What an amazing conclusion to our whirlwind Unite to be Debt Free stewardship campaign!  ‘Miracle’ just about sums it up.  Before June 13^th, we had already received from you over 15% of our goal of $120,000.  Now, with initial gifts and pledges, we are 60% of way there.  We are also on track with apportionments, paying our bills on time and increasing our investments instead of drawing down as usual.  The immediate monetary goal may not have been met on Miracle Sunday, but this campaign has successfully focused Trinity United Methodist Church on it’s larger goal of being a radically hospitable place (didn’t we have fun doing this!?) which is also financially stable.   I am very excited to see what great new heights our loving little church can reach when it has a stable foundation from which to work.  Thanks to all of you who made this possible and by that I mean everyone!

Bethany, ‘Unite to Be Debt Free’ Stewardship Campaign Chairperson

Week 6

(Written by Wendy Countryman)

Prayer for families:
Lord,

It’s fun to ride in the elevator, and the ramp for the wheelchairs looks like a perfect place for skateboarding.

But when I see someone at church who is able to come and worship because we have a ramp and an elevator, I forget about my fun, and thank you that our church is accessible.

Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Adults:
Lord,

I know the thought, the objection, “Why do we need to spend all that money for an elevator? I don’t need it?”

And then, one day, there she is, coming to church for the first time in years because now she can enter the sanctuary.

And then, one day, there he is, returning after a stroke, because even with a walker, his church is still within reach.

So thank you, for those who saw it first with eyes of faith, who saw how it could be.  Amen.

Week 5

(Written by Wendy Countryman)

Prayer for families:
Lord,

Hands come in different sizes, big, little, narrow, wide. They come in different colors, too — ivory, caramel, coffee, olive, pink. Some hands can play a piano, other hands can play with the mud. Some hands can build with blocks, and some can build with brick. But everyone’s hands can wipe away a tear, touch a friend, fold in prayer. Everyone’s hands can do these things. So here are my hands, Lord, for you to use.

Prayer for Adults:
Lord,

Look at these hands, they have done so many things in this lifetime. They have played in the sand, clapped for joy, worked and served.

Now that these hands are old, what can they do? They can still wipe away a tear, stroke a child’s hair, touch a friend, fold in prayer.

Look at these hands, they have so much yet to do.  Amen.