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A NEW FAMILY

THROWING OPEN THE DOORS OF THE SANCTUARY

For five weeks during the Easter season, welcome to the film series: A New Family —Throwing Open the Doors of the Sanctuary with Rachel Held Evans. While we presented several of these episodes in the Sunday Adult Forum Class just before shifting to remote ministry during the pandemic, several other people have expressed interest in the topic and presenter.  We are also making an opportunity to test the effectiveness of educational resources produced by outside professional media services, in this case Work of the People (workofthepeople.com).

Through her writing and speaking prior to her untimely death by illness in 2019, Rachel’s work opened a space for people to become involved with the evolution of their faith by example. A columnist, humorist, blogger and author, Rachel’s first book Evolving in Monkey Town explores her journey from religious certainty to a faith which accepts doubt and questioning; the title is based on the Scopes Monkey Trial that took place in Rachel’s hometown of Dayton, Tennessee.

Her subsequent books and public speaking engagements created a safe space for people to allow and examine their beliefs and doubts.  She strived to be grace-full while admitting her imperfection. Her advocation was for the heart of God which is for the people of God. All people, a diverse bunch of clumsy-yet-beautiful people of different races, cultures, beliefs, faiths, genders, and sexual orientations just doing our best to be human. She was a person who reached for the outsider and brought their voice and perspective into the fold. She inspired change and sometimes provoked resistance. But as she says in this series, her hope was to start more conversations than end them.

Each evening event will begin with a brief video conversation with Rachel followed by group discussion questions on these weekly themes:

Session One // With an Open Hand

Session Two // Remembering Jesus

Session Three // Gatekeeping

Session Four // The God Who Sees You

Session Five // Love is Biblical

You may participate in the conversation at 7:30pm, Thursdays April 15, April 22, April 29, May 6 and May 13 via Zoom at this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5931525374 or stream them anytime afterward at our YouTube channel:  engagedbygrace.

A new approach to Sunday School

While regular Sunday school classes are suspended during the pandemic, we look forward to learning with our preschool and elementary children in a new way .  Each Thursday from 6:00-6:30pm (the former time of children’s choir), the church staff will be conducting Child Enrichment via Zoom including music and a lesson using Sunday School materials for the Bible story we will be using in worship on the following Sunday.

You’re invited to join us for the Zoom gatherings at:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5931525374

Please contact Pastor Steve with any questions or suggestions at steve.wachtman@engagedbygrace.org.

Just as Christ joyfully bore His cross on the path to Golgotha, so He calls us to take up our crosses and follow Him == willingly, joyfully, triumphantly.  Acceptance of the cross indicates that we are willing to serve a Christ to a hurting world.  We are willing to do His work for His glory, willing to minister to His people through His Spirit, even willing to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  For more information about stewardship, please contact Max Buban.

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Walk in the Park with Prayers Returns!

Now that Holy Trinity has resumed in-person activities and the weather has cleared, we are resuming this monthly recreational event for all ages.  At the appointed locations below, each walk is designed to last for an hour on a surface suited for everyone.  Then any who want to walk longer often do.   Please contact the host for each walk for any questions or directions.

4:30pm, Sunday, April 11
Homestead Park
4675 Cosgray Rd
Hilliard, OH  43026
Host:  Pastor Steve (614-579-8128)

4:30pm, Sunday, May 16
Inniswoods Metro Garden
940 S Hempstead Rd
Westerville, OH  43081
Host:  Pastor Steve (614-579-8128)

Christ’s death on the cross assures us of our salvation.  Likewise, His Resurrection assures us that we, too, will rise again. In 1 Corinthians 15:17 and 19, Paul writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, you faith is futile….If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” Certainly for the Christian, eternal life has begun already, and the passing from this life to the next is just a blip on the screen.  In the confidence of such a sure hope, let us spend our time here in carrying on the work of Christ that the lost may be found and restored to their Savior.  For more information about stewardship, please contact Max Buban.

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Instructions for the Holy Saturday Labyrinth walk can be found here Holy Saturday Labrinyth.  You may engage in this as an actual walk, following the instructions.  Or you may participate in this as an imaginary walk, as you read through it.  Please enjoy the spiritually reflective experience and the time with Jesus.

Many thanks go to Matt and Ben Fox for helping Holy Trinity get our Audio-Visual ministry team off the ground (literally!)  Working in conjunction with Josh Brodbeck, Matt helped evaluate and set up cameras in the sanctuary last spring allowing us to live-stream worship services when we returned to in-person worship in the summer.  Matt and Ben have been the primary camera operators, audio engineers, and technical directors on Sunday mornings throughout the pandemic.  Just last week, they were high in the air running cable for additional cameras recently approved for purchase with an Endowment Fund grant.  Again, many thanks to Matt and Ben!  And now that they have the process running smoothly, be looking for opportunities to help with A-V Ministry team in the coming months!