There is this fantastic story at the end of the Gospel of John where Jesus is cooking breakfast for his disciples on a beach. He’s cooking fish on an open fire, and he pulls Peter aside – the disciple that betrayed him earlier and asks, “Peter…do you love me?” And Peter responds, “Of course I love you!” Jesus replies, “Feed my lambs.”

Then again, Jesus asks Peter, “Peter do you love me?” Peter responds, “Yes, yes! You know that I love you!” And Jesus says, “Tend my sheep.” A third time Jesus asks Peter, “Peter, do you love me?” And Peter, with deep emotion replies, “Yes Father! Of course! You know everything. You know that I love you!” and Jesus again says, “Then feed my sheep.”

This is one of the very last things Jesus teaches us before he leaves. It is his last request of those of us who are blessed to live in this world.

On any given month at Trinity, you will find us living out our faith in action. We have a soup kitchen every Friday, serving hundreds of lunches every year and our community garden offering fresh veggies to our neighbors in need. We support local affordable housing organizations, fuel banks, domestic abuse shelters, and after-school tutoring programs. And of course, we maintain a full-time pastor to be the "town's pastor" - A person dedicated to caring for the physical, spiritual, and social needs of anyone in need, regardless of whether or not they are members of our church.

This is just a small sampling of ways we live out our faith. The people of Trinity Lutheran do these things because we take our faith very seriously. We love because God first loved us. We believe we are all uniquely equipped to bless others. “You are the light of the world” Jesus says, “ so let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16)