The August 2008 Carillion

"For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow … You shall do the same with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.” – Exodus 23:10-11.

If you take a drive upstate through one of New York’s many farming communities, you will notice that among fields planted with a variety of wheat, corn, and vegetables are fields that seem to have been neglected in the spring planting.  This is no accident; a fallow field is one that is not planted for a period in hopes that it will regain its fertility.  Generations of farmers have practiced a rotation system where in each growing season certain fields would be left alone or tilled but not planted.  Given the time for the soil to regain its nutrients, the fallow fields become more productive and able to produce a more abundant harvest in the next planting season.

The people of Israel were taught the importance of allowing their fields to lie fallow; in Exodus, Moses shares with the people the word of the Lord that taught the importance of a sabbatical for the land as well as for the people.  The land is to lie fallow so that it might regain its strength and be better able to serve the needs of those who will work it to produce food for the people’s needs; it is also to lie fallow so that it might benefit others, for “you shall let it rest and lie fallow so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals may eat.” (23:11).  As the land is given a sabbatical rest, so too are the people instructed to take a period of refreshment and restoration: “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest, so that your ox and your donkey may have relief, and [your household] may be refreshed.” (23:12).  The gift of rest – for the people, for their livestock, and for their land – is a blessing from God that allows them time for renewal so that they will have the strength to produce an abundance once their period of lying fallow has ended.

For many of us, the month of August is the time when our fields are allowed to lie fallow.  It is a time when we may take vacation, or time off from work, or simply slow down from the hectic pace of our everyday lives.  It is a time for picnics, for days at the beach, for backyard barbeques and long evenings on the front porch.  It is a time to enjoy the warm days of summer even as we prepare for a new school year and a return to the active schedules that will arrive after Labor Day.  It is a time for us to heed the Psalmist’s call to lie down in the green pastures that the Lord who is our shepherd has created for us when the pressures of life threaten to inundate God’s people:

-          “When we are exhausted by the strains of living in an artificial world, when we crave the peace and serenity that the psalmist knew and cherished, undisturbed by the noise of automobiles and the blare of televisions laugh tracks, we know where to find it.  God has given us green pastures to lie down in, green trees for us to gaze at, a blue sky to lift our souls.  And we should thank Him for it.” (Harold S. Kushner, The Lord is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-Third Psalm).

Many of us at Holy Trinity are enjoying this time of fallowness as we allow our bodies and spirits to be refreshed and renewed.  But as a farmer continues to plan for future plantings in fields that currently lie fallow, we are looking forward to an exciting autumn when once again we will gather with renewed energy to work in the fields in which our Lord has called us.  We will come back from our time of sabbatical so that we will once again make a joyful noise unto the Lord as we worship and serve the Lord with gladness!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Jeff Laustsen

September – A time for new beginnings!

Perhaps my mother being a teacher for over 30 years has something to do with my yen to start something new as September comes into view. If you remember fondly the search for new notebooks, pens and that special assignment book, have I got a deal for you!

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Seriously, consider the diakonia program, created by our own Bishop Boumann as a program of spiritual formation for you and a way to deepen your understanding of your faith. In whatever way you serve your church – worshiper, choir member, committee member or council member this is a great opportunity to examine your life as a Christian and as a Lutheran. You will learn about the Bible (old and new testaments), early church history, the origins of Lutheranism and the Book of Concord, Christian discipleship as it pertains to daily life, worship practices, theology, and ethics.

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Sound interesting? Let me tell you more. Your instructors are Lutheran pastors and an occasional Episcopal priest. You will meet a great group of folks from surrounding congregations in your classes and more from around the Synod at the annual retreat at Graymoor Priory in Garrison, NY. Classes are held once a week.

Bring a friend and you can carpool!  I’ll be happy to put you in touch with the location managers for more details. 

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Even if this September isn’t right for you, ask me for a brochure to fill in the details. I wasn’t ready when it was first suggested to me – but God had other plans for me and I’ll bet God has a plan for you too.

Peace,

Deacon Meg Fielding

 

Our Hunger Committee meets in the kitchen monthly on the 3^rd Sunday of the month to prepare meals for soup kitchens and others in need in our community.  Please consider joining them by donating your time, food, or funds to help in this ministry.  To find out how you can help, please call Jocelyn D'Antonio at 766-3722.  Thank you!

A very big THANK YOU to everyone who wrote to our representatives and senators in this year’s BREAD FOR THE WORLD OFFERING OF LETTERS on June 22.  This year Holy Trinity sent over 75 letters---the most ever!

The focus of the 2008 campaign is to urge our lawmakers to allocate the largest possible increase in poverty-focused development assistance for fiscal year 2009, and for the Senate to support the Global Poverty Act that the House has already been passed. 

