Newsletter

Trinity Tidings November December 2025

Dear Members and Friends of Trinity,

Greetings in the Name of our Newborn King. This time of year whizzes by so fast that we may as well start talking about Christmas. Once Thanksgiving is finished, Christmas is here in the blink of an eye. Our entire journey through life can be quite an adventure. Some of us have traveled a few miles from birth, and some many miles. Our traveling through Advent can also be a spiritual adventure. Advent means approach or arrival. The arrival being Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The word “adventure” suggests that something exciting is about to take place.

Traditions are also a huge part of Christmas. Families all have their age-old traditions. Little children grow to love the old family traditions, and many take them along with them on their journeys through life. One tradition during the four weeks before Christmas is lighting one candle on the Advent wreath each week. Lighting candles in an Advent wreath is an ideal time to grow in faith together. Advent adventures can include signing Christmas cards and giving thanks to God for sending His Son to redeem us and make us members of His family, the Church.

This time of year, isn’t the only time that seems to whizz by. As people grow older, they often wonder, “Where did my life go to so fast?” Everyone has a different answer for that, and some don’t know where the time went. The main thing is to spend the time we have left on spiritual things. One is never too old to grow in faith. This can be an Advent for a positive spiritual change in your life. While this season is wonderful for children, Christmas can be enjoyed by everyone. Christ Jesus came into the world for all ages. He can bring joy and smiles to all Christians. You are never alone. If loved ones are no longer with you, it can bring sad moments. But be happy for them. They have completed their journey and now have received the Crown of Life. As for us, “it isn’t over until it’s over.” You have your family. Most of all you always have Jesus to go to in prayer. This is your “Holy Family.” You are never alone.

A Blessed Christmas,

Pastor Christian Bunzel

Thanksgiving Day Eucharist

Thursday, November 27 – 10:00 a.m.

ADVENT – CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT – November 30 – 10:30 a.m. Eucharist

ADVENT SERVICES – December 7, 14, and 21 – 10:30 a.m. Eucharist

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE – December 24 – 5:00 p.m. Note the change in the time of the service. This earlier worship gives families the remainder of the evening for dinner, celebration at home for a relaxing rest of the evening. Jennifer Osbourne, Soloist will be singing at the service.

CHRISTMAS DAY EUCHARIST – December 25 – 10:00 a.m. Join us to celebrate the birth of Christ on the Nativity of Our Lord.

NEW YEAR’S SERVICE – Sunday, January 4 – 10:30 a.m. Eucharist.

FUNERALS

Gary Edwards (July 28, 1960 – August 29, 2025) at Trinity Church on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The Crucifer was William Wesaw. Gary grew up in The Bronx, NY and later located in New Milford, CT “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the Faith.” Our deepest sympathy to his mother, Marie and to the entire family. Thanks to Beth for reading a lesson at the service and for writing a wonderful obituary for the service bulletin.

CHRISTENINGS – Received into the Kingdom of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism are:

Dominic Joseph DeMaria, son of Matthew and Lisa Marie (Todaro) DeMaria on November 23 at 12:00 noon at Trinity Church.

Luciano Matteo DeMaria, son of Matthew and Lisa Marie (Todaro) DeMaria on November 23 at 12:00 noon at Trinity Church.

Godparents for Dominic and Luciano: Michael DeMaria (Godfather) and Jessica Connelly (Godmother). Congratulations to the proud Parents, Grandparents, and family as Dominic and Luciano are welcomed into the Kingdom of God.

BIRTHDAYS – Martin Luther – November 10 (Wittenberg, Germany), Bruce Siana – November 6 (93 years young), Daniel Krizan – November 19 (The Big “9-0”!), Karla Buffington – December 14 living in the Land of the Pilgrims in Massachusetts. God bless Daniel who celebrates this milestone. Grant him and all Birthday celebrants’ good health, happiness, and serenity in their lives!

OUR ACOLYTES AND CRUCIFERS – serve on the altar at the Holy Eucharist faithfully. They are Ben Weimar who is also a Eucharistic Minister, Brendan Sartori, Nicholas Sartori, Markus Wesaw III, William Wesaw, and our new members of the team, Kevin Wesaw and Vincent Wesaw. They add dignity as they serve carrying the processional cross, torch bearers serve on the altar lighting and extinguishing candles, holding the missal, assisting at funerals, weddings, and assisting Pastor in general. Please receive your traditional Christmas Popcorn tins and presents on Christmas Eve. We thank them as they continue to serve in the New Year!

