Join us on Sunday Mornings at 8:30 am In the Church Basement

Studies are conducted by Rev. Bernard Ross, III

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A Brief History

In 1936 representatives of several organizations met to organize a Sunday School. A recommendation was presented to the Voters Assembly by the group but it did not carry. Some years later, another such organizational meeting took place; however, unlike the first attempt at organizing a Sunday School, this recommendation again did not carry.

It was not until 1960, the third try, that the Voters Assembly approved the establishment of a Sunday School for Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. A.F.C. Pfotenhauer mailed 44 letters to persons he thought would be interested in becoming a Sunday School teacher. The first session was held on Sunday, October 2, 1960.

Present for the first Sunday School session were 141 students/teachers/officers/visitors. There were 1 1 1 attending the Adult Bible Classes. That put the total attendance at 252. The offering for that first session was $35.29. It is noted that an anonymous donation of $500 was given to start an account for the Sunday School at Alma Bank

The Sunday School offers classes for all ages, from Nursery through high school.

Nursery School and Pre Kindergarten meets in the church basement
1st –  6th grades meets in the school classrooms

For many years the young people at Trinity Lutheran Church were under the leadership of Pastor Frederick Rohlfing in various individual societies until 1921. In May 1921, the District Walther League Convention was held at Jefferson City with a large number of Trinity’s young people in attendance. The convention gave much inspiration, and the result was that in October 1921, the Young People’s Society of Trinity was re-organized under the name “The Walther League Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Alma, MO.” This society immediately joined the International Walther League.

After the International Walther League organization was dissolved, the youth program was left to the various congregations under the direction of the pastor and/or teachers. It was under the leadership of Mr. Robert Herz, principal, that the group became known as Trinity Lutheran Youth Fellowship. This was in 1976.

Throughout the past decades, our Trinity Lutheran Youth Group has looked different with the change of times, traditions, and trends.  One thing has remained steadfast—these teens love God, enjoy serving Him, and have fun while doing it!

Some of the activities we have done in recent years include doing service activities both in our hometown as well as at National Youth Gatherings.  These include opportunities such as hosting a monthly Good Shepherd Home Birthday Bingo Party, hosting Advent and/or Lenten Dinners for our Trinity Church and School families and guests, providing helping hands when asked to assist community members or groups such as raking leaves or cleaning as needed, helping move the location of our Trinity Daycare, etc.

The Youth Group also enjoys having fun together!  We have taken groups of high school-aged members to the National Youth Gathering throughout the past decades in places such as Minneapolis, Houston, and New Orleans. What a wonderful experience these trips were for worshiping our God together with thousands of other Lutheran teens!  We have also attended events at areas outside of our local church such as Kansas City Royals games, going bowling, and rockin’ at the Winter Jam Christian Concerts in Kansas City.  Some Youth Group events have been held closer to home such as Game Nights, Christmas parties, Weiner Roasts & Washers, Performance Scavenger Hunts, and Trivia Nights.

The Trinity Youth Group is able to have these experiences due to the continuous support of our Trinity Church Family and Friends.  We are blessed to have their help and encouragement!

The 2024 Vacation Bible School came to close with performing one of the many songs they learned throughout the week.  Be sure to check back soon for details for the 2025 Vacation Bible School details.

The first Altar Guild for Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in 1949. The newly elected officers were Mrs. Hubert Granneman, Miss Anna Kalthoff, Miss Erna Kalthoff, Mrs. Edwin Steffens, Miss Bertha Borchers, Mrs. Harry Bredehoeft, and Mrs. Ernest Brockman. The committee consisted of members appointed from Ladies Aid

No. 2, Ladies Aid 1922, and Trinity Guild. This group, along with the pastor, met four times a year in member’s homes. Elected officers were the president and secretary/treasurer.

The Altar Guild cares for the altar vestments and fixtures. They work in pairs for a month at a time providing altar flowers for each Sunday. Some years later, it assumed the duty of communion preparation and clean-up.

