E-mail: trinityestherville@gmail.com
721 18th Avenue North
PO Box 152
Estherville, Iowa
The Elaine Berghefer Endowment Fund has established an emergency relief fund for Trinity members during the Corona virus emergency. Trinity members in need of financial assistance will need to complete this online form and submit it to
Trinity Lutheran Church. There is a maximum limit of $300 per family until funds are depleted. If you are unable to submit this form electronically please call Pastor Cole at 605-201-7686.
Your privacy will be maintained.
Dear Members,
In this time of social distancing, we are looking for ways to best communicate with our members. We know all people have different preferences. Please take a moment to fill out this request form to let us know which platform or platforms you prefer or use. We thank you for your time and are praying for your health and safety.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Update: Wednesday, March 18
The Lord be with you.
Psalm 57:1 says, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for I have taken refuge in you; in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by.
Let us pray, Draw your church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving in Christ’s mission to the world, and together witnessing to your love wherever you will send us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
As we continue to listen to information from IDPH, CDC, and Governor Reynolds, our church council has come to the consensus
We are now at stage three of the plan (however, at this time no positive cases have been identified within Emmet County.) We are at stage three as we follow the declaration that comes from Governor Reynolds. No in person activities, meals, worship services through March 31st. Our church council will continue to be in conversation and evaluating. In person youth and kids’ activities will resume again once schools do.
We will continue to worship and share our faith in the following ways:
· We plan to have facetime live services available on our church Facebook page weekly on Wednesday’s and Sundays. (Please note that sometimes these services might also be posted ahead of time.)
· We plan to do a daily devotion email.
· Please let us know how best we can stay in contact with you and your preferred methods of communication.
· If you have prayer requests, if you would desire a time of prayer over the phone or anything that you would like to keep Pastor Cole updated on please feel free to give him a call at 605-201-7686 or email him at trinitypastor@mediacombb.net
· Remember that you are a beloved child of God and as Romans 8 says, “Nothing in all of creation can separate us from the love that we all share in Christ Jesus.”
· You can mail any offerings to the church; you can use the online giving through our church website (www.trinityestherville.org) and you can also use the give+ mobile app. If you are interested in any of the adopt a bill options, please call our church office at 712-362-3335
· It is not looking likely that we will be able to have a lot of our upcoming meals that help support kids and youth for Bible camp. We have started to work on putting together backup plans so we can still send kids and youth to camp. Our Bible camp families are wondering how many people would like to have an option of meals being delivered to your home with a suggested offering that would go to support our Bible campers. Please call, text, or email Pastor Cole as soon as possible if you would be interested. If you would also like to give an offering for our Bible campers that is also an option.
· In the event that we are not able to have Confirmation (Affirmation of Baptism) Sunday on April 19th stay tuned for a backup plan.
· In the event that we are not able to worship in person for Easter on April 12th stay tuned for a backup plan.
· Please note that ALL of these things continue to change by the day.
Psalm 90:1-2
“Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another. Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were born, from age to age you are God.”
Let us pray, God, our refuge and strength, you have bound us together in a common life. In all our conflicts, help us to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, to listen for your voice amid competing claims, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Christ’s Love,
Trinity Church Council and Pastor Cole
Update: Monday, March 16
- Our church council has now come to the consensus to cancel all Wednesday activities at church for this week.
- All youth and kids activities have all been suspended since schools will not be in session. (kids and youth activities will resume when schools do)
- A face time live service on our Facebook page will be available sometime on Wednesday.
- We are planning on a daily devotional email starting on Wednesday of this week.
- The Confirmation field trip for Sunday Night March 22nd has also been cancelled.
- No further decisions have been made as of yet, but please continue to stay tuned for more announcements.
Trinity Lutheran Church of Estherville Health Plan
The Christ hymn is found in Philippians 2. A part of that hymn says, “Let the same mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus.” Let us be reminded of all that our Christ has done for us and all that our Christ will continue to do through faith, hope and love.
