Elders

Our Charge: To ensure proper conduct of all spiritual activities of Trinity congregation and to encourage the spiritual growth of its members by participation in them, with particular attention to divine worship services.

Our Duties and Responsibilties:

1. Conduct of corporate spiritual activites of the congregation, especially worship services

2. Encouragement of the spiritual welfare and growth of congregational members individually

3. Attention to the well-being of the Pastor and other Called ministers

Each Elder serves to minister to the needs of assigned members, they may be contacted by any member for suport. Each Elder works under the supervision of the Head Elder and the Called Pastor.

Trinity Lutheran Church Elders

Mark Waltz, Head Elder (Br – D)

Bill Edwards (E - Ge)

Mike Fajen (K – Ma)

Todd Freesemann (Go - J)

Sonny Massey (A - Bo)

Rick Mizell (Mc - P)

Bob Reynolds (Q – S)

Tom Wayman (T - Z)

Elder Care Groups

The board of Elders are charged with the Spiritual Health and Well-Being of the members of Trinity. This involves the spiritual outreach by the board of Elders to members of Trinity by assignment of members by the last name of the members. However, Trinity members can request assistance from any Elders that they may choose or the Pastor.

See above for Elder Groups by Last Name.

Please feel free to contact your Elder (or any Elder) if you have an illness or hospitalization, or a prayer need. It is always helpful to know firsthand.

I realize there will be other reminders in this same Newsletter edition, but I want to remind everyone about the Reformation Sunday Celebration after service on October 31st. This will be a rare opportunity for everyone to be together, enjoy a potluck lunch, and have some fun.

Rom. 11:33, 36 - Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

~ Mark Waltz, Head Elder

COMMUNION 

 
The use of the chalice “common cup” used to be universal in Lutheranism, but in the past century its use has become infrequent.  People mistakenly believe that germs are easily transmitted by using the chalice.  However, the combination of the noble metal of the chalice and the alcohol content of the wine makes the possibility for germs to be transmitted almost nonexistent.  The following article explains this further:      Can I get sick from using the common cup?  No!  The use of the common cup was traditional in all Christian churches until during the 20th century and discontinued in many churches because  of fears about sanitary matters concerning the transmission of disease.  A thorough study was done by the scientific community and reported in Journal of Infectious Diseases; their conclusion was:  Experiments on the transmission of organisms from one person to another by common use of the chalice showed that 0.001% of the organisms transferred even under the most favorable conditions and when conditions approximated those of actual use, no transmission could be detected.      It is through hands that most disease is transmitted, which makes Communion by intinction more prone to disease than receiving the common cup, since those who give the Sacrament touch both the Host 
and Wine.  And how many hands touch the “little glasses”?  The alternative is to reject the command of Christ and refrain from Communion altogether. 
 
Lutherans should remember that Martin Luther restored the cup when Roman Catholics had all but eliminated it from the peoples’ Communion.  He did it because his loyalty was to the command of Christ in the Bible.  The use of the common cup was normative until the late 19th century and was eliminated in those churches in which Communion was not understood as being the Body and Blood of Christ. 
 
Some Lutherans allow other methods of distribution, believing that the method of distribution does not matter. However, the use of the common chalice retains that which Our Lord indicated was His desire.  And, its effect, where used, is to transmit not only salvation but also the oneness that comes from sharing the Blood of Christ from the Chalice in common with one’s sisters and brothers.  All the faithful respond to Christ’s words: “Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks, he gave it to them. ‘Drink all of you from this,’ he said.” Matthew 26:27. 
 
From CPH Altar Guild Manual

Newsletter Article - December 2021

Please feel free to contact your Elder (or any Elder) if you have an illness or hospitalization, or a prayer need. It is always helpful to know firsthand.

We are planning to start adding the Order of Matins back into our worship service schedule on a quarterly basis in 2022.

Early next year Pastor Victor Belton has agreed to come to Savannah and conduct a workshop with the Board of Elders. Date and time are yet to be decided. The season of Advent is a perfect opportunity to get your mind and spirit away from the chaos in the world and find the calming peace of Jesus Christ by attending Advent services and using Advent devotions. True calm is the peace of Jesus Christ.

On behalf of the Board of Elders we would like to wish everyone a Blessed Christmas and New Year. “’For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:11 ESV)

Mark Waltz, Head Elder