Trinity Lutheran Church; Arendtsville, PA: Recent Episodes
Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
A complex message of love, forgiveness, mercy, and service to one's neighbor coming from the context of Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville, PA.
Welcome to worship! Due to an audio hiccup, we just have the children's sermon today. As always, this is a sermon for young a old alike!
Welcome to worship! As we remember Jesus' death, we remember Jesus love. This is a love that does not condone the violence around him, but is also not defined by it. This is a love that never ends.
Welcome to worship!This evening, we remember the night Jesus share the Passover meal with his disciples, washed their feet, and centered their lives and moments in love. As they journey to the cross, and as we journey throughout our lives, this love carries us all.
Welcome to worship! On this Fifth Sunday in Lent, we celebrate the life and love we find in our baptisms, and like Jesus, we look to our past, present, and future to see the love of God in our lives.
Welcome to worship! On this Fourth Sunday in Lent, we hear of God's love for the whole world, and focus on the homegrown words of love that have stuck with us. However we feel, whether we want to hide our lives or live out in the open, we hear a love of God for us as we are, and are invited to share words of love with the friends, family, and world around us.
Welcome to worship! On this Third Sunday in Lent, we hear about Jesus clearing out the temple and remember that the most important things in life are not the things we build, but what we build for. God leads us to build and create out of love of God, and love of people.
Welcome to worship! On this Second Sunday in Lent, we hear of tension between Jesus' mission and Peter's understanding, and look for a similar stubbornness toward love in our own lives.
Welcome to worship! On the first Sunday in Lent, we focus on prayer, and the love of God that is the bedrock of our prayers.
Welcome to worship! On this Ash Wednesday, we enter the lenten journey with a focus on God's love and promises for us and the whole world.
Welcome to worship! Today we hear of Jesus healing Simon's mother-in-law - not just of fever, but of all that weighs her down. In our lives, as we hear Jesus calling us to follow, we ask for the same!
Welcome to worship! This Sunday, we hear of a time when the powerful goodness of Jesus was face to face with the brokenness of life. In this story, we have hope for our own lives in their highs and lows.
Welcome to worship! As we hear more about Jesus calling his disciples, we hear our own calling too. In this, we find a vast, open potential in our lives to experience new things, see new things, and follow God wherever God may lead.
Welcome to worship! As God calls Samuel and Jesus calls Nathanael, we too look in our own lives for the things that awe, and the even greater things of love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Welcome to worship! On this Sunday we remember Jesus' baptism, and celebrate the Spirit that sticks around, reminding us that we are loved and having that message melt into out hearts.
Merry Christmas! This evening, we remember and hold tight to good news - Love is born to us, a love for us and for all people. Thanks be to God!
Welcome to worship! This Third Sunday of Advent, we remember who we belong to, and the love of God for us and all people.
Welcome to worship! As we begin Advent, we remember that God has, is, and will draw near in this and every season.
Welcome to worship! In the parable this morning, we hear a story of confusion and fear when receiving gifts and talents, and seek a peaceful trust when sharing the love of God.
Welcome to worship! On All Saints Sunday, Trinity celebrates and remembers saints here and now with God, giving thanks for all God has done through one another.
Welcome to worship! This Sunday we celebrate Reformation Sunday, and the love of God that is the center of all we do in our lives.
Welcome to worship! This Sunday, we remember the escalating parables of the past few weeks, and find at the end of it all Jesus keeping the love of God for us and all people at the center.
Welcome to worship! This Sunday, we hear the call to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, and remember the blessing of this call that far outweighs the cost.
Welcome to worship! This morning we welcome The Rev. Susan Scott of the Bendersville Parish as she shares the good news of God in Christ Jesus with us all.
Welcome to worship! This morning we hear of faith springing up outside the places that are familiar to us, and look for God's rejuvenating Spirit off the path of our own lives.
Welcome to worship! Today we hear about a moment of boundless, limitless love as Peter gets out of the boat. In our own lives, we look for those glimpses of boundlessness too.
Welcome to worship! This morning, we remember Jesus and the disciples feeding well over 5,000 people with just a few loves and some fish. In this, we consider what God might be asking us to jump into, even before we feel ready or prepared.
Welcome to worship! Today Trinity considers what we might bring out of our treasures as the kingdom of heaven draws near.
Welcome to worship! This morning we hear the parable of the wheat and the weeds, and find grace in Jesus' description of the kingdom of heaven.
Welcome to worship! Today, Trinity hears a call to prepare a good seed bed for God's presence in our lives, and looks for the joy in such work.
Welcome to worship! This morning we explore how Jesus ties us together with one another in love, forgiveness, and mercy, making easy yokes and light burdens.
Welcome to worship! This Sunday, we find a call to welcome the love of God for us and for all people - from welcoming God's own self to sharing a cup of cold water.
All hymns reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net #728167-A; expires 1/12/2024.
Welcome to worship! Today, Trinity remembers Moses, hears from Jesus' some tough words about love, and seeks to love God, neighbors and strangers with the same persistence, the same insistence, that we do our own family and friends.
Welcome to worship! This morning we remember God's rainbow of promise, discover rainbows hiding everywhere there is light, and remember God's love cannot, will not be drowned.
Welcome to worship! This Sunday, we remember that when the pencils of life keep running into what is good, God's love holds adapts and moves and holds us in care.
Welcome to worship! On this Pentecost Sunday, we remember a God that is close to our hearts, and helps our hearts flow with rivers of living water.
Welcome to worship! This Seventh Sunday of Easter, we hope and trust in the God who brings abundance and creation to the in-between times of life.All hymns reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net #728167-A; expires 1/12/2024.
Welcome to worship! This Sixth Sunday of Easter, we remember and give space for the Advocate, and voice that tells us about love for us and for all people each day.
