Pastor Brian's Blog

We celebrate Presidents Day on the third Monday of February.  The timing of this designation is in honor of George Washington, the nation’s first president, who was born on February 22, 1732.  This year we observe the changing of executive leaders in our federal government, as Barack H. Obama yields to Donald J. Trump.  It is right to give thanks for the accomplishments of Mr. Obama over the last eight years, even as we anticipate the achievements of Mr. Trump.  Regardless of who holds the nation’s highest office, the responsibilities of the president on behalf of the people are significant, and the president needs our prayers. In Psalm 72, the poet prays for the nation’s king: “Give the king your justice, O God…May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.” 1   The king had a duty to the people, just as a shepherd protects and keeps the sheep.  Historically, there were good kings, and there were evil kings.  The psa...

In February, I will begin a new series for Trinity Church called “So Will I Sing.”  The series is a partnership among several United Methodist pastors in the North Shore area.  It is based on Psalm 61:8 (KJV): “So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.”  My clergy colleagues and I have selected one hymn and several verses of Scripture to develop our sermons.  We will take turns as guest preachers for the various congregations.  The participating congregations are in Deerfield, Glencoe, Northbrook, and Wilmette. The songs that will be featured at Trinity include “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” by John Ylvisaker (1985); “A Place at the Table” by Shirley Erena Murray and Lori True (1998); and “How Can I Keep from Singing” by Robert Lowry (1869). The preface of The United Methodist Hymnal states that “hymn singing has been a vital and distinctive component of our worship o...

Dear Friends in Christ, As we turn the page on a new calendar year, I am thinking about the gifts that I am bringing into the new year. Two years ago, I began my academic studies in congregational leadership.  I have benefited from an interdisciplinary approach that combined courses at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.  As a bonus, I earned Kellogg’s executive education certificate in nonprofit management. I deeply appreciate the gifts of time and resources for learning new lessons to apply in parish life. Now that my coursework is finished, I am working on the final research and dissertation.  To that end, I am leading a workshop for members of the Church Council on Sat., Jan. 14 as part of my doctoral research.  The goal is to work with Gallup’s StrengthsFinder assessment and interactive group exercises to help people identify their “strengths” and imagine ways of using those strengths ...

January Sermons In January, we start the new year with reflections on Christ’s revelation to the world and our incorporation into Christ’s Body through baptism.   Then Rev. Smith will lead a new series for Trinity Church called “We’re Church Together.”  The title comes from the children’s song: “I am the church.  You are the church.  We are the church together.”  The series follows readings in 1 Corinthians from the Revised Common Lectionary.   The apostle Paul uses the early portion of this letter to help the church embrace its unity in Christ, which sometimes requires counterintuitive thinking and unconventional action.  Jan. 1 Reveal Matthew 2:1-12 Jan. 8 Baptism Matthew 3:13-17 Jan. 15 Called to Be God’s People 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Jan. 22 One in Christ 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Jan. 29 Saved by Foolishness 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Feb. 5...