The Lord's Prayer (A New Sermon Series)

Sermon Series Graphic

Artist: Tyson Phipps (Deacon of Creative Arts)

Have you ever desired a deeper connection to God through prayer, only to find yourself spinning your wheels spiritually? Despite the abundance of resources and apps about prayer at our fingertips, the practice of prayer can still be difficult. You’re certainly not alone in this struggle. In a world that constantly demands our attention, it’s easy to feel too overwhelmed and disconnected to pray. 

The good news is that Jesus answers the request, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The Lord knows that we often pray in unhelpful ways (Matt. 6:5-8) and we often don’t know what to say, but our God is gracious to help (Romans 8:26). Jesus teaches us how to pray with the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is more than just a single prayer to memorize. The Lord’s Prayer provides the framework for any prayer and invites us into God’s presence in a deep way. Each petition guides us to pour “out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving” (NCC Q38). This new sermon series, beginning this Sunday (11/17), we will learn how to pray with the Lord’s Prayer.  

Through this series, may the Holy Spirit minister to you as you grow in the practice of prayer. May your hearts, minds, and souls be given clarity and enthusiasm for prayer. And most importantly, may this lead you even closer into the presence of the triune God and draw you into His purposes for the world.

Series 

How (Not) to Pray (Matt. 6:5-15) | Nov. 17

Our Father (Romans 8:12-25) | Nov. 24

Hallowed Be Your Name (Psalm 145) | Dec. 1

Your Kingdom Come (Matt. 12:36-45 | Dec. 8

Daily Bread (Matt. 6:19-34) | Dec. 15

Forgive (Matt. 8:23-35) | Dec. 22

Temptation (Luke 4:1-15) | Dec. 29

Doxology (1 Chron. 29:10-13) | Jan. 5

Resources 

Craig L. Blomberg, Matthew: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (B&H Publishing Group, 1992).

D. J. Marotta, Liturgy in the Wilderness: How the Lord’s Prayer Shapes the Imagination of the Church in a Secular Age (Moody Publishers, 2022).

J. I. Packer, Growing in Christ (Crossway, 2022).

Kevin DeYoung, The Lord’s Prayer: Learning from Jesus on What, Why, and How to Pray (Crossway, 2022).

N. T. Wright, The Lord and His Prayer (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2014).

Wesley Hill, The Lord’s Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father (Lexham Press, 2019).

Getting Through the 2024 Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday, October 6th

This Sunday the runners in the Twin Cities Marathon will be going through our neighborhood via Summit Avenue. Our Sunday Gathering will still be at 10am. In general, if you're coming to the Sunday Gathering from north of Summit, then you'll have no problem getting to the church building. However, if you're coming from south of Summit, then you may have some of your typical routes blocked off.

Here is the route:

Here are the relevant notes about road closures:

Miles 15-21 - Shut down approximately 6:40 a.m. Reopened approximately: 12:00 p.m.

• Take nearest thru street to freeways

• Lake Street crosses the course without delays

Miles 21-26 - Shut down approximately 6:40 a.m. Reopened approximately: 2:30 p.m.

• Take Ayd Mill or Grand Avenue into downtown Saint Paul to go around State Capitol area

• Ford Parkway crosses the course without delays

• I-35E through Downtown Saint Paul is an alternate route around the course

The Church: God's Restful People in a Restless World

A new sermon series begins this fall that is called The Church: God’s Restful People in a Restless World.

As our late-modern culture becomes more secular, our world is facing many challenges. We as well as our neighbors are exhausted from trying to keep up with the ever accelerating pace of life. Any shared meaning and purpose with our neighbors has been reduced to individualistic identities that result easily in division and make unity increasingly difficult. Our neighbors are lonely and isolated and the next generation is deconstructing their faith. All of these things make each day burdensome as well as the future less hopeful.

While we may hear many ideas and plans to fix these challenges, the Scriptures make clear that God has one plan to renew all things: to bring life to the world through the Church. As the increasingly secular world continues restless striving, God is forming a restful people through Jesus Christ.

This series will look at a variety of challenges our culture is facing and how the Scriptures tell us that God's mission in the Church is the answer to these challenges. Along the way, we will study key doctrines of the church and see their application in our current moment.

