Pastor's Blog

Beginning August 21 in Trinity's Cappuccino & Christ Service, we will start a sermon series on "Questions for God."  Sherill Clontz, C & C Worship Leader would love to hear what questions about God and faith you'd like to explore.  You can send your questions to her one of several ways:

• email (sclontz@northalabamaumc.org)
• post on her blog (http://pastorsherill.blogspot.com/2011/07/questions-for-god.html)
• post on Sherill's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sherill.clontz)
• tweet Sherill at @PastorSherill
• Fill out a card provided at the August 7 C & C Service

We'll select four questions to explore, but all questions will be helpful as we plan worship for the coming year.  We look forward to reading your questions!

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From Charles:

In traditional worship, we have been talking about "Christ All Around Me," for the past several weeks.  In the first of the series, we talked about "Christ Before Me," how Jesus is there ahead of us in whatever situation we find ourselves, but particularly when we are caring for someone in his name.  This past Sunday, we talked about "Christ Beside Me," how Jesus walks beside us, particularly in ministry, to teach us, encourage us, and reveal himself to us.  This Sunday, we will be talking about "Christ Above Me," a rather unusual topic for us, as we consider the text, Luke 24:50-53.  As you read the text and prepare for worship, you might consider the following:

• Why do you think it was necessary for Jesus to leave the disciples, even after he resurrection?  What did he mean when he said to them, "if I don't go, the comforter will not come to you?"
• We have talked about Jesus being present with us, before us and beside us.  In saying that Christ is above us, does that mean he is not always present with us?  How did the disciples experience both is presence and his absence as they moved out into ministry?
• As you think of Christ Above Me, what does that mean to you in your relationship with Jesus? 

See you in church on Sunday.

From Sherill:

This Sunday, I will be concluding the sermon series, "Dangerous Wonder."  During the last month, we've discussed the importance of stopping to remember who God is and how God operates in the world so that we can recognize God at work in our lives and in the lives of the world. Last week, we talked about the importance of receiving what God has to give us.  And this week, we'll reflect on Matthew 6:24-26 as we discuss the relationship between our faith and our ability to take risks for the Kingdom of God.  This week as you ponder this text, consider these questions:

• Some people talk about the struggles of life as the cross they have to bear, but Jesus says that we are to take up our cross and follow him.  Apparently, our cross is not something that the world or life's events places on us but something we choose to pick up and carry.  In that case, what does it mean to take up a cross and follow Christ?
• What are the risks of a cross bearing faith?
• What kinds of crosses might Jesus be asking you to bear?
• What is the promise for those who take up their cross and lose their life? And what difference might it make to the world if more Christians were willing to do so?

God Bless.

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This is Senior Recognition Sunday at our church.  Our Seniors will be in both services.  Tony will preach at the C&C service so that he can speak directly to our graduating seniors.  I'll have the opportunity to speak to them at their banquet which follows the church service.  I'll be preaching in the traditional service, starting the series originally scheduled for this month on Living and Loving in 21st Century Relationships.  I'll be talking about "Living Together in Today's World," using the text from Genesis 2:18, 21-25 and Luke 8:19-20.  As you read over these texts and think about Sunday, you might consider the following questions:

1. How has the institution of the family changed in the past twenty years, and what challenges do those changes bring to us as Christians?
2. What does the Bible say about the family and about God's people living together?  How does the Scripture provide healthy instructions about family relationships?
3. What do the passages above tell us about living together and how might we use those instructions in our own families?

Hope to see you in church on Sunday!

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Thank you for your continued prayers and support for those affected by the recent tornadoes and storms.  We have been overwhelmed with calls, emails, and texts of people just at Trinity wanting to help.  Across the city, state, and nation, so many more are calling their respective pastors and relief agencies doing the same thing.  Our prayer is that this spirit will continue for months and even years to come, as it will be a very long time before many communities fully recover.

