Holy Week and Easter Letter: Renewing our Stewardship

April 2025

Greetings,

Today we celebrated Christ’s triumphal procession into Jerusalem, with palms laid before him and the people shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!”

Oh, how soon that will all change. As we enter this Holy Week, let us reflect on Christ’s suffering and death and resurrection. We remember Jesus in Gethsemane praying: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). We remember Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ arrest, his being taken before the chief priests and scribes, his beaten and broken body hanging on the cross. But we also have to remember that this is not the end. Rather it is just the beginning – a new creation. Jesus’ rising from the dead on Easter Day brought about new life – Paul tells us “if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Jesus’ suffering and death gave way to his resurrection and a new life in the glory of God for all. In Christ we are constantly called to be renewed and to share in Christ’s death and resurrection. This call is to the church, as well. 

Easter is a time for us to think on the hope of new resurrection life – in the world, in our communities, in our church, and in our lives. May you be filled with the love and joy that comes from believing in, and following, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Let Us Pray

Let us be reminded of the joy and the love we experience as we grow stronger in faith and let us continue to do God’s work in thankfulness and purpose.

Let us be thankful for the faith that we all have as we grow evermore closer to God.

Let us pray that we continue to love each other in the way that God intended. That we continue to learn from the knowledge of His will and in all that is holy.

Let us pray together so that our church grows along with our faith and ask God for help and understanding as we try to overcome obstacles so that our church becomes a lasting place of worship for all generations to come.

May we continue to walk in the light of Christ. Bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. Let us be a church that is known for its love, grace, and unwavering faith.

In Christ’s name, we pray.

Building Up God’s Church

“I am now rejoicing in my suffering for your sake the church” (1 Colossians 1:24-2:5)

Such a Lent to Easter line!...Well, Paul is writing to the church in Colossae, but it is also to us, Trinity Church!

We have Christ, who has reconciled us to the Father, through His suffering and death on the cross, to reconcile us who were alienated from God…the suffering servant promised by Isaiah, and we manifest that love…Christ in us the hope of glory! Col 1:27. We are commissioned by God to make the word of God fully known. We complete that not only by proclaiming the word, but by imitating His self-emptying love. Paul, once estranged from God, became a servant of the gospel. Struggling for others’ sake…He rejoices in his struggling. The commission given to him, to give God’s complete word not only by proclaiming it but my manifesting Christ’s love by pouring himself out for others’ sake.

Paul says we are knit together in one body, sometimes our sinning causes some unravelling; we have a mender who helps us reconcile! Reconciled and Rejoicing – and passing it on!

Giving of Our Own to God

In everything “God must be first.” In the Old Testament, God is given the best of the best. The word “tithe” first appears in the Old Testament in Leviticus 27:30, “one tenth” of everything belongs to the Lord, from the fruit and grain to the animals. The rewards of tithing are innumerable as noted in Malachi 3:10: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

Forward to the New Testament. It is up to each individual to give an offering from the heart. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul writes “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 

We are reminded that the teachers of the law and Pharisees gave a tenth of certain of their spices. But the Lord admonishes them for neglecting the more important matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Although there are other important things that need to receive our attention, yet tithing is also important and necessary to further God’s kingdom here on earth.

Everything comes from God, and we give back to him. We do this in an act of faithfulness and obedience. In giving our tithe, the more we give, the more we will grow together in Christ, and be able to see Him at work in our community. Giving is an outcome of loving. The more one “loves,” the more one gives. Being a Christian is giving ourselves entirely to Him and the use of our possessions as a trust from God for use in His service.

As we all know, Trinity has been challenged financially the last few years. The Annual Meeting in February established a special finance stewardship steering committee which has been working diligently. Plans are to have a parish meeting in early to mid May to set out specific goals and necessary action. In the meantime, there are a number of ways to donate to Trinity:

● Offering Envelopes - available from our Secretary Sharon Burrows – call her at 902-423-7077

● Pre-authorized Direct Deposit - also can be arranged through Sharon Burrows, 902-423-7077

● eTransfers: trinityhalifax321@gmail.com

Receipts for income tax will be issued at year end for all donations received by any of these methods. As well, visitor envelopes are provided in the pouches on the back of the chairs in the Nave. There is space to include your name and address; if done, receipts will be sent at year end.

Our giving is an offering and sacrifice of thanksgiving. We give our whole selves to Him.

“We offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies” (BCP, p85)

You are invited

We have included a list of our Holy Week and Easter worship services, and extend a warm invitation to each of you to join us as we gather in His name.

May you have a blessed and happy Easter!

Yours in Christ,

Trinity Stewardship Steering Committee