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.

TRINITY LEADERSHIP EXPLORE ABOUT TRINITY WHAT WE BELIEVE STAFF MEMBERSHIP LIFE EVENTS CONTACT Staff Pastor Adam Teske Beginning September 2 Gail Cassidy Financial Secretary gcassidy@trin.org Robyn Behrens Office & Communications Manager rbehrens@trin.org Joy Rundell Worship Accompanist Chelsea Farniok Children's Ministry Assistant cfarniok@trin.org Mary Jech Financial Administrator mjech@trin.org Hannah Rosholt Worship Choir Director hrosholt@trin.org Penny Koets Worship Band Leader Church Council Adam Rowan, President Kevin Beck, Vice President Tammy Vraspir, Secretary Jim Sandquist, Treasurer Steve Boylan Corky Ibeling Nick Neaton Kari Olson Nancy Stello

COVID-19 UPDATE EXPLORE ABOUT TRINITY WHAT WE BELIEVE STAFF MEMBERSHIP LIFE EVENTS CONTACT COVID-19 Response at Trinity April 2022 Dear Trinity Family and Friends, We are encouraged by the number of cases of Covid-19 in our midst as they continue to decrease in our community, state, and nation! In light of that, we are returning to have facemasks be optional for our in-person gatherings. Please continue to use common sense in your daily health practices, and please respect the behavior of those who might continue to keep higher safeguards in place due to personal health issues. Our hope is that our ongoing vigilance will continue to help keep the spread of Covid-19 in our congregation and community to a minimum. Thank you for your patience, encouragement, and support! Stay Calm. Stay Connected. Shine on. In the face of a global pandemic, God has led us with faith, hope, and love into a future that no one expected. We give thanks for all the ways God has kept us together in the past year, and we look forward to how God will continue to guide us into a "new normal" of vibrant ministry! Spirit SWAG Devotional Videos The spirit of God is with us everyday as we continue to SWAG (Smile, Wave and Greet) one another and shine in the light of God. PREVIOUS SPIRIT SWAG VIDEOS Leadership Thank you for your ongoing support of these leaders as we follow God's vision toward a bright and faithful future! If you see them, please thank them for their work! Church Council Diane Holmes, Corky Ibeling, Jason Koets, Carol Murray, Nick Neaton, Nancy Pickering, Nancy Stello, Ken Tufte, Tammy Vraspir COVID-19 Response Team Robyn Behrens, Alyson Blakstad, Allison Neaton, Eileen Nelson, Kari Olson, Scott Phearman, Jim Sandquist, Dan Sieling Church Staff Pastor Engholm, Robyn Behrens, Gail Cassidy, Mary Jech, Hannah Rosholt

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 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.

WORSHIP DETAILS EXPLORE WORSHIP DETAILS ONLINE WORSHIP MUSIC BULLETINS WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Worship With Us Sundays at 9:00 am Welcome Join us for lively and engaging worship services every Sunday morning at 9:00 am —both in-person and online via livestream. Our worship leaders use a wide range of instruments – piano, guitar, voice, and worship bands. While each week is different, we strive for the same goal each Sunday: to keep our services faithful to our Lutheran tradition while also learning new ways of worshiping God. Holy Communion is served on the first and third Sundays of the month. Coffee and refreshments are provided after worship each week. Online Worship Worship online with Trinity on Sundays at 9:00 am. You can find our livestream and archived worship services on YouTube. Worship bulletins can be downloaded HERE to follow along during the livestream. ONLINE WORSHIP What to Expect We hope you feel at home at Trinity, whether you're joining us for the first time or have been a part of this church for a lifetime. Dress casually and come as you are. Each week, you will find relevant sermons that are grounded in scripture, fellowship, and connection as well as people eager to welcome you at Trinity. Children & Youth in Worship Children are welcomed warmly at Trinity. At each service, children are invited to find activities in our Coloring Corner and participate in our Children's Moment during the service. If preferred, a supervised Nursery room is available on Sundays in the Fellowship Hall. Youth in grades 6-12 also have many opportunities to participate in the life of the congregation. CHILDREN'S MINISTRY YOUTH MINISTRY Sunday School Age Range: 3 years old – 5th grade Days/Times: Sunday Mornings from 10:00 - 10:45 am. Each week our Sunday School Leaders welcome our Learners (3 years old through 5th grade) at 10:00 am to sing songs, hear Bible stories, and make new friends. An online version is also provided for those weeks that kids can’t attend. Contact: Chelsea Farniok SUNDAY SCHOOL DETAILS Worship & Fellowship Volunteers Our volunteers are an integral part of Sunday mornings at Trinity. Learn more about volunteer opportunities on our Worship Volunteers page. WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

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.

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 .

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 Gather & Grow Food Shelf Gather and Grow Food Shelf is a community organization providing food and supportive services to those in need. They are committed to serving families in a pleasant, dignified environment. They offer food and groceries, household essentials, personal care items, monthly mobile grocery delivery, life skills classes, birthday bags, pet food, and seasonal kids resources. www.gatherandgrowmn.org Water's Edge Ministries Water's Edge Ministries (formally 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

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EXPLORE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY BAPTISM SUNDAY SCHOOL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL FIRST COMMUNION Children at Trinity Birth – 5th grade Trinity Lutheran Church welcomes all children and their families. We encourage children to grow in their relationship with Jesus through stories, activities, events, and fellowship. Jesus wanted to spend time with the little ones, get to know them and didn't want them to be taken away. We, at Trinity feel the same. Children are invited to our group gatherings and events to learn more about the love that Jesus has for them and just how special they are in His eyes! Questions about Children's Ministry? Contact Children's Ministry Coordinator, Chelsea Farniok at cfarniok@trin.org .

