PASTOR'S THOUGHTS

Dear Friends,

Were you one of the ones blessed to experience Trinity’s Youth Sunday on April 13?  I hope you were!  It was one of the most moving worship services I have experienced in a very long time.

The youth did something incredibly special on the 13th.  They created an entire worship service, and then led it in its entirety.  The litanies they wrote were imaginative and meaningful.  The prayers they offered were sincere and stirring.  The children’s message they led was both fun and insightful.  The music they shared was nothing short of inspiring.  And the sermons they preached were moving words of truth and faithfulness that, I suspect, touched all who heard them. 

I certainly left the sanctuary that morning knowing that I had worshipped the Lord in a way that will stay with me (dare I say, even change me) for a very long time. 

Brian Curry reminded me that, even though we may empty ourselves in service of the Lord, our Shepherd calls us to “Come to the River” (a beautiful song Brian wrote and sang during the service).  There, we may nourish and replenish ourselves with the love and grace of God and thus continue living into the joy of Christ’s service and the peace of Christ’s presence. 

Laura Chicchi reminded me of the amazing fulfillment to be found when communities of faith truly become families of faith, in which children can be raised and so fashion their identities as children of God.  Certainly, owning and living into such an identity can be anything but easy.  Yet, as Laura powerfully shared, to have such an identity is a sustaining gift that even enables the sheep of Christ to grow into shepherds for Christ. 

As was evident on Youth Sunday, these youth have incredible shepherds in their parents, their youth leaders and volunteers, teachers, and the whole of Trinity Church.  This is something to be celebrated, and their shepherds are worthy of our thanks and praise!  Still, what touched me even more is the manner in which these youth are so obviously becoming the shepherds, themselves.  They certainly shepherded me that morning. 

In Peace,
   Rob