THANK YOUS

To our Lectors who faithfully read the Old Testament and Epistle Lessons at the services. They are Laurel Barron, Richard Brunhuber, George Folchi, Marybeth Folchi, Randy Weimar, Laura Weimar, and Joanne Wolgast. We appreciate having our members share “THE WORD OF THE LORD” with us each Sunday.

To our Parish Secretary, Cathy McGrath who works in the Office and at home helping to keep the church running smoothly. She types the weekly bulletins, newsletters, Holy Day letters, keeps track of prayer requests on the altar, helps with flower orders for Christmas and Easter, takes care of the Trinity Website, schedules readers, and so much more behind the scenes. God Bless you Cathy and your family as well, for a Blessed an healthy New Year.

To Randy Weimar, our Trustee, for maintaining the grounds and building throughout the year – from lawn care and fire alarms to window changes, restocking supplies, and generous donations. Also, to his son, Ben for helping in needed capacities throughout the year. What would we do without you, Randy and Ben?

To Chris Wharton for taking care for the outdoor gardens throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Chris is eligible to take a leave of absence during the winter. Presently she has cleared the entire back of the church, with Randy’s help. Great work!

To Daniel Krizan and his son, Glenn who cleaned up the Main Entrance Garden for winter and also cleared out much of the brush and weeds along the side of the building facing the parking lot. That was “much” work and time consuming. Thank you so much Glenn.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES – will resume in the New Year. The class meets in Pastor’s Study on Sundays at 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

THANK YOU – to the Congregation for the monetary gift for my 30^th Anniversary of Installation as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church. Especially to Laurel Barron and Cathy McGrath for coordinating, and to Sherry Olmsted for the artistic card with pictures of the church. The members signed it with love! A congratulatory letter is attached on a separate page from our Bishop of the New England District, the Reverend President Robert Beinke. Thanks to Deacon Richard Brunhuber for reading it after the service. Pastor Bunzel

AA NEW YEAR’S ALCATHON – District 11 of Connecticut AA is having this event sponsored by the AA Groups meeting at Trinity on Wednesday, December 31 from 3:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. on January 1^st. A sober New Year!

SNOW CANCELLATIONS – Tune into Channel 3 (WFSB) during inclement weather and watch for Trinity Lutheran Church New Milford. On Sunday mornings the message will say “No Services” if the 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist is cancelled. You can also access closing information on their website: https://www.wfsb.com/weather/closings/

September 2, 2025

Dear Pastor Bunzel,

Congratulations on celebrating 30 years as the Pastor of Trinity Lutheran! I would like to extend my thanks for your faithful service to the people of Trinity over the years, and even into your retirement. For a number of those years I was privileged to serve with you in the same Circuit (and I saw in your newsletter that you noted that I was present for our installation at Trinity, what a memory!) I remember those days fondly.

Members of Trinity Lutheran, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica: “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” (2 Thess. 5:12-23) It’s been a while since I have been with you, but when I was I saw your esteem for your Pastor. I also thank God for you, and for the high regard in which you hold your pastor! It is a blessing when both the Pastor and his congregation value one another highly and so serve one another gladly. In so doing we honor our Lord and serve Him.

God’s blessings in Christ be upon you, Pastor Bunzel, and upon you good people of Trinity. May He bless you richly with His Holy Spirit as you proclaim, and receive His eternal Gospel!

In Christ Jesus, our Lord,

Pastor Robert Beinke

President, New England District, LCMS

The Genesis of Trinity

In the beginning…

On June 28, 1958 the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod sent Pastor Elwood E. Mather, Jr. to investigate the possibility of establishing a congregation in New Milford. He was to become Trinity’s first Pastor. Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danbury, a mission-minded congregation where many New Milford Lutherans worshiped, gave Mather its full support in helping him gather disciples for this new venture.

