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 **

Christ Among Us -- A Message for April 18, 2021

 

This morning our passage comes just after Jesus appeared to two of his disciples on the Road to Emmaus.  The people who had the encounter with Jesus rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others that they had run into Jesus on the road and failed to realize until later they were walking with him.  The story picks up when the disciples were talking about Jesus’ appearance on the road….listen to how the story continues in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verses thirty-six through forty-eight:

Scripture Reading                                    Luke 24:36b-48

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 

He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 

And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 

They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 

and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 

and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

You are witnesses of these things. 

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Prayer for Understanding

God of Word and Wisdom, when the Risen Christ interpreted the scripture to his friends, their hearts burned with excitement. Send us your Holy Spirit to open the scriptures for us today, revealing truth and love that will fill our hearts and change our lives, too. Amen.

    I received my first Covid Vaccination on Tuesday.  I have been eagerly awaiting my opportunity to get a shot, and was pleased to finally get an appointment at the Delaware Valley Community Health offices in Norristown.

    I have talked to many people, though, who are not looking forward to being vaccinated.  People have told me various things:  they are concerned about complications from the vaccine; they are worried about long-term side effects; they are worried about the vaccines not being tested enough before release; they are afraid of needles. One of the women who swims at the Y with me told me she wants to build a natural resistance to Covid-19 – she wants to be exposed to Covid germs so that she builds immunity to them.  There are many people who doubt the safety of vaccines available.  And, the temporary halt of using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has increased those doubts.
 

   In the days and weeks following Jesus’ Easter resurrection, Jesus friends and followers were also doubtful.  Stories of encounters with the resurrected Jesus started trickling in, yet there were still doubts.   In today’s reading, a post-resurrection Jesus arrived in the room with his friends and worked to assure them he was really resurrected.  Jesus invited the disciples to touch his body – to touch his skin – to feel his tender wounds.  And, Jesus asked for food and ate it in the presence of his friends – apparently, ghosts can’t eat.  All of Jesus’ actions in the room that day convinced the doubters that Jesus was resurrected and was alive once again.
            
    Christianity was born as the disciples who doubted became believers in Jesus’ resurrection. This shift was foundational for our faith. Those men and women transformed from Jesus’ followers to becoming the leaders of the Christian faith. They became evangelists, church leaders, advisors, healers, and preachers. They were compelled to share the teachings of Jesus far and wide, to enlighten others the way they had been enlightened. When their doubts about the resurrection became belief, they had an additional important component to add to the story of Christianity – God’s infinite love extended to forgiving the people who put Jesus to death when Jesus took upon himself the sins of the people of the world. And, God loves the people of the world so much that “…. neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8) The disciples who stopped being doubters and became believers were called to tell everyone about “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,…”

    In this strange time of COvid-19, as people of faith, we are challenged in new ways to extend love towards our neighbors. When the virus was first in our environment, we were unsure how the virus was being spread. We were told that Americans didn’t need to wear masks, then we were told Americans do need to wear masks. We were told to wash our hands and constantly use hand sanitizer. Our playgrounds were shut down and we were ordered to stay at home. And, we did all of these things because we were working together to reduce the spread of the virus so that our hospitals and ICU wards would not be overwhelmed by patients.

    Now, we are getting vaccinated. And, we are getting vaccinated not only to protect ourselves but also to protect other people. We are getting vaccinated because as Christians we have a mandate to love our neighbors. We love them by working to not spread the virus to them. Even if we think we are healthy, and our bodies will be able to recover from the virus if we get it, that may not be true for the people we come in contact with. And, since children are not able to get vaccinated yet, we have a special responsibility to love the children we are protecting by not spreading the virus to them.

    Jesus friends transformed from doubters to believers in the days that followed Jesus’ resurrection. And, they went from being “recipients” of Jesus’ teachings to being teachers themselves. They went from listeners to speakers. They went from being worker bees to the people were the visible leaders of our faith. Their doubts were transformed to belief and they worked for the good of the people they encountered, people who needed to hear about the transforming love and grace of our God.

    We are called as people of faith to share the love of God with the people we encounter. And, in these days of Covid, part of sharing that love is by not sharing the virus. So, let us love our neighbors, share the good news of Jesus Christ, and work together to transform doubts to belief.

May we do so in love. Amen.

** Artwork is "Jesus of the Bayou" by  Lauren Wright Pittman

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

I pray that everyone in our extended church family is doing well.  The world is awash in blooming flowers and our April showers are going to lead to more and more.  Take note of the beauty of God’s creation while you are out and about this weekend.

TRINITY FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITY – TOMORROW!

On April 17, from 10 AM to 12 PM, we will have a springtime craft activity.  The craft is simple but everyone is invited to participate.  If you would like a craft kit, please let me know and I will make sure you receive one.  The craft bags will also include other Christian activity pages and coloring sheets.

