Trinity is joining with other local congregations to build a home in Ensley for the George family by Christmas day!

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1 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH December 1, 2015 Vol. 49 No. 48 Habitat HOUSE Advent BUILD children s programs All are invited to attend the annual holiday music programs presented by Trinity s elementary-aged choirs, handbells and preschool choirs. DECEMBER 6 4:00 PM Sanctuary 1st-5th Grade Choirs & Handbells christmas songs of joy! DECEMBER 9 6:00 PM Sanctuary 3K - 5K Preschool Choirs Trinity is joining with other local congregations to build a home in Ensley for the George family by Christmas day! 25 volunteers are needed this Saturday, December 5. (Various shifts available) Contact Laura McCain to sign up: lamccain@bellsouth.net INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Personal Word 2 Oakmont Update 3 Honors & Memorials 4 Poinsettia Order Form 7 Calendar of Events 7 Have you returned your 2016 pledge? If not, we urge you to do so by December 31, 2015 in order for it to be budgeted for 2016 ministry! You may submit your 2016 pledge by contacting the finance office at or online at: love-does-stewardship-2016/ Year-end Giving As we enter the final days of 2015, please consider completing your pledge as soon as possible or no later than 12/31/15. Your tax deductible gifts must be received and/or postmarked by 12/31/15. The finance office will remain open until 4 PM on 12/31/15. If you need clarification of any amounts owed, please call the finance office Holiday Concert, December 1 The UAB Symphony Band and Wind Symphony Band will present a special concert of Christmas music in the Fellowship Hall from 2-3 PM on December 1. All are invited.

2 PERSONAL WORD DECEMBER 6, 2015 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:45 & 11 AM Sanctuary The 8:45 AM worship service is broadcast via 15-minute delay from 9-10 AM Sundays on WAPI-1070 AM. SERMON Rev. Brian Erickson Advent Series: Lullaby For A Savior MUSIC 8:45 AM - Sanctuary Choir, Choralier Choir, Crusader Choir, Kyle Bass 11:00 AM - Praise Alliance, Choralier Choir, Crusader Choir, Kyle Bass MINISTER ON CALL Rev. Nathan Carden, :45 & 11:00 AM WESLEY HALL Rev. Nathan Carden Advent Series: Lullaby For A Savior NOVEMBER 29 - ATTENDANCE 1,400 Total Worship Attendance 830 Traditional 464 Contact 106 Nursery 584 Sunday School Attendance Most of us grew up with a Christmas that starts the day after Thanksgiving and ends with a thud sometime Christmas afternoon. For weeks, we drag trees into our living rooms, we hang socks from our fireplaces, and we hide things in shiny paperwrapped boxes to give to folks we like. But then, after the presents are opened on December 25th, the tree is thrown out on the curb to be tossed in a landfill or at best mulched into landscaping material, the socks are put back in the attic, and the presents begin a meteoric rise and fall journey of importance in our lives. Whenever I am in my parents basement, where all good Christmas presents go to die, I cannot help but remember that these things that now sit there gathering dust were once center-stage on Christmas morning. Now they are junk, waiting for Goodwill to recycle them into someone else s cheaper prize. Without Advent, Christmas can too easily turn into a gift exchange, where we walk through the motions with our holiday parties and nonstop cheer only to find the season thrown to the curb the day it is meant to begin. Advent, contrary to what the supermarkets and the malls are selling, is a season of preparation. A season of waiting, watching, and wondering spiritual disciplines none of us do very well, but perhaps they are our only hope. Advent teaches us to see in the dark. It is during this season when the darkness seems most obvious. The world is colder, the days are shorter, and for those of us who have experienced loss, we feel those losses even more during the holidays. While the music in the stores says it s the most wonderful time of the year, this is the season when we have the highest depression rates and the most attempted suicides. Something about the way we celebrate the holidays leaves many out in the cold. The Christian season of Advent takes the darkness of life seriously, while making it clear that the darkness does not have the final say. The symbols on the Chrismon tree, the candles of the Advent Wreath, the hope expressed in our hymn singing they all point to the truth expressed in the gospels: that no matter how the darkness tries, it cannot overcome the light. The world s version of Christmas temporarily covers the darkness with electric lights, holiday muzak, and manufactured cheer. Advent proclaims the darkness has been forever pierced by the manger cries of an infant king. While the world around us does its best to celebrate Christmas the only way it knows how, I invite you to take the more narrow way. In this holy season of preparation, may we all take up the hard work of seeing in the dark. See you Sunday! WELCOME TO TRINITY 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 sermons, a special moment for children and a variety of music. 8:45 & 11:00 AM CONTACT relaxed, informal, services in Wesley Hall featuring music from the CONTACT Band, children are encouraged to attend. Sunday School & Nursery: 10:00 AM Sunday School Ages 2 yrs. + Nursery provided during all services Contact Us: Church Office: Fax: Care Line: Child Development Center: Brian Erickson Nathan Carden Suzanne Pruitt Jack Hinnen Bobby Scales Reid Crotty David Thompson Senior Minister Minister of Contact Worship and Young Adults Minister of Christian Formation Minister of Oakmont Campus Minister of Pastoral Care Minister of Pastoral Care Minister of Family & Youth Robert Sturdivant Minister of Students

