Message to Trinity -- Welcome Back Sunday, Bible Sunday, Men's Breakfast, Hoagie Sale, Skippack Days

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

One of the traditions of the church is to “rally” together at the beginning of September. This Sunday, we will welcome back our friends and members from near and far and kick-off our Churhc School classes. 

RALLY DAY SUNDAY – SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

On September 11, our Pre-K through 6^thgrade students will go to Sunday School after the children’s sermon on Sunday mornings.

Our older kids, 7^th grade and up, will have their “Confirmation” Sunday School class on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10 am in the Education Builiding.

Everyone else is invited to our Sunday morning Adult study which focuses on the intersection between our Christian faith and current world events. The Adult class meets form 8:30 to 9:15 am in-person and on Zoom.

BIBLE SUNDAY THIS WEEK

Our tradition at Trinity is to give our 4^th graders their first complete Bible. This Sunday, we will share Bibles with our 4^th graders. If you have a 4^th grader in your life who needs a Bible, please email Pastor Amelie and she will have a Bible for them on Sunday @ PastorAmelieSell@gmail.com

TRINITY MEN’S BREAKFAST -- TOMORROW

All men are invited to breakfast the second Saturday of the month. We will met at 8:30 am on September 10 at Grace’s Café, 130 West Main Street, Trappe, 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!

CHOIR REHEARSALS HAVE RESUMED

Everyone in 8^th grade and up is welcome to join Trinity’s choir. We will begin rehearsing every Wednesday at 7 pm. Ralien and our Worship Committee are excited about all of the upcoming music we will sing as we worship God together.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

Our church’s Christian Education Committee is pleased to announce we will have a confirmation program this year. Please come to a gathering at 7 pm on October 4 to learn the details of how the program will work. 

All young people in 7th grade through 12th grade are welcome to participate.  

We will continue to meet on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am for a class about the history of the ancient people of Israel, the life of Jesus, and the growth and development of the Christian Church through the ages. 

The young people who chose to be in our Confirmation program will also meet for 13 sessions with a mentor from the congregation to discuss topics about our life as 21st century Christians. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you are interested in your young adults participating in the program.

DRIVE-THRU HOAGIE SALE – September 17 10 am – 1 pm

Our Social Committee welcomes everyone to order and purchase hoagies. They are $6 each and our fillings will be Italian, Turkey, and Ham & Cheese. They can also make cheese hoagies for vegetarians. There is a sign-up sheet in the church narthex and you  can order online at https://form.jotform.com/201836095667161

HARVEST HOME – SEPTEMBER 18

We are asking everyone to bring fresh fruits and vegetables, either from their gardens or from the local farm stand. Harvest Home is a traditional festival of the German church and is used to benefit our neighbors who use the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry. When our ancestors were farmers, they contributed their surplus to support their pastors and their neighbors in need.

SKIPPACK DAYS – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2022

Please start bringing in your items for the church’s flea market and place them on the stage in the Education Building. If you know of anyone who might like to have a flea market space, please contact Janet Crossgrove. We will need help with set-up, parking, selling food, the white elephant sale, and clean-up. Look for sign-up sheets in the Narthex in the next few weeks.  

SKIPPACK FIRST FRIDAYS-

The good weather is here and we are in the midst 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 Friday is October 7. We need volunteers to run the table from 6 to 8 pm at each First Friday. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you are planning to help on September 2.

CHURCH CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS TEAM

If anyone is interested in joining a team to review the church’s Constitution and By-laws, please see either Bill Vogl or 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 or in the baskets next to the sanctuary doors.

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, dish soap, DEORDORANT, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, paper towels

Food:

                        Dried Spaghetti, Cookies, Canned Fruit, Canned Pasta, Jelly,

 Canned Peas, Baked Beans, Rice, Shelf Stable Milk, Skillet Dinners,           

Stuffing, Pancake Syrup, Broth,  

Baby Care:

Diapers

Pet Care:

Dry cat food, Litter, canned dog food

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 and our 10:15 Worship. 