In many ways, this sermon series builds off of the series and resources from last fall (Blessed: Delighting in the Good Life).

Series Overview

God’s Mission for the Life of the World - Sept. 8

Our world has many challenges but the Church is still God’s mission for the life of the world.

John 6:41-51

A Sanctuary for an Exhausted World - Sept. 15

Our world is exhausted but the Church is a refuge for the weary.

Psalm 63

God’s Fullness in an Empty World - Sept. 22

Our world is often empty but God’s Word and presence fills the Church.

Ephesians 1:15-23

A Unified Gathering in a Divided World - Sept. 29

Our world is torn apart because of competing identities but the Church is a diverse and global faith in one Lord.

John 17:20-26

An Inviting Fellowship in an Isolated World - Oct. 6

Our neighbors are isolated and more people are dechurched but the hospitality of the Church is able to invite people into the deepest fellowship.

Hebrews 13:1-10

A Household that Builds in a Deconstructing World - Oct. 13

Our world is deconstructing faith but the Church is building faith in the next generation.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

A Community of Servants in a Profiting World - Oct. 20

The world centers much of life on careers and getting ahead but the Church freely serves to bring life to the world.

Mark 10:35-45

A Committed Membership in a Uncommitted World - Oct. 27

Our world doesn’t like to commit due to skepticism of authority and a relativism of truth but the Church holds one another accountable in the gospel.

Galatians 6:1-10

Citizens of Heaven in a Polarized World - Nov. 3

Our world has divided people into left or right but the Church is one people who declare the politically loaded confession: “Jesus is Lord.”

Phillippians 3:17-21

A Hopeful People in a Cynical World - Nov. 10

Our world is more cynical than optimistic but the resurrection creates a hopeful people even in a hurting world.

1 Peter 1:3-13

Resources

Comer, John Mark. Future Church, (sermon series) 2021. Sermon series on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

Davis, Jim, Michael Graham, Ryan P. Burge, and Collin Hansen. The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? Zondervan, 2023.

Hansen, Collin, Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, John Starke, Carl Trueman, Bruce Riley Ashford, Mike Cosper, Bob Cutillo, Greg Forster, and Michael Horton. Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor. Gospel Coalition, The, 2017.

Keller, Timothy. Rise (sermon series), 2016. https://rise.redeemer.com/sermons/.

Root, Andrew. Ministry in a Secular Age Set. Baker Academic, 2021.

Rosa, Hartmut. “Two Versions of the Good Life & Two Forms of Fear | YCFC.” Accessed September 6, 2024. https://faith.yale.edu/media/two-versions-of-the-good-life-two-forms-of-fear.

Smith, James K. A. How (Not) to Be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor. First Edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2014.

Trinity City Church. “Blessed: Delighting in the Good Life,” November 12, 2023. http://www.trinitycitychurch.org/messages/category/Blessed.

Watkin, Christopher. Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2022.

Series Graphic

Sermon Graphic

Designer: Tyson Phipps

The designer of this sermon graphic, Tyson Phipps (Deacon of Creative Arts), explains, “I was thinking about the restful nature of a tree and how it's shade provides respite from the heat and shelter from the storms. Also, the imagery very easily connects to the parable of the mustard seed, Christ as the vine and us as the branches, Psalm 1, etc.”

Summer Speaker: Steve Treichler

This coming week for the last Sunday of Bryan’s sabbatical, we get to hear from Steve Treichler (i.e. Trike). He is the founding and Senior Pastor of Hope Community Church. Born in Hibbing, Minnesota he came to the Twin Cities to go to the University of Minnesota. While a student at the U of M, Jesus Christ changed his life! After being involved with campus ministry as a student and then 5 years as a staff person, Steve decided to go into pastoral ministry/church planting and was the founding pastor of Hope Community Church in 1996. He is married to Carole, and has three children, David (and wife Brittany and two grandchildren), Jonathan, and Calvin (married to Kennedy). He also is the owner(?) of a mischievous dog, Dakota, the Wonder Beagle! At Hope, he spends most of his time teaching, helping new churches get started, mentoring and coaching the three Lead Pastors of Hope’s three locations. In his free time he enjoys playing cribbage with Carole, flyfishing, duck hunting, remodeling/woodworking, brewing fantastic beer, and hanging out with friends with a quality cigar.

