I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity…

Trinity Sunday is the feast day that has launched a thousand jokes. You know the ones: Trinity Sunday, otherwise known as International Make the Curate Preach Day. Trinity Sunday: The only feast day devoted to a doctrine. Trinity Sunday: the day on which you’re most likely to hear a heresy. 

I love to preach on Trinity Sunday. This day of the Church year gets right to the heart of what we’re here to do. Trinity Sunday asks us to get clear about what we mean when we say “God.” Unfortunately, far too many people think that what we celebrate today has nothing to do with their lives. 

The doctrine of the Trinity – the reality of God as Trinity - is relevant to your life and mine. It tells us why Jesus’ life, example, and teachings are authoritative for us as Christians. It tells us why his death and resurrection has turned the world upside down and called us to live as witnesses to that reality. It tells us that the person of Jesus (or who Jesus is) interprets his work and his words (what Jesus does). And who Jesus is, is none other the son of God. 

What do we mean when we say ‘God’? Every time we begin the Eucharist, we say what we mean: “Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” When we say “God,” we don’t refer to a God of ultimate vagueness, of “faith” in general, or “religion” in general. Instead, we are talking about a God who has acted and continues to act in particular ways. When we say “God,” we mean precisely “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”  We talk about a God who acts in the world for us and for our salvation in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in the sending of the Holy Spirit. We talk about a God whom we know in Jesus - and who does not change. 

Wesley Hill writes that the doctrine of the Trinity ‘is meant, among other things, to offer assurance to wavering consciences. If we ever wonder whether the grace and new beginning we have experienced through Jesus’s love and the Spirit’s presence among us is merely the momentary kindness of an otherwise unpredictable God, Trinitarian theology says, “No, this is how God fundamentally is — all the way back into eternity, and all the way into the coming kingdom.”’ 

Join me this Sunday as we worship the Triune God together. 

Yours in Christ,

Due to the transition at All Saints’ Church, there will be no Memorial Day prayer service this year at the cemetery.

We pray for all those who have given their lives in the service of this nation.

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word “Pentecost”? For some people, it’s the sending of the Holy Spirit to the Church. For others, it’s sandwiches! The 20’s-30’s Fellowship will have a Pentecost Panini Party on Saturday, May 25th at 6 PM in Pierce-Bishop Hall. We’ll provide the ingredients and panini presses, you bring yourself and any beverages you’d like to share. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/fUPoG4gxKdp5zwHz8.

On Sunday, June 2, after the 10am service, we invite you join us for a joyous communal picnic on the lawn.

Volunteers are needed for set up, clean up, and to bring individual desserts. Please email Carol Brooks-Thomas at carolbrooksthomas@gmail.com to sign up.

July 13 - 19, 2024

Deadline to register: June 13, 2024

The Prosopon School of Iconology returns to Trinity Church for the (24th!) icon workshop. Beginning students will complete an icon of Christ Emmanuel during the workshop. Never held a paint brush? No worries! You will be given a drawing to trace onto the board, step-by-step instructions, daily demonstrations, and all materials. See the announcement for more information. Still have questions? Contact workshop coordinator and Trinity’s iconographer in residence, Maureen McCormick, at maureen@iconodulestudio.com.

• Dates: June 24-27 (Monday-Thursday)

• Time: 5-7:30 p.m. 

• Cost: FREE!!! 

• Location: Trinity Church (33 Mercer St, Princeton | Next to Princeton Seminary's Wright Library)

• Ages: PreK-Adult Programing

  Just Like Me! is an adaptable Vacation Bible School program that centers the deep and active faith lives of children and the real-world context our kids live in. In the parallel adult sessions, parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to dig into the theological underpinnings of the Just Like Me curriculum.

  This is a multi-church, ecumenical program sponsored by Princeton UMC, Mt. Pisgah AME Church, and Trinity Church. 

  We are so excited to bring you this program, and we look forward to seeing you in June! 

  If you have any questions, please email one of our program coordinators: Pastor Tayler Necoechea (tayler@princetonumc.org) or Carolyn Liverman (carolynliverman43@gmail.com). 

  Register here for Just Like Me!: Community Vacation Bible School 2024!!

  This form is for kids PreK-8th Grade only! 

  If you are an adult and would like to volunteer, please use this volunteer form. High school teens can also sign up as volunteers here.

  If you are an adult and would like to participate in our parallel adult program, you can register here.

Calling all instrumentalists!  During the summer, we will have opportunities for those in our congregation who play musical instruments to offer preludes and/or offertories for services.  If you play an instrument and would like to share your talents, please sign up on the digital form at this link:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NVTEWapN2oon5_D87IlAvv_wJuyNyf48_eloRrPT1XQ/edit?usp=sharing or on the paper sign-up in the narthex or at the front desk. Thank you!

Stay up to date with Paul’s Sabbatical updates here: https://www.trinityprinceton.org/sabbatical-updates.