If you are watching from home, you can find us at our "Trinity Christian UCC Skippack" facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/TrinityUCCSkippack

SUNDAY BIBLE  STUDY – Now AT 8:30

We have a Sunday morning Bible Study in-person and on ZOOM at 8:30. 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. 

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

 

A New Identity -- A Message for September 4, 2022

 

Introduction to the Text

            This morning, we turn to the shortest book of our Bible, St. Paul’s letter to Philemon.  Philemon was a wealthy man who lived in Colossae. Colossae was one of the earliest places to have an established Christian community. The Christians met in Philemon’s home. As a wealthy man during Roman times, Philemon owned slaves.  Paul’s letter to Philemon was sent from Paul along with a slave who either had a disagreement with Philemon or ran away from Philemon. Hear in the words of this letter how Paul pled for compassion for Onesimus the Slave.

Proclamation of the Scripture            Philemon 1:1-21                 

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 

also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 

because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 

yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 

that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 

Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 

I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 

no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 

If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 

I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 

I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 

And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

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

Message                                          A New Identity

            Slavery in Roman times was harsh. Slavery is harsh, period. Many of the slaves were formerly free people who were captured by armies after a battle was lost. Or, they were kidnapped by pirates and then forced into a life of servitude. Or, they were born into slavery. There was little chance of slaves gaining their freedom….most were slaves for their entire lives. Slaves who attempted to escape were branded on their foreheads with the initials “F-U-G” which stood for “fugitive.” Many slaves also wore permanent metal collars – they couldn’t be removed and slaves were even buried with them.

            Enter the Christians into the mix.   After Jesus’ Ascension to Heaven, the Apostles and Evangelists of Christianity started spreading the word about Jesus far and wide. Jesus had told them to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I (Jesus) have commanded.” The Apostles told Jewish people about Jesus and they told Gentile people about Jesus. And, groups of Christians began to gather in each other’s homes to worship, to study, and to practice our faith together.

            When the heads of households became followers of Christ, typically the entire family embraced Christianity. Conversion was more of a group process than an individual choice. So, if the head of the household became Christian, their spouse, and their children, and their servants, and their slaves became Christian. The whole family became Christians.

            And, this is where things got a little strange. In Roman Society, Slaves were denied “personhood.” They were considered to have no personality, no bodily autonomy, no ancestors, no property. They were considered “less than” people.

            But, in Christianity, all people are considered Children of God. Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Galatia:

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 

 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

In the eyes of God, and under the law of God, all believers are children of God. There is neither Jew nor Gentile. There is neither slave nor free. We are all one in Christ Jesus.

            This is Good News for Slaves. But, it may have been difficult news for slave holders. Paul’s words may have been threatening to slave owners, because once their slaves became Christians, they could not deny their “personhood.”

            In the letter we read this morning, Paul worked to “butter up” Philemon so that he would welcome back his wayward slave, Onesimus. Onesimus’ name means Useful in Greek, so Paul makes several remarks like “Onesimus was not useful to you when he was away, but I am sending him back to you so that he will be useful once again.”  Paul emphasized that Onesimus was now a Christian, so Philemon should welcome him back like a brother, not a slave. In the Roman world, run-away slaves were sometimes executed when they were recaptured, so Paul was possibly pleading for Onesimus’ life.   We don’t know the circumstances of how Onesimus came to be away from his master – he may have been a fugitive for a long time before he approached Paul and asked Paul to pave the way for his return.

            In addition to not knowing how Onesimus came to be separated from Philemon, we also don’t know what happened after his return. But, we have a few clues. This letter from Paul to Philemon was preserved. If Philemon was angry at Paul for intervening, and wanted to severely punish Onesimus, he probably would not have saved and shared the letter.  He would have crumpled it up and tossed it in a fire. Yet, this letter was preserved and copied and shared with other churches.  Paul’s words were considered wise and important.  Paul’s words were considered to be guidance for all Christians.

