a service of lessons&carols christmas gift of joy

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1 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH December 10, 2013 Vol. 47 No. 50 Inside this issue: Finance Message 3 Christmas Services 3 JOY in Serving 4 Advent Series 5 Calendar of Events 7 a service of lessons&carols SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 8:45 & 11:00 AM Sanctuary A Service of Lessons and Carols is Trinity s annual service of music and scripture for the Christmas season. It is presented by the Trinity Orchestra, Sanctuary Choir, Cross & Flame Youth Choir, William A. Gardner Handbell Choir contact worship Third Sunday of Advent When the Angel Gabriel announces young Mary s impending pregnancy, Mary responds in obedience and thanksgiving in what has become known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). This Sunday, December 15 join us as we highlight the experiences of Mary in a contemporary telling of the first Christmas through music, narration, and media. 8:45 & 11 AM wesley hall christmas gift of joy This special offering goes to support the church s mission and outreach efforts. This includes support for local and international mission projects such as: Firehouse Shelter, Family Promise (formerly BHN), Church of the Reconciler, Volunteers In Mission, Urban Ministry, and Camp Sumatanga. Offerings can be made during the Advent season using the special envelopes found in the pews.

2 december 15, 2013 third sunday of advent 8:45 & 11:00 AM Sanctuary The 8:45 AM worship service is broadcast via 15-minute delay from 9-10 AM Sundays on WAPI-1070 AM. Communion following services SERMON Dr. Andrew Wolfe - Carols of Christmas Series MUSIC 8:45 AM Sanctuary Choir & William A. Gardner Handbell Choir 11:00 AM Cross & Flame Youth Choir & William A. Gardner Handbell Choir MINISTER On call Andrew Wolfe, :45 & 11:00 AM wesley hall Rev. Nathan Carden Advent Series: Faces Around the Manger december 8 - Attendance 1,900 Total AM & PM Worship Attendance 1,031 Traditional 369 Contact 896 Sunday School PERSONAL WORD We are behind this year in getting ready for Christmas. With the first Sunday of Advent coming so close to Thanksgiving, and a death in our family, we just haven t done all that we normally do. We have our tree up, along with a few other things but the house is not decked out the way that Dawn normally likes it to be! But we decided that is ok. Christmas will come whether we are ready of not. In fact, the world was not ready for the first Christmas. Herod in his palace, the soldiers in their barracks, the shepherds in the fields, the harried innkeeper none were ready for what happened. And that is part of the good news. Ready or not, God comes. God s coming is not dependent on us. He does not wait until we have our house in order. God does not wait for an invitation... God does not call ahead to see if it is a convenient time. God does not inquire whether we have room for Him or not. God simply comes, in God s own time, in God s own way. God s coming is not dependent upon us, and for that we can be thankful. Salvation is not dependent on us. Grace does not wait on us. God s love is always prior always there first. We love because He first loved us, and it is this gift of love for which we are not prepared that allows us to love at all. The clock is ticking, counting down the shopping days left until Christmas. There is a house not far from the church that has a Christmas clock ticking in the front yard as if God were on our schedule. The fact is that it is at the most inopportune times, the worse times the times when we are harried and hectic, lost and confused, that God seems to come. Our time is in God s keeping. As Peter Larson has written, Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: A virgin s womb and an empty tomb. Jesus entered our world through a door marked No Entrance, and left through a door marked, No Exit. We can relax and take a deep breath. Christmas will come whether we are ready or not. information for guests & new members Welcome to Trinity United Methodist Church! Our mission is to Gather people to Christ, Grow people in Christ, Go to serve Christ in the world and Glorify Christ. Sunday Worship Opportunities: 8:45 & 11:00 AM Traditional services in the sanctuary, offering same sermon and a variety of music. 8:45 & 11:00 AM CONTACT a relaxed, informal, service in Wesley Hall featuring praise music from the CONTACT Band, children are encouraged to attend. 10:00 AM Sunday School Ages 2 years and up. Nursery is provided during all services. Interested in Membership? Please join us the first Sunday of every month in the large parlor for Coffee with the Pastor. This is a time to meet the pastoral staff, ask questions and learn more about the core values and mission of Trinity. We also encourage you to attend Membership 101, a basic orientation prior to joining Trinity. It is offered on the second Sunday of each month. Contact Rev. Drew Holland at dholland@trinitybirmingham.com or call with any questions. Andrew Wolfe Senior Minister Suzanne Pruitt Minister of Christian Formation Drew Holland Minister of Welcoming Ministries and Young Adults Nathan Carden Minister of Outreach, Contact David Thompson Minister of Students Bobby Scales Minister of Pastoral Care & Visitation Mack Chapman Minister of Administration Church Office: , Fax Care Line: Child Development Center: finance report a note from Finance Committee We have had a remarkable year in terms of the growth and vitality of our ministries. This is made possible by your faithful giving. Thank you. Through last Sunday, we have received $2,757,442 towards our budget of $3,208,753. This means we have received 85% of our budget while we are 95% through our fiscal year. December is typically a strong month. This year, we now need to receive $451,311 to reach our 2013 Budget. You should have received a statement of your giving through November in the mail last week. Please take a moment to review your statement. Our giving over the next three weeks is critical! 2013 Budget: Received through 12/9/13: Needed: $3,209,753 $2,757,442 $451, Stewardship Progress Stewardship Report: (as of 12/8/13) Comparison Commitments Received: Total Committed: $2,767,968 $2,538,168 Avg. Amount Committed: $4,751 $4, Pledge Goal: $3,024,000 There are approximately 158 commitments of $404,000 made for 2013, which have not yet been received for For Trinity to continue to tell story, will take all of us. If you have not yet completed you commitment for 2014, please do so this week. You can make your 2014 Estimate of Giving by: Dropping your yellow Estimate of Giving card in the offering plate Calling Ann Neptune in the Finance Office at Mailing or returning your Estimate of Giving card to the church office Logging on to CHRISTMAS EVE services TUESday, december 24 Children s Services 4:00 & 5:00 PM Wesley Hall These services are designed for families with young children. The children are encouraged to dress as Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels or manger animals, and become a part of the Nativity story. Costumes available. Personal Communion 4:00-6:00 PM Sanctuary Come and go at any time during these two hours for an intimate time of family or individual worship and communion. Candlelight Communion 7:00 & 11:00 PM Sanctuary Trinity s traditional services of Christmas with music, word, candlelight and communion. With special music by the Sanctuary Choir, Organ, Cross & Flame Youth Choir & Trinity String Quartet. Nursery Not Available on Christmas Eve 3

3 Festival of Three Kings, This Saturday, December 14 Many volunteers are needed! This is an annual event that is held to distribute our Angel Tree gifts. It is for area kids in need. It is a day filled with Christmas games, prizes, shoes, snacks and more while their parents get their presents secretly from Santa! This year s festival is on Saturday, December 14. Trinity is the event organizer this year. To volunteer please contact Cassie Cates at or cassidy.dempsey@gmail.com. Gift Card Fundraiser To help families from Family Promise of Birmingham (formerly BHN) We are holding the annual gift card fundraiser for our Greater Birmingham United Appeal Fund which supports our sales tax exemption. These gift cards will be used for families that come through the program. We need gifts of $25 to purchase Wal-Mart gift cards. (You may donate by cash, check, or Wal-Mart gift cards) Checks need to be made payable to The Greater B ham UM UAF. Questions? Contact Ann Neptune at or aneptune@trinitybirmingham.com. CHILDREN S MINISTRY - OPERATION OUTREACH This Advent season, Children s Ministry will participate in Operation Outreach: Soldiers in Afghanistan helping the people of Afghanistan. This is organized by Cpt. Ben Traylor, Trinity member and father of Alyssa and Emma. We will be collecting winter clothing items for the children of Afghanistan. Winters in the desert mountains are very cold and we want the