Blog

by Alyssa Robinson Learning to slow down and listen is one of the most difficult lessons of growth for me. Listening typically isn’t one of our core values. We live in a culture that values action, decisiveness, speed, opinions, competition, and innovation. In many ways, my personality naturally fits into these cultural values. I always thought that was a good thing because it made functioning in corporate America much easier, but as I’ve grown older I’ve begun to... Read More

by Alyssa Robinson In 2019 I went through a pretty rough divorce. It was not something I wanted, and it took me a while to accept that it was actually happening. It felt like almost everything was outside of my control. So I tried to take back control of my life in any way that I could, big or small. I started exercising daily, eating healthy, taking vitamins, pampering myself with face masks, lotions, and fancy products. If there was a health food delivery service, I would try it.... Read More

by Tammy Hise This month our worship series has been Ready or Not. We all know that no matter what, change happens. It is the only constant. As we’ve talked about life changes, it made me think of how I felt when Taylor got married recently. I remember, my hands shook as I hugged my son before his wedding and asked him if he was ready. A year earlier Taylor proposed to Andrea, his sweetheart of 7 years. I’m sure she thought, “Are you ever going to be ready to... Read More

by Alyssa Robinson As I step into the motion of the new year, I’ve reflected on how I handle change. Am I “strong and courageous?” The Bible repeats this phrase in multiple books. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous . Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Deuteronomy 31:6 “ Be strong and courageous . Do not fear or be in dread of... Read More

by Alyssa Robinson As the Digital Strategist of this church, I get a unique look into the analytics of our website, social media channels, Google account, and more. To many people this might seem a bit boring, but one of the most interesting elements to me is getting to see the search terms that individuals type into Google to find our website. I don’t want to creep you out; I don’t know the names or locations of any of the people who are searching. It’s not a... Read More

by Alyssa Robinson Jesus’s birth changed everything, but are we ready for that change? We’ve just spent an entire month anticipating the birth of Jesus, and Jesus is here! But we know his birth isn’t the end of his story; it’s not even the end of Jesus’s birth narrative. Check out this week's episode Life + God Podcast to hear Alyssa Robinson and Denise Robinson talk about the days following Jesus's birth. Matthew and Luke are the... Read More

by Alyssa Robinson TMUMC.ORG/christmas If you grew up in the church, or maybe even if you didn’t, you’ve probably heard the Christmas story every year of your life. The CliffsNotes version goes something like this: God promises the coming of a messiah to the Israelite people, but this messiah is for everyone to bring peace and hope to the entire world. Then, almost 1,000 years later, an angel reveals to Mary that she has been chosen by God to give birth to... Read More

This week’s featured YouVersion Bible Reading Plan is titled “Carols & Lessons for Advent.” It dives into some of our most loved Christmas hymns and carols to explore the meaning behind them. As I read, I started thinking about my favorite songs of Advent and why they mean so much to me. One of the songs I find myself singing, not just at Christmas , but throughout the year is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” It captivated me from the start. O come,... Read More

by Alyssa Robinson tmumc.org/christmas In the United Methodist Tradition, the season of Advent represents the beginning of the new year in the Christian calendar. It is marked by the four Sundays leading up to the birth of Jesus, Christmas Day. Our hope is to use this time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. But if I’m being honest, I usually use Advent to prepare for the coming of Christmas. My calendar books up with Christmas parties, community events and... Read More

by Alyssa Robinson I love Jonah, Chapter 2. This Psalm of Thanksgiving rests smack in the middle of Jonah’s story. At this point of the story he has been in the belly of a whale for 3 days and 3 nights, but takes time to express his gratitude to God for saving him. I think this is a fitting chapter to examine on the week of Thanksgiving, not just because it’s literally called the “Psalm of Thanksgiving,” but because it’s a beautiful reminder to be... Read More

a letter from Rev. Daniel Humbert In this month of gratitude, I give thanks for you and the ministry of Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church of which we are all a part. Our mission of leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ remains our central focus for everything we do. I know there are some who are concerned about what’s going on in our larger denomination, The United Methodist Church. In May of this year, we held congregational gatherings to... Read More

by Alyssa Robinson My grandmother, Jeannine Johnson, died the day after Thanksgiving in 2020. As she took her last breaths, we were gathered around her as a family praying, singing, and telling her we love her. It has become one of my most meaningful memories. Her death was what many people hope for their own passing; to die at home at an old age, surrounded by the people you love: but even so, her death brought a deep pit of grief. My grief still emerges in unexpected ways. It... Read More