March 2026
Lenten Greetings from Pastor Elisabeth,
During these forty days of Lent, we pause to look honestly at our lives. What strengthens our wellbeing? What erodes it? Holding these questions, we turn to God
in prayer and listen, longing to live more closely aligned with God’s heart.
As we hear in Psalm 139, we were knit together with purpose. From the beginning, God placed gifts within us. And here at Trinity, we celebrate that each person brings a unique, God-given gift. Let’s look at the beautiful mix of gifts among us.
Some of us readily sign up to serve as a Sunday Bible reader, while others might feel faint at the very thought of standing before the congregation. Some of us, if handed a church budget to decipher, would stare at the numbers as if they were a foreign language. Some members can fix almost anything with their hands, while others are best suited for the quiet patience of steadfast prayer and the gift of a listening ear. Still others are excellent at baking and serving. Some possess a special knack for making guests feel warmly welcome.
Whatever your gift may be, please know that it is cherished within the life of our faith family. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in the First Epistle to the Corinthians 12:12–31, all hands and hearts together make the church the Body of Christ. Each and every gift is special. Each one matters.
In this season of self-reflection, take a moment to look within. What gift do you bring to the world? Give thanks and bask in the deep joy of knowing that God has entrusted you with something uniquely yours. Then look for opportunities to share that gift freely.
During these remaining weeks of Lent, look around at those within Trinity. Together, let us give thanks for a community that quietly and generously shares its many gifts — building up the Body of Christ in love.
Lenten Blessings,
Lenten Greetings from Pastor Elisabeth
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18. For forty days we, prayerfully—with intention—go inward to prepare our hearts and minds for a deeper relationship with God. Personal reflection, repentance, and moderation are some of the disciplines that mark this time of devotion.
On Ash Wednesday, during an evening worship we will enter a time of contemplation. We will receive ashes on our forehead as a sign of our mortality to remind us that our earthly life comes to an end, and the day of reckoning will inevitably come when we encounter God face-to-face. How will that be for us, we ponder. Will it be as if we and God are friends or strangers? None of us know the timing of our “end-time” here on earth. However, we can be certain that eventually we will die: none of us live forever. Our hope, as Christians, is to enter that heavenly realm into eternal life with God, friends with Jesus.
On Ash Wednesday, as ashes are placed on our forehead, these words are said, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Lent is that time of year of remembering . . . we remember that all of “who- and-what” we are belong to God. We bow down in reverence before God for the great gift He gives us: our very breath, our very life, & eternal life in Christ.
God’s Blessings for Lent,
NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM PASTOR ELISABETH
Christmas is more than one day; it is a season of 12 days. More than that, it is a season of the heart!
On the first Sunday of January—January 4th—we will celebrate the Day of Epiphany. This day commemorates the coming of the Three Wise Men to see baby Jesus.
The Magi from the East followed a star until it led them to the Christ Child lying in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. They kneeled and worshipped Jesus presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then they went out into the world spreading the good news of our Savior’s birth.
At Christmastime, we proclaim: “Jesus Christ is Born! The Light of the World has come into the world!” Throughout this year, let us hold this question in prayer: “How might we continue to spread ‘The Good News’ in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ?!” May this new year be one where we are bearers of Christ’s hope, peace, joy, and love.
Following worship on January 4th, the Parish Life Team will have a King Cake. Legend has it that the one who finds the baby Jesus in their slice of cake is bestowed with many blessings for the coming year.
Come join in, and let’s see who finds the baby Jesus. Also, as our 2026 Confirmands begin their confirmation classes, come greet them and wish them many blessings as they continue their spiritual journeys.
New Year Blessings!
December 2025
GREETINGS FROM PASTOR ELISABETH
The Hebrew word shalom wonderfully captures a deep meaning of peace. It is a wholeness that resides at our Center. It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well-being and harmony. When we wish people “peace” – we extend shalom to one another.
A vision of shalom is visually depicted in Edward Hick’s painting: The Peaceable Kingdom. Hicks was an American folk painter as well as a Quaker minister. The images for The Peaceable Kingdom were taken from Isaiah 11:6-8 (also echoed in Isaiah 65:25).
In the painting, a lion, a wolf, a bear and a lamb are among the animals peacefully gathered. In the midst of these animals are children. Hicks’ painting reflects his understanding that God’s all-embracing love promotes shalom in the world. He believed this peace begins with an Inner Light within us.
During this month of December when daylight diminishes with days growing shorter and shorter, let us seek ways of renewal to strengthen the Light of Christ within.
Let us deepen our spiritual practices that usher in renewed energy: new life in Christ. Whether it is prayer, devotional reading, journaling, time spent in nature, solitude, friendship—or any of the other myriad ways we experience God’s presence—let us take this season of Advent to seek the Inner Light. In doing so, may we be strengthened and renewed for receiving the blessings of the Christ Child this Christmas!
Advent Blessings,
~Pastor Elisabeth
November 2025
GREETINGS FROM PASTOR ELISABETH
The story of the first Thanksgiving reveals a resilient faithful group of Pilgrims who—despite trials and tribulations—gave thanks to God. They had traveled to the new world on a 65-day journey in a sailing vessel about the size of a city bus. They survived with their spirits kept strong by their thirst for freedom. They desired freedom: freedom from a tyrannical government as well as freedom to worship as they deemed meaningful.
