Trinity Lutheran Church sits on 13th Street in Moline, Illinois, on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities. The congregation describes its life with a single sentence: "Grow in God, Care in Christ, Serve in the Spirit." Members take that motto seriously, with a slate of ministries that range from a bell choir to a Little Free Food Pantry, all under one roof and led by a team that sees both the sanctuary and the wider community as its parish.
Two Sunday Services, Two Styles
Worship on Sunday mornings comes in two shapes at Trinity. At 9:00 a.m. the Traditional Service gathers, anchored by the Trinity Choir and the Trinity Ringers bell choir, with liturgy that follows the historic patterns of Lutheran worship. At 10:45 a.m. the Contemporary Service fills the sanctuary with the Praise Ensemble and a more relaxed, modern flow. Both services are open communion, and the congregation's teaching is that all are welcome to the Lord's Table to commune with Jesus Christ, including visitors who are not members.
Both services are livestreamed at 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page, and past services are kept on YouTube for anyone who wants to catch up or visit before coming in person.
Worship and Music at the Heart
Music is woven through both services. The Worship and Music Team oversees the Trinity Choir, the Trinity Ringers, and the Praise Ensemble, with Chon Wherry directing the organ and bell choir and Maggie Meyers directing the choir. Children of all ages are invited to take part in worship as readers, greeters, ushers, bell choir members, vocal choir singers, communion assistants, and worship assistants. Audio Visual Techs keep the livestream running, and Altar Care handles the setup and cleanup of the sanctuary week to week.
Sunday School and Family Ministry
Children and youth sit at the center of Trinity's life. Sunday School for children ages 3 through 10 meets during the 9:00 a.m. service. Children begin in the sanctuary, hear a message designed for them, and then move to the Sunday School room for the Gospel passage of the day, a craft, singing, and time together. They return to the worship service at the offering to be with their families for the sharing of the peace and communion. Amy Roehrs oversees the Youth and Children ministry.
Trinity encourages youth from 1st through 12th grade to spend a week each summer at Lutheran Outdoor Ministry in Oregon, Illinois, and the church holds scholarships to help with the cost. Students in grades 10 through 12 are invited each year to the Leadership Lab at Augustana College in Rock Island, again with scholarships available. Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for a $1,500 scholarship from the Trinity Endowment Fund.
Bible Study, Prayer, and Learning for Adults
Faith formation for adults takes several forms at Trinity. Wednesdays at 1 Bible Study gathers people who want to explore the Bible by examining history, writing styles, translations, interpretations, and personal experience. The Prayer Team meets weekly by phone conference on Monday mornings to pray for the needs of the congregation, the community, and the wider world. The Library Team encourages reading for all ages through a church library. A monthly Book Club gathers to review a chosen book together.
Confirmation is offered for junior high students who want to take a greater role in living their faith.
Hands-On Outreach
Trinity's hunger ministry stocks a Little Free Food Pantry on the property and coordinates outreach to address hunger locally and worldwide through Community Meal Mealsites. The Quilters design and make quilts that are sent through Lutheran World Relief to people in need around the world. Ruth Circle, one of the four women's units, helps set up local apartments for refugees in partnership with World Relief.
The Global Mission Team oversees Trinity's mission and service beyond the United States, working with local, national, and international partners. TerraCycle Quad Cities, supported by the Harvest Committee, educates and inspires on issues of sustainability and faithful stewardship of the earth and runs recycling throughout the congregation.
Women's Circles and Fellowship
Four women's circles meet under the Women of Trinity umbrella, each with its own focus. Anna Circle provides fellowship and Bible study, gives a food basket at Christmas to a needy family, assembles health kits for Church Women United, and delivers altar flowers to hospitalized and homebound members. Ruth Circle leads the quilting project and helps set up apartments for refugees for World Relief. Sarah Circle gathers on the third Friday of each month at 9:00 a.m. for fellowship, personal and spiritual growth, and enhancing the building and grounds with flowers, table centerpieces, and seasonal decorations. Esther Circle meets for Bible study and fellowship at different restaurants at 10:30 on the first Friday of each month and also helps with the Sunday Speaker and Supper Series, Wednesday prayer events, and coffee hour between services.
The Prayer Shawl Circle knits and blesses shawls for members who are sick or grieving. The Member Care Team identifies and cares for the needs of the congregation with food, housing, transportation, and yard work, and stays connected through cards to those who are ill, hospitalized, or shut in. Befrienders visit members who are homebound or in the hospital.
Welcoming and Connecting
Team 1330 seeks to share the stories of Trinity through media, community outreach, and hospitality, helping new members and guests feel at home. The congregation's welcome is explicit: Trinity welcomes all people, especially those who have been marginalized or excluded from other churches. The church also keeps an online directory and offers a mobile app, with the directory currently available on web and desktop.
The Church Council is the democratically elected governing body, with members elected to two-year terms. The Executive Committee serves as the HR committee and as the officers of the Council. The Funds Investment Committee manages bequests and all financial investments, including the Trinity Endowment, which each year distributes $40,000 to $50,000 in gifts to people and non-profits through scholarships and grants.
Stewardship Rooted in Thankfulness
Trinity frames its stewardship around what it calls the 5 Ts: Time, Talent, Treasure, Testimony, and Temple (the physical body). The congregation explicitly rejects theologies that promote a prosperity gospel, choosing instead to give out of thankfulness, generosity, and faithful response to God's grace. Gifts can be made in person during worship, online through the church's giving page, or by mail to 1330 13th Street, Moline, IL 61265.
What to Know for a First Visit
The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Visitors are encouraged to come as they are, and casual dress is perfectly fine. Anyone can meet with the pastor by calling the church office at (309) 762-3624 or emailing office@tlcmoline.org. The building can be reserved for meetings and events by calling the office in advance.
Trinity Lutheran Church is pastored by Pr. Matt Kamprath, with Dave Meumann leading Creative Media Arts, Chon Wherry directing the organ and bell choir, Maggie Meyers directing the choir, and Amy Roehrs overseeing Youth and Children. The congregation traces its unity to Jesus Christ, its welcome to the wideness of God's love, and its work to the steady practice of caring for neighbors near and far.