Its primary purpose continues to be the preparation of the altar and chancel area of the church for each worship service. In 1970 Trinity Altar Guild reorganized and, with its own constitution, became a separate organization of the congregation accepting as members any communicant member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The pastor is an ex-officio member.

The Altar Guild continues to meet four times a year, usually in the church, and elects a president and secretary/treasurer who may serve up to two years. Its work is supported by donations from other organizations of the church, memorials, and individual gifts from members of the congregation.

In the midst of all the construction of the new church building, the desire to serve the Lord manifested itself again through the organization of Trinity Lutheran Guild. On a cold wintry evening, March 5, 1947, six ladies and the Rev. and Mrs. August Griesse met with the anticipation of organizing. Since more ladies had planned to attend but could not because of the weather, it was decided that all ladies joining at the first regular meeting the following month would be charter members of Trinity Lutheran Guild. Charter members were Martha Bushmann, Louise Bushmann, Verna Miller, Velma Kempfe, Viola Meyer, Mary Anna Tieman, Nadine Knipmeyer, Hulda Loges, Irma Lovercamp, Lydia Griesse, Laura Lovercamp, Melba Dieckhoff, Melba Dieckhoff, Helena Dieckhoff, and Alverna Rolf.

A membership certificate was received from the Lutheran Women’s Christian Missionary League (LWML) in October of 1948 and mite boxes were distributed. Mite box money received is used for Missouri District mission projects as well as mission projects for the national organization. The purpose of this organization is to help the members increase in Christian knowledge, to foster Christian fellowship, and to exercise opportunity for Christian service.

Other mission projects and activities have included sundresses sewn out of pillowcases for little girls in Jamaica, toys, canned goods and household items for House of Hope in Lexington, casseroles, desserts and monetary donations for the Lutheran Student Center at University of Central Missouri, lunch for Habitat for Humanity workers in Alma, financial support for Alma United Way, Trinity 5K Run and Walk, Santa Fe “After Prom”, and diaper showers for Lutherans for Life. They also host birthday parties at the Good Shepherd Care Community. Also, every baby baptized and youth confirmed at Trinity receives a banner made specifically for their special day.

In 2024, at the time of this writing, there are 12 members continuing to show their love for missions in the sharing of the gospel and God’s love for those in our community, our country, and our world. The Guild meets on the first Tuesday of each month March – December at 7:00 pm in the school cafeteria. New members are ALWAYS welcome, so please, come and join us!

The Lutheran Laymen’s League has been recognized as an important group of leaders of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.  The men of Trinity Lutheran Church decided on March 17, 1931 to organize the Alma Lutheran Men’s Association (A.L.M.A.).  For many years, the men of Trinity’s congregation met in fellowship and service. It was on January 14, 1947, that fifteen of Trinity’s members organized the local Lutheran Laymen’s League  and became an affiliated group with the International Lutheran Laymen’s League.  Charter members into the LLL were Walter Steffens, Leonard Rolf, Edwin Steffens, Herman Kramer, Lawrence Kruger, Emil Lindemann, Walter Beyerlein, Martin Tieman, Henry Emde, Albert Mueller, Ernest Brockman, Ed Nienhueser, Carl Wyssmann, Omar Lovercamp, and Richard Buhlig.  The Club received its charter on December 24, 1947. Early minutes of the club revealed a total membership of about 40.

Financial support has been given for a variety of noteworthy projects.  Notably, the Endowment Fund, Station KFUO, Lutheran Hour Ministries, student assistance for synodical schools, and the Orphan Grain Train project.  The Club also financially supported the  International LLL float in the Rose Bowl Parade.  The float has been the  only religious float entered into the Rose Bowl Parade for 72+ years.

An annual fund-raising project has been serving the Easter Breakfast. The club has served every Easter breakfast since the first Sunrise Service was held at Trinity on April 6, 1969.

The Men’s club meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month October – April at  6:00 pm in the church basement.  New members are ALWAYS welcome, so please, come and join us!