Pastor's Update - April 19, 2023

A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR

Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support in the wake of the fire at Trinity. Also, thank you for your patience as we work to make plans during a very dynamic situation.

We will be having a service Saturday night at Calvary Lutheran High School at 6:00 p.m. We will be having a service Sunday afternoon at Faith Lutheran Church at 1:00 p.m. Both of these services will include the Lord’s Supper. We know it is not ideal to have a service on Sunday afternoon, but the lack of available space has been a challenge. Outside services present numerous other challenges including the uncertainty of Missouri weather.

An announcement about school plans will be made to families within the next 24 hours. Please continue to keep our principal, school staff, and school students and their families in your prayers as they all adapt to a very unique situation.

Finally, a few words about restoration efforts. Before the sun was up on Saturday, a staff member from Paul Davis Restoration was onsite to begin coordinating needed work. By 8:00 am they had fans in the building to vent smoke and clean up water. This work continued on Sunday when members of the school board, trustees, and the church council met with Paul Davis staff to find out information about the cleanup process. They have had workers in the building since Monday to begin cleaning the building and the contents of the building. This process is extensive and will happen on all three floors of the building. Every room of the building has some level of smoke damage that requires remediation. Unfortunately, we cannot make any promises regarding a timeline for a return to the building. We can say that our plan is to worship in the new gym when it is available.

We have much to be thankful for as a congregation, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. We were blessed by an incredible response from the Jefferson City Fire Department, the Cole County Fire Protection District, Cole County EMS, Jefferson City Police Department, skilled laborers to begin the restoration effort, Calvary Lutheran High School and Faith Lutheran for offering up space, and so many other individuals and organizations who have offered assistance. More than anything, we are still celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. “Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!”

In Christ,

Pastor Powell