Pastor Jim’s Blog

Thanks for NOTHING

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...

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In Loving Memory of Pastor Dan Erlander

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...

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We’re in This Together

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...

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Protecting Jesus: Strange Concept

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...

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The Birds Sang Om Shantih For My Mother

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...

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We Need Each Other

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...

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Lutheran Disaster Relief for Hurricane Ian Victims

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...

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Who Are We?

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...

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They Come Every Week

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...

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Back to Preschool

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...

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The Last Statement of Your Life

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,...

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Do Not Judge

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,...

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My Hero

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...

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Be Still and Know…

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...

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If You Want to Go Far

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...

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Thank You Teacher Felicia

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...

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Faith Like a Child

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...

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When a Soul Takes Flight

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...

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High School Adventure

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...

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Amazing Grace: Complicated Ethics

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...

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Gratitude

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...

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Make It A Good Day

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...

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The Shadow of Death

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...

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Thank You Pastor Eric & Kathleen Ottum

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...

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No Cure for Being Human

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...

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CALLED TO BE ALIVE! – A Rite of Passage

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...

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The Darkness Cannot Overcome the Light

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....

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T-Shirts & Shorts All Summer Long

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...

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Look to the Heavens With Wonder

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...

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On Kindness

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...

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Visitation

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...

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Where Did 40 Years Go?

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...

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A Week at Camp

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...

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Snails Welcome

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...

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THIS WEEK AT TRINITY…

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...

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Super Heroes at Play!

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...

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Sanctuary

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...

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Father’s Day

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...

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Thank You, Council Members

Thank You, Council Members

This past Sunday, June 12, we held our mid-year congregational meeting where we received written reports from staff members along with an overview of our current financial position. Printed reports are available in the church office. At this meeting, the Council...

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Pastor Jim’s Mid-Year Report

Pastor Jim’s Mid-Year Report

How does one measure the health and vitality of a community of faith in pandemic days? There are many metrics that we can use to measure congregational health and vitality. Baptisms In the past three months our congregation has celebrated the baptisms of 5 children...

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2022 Graduates

2022 Graduates

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” They don’t stay little very long; we give thanks for the changing seasons and the seasons we share. On Wednesday night, we honored the 2022 Graduates of...

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Celebrating Linda Nevermann

Celebrating Linda Nevermann

Today’s Word from your TLC Staff  This Sunday we will be honoring Linda Nevermann for her 24 years of service to Trinity Lutheran Church. The Bell Choir will be playing for one last time under her direction. We would encourage you to bring a card or greeting for Linda...

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No Day

No Day

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Felicia and I visited the beaches of Normandy last October. The Sunday before leaving Whidbey Island we had talked with Web Halvorsen who, 77 years earlier, had stormed Utah Beach as a part of the greatest invasionary force...

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IN, Not OF This World

IN, Not OF This World

Today’s Word from Sheila Weidendorf... As many of you know, I live betwixt two worlds—between my very beautiful life here on Whidbey Island and my very beautiful life in Rajasthan, India. The scales are currently in Whidbey’s favor in terms of time—most of my time is...

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We Are There!

We Are There!

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Your support for TLC puts you on the frontline locally, nationally, and internationally. You are there on Whidbey Island supporting our neighbors who are hungry, cold, homeless, grieving, or in need of counseling. TLC supports most...

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Priesthood of All Believers

Priesthood of All Believers

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...Martin Luther taught that we are baptized into the priesthood. We are followers of Jesus not just on Sunday morning, but Monday through Saturday as well. We carry the name of Jesus; we are Christians. Your daily work is no...

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Daily Life, Daily Faith

Daily Life, Daily Faith

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim...One of the cornerstone, earth shaking, teachings of Martin Luther is that of the Priesthood of all believers.What is a priest? A priest is one who is ordained to do God’s work. A priest takes vows; a priest wakes up each day...

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It’s Too Tall!

It’s Too Tall!

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom... When he died, I grieved. He was my favorite author. The genius of Pat Conroy as a storyteller was evident from the very beginning. One of his first books, “The Water is Wide,” was made into a movie, “Conrack,” starring John Voight. His...

