T I M E S. How Long? I fully understand. JUNE/JULY 2012

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1 VOLUME 29 NUMBER 6 Rev. Philip Brooks Senior Minister pbrooks@trinityumchurch.com Rev. Dr. Brian Jones Associate Minister bjones@trinityumchurch.com Rev. Amy Barlak Aspey Associate Minister aaspey@trinityumchurch.com Dr. Carolyn Leick Director of Christian Education cleick@trinityumchurch.com Brian Edwards Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries bedwards@trinityumchurch.com Gary Brand Director of Older Adult Ministries gbrand@trinityumchurch.com Dr. Richard Schnipke Director of Music rlschnip@aol.com Church trinityoffice@trinityumchurch.com Church Website T I M E S How Long? Someone asked, How long does it take you to create a sermon? That s a clear question with a complex answer. One of the crosses pastors bear is the belief they walk into the pulpit, say whatever comes to mind, announce the final hymn, then go home and are free until the next Sunday. Nothing is further from the truth. Ministry requires long hours, often stressfilled, dealing with issues as big as life itself. One of the weekly tasks, tantamount to writing a term paper every week, is sermon preparation. So how long does it take? A flippant yet accurate answer from me might be 64 years. That s how long I ve been alive and in some ways the experiences of a lifetime are brought to bear in sermon preparation. There is insight in the persons I remember, the books read, the places visited, the work accomplished, the mission trips taken, on and on it goes. Many pastors use the lectionary which is a listing of scripture passages for each Sunday of the year on a three-year cycle featuring an Old Testament reading, an Epistle reading, and a Gospel selection. Books of sermons or sermon ideas are published in support of these passages and calendar dates. I tried it for awhile but often felt like I was pounding a square peg into a round hole. So I moved to more topical preaching, sometimes taking an item in the news and using that as a launch pad for scriptural truth. Other times I have focused on a series such as the current one about The Apostles Creed. by Reverend Philip Brooks Many years ago I started sending a Friday morning telling the topic of the sermon and a few glimpses of the coming Sunday worship services. Those are now sent to many hundreds of persons each week. If you re not on the list, the church and say you d like to receive the Friday broadcast. An effective sermon must be undergirded with prayer, scripture, and an understanding of the congregation s needs and hopes. I create an outline of the sermon and print it in the bulletin each Sunday in the hope that something from the sermon will be retained in the mind and heart past the parking lot! If you write it down, you always have it. If you only hear it, soon it might be gone. The outline is printed to help people remember. You can also watch any of the last three years of ser mons from Crossroads or Traditional Worship on the Trinity website. Illustrations and stories help set the truth of a topic in the memory. There is biblical precedent for this, of course. They are called parables. Jesus told stories that illustrated a spiritual truth. There is much more I could say about sermon preparation. The ability to deliver the message effectively cannot be overemphasized. The most important element of all is the action of the Holy Spirit in a person s life revealing truth, challenging, inspiring, directing, comforting. One minister I knew always silently prayed this prayer before stepping into the pulpit to preach: OK, Lord. You got me into this. Now help get me out. I fully understand. WORSHIP AT TRINITY Sunday Mornings 9:00 & 11:00 Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary Crossroads Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall JUNE/JULY 2012 Trinity United Methodist Church w 1581 Cambridge Boulevard w Columbus, OH w (614) w

