2026.10.28 E-news

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." — Matthew 22:37

When a legal expert tries to trip Jesus up by asking which commandment matters most, Jesus doesn't hedge. He doesn't pick the safest one or the simplest one. He goes straight to the whole of us - heart, soul, and mind, all at once..

It's tempting, this time of year, to hear "stewardship" and brace for an ask. But this verse isn't really about a number - it's about wholeness. Jesus is describing what a fully-alive love looks like: not divided, not rationed, not held at arm's length. It is heart, soul, and mind, all showing up together.

That's actually good news, because it means stewardship isn't first about what we give up.  It's about how connected we already are. The heart-love that notices when a friend's been quiet lately. The mind-love that shows up as real attention when someone's talking to you. The soul-love that's harder to name but shows up anyway, in the moments we let ourselves be fully present instead of just OK. All of that is already stewardship. All of that is already this verse in motion.

A question to carry this week, not a task: Where in your life this week could you show up a little more whole - heart, soul, and mind together, instead of half-present?

A prayer: Lord, you don't want a piece of us - you want us, whole and present. Where we've been holding back, distracted, or divided, draw us back together. Let our loving be less about what we give up, and more about how fully we show up. Amen.

May you find and name ways that you are ALL IN

Pastor Erin

Check out the Weekly Bulletin to see the full schedule of what’s happening at TLC this week!

Please join us for Adult Forum every Sunday from 10:20am to 10:50am in the Garden Room.

This Sunday's topic - For All the Saints, presented by Pr. Todd Iverson

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night, October 31! Time changes at 2:00am on Sunday, November 1. We look forward to seeing you rested and on time for Sunday worship!

Join us this Sunday as we observe All Saints’ Day. Together, we will honor, remember, and give thanks for the lives and legacies of our departed loved ones.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Joyce Opjorden and her family on the recent passing of her son-in-law, James Stone.

Need a quiet place to get homework done, or looking for a little extra help with your schoolwork? All students (LOGOS and FAM) are invited to the Learning Pit. Join us at the church coffee shop every Wednesday, starting November 4, from 3:15pm to 5:15pm. Whether you want to get a head start on your assignments, work alongside friends, or get help with tricky questions, our doors are open. We offer a welcoming space with snacks, internet access, and volunteers ready to assist.

In December, Downtown Ventura Partners, a local non-profit that provides a weekly breakfast for those in need on the West End of Ventura, will be hosting a holiday luncheon for their walk-up clients, who usually number around 60 individuals.

Trinity has volunteered to provide shirts of all types, gently-used shoes, toiletries, scarves, beanies and socks to be distributed at the luncheon.  Beginning on Sunday, November 1, there will be labeled bins in the Gathering Space for donations of the above items. 

It’s Not Too Late to Submit Your Commitment Card!

If you haven't turned in your commitment card yet, there is still time. Extra cards and envelopes are available at the Welcome Desk. Once completed, simply place yours in the mailbox outside the church office door. These cards are vital to our budgeting process, as they help the Finance Committee and Church Council build our spending plan for the coming year. Thank you for your prayerful support!

Join us for Family Movie Night on Saturday, November 21, at 6:30pm on the TLC lawn featuring “Coco!” Bring your family and enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship, and a great movie. All are welcome!

Right after our movie night on Saturday, November 21, our middle school and high school youth are invited for the Jesus and Jammies Sleepover! The sleepover will run from 8:30pm to 8:00am on Sunday, November 22, in Room 1. Enjoy snacks, music, movies, games, and a photo booth with friends!

Questions? Contact Angela at angela@tlcventura.org.

November 21 - Outdoor Movie  followed by Jesus & Jammies Sleepover

November 22 - VIMA at Temple Beth Torah at 3:00pm

November 25 - Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service at 6:30pm followed by a Pie Social

November 26-27 - Church Office Closed

If you would like to dedicate altar flowers in memory or honor of a loved one, the sponsorship cost is now $40 per arrangement. Thank you for helping keep our worship space beautiful!

City Center is in need of disinfectant and cleaning cloths.  Please place your donations in the baskets located in the Gathering Space.

Thank you for your ongoing support! As a reminder, residents at The City Center purchase their own food and household items, so your contributions help them redirect those funds toward their children’s needs, such as school supplies and clothing.

October 28 - Scarlett Williams 

October 29 - Clara Mendoza

October 30 - Shannon Burke, Scott Manninen, Peyton Van Wagner

November 2 - Connie Gajefski

November 3 - Debbie Bergevin

Congratulations to Manny and Danielle Mendoza on the birth of their daughter, Annie and to big sister Clara!

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

For Healing and Comfort

• Jim Aguirre

• Judy, cousin of Joanne Cornelius

• Angie and Luce Steencamp, daughter and son-in-law of Maxine and Larry Nafie

• Emily Reich, friend of Michael Gereau

Let Us Pray for the Families who are Mourning the Death of

• Jim Stone, son-in-law of Joyce Opjorden 

• Ellen, sister of Don Wilt

Week 42 (October 18  - October 24, 2026)