Jun 4, 2025 | Pastor Jim's Blog
We are thrilled to host former member, Shaleen Camery-Hoggatt, as the keynote speaker for our fall Women’s Retreat at Warm Beach Conference Center in Stanwood.
The focus of the retreat will be around Shaleen’s new book, “Beloved is Where We Begin.” (Purchasing the book is not a requirement for attendance).
“Beloved is Where We Begin” is designed to deepen the lived experience–the felt reality–of being loved by God. Many of us know and believe that God loves us, but having that “fall from head to heart” and take root in a meaningful and impactful way can be transforming. Even when you truly know in both head and heart that you are God’s beloved child—dearly loved, chosen, treasured, valued, held precious, cherished–God is always offering a deeper experience of that love.
There will be opportunity for large group gatherings, smaller breakout discussions, crafting, prayer, nature walks, and quiet time. We will meet new friends and reconnect with our beloved Trinity family members as well.
The retreat begins just before dinner on Friday evening and continues through lunch on Sunday.
Registration costs include lodging, meals, and all supplies for the weekend.
Double-occupancy rooms are $330
Private rooms are $455
A deposit of $100 is due by June 15th. This can be dropped off at the church office or mailed to us at PO Box 97, Freeland WA 98249.
Contact Deacon Amy with any questions: 360-331-5191, or deaconamy@trinityfreeland.org
We are looking forward to a wonderful weekend together!
Jun 1, 2025 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim
I was at Harborview making a visit two weeks ago. I had the uniform on: black suit, black shoes, a black shirt with a clerical collar, and a bedside Bible in my hand. Ready to enter a struggle of life and death.
It is a long trip to Harborview, given the realities of Seattle traffic. I arrived and parked, moved through the security screening area and headed for the bathroom. Upon entering, I was engaged in conversation by the man who was cleaning the toilet.
Cleaning supplies in hand, he greeted me, “Good afternoon, Father.” I replied in kind, “Good afternoon to you. How is your day going?”
“Fine, Father. In two weeks, I will have been here for 12 years.”
I said, “Congratulations, and thank you for your service.”
Even as I said it, I imagined 12 years of cleaning bathrooms. Forty hours a week for 12 years. Forty hours a week inside without windows. Forty mostly thankless hours, doing work that is only noticed when it is not done correctly. Twelve years at Harborview, the county trauma center, a hospital that serves prostitutes and addicts, treating lots of gunshot and stab wounds.
“You know what Father?”
“No, please tell me.”
“Well Father, I have two more years to go and then I can retire.”
“Two more years. The hospital will miss you. Your work makes a difference to us.”
It was time for me to move on to my visit. “Have a good day.”
“Thank you, Father. May God bless you this day.”
As I walked now toward the elevator, I felt like God had broken into my rather ordinary day. This man in the bathroom, an angel of some sort, had been a profound blessing to me. Exiting the elevator on the 8th floor, a tear ran down my cheek. I realized that I didn’t even ask him his name. He was a nameless servant of God, laboring on my behalf.
I was reminded that day of all the people who serve me without fanfare. They never hear the words, “good sermon, pastor.” No one sends them cards or brings them homemade cookies. They clean bathrooms, they work at the bank or the grocery store, they build the planes that fly me safely to far off places.
“Thank you, Father. May God bless you.”
No, I should be thanking you, for you have blessed me.
See you in church!
Love, Pastor Jim
Summer Worship Schedule Reminder
Remember — Our Summer Worship Schedule begins this Sunday, June 1st, with worship services at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
May 23, 2025 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
“There on the beaches of Normandy I began to reflect on the wonders of these ordinary people whose lives were laced with the markings of greatness.”
― Tom Brokaw, The Greatest Generation
He arrived without fanfare on the nineteenth day of August 1925 in Northwood, Iowa. Never heard of Northwood? It is just down the road from Carpenter, Iowa. A good student and a good son, he stayed out of trouble, though trouble may have been hard to find in Northwood, Iowa. He graduated without fanfare with the class of 1943. Seventeen years old, he immediately enlisted in the United States Army. He answered the call of his country without hesitation. He put his life on hold, and his life on the line for the cause of freedom. He would cross the ocean, see action in the Philippines, escort Japanese prisoners of war in Korea, and finally become part of General MacArthur’s occupation force in Japan.
Returning to his homeland, he rarely talked about his military service. He enrolled at North Dakoka State University, there to meet the love of his life. After graduation The Boeing Company would lure him to Seattle, three boys were born and the busy family settled on Mercer Island. He was driven by a strong sense of duty and privilege. He immersed himself in work, was an active and faithful member of his church, and was a hands-on dad taking his family on vacations and taking interest in all the boys’ activities.
