First Trinity Lutheran Church
Each time that the Church gathers for a Divine Service, it joins in confessing the words of the Nicene Creed wherein the nature of the Church is described with these familiar words: “I believe in one holy Christian (catholic) and apostolic Church.” Each of these four adjectives used in the Nicene Creed uniquely contributes to a right and complete understanding of the nature of the Church of Christ.
The first adjective used by the Nicene Creed to describe the Church of Christ is the word one. Simply put, the Church of Christ is One Church. To the human eye, this does not appear to be the case. There are almost an infinite number of denominations and beliefs. There are numerous divisions within the Church dating back to the earliest Christian records. And yet, the Church remains One Church. Saint Paul clearly taught this to the troubled and splintering congregation at Corinth: “Now you are the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27a) and “Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13a). Though the Church may fracture and split, still there remains only One Church of Christ because Christ is not divided, and we are all partakers in His Body (1 Corinthians 10:16). Though it may not seem to be the case on the surface, we who believe in Jesus Christ are One Church because He has prayed for our unity (John 17:21-23) and His desire ever remains to gather all children of God together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings (Matthew 23:37). How is the Church of which we are a part One? Only God knows. And yet, despite appearances, we cling to His Word that we, indeed, are One Church.
The second adjective used by the Nicene Creed to describe the Church of Christ is the word holy. In biblical thought, the generic sense of the word “holy” is simply “to be set apart.” We who are a part of the Church through faith in Christ are made holy by the Spirit of God, who may be thought of as the “holying” Spirit—that is, the One who sanctifies, or makes us holy. And yet, the Spirit’s work of sanctification is not relegated to individuals, as Saint Peter teaches us: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9a). It is not the individual but the collective which is described by Saint Peter as “holy.” Somehow, someway the Church of Christ is Holy. Though we are a group of poor, miserable sinners, though our sins are often more visible than our positive virtues, yet we are a “holy nation.” The sanctifying Spirit of God makes us, a rag-tag group of sinners, holy. Despite appearances, this is the truth.
By this point, you are, no doubt, beginning to notice a pattern: The Church lives by faith—not only faith in and about Jesus, but faith in and about who He has made us to be. The “oneness” and the “holiness” of the Church is not often visible to our five senses. It is as our Lord told His disciples: “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20b-21). Or, as Saint John wrote to the Church: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).
The “oneness” and the “holiness” of the Church of Christ are present realities that remain hidden to us on this side of glory. Apart from the eyes of faith, we will not see the truth of our confession that the Church of Christ is One and Holy until Christ returns and reveals it to us. Until then, the Church lives as it always has—by faith in the One who justifies sinners. For “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
Next month, we will consider the remaining two adjectives used by the Nicene Creed to describe the Church of Christ: “Christian (catholic)” and “apostolic.”
Pastor Wagner
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First Trinity Lutheran Church
Council Meeting – February 13, 2024
The meeting was called to order by President Russell Behrends at 7:30 pm. Mr. Dean Damme gave a devotion with a reading from Portals of Prayer. Nine members were present.
Ron Malchow moved to approve the minutes of December 12, 2023 meeting. Dean Damme seconded the motion and the minutes were approved. The January Council meeting was cancelled due to weather.
Ron Malchow presented the Financial Secretary Report. General income for the January General Fund was $5,927.35 with total income at $6,144.98. The Savings balance was $76,330.26.
The Treasurer Report was provided by Kyle Spilker. His report showed a 1/31/24 balance of $44,443.39. January expenses totaled $17,795.16 and income from the Financial Secretary totaled $6,144.98 The beginning balance as of 1/1/24 was $55,684.88 (Financial Reports are attached)
Dean Damme moved to approve the financial reports. The motion was seconded by James Hahn and carried.
Elders’ Report – Dean Damme
- Next month’s meeting will be held March 12, 2024 with the Elders’ Meeting at 6:30 pm and the Council Meeting at 7:30 pm. Ash Wednesday Service will be February 14th. Lenten Services will be at 7:00 pm on Wednesdays.
