WORSHIP HELPERS
There are many opportunities to sign up for assisting at worship this Sunday and the next six weeks. The sign up is available online (Church Family: Worship Helpers 2026-2027) here and a paper copy will be passed around at worship.
Thank you to all who sign up and participate in the Sunday worship! Your participation allows us to share the duties, provide good worship, and live-stream the service. Needed participants include Greeters standing near the entrance; Ushers handing out bulletins and directing offering; Acolytes to light and extinguish candles at the book ends of worship; Lector’s to read scripture with a new Lector’s Pronunciation Guide on the
reading desk; Holy Communion has two parts – setting elements up (allow 15 minutes) along with cleaning up (10 minutes after worship) and distributing the sacrament; Slide Show to use a mouse to forward worship slides; and Sound/Video to get the system running to ready to live-stream with updated instructions plus making sure microphones are ready. Singers are also welcome to help lead the singing with practice one hour prior to worship. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Julie.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT
Are you or someone you know facing unexpected expenses? Temporary loss of income? Struggling to make ends meet? Operation HELP, a nonprofit, offers resources for St. Croix County residents dealing with temporary financial hardships. They have Emergency Financial Assistance for rent and utilities, a Resources Center, Diaper Bank, Temporary Emergency Shelter, Christmas for Kids, Budgeting Classes, and Connections to Additional Help. They are located in Hudson at 901 Fourth Street, Suite 214 (United Way). For information call: 715-386-1300 or email: operationhelp.source@gmail.com. Check out the website: Operation Help
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
The Bible in a Year – A resource out of Luther Seminary is www.enterthebible.org. Catch this week’s podcast on JOB. Listen to Dr. Diane Jacobson, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, as she partners with Professor Kathyrn M Schifferdecker, and they explore themes of human suffering, righteousness, and the God who meets us in the whirlwind in the book of Job. They will tackle big questions such as: Why do good people suffer? What does it mean to speak honestly to God? and What do you do when God shows up but doesn’t give you the answers you were hoping for? Get curious about scripture – the overview of the book of Job in this podcast is worth your time!
Free Webinar Series for congregations – “The Invitational Christian”
One of the priorities for the ELCA this year is to help our congregations be more invitational and welcoming. Learn how to assess whether your building, your congregation members, and your ministry are truly welcoming or only welcoming to current members. Dave Daubert will be our teacher for the two webinars:
Tuesday, April 28th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with Dave Daubert (invitation link forwarded upon registration)
Tuesday, June 2nd from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with Dave Daubert (invitation link forwarded upon registration).
An additional meeting will be held in May at a time TBD and led by Northwest Synod’s Pastor Diane House. This online meeting is to supplement Daubert’s teaching and assist with the practical exercises for each congregation.
This educational event is free for all leaders, rostered and lay and any congregation member with a heart for sharing the gospel. The only cost is ordering Daubert’s book.
For registration materials go to www.nwswi.org and find it under Events tab.
FREE FRESH FOOD TRUCK WILL BE STOPPING AT TRINITY ON SATURDAY, MAY 9th! The Next Fresh Express Mobile Food Pantry truck will be stopping at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 9th from 12:30 – 1:00 pm. Everyone welcome to shop its shelves. It will be stopping at Baldwin Village Hall on May 9th from 1:30-2:00 pm.
FREE WEBINAR ON SUSTAINING SOBRIETY
The Center of Addiction & Faith is hosting a one-hour free webinar titled “Beyond Sobriety: The Practice That Sustains Recovery with Barry Lehman” on April 29, 2026
at 12:00-1:00 PM CT. The webinar is on zoom. Find info at: addictionandfaith.com. With a Doctor of Ministry in counseling, Barry Lehman specializes in long-term
recovery. He helps people build lives of depth, meaning, and steady direction – drawing from decades of lived recovery, counseling and spiritual practice. He will be sharing
his perspective on how to keep growing – not just maintain sobriety. He is author of an award-winning book, Mastering Recovery. He worked as a counselor in Wisconsin and
Minnesota for over 30 years and retired from Mayo Clinic Addictions Services in Rochester, MN, in 2025 after over 17 years. Register at the website above.
SEEKING LITERACY VOLUNTEER
A Baldwin man wants a tutor to help with basic reading, spelling, and math skills. He can walk to the Baldwin Library for tutoring sessions if you can meet him there.
The schedule can be largely up to you. Assistance with teaching materials is offered by WestCAP. For more information, call Stephanie Stark, coordinator of WestCAP’s Adult Literacy Program at: 715-598-4750. You can make a real difference in someone’s life!
