Dear Trinity Family & Friends,

This Sunday marks the beginning of our next movement in our year-long journey through Scripture—Living the Covenant. It’s also Pentecost Sunday, a day when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. It’s a powerful moment to reflect not only on God’s presence among us, but on what it means to live as a covenant people, united by love and committed to one another.

Our sermon this week is “Choosing the Covenant.” We turn to Ruth’s bold decision to stay with Naomi—“Where you go, I will go…”—a choice that reshaped both of their lives and placed Ruth within the unfolding story of God’s redemption. Her faithfulness wasn’t rooted in obligation—it was a courageous, countercultural act of love.

Ruth’s story is traditionally read during the Jewish festival of Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks—which we know as Pentecost. It was a harvest festival that marked both the giving of the Law at Sinai and the offering of the first fruits. In that context, Ruth’s story becomes even more profound: it’s about harvest, covenant, and radical inclusion. A “foreigner” becomes part of God’s people. Love crosses boundaries. A new story begins.

That same Spirit is alive in us today.

We'll also reflect on Song of Songs 8:6–7, where love is described as strong as death and unquenchable like fire. What a fitting image for Pentecost—a day when flames danced above the heads of the faithful and love burned bright enough to birth a movement.

As you prepare for worship this Sunday, I invite you to reflect on what it means to choose the covenant: to choose love over fear, presence over convenience, faithfulness over comfort.

Episode 9:  Faithful Love 

Daily Reading:

Day 1:  Ruth 1 - 2 

Day 2:   Ruth 3 - 4

Day 3:  Esther 1 - 4 

Day 4:  Esther 5 - 8

Day 5:  Song of Songs 1 - 2, 4:1-7, 5:10-16 

Day 6: Covenant Meditation on Song of Songs 8:6-7a 

Day 7: Group Meeting Experience with  Ruth 1:8-18

Small Group Discussion Questions:

1. What does Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi reveal about the nature of covenant? How does her choice challenge or inspire your understanding of faithfulness in relationships?
2. Have you ever had to make a difficult decision to stay committed to someone or something? What gave you the strength to follow through?
3. How is covenant love different from romantic, transactional, or conditional love? How do we recognize or embody this kind of love in our daily lives?
4. Song of Songs 8:6–7 speaks of love as fierce, powerful, and enduring. Where have you seen that kind of love in action—in Scripture, in history, or in your own life?

This week, as we step into Living the Covenant, let us also step into the Spirit’s power. Pentecost reminds us that the fire of God’s love still burns, calling us to lives of bold commitment, deep faithfulness, and faithful love that transforms.

I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Dedric

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