+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or Online | 9:30 AM+
As we get into the winter months, we are aware that inclement weather can happen on any day of the week. In the event of storms on the weekend, we will try to make decisions on Saturday evenings about changes to our Sunday morning schedule.
PLEASE CHECK TRINITY WEBSITE FOR CHURCH CANCELLATIONS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.
We continue to worship in a hybrid fashion. Please worship in the manner which is best for your household. Although we no longer require advance signup for in-person worship, please check in with a greeter as you arrive (for contact tracing purposes if needed). If a change needs to be made to this plan, we will notify you via email.
The fourth of the Old Testament promises providing a baptismal lens this Lent is the promise God makes to Moses: those who look on the bronze serpent will live. In today’s gospel Jesus says he will be lifted up on the cross like the serpent, so that those who look to him in faith will live. When we receive the sign of the cross in baptism, that cross becomes the sign we can look to in faith for healing, for restored relationship to God, for hope when we are dying.
The Poetry of Lent
Dear siblings Christ,
Again, I invite you into the poetry of Lent. Use this resource for contemplation and prayer. May we all journey together through this holy season.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Pauline
*******************************************************************
John 2:13-25
Making a whip of cords, [Jesus] drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
+ John 2:15
Where Does the Temple Begin; Where Does it End?
a poem by Mary Oliver
There are things you can’t reach. But
you can reach out to them, and all day long.
The wind, the bird flying away. The idea of God.
And it can keep you as busy as anything else, and happier.
The snake slides away; the fish jumps, like a little lily,
out of the water and back in; the goldfinches sing
from the unreachable top of the tree.
I look; morning to night I am never done with looking.
Looking I mean not just standing around, but standing around
as though with your arms open.
And thinking: maybe something will come, some
shining coil of wind,
or a few leaves from any old tree
they are all in this too.
And now I will tell you the truth.
Everything in the world comes.
At least, closer.
And cordially.
Like the nibbling, tinsel-eyed fish; the unloosing snake.
Like goldfinches, little dolls of gold
fluttering around the corner of the sky of God, the blue air.1
Meditate
Here Jesus is filled with fierce and righteous anger. Why? Because the temple – “my Father’s house” – has been desecrated by a crass form of profiteering. Jesus’ love for the temple runs deep, and he challenges us not only to feel the same but also to ask where the boundaries of “the temple” really are. Does the sacred ground end at the sanctuary door? Or does it include the woods, the birds, and the sky, as both Oliver and Genesis 1 would suggest? Does the temple include Christ’s own body, and so all of our bodies as well (John 2:21)? And if it does: how shall we fiercely love and defend “the temple” today?2
Prayer
God of justice, help us to protect the vulnerable with wisdom and audacity. Show us your true temple. Amen.
Practice
+ This week begin each day by lighting a candle of courage, praying, “God of love, help me live today in ways that consecrate the world, defend the vulnerable, protect what is good, and honor creation.”
+ Experiment with a “creation care” fast this week: walking or biking to work or school; using less electricity, water, or toxic chemicals; or eating vegetarian or vegan meals this week (or for the rest of your life!).
+ What does “righteous anger” look like in the world and in your own life? Where is your temple, the place or time or way you sense God’s presence? Explore these questions in a journal, or discuss it with someone you love.
__________________________________
[1] Mary Oliver, “Devotions: the selected poems of Mary Oliver,” © 2017 Mary Oliver. Penguin Press, New York, pp 186-187. [2] https://www.saltproject.org/the-poetry-of-lent/the-poetry-of-lent-a-lenten-companion-to-mary-olivers-devotions-individual-s8ydl. License #26616, used by permission.
View Lenten Schedule HERE
This Week’s Bulletin: HERE
View the MARCH 2024 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
Drop off your Sunday Offering Here!
Masks are now optional.
