The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.   Isaiah 9:2 Have you ever been stuck in the dark? I have. Jamie and I spent our honeymoon touring Italy. One of the places we visited was...

 “What child is this who lay to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping” What Child is This For this season of my life, “What Child is This?” (number 219 in the United Methodist hymnal) is my favorite Christmas carol. I love it as it depicts all of the well-known characters...

“O Come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem…. Sing, choirs of angels sing in exultation, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.” O Come All ye Faithful The lyrics of this familiar Christmas hymn are an inspirational call to join...

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth; a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”   O Holy Night   May the Lord be with you during this holiday and religious...

“How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given.” O Little Town of Bethlehem   Silence. In our hectic, pre-pandemic days, how often did we long for a few moments of silence? Time without the constant noise of traffic, cellphones and laptops, “talking...

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”   Micah 5:2   I could tell that Trinity had a vital acolyte...

 “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol   Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. It is a time that helps Christians prepare for the birth...

In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people.   Isaiah 28:5   How many of you have a Christmas wreath hanging at your house? Wreaths carry many messages. Hung on a door or window, the wreath has...

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.   Psalm 139:12   As winter approaches, we are very aware of the increasing darkness in the evening sky. Knowing what we modern humans have...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.   Philippians 4:4-5   This photo takes us back to this past summer when our youth group had SWAG, a week filled with games and worship....

 “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”   John Wesley   Last year the Trinity Stitchers couldn’t meet in person...

 “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! ‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”    Dr. Seuss   Almost every year around Christmas, we make Christmas cookies. Some of...

Third Week of Advent I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”   Psalm 122:1   Since childhood, I have loved going to church. I grew up attending a small country church, and every Sunday was as much a reunion with family...

 “Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine, love was born at Christmas, star and angels gave the sign.”    From Love Came Down at Christmas (Rossetti)   Don’t you LOVE Christmastime! Trinity Advent books always have been something I love...

 O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson That constant faith and hope sublime Lend strength and comfort through all time. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson.   O Christmas Tree   “Yea! We’re Going...

 O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson That constant faith and hope sublime Lend strength and comfort through all time. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson.   O Christmas Tree   “Yea! We’re Going...

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41   When we think about Christmas, sometimes we see it as the end of the story. For us, it comes at the end of a calendar year and we...

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27     There are three names engraved on a bronze plaque near the flag pole on Forest Avenue next to the...

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  2 Corinthians 9:8   During this season of Advent, we are preparing for the coming of Christ. One way we celebrate Advent...

Second Week of Advent ….“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all...

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14   This is a photo of my wife, Anne, and son, Tate, at one of our parking lot parties in the spring. This chalk art was...

“It’s Christmas every time you let God love others through you… every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.” Quote from Mother Teresa   As Christmas approaches we look forward to the sights and sounds of the season - the beautiful tree in the...

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 This verse and these pictures bring to mind a project Trinity Stitchers did at the onset of the pandemic last year. At the time as I was...

“Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace.” God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen When I see this photo, I have an image of a community of believers who love and support one another and the church....