Pastor Brian's Blog

 As we commemorate the centennial of the end of World War I, we remember all those who have given their lives for freedom and peace in the world.  We especially lift up one young man from our church family who was killed in action on the day before the armistice.  His friends from church (when Trinity was called First Methodist Episcopal) planted a tree in his memory.  A bronze plaque on a stone at the foot of the tree reads: "This tree planted by the young men's class of the First Methodist Episcopal Church to perpetuate the memory of their classmate Louis Mason Bruch, Lieutenant Pilot, 91st U.S. Aero Squad, killed in combat - Inor, France, November 10, 1918."

November Worship Themes   In November, we’re focusing on God’s blessing in our lives.   During the first week of November, we’ll explore John Wesley’s instructions to earn, save, and give.   On Consecration Sunday, Anne Coon will encourage us to consider giving from the perspective of “fearless generosity.”   On Thanksgiving Sunday, we will count our blessings and give thanks to the Lord.   On Reign of Christ Sunday, we will consider our how we participate in Christ’s reign through worship and service.

  What does it mean to be blessed?   On social media, people use #blessed a lot. One woman (@shloks) used #blessed when she became a homeowner for the first time.   Another person (@juliem228) felt #blessed when she realized that her bank balance was bigger than she thought.   One man (@ldreiling) typed #blessed after announcing that he was at home after his medical procedure.   Another guy (@RotoRadarCEO) believed that his scenic drive to Starbucks justified a #blessed . Is being blessed only about having good fortune or things going to your advantage?   In the Old Testament, blessing is a chain reaction.   One blessing begets another.   First, God blesses humankind after creating us in the divine image, and then our response as God’s people is to bless or worship God.   In fact, the Hebrew word barak means both to bless (with a gift) and to kneel (in deference, adoration, or gratitude).   As those who re...