Welcome to worship! On this Fifth Sunday of Easter, we gather to remember the Way, the Truth, and the Life that leads us to love.
Welcome to worship! On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, we remember the gift of faith we have been given, a faith that comes alive for us when we need it to, and a faith that walks with us our whole lives long.
Welcome to worship! On this Second Sunday of Easter, we remember a peace that is willing to show up at our doorstep again and again.
Christ is Risen! As Jesus invites his disciples back to their homes to discover new life in the resurrection, we too are invited into our familiar surroundings to discover new and abundant life.
Hosanna! As Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and the temple begin Holy Week, Trinity listens as this same Jesus marches into our own lives as they are. With change and blessing, we pick up our cross and follow.
Welcome to worship! At the grave of Lazarus, we remember that Jesus is always with us, even in death.
Welcome to worship! This Fourth Sunday in Lent, we remember that God has made us and loves us - us and all people! - the way that we are.
Welcome to Worship! On this Second Sunday in Lent, Trinity explores the long and slow process of sharing what we have been given.
Welcome to Lent! As we begin our journey to the cross and resurrection of Easter, Trinity joins millions of other Christians across the world on a road of turning our hearts to God. As we begin this journey, we remember that God breathes life into, loves, forgives, and dwells among the dust.
Welcome to worship! This week, Trinity stands in the tension between grace and law, discovering the way both point us to God.
Welcome to worship! This morning Trinity hears the blessing of God in Christ Jesus coming down from the mountain top, full of grace and care for the most vulnerable in our world.
Welcome to worship! This week Trinity hears a calling to unity in the body of Christ, one that is stronger than perfect agreement on all things.
Welcome to worship! This week, Trinity looks to support one another and the world as we listen for the calling of God - both familiar and new - in our daily lives.
Welcome to worship! As many drops of water that you have experienced in all your life, that many times over God has reminded you - us - that we are beloved.
Welcome to worship! This Sunday, Trinity enters the new year by singing the presence of Immanuel - God with us.All hymns reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net #728167-A; expires 1/12/2023.
Welcome to worship! On this Christmas Sunday, we celebrate what has already, is, and will be happening in Jesus.
Welcome to worship! Today, Trinity rests in the Christmas hope of our past, present, and future.
Welcome to worship! As Trinity enters into Advent, we open ourselves up once more - to hope, and to surprises - as we wait for the coming of Christ.
Welcome to worship! This morning, Trinity hears about Christ as a different, loving, self-giving king.
Welcome! This morning, Trinity finds its hope, faith, and resurrection in our midst through the sharing we do with one another.
Welcome! This morning, Trinity looks to the God of heaven and earth incarnate as he ties a towel around his waist and serves, inviting us to do the same.
Welcome! This Sunday, we hear of a God that gives themself away, and have hope that we will find something wonderful as we do the same.
Welcome! As seven young ones join the Communion table for the first time, we remember what God has taught us at so many tables: God loves us - God loves YOU - as you are, no matter what.
Welcome! This morning, we hear through rough hyperbole that there is nothing in our lives God doesn't call into love, grace, and action. In this we find both hope and grief.
Welcome! This Sunday, we hear that we each have a place at God's table - and we are called to make space for everyone at our own.
Welcome! This Sunday, Trinity finds Jesus weaving healing and goodness into the everyday lives of familiar people. We find hope here, that God might weave healing and goodness into our everyday, familiar lives too.
Welcome to worship! This morning, we reflect on the ways a good use of God's Word ultimately leads to good fruit, and a bad use of God's Word ultimately, needlessly, hurts.
Welcome! On this Holy Trinity Sunday, we remember many experiences of God, and focus on what is common in them all.
Welcome! We join with several churches throughout Adams County for an Affirmation of Baptism service, welcoming three young folk into a new experience of faith.
Welcome! This morning, Trinity stands between the presence of Jesus and something new, reflecting on who we are becoming.
This morning Trinity reflects on the way the Holy Spirit makes a home with us, while building us up in the homes of one another.
Trinity dives into love, reflecting on the many ways we have been loved by God and others.
Trinity joins the disciples in looking back on Jesus' words, finding new and different meaning on this side of the cross.
Welcome! This morning, Trinity explores all the ways God calls our name, and what happens as we answer "Here I am."
Welcome! In a time of change and growth, Jesus comes to his disciples - including us today - with a word of peace.
Welcome! On this Easter Sunday, we hear good news that is unbelievable. We also give thanks for God's presence, slowly helping us to believe over time.
Trinity begins the three day journey to Easter on Maundy Thursday, as Jesus kneels to clean our feet.
Trinity explores Jesus' parable of the wheat and the weeds, wondering if we are preoccupied like the disciples were with the bad more than the good.
Trinity resumes in-person worship, using an outdoor setting. The sermon may seemed muffled behind a mask, but we hope you can hear nonetheless!
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 7.5.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 6.28.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 6.28.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 6.21.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 6.21.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 6.14.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 6.14.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship- 6.7.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 5.31.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 5.31.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 5.24.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 5.24.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order For Home Worship - 5.16.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order For Home Worship - 5.16.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 5.10.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 5.10.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 5.3.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 4.26.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 4.26.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 4.19.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 4.19.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - Easter Sunday - April 12th, 2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - Maundy Thursday - 4.9.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
The music sung by Trinity's choir is "The Palms," written by Jean-Baptiste Faure, and under Public Domain.
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - Palm Sunday - 4.5.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 3.29.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Children's Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 3.29.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sermon - An Order For Home Worship - 3.22.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
UACT's Bread for the Journey gathers online! Though we are unable to get together, we are still able to hear some deep and insightful words from Gabriella Corson as she reflects on the text from John 9:1-41.