            In addition to the preservation of this letter, the names of Philemon and Onesimus come down to us through the ages as leaders in the early churh.

            Philemon is considered a saint by several Christian churches. His wife Apphia is also considered a saint. And, Onesimus is also considered a saint – first a slave, then a brother in Christ, then a saint.

            The liturgical book used by the Greek Orthodox Church is called the Menaia.  In it, Philemon is listed as a Holy Apostle. During the first general persecution of Christians during the Reign of the Roman Emperor Nero, Philemon, Apphia his wife, and Onesimus were martyred.  So, Philemon, his wife, and Onesimus were killed together for being Christians.  They became part of the family of God, embraced the Christian message and faith, served God faithfully as leaders in the early church, and they died because they stayed loyal and dedicated to their faith.

            What a testimony this story is. In Christianity, we are all Children of God. In Christianity, we all become brothers and sisters. We are no longer male or female, we are no longer Jew or Gentile, and we are no longer slave or free-person. We are all the same and we are united as Children of God.

            For us, 21^st century people, we still live in a world with inequalities. People are not all treated the same legally. People are not all treated the same by each other. We still are treated differently by our government depending on whether or not we are citizens. We are still treated differently by our government if we have a criminal background. We are still treated differently by our government if we are under 18.  Equality is not codified by our laws.

            And, we don’t treat each other with equality. We can all recall the awkwardness of the cliques that people were divided into in our high schools – the jocks and the nerds and the stoners and the band members – the groups that excluded people who weren’t just like them. Many of us had the experience of waiting in line a nightclub, hoping to gain entry, and watching a high roller or celebrity walk right through the doors.  All of us have encountered people begging on a sidewalk and wondered how to respond. Our society is still divided by the have and the have nots, the cool people and the not-cool people, the welcome and the ones we hesitate to welcome.

            As Christians, we are called to act differently than the way of our world. In the letter of Philemon, we read Paul’s request to Philemon that he welcome Onesimus as a brother, not as a slave. Christians can’t see other people as lesser people. Christians can’t treat other people as lesser people.

            Our work is treat each other as peers, as brothers and sisters in Christ and to remember that we are all beloved to God.   We must strive to include and welcome new people into our church. We must strive to treat all people with kindness and respect. We must strive to embody the teachings of Jesus by being welcoming and generous towards all other people.

            Just as we are blessed by our relationship with God, we must work to be a blessing for others. May we do so in love. Amen. 

Message to Trinity -- Church School Begins Next Week, Confirmation Class News, Hoagie Sale

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

Welcome to September!  As we enjoy our barbeques over this holiday weekend, remember the sacrifices made by countless men and women so that we could have safe workplaces, end child labor, and have a 40 hour work week. The historic labor movement was intertwined with the Christian Social Gospel Movement that was focused on improving all people’s welfare.  As Christians, we are called to help improve the lives of our brothers and sisters who are suffering.

RALLY DAY NEXT SUNDAY – SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

On September 11, our Pre-K through 6^thgrade students will go to Sunday School after the children’s sermon on Sunday mornings. Our older kids, 7^th grade and up, will have their “Confirmation” Sunday School class on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10 am in the Education Builiding. Everyone else is invited to our Sunday morning Adult study which focuses on the intersection between our Christian faith and current world events. The Adult class meets form 8:30 to 9:15 am in-person and on Zoom.

CHOIR REHEARSALS RESUME

Everyone in 8^th grade and up is welcome to join Trinity’s choir. We will begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 7^th at 7 pm. We will rehearse every Wednesday at 7 pm thereafter.

TRINITY MEN’S BREAKFAST

All men are invited to breakfast the second Saturday of the month. We will met at 8:30 am on September 10 at Grace’s Café, 130 West Main Street, Trappe, 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!