children there to stay warm. Please have children bring items such as gloves/mittens, winter hats, scarves, heavy socks to Sunday School by December 22. Questions? Contact Jeanne Baswell at or jbaswell@trinitybirmingham.com. THANK YOU TRINITY! Thanks to your compassion and generosity, Trinity collected $4,900 to send to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) to assist with relief work in the Philippines. Joyfully Offering Yourself in Serving in Trinity s Holiday Mission Program This is a season of giving and serving. There are many opportunities available to connect directly with one of Trinity s mission ministries. Plug in now, and continue to serve throughout the year. FEEDING: Sign up to serve meals at Urban Ministry, Church of the Reconciler, and Firehouse Shelter. Bake yummy treats and bag them so that our pastors can deliver them to Homebound Trinity members and Trinity members in the hospital. Please deliver treats in bags to Trinity UMC front office. GIFTING: Donate used toys, linens, and furniture to the Community Furniture Bank (tax donation). Talk to your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family and see if they have a used laptop to donate to the Community Church Without Walls (tax donation) for some individuals in pursuit of higher education. They are in need of 12 laptops. To volunteer for one or all of these ministries and to learn more information about these great opportunities to serve, contact Brittany Arias at barias@trinitybirmingham.com pacesetters news December 19 - christmas party The Pacesetter Christmas Party will be next Thursday, December 19 in the Fellowship Hall from 1:30-4 PM. No Reservations Needed! There will be even more holiday fare this year, with a special pasta bar and crab cakes cooked to order. Of course, we will have fresh shrimp, roast beef and lots of finger foods, including great desserts. The tables will be set with festive Christmas décor as we enjoy a special time of fellowship during this wonderful season. All are invited! Lunch for Senior Adults, tuesdays A hot lunch is served every Tuesday from 11 AM 12:15 PM in the Small Dining Room. This is a delicious hot meal with meat and 4 or more vegetables, dessert, drink for $4. Join us for food and fellowship. exercise for Senior Adults Latest research shows dance as the most effective prevention of dementia. Our Tempo dance/fitness program meets Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. These classes may now be available to you FREE! They are part of the Silver Sneakers FLEX program covered by many Medicare C plans. Find out today if you are eligible by calling our instructor, Suanne Ferguson at or visit her website: For reservations or more information on any event listed above, contact Amy Lewis at or alewis@ trinitybirmingham.com. ADVENT SERMON SERIES Dr. Andy Wolfe Traditional Worship 8:45 & 11:00 AM Sanctuary From the beginning, the birth of Jesus was celebrated by music. Christmas would not be Christmas without carols. The music of this season touches something deep within us. Carols of C hristmas 4 Confirmation Notes... Please take a moment and let our Confirmands know their church loves them. Write a note and drop it in the individual envelopes hanging on bulletin boards on 2nd floor near both Wesley Hall entrances Hurry! The envelopes will be available until January 2. Anna Kate Adkins Eliza Angelo Isabel Blish Henry Brooks Davis Bunn Danielle Eggers Hannah Farrar Hannah Hensarling Celie Jackson Allison Kachelhofer Sarah Kachelhofer Gretchen Kellen Laura Kemper David Kirk Christian Krehl Harrison Lowery Ella Malek Lily Kate Necaise Jake Nequette Pate Owen Benjamin Reynolds Will Ryan Edie Smith Walker Smith Sloan Squires Avery Stansell Nick Swaika Abby Terrell Madden Terry Caleb Walker Maggie White Pictured Above: Bea Ross and Mary Carroll enjoy a recent Friendship Class Sunday School Party. Thank you to Martha Ann Ware for planning these fun social events including a covered dish luncheon almost every month. The Friendship Class averages 50 or more in attendance at each event! CONTACT SERMON SERIES Join us on our Advent journey as we profile each of the characters present around the manger on the night of Christ s birth, as featured in the high-baroque style Nativity by Italian painter, Reni Guido. Rev. Nathan Carden 8:45 & 11:00 AM Wesley Hall holy communion HOLY COMMUNION is offered each Sunday in Advent. It is served in the large Sanctuary at 9:45 AM and 12:00 Noon following the traditional worship services. All are invited to partake. 5

