Life is short. Even though I just returned from CT, having led a memorial service for my 97 year old Aunt Catharine, and the week before a funeral service for one of our members, Pauline Fair, 102, life is short. Time-wise, no matter how many years we live, it's not even as much as the blink of an eye in the scheme of God's creation and the life of the earth. Life is short.

In those short years we have here to journey together it seems to me that there are so many important items to focus on that petty matters should not get in our way of being the vessels that God has chosen to work through here on earth. We are often reminded of 'petty' when we are in the midst of election time. So often the candidates sink into the mire of pettiness and not the real issues and how they're going to resolve them. And it isn't always their fault that they get caught in pettiness-the media AND we, ourselves, draw them into that as WE make petty matters important and they get stuck in trying to respond to matters we bring up. Sad. Life is short.

In the life of the Church, the body of Christ on earth as St. Paul tells us, pettiness so often seems to rule. It comes under the guise of being important and it disguises itself so well at times. I'm not sure where it comes from, but it always seems to be a matter of power or control. It always seems to be a matter of one person or a group trying to control what everyone else thinks or believes or does. They tie-up the mission of Christ's Church and don't let it move forward.

Some people think they have a corner on the 'truth.' The only Truth there is, is Jesus Christ. Some people think they 'know what God is saying' in the Bible, forgetting that it is only THEIR INTERPRETATION of what's in Scripture, or someone else's interpretation that they choose to believe. Lutherans, as recognized by our national Assembly of lay folks and clergy, are biblically illiterate-don't really know what's in the Bible or understand it (but they don't hold the corner on that because so are folks in other denominations, who 'study' the Bible but they're only listening to how some one else is interpreting.) Frankly, unless one goes to the Aramaic or Hebrew or Greek writings, one is only reading the translation and interpretation of others. So if one claims to know the 'truth' of the written Word, the 'truth' is only what one chooses to believe over what another chooses to believe.

Some denominations don't believe in infant baptism and they go to the Bible to 'prove' it. Others believe the Bible does support infant baptism. Some denominations don't believe women should be ordained (not just Roman Catholic but some Protestants as well) and others believe they should. So who is it here that has the 'truth'?

Some people pick and choose what they wish to believe that the Bible states. Some people are pro-life and at the same time pro-death. That is, against abortion and for the death penalty. And they claim the Bible supports them. Others claim the opposite. Some people pick out one item to follow from a list of restrictions and laws in Leviticus and yet ignore the rest. They don't even study WHY they were written and why they applied then and not now. They just choose which to focus on because of their own particular bias or prejudice, personal agenda, tradition or life-style

We are about to place Bibles in the pews at Trinity. There have been people opposing that. The Bibles are large print Bibles. With the exception of the Psalm, people will have to go to the Bible to read along with what the lector is reading. It won't be printed elsewhere. It will be, for many folks, the only time they touch a Bible all week. At least it's a start, but some folks are opposed to it. And some of those folks themselves don't crack open a Bible, and don't attend any Bible study. As many times as I have offered Bible study, and tried it at various times, we never get more than 10 out of a baptized membership of 703.

Life is short. It's too short to THINK you know what's in the Bible. It's too short to live your life code of tradition rather than what the Bible teaches. It's too short to misrepresent the Bible and twist it to meet your needs or support your secular beliefs or your political beliefs, or even to support a prejudice or bias. Look at how many years people used the Bible to justify their support of slavery!

Life is short. The Truth of the Bible is Jesus and not just salvation through Jesus. But the Truth, as a follower of Jesus, is to care about what he cared about. It is not to get caught up in petty matters, giving so much energy to them that there is little or no energy given to what REALLY matters, the Truth of what Jesus said and taught, and what Jesus expects of US in following what he asked us to do on his behalf.

Life is short. We need to care for and about each other as we all journey together on this earth. Love should be our guiding factor, our solid basis. The love of God in Jesus Christ can never be used against someone. Only for them. Lutheran pastors love Scripture; after all, as Lutherans, we, like Martin Luther, believe in the importance of Scripture. EVEN SO MUCH SO THAT OUR ENTIRE LITURGY IS BIBLICAL. WE SING THE BIBLE IN OUR LITURGY. OUR LITURGY, BOTH IN MUSIC AND WORD IS FROM THE BIBLE. So often we hear the phrase 'Bible based church.' And that is used in a negative sense when a church is said NOT to be Bible based. Yet it can't be applied against the Lutheran Church because we ARE Bible based. And we STUDY Scripture. Our pastors study Scripture in its original written version. Our pastors try to get members to study the Bible, not just read it. Pastors try to get members to put Scripture in context to better understand it. Lutheran pastors don't demand that everyone believe as they do, and they're not Christian if they don't.

Lutheran pastors believe that Scripture is inspired. Translations and interpretation of Scripture are just that: translations and interpretation. Early translations were based on original texts available to the translators at that time. Over the years archeologists have discovered EARLIER texts and found there are some differences. Later translations of the Bible reflect those. And the Roman Catholic Church accepts more books of Scripture than do the Lutherans and Protestants. So which is 'true' Scripture?

Life is short. Jesus taught about love and compassion, caring for and about one another. He called us AWAY from judging another and into LOVING others. He never called us to war against each other. He called us to love our enemies.

We are asked to even love the 'serial murderer' or 'horrific tyrant world dictators and leaders' and, yes, even the terrorist. What does it mean to 'love' them? It doesn't mean romantic love, or even brotherly love. It means to care about their eternal soul. To pray for their eternal soul. That's how Jesus loves us all, no matter how many times we fail him. If we ask forgiveness he forgives. He cares about our eternal souls. If you pray for someone's soul, it prevents YOU from getting caught in thoughts and feelings of hate and revenge. It's exactly why Jesus wants us to forgive because it is the healthiest thing we can do for our own lives-emotionally, physically, spiritually-so what we say and do serves Jesus.

Life is short. Don't use the Bible to back up any pettiness you might be caught up in. Use the Bible to love others and care about others. Use the Bible to know the one Truth, Jesus. Don't claim that your interpretation of the Bible's teachings is the one and only truth. Your 'truth' is based on someone else's translation and interpretation of the original Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek texts. Since translations differ, and interpretations differ, NO ONE can claim that they know THE truth, or THE true interpretation, and that what any one else claims as truth, isn't the truth and it is aimed at leading folks away from the truth of the Scriptures.

Life is short. The church needs to focus its attention on knowing what Jesus taught and what he expects us to be doing: praying for each other, helping the poor, standing up for the oppressed, caring for orphans and widows, giving generously of our God-given time and talent and treasure. It does NOT need to be involved in petty matters of who's got the 'true' interpretation of particular verses of Scripture-interpretations that are so often 'issue-driven and politically motivated.'

Life is short. Make the most of it in service to others in Christ's name. Don't judge others. Just love them. If you are estranged from family, patch it up. Family is not sustained by being 'right' in a disagreement, it's sustained by love. Life is short. Don't hold on to grudges; don't hold so tight to your own understanding of biblical 'truth' so that you can't see another's 'truth' is equal to yours. Look carefully to see if your 'truth' is sustained by personal agenda, a religious leader's personal agenda, politics, tradition, fear, bias, or prejudice. If it is, go back to the Bible and read what Truth is all about.

Don't let the longer days of summer daylight make you think you have more time. You have the same amount of time, and it's a short amount. Make the most of it. The light of summer is the same light of winter. Whether long or waning or short, our days are sustained not by the sun, but by the Son, the Light of the world.

Your brother in Christ, who loves you,

Pastor Nicholas Brie

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The book discussion group continues to meet the last Tuesday of every month at 7 PM in the youth room. The next meeting is May 27, and the June meeting is June 24. The May book is "FATHER JOE", by Tony Hendra, and for June, "THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER", by Amy Tan.

The books may be picked up from a special shelf in the church library and usually cost $7.00. Discussions are led by Pastor Brie. Please direct questions to Miriam Lane or Pastor Jo.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - AUGUST 4

If you attended VBS last year, you will be receiving a registration form in the mail in early June. Please fill out and return it to Messiah Methodist (the lead coordinator of VBS this year), to Trinity's church office, or to Sherri Sensabaugh, Trinity's coordinator.

As a reminder, VBS is planned for August 4 - August 8, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Trinity. This year's theme is "Rainforest Adventure". Registration is for children age 4 through 8th grade. We are still looking for someone to lead music time and need a few more teachers and helpers. High school age youth are also encouraged to help. It is a fun way to earn service hours. If you need a registration form or to volunteer, please contact Sherri Sensabaugh at 410-756-6054 or grover1013@hughes.net.

PUBLICITY BOARD SPONSORS A CONTEST

The Publicity Board is sponsoring a contest to make a map of our church. We need a map of both floors - can you create one? Contest dates are May 25 to June 22. Put your entry in the Publicity Board mail box in the library. First prize is a gift certificate to the Mustard Seed in Town Mall for $25.00. Please label the following rooms or parts of the church on your map:

• Christian Education Building Education Rooms 1,2,3,4
• Fellowship Hall All restrooms
• Sanctuary Library
• Chapel Kitchen
• Youth Room Choir Room
• Robe Room Elevator
• Stairwells Cribbery
• Music Director's Room Sacristy
• Bulge

The map will be used to help people find their way around the church building in an attempt to make our building easier to navigate for new people. We will be creating professional looking signs to post.

Call Lynda Gainor at 410-751-1626 if you have questions.

Annual strawberry festival - SATURDAY, JUNE 7 - 4:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Trinity's Annual Strawberry Festival will be held Saturday, June 7th , beginning at 4 P.M. on the church parking lot. In the event of inclement weather, the festival will be held in the Fellowship Hall. There will be plenty of ice cream and strawberries as well as various kinds of sandwiches, beverages, etc.,…. plus bake table items.

Entertainment will be provided by the "Carroll County Ramblers", as well as face-painting and balloons for the children. Come enjoy the evening with your friends, neighbors, and fellow-members. Bring your lawn chairs!

Donations for the bake table - cakes, cookies, candy, etc., will be greatly appreciated.

ANNUAL DELAWARE-MARYLAND SYNOD ASSEMBLY

Trinity now has three lay delegates at the Synod Assembly. This year's lay delegates are: Ed and Lola Null and Barbara Copenhaver. The Assembly will be held from Thursday afternoon, June 19th, thru Saturday noon, June 21st. The Assembly is at the Eisenhower Conference Center and Hotel in Gettysburg. Pastor Brie and Sonia McCarthy will also attend.

MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS

Stacy Lynn Magwire, 4717 Teeter Rd. Taneytown, MD 21787 (443) 244-3774

Stacy formerly attended a Lutheran church in Nebraska. She works at Lorien Nursing home and will be marrying Randy Wetzel at Trinity in October. Randy live in Union Bridge. Stacy has three children - Hailee (7) and Kaleb (6) Magwire and 1-yr. old Brody Wetzel. Stacy enjoys playing with her children, going to the park, baseball, and reading.

Andy Schmidt and son, Tucker, 2100 Crouse Mill Rd.

Taneytown, MD 21787 (410-916-1351

Andy and his wife, Bobbye, purchased Frank and Julie Feeser's home. They have two children, a daughter, Drew, who is 20 and in college in Texas, and a son, Tucker, who is 9 and goes to Taneytown Elementary. He attended Trinity's Christian Learning Program. Both the children enjoy Lacrosse and Tucker and his Dad are involved in the 4-H program. They have pigs, lambs, and beef cattle. Andy has worked at Steel and Wire Products in Baltimore for 12 years.

DICK SUTCLIFFE ENTERS ETERNAL LIFE

Richard, (Dick) Sutcliffe passed away Sunday, May 11, with Judy, his wife of 66 years, his daughter JT, and his son Michael at his bedside in Baylor Hospital, Dallas, Texas. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday.

