Hey, Trinity family. Several groups involved in the Worship Ministry at TBCK are enjoying a short break over the summer, but there is still plenty going on. One is our Summer Singers group, which serves as our Worship Choir on Sunday mornings in the 11 AM service. This group is open to anyone who might want to enjoy a short-term involvement with the choir. We meet each Sunday at 10:45 in the chapel and go over our song for that day. It is a fun and relaxed way to join us and maybe find out that you would like to keep singing with us when we get started back “full-time” in the fall.

 
One other event to which I would like to invite everyone is our Family Gathering on July 26th, which the Worship Ministry is sponsoring. As has become our tradition, we invite everyone to bring their favorite homemade ice cream to share. Store-bought is ok, for sure, but this is a great excuse to use that ice cream maker that is sitting on your shelf. This year, we are honored to have our Agape Players providing some entertainment for us. Look for more info as we get closer!

 
Thank you for praying for and supporting the Worship Ministry of TBCK!

 

 

 

One of the most beloved hymns of all time is “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” and it has a powerful, but simple story. Mrs. Civilla Martin wrote the text to this wonderful hymn in 1904 as she visited a dear friend. Her friend, who we do not have a name for, was bedridden and had been for some time. Mrs. Martin asked her if she ever felt discouraged by her situation, and her friend replied quickly, “Mrs. Martin, how could I ever be discouraged when I know my heavenly Father watches over every little sparrow and I know He loves and cares for me?” Within just a few minutes Mrs. Martin had written the words to the hymn we still sing today. Scripture makes clear that God takes great care of even the most common of little birds, how much more will He care for us.

 
If you feel discouraged, forgotten, or left out, just remember that God says we will soar on the wings of eagles. What a majestic and incredible thought. Wherever you go and whatever you do, take the peace and joy of the Lord with you and let people see that difference shining in you.

 
Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows fall?
Why should my heart be lonely,
and long for heaven and home,
when Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

 

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet now one will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father in heaven. And even the very hairs on your head are numbered. So, do not be afraid; you are worth far more than the sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

 

 

One of the most beloved Christmas hymns of all time, “Silent Night”, also happens to have two fascinating stories to help make it even more special. The story of how it came into being is proof again that even when things are not going exactly as planned, God can still make something amazing. The second story is proof that even in the midst of a hellish war, a beautiful moment can have a lasting impact.

 
The small town of Oberndorf, Austria, was preparing for Christmas Eve in 1818 and the local church had a problem. Their organ was in such disrepair, probably part of the devastation of the Napoleonic Wars, that it was not usable. The priest, Joseph Mohr, had written a poem during the recovery and hardship of war that he hoped would usher in some peace, some heavenly peace. As Christmas Eve approached he gave the poem to the church organist, Franz Guber, who then set the wonderful and rather simple tune to the words of the song we now know as “Silent Night, Holy Night” and it was used during their Christmas midnight worship service. Knowing the organ was out of commission he wrote the tune so it could be played on guitar. After that, traveling singers realized they could take it with them very easily, and that is how it began its journey around the world and now has been translated into countless languages.

 
The other touching story behind this wonderful song happened in 1914 during the first World War. On Christmas Eve the British and German troops agreed to an unofficial truce because both sides held Christmas near and dear. During the truce many soldiers sang carols and some even emerged from their trenches to exchange small tokens or “gifts” with each other. In what can only be described as a miraculous moment of civility, British and German soldiers mingled together, with one another. At some point the famous Austrian opera star, Ernestine Schumann Heinke, could be heard singing on their radios, and she was, of course, singing “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht”. For a few tranquil moments both sides enjoyed a night where gunfire was silent, and thoughts turned to more holy and peaceful things, and a heavenly peace fell on the fields of battle.

 
Merry Christmas,
Charlie Barganier