4 Our theme for the month of December is We are Family. Whether it is times of tragedy or times of celebration we are called to come together as the Body of Christ to be in union together. Here is what is happening at Element this week: SNelf: homecoming (12/15) I am so excited about our SNL this Sunday night, December 15. Though it is the last SNL of the calendar year, I think it will truly be one of the best. We have invited back all past Element students and volunteers to join us for worship and fun. I hope that you will really encourage your student to come to this awesome night from 6-8 PM. Dinner is just $3! This will be the last Sunday night until 2014! Festival of Three Kings (12/14) Are you trying to find a way for your student to serve this Christmas season? Festival of Three Kings is the perfect opportunity. Students are invited to participate with Trinity this Saturday, December 14, from 9:30 AM 12:30 PM. We will load up the vans and head to the old fair grounds to help load up Angel Tree gifts and work craft booths. Please let us know if your student plans to attend so that we can have enough van drivers ready. DISCOVERY WEEKEND REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN We have a super early bird special for those who register their student in If you know your student is going then you want to take advantage of this time. Visit the website today and sign up at: Element Prayer Breakfast Prayer Breakfast will be this Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM in the youth café. Ben Ferren will be our speaker. Breakfast is just $3. SOS, High School Mission Trip SOS registration is open! This year, SOS will be July 6-12 and we will have limited spaces available. If you know your student is going to attend and they have not signed up yet please let us know. We want every student to be able to attend this amazing week. ARM, Middle School Mission Trip This year, ARM will be July We have only 7 student spots available!! Log on to to register. Parents, if you are interested in going as a chaperone, please Robert at rsturdivant@trinitybirmingham.com. Element Cafe We re open Tuesday and Thursday this week from 3-5:30 PM. Parents - please remember that you can sign up for volunteer shifts at Element Cafe by going to As always, if there is anything that we can be doing to better support your student or family please let us know. In Christ, student ministry David Thompson, Student Pastor dthompson@trinitybirmingham.com weekly update Don t forget your name tag... on Sunday mornings or anytime you are attending or representing Trinity! This is a great way to provide hospitality to our guests, and to help us get to know one another better. If you don t have a name tag, contact Lisa at or lelliott@trinitybirmingham.com. CFT FSR CONF SANC FHALL highlighted events this week Third Sunday of Advent - December 15 8:45 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 8:45 AM Contact Worship - WHALL 10:00 AM Sunday School - various 11:00 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 11:00 AM Contact Worship - WHALL 4:00 PM Youth Handbells - Rm :00 PM Sr. Adult Bible Study - SP 5:00 PM Disciple I Study - Rm :00 PM Confirmation - various 6:00 PM Element, Youth - Haven Monday - December 16 Tuesday - December 17 6:30 AM Youth Prayer Breakfast - Haven 10:00 AM Mama & Me - Nursery 10:00 AM Trinity Singers - MS 3:00 PM Element Cafe - Haven 6:00 PM Young Adult Study (20 s) - NAT 6:30 PM Young Adult Study (30 s) - SDR Craft Room 143 Fireside Room 145 Conference Room 220 Sanctuary Fellowship Hall take note LIB NAT LP SP HAVEN Wednesday - December 18 4:45 PM NO Wednesday Supper 6:00 PM Adult Studies - various Thursday - December 19 1:30 PM Sr. Adult Christmas Party - FHALL 3:00 PM Element Cafe - Haven Friday - December 20 Library 218 Not at Trinity Large Parlor Small Parlor 105 Youth Auditorium CHAPEL MS WHALL SDR FLC Mouat Chapel Music Suite 132 Wesley Hall Small Dining Room Family Life Center Nursery Volunteers - December 15 Meredith Daniel, Rachel Holt, Louisa Jeffries, Katie Beth Owens & Kathryn Willis Nursery Volunteers - December 22 Carrie & Dan Carter, Noelle Limbaugh & Ana Moore Nursery Volunteers - December 29 Lori Cracraft & Laura Fleming To volunteer, please contact Barry Smith at or nurseryvolunteers@trinitybirmingham.com. PARKING NOTICE: Trinity members and guests should NOT park in the All Saints lot near Oxmoor Rd. Also, please do not block the dumpsters