The Trinity Times December 2007 Volume 8 Issue 12

Transcription

1 The Trinity Times December 2007 Volume 8 Issue 12 Come as you are, grow in love, and make a difference. We become followers of Jesus as we invite, relate, praise, serve, and grow. Pastor s Ponderings.... Let s celebrate! I believe that God is up to something here at Trinity UMC! Although the final results are not yet in, your response to our stewardship drive this year, featuring the theme Look for the Rainbows, has already significantly exceeded that of any program in recent memory. To date, we have received 69 offering cards (68 with specific pledges) for amounts totaling $203,760. Last year we had 59 cards turned in (but only 44 with specific pledges) for a total of $131,060. That means that already 54% more people have made pledges, and our total amount pledged is up 55% over last year! This could be even more as last minute pledge cards continue to come in. This is very positive and exciting. I thank God for each of you who took time to pray and think seriously about your commitment to God s work here at Trinity and your personal proportional giving. Many of you pledged for the first time; this is a huge step, regardless of the amount you pledged, and we all celebrate and pray for God s continued blessing in your life. Many of you who were already committed givers took a step of faith and increased your giving. Give God the praise! This level of change indicates a spiritual shift that is very encouraging. Your commitment means people in need will continue to be helped, and lives will continue to be changed for the better. There is so much that needs to be done, and you are truly helping to make a difference. If you haven t yet made your pledge, it s not too late to join the celebration. Of course, our ultimate goal is to have pledges enough to fund our entire budget. We still have a way to go. And frankly, it s not because the budget is too big or that the number of people or their incomes are too small. The fact is, even this record number of pledges only represents a little more than half of the households who contribute at least some money to support Trinity s ministries. And there are, sadly, a significant number of people who consider Trinity to be their church, who would expect the church to be there for them in their time of crisis, and who have money and time for other priorities, yet who contribute little or nothing to support the church s work. I understand that financial realities, and especially reasons for church giving, can be very complicated. God knows hearts and situations far better than I. It simply saddens me because I feel that some of you are missing out on something wonderful a chance to commit and belong to something larger than themselves, an opportunity to connect to a community of caring friends, to get closer to God, to grow in love, and to make a difference. God has placed us in a time and place of tremendous potential. Trinity UMC is ready to invite everyone to join us, to build caring relationships, to praise God, to serve those in need, and to grow as followers of Jesus Christ. If we all do our part, I think God will do something amazing here. Let s celebrate that! Your brother in Christ, David Our Christmas Gifts for Jesus! It s the time of the year when we begin to make our list for Christmas remembrances, and as we begin to make our purchases, let s put Jesus at the top of the list! We are inviting each of you to bring on Sunday, December 23 rd, your Christmas gift for Jesus. Your gift can be in a wrapped box, a gift bag, or an envelope. At the conclusion of the service on that day, you will be given an opportunity to come to the altar and give back to Jesus a portion of what he is given you. Remember. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

2 DECEMBER 2007 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 7:30 am UMMen s Breakfast 8:45 am Hand Bell 6 pm Finance Committee 6:30 pm Night at the Stable 7 pm Church Council 3 7 pm Dream Team 4 6:30 pm Christmas Party for United Methodist Women 5 6 pm Family Nite Meal and Group Activities 6:30 pm Chancel 6:45 pm Children s Program Practice 6, Alateen 7 5:30 pm Children s Program Practice Large Fellowship Hall in Use 1 2 pm King Christmas Parade 8 Large Fellowship Hall in Use Hanging of the Greens Ser. 9 8:45 am Hand Bell 7 pm Children s Christmas Program pm Family Nite Meal and Group Activities 6:30 pm Chancel 13, Alateen :45 am Hand Bell 7 pm Cantata, Love Feast and Candlelight Service Deadline for January Newsletter Articles 20, Alateen pm Wedding of Melissa Dodson and Jay Mitchell 23 Communion 24 6:00 Cub 25 Merry Christmas 26 6 pm Family Nite Meal and Group Activities 7 pm Chancel 27, Alateen Fifth Sunday Walk- Up 31 Blood Drive for King Fire Department

