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BULLETINS EXPLORE WORSHIP DETAILS ONLINE WORSHIP MUSIC BULLETINS WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Worship Bulletins Click on the links below to view worship bulletins. Sunday, November 16, 2025 Sunday, November 9, 2025 Sunday, November 2, 2025 Sunday, October 26, 2025 Sunday, October 19, 2025 Sunday, October 12, 2025 Sunday, October 5, 2025 Sunday, September 28, 2025 Sunday, September 21, 2025 Sunday, September 14, 2025 Sunday, September 7, 2025

CALENDAR See our UPCOMING EVENTS page for specific event descriptions.

UPCOMING EVENTS Check out what is coming up at Trinity Lutheran Church Click on "Show more" for specific event details.

At Trinity Lutheran Church, we live by the grace of God that brings change to our lives through faith in Christ. Trinity is a vibrant and growing congregation, welcoming all people to worship, pray, learn, and serve with us. We have a long history of sharing the love of God in Christ Jesus in Watertown, MN, and beyond. Welcome Home Worship With Us Sundays 9:00 am Onsite & Online WORSHIP DETAILS ONLINE WORSHIP WORSHIP Join us as we live out our faith as God's faithful people in worship, music and prayer. Find information here about our weekly worship services, both in-person and online. WORSHIP LEARN MORE Find out more about this community of faith that is shining in the light of God. Dig deeper, make connections, and discover how God might be calling you! ABOUT TRINITY GIVE Your gifts help us to live faithfully and change lives. As faithful people, we tend to the needs of others and our church’s ministry when we share our gifts, talents and resources. WAYS TO GIVE Upcoming Events Serve Prayer Request Contact Ministries Adults Children (Birth - Grade 5) Youth (Grades 6 - 12) Changing Lives. Faithful Living.

SAINT LUCIA TEA EXPLORE ADULT MINISTRY BIBLE STUDIES MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS Saint Lucia Tea Saturday, December 13 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Each December, Trinity Lutheran Church celebrates the Saint Lucia Tea, a Swedish festival of light – a symbol of hope and peace for the Christmas season. All are invited to celebrate with music, candles, and traditional Scandinavian treats at this festive community event. This year, we invite attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Gather & Grow Food Shelf in Watertown. According to legend, Saint Lucia brought food and light to villagers in Sweden during a great famine, her candles lighting the dark winter path as she carried provisions to the hungry. In that same spirit of kindness, we share her light today by helping our neighbors in need. Volunteers Needed! We are looking for volunteers for baking, decorating, serving at the event and more! Please sign up to volunteer below. (Recipes for all of the Swedish treats are available upon request.) VOLUNTEER FOR SAINT LUCIA TEA Thank you for helping to continue the tradition of the Saint Lucia Tea at Trinity Lutheran Church this holiday season! Learn more about Saint Lucia and Trinity’s annual event below. Questions about Trinity's Saint Lucia Tea Event? Contact Cindy Essen at 612-816-3823 or cessen@citlink.net . Legend of Saint Lucia Lucia was a young girl who lived in Sicily around 300 A.D. She became a Christian and gave her dowry to the poor; consequently her fiancé denounced her to the Romans. Lucia was then blinded and condemned to death by burning. According to pious legend, the flames did not harm her, but framed her body in a halo of light. This is probably the basis for the crown of lighted candles Lucia wears. A soldier then killed her with his sword. This is the reason that Lucia wears a red sash, red being the symbol of the blood of the Holy Martyrs. Lucia died December 13, 304 A.D. In popular piety, she quickly became associated with light, for she had sacrificed the light of her eyes rather than deny “The Light of the World.” Winters in Scandinavia are long and dark, so Nordic people have an almost semi-religious attachment to light. December 13th was the shortest day and longest night. This was the day Lucia came, bringing light and hope in their darkest time of year. When Christianity came to the North about a thousand years ago, it was not so strange that a saint identified with light became popular among common people. Nor was it strange that Saint Lucia was the patron saint of farmers. Saint Lucia is also associated with charity. She gave her dowry to the poor, and according to Swedish legend, during a famine in the Middle Ages, she crossed Lake Vänern with a boatload of food for the starving people of Värmland, lighting her way with a candlelit wreath on her head. In more recent times, the tradition in remembrance of that event has changed. A daughter of the house, usually the eldest, rises very early on December 13th, Lucia Day, bringing coffee and saffron buns, “Lussekatter,” to her parents and family. She wears a white dress and has a wreath of candles on her head. Lucia celebrations also take place in towns, churches, and schools throughout the country. Thus the “Saint Lucia Fest” commemorates and honors a devout Sicilian girl for her Faith and Witness. History of Watertown’s Lucia Open House In 1949, Frances & Naomi Bergman hosted the first Watertown area Lucia private house party at their home on a farm near Mayer. Margaret Horn, age 10, was the first Lucia. Her crown was made out of cardboard paper plates wired together. Her Aunt, Edna Mae, stood close by with a wet bath towel. She was positive Margaret would catch on fire as there were real candles used on the crown. In 1959 when Margaret was attending the U of M School of Nursing she was again Lucia with a “real crown”. When the Bergmans moved to town, the Lucia party took place for one year at the Albin Thompson farm and then was continued by the Bergmans in their home in Watertown until Naomi’s death in 1965. The Trinity Saint Lucia Tea Open House that is sponsored annually by the Women of Trinity began in 1969, when they took part in the community Ecumenical movement. For a few years the open house was hosted in various homes of members. Because more room was needed, the open house was moved to Trinity’s church basement and continues to be held at this location.