3 Advent 2015 Reflection Journal Companion to Advent Series Lullaby for a Savior Oakmont Update Advent is here! Christ is coming and that means we have a lot of preparations to make. I m not just talking about drinking lots of eggnog, although I plan on having my fill. At our Oakmont campus, we have begun renovations and been praying, dreaming and getting ready for Christ s arrival in new and fresh ways. Of course, we are expectant that Christ will arrive! What will it look like when he comes? Isaiah 11 says that Jesus with be the shoot of the stump of Jesse that will draw all creation to himself in a glorious harmony. Ah, that doesn t happen over night, my friends. Even kudzu has to take some time to grow. The journey from the birth of the Christ-child to Jesus fulfillment of his mission will take more than just a single day of remembrance. It will take a season and I look forward to us sharing that season together. This Advent, we have prepared a special reflection journal for you. We hope the prompts provided in the journal will give you a starting place to mark each day of Advent and urge you to respond by creatively writing, drawing and praying. The prompts will focus on the lullaby that is being explored each week in our worship services. Sunday, November 29 Mary s Song Luke 1:46-55 Sunday, December 6 Zechariah s Song Luke 1:67-79 Sunday, Decemeber 13 The Angels Song Luke 2:8-14 Sunday, December 20 Simeon s Song Luke 2:22-35 WE WANT YOU to be a part of the Oakmont Seed Team. The singular focus of the Seed Team is to commit to worship at Oakmont from January to Easter. Come January, God is going to work an incredible new thing where we take the best of Oakmont and the best of Trinity and reach out to West Homewood in new and exciting ways. Our hope is that Trinity West Homewood will help engage those in West Homewood who have no church home or no relationship with Jesus Christ. To get there, we need a season to have people to welcome them into worship. We would love for you to commit to worship at Oakmont from January to Easter to help build excitement and community for West Homewood. What better way to signal Christ s arrival than to share the joy that brings with your neighbor! All we ask is a season of worship. You may not be called to that space forever but I am confident however that some will get there and discover that this is precisely where they belong. One great thing for Trinity folks is that you will still have access to excellent childcare on-site and you know the worship is going to be spirit-filled. I promise you ll see some familiar faces there. To sign up you can visit the Trinity website or you can David Thompson at dthompson@ trinitybirmingham.com. Another team, our Launch Team, will begin training this Sunday at 10 AM in Mouat Chapel and anyone is welcome to come hear about what God is doing if you are curious. May we prepare for Christ s coming in a new way and make preparations now! Blessings! Rev. Jack Hinnen Watch Tidings for more updates on our new Oakmont campus. Pick one up this Sunday! Available at all Welcome Centers 3

