SERVING IN SEPTEMBER!
Elder: Paul Haselhuhn
Altar Guild: Wendy Peffers, Pastor Picard
LWML: April Verwers, Peggy White
Ushers: Sat. – Usher needed
Sun. – Randy Emal, 2nd usher needed
ALTAR FLOWERS FOR SEPTEMBER
Sept. 7: Jennie Just-Lightfoot in honor of the birthdays of her great-grandchildren
Sept. 14: Bill Caughey in honor of the birthdays of his children, Chris and Katie
Sept. 21: Steve Boles in loving memory of his wife, Terri, on their anniversary (9/17/88)
Sept. 28: David Thomas & Katie Snow in honor of their 39th wedding anniversary on
September 26
BLOOD DRIVE
Trinity’s final blood drive of 2025 will be held on Monday, September 29 from 2-7pm. You are eligible to donate if you last donated on or before August 4 (our previous blood drive), are at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in general good health. Sign-up sheets are posted. Please join us and share the gift of life!
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every
experience in which you really look fear in the face…
You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
– Eleanor Roosevelt
THIS & THAT
PLEASE ADD office@trinityknoxville.org to your contact list.
PELLA BIBLE STUDY will meet at 10:30am on September 8 & 22 at 1108 Washington Street in Pella. Everyone is welcome!
MID-WEEK Bible Study is held each Wednesday at 10:00am. Please join us as we study the Scripture readings for the upcoming weekend.
TO PAY FOR a week of lawn mowing, make your $50 check (please write a separate check) payable to Trinity Lutheran Church, note that it is for mowing, and place it in the offering plate. Thank you!
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE a larger-print email bulletin, please contact Cindy in the church office. Thank you.
MORE VOLUNTEERS are needed to clean portions of the church each week. A sign-up sheet is posted. Thank you!
STREAMING OF the 10:30am Sunday morning Divine Service begins at 10:25am. You can watch on our website ~ trinityknoxville.org; follow the link on the church’s Facebook page; or on our YouTube channel: Trinity Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Iowa.
ON THE FIRST Sunday of each month, drop your spare change into the large LWML Mite Box on the piano. Thank you!
COOKING FOR A CAUSE, First United Methodist Church’s free sit-down meal, is now being offered twice each month! This month it will be held on Wednesday, September 3 (goulash, vegetable, roll & drink) & 24 (spaghetti casserole, garlic bread, lettuce salad, cookie & drink) from 5:00-6:30pm. The full schedule, including menus, is posted on the bulletin board. Everyone is welcome to join them for food & fellowship!
Special Dates
- Labor Day, September 1, 2025
- National Grandparents Day, September 7, 2025
- Patriot Day, September 11, 2025
- Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, 2025
- First Day of Autumn, September 22, 2025
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1) Olivia McKay 8) Carsyn Kingery
Donna Schrader 10) Bev Hammann
2) Emma Tabbert 14) Rita Antolik
3) Noelle Roby 16) LouAnn Perkins
6) Dan Just 18) Eric Bell
7) Sue Boyer 24) Molly Devin
Ethan Tabbert Vonnie Struecker
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
1) Neil & Sarah Willoughby ‘07
6) Rodger & Lisa Dop ‘74
14) Nick & Jaime Haselhuhn ‘24
15) Jerry & Christina Roby ‘01
20) John & Carolyn Greatbatch ‘80
21) Alex & Brittany Willoughby ‘19
22) Randy & Sheryl Chambers ‘73
22) Jeremy & Sierra Harvey ‘12
22) Paul & Deb Haselhuhn ‘90
23) Warren & Sandy Winkel ‘61
26) David Thomas & Katie Snow ‘86
The Gift of Music
I wish to see all arts, principally music, in the service of Him who gave and created them.
Music is a fair and glorious gift from God. I would not forego my humble share of music. Singers are never sorrowful, but are merry, and they smile through their troubles in song.
Music makes people kinder, gentler, more staid and reasonable. I am persuaded that after theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of heart … the devil flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the Word of God.