Gold watch and Boeing pension in hand, he retired without fanfare and moved to Whidbey Island in 1992. He made many friends here, sang in the choir, joined four by four dinners, provided leadership for our Adult Education programs, and found himself in the company of so many who had served in World War 2. He was a faithful caregiver as his bride of 55 years experienced the ravages of aging and Parkinsons. He spent his final years in an assisted living facility. Until the final two months of his life he tuned in online every Sunday morning to worship with his Trinity Lutheran Church family. On Sunday, March 9th he died without fanfare, he simply slipped away, crossing over to the other side. He was 99 and a half years old. He had lived 43 years past his life expectancy. His funeral was simple. Young soldiers from JBLM came to fold the flag, to play taps and to honor a man they had never met.
Paul Thonn lived his life humbly, without fanfare. He was a part of the Greatest Generation. But there is more. For as I stood next to his earthly body for a final time, I realized that Paul was the last man standing. He was the last of our Trinity World War 2 veterans. He joined Frank, Lloyd, Harold, Jess, Web, Johnny, Bill, Eldred, Paul and so many others. 16,400,000 Americans, men and women, served in uniform in World War 2. In 2025, there are approximately 60,000 left, with an average age of 98 years old.
On this Memorial Day Weekend, may we pause and give thanks for those who gave up the comforts of home to stand for freedom. May we give thanks for those who gave up their lives that we might live in peace. May we take our place in line and carry the flame of the Greatest Generation.
Paul Thonn arrived and departed without fanfare.
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Jesus
“Sacrifices. They married in record numbers and gave birth to another distinctive generation, the Baby Boomers. They stayed true to their values of personal responsibility, duty, honor, and faith.”
― Tom Brokaw, The Greatest Generation
One beggar, telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your,
Pastor Jim
PS: If you would like to respond directly to Pastor Jim, please email rvlindus@whidbey.com.
May 17, 2025 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“Without a vision the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18
I would like to give a shout out this day to Steve Schrecengost, Terry Otey, a woman named Ruby, and Gert Tasche.
Twenty-eight years ago, Steve Schrecengost was an active member of our parish. He played drums in our Breaded Fish worship band, he served the church on the Finance Committee and worked as our Sexton. Steve was a character; he was known for coloring outside the lines and Steve had a vision. He dreamed of a day when Trinity would have an endowment fund. To jumpstart his vision, in 1999 Steve and Cris Schrecengost made the first gift. That $3,000 gift would necessitate the formation of the TLC Mission Endowment Fund.
Terry Otey was not a member of the church. Terry had worked hard in his life, he was a man of vision, he thought outside the box and was not afraid to take a chance. One day, he stopped by my office and shared a vision with me. It was his desire to make a difference in the lives of hardworking young students. He asked if I would be the executor of his estate. In addition, he wondered if I would help him to set up a scholarship fund through the TLC Endowment.
Ruby was a loving mother to Lydell and Ronnie Knudson, a hard-working woman who believed in the importance of a good education. She worked, saved and invested for her entire life. When she died, her son and daughter-in-law decided that the money that she had left to them would be better used to support the next generation. They invested Ruby’s money in the TLC Endowment. The Ruby Scholarship Fund would become a generous part of Ruby’s legacy.
Gert Tasche was born a stone’s throw away from Trinity Lutheran Church in the Austin district of Mutiny Bay. She was the sixth child born to Lena and Frank Driscoll. She married the love of her life Jim Tasche at the Langley Methodist Church on September 30, 1950. Jim and Gert would dance through life as husband and wife for the next 74 years. Gert managed her own finances; she paid attention to detail. When she died last year, her desires were made known in her final will. Gert and Jim had supported Trinity Lutheran Church for the past 34 years, her final statement in life was consistent with the values that guided her life. Gert left $102,000 to the Trinity Endowment to fund a scholarship. This fall two students will attend college on the Gertrude Tasche Scholarship.
Steve Schrecengost died very young, but the Endowment that began with a $3,000 gift has now grown to nearly $6,000,000. Terry Otey died unexpectedly, not long after setting up his estate plan. This Fall, there will be 27 students attending Colleges and Universities supported by his generosity and vision. Ruby’s legacy lives on as 6 TLC students will be the benefactors of Ruby Scholarships. Each student will be receiving $35,000 to $40,000 to assist them with a four-year college education.
“Without a vision, the people perish.” Because of the vision and generosity of Steve, Terry, Gert and Ruby, the next generation is being blessed and inspired.
How can we take part? For $25,000 or more you can set up a named fund that will benefit students or a charity of your choice. This gift can be a part of your estate plan. A few shares of Amazon stock that you bought years ago should offer you a generous tax break, or simply write a check to the TLC Endowment Fund. For as little as $25,000 the name of your loved one will be remembered every year.
Blessed to be a Blessing! To whom much if given, much is expected.
Tomorrow members of the Endowment Committee will be in the coffee hour to answer your questions. They will have simple one-page codicils that you can attach to your will. The codicils will allow you to make the last statement of your life consistent with the values that guided your life.
See you in church!
