“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” Luke 6:27 ESV
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46 ESV
When Jesus up-ends the rules
Last Sunday’s tailgate party was a great time for us to reconnect. In-person attendance at the contemporary service was the highest it’s been in years, and the Holy Smokers outdid themselves with the food! We had NINE contestants in our chili-cookoff: Elizabeth Bertrand (who won the prize for Best Presentation), Dottie Burroughs, Haley and Phyliss Davisson (who’s chili was rated as the Spiciest), Kim Flaviani, Melinda Grady, Trudy Mitchell (who’s chili was voted “Most Unique”), Marie Munier (who won “Best Overall”), Mary Robbins and Cynthia Roney.
Our raffle for a whole Holy Smoker’s brisket was won by Sherry Johnson and Ron Pless.
Dear Members and Friends of Trinity Downtown:
Ask any kindergartener, and they’ll tell you. The rules of the playground have already been programmed into their DNA:
• you should play nice in the sand box; BUT,
• if Ricky throws sand in your face, you should retaliate quickly;
• if Mary Beth plays with your toys, that automatically gives you the right to play with her favorite toy;
• if someone pushes you down, it’s best to push them down too.
Kids naturally get the “eye for an eye” stuff. It’s pre-wired. It’s obvious. So surely it must be the right way to behave.
If that’s true, then what could Jesus possibly mean by urging us love our enemies. Why is He leading us down a path that clearly up-ends what everyone knows is the way the world works? How could He think that being a namby-pamby in this culture is the way to get ahead? Won’t we just get run over by all the bullies? Shouldn’t justice prevail? What is Jesus really telling us?
Today’s world is a cacophony of arguments and counter-arguments and real information vs fake news. We often can’t even agree on what the basic facts are and are tempted to condemn those that don’t agree with our set of facts as idiots. Or worse.
What would Jesus say to where we are today? Come to Trinity Downtown this weekend as we explore the alternative path that Jesus is showing us.
This Weekend at Trinity Downtown
(February 20th)
This weekend at Trinity Downtown, come share your fears, your hopes, and your dreams with the God who created you, and be reminded how deeply He loves you (and those that you don’t agree with!) 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.
You won’t want to miss attending one of our adult Bible studies held at 10:15 am on Sunday. Your kids will enjoy Kingdom Quest, our Sunday School program for children from age 2 through grade 4, and our Sunday morning Youth events.
Watch Online
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.
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.
This Sunday come learn how placing your hopes, fears, uncertainties and doubts in the hands of the Lord 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 worship the Lord at Trinity Downtown this weekend. I promise you it will make a tremendous difference in your life.
Your Pastor,