Hi First Presbyterian Church,
It’s time for our Mid-Week Meet-Up! Don’t forget - if you want to submit a question to be incorporated into the summer sermon series, you have until June 5 to send them to connect@pittsfordpres.org.* There have been some really good questions submitted so far about predestination, life after death, heaven and hell, the differences between Catholics and Presbyterians, etc. I can’t wait to see what other questions you might have and to try to answer them in an upcoming sermon!
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. Many churches observe Trinity Sunday the first Sunday after Pentecost. It makes logical sense. Since Pentecost marks the day when Jesus (second person of the Trinity) sent the Holy Spirit (third person of the Trinity) from the Father (first person of the Trinity), it follows that the next Sunday is an appropriate time to reflect on God’s trinitarian nature.
Do you ever wonder about the Trinity - like, why do Christians believe in a Triune God? Have you ever wondered why we call the first person “the Father” and the second person “the Son” and how they are distinct from the Holy Spirit? Have you ever wondered if we’re supposed to pray to one or all three of the Trinitarian persons? Does it matter?
I hope to answer all of these questions and more this Sunday! In the meantime, I encourage you to reflect on these words penned by Ambrose of Milan in the fourth century AD. They were translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1852:
O Trinity, most blessed light,
O Unity of sovereign might,
as now the fiery sun departs,
come shed your light within our hearts.
To you our morning song of praise,
to you our evening prayer we raise;
our humble joy shall ever be
to praise your name eternally.
Peace to you,
Pastor Aaron
* Or mail them by that date to First Presbyterian Church, 21 Church Street, Pittsford, NY 14534