Sermon - An Order for Home Worship - 3.15.2020 by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Trinity considers the little breaks that happen in the lives of the disciples, both in scripture and today's world, as we follow Christ from death into life.
Sunday Assembly - Christmas Eve - Late Service - Sermon by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Sunday Assembly - Christmas Eve - Early Service - Sermon by Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
On the Second Sunday of Advent, Trinity considers its calling to prepare the way of the Lord.
On the first Sunday of Advent, Trinity prepares their hearts and minds for the unbelievable things of God's kingdom coming near.
On this Christ the King Sunday, Trinity remembers Jesus as a different kind of king, and follows a God that calls us into an honesty of our lives for the sake of healing.
Trinity focuses on the First Reading from the Revised Common Lectionary this week. In this text from Malachi 4, we hear a message of change and hope.
Trinity hears a lesson of resurrection, and asks "Who cares for the widow?" in the present day.
Trinity reflects on the saints that have taught us about God, and hear God's call to the same grace filled work.
As Trinity celebrates Reformation Sunday, we hear of John Lasseter, and consider moments in church and personal history when God has stirred our hearts with expectation and passion that exceeds what the church is doing at that time.
Trinity asks itself who has been annoying us lately, who we need to annoy, and where the voice of God may be in the midst of these voices.
We apologize for the low quality of the beginning! The sound picks back up at the beginning of the sermon. Nevertheless, Trinity contemplates God's blessing for the individual and the community as the two are mixed together in Luke 17.
Trinity listens as Jesus raises the bar of expectation when it comes to forgiveness, and plants within us faith to match. In expectation, in faith and in growth, we change.
On Trinity's Harvest Home Sunday, we give thanks for the blessings God has given us, we try to share these with our neighbors, and we hear about God's blessing for the poor and for the sinner, all at the same time.
Trinity hears of lost sheep and lost coins, and how God never stops looking for and loving God's people.
Trinity wrestles with a tough text of division, ultimately hearing Christ calling us to trust the way that our baptism calls us to.
Trinity is joined by Ashlin Marchese, who speaks and sings the gospel into our hearts. In this proclamation, Jesus walks through our stuff, calling us out of possession and into stewardship.
Trinity listens as Jesus teaches us to pray. As we pray, we discover how this prayer is uncovering what we yearn for the most.
Trinity sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to the call to place a high importance on listening to the Word.
Trinity encounters a very familiar Good Samaritan text, and hears Jesus calling us to lifelong service to our neighbors of every culture, race, religion, ethnicity, and kind.
As Trinity hears a text of the phenomenal things the disciples were able to do through the Spirit, we like they become reoriented by Jesus words of love and grace and the gentle command to share these powers.
Guest Preacher Sister Marianne Brock leads us this week as we listen and struggle to recognize the sound of Jesus' voice.
On the Third Sunday of Easter, Trinity reflects on Jesus' appearance in the simplest of places, looking for Christ in the simple places of today as well.
On this second Sunday of Easter, Trinity hears the blessing of Jesus in a text so often dominated by the worry of doubt.
Happy Easter! On this Resurrection Sunday, Trinity dwells in the complexity of emotions that accompany God's life-giving love and work.
On this Good Friday, Trinity dwells in the crucifixion of Jesus. In a story that is often heavily layered in theological expectation, we listen for the ways that this story is common and often repeated, finding God drawing near to all people.
As Trinity celebrates Palm Sunday, Trinity reflects on the powerful example of God's love seen in this text and the story of Jesus' passion. In both, we come to realize the consistent, loving presence of God for God's people, no matter what happens.
On this fifth Sunday of Lent, Trinity hears a story of Jesus having his feet anointed by Mary. In reflecting on this story, and on the quickly following story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet, we come to realize the selfless nature of God sharing the best God has with God's people.
On the fourth Sunday in Lent, Trinity hears a familiar parable of Jesus often called the parable of "The Prodigal Son." On this Sunday, however, we focus on the love of the father in the story towards both sons, recognizing the limitless nature of this love is what is at the heart of Jesus actions in this story and toward us all.
On this third Sunday of Lent, Trinity struggles with a text that at first glance seems like it condemns us when - inevitably - we are trapped in our sin. When we listen to Jesus, though, we come to hear an overwhelming amount of grace and love for us and for all people.
On the second Sunday of Lent, Trinity reflects on the needless death we see in our world, and how the church is called to join Christ in self-sacrificial lifestyle that, with the help of God, can change the world.
Trinity begins the first Sunday of Lent with a text describing Jesus' temptation in the desert. Through Jesus' own trials, we discover who to turn to in the midst of our own: the Word.
On this Transfiguration of Our Lord Sunday, Trinity reflects on the pattern of our lives, a pendulum swinging between the presence of God in Sunday worship and the holy work of God in our daily lives. As these moments inform one another, we become a little more aware of God's presence in each season of life.
Trinity continues this week where it left off last week, both in the text of Luke 6, and in the complexities of God's mercy and expectations for all.
On the sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Trinity sits in an uncomfortable text of blessings and woes, ultimately trusting that each is for the good of all God's people.
On the fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Trinity hears a familiar story of Jesus calling his disciples to be fishers of people. In this story, we consider who helps us believe that this life of Christ is indeed possible.
As February begins, Trinity considers a challenging lesson from Jesus, one that has us reconsider who God cares for in times of need, who Jesus came to serve, and who we as Christians are to serve.
As Trinity hears the story of Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah in Luke 4, we hear the good news of God's love for us and for all people, and the manner in which God directs this love to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaiming God's favor.
As Trinity hears the story of Jesus at the wedding in Cana, we consider the presence of God when things do not go according to our plans.
As Trinity celebrates the baptism of Jesus, we reflect on the natures of our baptism, and the impact is has on us that Jesus would be with us in the nice looking and ugly looking parts of our lives.
Trinity celebrates Epiphany as they begin their stewardship focus for the month of January.
Merry Christmas! Trinity celebrates God dwelling with us as we reconsider why this celebration is important to us as Christians.
Merry Christmas! Trinity celebrates the birth of Christ with an impromptu Christmas pageant and remembering that God comes into our mess, God brings love, and God brings people together.
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, Trinity takes time to listen to Mary's song of praise. Through it, we realize the song Mary sings is one of great change and justice, a song that can both scare us and, by God's grace, set us free.
On the third Sunday of Advent, Trinity hears a text that can be scary, but nonetheless we look for the joy of God in the midst of it.
On the second Sunday of Advent, Trinity considers the change and repentance that John the Baptist calls for as the messiah draws near, and what that change might look like in our lives.
On the first Sunday of Advent, Trinity sees the mingling of fear and hope as Jesus talks of the impermanence of everything that surrounds us. In the midst of this, we hear too that God draws near in these times of impermanence.
Sitting with the text of the Widow's Mite and in our civil context of Veterans Day, Trinity considers what it means to consider everything with great value and usefulness in expressing the love and grace and expectation of God.
On All Saints Sunday, Trinity considers Jesus grief at the death of Lazarus, Mary and Martha's powerful understanding of Jesus' life giving presence, and Jesus' request for the community around Lazarus to "unbind him."
On this Reformation Sunday, Trinity considers the way the breath God gives us teaches us about Reformation. In our breath, we have a constantly recurring prayer for newness and reformation.
As Trinity hears James and John's request for greatness, we reflect on how Jesus redefines our greatest moments.
Trinity hears a third text in as many weeks in which Jesus talk about children. As we reflect on Jesus' words, we realize that the very nature of our child-like behavior - the inability to act and love and be as we should - is the very place where God's love embraces us as we are.
As Trinity is challenged by a unflinching text, we listen for the voice of Jesus that is both forgiving all people on the cross and insisting that the "little ones" be the focus of each life that bears Christ's name.
Trinity considers what it means to live in communion with God and one another as we dwell in a story of Jesus' teaching his disciples to shape their lives towards the "little ones" in their midst.
Trinity hears the story of the Syrophonecian woman, and considers how we today can have the same type of faithful insistence that she was able to show before Jesus.
As Trinity celebrates the sacrament of Baptism, we also reflect on the prayer King Solomon prays over Israel in 1 Kings 8:54-66. When we consider Solomon's prayer that Israel "devote [themselves] to the Lord [their] God, walking in his statues and keeping his commandments," we consider what our own devotion looks like, viewed through the lens of God's never-ending love for us and all God's children.
Trinity hears the story of King Solomon's first few moments in power, and reflects on the gift of wisdom given to him by God.
Trinity dives into a story of the death of Absalom, David's son and a troubling character in 2 Samuel 8. In the midst of a heartbreaking mess, how God acts in the midst of such a mess. God does not call bad things good, but does grow good things in the midst of these things.
Trinity continues its time with the story of David's terrible acts towards Bathsheba and Uriah. In this story we consider the tension between grace and justice, recognizing that the truth of our actions - good or terrible - are spoken clearly by the same mouth that grants grace.
Trinity hears the story from 2 Samuel 11:1-15 of David lusting after and forcibly taking Bathsheba as his own. As we dwell in this story, we realize that we too have taken people and property as our own and used them both for our own selfish desires instead of treating all people and all property as the good creation of God that all people and all things are.
Trinity celebrates the blessings of grace and forgiveness that are poured out on each of us in our baptism. Dwelling in the story of 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, we recognize that in our best moments, our worst moments, and everything in between, God will always, always, always, always love all God's people.
We hear this Sunday the story of David and the Israelites moving the ark of the covenant in 2 Samuel 6:1-19. The story changes in orientation from a celebration of David and Israel to a celebration of thanksgiving to God for God's blessing on God's people. In this story, Trinity considers its own orientation, and what it might look like to give thanks to God every six steps.
Trinity is fed by the complexity of David's calling this Sunday, as we hear the story of David's first few days as king in 2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10. In this story we consider our own callings from God, hearing these words both internally and externally.
Deacon Chelle Huth, Director of Lifelong Learning, Certificate Studies & Adjunct Faculty at United Lutheran Seminary joins Trinity to work through our initial experience of David's anointing in 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13.
Trinity continues to follow the story of 1 Samuel, looking at the experience of the Israelites in chapter 8 crying out for a king. In our reflection, we consider what it is they were asking for in such a request, and how we similarly cry out to this day.
On the Second Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity celebrates the graduates of all kinds in our midst as we reflect on the Third Commandment, to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. In a world full of business and demand, we are a people with need for and stories full of rest.
On Holy Trinity Sunday, Trinity turns its focus to the Old Testament, seeking to understand our central stories of faith a little more fully. Understanding where the prophet Isaiah falls on the timeline of our faith, we take our first recent steps in hearing the good news of God in the Old Testament, recognizing that our lives look like Isaiah's as we approach the table, receive bread and wine that touch our lips, and are sent into the world with a message from God.
On Pentecost Sunday Trinity celebrates its youth who make public affirmation of their baptismal faith and reflect on our place in the midst of our scriptural stories.
On the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Trinity celebrates the ascension of Christ and the voices of love that repeat themselves throughout our lives.
On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, Trinity reflects on the members of our communities that serve as First Responders, and the way that their work, when at its best, echoes the command of Jesus in our text.