3 Youth News The Youth will be having a fund raiser in December. They will deliver a Christmas card, a bag of cookies and sing Christmas carols to shut-ins. The cost will be $ A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. If you did not sign up on Sunday, November 25, you can do so on Sunday, December 2. Cards will be provided and a list of shut-ins will be provided. February 1 3, the Youth will be attending SUMMIT, a youth retreat, in Boone. Registration was due on November 25. A mission trip for the summer is being planned. Watch for further details in the newsletter and bulletin. The (7:10 am) continues to be a vital part of Wednesday mornings for the Youth. Thanks to all of you who have provided breakfast and your support by being there on Wednesday mornings. The youth are glad to welcome a new member, Korena Loggins. The Youth, on their day out of school recently, spent some time at Recreation Acres with the senior citizens of Stokes County. They decorated the tables and assisted with lunch, read stories to the group, and visited with participants. The youth enjoyed this day a lot and have expressed a desire to visit again soon perhaps over the Christmas holidays. Here s a few of the pictures showing their involvement.

4 Here s what happening in December! December 1 We will be having a float in the King Christmas Parade. We hope you will come ride on the float or walk in the parade or just support our folks by being there. We will be passing out goody bags. December 2 We will have The Hanging of the Greens Service, at the 10:30 am worship hour. December 2 Come and join us for a Night at the Stable from 6:30 to 8 pm. Please bring your Nativity Scenes to be displayed in the Narthex. There will be cards in the Narthex for you to fill out about the history of your Nativity and what makes it special to you or your family. Refreshments will follow in the small Fellowship Hall. Make plans to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with us. If you have any questions, please see Lisa Fie. December 2 You are invited to the 4 th Annual Open House at Mitchell s Nursery and Greenhouse from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. They will be show-casing 57 varieties of beautiful poinsettias. Over 7,500 plants will be on display an ocean of color. Come vote on your favorite variety! December 4 The United Methodist Women will have their Annual Christmas Party at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. All UMW members are invited to attend. December 9 The children will be presenting a program of Lessons and Carols at 7 pm. Following the program there will be refreshments in the Fellowship Hall, and perhaps a visit from Santa Claus. December 16 At 7 pm on Sunday evening, the Chancel will be presenting their Christmas Cantata A World of Christmas Followed by the Annual Love Feast and Candlelight Service. December 22 Wedding of Melissa Dodson and Jay Mitchell at 2 pm. Because you have shared in our lives By your friendship and love, we Melissa Sue Dodson and James Howard Jay Mitchell together with our parents invite you to share the beginning of our new life together when we exchange marriage vows on Saturday, the twenty-second of December two-thousand and seven at two o clock in the afternoon Trinity United Methodist Church 725 W. Dalton Road King, North Carolina December 25 Merry Christmas! The office will be closed the week of Christmas. Barbara will be taking vacation. Joy is at the heart of the Christian experience. -Ken Blue It s time to start work on the 2008 Church Directory. If you have a change of address or telephone number, please let Barbara know in the church office as soon as possible. This year we will be including a directory of addresses as well as your mailing address. If you would like your listed, please give this information to Barbara also. Sharing a Recipe Many of you have asked for the following recipe. Glad you all enjoy it at our family and covered-dish meals. Enjoy! Oriental Slaw 2 pkgs. Angel Hair Slaw 6 spring onions, thinly sliced 2 pkgs. Ramen noodles (discard flavor packet) 1 pkg. (1/2 cup) slivered almonds Dressing: 2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce 1/4 cup vinegar 1 tsp. sesame oil 1 cup sugar 3/4 cup canola oil Toast noodles and 350 degrees for minutes. Mix dressing until sugar dissolves. Toss all ingredients with dressing. Sharon Childers Christmas is love tugging us back to God with the powerful clasp of a tiny hand reaching out from a bed of straw. -Author Unknown

