Message to the Trinity Family from May 21, 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. 

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

MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY

We will gather at the cross in our cemetery at 9:30 AM on Sunday, May 30, 2021.  We will lift up a prayer for our Veterans and then we will decorate the graves.  Please bring flowers.  Following our time in the cemetery, we will gather in our Sanctuary for our Hymn Sing and Worship Service.  We know that some of our are not comfortable gathering in person indoors, so you are also welcome to return home and join our Hymn Sing and Worship Service virtually.

NEED TECH-Y VOLUNTEERS

We are looking for volunteers who are willing to learn how to live-stream the worship services.  If you are willing, please let Bill Vogl or Pastor Amelie know and we will show you how to do it.  There are a few steps involved, but most computer users will be able to easily learn the process.

REOPENING COMMITTEE

The decision was made to continue to wear masks during our in-person services, at least until all the children are vaccinated. We’re still taking temps, distancing, and having sanitizer available. Thank you to everyone for their concern and diligence during this time.

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

FIRST FRIDAY JUNE 4, 2021

Our next First Friday is June 4, 2021.  We will gather in front of the Copper Partridge between 5 and 9 pm.  At our table, we will share flyers and information about Trinity.  This is a great way to meet our neighbors and share about our church.  We need volunteers. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you are available to help on June 4!

PATRIOTIC HYMN SING @ FIRST FRIDAY JULY 2, 2021

                 

On July 2, 2021, we will invite everyone to join together to sing Patriotic songs at the Skippack First Friday.  We will gather between 5 and 9 pm.  Ralien will lead us in singing old favorites.  Everyone is invited to join in the singing – our voices joined together will help us to prepare for the July 4^th holiday and make some joyful noise.

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 during the Sunday Morning service, 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/

PSEC RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK DISCUSSION

 

3 p.m. Tuesday    Zoom Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81768305724?pwd=dW84dnFFeUN0anIvZU4xR3hYWlM2UT09

Meeting ID: 817 6830 5724

Passcode: PeaceBwthU

7:30 p.m. Tuesday   Zoom Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83303546153?pwd=THIrYkgzWDJiSWhWbkFHQldheWFrUT09

Meeting ID: 833 0354 6153

Passcode: PeaceBwthU

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 boxes

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

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

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

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 titled “Pentecost” and is a stained glass window at Our Lady of Pentecost Church in Quezon City, Philippines. The creator of the work is Ronald Kraut.  **

Guided in Prayer -- A Message for May 16, 2021

 

This is the last Sunday before the festival of Pentecost.  And, on Thursday of this past week, 40 days after Easter, we marked another Ascension Day on our calendars.  On Ascension Day, we remember the moment when the Resurrected Jesus transitioned from living in the earthly realm to the heavenly realm.  The Disciples who were with Jesus described Jesus as floating up into heaven – he drifted out of sight.  And, they were left alone.

            Before Jesus left them, he spoke the prayer we read today.  Listen to Jesus’ words where he prays that his followers will be protected from the evils of the world.  We read the prayer as it is written in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, verses six through nineteen:

Scripture Reading                                    John 17:6-19

“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 

Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 

For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 

I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 

All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 

While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.  

I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 

As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  

For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

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

Prayer for Understanding

By the power of your Holy Spirit, open our minds and hearts to receive your Word, O God, so that we may recognize your call to serve in the name of Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Amen.      

             In January of 2005, on a very cold morning, I drove to the Amtrak station in Harrisburg and dropped off my father.  He was travelling back to Missouri on the train.  In the preceding week, I drove with my dad from Missouri to Hamburg, Pennsylvania.  When we arrived, I rented an old farmhouse sight unseen.  We slept on the floor of the farmhouse that night.  The next day, we went to Walmart and bought cleaning supplies and potato chips and cleaned the farmhouse – we had to prep it before the moving truck arrived with my furniture.  The next day, we drove to Harrisburg.  After a difficult lunch, we drove to the train station.  When we pulled up, I couldn’t hold back my tears.  My dad was leaving me….leaving me in Pennsylvania (of all places) and was returning to Missouri.  I was all on my own.

            The Disciples struggled with being alone, struggled with becoming like orphans, when Jesus was crucified.  They were in shock as they comforted each other in their grief…..  But, then the Easter Miracle happened.  Jesus resurrected from the dead.  He appeared to Mary Magdalene.  He appeared to the Disciples walking on the Road to Emmaus.  He appeared to the Disciples who were gathered in a room together.  He appeared to the Disciples and Doubting Thomas.  For the 40 days after Easter, Jesus kept showing up.

