Pastor Brian's Blog

In the weeks after Easter, I will lead a new series on the environment and care of creation based on Bishop Sally Dyck's book A Hopeful Earth .  Too often we think that spiritual matters are unrelated to physical and natural life.  When I was a kid, I learned Psalm 24:1: "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it."  The very first utterance of the ancient Christian creeds is: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth."  Creation is God's first act of grace, but what is our response to God's good gift?  Humans are befouling it in the name of profit and progress.  Through deforestation, harmful agricultural, mining and extraction practices, and overconsumption, we are polluting the water and air we need to survive.  The climate is changing and a sixth mass extinction of species may be underway.  But there is hope.  The God who raised Jesus from the dead can lead us aw...

This week, as we commemorate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, I met with a United Methodist missionary now leaving Jerusalem after 20 years of service in the Holy Land.   Janet Lahr Lewis, a lay woman from Ohio and a civil engineer, stopped for lunch with a small group at Trinity Church to share joys and concerns about working for peace and justice in the Holy Land.  Janet said that if one wants to take sides, it should be on the side of justice, on the side of human rights, on the side of international law.    She mentioned a 2009 call for awareness and action in the Kairos Palestine document .  Janet is concerned that the conflict is pushing Palestinian Christians out of their homeland (along with Palestinian Muslims).  Christians have lived in the Holy Land since the time of Jesus, but their future is threatened.   More information on her work is available on her page at the General Board of Global Ministry .  Please pra...

Easter Sunday...  Is it all about beautifully colored eggs and chocolate bunnies...or are you looking for something more? Unconditional love, for instance. What about a second chance? A more fulfilling life? Trinity United Methodist Church wants to help you find what you're looking for by opening our hearts; reaching out to others, and embracing the miracle of God's love. Easter/HolyWeek Schedule Palm Sunday, April 13 Worship @ 8:30  & 10:30 a.m. Procession with Palms Dedication of Imagine No Malaria pledges Maundy Thursday, April 17 Worship at 7:00 p.m. with Choir & Holy Communion Good Friday, April 18 Worship at 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae with Quartet & Violin Easter Sunday, April 20 Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Egg Hunt at 11:45 a.m. Following Easter Sunday, I will lead a new series called " A Hopeful Earth ," focusing on the environment and the care of creation. 

Every 60 seconds someone dies from malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. “Imagine No Malaria” is a mission campaign of The United Methodist Church to save lives. Achieving this goal requires an integrated strategy against the disease.   As a life-saving ministry, Imagine No Malaria aims to empower the people of Africa to overcome malaria’s burden.   We fight malaria with a comprehensive model. To learn more, visit www.imaginenomalaria.org . Trinity’s $50,000 Challenge Last fall the Trinity Church Council accepted Bishop Sally Dyck’s request to become a Challenge Church for the Imagine No Malaria campaign.   After hearing about the campaign, an anonymous donor from Trinity Church pledged to match actual gifts received by the end of 2014, up to $25,000. That could result in over $50,000 to save more than 500 lives! On Palm Sunday, April 13, you will be given an opportunity to pledge your financial support. You can make a one-time gift or make ...

According to Jesus, "Every good tree produces good fruit" (Matthew 7:17).   By practicing five practices of fruitfulness, we fulfill our purpose in Christ. In March I will lead a new series on  Five Fruitful Practices , based on the good work of United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase . In addition to the sermon series, make plans to attend the all-church retreat and read the companion daily devotional book for Lent. ALL CHURCH RETREAT "Five Fruitful Practices" Sat., March 15 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. DAILY DEVOTIONAL Forty Days of Fruitful Living Obtain your copy (paperback or eBook) from Cokesbury.com.   The Church Office has a limited number of copies for $10.  Radical Hospitality : offering the gracious invitation welcome and hospitality of Christ so that people experience a sense of belonging. Passionate Worship : shaping souls and changing minds through worship and creating a desire grow closer to Christ. Intentional Faith Development : nurt...

The Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most inspirational words attributed to Jesus.  It is a timeless message that deals with common human concerns – despair, resentment, temptation, superficiality, dishonesty, materialism, anxiety, and more.   In February, Rev. Smith will be leading a new series at Trinity Church on the Sermon on the Mount, which has been described as the heart and soul of the Christian faith and a new ethic for the world.  According to John Wesley, the Sermon on the Mount shows us the way to heaven, for in it, Jesus "is teaching us the true way to life everlasting."  Feb. 2 "Blessed" Matthew 5:1-12 Feb. 9 "Salt & Light" Matthew 5:13-20 Feb. 16 "Yes or No" Matthew 5:21-37 Feb. 23 "Extra Effort" Matthew 5:38-48 Mar. 2 "Do Not Worry" Matthew 6:24-34 Ash Wednesday, Mar. 5 "Treasure of the Heart" Matthew 6:1-21

On Sun., January 12 we celebrated -- with noise-makers, applause, and cheering -- the good news of being able to fulfill 100% of our 2013 apportionment.   It was no small feat: $69,540 ! But then, we will have no small impact:  (1)  reaching new people; ( 2)  improving health globally;  (3)  engaging in ministry with the poor; and  (4)  developing principled leaders for the church and the world .   Apportionments are the "portion" of our gifts that are "meant" for serving others through our global United Methodist connection.   Together, through our connected congregations, we accomplish what no single church, district or annual conference ever could hope to do alone.  We combine our efforts to make a significant difference in the lives of God's people. Plus, Rainbow Covenant Status! We gave more than the minimum.  Through second-mile giving to local, regional, national, and international mission efforts, we achie...