Here is the short video to accompany this message: https://youtu.be/zKMpfiprank the video is a bit dark because of the window!
Gord reminded me that he missed the scripture readings for the week that we used to send out with the weekly announcements. So, from now on, we’ll have the scripture for the Sunday coming included in this moment.
Here are the readings for this Sunday August 16th and the one we’re focusing on is in bold: Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11L1-2am 29-32; Matthew 18:10-28 – thanks Gord!
We have good news to share! The board has approved an outdoor service at Trinity and the date has been set for August 23rd at 10:45am! more news and guidelines to follow and know that the COVID-19 reopening committee has been working hard to keep everyone safe as we gather. We’ll share all the information as widely as possible and encourage you to do the same.
Harry send the picture attached of 4 sibling Merlins for us to enjoy – have you seen any of these Merlins flying around your place?
In preparation for the outdoor service and because our building has been essentially closed since March, we are holding our “spring clean-up” in August this year. Saturday August 15th at 9am, we need your help to spruce up our building. Again, more details will be shared in the next little while and we hope people will come by with their gloves, masks, aprons, pails, rakes and enthusiasm along with your best social distancing techniques to help us get Trinity ready for reopening.
A quilt show on this video from Dagmar through Mary: https://youtu.be/DZDyONVAgV0
In Joyce Rupp’s “Open the Door: A journey to the true self”, nearer to the end of the book, begins one day with this quote:
“Approach this new door with great confidence in your heart, for you have so much to offer. Open each new door with trust, holding your dreams very near … knowing the world is waiting for the goodness and the love you carry within you.” (M. E. Miro)
Rupp writes: “Each opening of the door to our heart provides an opportunity to strengthen our hope. Each journey inward allows restoration of the belief that we can know our inherent goodness, birth it into being, and not give up on the possibility of our innate love…”
I think many of us have a hard time believing we have “so much to offer”. We think another person is stronger or smarter or quicker or better or whatever it is we’re trying to do and we downplay our own gifts and talents and skills. How could the world be “waiting for the goodness and love” we carry within ourselves? But then we move through an experience – one of joy or sadness, celebration or frustration – and we realize as we emerge our part in that experience. Not perfect, but “there”, being the inherent goodness the world needed at that time and place and space. A gift of love.
Thinking back – or thinking of today – where have you found a way to “not give up on the possibility of our innate love”? when have you experienced “the goodness and love carried within” from another person? Was this an unexpected moment? A gift? Hold these times and places and spaces in your heart, close to God.
Scripture for the day: Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience (Romans 8:24-25).
Prayer for the week: Heat of hope, you draw me to hear the world’s heartache; you strengthen my spirit when I feel frail. You encourage me when I am disheartened. You enliven me when I sense helpless rigidity. I go now to share what you daily give to me. Thank you that I can be your channel of hope. I open the door of my heart to you. I open the door. Amen.
May blessing, peace and gift be a part of your week as we wander through cool mornings and warm afternoons, buffeted by strong winds of God’s spirit!
Elizabeth
Trinity United Church 