PATHWAYS A MESSAGE FROM REV. DR. APRIL DAVIS CAMPBELL

Transcription

1 Trinity Presbyterian Church 2125 Tower Drive Woodbury, MN October, 2017 PATHWAYS A MESSAGE FROM REV. DR. APRIL DAVIS CAMPBELL TRANSFORMATION The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines transform as a transitive verb meaning: to change in composition or structure, to change the outward form or appearance of or to change in character or condition. Whether we like it or not every day is an act of transformation, just as no two days are the same, each day we become different people, each day we too are transforming. This year we as Presbyterians celebrate the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation, which was a significant act of transformation to many Christians. Here today in 2017 we are in the midst of both, transformation and reformation, we continue to discern who God has called us to be and we let God transform us. Do you see the distinction there? In one regard we are active and in the other we are passive, allowing God to work in and through us. Throughout my conversations and encounters here at Trinity, I continue to try to be present to what needs to be shared, I try to just take it all in, try to listen. I have read and reread the survey data that was completed two years ago, using the thoughts and comments you shared as an opportunity for me to synthesize who you think you are called to be and prayerfully discern who God is calling us to be. You may have noticed some ongoing transformations in worship. Some of the transformation in our liturgy focuses on the theology and pedagogy of worship. We prepare our hearts and minds to worship God through our Call to Worship (centering ourselves on God and not ourselves), with our Confession of Sin and Words of Assurance, (wherein we confess the reality of our brokenness and then we are reminded of the new life to which Jesus calls us to). The confession and assurance reminds us that we are indeed reconciled to God and are then ready to hear the Word of God through scripture and the Word proclaimed through the sermon. After hearing the Word we respond to it through Affirmation, prayer and the offering. Finally we are sent out to the world to be the hands and feet of Christ. INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Message from Rev. Dr. April Davis Campbell.1 Scrip...2 Worship Schedule... 3 Children & Youth Program.. 3 Trinity Fundraiser... 4 Peace & Global Witness... 4 Stewardship... 5 Service of Installation..6 Body & Sold Growing Young Financial Summary...7 Staff Information. 8

2 Page 1 cont. In short: We prepare to hear the Word (Call to Worship, Confession, and Assurance) We hear the Word (Scripture and Sermon) We respond to the Word (Affirmation of faith, Prayers of the People, the Lord s Prayer and Offering of ourselves through our financial giving). We are sent forward with the Word (Benediction and Response). Worship is both a time to reflect on who we are and how we live, but also a chance to praise God with our hearts, minds, and voices. We are generously blessed in this community of faith to have people willing to serve in leadership roles, share their instrumental and vocal musical talents, as well as, their passion for teaching children and youth. It is my profound hope that as we worship and praise God, we can work together to be the change we want to see in the world. Grace to you, and peace, April Shopping Made Easier With Scrip! Help Make Money for Trinity by using gift cards for your everyday purchases Do you shop at Target? Do you shop at Cub? Do you go to the Mall of America? I know you buy gas! Do you buy gift cards for family, friends, babysitters, pet-sitters, for birthdays, Christmas, graduation, Easter? The Scrip s program offers gift cards from hundreds of stores, gas stations, hotels, spas, movie theaters, etc. The price is the value of the card but the church gets a rebate of between 2% and 9% (or even 12% in some cases) of the price. You get the full value of your gift cards and the church earns between 2% and 9%. SO the church can make some money from each gift card bought through the program for items you would buy anyway. The process is simple. Review the vendor list to get an idea for the gift cards you would like to purchase. Turn in your completed order form with check payable to the church to the office. If our orders are entered on Monday, we can have the gift cards to distribute on Sunday. Orders will be due to the church office on the first Sunday of the month (orders will be placed on Monday). If you have questions contacts Pastor April, Dan Freeman or a member of the Stewardship and Finance Committee. Shopwithscrip.com. Order forms/vendor lists on bulletin board in the Gathering area. 2

