Welcome to

 TRINITY LUTHERAN   CHURCH
  Brattleboro, VT

The Spark, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, February 15, 2026 Matthew 17:1 Jesus led them up a high mountain. There he was transfigured… his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light. They saw in Jesus the spark of the divine. We might see this as Jesus being a gateway to divine life. We all have life. Jesus says, I will show you abundant life. I suggest that spark of the divine is within each of us. Call it our potential. No, we are not Jesus, but that spark is there. Do we live the spark? Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Carolyn and John Siefers assisting, Gene Kuch reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Push, Push, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, February 8, 2026 John 17 Jesus prayed: My disciples are “in” the world, but they are not “of” the world. Jesus taught – we are to be “in” this culture, but not “of” the culture. How am I any different than anyone else, as a result of my awareness of God? I am blessed with gifts and I hope to die having opened many of them. Push, push to get out of passive living. Push, push to get over lazy. Push, push to get over the inertia which holds us in place. May people see the push, push in you. Cherish the gift. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Jeff Herman-May assisting, Beverly Wolf reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Remember, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, January 11, 2026 Matthew 3:16 When Jesus was baptized he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove…and a voice from heaven said, “this is my Son, with him I am well pleased.” Jesus was a follower of John the Baptist. When Jesus is baptized by John, he has what I describe as a spiritual moment – he sees heavens opened, he hears a voice. This “spiritual moment” marks the beginning of his teaching. Think of it as a turning point, a breakthrough - when the Spirit reaches him in a profound manner. We all have breakthrough moments of a sort. Remember your profound moments. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Jeff Herman-May assisting, Beverly Wolf reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

The Christmas Gift, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, December 24, 2025 Trinity's beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service with Pastor Jon Heydenreich presiding and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. John 1 :16 From the fullness of God’s grace, we have all received one blessing after another. On Christmas we receive....cards, well wishes, gifts, the beauty of decorations and the fond memories of the past. The message of Jesus is that God is with us, among us, beyond us and within us. That is the gift of Christmas. May we see all that we have received. And in receiving may the Spirit move us. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Don't Blow It, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, December 14, 2025 Matthew 25: Jesus taught: “God’s kingdom is like ten maidens who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. The foolish maidens did not take extra oil. The wise maidens took jars of oil…. The foolish maidens said to the wise ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some oil.’ “They answered, ‘There might not be enough; go buy your own.’ Much later, the “foolish” maidens returned, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. The five maidens in the story are denied entrance to the wedding banquet. They forgot to bring oil for their lamps, had to buy some, and when they returned they are denied entrance to the wedding. So, what's the point of this story? I suggest the point is – you and I have one chance – today. Don’t blow it. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Jeff Herman-May assisting, Micaela Carlton Newton reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Be Alert, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, November 30, 2025 Matthew 24:42 Jesus taught: keep watch… be alert… wake up. One of the most challenging matters for us is to watch our lives and see the blessings, especially when life does not unfold as we would prefer. Can I see the good God is providing despite that upset? Have to be alert, stand back, pause…and transition to living in my Christ self, where I see the good that God provides and live with a modicum of peace. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Ron Solberg assisting, Beverly Wolf reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Do Not Waste Life, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, November 16, 2025 Luke 21:16 Jesus said to the disciples: You will be betrayed even by relatives and friends… You will be hated… Stand firm, and you will win life…. Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap… Jesus taught the disciples that they would face tough times. No one goes through this life without tough times: death of loved ones, physical traumas, emotional turmoil, illnesses… His words are to be on the watch, endure, so that we do not waste life. May your day be filled with a lot of vitality. No regrets. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Jeff Herman-May assisting, Anna Anderson reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Tend to Today, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, November 9, 2025 Luke 20:27 Some Sadducees asked Jesus, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her." Who will this person be married to in the resurrection? Well… why not tend to the marriage of today. Let us make it bigger than marriage – how about intentionally trying to brighten someone’s day! Leave the afterlife in God’s hand. Deal with this moment. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Ron Solberg assisting, Lynne Stone reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. Today we are blessed as Marsha Heydenreich sings a beautiful solo. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Persist, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, October 19, 2025 Matthew 7:7 Jesus taught: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Jesus taught – persist. And he promised – persist and we experience abundant life. Sit – we have life. Persist – and we have abundance. God is ready to bless us. Up to us. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Jeff Herman May, Beverly Wolf reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

