Trinity Lutheran Church

A TRINITY REFLECTION

For the Word of God is living and active. He 4:12

My family and I joined Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in June, 1985. At Trinity I found then, and still, that the Gospel of Christ is preached and that the congregation lives the Gospel in their daily lives. What a profound statement of ministry! Who were these saints of God at Trinity?

Among the people I remember from my first visit to Trinity was a woman named Paula and her tall, quiet husband, Ralph. Paula's commitment to the ministry of the unfortunate made an early impression on me that has been strengthened and supported in subsequent years by the selfless actions of Miriam and Juanita and others. What bolder statement of the rule of Christ in the lives of God's people can be made than these? "Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you do also for me." Mt 25: 40. To put the needs of others ahead of your own desires is so difficult.

Ralph, in his quiet and gentle way, made another strong witness. His life spoke to me as a sterling example of two texts from the Old Testament: "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord," Jos 24:15b, and "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy," Ex 20:8. What Ralph did is not common among men. He was faithful in the little things, in the steadfast commitment, in coming to church regularly, and in bringing his family. How many fewer problems our nation would have, if more husbands made this same commitment! It is so hard to be consistent.

Someone else made a strong impression of the Gospel at work at Trinity. God showed me a man named Walt as a model of stewardship. He gave with joy. With joy! It is such a hard thing to do. I will remember Walt.

There was another man who attended Trinity at that time. In conversations over the intervening years, he frequently stressed the importance of putting Christ in the center of our lives. "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame," 1Pe 2:6. It has been difficult to stay focused on Christ when there is so much else that demands attention. There have been deep concerns about the health of the congregation and the health of friends in these last 11 years. There have been deaths in near family. A sudden, wrenching and unexpected death. A slow and lingering torture of death. Even good things, like family or work celebrations can, at times, draw attention away from Christ. But my friend at Trinity is a reminder of the godly life.

There are people, at Trinity, who model for me the joy that we find in Christ. Some of these are charter members, some long-standing members, and others joined more recently. In the personal, hidden lives of some of these people there is deep hurt; in all there is transcendent joy. There is truly knowledge at Trinity that God is good, and that his mercy endures forever. "Rejoice in the Lord always," Php 4:4. It is so hard to find peace, and to express joy, in the midst of pain. Among this congregation are those who have made special efforts to bring me, a sinner, to walk closer to God. "Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him," Lk 24:31.

In each of the lives I mentioned, and others I keep in my heart, God has held up a mirror of Christ's reflection, and a model of godly life. Truly you, the people of Trinity are saints. When people ask me, why did I come to Trinity, these are the stories I tell them. But the real reason is that in the winter and spring of 1985, the Spirit of God led the way, acting, as always, through His appointed ones.

May the Lord bless and keep you,

Thor Nielsen

1986 to 1996

Reflection and Resolution--A Foundation for the Future

Reflecting on Our Past and Planning for the Future

Early in its fourth decade, Trinity sought to build on its thirty years of history through reflection on the life and goals of the parish. A group of Trinity parishioners came together to consider the Church's strengths and what its goals as congregation should be. It is worth noting the many elements of Trinity that were lifted up for affirmation. They included:

Our worship life; leadership in the Lutheran Church Women; the commitment of the older established members; Trinity being there for personal stability and personal renewal; social ministry committee projects; the stewardship of members of the congregation in giving of time, talents, and money; good budget process; bell choirs and leaders; benevolent giving to the Synod; good Sunday School teachers and material; good participation in worship by children; our pastor; strong personal relationships in the parish; the care and concern of the Trinity family; love to eat; good council leaders and relationships; many volunteers; good location of building; care of building; beautiful sanctuary; and good coffee hour.

This time of assessment generated the Church's mission statement, the one we still use today. Statements of mission are intended to tell us what we do, why, and how. For nearly a decade, we have proclaimed:

Trinity, in obedience to the Word of God, proclaims the Good News of Jesus' love and salvation. Through worship, Christian education, and service, Trinity strives to be a congregation rooted in faith and love. Trinity seeks to strengthen the bonds of its own congregation so it may be able to reach out, serve, and witness with care and acceptance.

After eight years of service, the end of the 1980s saw the departure of Pastor Manrodt to accept a call from a church in Texas. Upon his departure, Pastor Manrodt recalled the many things that Trinity had done over the last eight years. He said, "few of these things can happen except for the partnership the pastor and the laity share in the Gospel."

After Pastor Manrodt's departure, for approximately a year and a half, Pastor Robert Moore served as Trinity's interim pastor. At the same time, the Church, through its call committee, reflected on its pastoral needs, in light of its mission and the financial and human resources at hand.

Resolution: Moving Forward Together to Realize Trinity's Vision

The early 1990s witnessed two significant changes. Trinity welcomed a new spiritual leader, Pastor Roger Berner, previously having served in Pittsburgh and Brooklyn. This year Pastor Berner celebrates his sixth year with us as our fourth pastor in 40 years.

It is not surprising that his leadership supported Trinity's facility planning efforts in the early 1990s to bring about Trinity's third building program: the financing and construction of a new sanctuary facing Old Georgetown Road. Groundbreaking took place on April 18, 1993 and the cornerstone laid on November 7, 1993. Dedicated on November 6, 1994, the sanctuary, new social hall (converted from the old sanctuary), kitchen, and modified class rooms have given Trinity its foundation for the future. And all this has occurred while Trinity increased benevolent work and giving during and after the construction.

A Snapshot of Trinity's Ministries in its Fourth Decade

Ask a member or visitor what is most remarkable about worship at Trinity, and he or she might quickly mention Trinity's gift of music: its pipe organ and organist, its bell choirs, its beautiful Lutheran liturgy, its adult choir, and (yes), its (adorable) children's choir.

Given another opportunity to remark, the same person might note the breadth of ministries that Trinity undertakes. A History of Social Ministry written in 1992 and Trinity's most recent annual report identified at least the following programs currently supported by the Church:

Hunger Sunday
National Lutheran Home for the Aged
Appalachia Project
Epiphany Service
Trinity Help
Luther Place/N Street Village
Interfaith Clothing Center
Interfaith Housing Coalition
Grosvenor/Allegis/Mariner Care Center
Gifts of Hope
Coupon Project, Glenmont United Methodist Church
Paper Products Sunday
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Community Ministry of Montgomery County
Bethesda Cares
Community Family Life Services of Washington, DC

Interestingly enough, Trinity has chosen again (1996) to conduct a long range planning initiative to guide its future ministry, approximately ten years after the previous effort, which was also a decade after the one before it. Perhaps this intuitive cycle of reflection and renewal is one of Trinity's secrets of success.

Pastor Berner has remarked about the song that goes, "they will know we are Christians by our love,..." In fact, he continues, "we call it social ministry. The outpouring of Christian love through this church is tremendous. This work of love is the clearest witness to an unbelieving world that Christ is alive."

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