Weekly Note to the Trinity Family

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

I pray that everyone in our extended church family is doing well.  The weather outside is delightful, and there are many signs of God’s creation present in our environment. 

You no longer need to RSVP for our in-person worship service on Sunday morning at 10:15. Please join us!

FIRST FRIDAY SKIPPACK

The First Friday season is upon us.  This spring, the Skippack First Fridays begin on May 7.  If you would like to help at our table, please let me know.  Our First Friday outreach is an opportunity to meet our neighbors and invite people to learn more about Trinity. 

WORSHIP SERVICES

We now have in-person worship services in our sanctuary.  We are still checking temperatures, maintain social distance guidelines and wearing masks.

On Sunday mornings, you are also invited to join us on Facebook or Zoom:

Join us for our Sunday morning hymn sing at 9:45 am live-streamed from the Trinity Christian UCC Skippack facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/TrinityUCCSkippack

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

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

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity Worship Services

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/75566827269

 

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,75566827269# US (Washington D.C)

+13126266799,,75566827269# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

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

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kih56ueDN

BIBLE STUDY

We 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 on Facebook

 

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

DON’T GIVE UP MOVEMENT           

Our Outreach committee is inviting everyone in our congregation to join us in sharing messages from the “Don’t Give Up” movement.  This outreach was started to encourage people who are considering suicide to not give up.  We have yard signs, postcards, stickers, and business cards with messages that say things like “You are Enough” and “Your Mistakes Don’t Define You.” These messages are especially important right now as many people are struggling with their mental and emotional health after the many months of our pandemic.  Please pick up yard signs at church and other signs to promote this message of love for our neighbors.  Here is more about the movement:  https://www.dontgiveupsigns.com/

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

Personal Care: Laundry Detergent, Baby Shampo0, Baby Body Wash, Diaper Cream, Female Body Wash, Tissues *

Food: Juice canned or juice boses

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

 

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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Southeast PA Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (SEPA VOAD) is partnering with UCC Disaster Ministries and Eastwick United to recruit volunteers to repair and rebuild homes in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia.

On August 4, 2020, during the pandemic, TS Isaias dumped seven inches of rain on parts of eastern Pennsylvania. Wind damage and tornadoes left hundreds of thousands without power and widespread severe flooding led to injuries as well as one storm-related fatality.

 Covid concerns have left significant unmet needs in the impacted areas and especially in the Eastwick section of Philadelphia which has the highest concentration of damage to both structures and mechanical systems.

We anticipate receiving our first teams in early May, 2021.

 Along with following strict Covid guidelines on the worksites, the pandemic has also made it impossible for us to offer housing to volunteers. We are encouraging volunteers to commute from a radius of approximately 60 miles or to make their own housing arrangements in the area.

Project Focus: Repair and Rebuild; install heating systems and hot water heaters if licensed Contact: Judy Moore, Volunteer Coordinator 802-299-8290; IsaiasRecoveryVolunteers@gmail.com

Group Size: 2 to 5 team members

Minimum Age: 18

Group Leadership: Skilled team leader and semiskilled assistant

Accommodations: None (due to Covid)

Cost: Housing (if teams are not commuting), transportation, food

Tools: Please bring general carpentry tools and a substantial first aid kit

Donations are deductible and always welcome: It is estimated that $320,000 will be required to meet the needs of the Eastwick community. To date $48,500 has been committed from the following organizations: Eastwick Neighbors and Friends Coalition, The Salvation Army, UCC Disaster Ministries, Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA, and a local Go Fund Me effort.

Please earmark ‘Eastwick Recovery’ and send donations to: Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable St. Paul AME Church Ellwood 8398 Lindbergh Blvd. , Philadelphia, PA 19153

All necessary information supplied upon contact.

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

I will “see” you in worship on Sunday!

Many blessings!!

Pastor Amelie

** Our artwork is the "Eastern Orthodox icon of Jesus Christ as the True Vine" from Athen's Byzantine and Christian Museum **

Enfolded in Love -- A Message for April 25, 2021

 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 

The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

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

Prayer for Understanding

God of Story and Song, through the scriptures you have taught us of your love, and lifted our hearts in praise. Send us your Holy Spirit as we listen to the witness of your people, so that we may claim the story of your redeeming love again and praise you with our lives through Christ, our Lord and Guide. Amen.

Message                                          Enfolded by Love            

            In the first century, in Israel, there were many, many sheep and shepherds to watch over them.  People wove sheep wool into clothing.  People drank sheep milk and ate sheep cheese.  The main type of meat people ate, when they were lucky enough to eat meat, was derived from sheep.   Sheep dotted the land.

            When Jesus talked about being a shepherd, people understood what he was talking about.  They knew shepherds.  They knew the dangers faced by sheep.  And, they knew how sheep behave….they are notorious for losing their way and following leader sheep who take them off-course.

            The only sheep I see when I am out and about are at Black’s farm up the road on Skippack Pike.  These sheep are contained in a small grassy field surrounded by serious fencing.  Those sheep have nowhere to wander off to since they are stuck inside their fence.  They don’t need a shepherd to walk among them and keep them from wandering away --- the fencing does the work of  a Shepherd.

            But, the Ancient Middle East was not fenced.  Shepherds were essential keep track of the sheep.

            And, there was a difference between the hired help and the owners of the sheep.  The shepherds “for-hire” were not invested in the sheep the way they owners were invested.  When predators came to attack, the hired help ran away.  They were not willing to risk life and limb for the sheep.  For the owners, it was a different story.  They would risk everything to protect the sheep.  Their livelihood and the lives of their family were dependent on keeping the sheep alive so they could be shaved for wool and milked and eventually slaughtered for human food.

            In our reading this morning, Jesus talked about being the “good shepherd.” A good shepherd risks his life for his sheep.   A good shepherd risks everything so that their sheep are preserved and their family’s source of income and food is preserved.

            When Jesus told his followers he was the Good Shepherd, he knew he would lay down his life for his sheep, for his people, for us.  Jesus loved the people of our world so much that he was willing to die to protect us….to protect us from the weight of our sins.  Jesus was willing to give his life for us, his sheep.

            Jesus also says in this passage that he was gathering up other sheep that were not of “this” sheep pin.  Jesus was a Jewish man who came as the Messiah.  But, he was not only the Messiah for Jewish people, he was the savior of all people.  So, Jesus wanted to make it clear that he was gathering up all of the people of the world, not just the Jewish people of the World.  Everyone was welcome to follow Jesus, to live by his teachings, to experience the love of God, to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God….everyone.  Not just the Jewish people, not just the people who once were God’s Chosen People.  Through the Good News of Jesus Christ, we all learned we are the Chosen People of God.

We are called to become one flock -- "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)   In Jesus’ time, the Jewish people were separate from the Gentile people.  They actively worked to keep themselves separate from their neighbors. But, Jesus came to change that, to bring people together.  In our time period, who is separate from us?  Who are our Gentiles? Who have we separated ourselves from?  

In our country, over the past year, in addition to grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, we have also been soul-seeking as a country that struggles with racial equality.  Although we are mandated by our faith to treat everyone with respect and love, the history of our country is a history of prejudice against racial and ethnic groups who are not powerful.  The White European majority has separated ourselves from our version of the Gentiles the ancient Jewish people distained. We treated Native Americans unfairly the moment Europeans set foot on this country; then we brought enslaved African people here against their will.  We treated Irish immigrants, and Italian immigrants, and Polish immigrants, and Chinese immigrants unfairly.  Even after we ended slavery, we still mistreated African Americans. We forced Japanese Americans to live in detention centers.  We have treated immigrants from Mexico and Central America with suspicion and hostility.   The majority group in our country, a group that is predominantly Christian, has treated other people as our “Gentiles” – we have separated ourselves from the “other” again and again and again.

The mandate of our faith is to welcome everyone into our sheepfold.  Everyone is supposed to mix together.  We are called to invite everyone to follow Jesus.  WE are called to share the Good News with everyone – people who look like us and people who don’t – people with our ethnic origins and people of every other ethnic origin – people who are women and people who are men – people who are married and people who are single and people who are divorced and people who are widowed – people who are heterosexual and people who are homosexual and people who are bisexual and people who are pansexual --  babies and toddlers and children and teenagers and young adults and middle aged adults and older adults and senior adults. – People who speak English as a first language and people who speak Spanish as a first language and people who speak Swahili as a first language and people who speak sign language.  Everyone is invited to our sheepfold.  Everyone is invited to our church.

And part of our job is to gather them up.  We can’t expect people to just show up.  Why would they come? We have to give them reasons to come. And, we have to invite them to come. 

There are many people who haven’t heard the Good News.  Or they have heard a version of Christianity that doesn’t resonate with them.  Many people don’t know that there are churches like ours – churches where we work to love and accept all people, and want to make sure everyone knows they are loved by our God and they don’t have to change into someone else to fit in with our group. There are no perfect Christians.  WE are all on a journey together. We are people who are not perfect but we are trying to do things better. We are working to support and love each other as we grow in our faith and as we grow in our compassion. 

Jesus laid down his life for us.  He was the Good Shepherd who risked everything for his sheep.  We are also called to take risks for our faith – to risk telling others about Jesus. To take risks inviting others to come to church with us. To risk inviting people who are different than we are to join us here. Jesus reminded us that this faith is not only for those of us who are believe in it now, but we are always in the process of sharing in with new people and inviting new people to develop a relationship with our God.

Let us reach out in love. May it be so. Amen. 

A Message to the Trinity Family on April 23, 2021

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

I pray that everyone in our extended church family is doing well.  The weather outside is delightful, and there are many signs of God’s creation present in our environment. 