2 2 christian education Dr. Carolyn Leick Director of Christian Education Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 Summer is here, and our annual series of Book Talks and Mission Walks begins May 27! Members of our own congregation will review books close to their hearts. There s something for everyone! Do you... Worry about how to help your aging parents? Love Harry Potter and wonder who those books align with our understanding of Christianity? Want to know more about the afterlife? Wish you understood the different sections of Genesis better? Crave the opportunity to hear testimonies of Trinity people whose struggles as Christians bring huge blessings? Wonder how one can be happy? Wish to know more about the living God? Desire to know better how to help the oppressed and despised? Love hearing about our youth s Summer mission trip? Wonder about Tony Dungy s quiet strength? Want to know more about what it feels like to be autistic? Wish you understood more about what the Bible says about justice? Come to the chapel each Sunday beginning May 27 to hear your peers share answers to these and many other questions! See the listing of books, authors, dates and Trinity people who will review books good and great and fascinating and fun! May 27 June 3 June 10 June 17 June 24 July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Summer Book Talks Adult Sunday School at 10 through Protecting May Your 30, Parent's 2010Money: The essential guide to helping Mom and Dad navigate the finances of retirement by Jeff Opdyke of the Wall Street Journal Leader: Tim McConnell Evidence of the Afterlife; The Science of Near-Death Experiences by Jeffrey Long, MD with Paul Perry Leader: Don Lewis Genesis for Normal People: A Guide to the Most Controversial, Misunderstood, and Abused Book of the Bible by Jared Byas and Peter Enns Leader: Kevin Holtsberry Life's Healing Choices: Freedom from Your Hurts, Hang-ups, and Habits by John Baker and Rick Warren Leader: Bill Meerman The Law of Happiness by Dr. Henry Cloud Leader: Becky Maddigan Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand Leaders: Don Lewis and Major General, Ohio Air National Guard (Ret) Miles Durfey Cast of Characters: Lost & Found, Encounters with the Living God by Max Lucado Leader: Kerri Doughty The Present by Spencer Johnson Leader: Scott Graham Giving Hope. A presentation on Grace Haven House for Girls Leader: Lisa Holtzberry Youth Mission Trip Leader: Brian Edwards Page 2 TRINITYTimes Volume 29 w Number 6 w June/July 2012

3 & Mission Walks a.m. in the Chapel August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 Sept. 2 The Theology of Harry Potter Leaders: Ellie Thien & Anna Fields Heaven and the Afterlife by James Garlow and Keith Wall Leaders: Linda & Katie Casasanta Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy Leader: Brett Doughty Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin Leader: Adele White Generous Justice by Tim Keller Leader: Fritz Harding 3 trinity youth Brian Edwards Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries bedwards@trinityumchurch.com Did you know the middle school and high school have separate ministries? They do! That is so we can meet the specific needs of each group. They have their own names and goals to meet. I d like to tell you about them! The middle school ministry is called Huddle Up Student Ministries. At Huddle Up we try to accomplish the 4G s of ministry. They are gather = Deepen ALL Friendships - John 15:13 grow = In Faithfulness - Galatians 5:22 give = Meet the Needs - 1 Peter 4:10 go = Share Christ - Matthew 28:19 The high school ministry is called Uprise Student Ministries. Each letter of UPRISE represents a value we hold dear. Those values are Register now for SKY Vacation Bible School JULY 9-13, 9 am to Noon Co-Directors: Diana Fisher & Sharon Hershey Register online at trinityumchurch.com or pick up a form at church. Your children will enjoy Up, Up and Away Bible songs daily with Miss Sylvia, Wild Blue Bible Adventure, Sky High Cinema, Skydive Diner and brand new this year for our older children, Imagination Station! Unity Ephesians 4:3 Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives. Passion Romans 12:8 The leader should lead with passion. Relationships Luke 10:7 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself. Involvement Matthew 4:19-20, 19 Jesus said, Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people! And they left their nets at once and followed him. Service Matthew 20:28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. Encouragement 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. There you have it. The foundation of what we do. I hope all middle school and high school youth will find a home within our youth program! Page 3 TRINITYTimes Volume 29 w Number 6 w June/July 2012

4 4 opportunities Weekly meetings: Sunday Monday Worship Services Amistad "Welcome Summer" Family Outreach Event, Potting Vegetables, June 3, 2pm Join us as we reach out to our neighbors in Hilliard at Countryside Mobile Home Park, many of whom are from Spanish-speaking countries and still transitioning to life in Central Ohio/the United States. Together with our Amistad Friends, we will be planting pots of vegetables, as well as sharing story time and crafts. Families Welcome. Contact Amistad Shephard, Alison Gessner Rooney, Trinity volunteers helped in making the 12th annual Marsha Donner Mother s Day Brunch a success by making corsages, setting up for the event and serving meals. Over 330 homeless guests attended the beautiful event! Thanks for making this mother s day so special for these ladies. Trinity Times is a monthly newsletter published for members of Trinity United Methodist Church. Subscriptions are available for $15 per year for non-members. Make checks payable to Trinity UMC and designate Trinity Times on the memo.the deadline to submit information for the August issue is Tuesday, July 10. Please your information to jeannehaber1@gmail.com. Sunday Mornings 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sanctuary Traditional Worship Fellowship Hall Crossroads Contemporary Worship Holy Communion is offered on the first Sunday of every month during all worship services Sunday School 10 a.m. for Adults and Children Weekly Meetings Grief Support Group Mondays at 5:30 p.m. Chapel Men s Small Group Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. Chapelside Parlor Troop 261 Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Room 011 through June 19th Summer WOLW Wednesdays at 9 am Young Professionals Group Thursdays at 7 p.m Aschinger Blvd Join us on facebook MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT VACATION BIBLE S Page 4 TRINITYTimes Volume 29 w Number 6 w June/July 2012

