Historic Trinity Lutheran Church - Reading, PA
Sharing God's love with all people
Pastor Alan has been Senior Pastor at Trinity since August, 2015. Previously, he served with his wife, Phyllis, at congregations in Florida (1999-2015), Iowa (1991-1999) and North Dakota (1986-1991). He was drawn to Trinity by the congregation's commitment to urban ministry, its rich worship and … Read More about Pastor Alan Wolkenhauer, Senior Pastor
Deaconess Deborah Matern Graf has served with the people of Trinity since June, 1999. Called to the ministry areas of Learning Ministries, Youth Ministry, Mission and Service, Worship leadership, and ‘other duties as assigned,’ Deborah truly finds deep joy in the day-to-day life of congregational … Read More about Deaconess Deborah Graf
Karen S. Eddinger joined the Trinity staff as Minister of Music in August 2011. She had previously served as Trinity’s Music Intern and Assistant Director of Music from 1981-1989, during which time she began the church’s handbell program. Immediately prior to rejoining the staff at Trinity, Karen … Read More about Karen S. Eddinger, Minister of Music
Dee and her family have been members of Trinity since 1971. Her involvement in Trinity Deaf and Hard of Hearing ministries began in 1984 when she was on a church committee to call a part-time pastor fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) to serve the greater Reading area. She took sign language … Read More about Dee Horst, Community Outreach Coordinator
Matthew has been a member of Trinity's staff since 1992! In that time he has produced countless programs that have been broadcast to the Reading community. Matthew wears may "hats" at Trinity that include documenting worship life through photography and video, producing the visual content for this … Read More about Matthew Mellen, Media Director
Rachel Gambone helps run the church office and leads Trinity’s communications and publications. She prepares more than 200 digital and print publications each year, including worship bulletins, newsletters, music recital programs and ecards. … Read More about Rachel Gambone, Parish Secretary
Dave Troche has been serving as Trinity’s Sexton since October 2013. Behind the scenes, he ensures the facilities are clean and well-maintained. Dave is very much a people person. He enjoys interacting with the congregation and assisting members and guests alike as they attend our worship services … Read More about David Troche, Sexton
The Rev. Tom Scornavacchi is pastor of Common Ground Recovery Ministry in Wyomissing. As a person in long-term recovery, Pastor Tom works with individuals and families affected by the disease of addiction. In his work he combines the wisdom and practice of the 12-steps with the forgiveness and grace … Read More about Pastor Tom Scornavacchi, Mission Developer, Common Ground Ministry
Can we pray the way Bartimaeus prays? People try to hush him up because by addressing Jesus as “Son of David” he is making a politically dangerous claim that Jesus is the rightful king. Could our prayers ever be heard as a threat to unjust powers that be? Bartimaeus won’t give up or go away quietly, but repeats his call for help more loudly. Do we ask so boldly? And are our prayers an honest answer to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Follow along with our worship bulletin: trinityreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/10.24.21-bulletin-Pent-22-Lect-30.pdf
Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service.
Follow along with our worship bulletin: trinityreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/10.17.21-bulletin-Pent-21-Lect-29.pdf
DD in search of Paul: Didyma and Aphrodisia. Studied Philemon in the ruins of a temple of Apollo. (No news from the Oracle.)
DD in search of Paul: a travel day back to Turkey; a silk carpet weaving demonstration; Ephesus. The Empire was vast!
The ruins are amazingly beautiful
D.D. In Search of Paul: a day in Athens visiting the Acropolis. The next day was on to Corinth where we studied Corinthians. (Makes sense, doesn't it?)
Deaconess Deborah In Search of Paul Pilgrimage days 4 and 5: we visited an icon workshop and toured the Varlaam Monastary in Meteora. We worshipped together and had a great evening discussion about Galatians. After a long drive to Delphi, we toured the ancient ruins and museum. A great dinner and discussion of Philippians rounded out our day.
The rich man who comes to ask Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life is a good man, sincere in his asking. Mark’s gospel is alone in saying that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Out of love, not as judgment, Jesus offers him an open door to life: sell all you own and give it to the poor. Our culture bombards us with the message that we will find life by consuming. Our assemblies counter this message with the invitation to find life by divesting for the sake of the other.
Follow along with our worship bulletin: trinityreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/10.10.21-bulletin-Pent-20-Lect-28-1.pdf
Thank you Trinity. 🙏🏻
Is this Historic Trinity in Detroit?
D.D. In Search of Paul Day 3: left Kabala and travelled to Thessaloniki. Then on to Vergina where the Tomb of Phillip the 2nd (Father of Alexander the Great) was buried. An amazing museum built around the archeological dig!
D.D. In Search of Paul Day 2: we crossed the border to Greece and travelled to the ruins of Philippi and saw the river where Paul baptized Lydia. (But there was no purple cloth for sale!)
Hi there! This is Deaconess Deborah sharing some pictures from Istanbul (which has no connection with St. Paul...).
We visited the Hagia Irene (where the Nicene Creed was hashed out) and the Hagia Sophia which has been turned back into a mosque. The beautiful tile floor has been covered with carpet. Images have been covered up by white cloth. The seraphs in the dome are still visible, but who knows for how long?
Enjoy
