For Trinity Sunday, May 30

Post date: May 28, 2021 1:45:4 PM

Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,

Blessings of Pentecost joy be with you! I pray you’ve had a good week.

By now I assume you are aware of  Gov. Murphy's announcement concerning the easing of the mask mandate and social distancing for vaccinated people in indoor settings. Let us rejoice because this means we may finally be moving toward an end to the pandemic in our country and hopefully our world! 

As such, I reached out to our Church Re-opening Ad Hoc Committee to get their opinion on this announcement, and they made the following recommendation to Consistory, which was approved: As most of our congregation is fully vaccinated, starting Sunday, May 30, masks and social distancing are optional for those attending worship and indoor events. For individuals who may feel uncomfortable in such a setting, they are encouraged to wear their mask and practice social distancing. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, everyone should make the wisest, safest, and most loving decision for their health, the health of their family, and their neighbor, honoring the Greatest Commandment of Jesus. However you choose to come to church, know you will receive God’s arms wide-open welcome. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to reach out to me.

I’m looking forward to joyously welcoming you to church in person, via Zoom, or livestream at 10:30 AM this Trinity Sunday as we celebrate the wondrous community of Love in God the Creator, Jesus the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit the Sustainer. Our musical offerings this Sunday will certainly inspire your soul as Judith Daugherty is our featured musician along with Callie Thorpe and Eli Thorpe on trumpet. Our songs are “Holy, Holy, Holy!” for our Prelude; “Lord of the Dance” for our Anthem; “Morning Mood” for our Sermon Prayer Reflection; and “America the Beautiful” for our Postlude. I will be preaching from John 16.7, 12-15 and my sermon title is A Dance of Love. 

Lastly, this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, the official start of summer in New Jersey. After being separated by the pandemic for so long, many families and friends will gather to enjoy a BBQ meal together. It will be a time of much desired celebration. But more importantly, this weekend is about honoring and remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I hope that during the weekend, and especially on Monday you will pause to give thanks for the heroism of the faithful people who selflessly gave their all for our freedom.

In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish