Pastor Jim’s Blog
We Are Protestants
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... Lutherans are Protestants. We come out of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther and others protested against the Church of the Holy Roman Empire. In the Dark Ages, the Roman Catholic Church was the only Church in...
The Valley of the Shadow of Death
Today's Word from Pastor Tom Kidd... I believe if I had a child or a grandchild of color, I would be fearful. As I write these words, as a white man of privilege, I am afraid. Afraid and growingly aware of how I have failed to appreciate the difference...
A Gift from God
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... Five weeks after his birth, I finally got the green light to visit my youngest daughter and to hold my little grandson, Brooks. What a joy to touch his tender skin, to hear his little baby sounds, to change his diaper and...
Lament and Celebration
Today's Word by Karl Olsen, TLC Minister of Music... For some reason, I was up at 4:00 Saturday morning. Heading outside to let my tea steep, it seemed a good time to count my blessings. A warm bed (now only half full), a healthy family, the beautiful...
Pentecost Musings
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... Tomorrow marks the great celebration of Pentecost. Though we have not yet received permission from our Bishop, we are going out on a limb and declaring this Sunday to be Pajama Sunday at TLC. This unprecedented display of...
Three Dogs, The Woods, and the Path of Peace – Part 2
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... Last time I wrote, we were in the middle of a dog walk. The walk continues today…The dogs lead the way down the trail. The old dog seems to pull the hardest, always wanting to be the lead. The bigger, youngest dog...
Three Dogs, The Woods, and the Path of Peace, Part 1
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... This was a blog I wrote my first month on Whidbey Island, back in July 2010. Sadly, two of the dogs have since passed on, but their lessons for me continue…I remember seeing a cartoon that showed a man talking to...
Going Forward
Today's Word from Pastor Tom Kidd... On Memorial Day, I went for a visit with Dad. Dad’s current address is Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville. It is a bit of a family joke, but we like to say Mom and Dad have a nice room with a view. Anyway, Dad’s headstone...
Protecting Jesus
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... “Then little children were being brought to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them.” Matthew 19:13It was there in the beginning; I guess one might...
A Sermon From Our Bishop
Today's Word from Pastor Jim Trinity Lutheran Church is one of the 9,000 churches in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ELCA is broken up into 65 regional bodies called synods. We are a part of the Northwest Washington Synod which stretches...
You Are Not Alone
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” The words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of Matthew, the fifth...
TLC Preschool Graduation
Today's Word from Felicia Lindus, TLC Preschool Director...Classes ended at Trinity Preschool on March 13 when we responded to the Governor’s mandate to close schools. Since that time, we have continued to support our students through emails, online...
The Stress Tank
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... This reflection came to me in a dream the other night. I was visiting a friend who said she was in so much stress that she just needed a hug. Since I was not able to give her a hug, I walked her through this...
How is Life Preparing Us? And for What?
Today's Word from Pastor Tom Kidd... Sir was my German Shorthair Pointer. That was his name, Sir. Sir went to seminary with me (he was the only one who paid attention to me in preaching class); he rode with me in my summer job driving semi-truck around...
We Are Not Alone
TLC's reach is vast. This creative artistic piece was done by one of our TLC College students using themes from sermons. We hope that you will all enjoy the creativity, the images and words of comfort and hope.
Memorial Day
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... In 244 years of American History, there have been 32 occasions when distinguished citizens have lain in state at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. The first to be so honored was the Speaker of the House from Kentucky,...
Saturday TLC Video Update
Your church is still working on behalf of people in need. See Saturday's video update by Pastor Jim. To make a donation to Trinity, follow this link: https://trinitylutheranfreeland.org/give/
Waiting With Eyes of Hope
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:6Thousands of years ago, cities like Jericho, Jerusalem, and Megiddo had walls to protect the inhabitants from...
Offering Jesus to the Whole World
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... I remember the day my nephew Jonathan was born. I remember seeing him for the first time. As many mothers do, my sister asked me, “Would you like to hold him?” Of course, I did. When we hold a baby, we know that we...
Is This Heaven?
Today's Word from Pastor Tom Kidd... I admit I am going through a bit of sports withdrawal. It can be pathetic. Every time I watch a replay of the '95 Mariners coming back to beat the Yankees three in a row to make it to the American League Championship,...
No Vacations from Being a Christian
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27I try to have a good attitude in public, even when I don’t have a good attitude in general. There are no vacations from our...
One More Thing…
Today's Word from Minister of Music, Karl Olsen... Good Monday morning to you all! I hope you’re well, and patiently staying safe during this crisis, even while anxiously peering toward the future for signs of a healthy re-opening! We’ve witnessed your continuous...
The Shoe-Turning
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... For this week I offer you an ancient story, that some wise person told me along my spiritual journey.An old woman leaves her village. She is tired of the pettiness, dishonesty, and unfriendliness of the people she...
Angels Unaware
Today's Word from Pastor Jim. .. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2Do you believe in angels? Or do you think that they are simply a sign of an overactive...
Circled Dates
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... “My grace is sufficient for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9It has been eight weeks now since I asked you to circle a date on your calendar. At that time, May 17th seemed like a long way off. The Center for Disease Control had just...
Maybe Growing Down Could Help?
Today's Word from Pastor Tom Kidd... I think that when I was a child, a small child, I wasn’t afraid. I believe that is true. This observation comes by way of 45 years as a pastor watching children, and 44 years as a parent. So, I’m thinking that if the...