Summer Speaker: Frank Lanier

Over the next two weeks, we’re looking forward to having Frank Lanier bring the word. Frank Lanier has served as the director of leadership development for the EFCA’s North Central District since April of 2023. He received his bachelor’s degree in World Religions at North Carolina State University and later graduated with a ThM degree in New Testament studies and Pastoral Ministries from Dallas Theological Seminary. Before joining the NCD, Frank served as both children’s pastor and pastor of adult ministries in local NCD churches. Frank has been married to Dottie since 2003 and they have 6 beautiful children who help ensure there is never a dull moment at the Lanier household. 

Summer Speaker: Terry Francis

Terry Francis was born in Houston, Texas. He attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas earning a degree in Christian Ministries, and was ordained in 1990. He’s lived in Minnesota since 1998 with his wife Roxanne (married 30 years) and their four now adult children. Terry has worked at Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge as the Men’s Program Director for over 20 years; he has seen thousands of men commit their lives to the Lord. He also serves on the boards of Glorybound Family Restoration Ministries and Crossroads Chapel. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, preaching, and sharing his story with others.

Summer Speaker: Trent Senske

Over the next three weeks, we’re looking forward to having Trent Senske finish our sermon series on Genesis. Trent was commissioned in 2018 by Trinity City Church to plant Immanuel Fellowship. He spent the past 7 years planting and pastoring the church in South Minneapolis.

Trent and Laura are high school sweethearts who have been married for 13 years. They have five kids (Audrey, Eva, Isaiah, Jude, and baby Ivy). The whole family is fresh off a much needed pastoral sabbatical. 

New Associate Pastor: Bryce Langley

We’re excited to announce that Bryce Langley will be joining Trinity City Church as our new Associate Pastor starting August 1st!

Pastor Bryce brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for ministering in the local church. He thrives on fostering strong relationships, developing and supporting volunteers in ministry, and counseling so that the whole person is restored and resilient. He will be transitioning from his role as the Associate Pastor at Crown Point Christian Reformed Church (Crown Point, Indiana). He has also served as a Pastoral Resident at Antioch Community Church (Minneapolis) and as director of a counseling ministry at Pleasant Valley Church (Winona).

Bryce's educational foundation includes a Master of Theological Studies with an emphasis on Marriage & Family Therapy from Bethel Seminary, where he also won first place in the Edwin J. Omark Preaching Competition. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Psychology from Winona State University.

Bryce's dedication to Christian formation is evident in his experience overseeing and developing adult ministries, supervising new member integration, and both leading and teaching church-based training. He also demonstrates his commitment to community engagement through his involvement in school mentoring programs and serving as an EMS chaplain. His dedication and skills in connecting people, launching and directing ministries, and providing pastoral care shows he is ready to contribute meaningfully to our mission at Trinity City Church starting on August 1st!

Lead Pastor Sabbatical

Pastor Bryan will be taking a planned every-five-year sabbatical from April 29th to July 28th. Sabbaticals are a time to refresh, rejuvenate, and gain knowledge or experience that requires an extended period. Different guest preachers, along with Trinity elders, will cover sermons during the sabbatical. We will be posting introductions to each guest preacher on this journal throughout the sabbatical.

The sabbatical includes intentional focus on different areas of health (e.g. physical health, spiritual health, relational health, family health, professional health, etc.). Some specific examples include Pastor Bryan gathering with different local churches each Sunday, extended and intentional time with family, and a trip to Switzerland through the North Central District (NCD) and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). 

This trip takes place in June and includes 10 EFCA pastors, a TEDS church history professor, and a ReachGlobal medical officer. Together, they will travel to the Alps to explore pastoral ministry against the backdrop of Calvin's Geneva and delve into pastoral practice while hiking the historic Tour Du Mont Blanc. Meaningful discussions and thoughtful reflections will focus on important areas of pastoral ministry, including: leading by example, administration, counseling, preaching, physical health, developing elders and deacons, congregational worship, prayer, evangelism, discipline and restoration, calling, equipping believers, and personal discipleship. Pastor Bryan's specific focus will be on personal discipleship, particularly pastoral and congregational health in a unhealthy secular age. Following the trip, there will be a series of follow-up articles, along with a documentary produced by TEDS.