or areas that are marked as NO Parking zones. Note that the small parking lot is reserved for handicapped, elderly and families with small children on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Do not park in marked handicap spaces if you do not have an official handicap permit. in memoriam We extend our love and sympathy: to Barry and Kyle Smith on the death of her aunt, Elizabeth Bedell, on November 26. She was the great-aunt of Thomas and Hardy Smith. congratulations to Jeremy and Tiffany Slocum on the birth of their daughter, Davis Redding Slocum, on December 3. Big sister is Riley Jane Slocum. to Hank and Kat Jones on the baptism of thier son, Franklin Robert Jones, on December 8. to Reid and Brooke Warren on the baptism of their daughter, Lane Elizabeth Warren, on December 8. to Sam Hutto, a senior Electrical Engineering major at Auburn Univertity, on being inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the engineering profession s highest academic honor society. Sam is the son of Porter and Kathy Hutto. treasurer s report As of December 8, 2013 Regular reporting: GENERAL BUDGET: MONTH Month to Date Revenue-Dec. $130,869 Monthly Needs to Date $102,911 Balance/Shortage $27,958 Capital Debt Retirement gifts this month $5,154 Capital Debt Retirement gifts to date $126,978 Note from the Treasurer: Questions about church finances-income or expense? If you wonder how funds are received or expensed, the financial books of Trinity are open to any member. Contact Ann Neptune at or aneptune@trinitybirmingham.com. PLEASE NOTE: Tidings publishes each week on Tuesday (except for the week of Christmas). The deadline for submitting information to be included is on Thursday, the week prior to the publish date. Please submit info via to Haley Smith at hsmith@ trinitybirmingham.com. Tidings is delivered to the printing company each Monday at Noon. It is printed and mailed on Tuesday afternoon. Should you not receive your copy in a timely manner, please contact your postal carrier. The online version of Tidings is available each week on Tuesday at: 6 7

5 Tidings Trinity United Methodist Church (USPS ) is published weekly, except Christmas week, by Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham (Homewood), AL Periodicals postage paid at Birmingham, AL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Tidings, Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 19069, Birmingham, AL Sundays at Trinity: Worship 8:45, 11:00 & 11:15 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Youth Activities 6:00 PM Serving Greater Birmingham from Homewood Our Mission: To Gather To Grow To Go To Glorify 1400 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL Careline: WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Clark and Abbey Dunn 1626 Woodfern Drive, Homewood, AL The Dunns joined Trinity by vows from another Christian denomination. Clark is a dentist and Abbey is an interior designer. They have a daughter, Emma Lake (7 months). Kaylin Matthews Wolfe 1372 Kendall Place, Homewood, AL Kaylin joined Trinity by vows from another Christian denomination. She is a nurse and is married to Trinity member, Matthew Wolfe. Bryan and Anna Goldman 4330 Bent River Parkway, Hoover, AL The Goldmans joined Trinity transfer from another United Methodist Church. Bryan is a mortgage banker at Iberia Bank and Anna is a RN at Brookwood Hospital. They have a daughter, Mary Hayden (6 months). Sue Emmett 1040 Castlemaine Trail, Birmingham, AL Sue joined Trinity transfer from another United Methodist Church. She is a retired special needs teacher. Ashley Denney (not pictured) 25 Peachtree Street, Birmingham, AL Ashley joined Trinity by transfer from another United Methodist Church. She is an opthamologist. She and her husband, Brad, have a daughter Amelia (2 months). Philip and Judy Flenniken (not pictured) 3761 Shady Cove Drive, Birmingham, AL The Flennikens joined Trinity by vows from another Christian denomination. Philip is a jeweler for Bromberg s and Judy is an artist. They have a son, Justin. Interested in Membership? Join us the first Sunday of every month in the large parlor for Coffee with the Pastor. This is a time to meet the pastoral staff, ask questions and learn more about the core values and mission of Trinity. We also encourage you to attend Membership 101, a basic orientation prior to joining Trinity. It is offered on the second Sunday of each month. Questions? Contact Drew Holland at , dholland@ trinitybirmingham.com.