Day of Pentecost: Red as the color of fire is used on this day when we remember the tongues of fire descended on the crowd in Jerusalem. In contrast to the color of scarlet, Pentecost’s red is a bright color
Trinity
United
Lutheran
Church
We share...our own selves
“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with
you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you
have become very dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8
What sort of memories do you have growing up? If you’re like me,
they’re both good and bad. All of my favorite memories revolve
around people I’ve spent time with. Walking in the woods in suburban
Detroit with my Grandfather, looking in the snow for “bear” tracks. My
Mom rocking me back to sleep after I had a nightmare. Playing Kickthe-
can until way after dark with all the neighborhood kids. Family
trips where we spent hours bored in the car— but always found something
to pass the time. Fishing trips with my Dad. Coming home from
college and spending a day with my Grandmother, learning all her baking
secrets, a short time before she died. So much of the ordinary becomes
extraordinary through love and caring.
The apostle Paul wrote with love and care to the Christian community
at Thessalonica.. “So deeply do we care for you,” he wrote, “that we
are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also
our own selves…” Why? “...Because you have become very dear to
us.” When we come together as a church to worship, to share coffee,
conversation, and concerns, or to work together as the people of God,
we share not only the Gospel but our very selves. It’s that time spent
together that is so important. So much of it seems ordinary. We may
sit next to each other on Sunday morning, or drive youth to a retreat,
or help fold bulletins. Ordinary events. But the Love we’ve received
from God, that gets channeled out from us, makes these times extraordinary.
We need each other. Not just to support a budget or fill our church on
Sundays. We need the support and care of each other. God has great
things in store for us. In sharing our lives, our vision, our care and
concern for each other, what many would consider ordinary becomes
extraordinary.
Thanks be to God;
Pastor Rich