Please keep Pastor Bryan in your prayers during his sabbatical season!

2024 Holy Week

A baptism from Easter 2023.

Holy Week is here! Join us this week for a Good Friday service, a community egg hunt, and finally celebrating Easter with baptisms (10am service).

What is the meaning and significance of this time in the church calendar? Let's consider some of the explanations from The Worship Sourcebook (the rest of the post quotes The Worship Sourcebook under each heading).

The Season of Lent

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are at the heart of the Christian gospel, and Good Friday and Easter are two of the most significant celebrations of the Christian year. Lent is a season of preparation and repentance during which we anticipate Good Friday and Easter. Just as we carefully prepare for big events in our personal lives, such as a wedding or commencement, Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ passion and celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.

The practice of a forty-day preparation period began in the Christian church during the third and fourth centuries. The number forty carries biblical significance based on the forty years Israel spent in the wilderness and Jesus’ forty-day fast in the wilderness. The forty days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday and continue through holy week, not counting Sundays (which are reserved for celebratory worship). In practice, many congregations choose to focus Sunday worship on the themes of repentance and renewal. As a period of preparation, Lent has historically included the instruction of persons for baptism and profession of faith on Easter Sunday; the calling back of those who have become estranged from the church; and efforts by all Christians to deepen their piety, devotion, and readiness to mark the death and resurrection of their Savior. As such, the primary focus of the season is to explore and deepen a “baptismal spirituality” that centers on our union with Christ rather than to function only as an extended meditation on Christ’s suffering and death.

Palm Sunday

The events framed by Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and his resurrection are some of the most dramatic and theologically important of the entire scriptural narrative. These days feature not only the drama of the triumphal entry, trial, last supper, and crucifixion but also poignant prayers and prophetic teachings of our Lord. John’s gospel devotes eight of its twenty-one chapters to this week alone! The week begins with Passion/Palm Sunday and ends with the “three days” (also called the Triduum, from sunset on Thursday to sunset on Easter Day), the period during which we mark Jesus’ trial, death, and resurrection.

The first Sunday of Holy Week is commonly called either “Palm Sunday” or “Passion Sunday.” Those who call it “Palm Sunday” tend to focus on the entry of Christ into Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). Those who refer to the day as “Passion Sunday” tend to focus on Jesus’ suffering. This is especially appropriate in contexts in which participation in midweek services on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday is difficult or minimal, and, as a result, worshipers would sing “Hosanna” on one Sunday and “Christ arose” on the next, with little attention to Jesus’ suffering and death in between.

But even for congregations that celebrate the day as Palm Sunday, it’s important to capture the irony of the day. This is the day on which Jesus entered the city in triumph, but as a part of his journey to the cross; this is the week in which crowd’s cries of “Hosanna” would soon turn to “Crucify him!” One helpful approach to Palm Sunday worship is to begin by focusing on the procession into Jerusalem and then to concentrate on the suffering and passion of Jesus.

Maundy Thursday

On Maundy Thursday the church remembers the last evening Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room before his arrest and crucifixion. Maundy Thursday marks three key events in Jesus’ last week: his washing of his disciples’ feet, his institution of the Lord’s Supper, and his new commandment to love one another.

The name “Maundy Thursday” comes from the Latin mandatum novum, referring to the “new commandment” Jesus taught his disciples (John 13:34). In other words, this is “new commandment Thursday.” Maundy Thursday worship naturally features the Lord’s Supper and, in some traditions, an act of foot washing or another sign of mutual love and dedication.

Celebrations of the Lord’s Supper can call attention to the many theologically rich dimensions of the Last Supper itself, including its attention to communal love and its clear eschatological orientation (its focus on hopeful anticipation of the coming kingdom).

Good Friday and Easter

Good Friday marks the death of Jesus Christ. It’s called “good” because of what Jesus’ death means for the redemption of the world. Worship on this day may focus on three aims: (1) to narrate and remember the events of Jesus’ death, (2) to open up the meaning of these events for our understanding of God and the redemption accomplished by the cross, and (3) to invite worshipers to renewed prayer and dedication.

All the hopes and expectations of Christians are realized in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, making Easter the most celebrative day of the church year.

Gathering with Northside Neighborhood Church

Northside Neighborhood Church

This past Sunday, Ami and I (Jason) had the opportunity to visit and serve a church plant that Trinity has partnered with in North Minneapolis: Northside Neighborhood Church. Northside was planted by Patrick Ray a few years ago with the hope of being a healthy church in North Minneapolis.

It might be important to ask, ‘What are signs that things are going well?’ The answer we are looking for isn’t always the right answer. Historically, church plants are measured by ‘budgets, butts in seats, and baptisms.’ These things don't necessarily mean that things are going well, however. True signs are harder to spot, but there were many wonderful things we got to experience in our short time. The first is that we saw a congregation growing to know itself as a church. Members were showing concern for other members, asking about their week, their struggles. A new member was added to the congregation, and the church together confessed its membership covenant. Another sign of growth is that the congregation is working at recognizing and raising up leaders. Soon, they will add an additional lay elder to help lead the congregation.

Finally, the structure of the service and the sermon event itself was a wise catechism in what it looks like to be a healthy church. Patrick spoke of the importance of the church being a city of peace, a healthy society so that the congregation outlives each and every member. Northside Neighborhood Church is seeking to pursue healthy leadership, true and simple gospel neighboring, and loving the whole body of Christ.

Continue to pray for this young congregation on the Northside. Pray for its leaders, Patrick, Andrew, and Brian. Pray for the church’s ministry in North Minneapolis that it would be an enduring witness to the saving power of Christ to a dying world.

Advent & Christmas 2023

Christmas Eve Service at Trinity City Church in 2022.

In the church calendar, the season of Advent begins on Sunday, December 3rd and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th). The season of Christmas begins on December 25th and lasts until January 5. This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. Trinity City Church will not have a morning service on Christmas Eve (no 10am gathering) but we will be gathering for a Christmas Eve service at 5pm.

In order to help us prepare for this season, here are descriptions of each season and a new series of resources from The Fullness of Time Series.

Advent

Here is how The Worship Sourcebook describes the season of Advent:

The great proclamation “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14) assures us that God has entered into human history through the incarnation of the Son. The season of Advent, a season of waiting, is designed to cultivate our awareness of God’s actions—past, present, and future. In Advent we hear the prophecies of the Messiah’s coming as addressed to us—people who wait for the second coming. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament promises, when the wolf will lie down with the lamb, death will be swallowed up, and every tear will be wiped away. In this way Advent highlights for us the larger story of God’s redemptive plan.

A deliberate tension must be built into our practice of the Advent season. Christ has come, and yet not all things have reached completion. While we remember Israel’s waiting and hoping and we give thanks for Christ’s birth, we also anticipate his second coming at the end of time. For this reason Advent began as a penitential season, a time for discipline and intentional repentance in the confident expectation and hope of Christ’s coming again.

Christmas

In addition, The Worship Handbook on the meaning Christmas:

At Christmas, we remember and celebrate the nativity of Christ and the mystery of the incarnation. Whereas during Advent we anticipate the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, at Christmas we identify with the angels who proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest”; with the shepherds, who were afraid but nevertheless offered worship; and with Mary, who pondered the meaning of these events in her heart (Luke 2:13-20) [...]

The Christmas season extends from December 25 through January 5 and includes at least one and usually two Sundays. Celebrating Christmas as a season helps us both to enter into the meaning of the incarnation more fully than celebrating a single day and to focus on additional Scripture texts that explore the meaning of Christmas beyond the familiar words of Luke 2.

Though North American culture considers Christmas the most important day of the Christian year, we must be careful to see the significance of Christmas in the light of all that follows, particularly Easter. In fact, Christmas is the first in a series of celebrations (Christmas, Epiphany, the baptism of our Lord, and the transfiguration of Jesus) that affirm the identity of Jesus as not only fully human but also fully divine. If the intervening weeks between these celebrations focus on the remarkable content of Jesus’ teaching and the relationships he established with his disciples, these four events anchor the church’s reflection on the meaning of Jesus’ life for our understanding of God and of the coming kingdom. Together, these celebrations prepare us for the journey toward the cross and the empty tomb.

Advent & Christmas books

The church calendar is a way for Christians to remember the gospel story each year. “The Fullness of Time series invites readers to explore the riches of the church year, guided by some of our finest church theologians. Each volume introduces the traditions, prayers, Scriptures, and rituals of a season of the church—not as an academic exercise, but as an reflections on the theological and spiritual treasures of the church calendar” (from the publisher). To prepare for this season, consider the books that cover Advent and Christmas.

Source: ivpress.com

Source: ivpress.com

May this season of Advent and Christmas bring you closer to the Lord through a time of anticipation and celebration.

Genesis Sermon Series

As we begin a new sermon series on the book of Genesis this Sunday, here are some video overviews, resources, and the series graphic to get you ready.

Overview

Watch this great two-part overview of Genesis from The Bible Project.

Bibliography

Here are some of the main commentaries and books that are influencing this series:

James Montgomery Boice, Genesis (Baker Books, 2006)

Andrew Louth, ed., Genesis, (2 Vols), First Edition (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2001)

John L. Thompson, ed., Genesis 1-11, First edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2012)

Gordon J. Wenham, Rethinking Genesis 1–11: Gateway to the Bible (Cascade Books, an Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015); and Genesis, (2 vols), Word Biblical Commentary (Zondervan Academic, 2017).

Dr Nahum M. Sarna, The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis, First Edition (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 2001)

Kenneth Mathews, The New American Commentary: Genesis, (2 vols), (Nashville, Tenn: Holman Referenc.e, 1996).

Series Graphic

Sermon Graphic

Designer: Tyson Phipps

Halloween and the Communion of Saints

The above video gives us a reminder of the power of the gospel this time of year. Today is Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve, which is the evening before All Saints Day in the church calendar. What is the point of this time of year? This quote from The Worship Sourcebook explains:

Christian worship is an occasion for expressing communion of the saints as well as for calling attention to the profound gifts God gives us through others in the body of Christ. Worship on such occasions involves reflection on and thanksgiving for the gifts of all who have given witness to Christ’s love and demonstrated the fruits of the Spirit. It also calls for recognition of Christ’s continued work in the church through imperfect people who are nevertheless “called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7). This theme may be celebrated at any time during the year. Many churches have focused on this theme on All Saints’ Day (November 1), appropriating this day not as an occasion to invoke the saints but to give thanks for all who have gone before and to celebrate Christian unity with the “great cloud of witnesses” that precedes us (Heb. 12:1). The focus on All Saints’ Day should not be on extraordinary achievements of particular Christians but on the grace and work of God through ordinary people.

For Protestant Christians, October 31st also celebrates Reformation Day since Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses on a church door in Wittenberg in 1517 (to celebrate check out the Luther insult generator). This theme of reformation is a reminder this time of year to be continuously formed by the Word of God. Christians and the Church are prone to wander away from the essentials of the Christian faith so we must again and again turn to the Scriptures to reform us. We do so not just for the sake of one local church or denomination but for all Christian churches–Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox.

So get out there in your neighborhood and partake of the festivities of this All Hallows’ Eve. May your participation declare, as the video above articulates:

For this is the nature of shadow and gloom;

In the cleaning of glory there can be no room.

What force is resourced by the echoing black?

When brightness ignites can the shadow push back?

These ‘forces’ of darkness, if such can be called

Are banished by brilliance, by blazing enthralled.

So the Bible begins with this fore-resolved fight;

For a moment the darkness … then “Let there be Light!”

First grief in the gloom,then joy from the East.

First valley of shadow, then mountaintop feast.

First wait for Messiah, then long-promised dawn.

First desolate Friday and then Easter morn.

The armies of darkness while doing their worst,

Can never extinguish this Dazzling Sunburst.

So ridicule rogues if you must play a role;

But beware of getting lost in that bottomless hole.

The triumph is not with the forces of night.

It dawned with the One who said “I am the Light.”

So we join with the saints who have gone before us in asking darkness and death (1 Cor 15:55-57):

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Screenshot from the video “Halloween: Trick or Treat?” by 10oftose.

Trinity Staff Visits Shamineau

This past week (October 1-3) a handful of Trinity’s staff (Bryan, Josiah, Kim, and Jason) had the opportunity to go to a theology conference hosted by our church association (the North Central District of the Evangelical Church of America). This theology conference is a yearly event where pastors and church leaders from around our district gather to be challenged by teaching and encouraged by fellowship with leaders from other churches. Scott Manetsch, a history professor from  our seminary Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, taught us life lessons from Martin Luther. He asked and answered, ‘How did Luther respond to the changing tides of history in his day? How can we learn from that and apply it in our day?’ Ask one of us who went about what was most striking to us.

Josiah helped lead the music. Quite a few people mentioned how encouraging it is to hear the loud voices of a hundred or so pastors and church leaders sing together. The other main highlight was being able to spend unhurried time with others pastors and church leaders. We were able to connect with pastors and leaders from many churches including Payne Avenue Free Church, Park Community Church, Elmwood Church, Living Hope Church, Antioch Community Church, Hope Church, and Northside Neighborhood Church. Know that the Lord is at work through many congregations throughout the state (and world).

Getting Through the 2023 Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday, October 1st

This Sunday the runners in the Twin Cities Marathon will be going through our neighborhood via Summit Avenue. Our Sunday Gathering will still be at 10am. In general, if you're coming to the Sunday Gathering from north of Summit, then you'll have no problem getting to the church building. However, if you're coming from south of Summit, then you may have some of your typical routes blocked off.

Here is the route:

Here are the relevant notes about road closures:

Miles 15-21 - Shut down approximately 6:40 a.m. Reopened approximately: 12:00 p.m.

• Take nearest thru street to freeways

• Lake Street crosses the course without delays

Miles 21-26 - Shut down approximately 6:40 a.m. Reopened approximately: 2:30 p.m.

• Take Ayd Mill or Grand Avenue into downtown Saint Paul to go around State Capitol area

• Ford Parkway crosses the course without delays

• I-35E through Downtown Saint Paul is an alternate route around the course

Rally Sunday - Connecting at Trinity

On September 10th, we hosted our annual Rally Sunday where we kicked off our new ministry year and highlighted all the things we do as a congregation. Every ministry year we select a highlight for growth as a church, and this year, we’ve chosen Delight. The idea is this: because God delights over his people (Ps. 18:19) and rejoices over us with singing (Zep 3:17). We are led and driven to delight in him through our joys and trials.

One of our goals this year is to make sure you know how you can become involved in Trinity’s life. Rally Sunday is a way to get folks connected. If you missed Rally Sunday, then here is an overview of a connection pathway. Our connection pathway is simple: 1. Welcome, 2. Connect, 3. Participate, 4. Serve. 

1. Welcome

The first step is to visit us. Join us on Sundays and then attend one of our regular Connection Coffee (& Tea). We’d love for you to join us, and we’ll be there to answer any questions you have. 

2. Connect

Second, we encourage everyone to connect with us and stay in the loop. Register on Church Center and this will also sign you up for our weekly email.

3. Participate  

Third, participate in the life of the church outside of Sunday morning. Join a group. Fill out this interest form to show your availability. Pursue becoming a Covenant Member where you commit to caring for others in this specific congregation. Email contact@trinitycitychurch.org to get started. 

4. Serve 

Fourth, serve. As you get to know others in the church, you will see ways to serve in the church or you may even be asked to help in a ministry.  Fill out our volunteer interest form here. Pray about it and help out. Also consider serving your city as you seek to love your neighbor. 

Join us in this mission of making the gospel walkable and global. It’s a delightful mission! 

Blessed: Delighting in the Good Life

To be one who is blessed is to be a person who is happy. A blessed person is someone who has discovered and delights in the good life from God.

Our increasingly secular world has its version of the good life that is often at odds with the Christian life. Yet we are shaped by this secular vision more than we realize. This fall series will consider how the secular vision for the good life is making you and your neighbor exhausted, anxious, and divided. In contrast to this secular vision, we’ll consider the blessed life in Christ that offers rest for the restless, freedom in belonging, and even comfort for the mourning both now and in the future.

Series Overview

Blessed Are Those Who Long for Home - Sept. 10

Finding rest in God while an exile in an exhausting world.

Psalm 84:5-12 | Luke 15:11-32 | Matthew 5:6

Blessed Are Those Who Belong - Sept. 17

Discovering freedom in commitment and identity in truth.

Eph 1:3-15 | Romans 14:7-8 | 1 Cor 6:19-20

Blessed Are Those Who Have Many Friends - Sept 24

Investing in meaningful friendships in an isolated world.

Prov 27:5-10, 17 | Prov 17:17 | Prov 20:6 | 1 Samuel 23:15-18

Blessed Are Those Who Are Hopeful Romantics - Oct. 1

Embracing hope when sex and romance are put in its proper place.

Luke 20:27-40 | Revelation 19:9 | Song of Songs | Eph 5:21-33

Blessed Are Those With a Faithful Household - Oct. 8

Building a household of faith when the next generation is deconstructing.

Psalm 127

Blessed Are Those Who Unplug - Oct. 15

Mastering technology rather than being mastered by it.

Psalm 1 | 1 Cor 6:12

Blessed Are Those Who Work and Rest - Oct. 22

Working hard and playing hard without overworking and burning out.

Isaiah 58:13-14 | Genesis 1:27-2:3

Blessed Are Those Who Are Generous - Oct. 29

Laying up treasures when we serve God and not Mammon.

Matthew 6:19-25 | Proverbs 22:9

Blessed Are Those Who Plant a Garden - Nov. 5

Doing justice by creating beauty rather than diversion and division.

Isaiah 61

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn - Nov. 12

Remaining steadfast in trials until the day of comfort.

Matthew 5:4, 10-12| 1 Peter 4:12-19 | James 1:12 | Rev. 20:6

Bibliography

Here are some of the main books that are influencing this series:

Crouch, Andy. The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World. New York: Convergent Books, 2022.

Noble, Alan. You Are Not Your Own: Belonging to God in an Inhuman World. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP, 2021.

Twenge, Jean M. Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents―and What They Mean for America’s Future. New York: Atria Books, 2023.

Smith, James K. A. On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts. Illustrated edition. Brazos Press, 2019.

Zahl, David. Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do about It. New, Revised edition. Minneapolis, MN: Broadleaf Books, 2020.

Series Graphic

Sermon Graphic

Designer: Tyson Phipps

The designer of this sermon graphic, Tyson Phipps (Deacon of Creative Arts), explains, “Some ideas that came to mind with this concept were receiving blessings and letting them overflow to our communities for life to flourish. Also, the drops at the top could reference Christ’s blood as well as water.”

Women's Ministry Vision 2023/2024

We are so excited for this upcoming ministry year! We are hoping and praying to see the women of Trinity connect with Jesus and each other through praying, gathering and growing together. For the most up-to-date information please check out the event page on Church Center.

Pray

We will be gathering on the 3rd Sunday of each month to pray together. We will be praying through scripture as well as praying for each other, our people, our church and our city. The first meeting will be September 17 at 9am in the Parlor Room.

Gather

We will continue having monthly gatherings for Trinity women to cultivate relationships. We want to intentionally spend time fostering community with other women through shared experiences.

Grow

We will be reading 7 relevant books throughout the year and meeting to discuss them on the last Wednesday of the month (schedule on the back). The books are on diverse topics regarding theology and common life themes. Come to all or pick a few that pique your interest. If you can’t make one of the meetings we would encourage you to still read the book and find a friend to meet with and discuss. The first meeting will be September 27 at 7pm in the Parlor Room.

Guest Speaker: Vašek Anders

Vašek Anders is the pastor at Kostel Jinak in a town called Šumperk in Czech Republic and will be preaching on May 14th, 2023. Czech Republic is one of the most atheistic countries in the world. Trinity helped their church purchase their new building in the city center. Their desire is to use this building as a place to train disciples and leaders and to send new teams out to plant new churches. In everything, they want to be gospel-centered. Kostel Jinak has about 50 members and 60-80 people on a Sunday. 90% of their people are first-generation Christians.

We asked Vašek a few questions to introduce himself:

How did you become a Christian? And how did you become a pastor?

I became a Christian through evangelistic English camps that were done in Czech by a church from Minnesota. I was connected to this church and even worked here in Minnesota for several months in that church. It was here I felt a strong calling to go back to Czech and plant a church. Which I did 9 years ago.

What is the best food in Czech? Is there any food you like in the US?

I am looking forward to all kinds of food, in Czech we have most of the food that is here but one thing we do not do quite as well is barbecue.

The best Czech food is of course beer. :-)