Parish Nurse News by: Nancy Jones

Greetings! Happy Mental Health Month! This month I want to share some thoughts with you
on Depression. What is Depression? Depression refers to feelings of sadness, isolation, discouragement, or hopelessness that persist. It is a serious illness which affects a person physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially and vocationally. What are the Symptoms of Depression? The following are the common symptoms of depression. If you experience four or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks, or if your symptoms interfere with your daily life, you may be experiencing depression. If you have any concerns about depression, please visit with your Parish Nurse or
your Doctor.

* Ongoing feeling of sadness, anxiety or emptiness
* Loss of interest in usual activities
* Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness or pessimism
* Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
* Difficulty sleeping or eating
* Decreased energy, persistent fatigue
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions
* Thoughts of death or suicide

How can Depression be Treated? Depression can be effectively treated in several different ways. The vast majority of people with depression recover and lead meaningful and productive lives. Both medications and counseling or psychotherapy are used in the treatment of depression. It is also very important for family and friends to recognize the symptoms of depression, and encourage treatment for persons suffering from depression. Remember the Bible encourages us with these words, ....Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6, 7). In spite of the difficult times in which we live, God's peace can help us to be whole emotionally.

PROCESSION OF THE PALMS - in downtown Detroit - April 17

PROCESSION OF THE PALMS - in downtown Detroit - Sunday, April 17, 2011

Since the early days of the Christian Church, palm leaves were blessed at Worship Services on Palm Sunday and carried home by the faithful as a symbol of Christ’s presence among them. Before Ash Wednesday, the blessed palm is burned and its residue is used in the distribution of ashes as a symbol of penance during Lent. On Palm Sunday, April 17th , there will be the Procession and a Blessing of the Palms, in each of the three Worship Services, at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Detroit. The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard will preach and will be assisted by the Cathedral Ministry Pastors. The Sunday School children, each carrying palms, will lead the Procession from Eastern Market (weather permitting) into the church at 9:30 a.m. and they will sing at the beginning of the Worship Service. Each person present at any of the three Worship Services, will receive a blessed palm to take home.

Lenten Passion Play

A Lenten Passion Drama will be performed on Sunday, April 10, 2011, at 8:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. The dramatic presentation in the cathedral includes: Mary Magdalene, Isaiah, the Dying Thief, the Centurion, Mary of Bethany, Miriam the Gatekeeper, Judas, the Angel, and others, all telling their story of the Passion. You can check out last year's performance pictures at http://www.historictrinity.org/2010passionplay.html Hope to see you there!!!

LCC - Lutheran Church in the City

"LCC - 'LUTHERAN CHURCH IN THE CITY' The presence of the Lutheran Church in Detroit, like the city, has been shrinking for the last 50 years. We cannot continue to do what we have in the past but must change, and do so now. As the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit are engaged in reinventing themselves, so also must the church in the city engage in a process to reinvent itself. Within this context, urban pioneers are beginning to move back into the city. The Shared Ministry of Historic Trinity and Our Shepherd is promoting the Lutheran Church of the City (LCC) via the Historic Trinity Cathedral Ministry as a self supporting flexible organization to work within revitalization zones that are being established by the City of Detroit. It is fostering contacts with developers and community representatives to allow LCC to become involved at the ground floor of these communities. Using existing community, civic, and business resources, LCC will develop programs to engage urban pioneers in discussion intended to maintain and improve their values of life. It will assist the participants to become involved in service and worship opportunity."

"Pastor’s Comment - “The Green Missionary”

"Pastor’s Comment - “The Green Missionary”

What do we really know of St. Patrick, in who’s honor many wear green? To look around at the way,we today, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, you’d think it all had to do with shamrocks, leprechauns, rainbows, and the ever-famous “pot of gold” at the end of them. But there is so much more about St. Patrick. Around 385, at about the age of 16, Patrick, a young Scottish man, was captured by Irish raiders and forced into a life of slavery. He was given the job of caring for a large flock of sheep belonging to the king. He endured much hardship and loneliness. It was during this time of enslavement, that he began to pray to the God his Christian grandfather had told him about. After six years, he escaped and returned to his family. But he felt called by God to go back to Ireland to spread Christianity to the Irish people. Therefore, after he studied in a monastery for twelve years, he returned to the land of his captivity. For thirty years he traveled the roads of Ireland to see men, women and children come to know the Christ that he loved so much. It is said that Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock in his sermons to explain the Trinity. He showed the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist separately, yet be one. That’s when Irish Christians adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock. By the time of his death, March 17, 461, he had baptized tens of thousands and established hundreds of churches, throughout Ireland. Within a century this once pagan land had become predominately Christian, possessing such a vigorous faith that Ireland in turn sent out missionaries to Scotland, England, France Germany and Belgium. Wow! What a great missionary for the Lord!"

Lent 2011

Lent 2011

Dear Members of Historic Trinity:

This Lenten season our theme is “Father Forgive Them”. Yes we need to be reminded that we all need to be forgiven. When we make a mistake, when we goof off, when don’t do what we should do, we know we have done wrong. We can deny we did wrong. Or we can try to cover up our wrongs.We can try to come up with all kinds of excuses.We can blame everyone and every thing else - “he made me do it”.We can get weighed down with guilt. But none this helps.We all need to know that we are forgiven. Forgiven by God. Forgiven by those we have wronged.We even need to be able to forgive ourselves. Jesus set the example of forgiveness. When He was forsaken by His disciples, when He was betrayed by Judas. When He was denied by Peter. When He was put of the cross. When He was even forsaken by His Father. What did He do ?He said “Father Forgive Them” ! The “Them” includes you and me - we are forgiven indeed. Make time this Lenten Season, Holy Week, and Easter to attend the many Worship Services at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church and experience the forgiveness of our Lord. Repent, believe, and accept His forgiveness. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday Services on Wednesday, March 9th, at 12:00noon and 7:00p.m., followed by the Downtown Lutheran Lenten Services, each Wednesday, at 12:00 noon. The Lenten Passion Drama “Prince of Peace” is on Sunday, April
10th , at 8:15, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. The Lenten season ends with inspiring Worship Services
during HolyWeek, and then the joyous Festival of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 24th at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 a.m.

Blessings,
The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard

Ash Wednesday

Begin Lent - Plan now to attend- ASH WEDNESDAY - Mar 9
The Downtown Lutheran Ash Wednesday Holy Communion Worship Services will be held at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church on Ash Wednesday, March 9th , at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. At 12:00 noon, Rev. David Maier, President of the Michigan District - LCMS, will preach, accompanied by the Cathedral Pastors of Historic Trinity. The guest choir will be Holy Cross Lutheran, Warren. At 7:00 p.m., Rev. Dr. Kieth Gerberding will preach. In keeping with ancient tradition, ashes for the forehead will be dispensed to individuals who desire, at both services.Let's have a good turnout !