Trinity United Methodist Church
Tuesday Word
December 22, 2015

Worship: Sundays @ 8:15 am, 9:40 am, 11:00 am | Wednesdays @ 6:35 pm 
Dear Trinity Family,

What an awe inspiring Advent we have had already - the music, the children in the manger scene, the beauty of the worship center and chapel.  And if you didn't get a chance to hear the "old Shepherd" this past Sunday, you can watch the sermon here; you'll be surprised by the ending.

Remember, we have five Christmas Eve services: 3:00, 5:00 (Children), 7:00, 9:00 (Sonlight) and 11:00 in the chapel - and ONE worship service on December 27 at 9:40.  

Mark your calendars for two important Sundays in January: Dr. Kent Fuchs, President of UF, will be preaching all three services at Trinity on January 10; and on January 24, the famed Bethune Cookman University Concert Chorale will be at Trinity for the 9:40 and 11:00 services; we're hoping David and Courtney will be with them!

We expect the additional memorial bricks to be installed tomorrow; so grateful to everyone who helped make the Welcome Center the special place that it is.

A word about our 2016 Stronger Than Ever pledge campaign. Our average pledge is up a bit from last year, which is great, but we're behind by about a hundred pledge cards from last year. Your pledges are so important as they are the basis of our budget for the coming year. If we were to set our budget based upon the number of pledges returned so far, it would mean a significant reduction in programs and ministries (15%, or more than $450,000). Every commitment matters regardless of size! Since our giving for this year is on track, we believe (we hope!) that many of us have simply not gotten around to returning our estimates of giving. I'm hoping you'll take a moment to go online right now to fill out your commitment card for 2016.

I pray that presence of God through Christ will be very, very much a part of your holy days. 
Love and prayers, Dan
Worship This Week
Wednesday: no 6:35 this week
Thursday: Dr. Dan Johnson
Sunday: Lenora Rousseau

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Upcoming Events
24 | Christmas Eve Services
25 | Merry Christmas!
27 | 1 service at 9:40 am, no Sunday School or childcare
1 | Happy New Year! 
A Message from Rev. Aaron
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Friends,
I am so excited for what God has in store for us on Christmas Eve! It is going to be a glorious evening! A couple reminders:
  • There will be no 6:35 service in the chapel on December 23rd or December 30. The 6:35 will resume on January 6.
  • My Christian Believer class will not meet on December 27 or January 3. We will resume on January 10.
Merry Christmas from me and my family to you and yours!
Aaron

PS - My wife, Lenora, will be preaching on December 27 at our one service at 9:40...if you're in town, you won't want to miss it!
Missions
Ted Grueser
  • This week's Mission Box is something that is very dear to my heart, Mission Scholarships. We have so many opportunities here at Trinity to experience missions but a lot of people struggle to afford the cost of these trips. So many lives have been changed by being able to participate in a Mission Trip, some of our own have even gone into full-time ministry because of these opportunities. With the help of the Mission Scholarship fund, Trinity has been able to help more than 40 people be able to have these experiences. Let's see how many scholarships we can provide in 2016 with your generous support.
  • Every Christmas Eve, our mission box has 3 focuses; Global, Theological and Local. This year we will will be using Mission Box funds to provide a well for a community in El Salvador and support for our ministry partners in Quanaminthe, Haiti (Global); help train pastors with Trinity's seminary scholarship fund here in the US, Moscow and Lagos, and Nigeria (Theological), and our local fund will support people in need right here in our area throughout 2016.
  • We need your help! We are looking for volunteers to host at Trinity for Family Promise January 3-9.  The guests will be at the church all day on Saturday and hosts can be there for 2-3 hour shifts.  Several evening and overnight hosts are still needed.  What a great way to start 2016 showing Christ's love to these families right here at our church. Please contact Marilyn Clugston to volunteer.
Faith Mission
Ward Simonton

It's been a wonderful opportunity for Faith Mission to be Trinity's Advent Conspiracy focus for the past 3 Sundays.  1st, we heard from a diverse group of church, neighborhood, and partnering organization people share about "What is Faith Mission?" to them; then we learned about the variety of programs and outreach that Faith Mission either led or supported in 2015; this past Sunday we got to see the Faith Mission facility, where a church has been repurposed to be a mission-oriented neighborhood center. There have been many renovations at the facility, and more to come! You can see that video here.