            So, the initial grief the Disciples felt after Good Friday was cooled.  They didn’t need to grieve because Jesus was back.   But, even though Jesus was resurrected, he kept telling his disciples that he wasn’t going to stay on earth forever.  He was going to leave them again. And, they were going to be the people who had to carry on his ministry in the world.

            Before Jesus Ascended to Heaven, and went to be in the Heavenly realm with God, he prayed for his disciples.  He asked God to watch over and protect his friends.  He asked God to give them strength and guidance.  He asked God to help them stay unified in their mission, unified in their work.  He asked God to sanctify them – this means to be filled to the brim with the Spirit of God and emboldened to do God’s work in the world.

            Jesus told his Disciples, before he left them, that they were not going to be left as Orphans.  God was not going to forget them. And, we know the end of the story.  We know that Ascension Day comes 40 days after Easter.  On the 50^th day after Easter, we arrive at the Pentecost celebration.  On the Pentecost Sunday, God’s Holy Spirit came to Earth.  God’s Holy Spirit poured into the Disciples.  God was among them. God was in them.  And, with that little bit of God in them, the Disciples were able to become wonderful communicators (they could even speak in formerly unknown languages). They became wonderful preachers. They became healers. They became church organizers and church starters.  They became missionaries. With just a little bit of the Holy Spirit, they could do amazing things.

            When we read Jesus’ prayer this morning, we are reminded that Jesus makes sure we are watched after.  We are not left alone.  God is with us.  God’s Holy Spirit, the part of God that is here on earth all the time, is with us now.  Sometimes we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit a little – it is gentle.  Sometimes, we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit a lot – it nags us to do the right thing, it emboldens us, it helps us gather up our courage. 

            We have spent 14 months in a very strange, lonely, season.  We are finally starting to get back to normal after months of lock-downs and restrictions and masks and social distancing.  People have stayed at home and not visited loved ones or gone on trips.  More people are working from home since pre-industrial times.  More kids are doing school at home than ever in the history of public education.  Our dependable support network, the friends, co-workers, and family members we rely on, have become people we talk to more over texts and phone calls than we see or talk to in-person.  Everything suddenly and radically changed when we went into pandemic mode.

            And, in this midst of all of this Covid-time, God has been with us.  God has protected us. God’s Holy Spirit has been among us, to help us when we have become ill, to strengthen us as we have cared for each other. God has been with is to alleviate our anxiety and fears.  God has been with us to reassure us that we will develop treatments and vaccines….we will develop strategies to protect us from the virus.  God has been with us to comfort us when we have been lonely, when we have missed our people. 

            Jesus’ prayer is a reminder that we are God’s beloved children.  We will never be alone. God is watching over us and God’s Holy Spirit is here among us. Today, tomorrow and always. Thanks be to God. Amen. 

Email to the Trinity Church Family from May 16, 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. 

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

NEED TECH-Y VOLUNTEERS

We are looking for volunteers who are willing to learn how to live-stream the worship services.  If you are willing, please let Bill Vogl or Pastor Amelie know and we will show you how to do it.  There are a few steps involved, but most computer users will be able to easily learn the process.

ELECTION DAY

This Tuesday is Election Day.  Trinity is a polling site and our neighbors will vote in our Education Building.  We are going to offer “Coffee, Cookies, and Prayers” outside of our Sanctuary building.  If you are free on Tuesday and would like to help, we will be here between 7 am and 7pm.  Please come when you have free time during the day …. Pastor Amelie will show you the ropes. 

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

** The Painting is by Mike Moyers and is titled "Awake My Soul"  visit https://www.mikemoyersfineart.com/

Friends Together -- A Message from May 9, 2021

 

In this season of Easter, our scripture readings have jumped around the Gospel of John.  Today, we return to the Last Supper of Jesus and his Disciples, the meal and conversation Jesus had with his friends on the eve of his arrest and death on the cross.  Although the Disciples were ignorant, Jesus knew what was about to happen to him….he knew he would be betrayed by Judas, arrested, put on trial, and killed.  So, it was important to Jesus to emphasize his most essential teachings for his friends.  He needed his friends to carry on his work after Jesus ascended to heaven, so Jesus shared several final teachings or commands with the Disciples gathered at the Last Super. 

