Are you busy? I sure am! Busy. Busy. Busy. Every moment programmed, every day earmarked. Every hour, a different appointment. Pulled here, pulled there.
Sometimes I think we are proud that we are so busy. It seems an example of purpose, of high work ethic. Sometimes I wonder if we think our busy-ness is a mark of our worth. It isn’t.
We mistake busy-ness for self-definition. We mistake busy-ness for virtue.
Does this modern phenomenon of busy-ness, of over-commitment tell us anything about who we truly are?
Or is busy-ness our way of defining ourselves, of believing that we are what we do?
Is busy-ness is a distraction from our deepest need to know and to be known? To love and to be loved? Is it how we hide from the deeper questions that hammer our subconscious—which might be also the Spirit poking and nudging us to do deeper soul work?
Don’t worry if you don’t know the answers to these questions. I don’t either. But asking these questions is as important as answering them.
As people of faith, we are on an inward-outward journey. Inward into the deepest yearnings of our soul, the knowledge of our true selves sheltered in God’s own heart. We are on the outward journey, offering ourselves to God and to God’s work in the world.
We don’t always know the answers. Sometimes answers are well-hidden. So let me share with you a prayer from Thomas Merton that has always spoken to me, no matter where I am in my journeys:
M
y Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
Amen, indeed.
Pam+
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Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Saturday, February 2, 5:00 pm
Sunday, February 3,
8:00 and 10:00 am
Join us as we celebrate the
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and the Blessing of Candles. Bring your own candles from home for a blessing, or accept a candle offered at church. Join us in the beautiful moment of remembrance for the Light of the World.
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Show the Soup Kitchen
Some LOVE!
$800 Matching Donation
Trinity's Soup Kitchen has received an
$800 Matching Donation for the month of February.
During February, the donor will match all donations up to
$800.
Do you regularly donate to the Soup Kitchen? This will double the impact of your gift. If you are a first-time donor, what a great way to begin! Please show some love to this
wonderful organization during the Month of Love.
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If
Tidings from Trinity seems to end here, or close below, please scroll further down and click on View Entire Message. The whole newsletter will then open up for your reading enjoyment.
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Serve the Present.
Honor the Past.
Provide for the Future
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Thank you to everyone who pledged during this past stewardship season!
Sixty pledges were made,
three of which were new. Altogether, the pledges equaled
$215,538.00. That amount will enable Trinity to provide adequate worship, programming, and outreach ministries in the year ahead. It is a great start on serving the present and providing for the future. Some of you are not pledgers, but do support Trinity financially on a regular basis. We are grateful for your support, as well.
If you have not yet submitted a pledge, it’s not too late! During 2018, seventy-two pledges were made, so if you still want to express your generosity to Trinity in a financial pledge, it would be a great help. This church has so much to offer God’s beloved world. The church does a lot already, but could do even more if everyone made financial pledges in support. As you continue in your spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, study, and the giving of time, talent, and treasure, please consider how you might offer more to the God who gives us breath every day.
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A Peaceable Kingdom
Fun Festival for Children, age 3 and up!
Sunday, February 24, 2:00-4:00 pm
Come all ye young ones (parents are welcome, too). An afternoon of fun activities, including painting a mural, songs, other activities, and of course, snacks!
Feel free to invite your friends!
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Friday, February 8
5:30 p.m.
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Come join us in the Parish Hall for potluck Dinner and a Movie!
The movie will be "
The King and I"—a classic musical with classic performances!
Bring a side dish or dessert, and take a break from everything!
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Trinity Episcopal Church
Newcomers Dinner!
If you have been at Trinity for only year or less, you are a Newcomer and are cordially invited to a Newcomer's Dinner on
Saturday, February 9th, at The Apollo Grill, Bethlehem.
Please come and join us for great conversation and great food! Please RSVP by emailing pam.trinitybeth.org.
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Needed: Work crew to help clean up after each Sunday brunch. The more folks who volunteer for this, the better. More people, less work! If you would be willing to serve in this capacity, please
click here.
Once a month, we will give the Hospitality Ministry a break. On those Sundays, we will have a Potluck Brunch. There will be sign-up sheets on the board outside the Rector's office, both for potluck and for work crew volunteers.
Potluck Sundays
February 10
March 10
April 14
May 12
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Listening Sessions will resume sometime
in February. Stay tuned for more details!
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For the sake of better communication . . .
We have created a new email account for reporting Trinity events you'd like to see publicized either through our newsletter, or other weekly email blasts. The address is: communications@trinitybeth.org. You may also add folks to the prayer list.
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Buy Scrip Cards Year Round!
Cards are available for many retailers in the area and online. List of cards available at
Great Lakes Scrip link.
The cards must be purchased with cash or check from
Pat Sisson, at rssdbs@aol.com.
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Friday, February 1-Saturday, February 2
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Potluck Brunch after 10:00 service
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A Festival of Fun for Children and Youth! 2:00-4:00 pm, Parish Hall
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The Imposition of Ashes
Service times to be announced
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First Sunday in Lent
Potluck Brunch after 10:00 service
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Maundy Thursday, April 18
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Maundy Thursday Service with Footwashing and Eucharist
Dinner 5:30 p.m.
Service 6:30 p.m.
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Good Friday Services
Times to be announced later
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Easter Vigil 7:00 p.m.
Easter Feast afterwards!
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The Day of Resurrection!
Festal Services 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Parish Breakfast between services hosted by Trinity Vestry
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Serving This Month
Lectors, acolytes, intercessors, Altar Guild, ushers, greeters, eucharistic ministers:
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Birthdays
Jane Frey, February 2
Linda Cortis, February 10
Patty Hauze, February 12
Robert Hornyak, February 12
Charles Johns, February 12
Bob Lawrence, February 14
Logan Vitalos, February 14
Carole Gorney Bryant, February 15
Linda Norman, February 15
Mark Freeh, February 17
Debbie Lane, February 19
Sue Ditterline, February 20
Anniversaries
Katherine and Jeffrey Johnston, February 1
Hattye and Ken McGee, February 5
Margaret and Melvin Bachman, February 9
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44 E. Market Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
610-867-4741
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Saturday Service: 5:00 pm
Sunday Services: 8:00 & 10:00am
Office: 9:00am-2:00pm, M-F
Soup Kitchen: 12:00-1:00pm, M-F
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