MUSIC EXPLORE WORSHIP DETAILS ONLINE WORSHIP MUSIC BULLETINS WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Worship Music Trinity's worship music is thoughtfully considered to reflect the church season and biblical theme each week. A variety of choirs, vocalists and worship bands present special music throughout the month. Special ensembles are also used throughout the year and for special occasions. We encourage anyone with an interest in sharing your gifts of music during worship to be a part of Trinity's music ministry. Worship Choir For teens through adults Worship Choir will sing during worship several times throughout the year. Rehearsals will take place for 3 to 4 Wednesdays before any given singing commitment. Handbell Choir For teens through adults Handbell Choir will play during worship occasionally throughout the year and rehearse as needed prior to those dates. Worship Bands For teens through adults Worship Bands lead worship on one Sunday of the month. Sunday School Singers All children who participate in Sunday School learn music as a part of their faith formation experience. Periodically they share their gifts at worship on Sunday mornings. Would you like to share your musical gifts? If you are interested in participating in any of the choirs, bands or ensembles, please contact Hannah Rosholt, Music Ministry Coordinator at rhosholt@trin.org or call the church office at 952-955-1891.

MINISTRIES EXPLORE MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS SERVE PRAYER NEWSLETTER PARTNERSHIPS Ministries at Trinity Trinity's faith life is expressed with three goals in mind. We are committed to being church in new ways, seeing God in our daily lives, and reaching out to those living on the margins. In short, Trinity is about Faithful Living and Changing Lives. We do this individually every day, as we live out our lives shining the light of Christ wherever we are, but we also have many organized ministries where people gather together and work towards a common goal. Below is a list of various ministries in the congregation. If you would like to learn more or are interested in participating in any of Trinity's ministries, please contact the church office at 952-955-1891 or trinityoffice@trin.org . Outreach Visitors Trinity has many members who are homebound or are living in assisted living facilities. Trinity's Outreach Visitors spend time with these members to offer Holy Communion, engage in conversation, and keep these members connected to our faith community. We also send them letters regularly to offer written prayers and thoughts of encouragement! If you are interested in becoming an Outreach Visitor or know someone who would appreciate having a visitor, please contact the church office, 952-955-1891 or trinityoffice@trin.org . Social Ministry Trinity works on specific projects in order to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in concrete, tangible ways. We support The Watertown Friends for Life Food Shelf with regular food drives and donations, which also benefits "The Royal Room" at the Elementary School, providing students with healthy snacks, warm clothes, and school supplies. Trinity also works with the social service organization Love INC Heartland in Delano. Trinity has a direct connection with this ministry in that we provide onsite storage space for many of the goods that are distributed in the local community. TRINITY PARTNERSHIPS Hospitality Trinity's Hospitality Ministry is centered on the many ways our congregation gathers together for companionship, care, and just plain fun! Every Sunday morning when we gather for worship, Trinity has a rich tradition of serving coffee and treats in our Fellowship Hall. While it's important to hear the "Word of God" to stay connected in worship, it's also important to hear the "words of our friends" to stay connected with each other! Other Hospitality events include Advent and Lent suppers, meals for our Golden Agers (those 70+ years of age) and an annual Saint Lucia Tea, celebrating our church's Swedish heritage. Parish Health The Parish Health Ministry Team believes that by encouraging good health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit, we