Read Walt Pitman’s Loan FAQs

Dear fellow Trinity-ite,

Every now and then, situations arise for us to do things in an unexpected way. Five years ago, we as a congregation voted to take a loan to complete the parking lot, as the city of Redlands required of us, as well as some other campus matters. The loan we took was a standard commercial one, calling for a renewal after five years. Those five years are now up.

Obviously much has happened to our country financially in those last five years. The elders asked a committee, headed by our executive pastor Walt Pitman, to research the refinancing and they have recommend that we move our loan to a new lender, under very favorable loan terms. The details are in the accompanying FAQ written by Walt, and it will answer most of your questions related to the loan.

The lending institution understands our Church Constitution to read that we require congregational approval for this loan. Since it is a continuation of our current loan rather than an entirely “new” loan, it could be argued that this isn’t really necessary. However, it is wisest to meet their requirement and we will do so by having brief congregational meetings during each of the three services on Sunday, May 20. We have done such a thing before related to calling pastors and to affirming elders. You who are members will receive a ballot and will be asked to vote to accept this new loan arrangement, an arrangement that reduces our interest rate substantially. It is a gracious provision of the Lord for us. If you have questions or concerns, please direct them to Walt by email, or phone the church so that he can address them, or speak with any one of the elders. There won’t be time allotted in the worship service for general discussion.

As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we are also prayerfully asking you to join us in seeking to reduce the gap between our budgeted income and our actual income. These are challenging times for many financially, but we believe that Lord is able to provide what we need to accomplish what he has put on our hearts to do for him.

May the Lord’s blessings be upon us as a church family and you personally as you prayerfully consider these matters. Thanks for all the ways we are able to partner together in the Lord’s work.

In Him,

Gary Inrig
Senior Pastor

Thursday, May 3, 2012

6:30 am-9:00 pm
Fireside Room

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of climbing the famous leaning Tower of Pisa. The Tower is a remarkable structure, in and of itself, a beautiful bell tower in the piazza of the city. But what makes it famous is its remarkable lean. When construction began back in 1173, the engineer failed to consider the consequences of placing a 185-foot high tower on a stone foundation only ten feet thick that itself rests on sand, rubble and clay. In fact, the marble Tower began to lean even before the third of its eight stories was completed in 1274. Nevertheless, construction continued for another 75 years, with builders making each new tier a little higher on the lower side – a tactic that only made that side heavier, making it sink even faster. By the time it was finished, the Tower was four and a half feet off vertical. By the time it was closed for stabilization in the late 1990’s it was more than fifteen feet off vertical.

The project was flawed from the start, and although the Tower makes a wonderful tourist attraction and climbing its 294 steps certainly gives you a different slant on things, the Tower would have collapsed long ago, apart from dramatic interventions.

Foundations are of critical importance. Stable structures stand on solid ground. And that is true of the gospel, as we are reminded every Easter. The actual bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus is the basis for everything Christians believe. If he did not rise, we are, as Paul said, to be pitied, for believing an empty myth.

But he did rise. There can be no doubt that the Lord Jesus was crucified, declared dead by trained executioners, and buried in a recognized tomb. But on that first Easter morning that tomb was undeniably empty. Otherwise, the enemies of Jesus would have produced the body. Not only that, but undistinguished Galilean peasants who had been loyal to Jesus but devastated by his death were transformed into a band of world changers who claimed that they had met the risen Christ. Nothing in their psychological makeup can explain such a transformation. Further, the church began in the very place these events had taken place, and thousands of Jerusalemites who had first-hand information about what had happened, joined the Christian movement. Most remarkably, a brilliant and determined young Jewish rabbi, a self-appointed persecutor of Christians, was radically changed by what he claimed was an appearance of the resurrected Jesus, and, known as Paul, became the most powerful advocate of the resurrection faith. All of these are undeniable historical certainties, and only the truth of the resurrection gives a credible solution to these facts.

It was the apostle Paul who challenged high Roman officials with this challenge: “What I am saying is true and reasonable…. It was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:25, 26). This Easter, we celebrate again the great event that sets our feet on solid ground. All other ground is sinking sand.

Since we’ve started our 40 days of prayer, I can’t help but see people all around me that need Jesus. As I drive through my neighborhood, pull into my favorite Starbucks, and look at the pics on my phone, my thoughts are moved to prayer. “Father, open my eyes to see the neighborhoods that are ready for harvest. Send me out with your love and message.”

Steve Springsted
Pastor of Community Life

We need help on the following teams:

• Snack Happy - Join the team that keeps the crews happy!
• Appreciation Express – Express appreciation to the staff of Victoria Elementary
• Tidy Team – Tidy-up the school grounds. (Rake, pick-up)
• Fresh Paint – Put a fresh coat of paint on walls, backstops, and much more
• Mural Arts – Create murals to beautify the campus
• Window Wipers – Make the windows sparkle
• Garden Club – Sharpen up the school with new color and groomed planters
• Library Love – Organize and label books children love to read
• Goal Makers - Create 2 Soccer Goals from PVC

Victoria Elementary School
1505 South Richardson Street
San Bernardino, CA
[Google Maps] 

For more information, call Steve Springsted, (909) 335-7333, x115 or email him at: sspringsted@trinityonline.org

 Sign up now on the form below for a team.

As His followers, we continue Jesus’ ministry of prayer. He prayed – often and with passion. He trusted in His Father to do great works. He prayed that God’s blessing would come onto others. He prayed all night before He chose the twelve; we pray for God to send in laborers. He prayed for God to raise the dead; we ask God to bring the gospel to our four friends that they might be raised to eternal life.

When we pray, we ask God to do what only He can do. It is an amazing mystery that He has entrusted us with this privilege. Only He can make break the chains of sin and transform hearts. Only He can convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Only He performs the miracle of rescuing and raising people to eternal life in Jesus. Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in heaven who hears and answers.

Sometimes I don’t feel very qualified to pray. I entertain the idea that God doesn’t hear or answer. But my feelings contradict Scripture. Peter said that we are priests, cleansed by the blood of Christ, anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. God set us apart and gave us the call to intercede. So we pray with “a burning love for God’s honor” and for the rescue of precious lives. (1 Peter 2:5-9)

The greatest need of our friends is not the American dream – it is the good news of Jesus Christ. For it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Let’s pray.

by Steve Springsted

* Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, p. 228.