Have you ever noticed that we — human beings — are very good at labelling ourselves and others? We’re very good at attaching a label: smart, foolish, rich, poor, good, bad, conservative, progressive, … etc. The labels we give ourselves and the labels others give us become our identity, and we often experience the Pygmalion Effect and start to believe and live into these labels … whether they are true or not.
Let’s be honest, some of our labels are accurate and helpful. Positive labels give us something to live up to. These are the kinds of labels that we readily accept. Who among us does not want to be thought of as smart, successful, trustworthy, compassionate, friendly, or loving. It feels good to be labeled that way. Even if we don’t always think of ourselves as smart, successful, trustworthy, compassionate, friendly, or loving, we’re usually happy to have others think of us that way.
But let’s also be honest about the fact that some of our labels are painful and carry a heavy burden. Not many of want to be labeled as stupid, foolish, failure, cruel, or hateful. We don’t like to be seen that way and it’s not healthy or helpful to see ourselves that way.
You may want to think about the labels you carry with you and the labels you give to others. It’s difficult exercise to look honestly at our lives, but it’s also the way we begin to grow.
As I think about the power of labels — for good and for bad — in my life and in the world around me, I’ve started to think that we, as followers of Jesus, might do well to look at some of the labels we get from God. How does God, who sent Jesus into the world to save us from the power of sin and death, label us? How does God want us to see ourselves? How does God want us to see one another?
These are important and challenging questions. They are worthy of our time and attention.
So, to help us grow together as followers of Jesus, I’ve decided that, starting on Bounce-Back Sunday, September 11, I’m going to preach a series of sermons that I’m simply calling Labeled. Using the New Testament Letter to the Ephesians as our guide, we’re going to consider the way God labels us. These are the labels that really matter. They are the labels we can and should live up to and live into. (I’m also going to teach a companion study on the Letter to the Ephesians this fall. Look for information in weekly eNews and Sunday bulletins.)
I think it will be a relevant and helpful exploration of Christian discipleship. I hope you’ll join us for worship every Sunday as we discover what it means to be Labeled by God. I look forward to seeing you.
In Christ,
Neil
October is a great time. The leaves are changing, the air is cooler and we celebrate the blessing of the pets. Mark your calendar and grab your furry friends because the Pet Blessing at Trinity Church is on October 2. It is a wonderful tradition that Trinity has celebrated for decades. This year, you don’t even need a pet to take part. We’re adding an opportunity for you to support a local organization that helps dogs and cats needing homes. Trinity is teaming up with the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. For those taking part in the blessing, please consider bringing a needed pet supply item with you. For those not taking part in the blessing, we’d love for you to find an item or two on the list and drop it off in a drive-through at the church. Details are below.
Let me answer that question this way. When I was on vacation this summer in coastal Kiawah Island, South Carolina, I biked past a swampy lagoon that had a sign posted. “Warning: Alligators. It is Illegal to Feed or Harass Alligators.” As I biked away (without seeing a ‘gator and not particularly sorry that I hadn’t), I thought “Why was it necessary to post such an obvious thing?” Doesn’t every adult and child know instinctively that it would be very foolish to tease an alligator? Later, as I was reviewing my pictures, which included that sign, I realized that sometimes reaffirming an obvious truth makes a whole lot of sense. Can we read too often 
Trinity’s Book Chat will begin another season of reading and chatting on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30 p.m. They will continue to meet on Zoom on the second Tuesday of the month. New readers are always welcome to join us. The September book is 
We welcome new singers. The members of Trinity’s Chancel Choir minister to others through music. Our rehearsals start on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 11:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary; each week we will learn music to share at the 10:30 a.m. service.
I recently heard a friend and colleague talk about why he is a United Methodist (UM) and why The United Methodist Church (UMC) is important to him. He was saying that, during these difficult days in the life of the UMC, it’s important to remember why we are UM’s and what the UMC means to us. As a result, I’ve been thinking about why the UMC is important to me and why I am a United Methodist.
Now that we are in the throws of summer, our thoughts wander toward the beach, vacations, and cookouts. It’s easy to forget that just a few months ago we were surrounded by the color and newness of spring. Surrounding the amphitheater outside our Fellowship Building is a lovely, curved flower bed. It has shrubs lining it and in spring it lights up with beautiful Red Devon daffodils emerging from their bulbs. (Don’t be impressed that I knew the type of daffodils, or even that they were daffodils. Thank you, Google!)
I noticed another, single daffodil, then another. They were not in a grouping as the others were. These were individual flowers, not even in the flowerbed with the others. These individuals were actually set apart from the other daffodils, growing by themselves in the grass! It was so striking to me. I just stared at them. Then, it occurred to me that the daffodils that were outside of the congregated flowers were just like people outside of the church. How many times have we encountered those who never felt at home in the church—any church? How many times have we met those who felt injured or ostracized by a church?
Trinity UMC News 