E-Letter to the Trinity Family for Friday, November 27, 2020

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

I hope everyone is doing well this beautiful Friday afternoon!  The skies are sunny and bright! Despite the chilly weather, please take a good look at God’s creation when you are outdoors.

We have a lot going on at the church that I want you to know about:

WORSHIP SERVICES

We continue to have in-person worship services limited to 25 people.  The service will be held in our Education Building.  We will also Facebook livestream our 10:15 am service and offer a service on Zoom at 11 am. 

 

On Sunday mornings, in addition to attending worship in our Education building, you can join us on Facebook or Zoom:

Join us for our Sunday morning hymn sing at 9:45 am livestreamed from the “Ralien Luann Besch” facebook page. 

10:15 Facebook livestream Worship.  You can find us at our "Trinity Christian UCC Skippack" facebook page.

11 am ZOOM worship.  You can login at this link:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Trinity Sunday Worship

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75566827269?pwd=WEhnUm11L0RvWTM5eXJaU2tFeCtHZz09

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

Password: 2HcmqK

If you would like to join us in-person on Sunday, December 6, please RSVP on Monday morning.  We will ask each attendee to come to church prior to 9:45 am so that we can watch Ralien and Amey’s hymn sing projected on the screen in the Education Building. 

If you would like to attend, I am keeping a list of who RSVPs until we reach 24 attendees.  You can contact me via email, at the church office (610-584-4054), or on my cell phone (314-680-0897). 

BLUE CHRISTMAS

The Skippack Area Ministerium Pastors decided to collaborate on a Blue Christmas Service this year.  This is a service for people who are having a hard time getting into “the Holiday Spirit.” – those who are grieving, those who are depressed, those who are very conscious of loved ones who we can’t gather with this year.  Since we are in the middle of a pandemic, most of us may be feeling “blue” as we prepare for Christmas this year.

The service will be streamed on our “Trinity Christian UCC Skippack” facebook page on December 21 at 7 pm. Please join us. 

BIBLE STUDY

We also have a Sunday morning Bible Study on ZOOM at 8:45 am.  Here is the link to log in:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Trinity's Wired Word Discussion Group

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76933813590?pwd=Nzc0MkthZFBkdmVNTGYycjVtRXkwUT09

Meeting ID: 769 3381 3590

Password: 7qLSWw

MUSIC MINISTRY

Here is information about Trinity’s Music Ministry: 

Wednesday music schedule:

 

Adult Choir - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month on Zoom

Mission Music - 2nd Wednesday of each month on Zoom

Leo - 4th Wednesday of each month on Facebook

Special Surprise - when there is a 5th Wednesday of the month

 

Each of our Wednesday activities will be at 7 pm.   Here is the ZOOM link for our music ministry Wednesday evening activities:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity's Music Ministry

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87363505182

 

Meeting ID: 873 6350 5182

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,87363505182# US (Germantown)

+13126266799,,87363505182# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 873 6350 5182

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbetKNjam4

DAILY BREAD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

We continue to collect food and toiletry items for the Daily Bread Food Pantry.  They can be left at the doors of the church.

The Daily Bread has started their annual coat drive for kids.  They can use coats for all sizes for boys and girls.  The Daily Bread would like “brand new coats.” 

The Daily Bread's Current needs change every few weeks. This is their latest list of needs:

Personal Care: Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Supplies *

Food: Jelly, Jam, Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Rice, Skillet Helpers or Rice a Roni, Cookies, Chips, Juice, Shelf Stable Milk, Stuffing, Pie Crust Mix, Pie Crust Fillings in cans,

Pet Care: Dry Cat food*

And any other items you wish to donate would greatly be appreciated!

*These items can’t be purchased with Food Stamps.

 

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

Members of our church are invited to purchase Christmas Gift for the children whose families use the services of the Daily Bread.

This year, the toy list includes:

·        Paw Patrol

·        LOL

·        OMG

·        My Little Pony

·        Super Hero Figures

·        Polly Pockets

·        Lego

·        Make Up/Nail Kits for Teens

·        Hair Dryers/Curling Irons

·        Old Spice/Axe Kits for Teens

·        Board Games for any age.

At this time, we do not need craft kits. 

HYMNALS

If you would like to borrow a hymnal from the church, please let me know and I will arrange for you to receive one. 