FRENCH MARKET HOAGIE & CROISSANT SALE – MAY 1

Our hoagie sale will take a French flair at Skippack's May 1st French Market.  We will have our Italian, Turkey & Cheese, and Ham & Cheese sandwiches on either a 12 inch hoagie roll or on a croissant.  The cost is $6 each. Everything is homemade and we will take croissant orders at the door. 

Hoagie preorders can be made at: https://form.jotform.com/201836095667161

WORSHIP SERVICES

We now have in-person worship services in our sanctuary.  They are limited to 25 people who make reservations in advance.  WE HAVE NEVER HAD A FULL HOUSE --- PLEASE JOIN US!  If you are able to plan in advance, please call the church office (610-584-4054) or email me to make your reservation.  We will also check temperatures, maintain social distance guidelines and wear masks.

On Sunday mornings, you are also invited to join us on Facebook or Zoom:

Join us for our Sunday morning hymn sing at 9:45 am live-streamed from the Trinity Christian UCC Skippack facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/TrinityUCCSkippack

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

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

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity Worship Services

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/75566827269

 

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,75566827269# US (Washington D.C)

+13126266799,,75566827269# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

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

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kih56ueDN

BIBLE STUDY

We 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 on Facebook

 

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

DON’T GIVE UP MOVEMENT      

Our Outreach committee is inviting everyone in our congregation to join us in sharing messages from the “Don’t Give Up” movement.  This outreach was started to encourage people who are considering suicide to not give up.  We have yard signs, postcards, stickers, and business cards with messages that say things like “You are Enough” and “Your Mistakes Don’t Define You.” These messages are especially important right now as many people are struggling with their mental and emotional health after the many months of our pandemic.  Please pick up yard signs at church and other signs to promote this message of love for our neighbors.  Here is more about the movement:  https://www.dontgiveupsigns.com/

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'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. 

THE DAILY BREAD IS REQUESTING DONATIONS OF VEGETABLE SEEDS SO THEIR GUESTS MAY PLANT GARDENS AND GROW SOME OF THEIR OWN FOOD.

REOPENING NEWS! – from Nan Burch, our Re-opening Committee Chair

Upon recommendation by the Re-opening Committee and with Consistory's approval, we have decided to again re-open our Church to in-person services beginning on Palm Sunday (March 28) at 10:15AM in the Sanctuary. 

The same restrictions will be in place as when we held services in the Education Building. These include:  distancing, wearing masks, taking temperatures, sanitizing when necessary, etc. As before, we will be limited to an attendance of 25, and you must reserve your place in advance of each service. To do this, email or call Pastor Amelie or our Administrative Assistant Deb Clewell.  (610-584-4054)

Please note that we strongly discourage gathering in groups before or after the service, and remember that distancing must be observed at all times. We also encourage those older or compromised persons who have not yet been vaccinated to keep viewing services via Facebook or Zoom. We are thrilled that we may again gather together in person, but your safety is our greatest concern! 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Southeast PA Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (SEPA VOAD) is partnering with UCC Disaster Ministries and Eastwick United to recruit volunteers to repair and rebuild homes in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia.

On August 4, 2020, during the pandemic, TS Isaias dumped seven inches of rain on parts of eastern Pennsylvania. Wind damage and tornadoes left hundreds of thousands without power and widespread severe flooding led to injuries as well as one storm-related fatality.

 Covid concerns have left significant unmet needs in the impacted areas and especially in the Eastwick section of Philadelphia which has the highest concentration of damage to both structures and mechanical systems.

We anticipate receiving our first teams in early May, 2021.

 Along with following strict Covid guidelines on the worksites, the pandemic has also made it impossible for us to offer housing to volunteers. We are encouraging volunteers to commute from a radius of approximately 60 miles or to make their own housing arrangements in the area.

Project Focus: Repair and Rebuild; install heating systems and hot water heaters if licensed Contact: Judy Moore, Volunteer Coordinator 802-299-8290; IsaiasRecoveryVolunteers@gmail.com

Group Size: 2 to 5 team members

Minimum Age: 18

Group Leadership: Skilled team leader and semiskilled assistant

Accommodations: None (due to Covid)

Cost: Housing (if teams are not commuting), transportation, food

Tools: Please bring general carpentry tools and a substantial first aid kit

Donations are deductible and always welcome: It is estimated that $320,000 will be required to meet the needs of the Eastwick community. To date $48,500 has been committed from the following organizations: Eastwick Neighbors and Friends Coalition, The Salvation Army, UCC Disaster Ministries, Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA, and a local Go Fund Me effort.

Please earmark ‘Eastwick Recovery’ and send donations to: Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable St. Paul AME Church Ellwood 8398 Lindbergh Blvd. , Philadelphia, PA 19153

All necessary information supplied upon contact.

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

I will “see” you in worship on Sunday!

Many blessings!!

Pastor Amelie

**Our artwork comes from John August Swanson's work "Psalm 23"  visit http://www.johnaugustswanson.com **