Ya’ Know?
Ya’ Know?
What do you know? I bet you know a lot. Ask the students of our school, and many of them will say that they know “everything”! Just ask them!
There’s something that God wants you to know, but you won’t be able to know it completely on this side of heaven. He wants you to be rooted and grounded in Jesus’ love, so that you can comprehend the immensity of that love. And get this: He wants you to “know the love that surpasses knowledge.” That sounds like we will be constantly learning more of Jesus’ love each day of our lives. And how do we do that? We need to be in the Word of God and in His House. And even then, we will not completely know the love of Christ until we get to heaven. That’s what God wants for each and every one of us.
As we conclude this school year, here are some special words of St. Paul from Ephesians chapter 3.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Lost and Found
Trinity Lutheran School – Making Known the Love of Christ
The Lost are Found
Have you ever been lost? You may have panicked. You may have been confident in your own ability to become “un-lost.” You may have asked someone for help. You just needed someone to find you!
The children of Trinity Lutheran School are lost, just as you and I are lost in our sin. Each child daily turns away from God to follow his own way. So do you and I. That’s our sinful condition. We won’t be free from this condition until we are in heaven. Daily we need someone to find us. That person is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His love “searches” for us even if we do not want to be found. (Think of Adam and Eve hiding in the Garden of Eden after their fall into sin. Genesis 3) At times, the guilt of our sin causes us to doubt the Father’s love for us in Jesus. (Think of the guilt of the prodigal son as he returned to his father to ask to ask to be the father’s servant rather than a son. Luke 15) In both of the above stories, which I encourage you to read again, the humans felt that there was no amount of love that would allow them to be accepted. They felt that their sin was so large that they could not receive and did not deserve love and forgiveness. But God’s love broke through those feelings, tore down those barriers, led them to repentance, and graciously gave them His comforting love. God’s love was made known to them! That same, amazing love is made known to us as well. Praise God!
In another story from Luke 15, Jesus tells of a shepherd that lovingly searches for a lost sheep until he finds it. When the children of Trinity Lutheran School are “lost’ in sin, Jesus finds them, just as the shepherd does in this story. And, just as the shepherd rejoices in finding the lost sheep, Jesus and all of heaven rejoice in the finding of sinners and in their repentance. Isn’t that amazing! The Pharisees of Luke 15 grumbled and said of Jesus, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” We can be truly thankful that He receives us sinners. He rejoices when we are “found.”
The children at Trinity Lutheran School regularly hear these precious stories of God’s love. In this way the children are assured that Jesus truly loves them, wipes away their sins, and rejoices that they will be with Him forever in heaven.
Thank you for Making Known the Love of Christ to the children of Trinity Lutheran School this past year.
Mr. Becker
Thankful for Teachers
Trinity Lutheran School – Making Known the Love of Christ
Thankful for Teachers
Take a moment to think about your favorite teachers from all levels of your formal education. Also, think about the teachers you did not fully appreciate until years after you left their classrooms. Those were some special people, weren’t they? They taught you, scolded you, encouraged you, and loved you. Smile as you think about how they helped you to be the person you are today. Say a prayer thanking God for these special mentors that He placed in your life.
The teachers at Trinity Lutheran School also are some very special people. Trinity’s teachers devote much time to planning lessons and activities that will help students to learn. They often go to bed thinking about what they can do to help their students.
They often wake up excited about the new learning that will take place that day in their classrooms. Even on vacations, they are thinking, “Here’s something I can teach to my students.” These teachers care not only for the academic growth of the child, but also for the child’s spiritual, emotional, and behavioral growth. They pray for God’s wisdom as they guide these precious children. These teachers will be the first to admit that they are not perfect. They make mistakes and are sinners just like the rest of us. When they do fall short, they confidently go to our Heavenly Father asking for the forgiveness that Jesus won for them on the cross. Going forth with peace and joy, they make known this same love of Christ to the students that they face every day.