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High Anxiety

High Anxiety

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... I attended a conference this past week with ELCA pastors from across the country. Our national ELCA Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, was in attendance. Our Lutheran Disaster Relief partners were present and happy to see us. Trinity Lutheran...

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Little Things Matter

Little Things Matter

Today’s Word from Linda Nevermann... Growing up, I was told “little things don’t matter.” I’m nearly 72 years old and I’m telling you that they do. After the tragic pandemic and slowly realizing that there is a new future of normalcy, I’ve appreciated more than ever,...

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Preschool and Beyond

Preschool and Beyond

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim Every year in the month of May our sanctuary is adorned by the artwork of children as dozens of delightful little visitors join us for worship. They are decorated with care and as much intention as a preschooler can muster. Old scraps of...

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The Story of AND

The Story of AND

Today’s Word from Karl Olsen Greetings, all. Our friend Carrie Newcomer, singer/songwriter/writer who has appeared here in concert a couple of times, has a podcast on her website. She has a wonderful way of comprehending and engaging the world (along with her friend...

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A Gift Given

A Gift Given

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Have you ever had the experience of receiving a gift and not knowing what to do with it? I was ten, it was Christmas, and my family was sharing part of the season with a very precious senior couple. Margaret and Gene were childless and...

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Pilgrims

Pilgrims

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim Pilgrimage has been a part of religious tradition and experience for thousands of years. Religious pilgrims plan, save, and travel to sacred places; to the thin places between heaven and earth. In Islam every adult is expected to make the...

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Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... “I was glad when they said to me, ‘let us into the house of the Lord.’” Psalm 122 Dear Friends in Christ, It has been three years since we have had the opportunity to celebrate Easter Sunday in a traditional way. Two years ago, the...

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Ode to the Journey

Ode to the Journey

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom... So, try to picture the scene. It is a beautiful Seattle summer evening and I have accepted an invitation from my younger sibling to join her and her friends at some young adult drinking hole. What can I say? I had no social life. I was...

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Human Stories

Human Stories

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Jesus “emptied himself taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:7-8 Every story in the...

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Make Me an Instrument

Make Me an Instrument

Today’s Word from Sheila Weidendorf As most of you know, I make music… a LOT of music. There’s my core endeavor-- performing western classical chamber music in collaboration with many fine musicians. At any given time, I typically have 5-6 concerts worth of music in...

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Doing Our Best

Doing Our Best

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom,,, I don’t have anything pithy. I regularly try for pithy but I am fresh out of pithy. Sometimes the pithy-well goes dry and for a writer (or would-be writer), all that is left can feel stale or mundane. So here’s the deal, as most of you...

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Pride

Pride

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... We’ve all heard about prideful peacocks, but what about the lowly turkey? It’s about this time every year that our handsome toms start to strut their stuff, fanning their tails and parading around the barnyard, trying to catch the...

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Home

Home

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... “Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion! Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem” Isaiah 52:1 Over the years, we have had several different animals come and leave on our little farm. Some were born here and moved on to different...

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Take Every Opportunity to Love

Take Every Opportunity to Love

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... The pandemic has loosened its grip just as the world has unraveled once again around us. Many of us are feeling stressed, depressed, and somewhat helpless as Putin’s war in Ukraine drags on. The images that fill the airwaves are...

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The Best Weekend Ever

The Best Weekend Ever

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... Last weekend I took a group of elementary students to Camp Lutherwood in Bellingham. I cannot tell you how good it felt to load the van with kids and head out of town. It has been two years since I’ve driven a van full of Trinity kids...

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I Will Not Let You Go

I Will Not Let You Go

Today’s Word from Karl Olsen... “God has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b OK. I’m holding on to that. Looking around our church, island, region and world these days… it’s something I have to remember often. A little rambling… I live a pretty...

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Ukraine Refugee Relief Response

Ukraine Refugee Relief Response

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Thank you for your generous and compassionate support of the refugee crisis in Eastern Europe. We might not be able to stop this war, but we can make a difference! Since March 2nd, Trinity has already given $25,000 to Eastern Europe. We...

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Thankful to Be on This Journey with You…

Thankful to Be on This Journey with You…

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... The Covid19 pandemic threatened our community on a variety of levels. Over the past two years many have been sick with the virus, but few have been seriously ill, and to the best of my knowledge, no one from TLC was ever...