Upcoming Trainings

ERT Training at Asbury UMC in Madison
Saturday, May 7 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

This training is highly recommended for volunteers wishing to take part at a work site as identified by the Conference assesment team. Leaders of these work teams must have ERT training before being given an assignment. Training will cover essential skills and information on the process of recovery and relief. Use this link to register and find more details. Please contact Matt Reed if you need assistance with the $15 registration cost.

Trinity Caring Team of Listeners
Thursday, May 12th, 6:30 pm
Trinity UMC in Room 264
Led by Dr. David Barnhart.

The focus will be on listening and providing care for people who have PTS/PTSD from the tornadoes, the aftermath and from helping. It will be for caregivers to know what to look for so they can know how and when to refer persons to seek other counseling. This will provide basic training for those who want to be on a caring team of listeners as part of the Trinity UMC Disaster Relief Team. Use this link to register and find more details.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• ERT Work teams - once we have leaders certified through the ERT Training, Trinity will be eligible to field teams to receive assignments from the Conference Disaster Response Center. Team registration and assignments can be made by going here.
• On-going meal support - Thank you to all who have volunteered to provide a meal next Monday! We have all of the cooks we need at this time. However, if you would like to help provide a meal on another day, please email Matt Reed stating what days you may be available and we can connect you with the Harvest Youth Center.
• Disaster Response Call Center - This call center will field phone calls for the North Alabama Conference tornado disaster response. The Conference is currently looking for volunteers to work in the call center. Each volunteer will go through a brief training when s/he shows up for her/his first shift. Use this link to sign up and find more details.
• Disaster Warehouse in Decatur - The Disaster Warehouse in Decatur is always in need of people to receive supplies, assemble care packages, and much more. Tasks are available for most all ages. Use this link to find directions and contact information. Though the warehouse is open most every weekday, it is recommended to call before going.
• Manna House - help with the distribution of food and other essential items to the area needy. Manna House is located behind The Rock.

If you're looking to meet up with a group or find others from Trinity to work with, consider using our Facebook page to share when you're going and where (http://www.facebook.com/TrinityHSV).

Collections:

Bring the following items to Trinity and place them in the bins near the Wesley Hall Entrance.

• Food for Thought - standard food pantry items
• CASA - Ensure, Glucerna, Adult diapers
• Manna House - food, toiletries
• For Sand Mountain/Rainsville/Cartersville - Contact Leslie Vallely 256.503.8268 or for more details
  • Portable Grills
  • Tents
  • Diapers
  • Toiletries
• Relief Supplies are being received at Latham UMC - Find the list here.

Other important information:

• Self-Report

  • Have you been working in the field, providing meals, or other relief assistance? Please let us know so that we can have an accurate record of how we've contributed. Use this link to let us know how you've served.

• Sign up to help in various ways

  • Please use this link to let us know how you're interested in serving. When opportunities come up, we'll use this list to contact you.

In the message at the Healing Service, I shared a reflection by Rev. Sheri Ferguson, Executive Director, United Methodist Pastoral Care and Counseling, Inc. Click here for "Points To Consider Regarding Alabama Tornado Recovery"

Thank you again for all that you are doing.  I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

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An update on Trinity openings and cancellations are below.

But first I'd like to invite each of you to join me for a special Prayer & Healing Worship Service tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  I'd like for us to gather as a congregation for beautiful organ music, prayer and reflection during this difficult time. We'll pray for healing in the midst of lives lost, homes devastated, and lives forever changed; as well as for the grief over these events that we all carry.  We'll take a special offering for tornado disaster relief as a part of our service.

DO YOU NEED HELP?

Please let us know if you or someone you know needs assistance.  For congregational care, contact Abi Carlisle-Wilke.  For property damage, food, supplies, etc., contact Matt Reed.

SCHEDULE

TUESDAY

Church offices are open today, closing the building at 5:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Church offices are open today on a regular schedule, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.   There will be limited activities:

• Open - Trinity Child Development Center re-opens
• Open - Trinity Place Alzheimer's and Dementia Adult Day Care re-opens
• Open - Choir, band and hand bell rehearsals
• Special Prayer & Healing Worship Service
• Cancelled -- Wednesday Night Dinner
• Cancelled --  Classes and programs

THURSDAY

Church offices and staff are open on regular schedule

• Open - classes and programs, unless your group leader has contacted you
• Cancelled -- Youth Rummage Sale weekday collection and weekend event

SUNDAY

8:45 a.m. - Adult, Youth and Children's Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Traditional and Contemporary Worship Services
Converge not scheduled for tonight since it's Mother's Day Weekend

Please plan to attend the special Prayer and Healing Service on Wednesday.  I look forward to seeing you there.

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For Trinty members and friends and anyone wanting to help:

• Self-forming groups will gather at Trinity every morning this week at 8:30 to ride the bus to the volunteer center at first baptist Shane Kennedy will drive.
• Join Chef Phil at 10AM Monday at Trinity to fix food that will be delivered to work sites. contact Lee Horton (lahorton64@gmail.com) for more details
• Finally, these supplies that are now being collected.

For CASA

• Glucerna/Ensure Adult Diapers

***Bring them to Trinity between 9-3 each day, Wesley Hall Entrance. We need people to help receive materials, contact Lee Horton to sign up for a shift.

Food for Thought

We need your food pantry items now more than ever. Bring your FfT collection to Trinity this Sunday. (non-perishable items such as: peanut butter, canned meats, pasta, etc.)

Relief Supplies being received at Good Shepherd UMC and Latham UMC

• Tarps (at least 5 mil) preferably in large sizes (20’ x 30’) although all sizes will be helpful
• Non-perishable food items
• UMCOR Health Kits
• General First Aid Kits
• Garbage Bags (Heavy Duty)
• Diapers
• Baby Food
• C-Cell & D-Cell Batteries
• 6-Volt Lantern Batteries
• Bottled Water

Thank you for all that you are doing individually and collectively, and also as representatives of the church and through your businesses.  Please pass this information along to as many people as you can. We are finding that, despite our best efforts, we are only able to communicate with a small portion of the congregation. Please share as much as you can.

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Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.  We will have no services on Sunday unless power is restored by then.  The safety issues were upper most in my consideration, along with the request that we not overuse resources.  I encourage you, along with the city officials to stay home and be safe.

If power is restored early in the week we may announce an weekday service of prayer and thanksgiving.  Stay tuned.

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This Sunday, we begin a new series of Sermons about the family, entitled "Living and Loving in 21st Century Relationships."  We will be talking about family life today and how it is different from family life in previous generations.  Our modern world has put stresses on family life like never before, but it has also given us opportunities that we have never had before.  This Sunday's sermon will be the introduction to the series designed to start our thinking about what it means to live together as followers of Christ in today's families.  In the following sermons we'll talk about, "What Women Want Men to know," "Raising Holy Children," "What Men Want Women to Know," and "Families Near and Far."  I'll be preaching in both services this Sunday on the topic, "Living Together in Today's World," using the texts, Genesis 2:18, 21-25 and Luke 8:19-20.  As you read over the texts, you might consider the following questions:

1. Thinking back to when you were growing up, what are the changes that have taken place in your family?  Which changes do you like?  Which changes do you not like?  What could you do to make your own family life better?
2. From the passages above, and from other passages you have read, what does the Bible teach us about family relationships, and about how we life together?  Are there any changes you would like to make in the way you live with and relate to other people today?
3. Jesus said that those people who do the will of God are his brothers and sisters?  What are some ways the church could help you as you struggle to live in healthy relationships in today's world?

See you in church on Sunday.

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This Sunday, we have four worship services for Easter.  Please note the changes in worship times:  8:30 and 11:00, traditional worship in the Sanctuary and 9:45 and 11:00, contemporary worship in the New Room.  I'll be preaching in both traditional services and in the 9:45 contemporary service using the text from Matthew 28:1-10.  Abi Carlisle Wilke will be preaching at the 11:00 contemporary worship service.  As you read through the text, please consider the following:

1. Matthew indicates both the time when they went to the tomb and the fact that those who went were women.  What do you think they were going to do.  Why was the time important, and why did only women go?
2. Jesus had indicated that he would be raised from the dead, yet still they were surprised.  Why do you think they found it so hard to believe?  Are there parts of the resurrection story that you have trouble believing today?  What are they and why?
3. The angel gave them specific instructions and then Jesus emphasized further the instructions given by the angel.  Where were those instructions and how might they relate to us today?  Do they have any particular meaning for you personally?

Don't forget our Maunday Thursday service at 6:30 on Thursday in the Sanctuary where we will share communion and have the traditional stripping of the altar.  On Friday evening at 6:30, we will have a Good Friday Tenebrae service with the traditional readings from the Passion Story in the New Room.  I hope you can join us for these services as you prepare to worship with us on Easter.

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This is Palm Sunday and I will be preaching in both services on the topic, "Hope Peddlers," using the text from Matthew 21:6-9, the story of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  As you read over the text, you might consider the following:

1.  The text contains many symbols and phrases that would have been important in Jesus day -- the donkey, the branches, Hosanna, etc.  What is the meaning of each one and what do they tell you about Jesus?

2.  Jesus coming filled the people with a new hope.  Why were they longing for hope, and what did his coming bring to them?

3.  How has Jesus come into the lives of people in our day, perhaps in your life, and what has it meant to you?

Hope to see you in church on Sunday.

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I will be preaching at both services this coming Sunday on the John 3:5-8.  This is the second in a series of Sermons introducing a new vision for our church --- "Compelled by the love of God, Trinity desires to be a place of transformation and hope, where people are needed and the needs of the world are met in Jesus name."  The title of this weeks sermon is "Transformers."  As you read over the text, please consider the following questions as you prepare for worship:

1. What does it mean to be born of water and the Spirit?
2. How does Jesus talk about the wind relate to our understanding of the Holy Spirit?

How are people different if they are born from above?

See you in church on Sunday!

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The service in C&C this Sunday will be a special musical presented by our Children and Youth Choirs, accompanied by the Youth Band.  I will be preaching in the traditional service on the text from Deuteronomy 6:5 and John 3:16-17.  This sermon will be the first in a series introducing a new vision for our church.  The series is called "The Transformation Place" and this sermon is entitled "The Compelling Love of God."  The new vision, which we will be discussing in our church council meeting next week reads as follows -- "Compelled by the love of God, Trinity desires to be a place of transformation and hope where people are needed and the needs of the world are met in Jesus' name."  I will be preaching on different concepts of the vision during the next month, even as the specific language may change somewhat as we talk about it in the council and in small groups.  I invite your prayers as we seek God's guidance in this very important matter.  As you read the text for this week, you might consider the following:

1.  What do you think it means to love God with all your heart, your soul, you mind and your strength?  What would that look like when lived out in a person's life?

2.  While Deuteronomy 6:5 speaks of our love for God, John 3:16 talks about God's love for us.  If God loved us this much, then what are the implications of this kind of love?  What kind of response does it call forth from us?

3.  John 3:17 speaks of Jesus' purpose in coming to us - that the world might be saved.  We normally think of individual salvation.  What might it mean to save the world?

In the both services, we will celebrate Holy Communion.  See you in church on Sunday.

If you missed last Sunday you can listen to the sermon on website: http://www.trinityhsv.org/Messages.aspx

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This week we conclude the series Trusting God in All Things as we talk about Moving Forward.  I will be preaching in the Sanctuary, and Matt Reed in The New Room.  We will both use the text from  Exodus 36:1-7.

As you read over this passage consider the following questions:  

1. Moses had asked two skilled workers to help with the creation of the sanctuary.  What skilled workers are needed today to build the Church?  (Hint:  Think of the Church as spiritual and physical in nature.)
2. These individuals had both skill and a heart for the work.  What does it mean to have a 'heart' for the work of the Church today?  What does it look like?
3. The people were called to bring freewill offerings to work and in the end had to be refrained because they were bringing too much.  How might that occur in our day?

Hope to see you in Church on Sunday.

If you missed last Sunday you can listen to the sermon on website:  http://www.trinityhsv.org/Messages.aspx

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