Houston Trinity News
May 5, 2025
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:25-26
Friends,
Sunday is Mother’s Day. Take time this week to reflect on the mothers in your life. There are so many. Our biological mothers, our adoptive mothers, our foster mothers. I lost my mother 24 years ago. I still find myself thinking of the things that she taught me and the things that she did for me. After my father died when I was young, she raised my siblings and myself by herself. She worked all day then went back to school at night. She fed us and clothed us. She found time to teach Sunday School at the San Marcos Academy. She had her struggles, but she trusted God to help her get through. She passed that belief to me.
Motherhood is described so well in Proverbs. Mothers are clothed in strength and dignity. Maybe there are times when it doesn’t feel like it. Maybe there are times when the dignity seems buried beneath the troubles of the moment. But strength and dignity are the gifts given mothers by God. When mothers speak to their children their words are filled with wisdom and kindness. As a child I didn’t always believe that but as a father I watched that over and over again with the mother of our children.
This week, pray for all the mothers. The mothers that have gone on to the church triumphant. The mothers that are far away. The mothers that live close by. Pray for our mothers who are estranged from their children. Pray for expecting mothers. Pray for struggling mothers. Pray for those who want to be mothers but are having difficulty becoming one.
I cannot fully grasp the complexity or difficulty of motherhood. Neither can I fully comprehend the joy that comes from motherhood, even in the middle of raising children. But I can appreciate that God gave us mothers. As Rudyard Kipling said: “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.”
To all my mothers: my mom; Susan, the mother of our children; my children who are now both mothers, and to all my mothers at Houston Trinity, I love you.
God bless you. See you Sunday.
This Week's Scriptures
John 21:1-19 (NRSV)
1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards b off.
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
New Sermon Series - "Before I Go"
We are beginning a new Sermon Series this week titled "Before I Go". We will spend next Sunday and the Sundays in May with Jesus as he makes his post-resurrection appearances. These Sunday's will be an opportunity for us to hear once again, the hope, the assurances, the promises, the instructions and the commandments of Jesus.
Our New Sermon Series
April 27 – Before I Go – Peace Be with You
May 4 – Before I Go – Doubt No More
May 11 – Before I Go – Do You Love Me?
May 18 – Guest Message
May 25 – Before I Go – The Great Commission
Calendar Reminders - May
April 28 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – Genesis – led by Pastor Manuel
April 30 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – Obadiah – 6:30 – in person and ZOOM
May 4 – Sunday Worship – First Sunday Communion
May 5 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – Genesis – led by Pastor Manuel
May 7 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – Ezekiel – 6:30 – in person and ZOOM
May 11 – Sunday Worship – Mother’s Day
May 12 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – Genesis – led by Pastor Manuel
May 13 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – Ezekiel Chapter 4 – 6:30 – in person and ZOOM
May 16 – Youth Night – Location to be determined.
May 18 – Sunday Worship
May 19 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – Genesis – led by Pastor Manuel
May 21 – NO BIBLE STUDY
May 25 – Sunday Worship – Aldersgate Sunday
May 25 – Texas Annual Conference – Opening Worship
May 25-27 – Annual Conference
May 30 – Women of Faith Prayer Meeting
This Sunday is Mother's Day
Make sure you join us this Sunday as we celebrate Mothers. Mother’s Day is a special time to honor and celebrate the women in our lives who pour out love, care, and strength. Mothers embody the love of God, serving as the first reflection of His nurturing and protective nature.
VBS is Back!
Houston Trinity is participating in a joint VBS with Bear Creek UMC the week of June 16-June 20.
Volunteers Needed - if you are interested in helping with VBS this year please contact Blessings Ignacio to complete the necessary paperwork.
Invite - Invite a friend or relative to participate. Ages Pre-K through graduating 5th graders.
Registration - Registration is open. Use the QR Code below to register.
Youth Nights are Back!
We had a great time at the Main Event. Stay tuned for date and time of our May gathering.
Mark your Calendar. Invite a Friend
Marvin Rader School
News From Marvin Rader
The School Year has ended and the Summer Enrichment Program is starting soon. Stay tuned for more information as the program gets started.
The staff is on retreat in Batangas City April 28 and 29 for team building.
God's Blessings as the School begins its summer programs.
Prayer Corner
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
Nikka Javelosa
Blessings Ramirez
Velma Bailey
Melina Bernardo
Jose Liwanag
Saffa Gabba
Veronica Crisologo
Christopher Hilton
Susan Hilton
Cheryl Foster
Gerald Hinkson
Bruce Jocz
Pam Custer
Anita Solas
Louise Mosley
Ithana Campbell
Leonard Miller
Michael Bola
Luz Santos
Prayers for Travel
Everyone taking extended trips. Safe journeys to and from.
Prayers of Comfort
For Angela, her brother and their families.
Prayers for Troubles of the World
For the earthquake victims and their families in Turkey.
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