Breaking Chains -- A Message for May 29, 2022

 

            Last week, our worship service was focused on Jesus’ Ascension, when he departed the earth after 40 days of resurrection appearances. At the Ascension, Jesus essentially passed the baton to his disciples, and told them that with his departure, it was their responsibility to start spreading the faith.

            This morning, we will read a portion of the prayer Jesus said before his Ascension. These words reflect Jesus’ dreams for the church, for the people who would become members of the Christian faith. Jesus prayed for us to be united, to join together as a body so that we could stand fast against the arrows and rocks the world would sling against us. We are still working towards living up to the hopes Jesus expressed in his prayer. Please hear the words of Christ as they are recorded in John 17:20-26:

Scripture Reading                        John 17: 20-26

‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 

that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 

I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 

I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’

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

Prayer for Understanding

Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voice but your own, that, hearing, we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

            When William Penn established Pennsylvania, he made our state a place where all believers in God could freely practice their religious beliefs and not be forced to practice in ways they disagreed with. Penn’s decree of religious freedom brought exiles and refugees from Europe and the Mediterranean world to our humble state.  Here, they could freely practice their faith.

            Since 1682, our state has been home to people who practice many different versions of Christianity. The earliest residents in Skippack were a reflection of the exiles that flocked to Pennsylvania: Mennonites, Quakers, and Reformed Christians were the earliest European settlers here.

            Not only have different religious groups come to our country, but once they were here, Christian group have splinted off of each other; new denominations were born out of old ones.

            Early in the twentieth century, Christians in our country and throughout the world began to question our history of splitting off into new denominations after theological disagreements. Christian leaders began to meet together to talk about our past history of division. They believed Jesus called us to be united, and that the goal of the future Christian church was to collaborate and work towards unity. So, different branches of Christianity began to do more and more work together – Sunday school curriculum was written together and church camps were shared, training seminaries were supported by Christians of different persuasions and ministers began to be called to work in more than one denomination.

            The United Church of Christ, the denomination of our church, was born out of this movement. We were the merger of two churches who themselves were mergers of two churches: the formerly Congregational church of the Puritans and the Christian church of the Middle South and the German Evangelical Synod of the Midwest and the German Reformed church of Pennsylvania. We came together in 1957 and our motto comes straight out of today’s scripture reading: That they all may be one.  We were formed with the goal of uniting Christians together.

            And, why is it important for us to be united? Why did Jesus pray the request and hope that all Christians may be one, as he was one with Jesus?

            Faithful, practicing Christians are a minority in our world. Throughout history, at various times in the last 2000 years, in Europe, we may have been in the majority, but that time is over. Gallup reported in 2021 that US church membership e is 47% of the population. In the UK, church attendance is less than 8%. In Germany, only 10% of the population attends worship weekly. Fewer and fewer people consider themselves Christians, consider themselves one of us.

            Now, more than ever, we need to be united.  As St. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “For we were all baptized by one Spirit as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.” We are one body and we need each other. We are called to support and encourage each other when we are suffering. We are called to support and encourage people in our world who are vulnerable and under stress. We are called to lift each other up, to work together to study our faith and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Together, we worship God, we baptize new believers, we bury our dead, we pray for each other.

            The people of world are suffering. We pray for the victims and refugees from the Russian onslaught in Ukraine. We struggle together with the effects and casualties that come from wave after wave of Covid-19. We grapple with each act of domestic terrorism that happens in our country as we reel from Buffalo and Uvalde.  We deal with rising food and gas prices, political conflict within our families, vulnerability in our professional situations, and loved ones who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We are suffering. Our neighbors are suffering.

            We need each other. And, we need to be united with the whole of the Christian people. Jesus prayed that we would become completely one with each other and that we would feel the full love of God within our hearts. We can’t do this alone. We need each other. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he knew humanity would always have trials and tribulations. He knew practicing Christianity in a hostile world would be difficult. So, his prayer was that we would be one, so that we will be able to support each other and care for each other in the midst of our trials.

            Let us work to live out Jesus’ prayer, and work together as one accord.

May we do so in love. Amen. 

Disciples Together -- A Message for May 22, 2022

 

This week, we have our annual observance of Jesus’ Ascension to heaven. During the 40 days after Easter, Jesus surprised his Disciples and followers by appearing in their midst. He showed them his scars from the cross. He taught them new things. He made sure they knew he forgave them for failing him. But, all good things come to an end. Jesus’ friends were still living in an in-between state. Jesus wanted them to move on with their lives and step up as the leaders he trained them to be. So, Jesus gave them a few final instructions, and then Jesus ascended to heaven, he moved on to another plane or dimension. Just before he left, Jesus told his followers the Holy Spirit was coming soon. They were to wait for the Holy Spirt and then follow the new direction God led them.

            Hear the story of the Ascension as it is written in the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1, verses 1 through 11:

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 

until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

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

Prayer for Understanding

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

            Every year, in our lives before Covid-19, Lucia’s elementary school had a field day. The kids were divided into Spartans and Titans, white or green shirts, and compete. Most of the competitions were fun – water balloon relay races, stacking cups into the tallest towers, a giant tug- of-war. Everyone had to participate and the kids, though often drenched by the water relays and a tad sun burned, always seemed to have a good time.

            In order for the relay races to succeed, each child had to do their best after they received the baton or the water balloon. This morning, we read about Jesus’ passing the baton to his disciples. Jesus reached the point when he needed to move on to heaven, so he passed the baton to his disciples – he told them they would receive power from the Holy Spirit, and then they would become his witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. After he said this, Jesus was taken up into heaven, he left the earth.

            Jesus expected his disciples to pick up the baton, and to continue the work he started. He expected them to become evangelists, preachers, and healers. He knew they were destined to become the leaders of the Christian church, a church that was in its infancy.

            Our scriptures, especially those in the Acts of the Apostles and the letters that follow, testify to the work the disciples carried forward after Jesus’ departure. In two weeks, we will recall the first Christian Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit literally poured into the disciples and gave them additional gifts, like the ability to speak new languages. They learned from Jesus example, they were fortified, gifted, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and then they became the first Christian evangelists, preachers, healers, and pastors.

            This is our work too. As a community of faith, we strive to pass on our faith to the children and young people of our church. When we baptize young children, and when we Confirm young adults, we make promises to the young Christians. We promise them our friendship and prayers, we promise to share their hopes and labors as the Church of Jesus Christ, and we promise to work alongside them as we endeavor to share and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our faith is communal – we are in this together. And, whether Christians are 6 years old or 60 years old, we need to support each other and help encourage each other.

            Jesus wasn’t like the leaders of modern countries or corporations. Instead of sticking to having one person at the top of the organization, Jesus passed the baton to eleven of his Disciples. They, in turn, passed the baton to hundreds of people, Christians like them. We are all encouraged to be fruitful, and to help multiply the faithful, and to spread the words of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Our work is to talk to others about what we believe and why we believe. Our work is to empower each other and encourage each other. We are called to all act like Disciples, to apply the teachings of God and Jesus in our lives, and to share those teachings with others. May we do so with love being our priority, because Jesus taught us the most important commandants are to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

            May it be so. Amen.

News from Trinity -- Congregational Meeting, Memorial Day Decorating, First Friday Volunteers Needed

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

            We celebrate that we are now in the beautiful month of May, with lovely flowers blooming all around us. I pray that this note finds you and your families doing well. We thank God for the lovely weather and the opportunities that are happening as the world is coming back to life after our season of pandemic.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING JUNE 5

We will have a brief congregational meeting after our 10:15 worship service on Sunday, June 5. The meeting will be to discuss and vote on hiring professional nursery caregivers for our worship services. If the proposal is accepted, we will begin advertising the positions and interviewing candidates.  In order to adhere to our Safe Church policy and PA laws, we will seek 2 unrelated adults who have childcare experience.

MEMORIAL DAY DECORATION SUNDAY

The church will observe Memorial Day on May 29. We will gather in our cemetery at 9:45 am for an opportunity of prayer, remembrance, and to decorate the graves of our Veterans. Please bring flowers.

TRINITY COMMUNITY GARDEN

Thomas Updike has built a community garden on the upper corner of our cemetery meadow for a part of his Eagle Scout project. There are now six plots for anyone that would like to cultivate them. Please call the church office if you would like a lot: 610-584-4054

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AT SKIPPACK FIRST FRIDAYS

The good weather is here and we are on the cusp of the Skippack First Friday season.  Each month, Skippack stores stay open late on the First Friday of the month. Non-profits are invited to have tables set up around town to promote our agency. Trinity needs volunteers to run our church’s table – we share brochures about our, invite people to upcoming activities, pass out prayer squares, and usually like to have activities to engager our younger neighbors. This year, our remaining Skippack First Fridays are June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, and October 7. We are already signed up to have a patriotic sing-a-long on July 1.  If you are able to help, we need volunteers to run the table from 6 to 8 pm at each First Friday. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you can help.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – JULY 15, 16, and 17

Our next VBS planning meeting will be on June 4 at 10 am. WE NEED YOUR HELP.

This year, our focus is on “Jesus, the light in the darkness.” We learn about Jesus bringing us the “true light”, make a cave, do cave drawings, play games, and have a great time!

Planning and orchestrating our VBS will require many adult volunteers. Each volunteer will have to have all of their PA State background checks before our VBS.  Talk to Pastor Amelie if you want to volunteer and she will make sure you have the paperwork you need to obtain your background checks.

TRINITY MEN’S BREAKFAST

All men are invited to breakfast on Saturday June 11 at 8:30 am. We will meet at the Sammy’s Bullfrog Café, 282 Hunsberger Lane, Harleysville, PA. We meet for fellowship, conversation, and a good meal. Our men’s breakfasts will continue into the future on the second Saturday of the month. Please join us!

READING PHILLIES – AUGUST 20, 2022

Take me out to the ballgame!  We will resume our church activity of watching a Reading Phils game together on August 20, 2022. Everyone is invited, and friends are welcome to join us. If you would like tickets, please let Nancy or the church office know….610-584-4054.

TUESDAY EVENING DISCUSSION – THE PARABLES OF JESUS

You are invited to join our discussion of the parables of Jesus in the season following Easter. We will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm on Zoom for 6 sessions: April 19 & 26 and May 10, 17, 24, & 31^st. Each informal gathering will las about an hour and will focus on one of Jesus’ parables. Our time together will include Bible study, discussion, and prayer. Please join us!

Here is the Zoom link for our Tuesday Discussions:

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Trinity's Tuesday Groups

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82258786795

Meeting ID: 822 5878 6795

One tap mobile

+16468769923,,82258786795# US (New York)

+13017158592,,82258786795# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +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: 822 5878 6795

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcYW4wCoik

CHURCH PICNIC – SAVE THE DATE!!

Our church picnic will be July 17! Everyone is invited, including your family, friends, and neighbors.  And, our air-conditioning project will be complete so we will have our picnic both in our education building and outdoors. Our Christian Education Committee provides the meat course and everyone is invited to bring a dish to share.

4H FAIR GAMES

Trinity will be leading games at the annual 4H fair in Creamery. The fair is August 11, 12, and 13. We will need a lot of volunteers.  If you are available to help, you will need to have up-to-date PA security clearances and background checks. If you have suggestions or ideas for games, please let Pastor Amelie know and also let her know if you are able to help.

BANNER TEAM – CALLING ALL CRAFTY FOLKS!

The Worship Committee is looking for volunteers to help make new banners for our sanctuary.  This project is in its infancy, but if you are interested in helping, please tell Pastor Amelie.

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 (which cannot be purchased with food stamps):

Laundry soap, children's toothbrushes/ toothpaste, tissues

Food:

Juice, cereal, oatmeal

Baby Care:

Size 6 diapers

Pet Care:

Dry cat food, Litter, canned dog food

GIVING TO TRINITY

Although things are not fully back to normal, Trinity’s expenses have continued throughout the pandemic.  We know that everyone’s work-life has been disrupted during this time and we don’t expect everyone to be able to contribute to the church in the amount you were able to contribute in the past.  If you have the means to contribute to the church, you may drop off your offerings at the church office or you may mail it to our address: Trinity Christian UCC; 2009 Church Road, PO Box 538, Skippack, PA 19474

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/

WORSHIP SERVICES

On Sunday mornings, you are invited to join us in-person and  on Facebook:

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

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

We have a Sunday morning Bible Study in-person and on ZOOM at 8:30 am.  This is a new meeting time. 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

LUNCH BUNCH MEETS WEEKLY!

Lunch Bunch is our Tuesday afternoon Bible Study.  Everyone is invited to join us on Tuesdays at 12 pm.  Please bring your own lunch. (In the past, we had a potluck lunch, but for now each person will bring their own food.)  Lunch Bunch typically studies the portion of the Bible that will be the focus of our worship service on the upcoming Sunday. 

REOPENING COMMITTEE

WE ARE NOW “MASK OPTIONAL.”

We are now singing hymns in worship!! And, we are not taking temperatures.

We are keeping a list of the names of attendees for contact tracing purposes.

Hopefully it won’t be much longer before all restrictions are lifted and everyone is vaccinated.

TRINITY BLOG

Trinity 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

Imagine -- A Message for May 15, 2022

 

            As we move through the Christian season that comes after Easter, we have heard some of the events that occurred in the life of Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples who became a leader in the early Christian church. Last week, we heard the story of Peter’s visit to Joppa where he was led by God’s Holy Spirit to help Tabitha be restored to life. This week, we turn to another event that happened while Peter was in Joppa. He had a vision that led to Gentiles—non-Jewish people-- becoming fully welcomed to become part of the Christian church. Hear the story as it is written in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 11, verse 1 through 18:

Scripture Reading                        Acts 11:1-18

The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him

and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 

“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 

I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 

Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 

This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

“Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 

The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 

He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 

He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’

 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.  

Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 

So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

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

 

Prayer for Understanding

O Lord our God, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, that we may be obedient to your will and live always for your glory; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

            The elementary school I attended was a Magnet school focused on international studies. Each child had daily classes in a foreign language; I took German. We had special events focused on learning about other countries, had regular classroom visitors who taught about their country of origin, and learned songs and games played by children in other lands. One particularly enjoyable event we had was an “international taste test.” The students gathered in our cafeteria the serving table was spread with unusual foods from other nations for us to try. We sampled octopus and sushi and German chocolate and empanadas. Some of the foods were considered particularly odd, but we were encouraged to try new things.

            This morning, our focus is the life-changing vision Peter had which encouraged him to try new things. Faithful Jewish people have food traditions and prohibitions that are thousands of years old. In the Old Testament, we can read the many rules and requirements that Jewish believers are to keep: no pork; only eat land animals who eat grass and have cloven hooves; seafood must have fins and scales, so no shellfish; you can’t eat birds of prey; meat and dairy cannot be eaten together; meat must be slaughtered in a precise way with its throat cut and the blood drained out.

            Jesus and his Disciples were devout Jews. The followed the laws of the Torah, including the dietary restrictions. The kept Kosher.

            When Jesus was travelling throughout Israel, doing his work of teaching, and preaching, and healing, he did have several encounters with non-Jewish people. He healed the Syro-phoenician woman’s ill daughter and the servant of a Roman Centurion.  Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman at the well and forgave her sins. Jesus’ miracles and teachings were not exclusively for Jewish people.

            But, initially, the Christian movement did not see itself as separate from Judaism. The apostles and evangelists of Christianity saw themselves as proclaiming a Judaism with corrections or reforms. The first Christians considered their movement as being a movement within Judaism. They didn’t see their mission as an opportunity for non-Jewish Gentiles to become believers in God and Jesus.

            But then, Peter had a vision. A strange vision.

            Peter saw a sheet drifting down from heaven. The sheet had non-kosher animals on it: imagine lions, snakes, frogs, pigs, and eagles…all animals Jewish people were not allowed to eat according to the laws of the Torah. The voice from Heaven told Peter to eat these odd animals. Peter protested and was told he was wrong, God wanted him to change his diet and eat prohibited foods.

            Then a group of men from Caesarea came to the house where Peter was staying and asked him to go with them. The men were sent to get Peter by Cornelius, a Roman centurion from the Italian Regiment. Peter went to Caesarea to Cornelius’ home, where a crowd was gathered. Peter told the crowd about Jesus and told them that God had given Peter a vision commanding that he should not consider any people unclean, including non-Jewish people like those gathered in Cornelius’s home. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit of God came on all the people in the room. After the Holy Spirit came, Peter baptized the people with water in the name of Jesus Christ.

            So, God commanded the Christians a new practice – we are to welcome and accept non-Jewish people into the Christian faith. Christianity is for everyone.  

            Even in the 21^st Century, we are susceptible of thinking of our faith as an us-against-them proposition. The United States has hundreds of different types of churches, churches that were formed by people who believed they had figured out the “right” way to practice Christianity and everyone else had it wrong. We don’t always do a good job of welcoming people who are different than us – people of other ethnic backgrounds, people of other economic backgrounds, people of other sexual orientations, people who vote differently than we do, people who want to follow different Covid-precautions than we want to follow. We don’t always do a good job of welcoming people who interpret scripture different than we do or practice Christianity differently than we do – I heard a podcast this week that talked about Christians who absolutely don’t believe women should be pastors – I have problems accepting different theological perspectives too.

            Our work as Christians is to welcome and to accept people who are different. None of us have the exclusively correct interpretation of the scriptures. None of us know exactly the right way to practice Chrsitianity. None of us have it all figured out. But, we do know that this faith is for all people: young and old, rich and poor, white and African American, straight and LBGTQ, healthy and not. All people are welcomed to follow God, to believe in Jesus and to accept the Holy Spirit into their hearts. And, our work as people of faith is to share our faith with others. Our work is to be invitational, to share with others why we believe what we believe and to welcome them to accept Jesus into their hearts. Let us work to be welcoming and to be invitational, today and all days.

Amen. 

Message to the Trinity Family -- Congregational Meeting; Voting Cookies; Men's Breakfast Tomorrow

Greetings Trinity Family,

We celebrate that we are now in the beautiful month of May, with lovely flowers blooming all around us. I pray that this note finds you and your families doing well. We thank God for the lovely weather and the opportunities that are happening as the world is coming back to life after our season of pandemic.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING JUNE 5

We will have a brief congregational meeting after our 10:15 worship service on Sunday, June 5. The meeting will be to discuss and vote on hiring professional nursery caregivers for our worship services. If the proposal is accepted, we will begin advertising the positions and interviewing candidates. In order to adhere to our Safe Church policy and PA laws, we will seek 2 unrelated adults who have childcare experience.

TRINITY MEN’S BREAKFASTS FINALLY RESUME – TOMORROW!!!

All men are invited to breakfast on Saturday May 14 at 8:30 am. We will meet at the Energy Station, 2710 Shelly Road, Harleysville, next to the Landis Supermarket. We meet for fellowship, conversation, and a good meal. Our men’s breakfasts will continue into the future on the second Saturday of the month. Please join us!

ELECTION DAY COFFEE, COOKIES AND PRAYERS – THIS TUESDAY!!

Election Day is May 17. Voting takes place in our Education Building. We would like to meet our neighbors and share coffee, cookies, and prayers with them. If you have free-time on the 17th, we need volunteers to help. We also need donations of cookies to share. Let Pastor Amelie know if you can help.

TRINITY COMMUNITY GARDEN

Thomas Updike has built a community garden on the upper corner of our cemetery meadow for a part of his Eagle Scout project. There are now six plots for anyone that would like to cultivate them. Please call the church office if you would like a lot: 610-584-4054

SEASON OF EASTER PRAYER WALK

We will have walkable “Stations of the Cross” in our Cemetery over the next few weeks. This year, we will have prints of paintings by Mary Button that contrast the Passion story with Jesus’ post-resurrection ministry. I hope you will visit our cemetery and pray your way through the Stations. Thank you to John Becker who used his carpentry gifts to make displays for the stations.

TUESDAY EVENING DISCUSSION – THE PARABLES OF JESUS

You are invited to join our discussion of the parables of Jesus in the season following Easter. We will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm on Zoom for 6 sessions: April 19 & 26 and May 10, 17, 24, & 31st. Each informal gathering will las about an hour and will focus on one of Jesus’ parables. Our time together will include Bible study, discussion, and prayer. Please join us!

Here is the Zoom link for our Tuesday Discussions:

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Trinity's Tuesday Groups

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82258786795

Meeting ID: 822 5878 6795

One tap mobile

+16468769923,,82258786795# US (New York)

+13017158592,,82258786795# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+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: 822 5878 6795

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcYW4wCoik

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AT SKIPPACK FIRST FRIDAYS

The good weather is here and we are on the cusp of the Skippack First Friday season. Each month, Skippack stores stay open late on the First Friday of the month. Non-profits are invited to have tables set up around town to promote our agency. Trinity needs volunteers to run our church’s table – we share brochures about our, invite people to upcoming activities, pass out prayer squares, and usually like to have activities to engager our younger neighbors. This year, our Skippack First Fridays are May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, and October 7. We are already signed up to have a patriotic sing-a-long on July 1. If you are able to help, we need volunteers to run the table from 6 to 8 pm at each First Friday. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you can help.

CHURCH PICNIC – SAVE THE DATE!!

Our church picnic will be July 17! Everyone is invited, including your family, friends, and neighbors. And, our air-conditioning project will be complete so we will have our picnic both in our education building and outdoors. Our Christian Education Committee provides the meat course and everyone is invited to bring a dish to share.

4H FAIR GAMES

Trinity will be leading games at the annual 4H fair in Creamery. The fair is August 11, 12, and 13. We will need a lot of volunteers. If you are available to help, you will need to have up-to-date PA security clearances and background checks. If you have suggestions or ideas for games, please let Pastor Amelie know and also let her know if you are able to help.

BANNER TEAM – CALLING ALL CRAFTY FOLKS!

The Worship Committee is looking for volunteers to help make new banners for our sanctuary. This project is in its infancy, but if you are interested in helping, please tell Pastor Amelie.

READING PHILLIES

Prior to the pandemic, we have had a church group outing to see the Reading Phils play baseball. We would like to offer this again if people are interested in going to a game. Although we are unsure what will ensue with the pandemic over the summer, please let Pastor Amelie know if you would be interested in participating in a group trip to watch the Reading Phils.

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 (which cannot be purchased with food stamps):

Laundry soap, children's toothbrushes/ toothpaste, tissues

Food:

Juice, cereal, oatmeal

Baby Care:

Size 6 diapers

Pet Care:

Dry cat food, Litter, canned dog food

GIVING TO TRINITY

Although things are not fully back to normal, Trinity’s expenses have continued throughout the pandemic. We know that everyone’s work-life has been disrupted during this time and we don’t expect everyone to be able to contribute to the church in the amount you were able to contribute in the past. If you have the means to contribute to the church, you may drop off your offerings at the church office or you may mail it to our address: Trinity Christian UCC; 2009 Church Road, PO Box 538, Skippack, PA 19474

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/

WORSHIP SERVICES

On Sunday mornings, you are invited to join us in-person and on Facebook:

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

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

We have a Sunday morning Bible Study in-person and on ZOOM at 8:30 am. This is a new meeting time. 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

LUNCH BUNCH MEETS WEEKLY!

Lunch Bunch is our Tuesday afternoon Bible Study. Everyone is invited to join us on Tuesdays at 12 pm. Please bring your own lunch. (In the past, we had a potluck lunch, but for now each person will bring their own food.) Lunch Bunch typically studies the portion of the Bible that will be the focus of our worship service on the upcoming Sunday.

REOPENING COMMITTEE

WE ARE NOW “MASK OPTIONAL.”

We are now singing hymns in worship!! And, we are not taking temperatures.

We are keeping a list of the names of attendees for contact tracing purposes.

Hopefully it won’t be much longer before all restrictions are lifted and everyone is vaccinated.

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

Life-giving Acts -- A Message for May 8, 2022

 

            Last week, we focused on the story of Peter’s return to favor with God. We remembered Peter’s failure to claim Jesus as his friend and messiah after Jesus’ arrest, a circumstance we call “Peter’s Denial.” One of Jesus’ most poignant post-resurrection acts was to return to speak to Peter, communicate to Peter and the other disciples that Peter was forgiven, and then for Jesus to ask Peter to love Jesus’ sheep – to protect and nurture the people who formed the first Christian communities.

            This morning, we hear the story of one of Peter’s protective and restorative acts. Peter worked as a leader of the early Christian church and nurtured the new Christian community. He traveled throughout the Roman World to visit the newest Christian communities and to evangelize and share the Christian message. Hear the story of one of God’s miracles that occurred because Peter was doing God’s work in the world as we read of the events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 9 verses 36 through 43:

Scripture Reading            Acts 9:36-43

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 

About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 

Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 

He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 

This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 

Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

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

Prayer for Understanding

O God, by your Spirit tell us what we need to hear, and show us what we ought to do, to obey Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

            The Mother’s Day Holiday was not created by a collusion of greeting card companies and the restaurant industry.  Mother’s Day was started in 1908 as a Church holiday by Anna Jarvis. Her intention was to celebrate the word mothers did that was unnoticed or not valued. After the holiday caught on, Anne Jarvis was dismayed that the day became a boon for the greeting card and florist industry…because the intention was to encourage our appreciation of both our mothers and the women who nurture us.

            Tabitha is the only women in the New Testament who is called a “Disciple.” And, she was the kind of woman all of us strive to be – she was known for always doing good works and helping the poor.  She mothered people in need – Tabitha used her talents to sew clothing for vulnerable women and children. When Tabitha died, her community felt an immediate loss. And, luckily, Peter was in Joppa, just a few miles away from Lydda where Tabitha lived. Other disciples travelled the 10 miles to tell Peter he was needed and he rushed to the place where Tabitha’s body was laid. Peter told Tabitha to get up, and the Holy Spirit rushed through him into her body and restored Tabitha to life. A miraculous resurrection!

            And, news of Tabitha’s restoration spread quickly. Many new people began to believe in the Christian faith because of the miracle of Tabitha’s restoration to life.

            It is a happy coincidence that the story of Tabitha’s miraculous recovery comes around in the lectionary calendar for today. Tabitha’s story is important for a few reasons. As I mentioned earlier, Tabitha was a Disciple. Her story is a reminder that we all can become Disciples of Jesus. The first disciples of Jesus acted as evangelists and preachers after Jesus ascended to heaven. They were organizers and they delegated the work of the church to others – kind of like how we call a pastor to lead our congregation and part of my work is to invite the members of our congregation to take on various jobs and tasks within the congregation.

But, Tabitha wasn’t a preacher or a teacher or a delegator. Instead, she is remembered as someone who was always doing good and helping the poor – she saw the needs of the people around her and she worked to fill those needs. If people were hungry, she fed them. If people didn’t have suitable clothing, she sewed for them. If people had a need, Tabitha worked to resolve their problem. She was a nurturer of the people in her community, in her church.

The people of our congregation are called to be like Tabitha…we are called to use the skills and talents we have to help others. This is our work today and into the future. We appreciate the people who have been “Tabithas” for us.  There are countless stories of the church ladies and church men who came before us and who showed us how to nurture and care for each other and the church. We see evidence of them everywhere – the women who sewed this alter cloth, the men who built the cross next to the piano, the people who raised the money to build this building, the crafters who sewed the banners than adorn our walls – everything we do as a congregation happens because volunteers share their time, talents and treasures. And, we build upon the work done by the people who came before us, the mothers and fathers of our faith, and mothers and fathers of our church.

We are standing on the shoulders of giants.  People like Tabitha have demonstrated to us how to live out our faith…with care, with generosity, with kindness.  It is up to us to continue the work --- to identify the needs of the people around us and the people who are to come and work together to meet those needs.

Let us do so with the love of Jesus in our hearts. Amen. 

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Message to the Trinity Community for May 6, 2022 -- First Friday Cancelled, VBS Meeting tomorrow, Men's Breakfast Next Saturday

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

            We celebrate that we are now in the beautiful month of May, with lovely flowers blooming all around us. I pray that this note finds you and your families doing well. We thank God for the lovely weather and the opportunities that are happening as the world is coming back to life after our season of pandemic.

FIRST FRIDAY IS CANCELLED TONIGHT

            The Skippack First Friday planning committee looked at forecasts for tonight with dismay because it is supposed to keep raining and be chilly. They decided to cancel the Skippack First Friday for May that was scheduled for this evening. So, we will not have a church information table. But, we still need help for the next 5 months. If you are interested and able to volunteer to spend a few hours chatting with our neighbors about Trinity, please let Nancy Gallagher or me (Pastor Amelie) know.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – PLANNING MEETING TOMORROW!

Our Christian Education committee met this week and decided Vacation Bible School will be July 15 & 16.

We will focus on cave stories from the Bible, make a cave, do cave drawings, play games, and have a great time!

Our VBS Kick-Off planning meeting will be Saturday, May 7 at 9:30 am.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Planning and orchestrating our VBS will require many adult volunteers. Each volunteer will have to have all of their PA State background checks before our VBS.  Talk to Pastor Amelie if you want to volunteer and she will make sure your have the paperwork you need to obtain your background checks.

TRINITY MEN’S BREAKFASTS FINALLY RESUME

All men are invited to breakfast on Saturday May 14 at 8:30 am. We will meet at the Energy Station, 2710 Shelly Road, Harleysville, next to the Landis Supermarket. We meet for fellowship, conversation, and a good meal. Our men’s breakfasts will continue into the future on the second Saturday of the month. Please join us!

TRINITY COMMUNITY GARDEN

Thomas Updike has built a community garden on the upper corner of our cemetery meadow for a part of his Eagle Scout project. There are now six plots for anyone that would like to cultivate them. Please call the church office if you would like a lot: 610-584-4054

SEASON OF EASTER PRAYER WALK

We will have walkable “Stations of the Cross” in our Cemetery over the next few weeks. This year, we will have prints of paintings by Mary Button that contrast the Passion story with Jesus’ post-resurrection ministry.  I hope you will visit our cemetery and pray your way through the Stations.  Thank you to John Becker who used his carpentry gifts to make displays for the stations.

