May Highlights
Rite for Dedication of Building Furnishings
On Sunday, May 2nd we gathered with thankfulness to dedicate our new building furnishing and piano restoration to the glory of God – new carpeting in the nave and vinyl flooring in overflow and hallway (funded by endowment return); window treatments, stage curtain, new ceiling in social hall and classroom, new lighting in social hall, cleaning social hall floor (day care funds); replating brass pieces, glass entryways at main and social hall entrances, (memorial funds); piano restoration (Cindy Kramer and endowment return). Grant us faith to know your gracious purpose in all things and lead us to the building of your kingdom through Christ our Lord.
Holy Trinity Sunday
On May 22nd and 23rd we celebrated Holy Trinity Sunday, our namesake. We believe in a gracious and loving God who is revealed to us as ONE God that exists as THREE distinct persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In his sermon, Pastor used an apple to explain the Holy Trinity – one apple, 3 parts. When you cut the apple in half, you see the seeds which represent God the Father, creator and source of life; the flesh of the apple represents Jesus, God in the flesh or human form, 100 percent God 100 percent man; finally, the apple’s stem which represents the Holy Spirit, just as the apple’s stem connects the apple to the tree, so the Holy Spirit is the way God connects with us.
Happy Mother’s Day
On Sunday May 9th we celebrated Mother’s Day. Eve, Ruth, Mary; you know their names. They were mothers. Our mothers have provided the precious gift of life to each and everyone of us. They have nurtured us through their conversation, their patience, their reprimand, their seat on our bed as we say evening prayers, that place by our side as they read to us, the fun we experienced with one another as we laughed out loud, that presence in worship, a willingness to teach Sunday School. We honored mothers with the gift of a beautiful carnation. Thank you for being our mother!
God Bless Our Farmers and Our Land!
On Sunday, May 9th we celebrated Rogate Sunday. Do we find ourselves that removed from fruits, vegetables, gardens, pastures, etc. that we have lost our contact with God’s good earth and the blessed call of farming? Rogate Sunday was when liturgical calendars paused a Sunday so they could do just that and worship God, the Creator, and reflect on farming. On May 9th we paused, prayed, and sang as we avoided taking God’s creative activity for granted.
Rite of Communicants, May 16th
Congratulations are due four confirmands who conversed about the faith over the course of two years. Another reason we should give thanks? Four sets of parents committed themselves to this two year project of faith as they saw their sons and daughters each Sunday to class and brought them to worship. We should never take that kind of commitment for granted in 2021. Those young people who affirmed their faith and received the laying on of hands were Adelle Elizabeth Ballay, Ellie Claire Dunkelberger, Kora Nicole Rodichok and Hogan Gilbert Troutman.
God Bless!
A reception was held for our confirmands in the social hall following worship. The congregation was invited to view memorabilia on display for each confirmand – baptismal certificates, pictures, baptismal gowns, etc. We thank parents for bringing these displays and the Fellowship Committee for providing refreshments.
May Agape Community Meal
Kitchen Committee served 125 takeout meals at the May Agape meal. We are happy to see that some people who participate in our Agape Meal also order and deliver platters to their elderly family and friends and shut ins. It’s a great way to spread God’s love.
Mask Wearing
At a special council meeting, discussion was held regarding the easing on Covid restrictions and how it would be handled at Trinity. It was decided that Sunday, May 30th we would remove the ropes from the pews, the following Sunday we will worship without facemasks for those comfortable doing so. If anyone is not comfortable without masks or social distancing, we feel with the size of our sanctuary they can still worship comfortably at a distance from others and wear masks.