Quarterly Newsletter
July - September 2022

Church Mailing Address
Trinity Church in the Pines
P.O.Box 676
Grand Lake, CO 80447 

Pastor’s Message

 Joshua 24:14-15

Choose Whom You Will Serve 14 “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  

Dear Members and Friends of TCP,

What is it that brings us together at Trinity Church? Quite simply it is our faith, and part of our purpose here is to keep developing our faith.  As you know, our Christian faith is not a hobby but a way of life.  However, as our culture has progressed, it seems that there is more competition between our faith and whatever else may get our attention and commitment.  Do we give as much time, for instance, to the church as we do our hobbies?  For many of you I know the answer is, ‘yes, and even more!!!  However, that may not be true for all of us.   Sociologists tell us we are living in a post-Christendom era.  The church is no longer central to culture.  We can see this played out in hundreds of ways, but sufficient to say, fewer and fewer people consider the Lord’s Day as holy.     When the Church was more respected, it was easier to be a Christian.  We didn’t have to make decisions between our faith development (or that of our children’s) and other events.  Today is much more like the time of Christ and the early Church.  When Christ called for a commitment, he often told his followers that they would have to pay a high price.  They literally would have to leave everything of this world so that they could gain everything of the new world.   My family is like your family – we have lots of wonderful opportunities.  Most times we are not choosing between right and wrong, but between good and best.  As we face these decisions in our crowded calendar, we have the opportunity to help our children develop good decision-making processes.  Since it is impossible to prepare them for every eventuality in a constantly changing world, the best gift we can give them is a spiritual center from which to make future decisions.   With so many opportunities before us, every decision to say yes to one opportunity means saying no to another.  We are much like those early Christians who had to say ‘no’ to one way of life in order to say ‘yes’ to another.  As your family decides between so many competing events, I pray that you will remember both the cost and the joy of the faith.  Life today is so full that it is a constant matter of choices.  Perhaps we need to be reminded of the words of Joshua:  “Choose you this day whom you will serve.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  

With love and gratitude,

David 

 

 Trinity Members and Friends Praying for One Another 

Many thanks to Karen Smith for initiating “Prayers for Trinity” in September 2020 as a result of COVID-19.  It was formed as a way to minister to, and stay connected with, the Trinity community.  

 We Keep In Our Prayers...  

 All those affected by the tragedy of gun violence.  ​ 

 Steve Mulligan, who will be staying with his daughter for an indeterminate amount of time while undergoing medical screening and options for his health. 

 Steve Mulligan's brother, Patrick, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Prayers for Patrick's healing and all who care for him. 

 Rene Gorbold has periods of abnormal blood pressure.  Prayers that her doctors find the underlying cause and for her healing. 

 Sammy Elliot and Leaha March are traveling to Panama for business. Prayers for the blessing of Travel Mercies. 

 Marv Fischer, who is in rehab at the Life Care Center at Stonegate in Parker, CO.   

 Max Judge who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  

 The family and friends of Jenny Negri. She passed away peacefully June 5.  

 Maya, a 15-year-old friend of the Rempel family, who attempted to take her life.  

 Linda Troute’s Mother who was moved to hospice last week. 

 Dan Johnston has been diagnosed with leukemia (CLL - Chronic Lymphocytic  Leukemia).  It's the lightest case of leukemia one can get and the prognosis is great. 

 Katy Pope who has been diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. Her husband Jerry and Katy play the Alpen Horns around Grand Lake. 

 Peggy Mann's friend Suzi Neiman, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer. 

 THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP AND HELPING US MAKE TRINITY CHURCH IN THE PINES GREAT! 

 Thanks to our corporate officers for all they do and thank you for your willingness to serve. 

 Ike Hull, Clerk, Steve Meyer, Treasurer and Elder, Janet Thomas, Vice President and Elder, Neal Cross, President and Elder, Karen Smith, Elder, Geoff Elliott, Elder and David Heil, Pastor. ​ We also thank those that are serving Trinity Church in the Pines in leadership rolls, Melody Anders, Deacon  Kate Elliott, Deacon. ​

Thank you to the musicians who provide us with music each Sunday morning,   Barbara Shull, Glenn Shull, David Heil,  Geoff Elliott,  Neal Cross,  Mandy Cluck, Dennis Stafford, Daryl Troute

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 Money Matters… JUST A REMINDER AS WE CONSIDER YEAR-END GIVING …  

As we consider year-end giving, there are two tax efficient ways to give in order to support TCP.  ​ First, donating appreciated securities is quick and simple. You, the donor, receive the current value of the security as a charitable deduction but without the tax liability for the capital gain.  ​ Secondly, if anyone over the age of 70½ has not yet made their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their IRA or SEP for 2021 it is not too late!   ​ You can have the distribution made directly to Trinity Church in the Pines by December 31st and you will not have to declare it as personal income because it goes directly to the church. As always, check with your qualified tax advisor for specifics related to your personal situation.  

 Trinity Food Bank Has Become Something More

Due to COVID our Food Bank at Trinity has closed.  At the time we could not risk allowing people into the church.  We felt this would put our administrator and pastor at risk unnecessarily.  So as not to waste the food we had downstairs, we gave it all to the Mountain Family Center Food Bank in Granby.  They were very appreciative of our large donation.  It has all been used well and given out to those in need.    In the meantime, your generosity has allowed us to make our foodbank much more. In partnership with Mountain Food Market in Grand Lake, Trinity has been offering $100 gift cards to purchase the groceries they want, (except tobacco and alcohol).  The cards are at the market.  All one has to do is mention the Trinity gift cards to the cashier and they will be helped – no questions asked.  So, if you or someone you know is in need of this assistance, we are only too glad to help! ​