Friday August 28, 2015

An eNote from Rodney

Dear Trinity Church Family,

THE END IS NEAR! THE END IS NEAR! No, I’m not talking about the final event in the divine plan, I’m talking about work on the elevator. The state inspector should be here next week to check the mechanicals of the elevator and when that passes, Cornerstone Construction will start the finish work that makes everything sparkle and shine. We may be just a couple of weeks away.

I wanted to let you know about some news we have received about Cynthia Henderson. Cynthia was moved to the Hospice facility in Waynesville on Tuesday of this week. They are asking that visitation be kept to the family. As our former organist and friend Cynthia has played an important role in the lives of many here at Trinity. We pray for her to have strength and comfort as she enters this next phase of her illness.

Many of you know Paul Sprouse. Paul has been a member of Trinity going way back. He was in The Rev. Dwight Whitlock’s youth group. Several years ago Paul moved back to the mountains from Raleigh and returned to his home church. Paul has helped Don Hall with the sound system and spent many hours working on the front steps of our building. Paul sealed up the cracks in the steps and put a coating on them that makes them safer to walk on. The front step work is a real gift Paul has given to Trinity and we are thankful. Paul will soon be returning to the Raleigh area with his wife to be closer to children. We wish them well in their move and are thankful they have been with us.

This morning I had a jarring experience. I went from reading a story about the use of the spread offense in college football to reading a story about the killing of Christians in the Middle East. Some of this we have seen on television. There are pictures of ISIS killing Egyptian Christians execution style on a Libyan beach. In parts of Iraq, Christian homes are marked with the arabic letter “N” which stands for Nazarite. One commentator has referred to what is happening to Christians as genocide. Theirs is a martyrdom which is hard for us to fathom, but they love the same beautiful story we love. The least we can do is be in awe of their bravery, remember them and hold them in our prayers.

Let us be deeply thankful that we can gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing in such a peaceful and beautiful place on Sunday morning. I look forward to seeing you then.

Sincerely,

Rodney

rodhagans@gmail.com
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