Thursday, September 25, 2008

On the Calendar

October is ‘Fill the Hall’ Month!

Jesus once told a story of king who has prepared a wedding banquet for his son. When all things were ready, the king sends his messengers out to tell the honored guests to come, but no one comes. So, the king tells the messengers to go out into the streets to urge everyone they can find to come to enjoy the banquet “so the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

Our Lord spreads a feast of his abundant mercy, grace and love each time we gather. You know the time – Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. You know the place – the corner of Hillside and Vreeland. Now, let’s go and invite and fill the hall!

Tuesday Night Prayer Nights: Money!

Join Pastor Jim Tuesday evenings in October to talk and to pray openly, honestly, sincerely about all sorts of issues related to money. Bring your fears, your worries, your concerns about the economy, the high cost of housing, food and gas, you retirement account balance … whatever. We’ll talk. We’ll listen. We’ll pray. We will meet in the sanctuary on Tuesday at 8 p.m. starting Oct. 7. Plan on a hour meeting.

Feed on God’s Word

90-minutes a week can change your life and change the world, really. Join the lively discussion and supportive community that spring up from scripture and prayer on Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m. or Monday evenings at 7:30pm Bible Study. Together, we read, share and discuss God’s Word and what it means for our lives today. Bring a friend.

Sunday School

Sunday School is in full swing. Families gather for worship at 10 a.m. and children and teachers move to the classroom after a children message and prayer. The whole assembly gathers again to celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. If you would like to volunteer to be a teacher or helper, please call the church office.

Stewardship Strengthens...

Stewardship strengthens our relationship with Jesus

Living Abundantly in a Time of Scarcity.
The news reports and economic pundits have convinced us that we are living in a time of scarcity. Resources appear to be is short supply and we easily identify with the disciples in the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6:34-44. Buried in that miracle story, however, are behaviors which turn the perception of scarcity into a celebration of abundance.

In our fall financial program at Holy Trinity we are employing the theme -- “100% BOLD: Living Abundantly in a Time of Scarcity.” We are convinced by the story God and God’s steadfast love for God’s people that the antidote to our anxiety and fears is 100% BOLD Stewardship.

As we begin this venture boldly, think about all God has entrusted to you. As you come to worship each week, listen for the words at the center of the prayer of thanksgiving. Here are four distinct actions—taking, blessing, breaking, and giving. These four actions are also at the heart of the story of Jesus feeding more than 5,000 from five loaves and two fish. As we consider this pattern, think about how you take, bless, break, and give as part of your faith in Jesus. Give prayerful consideration in the coming weeks to how you will join your brothers and sisters in making an investment in the mission to which Jesus has called us.

Assets are gifts in action: a story about gold.

At the end of September, Nancy found that she had some family jewelry that no one wanted. A few earrings. She started by donating them to the yard sale when somehow she remembered that the price of gold is high now, and jewelry shops are paying a nice price for gold. So, she took the jewelry to the jewelry store with a few more odds and ends and came out with more than $150, which she gave for the ministry at Holy Trinity. What do you have just laying around?

Thank you for your generous gifts that truly do help make a difference in the lives of people in this community and beyond