Here is the link to the craft day:

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 DC)

        +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/kutYtTfC6

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

 

Marks of Faith -- A Message for April 11, 2021

 

            This morning’s reading continues right where we left off last week. Our reading comes later in the day on the first Easter Sunday, after the Beloved Disciple, Peter and Mary Magdalene told the other disciples Jesus was resurrected.  Please listen to the story as it is picked up in the Gospel of John, chapter twenty, verse nineteen through thirty-one:

Scripture Reading            John 20: 19-31

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 

20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 

31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

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

Prayer for Understanding

Breathe your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, as we listen to the scriptures. Open our minds and hearts to receive your Living Word, and be filled with renewed hope. Amen.

            Some of us take things at face-value and others of us have a lot of questions.  

            I remember my grandfather telling us about the first time he saw an airplane.  He knew about planes before he saw one.  But, he and his friends questioned them….how did their engines work?  How did they not fall out of the sky?  And, then, the first time Grandpa saw an airplane flying over the farm where he grew up, the pilot had a mechanical error and the plane crashed.  The pilot was not seriously harmed, but his expensive plane was damaged.  My grandfather’s skepticism seemed justified – airplanes were faulty and didn’t work the way they were supposed to work.  Grandpa eventually accepted flying in airplanes was a wonderful ways to travel long distances, but it took a few years for his skepticism to be transformed into acceptance.   

            The Disciple Thomas was someone who had lots of questions. When he was travelling with Jesus, Thomas was unafraid to ask Jesus to clarify the things he said.  But, Thomas, who has a reputation as a doubter, never doubted Jesus when they were together.  He trusted Jesus.  Earlier in Jesus’ life, when Jesus told the disciples he was going to travel to be with Lazarus after his friend died, the other disciples doubted the wisdom of Jesus’s choice.  They feared Jesus was putting himself in harm’s way by travelling close to Jerusalem when there were plots against his life.  But, Thomas told the others that they should all go with Jesus, even if they would also be put to death with him.

            After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas was not with the others when Jesus first appeared to them.  And, he was skeptical of their report that Jesus was resurrected.  He thought perhaps Jesus was a ghost or a spirit.  So, he made an off-hand comment that he would want to actually touch Jesus to see if he was really resurrected. 

            When Jesus appeared again, Jesus invited Thomas to touch him.  But Thomas trusted his eyes.  He could see Jesus was really resurrected.  He believed in the resurrection.  He knew Jesus was in the room with him.

            Jesus then said to Thomas: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

            We are Christians who believe in Jesus without seeing him in person.  We have to rely on other people’s first-hand accounts.  We have to rely on the stories we read in the Bible.  We have to rely on the stories of our faith that have been passed down from one generation to the next.

            But, despite not being able to see Jesus with our own eyes, we can see evidence of Jesus in the ways people’s lives change when they come to believe in him and experience the life-changing presence of God through the Holy Spirit.

            St. Paul never met Jesus.  And, before his conversion to Christianity, he was a vigilant oppressor of Christians.  In his youth, Paul was educated and he became a Pharisee, someone who strictly observed the Jewish tradition written law.  Paul said that prior to his conversion, he persecuted early Christians “beyond measure.” But, despite being converted after Jesus ascended to heaven, Paul was stopped on the road to Damascus and blinded by Jesus.  Jesus’s voice asked Paul why he was persecuting him, why he was persecuting Christians.  Paul remained blind for 3 days, and as soon as his sight was restored he was baptized.  Paul became one of the greatest evangelists, teachers and leaders Christianity has ever had.

            We can see evidence of Jesus in the ways people’s lives change when they come to believe in him and experience the life-changing presence of God through the Holy Spirit.

            In every issue of Christianity Today magazine, the last page is devoted to a Christian person sharing their testimony of faith.  In 2020, they shared stories by scientists who were converted from atheism to Christianity; former Hindus, Muslims, and Jews who are now Christian believers; former professional baseball players who were on the brink of suicide when they became Christians; former addicts who stopped using when they became Christians; former Cuban atheist communists who became Christians; Burmese Karen refugees who converted to Christianity after they were welcomed to the United States; and former Klansmen who embraced anti-racism when they became converts to Christianity. 

            We can see evidence of Jesus in the ways people’s lives change when they come to believe in him and experience that life-changing presence of God through the Holy Spirit.

            We also have stories to share about how our lives changed when we chose to follow Jesus.  We have stories to share about how our eyes were opened when we experienced the life-changing presence of the living God.  In the United Church of Christ, we value asking questions.  We want our community of faith to be a place of learning, growth, and streghtening our faith.  And, we are called to be brave like Thomas, St. Paul, and the countless people who have testified to how their lives changed when they started to follow Jesus.  There are people who are searching for God and are searching for meaning in their lives.  Your stories of faith will help those people who are searching to find their way to God.  Let us be brave and share our stories. Let us be brave and tell others about the way our life changed when we came to believe in Jesu and experienced the life-changing presence of God through the Holy Spirit.

            May we do so in love. Amen.