Last Sunday we heard the story of Thomas’ encounter with the risen Jesus. Recall that back in John 11, Thomas was ready to follow Jesus back to Judea and into danger. “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” he says. Thomas is ready to run towards death, but in his meeting with Jesus in that fateful room after the resurrection, he needs to hear an invitation to new life. He needs to hear the word of peace for himself, and not second hand. 

We know all too much about death. We know all too much about preparing for the worst. But it can be a terrifying thing to trust that things might just work out better than we expected. It can be a terrifying thing to believe that in Jesus, it actually can’t work out any better than we trust it will. 

Thomas responds to that invitation to life with worship: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas ascribes to Jesus the name that is also the name of the God of Israel, making a bold confession of Jesus’ divinity. Only God can bring that kind of life, hope, and peace, and Thomas would be so compelled by it that he would become the messenger of the Gospel far outside the Roman Empire - as tradition has it, as the apostle to the people of India and south Asia. 

In each of our lives, we find there are times when we struggle to trust that Jesus is there, alive and active. Yet we still believe for each other until we can see and trust again. That’s one reason that we say the creed on Sunday: we believe – and we believe together. 

In the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter, Jesus says “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” This is how we come to faith, 2000 years after the risen Jesus met his disciples. At the same time, we do have the chance to see, to touch, to taste Jesus. We have that chance to encounter him face to face at the altar, every time we come to Trinity Church where Jesus shows up in word and in sacrament. He shows up because he promised to do so, and because he is faithful to the promise. Every time we come to church, Jesus invites us once again to hear the word of life and peace, to feel the breath of the Holy Spirit, and in response to exclaim in worship – “my Lord and my God.”

Sunday, April 14th at 4pm

New to Trinity in the past year or two?  The Newcomers Committee invites you to join the clergy, vestry members and fellow newcomers for refreshments and fellowship at the Rectory where Fr. Paul Jeanes lives.  It's next to our parish hall at 25 Mercer St.  We'll start at 4 pm and end at 5 pm.  Then feel free to join us as we walk next door to the church for the evening prayers said during Compline.  Registration is not required but is appreciated; email Tom Scott at tomascott1965@gmail.com. 

Sunday, April 21, 2024

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Evensong at 5:00

Afternoon Tea Update:

Tea and choral enthusiasts! We still need cookie bakers and sandwich makers to make the tea a success. Please contact Sylvia Temmer, sbjornberg77@icloud.com to volunteer.

Tickets for the Tea will be on sale on April 7 outside Pierce Hall after the 8:00am service, and April 14 in the Narthex after the 10:30am service. Bring your checkbook or cash! The event, priced at $35 per person ($40 at the door) is a fundraising effort for the choir. Please be sure to make your reservations early as seating is limited; if desired, entire tables may be reserved. Reservations may be made by emailing Pegi Stengel at mstengel329@hotmail.com or calling 609-924-4807 and leaving a message.

Date and Time: Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 4pm

Location: Trinity Church
Join Voices Chorale NJ and the Berks Sinfonietta chamber orchestra in appreciating the mastery of one of Franz Joseph Haydn’s most distinctive and memorable compositions: Missa in Angustiis (Mass for Troubled Times), more popularly known as the Lord Nelson Mass. Between sections of this liturgical work, the chorale will perform contemporary pieces that respond to themes within the Mass, bringing new perspectives on forgiveness, praise, faith, peace, and unity in a divided world.

VCNJ continues its tradition of presenting various musical styles and eras together in thought-provoking concerts to delight and inspire audiences and musicians alike. Contemporary works include Fragile by Sting and Exsultate! Jubilate! by Kyle Pederson.

Tickets and information are available at https://www.voiceschoralenj.org.  

Adult: $20 ($25 at the door);  Child/Student: $10 ($15 at the door).

Contact Linda Silber (lindafsilber@gmail.com) for more information.

Trinity Church and Nassau Presbyterian Church will once again co-sponsor a grief group called GriefEncounter this spring. The group meets for six sessions at Nassau on Tuesday, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 9 and 16, from 7pm to 8:30pm. GriefEncounter is led by a trained grief counselor for folks experiencing feelings of loss due to the death of a family member, friend, colleague, anyone who has been part of your life. For additional information, please contact, Wesley Rowell, 646-279-1595, rowellw@trinityprinceton.org.  

It is a clear positive that civil and human rights for the LGBTQIA+ community have progressed greatly in the last few decades. It is also very clear that hatred and violence towards queer people is on the rise. In the first three months of 2024, over 300 anti-gay bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Many of these bills invoke Christianity as the impetus behind them. There is still so much work to be done.

Oasis is the Trinity Church group for people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We plan to gather in the weeks after Easter (TBA) for the opportunity to fellowship together and explore how our queerness is a gift from God.

Please contact Wesley Rowell (rowellw@trinityprinceton.org) if you are interested in joining the Oasis group.

A group from Trinity Princeton went together to hear organ and social media sensation Anna Lapwood play an organ concert at Princeton University Chapel last Monday. The chapel was full and the audience was enthusiastic!