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YOUTH CANOE TRIP EXPLORE YOUTH MINISTRY CONFIRMATION YOUTH GROUP BWCA CANOE TRIP SCHOLARSHIPS Boundary Waters Youth Canoe Trip For many years, Trinity has had a tradition of taking High School Youth to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota every summer. These annual trips are led by competent adults and are designed to allow youth to experience the wild places of the earth. The ultimate goal is to help them open their hearts to God's great, green creation, as well as learn about the importance of caring for God's good earth when they return back home! The Boundary Waters youth canoe trip details and registration are typically available each spring. Check back here for more information as summer draws near.

NEWSLETTER EXPLORE MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS SERVE PRAYER NEWSLETTER PARTNERSHIPS Newsletter The Trinity Tidings is our monthly newsletter. Here you will find all of the latest happenings at Trinity as well as upcoming events. Check out past issues of our newsletter. March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 June / July 2025

BIBLE STUDY EXPLORE ADULT MINISTRY BIBLE STUDIES MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS Bible Studies Welcome to Trinity Lutheran Church’s bible study groups. Trinity offers bible study and fellowship opportunities throughout the year. For more information and updates on upcoming programming, please contact Pastor Lutter . Priscilla Circle Second Monday of the month 2:00 pm Fellowship Hall A bible study for women that explores the scripture and various faith topics. Contact study leader, Eileen Nelson , 952-955-1491 for more information. Book of Jonah Bible Study Wednesdays, January 7–28, 2026 (weekly sessions) 1:30–2:30 pm Join Pastor Paul for a four-week Bible study on the Book of Jonah. Each week will focus on one chapter, exploring God’s call, hope, growth, and grace—and how this ancient story speaks to everyday life and the life of the congregation. Study materials will be provided. SIGN UP FOR STUDY SERIES Faith Forums Trinity offers occasional Faith Forums on Sunday mornings during coffee hour. Topics include specific faith topics during Advent and Lent, mental health enrichment discussions and more. Check our UPCOMING EVENTS page for opportunities throughout the year.

EMPLOYMENT EXPLORE ABOUT TRINITY WHAT WE BELIEVE STAFF & COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP LIFE EVENTS CONTACT Article Title Rio et rem autat et dia et eosaecuptate sim nobistiandel maiore dolor as secus in et illam repudis veniti omnihillam qui omnia volupta tincte ipsae ni ne ea id que nimaiorem. Et harchil invenih iliquae rferum quunt molum ius il eostiurent et volorerio tessequodi occum ea quaecus, volum saniae essitisti aut volupta tiisiti busdam abo. Nempor minci non res arumet aut que non explam qui aut esequam quis sit ant fugitate et ant que dites mi, quam re et quae core omnis velit volest, accatem num quo expe voloriberi re et quaspit, comnis cus am faccusam quatus. Explandisti accatiunt. Ipsam, omnistintum dipsum aut aliquaecum latiore nduntio quo modiossimus, eaquatis sequae venist, nemodipit volupta vit, tendaeri re, nusamusaped que ne net eicimin iendis mossi di ut que ex et, vidunture num et ium vollo venda dici doluptio dolupient, sus, sitia doluptatat quati voles solorehenit que net am cum fugias evella pratemporum iur?

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL Thank you for registering for Sunday School! Payment Options Suggested Donation: $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 Sunday School registration and one for your online payment. < BACK TO SUNDAY SCHOOL PAGE

TRUNK-OR-TREAT EXPLORE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY BIBLE STUDIES MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS Trinity Trunk-or-Treat Sunday, October 26 1:00 - 3:00 pm Trinity families, friends and neighbors are invited to “trunk-or-treat” from vehicle to vehicle in the Trinity parking lot. There will be treats, apple cider, bounce houses, and fun for all ages! Start decorating your vehicle and choosing your costumes for an afternoon of fun at Trinity! We'll need volunteers to: • decorate a trunk • help with various event activities • help setup / serve the food • help with clean up after the event • donate candy Note: 6th-8th grade Confirmation students can earn a "sermon note" for attending in costume and helping out with this event. :) VOLUNTEER FOR TRUNK-OR-TREAT Have questions about Trunk-or-Treat? Contact Stephanie Schmidt for more information.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS EXPLORE WORSHIP DETAILS ONLINE WORSHIP MUSIC BULLETINS WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Advent at Trinity Advent is a time of anticipation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. You are invited to worship with us on Sundays and Wednesdays during Advent and attend the various celebrations we have during this season. 2025 Advent Devotional Pick up Trinity’s Advent devotional and join us in exploring this year’s theme, “The Power of Yes!”—the faithful yeses spoken by people in the Christmas story and the power your own yes can hold. This simple daily practice of scripture, prayer, and reflection can help you pause amid the holiday rush. Printed copies are available in the Narthex and at the Welcome Center, or download a digital version by clicking the button below. 2025 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOK Worship Advent Midweek Services Wednesdays, December 3, 10, 17 Meal from 5:30 - 6:30 pm Worship at 7:00 pm Join us each Wednesday evening in Advent for a light meal served by the Trinity youth in the Fellowship Hall, followed by a “Holden Evening Prayer” worship service. Children’s Christmas Service Sunday, December 21 9:00 am Our Sunday School children will be leading worship this Sunday. Join us for a special service as our youngest members share the story of Christ's birth through song and celebration! Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Wednesday, December 24 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm On Christmas Eve, we will be singing classic Christmas carols, listening to familiar readings, and lighting Christmas candles. Communion will be offered at both Christmas Eve services. Please join us at worship on this most holy day! Events Saint Lucia Tea Open House Saturday, December 13 10:00 am - 12:00 pm The Swedish festival of Saint Lucia is a celebration 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 community event. LEARN MORE ABOUT SAINT LUCIA Christmas Extravaganza Family Event Sunday, December 21 10:00 am Following the Children's Christmas worship service, families are invited to our annual Christmas Extravaganza! Join us for a joyful time of games, crafts, yummy treats, and hot cocoa. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, celebrate, and make special memories together. Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and get ready for a celebration full of laughter, love, and Christmas cheer.

OUR HISTORY EXPLORE ABOUT TRINITY WHAT WE BELIEVE STAFF MEMBERSHIP LIFE EVENTS CONTACT The History of Trinity Lutheran Church Our Beginnings Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Watertown originated as Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Götaholm Congregation in 1858 with 23 charter members. They purchased three acres of land on the shore of Swede Lake, just south of town, for $10 per acre. Not long after, the congregation moved to Watertown to a site in the middle of our current cemetery, and then moved to its present location in 1890. In 1948, funds for a new organ were raised as the church celebrated its 90th Anniversary. But on Monday, June 7, tragic news flashed over the wires... "Götaholm destroyed by fire". Smoke and fire poured out of the bell tower like a chimney, and eventually the tower collapsed. When the fire was finally extinguished, what remained of the altar and the bell itself were found in the smoldering rubble in the church basement. The Parish Hall that sat across the street served as a meeting place for all activities, including services, and ground breaking was held on August 1, 1948. A general contractor was hired for the project and construction workers who had been hired were housed in the homes of church members during construction. Volunteers also spent many hours a day working to rebuild the church building. The name change to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was ratified at the annual meeting of 1949. The last Swedish service was held on January 1, 1949, marking the end of an era. This was no longer a Swedish church, but the Church of the Lord, extending the call and invitation to worship to all nationalities. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on May 8, 1949 and by Christmas of that year, the congregation was worshiping in the new sanctuary, only 19 months after the disastrous fire. And on February 5, 1950, the new organ was finally dedicated. Of course, the old church building and the devotion of the people who rebuilt it will not be forgotten. A special reminder of the former building can be found in the cross, candelabras, vases and book rest that we still use on our altar today. These items were made from the metal bell that was in the church at the time of the fire. Over the years, additions have been added to the building, including an Education Wing and Chapel in the 1970s. The chapel was dedicated in 1984 as Nylunda Chapel, in honor of another Swedish settlement church on nearby Lake Mary. When Nylunda Evangelical Lutheran Church closed, its congregation donated their church furnishings to Trinity, where they were used faithfully in our chapel for many years. Most recently, in 2014, our congregation completed an expansion of our current facility which included an elevator, new office space, air conditioning, and a new gathering hall, in order to enable the congregation to move forward In the light of Christ. Our Past Mission When Götaholm/Trinity first began, they helped start new churches in the area, such as congregations at Moores Prairie, Buffalo, Waverly, Maple Plain, Lyndale, and Nylunda. More recently, in May of 1969, the congregation helped start Faith Lutheran Church in Waconia. Through its history, Trinity has not only served to start mission churches but has had several pastors who have served as missionaries throughout the world. Pastors have arrived at Trinity after serving in Nepal, Tanzania, and Japan. In addition, fifteen sons or daughters of the congregation have gone on to become Lutheran pastors. And the mission of the church is not relegated only to previous pastors. Most notable is Ethel Akins from Trinity who served in China and Taiwan from 1921 until her death in 1980. In the mid to late 1990s, youth trips to Queen Louise Home for Children in St. Croix were organized for the purpose of doing service projects, mostly painting and light maintenance, although they also did arts and crafts and played games with the children at the orphanage as well. In the years to follow, Trinity also organized several medical mission trips to Jamaica. To this day, Trinity supports both local and global outreach efforts through the work of the Evangelical Church in America. Our Current Mission As Trinity moves forward, we continue to explore new ways that we can reach out with the good news of new life in Jesus Christ, both locally and globally.