May 3-9 2009 is Teacher Appreciation Week. Take this opportunity to thank all the teachers in your life, especially Trinity’s teachers who are listed on PAGE ??. A note, phone call, email, or pat on the back will let them know that you value their contribution to your life and the lives of today’s students. Thank them for ”investing” in lives that will touch the world with the love of Christ.
Trinity’s teachers are “Making Known the Love of Christ.”
Mr. Becker
My Savior’s Love to Me
Dear Parent,
Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. This is a time to remember and give thanks to God for His great love shown to us sinners in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We deserve punishment and death for our sins. Yet, Jesus humbly accepted the pain, torture, suffering, and death that we deserved. Jesus is love. He makes us lovely. We will fill our days with praise for His love made known in us.
The following verses from Samuel Crossman’s hymn, “My Song is Love Unknown”, capture these thoughts so beautifully.
My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me,
Love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
Here might I stay and sing, no story so divine!
Never was love, dear King, never was grief like Thine.
This is my friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend!
Please meditate on these words as we enter Holy Week. The Lord invites you to His House. Accept His loving invitation.
Mr. Becker
A Day in the Life of . . .
Trinity Lutheran School – Making Known the Love of Christ
A Day in the Life of . . .
Think of a normal day in your life. Yes, I know, we don’t have many normal days, but choose the most normal day you’ve had recently. Now, let’s compare your day with a normal day in the life of a student at Trinity Lutheran School. The workday (school day) is as follows:
· The supervisor (teacher) prays for wisdom and guidance (from the Master Teacher) as she prepares for the tasks to be accomplished with the workers (students).
· The workday begins in prayer with all coworkers and supervisors.
· The team of workers in each room studies the Word of God, and opportunities are provided to make life applications.
· Workers encourage a fellow worker and remind him of the great love that Jesus has for him.
· Tasks are completed and lessons are learned which prepare the worker for life outside the company (school).
· The worker provides willing and selfless help for another coworker who is in need.
· The whole company of believers join on Wednesdays for a Chapel Service.
· Workers join in prayers before and after lunch to the Provider (Our Father) of daily bread.
· A conflict between coworkers is settled with the assistance of a supervisor through the proper use of Law and Gospel. Forgiveness is requested, and forgiveness is willingly given.
· The workday ends with the workers joining to share their prayer requests. One worker then incorporates the requests into a closing prayer.
As you can see, Trinity’s students are extremely blessed as they go to work, I mean school, every day. As they move through their learning activities (reading, math, English, social studies, science, music, foreign languages, spelling, handwriting, p.e., and art), they are surrounded by the Word of God and with people who willingly share the love of Christ. During the 180 days of the school year these students are receiving valuable spiritual training that will prepare them well for a life of service to their neighbors and the world. Thank you, Trinity, for providing a church and school for the families and children of Sheboygan. Parents, thank you for nurturing faith in your children. Praise be to God for His all-embracing love that He shows so wonderfully to the children at Trinity as He trains them for lives which will make known the love of Christ.
Mr. Becker
Jump Rope for Heart
Thank you!
Trinity’s students and families did a fantastic job of raising funds for the American Heart Association through Jump Rope For Heart. Over $1900 was collected and will be used for research and education regarding healthy hearts and bodies. Let’s continue to encourage and practice a healthy lifestyle within our families. At Trinity, we are not only concerned about our physical hearts but also our spiritual hearts. These hearts are infected with the disease of sin. Only the blood of Jesus can heal those hearts. Psalm 51:10 leads us to pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” The life-saving faith that lives within our hearts guarantees that we will live forever. Let’s continue to encourage and practice that healthy lifestyle within our families, as well. See you in Church and Bible Class!
Why Choose Trinity Lutheran School?
Trinity Lutheran School – Making Known the Love of Christ
Why should children attend Trinity Lutheran School? Recently, I asked Trinity’s 5th-7th graders what they would say. This is what they wrote:
· We have teachers who give your child extra help they need. We have English, math, social studies, computers, gym, foreign languages, literature, spelling, science, and religion. We pray before and after lunch and at the beginning and end of the day.Are you looking for a great Christian school for your children? Trinity is a great place for your children. We offer extracurricular activities like basketball, volleyball, and track and field. Scholastic Olympics is available for 5th-8th grade, and 6th-8th grade are offered the chance to be in National Junior Honor Society, student council, and Yearbook Committee. A spring play is also done. And this is just a taste of how much you can do!