On the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Trinity focuses on another familiar image of Jesus and the Father, the vine and vinegrower. We together reflect on our reactions to the pruning the vinegrower does, and take time to search for God throughout our lives.
On the Fourth Sunday of Easter Trinity dwells in a familiar image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, reflecting honestly on our tension filled lives of being shepherded.
On the Third Sunday of Easter, Trinity is joined in worship by Rev. Martin Zimmann, a gift officer and alumni/ae relations director with United Lutheran Seminary.
On the Second Sunday of Easter, Trinity looks at the familiar text regarding the disciples' and Thomas' first few experiences of Jesus. In the midst of this, we explore the relationship between faith and doubt.
Happy Easter! On this Easter Sunday, Trinity celebrates the resurrection of Christ and dwells for a moment our new, daily relationship with both life and death.
On this Maundy Thursday, Trinity begins its walk through the Paschal Triduum (the holy days between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday). As we hear Jesus' new commandment of love, we consider what it means for us, our neighbors, and the whole world.
On this Palm & Passion Sunday, Trinity dwells in the story of Jesus' self sacrifice for us and for all people.
On this fifth Sunday of Lent, Trinity dwells in the promises of God once more, realizing that in the midst of our Lenten journeys we have been invited into the journey of Christ toward the cross. This is a journey of great hardship right alongside great joy and love and grace.
On the fourth Sunday of Lent Trinity dwells continues its journey of responding to the Word as we hear two stories centering God's presence in the midst our pain and death.
On the third Sunday of Lent, Trinity continues its journey of hearing the Word and responding, hearing texts from Exodus 20:1-17 and John 2:13-22. In the 10 Commandments and in Jesus' clearing of the temple, we realize that a life with God brings us into the complicated reality of our daily lives with a calling to follow Christ in the midst of this mess. Though we will fail in such a calling, we are always held in the grace and mercy of God's loving adoption-covenant with us.
On the second Sunday of Lent, Trinity continues their responsive reflection on the great love of God for us and for all people.
Trinity continues its Lenten journey on the first Sunday of Lent by looking at its worship practices. As we respond with song each Sunday to the spoken Word of God, we too live a song of response to the grace and life of the gospel in the midst of our own deaths. This Lent, we will seek to explore our lives of song together.
Trinity reflects on the story of Jesus' transfigured presence this Sunday, seeing in his dazzling white presence a powerful God wrapping God's people in bountiful love and diligent work.
We apologize! The text for this Sunday was accidentally cut off in our recording. For your own reading and meditation, the Gospel text is from Matthew 1:29-39.
This Sunday, Trinity follows Jesus to dwell with Peter's mother-in-law, realizing our own vulnerable need to be filled and healed by Jesus before we turn to serve our neighbor.
On a third Sunday of focusing on stewardship, Trinity considers what stewardship of spirit looks like in our modern context, connecting the ministry of Jesus with our very own call from God to this same ministry.
Trinity continues its stewardship focus in the context of Jesus' calling to Simon, Andrew, James, and John in Mark 1. Together, as we realize that we too are living into changing identities as individuals and as a congregation, we trust God to dwell with us as our journeys unfold.
On the Second Sunday of Epiphany Trinity hears the positive and negative stories Nathanael expresses in the gospel text, and asks what stories we similarly hold within our own hearts. In this midst of all these understandings, we hear a call to be good and careful stewards of the stories we tell to and about one another.
On Christmas Eve Trinity gathers with young and old (and one butterfly!) to hear the good news of God in Christ Jesus once again. This night, we hear a message of invitation into the work of the Kingdom of God as well as a message of deep love for us and for all people.
On the Third Sunday of Advent, Trinity caps off our Advent journey with another story of John the Baptist. Reflecting on John's own act of testifying to the light we too hear a call to testify to what we see God doing in our everyday lives, recognizing that sharing each of our stories is meaningful act of ministry.
On the Second Sunday of Advent, Trinity continues its journey of looking for God in everyday life with the familiar calling of John the Baptist. In this calling, we the good news that God is already creating good things in the midst of the whole world, and that we are invited to be a meaningful part of this work.
On the First Sunday of Advent, Trinity begins the journey within a text of great promise and woe. In the midst of this apocalyptic text, we hear a call to look for God in everyday life, trusting that while all will be changed as God draws near we will live all the more fully.
On this Christ the King Sunday, Trinity celebrates Jesus' strange reign, a reign that dwells with the hungry, thirsty, strange, naked, sick, and imprisoned ones. In the midst of such selfless love, for us and for all people, we are called to share this good news with all the world.
Trinity is blessed to welcome Rev. Dr. Mark Oldenburg, Steck-Miller Professor of the Art of Worship and Dean of the United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg Chapel as preacher and presider this morning. Oldenburg points us to a call of stewarding the gifts God gives us, a call of promise and encouragement, a call to stick our neck out for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.
In what appears to be an ungracious parable at first glace, Jesus leads all who would hear his lesson to a place of preparation and readiness. This preparation and readiness is not just for salvation later but for God's work in the world today, work that we are called to and do in the grace of God.
On All-Saints Sunday, Trinity remembers those who have taught us how to run the race set before us, and that God dwells with us in the midst of the toughest parts.
As Trinity joins in celebrating 500 years of reformation, we remember our roots as a people of the truth of God, experienced and lived out through the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
As Trinity skirts the trap religious leaders have laid for Jesus in today's text, we recall the proclamation of our baptismal liturgy: "You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever." We belong to God.
Trinity dwells in a gospel of being clothed with the gifts of Christ, and the responsibility that comes with such clothing. As we pray for the world to change, we look for the church to change it.
As Trinity hears a Gospel story of parable and murderous intent, we consider our baptismal callings as stewards of the gospel and how we respond when God calls us into action.
