A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
MAY 2025
TRINITY U.C.C. VISION STATEMENT:
All will know the love of God through the teaching of Jesus!!
Trinity U.C.C. is called by
God to:
–Share God’s love with our
community
–Serve God’s children
–Bring healing and
wholeness to those in need
–Share the Gospel in
liturgy, music and study
God to:
–Share God’s love with our
community
–Serve God’s children
–Bring healing and
wholeness to those in need
–Share the Gospel in
liturgy, music and study
Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
Catch the Vision,
Share the Joy!!
Dear Friends,
The Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth (1930-1992)
In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree, in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree, in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning, in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing, in our life, eternity, in our death, a resurrection, at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Natalie Sleeth’s music is often included in our worship services through congregational responses and choir anthems. An accomplished composer of the 20th century, Sleeth is well-known for two anthems, Joy in the Morning (our choir will sing this on May 4) and Hymn of Promise. She dedicated the latter to her husband in 1985, who died weeks after the anthem premiered. She wrote these words as she pondered the resurgence of spring every year.
I recently read these words at the memorial for Pat Miller. It was one of Pat’s favorite hymns because she loved flowers, loved being in God’s creation, and celebrating the newness of life! These were appropriate words for Pat’s memorial on Holy Saturday, as we prepared to sing the Easter alleluias!
Natalie Sleeth gives us the hope that we receive from our risen Lord! This promise is for us now, not just something we will receive in the next life. Sleeth drew on the familiar words of the great poet T.S. Eliot (1888-1965):
In the end is my beginning.
We are constantly faced with endings and beginnings. This will soon be the case for young men and women as they graduate from high school or college. This is the case for families who grieve the death of a loved one, but eagerly anticipate the birth of a child. This the case as we move from one season to another. As Sleeth reminds us, the past will give way to the future that is filled with so many unknowns. Let us trust in the God who can see the possibilities that are ahead of us! Let us embrace the mysteries of life! Let us cling to the hidden promises of God!
Blessings,
Pastor Chris
EOV
