October 15, 2014

Good Morning Trinity,

 

I certainly hope you are having an awesome week. Could your week be anything less than awesome when you realize that the God who created the heavens and the earth, knows your name, cares and loves you more than you can imagine? Now don’t go and get a swelled head or something but, I believe God thinks your something special. Here is your scripture reading for this week. Oh and by the way, I think you’re something special too.

 

Matthew 12: 1 – 14

 

There was a time when I was young that I remember all the stores being closed on Sundays. Everything in our small town in Western New York was closed and that even included gas stations. If you needed something you had better have planned ahead and bought it during the week because you sure were not going to get it on Sunday.

 

Gradually those Blue Laws were done away with. Then one by one the stores and other businesses began to open on Sunday until we reached where we are today where there is no difference between Sunday and any other day of the week. Like many other things, we have put profit ahead of things that we used to hold dearest.

 

Why do I look at these old Blue Laws as something that we used to hold dearest? Did it force more people into church on Sundays? It might have, but that isn’t my reason. I think it was a special time because it forced the family to be together on one day out of a busy week. It was a day that forced us to slow down and rest. We are a people whose lives have become so busy that we can’t even see how insanely complicated our lives have become. Does that make for a healthy family?

 

God did not create man for the Sabbath, He created the Sabbath for man. He created a time for us to slow down and to rest. Is that day of rest a good time to worship our Lord? Of course it is, but I think we should be doing that every day. This is not a call to bring back the old days but it is a call for you to examine your life and maybe reset your priorities. God gave you a gift. What you do with that gift is up to you.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Dave

 

Announcements:

 

Wednesday – You know Wednesdays have really turned into something special around here at Trinity. Check this schedule out
and see if you fit in here somewhere.
12 noon Bible Study (Prophesy Series) in the Agape Room
5: 30 Dinner in the fellowship Hall
6: 30 Family Night starts with games and music
7: 00 Bible Study (Prophesy Series) in the Agape Room

 

Saturday –  9 am Men’s Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. A great time of Friendship and Fellowship and guess what, It’s FREE.
All you have to bring is your appetite. Oh yeah and maybe a friend to share this great time with.

Sunday – Sunday School starts at 9am. There classes for all ages and there is one that is meant for you.

 

Sunday – Worship starts at 10:15 – Remember this is Name Tag Sunday. So don’t forget to fill out your name tag when you
come through the doors this Sunday

Sunday – This Sunday is Pot Luck Sunday and it starts right after the Worship Service.

 

Sunday – Tickets on sale for the Choir dinner. The dinner will be held Oct. 26 immediately following service. Serving: meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, rolls, apple or pumpkin pie, and beverage. Cost: $7 per person or $20 for immediate family of four. Please see a choir member to purchase your ticket.



October 8, 2014

Good Morning Everyone,

 

I hope your week is so great you can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring. Trust in the Lord and know He not only has your back but that He has your tomorrow. Here is your scripture reading for the week.

 

Luke 10: 25 – 28

 

This is one of those scripture readings that may cause you to stop and think about your own relationship with the Lord. It might cause you to evaluate the importance of God in your life. On a scale of 1 – 10 where is God in your life. If you stop and think about this and be honest with yourself you might be surprised at the answer. When you stop and look at all of the responsibilities in your life where does God enter into your day?

 

Organized people I am told begin their day by making a list of all the things they need to accomplish in the order of importance. In this way they are able to accomplish the most in the least amount of time. Many of us are list makers because life can get so hectic it would be easy to forget something important because something of less importance took up our day. You know where I’m going with this don’t you?

 

Do you think you could take the time to make a list of everything in your life. Everything that makes you who you are. Your family, your job, your hobbies, your friends, your responsibilities, and anything else you could put on that list that would describe you. Make sure you put all of those items in their order of their importance in your life. Only you can determine the order of importance. Now, where is God?

 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” If you followed that command would you have to adjust your list? Do you think life might look differently to you. Where is God on your list? Something to think about.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Dave

 

Announcements:

 

Wednesday – Bible Study on Prophesy @ 12 noon in the Agape Rm in the Education Building

5: 30 Dinner in the Fellowship Hall

6: 30 Family Night begins with games and music and great fellowship

7: 00 Bible Study on Prophesy (for the next 2 weeks the evening bible study will be held in the Agape Rm)

 

Sunday – Sunday School for all ages starts at 9am

 

Sunday – Worship service starts at 10:15 am

 

Sunday – The boxes are in – You can pick up you Operation Christmas Child boxes this Sunday in the Narthex



September 24th, 2014

Good Morning Trinity,

I hope you are having a great week. When you feel the temperatures dropping along with the humidity and you feel the comfort of the fall weather, do you thank God for the change of seasons? Remember in all things give thanks because we as His children are richly blessed. Here is your scripture reading for the week.

