Trinity United Church

If you’d like to see the video, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/nzLBup-uNA4

The video has a shorter message with the details in this printed email, including two pictures.

It feels as though this is a week to breathe deeply. The weather is teasing us to think about warmer days; we’re hearing news that the “world” including some provinces and communities are opening up a bit; the end seems to be in sight; and we are still being careful and keeping our routines. And so we breathe, deeply. One of the scriptures for this Sunday is Psalm 23. You might know this by heart but I include it here in the NRS Version. I invite you to breathe deeply as you read through these familiar words and phrases:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

At bible study last night, we thought about when we heard and sometimes learned this psalm by heart. The images spoke to our situations: green pastures, still waters, valley of death, everything we need. And hopeful images: fear no evil, God being with us, surely goodness and mercy will follow us, dwell in the house of God, forever.

Which phrase or image speaks to your heart?

I include a photo shared by Harry that speaks of a caring, loving God taking care of the world – a world that includes us. And a quilt created during this time.

In the midst of good and bad events in the world, far away and close to home, people find moments of hope:

Kyle shared:
It talked about how Jesus would go out by himself before sunrise to pray. Jesus actually spent a lot of time in self-isolation but was never alone. He always had God with him. It went on to say how the current situation could be God’s way of trying to reconnect with people.

Elaine shared:
Louise de Marillac wrote to her community in the 1600s:
“Do not be upset if things are not as you would want them to be for a long time to come. Do the little you can very peacefully and calmly so as to allow room for the guidance of God in your lives. Do not worry about the rest.”

Connie writes after her first Zoom (online) bible study:
If you are like me, I tend to tell the days by my activities. Well, last night grounded me in that again.  I did not really recognize that this group was so important to me.  Yes, I thought of and talked to a few during the last few weeks, but last night provided the importance of belonging to a “group” and being connected. Love and Peace be in your hearts, as we continue doing our part, as small as it may seem, to keep the community and world safer. Thank you for being my friend.