people feel safe and comfortable with attending services, receiving God’s Word, and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ on a regular basis. If not, online services will remain available for the foreseeable future. We will try this for several weeks. Your feedback and suggestions for improvements are welcome.
God Bless and we hope to see you at Church!
Vicar David.
***
With the recent issues with COVID-19 some people are having a bit more of a problem finding a ride to church. This has brought to our attention that our “ride-share” has not been officially organized – at least of late. Many of you have been doing a yeoman’s task of providing rides for others and it is greatly appreciated. We do not, however, have a single place that people can call if people need a ride to church at the last minute. This is an effort to change that.
Please, if you have been informally providing rides to church for others, this is not intended to replace that wonderful Christian service. Please, continue to do so. This is merely meant to provide a single source that people can contact when they need a ride and can’t find one easily from friends in the congregation.
So, anyone who is willing to give rides to church, please let me know by email, text me, grab me in the hall, whatever, and communicate your willingness and your location. I will then add your name to a map. When I get a call for a ride, I will try and match them up to a willing driver in their geographical area.
Anyone needing a ride can simply call me and let me know and I will try and find you one. Again, if you have your own resources, please go ahead and use those first. They are probably more dependable
As always, we will try this for a while and see if it works.
God’s blessings.
Vicar David.
Posted 11-25-2020
Join us for Thanksgiving Eve Services tonight at 6:30 pm. We have plenty of room for social distancing. We ask that you wear a mask while in the church
Many blessings for you and yours during this season of thanksgiving.
Posted 11-16-2020
Click on the image to purchase tickets or participate in the online auction.
Posted 11-4-2020
A quick note:
As of this week, church office hours have changed to Monday - Wednesday 10:00am - 1:00pm.
For a change of pace, beginning Sunday morning, Sunday Divine Services are changing from Divine Service 4 to Divine Service 3.
Also, if you haven't heard yet, the Trinity Times Newsletter is available for download or print on our Trinity Newsletter page
or there are hard copies available at the church.
Have a blessed week!
Posted 9-1-2020
The start of Choir will be postponed until October 7th at 5:15pm.
Posted 8/19/2020
It has come to our attention that St. Francois County has recently elevated their Covid Alert to a “red” level. Although no specific directions have come with this elevated rating, Trinity Lutheran Church – Park Hills will be doing the following in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.
- We will continue with Saturday’s VBS sessions but will NOT have the potluck dinner associated with it. We will reschedule for a later date.
- All services, bible studies, and Sunday school sessions will continue as scheduled with the following caveats.
- Parking Lot services will resume as before with the Vicar on the stoop. This will allow for opportunities for those in Covid Isolation or who are just concerned to have a worship opportunity with Communion. If you are in isolation, please let the Vicar know in advance if you would like Comminion. He will place the elements on a small table near your vehicle and retreat a safe distance so you can come get the elements and return to your vehicle. He will then lead you through Communion through the closed car window.
- While not mandating masks, we are encouraging everyone to wear a mask (if they feel comfortable) as they enter and exit. These are the times of closest contact. If you cannot bring yourself to wear a mask, please be mindful of maintaining social distances at all times.
- Contactless Communion will continue until further notice.
- Trinity will continue to post recordings of services for those that do not feel comfortable with either the in person or the parking lot service.
Many of us have opted to stay at home or to limit our attendance during this crisis. Please know that you all are greatly missed and we all look forward to seeing you in person as soon as all this passes.
God’s blessings and stay safe.
Pastor May.
Posted 6/28/2020
VBS has been rescheduled! The new date is Saturday August 22 from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm. We will close the day with a closing service and potluck dinner with the congregation.
Please pre-register your children or yourself as a volunteer here: https://vbsmate.com/events/TrinityLutheranParkHills/18952
If you have questions, please contact Rachel Bierly at 773-443-2916 or via email rachel.bierly@gmail.com
Posted 5/23/2020
Well, things are still up in the air as to when things will change to let us return more fully to the sanctuary. As some of you may have seen today, President Trump called on the Governors to open up churches as Trump states they are essential. While encouraging, unfortunately, President Trump did not order an opening and we are currently still under the Governor’s order that limits us to 16 in the sanctuary. We are watching the news closely to see if the Governor makes any changes based on this new recommendation.
We currently have a waiting list for services.
This Sunday, however, Pastor has decided that it is time to return to serving Communion. We will do a contactless version in the sanctuary and we will provide disposable cups in the parking lot. If you want Communion just roll down your window and it will come your way. Please be patient. Contactless Communion takes a little longer.
We pray that you will join us on Sunday and that we can return to our normal schedules soon.
God’s blessings,
Vicar David.
Posted 4/18/2020
Last week we had nearly 50 people in cars in the lot for Easter Sunday. It was so good to see everyone.
