"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Sunday Memories

Friday, February 19

Sunday Memories

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

 —Colossians 3: 14-15

Do you ever sit in church and wonder what is going on with those squirming children in the pew next to you?  I am sure that I was one of those kids; but I learned a lot about worship. By the time I remember being in Sunday morning worship, Mom had returned to singing in the choir and Dad worked most Sundays; so it was Great Aunt Cora who ended up with the three Sanger kids!  

She had never had children of her own, but she loved us and she loved the Church. We learned a lot about that love from her. When we squirmed or giggled Aunt Cora went into action.  First came bribery; there seemed to be an endless supply of Life Savers in her purse and it was easier to be quiet with candy in your mouth.  If that didn’t work, she would split us up; one brother on each side of her and my sister on her lap. We learned to follow the service as she led us through the bulletin and pointed to the words of the hymns that we were singing; we grew to love being in worship.

Dear Lord, we pray that children may see your love and grace in the people of Trinity.  Amen.

Dave Sanger

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: My Sunday Story—A Lifelong Meditation

Thursday, February 18

My Sunday Story – A Life Long Meditation

God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.—John 4:24

As a youth, I looked forward to and loved Sunday mornings.  Yes, it was a little hectic for our family (I am the oldest of five children) to all get ready for church at the same time.  We attended the First Methodist Church in Bloomington, Indiana.  I would be there for both Sunday school and worship.  

After I married, my husband and I couldn’t agree on Sunday morning worship.  He had been brought up Catholic and refused to attend a Protestant service.  I tried some Catholic services with him, but they were the newly liberal “guitar masses” and left me uninspired.

Eventually we fell away from any church affiliation. What took its place on Sunday mornings were lots of sports activities:  hiking, biking, skiing, camping, backpacking, and canoeing.  My husband said it so many times:  “We worship in the church of the great outdoors.”  

When my husband left, I sensed the Holy Spirit urging me to re-connect with a church.  And, not just any church, the Holy Spirit was guiding me to Trinity.  What divine wisdom!  Again, I look forward to Sunday mornings:  learning in Trinity Academy, worship and sacred music in the sanctuary, and connecting with my Trinity family.  

Gracious Lord, Thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit Thank you for the opportunities for worship, learning, service, and friendship that abound at Trinity.  Amen

ML Coburn

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Renewal

Wednesday, February 17

Renewal

And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.—Mark 10:16

As long as I can remember my family went to church. As a young boy it was a challenge to get my three brothers and me ready for church. I remember the “strict” rules my parents had about being dressed and ready to go before being able to read the Sunday comics. We attended the Methodist church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The church is still there, although recently moved from its downtown location to the suburbs. And doing well. That church was full of teaching for me. The Sunday school classes, the MYF, fellowship hall activities, sermons, special concerts, even boy scouts were all there. Even now when I return to visit, my father’s Sunday school class is filled with my former Sunday school mentors.

As an adult I came to find Sunday church a pause in the week for renewal. To have that quiet, reflective time. A moment to be personally wrapped in God’s love and in the fellowship of other believers. To be reminded that Christ is with us and the Holy Spirit is always guiding us. Sunday Church was that break from the hectic week to renew my soul and spirit.  Trinity is even more than renewal. I knew the first time I visited Trinity that this was a “participatory” church. I was deeply impressed with the mission presentation that Sunday, the sermon and the bulletin as to how many activities Trinity was involved in. It didn’t take long for my simple Sunday Church attendance to turn into participation. The opportunities to volunteer are amazing. Finding those that fit my talents and interests was easy and fulfilling.   Recently I joined the Trinity choir. Yes I have some musical background, but I had never sung in a choir before. I thought I might contribute a bit. WOW was I blessed. The Trinity choir is a community that raises each other up, actions our voices in doing good, and renews one’s spirit. O yea, we also create joyful noise to bless the whole congregation.

Let your church take you in its arms. Be the hands that bless all God’s children.

 

Barry Price

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Church Day

Tuesday, February 16

Church Day

I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!—Psalm 122:1

I can't remember a time when Sunday was not "church" day.  Sunday was totally "family day" and mornings and evenings were spent in Church. I always looked forward to the more relaxed evening services with singing of old familiar and gospel hymns.

As I grew up, I became more involved in the life of the church - Sunday school to youth choir to MYF to teaching Sunday school, to young adult groups and serving on church committees.

My church life alternated between our fairly large "town" church and the very small country church of my grandparents where most of the congregation were relatives and many took part in the Sunday services.

For me "Trinity is the place to be" for Sunday worship. The more traditional service, the wonderful music and the children all make the service meaningful, uplifting and sustaining for the week ahead.

Prayer:  We thank you God for our day of rest a time for renewing our souls and a time for reflection.  May we always remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.  Amen

Marilyn Hull

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: The Wisdom of Youth

Monday, February 15

The Wisdom of Youth

And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.—1 Timothy 4:12 (The Messages)

It’s a typical Sunday morning, the youth are flopped on the couches in the Youth Room, stretched out and checking in on how everyone’s week has been. We are connecting with one another, listening to each other’s stories. On this particular Sunday we are reading about how Jesus has invited some smelly fisherman to come and follow him. We talked about the opportunity this opened for them when they had the courage to say, “yes.”  “How would your life be changed if you really followed Jesus?” This was a question we asked the youth next, the question that hopefully shifts us all into thinking about how Jesus changes our life. They pondered the idea, and talked about what it meant to follow Jesus. One of the youth responded, “I’d feel more empowered to be me.” The room almost went silent. Yes! Following Jesus does not take us further from being ourselves, but rather invites us to be truly ourselves. What if we lived fully from a place of being truly who we are? Julian of Norwich, the 12^th century Christian mystic, says we are not just made by God, we are made of God. When we follow Jesus we discover our “of God-ness” our true selves are revealed and we are indeed empowered to be ourselves.

Creator God, give us courage each day to live fully into who we are. Made by you and of you. Amen.

Cami Twilling