As we get ready to remember the birth of Jesus, we remember that Mary took the newborn Jesus, "wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7 RSV) We also believe that when we feed the hungry, or welcome the stranger, we are really welcoming Jesus. (Matthew 25:34-40)
I'm so glad that at Trinity this December we have "a place in the inn" for Jesus. We will be the host church for Mainstreet Ministries homeless shelter beginning Wednesday, December 1. Every evening at 10 pm the homeless of our community will come to our church, be served a hot meal, and have a warm and safe place to sleep for the night. Every morning they will have some breakfast, get a sack lunch before leaving at 8 am. That's the daily flow of the shelter -- arrive at 10 pm, eat, sleep, then wake in the morning eat, and go on your way at 8 am.
But some of our church members have gotten to thinking about Christmas Day. That day where we remember Mary and Joseph's travel to Bethlehem. We remember the Christ child in the manger. We remember that it was shepherds, themselves homeless and sleeping in the fields, who were the first witnesses to Jesus' birth. It really doesn't feel right to turn anyone out in the cold at 8 am Christmas Day.
So we have members who, on a rotating basis, are giving up a few hours of their family gatherings on Christmas Day to stay with our guests. We will have having a Christmas morning brunch, we will have a Christmas dinner, we will sing carols together, we will play games and watch movies, and exchange gifts. And nobody will have to be alone in the cold.
I hope those who read this -- Trinity members and members of our larger Pottstown community -- will find a way to be part of this homeless ministry this December. Truly, it is a blessing to our church, and to our understanding of this season, to host people who are homeless at Christmas.
Peace,
Pastor Lisa
I'm so glad that at Trinity this December we have "a place in the inn" for Jesus. We will be the host church for Mainstreet Ministries homeless shelter beginning Wednesday, December 1. Every evening at 10 pm the homeless of our community will come to our church, be served a hot meal, and have a warm and safe place to sleep for the night. Every morning they will have some breakfast, get a sack lunch before leaving at 8 am. That's the daily flow of the shelter -- arrive at 10 pm, eat, sleep, then wake in the morning eat, and go on your way at 8 am.
But some of our church members have gotten to thinking about Christmas Day. That day where we remember Mary and Joseph's travel to Bethlehem. We remember the Christ child in the manger. We remember that it was shepherds, themselves homeless and sleeping in the fields, who were the first witnesses to Jesus' birth. It really doesn't feel right to turn anyone out in the cold at 8 am Christmas Day.
So we have members who, on a rotating basis, are giving up a few hours of their family gatherings on Christmas Day to stay with our guests. We will have having a Christmas morning brunch, we will have a Christmas dinner, we will sing carols together, we will play games and watch movies, and exchange gifts. And nobody will have to be alone in the cold.
I hope those who read this -- Trinity members and members of our larger Pottstown community -- will find a way to be part of this homeless ministry this December. Truly, it is a blessing to our church, and to our understanding of this season, to host people who are homeless at Christmas.
Peace,
Pastor Lisa
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