The Power of Faith, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, October 5, 2025 Mark 4:31 Jesus said: “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds… yet when planted it grows….” I appreciate this reference to the kingdom as small as a mustard seed and the power of even such a small iota of faith. That small bit of trust, of confidence in God’s presence with us, can turn us around. It is that still small voice that says I can, it is possible, I do not have to quit. Keep going. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Ron Solberg assisting, Anna Anderson reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Reveal Yourself, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, September 28, 2025 The Gospel of Thomas...Jesus said: If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you. The words of Jesus from the Gospel of Thomas are, perhaps, his most profound words. Deal with what is within. If we do not, it can kill us. If we bring it forth, we may taste a measure of freedom. Stop the running, rest in Christ who loves you. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Carolyn and John Siefers assisting, Gene Kuch reading, and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Tread Carefully, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, September 21, 2025 Luke 16:8 “The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than the people of the light.” The contrast is between the children of light and the children of darkness (the children of this age). Are you a child of the light or a child of the dark? Jesus taught – be a shrewd as the serpent (smart as the child of this age or the child of darkness) and be as innocent as the dove (as the child of light). His teaching was to combine these polar opposites. But watch out. A lot of that “innocence” can lead us to being naïve. And a lot of that wisdom can lead us to be cynical. Walk the tightrope. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Jeff Herman May assisting and Gene Kuch reading, and Theresa Ford on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Be Found, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, September 14, 2025 Luke 15:3 Jesus taught: if you have 100 sheep and lose one, don’t you go look for the lost sheep? Such is the rejoicing in heaven over one person who repents...” The parable implies God looks for us. God is looking for us when we hear that small voice of conscience. It is that sense “why did I say that,” it is that nagging thought to call someone, it is that fleeting thought, “I should help out.” God is always looking for us. Be found. Pastor Dennis Walker presides, with Kris Grotz-Kuch assisting and Beverly Wolf and Micaela Carlton Newton reading, and Theresa Ford on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

I Want More! Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, September 7, 2025 Luke 14:33 Jesus said: “…none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions." I suggest this teaching is to make us aware that we cling to stuff for our sense of self and security. If we are honest, we may actually realize we do not “need” all that stuff. Yet we cling to it anyway with an iron grip. And we never have enough. Perhaps, when we find our “selves” in Christ, we cling a bit less tenaciously because that stuff in not so critical to who we are. A mark of that identity in Christ is our generosity. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Ron Solberg assisting and Beverly Wolf reading and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Look At Me! Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, August 10, 2025 Luke 14: 11 Jesus taught – when you go to a feast, do not take the place of honor for the host may ask to move and you will feel humiliated. Take the humble place and the host may ask you to move up. Do not exalt your self. We live in a “look at me” culture. This teaching from Jesus is all about letting that ego and pride thing go. Live in Christ where you are loved as you are. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Jeff Herman-May assisting and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Head Space, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, August 10, 2025 John 6:27 Jesus said: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life….. I am the bread of life.” I suggest Jesus speaks of a mindset. When we are centered on the goodness of this life from God – then we have bread that satisfies. When we look for the “good", that is living “in Christ.” we are in a head space that leads us on a path to peace. So – yes, Jesus gives us the bread which keep us in a good place. It is a spirit within us.

Repent, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, June 22, 2025 Luke 17:21 Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is within you…” The central message of Jesus was “repent, the kingdom is at hand” or near, or within us. Typically, we think to "repent" means to change some behavior, or apologize for something. But “repent” really means to undergo a transformation of our being. To change the way we look at life, to undergo a renewal, a rebirth of sorts. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Jeff Herman-May assisting and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.

Life in the Spirit, Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, June 8, 2025 Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come…. there came a sound(and).… Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages… With the presence of the Spirit, suddenly, folks could speak other languages. I see this as metaphor. When we live out of our Christ self, we can hear and understand one another. Live out of your Christ self – when we do, I suggest we have the time for others and we have the propensity to listen and understand. Pastor Jon Heydenreich presides, with Ron Solberg assisting, Gene Kuch as reader and Marsha Heydenreich on piano. No matter who you are in your walk of faith, or where you are in that journey, you are invited to the communion table at Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation, more or less traditional and relaxed, and a Reconciling in Christ congregation where all are welcome.