Easter Flowers
It’s time to order flowers to decorate the sanctuary for Easter services! If you wish to order, please fill out the attached form. The last day to order flowers is Sunday, March 24. This form is fillable, you have the option to so complete it electronically and email it to Pam B at:
leopardpamb6@gmail.com
Lenten Resources
Looking for a spiritual practice for Lent? A variety of resources have been posted to our website. All are free resources and will engage you in different ways. There is something for all ages. Take a look…
https://trinityelca.org/lenten-resources/
Lenten Prayer Station
The prayer strip station will be back again this year. You are invited to write a prayer concern on a strip of fabric and hang it on the cross. Then we encourage you to take someone else’s strip and pray for that concern for the coming week. Add and return prayer strips as often as you like. More details are provided at the prayer station.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are back up around the Social Hall. You are invited to take some time to walk the way of the cross this Lenten season. At each station you will find a scripture passage and a short prayer.
Lenten Benevolence
This year’s Lenten Benevolence will be given to the Lutheran Disaster Response, International. Please give generously. The need is great.
+COMMUNITY NEWS+
DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, MARCH 10 AT 2:00 AM LOCAL TIME.
The Trinity Ringers to Participate in a Handbell Festival!
The ringers from our handbell choir have packed up all their equipment (except the tables) and have traveled to Ocean City, Maryland this weekend to participate in a 5-state handbell festival. They will be ringing en masse with approximately 300 other ringers and attending handbell related classes. If you happen to be in Ocean City on Saturday, March 9, please come to the FREE spectacular closing concert at 5:00 PM in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, located at 4001 Coastal Highway. Then join us for our choir’s enjoyable dinner together at a nearby restaurant.
Lenten Soup Suppers and Vespers – Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Join us in the Social Hall Thursdays during Lent, starting on February 22nd, for a supper of delicious soup and bread, and warm fellowship. Following supper we will move to the Sanctuary for Holden Evening Prayer. Please see the sign-up below if you plan to attend the supper or bring soup/bread.
Please contact Valerie at valerie@vmwishes.com if you have any questions.
If you wish to attend the Vespers service only, it will begin around 6:45 pm.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4CABA82F4-47777022-lenten
Adult Forum
On Sunday, Adult Forum continues its four-week study of the women specifically noted in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. Sunday, we focus on Rahab. Each session is associated with a podcast that will form the centerpiece of our discussion. Each podcast is about an hour long, so we won’t have time to listen to them during the Adult Forum session. (Hint: this is homework). The podcasts can be found at this website: https://www.tenfootpolepodcast.com/unladylike The podcasts are also available on Spotify (and probably other streaming services) under the Ten Foot Pole Podcast. Our Manna and Mercy series will start again after Easter.
Please join us for Adult Forum each week in Room 10.
Pastor Pauline’s Installation, Saturday, April 27th 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Join us for the installation of Pastor Pauline Farrington on April 27 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow. Please watch the Bulletin and Tidings for more details.
Connect to Trinity’s Hearing Assistance System
Follow these easy steps to get connected:
1. Download the AudioFetch app to your smartphone or tablet.
2. Connect your phone/tablet to the AudioFetch WiFi network.
(No password should be required.at this time.)
3. Connect your phone/tablet to your listening device. This will be unique to your situation:
●Bluetooth hearing aid
●Bluetooth earbuds
●Wired headphones
Please come to the A/V table if you need assistance.
+HAPPENING AT TRINITY+
Day Light Savings Time Begins | March 10
Next Food Drive | March 16
Blood Drive | April 16
Pr. Pauline’s Installation | April 27
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Mar 10 Fourth Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
10:45 am Sunday School Classes and Adult Forum
Tues, Mar 12
10:00 am Stephen Ministry Training
Thurs, Mar 14
6:00 pm Lenten Soup Supper
6:45 pm Vespers
7:30 pm Trinity Singers
Saturday, Mar 16
9:00 am Food Drive
Sun, Mar 17 Fifth Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
10:45 am Sunday School Classes and Adult Forum
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Trinity Singers | Thursdays | 7:30 pm | Room 9
Sunday School and Adult Forum Classes | Sundays | 10:45 am
Trinity Men’s Group | Every Second Wednesday | 1:00 pm | Zoom
Contact the church office for zoom info
Heavenly Handbells | Mondays | 7:30 pm | Sanctuary
Stephen Ministry | See the Calendar for meeting dates
Mission Endowment Committee | See the Calendar for Future meeting dates
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for Coffee Hour! Please call the church office to sign up, or click here or contact Margaret M at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com with questions.