In August 1958 a planning meeting was held at the old firehouse on Church Street. It was attended by about 20 people. Half of those attending were employees of Kimberly Clark and were Lutherans from Neenah, Wisconsin. They and the four out of five families from New Milford who attended Immanuel in Danbury were the nucleus of what became Trinity Lutheran Church in New Milford. Our first services were held at the VFW Hall. At this meeting the name “Trinity” was chosen as the name of this new Lutheran church. Henry Wolter served as our first President in 1958 and again in 1959 and 1964. He was a member until 1972 when he moved to Vermont, returning to Trinity in 1992 until he and his wife Bertha returned again to Vermont in 1994. His burial service was celebrated at Trinity in June of 1995. Bertha later resided at The Lutheran Home of Southbury.

Since the hall wasn’t always available on Saturday evenings, the few ladies who served as the Altar Guild often had to set up the altar for services on Sunday morning. We had a homemade altar and cross made by some of the men of the church and our first fair- linen was given to us by the Altar Guild of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bristol, Connecticut. The flowers for the altar were usually garden flowers from the members’ gardens. One week, we went into the field next to Helen Lillis’ home and picked Black-eyed Susans and Daisies for the altar since no garden flowers were available – they looked beautiful.

The first service of the new Trinity was held on September 21, 1958 at the VFW Hall on Route 202. 160 people attended and heard Pastor Mather say, in part, “This will not be a place where morality will be settled and sin left unmentioned. Nor will it be an organization that promises culture and social programs in themselves. Nor yet a social club. No, this is for all people and will be a house of God, to make men wise unto salvation through faith.”

That following Sunday, September 28, 1958 Trinity’s Sunday School was established to obey Christ’s call to “Suffer the little children to come unto me,” a tremendous outreach with the Gospel. 25 children attended. Members acted as Sunday School teachers and the Bible Class was held in the home of Cliff Heintz who lived adjacent to the VFW Hall. This day also saw another Trinity first, the Baptism of Patrick Wayne Sharkey.

Pastor Mather would drive around New Milford during the week, especially on Monday mornings which was wash day, and where he saw children’s clothes on the line (this was before most people had dryers), he stopped in and asked about their church affiliation and invited the children to Sunday School. If no car was available, he arranged for one of the members to pick up the children. Practically everyone who had a car was picking up children each Sunday.

111 people attended Trinity’s first Thanksgiving service held on November 27, 1958.

In 1958, when George Pratt, Jr. made the land where our church presently stands available to us, we were all enthused and ready to buy it; however, no money was available in the treasury. Reverend Bernard Jansen of Immanuel in Danbury visited some members in New Milford and through his efforts two of our families loaned the money to our church to buy the property. They took the money from their savings accounts and loaned it to the church interest free. So we now owned a piece of property – thanks to them.

On December 12, 1958 the Building Committee completed the purchase of the 4.843 acre “Old Fairgrounds,” where our church building now stands for a total cost of $14,800.

On February 7, 1959 Trinity’s Mary-Martha Society was formed. We met in the various homes of the ladies. We were always involved in a project to help the church – sales, suppers, etc.

Charter membership was celebrated on May 24, 1959 when 104 members gathered together to sign the charter. Among those who signed that document of faith were Evelyn Buss, Reinhard Cushman, Ella Cushman, Elizabeth Hipp, Emma Krenkcl, and Martin Ruopp.

One week later, on May 31, 1959, the first Communion service was celebrated at Trinity.

On September 17, 1959 the first choir rehearsal was held using a newly-purchased used piano. Rehearsals were held in the home of Helen Hargrave, on Mountain View Terrace, who was Organist and Choir Director at that time. It was reported that they “made a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

The six young people of Trinity’s first Confirmation class was received into membership on April 10, 1960.

Pastor Mather was installed as Trinity’s first Pastor at a service held at John Pettibone School on May 1, 1960. Members and guests from Bridgeport, Danbury, Bethel, and Trumbull, Connecticut and Walden and Jamaica, New York totaled 325.

In January 1961 a Voters Assembly of Trinity voted to become self-supporting, thereby eliminating Synod subsidy.

The membership had outgrown the VFW Hall so on February 1,1961 Sunday services were moved to the Matichewan Grange Hall on Route 7. We also needed additional Sunday School space. Bible class was held in the Grange kitchen, near the ever-present coffee pot. We now could prepare the hall on Saturday evenings for our Sunday services, except when they had a Saturday event. We also held potluck suppers there.