create a healthier church family. This group includes an article in our monthly church newsletter, called Parish Health Matters, highlighting health and well being information. Specific ministry events include "Listen and Learn" series on various health topics, led by health care professionals; hosting a Tour-de-Tonka Rest Stop in our church parking lot to support bike riders at this annual event; and Trinity's Giving Garden, our onsite garden that provides fresh vegetables for the local food pantry. Racial Justice Committee This Ministry Team is not afraid to tackle the tough issues related to racial issues in our community and society. This group meets to discuss racial issues in an open, honest, caring, and faithful way in order to raise awareness, admit our own shortcomings, and move ahead boldly. Their goal is that they might help us all take responsibility for our actions, praying that God will lead us forward in justice, truth, and light. Stewardship The Stewardship Team works to lift up the value of generosity in our daily lives throughout the whole year. While this group often focuses its efforts on financial stewardship, the larger goal is to help everyone see stewardship as an act of worship, an expression of faith, and a discipline for spiritual growth. Teddy Bear Ministry Trinity has Teddy Bears available for members to share with those who are going through especially difficult, even traumatic, situations. Bears can be given to all ages - to anyone who might be in need of a special "bear hug" during a difficult time. There is no fee for giving a bear, however if you wish to make a donation to the Teddy Bear Ministry to help us purchase more bears in the future, it is appreciated. Request a Teddy Bear to give to someone who needs it today. Contact Cindy Essen , 612-816-3823 to request a teddy bear.

SCHOLARSHIPS EXPLORE YOUTH MINISTRY CONFIRMATION YOUTH GROUP SCHOLARSHIPS Trinity College Scholarships Each year, the Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation offers several college scholarship opportunities to Trinity’s graduating seniors. Trinity members will be notified in the spring of their senior year with information and details about these scholarships. The Trinity Foundation Scholarship The Trinity Foundation awards one or more graduating seniors this scholarship based on academic accomplishments, community service, and a personal essay about his/her experience at Trinity Lutheran Church and what they have learned that will help them be successful in the future. Trinity Preschool Scholarship Trinity Preschool was a beloved addition of Trinity Lutheran Church from 1975 to 2018. This scholarship awards a current Trinity Lutheran Church member that is graduating from high school and furthering their education at a post secondary college, particularly to study in the field of education/teaching. Elsie Sandquist Memorial Music Scholarship In memory of Elsie Sandquist, Trinity Lutheran Church's Organist/Pianist from 1964-2001, this scholarship was created to financially help a current Trinity member that is graduating from high school and furthering their education at a post secondary college. The recipient will have a love for music. Bergstrom Family Memorial Scholarship This scholarship is given to one or more Trinity seniors to perpetuate the memory of the Bergstrom family and commend involvement in our church and community. Frank Kaduk Memorial Scholarship The Frank Kaduk Scholarship is given to perpetuate the memory of Frank Kaduk, who was active in the faith formation of children at Trinity through teaching, enthusiastic support, and meaningful children’s messages. This scholarship will be given to a student who has shown an active interest in Trinity over the years. Preference will be given to those interested in pursuing a degree in education. C. P. Thompson Scholarship The C. P. Thompson Scholarship is given to assist a student who is pursuing a career in ministry and to commend involvement in the Trinity Lutheran Church and the community. This scholarship may be given to an eligible student who plans to pursue a career in Christian ministry.