CONFIRMATION CLASS

Our church’s Christian Education Committee is pleased to announce we will have a confirmation program this year. Please come to a gathering at 7 pm on October 4 to learn the details of how the program will work. All young people in 7^th grade through 12^th grade are welcome to participate.  We will continue to meet on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am for a class about the history of the ancient people of Israel, the life of Jesus, and the growth and development of the Christian Church through the ages. The young people who chose to be in our Confirmation program will also meet for 13 sessions with a mentor from the congregation to discuss topics about our life as 21^st century Christians. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you are interested in your young adults participating in the program.

HARVEST HOME – SEPTEMBER 18

We are asking everyone to bring fresh fruits and vegetables, either from their gardens or from the local farm stand. Harvest Home is a traditional festival of the German church and is used to benefit our neighbors who use the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry. When our ancestors were farmers, they contributed their surplus to support their pastors and their neighbors in need.

SKIPPACK DAYS – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2022

Please start bringing in your items for the church’s flea market and place them on the stage in the Education Building. If you know of anyone who might like to have a flea market space, please contact Janet Crossgrove. We will need help with set-up, parking, selling food, the white elephant sale, and clean-up. Look for sign-up sheets in the Narthex in the next few weeks.  

SKIPPACK FIRST FRIDAYS

The good weather is here and we are in the midst 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 Friday is October 7. We need volunteers to run the table from 6 to 8 pm at each First Friday. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you are planning to help on September 2.

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

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 or in the baskets next to the sanctuary doors.

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, dish soap, DEORDORANT, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, paper towels

Food:

                        Dried Spaghetti, Cookies, Canned Fruit, Canned Pasta, Jelly,

 Canned Peas, Baked Beans, Rice, Shelf Stable Milk, Skillet Dinners,           

Stuffing, Pancake Syrup, Broth,  

Baby Care:

Diapers

Pet Care:

Dry cat food, Litter, canned dog food

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 and our 10:15 Worship. 

If you are watching from home, 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 9 AM.  Next week, on September 11, we will resume meeting at 8:30 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

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. 

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

Receive the Invitation -- A Message for August 28, 2022

 

    This morning, our focus shifts to one of Jesus’ parables. This text reminds us of our Christian calling to humility.  We are called to never consider ourselves and our needs to be more important than anyone else’s. Humility is perhaps one of the most difficult Christian attributes for us to embrace; the secular world puts a lot of emphasis on prestige and power, on fame and infamy. Yet, our calling is to perceive others as our equals, and to not take actions that take away from our unity and equality with them.

            Hear Jesus’ words as they are recorded in Luke, chapter 14, verses one and seven through fourteen:  

Scripture Reading                                    Luke 14: 1, 7-14

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 

“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 

If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 

But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,  

and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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; though Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Message                              Receive the Invitation               

            Imagine you are at a wedding reception, perhaps at a country club or a beautiful hotel ballroom overlooking a river.   The bride and groom have spent months planning the details and preparing for the wedding. The flowers are colorful and carefully arranged. The bridesmaids are dressed to the nines, all in silver gowns. The cocktail hour had delicious, dainty hors d'oeuvres.  When it is time for the meal, everyone moves over to the tables where each guests’ name has been carefully printed on a card, because the bride and groom have spent hours planning out who would sit with whom, carefully arranging the guests around the room. At the most prominent place in the space is a long table, where the bride, groom, and their wedding party are supposed to sit.

            Imagine your astonishment when a guest decides to ignore all of the place setting cards, walks up to the seats set aside for the bride and groom, and plops themselves down in the groom’s chair?! Instead of observing the “rules” of wedding decorum, they take the best seat in the room for themselves.

            This morning, Jesus talked about a wedding banquet. Although the rules for wedding etiquette were different in First century Israel verses 21^st century American, Jesus’ parable still works today.  At the dinner Jesus was attending, the guests all seized each other up, and then arranged themselves in the seats based on the status they perceived themselves as having.  Possibly the richest person in the room sat next to the host, or perhaps the most renowned Biblical scholar chose that spot, or the mayor sat in it. We may not understand the rules of the gathering, but we understand there were rules.