YOU ARE INVITED
The Family Resource Center invites us to their annual fundraising gala to support their work with families with children. This year’s theme is Country Music Awards: “Where Rhinestones Meet Red Carpet” so dust off your boots and bring your glam! The event is at Ready Randy’s in New Richmond on Sunday, April 19th, beginning with social hour at 4:00 p.m., dinner and program at 5:15, dessert and live auction at 7:30. Ticket information is on the card in the narthex. RSVP by April 10th by scanning the code or calling 715-684-4440.
SAVE THE DATE: Fundraiser – Wednesday, April 22nd
Plan ahead for attending the annual fundraiser for the St. Croix Central School District Mental Health Programs. 10% of all food and drink sold this night at the Barnboard between 4:00 and 8:30 p.m. will go to help these crucial programs for youth in crisis.
Please also start assembling gift baskets for raffle as we will start selling tickets right after Easter. For questions or to donate, contact Betty Johnson or Alyssa at the Barnboard. Thanks also to Thrivent Action Teams.
SYNOD ASSEMBLY – APRIL 25th at Bethany Lutheran Church, Rice Lake
The Lenten Offering will go towards the Synod Assembly Offering. Synod Assembly is Saturday, April 25th at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake. Trinity still needs one voting member to attend as Sarah Pommerening has volunteered to go. If you are interested, please let Pastor Julie know. Registration needs to be completed by April 10th.
NORTHWEST SYNOD OF WI – IMMERSION DAY TRIP
Learn about the Wakan Tipi Center in St. Paul on this day trip on June 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Center is a Native-led East Side environmental stewardship nonprofit in the Rondo Neighborhood of St. Paul. The event is hosted by Pilgrim Baptist Church. There are eight spots remaining for participants from the NW Synod of WI. The cost is $20. Register at www.nwswi.org.
SENIOR STUDENT RECOGNITION SUNDAY
We would like to congratulate and award our High School Seniors on Sunday, May 17th, so please mark your calendars. Seniors, please let Pastor Julie know of your plans after graduation for our newsletter (it’s OK to say you aren’t sure yet!)
SHARING OUR FACILITY
Trinity lets local groups occasionally use our building as a way of supporting our community and making use of this large, beautiful space. Three different Girl Scout Troops have met in our Fellowship Room in the past couple of years and continue to do so. In case you weren’t aware, this can also provide income for Trinity if the group is not a nonprofit. If you know a trusted community organization that could use a place to meet, you could have them fill out a Facility Use Request Form (on the credenza in the Fellowship Room) or email the office at: trinitylutheranhammond@gmail.com
RESOURCES POSTED IN THE NARTHEX:
The St. Croix Valley Grief Coalition provides grief support. Sessions are free, no registration is needed, and you are welcome to participate as you feel you can. Current fall sessions are in progress. You are able to access recorded sessions from 2024 and 2025 online at www.scvgriefcoalition.com.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a local branch with various resources for those who struggle with mental health and those who support ones dealing with mental health. Free resources are available www.nami-stcroixvalley.com.
COFFEE with PASTOR JULIE
Wednesday, May 6th at 9:00 am
Caribou Coffee in Baldwin
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
God came down to us in Jesus Christ bringing love, hope, peace, and joy. God blesses us with abundant provision for daily life. Because God gives to us first, we are able the example of generosity. Good places to give in this Christmas season, especially in honor or in memory of someone you love:
Trinity Lutheran Church General Fund – Trinity Gen Fund or Mortgage
Trinity Lutheran Church, Mortgage
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin – multiple options – nwswi giving
Luther Point Bible Camp, Grantsburg – camping ministry
ELCA World Hunger 50 years – fight hunger
ELCA Good Gifts Catalog – shop now
Please note your gifts and offerings to Trinity make it possible for this community to thrive. Thank you for your prayers, offerings and support!
Trinity is one of 191 congregations of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin that walk together in mission for regional and global ministries, learn together through synod led events, and are supported, especially in times of transition.
Luther Point Bible Camp is a special ministry of the church. Kids who attend camp often Become leaders in congregations. The goal of Luther Point is to provide the good news of Jesus for everyone who attends camp.
The work of ELCA World Hunger is one of the most popular ministries of the church. Almost 1 in 10 people – 733 million – in our world are hungry. As people of congregations, we are called to respond to this need. We are a church that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work!
The best gift catalog is the ELCA Good Gifts Catalog. The items in the catalog are real Ministries supported through the work of the ELCA. Each program is a long-term, partnership- based ministry that focuses on the needs identified by local congregations and global companion churches and their communities. The ELCA focuses on relationship building and contextual ministry. Several paper copies of the catalog are at the entrance.
FREE FOOD SHELF INFORMATION
An option for 24-hour access to free food is the pantry in the entryway of the Village of Hammond building at 455 Davis, on the upper level. The Hammond Library also has a small shelf available when the library is open, and they sometimes have some non-food items such as diapers.