Psalm 37: 1 – 7

At a very early age we are taught what it means to play nice with others. We are taught to keep our hands to ourselves which is a nice way to say don’t punch each other. Don’t hit each other with or without the toy truck in your hand (you have to be specific about these things.) Don’t pull each other’s hair even when it’s so conveniently put into a pony tail ready to be yanked and above all don’t bite.

It is also explained to us that when we play games with each other, there are set rules that we have to follow. These rules are in place so that the game can be played fairly and anyone has the opportunity to win. We learn at that time that the people who don’t follow these rules are called “CHEATERS”. That’s when we first heard the slogan “Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win” which had to be true because life is fair. I guess at a young age as we are learning to play nice together life is a little simpler and yes, it can be black and white, good and bad, or fair and not fair.

I think as each of us grow older and move from the age of children to adulthood we learn something different about life as being fair. It was with me as I’m sure it was with you that we tried to play fair in this game of life that we find ourselves involved in. We played fair and we expected life was going to play fair also but that was not always the case. Cheaters won and were proud of it, honesty, hard work, and playing by the rules did not guarantee a win and has even been looked upon as a deterrent to “making it” in today’s world. Maybe somewhere along the way someone changed the rules to this game? Maybe it’s not a game?

Have the rules changed? According to the ways of the world, yes they have. But for those of you who know Jesus as Lord and Savior the rules have never nor will they ever change. Scripture says that we are to be in this world but not of this world. Our rules, our plans for our lives are written down in a book and will never change. Verse 3 says “Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.” If you are looking to this world to fulfill the desires of your heart, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Trust in the One who will never change to please an ever changing world, Jesus our Lord.

God Bless,
Pastor Dave

 

Announcements:

Wednesday – Bible Study 12 noon (Prophesy Study), Family Night starts at 5:30 with dinner and at 6:30 the fun starts with games and music, Bible Study at 7:00 (Prophesy Study). There’s a lot going on here on Wednesdays

Friday – Trinity’s Most Fabulous Fish Fry from 4 – 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your friends and enjoy the best fish fry in town. Dinner plus a piece of homemade cake or pie and beverage for $7.00.

Sunday – Sunday School for all ages starts at 9am. It’s a great way to start your Sunday Worship. Come along and bring a friend.

Sunday – Worship starts at 10:15 and we want you there with that friend of yours.

 

 

 



May 28, 2014

Good Morning Trinity,

 

Hope you’re having a great week and I’ll see you Sunday. Here is a scripture reading and devotion from Charles Stanley’s morning devotions.

 

1 Corinthians 12: 18 – 26

 

When I talk about serving the church with God-given talents and gifts, people oftentimes think too small. They picture the choir singer or the Sunday school teacher. But if they don’t happen to be naturally adept at singing or teaching, they give up.

 

It’s time we stop thinking in terms of a “Sunday only” establishment. The church is not a place or a time; it is a body of believers, each one uniquely gifted by God to guide, help, challenge, and support the rest. In fact most service to the Lord doesn’t take place inside the church building. It happens out in the world, where we do all the things that Scripture commands. Most believers are not in a position to influence a lot of people. When we act or speak, only those closest to us notice, but a chain reaction ripples outward to affect an entire community.

 

Paul’s metaphor of body parts working together harmoniously is a helpful description of how one small action can have a widespread impact. Consider the way tensing your big toe keeps your foot stable and thereby steadies your whole body. In the same way, a gentle rebuke, a listening ear, or a loving deed benefits the church by strengthening one brother or sister, who then supports another…. We are on this earth to serve the kingdom of God and His church. And we do that by ministering to each other in small ways that steady the whole body as we give extra support to one member.

 

In talking about such service, I am challenging you to find a need that God can meet through you. Think about it.

 

Announcements:

 

Thursday – VBS workday from 9 – 12 – why not have fun and get involved

 

Friday – The Best Fish Fry in town. In the Fellowship Hall from 4 – 7pm. Includes either fried or baked fish, drinks and desert or if you’re a land lover try the chicken strips, all for $7.00

 

Sunday – Sunday School 9am for all ages bring your friends and study God’s word together.

 

Sunday – Worship 10:15 bring your friends and add to our goal of 700 visitors this year.



May 14th, 2014

Good Morning Trinity,

 

I pray you are having a blessed week. Give thanks to the Lord for the good and the not so good. He will lead you through all circumstances. Here is your scripture reading and devotion for the week.

 

Judges 7: 1 – 25

 

There is a statement that has been used by many in trying to understand why God has called them into a certain situation. Whether it would be a calling to pastor or to the mission field or ministering to the needy or a friend. The statement is this, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the call.” In other words if God wants to show the world His power, He will do so through the weakest individual by human standards. If a message needs to be delivered to Pharaoh, He will use one who stutters to speak His words such as Moses.

 

This is exactly what God did when He chose Gideon to lead Israel against the Midianites army. Gideon in his own words was the least of his father’s house and his father’s clan was the least in Manasseh. When we realize our weakness, then we are able to see His strength. The Lord doesn’t choose us to glorify ourselves but chooses us to show His power and glory.

 

What is it we remember most about Gideon? Do we remember him as the great warrior, defeating an obviously superior army with just 300 men? No, he is remembered for something much more important than being a warrior. Gideon is remembered for his trust and faith in God that defeated all odds.

 

Do you have the trust and faith in God to be all He will ask you to be? Open your heart to the possibilities He will place before you. He is an awesome God to serve.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Dave

 

Announcements:

 

Thursday – 9am – 12 noon VBS Work Day in the Fellowship Hall

 

Saturday – Men’s Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall @ 9am. It’s an awesome breakfast and it’s free. Bring a friend and come enjoy the friendship and fellowship.

 

Sunday – Sunday School at 9am – 2 adult classes and 1 children’s and 1 youth class – bring a friend and enjoy your time together in study

 

Sunday –  Worship at 10:15 – Bring a friend to church and introduce them to your Trinity family.

 

Sunday – Name Tag Sunday – Don’t forget to bring your name to church. Fill out your name tag when you come through the door

 

Sunday – Pot Luck Sunday – This is the day you’ve been waiting for. Bring your friend to church and then take them to the Pot Luck. This way you won’t have to buy them lunch after church. What a deal.



April 30, 2014

Good Evening Trinity,

 

I pray you are all having a wonderful week. It’s obvious that the summer season is on its way. One of the signs of the coming season is the arrival of afternoon storms which can pack quite a punch. I’m always amused that when we have a beautiful day and we have so many, we refer to them as a chamber of commerce day. But when the storms roll in and the lightning strikes, we refer to that as an act of God. Here is you scripture reading and devotion for the week.

 

Revelation 2: 2 – 4

 

In January 1984 we decided to move from Western New York and the cold weather to Florida and the sunny south. The decision to move south was an easy decision to make because we wouldn’t have to put up with the winter weather of the frozen north. The decision was also a difficult one because we were going to be leaving family and many friends behind. Many of these friends were as important to us as family because the relationships had been cultivated over many years and many situations.

 

I remember all the get-togethers we had before we left and the many times I heard someone say, “you’ll be back.” I guess after 30 years our friends have decided that the move did work out and we aren’t moving back. Not only are we not moving back but over these 30 years there have been changes to our lives, not only for Shirley and I but also for the friends we left behind. Time and distance have made it difficult to share our lives as we used to do. It seems kind of harsh to say but, we have all moved on. We stay in touch but things are not what they used to be because we don’t share as often as we did when we lived in the same area.

 

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. When in reality, because of a busy life and new people around them, regardless of what the romantic says, it makes the memory grow weaker. It’s tough to keep a relationship alive when time is not spent together. When interests are not shared both parties can move in different directions and the closeness once enjoyed can be lost.

 

Today’s reading from Revelation is about the church at Ephesus who has left its first love. They are a church who does all the right things such as laboring for the cause of Christ, which would include much community outreach. They see evil and are not afraid to call it like it is. On the outside they appear to be the church that everyone including themselves expect it to be. But Jesus sees something different in them because where we see the surface, He sees the heart.