A junior choir was started soon after moving to the Grange Hall. To make choir robes for them was quite a project for the ladies of the church. We all brought white bed sheets from our homes and cut out the robes and sewed them. Ev Buss’ mother, Mrs. Korth, who was visiting from Neenah, Wisconsin, was a great help in directing the project. The robes with their red bows looked quite nice and the children loved them.

Pastor Mather held his Confirmation instruction classes in the house of Helen Lillis, whose son, Richard was in the class. This first class also included Anthony Larson, Bruce Breening, Elizabeth and Susan Piliero, and Michael Steinmann.

A building program drive kick-off dinner was held at the VFW Hall on March 12, 1961. The motto of the building fund campaign was “Remember There Is No Burden if Everybody Lifts!”

Thirteen months later, on Palm Sunday, April 15, 1962 the official ground-breaking festivities were held. Pastor Mather led the service and First Selectman Russell Carlson attended. Although the skies were threatening, the Lord held off the rain, a sign that Trinity would persevere. Others involved in the ground breaking included the Cushmans, Reinhard and Ella, and Martin Ruopp.

On May 9, 1962 the Building Committee met to open bids for construction of the church building. A standing vote for continuation of the building program was unanimous. Excavation work was begun on August 24, 1962. The total cost eventually came to approximately $130,000.

The first church picnic was held at the Hipp Farm with picnic lunches while sitting under the large maple trees on the lawn, followed by games and contests for all.

Trinity’s first Vacation Bible School was formed in the summer of 1962 and held at John Pettibone School. The staff totaled 21; 139 children of members and 58 non-members attended for an overwhelming response of 197 children – a sign that Trinity was meeting a need for this outreach.

The Cornerstone Laying Ceremony was held on October 28, 1962. Over 200 watched as Pastor Mather put it into place and President Reinhard Cushman placed the first concrete. William Buss and the newly confirmed (that day) Confirmation Class also placed concrete. The building of Trinity’s own house of worship had begun.

When construction of our church building began, we all had to be available for various jobs to be done. Mr. Karl Kuehn, one of our oldest members, who was also retired, headed up the work force that gave the ceiling boards the first coat of stain. We saved quite a bit of money doing this. During the daytime the mothers came to the church equipped with bags of rags and rubber gloves and under Mr. Kuehn’s direction, we stained the boards. Meanwhile, the children would play on the church grounds. Mr. Kuehn would come each day with his sandwich lunch and stayed all day to direct the work. In the evenings, when the men finished work, they would take over the job. We all took pride in being able to look up at the ceiling of our completed church and to know that we had personally had a part in preparing the Lord’s House.

On March 28, 1963 more than 500 parishioners and guests attended the dedication of Trinity’s new house of worship. Church officers Martin Ruopp, Reinhard Cushman, William Hipp, Clarence Buss, Fred Christensen, and Mary Martha Society officers Elizabeth Hipp and Evelyn Buss attended and heard Pastor Mather pray “God, make the door of this building we have raised to Thee wide enough to receive all who need human love, divine love, fellowship, and our Savior’s care. Make the door of this house the gateway to Thy eternal Kingdom.” Later Pastor Mather went on to say, “This new church which today we dedicate to the uplifting of Jesus and to the glory of God has been realized through the faith, vision, and stewardship of many people…Our purpose is to strive for unity of spirit and a sense of devotion to God’s word…Savior, I follow on guided by Thee.”

Less than one year after the dedication of the new church building. Pastor Mather left Trinity; on May 24, 1964 he was installed as the Pastor of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pine Island, New York.

Later that year, on October 4,1964 the Reverend Robert E. Wolter, coming from Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Bordentown, New Jersey, was installed as Trinity’s second Pastor. (He was the nephew of member Henry Wolter, a cousin to Rep. Jeanne Garvey.)

On April 26, 1967 a building debt retirement pledge drive was organized. On June 12, 1967 the Council voted to give women the right to vote on church matters. Trinity joined the New Milford Christian Unity program in November of 1967.

Len Franck wrote The Genesis of Trinity in 1995 with the help of Elizabeth Hipp.

