Sunday Service on July 12, 2026

Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on July 12, 2026

Music Offering

YouTube presentation: Eric Church - 2026 Commencement Speech at UNC Chapel Hill 

Eric Church delivered a memorable and heartfelt commencement speech for the class of 2026, utilizing the metaphor of a guitar's six strings to outline six essential pillars for a fulfilling life. Drawing from personal insight and musical artistry, Church explained how life relies on tuning and maintaining these fundamental "strings" to create harmony rather than discord. The six strings represent faith, family, partnership, ambition/resilience, community, and individuality. Each string needs constant attention and balance because when any one is out of tune, the whole life chord sounds off.

Church emphasized the importance of faith as a foundation that sustains through hardship, urging graduates to nurture it in both good times and bad. Family was portrayed as unconditional love and presence—the warm body of the chord—that requires real investment despite life's busyness. Choosing the right life partner was described as pivotal, as a spouse either amplifies or distorts the harmony of life. Ambition and resilience live on the same string but pull in different directions; embracing both is necessary because failure and struggle are inevitable parts of growth. Community counters the modern temptation of superficial social media performance, grounding individuals in meaningful, local connections and generosity. Lastly, the high E string—individuality—demands protection from external comparison and pressure, encouraging graduates to bring forth their unique voice and original contribution to the world.

Closing with his own song, Church wove a sense of home, belonging, and identity, inspiring graduates to “play their song” authentically with all six strings tuned. The message is about self-awareness, humility, and perseverance to keep tuning life’s strings so that one's life resonates deeply and truthfully.

Sermon

The speaker begins with an update on the court case involving True Mother and other church leaders, noting the harsh sentencing requests from prosecutors and the uncertainty before the expected verdict. The speaker encourages the congregation to pray, remain steadfast, and remember that the church’s work continues despite injustice and hardship.

The central message is directed to young people, especially second- and third-generation members of the Unification Movement. The speaker reflects on True Mother’s statement that younger generations will carry forward the mission, then explains the importance of talking with parents about the Blessing. He emphasizes that parents’ hopes for their children and young people’s desire for happy families can work together when centered on God. The speaker describes a regional meeting where leaders reviewed a list of 49 potential Blessing candidates in the Triangle area. Rather than treating them as numbers, they discussed each person with care and prayer. This experience renewed the speaker’s sense of mission: to encourage parents and young adults to consider the Blessing as a meaningful tradition, a connection to faith heritage, and a foundation for building families centered on God.

The speaker also encourages young people not to pursue the Blessing merely to please their parents, but because it connects them to their identity, community, faith, and eternal purpose. The speaker acknowledges concerns about worthiness, finances, education, and uncertainty, but reassures listeners that God sees their value and that they should not face life’s struggles alone.

In conclusion, the speaker urges young people to speak honestly with their parents by expressing a desire for what their parents have: a God-centered family, a faith community, and a life connected to the church’s mission. The speaker closes with a prayer asking Heavenly Parent for strength, protection, gratitude, and commitment during a difficult time for the church and True Parents.

Sunday School: Bible Study - Mary Magdalene

Who Mary Was

Origin: From Magdala, a fishing town by the Sea of Galilee in Israel.

Healing: Jesus freed her from seven demons (Luke 8:2), which the deck thoughtfully explains to children as likely representing serious illness, trauma, or an unfair label — restoring her to dignity and freedom.

Role: She became one of Jesus' most devoted followers, supporting His ministry personally.

Her Faithfulness

Gave, Stayed, Loved — she used her own money to support Jesus and the disciples, remained even when things grew dangerous, and acted out of deep gratitude.

At the cross: When many fled, Mary stayed (John 19:25), modeling bravery and loyalty in the hardest moment.

The empty tomb: On Sunday morning she found the tomb empty; the risen Jesus appeared to her first, calling her by name — she answered "Rabboni" (John 20:16).

Her Witness

First messenger: Jesus told her, "Go and tell my brothers!" and she ran to declare "I have seen the Lord!" (John 20:18), becoming the first to share the resurrection news.

The lesson repeatedly ties her example to loving "Jesus and True Parents," indicating a Unification Church teaching context.

Application for Children

Four takeaways: Be Thankful, be Brave, be Helpful, and Share the News.

Discussion questions invite kids to reflect on how Mary felt when healed, a time they had to be brave, and why Jesus appeared to her first.

Closing charge: "Be Like Mary" — love, courage, and sharing the good news.