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GIVE EXPLORE WAYS TO GIVE GIVE ONLINE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TRINITY FOUNDATION MISSION SUPPORT Ways to Give Thank you for supporting the ministries of Trinity Lutheran Church. Your gifts help us to live faithfully and change lives in our community and around the world. As faithful people, we tend to the needs of others and our church’s ministry when we share our gifts, talents and resources. You can give in several ways: Online Giving We offer members and visitors an easy and convenient way to support and strenghten the ministry of our church. Use Online G iving as a way to give anytime or to automate your regular weekly offering. You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring donations using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account. VANCO ONLINE HOW-TO GUIDE GIVE ONLINE Vanco Mobile App To give, download the free "Vanco Mobile" app on your Apple or Android phone. You can make a one-time or recurring donations using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account. Please note: If you already have an online giving profile set up with Trinity Lutheran Church, you will use the same login credentials on the Vanco Mobile App. VANCO MOBILE HOW-TO GUIDE Text to Give To give, text the dollar amount to 833-381-0691. In a few short moments, you will receive a link to vancopayments.com. Complete the secure form and hit submit. You will then receive a text thanking you for your donation to Trinity Lutheran Church. On your first time using Text to Give, you will need your credit card information handy. For future giving, simply send a text to the same number with the amount you wish to give, and your donation will process automatically. It may be helpful to create a “new contact” in your phone using this number so you will always have Trinity’s Text to Give number on hand. TEXT TO GIVE HOW TO GUIDE Bill Pay Bill Pay is an online service provided by most banks. You can set up one-time payments or create recurring payments from your checking or savings account through your personal banking institution. This method is the most cost efficient way to donate electronically to Trinity, as we do not incur any fees on your donation. Please contact your bank for further information on this option. Mail in the Envelope If this is most convenient for you, mail your contributions to: Trinity Lutheran Church Attn: Gail Cassidy PO Box 1177 Watertown, MN 55388 Questions? Contact Gail Cassidy, Financial Secretary, at 952-955-1891 or gcassidy@trin.org for assistance with any of the giving options above.

CONFIRMATION EXPLORE YOUTH MINISTRY CONFIRMATION YOUTH GROUP SCHOLARSHIPS Confirmation at Trinity Grades 6 - 8 The Confirmation program at Trinity Lutheran Church begins as students enter 6th grade and concludes with the Affirmation of Baptism in the fall of 9th grade. Our hope is that, with the support of the students' families and the whole Trinity faith community, students deepen their relationships with God, ask insightful questions, and participate in fruitful discussion together during Confirmation. Confirmation is a time for young people to connect with peers and adults in a way that supports their spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Confirmation is a time for young people to grow in Christ, learn about God’s love, and encounter the Holy Spirit. Small group ministry is at the heart of Confirmation. In these safe and relational spaces called "Huddles", students dive into questions of faith with their "Huddle Guides" and talk about how their faith is lived out at home, in school, at church, and around the community. Engaging in discussions that lift up the importance of loving ourselves and our neighbors with grace and openness is woven into the fabric of this important ministry. 2025-2026 CONFIRMATION CLASS SCHEDULE 2025-2026 WORSHIP NOTES Questions about Confirmation? Contact the church office at trinityoffice@trin.org .

CALENDAR See our UPCOMING EVENTS page for specific event descriptions.

WELCOME EXPLORE ABOUT TRINITY WHAT WE BELIEVE STAFF MEMBERSHIP LIFE EVENTS CONTACT About Trinity Lutheran Church Trinity Lutheran Church lives by the grace of God that brings change to our lives through faith in Christ. In short, we are about Faithful Living and Changing Lives. Trinity Lutheran is a vibrant and growing congregation with active participants from young families to retirees. We welcome all people to worship, pray, learn, and serve with us. Trinity has a long history of sharing the love of God in Christ Jesus in Watertown, Minnesota, and beyond. While we celebrate over 160 years of faithful ministry, our focus is on the present and the future. We give thanks for God's guidance and presence throughout the ages past and we celebrate His presence today, helping us to discern how and where we are to go forth into the world to be ambassadors of God's love, grace and forgiveness. TRINITY HISTORY Worship Schedule Sundays at 9:00 am Onsite & Online WORSHIP DETAILS 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 Ministries at Trinity Trinity offers many opportunities for people to live out their faith in concrete ways every day of the week. It might be helping in worship on a Sunday morning, it might be working with youth on a Wednesday night, and it might be helping change light bulbs on a Monday afternoon. Learn more about all the ways God is calling you to live out your faith here at Trinity Lutheran Church! TRINITY MINISTRIES Find Us Trinity Lutheran Church 513 Madison Street SE Watertown, MN 55388