—Martin Luther
WITH OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
We remember in our prayers: Mothers bearing children; the well-being of homes & families; military families; Our sympathy to Deb Faas on the death of her sister, Elaine Faas; Susan Bacon, Linda Haselhuhn, Doug & Marylou Nolte, Ron Wauters, Tammy Mahrt, Makayla Bell, Mary Meyer, Doyle Schrader, Diane Jensen, Rodger Dop, Lois Mick, Gautham Meka, Richard Lienemann, Bob Caswell, Karen Schwanebeck, David Kline, Bryson & Willow Lefler, Ted Snow, David Stephens, and Camden Underwood. Please keep us updated! Thank you.
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY to Peggy White & family at the death of her husband, Karl, who passed away in his sleep early Monday morning, July 28, at the age of 71. His funeral was held at Trinity on Saturday, August 16. Karl & Peggy have been Trinity members since 2012.
OUR SYMPATHY TO Tom Lundeen & family at the death of his sister, Terri Avilla, who passed away on Friday, August 22 at the age of 59. Her funeral was held Wednesday, August 27 in Melcher.
OUR SYMPATHY is also extended to Rory & Jen Worthington & family on the death of Rory’s mother, Carol Worthington, who passed away on Sunday, August 10 at the age of 91. Services will be held at a later date.
CONGRATULATIONS TO Amie & Zach Van Der Hart of Des Moines on the birth of a baby girl, Amelia Ray, who was born on Tuesday, August 19. She weighed 8 lb. 8 oz. and was 19” long. Amelia is the granddaughter of Michele Nichols and great-granddaughter of Roger & Cindy Todd.
CONGRATULATIONS TO Dave Thomas & Katie Snow on the birth of great-grandson Levi Joseph Meyer, born on Friday, August 22 to Jon & Jana Meyer of Johnston. Levi weighed 9 lb. 6 oz. and was 21½” long.
CONGRATULATIONS TO April Verwers on the birth of her first great-grandchild! Colter Bailey Jahner was born Tuesday, August 5 to Chandler & Ashland Jahner of Pella. Colter weighed 8 lb. 3 oz. and was 20¼” long.
AT A PRIVATE Confirmation service on Friday, August 22, Jaime Haselhuhn, wife of Nick, became a communicant member of Trinity. Welcome to the Trinity family, Jaime!
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
OUR FINANCE$ AT A GLANCE
2025 Budget weekly budget amount: $4,817.44
July 26 & 27: $ 3,257.00
August 2 & 3: $ 7,357.00
August 9 & 10: $ 3,896.00
August 16 & 17: $ 3,182.00
August 23 & 24: $ 4,600.00
Lawn Mowing: $ 300.00
TOTAL: $22,592.00
5-week budget amount: $24,087.20
Budget shortfall this month $1,495.20
Budget overage year-to-date $8,471.67
Non-Budget: Donation to Youth Group $200.00
Karl White Memorial $115.00
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES
In addition to being overwhelmed with feelings of sad- ness and hopelessness, another sign of depression is distorted thinking. This may include: overgeneralizing – after one thing goes wrong, thinking, “Things NEVER go right for me;” exaggerated responsibility for others – “Why aren’t you happy? It must be because of something I did or didn’t do;” and negative self-labeling – “I didn’t get up in time to exercise today – I’m lazy and a failure.” Left unchallenged, distorted messages only deepen the despair. Depression is not a lack of faith or a character flaw, but a serious illness which when left untreated can destroy a life, a marriage and a family. It is treatable and you can feel better. See your medical doctor and remember that your pastor and Lutheran Family Service counselors, who share your faith in our God who keeps His promises, can help. www.lfs.org
Christian Symbol: BURNING BUSH — In Exodus 3, God speaks to Moses from a bush that is burning but not consumed. When Moses asks what he should say if the Egyptians question who sent him to lead the Israelites out of slavery, God states, “I AM WHO I AM.” Centuries later, when people wonder who Jesus is, his answers hint at his divinity: “I AM the light of the world; I AM the good shepherd; I AM the bread of life” and, perhaps most profoundly, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). On Pentecost, God’s Holy Spirit comes upon the apostles as fire. Thus the burning bush is a powerful symbol of God’s presence echoed through time.