I Wore a Tie Today
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... Pretty much every day for the past 34 years I have come to church wearing a tie or a clerical collar. I have more than a hundred ties, some of them attractive. I always figured that if someone took the time to come see me,...
Blessings of Spring
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... One spring morning not too long ago, before we were sheltered in place, I woke up to the most glorious site. Mt. Baker was out; the early morning colors of the sun were just beginning to reappear, subtle yet...
A Video Update
Tired of reading? Want to see an actual face in a familiar location? Click on the arrow button in this post to see Pastor Jim’s video greeting. Drive-by Food Drive at TLC Tuesday, May 5 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Your church staff will greet you safely,...
Grief, Hope, and Generosity
Grief, Hope, and Generosity; It is a Great Time to be the Church Together!...Today's Word from Pastor Jim...... I find myself writing about, preaching about, and feeling lots of GRIEF these days. I am continually reminded that no one has escaped the grief...
Y’all Need Jesus… and a Pony
Today's Word from Pastor Tom Kidd... Recently I posted on Facebook a Ted Talk featuring the author Anne Lamott. She is exactly the incarnation of the line, “Hang out with sinners just enough to ruin your reputation with religious people.” If you have not...
A Brief Chapter in History
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... “Cast all your anxiety on God, for God cares about you.” I Peter 5:7It is an anxious time. We are bored. We are concerned about the days and years ahead. We are caged animals, longing for release from this isolation. We so...
Stillness
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... For years I have subscribed to The Daily Word online and each morning I get a word and a short meditation in my inbox. Some days it seems that someone looked into my life and said, “He needs this word today.” That...
Everyone Could Use a Little Kindness
Today's Word from Pastor Jim... “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Philippians 2 I had a conversation...
Blue Tape Living
Today's Word from Trinity Member Denise Wilson... During the COVID-19 pandemic, stores that remain open have chosen multiple options for keeping customers and employees safe in their stores. Prior to the pandemic, blue tape was only a "thing" while...
Throwback Thursday
Throwback Thursday... Country Music Sunday... We are bringing you this video from last October when we gathered at TLC to worship with a wide variety of Country Music hymns and songs.Put your boots on, get out that cowboy hat and your fiddle, and get...
Make a Decision and…
Today's Word from Pastor Tom Kidd.. Sunday School teacher… “God answers prayer with three possible answers: yes, no, or not now.” I told the teacher I was getting a lot of “not now” to my prayer requests. To which she said, “Maybe, given what you are...
A Few Quotes for Today
Today's Word from Karl Olsen, Minister of Music... I love quotes. Not feeling all that "quote-worthy" most of the time, it is wonderful to see God's world and it's many wonders and quirks through the eyes of other humans on this journey, and maybe filter...
Unprecedented Times
Today's Word from Pastor Pastor Jim... “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121We live in unprecedented times. Just a few months ago, unemployment was at...
Watching for Whales and Hope
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... The blue-green waters of Puget Sound seem to stretch on forever some days. There is life out here. We learn of the amazing beauty and diversity under these waters in so many ways – TV and radio shows, podcasts and...
God Loves Us Perfectly
Today's Word from Pastor Pastor Jim... “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.Yesterday, I wrote about the first sentence of this cornerstone teaching of Jesus. Today, we will look at the second...
Christianity is Not at War with Science
Today's Word from Pastor Pastor Jim... “I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6 There is no disconnect between our faith and science. No scientific discovery could shake my faith. Is there life on other planets? Science would tell us that the odds are very...
Finished! Right??
Today's Word from Pastor Pastor Tom Kidd...Jesus said, “It is finished.” John 19:30.Jesus said “It is finished” and then he gave up his spirit and died. We heard the text last Friday, Good Friday. Jesus said “It is finished” so it must be finished. But...
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!Today's Word from Pastor JimI look forward to Easter – 2021!“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.’ Yet you do not even know...
An Easter Song from TLC
Today's Word from Minister of Music Karl Olsen...Happy Easter Monday!I hope your Easter celebrations were filled with connections near and far yesterday.I know we talked with folks all over the country, sharing joy and news with those we love. So nice to...
Easter Eggs and Internal Beauty
Today's Word from Rev. David Bieniek... As a child I loved dyeing Easter eggs at this time of the year, and the truth is, I still do love dyeing Easter eggs.The problem is that I was a bit of a perfectionist. No matter how hard I tried, writing with that...
I Hope You See the Stars Tonight
Today's Word from Pastor Jim..."Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1Faith is moving forward when you are not sure where you are going, not sure what waits for you around the bend, not sure what...
Responding in the Time of Crisis
Today's Word from Pastor Jim...When this crisis began, I wondered how we would respond, and what God would be up to in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Concentration Camp survivor and noted author Victor Frankl said, “What matters is to turn one’s...
Holy Week and the Gift of Imagination
Today's Word from Pastor Tom Kidd...An educator was expounding on the importance of imagination, “Creativity must be co-equal to literacy.” Picasso said, “All children are born artists.” So how is it that most of us would plaintively sigh that there is not...
Recipe for a Funeral
Today's Word from Pastor Jim...This season of isolation has brought with it a season without funerals. Unless you have recently lost a loved one, you probably have not been acutely aware of this painful reality. Funerals provide critical vehicles for...