WHAT WE BELIEVE EXPLORE ABOUT TRINITY WHAT WE BELIEVE STAFF MEMBERSHIP LIFE EVENTS CONTACT Understanding Our Faith Trinity is a Lutheran church, which means we understand our relationship with God begins with what God is doing in our lives. We are created by God the Father, reclaimed by Jesus Christ when we wander away, and guided by the Holy Spirit in our daily walk with God. We believe that we are claimed by God in Holy Baptism and that our faith is sustained by receiving Holy Communion. We worship weekly, finding hope in the presence of God in our midst. Our life of faith is expressed with three goals in mind: We are committed to Being Church in New Ways We are always looking for new and creative ways to share the new life we have found in Jesus Christ. We are committed to Seeing God in Our Daily Lives We are always on the lookout for the presence of God every single day. We are committed to Reaching Out to Those Living on the Margins We are always looking for ways to share the gifts of God with those around us – food, clothing, and support of many kinds. In short, Trinity is about Faithful Living and Changing Lives. "Faithful Living" is not perfect living, it's not flawless living, it's not faultless living. It's Faithful Living. Doing our best, making mistakes, being forgiven, and forgiving others. "Changing Lives" is about being church in new ways, seeing God at work every day, and reaching out to those living in poverty. And as lives are changed around us, we find that our own lives are changed as well. About the ELCA Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The ELCA shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. This faith comes through the good news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover, and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world. The ELCA is a church that is always being made new and, at the same time, is deeply rooted in Scripture, Lutheran theology, and Lutheran confessions. We are also rooted in the vibrant, diverse communities and rich histories of our congregations. It’s through these roots that the Holy Spirit guides and nourishes us so that we can be a church that is both resilient and always new. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELCA

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.

MEMBERSHIP EXPLORE ABOUT TRINITY WHAT WE BELIEVE STAFF MEMBERSHIP LIFE EVENTS CONTACT Becoming a Member of Trinity We are glad that you are interested in being a member of our faith community. Although membership is not necessary to participate in the life of the congregation, including worship, communion, children’s ministry, and other activities, it is a wonderful way to feel more connected to and invested in the life of the church here at Trinity. Our membership process meets you wherever you are on your faith journey, connects you with the community of Trinity, and helps you find ways to live faithfully and change lives in our community. Simply follow these steps toward church membership at Trinity. Step 1: Learn about Trinity Participate in worship, either onsite or online Visit with people you know wh o are members Explore the Trinity website for the many ways you can connect with others Step 2: Learn about what it means to be a member Visit with a church council member or any congregational member Visit with the pastor or a staff member Learn more about the details of participating in the life of the congregation through worship, learning, serving, giving, and inviting Step 3: Fill out a form and become a member Complete a Membership Form either online or by downloading a printed copy below. Once we receive your completed form, we will contact you about welcoming you "officially" into the congregation! ONLINE MEMBERSHIP FORM DOWNLOAD FORM

FOUNDATION EXPLORE WAYS TO GIVE GIVE ONLINE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TRINITY FOUNDATION MISSION SUPPORT Trinity Foundation The Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation manages a fund that is used to award annual scholarships to High School graduates who are about to continue their formal education on a college and university level. These scholarships range $300 to $1,000, depending on the monies available and the number of students that apply. The funds from the foundation are also used to help with special projects that the church wants to take on that are above and beyond our annual budget.

BAPTISM EXPLORE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY BAPTISM SUNDAY SCHOOL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL FIRST COMMUNION Baptism By water and the Holy Spirit we are reborn children of God. In baptism, God brings the newly baptized into a new relationship with God. That person then becomes part of God’s story of bringing light, life, and love to the whole world. Since baptism brings the newly baptized into the fellowship of the Church, baptisms usually take place at one of the regular worship services of the congregation. We baptize people of all ages at Trinity, although most of our baptisms are for infants. In addition to parents being involved, sponsors are also named who take on the role of supporting the baptized person in the years to come. Church membership of the parents is not required for a child to be baptized at Trinity. There is no fee for baptisms to the congregation or the pastor. To arrange for a baptism, please contact the church office at 952-955-1891 or trinityoffice@trin.org . Cradle Roll – Birth to 3 years old As soon as children are baptized at Trinity, they are placed on our "Cradle Roll" and begin to receive support from the very beginning as a part of our congregation's faith formation ministry. Specifically, this means that they begin receiving monthly mailings sent directly to their home that contains stories, prayers, and other support so that the whole family can grow in their faith together.

BOOK CLUB EXPLORE ADULT MINISTRY BIBLE STUDIES MINISTRIES SMALL GROUPS Trinity Book Club The Trinity Book Club gathers to discuss books that are chosen from suggestions by the group. New readers are always welcome. All are invited to join us for fellowship and engaging conversation each month. Email Diane Johnson to be added to the Trinity Book Club email list for notifications on upcoming books and meeting locations. Check out our upcoming book selections: July Date: Monday, July 11, 6:30 pm Book: The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel August Date: Monday, August 1, 6:30 pm Book: Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang September Date: Monday, September 12, 6:30 pm Book: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah October Date: Monday, October 2, 6:30 pm Book: Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin November Date: Monday, November 7, 6:30 pm Book: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett December Date: Monday, December 5, 6:30 pm Book: The Winners by Fredrik Backman

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

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.