 

Who the Church of Ephesus wanted to be overshadowed the true reason or purpose. They had left their true love and had been all about the work and nothing about the relationship. The mission came between the church and the relationship the church had with the Lord. Absence does not make the heart grow fonder where the Lord is concerned. The relationship we have with the Lord has to be first in our lives and be the driving force in our work for the community. Don’t let your relationship with Christ Jesus become like one with a friend of the past. Keep it fresh, keep it strong, keep it daily.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Dave

 

Announcements:

 

Sunday – Sunday School all ages starts at 9am. Bring a friend and start the day off right in God’s word

 

Sunday – Worship at 10:15 Bring that friend to church after Sunday School. They’ll love you for it and probably take you to lunch.



Special Announcement 4-30

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday during the afternoon storm we were struck by lightning. There was no structural damage but we have unfortunately lost our phone service amongst other services. So if you’re trying to reach us by phone we aren’t ignoring you, the phones are dead. Come on in if it’s important, we’ll have time to listen.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Dave



April 16th 2014

Good Afternoon Trinity,

 

I pray you are all having a wonderful God filled week. What has happened in your life this week that would cause you to just stop what you’re doing and give God the praise He is so deserving of. Sometimes we get so busy in life that we just don’t take the time to acknowledge the things God is doing. We give Him the quick “Thanks God” with the intention of catching up later with Him to truly give Him thanks, but that time doesn’t come. Stop and think for a moment about the power and majesty of the God we love and His love for us. Remember then, His promise to never leave us nor forsake us or to say to us “hey I’ll catch up with you later I’m a little busy right now.” Here is your scripture reading for this week.

 

Psalm 100: 1 – 5

 

As you read these words you can almost hear a melody that would accompany this Psalm. Warning, this Psalm should be read while sitting down because it may cause you to dance if you are standing. Wow, wouldn’t that be a site? It could be if you ever saw me dance. But there is something that is very special about this Psalm. There is an attitude that this Psalm projects.

 

When I was a little kid I remember there seemed to be two distinct groups of Christians in our church. Those who looked like they were having some sort of stomach problem and those who obviously knew something the other group didn’t know and were genuinely happy about it. The second group were the ones that others seemed to gravitate to and just acted like they were happy to be alive and be in church.

 

Experiences in life will show you that bad news will travel faster than good news and a bad attitude is much more contagious than a good attitude. I’m not saying that the people with the appearance of stomach problems in church weren’t Christians, I’m just saying they sure didn’t look too happy about it. A visitor in that church would probably notice the Christians with the faces of pain before they would notice the Christians with the smiles on their faces.

 

You see Psalm 100 is a Psalm with an attitude of joy and praise for the Lord. It’s a stop and think who He is and what He has done for each of us. Not only what He has done but what He has planned for those who love Him. If that doesn’t put a spring in your step or a smile on your face, you must have a stomach problem. “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” It sure sounds like the Lord enjoys the attitude of joyful Christians. Don’t be afraid to demonstrate your love and joy to the Lord.

 

God Bless’

Pastor Dave

 

Announcements:

 

Thursday – The Living Lord’s Supper @ 7PM This is an awesome performance that you do not want to miss. Bring your friends and let them experience this powerful production. You will all be blessed.

 

Friday – The Living Lord’s Supper @ 7PM

 

Saturday – Men’s breakfast at 9AM. Bring a friend and enjoy the friendship and fellowship along with a great free breakfast.

 

Sunday – Sunday School 9AM – classes for all ages and the conclusion of St. John in Exile in the Annex Building

 

Sunday – Easter Service at 10:15AM with communion

 

Sunday – Name Tag Sunday



April 9th 2014

Good Afternoon Trinity,

 

What a blessed day the Lord has given us. How will you take this gift a share it with someone else? Will they see the Lord in you and feel the love He has for them? We should all realize how the Lord uses us to make a difference in someone else’s life. Someone who may be hurting, someone who may be looking for answers in this crazy world. Who reached out to you when you came to Christ? Was it a family member, was it a friend, or was it a total stranger? You have a story to tell, don’t be afraid to share it. Here is your scripture reading and devotion for the week.

 

Romans 10: 13 – 17

 

Have you ever gone through the process of selling your home? If you have then you know how it usually goes. The realtor comes in and tells you what the house is worth and then proceeds to tell you how to make your home attractive to potential buyers. You end up fixing things that have needed fixing for years but you never got around to fixing. You might need to put on a fresh coat of paint, manicure the yard a little bit and why? The house you are trying to sell needs to catch the eye of the potential buyer. Curb appeal.

 

Do you think it’s a coincidence that the grocery store stocks their shelves with the deals always at eye level? There are companies who spend a lot of time and money studying how to make items more appealing and eye catching so you as the consumer will reach out and buy their product. I’ll bet you can think of many more examples of how marketing effects what you buy. How many millions of dollars does a 30 second commercial cost during the Super Bowl and is it worth it? I’m quite sure it is.