TRINITY BLOG

Trinity now has a blog where I am posting notes to the congregation and the text of my sermons.  If you would like to read these notes and messages, you can find them at: www.trinityskippack.blogspot.com

REOPENING COMMITTEE

Our Trinity Reopening Committee met on Monday evening of this week.  We are monitoring the Covid-19 infection rates for Montgomery County and considering them as we plan for the Advent and Christmas season.    We are working to make faithful decisions that will keep our community as safe as possible. 

HOAGIE SALE – DECEMBER 5

Our upcoming Hoagie sale will now be on Saturday, December 5.  We need volunteers.  Please let me or Deb in the church office know if you are able to help.  We will begin taking hoagie orders soon. 

ADVENT KITS

We will be distributing “Advent Kits” over the next few weeks since Advent starts on November 29.  I will probably drop your kit off at your house and will call before I arrive. 

ORNAMENT DECORATING

The Advent kits contain many things for you to do – things to read, things to color, things to contemplate. On Sunday, December 13, we will have a whole church ornament decorating party over Zoom.  Between 2 and 4 pm, everyone is invite to log onto ZOOM and visit with each other as we color the ornaments enclosed in the Advent Kit.  Here is the link for the gathering:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity "Family" Ministries

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82854155123

 

Meeting ID: 828 5415 5123

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,82854155123# US (Chicago)

+16468769923,,82854155123# US (New York)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 828 5415 5123

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbCKjgaQZw

BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENT

Rita Dickey is tuning 80 on December 17!  Her girls are asking for Rita to be showered with cards.  If you are able to send her a card, her address is PO Box 402, Skippack, PA 19474.

I will “see” you in worship on Sunday!

Many blessings!!

Pastor Amelie

 

Reigning Compassion -- A Message for November 22, 2020

 

Today is “Reign of Christ Sunday”, which was traditionally called “Christ the King” Sunday. The celebration was started in 1925 by the Roman Catholic Church to proclaim Jesus Christ is “the goal of human history, the focal point of the desires of history and civilization, the center of humankind, the joy of all hearts, and the fulfillment of all aspirations,”[1] This is the last Sunday of the Christian year, kind of a New Year’s Eve, when we remember that despite the challenges of the past year, Jesus loves us, leads us, and works with us to make this world more and more like the Kingdom of God. 

This morning, we read another one of Jesus’ parables, the last of the series from Matthew we will reflect on. This parable sounds harsh, but remember, it is a story, not a prediction of what will happen. Also, remember, the church is a place where imperfect people come together to work to do better, not a place for perfect people. Listen to this parable of Jesus as we read from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one through forty-six:

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,

43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Here ends this reading of the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayer for Understanding 

Holy Spirit to touch my lips, open our hearts & transform our lives. Amen. 

Leo Tolstoy is best known for his novels – he wrote War and Peace which is renowned for its length and the tragedy Anna Karenina. Religious themes and moral quandaries are front and center in his books. Tolstoy was a devout Christian and wrote many philosophical works, fables, and short stories with Christian themes.

One of this stories is a retelling of today’s scripture. It is called “Martin the Cobbler.” In the story, Martin began to read the Bible and become more faithful in his old age. He had a dream where he heard Jesus tell Martin he would come and visit him the next day. Martin wondered at the dream, and hoped Jesus would actually visit him. The next day was very cold. Martin waited for Jesus to appear, and waited, and waited. No one who was recognizably Jesus appeared at Martin’s door. But, Martin did invite a chilled disabled veteran inside for a cup of tea; a young mother and her baby inside to warm up, have some soup, and rest; and he helped an old woman who sold apples and a young hungry boy. At the end of the story, just as Martin was fretting that Jesus didn’t come to visit, a vision of the 4 people Martin had met during the day appeared and said: 'I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.'… 'Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren even these least, ye did it unto me'

The Bible and Jewish and Christian literature have many stories about people who welcomed God, Jesus, or God’s angels without realizing who they were. In the letter to the Hebrews, it says: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Abraham and Sarah were visited by undercover angels who predicted Sarah’s pregnancy with Isaac. God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and to Elijah as a still, small voice. Throughout Jesus’ lifetime, many people had conversations with Jesus without realizing his significance – he talked to the Samaritan woman at the well and then revealed himself midway through the conversation; when Jesus preached in Nazareth, he was driven out of the town because he was “just the son of carpenter Joseph”; and before his crucifixion, Jesus had a long conversation with Pilate who was unsure if Jesus was the messiah or not.

