I am excited about two new opportunities we have here at Trinity.  First, a group of leaders are dreaming about how to make our Sunday School more effective.  We are blessed to have many excellent committed teachers who come regularly to share God's word.

Yet, we take this responsibility so seriously that we must ask ourselves if there are ways we can be even more effective in sharing God's word.  Helen Brown has already begun to revamp our children's division of Sunday School.  Drew Head has created a new look with the students during Sunday School.  They are calling Direct Connect.  There are some adult classes that are reshuffling what they are doing.  The point is not to upset the people around us.  We are simply trying to be more effective in studying God's word together.

A second opportunity before us is the new Sunday Service at 8:3 a.m. called Adonai.  This will be a more reflective service including hymns, litrugy and classical music.  To be honest I cannot fully define what it will be yet, but those are some ideas.

AT the same time our 10:50 a.m. service will move more toward the cutting edge.  This will be in some ways a more casual service with more outward expression.  We will continue to be intentional in attempting to meet the needs of those in our church family for whom English is not their first language.  Again, I cannot fully define what this service will be like.  We must move ahead and see how God leads.

We are not attempting to create two churches.  We are not offering two services because we just could not get along together.  I believe that offering a service at a different time will meet some people's needs just because of the time it is offered.  In addition we will stretch Nan, Helen, myself and our worship leaders.  But, we are up to the task. 

I will preach the same sermon in both services, but given the other elements of worship the two sermons may sound different.  I believe we will be able to reach more people becuase we offer two distinct services.

I have heard many positive comments about the new service.  I am excited to see how God will lead us in both services.  Remember our worship is an offering of love to God, it is not about my preferences or yours.

The only negative I have heard is that we may miss being with some of our church family who attend the other service.  I pledge that we will do everything in our power to keep people informed about what's going on in both services.  And, anyone is welcome to attend both services any Sunday.

I am writing this right after being at our new members dinner.  What a wonderful evening.  Our deacons planned and conducted this celebration,.  God has been good to us in sending us new members.  But heaven is not full yet.  Who do you need to be reaching out to in order to share the love of Christ?

See you and a friend this Sunday,
Jay