Pastor Jim’s Blog
All I Want For Christmas
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... What great excitement filled the Lindus household in the 1960’s when the Sears catalog arrived in the mail. Pen in hand, my sister, my brother, and I would take turns thumbing through the most amazing array of toys, gadgets, and...
Thanksgiving
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Your TLC Staff wishes you all a festive, reflective, memorable Thanksgiving 2022. We are thankful for you and for the many ways that you generously support your Church, the Church where everybody’s welcome. The first permanent European...
Reflection on a Rich Man’s Art Collection
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... A week ago, at Christie’s Auction House in New York City, a portion of the art collection of Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, was sold for 1.6 billion dollars. Paul Allen, who also owned the Seahawks, died of cancer four years ago at...
Country Western Sunday
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Join us tomorrow for a worship service featuring Country Western music. “I’ll Fly Away,” “I Saw the Light,” “Keep on the Sunny Side,” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” are just a few of the upbeat offerings this Sunday. One of the...
The Illusion of Independence
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Young adults distance themselves from their parents as they seek their independence. Marriages sometimes fail when one party desires the freedom of independence. Senior citizens look to downsize, but they want to remain independent....
Honoring Those Who Served the Cause of Freedom
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... On a sunshine-drenched fall day one year ago, Felicia and I walked silently through the American Cemetery above the beaches of Normandy. The rows of white crosses stretched toward the heavens above, supported by the meticulously...
An Attitude of Gratitude
Today’s Word from Laura Canby... . Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. – Psalm 100:4 "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."...
Leave Something Behind
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Sunday is All Saints Sunday at TLC. We will be lighting candles as we remember and give thanks for the lives of those saints who journeyed with us at TLC: Ed Oetken, Web Halvorsen, Else Mills, Agnes Morgan, Betty Lehman,...
Martin Luther & The Reformation
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... 505 years ago, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. He wished to spark debate among academics; he hoped that honest discussion might lead to honest...
Truth, Beauty, Goodness
Today’s Word from Laura Canby... "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."– Philippians 4:18...
Time to Come Home
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...The pandemic was disruptive to every aspect of American society. Senior citizens were isolated, assisted care facilities locked down, and essential workers took care of our basic needs. Meanwhile, students and teachers had to...
Borders…drawing circles…
Today’s Word from Karl Olsen... Psalm 27:13 (NIV)"I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." I’ve been spending time on the border lately. Actually, I’ve crossed several borders this year—Israel/Palestine,...
Thanks for NOTHING
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... OK, the sermon last Sunday was about nothing! And everyone was so appreciative. They said, “Pastor, thanks for nothing.”So please remember NOTHING that I say.There is NOTHING we can do to make God love us more, and there is...
In Loving Memory of Pastor Dan Erlander
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Pastor Daniel Erlander joined our staff in 1995, and served Trinity for nearly a decade. Dan brought so many gifts to us. He was a gifted teacher, writer, illustrator, and preacher. His reach was far beyond the shores of...
We’re in This Together
Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... It’s been a while since I’ve shared a story from our busy little farm. There has been a lot of activity over the summer with animals coming and going, and fairs and shows all over the state. I’m sure there is more than one tale that I...
Protecting Jesus: Strange Concept
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... “Then little children were being brought to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them.” Matthew 19:13It was there from the earliest days of the...
The Birds Sang Om Shantih For My Mother
Today's Word from Sheila Weidendorf It was a week after my mother’s passing. Just back from Minnesota with her ashes in tow, my husband and I set up a pooja (altar) in the back yard beneath a giant cedar tree. (In his Hindu tradition, vigil is kept in this way through...
We Need Each Other
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come?” Psalm 121The suffering of the young, the innocent, and the righteous has a long history of mystifying people of faith. Where is God in my suffering? Does God...
Lutheran Disaster Relief for Hurricane Ian Victims
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... 100% of our gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response go directly to help our neighbors in the path of Hurricane Ian. TLC has a long history of coming to the aid of those who suffer from natural disasters. We can give with...
Who Are We?
Today's Word from Karl Olsen... Deb and I have been doing some work on the house this late summer and early autumn. There’s nothing like the promise of another La Niña winter to make you “find” time you didn’t think you had to accomplish those outdoor...
They Come Every Week
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2What was it like, the first time you walked in the doors of TLC? Were you nervous? Did you...
Back to Preschool
Today's Word from Deacon Amy... Preschool is back!! We're excited to have the voices and laughter of our youngest friends back in the classrooms, hallways, and out the doors. It is so good to be together again!Once again, we are spending a large portion of...
The Last Statement of Your Life
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... What will be the last statement of your life?Many cultures have put a great emphasis on one’s final words, often spoken on a deathbed. Consider for a moment these final words of famous people:The poet Emily Dickenson said,...
Do Not Judge
Today's Word by Pastor Jim Lindus...Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” Matthew 7:1...There are a variety of Spiritual Gifts listed in the Bible: Prophecy, Serving, Teaching,...
My Hero
Today’s Word from Pastor Tom... Under the category of less than sincere, it would not be uncommon of me to offer, “You are moving way up my list of heroes... it’s a pretty lengthy list.” Picture a variety of settings... someone just made a 12-inch putt for...
Be Still and Know…
Today’s Word from guest writer Laura Canby... Be still and know that I am God. -- Psalm 46:10 Late August and early September evenings will usually find me on the beach at Lagoon Point or Bush Point, fishing rod in hand, hoping to land a silver salmon. So...