Their first New England winter was cold and cruel. Their number dwindled rapidly and by spring, nearly half of their community had died. Yet the Pilgrims persevered, receiving help from the Wampanoag people who taught them how to plant corn, fish, and live off the land. In the autumn of 1621, after God had granted them a bountiful harvest, they and their newfound neighbors celebrated and shared a feast of bounty! This Thanksgiving, we remember and commend their collaborative spirit.
From across the centuries, we glean lessons about the power of gratitude. It brings together communities! From one end of the Bible to the other, we are encouraged to be thankful for God’s blessings!
Thankfulness is a natural outflowing of a heart that is attuned to God. The psalmist declares, “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 147:7) The apostle Paul wrote “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances . . .” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18.)
As we gather together as a faith family, let us remember that grace and love flow when giving thanks to God.
GREETINGS FROM PASTOR ELISABETH
October ushers in harvest time: a time of gathering God’s good gifts of the field. It’s also a time of gratitude for all the gifts God bestows upon us. With grateful hearts, we seek proper stewardship of all that God has given us. In our prayer life, we turn to God and ask: “How might I use the gifts you have given me to your glory and for the benefit of the world?”
“Time, Talent, Testimony, and Treasure” are avenues by which we live our faith. Daily we make choices about how to use our time and talent. Each day opportunities pop up to speak from the heart reflecting God’s love: that is our testimony! Finally, how we steward our treasure–money and material resources- reveal what we value.
The challenge for Christians is to align our lives to steward our time, talent, testimony, and treasure to reflect God’s love as shown by the example of Jesus’ love. That is a tall order! And, yet, that is the path we are called to as Christians.
Likewise, as Trinity UCC, we hope to align our shared ministry to reflect God’s love in the stewardship of all the blessings God has bestowed upon Trinity through the years. During our monthly council meetings, we begin with devotions and end with prayer. During meetings, a prayerful consideration of stewardship guides decision-making. Together the Council discerns, “How might the church best use our time, talent, testimony, and treasure to glorify God and to be of service in God’s world?”
Trinity UCC’s location on Clay and Eighth–along with our distinctive building with ample space–offer possibilities! Let’s keep asking, “How might we make our building and location in the center of Jasper a welcoming place for all to further God’s realm on earth?”
With the crisp, cooler days of autumn, may we prayerfully enter into a season of gratitude. Let us be thankful for God’s good gifts!
“God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Wishing You God’s Peace, ~Pastor Elisabeth September 2025
GREETINGS FROM PASTOR ELISABETH
The definition of faith we find in the Letter to the Hebrews is my favorite over and above all other definitions I’ve read in theological treatises.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Simply put, faith is believing in that which we do not yet see. By faith, we envision our hopes realized, and pray believing in God’s providence: that God will provide.
Faith is not static, it is dynamic! By faith we actively hope, trust and pray.
We hope and trust that God always cares for us, and that God’s healing hand offers us healing in body, mind, and spirit.
Entrusting our lives to God’s providential care is a daily challenge. Many responsibilities call for our attention throughout the day. Diversions and distractions vie for our attention as well. In the hubbub of daily life, it is all too easy to neglect spending time with God.
Meister Eckert was a monk who lived during the Middle Ages. He is also considered a mystic. His writings guide us closer to God. In his own words, he describes our lifelong endeavor of finding God.
“Above all else, know this: Be prepared at all times for the gifts
of God and be ready always for new ones. For God is a thousand
times more ready to give than we are to receive.”
According to Meiser Eckert, our faith deepens when we stop “doing” and simply “be.” How might we become better attentive and alert to God’s Presence in our lives? How might we slow the fast pace of everyday living, to seek those moments when our life reflects God’s wisdom: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)?
Wishing You God’s Peace,
~Pastor Elisabeth
August 2025
Greetings from Pastor Elisabeth,
The arts play an important role at Trinity United Church of Christ. Many of our beautiful banners were created by Marilyn Robberts, a former church member who passed in 2010. Fred Robberts, current church member and retired art teacher, also created art along with his wife, Marilyn.
In August, you will see Marilyn’s handiwork in two banners hung at the front of church in the chancel area. They are two of a set of four banners created for our current liturgical season called “Trinity” or “Ordinary Time.” As the longest church season, it begins with Trinity Sunday and extends to Advent. In this season, believers focus on growing their life of discipleship, in Christ.
The first banner is entitled “Creation.” This banner reminds us that small beginnings spark great things!
This banner shows seeds planted in rows, seeds beginning to sprout, and seedlings with
small leaves and roots taking hold. Some plants are blooming. The morning sun is shining . . .
The second banner is entitled “Grace.” Images in this banner
“show what mother nature provides . . . bright sunlight, gentle rain, rich soil, pollinating bees &butterflies; earthworms to keep the soil loose & fertile; ladybugs which help eliminate destructive insects. The rainbow symbolizes God’s promises: we can rely on God’s gifts.
How fitting that Marilyn drew upon themes of nature! Our spiritual growth is indeed like tending a garden. When we cultivate a deeper spiritual life, we become more and more rooted in faith and spirit-filled discipleship.
Finally—just as God supplies the sunshine, the soil, and the rain—the Holy Spirit works within us and among us creating a beautiful garden.
Wishing You God’s Peace, ~Pastor Elisabeth
Italics: excerpts from a written description of the four Trinity banners written by Marilyn Robberts