After hearing so many stories of God in Christ Jesus calling us to live lives of radical forgiveness and generosity, the text for today brings Trinity to the position of examining how (or if) our beliefs change in the Sunday and daily presence of God.
The parable of the landowner freely giving the same daily wage to all who worked regardless how long they worked regularly brings up issues of what is fair. Yet, today Trinity hears the landowner - and the Kingdom of God - is primarily concerned with being generous, making sure that all have what they need to live and thrive.
This Sunday, Trinity struggles with a parable of costly forgiveness, considering what the calling of Christians today might cost us.
As Trinity hears several pieces of familiar text, we work together to discover how they form an emphasis on justice for the most vulnerable. From our church building to our homes, from our giving to our spending, as individuals and as community, we look for the ways we are called to be advocates and caretakers of the most vulnerable in our communities while recognizing that we may all find ourselves vulnerable in life.
As we hear the familiar calling of Jesus to "pick up your cross," we consider what this looks like in today's world. Ultimately, we come to understand that Jesus' calling is full of blessing and grace for us and the whole world, even as the cross weighs heavily upon the church.
As Trinity dwells on a text involving the office of "loosing and binding" that Peter is called into, we look at our own actions of Confession and Forgiveness in the church, point to the central nature of God in Christ Jesus in these experiences, and our own callings of loosing and binding in today's world.
As Trinity hears a text about Jesus' almost not giving grace to all, we also hear good news; God's grace expands to each one of us, God's grace expands to those whom our society pushes away from us. Like Christ experiences, we are called to dwell with and beg on behalf of the modern day Canaanites of our society.
Trinity picks up from where it left off last week, this time with the text of Peter (briefly) walking on water in one hand and the news of white supremacists gathering in Charlottesville, VA in the other. Together, we recognize that at the center of our lives and faith must be the calling of Christ to be disciples in this world and nothing else. Though we may be called to things that feel overwhelming we must exit any and all boats Christ calls us out of, faithfully walk as far as we can, sink, and try again, trusting Christ to always be near.
Trinity engages this morning with a text that feels very familiar. This time, though, we wrestle with the question "What if Jesus' disciples said 'No'?" In this question, we are called to reevaluate how we view our discipleship in daily life, and whether Christ is truly central to all that we do.
Trinity continues its tour of Jesus' parables, this time met with the parable of the wheat and the weeds. While Jesus' explanation seems pretty cut and dry, we also remember as a congregation that we always hear Jesus words through his death and resurrection.
As Trinity enters a time of dwelling in Jesus' parables, we begin with the parable of the sower. Full of seed scattered everywhere, this text stretches our understanding of the bounds of God's grace and love for the whole world.
In the 11th chapter of Matthew Trinity hears a lesson that seems to be a soft message for all who eagerly answer Jesus' calling. And yet, in the text surrounding our lesson and in our own very lives we see that no one answers Jesus' calling fully, we all struggle with our own stubbornness in light of Jesus' teaching, and we are all met with a God who draws near, replacing a pattern of stubbornness with a pattern of grace.
As Trinity returns from its Summer Picnic on June 25th, we settle into a familiar text with a stressful, anxiety filled background of division. Nevertheless, God appears here to both draw us into communion with God's own self and one another for the sake of a gospel of grace and mercy in our world.
On this third and final Sunday of Trinity's focus on stewardship, we remember all the ways that God has blessed and gifted us individually and as a congregation for generations before us. Now it is our turn as Trinity to be the caretakers of these gifts of God, centered in the gospel message for one another, our neighbors, and generations to come.
As Trinity hears the familiar commission of Jesus for his apostles, we continue our focus on the gifts of God in our lives and what kind of fruits God grows through our stewardship.
On Pentecost Sunday Trinity celebrates the experience of being a congregation together, and how God has created, is creating, and will create good gifts through this congregation by the stewardship and sharing of our individual gifts
On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Trinity focuses on the voice that gives us and all people promise, hope, and love throughout our lives.
As Trinity hears Jesus' claim that his disciples will do the very things he has done throughout the gospel (and even more! we consider the people we look like and act like, and even consider how God has made us each a bit like God's own self.
On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Trinity celebrates Creation Sunday as well as the imagery of Christ as shepherd and gate. While these images seem to be an odd pairing, they both boil down to voice of God in our daily life.
As Trinity walks through the road to Emmaus text, we reflect on the places where we know Christ to be in our regular Sunday assembly, and in the ways that Jesus surprises us in everyday life, revealing his presence to us in an instant.
As Trinity is faced with a familiar text of "doubting" Thomas on the Second Sunday of Easter, we are met with a life-long view of Jesus' love for Thomas, and a life-long understanding of Jesus' love for us as well.
Happy Easter! Trinity celebrates the resurrection of Jesus in joyful fashion, remembering that just as God appears to Mary and Mary with the most common of words, God dwells with us in the most common of places and experiences.
As Trinity enters Maundy Thursday we use Jesus' question for the disciples to reflect on the new commandment before us, to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
On this Palm Sunday, Trinity reflects on the Passion of Christ, the love of God for all people, and the arms of Christ's love that have held us in family and neighbors throughout our lives.
On the 5th Sunday of Lent, Trinity considers what it means to be a resurrection people, and take a deeper look at how resurrection impacts our daily life.
On the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Trinity joins the crowds of people and the man born blind in John 9. As we hear that Jesus is the light of the world, we see how Jesus' light tells the truth of what is in our hearts as the love of God is handed out freely.
On the third Sunday of Lent, Trinity joins Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. Remembering the baptismal foundation of God's love for us and the world from last week, Trinity enters into confusion and grounding as Jesus offers the living water to people quite different from himself. Likewise, we consider the people in today's world who are quite different from us, and what it means when the living water of baptism trickles towards them.
On the Second Sunday of Lent, Trinity turns to the foundation of their faith, seen in the water and the Word of baptism, centered in the love of God for the whole world.
Trinity is joined this first Sunday in Lent by Rev. Richard Jorgensen, Director for Evangelical Mission in Region 8 of the ELCA. In a walk through Jesus' own temptation story of Matthew 4, Rev. Jorgensen leads us in a consideration of our own temptations, emphasizes awareness in the subtle allure and misdirection of temptation, and points to God's love that calls us from temptation and lifts us up in our weakness.
On the final Sunday before Lent, Trinity considers Jesus' strange command for the disciples to tell no one of the Transfiguration event "until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." As Jesus teaches us that we cannot see to glory of Christ without the cross, we also learn that Jesus continues to transfigure the reality around us in the places of the cross throughout the world today.
Note: We would like to apologize for the quality of the microphone during the reading of the gospel. The sermon is crystal clear, though!
As Trinity concludes its look at the 5th chapter of Matthew, we encounter one more very difficult lesson telling us to love our enemies. In all reason this may seem ridiculous, and yet we discover that God has a habit of bringing new life into places that seem unchanging with a creativity that breaks the binary of everyday life.
The commands from Jesus in the Matthew 5 text for today may seem grating and harsh and impossible. As Trinity encounters these words from a selfless, unconditionally loving Christ, we consider together what this means for our calling as Christians in this world.
Trinity encounters God speaking, and the power that comes with that, in a familiar Matthew 5 text of calling and promise to be salt and light for the world.
As Trinity finishes its January focus on stewardship, we sit with a text of God's blessing towards specific groups of people in the world. As we see these blessings as not earned but full of grace, we pray for the stewardship and grace to become a part of God's blessing in this world.
As Trinity enters the Second Sunday after Epiphany, we welcome Gettysburg Seminarian Kali Saint-Wyatt as she walks us through Jesus' ministry beginnings in the Gospel of John.
Trinity resumes its stewardship focus in 2017 by considering the move that Jesus makes beginning his ministry in Matthew 4. As Jesus moves from an Isaiah 9 idea of mission into action, we too are called to steward all that we have and all that we are in this same mission-to-action movement.
As Trinity begins its stewardship focus for the year, we look at the concept of tithing not as a strict formula for calculating offering totals, but as an issue of identity for God and for us.
As Trinity gathers for its late service on Christmas Eve, we reflect on on the church bells that used to ring in our communities and the calling of disciples to, like the shepherds, ring out when we see and hear God in our midst.
As Trinity gathers for its early service on Christmas Eve, children of all ages follow clues to discover where the bells of Christmas lead us, and to uncover what they are saying.
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, Trinity considers how Jesus defines what a disciple does in Matthew, and we apply it to our very lives.
On this Second Sunday of Advent, Trinity focuses on the two things the Son of Man brings in our Matthew text: a embodied sense of who God is with a calling to match, and a mirror.
As Trinity celebrates the final Sunday of the liturgical calendar, Christ the King Sunday, we consider together how the kingship of Christ is different that the kings and rulers of this world. In light of these differences, we also consider which king we are to emulate.
As Trinity reflects on the emotions and experiences of this past election cycle, we read a text equally as concerning. In this, we hear a consistent message of God moving toward us, of discipleship, and of (surprisingly) peace.
As Trinity celebrates All-Saints Sunday, we remember the saints who have taught us our faith and discipleship from every time and place, and hear our own calling to be those saints for one another.
Joined by guest preacher and Regional Gift Planner Rev. Liz Polanzke, Trinity considers the ever reforming nature of God as it is experienced through a constant message: God loves us.
As the nation is presented with leaders battling for power, Trinity considers an alternative way of life that Jesus presents by parable. Through fundamental differences, opposing viewpoints, and sins of every kind we are called to remember that just as God has mercy, grace, and love for us all we too should have mercy, grace, and love for our neighbor.
While the work of an unjust judge seems like a strange place to discover a relationship with God, Trinity nonetheless searches for the good news in Jesus' parable, ultimately stumbling across a call to dwell with God.
This week Trinity wrestles with the 17th chapter of Luke in its complexity surrounding the central topic of faith. Ultimately, we see an increasing focus on belief and commitment by grace throughout the chapter, all hinging on Jesus' seemingly strange use of vulture imagery.
Trinity considers a confusing and uncomfortable text that Jesus presents in Luke 17, ultimately finding that there is grace and responsibility in the midst of forgiveness.
Trinity faces its fifth week of talking about stewardship thanks to the Gospel of Luke's insistence on the subject! Together, Trinity discovers the clear calling of God to use all our gifts - financial and otherwise - for the good of all those in need. With this calling is incredible, undeserved grace along with the yoke of responsibility.
Joined by Chelle Huth, a volunteer from the Lutheran Camping Corporation, Trinity looks at how our local church camps help our community work to keep our baptismal promises and, by the grace of God, see a vision of what life together as the body of Christ may look like.
For a third time Trinity considers all that we have and all that we are, and seeing these as gifts of God. We then ask what it means to care for something that is not ours with all our heart, calling this act by its given name: stewardship.
As the tables of last week are followed by a very grating and challenging text of discipleship this week. Trinity considers all that we have individually and together, asking if our discipleship matches what Jesus presents.
Looking at Jesus' proposed table etiquette, Trinity considers the tables of our time, our money, our family, our everything, and who we believe to sit at the head of those tables.
Honoring the Sabbath can be a challenging thing is a busy world, but Trinity nonetheless takes a look at Jesus' action of healing on the Sabbath, the Second Commandment, and a developing ethic of what brings and promotes life.
