"God always has a reason."

He said those words part way through a 2 minute and 57 second news conference yesterday afternoon. "He" is Aaron Thomas. Aaron is the son of Ed Thomas, legendary football coach and beloved member of the Parkersburg community. His players include 100s of kids next door and four NFL stars (including, yes, a Green Bay Packer). Yesterday morning Ed was shot and killed by a former student - while he was with 30 other students lifting weights for the fall season. You can read more coverage here.

The events are a crushing blow to his family, church, and community. We feel our own ties, too. We have sent (and will send) work groups to help rebuild the tornado-damaged homes of a year ago. Several of our families have relatives who live or lived in the area. Trinity son, Gary Hegstad, served at the Reformed Church in Applington. We feel for our sisters and brothers.

But in 2:57 I doubt whether you will hear a better understanding of faith under such circumstances. Aaron was poised, calm, and clear. You get the sense that these were not emotional words to put a band-aid over raw pain. They are words you speak if you have faith that has a deep reservoir. "God always has a reason."

I'm preaching on Joshua 24 this week, and I can't help but imagine Coach Thomas playing the part of Joshua in some locker-room pre-game talk: "Choose this day who you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I never heard of him until yesterday, but I learned this anecdote from a person who used to live there. She reported that a friend's son was going out for football this year, not because he like football, but because he wanted to be on Ed's team.

The video is posted below. If your computer doesn't show the video, you can view it by visiting www.trinityorangecity.blogspot.com or on You Tube clicking here.





SUNDAY'S COMING

Our series on Stories of Faith from People in the Pew continues this week with Ardie Hegstad. You will be inspired by her story of a wedding gift that has been passed down through the generations and how Joshua 24:14-15 have been a powerful influence on Ardie and Glen's life. Ardie is not able to worship each wekk in the pew with us, but she is an integral part of our family in Christ.






OFF TO HAITI

Rob called this morning at 6:00 a.m. to say the team was on schedule and off for the final stretch to Haiti. All is going well. Thanks be to God!

Be sure to check out the right hand side bar for links to Trinity's website, where you can find the Sunday prayer list and bulletin announcements.

God bless you all,

Pastor Jon Opgenorth

Vantage Point 3 Intro Meeting on Wednesday

Reminder:

What: VantagePoint3 Informational meeting

When: Tomorrow, Wed., June 24th at 7:00 PM (Year 2 group will meet at 6:30 PM- must have completed Year 1 to attend)

Where: Trinity Family Center

Why: Are you asking these questions: Who is God? Who am I? What does God desire to do through me? Come hear how this class will help us discover our gifts/talents together and wrestle with these questions.

Please contact Jon Nelson at 737-4542 if you plan to attend.

Blessings, Jon Nelson

Sunday's Coming!

Stop Worrying!

Paul could not be clearer when he wrote, “do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6).

His language is a command, “Stop worrying!”

This is not a parent to a child worried that the white cloud he sees may be a tornado. This is not a camp counselor to a camper afraid of the dark.

The worries of the Philippians and of Paul are not phantom anxieties or toothless dreams. He is in prison. The church is being persecuted. People are not getting along. The threat is real. So his “stop worrying” has teeth and the command to “not be anxious about anything” leaves no exceptions.

He does not deny reality; he simply believes that God is greater than whatever circumstances we are in.

Philippians 4:6-7 is the favorite verse of Bill Van Gorp. He is our story of faith in this week’s service. He’ll share how God’s grace has been with he and Joyce through the years and decades of their life together. These beloved verses are likely the favorites of many in the church.

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.

Surprisingly to me, I have not preached on this text with the exception of two funerals. I’ve preached through Philippians twice in team ministry, but both times another pastor preached this passage. I’m looking forward to my shot at this inspiring promise.

As you prepare to come to worship on Sunday, why not take some time to reflect on the things that bring anxiety into your life. Paul does not ask us to ignore anxiety-producing situations; he invites to give them to God. We’ll do this Sunday.

In the Grip of Grace,

Jon Opgenorth

PS - Check out the Links at the right to the church website where you'll find all the bulletin information, prayer list, and other news and notes.

Something New

We're trying some different ways to make "Sunday's Coming!" a more attractive communication peace. To see any pictures or graphics in this e-mail, just righ-click on them and select "Download Pictures."

Praise in the Park!



Bring your lawn chair to the park on Sunday evening as our praise teams lead us an outdoor evening of praise and worship. 6:00 p.m. in Windmill Park!



Haiti Week 1 is upon us!


Our high school students and adult sponsors will be traveling to Haiti next week (another group of adults will be going in July). Please remember them in prayer.


Amazing Video

Here is a video that Trinity member and Northwestern professor, Jamie Durham, made of Michelle Christy's (and Team Michelle's) participation in The Race for the Cure. Enjoy! If you cannot see the video, click on the link below to Jamie's video post.

Race For the Cure from Jamey Durham on Vimeo.