Thoughts From A Church Mouse

God’s Office Hours

The doctor is in. Back in 5 minutes. Gone fishing. Closed for the season. We’re all familiar with signs such as these and many others telling us when we can be accommodated. We often have to plan our lives around these signs . . . how many times have we gone to a story, movie, restaurant, or gas station and a sign there telling us we’re too early or too late to do business?

Try bringing an appliance in for a repair or seeing a lawyer and you find that there is a minimum charge . . . payable in ADVANCE! Go to a Deli counter or a bakery and you’re told to “take a number.” Those of you who remember the oil crunch of the mid-70’s can recall being able to purchase gasoline only on alternate days, according to whether their license number was odd or even.

What if God had office hours? Just think of it . . . either pray between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, or forget about it! Personal problems are only heard on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a special on marital problems the third Tuesday of the month. Problems concerning health are handled on every other Thursday. Have a problem on a Sunday? Sorry, try again another day, that’s His day off and He’s watching a football game on TV!

There is only one “business” that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 52 weeks a year, with no waiting . . . ever. The proprietor is God; He’s always on the job and available. And He doesn’t even require that you get in line or take a number. Talking to God can take many forms: prayer, worship, Bible study, grace, or just saying “thank you” when you see the sun rise or set, a newborn baby, or the smile on your child’s face.

Take advantage of God’s office hours: He’s a good listener. The rules are simple . . . there are none. No minimum or advance fees, in fact no fees at all! God is always in. He doesn’t take days off or go away on vacation. Remember, God is always in, and there’s never any waiting.

~ Martin

God Sends Us Help

Not too long ago I overheard someone telling a story. It seems that there was a very devout man who lived in a small cabin by a river and there came a time when it rained and rained. After about a week of rain, the river began to rise and approach the cabin and a State Trooper came by to warn the man that he was in danger from an impending flood and then offered to take him to safety. The man replied, “No, I’m putting my faith in God, He’ll take care of me.” It kept raining and after another week the waters rose above the first floor of the cabin and a man in a canoe came by offering to take the man to safety. Again, the man replied, “No, I’m putting my faith in God, He’ll take care of me.” It continued to rain steadily and after another week, the river rose above the second story forcing the man onto the roof. As he sat there he heard the noise of a helicopter hovering over him. The pilot called out that the dam was about to burst setting loose a torrential flood that would sweep away everything in its path and offered to take the man to safety. The man replied – you guessed it, “No, I’m putting my faith in God, He’ll take care of me.” Welllll, the dam burst and the raging flood swept away the cabin, killing the man. When the man got to Heaven and saw St. Peter, he demanded to see God. St. Peter wasn’t used to this sort of demand, but, since the man had led a very good and devout life, he took the man to see God. When God saw the man He asked him, “What’s the problem?” The man replied, “How could You let this happen to me, I put my faith in You and You just left me alone there to die?” God replied, “Why did you ignore the State Trooper, the canoe, and the helicopter I sent to you?” That’s a funny story and you all know how I like to share stories like that, though after thinking about it for a bit, I realized there’s more to that story than just a chuckle. How often do we approach God with our own ideas about what’s best for us and not see the help He’s continually sending us? If we listen and look hard enough, we’ll see that He answers our prayers but not always in the manner we expect, want, or order up. Remember, life is not a sprint, it’s a looooong marathon and God sends us help that’s right for the whole journey we’re on. So don’t look for that sudden thunderbolt from Him to solve our problems and thus pass up the opportunities he sends our way.

~ Martin

Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven;

give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those

who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom

and the power and the glory

forever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:9-13

The Serenity Prayer

GOD, grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change,

Courage to change the
things I can, and the
wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as the
pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this
sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make
all things right if I
surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy
in this life, and supremely
happy with Him forever in
the next. Amen.

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to

eternal life.

A Prayer for Animals

O God, you created all living things on the face of the earth and gave us dominion over them: Grant that we may be faithful to this trust in the way we treat all animals, both wild and tame. Teach us to admire their beauty and to delight in their cunning; to respect their strength and to wonder at their intelligence. Grant that our use of them may be both merciful and wise. So may we lend our voice to their praise of your goodness, which endures for ever.

The Pastor’s Prayer Book

by Robert N. Rodenmayer

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