Pastor’s Report- Pastor Wagner - No Report.
Trustee’s Report – Jim Nelson
- Critter control has been accomplished in the church, aka bat!
- One hay bid has been received. Mowing bids are pending. Discussion centered on mowing north of the trees.
- A chunk of concrete will need replaced east of the church.
Stewardship / Board of Education Report - John Niemeier
- Not Present
Cemetery Sexton – David Faulder - No Report
Unfinished Business
- Phone Bill – Kyle Spilker spoke to Windstream about the church billings. The maintenance agreement has been taken off.
- Advertising in the Yellow Pages – Current fee is $16.00/month. Kyle Spilker moved to stop advertising in the Yellow Pages. Ron Malchow seconded the motion. The motion carried.
- Waste Connections – Current rate is $75.00/month. Kyle has checked with Waste Connections. The extra month credit for a yearly entire payment has been discontinued.
- Dean Damme stated that the Elders have reviewed their responsibilities in the handbook and encouraged the council members to review their section.
New Business
- Dean Damme moved to approve the transfer of Shirly Brown to St. Paul’s Lutheran in Beatrice. Brent Niemeier seconded the motion. The motion carried.
- Orphan Grain Train will be at First Trinity Lutheran on Sept. 1, 2024.
- Mr. Behrends read a report from the Nebraska District. Carolyn Brott is going to celebrate 40 years of Christian Ministry.
- There was discussion about using the TLH hymnal for Advent and Lenten Services during the weekdays.
A motion was made by Kyle Spilker to adjourn, seconded by Dean Damme. Motion carried. The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:13 pm.
Members present were Dave Barnard, Russell Behrends, Dean Damme, James Hahn, Dale Meyer, Jim Nelson, Ron Malchow, Brent Niemeier and Kyle Spilker.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Barnard, Secretary
Registered Visitors at First Trinity for January/February 2024
(Visitors who filled out cards.)
Jan 28 Lyle Osborn – Lenexa, KS; Rodney/Doris Lueders – Beatrice, NE; Harley Hashberger – Mankato, KS
Feb 2 Lyle Osborn – Lenexa, KS; Harley Hashberger – Mankato, KS; And a Live BAT!
Feb 11 Lauren & Carter Johnsen – Grand Island, NE; Mark Wollenburg – Milford, IA; Rodney/Doris Lueders – Beatrice, NE
Feb 18 Dianna Bannister – Omaha, NE; Lisa Bluege – Belvidere, IL; David/Denise Topp – Chattanooga, TN
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Church Offering Income for the Month of January 2024: $6,144.98.
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THOSE CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS IN THE MONTH OF MARCH
Darin Pohlmann 1 Matt Brott 12
Henry Niemeier 2 Eldean Adam 14
Brinn Remmenga 2 Megan Sothan 16
Michelle Belding 3 Lee Nickel 21
Jacob Brandt 6 Lydia Niemeier 21
Joshua Wagner 7 Grant Bennett 24
Callee Beethe 9 Victoria Barnard 25
Peter Spilker 9 DeVaynee Beethe* 28
Stacy Damme 10 Michelle Malchow 28
Zachary Eyer 11
THOSE CELEBRATING BAPTISMAL BIRTHDAYS IN THE MONTH OF MARCH
Joan Meyer 1 James Franzen 18
James Hahn 4 Jacob Brandt 19
Kolby McAllister 5 Joshua Wagner 20
Madison Cude 8 Henry Niemeier 21
Callee Beethe 10 Eldean Adam 25
Carol Cunningham 11 Matt Brott 25
Allen Pfingsten 13 Stacy Damme 26
Robin Hahn 15 Arthur Morris 29
Matthew Beethe 17 Michelle Belding 30
THOSE CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES IN THE MONTH OF MARCH
Mark/Kris McAllister 10
Randy/Jane Bartlett 21
Nathan/Tiana* Haussler 25
Henry/Joan Meyer 31