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Faith @
Fifth and Juliana
Sunday,
the words from Matthew 4 speak to us about many things in our lives.
Not the least is the word “Repent”. Used by Jesus in many ways
throughout the New Testament, it is important for all of us to
understand what this word probably meant as He spoke to all the
people who gathered to hear his words.
Repentance
is not necessarily regret or remorse. It is rather a turning about
into a new direction. Not turning from sin to guilt over sin. Not
even something we can always do. It is not a matter of willpower or
clenched fists. It might even be just the opposite.
It
is a matter of discovering that we are as helpless as a newborn
baby. We can’t make a resolution to do good on our own. It is more
than that by far. For until we realize how helpless we are might we
ever change our lives. Thus, Jesus was particularly attracted to the
terribly sick, the outcasts, the tax collectors and criminals. Their
opportunity was quite different than most. For them, there was
little hope and no “light at the end of the tunnel”.
I
remember a story told by a minister in my parent’s church years
ago. It had to do with a man driving on a lonely rural road. He was
totally lost. Being of the male gender, he was not prone to stop and
inquire what to do! He finally had no other choice but to seek some
help. Hailing a passerby, he said “Friend, I need help. I’m
lost.” The passerby looked at him and asked “Do you know where
you are and, do you know where you want to go?” The driver assured
him he did but knew not how to get there. The passerby looked away
and finally said, “You aren’t lost, you just need directions.”
You
and I may not be lost….though for me that point might be debatable…but
one thing is certain, we all need directions! Consider the matter
before both of us: What does it mean to repent and change direction?
To
repent is to be more than moral. Morals can be listed and
catalogued. Morals can be rules and laws. Morals can be
prohibitions. Morals can be a code of conduct.
To
repent is more than all of this. As I said at the beginning, to
repent is first a recognition that I am helpless to change anything
without asking for Jesus Christ to take over my life.
I
think for myself, I need to think this through carefully…...and so
do you.
Jack+
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The ECW and St. Anne’s groups...will
have their installations of officers this Sunday, January 27th, during the
church service.
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Where are those tablecloths???
Please check to see if any tablecloths are mixed in with your laundry!
We are still looking for ten 8’ new white cloths and seven 8’ ivory
cloths. Please return them - no questions asked. Thank you.
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Supper Club:
Join our hosts, Tom and Julie Gyongyosi for an enjoyable evening,
February 8th. Jot the date on your calendars! Everyone is welcome. Contact
Julie for more information and to let her know what you will be bringing:
422-4121
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Our Pancake Supper is just around the corner, Feb.12th. Add that date
to your calendars, as well, for more fun!
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Fr. Hadaway is to be instituted!
Father Michael Hadaway’s institution as
rector of Varina Church is Jan. 30 at 7p.m. If you would like to attend,
please contact Father Neilson for more details.
The Reverend Michael Hadaway, Jr.
Varina Church
2385 Mill Road
Richmond, VA. 23231-7019
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Parish Announcements
MONDAY -- FRIDAY:
9:15 A.M., Daily Devotions
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23:
EUCHARIST, 7:00 A.M.
EUCHARIST/HEALING, 12:10 P.M.
CHOIR REHEARSAL, 7:00 P.M.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25:
STAFF MEETING, 9:30 A.M.
ECW LUNCHEON, 11:30 A.M., PKBG. COUNTRY
CLUB, CALL BETH WEST FOR RESERVATIONS
AT 295-3130. ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME!
NEXT SUNDAY: 2002 ECW AND ST ANNE’S GUILD INSTALLATIONS
AT THE 10:30 SERVICE.
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Date to keep in mind:
30th: Lasagna Dinner,
6:00 p.m. Sign-up in Trinity Hall.
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A statement for payments for the Restoration Fund
will be sent shortly.
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| Trinity's
Search
for a new Rector
All is going well in the search. The
initial interview period has come to an end. We are now scheduling
and planning the visitation process.
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A PRAYER FOR OUR SEARCH
Heavenly Father, we give thanks for our Parish family
and ask for you guidance as we go forward in the selection of a new
rector for Trinity Church. Unite us in common purpose, make us
instruments of your will and bless our diversity as we use our
individual gifts to reach our goal. Send the Holy Spirit to be with us
and hold hands as we walk in Your light to do what you would have us do.