The food pantry at the Roberts Congregational UCC church (at 1001 Birch Dr. in Roberts) has normal open hours from 9:00 am-11:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In an emergency situation there might be some access other days when the church is open (M-F, 8:30 am-12:30 pm). Ring the doorbell for Kim to let you in. The Baldwin Community Pantry is open on Tuesdays from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. It is located 1010 Main St. in Baldwin.
If you are interested in donating food to any food shelf, please make sure it isn’t past its expiration date! We want to ensure the health and safety of all.
AMONG FRIENDS—A DEMENTIA SOCIAL RESPITE PROGRAM in RIVER FALLS
If you are caring for anyone facing memory challenges, you are not alone. Many caregivers could use a break occasionally and might not be aware of this program. Among Friends offers a few hours of relief to refresh yourself and give the person with dementia some independence by getting them out to enjoy the company of others. Research shows that even a little social activity a week can delay memory decline in seniors, help sleep, and decrease agitation. The group meets every Tuesday from 9-3 (come when you can) at First Congregational Church in River Falls (110 No. 3rd St.). You can drop off your loved one with trained professionals who ensure a safe and welcoming environment. Food and activities are offered, including music, crafts, chair yoga, conversations, and visits from animal friends or other learning activities. A catered lunch is provided. The cost for all of this is $35, though talk to them if this is a problem. Rides might also be arranged if this is an issue. A brochure is in the narthex; you can also look for more information at their website: amongfriendsrf@gmail.com or call: 715-293-2561.
BULLETIN SPONSORSHIP OPENINGS ARE AVAILABLE
If you are interested in honoring a loved one or remembering a special date with the congregation, there are many opportunities in 2025 to sponsor a bulletin and newsletter.
For $8 you can submit a note to be included for a particular Sunday. Please send these to Lois Koosmann at: lois044@centurytel.net
LIGHT’s OFF, DOOR SHUT PLEASE
People have arrived at church a couple times to lights being left on with no one in the building. If you are here and the last to leave please make sure light are off. Please also double check the front door to make sure it has latched shut. (During the winter, the cold makes it stick open occasionally)
THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS:
If you have not directed your Thrivent choice dollars for 2023 you have until March 31, 2026 to do so. Trinity, Hammond WI, can be a choice for you! You can help Thrivent designate it’s charitable grant funds if you have one of the following…
1 ) $750 or more in annual billed premiums of qualifying life and health insurance products.
2) $20,000 or more in contract value of qualifying life insurance and annuity products . You can access this with your online account or contact your Thrivent representative.
***Remember, some Thrivent members are also eligible for Thrivent Action Team Grants. This is an easy way for Trinity to get up to a $250 grant for events, fundraisers, and service projects. If you need help figuring out how to apply for this, let Pastor Kim know and she will get in touch with someone who will walk you through it!***
Collecting Eye glasses and empty pill bottles: Trinity Lutheran is collecting used eye glasses for the Lion’s club. The container is in the hall by the quilting room. We are also collecting used pill bottles for third world countries, both over counter medications and prescription bottles. Please remove the labels from the prescription bottles. The pill bottle container is in the back hall near the quilting room. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Jensen.
Weekly Newsletter Items are due to the church office on Tuesday by noon.
Warm up your heart, be a co-worker in God’s work by volunteering for a Sunday worship ministry role. Greeters, ushers and readers are needed every Sunday. The gifts of your time and interest are priceless. Contact the church office at (715) 796-2788 or sign up by clicking here.
Trinity wants to stay in touch with you through church communications. Please notify the church office of any changes to your email address, street address, P.O. Box number, telephone or cell phone numbers. It’s important that we stay connected in God’s busy world.
Check out Trinity’s AMAZING library! The Library is located just off the Kitchen and Fellowship Hall. It is stocked with some AWESOME books, videos, CDs and more! It is easy to check out items. Located the checkout card in or on the back of the item), write your name and date on that card and drop it in the checkout basket! IT IS THAT EASY!!
Friday, April 17: (Office Closed)
Saturday, April 18:
Sunday, April 19: 9:00 am – Trinity Sunday Worship Service; 10:15 am – Fellowship & BOLT; 6:00 pm – Girl Scouts
Monday, April 20:
Tuesday, April 21: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Office staffed; 6:00 pm – Girl Scouts
Wednesday, April 22: 9:00 am-2:00 pm – Office staffed; 6:30 pm – Confirmation/BAM
Thursday, April 23:
Friday, April 24:
Saturday, April 25:
Sunday, April 26: 9:00 am – Sunday Worship Service; 10:15 am – Fellowship & BOLT