Dick was a son of the Rev. Alfred T. Sutcliffe, who served Trinity from 1928 until his death in 1945. He graduated from Taneytown High School, Class of 1935. He began his career in communications as a reporter for the Roanoke Va. Times, then soon went to work for the United Lutheran Church in America as Assistant Editor for the Lutheran and then as Associate Director for Press, Radio, and Television in New York. During those years he was the voice of the weekly radio program, "Church World News" and was the creative force behind the innovative children's program, Davey and Goliath.

In 1967 Hartwick college conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters on him. In 1969 he and his wife moved to Texas where he served as Director of University Relations for Southern Methodist University and as Director of Communications for the Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to his wife and daughter who live in Dallas, he is survived by his son, daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters who live in New Jersey and by his brother, Paul, in Pennsylvania.

CATCH THE VISION

Trinity Leaders' Vision for the future of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Each week worship ends with, "Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! and "Catch the Vision!" Are you catching the vision? Do you believe in this vision for Trinity? Five years of what the Council & Board Directors & other Trinity leaders outlined is printed below. Are you trying to live up to the vision of what Trinity can grow to be? Are you helping fulfill the vision? Even if you don't catch the ENTIRE vision, surely, as a dedicated follower of Christ, you have to be in the process of developing SOME of the vision. CATCH THE VISION. Say it! Live it!

This is to thank Pastor Jo and Pastor Brie for their visits and prayers; Miriam Lane, Yvonne and Gene Vaughn's visits. Howard Schildwachter taking my place as Communion Assistant, and all who sent get-well cards, their thoughts and prayers.

My family for their visits and help - especially my wife who is putting up with me while getting through the healing process in my recent hip surgery. All her nursing, advice and help, she is a God-send! Also my brother, nephew, sister and brother-in-law who kept up with my mowing and trimming. God bless them! It is very humbling to accept all the help when I couldn't do it myself. Time is moving soooo slowly!

We again thank you and God bless you all!

Ed Null

CARDS TO MEMBERS PRESENTLY RESIDING IN CARE FACILITIES

(be sure to identify yourself as a member of Trinity Ev. Lutheran, Taneytown)

Elaine Ernst Everett Hess, Westminster Nursing Center The Village at Robinwood, Rm 102, 1234 Washington Road 19800 Tranquility Circle , Westminster, MD 21158 Hagerstown, MD 21742

Ruthanna Kiser Diana Skiles, Carroll Lutheran Village The Brethren Home Community, 300 St. Luke Circle P.O. Box 128. Westminster, MD 21158 New Oxford, PA 13750

Helen Null Esther Speak, Assisted Living Rm 418 The Brethren Home Community, 300 Stewart Drive P.O. Box 128, Hanover, PA 17331 New Oxford, PA 13750

Ralph Dinterman Jean Chenoweth, Lorien Nrsg and Rehab Center Country Companions, 100 Antrim Blvd 3217 Bert Koontz Road, Taneytown, MD 21787 Taneytown, MD 21787

 Rhonda Danner is at Lorien Nursing and Rehab Center in Taneytown

Helen Merring was celebrating her birthday of 103 years

GARNETTE GRIMES HONORED

Congratulations to Garnette Grimes for having won a President's volunteer Service Award for another year for having completed over 200 hours of volunteer service in 2007 at St. Catherine's Nursing Home in Emmitsburg. This doesn't include her weekly volunteer work at the Taneytown Food Bank.

TRINITY CHRISTIAN LEARNING PROGRAM

Trinity's preschoolers are enjoying the last few weeks of T.C.L.P. with rehearsal for the four-year-olds Promotional Service on Friday, May 23. The boys and girls will sing songs and present finger plays for their families in the sanctuary followed by dessert in the Social Hall. The children will present Pastor Brie with a booklet after the Children's Sermon.

The three and four-year-olds visited the Weller/Harmon farm on Harney Road. They learned about different kinds of goats, how they live, the uses of their wool and milk.

Pastor Brie attended the releasing of 500 hundred ladybugs on the play ground in celebration of the Ascension of our Lord. There will be lots of pictures of this event posted of the T.C.L.P. Parent Bulletin Board real soon. The very active ladybugs brought giggles and smiles to all.