5 5 19 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 7pm Stephen Ministries; Chapelside Parlor 7pm Foundation Board Room 209; pm Meeting Night for Committees 6pm Small Group Council Room 206; 6:15pm Pizza Making Job Program: Sharon Kuntz on New Direction June/July :45pm Chancel Bell Choir Room 201; 8pm Chancel Choir Room 204 9:30am Prayers and Squares Room 208; 7pm Caring Card Ministry Room MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT pm Foundation Board Room 209 7pm Meeting Night; Foundation Investment Rm 117 CHOOL 6:15 pm Pizza Making pm Family Hosting at the YMCA Building and offices closed in observance of Independence Day 18 Summer WOLW WILL NOT MEET Job Program:Rick Adler on Linked In :30am Prayers and Squares Room pm Caring Card Ministry; Rm pm VBS Program Fellowship Hall am-Noon Mission Council; Fellowship Parlor HIGH SCHOOL MISSION TRIP pm Small Group Council; Room pm Family Hosting at the YMCA 26 9:30am Prayers and Squares Room am to 1 pm Garage Sale Fellowship Hall Page 5 TRINITYTimes Volume 29 w Number 6 w June/July 2012

6 6 new life missions A Thank You On a recent Sunday Trinity helped an unknown neighbor who was burned out of her house. After spending several weeks in the hospital, as a result of the fire and a stroke, she was left homeless. By using her retirement savings she was able to secure housing but had to sleep on the floor. The last homemade sleeping bag made by some Trinity ladies and several others who belong to the New Life Knotters and a new Trinity pillow will provide a more comfortable night s rest for this dear lady. More than once she said how grateful she was to receive them. Many thanks to Trinity for making it possible for help to be given to her. A Successful Ninth Easter on Fifth For the ninth year, Trinity has shown thoughtful generosity by providing funds to purchase bedding for our neighbors who live in poverty and/or homeless. All bedding is dispersed from the New Life Clothing Room according to the season and are most welcome gifts. Currently we are giving pillows and pillowslips. Blankets and sleeping bags are stored at Battelle Warehouse and will be given during the fall and winter months. Thank you to each one who made this important mission project a success that provides new, comfortable bedding for our neighbors. Volunteer this Summer for Freedom School by Alison Poor Harambee is the Kenyan word meaning "all pull together." In the spirit of harambee, Trinity is again banding together with Broad Street UMC on the Heart of the City Freedom School, running June 18 through July 27. What is a Freedom School you might ask? A Freedom School is designed to prevent the "learning loss" that typically occurs during the months when school is not in session, as well as to have a positive impact on children's character development, leadership, and community involvement. The program uses literature based reading curriculum that supports children and families around five essential components: high quality academic enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, intergenerational leadership development, and nutrition, health and mental health (visit for more information). Trinity is committed to serving on Thursdays during the 6-week session in several different capacities: breakfast & lunch service, "Celebrity Reader" time in the morning, and afternoon enrichment activities. How can YOU get involved? You can share a special talent or interest with the children (music, cooking, art, gardening, science experiments, acting, ANYTHING!!), volunteer to serve a meal with friends or family (school-age children and older are welcome!), or read your favorite book to the children. Whether it's 30 minutes or 2 hours that you have to give, these children will benefit from your time! A sign-up sheet is posted in the Atrium for your convenience. Trinity's shepherds for this mission are Alison Poor (alijoe2@gmail.com ) and Julie Wright (wright6@wowway.com). Please contact the shepherds with questions and your interest in serving. Thanks for your support of this exciting project! Vickie Moseley, New Life Clothing Room Steward 25 West Fifth Avenue Page 6 TRINITYTimes Volume 29 w Number 6 w June/July 2012