3 October Worship Schedule Oct. 1 Ex. 17:1-7; Ps. 78:1-4; David Maghakian, Guest Preacher Phil. 2:1-13; Matt. 21:23-32 Oct. 8 Ex. 16:2-15; Ps. 105:1-6, 37-45; Rev. Dr. April Davis Campbell Phil. 1:21-30; Matt. 20:1-16 Oct.15 Ex. 32:1-14; Ps. 106:1-6, 91-23; Rev. Dr. April Davis Campbell Phil. 4:1-9; Matt. 22:1-14 Oct. 22 Ex. 33:12-23; Ps. 99; 1 Thess. 1:1-10; Joa Sevlie Matt Oct. 29 Duet. 34:1-12; Ps. 90:1-6, 13-17; Rev. Dr. April Davis Campbell 1 Thess. 2:1-8; Matt. 22:34-46 A MESSAGE FROM JOA SEVLIE, CE Language continually evolves. Words develop new meaning, new words are added, and some words drop out of sight as their use disappears. As a children s and youth director, I am continually being introduced to new words. Recently, one of our eighth graders asked me if I was familiar with drifting. I drive a stick shift, and his question came on the heels of a lengthy (for an eighth-grade boy) discussion about stick versus automatic transmissions. Therefore, I strongly suspected he was not referring to a boat or some other item drifting down a stream or current. Sometimes I can just stay abreast of some current trend, and when I do, I love being cool (as much as a fiftyone-year-old can). However, when I do not know what the youth is talking about, it is best to just to admit such ignorance. This youth explained to me what drifting is (racing a car and then applying the brake and gas in a manner that keeps the front end relatively straight while the back-end swings from side-to-side), and he showed me a You Tube video of the experience. Now, at fifty-one-years-old, I will probably not ever personally experience drifting in this manner, but the information about what he is interested in will give me a focus on future conversations and interactions with this young man. And, as we build a relationship, when he eventually goes through hard times as a teenager (because absolutely every teenager does), our past conversations and interactions about what he is interested in will be the foundation by which we can have those future, harder conversations. Young people in 2017 are desperate for relationships. They don t always know how to engage in relationships, and, often, the adult is even left with the distinct impression that they are not even all that well liked by the youth. None-the-less, young people will go where they feel embraced by adults it may not look like traditional engagement (to the adults), but where you see teenagers, you can know that they feel wanted, whether they exude that emotion or not! The leadership at Trinity has decided to participate in a program initiative called GROWING YOUNG. This program is about adults in churches initiating relationships with young people. It isn t always traditional looking, and it may get messy sometimes emotionally and physically but for a church that wants to provide a healthy church experience for young people, it is very exciting. I am very excited about this program. In October, April and I will be heading off to meet with other church pastors and leaders struggling with similar questions and concerns, to dialogue the how tos of increasing church involvement by young people. In the future, we will be looking to implement some of the ideas we garner. I think it is ironic that our conversation began with the idea of drifting for my student, the word was about cars; for me, it was about preventing him, and other young people from drifting away from God and the church. 3

4 Come and Support your Church! Read about the trinity fundraiser.. TRINITY FUNDRAISER OCTOBER 28TH, 2017 CHICKEN DINNER AND SILENT/LIVE AUCTION 6:00 PM: CHICKEN DINNER (FROM TINUCCI S) 7:00 PM: LIVE/SILENT AUCTION This year, Trinity is reviving a fundraiser favorite as part of its 2017 operating budget plan. Long-time members will remember this fun tradition, newer members have something to look forward to. The idea is that members (and sometimes local businesses) contribute goods or, more typically, services that are auctioned off for the benefit of Trinity. Past items have included babysitting, window washing, gourmet dinners, yard work, house cleaning, car detailing, etc. (you get the idea). Everyone, including the youth, is encouraged to think of what they can contribute. There is a fee for the dinner if you choose to attend it ($20 adults, $5 under 12), payable in advance. Either way we hope to see you at the auction. It is a fun time for all. The Auction Committee Contributions are needed for the silent auction Peace & Global Witness Special Offering October 1 US Hurricane Relief Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma have devastated large parts of the southern United States. Donations for Hurricane Relief may be made through Trinity Presbyterian Church for transmittal to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program. Your compassionate donation is appreciated. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.: Eph. 2:11-17 The letter to the Ephesians tells us that Jesus came to proclaim a universal peace. While the earthly ministry of Jesus occurred in a specific age and place, the peace he shared is limited by neither time nor geography. As followers of Christ, our call to work for peace begins in our own neighborhoods and extends to the ends of the earth. The Peace & Global Witness Offering, taken on World Communion Day (October 1, 2017), supports the holistic and wide-ranging witness of the whole church. Twenty-five percent of the offering stays in our community, 25% is shared with between the Presbytery and the Synod, and 50% is used by the national church. The portion retained by Trinity will be used this year in the battle against Human Trafficking. In moments for mission on Sunday, September 24 and on October 1, we plan to share how some of the funds sent to the national church are spent. We invite you to join in the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to work toward Peace. 4

5 STEWARDSHIP, GENEROSITY OF TIME AND TALENTS Trinity needs YOU...your time, your talents, AND your MONEY!!! We are bombarded daily by many worthy causes asking us for money - at home, on television and radio, at work, at school and yes, at church. We know that our funds are limited. We are forced to make choices and establish priorities. A number of us from your Trinity family want to share with you why Trinity is high on our priority list. We also want to give you some firsthand information about what Trinity has meant to us over the years, how we determine what our financial contribution will be and where the money we give goes. We want to share our faith stories and also hear yours. We want to get to know one another in small groups in our homes during September and October. Our church also needs your talents. While we love gathering for worship on Sunday morning and enjoy coffee time in Fellowship Hall, we have many opportunities to serve in other ways. Our music program is outstanding. We have lovely voices in our choir, but there's always room for more. We have talented musicians who share with us at worship generously. There may be more of you with musical gifts or other talents to share. Even if you can't participate in a program or serve on a committee regularly, there are lots of one time opportunities. One thing I've always loved about Trinity - no matter what we do, we enjoy doing it together You are also invited to complete a Generosity of Time, Talents, & Service form. We will use this information to help us schedule for various opportunities on Sunday and beyond and get you information about new ministries within the church and in the greater community which may be calling to you. How is God calling you to stretch beyond your comfort zone? Prayerfully consider the ways in which you will share you time, talents, and resources. The Stewardship & Finance Committee has planned about 10 separate meetings in homes of Trinity members during September and October. There will also be a couple after Sunday worship. Days and times will vary to allow everyone an opportunity to to find a gathering that is most convenient. Pastor April will attend when possible. Sign-up sheets are posted in the Welcome Room or you can call the office to let Kim know when you would like to attend. We look forward to these gatherings this Fall season, sharing a cup of coffee, tea and a snack and good conversation. GATHERING SCHEDULE: 9/22 7:00 pm Willisons 10/3 2:00 pm Freemans 10/5 7:00 pm S. Hoekstra 10/10 7:00 pm Freemans 10/15 11:30 am Trinity Pres. 10/20 7:00 pm Rydens 10/21 10:00 am Skinners 10/22 11:30 Trinity Pres. 10/23 7:00 pm Rooneys 10/24 7:00 pm Skinners 5

