Andy's Blog: A Personal Word

April 2010 Archive

April 27, 2010

Apr. 27, 2010

PASSAGES

Life isn’t static. We grow up, we grow older. We move, we change jobs. We get married, we have children. Change is an inevitable part of our lives. Some of this change happens because we choose it. Other changes are the result of circumstances that we don’t choose. But each and every change requires a time of transition – a passage between what was and what will be. 

The Bible is filled with stories of these life passages. Abraham was already an old man when God called him to leave behind all that he knew to venture into a new place of promise. The Israelites passed through the wilderness on their journey to freedom. The prodigal son finds home after losing himself. Paul, the persecutor, becomes Paul, the proclaimer. In each case, God was at work in these passages bringing forth new promise.

Each passage is different, yet similar. Passages can be filled with excitement, but they can also be filled with fear. In the Biblical accounts, God is at work in these times pointing us to the opportunity to find healing, to go deeper, to discover renewed strength and emerge with new purpose. 

During the month of May, my sermon series will look at some of life’s critical Passages. 

April 20, 2010

Apr. 20, 2010

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. – Hebrews 13:1-3

Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. – Romans 12:13

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. – I Peter 4:9

A central theme of the New Testament is hospitality. In his own ministry, Jesus practiced a radical kind of hospitality in eating with sinners, embracing children, touching lepers, and conversing with women. His ministry wasn’t confined to the “in group.” When his disciples tried to limit this far reaching hospitality by asking Jesus to send the crowds away one day because it was dinner time, Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.”

In his actions, Jesus was embodying what is the central theme of his gospel, God’s love and grace extended to all. Tammy Darling has written, “Grace is the hospitality of God to welcome sinners not because of their goodness, but because of his glory. God’s very being is community – the community of the Holy Trinity.  In creating a universe, God made room for others. This act of divine hospitality allows us to share in the love of the divine community. The end of all things is God’s great open house where there is feasting and gladness forever. Now that’s hospitality!”

The practice of hospitality is essential to the nature of who we are as Christians. The dictionary defines hospitality as “the act or practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward, or with kind and generous liberality.” The root meaning of hospitality is the Latin word hospes, which literally means “guests.”

We can all remember the first day in a new place - a new school, a new job. There is something strange, even fearful, about being a stranger. If we are fortunate, someone welcomed us; made us feel at home; and received us with grace.

One of the core values for us as a church is this practice of a kind of radical hospitality. We average more than 150 visitors to our church each Sunday. Extending hospitality to them is a job that belongs to all of us.  That hospitality is an extension of the hospitality of Christ, who welcomed us while we were yet strangers. If you see someone who looks a little new or lost – speak to them; help them find what they need; and invite them back. Treat them in the same way that you would like to be treated, the same way that Christ has greeted us. 

Also, wear you name tag!!! 

April 13, 2010

Apr. 13, 2010

We welcomed our largest congregation ever on Easter Sunday. At the early service, we had to seat almost 200 people in Wesley Hall for a live video feed. We cared for more than 250 children in our nurseries. We were at capacity and beyond!

Walking around that morning, it hit me that we would not have been able to accommodate this large of a crowd had it not been for the new and renewed facilities we completed four years ago. Without the new pre-school addition and the relocation and expansion of our nurseries, we would not have been able to do what we did. In these four years, we have seen our student ministry triple in participation. Again, the new youth facility has helped to make this possible. Even a simple thing like worship… four years ago, our restrooms for the sanctuary were limited to the small facilities in the Narthex. People lined up after each service to use them! Our new restrooms have eliminated this. On Wednesday evening, we feed over 300 people. Our old Fellowship Hall could not have handled this number.

Our facility expansion was, I believe, the single most important strategic action that we have taken over the past decade. We saw immediate impact on our ministries in terms of scope and growth. We would not be the church we are today, had we not undertaken this expansion.

This almost $10 million program was funded through two hugely successful capital campaigns. In the first campaign, we collected $4.6 million - more than the amount pledged. As of this month, our collection on the second campaign stands at $4.9 million - about 88% of what was committed. In all, we have retired all but $1.2 million of this program in six years. That is a remarkable feat.

We are at the end of the calendar for the second campaign. About $800,000 in commitments remain. Because of the economy, a number of people have indicated that they will complete their commitment, but it will take longer. If you have completed your original commitment, I would encourage you to join me and others in continuing to give to Beyond Ourselves throughout the remainder of this year. Our giving will remain important to service the remainder of the debt. Retiring this debt completely is within our reach! 

Thank you for your faithfulness. 

April 6, 2010

Apr. 6, 2010

This Monday after Easter is a day to say thanks. This Lenten season at Trinity has been rich, deep, and meaningful. So many of you have commented on the 24 Hours study we used this Lent and how you learned so much you did not know. A lot of it was hard learning as we focused on the events of that last day in Jesus’ life: anguished prayer, desertion, denial, betrayal, injustice, and brutality. There is no turning our back on the story if we are to understand the depth of God’s love. By Good Friday, I felt a heaviness of heart and life.

But then came Sunday. What a great day! During our opening hymn, I had to stop singing because of the feeling of gratitude that overcame me. Truly, Easter trumps Good Friday. 

So many people have made this a remarkable season. Our teachers and leaders, who led Sunday School classes and groups in the Lenten Study. Our Music Ministry, which is unsurpassed! How powerful our music has been. On Good Friday and Easter, in particular, they led us deep into the meaning of these days. On Saturday, I came by the church and dozens of you were here preparing – flowers and banners. When I sneaked back into the sanctuary on Saturday afternoon late, I peaked into the Sanctuary and said WOW! Our ushers, who do a great job every week, gave extra effort in planning for Easter.  It was our largest attendance ever! At the 8:45 AM service, we were filled to capacity (and beyond) and sent 175 people to Wesley Hall to worship via a live video feed. Our Children’s Ministry was ready to care for the hundreds of children in nurseries and preschool. Our maintenance staff worked overtime to prepare for the day. 

So THANK YOU, one and all. Thanks to you for offering God your best. Thank you for making Trinity a great church. And thanks to God, for His never failing love. 

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

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