But now thus says the Lord “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1b ESV
But now thus says the Lord “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1b ESV
You have two opportunities to follow Jesus’ direction to “love your neighbor” this weekend:
• By giving blood this Sunday at Trinity. The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will be in our gym from 8:00 am until noon and walk-in blood donors are welcome. You can make a reservation or get more information by clicking here;
• Bring your used but serviceable shoes to church with you for the “Soles for Souls” campaign. Zoe Valega, one of Trinity’s 8th graders, is sponsoring this activity along with our Youth Ministry; you can read more about this non-profit ministry here.
Please be in prayer asking God to guide your thoughts on what He would have you give to Trinity in 2022. You may drop your 2022 Home Treasury Commitment into the offering plate, complete an online version of the pledge card by clicking here, or mail your pledge card to the church office.
As 2022 kicks off, how are you feeling? Energized by all the new opportunities the new year brings with it? Focused on your new year’s resolutions to exercise more, work harder (or work less), pray more, eat less, etc? Exasperated by the mess COVID has wrought? Fearful that health problems, relationship stresses or financial woes may come to the surface as the year progresses? Tired? Bored? Lonely? Hopeful?
Perhaps you’re feeling a bits and pieces of each these emotions as you read this. The audience for whom the Biblical text quoted above was written probably shared this mishmash of emotions. The prophet Isaiah addressed this message to the Israelites who were in captivity in Babylon. Everything familiar had been stripped away from them. They were, literally, “strangers in a strange land.” But, they had the opportunity to rebuild their lives in Babylon. And, at the right time, God would miraculously arrange for an opportunity to them to return en masse to Jerusalem.
God did not forget them. He made sure all was made right…only on God’s timetable, not theirs.
Do you sometimes feel like a “stranger in a strange land”? Are you waiting for God to put right what is wrong in your life? Do you need to remember the depth of His love for you?
Come and get reminded of how deeply God loves you this Sunday at Trinity Downtown. You can join us in our traditional worship service on Sunday at 9:00 am, or the contemporary service at 11:15 am. Or, you can watch the “live stream” of either service by clicking here. And, of course, you may also participate by watching the “on demand” video of our contemporary or traditional services by clicking here. You can enhance your worship experience by viewing the traditional service’s worship folder by clicking here. Our weekly prayer list can also be found by clicking here.
Our doors will open 30 minutes before the start of each worship service, and you may enter from any door. As always, we ask that if you are not feeling well, please stay home and participate with us online.
Our “stock sale” benefiting our Youth program remains open for investment! Pick up a brochure at the Welcome Desk and in the Gathering Space on Sunday to see how your investment will expand the number of youth that may participate in the National Youth Gathering in July 2022.
You can watch the “live stream” of our traditional worship service on Sunday at 9:00 am OR our contemporary worship at 11:15 am by clicking here. And, of course, you may also participate by watching the “on demand” video of either service by clicking here. You can enhance your worship experience by viewing the traditional service’s worship folder by clicking here. Our weekly prayer list can also be found by clicking here.
If you are planning on viewing this week’s service online, you may participate in the Baptism Remembrance by printing out the label that was attached to this week’s email and putting it on a water bottle. Watch the service to find out why!
Please take advantage of our nursery, which is now open to care for children 2 years old and younger on Sunday mornings.
We continue to be deeply thankful for the God-inspired work of our medical professionals who developed and are distributing the COVID vaccines, and who continue to care for those afflicted with this disease. Please keep the members of our congregation who serve in these capacities in your daily prayers that God may grant them strength, courage and a robust immune system.
This Sunday come learn how placing your fears, uncertainties and doubts in the hands of the newborn King Jesus can lessen our stress load and bring deep transformation in our hearts. Celebrate with us the depth of Jesus’ love for us and find out how you can live a life of significance, filled with meaning. Discover how following Jesus can help you and your family navigate around the minefields of life.
Come get ready for what 2022 will bring at Trinity Downtown this weekend. It will make a tremendous difference in your life.
Your Pastor,