Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) - North Bethesda, MD

09/07/2026

The 10th running of the Montgomery County Interfaith 5K took place on this beautiful Labor Day morning. Trinity was well represented! Come join us next year!

09/06/2026

Musings on the Gospel

September 6th, 2026, Feast of Creation
John 1:1-5

“In the beginning…”

The Gospel of John opens with the same words the book of Genesis opens with. Genesis tells us that the earth was a shapeless and dark void. John tells us that the Word, the Logos…Christ, was with God and was God. Both stories tell us that ALL things, “heavens and earth”, were made by God speaking them into being.

It is a common to interpret the “heavens and the earth in Gen. 1:1 to mean the entire universe. Our understanding of the universe has expanded with the use of modern technology, allowing us to study what is called the “observable” universe.

Have you ever had the chance to view a truly dark sky, one covered with stars and with the Milky Way visible? What feelings and thoughts came up for you? When stargazing, not only does the darkness not overcome the light, but on the contrary, the dark reveals the light.

On this Feast of Creation Sunday, as we hear those creation story words, “In the beginning…” may we find renewed enchantment, amazement, and shear awe in “the heavens and earth” God created, all of them. And may we truly take care of our piece of star dust and each other.

Blessings on your week and may you be in awe of God’s good creation!

09/04/2026

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has issued his fourth in a series of monthly messages that continue through the end of this year, titled “All Together in One Place."

Each message will share a pastoral word, rooted in Scripture, that witnesses to God's presence today, our rich theological tradition and the social teaching that connects us.

Read his latest message, "A Call to be Trusted Messengers in this Election Season America," here: elca.org/news/a-call-to-be-trusted-messengers-in-this-election-season

09/03/2026

Flat Paul has done a bit of traveling recently. So much so, that he missed watching the sun at Mars Hill in Athens. He enjoyed time at the beach in Cape Cod and hiking in Acadia National Park.

09/02/2026

This past Sunday, our Noah's Ark puzzle was completed. It's been fun to see people of all ages working on it throughout the summer and engaging in conversation.

08/30/2026

Musings on the Gospel

August 30th, 2026, Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 16:21-28

In last week’s Gospel reading, Jesus asked the disciples who people say he is. He then asked the disciple to answer that same question for themselves. Last week’s musings closed with the question posed to us.

The alternative first reading for today is Exodus 3:1-15. It is the story of God speaking to Moses via the burning bush, calling Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It’s a big ask. Moses questions God, asking “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God doesn’t answer Moses’ question, just assures Moses that he will be with him.

Today’s Gospel reading has Jesus telling his disciples that to be his followers, they also need to “deny themselves and take up their cross”. That’s also a big ask. What does that mean for his disciples? For us? For you?

Moses seems to be feeling inadequate at the call God puts before him. Jesus’ words are no less challenging. What calling, what cross, has been put to you, to us, at this time? What challenging sacrifices are being asked for? God’s response to Moses was the same as Jesus will tell his disciples later in Matthew’s Gospel…”I will be with you.”

Blessings on your week!

08/23/2026

Musings on the Gospel

August 23rd, 2026, Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 16: (1-12) 13-20

This short passage of Matthew’s gospel is preceded by the Pharisees and Sadducees asking Jesus for a sign from heaven. It’s a test. A conversation about yeast, bread, and having fed crowds ensues between Jesus and his disciples. In our passage, Jesus asks the disciples first, who other people say he is; and then asks them who they say he is.

Not surprisingly, Peter answers first, and says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesuit meditations are known to make use of imaginative prayer. So, imagine yourself in this scene, with Jesus and the disciples, listening and considering what is being said. Now, Jesus looks at you very directly and asks, “But, who do you say that I am?”

How do you answer? What do you say to Jesus? To someone honestly curious about your faith story? And what does your answer mean to you, beyond the surface of the words? How do we answer those questions as a faith community? These are questions and answers of confession and witness.

Who do you say Jesus is?

Blessings on your week!

08/19/2026

From our Presiding Bishop...

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has issued his third in a series of monthly messages that continue through the end of this year, titled “All Together in One Place."

Each message will share a pastoral word, rooted in Scripture, that witnesses to God's presence today, our rich theological tradition and the social teaching that connects us.

Read his latest message, "Choosing Reconciliation Over Division in a Multifaith America," here: elca.org/news/all-together-in-one-place-3

08/16/2026

Sunday mornings this summer, before worship and afterwards during coffee hour, people have been gathering and working on a puzzle. Recently, board games have been happening too. It's been wonderful to watch.