TUESDAY EVENING DISCUSSION – THE PARABLES OF JESUS

You are invited to join our discussion of the parables of Jesus in the season following Easter. We will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm on Zoom for 6 sessions: April 19 & 26 and May 10, 17, 24, & 31^st. Each informal gathering will las about an hour and will focus on one of Jesus’ parables. Our time together will include Bible study, discussion, and prayer. Please join us!

Here is the Zoom link for our Tuesday Discussions:

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Trinity's Tuesday Groups

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82258786795

Meeting ID: 822 5878 6795

One tap mobile

+16468769923,,82258786795# US (New York)

+13017158592,,82258786795# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +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: 822 5878 6795

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcYW4wCoik

 

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AT SKIPPACK FIRST FRIDAYS

 

The good weather is here and we are on the cusp of the Skippack First Friday season.  Each month, Skippack stores stay open late on the First Friday of the month. Non-profits are invited to have tables set up around town to promote our agency. Trinity needs volunteers to run our church’s table – we share brochures about our, invite people to upcoming activities, pass out prayer squares, and usually like to have activities to engager our younger neighbors. This year, our Skippack First Fridays are May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, and October 7. We are already signed up to have a patriotic sing-a-long on July 1.  If you are able to help, we need volunteers to run the table from 6 to 8 pm at each First Friday. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you can help.

 

ELECTION DAY COFFEE, COOKIES AND PRAYERS

 

Election Day is May 17.  Voting takes place in our Education Building. We would like to meet our neighbors and share coffee, cookies, and prayers with them. If you have free-time on the 17^th, we need volunteers to help. We also need donations of cookies to share. Let Pastor Amelie know if you can help.

 

 

CHURCH PICNIC – SAVE THE DATE!!

 

Our church picnic will be July 17! Everyone is invited, including your family, friends, and neighbors.  And, our air-conditioning project will be complete so we will have our picnic both in our education building and outdoors. Our Christian Education Committee provides the meat course and everyone is invited to bring a dish to share.

 

4H FAIR GAMES

 

Trinity will be leading games at the annual 4H fair in Creamery. The fair is August 11, 12, and 13. We will need a lot of volunteers.  If you are available to help, you will need to have up-to-date PA security clearances and background checks. If you have suggestions or ideas for games, please let Pastor Amelie know and also let her know if you are able to help.

 

BANNER TEAM – CALLING ALL CRAFTY FOLKS!

 

The Worship Committee is looking for volunteers to help make new banners for our sanctuary.  This project is in its infancy, but if you are interested in helping, please tell Pastor Amelie.

 

READING PHILLIES

 

Prior to the pandemic, we have had a church group outing to see the Reading Phils play baseball.  We would like to offer this again if people are interested in going to a game. Although we are unsure what will ensue with the pandemic over the summer, please let Pastor Amelie know if you would be interested in participating in a group trip to watch the Reading Phils.

 

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 (which cannot be purchased with food stamps):

Laundry soap, children's toothbrushes/ toothpaste, tissues

Food:

Juice, cereal, oatmeal

Baby Care:

Size 6 diapers

Pet Care:

Dry cat food, Litter, canned dog food

 

GIVING TO TRINITY

 

Although things are not fully back to normal, Trinity’s expenses have continued throughout the pandemic.  We know that everyone’s work-life has been disrupted during this time and we don’t expect everyone to be able to contribute to the church in the amount you were able to contribute in the past.  If you have the means to contribute to the church, you may drop off your offerings at the church office or you may mail it to our address: Trinity Christian UCC; 2009 Church Road, PO Box 538, Skippack, PA 19474

 

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/

WORSHIP SERVICES

 

On Sunday mornings, you are invited to join us in-person and  on Facebook:

 

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

 

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

 

We have a Sunday morning Bible Study in-person and on ZOOM at 8:30 am.  This is a new meeting time. 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

 

LUNCH BUNCH MEETS WEEKLY!

 

Lunch Bunch is our Tuesday afternoon Bible Study.  Everyone is invited to join us on Tuesdays at 12 pm.  Please bring your own lunch. (In the past, we had a potluck lunch, but for now each person will bring their own food.)  Lunch Bunch typically studies the portion of the Bible that will be the focus of our worship service on the upcoming Sunday. 

 

REOPENING COMMITTEE

 

WE ARE NOW “MASK OPTIONAL.”

 

We are now singing hymns in worship!! And, we are not taking temperatures.

 

We are keeping a list of the names of attendees for contact tracing purposes.

 

Hopefully it won’t be much longer before all restrictions are lifted and everyone is vaccinated.

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