· The reason you should send your child to Trinity Lutheran School is because here we learn about God’s Word. Trinity has really nice teachers.
· The teachers here are really great, very intelligent. Please consider sending your children here.
· Trinity is a super school. Our 7/8 girls’ basketball team won the sportsmanship trophy in a tournament. We also took third place in the tournament. You get a lot of opportunities to ask questions of the teachers. You can come in early or stay after school to get some help on homework. So, come to Trinity for a visit and see what we have to offer.
· The education here is phenomenal. The teachers are very nice.
· At Trinity we teach about Jesus! The teachers at Trinity are really super fun!
· Here are some reasons why you should come to Trinity: a great education, great teachers, and a good food program.
· Trinity Lutheran School is a great place. The teachers are kind and supportive, and willing to help you to learn in any subject. I always feel safe. I know almost everyone in the building – an advantage of being in a small school.
· The upper grades go to fun servant events.
· Trinity is a great place to go to school because the teachers are caring of their students. I love learning about God and hearing the stories my teachers have to share.
· In he morning we include a prayer an dour pledges. Before we eat we pray and wend school with prayer. This is a very good Christian environment for your children.
· I am a student at Trinity, and I am so glad my parents decided to send me here. One of the greatest qualities in this school is that we can pray at any time of day. We are able to learn about our God saves us from our sin. We have a religion class every day and have chapel once a week.
· Our school has a great atmosphere for learning many things about God and doing things for others.
· I am a student at Trinity Lutheran School and a member at our church. I like being around the teachers and students who care about me and tell me more about God. I like to come to school every morning and coming in to a classroom full of great stories about God in religion class. We have 3K to 8th grade. This year we have made great changes like adding the Ministry Center where we have child care. I hope these reasons have encouraged you to come to our school.
· You should come to our school because we have cool computers. Our teachers are smart.
· Reasons why your children should go to Trinity: good place to learn and make friends, friendly teachers who make learning fun, and the teachers care about children.
· We have great teachers, really good extracurricular activities, and we teach Christian values everyday. Your children will quickly make new friends and they can get help from the teachers with homework.
· We have an awesome camp we go to in grades 4-6. The students here at Trinity are very nice and caring. My favorite part of Trinity is learning about God. Our teachers help and teach you a lot.
· I am a student at Trinity Lutheran School, and it would be great if you could send your child to Trinity. We learn about Jesus and have a great education. At Camp Matawa we have a lot of fun. We get to stay in a cabin for 2 nights. We play games like kickball, volleyball, basketball, capture the flag and relay races. Trinity Lutheran school is a great place to learn, love, and grow in faith.
· We offer a great, Christian education. Your child will have loads of fun in any grade.
· The reason why you should send you children to Trinity Lutheran School is because it has good teachers.
· You should send you children to Trinity Lutheran School because we learn about Jesus Christ, the children and teachers are all very nice, and we get to participate in the spelling and geography bees.
· Trinity has 3K to grade 8 so that you don’t have to switch schools.
· It is easy to make new friends because others include everyone.
· I think you should send your children to Trinity because we get to read the Bible every single day.
· Trinity is a great place to grow in Christ’s love and to learn more about it.
· Jesus is a big part of my life and going to Trinity keeps building my faith.
· I believe that the main importance of sending your children to a Lutheran School is that you can guarantee that your children will be getting an excellent Christian education as well as being trained to become a great Christian leader. Also, you will know that as well as a Christian Education they will also be getting a great education outside of religion.
· Jesus died and rose for us. The teachers are sweet.
· Trinity also offers classes from 3K through 8th grade, so whether you have a little one or you child is getting ready for high school, you can send them to Trinity.
· Trinity is a great place, and I love it. You get to learn about God.
· The teachers will not stop until your child understands.
