You shall no more be termed “Forsaken”…for the Lord delights in you… Isaiah 62:4a,c
You shall no more be termed “Forsaken”…for the Lord delights in you… Isaiah 62:4a,c
Thank you to those that took the time to donate blood last week. The Blood Center was more than pleased with the turnout.
You have another opportunity to follow Jesus’ direction to “love your neighbor” this weekend by rounding up all the used but serviceable shoes in your household. Bring them to church with you and place them in the marked receptacles. Zoe Valega, one of Trinity’s 8th graders, is sponsoring this “Soles for Souls” campaign along with our Youth Ministry; you can read more about this non-profit ministry here.
Astronauts and pilots are famously assigned a “call sign” or nickname when they get their wings. And, the Secret Service has a practice of assigning call signs to those they protect, including the President and each member of his or her family. Sometimes the call sign is a diminutive of their legal name. More likely, it’s a reflection of some memorable personality characteristic or reminder of past accomplishments.For example, President Johnson’s call sign was “Volunteer”, Jimmy Carter’s was “Deacon”, Reagan’s was “Rawhide” and Donald Trump’s call sign was “Mogul.” And, just to complete the list, President Biden’s call sign is “Celtic.”
Sometimes, we assign OURSELVES an internal “call sign” that we quietly whisper in our minds. We use this “call sign” to remind ourselves of who we think we really are. The nickname “stupid idiot” has crossed my mind on occasion. Not a very uplifting thing to call yourself.
After the loss of their homeland and the deportation to Babylon, the Hebrew Bible tells us that the People of God had apparently assigned themselves some internal nicknames that weren’t uplifting: “Forsaken” and “Desolate”. In this Sunday’s Old Testament reading, the prophet Isaiah addresses these nicknames, and tells the people of Israel that God has assigned new Call Signs to them that are much more positive. Even better, all this was in preparation for God’s miraculous intervention that allowed them to return to the Promised Land.
God had not forgotten them. He made sure all was eventually made right…only on God’s timetable, not theirs.
What are your internal nicknames for yourself? Do you need to hear Him tell you about HIS nickname for you? 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 to be 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.
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 rediscover the depth of God’s love for you…just as you are. Find out how placing your fears, uncertainties and doubts in the hands of the Jesus can lessen your stress load and bring deep transformation to your heart. 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,