+DONATIONS AND AID NEEDED+
Food Collection: Food Drive | March 16, 2024| 9-noon | See the list of critical food needs here.
Thanks to the many congregation members who continue to support our monthly food drives to support Bethesda Help. We are also pleased that each month we welcome donations from members of the neighborhood. Each month we drop off between 300-500 pounds of food and 10-20 gift cards. Bethesda Help is very appreciative and recognizes Trinity each month in the BH newsletter. Trinity’s food drives will continue the third Saturday of the month from 9-12. The list of food donation requests is on Trinity’s website. If you have any questions, please contact Margaret F at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com.
Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry
Our Little Free Library is accepting new or gently used children’s, young adult, and adult books.
Our Little Free Pantry is accepting food items (no produce or perishables), as well as small seasonal non-food items. A detailed list of what is needed can be found here: https://trinityelca.org/little-free-library-lfl-and-little-free-pantry/.
Questions can be directed to Stella, Jerry, and Social Ministry members.
+REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS+
We are grateful that people have been lifting up our members and friends in prayer during Zoom gatherings. Please also call the office at 301-881-7275 or email office@trinityelca.org to add them to the list below.
The church
our synod & bishops: Bishops Elizabeth E, Michael B, and Leila O
our missionaries: Stephen D/Marta G, Cent. Amer
our congregation: Trinity Church
the nations: Afghanistan, El Salvador, Gaza, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, North Korea, Palestine, Somalia, Spain/Cataluña, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, United States, Venezuela
the sick and suffering
nursing/rehabilitation center/hospital
Yulie N (Village at Rockville)
home
Isabel F, Tigist G, Lineth M, Anya N, Vimala P, Elizabeth R, Gio S, Margo W
family and friends*
Donald B, brother of Marilyn C
Gene B, friend of Kim and Pam B
James and Carlene B, uncle and aunt of Carmen D
Pam C, sister of Mike M
Sylvia DeV, sister-in-law of Tad and Vi DeV
Torsten D, grandson of Thor and Nancy N
Ellie F, great niece of Pr. Pauline
Josefa F-V, friend of Len S
Betsy G, friend of Margaret F
David G, friend of Tad and Vi DeV
Debbie G, friend of Valerie M
Julio Arias G, friend of Ani and Len S
Lyla G, friend of Carmen D
Terry K, brother-in-law of David and Leslie C
Carol K, mother of Jim K
Mike K, friend of David and Leslie Cradlin
Susan K, niece of Nancy and Thor N
Anne L, friend of Len S
Randi L, friend of Mike and Valerie M
Juan-Maria M-M, friend of Len S
Kathy M, niece of Margaret and Greg F
Tom N, friend of Carol B
Ditte R, sister of Thor N
Ursula R, friend of Trinity
Karen and Harold S, friends of Pamela B
Victor V and family, friends of Kim and Pam
Cheryl Van A, friend of Cathy C
Andrew Z, friend of Carol B
first responders
Lisbeth N-D
Greta S & Linda A, sister & sister-in-law of Anita S
*For family and friends, prayer requests will be kept on the list for 4 weeks. To renew, please complete another card/call the office.
+RESOURCES+
Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrinityELCA/streams
+OFFICE HOURS+
Carmen will be in the office from 9-5 on Monday-Friday. Please contact the office or a council member if you have a request for pastoral care.