The fall sessions have a few openings. Families interested in having your child attend Trinity's preschool, may call the church office for registration at 410-751-1203. Visit with us for lots of Christian fun.

The children, teachers, and sub-committee would like to thank the families of Trinity for their support.

Have a Great Summer by enjoying God's World!

Rainy Day Things to Do:

Spaghetti sculpture:

Put an old sheet or tablecloth on the floor. Give each child a fistful of uncooked long spaghetti noodles. The spaghetti can be used to make geometric designs and shapes.

When the play is over, the noodles can be retrieved and saved for another day. The sheet or tablecloth makes clean up of small pieces easier.

For more fun with spaghetti, cook the noodles and toss with oil before play. The spaghetti can be stored in a zip lock plastic bag in the refrigerator to use another day.

Postal Carrier/Post Office:

Save old envelopes and anything that can be used for pretend stamps such as stickers from magazine offers, record and book clubs.

Let the children stamp their own envelopes or make sticker trains, sticker animals, or sticker designs.

Mail can be delivered throughout the home: Mom and Dad's in the living room, brother's at his bedroom door, etc. In Christ's Love, Becky

PARISH HEALTH CORNER

June is Home Safety Month. The most common causes of accidents in the home are falls, fires & burns, & poisonings.

• Post the National Poison Control Hotline phone # next to every phone in your home. The # is 1-800-222-1222.
• Make a first -aid kit. Store it where the family can get to it. Also have one in each of your vehicles you drive.
• Make sure everyone in your home knows to "Stop, Drop, and Roll" if their clothes catch on fire. If your home has more than one story & your bedrooms are upstairs, make sure you have an escape plan and ladder to get out your window.
• Prepare a basic disaster supplies kit that is easy to carry in case you have to evacuate your home.
• Make sure all your rugs are taped down or have a good rubber backing on them.

Most of this info was obtained from womenshealth.gov booklet.

The 5 Biggest Bacteria Hot Spots are:

• Your toothbrush. Did you know that when you flush your toilet that the 3.2 billion germs per square inch are propelled as far as 6 feet???? So keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet or hide it away in the medicine cabinet.
• Your kitchen sponge. The sponge is one of the most contaminated objects in the home. It can have staphylococcus or salmonella bacteria in it, which can cause vomiting & diarrhea if food, eating utensils, etc is contaminated. So dampen your sponge with water and zap it in the microwave for 2 minutes. Sponges should be replaced every few weeks.
• Your purse. Women's purses carry lots of bacteria as salmonella and E-coli. These bacteria can lead to gastrointestinal and eye problems. Avoid placing your purse on the floor. Wipe down your purse with antibacterial wipes. If it is washable, toss it in the washing machine, every couple of weeks.
• Your Office desk. Did you know your desk contains 20,961 germs/square inch?? The worst offenders are phones, computer keyboards, and mouse. So wipe down those objects & desk with a disinfectant. Also refrain from eating at your desk.
• Your makeup. Cosmetics, as well as applicators like sponges & brushes harbor tons of bacteria which can cause eye & skin infections. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends replacing powders and eye shadow every 2 years, & foundation & lipstick every year, & mascara every 3 months. Applicators should be washed regularly with soap & water.

This info was obtained from Quality Health.

Sonia will be on vacation June 2nd -15th!

SUNDAYs: Elementary Youth Group beginning June 22nd - July 20th, after the later service, grades K-5 will have LUNCH, YOUTH GROUP & HANG-OUT DAY until 2pm!

TUESDAYs: Lorien Game Day

All ages are invited to join us for an INTERGENERATIONAL MONTH OF SERVING at Lorien -Taneytown, from 6:15pm - 7:15pm,

beginning June 17th - July 22nd!

TUESDAYs: Middle & High School Youth Group with Croquet & Yard Games

famous Tollgate Croquet Master, Kevin McCarthy, will lead grades 6 - 12, in stiff competition and victory on Trinity's lawns, from 7:30pm - 9pm,

beginning June 17th - July 22nd!

Bring a 2-liter soda & snacks to share!