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The Nobility of Longing

The Nobility of Longing

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom... No one has ever accused me of being noble. Nope. Been accused of lots of things - selfish, talks too much, really sad golfer, doesn’t listen (who does?), insensitive (“Siri, why have I had trouble with women?” “This is Alexa.”)… you...

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Good Fences

Good Fences

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy You have probably heard it said that good fences make good neighbors. We have come dangerously close to being poor neighbors lately. You may recall that during a wind storm in November, we had a large Madrona tree fall on one of our...

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Is It Age Appropriate?

Is It Age Appropriate?

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Listening is important. I have listened through the years to many parents who were exasperated, fatigued, and generally flummoxed over the behavior of their children. The age of the children? Babies who won’t sleep, terrible two-year...

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We Made it Through the Door

We Made it Through the Door

Today’s Word from Ron Roesler... Have you ever wondered what causes some people to attach themselves to fringe beliefs? Beliefs that defy conventional wisdom, or beliefs of those who think radically different than yourself? When I was younger, I had difficulty...

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A Firm Foundation

A Firm Foundation

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... We have been entrusted with a precious gift. The gift of a church, a community, a beautiful and flawed gathering of the young and old. We have been entrusted with a precious gift: a community of diverse opinions, political persuasions,...

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Apophatic or Cataphatic?

Apophatic or Cataphatic?

Today's Word from Pastor Tom... It is often said you can put mystics of varied and different religions in the same room and they will instantly bond, or hear one another. Put theologians of different religious ilk in the same room and within 10 minutes someone will be...

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Where the Guest is God

Where the Guest is God

Today's Word from Sheila Weidendorf In India, Where the Guest is God I come to touch my feet upon the earth in the place where the guest is God In this land where Everything exists within Nothing and holiness is never more than a breath away I come to feast my eyes...

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Betty Lehman

Betty Lehman

Today's Word from Pastor Jim... It was 69 years ago. The population of Island County was holding steady at 11,000. Dwight Eisenhower had moved into the Oval Office. Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom. The Korean War had just ended. The unknown Elvis...

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Eight Funerals and a Wedding

Eight Funerals and a Wedding

Today's Word from Pastor Jim__“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”_ Ecclesiastes 3We currently have eight funerals, or graveside services, scheduled at TLC. We also have two of our members on Hospice Care. Among the...

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The Rim of Life

The Rim of Life

Today's Word from Pastor Tom...“For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. “ Psalm 92.4With one day yet of travel, we are 3,400 miles into this adventure. When it comes to car travel our typical MO is to load the...

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Where Do You Want to Start?

Where Do You Want to Start?

Today's Word from Pastor Jim... “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121 Sometimes, when catching up with an old friend, or sitting down with a coworker, the first question...

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That’s the Deal

That’s the Deal

Today's Word from Karl Olsen... “In love, it’s only those who trust each other, who can make it until the end.” Auliq Ice “…in sickness and health, as long as we both shall live.” Spoken by millions of lovers… In my life as a musician, I’ve been part of many weddings....

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Humility

Humility

Today's Word from Pastor Jim... There are many attributes that are universally accepted by humans of all races, religions, and nationalities. Included on the list would be kindness, compassion, mercy, hospitality, honesty, integrity, dependability, creativity,...

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In But Not Of

In But Not Of

Today's Word from Pastor Tom... “In but not of…” One of the great lines of scripture. A slight paraphrase from John chapter 17, Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. Jesus prays for his followers who are “in” this world but not “of” this world. For me this is one of the most...

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From India, With Love

From India, With Love

Today's Word from Sheila Weidendorf... I am writing this from the rooftop of our Rajasthani farmhouse, nestled in the arms of the Aravali Mountains outside of Udaipur. Udaipur is a gleaming white marble city known as “The City of Lakes.” The historic palace of the...

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A Great Year Ahead!

A Great Year Ahead!

Today's Word from Pastor Jim... 2022 is going to be a fantastic year! I expect there to be some bumps in the road, but by any measure I am certain that 2022 is going to be a great year. A year of beautiful sunrises and sunsets, a year of hot showers and tasty food, a...