5 You are invited to a Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 9 th, at 2:30 pm at the South Stokes High Auditorium as the Treble Makers present their Choral Christmas selections. You will remember the Treble Makers as the group who sang at the Mother/Daughter Brunch last May. Beth Carroll and Jim Mitchell are a part of this group. INFANT BAPTISM DECEMBER MEETINGS The Finance Committee will meet on Sunday, December 2 nd, at 6 pm. The Church Council will meet on Sunday, December 2 nd, at 7 pm. The Dream Team will be meeting on Monday, December 3 rd, at 7 pm. A Blood Drive will be held on December 31 st at our church. This is the drive sponsored by the King Fire Department. Watch the bulletin for the time. I Corinthians 13 Christmas Style If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family, I m just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I m just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. Pastor David and William David Maser on Baptism Sunday, October 28, Will is the son of Mark and Rebecca Maser and was born on September 4, He has a big sister Katie. November 10, 2007 Dear Trinity United Methodist Church, Thank you for your donation of $ to Habitat for Humanity. Sincerely, Patricia A. Griffin Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love doesn t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn t yell at the kids to get out of our way. Love doesn t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can t. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure. I hope you have a Merry CHRISTmas. -Author Unknown

6 cütçxü VÉÇvxÜÇá Those in Nursing and Retirement Homes Thelma Cooke, Lorene Hooker, Maude Goff, Kenneth Brasfield, Frances Tedder, Julia T. Nance, Alvis Hudgins. Those at Home Hazel Kirby, Gene Wall, Doug Rierson, Alice Booze, Bud Tuttle. Special Prayer Concerns of the Congregation Lori Douglas, Norma Linville, Polly Hall, Bill Kirby, Chelsea Blick, Jason and his family, Nancy Calloway, Rogene Love, Shirley Gross, Robah Sapp, Ruby Turney, Patsy Ginns, Tim, Ronnie Middleton, Leigh Ann Jones. léâ TÜx \Çä àxw A 1 st Annual Remembrance Service for those who have lost a family member or friend to suicide on Thursday, December 6 th, at 7 pm in the fellowship hall at Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church. There will be a brief program, a time of reflection, fellowship and snacks. This service is being sponsored by members of The Suicide Survivor Outreach Group and The Stokes County Mental Health Association. Jefferson Church of Christ invite you to their Drive- Thru Christmas Story Thursday, December 13 th at 7-9 pm; Friday, December 14 th at 7-9 pm; Saturday, December 15 at 6:30-9 pm; and Sunday, December 16 at 6:30-9 pm. JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS If you feel down and hopeless, With too many hours and not enough days, Light a candle of hope for your journey Toward Christmas, then stand and pray For God s mercy to come your way. If you have more wants than wishes With too many things that must be done, Light a candle of peace for your journey Toward Christmas, and angels song Will reach you before too long. If people you meet are sorrowing, With too many losses and not enough won, Light a candle of love for your journey Toward Christmas, and then sing Of the One who is God s own Son. If you hear of so much despairing That is almost pulls you down, Light a candle of joy for your journey Toward Christmas, and you will be found Singing, Joy has come to Bethlehem town. - Pastor Norm Linville Maplewood Christian Church St. Louis, MO From the Evangelism Team 2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and selfcontrol with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. These lines from Peter are part of the summary of his teachings. This is the ethical part. The what we should do, need to do, and how to do part. Our faith may be childlike, but it cannot be childish. Our faith must be active in our lives. Peter tells us how. It takes action on our part. Faith is not easy. Once you have it, you have only started the journey. Peter didn t mention a thing about decorating, shopping, or cooking, but isn t this how many of us spend our time during Advent? He did mention self-control, endurance and love. These are my goals for the holiday season. Self-control in two areas, eating and spending. Endurance in personal care of my mind, body and spirit. Love in holiday giving to others that I might not even know. We can make that work in our very busy 21 st century lives. Our faith makes this all possible.

7 United Methodist Women s Christmas Bazaar Fast forward to the 2008 Christmas Bazaar: If you plan to redo your kitchen or bathroom cabinets this next year, Linda Lane would like to look at your old cabinet doors. She is interested in getting the panels for use for the next year s bazaar. Just call her at (home) or (cell). She will pick them up. Also as you put away your Christmas decorations this year and find you have some that you no longer want and would like to get rid of, contact Linda and she will pick them up and store them for the re-run table at next year s bazaar. If there are ladies in our church who are interested in forming a third United Methodist Women s Circle, please contact Linda Lane at or Below we re sharing pictures of the 2007 bazaar.