With guest preacher Rev. Lauren Muratore, Trinity is invited to consider the power behind what we consider our treasure, and the power behind sharing those treasures with all creation just as God has shared, is sharing, and will always share overabundant love with us.
As Trinity considers where our treasure is, we look at the effort we put towards prayer, the grace of God in the midst of that effort, and how we are oriented toward God and toward neighbor.
The Lord's Prayer is one of the many ways Jesus taught his disciples to center their lives in the movement, work, and grace of the Kingdom of God. This week, Trinity reflects on their week of prayer as we center ourselves in the midst of God's kingdom come, and God's will be done.
The people of Trinity, after hearing the popular story of Mary and Martha, consider the balance they have each struck between the work they are called to do and a regular conversation with the God that calls them. In this, we are challenged to pray each morning this week, and will reflect on the experience this next Sunday.
Confronted by the needless death of our African American brothers and sisters throughout the country, the needless death of several police officers in Dallas, and the very parable of Jesus for today, Trinity considers if our neighboring looks like what Jesus had in mind.
Seeing the 70 sent out in today's text by Jesus and coming back rejoicing, Trinity considers together and individually what we are being sent out to do.
Hearing what seems to be a standard healing story of Jesus, Trinity focuses on the out-of-order nature of grace for all God's people.
Finally back into "Ordinary Time," Trinity reorients to the center of our existence. Hint: it's not us.
As Trinity celebrates its own namesake we are encouraged to share our stories of God in each of our own lives, trusting that there is grace for any theological shortcomings.
On this Pentecost Sunday, Trinity celebrates the Spirit that teaches us new ways of sharing Christ over time.
As we celebrate all of God's creation, Trinity talks about the call as disciples to be keepers of God's word.
Confronted with Jesus' new commandment in John 13, Trinity wrestles with their identities as simultaneously saint and sinner, both chicken and pig.
Celebrating the baptisms of two of our youngest disciples and listening to the John 10 text, Trinity looks for the voice of God in the most common of places.
On this third Sunday of Easter, Trinity finds Jesus eating breakfast with his disciples, and asks what it looks like for us to commune with Jesus and our neighbors today.
As Trinity looks at the text for this Sunday in a post-Easter holiday daze, we consider as disciples what to do with a resurrected Jesus.
Happy Easter! This Sunday, Trinity explores the root of Christian hope. In Christ, we see that God's love is unending and unconditional.
Trinity looks at the weird tension that stands between Jesus' palm-strewn entry into Jerusalem and Jesus' spectacle of a crucifixion a few days later, recognizing our own participation in the suffering of Christ and neighbor.
Seeing Jesus' experience on the way to the cross, Trinity explores what Christ's disciples are called to as we approach the beginning of Holy Week.
This week Trinity explores the parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15, while discovering the love of God when we feel like the younger or older son (or anywhere in between).
As we mark time almost halfway through Lent, Trinity looks at the incredibly challenging, blunt calling of Jesus to turn back to God, all the while seeking grace in the midst of such a calling.
On the second Sunday of Lent, the people of Trinity talk about how intentional, open space give aid to hearing the voice of God in everyday life.
As we begin our Lenten walk together, Trinity talks about Jesus' desert experience as a way of discovering what temptation might be defined as and how we might, by the grace of God, resist.
As Trinity begins its Lenten pilgrimage, we focus together on a call to be in communion with God, and find promises of love in the very certainty of our mortality.
Celebrating Jesus' transfiguration moment, Trinity considers what baptismal our lives look like in light of the lived experience and heavenly experience of Jesus' mountaintop companions.
Back from their snowy break, Trinity looks at a very difficult lesson from Jesus and considers the role faith plays in the midst of new understandings of God.
With no church on this snowed-in Sunday, Trinity takes a devotional approach to the gospel text for today with three main questions: "What is the text trying to do/say?" "What are our questions?" and finally, "So what?"
After hearing a surprising commissioning miracle of Jesus' ministry, Trinity Arendtsville reflects on what we experience when God seems to take an unexpected path.
As we celebrate the Jesus' own baptism, Trinity Arendtsville remembers their own baptismal promises, called brothers and sisters to Christ and loved by a God who knows the whole of our lives - good and bad.
Struggling to get back into the swing of things after the post-holiday slump, Trinity returns to the basics of Christian self understanding: we are a resurrection people.
Merry Christmas! Trinity Lutheran Church in Arendtsville celebrates the birth of Christ, remembering that the grace of God is an unearned, beautiful gift.
In the final Sunday of Advent, Trinity Lutheran explores the movement Luke places in the first chapter of his gospel narrative, discerning through it our call towards our neighbor and God.
On the third Sunday in Advent, Trinity Lutheran takes a look at the moments when the joy of the gospel wells up in life, and where the joy of the gospel is prone to be found.
Trinity Lutheran looks at the second Sunday in Advent through the light of the gospel, being called to live outside of socially constructed "either/or" scenarios and work for justice as widely and earnestly as Christ.
Trinity Lutheran begins their advent focus by turning to a difficult Lukan text, looking for hope in the midst of a similar world.
Trinity Lutheran takes a look at what type of king Christ is (and what type of king we at times may want him to be) as we celebrate the final Sunday of our liturgical year.
With an eye and heart towards the deaths in France and destruction worldwide, Trinity Lutheran works through an at times uneasy text of Jesus' own predictions.
A sermon given on All Saints Sunday celebrating the people past, present, and future that by the Holy Spirit speak, sing, work, and love faith into our hearts.
The sermon given at Trinity, Arendtsville on September 6th, 2015, facing the issue of racism in the Mark 7 text as well as our daily lives.