2015 was the foundational year for Faith Mission, with programs supported, initiatives launched, relationships begun, and lessons learned - and we look forward to building upon this foundation in 2016. 

Children's Ministry
Elizabeth Jones
  • Thanks to ALL 75+ children who participated in the Live Nativity and all those who came to view it!!  It was truly a special evening.  
  • Join us for the Children's Christmas Eve Service at 5pm.  This special service, led by children, is for children of all ages--young and old.  (Childcare will not be provided.)  Children, come dressed in your favorite character or animal from the nativity scene.  Don't forget to bring a bell to ring.
  • CHEERS and Rejoice! registrations are all open!
  • Mark your calendars for upcoming events.  Visit the bulletin board outside of the CMT Office or our website for more details:
    • 24 | Children's Christmas Eve Service, 5pm
    • 27 | 1 Family Friendly Service, 9:40 (No Sunday School/Childcare)
    • 3 | Baptism Orientation, 8:45am, room 125
    • 8 | 5:30-8:30 Parent's Night Out (rsvp by 1/6)
    • 13 | 4-5:30 CHEERS, CHEERS Cherubs (children 3 by 9/1/15) and Rejoice! begins
Youth Ministry
Julie Mishoe
  • Meet us in the youth building tomorrow morning at 10am for PJ's, Pancakes, and ELF... because pancakes and Buddy make Christmas that much more fun!  Its free and it's from 10am - noon.
  • I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with everyone and see Sonlight on Christmas Eve, it's one of my favorite traditions of the Christmas Season.  
  • If we don't get to see you, have a very Merry Christmas, we are so grateful to have all of you in our lives and on this faith journey with us!
  • There is just one service this Sunday the 27th at 9:40am, and NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
  • High Schoolers: Get your retreat forms in to go with us to:  stay in a cool mountain house, play in the snow, hike around a waterfall, possibly go horse back riding, and more!  Print your form at home and turn it in ASAP!
Music & Worship Arts
Alice Wallis
  • Registration for Rejoice!, our Wednesday afternoon program for kids age Kindergarten - 5th grade is open now and begins January 13.
  • We are looking for a few people who are artistic and technically minded to help with the weekly live streaming of the 9:40 Worship Service. Our director/live switcher, Alex Mraz, will be moving back to Europe in a few weeks and we need someone to take his place. We know we can't replace Alex, and we owe him a huge "Thanks" for helping to get the live streaming ministry off the ground! We will miss you, Marjo, and the baby. However, we do need someone to run the switcher/mixer and help compose the video shots. Please email to JD if you are interested in learning more.
Sonlight
Erin Cushing
  • Our call time Thursday is 8:30pm in the worship center - the service will start at 9pm. Please arrive promptly at 8:30pm so we can have a sound-check and get some pictures of Sonlight all dressed-up =)
  • Sonlight will not perform at the 9:40am services or rehearse December 27
Adult Ministry
David Leonard
  • Wednesday Night Fellowship Suppers begin January 13 with Free Spaghetti Night at 5:30pm in the Worship Center.
  • Journey Through The Bible As One Story: Sundays, beginning January 17, 3:30-5pm.  Have you ever wanted to read the Bible as one seamless story?  You will have the opportunity to explore the Old Testament's story of God and God's calling of the people of Israel through the many "voices" of the biblical text alongside the writings of the New Testament. Class materials are $20 and available in the Trinity Bookstore. Childcare is available.
  • Disciple 1: (Part 1) Tuesdays, January 19th-May 10, 7-9:30pm. The best 34-week overview of the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God and God's calling on our lives. (Part 2 will continue in the fall)
  • Disciple 2: (Part 1) Tuesdays, January 19th-May 3, 7-9:30pm. A deeper look at Genesis-Exodus and Luke-Acts that focuses on developing a relationship with God through transforming spiritual disciplines and reinforcing one's witness to the world. (Part 2 will continue in the fall).
  • Financial Peace University: Tuesdays, January 19-March 15, 6:30-8:30pm. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, this 9-week course presents biblical, practical steps to financial freedom.
  • Families on a Mission Sunday School class (11am,Youth Building) will begin an Alpha Parenting course for teens on January 10.  Study guides are $7 and available at the Bookstore.
