Charlie and Sara Scott's neice, Daniela Chappell, who lives in Phoenix. She was diagnosed this summer with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma, the most severe and terminal brain cancer. She's completed 30 radiation treatments and has been accepted into a clinical trial for an experimental chemotherapy.
All Federal employees who are dealing with income and job uncertainty during the government shut-down.
Friends and family of Dan Claussen, who passed away.
Dana Smith Conley's father, Gene, who is preparing for heart valve replacement surgery on November 11th.
Karen Smith's mother.
Mandy Cluck's husband, Josh Horne, who is recuperating from surgery for a foot infection. Also for her father Neil is having surgery on Oct 2nd to remove a potentially cancerous node from his lung.
For past prayer concerns please click on "Ministries" tab and then click on "Prayer and Care"
Where did the summer go? Wasn’t it simply fantastic? The weather was gorgeous. The kids have all visited and now they’re back to their routines. Tad is a Junioe at CU Denver, Ben has graduated from Loyola in New Orleans, and will be working over the winter at Winter Park Resort in preparation to his move to Chicago sometime in the spring. Hannah is living in New York City and Mollie will be back in Arizona for the fall after stage managing Bonnie and Clyde at the REV theatre in Auburn, New York.
We look toward fall. The leaves have simply been gorgeous haven't they? Soon the snowbirds will be leaving and we will have this beautiful place all to ourselves. I hope we get a lot of snow this winter. The seasons give us comfort because most people like routines. In fact, God seems to have created the world with a rhythm that is reflected in our work, our play and even our bodies.
When routines are interrupted we can become uncomfortable. Though some people embrace change as a positive, others find it disconcerting. Perhaps this is why people like tradition in church. When all else around us seems uncertain, it feels good to settle into a place where we know what to expect.
Faith, however, is not always about comfort! Certainly, the Spirit comforts us in our troubles, but God also challenges us to meet life with courage. Though Webster’s says faith is a noun, scripture sees it as a verb. Christian faith is an active trust that not only rests in God, but moves when God calls. There is something to the saying that preachers are at times called to, “comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable.”
We are comforted by worship routines, spiritual friendship, and strong traditions. All of these can teach us about God and point to aspects of God’s nature; but none of these are God. In fact, God sometimes strips away what we most rely on so that we might see past these limited aspects of God’ nature to see the living God active in our lives.
It seems like winter is getting closer. I hope we can enjoy some more nice weather with the golden leaves for a little while longer, however, that is in God’s providence. We can trust God’s goodness and grace, even in the challenges of change. Unseasonable times, however, can remind us that God is alive and will do what God wants to do. So instead of being disconcerted about the weather, or any other change in our routine, let us celebrate a living God who continues to call us to an uncommon faith.
In his book entitled, Wishful Thinking Frederick Buechner begins his discussion of vocation by tracing its derivation to the Latin vocare – to call. The word vocation has come down to us in the Judeo-Christian tradition as the work to which we are called by God.
The Bible gives testimony of God’s call to various people. For Abraham, the call came as a mandate to “go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Later, a young Isaiah had a vision of God when he entered the temple. “Whom shall I send,” the Lord asked, “and who will go for us?” In the famous response, Isaiah took up the mantel of his vocation by saying, “Here I am; send me!”
One of the things that has so impressed me, living in this place, is the way in which this unique area encourages such a creative approach to vocation. I often find that a person has had two or three vocations during his or her time here. And while we can acknowledge that such flexibility is helpful on a year-round basis, it also speaks to the creative spirit that abounds on this plateau.
Buechner sums up his discussion of vocation by saying, “the place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
How appropriate to those who feel called to live and have their being here in Grand County!
With love and gratitude,
David
Below is an exerpt from my sermon before my sabbatical. I believe it captures what I am feeling as I go on this journey.
"I feel a little like Abraham, this morning, although my get up and go journey is no where near as dramatic as was his.
I feel called by God to get up and go, but I’m also called to come back. I’m not moving, like Abraham and Sarah, I’m simply embarking upon a once in a lifetime chance -
To spend a five week tour of 12 cities all across the Western United States with my son Ben and his band – The Planet of the Little Green Men.
As I mentioned in my weekly email to you, it’s a band of 5 recently graduated, 20-something young men, boys, really. That’s not a put down, it’s just that at our age, anyone in their young 20’s seem like that to us.
Our tour begins in New Orleans on May 24th, then we drive in a rented van that is designed for such purposes, to Austin, El Paso, Tucson, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Salt Lake City, and we end in Denver. Then we drive back to New Orleans, and then Ben and I are coming back to drop off the van.
Pray for us. Pray for our safety. Pray for safety in our travels. Pray for uneventful travails and pray for eventful fun. And pray for my stamina! Pray for the old man, that he can hold his own among those young men.
What possibly could have gotten into my head? What could possibly lead me to do something like this,
if not a deep love for my son, and this chance to bond with him, and a calling from God to Go… Go from home to the land that God will show us?
Answering this call, by the way, would never have been possible without your love and acceptance for understanding my need to do this.
You have made this possible. Your grace and ability to allow this is something for which Ben and I will always be so grateful.
The funds for doing this, by the way, have been privately raised and doesn’t impact the church budget.
Although, the church is paying a larger stipend to our guest preachers Scott Schell, and Dwight Gorbold – thank you to them.
Dwight Gorbold has agreed to take on any pastoral emergencies that may arise… And remember, he does have a day job.
Well, all of this, to say thank you! And we covet your prayers, and to remind you, that in part, this is biblical…
to answer God’s call to go away for a short while.
Abraham and Sarah did it permanently. My change of address will only be for 6 weeks.
Love,
David
Our Calling From God
Sometimes our language betrays us! Clergy are “called by God” to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Everyone else has to go out and “find” a job.
What do we Christians mean by Call? We mean that God has a purpose for each one of our lives. The primary call is the call to discipleship. Jesus said to his first disciples, “Come and follow me.”
Jesus calls us to be Christians more than just to do something. The doing then turns out to be a living out of the being a Christian. For example, in marriage, one is called to be a husband or wife. The doing grows out of living in the role and in the relationship.
In our baptism, God expresses his claim on our life. Living out the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ as a learner or follower is the fulfillment of our Call from God in baptism.
Baptism was the only ordination that Jesus ever had and it represented God’s claim on His whole life! Not Jesus, not Paul, not even the original twelve disciples were ever ordained clergy! Jesus, Paul and the twelve disciples were called by God to full time Christian service. And so are we!
You and I are called by Jesus to be His disciples. The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church sets down the meaning of discipleship in these words:
“A faithful member accepts Christ’s call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of His Church. Such involvement includes:
If you follow from start to finish this sequence, it takes you a while to get beyond the Church and out into the world. Even so, these nine claims put together make up a comprehensive call to full time Christian service. How are you responding to God’s Call?
With love and gratitude,
David
Consider Year End Giving to Support TCP
Financially, Trinity Church in the Pines is having another difficult year. While Trinity’s 2024 budget was thoughtfully developed based on prior years’ expenses, and our current expenses are below that budget, our donations are significantly lower. Here are the facts. As of October 31, 2024, TCP income has significantly decreased during the year. Accumulated income is $127,552, and accumulated expenses are $163,041, for a shortfall of $45,273 in income so far this year.
So here is a reminder as we all consider year end giving. There are three efficient ways to give in order to financially support TCP.
First, donating appreciated securities is quick and simple. You, the donor, receive the current value of the security as a charitable deduction but without the tax liability for the capital gain.
Second, if anyone over the age of 72 has not yet made their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their IRA or SEP for 2024 it is not too late! You can have the distribution made directly to Trinity Church in the Pines by December 31st and you will not have to declare it as personal income because it goes directly to the church. As always, check with your qualified tax advisor for specifics related to your personal situation.
Third, your cash or check contributions can be given to TCP when you are in church or by mailing them to the church. The TCP mailing address is PO Box 676, Grand Lake, CO 80447.
Gay Shaffer 650 Mango Drive Castle Rock, CO 80104-5342
DeAnn Tibbetts 652 Breckenridge Dr. Broomfield, CO 80020
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Money Matters… JUST A REMINDER AS WE CONSIDER YEAR-END GIVING …
As we consider year-end giving, there are two tax efficient ways to give in order to support TCP. First, donating appreciated securities is quick and simple. You, the donor, receive the current value of the security as a charitable deduction but without the tax liability for the capital gain. Secondly, if anyone over the age of 72 has not yet made their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their IRA or SEP for 2022 it is not too late! You can have the distribution made directly to Trinity Church in the Pines by December 31st and you will not have to declare it as personal income because it goes directly to the church. As always, check with your qualified tax advisor for specifics related to your personal situation.
Trinity Food Bank Has Become Something More
Due to COVID our Food Bank at Trinity has closed. At the time we could not risk allowing people into the church. We felt this would put our administrator and pastor at risk unnecessarily. So as not to waste the food we had downstairs, we gave it all to the Mountain Family Center Food Bank in Granby. They were very appreciative of our large donation. It has all been used well and given out to those in need. In the meantime, your generosity has allowed us to make our foodbank much more. In partnership with Mountain Food Market in Grand Lake, Trinity has been offering $100 gift cards to purchase the groceries they want, (except tobacco and alcohol). The cards are at the market. All one has to do is mention the Trinity gift cards to the cashier and they will be helped – no questions asked. So, if you or someone you know is in need of this assistance, we are only too glad to help!
Men’s Breakfast Group meets every Thursday morning for good food and great fellowship in our fellowship hall. This is open to all men, so invite your friends/neighbors to join us. Hope to see you at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings.
The Knitting Ministry The Ladies of the Knitting Ministry at TCP meet together in the fellowship room on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 10:00am. Our Mission is to knit and deliver prayer shawls to people experiencing a setback or illness and are in need of comfort. Please feel free to join us. If you would like more information about our group, please contact Melody Anders, (303) 917-3923, manders63@msn.com All are welcome.
Church is Open for Live, In-Person Worship Services
Masks are welcome, but not required. If you still are not comfortable coming to church, or if you are out of town, you can still participate in our worship. We continue to live-stream our services each Sunday morning at 9:30.
You can view our service on our website: tcpgrandlake.org
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If you would like to be on this email list, or know of anyone else who would please let me know. Just send your or their email to me at heild@me.com
THANK YOU for stepping up and helping us make Trinity Church in the Pines great! Thanks to our corporate officers and the session for all they do and thank you for your willingness to serve. Ike Hull, Clerk, Steve Meyer, Treasurer and Elder, Neal Cross, Karen Smith, Elder, Geoff Elliott, Elder and David Heil, Pastor. We also thank those that are serving Trinity Church in the Pines in their care positions. Thank you for your willingness to serve. Melody Anders, Deacon Brooke Mark, Deacon Kate Elliott, Deacon. Thank you to the musicians who provide us with music each Sunday morning, David Heil, Geoff Elliott, Neal Cross, Mandy Cluck, Dennis Stafford, Daryl Troute, Jerry Pope, Patrick Warfle.
TRINITY CHURCH IN THE PINES
604 Lake Avenue, P.O. Box 676 Grand Lake, Colorado 80447
(970) 627-3510 (Church Office)
Website: www.tcpgrandlake.org
Pastor Rev. Dr. David C. Heil, 970-685-7046 heild@me.com
Trinity Office email: tcpingrandlake@aol.com