Our salvation is not tied to how many people we help – we are not redeemed by our own good works but by the saving grace of God. God doesn’t keep a giant tally sheet where every good deed we do is marked off – we don’t earn our way into God’s good graces. But, when we are committed to our faith in Jesus and committed to living out his teachings, we respond by doing good. We care for God’s creation because God made it for us to enjoy and tend. We care for our fellow man (and woman) because God created us to love each other. We help people who are hurting because God designed us to be healers and helpers and workers of good.

In Tolstoy’s story, Martin is a humble man. He was a cobbler, not a banker. He didn’t not have extra money or more possessions than he needed. Yet, when he saw people in need, he did what he could to help. He had tea, so he shared his tea. He had a warm room, so he welcomed in a cold mother and baby. He had kind words to share with the old woman and hungry boy.

We are in the midst of a pandemic. Things are shutting down. We don’t know how much longer we will wait until we can be vaccinated. We don't know how longer we will wait until our lives will resume like “normal.” We aren’t sure if we will ever have “normal” again.

But, we can still help people. We can still do good for others. We can still be hospitable and kind and generous. We can support the work of the church as we endeavor to do good in the village of Skippack. We can bake cookies for the bags for seniors, and donate toothbrushes and food, and buy Christmas presents for the kids whose families depend on the support of the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry. We can order masks and Christmas bags from the ladies who are in the program at Every Good Gift. When it snows, we can snow blow our neighbors’ walk or brush off their snow-covered car. We can remember to be extra kind to grocery store clerks and extra generous to servers when we pick up takeout. We can clear out our closets and donate men’s clothes to the Clothing Cupboard for homeless men at Old First UCC. We can call friends and fellow church members who are stuck at home. We can send note and cards to cheer up people we only see “virtually.” We can pray for each other.

This morning, we baptized Carrie. During baptisms, confirmations, and when we join the church as adults, we answer the same questions and we make the same promises. We promise, like Carried promised, to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best as we are able. In our reading this morning, we are reminded that when we treat others with kindness and generosity, we also demonstrate our love of Jesus—with our actions we “witness” to the work and word of Jesus Christ. Let us work to live out Jesus’ teachings and to treat all people with love and justice.

May it be so. Amen.

The church is not for perfect people, it is for people who are trying to do better.

[1] “The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World,” ch. iv, §45, in The Documents of Vatican II, ed. Walter M. Abbott, S.J. (New York: Herder and Herder, 1966), 247.

E-Letter to the Trinity Family -- November 20, 2020

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

I hope everyone is doing well this beautiful Friday afternoon!  The skies are sunny and bright! Despite the chilly weather, please take a good look at God’s creation when you are outdoors.

We have a lot going on at the church that I want you to know about:

WORSHIP SERVICES

We continue to have in-person worship services limited to 25 people.  The service will be held in our Education Building.  We will also Facebook livestream our 10:15 am service and offer a service on Zoom at 11 am. 

On Sunday mornings, in addition to attending worship in our Education building, you can join us on Facebook or Zoom:

Join us for our Sunday morning hymn sing at 9:45 am livestreamed from the “Ralien Luann Besch” facebook page. 

10:15 Facebook livestream Worship.  You can find us at our "Trinity Christian UCC Skippack" facebook page.

11 am ZOOM worship.  You can login at this link:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Trinity Sunday Worship
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75566827269?pwd=WEhnUm11L0RvWTM5eXJaU2tFeCtHZz09

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269
Password: 2HcmqK

If you would like to join us in-person on Sunday, November 29, please RSVP on Monday morning.  We will ask each attendee to come to church prior to 9:45 am so that we can watch Ralien and Amey’s hymn sing projected on the screen in the Education Building. 

If you would like to attend, I am keeping a list of who RSVPs until we reach 24 attendees.  You can contact me via email, at the church office (610-584-4054), or on my cell phone (314-680-0897). 

THANKSGIVING EVE

We will have a contemplative VITURAL worship service on Wednesday, November 25 to prepare for Thanksgiving.  Everyone is invited to log on to Ralien LuAnn Besch ‘s facebook page at 6:45 for a hymn sing.  At 7, you are invited to login on the “Trinity Christian UCC Skippack” facebook page for our virtual service. 

