Trinity. Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 Trinity Presbyterian Church QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER MARCH 2015 Memory Stick By Pastor Mary Graves I called my dad and asked how he was doing, and he said, Great, except my memory is shot! He proceeded to tell me how he went to his truck and couldn t find his keys. So, he walked back into his house but could not find them there either. Back to the truck he went (mind you, he walks VERY slowly), and he finally realized that his keys had been in his hand the whole time! I don t know that my dad s memory is a whole lot worse than mine, but I do know that if I asked him to pray The Lord s Prayer with me, he could remember every word. And if I sang Great Is Thy Faithfulness, he could sing the chorus word for word, no problem. He memorized those things a long time ago, and they are there for his recall no matter how old he gets. Often the scriptures and songs we commit to memory earlier in life are the very things that carry us when we freak out and can t remember where we are and what we are doing. I am inviting the whole congregation to memorize Philippians 2:1-11 this Lent, for two main reasons. The passage itself is one of the most important statements about Jesus and the greatness of his passion in all of the New Testament. When you commit this passage to memory, it will not only serve you now, but for the rest of your life. I was in Atlanta last week, meeting with our National Covenant Group Continues on Page 2 Upcoming Events March 8 Daylight Savings begins March 28 TAG Retreat March 29 Palm Sunday April 5 Easter April Youth Mexico Mission Trip April 26 Kurt s Installation Service May 1-3 Great Getaway Weekend May 10 Mother s Day Mexico Sharing Service May 24 Pentecost May 25 Memorial Day

2 of Pastors, which has been together for 30 years. We lost one of our greatest leaders, Steve Hayner, to cancer a few weeks earlier, and we spent much of our time marveling at his life and the faith-filled way he died. His youngest son, Drew, was there, and he showed us his most recent tattoos on the palms of his hands (ouch!). They were put there in memory of his dad, who used to take him to school as a boy, and every day when he dropped him off he said, Be a gentleman as well as a scholar, and remember whose you are. So Drew tattooed Gentleman and Scholar on his hands because he doesn t ever want to forget the great wisdom of his incredible father. God has engraved us on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:13-16) in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let s not ever forget that. Not with a tattoo, but with the words of Philippians 2:1-11 stored away in our memory banks. Pastor Kurt s Installation Service Sunday, April 26 at 7pm Even though I have already been here since January 1 st, the pastoral call process is technically not complete. The presbytery officially completes the call process by installing me as your Associate Connections Pastor and this will take place during a worship service. A great friend and mentor of mine, the Rev. David Rohrer, will be preaching the sermon during the worship service. Dave actually married Katie and I in 2010 and he happens to be a long time friend of Pastor Mary. You all are welcome and encouraged to come to the installation worship service on April 26 at 7pm at Trinity. Rev. David Rohrer, preacher for Kurt s installa on, officia ng at Kurt and Ka e s wedding. TCI Survey open through March 8 If you call Trinity your church home, please help us plan our future. Provide your input through the TCI survey by clicking on the link below: Go to TAG_TCI_TrinityPresbyterianChurchSanCarlos0215 Password: tpc0215

3 Deacon s Ministry Tuesday, April 28 7pm Trinity Presbyterian Church in the Fireside Room The Deacons are inviting a special guest speaker to help us become more familiar with the signs, challenges, and resources for supporting those we know and love who have dementia. The class will run from 7-8 pm; all are welcome. Making a Difference When a Trinity member has a life-changing event happen in their lives and needs support, Trinity is there to help. One small, yet important, way is by providing meals to members in need through the Deacons ministry. We've brought meals to people who have had a baby, lost a family member or are recovering from surgery. For example, Sara Haller recently had surgery on her hand and will wear a cast for several weeks. Lots of people stepped up and generously offered to make her a meal while she recuperates. She is extremely appreciative of all the help! Many Trinity volunteers like to cook and deliver a homemade meal. However, there's no requirement that it must be made from scratch. In fact, some volunteers pick up ready-made food from the grocery store or a restaurant. The important thing is to get involved and make a difference. We are all called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and what better way to share His love than to feed someone in need? This small act of kindness brings us in alignment with one of our core values ~ mobilizing all ages to care for one another. There are so many ways to get involved at Trinity, it can feel overwhelming at times. Why not start small? Sign up to bring a meal to someone in need. Please contact Sabine Won, Meals & Needs Coordinator, at sabinedwon@yahoo.com if you're willing to deliver a meal in the future. Anyone can be a meal volunteer, including teens! "In this life we cannot always do great things, but we can do small things with great love."~ Mother Theresa Dementia: Recognizing the Signs and Providing Support

4 Why Mexico? This is a question I am often asked. This year will be my 30 th trip and folks just can t understand why I go year after year. The trip provides a culture shock experience. It takes us out of our comfort zone and places us in an environment where we are forced to see the true face of poverty. People living in garage door houses or cardboard shacks where protection from the elements is a daily challenge. Our kids go from their homes with all the luxuries to camping with barely the bare necessities. Yet they have a common purpose. They have given up their spring break to do something for someone else. They want to provide a poor family a weather proof shelter that can protect them from the cold and rain and keep them secure. The trip changes our youth. It opens their eyes to the fact that there is poverty in the world. With their time and efforts they have helped someone, maybe for the first time. Over my years I have seen this week change a kid s focus. Several kids wrote their college entrance essay s about their Mexico trip. They come home feeling great about themselves and knowing that their life can make a difference for someone else. So be prepared for the stories that will come from Mexico It is always different and yet it is always the same. The promise of seeing God at work is why I go year after year. This trip does great things for God s kingdom on both sides of the boarder. It is a true blessing for all it touches. In Christ, Bob Fouts Called & Committed 2015 Phil and Holly Bride Hayashida