6 YOU ARE INVITED to Rev. Dr. April M. Davis Campbell s Installation Service of Worship and Installation of our new Pastor Rev. Dr. April M. Davis Campbell Sunday, October 29, :00 pm Trinity Presbyterian Church And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers ~ Ephesians 2125 Tower Drive Woodbury, MN Reception will follow the service. Trinity Presbyterian Church is proud to host a timely documentary play "Body & Sold" Friday, October 27th - 7 pm, at Trinity Presbyterian Church! Produced by Chain Reaction Theatre Project chainreactiontp.com This documentary play tells stories of juvenile sex trafficking victims and inspires action (Minneapolis, MN) June 21, Chain Reaction Theatre Project announces Body & Sold, a powerful documentary play about juvenile sex trafficking. The compelling script, written by Deborah Lake Fortson (Tempest Productions, Inc.) and based on interviews with sex trafficking survivors in five major U.S. cities, gives voice to victims and inspires discussion and action. The play's powerful, interwoven stories of nine sex trafficking survivors (the youngest victim being 8 years old) is a provoking eye-opener about what is happening to the youth in our communities. The true stories of these survivors, including those of Twin Cities' youth, will be performed by local actors in the round in several intimate venues throughout the Twin Cities Metro. Performances are scheduled before the Super Bowl arrives in Minneapolis - at which time sex trafficking is expected to increase by 50 percent - to help increase awareness of this issue. By partnering with local organizations, Chain Reaction Theatre Project will be part of the national and local movement to tackle juvenile sex trafficking, with a goal of creating awareness of this horrific issue and inspiring audiences to take action. Recommended for ages 13 and above, due to strong subject matter and some mild profanity. Reservations or pre-purchase strongly recommended. Tickets $15 for tickets purchased online; pay-what-you-can tickets are available at the door. Available at chainreactiontp.com. Production will be held at 7PM, October 27, 2017: Trinity Presbyterian Church 2125 Tower Road Woodbury, MN 55125

7 Growing Young The content of the summits will begin by debunking many of the popular and harmful myths of what is needed to reach young people. Then, through expert teaching from world-class Fuller faculty and other ministry through leaders, we ll explore the six core commitments our research revealed that can unleash the passion of young people: Unlock keychain leadership: Instead of centralizing authority, empower others especially young people. Empathize with today s young people: Instead of judging or criticizing, step into the shoes of this generation. Take Jesus message seriously: Instead of asserting formulaic gospel claims, welcome young people into a Jesus-centered way of life. Fuel a warm community: Instead of focusing on cool worship or programs, aim for warm peer and intergenerational friendships. Prioritize young people (and families) everywhere: Instead of giving lip service to how much young people matter, look for creative ways to tangibly support, resource, and involve them in all facets of your congregation. Be the best neighbors: Instead of condemning the world outside your walls, enable young people to neighbor well locally and globally. Game Night Joa has a clue!! Trinity Presbyterian Program Financial Summary Aug-17 Month Actual YTD Actual Yr. Budget Total Program Donations $12, $144, $235, Total Program Expenditures $17, $166, $247, Donations Less Expenses ($4,184.50) ($21,710.23) ($12,147.47) Checking Roll Forward Add FINANCIAL SUMMARY $1, $8, $12, Income Less Expenses ($3,184.50) ($13,710.23) ($147.47) Mortgage Fund Donations $4, $43, Mortgage Expense $6, $50, Mortgage Balance $449,905.54

8 TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2125 TOWER DRIVE WOODBURY, MN TRINITY S MISSION STATEMENT: Growing in Christ, Sharing God s Love. TRINITY S VISION STATEMENT: To be a vibrant and nurturing community inviting all generations into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. TRINITY STAFF Pastor Rev. Dr. April Davis Campbell trinitywoodburypastor@gmail.com, C: Joa Sevlie Children and Youth Ministries, joathegreat2@gmail.com, C: Kim Vangsgard Office Administrator admin@trinitywoodbury.org, Director of Music Jane Wasiluk hansonjane736@gmail.com, C: Choir Director Neal Strand nealstrand@icloud.com, Come join us on: