Yesterday was the seventh Sunday in our sermon series The Upside Down Kingdom. Sunday looked a little different than usual, as all three services were cancelled due to winter weather. However, we did offer a 9:30 live stream event, which you can view HERE.
During the live stream, Pastor Brian Keepers preached from Matthew 5:38-48, focusing on a better way of responding to those who are our “enemies” – the way of Jesus that has the power to transform an enemy into a friend.
Bulletin: Find a link to the bulletin HERE.
Over the course of this sermon series, we encourage you to join us in a Bible reading plan through the book of Matthew. Pick up a bookmark that lists the daily readings at our Welcome Center, or view a digital copy on our blog.
We are also encouraging a Kingdom Practice every week of this series. Below you’ll find the Kingdom Practice for the week:
3:20 Prayer
Ephesians 3:20 begins, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” We are asking you to join us in prayer as we consider enfolding with First Reformed Church of Hospers. Would you please set your alarm for 3:20pm and when your alarm goes off spend one minute asking God to do more than we can ask or imagine in regards to reaching this region with the gospel. Let’s be in prayer together even as we continue to discern together where God is leading.
This Week at Trinity
Youth Missions Banquet: Stop by TONIGHT (Monday, February 25) anytime between 5:30-7:30pm to support our high school youth group as they raise money for their summer mission trip. We’re serving a 3-course meal and offering valet parking and free childcare (kids will be provided dinner during this time). This is your opportunity to dress up and enjoy a formal dinner without the kids! On the menu for the night is a honey kale salad, dinner rolls, meat ravioli with tomato basil sauce, chicken fettuccine, shrimp scampi, and assorted cheesecakes. The suggested donation is $22 a person. All donations will go towards the summer mission trip. (School may be cancelled, but the banquet is still happening!)
Upcoming Events
Wednesday Night Meal: Join us in the fellowship hall on March 6 at 5:45pm for lasagna, salad, rolls, fresh fruit, and dessert bars. We will also have a gluten free/dairy free/vegetarian pasta available for those with dietary restrictions. There is a suggested donation of $2 per person.
Dessert Bars Needed: We are looking for volunteers willing to make 2 dozen dessert bars for our March 6 Wednesday Night Meal. If you are able to provide bars, please sign up online.
Ash Wednesday: Join us in the sanctuary on March 6 at 6:30pm for an Ash Wednesday service. All are welcome for a time of worship, confession, prayer, and the imposition of ashes. Students from our children & youth ministry will lead this service.
Lent at Trinity: Looking for a space to slow down and just BE? Come and experience Lent together on Sunday evenings from 5-6pm in the sanctuary, March 10 – April 14. We’ll gather and get settled, then have a time of guided prayer and reflection, followed by shared conversations. Come once, twice, or every Sunday during Lent. All are welcome!
Lent Retreat: Join us for a quiet morning of prayerful reflection on scripture that will prepare us to fully enter into the journey Jesus took to the cross and resurrection. This retreat will take place at Trinity on Saturday, March 9 from 8:30am to noon. Cost to attend is $15. Register before March 5 by contacting Jackie Smallbones at jls@nwciowa.edu or 712-541-2605.
Life on Mission: Helping without Hurting: You’re invited! Starting March 17, we’re offering a new Sunday morning class at 9:30 – Life on Mission: Helping without Hurting. Join Michael Andres, professor and teacher passionate about community development, for a 6-week class examining faulty assumptions about poverty and learning effective tools for holistic ministry to the poor. All are encouraged to come, with a special invitation to those with a passion for missional ministry and those participating in the upcoming Summer Mission trips to LA and Haiti.
Faithwalking Retreat: What if God has more for your life and relationships than just “It’s fine”? What if God is calling you into an adventure of transformation that leads to being more fully alive? A life on mission with God? Pastor Brian is excited to offer Trinity’s first Faithwalking Retreat March 29-31. It will be local, so you will go home each night to sleep in your own beds. We’ll explore topics like integrity and authenticity, and how to get unstuck from your default patterns so that you can be more fully who God designed you to be. You will not be the same after this retreat! Cost is $30/person. Scholarships are available. Capacity is limited so sign up soon online.