· The teachers are nice and willing to help you with whatever you may need. Trinity also has plenty of nice students who will help when needed. There are servant events for 6th-8th grade students where the students will go around the community and help people in need.
· I like it here because I get the best Lutheran education possible!
· Trinity Lutheran Church and School is a great place to learn and grow in the faith. Your children will learn things about the world like regular schools, but at the same time you can talk about God freely.
· I love Christian schools because you can learn about Jesus, our Savior, who died on the cross to give us eternal life. Christian schools are the coolest schools ever.
May God continue to richly bless Trinity Lutheran School.
Mr. Becker
Enrolling for 2009-2010
Dear Parents,
We have just begun the enrollment process for the 2009-2010 school year of Trinity Lutheran School. Enrollment information was mailed to you this week. We look forward to continuing to provide your children with a quality, Christian education. A parent was asked why Trinity is so valuable to her family: “We wanted to send them to a place where they would be taught about the love of Christ. I have been very happy with the education the children are receiving. It is comforting to know they are at a place where they are loved.” A Trinity student writes, “We have teachers who give your child extra help they need. We have English, math, social studies, computers, gym, foreign languages, literature, spelling, science, and religion. We pray before and after lunch and at the beginning and end of the day. Are you looking for a great Christian school for your children? Trinity is a great place for your children.” Take this child’s encouragement and invite your friends, neighbors, and relatives to send their children to Trinity where the love of Christ can be shared with them on a daily basis. That’s priceless!
We are conducting several Open Houses in the next 2 weeks. You can read about the
Early Childhood Round-Up later in the LINK. Our other Open Houses are
Thursday, February 12, 9:30-11:30 am and Wednesday, February 18, 3-7 pm. Visitors can learn more about Trinity, meet the friendly people of our school, and tour the classrooms. Questions? Call the school office at 458-8248.
As we approach Valentine’s Day, remember Jesus and His great love for us. That is the love we are making known!
Mr. Becker
Jesus Christ loves you
January 22, 2009
Dear Parent,
Trinity Lutheran School is Making Known the Love of Christ. The love of Christ is shown in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Jesus loved us sinners so much that He took the punishment we deserved: death. In exchange we received His life. What love has been lavished upon us! Let us not take that love for granted. Let us daily rejoice in Christ’s love by living a life of thanksgiving to our great God. Let us also commit to sharing this precious love with our children. Then may God empower us all to share this life-saving love with the Sheboygan community and the world.
We know this love of Christ. Is it at the center of everything we do? Is our faith being nourished daily with the Word of God which strengthens faith? Are we joining with other Christians weekly for church, Sunday School, and Bible Class? Let’s realize again God’s great love for us in Jesus. How could we not want to read His Word daily?! How could we stay away from the gifts that are offered to us at the weekly Divine Service?! Can we save ourselves? No! Can we continue to grow and learn in our faith? Yes, every day of our lives! May we be faithful in receiving Christ and His love for us. We then will be equipped to make His love known. What a blessing and privilege!
In this envelope you are receiving your child’s Second Quarter Report Card. Please discuss this with your child. Contact your child’s teacher if you have questions, concerns, or compliments. If you would like to meet with the teacher in the next week or two, please contact them to schedule a meeting. We have also set aside the afternoon and early evening of February 18 (2:30 pm Early Release) for opportunities for a Parent/Teacher Conference as well. On this date you could check on the progress of your children in the Third Quarter.
Enrollment forms for the 2009-2010 school year will be sent home at the beginning of February. We look forward to serving our returning students next year. As you talk to friends, relatives, and neighbors continue to talk to them about the great spiritual and academic training that is offered at Trinity for 3K through Grade 8. We want more families and students to benefit from the quality, Christian education at Trinity. Invite them to become part of our school family.
Please look forward to National Lutheran Schools Week (March 1-7) and the Trinity Showcase (March 8). Continue to read our weekly LINK and visit our website to keep abreast of the many activities of our church and school.
Thank you for your support of Trinity Lutheran School. Your prayers, kind words, and financial support are so valuable. Please continue to support us in these ways as we work together to make known the love of Christ to our students and the world.
God’s richest blessings to you!
Mr. Becker
P.S. Be in church, Sunday School, and Bible Class. Jesus Christ loves you!
Why is Trinity Lutheran School Valuable?
Trinity Lutheran School – Making Known the Love of Christ
Happy New Year! I would like to thank you on behalf of Trinity Lutheran School for you support in 2008. In order for Trinity Lutheran School to continue its mission of Making Known the Love of Christ as it has done for 155 years, we need your continued, loving support. We’re preparing these children for lives in which they will love and serve the world as they make known the love of Jesus. To prepare them properly, we need the guidance and wisdom that only God can give. Please pray for that. We also need teachers, program materials, and facilities. Please give generously. The cost to educate one child for one year is over $4000. We thank Trinity Lutheran Church for their support so that no family needs to pay this full cost. Even in these difficult economic times, please continue to place great value on your financial support of our school’s vital mission. We also need to personally bring other families and children to our church and school. The Lord has entrusted to us the message of salvation that comes through Jesus whose birth we just celebrated. Without faith that comes through the hearing of the Word of God, these families and children will be lost eternally. Let’s make it a priority to reach our community. Let’s bring them to our church and school so that they may join the body of believers in Jesus at Trinity Lutheran Church and School.
I’ve asked several families to tell me why Trinity Lutheran School is so valuable to them. I thank them for sharing their testimony with you and me. Following are excerpts from their responses:
Jeannine Shelby writes: We have worked very hard to ensure that one of us could be home with the children when they were small. Therefore, we made some sacrifices: our house is not the biggest or the best, but we were there for the children all day. When it came time to make the decision of where to have the children go to school, that was easy! We wanted to send them to a place that would continue to teach them values, help instill morals, and be at a place where they would be taught about the love of Christ. I have been very happy with the education the children are receiving. It is comforting to know they are at a place where they are loved.
Pat Eissner writes: I WOULD RECOMMEND TRINITY TO OTHER FAMILIES. MARY AND I LIKE THE FACT THAT THE TEACHERS TRULY TAKE AN INTEREST IN EACH AND EVERY CHILD. WE FEEL LIKE FAMILY AT TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL, NOT JUST PARENTS OF KIDS THAT GO TO SCHOOL THERE. THEN ONE OTHER COMMENT; YOU ASKED ABOUT VALUE? HOW’S THIS FOR A STORY? WE BELIEVE IN THE VALUES THAT TRINITY TEACHES ABOUT CHRIST CENTERED LIVES. NOT TOO LONG AGO I WAS SITTING AT MY DESK. I WAS LOOKING AT A PICTURE OF MY PARENTS, AND A TEAR ROLLED DOWN MY CHEEK. JUST AT THAT TIME HEATHER CAME INTO THE ROOM AND SAID, “WHAT’S WRONG, PAPA?” I SAID, “I MISS MY MOM AND DAD”, AND HEATHER GAME A HUG AND SAID, “IT’S OKAY, PAPA. THEY’RE WITH JESUS, AND JESUS IS WITH YOU.” I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY TO PEOPLE WHEN I AM ASKED, “WHY DO YOU SEND YOUR KIDS TO TRINITY?” SIMPLY PUT: PRICELESS!
Gina Weber responded to these questions. “Why do you send your children to Trinity Lutheran School?” To learn the word of the Lord. According to our son, the teachers are “AWESOME.” “What is the value of an education at Trinity?” The ingrained Christian education that will last a lifetime. They are learning to live with Jesus in their lives on a daily basis. “Why would you recommend Trinity Lutheran School to other families?” Because of the better education, the daily devotion to God, the life lessons learned, the foreign language classes, the great teachers at Trinity, and the caring of all the kids that go there. We grew up in the Lutheran Schools. We needed our children to have the same education we had.
Trinity Lutheran School is a special place with special people. Please share your personal testimony with others so that the love of Christ can be shared with them on a daily basis. Their lives will be shaped by Jesus for lives of service to Him.
May the Lord richly bless Trinity Lutheran School.
Greg Becker