Bless the Search Committee and all our congregation as we go forth in
Jesus’ name. Amen.
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If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to drop
an email to the committee: search@trinitytimes.com.
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From
the Education Desk:
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, for this year, started
Friday (18th). The idea of Christian unity draws skepticism from
people who misinterpret the concept. I admit to having been one of
these people until it was made clearer to me. Allow me to relate to
you my perception of this exceptional (and aged) ideology.
Ecumenicity means Christian unity, a oneness or universality, which
is not to be confused with uniformity, which means sameness. This, I
think, is where people become perplexed.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul had very different approaches to the
"new" religion of Christianity. St. Peter, who was Jewish,
thought that Christ had come as a messiah for the Jews only; St. Paul,
a Roman pagan, believed that Christ came to save all people, as he,
himself, had been saved. St. Paul "won out" and everyone,
whose desire was to be a follower of Christ, was initiated into the
Christian faith. St. Peter came to understand and believe this, too,
in time. It seems we are never without diversity. So it should be,
according to the Bible! If you read 1Corinthians chapter 12, we
(Christians) are likened to a body, having many parts, all being
valuable and "...God, placed the parts, each one of them, in the
body as he intended." (Cor. 12:18) We are supposed to be diverse!
Each Christian is necessary to the unity of the church precisely
because we are different.
Each denomination of Christianity has its own identity through its
name and dogma, thus Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. We
choose our religion according to the doctrine or in some cases, by our
birth. Basically, Christian religions all believe in one Triune God,
the Father of all creation, His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, and
the Holy Spirit. From there, things begin to change. The Eucharist for
some is a Sacrament, for others it is commemoration; Scripture is
interpreted one way here and another there. (The list goes on and on.)
If we are all happy within our own denominations
why should we pray for Christian unity?
We need to pray for unity because we are not united.
We act like the "early" Peter and Paul! We argue too much. We
are right and they are wrong; we say it the right
way and they say it the wrong way; we do it the right
way and they do it wrong! We are not representative of
Christ! We are not many groups! As Peter and Paul eventually
understood, Jesus wants one group, His "family", to be a
model to the rest of the world. We are called to be His example. We
need to pray for unity so that we show His Presence on earth.
Just as the members of the Trinity are distinct yet one, Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost, so are we as Christians, special members of the One
Family. Let's pray in thanksgiving for our diversity, and in
humbleness for eventual wholeness.
Julie Button,
DRE
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Our Parish Prayers
Please hold these people, events and circumstances in your daily prayers.
Also, we encourage you to always say a prayer for those unknown persons who
have no one to pray for them. By-the-way, please remember to renew prayer
requests monthly
Gene Smith, Julia Davis, Walter Kafka, Justine Eby, Woody and Gloria
Thacker, Bob Lawrence-Berrey, Jennie Miracle, Tiffany, Gabe and Mason
Bennett, Roy Uppwall, Tom O’Shea, Celia Smith, Philip Roper, Jane
Wood, Ron Taylor, Mary Glen Rice, Doug Van Cleve, Marilyn Carney, Ruth
Tepley, Conni Clark, Charlotte Mills, Ruth Elder, Carole Davis, Leon
Cox, Dwight Merrell, Virginia Wyland, Margaret Butler, Bob and Sally,
John W. Richards, Jr., Tracey and Ivan Fearn, Doris Nunn, Jim Johnston,
Bob Richard. |
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Reminder
If you would like to place a notice in the Times, please
get the information to the office, or in the Times box by Sunday. (email)
Trinity's
wallpaper
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Outreach Items of the Month
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Dish Detergent
Please place in basket at the
back of the church
Christian Family Radio
TUNE IN TODAY!
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Trinity Episcopal Church Rector: The Reverend
Jack Neilson
Trinity's Curate: The
Reverend Michael Hadaway
Trinity Times editor: Julie Button
Trinity Times Electronic
Edition webservant: Craig
Curry
Visits since March 19, 1998 |
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