“Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace.”

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

zoom squaresWhen I see this photo, I have an image of a community of believers who love and support one another and the church. This community, the Wednesday night study group known as the 3Ms, comes together each week to seek and learn about God’s direction to us and for us. Together as believers this group is a mighty testament to God’s work in the world and the authority of Jesus in our lives.

How happy I am to be part of this loving community of sisters and brothers and of other groups at Trinity such as the morning prayer group. My faith is enriched and strengthened within these communities of believers. After living in Pittsburgh for five years the technological miracle of ZOOM brought me back to participate in these communities of faith at Trinity.

The familiar carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” quoted here recounts the story of Jesus birth as told in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2. The first and last verses act as bookends, the first encouraging us to “rest” in the shelter of God’s love and the joy of His glad tidings for the world. The last verse, quoted here, implores us to sing praises to our Lord, all the while embracing each other in loving brotherhood as done in the many small groups at Trinity. My hope for all during this busy time of year is that we find our own rest in the fellowship of believers, embracing one another and praising God for the glad tidings of Jesus birth.

Marsha Shuler Goodfriend

nativity in white cardboard on blue background

Learn more about Advent at Trinity!