7 Celebrating Trinity Stewards by Ben Biada 7 Since the economic downturn in 2008, it has taken a long time for the job market to recover. While things look more promising now than they did in 2008, it can still be very difficult to find a job in today s economic environment. The good news is that Trinity UMC offers a free program to help those looking for employment. Developed approximately eight months ago, the Trinity Jobs program was started by a few individuals as a means to provide professional consulting services for those seeking employment. Because of their efforts to develop such a highly desired program, the Stewardship Committee would like to recognize George Coles Sr., Bob Field, Sharon Kuntz, and Lynn Aspey, and Gary Brand as the Stewards of the Month. These individuals have spent many years providing professional job assistance and willingly volunteering their time to provide such services at Trinity. So who is the Jobs Program for and how does it work? The program places no limitations on those who can take advantage of it. It is meant for Trinity members, non-members, friends, family, and those in the community as it is meant to be a means to a mission to residents in need. The program is designed to help an individual seeking employment by addressing the following topics: Define the individual s career direction Assist in writing/editing resumes Understanding the use of Social Media like LinkedIn and Assist with interviewing competitively and confidently Facebook in the job search process Provide a networking forum among people seeking employment to share experiences and information and contacts. Provide access to information on Job Fairs, which companies are attending and some basic information about the types of jobs they are offering. Page 7 TRINITY T imes George Coles Sr., pictured here with wife Judy, leads the new Trinity Jobs Program. How can you take advantage of such services? Well the first step is to reach out for help. It can be very difficult for someone who has been employed for 10, 15, or 20 years to suddenly be forced into the job search environment. One s pride can hinder their desire to seek help, but sometimes swallowing that pride and allowing others to help can significantly improve your opportunity to successfully land a job. That is especially true when that help comes from the seasoned professionals involved with Trinity s Jobs Program. So if you are interested in taking advantage of these services, the Jobs Program is scheduled to meet on alternating Wednesday evenings. If that meeting day doesn t work or additional time is needed, please contact George Coles Sr. via (george-coles@att.net). Job Program Sessions Scheduled for June/July Sharon Kuntz on New Direction June 6th Rick Allder on Linked In July 11 Volume 29 w Number 6 w June/July 2012

8 8T R I N I T Y U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H 1581 CAMBRIDGE BOULEVARD COLUMBUS, OHIO Non Profit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Columbus, OH Permit NO Assemble a Health Kit and Turn in by June 3rd our church family RECENTLY HOSPITALIZED Lori Friedstrom IN SYMPATHY Trinity sympathies are extended to Tara and Kyle Daniels and Family in the passing of Tara s father, Larry Kassinger. BIRTHS The roses on the altar were presented with thanksgiving to God for the births of Alexis Noelle Brown, daughter of Leslie and Scott, born April 16. Cindy and John Fisher are the grandparents for Sean Matthew Jones, son of Rachel, born April 16. Kelly and Brian Jones are the grandparents for Elise Emma Barnes, daughter of Sonia and Drew, born April 27. Jeanie and Ed Spiker are the grandparents and for Ava Rose Stover, daughter of Samantha and Eric, born April 30. BAPTISMS The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was given for Grace Kathryn Bill, daughter of Kevin and Sarah for Griffin Scott Garvey, son of Christopher and Emily for Daisy Catherine Logsdon, daughter of Jeremy and Cara for Colby Paul Scott, son of Adam and Amber for Tatum Rae Scott, daughter of Adam and Amber and for Jonathan David Sigg, son of Adam and Amanda. Joining Together to Improve Health Locally and Globally The theme for this year's West Ohio Annual Conference is: Unleashed! Proclaiming the Good News and Healing People Everywhere. We will celebrate the multiple ways the Conference contributes to improving the health of individuals, congregations and communities in West Ohio and in all four corners of the world. In addition to the cash offering for Wings of the Morning (Aviation Ministry), our Love First Miracle Offering has a goal of providing 10,000 health kits to improve health globally. The health kits will be distributed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to places in Ohio and around the world. The value of ten thousand health kits is $130,000. To assemble a kit, please pick up the instructions in the Atrium or download the instructions from our website and deliver completed kits to Rev. Amy Aspey by Sunday, June 3. Please note that it's requested that a $2.00 donation be made per kit for shipping. Checks should be made payable to WOC with health kits in the memo. Please place the check in an envelope and tape it to the outside of the kit. Thank you!