  • Tuesday Morning Moms (9:30am, E203/204) will begin a new study on January 12 called Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver.  Study guides are $12.  Childcare is available.
  • Other Coming Studies:
    • ALERT (Adults Leisurely Enjoying Retirement) is a nondenominational luncheon and program event for seniors. Meets January 8th, 11:45am, in the Worship Center.  Come early for Bible study in the Worship Center at 10:30am.
    • The Alpha Marriage Course: Thursdays, March 31-May 12, 6-8:30pm. Taught by Rev. Aaron Rousseau and Lenora Rousseau
    • The Holy Spirit book study: Wednesdays, April 6 - April 27, 6:30-7:30pm, 203/204
  • Save the Date: The UMW Church-wide Latin America Mission Study is approaching.  4 Wednesdays, beginning January 13, from 6:30-7:30pm, we will gather in the education building to become better acquainted with our Western Hemisphere neighbors.  Welcome to everyone!
Caring & Support
Jim Cook
  • Christmas is a joyful season for most people.  But for those who have lost a loved one or are facing some other challenge, the holiday season can be quite stressful and painful.  Sometimes it helps to just talk to someone about your feelings.  Stephen Ministers are trained to listen and help you through difficult times.  To learn how you can receive care, call Fred Korzec at 386-462-6198.
  • Caregiver Support Group: Meets every Monday from 7 -8:30pm in 225. Contact Frank Wallace. 
General Announcements
  • The Bookstore will be closed on December 27 and will have limited hours during Christmas break.  We will be open on January 3 from 9am - 12:30pm.  For more information, please contact Kim.
  • The Last Countdown! The Trinity Art Show, "Every Day, Everywhere Art," ends this month.  This unique show features graphic and photographic art by Sharon Bartz, Linda Bryant, Joyce Pearson, Grace TeSelle, Alice Wallis, and John Webster.  Looking for a place to bring your holiday visitors?  Come to Trinity. Stroll the Art Show and the Wood Carving collection by Chuck and Pam Goad on the second floor of the Education Building and then head to the nature trail, the Chapel and the Memorial Garden. Nature and nurture!
  • Reeves Byrd will teach the AARP Smart Driver Course in a 1 day session in 222 on January 7. This classroom refresher for motorists age 50 and older is offered for a modest fee and you do not have to be an AARP member to attend. For course registration call Mrs. Lynda LeGrow at (352) 333-3036.
  • If you had your photo taken under the Trinity tree and have not picked it up yet, you can get them at the receptionist desk during normal business hours.
  • If you need to make arrangements for assistance or special accommodations during Sunday services, please contact Shannon at 416-3005, Monday - Thursday.
Bible Studies
  • Women Growing in Faith, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm, E232
  • Tuesday Morning Moms, 9:30-11:30 am, E203 (resumes January 12)
  • Men's Prayer and Bible Study, Wednesdays, 7:00 am, E232 (resumes January 13)
  • Wednesday Morning Pastor's Bible Study, 9:15 am, Chapel
  • Thursday Morning Bible Study, 10:30 am, E226
  • Weekly Prayer Group, Thursdays, 7:00 pm, Chapel
  • ALERT, first Friday of the month, 10:30 am, Worship Center
  • Dan Johnson's Daily Scripture Email (DSE) is available upon request

For more information, please contact Kim  

Family Matters
 
Christian love and sympathy is extended to Wayne Berryman and the family of Irving Herald Berryman on his passing on December 10.

Welcome Trinity's newest members into Full Membership: Kevin and Nancy Walsh
 
As Baptized Members: Madeleine Ellis Haines (child of Ben and Kristen Haines), Logan Victoria Hatch and Reilly James Hatch (children of James and Crystal Hatch)
and Theodore Paul White III (child of Theodore Jr. and Leah White).

Happy Birthday to Marie Brown, who turns 80 today, to Carl Everatt, who also celebrates his 80th birthday on December 26, and to Frances Baird, who turns 91 as well on December 26. Happy birthday also to Alfred Furnweger, who turns 94 tomorrow and to Richard Lewison, celebrating his 91st birthday on December 28.  
Altar Flowers
 
This week's flowers are given to the Glory of God.

If you would like to place flowers on the Altar in honor or in memory of a loved one please contact Shannon
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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Friday, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm