Holy Trinity UCC Willingboro

06/29/2019

Dear Holy Trinity Family,
I hope to see you at worship tomorrow.
We will be worshiping outdoors. And we will have a luncheon.
We're asking folks to bring 'picnic' kind of finger foods, sandwiches and the like.
We're celebrating Holy Trinity Open and Affirming (June PRIDE); we're celebrating a gorgeous summer day (the weather is supposed to be marvelous); and we're celebrating the love that we have and share!
Peace and love,
Pastor George

06/29/2019

06/14/2019

Looking forward to worship this coming Sunday...
Permit me to share a few words that I'll share with you in my sermon as I reflect on the first five verses in Romans 5.
The sermon title: PREACHING TO MYSELF
--

There is a reason, even when you don’t perceive it.
There is a reason, even when you don’t understand it.
There is a reason, even when you don’t like it.
There is a reason, even when it seems like you’re being hurt or troubled unnecessarily.

06/08/2019

Dear Church,
A couple folks head that I was in the hospital yesterday and I posted the following to explain.
No real concerns and only a temporary issue.
I'll see you tomorrow; and we're looking forward to PENTECOST!!!
----------
Okay, a few people know that I spent the day in the hospital yesterday and I wanted to share the ordeal and why and how it happened.
On Wednesday evening, I broke a toe - the small toe of my left foot. Now, generally other than 'buddy wrap' a toe, there isn't much you can do with it.
I went to work on Thursday and was in some pain, but endurable for the work day.
On Friday afternoon/evening, Bill and I drove to the Baltimore/DC area for a denomination's conference Board of Director's meeting.
On Friday, Bill and I decided to go out. We went clubbing and planned to hang out near the Logan Circle gayborhood.
Well - I made a really, really stupid mistake.
We were staying north of College Park, near the beltway. We took the yellow line to the orange line, which dropped us off near National City Christian Church in Thomas Circle.
We walked about a mile... Big, huge mistake.
I did damage to my toe and the bones of the arch of my foot.
We weren't drinking, but we did spend the whole night out in DC Friday night. After spending the night in town, we decided I couldn't walk and so at about 4:00, I called for an Uber to get us to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop. We got to the metro stop at about 4:30. It turns out that I miscalculated and the Metro didn't start running for another half-hour.
Now, I have a condition called bradycardia, an extremely slow heart beat because of my gastroplasty/stomach stapling nearly 35 years ago.
I was in serious pain with my toe/foot and was incredibly weary, and tired beyond belief.
Well Bill and I were standing near the concrete wall at the metro station and it just overwhelmed my system apparently.
I passed out.
I fell forward with such force that it knocked my glasses about 4-5 feet away. I hit my head my shoulder on the concrete sidewalk. I got a cut on the back of my head. I was out for a couple minutes. I was momentarily stunned and disoriented. I threw up. My head and shoulder hurt horribly.
Thank heaven that Bill and I were together.
I called an Uber to get to our car, which we had left at the College Park yellow line garage, because Metro still had not started running.
At this point it was clear that I needed to see a doctor, and it would take an hour to get to the DC Veteran's Hospital or two hours to get to the Philly Veteran's Hospital, I decided on Philly, close to my VA and Cooper medical providers.
The VA emergency room was concerned because I had all the symptoms of a concussion.
They did X-rays, a CT scan, and an MRI.
Everything was negative, except for lots of pain - head, shoulder, toe.
But, it appears that the pain and overexertion in my foot, the pain meds for the toe, the bradycardia, the long walk and staying out late hours was too overwhelming a combination.
The doctor is convinced that this was a 'perfect storm' episode and is not indicative of anything other than my bad judgement and bad timing.
So, all told, a really, really nasty adventure, but nothing permanent or indicative of issues related to neurology or the past years strokes.
Thanks for the concern, prayers, and well-wishes.
All that I'm bummed about is that I'm going to have to take it easy for a few days and won't be able to march in the PRIDE parade on Sunday.
THANKS.

All I got was a couple goose-eggs on my head, and didn't even get a commemorative tee shirt...
----------
SEE YOU TOMORROW. HAPPY PENTECOST!

--
Rev. George W. Rizor, Jr., Pastor
Holy Trinity United Church of Christ
Willingboro, NJ 08046
Chair, Justice & Witness Working Group
Board of Directors, Central Atlantic Conference
United Church of Christ
301-787-0440

05/26/2019

What an amazing worship service this morning.
1, Although I try not to notice a full house, there were a couple dozen attenders this morning. That's a crowd for this Memorial Day weekend. (C'mon, like pastors never notice the attendance on Sunday; hee, hee, hee.)
2. I did something different for the sermon, and got a lot of positive feedback. I did a freeform poem that told the story of the lame man at the pool at Bethesda. I got amens and nods and laughs and thoughtful looks. I'm good with that. Beyond any of that, the Holy Spirit will have do decide what made an impression on the people.
3. It troubles me when one of our church family is not signed up for Lector duties, and the congregation has to hear only my voice participating in worship leadership during the service.
However, no one signed up and Henretta Levels volunteered as the service was just starting. What a thoughtful, caring, and loving church family member. And just such a sweetie. And can't say how appreciative I am.
4. Mary's rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic kicked butt! NOW, I'm a devout patriot, but a pacifist and anti-war/nationalism. AND, as Mary played, I was playing the fourth verse in my head (In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me... and let the mental playback end there...)
Anyway, the offertory music was amazing.
5. Also, Ms. Atwater had a birthday this week. What a great celebration occasion.
6. We had some visitors this morning (which in and of itself is a great thing), who were enthusiastic and talented singers. I was just overwhelmed with the music and hymns this morning. We closed with "He Keeps Me Singing." How wonderfully appropriate.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate my church family and the spirit and Christ-like love we share.
Many, many thanks.
Pastor George

05/24/2019

My paraphrase of the pericope of Sunday's scripture.
I'll be sharing this Sunday.
If you're in the Central/Southern New Jersey/Philadelphia area, we'd like to see you there!

A free form poem about the Gospel account of the lame man lying by the pool at Bethesda, and the social action and justice issues coming from that story.

04/16/2019

Dear Holy Trinity Church Family,
Are we looking for hope in the message of Jesus, the Christ?
Are we prepared to discover life in the midst of death?
Are we ready to receive faith in the midst of doubt?

I hope you are having a blessed and powerful Holy Week.

On Thursday, is our Maundy Thursday service: Seder Meal, Communion, and Tenebrae Service. It will be at Holy Trinity, Thursday, April 18 at 6:30PM.
On Sunday, we will have an Easter Sunrise Service of prayer, praise, readings, and sing-a-long music. 6:30AM.
And then, of course, HOLY TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST EASTER-RESURRECTION SERVICE – April 21, 10:00AM.

Make plans to open your heart, your faith journey, and your life to the miracle of God's love for you. If you have forgotten the power of the miracle of the resurrection for you, now is the time to rediscover.
Peace and the love of God be yours,
Pastor George

03/13/2019

HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU FOR GOD?
--------------------
Beloved Church Family,
I hope that you are having a faithful, meaningful, and loving Lenten season. Easter will be here in no time. Wow.
In the meantime, I came across this meme and had to share it with you. Just sayin'.
May peace and the love of God be yours,
Pastor George
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Rev. George W. Rizor, Jr., Pastor
Holy Trinity United Church of Christ
Willingboro, NJ 08046
Chair, Justice & Witness Working Group
Board of Directors, Central Atlantic Conference
United Church of Christ
301-787-0440

03/07/2019

Dear Church Family,
Whether or not you are attending Holy Trinity, I hope that belonging and being part of a loving church family is part of your faith journey.
This Lent and Easter, if you are not attending church regularly, decide to change that.
If you have fallen into the habit of missing church, change that.
If you miss your church family, reconnect! If you haven't been to worship at Holy Trinity recently, things have changed somewhat, including the use of video screens and video bulletins.
Make this your Lent and Easter to re-examine your connection with the community of believers.
As the research shows, it will make all the difference.
Peace, and the love of God be yours,
Pastor George

Check out this research link:

New research attempts to shed some light on the relationship between religion and well-being in adults.