SERVICE PROJECT EXPLORE MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS SERVE PRAYER NEWSLETTER PARTNERSHIPS EXPLORE MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS SERVE PRAYER NEWSLETTER PARTNERSHIPS The Sandwich Project Congregation-Wide Service Project Sunday, November 16 10:00 am Together, we’ll help feed our neighbors in need and make a difference—one sandwich at a time. The Sandwich Project of Minnesota is a grassroots organization that provides thousands of sandwiches each week to shelters and food shelves in the metro area, helping feed people experiencing hunger throughout the year. Trinity is excited to join this effort on Sunday, November 16 with an onsite congregation-wide service project! The ingredients will be provided and we'll need your help to assemble the sandwiches. All ages are welcome to join us following worship that day to help out. Have questions about The Sandwich project? Contact Chelsea Farniok for more information.

PAINT & SIP EVENT EXPLORE ADULT MINISTRY BIBLE STUDIES MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS Paint & Sip Event Thursday, November 14 7:00 - 9:00 pm Trinity Fellowship Hall Join us for a Paint & Sip event that promises fun and creativity for all—no painting experience necessary ! Enjoy a glass of wine and refreshments as you unleash your creativity. Local artist Emily Victory will provide step-by-step guidance, making it easy for you to create your very own masterpiece. All art supplies are included, so just bring yourself and a friend for a night filled with painting, socializing, and connecting. This 21+ event is the perfect way to unwind and tap into your artistic side. Social Hour begins at 6:45 pm. Registration for this event has closed. If you have already registered, but still need to pay, please PAY ONLINE or drop off cash or check to the church office. Questions? Please contact the church office at 952-955-1891 or trinityoffice@trin.org .

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN EXPLORE WAYS TO GIVE GIVE ONLINE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TRINITY FOUNDATION MISSION SUPPORT Keep Shining Beyond the Campaign Over the past fifteen years, Trinity has faithfully undertaken three capital campaigns that led to the construction of our building addition and renewed energy for our ministries. In 2024, we reached a major milestone worth celebrating: Trinity has completely paid off the debt for our building addition. What an incredible accomplishment made possible by the generosity, commitment, and shared vision of this congregation. As we celebrate this achievement, we also look ahead with gratitude and hope. We encourage the congregation to continue their generous support of the Building Improvement Fund, just as they have in the past. Your gifts ensure that Trinity remains a safe, welcoming, and functional space for our congregation and the wider community. This continued support is not only an investment in our building, but in our shared mission to serve, grow, and uplift others. Thank you for your faithful generosity. Gifts can be given online or by contacting Financial Secretary, Gail Cassidy at gcassidy@trin.org or 952-955-1891. GIVE ONLINE Capital Campaign History In 2013, Trinity embarked on a three-year capital campaign called, “In Christ, New Light”. This campaign raised over $681,000 and launched the building addition that included a new elevator, new gathering hall, new offices, better handicapped accessibility, and air conditioning for the entire facility. In 2016, Trinity engaged in another three-year capital campaign called, “Shine Where You Are” to continue debt reduction on the building addition. This campaign raised over $667,000, almost as much as the first campaign! Finally, in 2019, Trinity held a third campaign which raised over $382,000 under the theme, "Shine On and Share God's Light!" Through all of these campaigns, Trinity took a leap of faith in building a facility that would help us reach our goals of becoming a new kind of church that would not only help members connect their faith with their every day lives, but would also help the congregation reach out to the community in stronger ways.