Newsletter

Trinity Tidings February – April 2026

Dear Members and Friends of Trinity,

People generally look forward to a celebration of one kind or another. Young people like to celebrate the 1^st anniversary of when they began dating someone who they love or anniversaries of marriages. We celebrate a birthday or wedding. We celebrate the New Year and keep resolutions. Luke 15:5 says, “He calls his friends and neighbors together and says, rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep!”

If your pet dog or cat ever was lost and then found, you know how thankful and happy you were when your pet was back home. It would be devastating if the poor little critter was lost forever. Recovering a lost sheep was an important event among Palestinian shepherds. More than head counts or property values were involved. At stake was a living being, a beloved lamb that the shepherd knew by name. Finding one was a time of celebration.

To be sure, there is joy in heaven over every one of Christ’s people here on earth, the 99 who remain true to their Savior. But there is also joy over one sinner who repents and returns to Christ’s church. Just as parents love their children and welcome them home again when they are away for a while, so God and the members of the Church rejoice over one “stray” who repents and returns to Christ’s Church. Many young people are free to explore and be themselves. That has always been the tendency. But many who do their exploration through life come back home to the Church.

Why is this cause for joy and celebration? It means the recovery of a human soul worth more than all the wealth of the world. Be careful not to point the finger at a friend or family member who appears to have left the faith. God’s seed was planted in their heart, and we do not know the secret thoughts of others. Some return to faith in God on their deathbed. This means the reinstatement of a person for whose redemption Jesus Christ shed His blood.

During Lent, keep yourselves and others in your prayers. God help us to retain those we have and to regain the ones conspicuous by their absence.

Yours In Christ,

Pastor Christian Bunzel

LENTEN SCHEDULE

ASH WEDNESDAY – February 18 – The church is open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for prayer and meditation.

IMPOSITION OF ASHES is at 8:00 a.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST at 5:00 p.m. with the Imposition of Ashes

PALM SUNDAY – March 29 – High Festival Eucharist 10:30 a.m.

HOLY THURSDAY EUCHARIST – April 2 – Last Supper 5:00 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – April 3 – The church is open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for prayer and meditation.

GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE SERVICE 5:00 p.m. Service of Darkness – We leave the building and parking lot in silence.

EASTER SUNDAY – April 5 – The Resurrection of Our Lord – High Festival Eucharist 10:30 a.m.

PASSED INTO LIFE – Michael Frederick Bloch (March 22, 1944 – January 7, 2026) at New Milford Hospital. Michael was a long-time faithful member of Trinity. He served on the Council, served as an Usher, Greeter, and Lay Reader, helped us with technology in our office, and was Chairman of the Annual Classic Car Show from its beginning for many years. This show began with 7 display cars and after 25 plus years had as many as 170 display cars. He and Janet were also very active in the Animal Welfare of New Milford. FUNERAL EUCHARIST is at Trinity on Saturday, April 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Interment at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the Faith.” Our deepest sympathy to his wife Janet, sister Nancy Grant, and the entire family.

MEMORIALS for Michael Bloch may be sent to:

New Milford Animal Welfare Society

Emergency Medical Fund

8 Dodd Road

New Milford, CT 06776

BIRTHDAYS – Claire Belden: February 7, 2015, Lynn Buffington: February 15, Sherry Olmsted: April 6, Patrick Delzell: April 7, Kathy Gold: April 13, Michael Gold: April 24, Mark Haglund: April 27. God’s Blessings for many happy and healthy years ahead.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – Richard and Joanne Bunzel, married April 6, 1974. Blessings upon them for continued joy, happiness, and good health!

THANK YOU

To Patrick Delzell for putting up the Advent Wreath in the Chancel. Also, for donating the beautiful Nativity Manger scene which graces the front of the Christmas tree. He adds new figurines each year. This Christmas a new Shepherd with a lamb joined the Holy Family.

To Randy Weimar, our Trustee, for his continued work in the building doing what needs to be done. He works behind the scenes and donates many fixtures, batteries for alarm systems, and restroom towel dispensers.

To Mark Haglund for putting up the Chancel Christmas tree with decorations, white lights, and love. Mark has done this for many years, with his Elf helper. Our trees are purchased from Scott’s Nursery on Route 7 in New Milford.

To Daniel Krizan for donating the Christmas tree in loving memory of his wife, Nancy Lee.

To those who served on the altar at the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on December 24^th. They were Crucifer: Nicholas Sartori, Torch Bearers: Kevin Wesaw and Vincent Wesaw, and Missal Bearer: William Wesaw. The attendance has doubled since last year!

To Roger Arguello our Treasure for his service and time spent all year. Financial statements are forthcoming. We keep him in our prayers for good health and happiness in the New Year!

2026 OFFERING ENVELOPES – are available in the Lobby. Please take your boxes of envelopes if you have not done so.

CONFIRMATION CLASS – Meets in Pastor’s Office Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

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/ or Trinity’s website.

WILDLIFE IN WINTER – February 21, 10:00 a.m. – Noon
How do animals survive during wintertime? Learn about hibernation, brumation, and more with Lori Lichtenauer, Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman. Animals find creative ways to keep warm, store, and eat food when resources are scarce. Lori will review how to identify animal tracks and other signs of wildlife in winter. Visit https://ctaudubon.org/2025/11/register-wildlife-in-winter-class-walk/ to register and learn about more programs offered (or call 860-799-4074).

GOD SENDS US HELP THAT’S RIGHT

FOR THE WHOLE JOURNEY WE’RE ON

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 the Church Mouse

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

~ 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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