Hear Jesus words as they were recorded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 15, verses nine through seventeen:

Scripture Reading                        John 15: 9-17

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

You are my friends if you do what I command. 

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 

This is my command: Love each other.

Prayer for Understanding

Lord, we long for your wisdom and truth. Send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we listen. Prepare our ears to hear your Word and our hearts to receive it. Amen.   

            My mother spent most of her career as a medical social worker.  After several years working in a maternity unit, she moved to working with dialysis patients.  Almost 500,000 Americans undergo regular dialysis treatments because they have kidney failure…this means we either already know people who are receiving dialysis treatments or we will know people who will have dialysis. 

            My mother became a big advocate for the National Kidney Foundation while she was working with dialysis patients.  The National Kidney Foundation offers trainings for staff people who work in dialysis units. They educate patients. They do research on treatments for kidney disease.  And, they recruit and educate potential kidney donors.

Sometimes, people who have kidney failure qualify for a transplant of a donor kidney so they are able to live without dialysis treatment.  In our scripture reading this morning, Jesus said: “Greater love has no one that this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” On the National Kidney Foundation’s website, there are several testimonies from people who chose to donate kidneys.  Some people donate kidneys to people they don’t know. Some people donate kidneys to acquaintances. Some people donate kidneys to family members. Some people donate kidneys to friends.

One of the newest testimonies came from Austin Gray.  Austin took a break from being an American Ninja Warrior to donate a kidney to his childhood friend Kaylee.  In his testimony, Aaron said that there are…”100,000 American waiting for a kidney donation, and there are also another 100,000 Americans who would give a kidney if they knew about the need.”

Jesus told his disciples to love one another.  He wanted them to remember that he was more than their teacher. He was more than their master. Jesus was their friend.  And, as their friend, he loved them. And, they were supposed to love each other no matter what happened.

When Jesus was at the Last Supper, he knew his friends were about to be plummeted into a terrible, tragic season of their lives. Jesus would be killed.  And, although he would be resurrected, he wasn’t going to stay on earth forever to guide them.  Jesus knew as the church developed, the disciples were going to undergo stress and persecution.  Some of them would be martyred.  They would argue about how to lead the new church. Despite their differences, the disciples would need to love each other above everything else. 

We experience this in our own families.  We sometimes have trouble loving each other when stressful situations arise. Pressure is put on relationships as we work to provide care for older relatives and children.  Pressure is put on relationships if a family member loses their job or the family moves into a new home.  When we are stressed, it is difficult for us to get along.  We have to first and foremost love each other.

            Jesus called his disciples his “friends.”  The disciples probably had moments when they struggled to work together.  They probably didn’t always feel like the best of “Friends” with each other. They probably had occasions when they struggled to love each other. 

            In our own church, and in all Christian congregations, we are called to be “friends” with each other.  This is not an easy assignment.  Very diverse people are part of each congregation.  We have a mandate to welcome everyone to join us in our church, which means the people who join us may be very different from each other.  We sometimes have to “work” on being friends which each other, because we become brothers and sisters in Christ with people we perhaps would not have picked to be friends with in our non-church life.

            I kind of think about like the cafeteria in a stereotypical high school…at each table sits a different clique – the football players at one, the cheerleaders at another; the kids who play in the marching band and the drama kids who act in the plays; the art kids and the stoner kids; the soccer players and the video gamers; the kids who are goth and dress in all black and the kids who are punk with spikey green hair; the kids who are going to be the next Jeff Bezos and the kids who are going to be the next Lady Gagas; the kids in ROTC and the kids who are into hunting.  So, in churches, we take a kid or two from each table and bring them together to worship God and work together to share the love of God with our neighbors. This is wonderful, because no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.  And, this can also lead to a few minor hiccups, because it is sometimes difficult to love people who are very, very different than we are.

            Part of our work in loving each other is to give generously to each other.  Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” So, not only are we challenged to love each other, but we are challenged to have the greatest type of love – sacrificial love.   We love other people and expect nothing in return. We give and don’t expect to get. We share things and aren’t angry if they are not returned.  We are generous not because we get something out of it but we are responding to the generous love of God to us.  God forgives us and loves us and we can’t reciprocate that love to God. We are the beneficiaries of God’s love and grace to us, and we are called to share love and grace to other people. 

            Today is Mother’s Day Sunday. This is a day when we appreciate the women who have been nurturers to us and to our wider community.  Some women nurture by being traditional mothers. And, many more women are nurturers by the love and compassion they extend to all people….people in their families and people in their communities.  This is the day we thank women who nurture – aunts, godmothers, Sunday school teachers, classroom volunteers, school teachers, nurses, babysitters, lunch room ladies, and moms. We thank the women who have loved us and loved the children in our community.  And, as we work to live out the love of Jesus, we appreciate the women who have been examples of Jesus’ love to us. 

            Let us work to love like Jesus.  May it be so. Amen.

** Artwork is "Messanger of sympathy & love, servant of parted friends, consoler of the lonely, bond of the scattered family, enlarger of the common life" by Eubene Francis Savage**

Weekly Email to the Trinity Family -- May 7, 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. 

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 “First Friday” of the season is tonight.  If you are out and about, please stop by the Trinity and Daily Bread Food Panty tables.  We will be next to the Copper Partridge at Store Road and Skippack Pike. 

WORSHIP SERVICES

We now have in-person worship services at 10:15 AM 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

** Photo is a wooden love sign found in Thailand **

Abiding in Love -- A Message for May 2, 2021

 

John 15:1-8

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Prayer for Understanding

Holy Spirit, move in us and among us as we listen to the scriptures be read and interpreted. Open our minds and hearts to receive the Living Word so that we may be transformed to live as your Easter people. Amen.

  

            I am a city girl, and I did not grow up around fruit trees.  But, when I was little, a favorite field trip for my classmates and me was to Eckert’s Family Farm in Belleville, Illinois.  Eckert’s Farm is a 7^th generation family farm and pick-your-own tourist attraction.  In the fall, busloads of kids descend on the Eckert’s family apple trees to pick a bag of apples, drink their fresh apple cider, and possibly eat a piece of their homemade fudge.  We loved spending the day outdoors running around the orchards and climbing the trees when our teachers weren’t looking.

            Despite these trips, I learned little about the care of fruit trees.  As I have learned more about agriculture, I have discovered the trees don’t just grow from apple seeds and produce the golden delicious or granny smith apples we bake into pies.  Instead, most of the trees have branches from other fruit bearing trees grafted onto them.  And, in order for the trees to grow branches that are close to the ground and able to handle the weight of their fruit, they have to be carefully pruned.  Fruit trees need to be pruned. Grape vines need to be pruned.  Berry bushes need to be pruned.   

            In our scripture reading this morning, Jesus talks about his relationship to God and his relationship to his followers as being similar to a fruit-bearing vine.  God is the gardener – God does the pruning of the branches that don’t bear fruit.  Jesus is the vine that grows into the ground – Jesus is attached to the roots of the plant.  We are the branches that grow off of the vine.  If we are not fruitful, we are going to be pruned away.  We are supposed to bear fruit.

            Jesus was a connector.  He wanted his followers to be connected to him and live out his teachings. And, he wanted people to be connected to God and live out God’s ambitions for the people of the world.

            We are called to bear fruit.  And, what do we think Jesus meant when he said this?  What is the “fruit” we are supposed to produce?

            In his letter to the church at Galatia, Paul wrote about the “fruit” produced by Christians. He wrote: “…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” So, as we live out the teachings of Jesus and follow the path established by our Gracious God, we are called to work to embody the fruits of the Spirit.  We are called to spread love. We are called to be joyful.  We are called to be peacemakers. We are called to forbearance – this means we are restrained and tolerant of other people. We are kind and spread goodness. We are faithful to God and to the people to whom we make commitments. We are to be gentle and self-controlled.

            We are called as Christians to live in imitation of the life of Jesus.  Jesus set the bar really high, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work to live like Jesus even though we won’t be perfect.  Jesus told the truth.  Jesus asks us to be serious about our commitment to God – we must worship God, we must read the Bible, we must pray, we must listen to God.  Jesus consistently loved and valued all people – not just people in his tribe, not just people who were his religion, not just people who looked like him – all people. Jesus cared about the most vulnerable people in our society – the poor, the sick, refugees, children, widows, orphans, and those cast out by the rest of society.  Jesus forgave people – Jesus even forgave the people who sentenced and put him to death.

            We are called to bear fruit.  Let us work to live like Jesus and spread the love and compassion of God to everyone we encounter.

            May it be so. Amen        

Our painting is "Lutheran Reformers in the Vineyard of the Lord" by Lucas Cranach