We will continue with Drive-In church until such time as the restrictions are lifted.
We are looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow! Vicar David
Palm Sunday Service, 4/5/2020, at 10:30 AM
Tuesday Divine Service, 4/7/2020, at 6:30 PM (Palm Sunday Themed)
Maundy Thursday Service, 4/9/2020, at 6 PM
Good Friday, 4/10/2020 at 6 PM
We are planning to have Drive-In church for Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday services this week. We are allowing 6-8 inside of church for each service. If you would like to be inside for any of these services please let Pastor May or me know ASAP so we can schedule accordingly. Otherwise, we hope to see you in the parking lot!
Pastor consulted with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the LCMS and has decided to follow the recommendation that we suspend Communion during church services until further notice. If you would like private communion, you can contact Pastor May and he will try to arrange a visit with you.
As always, please stay safe and may the Lord Bless you all!
Vicar David.
Posted 4/5/2020, 2 pm
So, we had another successful Drive-In Church service this morning. We doubled last week’s attendance with 24 outside and 10 inside. It was great to see everyone and we even had visitors from Bismarck. This was the closest church they could find that was having services so they sat in their car and worshiped with us.
I wanted to let you all know what the plans are for this week so we are clear.
Communion will not be served at any service, including Maundy Thursday. Anyone wanting to receive Communion can contact the Pastor who will make arrangements for private Communion.
Tuesday Divine Service – 6:30 PM. We have a slot or two available inside if anyone would like to attend in person. The Parking Lot will be open for drive in service. (Pastor will be out there if necessary as I will be leading this service…)
Maundy Thursday – 6 PM (It may have been announced as 7 but it is at 6). Drive-In will be up and functioning!
Good Friday – 6 PM (also may have been announces as 7). Drive-In will be up and functioning!
Easter Sunday – One service at 10:30 AM. Drive-In will be functioning and we are hoping to set a new attendance record for Drive-In Services. With our 24 this morning we still had plenty of parking available!!!!
All services will be posted on the Website as soon as the recordings are ready.
We hope to see you all through the windows of your cars.
May God keep you all safe and healthy!
Vicar David.
Posted March 29, 2020
Church was interesting this morning. We had the necessary people inside to do the broadcasting and make the recording. As promised we also had Drive-In Church in the parking lot. There were 16 people in 9 vehicles in addition to the 8 inside. We were able to do individual communion through the windows which was a bit of a challenge in the wind! All in all, God blessed our efforts and those in the cars said it worked fairly well. Pastor May blessed the Portals of Prayer to be distributed and they were distributed to those there that requested them. There are some more waiting for you at church if you want to stop by and pick them up.
The recording is already posted on the internet. Don’t let the date on the link fool you like it did me. That is when the button was created. If you click on Trinity Worship, you will see all of the recordings listed by date.
Next Sunday, 4/5/2020, is Palm Sunday and following that we start Holy Week. We will continue to worship and record them in the fashion of this morning assuming nothing changes in the directives from the government. There will be Palm Sunday Service, 4/5/2020, at 10:30 AM, Tuesday Divine Service, 4/7/2020, at 6:30 PM (Palm Sunday Themed), Maundy Thursday Service, 4/9/2020, at 6 PM, and Good Friday, 4/10/2020 at 6 PM.
If you would like to be in the responding group for any of these services (in the church itself responding as the congregation for the recording), please let Pastor or myself know which service you would like to attend and we will try to assign them equitably. Otherwise, you are always welcome at the Drive-In for any of these services. We are hoping that the restrictions will be lifted by Easter and we may be able to do something a little special on Easter. Keep the prayers going up! Vicar David
We hope that God will continue to bless you all as we continue to persevere through this difficult time.
Posted March 26, 2020
Drive In Church on Sunday March 29, 2020
So, for those that would like to give Drive In Church a try, here is the information. The intent is for you to be able to come to church, stay in your car where you do not have to have any exposure whatsoever, and listen to the service on the radio while you wave “hi” to all your church family. We will share the peace through the glass with a wave!
Here's how we see it working:
The service will be broadcast on FM 96.9 (note the change from earlier emails). You can receive the broadcast on your car radio up to a few hundred feet from the church.
- Service will start promptly at 10:30 on Sunday as usual.
- Please park in the lower lot or the gravel lot facing the church. This will allow you to see what is happening.
- Bulletins with all the hymns are available on our website page Time to Worship. If you print them off in advance, or save them to a laptop and bring it you, you can participate in the service with all the responses and singing. We will not be providing paper bulletins. There will be no video outside.
- Pastor May will be inside providing the service to our organist, audio/visual person, and a few responders. This is where the broadcast will originate.
