And behold, a lawyer stood up to put [Jesus] to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it? Luke 10:25-26 ESV
Finding The Handy Loophole
Dear Members and Friends of Trinity Downtown:
Regardless of your particular stance regarding COVID-related “mandates”, I’m pretty sure we are all weary of hearing about the political fights going on in our country and in Texas about what politician has the power to issue them. Leaders at every level of government see different facts, and often issue executive orders that contradict each other. It’s a sad state of affairs.
Perhaps the most exuberant discussion revolves around mask mandates for schools and county governments in Texas. Governor Abbot’s mandate outlawing mask mandates has created quite a controversy with many school districts, county governments and cities openly defying Abbot’s directives. Most of the defiance is centered in the large population centers of our state.
Despite all the big-city lawyers involved in the legal battles, it took one tiny little school district in Paris (that’s Paris, Texas) to come up with the most creative loophole to get around Abbot’s order. They simply amended their district’s dress code to include a requirement that students must wear a face covering while on campus. Who could argue with a school district’s exclusive ability to define what their students wear to class?
It was a brilliant solution. They could appear to stay in strict compliance with the Governor’s order banning a mask mandate, while achieving what they really wanted to do in the first place. A great example of what I call “loophole-ism.”
Unfortunately, as Christians we do the same thing—we search for loopholes around God’s commandments. These loopholes allow us to appear to be in compliance, but our hearts remain far from what God intended. Jesus had a lot to say to the people of His day about loophole-ism.
This weekend at Trinity Downtown
(August 28th & 29th)
We’ll be diving into Jesus’ criticisms of loopholes, and what it says about our own behavior. Come hear how focusing on God’s love and watchful care can carry you during these times, and how you can be an encouragement to those that may be going through tough times.
You can join us in our contemporary service on Saturday at 5:00 pm, and/or the traditional worship service on Sunday at 9:00 am. Or, you can watch the “live stream” of our Satellite Service at 5:00 pm on Saturday, or our traditional service on Sunday at 9:00 am by clicking here. And, of course, you may also participate by watching either of these services “on-demand” 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.
You won’t want to miss our in-person Sunday School, Youth and Adult Bible classes that start at 10:15 am each Sunday morning.
If you have young children or grandchildren, you might take advantage of the “Touch a Truck” experience being sponsored LEAH’s Downtown Academy on Saturday, September 11th. The Downtown Academy’s parking lot will be filled with various construction vehicles that should delight the heart of your youngster from 9:00 am to noon. You’ll also want to be aware that we are restarting the “Parent’s Night Out” joint ministry with LEAH on Friday evening, September 17th from 6:30-10:00 pm. If you want to volunteer to serve alongside LEAH’s teachers in this important outreach to our community, you can contact Haley Davisson at hdavisson@trinitydt.org.
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.
In response to the increased number of infections, this weekend at Trinity Downtown we’re making some changes in our recommendations and seating arrangements designed to lower the chance we’ll inadvertently spread the infection further.
Watch Online
You can watch the “live stream” of our Satellite Service at 5:00 pm on Saturday, or our traditional service on Sunday at 9:00 am by clicking the button below. And, of course, you may also participate by watching either of these services “on demand” at any time. To enhance your worship this weekend, we’ve placed this weekend’s Order of Worship and our updated prayer list below.
Drive-Up Communion
Please note that Drive-up Communion is being offered on Saturday and Wednesday of each week.
COVID-19 Updates
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.
In response to the increased number of COVID infection in our community, please follow these recommendations and seating arrangements designed to lower the chance we’ll inadvertently spread the infection further. Specifically:
- We are encouraging everyone over three years of age to wear a mask while on Trinity’s campus. (Please note that is NOT a mandate, just a heart-felt recommendation;)
- We also would encourage you to get vaccinated if you’re eligible and haven’t already done so; and
- We’re increasing the size of the sanctuary seating area designated as “socially-distanced”. A large portion of the Pulpit side will be marked so that only every other row is available for seating.
- As always, if you’re feeling unwell, please stay home and take advantage of our streaming alternatives
Please take advantage of our nursery, which is now open to care for children 2 years old and younger on Sunday mornings.
Let’s learn how to focus our time and attention on what God has revealed to us in His Word, and how leaning on His provision and care 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.
This weekend come get a fresh jolt of spiritual energy at Trinity Downtown. It will make a tremendous difference in your life.
Your Pastor,
Michael Dorn