Let us pray: Eternal God, amid all the turmoil and changes of the world your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. In this time of great concern, be to us a sure guardian and rock of defense. Guide the leaders of our nation with your wisdom, comfort those in distress, and grant us courage and hope to face the future; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
As the news and concern over the COVID-19 situation continues, we at Trinity are taking steps in order to keep our community healthy. We are keeping current with information provided by IDPH, CDC, etc. We are currently keeping all programs in place. Below is our plan as we move forward. We are responding out of love and care for our fellow neighbors.
Personal Preparedness
For 80% of cases, COVID-19 is a mild illness that does not require hospitalization. We cannot eliminate COVID-19 but we can limit its spread by:
· Wash hands with soap and water frequently
· Avoid touching our face (mouth, nose, eyes)
· Stay home when sick until the illness is resolved
· Covering coughs and sneezes with tissue and washing hands afterwards
· Staying away from others who are ill
The state of Iowa has not experienced any community spread as of yet, but that could change at any time. Currently each of the confirmed cases in Iowa have been travel related.
Our Plan as a Community of Faith:
| Stage |
Indicator |
Action Item |
|
Stage1
(Warning)
|
Confirmed Cases in
Iowa
|
- All worship, ministry, and small groups are active
- Extra sanitation and cleaning around the building
- Some social distancing strategies such as Communicating with words rather than handshakes including as we “share the peace”
- Encourage those who don’t feel well to stay home
- Encourage handwashing, use of hand sanitizer
- Using people who are gloved to serve all food
|
|
Stage2
(Alert)
|
Confirmed
Case within
30 miles of our
community
|
- Provide online and worship for those who choose to stay home
- Recommend wearing masks in worship for those who are vulnerable (if available)
- No Sunday morning Fellowship Hour or Food
- No Lenten Supper Gatherings
- Extra cleaning and sanitation before and after worship
- Follow Local School districts - If ELC does not have school, Trinity Sunday School and Confirmation, and Youth Programs will also be suspended.
|
|
Stage3
(Critical)
|
Confirmed Case in
Estherville
|
- All Worship/School/ Meetings suspended
- No meetings held in church facilities
- All congregation to participate in online worship
- Department of Health will be in contact with church staff on steps moving forward.
|
WE ARE CURRENTLY AT STAGE 1
* We will keep you updated on what stage we are on through Facebook, emails, and our church website. Please check these as often as you can because we might have a situation when we have a short amount of time to get word out
*If we get to stage 3, we will wait for the recommendations of IDPH and CDC to resume activities.
*Check with Iowa Department of Health for more information on COVID-19:
Continuing to do God’s work and ministry are also key
- At this time everything is going on as normal, However, some things might be done in alternative ways (For example: eliminating handshakes at the recommendation of public health) At this time continuous Holy Communion will continue to be offered, but you still receive God’s grace if you participate or if you decide not to directly participate. Offering will be collected by dropping it into a box.
- Please respect desires of others
- If you decide to stay home for an extended period of time, please let us know so we can continue to be in contact with you.
- The church will continue to be thoroughly cleaned and extra cleaning will be done if needed.
You can also stay in contact through:
- Our church website at www.trinityestherville.org (weekly bulletin, newsletter, other announcements)
- Our church Facebook page (Trinity Lutheran Church Estherville)
- Our email prayer chain (Please call the church office if you would like to be part of it and let us know what we can continue to pray for.)
- Online donations through our church website and Give+ mobile app (search for Trinity Lutheran Church Estherville, Iowa)
Let us pray, O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope. Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance. Where impossibilities close every door and window, grant imagination and resistance. Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination. Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
In Christ’s love,
Trinity Lutheran Church Council
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2019 ANNUAL REPORT
2019 Annual Report for Trinity Lutheran Church.
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2020 WELCA Booklet
Click here to view the 2020-2021 WELCA Booklet.
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CONSTITUTION RATIFICATION