            Jesus’s message is that as followers of God, we are supposed to humble ourselves. We humble ourselves in worship to God. We humble ourselves in the presence of other people in our churches. We humble ourselves out in the world as we interact with other people.

            We are called to be humble. We are no better than any other person. We are no better than people who are a different racial group than us; we are no better than people who have less education than we have; we are no better than people who have less money than we have; we are no better than people who are citizens of other countries than ours; we are no better that people who are younger than us or older than us. We are called to be humble, and to remember that we are no better than anyone else.

            Lately, in the media, we have heard stories of people dubbed “Karens.” The reason why these people are criticized is because they forget to be humble. They are often people who feel a sense of privilege or entitlement over and above the people they are interacting with.  They belittle clerks in stores or servers in restaurants.  They call the police to report people who are not doing anything wrong or illegal, just because those people are doing things the Karen doesn’t like or finds inconvenient.  They claim a superiority over people they believe are their subordinates, even when they have legitimate reason to make that claim. Instead of being humble, they attempt to act with superiority.

            Jesus not only calls us to be humble, but we are also supposed to be driven to do actions that help people who have lower status than we have. When we chose to be generous, we shouldn’t do it for prestige. We shouldn’t be generous so that we are acknowledged for our generosity. We should not do things so that others tell us how great we are.   We shouldn’t be driven by the goal of being acknowledged.

            Instead, we are called to help people who don’t have as much as we have, not for the glory, but because our faith compels us to care about others.  Jesus said, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”  When you throw a party, invite people who aren’t usually included, people who are poor, people with physical disabilities, people who are unpopular, people who have mental health differences, people who are homeless, people who suffering…invite people who will not repay your kindness by inviting you to a similar event.

            Jesus instructs us to behave in a way that is not natural for us.  Jesus instructs us to do things that are difficult, that are scary. And, although this instruction is extreme, Jesus’ words remind us that as Christians, we are called to work to help people who are troubled, people who are struggling financially, people who are suffering will illnesses, and people who are having a hard time. Our work is to use our gifts and our resources to help people who are suffering. Our work is to be generous and not to expect our generosity to be reciprocated by other people.

            God’s Holy Spirit is in our midst all of the time. The Holy Spirit observes our every move. When we are generous, God’s Holy Spirit notices our actions. God knows we are choosing to do the right thing, even if no other people notice our choices. God calls us to work to lighten other people’s burdens, and God sees us when we are faithful to what God calls us to do.

            May we do so in love. Amen.

Message to Trinity -- Blessing of the Backpacks This Sunday!

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

It is hard to believe we are already at the last weekend in August! I hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying the last few moments of summer. 

BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS

School starts for many of our kids and young adults at next week! We will have our annual blessing of the backpacks (and students) in worship on August 28. Please bring a backpack or a bag to be blessed. We pray that God will protect all of our students and teachers during this upcoming school year.

TRINITY MEN’S BREAKFAST

All men are invited to breakfast the second Saturday of the month. We will met at 8:30 am on September 10 at Grace’s Café,  130 West Main Street, Trappe, 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!

SKIPPACK FIRST FRIDAYS-

The good weather is here and we are in the midst 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 September 2 and October 7. We need volunteers to run the table from 6 to 8 pm at each First Friday. Please let Pastor Amelie know if you are planning to help on September 2.

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

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 or in the baskets next to the sanctuary doors.

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, dish soap, DEORDORANT, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, paper towels

Food:

                        Dried Spaghetti, Cookies, Canned Fruit, Canned Pasta, Jelly,

 Canned Peas, Baked Beans, Rice, Shelf Stable Milk, Skillet Dinners,           

Stuffing, Pancake Syrup, Broth,  

Baby Care:

Diapers

Pet Care:

Dry cat food, Litter, canned dog food

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 and our 10:15 Worship. 

If you are watching from home, 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 9 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. 

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