BLUE CHRISTMAS

The Skippack Area Ministerium Pastors decided to collaborate on a Blue Christmas Service this year.  This is a service for people who are having a hard time getting into “the Holiday Spirit.” – those who are grieving, those who are depressed, those who are very conscious of loved ones who we can’t gather with this year.  Since we are in the middle of a pandemic, most of us may be feeling “blue” as we prepare for Christmas this year.

The service will be streamed on our “Trinity Christian UCC Skippack” facebook page on December 21 at 7 pm. Please join us. 

BIBLE STUDY

We also have a Sunday morning Bible Study on ZOOM at 8:45 am.  Here is the link to log in:

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Trinity's Wired Word Discussion Group
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76933813590?pwd=Nzc0MkthZFBkdmVNTGYycjVtRXkwUT09

Meeting ID: 769 3381 3590
Password: 7qLSWw

MUSIC MINISTRY

Here is information about Trinity’s Music Ministry: 

Wednesday music schedule:

Adult Choir - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month on Zoom

Mission Music - 2nd Wednesday of each month on Zoom

Leo - 4th Wednesday of each month on Facebook

Special Surprise - when there is a 5th Wednesday of the month

 

Each of our Wednesday activities will be at 7 pm.   Here is the ZOOM link for our music ministry Wednesday evening activities:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity's Music Ministry

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87363505182

 

Meeting ID: 873 6350 5182

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,87363505182# US (Germantown)

+13126266799,,87363505182# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 873 6350 5182

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbetKNjam4

DAILY BREAD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

We continue to collect food and toiletry items for the Daily Bread Food Pantry.  They can be left at the doors of the church.

The Daily Bread has started their annual coat drive for kids.  They can use coats for all sizes for boys and girls.  The Daily Bread would like “brand new coats.” 

The Daily Bread's Current needs change every few weeks. This is their latest list of needs:

Personal Care: Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Supplies *

Food: Jelly, Jam, Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Rice, Skillet Helpers or Rice a Roni, Cookies, Chips, Juice, Shelf Stable Milk, Stuffing, Pie Crust Mix, Pie Crust Fillings in cans,

Pet Care: Dry Cat food*

And any other items you wish to donate would greatly be appreciated!

*These items can’t be purchased with Food Stamps.

HYMNALS

If you would like to borrow a hymnal from the church, please let me know and I will arrange for you to receive one. 

TRINITY BLOG

Trinity now has a blog where I am posting notes to the congregation and the text of my sermons.  If you would like to read these notes and messages, you can find them at: www.trinityskippack.blogspot.com

CAR TOUR OUTING

On November 22, we are having a tour of “Dave’s Garages.”  This year, we are adhering to Covid-19 protocol and are able to accommodate a smaller group on our tour.  The cost is $40 a person and we will meet in the church parking lot at 1 pm to begin the tour.  IF you would like to participate, please call Gary at 610-584-1468.   We still have room for about 10 more participants.  

REOPENING COMMITTEE

Our Trinity Reopening Committee met on Monday evening of last week.  We are monitoring the Covid-19 infection rates for Montgomery County and considering them as we plan for the Advent and Christmas season.    We are working to make faithful decisions that will keep our community as safe as possible. 

HOAGIE SALE – DECEMBER 5

Our upcoming Hoagie sale will now be on Saturday, December 5.  We need volunteers.  Please let me or Deb in the church office know if you are able to help.  We will begin taking hoagie orders soon. 

ADVENT KITS

We will be distributing “Advent Kits” over the next few weeks since Advent starts on November 29.  I will probably drop your kit off at your house and will call before I arrive. 

ORNAMENT DECORATING

The Advent kits contain many things for you to do – things to read, things to color, things to contemplate. On Sunday, December 13, we will have a whole church ornament decorating party over Zoom.  Between 2 and 4 pm, everyone is invite to log onto ZOOM and visit with each other as we color the ornaments enclosed in the Advent Kit.  Here is the link for the gathering:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity "Family" Ministries

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82854155123

 

Meeting ID: 828 5415 5123

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,82854155123# US (Chicago)

+16468769923,,82854155123# US (New York)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 828 5415 5123

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbCKjgaQZw

I will “see” you in worship on Sunday!

Many blessings!!

Pastor Amelie