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Touch the Future

Touch the Future

The Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment will give away $240,000 in 2022. This money will support local charities, national and international causes, and provide needed scholarships to dozens of college students. Make your final statement in life consistent with the...

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Flawed Humans: They’ll Know we are Christians by our Love

Flawed Humans: They’ll Know we are Christians by our Love

Today's Word from Pastor Jim... There has been a lot of criticism of the Christian Church in recent years and it has led many to be skeptical of all organized religion. The criticism has been mostly fair. This is not a new story; the Christian Church has opened itself...

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Creation

Creation

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... Our first story, Genesis chapter one: “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our own image, according to our likeness’..” We were created in the image of God. Now there is much that we could say about that. Female and male were...

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Us Lesser Knowns

Us Lesser Knowns

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom... That’s me on the left. For those who attended the October 31st Reformation Service you undoubtedly recognized me adorned in my red chasuble. Not every pastor is gifted with a bobblehead doll, or a red chasuble for that matter. This...

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Leftovers

Leftovers

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... “When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’” John 6:12 Right around the time the new year rolls in, we start to put away the Christmas decorations. Lights come...

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There’s No Place Like Home

There’s No Place Like Home

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim... On January 23rd we will celebrate the Third Sunday of Epiphany. Our reading that morning will be from the 4th Chapter of Luke. In that text, Jesus will be coming home to Nazareth. He had left home some time earlier; he had been baptized...

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Blessed Effulgence…

Blessed Effulgence…

Today’s Word from Sheila Weidendorf... As I write this, the season of Advent (my favorite in the liturgical year!) has come and gone, and Christmastide is all but concluded. 2021 has tucked itself into the recesses of memory as we herald in a new year—a fresh start, a...

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Never Too Old!

Never Too Old!

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom... Who said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Not true. Why, for example, just recently I had an experience that taught me why it is helpful to turn on the light prior to brushing my teeth. Did you know that in the early morning...

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Immanuel

Immanuel

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... As we wind down from our joyous Christmas celebrations, for some, there is a lingering sadness. A sadness that comes with the memories of loved ones who are no longer here, or perhaps with the experience of not being able to be together...

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What Do You Know About Mary?

What Do You Know About Mary?

Today’s Word from Karl Olsen... “Let us learn from the Virgin Mary how to be bolder in obeying the word of God.” Pope Francis “In trial or difficulty, I have recourse to Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.” Saint Therese of Lisieux “When I find...

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Christmas Anticipation

Christmas Anticipation

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom... You know that part of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” where we sing “… He sees you when you’re sleepin...” It is a faint childhood memory but I think it was the old cowboy Gene Autry who sang it. Well, that always struck me as a little...

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Room for a Little One

Room for a Little One

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... I had the joyful experience of visiting the preschoolers in their outdoor classroom today. They excitedly lined up on their little stump seats to wait for my Bible story. Today, though, I didn’t bring my Bible. Instead, I brought one of...

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Venti, Venti…

Venti, Venti…

Today’s Word from Sheila Weidendorf... O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. O come, o Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily, to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in...

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Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories

Today’s Word from Pastor Tom... Their ages were age one, two and a half, and almost four. Our one and only time as a family in Hawaii. It was right after Christmas. There were so many things I appreciated about that time in our family life. For one thing, it was...

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Spreading Smiles

Spreading Smiles

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... I’ve mentioned before that both of my daughters raise and show goats in 4H. My youngest, Lia, spends the whole year training her pack goat, Norman, by taking him on almost daily walks. Together, they stroll up and down the roads around...

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Let All Things Now Living

Let All Things Now Living

Today’s Word from Karl Olsen... "Let All Things Now Living" by Katherine K. Davis, Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the Creator triumphantly raise, who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us, who guides us and leads to the end of our...

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Finding Sunshine

Finding Sunshine

Today’s Word from Deacon Amy... The windstorm that struck our beautiful island early this week was incredible! I’m sure this is one that future generations will grow tired of hearing about. We’ll all have remarkable stories about the weather that we’ve experienced...

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The Lovely Dark

The Lovely Dark

Today’s Word from Karl Olsen... It’s amazing how many timers and clocks we have in our lives. This past weekend when we “fell back,” I’m sure I set nearly 10 different devices around our house, from thermostats to light timers, to clocks. All in the effort to avoid...

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