FALL ACTIVITIES AT TRINITY
Sunday Schedule: Our last 9:30am Sunday service will be on August 31. On September 7 we will resume our school-year schedule of Sunday school for all ages beginning at 9:15 and Divine Service beginning at 10:30am.
Trinity Altar Guild will resume their monthly meetings on Tuesday, September 2 at 10:00am. This month’s hosts are Wendy Peffers and Pastor Picard. We will continue our study of obscure stories & people in the Bible. If you are interested in serving the Lord by being a member of the Altar Guild, please contact Deb Lefler or just come to a meeting. (You do not need to attend meetings to be a member.)
Trinity Choir will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, September 3 at 5:00pm. We are in need of more voices, so if you’ve ever thought about joining the choir, now is the perfect time!
Sunday school classes for all ages will begin on Rally Day, Sunday, September 7, from 9:15-10:15am. Pastor Picard will lead the adult class in the fellowship hall. Sunday school classes for ages 2 & up will be held in the downstairs classrooms.
Trinity LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) will meet on Wednesday, September 10 at 6:00pm, with hostesses April Verwers and Peggy White. Peggy Wagner will have the program. All ladies of the congregation are encouraged to join the LWML.
Trinity’s Elders will meet at 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 10.
Three lessons for Christians to learn
Words spoken quickly in anger are not likely to be forgotten quickly. Heartaches do not disappear in an instant.
No matter how one is raised by parents, one’s own foolish deeds are ultimately one’s own responsibility.
It is never too late to begin to grow closer to God, nor is it ever too late to show both justice and love to others.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR
“The Lutheran Hour” can be heard on radio station WHO, am1040, each Sunday morning at 7:30am. Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler will present all of the messages in September.
September 7: “Dying, We Live” Numbers 14:19-20
God’s love finds His people in the wilderness, the place where God gives bread from heaven, water from a rock, and streams in the desert.
September 14: “It’s All on God; It’s All on Us” Deut. 1:31
A paradox doesn’t make sense, mathematically. But it can be an accurate description of real-life experience.
September 21: “Someone Worth Having” Numbers 6:27
We lost God’s name along the way, but God found us and gave us the Name by which we can know Him: Jesus–“God saves.”
September 28: “On the Way, Already Home” Numbers 9:18
God made us to move – toward Him in faith and toward our neighbor in love.
A Prayer for Autumn’s Arrival
Lord of all seasons,
As the leaves change and the days grow cooler,
help me embrace the rhythm of your creation.
Teach me to let go of what I no longer need
and to trust your timing in every part of life.
Thank you for the beauty of autumn—
for crisp mornings, golden trees, and the promise of harvest.
May this season deepen my gratitude,
renew my spirit,
and draw me closer to your heart.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Happiness is found along the way,
not at the end of the road.
FALL RALLY
All ladies of Trinity are cordially invited to attend the Marshalltown Zone LWML Fall Rally here at Trinity on Saturday, September 20. The theme of the day is based on Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The day will begin at 9:00am, with coffee & donuts, and will include a devotion and Bible study, and a presentation on Orphan Grain Train by guest speaker Dwayne Dierschow. The day will conclude with a lasagna luncheon at noon, and attendees assembling personal care kits for Orphan Grain Train.
If you would like to contribute items for the care kits, please bring them to the church prior to the rally: towels, washcloths, bars of soap, soap boxes, toothbrushes, Band-Aids, nail clippers, packs of tissues, and combs. All leftover items will be given to Orphan Grain Train.
Trinity LWML would like to thank Thrivent Financial and the Thrivent members who applied for and received Thrivent funding which will be used to purchase extra items for the care kits, as well as funding to be used for the rally breakfast and luncheon.