 

If you had a product that you wanted to share with the world, what would you do to get the word out? Would you advertise in the local papers or magazines? Would you tell your friends and let word about your product get out through satisfied customers? If you really believed in your product and thought it could help make people’s lives better wouldn’t you do about anything to get that product into people’s hands?

 

I don’t know how many of you have ever worked in sales, but today’s scripture reading kind of sounds like a sales manager giving his sales team a pep talk. How will people know about our fantastic product if we don’t tell them? The truth of that statement is this, people won’t know if you don’t tell them. More importantly than that is what we have to share is not as trivial as a product to sell, but as vital as a life through all of eternity to share.

 

We are constantly reminded of the amount of nonbelievers in our society today. Children growing up in homes where God is never mentioned and we say how could this happen in this country. There is something we need to understand about today’s society. Before they can call on the name of the Lord, they must believe. Before they can believe, they must hear. Before they can hear, someone must tell them. Before someone can tell, them, they must be sent. Isaiah 52: 7 speaks of those who take the message of God’s good news and delivers it so that it can be believed. How beautiful are the feet that carry the message.

 

You are the carrier of the greatest life changing message that has ever been told. We can’t deliver this incredible message by simply unlocking our doors on Sunday morning and expecting people to walk through them. Scripture states that the message must be carried to those who will believe. Blessed are the feet that will carry the message.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Dave

 

Announcements:

 

Sunday – Sunday School at 9am Children’s and Youth in the Education Bldg. Young Adults in Education Bldg. Senior Adult in Annex were the will be showing “St. John In Exile.” There is a Sunday School Class for everyone so bring a friend and enjoy God’s word together

 

Sunday – Worship at 10:15 bring a friend to worship and introduce them to your Trinity family.

 

Sunday – After the Worship Service we will have a potluck luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a dish to pass and enjoy the friendship and fellowship.

 

Sunday – After the potluck we will have the Trinity Servant Auction. Need something done around the house? Rent one of the youth to do it for you. All proceeds go to helping pay for Youth or Children’s Summer Camp.



April 2nd 2014

Good Evening Trinity,

 

I pray you are all having a great week and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. It seems hard to believe that we are already into April and Easter is almost upon us. Our Northern families are starting to head north and within the next 2 or 3 months the snow will melt up there. It’s amazing how quickly this year is just flying by. They say that time flies when you’re having fun and I believe that to be true here at Trinity. It is just fun and exciting here because of all that is happening. It’s hard to keep up with it all, but we’ll give it our best shot. Here is your scripture reading and devotion for the week, it comes from a Charles Stanley Morning Devotional.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Dave

 

Hebrews 11: 17-19

 

I’ve had people tell me, “I wish that I had great faith.” While most of us would like God to just drop that kind of confidence into our laps, it’s not the way He operates. Faith increases as a result of our obedience in little things. We all marvel at Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac at the Lord’s command. But have you ever stopped to consider all of his smaller steps of submission that prepared the way for this enormous test?

Throughout his lifetime, Abraham obeyed God. At the Lord’s command, he left his country (Gen 12:1-4), was circumcised (17:10, 26), conceived Isaac in his old age (21:1-3), and sent his son Ishmael away (21:9-14). By the time he was asked to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he already knew that his God would always be faithful to His promises. His previous experiences had taught Him to trust the Lord.

In the same way, each small step of obedience solidifies our confidence in God. Then, when He challenges us with a more difficult assignment, a firm foundation of assurance enables us to trust and obey Him. Great acts of faith flow from our past interactions with the Lord. By neglecting His simple commands, we miss priceless opportunities to witness His faithfulness.

Having trouble trusting God for something big? Maybe it’s because you’ve ignored those “small” and “insignificant” promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Lord considers each of His commands important and promises to reward every act of obedience, regardless of size. Great faith begins with little steps.

 

Announcements:

 

Friday – Emmaus Alumni Pot Luck and meeting in the Fellowship Hall at 6PM

 

Saturday –  6pm Trinity’s Easter Cantata – If your friends can’t make it on Sunday, send them to this service on Saturday

 

Sunday – Sunday School at 9AM for the whole family – Great things going on – come and join in.

 

Sunday – Worship at 10:15 – Trinity’s Easter Cantata. – Bring a friend