5 Palm Sunday Sunday, April 29 The Passion of Jesus Christ according to Mark. This year Palm Sunday will be filled with music and drama, as we present the Passion according to Mark throughout the Worship Service. The journey begins with the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem through the final days of his life. It will be a very powerful Service with many beloved hymns and the scripture done as a staged Maundy Thursday April 2 7:30 pm

6 Children s Corner Community Summer Church Day Camp (VBS) August 3-7 This year, children s ministry is excited to partner with two churches in San Carlos for summer camp. We ll join forces with Trinity Lutheran and Epiphany Episcopal to offer a community-wide program based on the theme A Love that Never Ends. Two campuses will be in use, one for Pre-k and Kindergarten, another for 1 st through 6 th grade. We are also working on plans to once again sponsor children from Siena Youth and St. Francis Center in Redwood City. Keep an eye out for more information to come. Send your 2nd - 8th Graders to Westminster Woods Summer Camp Join the growing number of Trinity kids who will be attending Westminster Woods this summer. The dates are June or July (3 night camp available for kids 2nd-4th grade). Trinity kids will be grouped together in the same cabins. To coordinate with other families, contact Julie Pope at thepopes.ca@gmail.com. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 Equipping Parents to Nurture their Children Families at Trinity have two ways to connect for encouragement and support as they learn to pass on their faith to their children. Drop in anytime! Passing the Baton Parents with preschool through elementary age children will be wrapping up their Sticky Faith for Parent study this March. Join us at any of the March meetings. We meet in the Covenant room at 6:30 on March 10, 17, and 24. Free childcare is provided. First Steps Parents with children birth through 3 meet in the nursery on the 2 nd Sunday of each month immediately after worship (11:15) for informal discussion and fellowship. Snacks are provided for children and adults!

7 May 24 Sticky Faith Story By Pastor Kurt Heineman Sometime last year Gay Hansten noticed the incredible artistic talents of the children at Trinity during a Family Worship Sunday. Gay herself is a very talented artist and was so excited to see those similar gifts in the children and youth. After talking with a few of those children s parents, Gay invited a couple of the children and their parents over to her home one afternoon to make art together. Apparently the children had a fantastic time making art and having lunch together. A few days after that afternoon Gay received a letter from one of the children that said, Did you know you are one of the most artistic, loving persons I know. I don t know how you make all those things! I also like your art. That shared experience of doing art together created a shared sense of relationship between Gay and those children. Gay found herself praying for them after that afternoon and made it a point to say hello to them every time she saw them on Sundays. Those children are also praying for Gay. This story exemplifies one of the three Sticky Faith principles. Research has shown that young people who are connected with intergenerational relationships in a church tend to have a stronger faith across the transition into adulthood. What would it look like if every adult at Trinity made it a point to try his or her best to get to know a youth in the church? The Sticky Faith task force is hard at work right now sharing stories like Gay s with the rest of the congregation. Find one of the team members: Phil Hayashida, Elsa Gernard, Cavan Shannon, Elizabeth Boso, Gay Hansten, Julie Pope, Katie Goetz, Amy De Coito, Ilir Osmeni, Pastor Kurt, Ray Medina, or Heather Alexander and ask them to share their Sticky Faith story with you. Pentecost This is a painting by Northern German painter Emil Nolde called Pentecost, created in Here the artist approaches the biblical story from the emotional experience of the disciples, and he is inspired by visionary, inner images. Nolde is known for his usage of colors which adds drama to his simplified, primitivist style. The painting gets to the essence; it depicts ordinary people getting impacted by an extraordinary event. What is Pentecost? Do you know? What does it mean to you? This is what the disciples are asking here in bewilderment, overwhelmed by this happening. Pentecost is the coming of the Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter, poured out for the disciples, but what does it mean spiritually, how does it transform? If you look at the disciples in Nolde's picture you will see how it affects them in different ways and why people thought they were drunk. They were filled with a fire that could be seen as fanatic by non believers but in fact it gave the disciples the energy and knowledge to proclaim God's good news. I was struck that only a table and the flames as well as the disciples are painted. The table could symbolize the Last Supper and Jesus death for us, the flames the fire of wanting to spread the good news. God dwells in us, but in community; the clasping of hands over the table demonstrate that for me. The painting does bring out the wild character of Pentecost for me, the Holy Ghost in its power being unpredictable like fire and inspiring people in an overwhelming, puzzling way. It is a transformation time for the disciples as a group and us as a church community and as individuals. Please come to the Pentecost Round Table on April 12, 11:30 to 1:30 and let's talk about the mystery of Pentecost. Hopefully this painting of one of my favorite artists will inspire you to ask questions. By Sylvia Wünsche-Wienands

8 Great Getaway All Church Retreat May 1-3 EVERYONE is invited and encouraged to attend Trinity's allchurch retreat, May 1-3 (Fri evening to Sun morning at Redwood Glen Christian Center in the Santa Cruz mountains.) Former Trinity pastor, Heidi Armstrong will be lead us in "Reading Scripture in Community". What to expect... Friday: dinner and icebreaker/community building activities for all ages. Saturday: Speaker for adults with coinciding kids program, community building activities for all ages, ice cream social, afternoon free time, speaker again and campfire. Sunday: Worship. Why Go?: It's the perfect opportunity to intentionally slow down, focus on family, friends & God, and deepen relationships with those in our Trinity church community. There are accommodations to fit everybody and scholarships are available Alameda de las Pulgas San Carlos, CA Non-Profit Postage Paid Permit #54