HEARTFELT THANKS
THANK YOU to everyone who supported the LWML rummage sale by donating items, working, cleaning up, or shopping at the sale! We made a total of $1,402, which will be used for various mission projects.
THANK YOU to all who participated in our August 4 blood drive! We were able to collect 33 units of whole blood, 1 platelet, and 1 double-red. Special thanks to LouAnn Perkins for the refreshments, and to those who helped serve & clean up: Deb Lefler, Brooklynn Lundeen, and Roger & Cindy Todd.
TRINITY CHURCH FAMILY, Thank you for the Bible verse keychain. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing church family. Thank you for the many ways you have shown me love & support through the years. I am very excited for this next chapter! Love, Makayla Bell
THANK YOU to our church family for all the cards & prayers we’ve been receiving. They are very much appreciated.~ Ron & Cherie Wauters
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped deliver Meals on Wheels in August: Jennie Just-Lightfoot, William Johnson, April Verwers, Holt & Blythe Link, Linda Shinn, Darcee Ayers, Katie Snow, Roger & Cindy Todd, Cherol Hamler, and Jayde Kreimeyer.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for letting us use the fellowship hall for my graduation party. Thank you, Hannah White
I WOULD LIKE to say thank you to all of you for sending cards, giving donations, said prayers for myself and our family after Karl’s sudden passing. I appreciate all the kindness, words of comfort, and your love for myself and our family. Thank you to everyone who helped serve or brought food for his memorial – he was smiling down from Heaven. Thank you Pastor for your comforting words. Sincerely, Peggy White
HELLO TRINITY LUTHERAN, My husband and I visited your town for the Knoxville Nationals and we just wanted to say thank you for your hospitality! We enjoyed pastries and beef jerky in Pella and talked to people from as far away as New Zealand. The Nationals are special to us and so is your corner of the world! Thank you again,
~ Jeremy and Cyndy Lawson, Noblesville, Indiana
Dear Women of the Altar Guild & LWML at Trinity Lutheran, Knoxville,
At the conclusion of this past school year, we received a donation from Trinity’s Altar Guild & LWML groups from a soup supper you hosted for your congregation with a designation to go toward our new sanctuary furnishings. Thank you so much for your generous gift. It is a blessing to have students like Taryn Peffers in our student fellowship while she is on campus and an added blessing to now have this connection with her home congregation. Taryn was part of a group of students that began working toward updating the furnishings in the Chapel’s sanctuary. The Chapel building itself was renovated in 2019, but since then the sanctuary has been furnished with a folding table as an altar and really nothing else. The students did a wonderful job engaging in Bible Study, visiting local LCMS churches to see and ask questions about their worship spaces, and then reflecting on the opportunities we have in our own space at the Chapel. We were able to purchase a new altar and dedicate it for use before the end of the school year. The students have really seemed to appreciate the upgrade but there is much more work to be done in terms of adding color and meaning to the space. Your gift will be used toward these ends as we continue to furnish the space in a way that helps us reflect on and rejoice in God’s gifts for us in Jesus. I will be sure to share how this effort continues to unfold during the coming year.
We are already excited to welcome new students to campus and to the Chapel this fall. We are so grateful for your support of the Chapel ministry. In fact, this summer, we have been blessed beyond measure as a recipient of the Gifts from the Heart aspect of the LWML National Convention. We received items to stock our kitchen, games, resources like Bibles, Catechisms, and prayer books to give out to students. We ended up with a whole office filled wall to wall and as good as floor to ceiling with Amazon boxes. The Gifts from the Heart blessings included many gift cards and specifically gift cards that have already helped us buy a new mower for the Chapel with a new grill and a new dishwasher soon to follow.
May God continue to bless you for your service to the Church locally, across the Midwest region and nation, and all around the world.
God’s peace and joy,
Pastor Mike Giddings on behalf of the University Lutheran Chapel – Lincoln, NE – A student-led ministry connecting students to Jesus
Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.” Stanislaw Jerzy Lec