Easter 3, 2025

 Today’s Gospel helps answer the question, what’s next after Jesus’ resurrection.  Christ is risen, now what?

Today is also the day that we reward our Endowment and Memorial Fund Grants for this year.  In some way we are part of the story, part of the now what following the resurrection.  Over the years this money has been donated and has grown because if its investment.  People who have loved Trinity thought of the future and who would come after and wanted to contribute so that good works could be done with the interest on donations.  Those who came before received God’s gifts and in gratefulness to God wanted to return some of what they received so that it would be a blessing to others.  Now we have the honor of sharing those gifts with others.

Christ is risen and his friends gather at the sea, a place of God’s creation, a place where they have made their living, a place of connection where they were called by Jesus to follow him.  The first grant is to the Gresham Japanese Garden Exporatory Program, a place of God’s creation, a place where people learn to make a living, a place people find connection.  I’ll let the Endowment and Memorial Committee explain.

In the Gospel story we are learning of a new beginning.  Although the disciples have walked together over three years,  they are in the now what following the resurrection.  New life is happening and they are just starting to realize that everything is changed.  New life is happening for those receiving the Baby Care Kits gathered, assembled, and shipped by the Women of the ELCA group at Trinity.  A mother has a new baby and everything has changed.  Let’s hear from the committee about this project.

In the Gospel story, healing is taking place.  The disciples have abandoned Jesus at the cross.  Peter has denied him three times.  But Jesus doesn’t come to him with blame, but healing and a chance to redeem himself.  He gives him an assignment, to feed and tend Jesus’ flock. In the same way, our third grant provides opportunities for healing from trauma, to care for a horse and to learn to trust again.  The committee will tell us more.

In the Gospel story, people who have been far apart come together again.  For our fourth grant, family who are far away in the military can record messages their loved ones can enjoy any time, so distance and absence is bridged and connection fostered.  Let’s hear more about it.

IN the Gospel story, the disciples have been fishing all night and their nets coming up empty.  It may be a similar situation with children who have been neglected and abused.  But when they come to Cares NW, a team is helping them through this trying time and they find their nets filled with blankets, clothing, art supplies, and help carrying their traumas.  The committee will tell us more.

In the Gospel, the disciples are trying to organize after a disaster, the death of their friend Jesus and the threats of the Empire against them all.  They are finding new ways to communicate and plan for the future.  In the same way our grant for the Disaster Preparedness Committee allows new ways to communicate and prepare to be of service moving into the future when people are especially in need.  Would you like to hear more?

In the Gospel Jesus invites the disciples to join him around the fire for a fish breakfast.  Bethanie’s Room Emergency Women’s shelter provides a safe place for women to live in community, to gather for meals, and to help each other learn how to live again.  Let’s hear more about it.

The message of Jesus’ love isn’t just for the few who are gathered there around the fire, but it is going out to all the world.  Much like the microphone project for our livestream.  Because  of this grant, people around the world can enjoy the services here, both on Sundays and for memorial services.  This gift means the world to homebound people who can’t get here and for those longing for connection.  Tell us more.

Lutheran community services finds their funding cut off by the Empire of our current administration much like Jesus and his disciples found themselves up against an empire that wanted to destroy them.  This next grant is an effort to do our part to support the amazing work they do in our community and world on behalf of the poor, refugees, children, and those who are ageing.

And finally, Jesus liked to eat and can be recognized in the breaking of bread and sharing meals.  The food for families program gives health and community to students all over the area.