- Vicar David will be outside where you can see him mimicking the Pastor’s gestures and prompting the responses for the car bound congregation. (This may be worth seeing in and of itself).
- Communion will be provided for those that wish it.
- Pastor May will bless the elements inside.
- Vicar David will go in, take communion, and bring the elements outside for those in their cars.
- Communion will be given through the window like at Sonic Drive-In.
- The cups and a small plate are both disposable and will allow us to commune you without direct physical contact. You might want to bring a small bag to put the trash in inside your car.
- Those not desiring to commune simply cross your arms over your chest where the Vicar can see. He will give you a blessing through the window. There is certainly no pressure either way.
- If you have special needs (e.g. gluten free wafers or alcohol free wine) please reply to this email and let the Vicar know so he can set up the proper elements for you for distribution.
We frankly have no idea how well this will work. The theory is all good, but the best laid plans… What we do know is that God is with us always in good and in bad times. He promises that all things work for good for those that love Him. We are hopeful God will bless this effort to at least be able to worship together and yet, still apart.
If you are unable to attend, or if you decide against it, the recording will again be made available on the website just like last week.
We pray for the day when God removes this disease from us and we can all worship together inside the sanctuary again.
May God bless and protect each and every one of you!
Vicar David.
Post March 20, 2020
Trinity will not hold regular services for 2 weeks.
After considerable prayer and debate following the Missouri Governor’s proclamation today banning meetings of 10 or more, it was decided that, even though the Governor gave an exemption for religious services, that Trinity would not hold regular services for 2 weeks. It is believed that this will demonstrate Trinity’s compassion towards our neighbor and our support of the community and its effort to curb the spread of this virus.
This was certainly not an easy decision. Much was discussed including being faithful to the Third Commandment and how we can faithfully proclaim the Word and administer the Sacrament. It was decided that, at least in the short term, we can stay faithful to the Word electronically.
Therefore, Pastor May will hold service on Sunday without a congregation. He, with the assistance of less than 10 others, will record the service. This service will be available to all through a link on our website hopefully by Sunday afternoon.
If you feel you are in need of communion, please feel free to contact Pastor May at the church and he will make arrangements to commune you.
We realize that this is a difficult time for all of us and that we are in need of the Word now as much or more than ever. Please continue to hold daily devotionals with your family during these next two weeks. If you are in need of materials for this you can find some online (see below) or you can call the church office. For those of you with the Lutheran Service Book or Treasury of Daily Prayer at home, you also have access to the Matins and Vespers services to hold services in your home if you should so desire.
https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20200320
https://www.lcms.org/about/leadership/president/devotions
https://www.lcms.org/worship/bible-studies
This decision effects all services, Bible studies, and rehearsals for the next two weeks. Confirmation class will continue as it is relatively small.
As this unprecedented situation continues to develop, we will continue to process each new piece of information. We will send further emails as things change. You can also check our website for information.
Thank you all for your understanding and support. God’s Blessings and we pray we will be able to meet again soon.
March 18, 2020
Covid19 Response page.
March 16, 2020
Trinity is working toward coming up with any contingencies should this virus continue to progress.
As always, we will continue to rely on the great mercy and compassion of our Triune God who has always cared for His creation and His Church within that creation. We trust in His mighty power and His endless mercy and lie strongly in His peace. We will also remember that we are the Church, a community in Christ and we need to be with each other whenever this is possible.
However, God also expects us to respond in ways that are within His will and caring for each other is clearly in His will. Therefore, we will do all we can to ensure the health and safety of all those who enter our church or are otherwise part of our church community.
Updates will be posted via email, the website, and Facebook.
May God continue to bless each and every one of you, keeping you and your families safe and in His loving care
Beginning Wednesday September 4 we will be having Youth Confirmation classes at 5pm. You can contact us Mon. - Fri. 8am to 12pm for more information.Worship, this will take you to all the recordings listed by date.
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and following that we start Holy Week. We will continue to worship and record them in the fashion of this morning assuming nothing changes in the directives from the government. There will be Palm Sunday Service at 10:30 AM, Tuesday Divine Service at 6:30 PM (Palm Sunday Themed), Maundy Thursday Service at 6 PM, and Good Friday at 6 PM. If you would like to be in the responding group for any of these services (in the church itself responding as the congregation for the recording), please let Pastor or myself know which service you would like to attend and we will try to assign them equitably. Otherwise, you are always welcome at the Drive-In for any of these services. We are hoping that the restrictions will be lifted by Easter and we may be able to do something a little special on Easter. Keep the prayers going up!
We hope that God will continue to bless you all as we continue to persevere through this difficult time.
Beginning Wednesday September 4 we will be having Youth Confirmation classes at 5pm. You can contact us Mon. - Fri. 8am to 12pm for more information.