To learn more about other advocacy activities you can participate in, such as timely emails and phone calls to Congress on hunger-related issues, or to get on Bread for the World’s mailing list go to www.bread.org and click on “Get Involved”, “Take Action” or “Join”. 

Every letter, email, or phone call MAKES A DIFFERENCE! 

“SAVE THE DATE!”

The Fifth Annual Golf Classic will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2008.  It’s guaranteed to be loaded with fun and fellowship as well as raising money for a great cause!  Anyone interested in planning, playing or just coming to the dinner, please contact Mark Landstrom at 766-6515 / janmark@optonline.net.

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Three Christmas Eve Services!  On Christmas Eve 2008, we will be offering three distinctive and beautiful worship services:

-    4 p.m.  Family Holy Communion

-    7 p.m.  Choral Candlelight Holy Communion

-    11 p.m. Candlelight Lessons and Carols with

            Holy Communion

            *  What can I do?  We need all members of Holy Trinity to attend worship on the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord and to invite their friends and neighbors for this festive celebration.  We also need people to come forward and serve in one of the many worship leadership roles (lector, usher, altar guild helper) that are needed to make these services a success.

URGENT request from our Lutheran New LIFE Center –Nassau food pantry:

“Each summer food supplies in our pantry run critically low…Those that are hungry are always among us and as such the number of people in need of food during the summer months does not dwindle…it can be very disheartening to have people come to the pantry only to find the shelves nearly empty”. 

Please consider bringing non-perishable food items EVERY time you come to church over the next few months OR make a financial donation directly to: 

New LIFE Center-Nassau   311 Uniondale Avenue   Uniondale NY 11553.  Thank you!

"It's in the Bag!"
 
Let's help local children in need through Lutheran Social Services Back to School Program.
 
Social Ministry is collecting new bags and backpacks for school children of all ages who receive assistance with school supplies through LSS in Uniondale.
 
Please bring the bag/backpack you purchase to the church narthex by August 17. Social Ministry will deliver them to LSS week of Aug. 18th.
 
Contact Ellie Passalacqua @ 764-0337 (email:elvaeffie@hotmail.com) for more information if needed.

 

Nicole Fleming                        Billy Anthony

Abby Forman                          Griffen Knipe

Sal Chiaffitelli                         Linda Bonacasa

Caroline Livingstone               Victoria Bonacasa

Christopher Cariello                Sara Itgen

Krisi Anthony                         Jennifer Petrone

Hans Pfeil                               Vilma Hendel

Kristin Tucker                         Teresa Kronenberg

Lauren Anthony                      Eric Kronenberg

Sverre Johannsen                    Judith Buck

Joe Passalaqua                         Phyllis Brown

Victoria Febrizio                     Donna Hajny

Helen Ranieri                          Mary Holzgruber

Virginia Staub                         Meri Lee McGloin

Gladys Chiaffitelli     

Felicia & Anthony Febrizio

Betsy & Ronald Nassar

Deb & Dave Grossnickle

Judy & Robert Basista

Eugenia & Helmut Altmann

Sarah Domenique Herrmann-Calender was baptized on July 13, 2008.  She is the daughter of Kristina Herrmann and Kevin Calender.

The Cross In My Pocket

I carry a cross in my pocket a simple reminder to me of the fact that I am a Christian no matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic nor is it a good luck charm.  It isn’t meant to protect me from every physical harm.

It’s not for identification for all the world to see.  It’s simply an understanding between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket to bring out a coin or key the cross is there to remind me of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful for my blessing day by day and to strive to serve Him better in all that I do and say.

It’s also a daily reminder of the peace and comfort I share with all who know my Master and give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket reminding no one but me that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life If only I’ll let Him be.

Author – Anonymous.

We, disciples of Jesus Christ, will prayerfully and pro-actively strive to strengthen this faith community as God has called us to:

Provide opportunities for inter-generational interaction and to build relationships by supporting one another in our faith journey through education, service, and fellowship for all ages.

Realize the responsibility of all persons to use their spirit-given gifts for the growth of outreach and mission.

Always foster a kind, accepting spirit as we encourage and work with each other, seeing Jesus in each other.

Yearly assess and evaluate our work and life together as we prayerfully strive to follow God’s lead into the future.

Evolve, as the Holy Spirit guides us, to maintain and enhance our strong liturgical heritage so that Holy Trinity may provide a sense of stability and comfort in worship.

Responsibly develop a healthy environment for open, meaningful communication, the disbursement of information, and the opportunity for networking on a one to one and group level to best enable us to be “workers in the Kingdom of God”.

Seek out and welcome all people in our communities, regardless of background, to foster spiritual growth in our Congregation, Sunday School, and Early Childhood Center as we grow to reflect the population of the communities around us.