Launch Sunday, New Sermon Series, and Prayers for the Middle East
Dear Friends,
This past Sunday (10/15 @ 10:15am) was Trinity Church’s “official launch,” and there is so much to be grateful for. I must confess — I was very nervous. Jenny could definitely tell I was anxious on Saturday, and that feeling continued until I stood in the front of the room and declared: “Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” and heard a roomful of people reply: “And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever!”
What a joy it was to hear that space full of God’s people singing his praises, to baptize two dear boys, to break off piece after piece of homemade, gluten free Communion bread and place it in waiting palms: “the body of Jesus, given for you.” I am grateful for the small army of volunteers that does almost everything, from brewing far above average church coffee, to setting up chairs, to setting up and staffing three different kids classrooms and figuring out sound systems and bringing snacks and cake and welcoming neighbors and coordinating it all. What a blessing to see God’s people at work, preparing a community space for God’s people to gather and worship and learn and pray!!!
We set up 120 chairs. When the kids came back from their classes for Communion, they were mostly full, and that’s not taking into account the children and volunteers that remained in the nursery. All of the technology worked as it was supposed to, except for the two different ways we were trying to record the service. We’ll figure that out for next week.
It’s been a joy to figure out the little distinctives to our worshipping life — mostly they center around young people. I love that our worship team is nearly half young people, and that we have a music director who loves teaching and including them. I love the prayer we pray for kids as they head to their classes before the sermon. I love that it is always a kid who sends us out into the world at the close of the service.
We have welcomed first time and returning visitors every week we've have gathered for worship. I continue to pray that God would grow his church at his pace, even as we are faithful to take risks in inviting friends and neighbors who may not yet know Jesus.
The highlight for me was baptizing W. and C. Specifically, immediately after I baptized 3 year old W., he looked up at me, gave me a huge grin and giant “thumbs up” and said: “Hey — that’s good!” Yes, indeed, it is good!!
Sermon Reflection
This past Sunday we began a series I’m calling “Come and See.” We looked at John 1:29-42, as John the Baptist declared three earth-shattering truths about Jesus: Lamb of God (who takes away the sin of the word), Dove-Bearer of God (who will baptize in the Spirit), and Son of God (the titled claimed by Roman Emperors).
We noted that John the Baptist’s disciples didn’t do anything with this announcement; it wasn’t until Jesus came by the next day and John the Baptist again declared: “Look: the Lamb of God!” that they actually did something about it. But what they did wasn’t much — they followed him at a distance. They just got walking. And then when Jesus turned and asked them the question he still often asks us today (“what are you seeking”), they respond with what I can only imagine to be an awkward, stuttering response: “Where are you staying"?”
But Jesus, in his patience, invites them to “come and see.” No rules, no list of requirements … in fact, not much at all, except for an open invitation to spend some time with him.
I shared that I believe Jesus is still offering this invitation today: to come and see. To spend some time with him. To just get walking with him, to see what he’s about.
And that’s what we’ll do in the coming weeks. We’ll spend some time getting to know Jesus in these opening chapters of John — who he is, what he’s about. And we’ll do it together.
Prayers for the Middle East
It’s been hard to ignore the news coming from the Middle East this week. Here is what we prayed this past Sunday as we prayed for the Middle East:
First, we acknowledged the overwhelming horror of it all. The fear, and grief, and devastation. The horrific violence. The evil on display. I must confess: I don’t remember exactly what I prayed here, as this part of the prayer wasn’t written down.
Second, I prayed the following prayer from our Book of Common Prayer (p. 654):
27. FOR THE PEACE OF THE WORLD
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Third, I prayed another prayer from our Book of Common Prayer (p. 659):
43. FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lastly, we prayed: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” before confessing our own sins in thought, word and deed.
Often, especially in the face of overwhelming tragedy, I don’t know what to do. But we can always pray, and I’ve found it tends to be a good place to start, so please continue praying with me.
Prayer Requests and Invitation
This coming Sunday, we’ll continue with John 1:43-51. I’ve already started working on this text, and I am really looking forward to Sunday. I am hoping we’ll figure out sermon recording for this one!
We’re meeting again this week at the Woods Community Center in Burke Centre (10100 Wards Grove Cir, Burke, VA 22015) at 10:15am. Please do visit us!
Lastly, a few prayer requests:
Thanksgiving for the church God is growing! And that we would grow to be a community that listens faithfully to the Lord’s voice, paying attention (together) to what he is doing in us and among us.
For wisdom: specifically, that I would do the right thing at the right time, when there is always more that could be done, and for us (as a church) to take the right next steps as a church.
For patience: that I (and we) would submit to God’s terms and God’s timeline, and that we would move forward at Godspeed, that we might run with endurance the race set before us. I’m in this for the long haul, and deeply desire to move at God’s pace rather than my own.
Dear friends, thank you for your partnership in this work! For the ways you have given of your time, your talent, and your treasure.
If you’d like to know what’s going on in our church, our Church Center is always the best way. If you’d like to contribute financially to this work, you can do that here. Photos from Sunday will be coming — we’ll post some of those here.
What a joy it is to follow Jesus together. To God be the glory!!
In Christ,
Rev. Mike Seawright