If You Want to Go Far
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim....“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” --African Proverb... We have stayed home for 30 months. We locked down and masked up. We have achieved much in these pandemic days. We have cast a...
Thank You Teacher Felicia
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...On Sunday September 4th we will be marking another transition at TLC. Felicia Lindus will join Pastor Eric and Linda Nevermann on the roles of the retired.Felicia joined TLC , with a toddler and a baby in tow, in October of...
Faith Like a Child
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim....Just days before Brenda’s funeral, Felicia and I invited Pastor Tom over for dinner at our middle daughter's beach house. The old preachers sat on the deck sipping a glass of wine, as Felicia lovingly prepared a meal. We...
When a Soul Takes Flight
Today’s Word from Sheila Weidendorf... Dan was a drummer who marched to his own beat his whole life. He was a master of words, whether being socially glib or arguing a cause in the Model UN program when he was still in high school. He was a tireless advocate and...
High School Adventure
Today's Word from Deacon Amy... "Thank you, Trinity!" the voices rang out from the water where a group of bobbing heads were smiling and laughing. Gratitude was a common theme throughout our time in Montana. These high school students fully recognized and appreciated...
Amazing Grace: Complicated Ethics
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...Mine is the Church where everybody’s welcome. We had to install a new sign by the entrance of the meadow. The meadow is an outdoor classroom used primarily by the Trinity Preschool. It served a critical need during the...
Gratitude
A Note From Pastor Eric and Kathleen... I can identify with the leper who received healing from Jesus, coming back and praising God for this gift of liberation. That gratitude was a far greater gift than the healing, for it acknowledged who gave the gift. In the same...
Make It A Good Day
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...I would like to start today by sharing with you one of my foundational philosophical and theological beliefs: You do not have the power to ruin God’s day, but you do have the power to ruin your life.This higher power that we...
The Shadow of Death
Today’s Word from Pastor Tom...“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23My imagination has recently been held captive by four words, “the shadow...
Thank You Pastor Eric & Kathleen Ottum
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... This Sunday we will be marking the retirement of Pastor Eric Ottum from Trinity Lutheran Church. Pastor Eric and Kathleen have served the Lutheran Church for more than 53 years. For the past sixteen years they have served...
No Cure for Being Human
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...Author Kate Bowler reminds us that there is no cure for being human. On occasion, the inescapable human condition leaves us with loss, grief, tears, silent graveside visits, and empty chairs at the table. Dust, water, star...
CALLED TO BE ALIVE! – A Rite of Passage
Today’s Word from Jerry R. O’Neill... My rite of passage from midlife to elderhood has been more than ten years in the making. Trinity Lutheran has been a huge part of that journey. So it is with great joy that I can share songs, short poems, and...
The Darkness Cannot Overcome the Light
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...This week one of our TLC families was devastated by the suicide of a beloved father. He died on the very day that his son was celebrating his 14th birthday. I was asked to give thought, words, and perspective to the family....
T-Shirts & Shorts All Summer Long
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...It is hot, hot, hot, but the sanctuary and gym stay remarkably cool even during a heat wave! This Sunday, wear your favorite T-Shirt, wear shorts, wear your bathing suit. (I am kidding Brian Appleby). Come as you are, be...
Look to the Heavens With Wonder
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork. Day by day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.” Psalm 19“When I look to the heavens, the work of your fingers, the...
On Kindness
TODAY'S WORD by Susan Shira with an introduction by Pastor Jim... Most of us are not in a position to change the course of history, affect international policy or travel to far off lands to work with the poorest of the poor. We are simply trying to...
Visitation
A Word from Pastor Tom... It’s a noun. Not a verb, as in “I am visiting with my family.” In the life of Christianity, it is the name we give to the story of a Mary, pregnant with Jesus, who came visiting Elizabeth who was pregnant with John, who grew to be known as...
Where Did 40 Years Go?
A Word from Pastor Jim... 40 years ago today, I was at a rehearsal dinner for a wedding that would take place on July 10th. Now, I have officiated at hundreds of weddings; in fact, I have one this afternoon at Bush Point. In the last decade I have had the privilege of...
A Week at Camp
Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... This past Friday evening I returned home exhausted, sore, and thoroughly delighted after spending a week at camp with a group of middle school students. The last time we were at camp was in 2019; it was so very good to be back! On...
Snails Welcome
A Word from Pastor Jim....He was there to greet me when I unlocked the doors on a Tuesday morning. A single snail climbing up the glass, probably unsure of his destination, somewhat weary from the long journey that brought him to TLC.Had he lost his...
THIS WEEK AT TRINITY…
SUNDAY, JULY 3 WORSHIP We invite you to join us for worship both in-person and online at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. this Sunday. Our nursery will be open for infants, toddlers and preschoolers during the 10:00 service. Masks are optional on the TLC campus. You...
Super Heroes at Play!
A Word from Deacon Amy Although preschool ended three weeks ago, the sounds of children laughing and playing have filled our hallways and playgrounds once again. Our amazing teachers and their fantastic teen helpers have put on two exciting day camp programs for our...
Sanctuary
Today's Word from Laura Canby....We all need a sanctuary when our emotional/physical/spiritual reserves run low in the face of loss, voluminous to-do lists, turbulent societal times, disappointment, and the general wear-and-tear of life.Sometimes all we...
Father’s Day
A Word from Pastor Jim... My grandfather was a sharecropper; working a farm that belonged to someone else. My father was a child of the great depression. By age 10 he was working in the farm fields. He was a water boy, delivering buckets of fresh water to those who...