Houston Trinity News
January 6, 2025
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
Thessalonians 1:2-5 (ESV)
Friends,
As I sit here in the office this first Monday in January, looking out the window at a beautiful, sun-filled day (but inside where it is warmer than the 31 degrees outside), I am reminded by the Psalmist “Make a joyful noise to the Lord”; to “Serve the Lord with gladness!” and to “enter his gates with thanksgiving and courts with praise! (Psalm 100).
It is so easy to start a new year, or heck, just a new week looking at what lies ahead without being thankful for what we have been given today. Take time each morning to praise God. What he has in store for us is amazing. Don’t miss it by looking too far into the days to come. Be thankful for what has been given so far.
I especially want to take time this morning to express my sincere thanks to each and every one of you for an exciting first year together here at Houston Trinity. Paul expressed it so much better than I in his greeting to the church at Thessalonica. I love each and every one of you. I give thanks to God every day for you. For your faith, for your love of this church, for your love of each other and for your love of me and my family. I praise God that there is a place like Houston Trinity United Methodist Church in west Houston where anyone who walks through the door can feel at home and loved. I praise God that the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not obscured but on the lips of each of you in all your actions.
Thank you all for who you are, how you love God, how you love your neighbor, and especially how you have loved and cared for me this first year together. I praise God for Houston Trinity UMC and each of you. Last year was a wonderful year but I think this year can be even greater.
God bless you. See you Sunday. .
This Week's Scriptures
Luke 3:15-17;21-22 (NRSV)
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
INVITE SOMEONE TO JOIN US THIS WEEK for the Second of our two-part Series: Re-membering the Body
The excitement continues. Advent and Christmas may have come and gone, but Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord maintain the joy and the promise. We, the church, have an opportunity to be gathered, reoriented, and put back together. This week we will look at the Baptism of the Lord and participate in a remembrance of our own Baptisms.
Join us for this exciting two-part series.
Reaffirmation of our Baptism
This week we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. We will also participate in a reaffirmation of our own Baptisms. Join us Sunday for a time to remember our Baptismal Covenant.
The United Methodist Church Book of Worship includes the following in the introduction to the Baptismal Covenant – “Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy Church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.
I you are not Baptized come and hear the promise of being born of Water and the Spirit. Not only cleansed by water but cleansed completely by the Holy Spirit.
Our Next Sermon Series
Ordinary Time is more than marking the weeks until the next big event. It is a way of walking with Jesus and growing into our faith as we are making and being made into disciples. This Ordinary Time, I invite you to look at where you are – as individuals and as a community. I want to do that in two parts. We will begin with what is familiar, what we see every day, and what we do week by week—the familiar, and maybe the over-familiar. We need to look at what we’ve seen so much that we don’t see it anymore. But we need to look; we need to see because this is where we are.
Part 1 – Embracing the Familiar
January 19 – What Concern is That?
January 26 – As Was His Custom
February 2 – In Your Hometown
Calendar Reminders - January
January 1 – New Years Day
January 5 – Sunday Worship – First Sunday Communion
January 6 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – The Revelation – led by Pastor Manuel
January 8 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – The Gospel According to John – 6:30 ZOOM
January 12 – Sunday Worship
January 13 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – The Revelation – led by Pastor Manuel
January 15 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – The Gospel According to John – 6:30 ZOOM
January 18 – Prayer Meeting
January 19 – Sunday Worship
January 20 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – The Revelation – led by Pastor Manuel
January 22 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – The Gospel According to John – 6:30 ZOOM
January 26 – Sunday Worship, Council Meeting
January 27 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – The Revelation – led by Pastor Manuel
January 29 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – The Gospel According to John – 6:30 ZOOM
A New Year - A New Church
Calling All Youth and Young Adults
2025 is your opportunity to introduce new programs into the church. Join Pastor Ron for brainstorming sessions to discuss what you are looking for in a church experience.
Two Sessions are Scheduled –
Teens to College – Sunday January 12 – 12:00
Adults 21 – 45 – Sunday January 19 – 12:00
Bring your ideas. I will bring food
Fresh Expressions - Doing Church differently
Fresh Expressions (FX) are ways to embody church to reach new people in new places in new ways. At the heart, this on-going movement of the Holy Spirit inspires LAY members to embrace their calling as the priesthood of believers. The intention is not to grow worship attendance or increase small group membership. The purpose is to have Jesus-conversations with those who aren’t interested in attending church in a building but are deeply curious about the grace of God.
We are looking for four individuals to take this nine-month journey. Houston Trinity will pay the cost of your participation.
Please contact Pastor Ron if you are interested.
Wanted! - A teacher/facilitator for new Youth Sunday School
Are you interested in leading a Sunday School class for our Youth? Contact Pastor Ron.
Prayer Corner
We are adding a new section to our newsletter to inform everyone of our special prayer requests. Please let Nini or me know if you would like to have your prayer request added to the newsletter.
This week's prayer requests
Prayers for Healing
Blessings Ramirez
Velma Bailey
Melina Bernardo
Jose Liwanag
Saffa Gabba
Veronica Crisologo
Jim Yunke
Christopher Hilton
Susan Hilton
Cheryl Foster
Gerald Hinkson
Prayers for Safe Travels
All of our friends, family, and neighbors.
Prayers for Comfort in Times of Loss
Cheryl and the family of Ron Thomas who passed after a long battle in a coma.
Prayers of Thanks and Praise
To our awesome God, our guide, our provider, our Shepherd, our Savior for another year of family and community at Houston Trinity.
Open Hearts and Minds; Eyes that See and Ears that Hear
Houston Trinity United Methodist Church
The Prayer for Today – courtesy of praywithme.com
Just for today, help me, God, to remember that my life is a gift, that my health is a blessing, that this new day is filled with awesome potential, that I have the capacity to bring something wholly new and unique and good into this world.
Just for today, help me, God, to remember to be kind and patient to the people who love me, and to those who work with me too. Teach me to see all the beauty that I so often ignore, and to listen to the silent longing of my own soul.
Just for today, help me, God, to remember You.
Let this be a good day, God, full of joy and love.
Amen