The Lord be with you! Greetings from my study at home as we continue the stay at home orders to slow the spread of the covid-19 virus. The news that the rate of increase is beginning to slow in many places is heartening. My deepest gratitude goes out to the heroes on the front lines who are treating infected people and savings lives. Let us clap our hands or bang a pan for all the medical personnel, first responders, firefighters, police officers, EMT’s, military, disaster relief workers, grocery workers, food service workers, public health and government officials and others who are working around the clock to slow the spread and keep us all safe and healthy. God has a way of motivating people during a crisis to rise to the occasion and go the extra mile to help others in need. This is very encouraging and gratifying to see. God bless them all!
I trust that you and your family and friends are safe and healthy and making the most out of a challenging occasion. An old hymn is entitled “New Occasions Teach New Duties.” So, I hope you are learning new ways to cope with the situation at hand. At our house we continue to play a lot of Bananagram*, work jigsaw puzzles, skype or face time with our family and friends, try new recipes, walk around the block every day, and watch old movies from the 1950’s. My favorite so far has been “To Catch a Thief” with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. The scenery on the French Riviera is breathtaking! I have even begun de-cluttering my study. You wouldn’t believe the things I have rediscovered! So, I hope you fill your time at home with constructive activities and fill your minds with positive thinking during this present storm.
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Christians live by faith, not by sight. God does not promise to shield us from all disasters or to pluck us out of every dark valley, but God does promise to walk with us through the valleys of life and to give us comfort and the tools that we need to survive and thrive again. I encourage you to spend more time in prayer and to read scripture to strengthen your faith. Reach out electronically to family and friends. Also, please continue to tune in on Sunday mornings and worship with us online. This is not the preferred method of worship, but it is the best we can do under the current situation. I thank all of you who have sent in your kind words about the service and have continued to send in your tithes and offerings to keep our ministry afloat.
We will get through this! I firmly believe that the God who has brought us this far will continue to sustain us. I have it on good authority that we will gather again soon in the sanctuary and sing together “Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!” – with Frank pulling out all the stops on the organ and the choir singing with great joy and gusto! Thank you for all you do, and may God be with you.
All in-person church activities - services, meetings, programs - remain suspended for the month of April, until further notice.
Please know that Trinity's elders, deacons, and staff are praying for you, your loved ones, and your friends as we all stay home to help ease the burden on our hospitals, urgent care centers, and their medical and support staff. If you should have a need you'd like to share, please email David or the church office.
Robin Overcash’s brother, Sam Mills, who had been diagnosed with cancer in the liver and bile duct, has now been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is beginning to receive hospice care. Please keep Sam and Robin and their whole family in your prayers during this difficult time.
A friend and former co-worker of Diane Catalano, Romina Causi, lost her husband, Anthony, on April 12th due to the coronavirus. He was 48 years old and leaves behind his wife and two young children, ages 5 and 2. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers during this time of deep sadness.
Davion Davis, a good friend of Natalie Pierce and a student of Robin Brown, tragically drowned at Falls Lake on April 8th. His school and family are grieving strongly over the loss of this close friend and family member. Please keep them all in your prayers.
As we continue to pay the church's unchanging monthly obligations, we remain sincerely grateful for your giving. Your faithfulness, generosity, and helpfulness are more than appreciated!
We recognize that for many of us this is an uncertain time, and are grateful that you give as you are able. If you find yourself in a difficult position and would like to request assistance from the church, please write a confidential email to David. As a staff note, Virginia continues to check the mail (and voicemail) daily as she is able.