Love, Pastor Jim
May 10, 2025 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
He sat in my office, a cup of coffee in his hand, a slight tremor in his little finger. “Tell me pastor, what is the point?”
“What is the point of what?”
“All of it. I just don’t get it. I wake up every morning and it is the same thing over and over again. Things change and things stay the same. None of it seems to make a difference. For years, I helped take care of the kids, but they don’t need me anymore, they are busy with their own kids. I held down a desk job for 34 years and I was good at what I did. But now someone else sits at that desk and I don’t think that anyone at the company would even know my name. I am here now but, in a few years, I will be gone and then what? It won’t be long until I am forgotten altogether. So, I am asking you, what is the point of it all? Why am I am here, why are we here?”
Without hesitation I responded, “Can I get you some more coffee and call Robin in? She handles the tough questions.” We talked for some time. I am not a prophet, I am not a font of wisdom, my divine insight is limited. You are probably thinking, “So what are we paying you for?“ I have been wondering about the same thing for 36 years.
Finally, I pulled out the Bible and read these words: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Is that a cop out? Maybe, but it was the best I could do. Why are the answers to our philosophical and faith questions so elusive? Do we not all wonder sometimes, what the point is? “Be still and know that I am God.” The implication is that I am NOT God. We must be clear about who we are in this divine experiment on planet earth. We are creatures. Creatures do not understand the master plans, motives and desired outcomes of the Creator of the Universe. “Be still and know that I am God.” We will never understand the mysteries of life and death, of want and plenty, of physics and cosmology.
But what we do know is enough for now. What we do understand should be enough to give us meaning and purpose during our brief journey on Earth. We understand that somehow God needs us in the world. God is not dependent upon our knowledge or insight, God can keep the planets in orbit without us, God can continue the creation of stars and galaxies without our help, but God needs us to do God’s work in the world. What is clear in the Jesus story is enough for now. We are to love as Jesus loved. We are to wake up each morning and give thanks for the gift of a new day. We are to wash feet; we are to hold those who are crying or dying. We are to speak words of forgiveness and compassion and hope. We are to speak out for the powerless and oppressed. We are to love as Jesus loved.
At the end of the day, that might not seem like much. At the end of 80 or 90 years it might seem that our resume is lacking. This I guarantee you, we will die. We may die broke or rich, but we won’t take it with us. We may be forgotten like yesterday’s news, or we may be remembered with a plaque or a statue.
What is the point? I am not sure, but I am not sure that I need to know the role that I play in God’s grand design. What is the point? The point is, we know enough to keep us busy, we know that abundant life in this world is found in serving others, we know what Jesus did and if we seek to follow his lead, then that is enough.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. The service promises to be memorable. So, come to worship with your TLC Family this Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30.
Not a font of wisdom, just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread,
Pastor Jim
PS: If you would like to respond directly to Pastor Jim, please email rvlindus@whidbey.com.
May 3, 2025 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:5–6
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” I John 4:7
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” Isaiah 40:28-29
What is your image of God? Is God a gray-haired old man who is looking to strike you down or punish you when you sin? Is God the master controller with a joystick hand-manipulating humans, finding your parking spots or magically selling your home? Is God the CEO of an employment agency, finding work for good Christians, or a white coated Josef Mengele doling out diseases to see how his creatures respond? Is God a male or a female? Have we created God in our own image? Is God a heavenly vending machine: push a button, make a sacrifice and out comes a baby, a cure or a new car?
What is your image of God? The Bible tells us that God is love, God is infinite, God is the creator of all things. God is good, God is merciful, just, gracious, patient, all knowing, all powerful, omnipresent and mysterious beyond the capacity of human understanding.
I often hear people say that God is in charge. This is undoubtedly true! God is in charge of the entirety of time and creation. But the human experiment is by any measure a new venture. If all of time were compressed into a year, with the Big Bang at the start of January, the emergence of humans would occur very late in the year, around 11:35 PM on December 31st. God is in charge, I believe that with all my heart, I trust that truth. My life is a mere mist quickly fading and yet safe in the hands of a merciful and loving God. God is in charge, but when God gave those created in the image God freewill, the inmates took charge of the asylum. The resulting human story has been remarkable in its creativity and in its cruelty.
What is your image of God? Does this all-powerful God intervene in human affairs? And if so, how? I want to know, Adam and Eve wanted to know, but instead of bowing down in humility, they ate the apple, and the rest is a tattered human history. I am Ok just being me, a flower quickly fading, someone called to teach about a subject that I don’t understand, the 1667th generation of humans, the 1959 model, with design flaws and imperfections. Does God answer prayer? God can do whatever She wants, so I would suggest that you humbly pray, faithfully wait, and get busy swinging the hammer, exercising the freewill that the Lord of Eternity has entrusted to you.
God is love! One beggar, telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your,
Pastor Jim
PS: If you would like to respond directly to Pastor Jim, please email rvlindus@whidbey.com.
