Light that candle!

Trinity Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC

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We certainly have a lot to complain about these days, but the older I get the more I try to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. Someone recently said if a problem needs solving, don’t just call for a solution, be the solution. Jesus called his followers the light of the world and cautioned against hiding that light under a bushel basket. Instead, we are called to place it on a lamp stand, so that the light might shine upon the good works we do – not so that people will think highly of us but will be led to the source of that light and good works: God.

Unfortunately, we do not have a very big microphone in our secular culture, but we do have a voice. The choices we make in our daily living matter, and they are witness to the One we follow and serve. I know many of you join me in decrying the lack of civility and compassion in our world, from the highways to the halls of government and the boardrooms in the marketplace. This world could use a little kindness and empathy. People are too quick to judge and to explode. If we reminded ourselves that each person is created in the image and likeness of God before we speak or act, then civility and good citizenship might return.

I am certainly grateful to our Faith Development and Music Department teams for getting us off to good start in the new church year. Our handbell choir will play this Sunday, and on World Communion Sunday (Oct. 6) we will hold a joint service with Emmanuel Presbyterian and Iglesia Santuario in our sanctuary. Our children’s and adult choirs will sing an anthem together, and Emmanuel will present some inspiring music from their Ghanaian repertoire. After the service we will gather briefly in the courtyard for a group photo of our congregations by Ralph Everett’s drone!

We are entering the season of gratitude. Harvest time has traditionally been the time churches have invited church members to submit a pledge or an estimate of what they plan to give in the new year. This makes sense because autumn is when we see the blessings God in the annual harvest that sustains us. So we will talk a lot about gratitude this fall. Our congregation has been blessed in many ways this past year, not least in the welcoming of so many new members from Milner Memorial, who have hit the ground running and raised the bar on church attendance and participation. I continue to be grateful to each of you for your faithful support and generous giving.

I hope to see you in worship on Sunday. I will preach on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It is a real doozy. Come see if the Holy Spirit enables me to untie this Gordian knot.

Your friend,
David
Respond to David

Forward

This Sunday, Trinity will receive a generous gift from the members of Milner Memorial Presbyterian Church. Although the final worship service was held at Milner Memorial on March 3rd, the years of faithfulness and generous giving by its members will continue to support the work of ministry today and in the future. As we near the start of stewardship season, we are overwhelmed by the possibilities the Milner Memorial gift will have on projects outside the scope of the church’s yearly Operating Budget.

With care and foresight, Trinity’s Stewardship Team, Session, and our new members from Milner have developed and approved a plan for the use of these funds. There will be a second gift in March of 2020, and a plan will be developed for those funds early in the new year. For this initial distribution, the gift will make changes and improvements outside of the budget in the following ways:

Missions: 10% will be tithed
Mortgage: 40% will lower our mortgage loan’s principal
Property: 40% for deferred building maintenance
Continuing Education: 5% will create a fund for ministry and music staff
Office Equipment: 5% will be reserved to replace equipment/software

We would be more than remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the greater gift from Milner Memorial – the members who grew up at Milner, raised their families there, who volunteered and served whole-heartedly, and gave of their time, resources, and talent to create a church home that was loved and treasured by so many people. Please join us in recognizing their thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit – Ann, Bill, Bobby and Betsy, Dorothy, Gene, Jane, Julia, Lawrence, Lellon and JD, Mary Lou, Sheila, and Vera and Michael.

Upcoming Communion dates: October 6th and November 3rd

On October 6th, World Communion Sunday, we will receive the Peace and Global Witness offering. As the Presbyterian Mission Agency notes, the “Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice in our own communities and around the world.” The offering is divided as follows to promote peace: 25% stays with Trinity, 25% stays in our region, and 50% is channeled into global efforts.

Trinity’s mission team has designated the Salvation Army as the recipient of our local portion of funds. On their website, the Salvation Army is defined as “…an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”

Are you interested in joining Trinity, or perhaps simply exploring membership? We invite you to join David Huffman this Sunday in the church’s Parlor, from 3:00-4:15 pm. This informal class offers time for questions, and gives a good background to our faith and denominational structure. To participate, either speak with David or call the church office at 919-872-1142.

ACTS Fall Outings

Thursday, Oct. 3: Randleigh Dairy Museum & Dairy Farm
Highlight: A guided tour at 10a.m. ($11/person) - "The museum is a unique agritourism experience. It also honors the Kenan family, whose support helped create this educational destination at the NC State Dairy Farm. The Jersey cows are descended from William Rand Kenan’s original stock."

We're ready for PUMPKINS and the delivery date is set! We’ll receive the pumpkins on Saturday, October 12th. Shelley Clayton is looking for all hands on deck, if you are able, to help unload at around 3:30 pm. As a thank you, dinner will be provided after we unload the truck. Children and adults welcome! If you have a wheelbarrow, please bring it along. Thank you!

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