Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) - North Bethesda, MD

06/08/2026

Flat Paul has already done a lot of walking on our Walk With St. Paul summer journey. He joined our Metro DC Synod Assembly, hiked, and has traded his old boat for an airplane. Where will he show up next?

06/07/2026

Musings on the Gospel

June 7th, 2026, Second Sunday of Pentecost
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

There is much to think about in this week’s Gospel passages. The first passage begins with Matthew working at his tax collecting station. As a Jew collecting taxes for the Roman Empire, he’s seen as a traitor, as a sinner. Jesus invites him to join his group of disciples anyway. Tax collectors were often seen as dishonest, as being in collaboration with the oppressive empire, and maybe that was a fair assessment.

We also have a father, asking Jesus to touch his daughter who just died so she may be brought back to life. In the second passage, a woman is suffering from a bleeding disorder of twelve years is yearning to be healed. Both, the father and the woman, believe a simple touch of Jesus will bring life and healing.

There is healing power in being seen, in a healthy touch, and in an invitation to belong. Studies suggest that we need four hugs a day to combat anxiety and depression. Undistracted presence with someone is also both healing and communion.

Who are the “tax collectors”, the dreaded “others”, of today? How can you offer them an invitation to community? Who is in need of healing from illness, grief, stress, or loneliness? Can you offer them your presence, a supportive shoulder, a hand to hold, or a big bear hug?

06/02/2026

From our Presiding Bishop...

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has issued his first in a series of monthly messages that will continue through the end of this year under the title "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 the full message through the link in the comments below.

05/31/2026

Musings on the Gospel

May 31st, Holy Trinity Sunday
Matthew 28:16-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (v19)

How do you hear and understand this verse? So often that has been understood as go out and convert people to Christianity, save souls from damnation in hell. A disciple is a student. In his short video titled “Dust”, Rob Bell tells how in Jesus’ day, disciples (students) were selected for or approved for study with/by a rabbi. Once selected, the disciple(s) stayed and followed their teacher everywhere, learning how he lived and being taught lessons directly.

Matthew’s gospel focuses on Jesus teaching. The statement above finishes with, “teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (v20)

The Greek word translated to “obey” actually translates as “to keep” or “to guard”. So as disciples, we are to guard all that Jesus has commanded. Which is what, ultimately? Consider the Beatitudes and Matthew 25. It is also Matthew who tells us that after loving God, the second greatest commandment is “to love your neighbor as yourself” (v22:39). Matthew gives us very specific ways of doing that.

So, what does discipleship look like today for you, for a faith community? Last week the Holy Spirit arrived and sent us out. By what means are we to make disciples today? What are we teaching through our words and actions?

05/24/2026

Musings on the Gospel

May 24th, Day of Pentecost
John 20:19-23

Today’s short passage is part of the longer passage from six weeks ago. The disciples are gathered, after the Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, in the upper room with the door locked, afraid. And then he suddenly shows up in their midst. He speaks these words to them:

21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

In the Greek, he breathed the Holy Spirit in them. The prologue to John’s gospel echoes the opening of the book of Genesis; and as we near the end of this gospel, we have another echo from Genesis…God breathing life into Adamah. Here Jesus is breathing the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, into the disciples.

Our passage from Acts today speaks of “the rush of a violent wind” and tongues of fire resting on all who were gathered on that day. Yet sometimes, the Holy Spirit comes quietly and patiently. Kenda Creasy Dean once wrote of God courting and inviting, waiting for our “yes”. Think of how Jesus so often invited people, and us, to “come and see” or “follow me”. Dean goes on to write that once we say “yes”, the Holy Spirit rushes in and fills us. In a way bringing us back to life!

Jesus tells his disciples that he is now sending them, you and me included, as he had been sent. Sending where, for what purpose? Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit inviting you, beckoning you, to something beyond what you imagined, to serve in some way, to take a risk for the sake of another, of the world? She will wait for your “yes”, and then be ready for that surge of life!

05/23/2026

Last Sunday, our Children's Message was delivered by our children.

05/17/2026

Musings on the Gospel

May 17th, 7th Sunday of Easter
John 17:1-11

All of Chapter 17 is a prayer prayed by Jesus on behalf of his disciples and those to follow in the future. Our portion of the prayer this week, focuses is for those sitting around the table with him at his last supper.

Eternal life…what comes to mind? A place far away? Life extended beyond death? How do you hear that phrase? In his prayer, Jesus says in verse 3:

“And this is eternal life, that they may know you [God], the only true God, and Jesus [the] Christ whom you have sent.”

This is written in the present tense. In John 17:20, Jesus expands his prayer to include those who will come to know God in the future. That would include us. Three Sundays ago, in John 10, Jesus spoke of coming to bring life, the abundant life…in the present then, and today.

The eternal and abundant life here and now…by knowing God, by knowing Jesus. What does such a life look like? Is it freeing? Does it change anything? How are you living an eternal life now?

05/10/2026

Musings on the Gospel

May 10th, 6th Sunday of Easter
John 14:15-21

We are still in the farewell discourse this week and our passage opens with a conditional statement from Jesus to the disciples:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

This is addressed to the group that is gathered; the verbs “love” and “keep” are in the plural form. Do you hear this as Jesus speaking to the disciples as individuals or as a community? The Greek word for love in this passage is “agape”…self-less, sacrificial love…the love shown by Jesus.

That kind of love is often difficult for us, isn’t it? Jesus goes on to speak of giving the disciples a helper, the paraclete, to come alongside and abide with and in them. In a podcast, it was suggested that this helper, the word choice in our text is the “Advocate” and “Spirit of truth”, is a counter to the satan, the accuser who speaks to our fears and insecurities. The Advocate will help remind us of who we are, whose we are, and of what we are capable so we can better keep Jesus’s commandments to agape God and our neighbors.

When have you sensed that Spirit in your life? When have you sensed it as a member of a community? What is this Spirit calling you to today?

05/05/2026

Join us as we begin celebrating Trinity Lutheran Church's 70th anniversary by hosting a benefit concert. Come enjoy an evening of choral and orchestral music and support music education in our public schools.

This concert will benefit MCPS Education Foundation "Help Me Make Music" - Gifts can be monetary and/or donation of used instruments. The Foundation is not accepting drums sets, guitars, pianos, or organs. For more information about "Help Me Make Music", please see the website at:
https://www.mcpsfoundation.org/.../help-me-make-music-