The Trinity Community
May 19, 2013 – Pentecost Sermon
Pastor Marianne Cotter

My sermon is a prelude to the more important message this morning: a vision for the future of Trinity Church (shared by Laura Graves and Bethany Pluymers). What I offer now is the spiritual roots of that vision. In 1968, there was a block on Wisconsin Avenue right off the square that was home to two distinct congregations: First Evangelical United Brethren Church (First EUB) and First Methodist Church. In April of that year the EUB’s and Methodists merged forming the United Methodist Church. Not long after that, Ralph Alton (first Wisconsin bishop of the newly formed United Methodist Church) urged First EUB (the smaller of the two churches) to vote: merge with First Methodist or the near west side congregation named Trousdale on Vilas Avenue. The vote was 168 in favor of Trousdale, 65 in favor of joining First Methodist. And so, a new congregation – Trinity United Methodist Church – was born.

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Summer Worship Series – A Prayer and a Song

May 26
When Our Tears Become Our Prayer
“When Jesus Wept”   (Psalm 56 & John 11:28-37) Psalm 23
Prayers for healing will be offered after worship for all who wish to stay.

June 2
We’re ‘In a Relationship’
“Father, I Adore You”   (Matthew 7:7-11)  Wesley’s Covenant Prayer -
The Great Thanksgiving from “For Everyone Born” Sung by the Trinity Singers

June 9
Gospel Hootenanny led by Rev. Bob Jones with members of Madfiddle

June 16
The Wrestling Match
“Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown”  by Charles Wesley (Genesis 18:16-33)
Thomas Merton’s Prayer  “My Lord God, I do not see the road ahead of me…”

June 23 
Mark Saltzman  preaching

June 30
Silence: God’s First Language
“Let Go, Let Be” Chant by Kristopher Lindquist (1 Kings 19:4-15) – Centering Prayer

A mission opportunity that is offered each year at the Wisconsin Annual Conference is an ‘Ingathering’ of supply kits that can be distributed through UMCOR to those in need. This year, the Trinity Ad Council decided to focus on collecting supplies for School Bag Kits:

• 3 Notebooks (8 x 10.5”- spiral are best)
• 6 Pencils (#2, unsharpened, no advertising)
• 1 Blunt School Scissors
• 1 12” Ruler (with metric)
• 1 2.5” Eraser
• 1 24 Count Box of Crayola Crayons
• 1 Pencil Sharpener
• 1 2 Handled Tote Bag of Sturdy Fabric
• $1 for Shipping

Please consider donating a kit, individual items to make kits or money to be used toward the purchase of supplies and shipping costs no later than Sunday, May 26th.

Kits will be assembled by our Sunday School children on June 2nd and then taken to the Ingathering by Laura Graves during Annual Conference, June 7-10.

Starting Wednesday, May 15, we will study together A Quiet Pentecost by Dwight Judy.

All are welcome to come explore ways United Methodists are intentionally inviting the Holy Spirit into the life of their congregations in innovative ways! Books are available ($11). Check with Pastor Marianne to get your copy.

This study will meet three Wednesdays in May (15th, 22nd and 29th) from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

The last youth event for the school year is coming up. We will be meeting at Trinity at 10 AM on Saturday, May 11th, 2013, for a bike ride around Lake Wingra, ending in Vilas Park around 11:15 AM. We will have a potluck picnic and would like to invite the entire congregation to come and join. Everyone should bring a dish that can be shared. If you prefer not to ride your bike, you are more than welcome to join us directly at Vilas Park at the picnic tables between the playground and the zoo around 11:15 AM.

If you have any questions, please call me.

Thanks and hope to see you all there!

Blessings, Chris Tabisz