Dear Trinity Siblings in Christ,

As we enter into fall, I am mindful of the unrest, uncertainty, and unknowns that we face.  Many are entering into the fall not refreshed and ready to go but many are experiencing fatigue from the pandemics we are facing.  Yes, I said pandemics plural.  We are not only facing the pandemic of Covid-19 of which we are very aware but we are also facing the pandemic of hatred.  As Christians, we are called to witness to God’s love, mercy, and grace.  At times this is exhausting and discouraging but I would like to share with you a bible verse and prayer that is keeping me grounded during this time. 

It is one I am sure you have heard me quote before.  This verse I learned at a very young age from my grandmother.

Phillipians 4:4-9

Rejoice[c] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved,[e] whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[f] these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

And the prayer has been a source of grounding for me in the last few months. 

SERENITY PRAYER

[composed by theologian and ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr, 1892-1971]

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things which should be changed,

and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as we know it,

Not as we would have it,

Trusting that YOU will make all things right,

 If we surrender to YOUR will,

So that we may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with YOU forever in the next. Amen.

Beloved people of God, in the days, weeks, months ahead I encourage you to “Let your gentleness be known to everyone trusting that God is with us and for us and will get us through this life and into the next. 

Pastor Krista