Trinity News & Updates
From worship services to information on how to connect with your Trinity family, all the latest updates are right here! You can also follow Trinity on our various social media channels to get updates in real time. To filter our updates to what you are looking for, select the category you are interested in. Otherwise, scroll down for all our updates.
Worship * Remaining Connected * Notes from the pastor (scroll down)
Pastor’s Notes
Yesterday I received a check for $25.00 from my credit card company. I was informed that I had “earned” this “reward,” apparently because I’ve used my credit card so much. I was not expecting this money. I do not feel that I earned this reward. It’s a complete surprise, which I think of as “pennies from heaven.” I donated it to the church operating budget. I find it easy to give away things I did not earn or expect.
In Presbyterian churches the Session sets the budget. When your Session adopted the budget for 2025 at their February meeting, there was a shortfall of around $50,000. They looked at the expenditures and found there were no cuts to make. The budget was as lean as possible. The discussion turned to raising revenue. (I want every member of the Session to run for Congress!) As the discussion continued, I challenged your elected leaders to increase their financial commitments to the church. In less than a week their increased giving took care of 20% of the projected shortfall. That’s leading by example.
I am pleased with the leadership they have shown. I bring it to your attention because I believe in transparency. I intend to keep the church’s progress on reducing this year’s projected deficit on everyone’s mind.
And if your credit card company rewards you—or other pennies fall into your pockets from heaven, please consider donating them to the work of your church.
— Pastor Tom
Worship for April 30, 2023 - Fourth Sunday of Easter
Today, on the fourth Sunday of Easter, Pastor Chris will be preaching on the good shepherd. We gather in the Sanctuary and online today at 11:30am for worship. As always, our online service is recorded and available later in the week to watch and share with others.
Sabbatical Update From Pastor Chris
As we shared at our last two congregational meetings, beginning on May 1, and continuing through the end of July, I will be away from Trinity for a three-month time of sabbatical study and renewal. I want to take this opportunity to share with you a bit more detail about my goals during this time along with the plans we have put in place to make sure the life and ministry of Trinity continues as smoothly as possible.
Worship for April 23, 2023 - Third Sunday of Easter
Today, on the third Sunday of Easter, Pastor Chris will be preaching on how we should respond to the news of the resurrection: hope or doubt? We also invite you to our potluck this evening, from 6-8pm, to celebrate the recent season of Ramadan.
Worship for April 16, 2023 - Second Sunday of Easter
Today, on the second Sunday of Easter, Rev. Barry Williams will be guest preaching! We are excited to announce our Sunday School classes will be resuming at 10:15am this morning!
Transition to RingCentral Video
Starting this Sunday, Trinity will be transitioning all our online and hybrid meetings from Zoom to RingCentral Video. If you have used Zoom for meetings, you will find RingCentral to be nearly identical.
Worship for April 9, 2023 - Easter Sunday
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
Today is the joyful day of our salvation; the day when we proclaim, in the words of the old hymn, "where, O death, is now thy sting?" Wherever you are today, I sincerely hope you will spend some of your Easter celebrating the resurrection of Christ with your Trinity family, either in-person or via our livestream service.
Worship for April 2, 2023 - Palm / Passion Sunday
We enter worship today proclaiming "Hosanna!" while the celebratory palm branches wave, yet we know so well the journey this week will take us to places we would rather not go.
This year I encourage, even challenge, you to allow yourself to take the full journey of Holy Week. Allow yourself to feel to joyful entry into Jerusalem, for joy is right. Allow yourself to feel the pain and betrayal of the arrest and trial, for pain is also right. Allow yourself to mourn on Good Friday, for mourning is also right. Allow yourself to feel the resurrection hope, for hope is also right.
Worship for March 26, 2023 - Annual Congregational Meeting
I want to thank Rev. Howard Cavner for stepping in on short notice to preach this Sunday and Rev. Greg Esselman for agreeing to moderate our Annual Congregational meeting.
Worship for March 19, 2023 - Making Room at the Table
When was the last time you were invited to a banquet? Maybe a wedding or an important business event? Did you get to choose your table, or did you get seated? How, and where, people are seated at a banquet says a lot about the event and who is welcome and wanted. In today's scripture, Jesus challenges us to look again at who we have room for at the table.
Worship for March 12, 2023 - Surprised by Grace
This morning in worship we will be reflecting on how often God surprises us, even interrupts us, with grace.
Worship for March 5, 2023 - The Welcome Table
Have you ever gone to someone's home for dinner and felt completely welcome? Today we read a story of Jesus creating a place of welcome for those on the margins of his society; and we will together consider how we might do the same today.