YOUTH MINISTRY EXPLORE YOUTH MINISTRY CONFIRMATION YOUTH GROUP SCHOLARSHIPS Trinity Youth Trip to Valleyfair Grades 6 - 12 Trip Details: What: Valleyfair Youth Event Who: Youth of Trinity Lutheran Church who will have completed grades 6th-12th (2024-2025 school year) and invite your friends! When: Friday, June 13, 2025 Times: Arrive at Trinity Lutheran Church at 9:00 am; the bus will depart the Trinity parking lot at 9:15 am. The bus will depart Valleyfair at 4:00 pm, and we will return to the Trinity parking lot by 4:45 - 5:00 pm. Please pick up your child(ren) promptly by 5:00pm. Cost: $30 per child, which includes transportation and admission to Valleyfair (both rides and water park). ** If you have a season pass there is no cost for admission. Be sure to bring your pass on June 28. Please still register your child(ren) for the event and indicate they will use a season pass. Lunch: Valleyfair is cashless - please plan accordingly and see their website for details. Chaperones: Mary Gallus (952-215-8645), Thomas McMahon (952-237-6041) & Shelly Becker (612-437-0699) will chaperone this trip. Other parents are welcome to chaperone, too. Depending upon attendance numbers, chaperones may have to drive separately. If you are interested in chaperoning, provide your name and email on the permission form below; Shelly or Mary will contact you to discuss details. Background checks are required for chaperones. Other Details: Dress for the weather as we will be outside all day. Wear a bathing suit & bring a towel (and ziplock bag for phone) if you plan to go on the water rides. We recommend that you bring sunscreen and a bottle of water. Backpacks are permitted in the park. Questions? Contact: Shelly Becker: shellyabbecker@gmail.com , 612.437.0699 Mary Gallus: maryrgallus@live.com , 952.215.8645

SERVE EXPLORE MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS SERVE PRAYER NEWSLETTER PARTNERSHIPS Share in God's Love by Serving Others As followers of Jesus, we are called to serve! At Trinity, we invite you to answer this call to serve and put your faith into action with opportunities both inside and outside our walls. Explore the opportunities below to find ways you can live faithfully and change lives at Trinity and in our community. Serve at Church The church is a great place to serve. Trinity offers many opportunities to use the unique gifts, talents and abilities that God has given you to participate in worship and in the life of the church. Consider how you can help further the faith of our congregation through your involvement. When you're ready, complete the form below. Serve during worship as an usher, lector or communion assistant, sing or play in a choir or music group, be a part of the Altar Guild or bring the message of Christ to the youngest in our congregation with a Children's Moment. Reach out through grace and hospitality as a Sunday morning coffee server, help with funeral luncheons, visit members who are homebound as an Outreach Visitor or use your hands in service with the Apostles (light property maintenance) or the Heavenly Housekeepers (light cleaning projects). Share your talents of leadership as a Sunday School leader, Confirmation Huddle Guide, Bible Study leader or as a part of one of Trinity's Ministry Teams. Explore our website or view the Serve at Church form to learn more about the many service opportunities at Trinity. SERVE AT CHURCH Serve Locally Trinity Lutheran Church shares the love of Christ in Watertown and beyond through service and generosity. Through partnerships with many local organizations we find ways to reach out and make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Learn more about these service opportunities below and find a way you might put your faith into action. Love INC Heartland is a neighbor helping neighbor organization designed to mobilize area churches to help meet the needs of their neighbors. Trinity supports Love INC Heartland by donating personal care items for their Fresh Start Program. These items are delivered to individuals and families in Watertown and in surrounding communities. Donations can be dropped off at Trinity's Donation Stations anytime. Visit www.loveincheartland.org to learn more. Watertown Friends For Life Food Shelf provides food and personal care items for people in the Watertown and surrounding communities. Through regular donations and holiday food drives, Trinity is able to help those in our own community who are struggling with food insecurity. Food shelf donations can be dropped off at Trinity's Donation Stations anytime. Visit www.watertownfoodshelf.com to learn more. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota 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. Trinity offers service opportunities to support Lutheran Social Service throughout the year for adults, youth and families. Visit www.lssmn.org to learn more. Serve Globally As a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), Trinity has the opportunity to serve globally. Through these global partnerships, we are empowered to reach out to our sisters and brothers around the world as we act as Christ’s hands and feet to those in need of God’s love. ELCA Global Mission helps grow the Lutheran church around the world. Your donations send missionaries and volunteers to work alongside our global companions, train leaders, plant new churches and grow existing ones. Global Mission Support for one week is $25. We invite and encourage you to sign up on the calendar in the back of the sanctuary for a week of support. You can donate online or drop off a check or cash at the church office. 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. Learn more at goodgifts.elca.org . ELCA Disaster Response brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. Visit www.elca.org for more information. 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! Would you like to serve at Trinity? To learn more about any of the service opportunities listed here, please contact the church office at 952-955-1891 or trinityoffice@trin.org .

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.