CONTACT US Need more information or have questions? We’re happy to respond to your inquiries. 513 Madison Street SE PO Box 1177 Watertown, MN 55388 trinityoffice@trin.org 952.955.1891 Contact Us Name Email Message SUBMIT Thanks for contacting Trinity Lutheran Church. We'll be in touch soon. Map - Contact

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Thank you for registering for Vacation Bible School! Payment Options Cost: $20 per child, $50 max/family You have the option to pay online or by cash or check to the church office. To pay online, click the button below to be directed to Trinity's secure online giving site. If you would prefer to give by cash or check, please drop off or mail your payment to the Trinity church office. PAY ONLINE When your online payment is complete, you should receive two email confirmations. One for your VBS registration and one for your online payment. < BACK TO VBS PAGE

PARTNERSHIPS EXPLORE MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS SERVE PRAYER NEWSLETTER PARTNERSHIPS Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Trinity Lutheran Church belongs to the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). The ELCA is a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. Trinity is one of 155 ELCA congregations supported by the Minneapolis Area Synod. www.elca.org www.mpls-synod.org Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota This organization advocates and provides services for adoptive parents, children, homeless youth, people with disabilities and the elderly in Minnesota. These services seek to help all people live and work in the community with safety, dignity, and hope. www.lssmn.org Love INC - Heartland Love INC Heartland is a neighbor helping neighbor organization designed to mobilize area churches to help meet the needs of their neighbors. Love INC – Heartland serves Delano, Howard Lake, Maple Plain, Rockford, Waverly, Montrose and Watertown. www.loveincheartland.org Watertown Friends For Life Food Shelf Friends For Life Food Shelf provides food and personal care items for people in the communities of Hollywood, Watertown, Camden, Waconia Township. Open Mondays 4:00-7:00 pm. www.WatertownFoodshelf.com Green Lake Lutheran Ministries Green Lake Lutheran Ministries presents the life-changing love of Jesus in the vibrant settings of camps and retreats. Trinity encourages youth to attend summer camps and experience this unique way of feeling Christ's love. Family camps and retreats are also offered. www.gllm.org ELCA Good Gifts ELCA Good Gifts provides more than 50 different gift-giving options that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives. These gifts include farm animals to help communities with sustainable food and income, health and medical supplies, and food security resources. These donations provide direct support for the church wide ministries of the ELCA around the world. goodgifts.elca.org Feed My Starving Children As a Christian non-profit organization, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is called to feed God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit. Meals are specially formulated for malnourished children and are packed by hand. They are then donated to FMSC food partners around the world, where kids are fed and lives are saved! www.fmsc.org Living Lutheran The Magazine of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. www.livinglutheran.org

YOUTH MINISTRY EXPLORE YOUTH MINISTRY CONFIRMATION YOUTH GROUP SCHOLARSHIPS Youth at Trinity Grades 6 - 12 Youth Ministry at Trinity helps youth in Middle School and High School grow in Christ, participate in the life and mission of the church, and live out their faith in everyday life. We welcome both members and non-members to attend our Youth Ministry events. From fellowship events like ski and amusement park trips to service projects at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota or Feed My Starving Children, we offer opportunities for kids to have fun and build relationships while learning from God's Word. Keep an eye out for upcoming Youth Ministry opportunities and events on Trinity's calendar. Questions about Youth Ministry? Contact the church office at trinityoffice@trin.org .