4 GIFTS TO GLORIFY GOD & TO REMEMBER THOSE WE LOVE HONORARIUMS October 23 - November 24, 2015 REV. REID CROTTY Kathy & Mike Mouron Catherine Neugent Becki N. Posey UMW Circle 2 The JOY Class HENRY HUGHES DUETT Anonymous REV. BRIAN ERICKSON Clarke Sumerel PAT FARRELL The Trinity Singers HERB GRIFFIN Margie Dorsett Duncan JODI HASKINS Philip & Susan Norton MERRY LYNNE JOHNSTON Jane Byrd Anne E. Cohn STUART PARKER Norma Aldridge SCOTT ROBERTSON Ken & Kay Stalnaker Myrnie Driskill Jim & Gwen Williams DONNA ROOSE Ann Morris Smith BILLY & MARTHA ANN WARE The Trinity Singers David & Dale Miller MEMORIALS October 23 - November 24, 2015 PATRICIA BAILEY Ken & Ann Damsgard Ken & Kay Stalnaker LETA BURGESS Ken & Ann Damsgard Ken & Kay Stalnaker NANCY CARR RICHARD CLEMENTS Jeff & Shelley Schneider Rip & Norma Harmon DALE CONVILLE Jim & Debbie Fly Connie Barnett Linda F. Clark Bill & Susan Ray Sarah B. Baker Pat Canney JOHN DONNELL Ann Morris Smith JANE & ROSCOE FLEMING Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Anthony FLOYD HAIR Jeff & Shelley Schneider MARY HARRIS Malcolm & Gail Youngblood Lucien & Jeanne Hagedorn Leah B. Winston Martha Charlton Gary & Emily Correll John & Elizabeth Randall Janie Mashburn Allen, Laura, Kaylor & Porter McCain Ann Morris Smith Suzanne Larson Trinity s UMW Floyd Hendrix Ken & Kay Stalnaker Gene & Claire Donaldson Carole Cudd Don & Norma Echols Dr. & Mrs. Donald H. Dahlene, II Byron & Rebecca Tidd Jeff & Shelley Schneider Steve & Daphne Legg Joe & Amy Lewis Bruce & Kelly Gilliland Rip & Norma Harmon Belvedere Study Club Margie Curry Marshall & Joan Mezzell Philip & Susan Norton Jane R. Gunter Grace F. Lewis Josephine S. Knapp Margie Dorsett Duncan Peggy Sue Rentz Scott & Susan Mayes ELEANOR JACKSON Ken & Ann Damsgard Jim & Gwen Williams FRANK EARL JONES Jeff & Shelley Schneider LAURA ZINK JONES Sara W. Harris JAMES A. LEWIS, Jr. Malcolm & Gail Youngblood MARGARET NIXON MARIE OSBORNE The Trinity Singers DR. RICHARD SCHOLL Trinity UMC Tim & Jean Hayes Al & Pat Berst Dr. James & Deborah Franks Dr. Lewis Menaker William Schachter Bruce & Debbie Limbaugh Duane & Terrie Shroyer Catherine M. Spencer Janice T. Gay Philip & Susan Norton Mary W. Drew Bob & Melba Fleming Nancy M. Delony James L. Hubbard Meryl H. Vaiden CLAUDE STEELE Debbie Fly Julie Lynn Adams Jim & Gwen Williams Mike & Nancy Portera ROBERT WALSTON Rip & Norma Harmon Mike & Nancy Portera JANE WATKINS Trinity s UMW YOUNG ADULT advent study 4 ADVENT CONSPIRACY Begins Tuesday, December 1 Are you in your 20 s (ish)? Are you out of college? Are you not married? Are you interested in a small group study? If so, join us on Tuesday nights at 6:30 PM at the home of Mark and Lisa Elliott. (4168 Memorial Park Circle Hoover, AL 35226) YOUNG ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY December 22 Save the Date! For more info: Contact Lisa Elliott at or lelliott@trinitybirmingham.com.

5 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 CHILDREN S SERVICE 3:00 PM Sanctuary This casual service is designed for families with young children. Communion will be served. Note new time and location! PERSONAL COMMUNION 3:00-5:00 PM Wesley Hall Come and go at any time during these two hours for an intimate time of family or individual worship and communion. CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION 5:00, 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, Cross & Flame Youth Choir, and Trinity Strings. HOLY COMMUNION is offered each Sunday in Advent. It is served in the Sanctuary at 9:45 AM and 12:00 Noon following the traditional worship services. It is served every Sunday in Advent during all Contact worship services. All are invited to partake. CHRISMON TREES This year, two Chrismon trees are displayed in the Sanctuary. The tree in front of the lecturn is the Chrismon tree that belonged Oakmont UMC. We are so delighted for it to be a part of our Advent decorations this year. 5

6 MISSION & OUTREACH ANGEL TREES Trinity is providing Christmas gifts to over 300 local children! REMEMBER! Return your Angel gifts by this Sunday, December 6. TRINITY MANGER OFFERING, CHRISTMAS GIFT OF JOY This special offering goes to support the work of our local ministry partners: Urban Ministry, Church of the Reconciler, Firehouse Shelter, Family Promise of Birmingham, and many other local organizations directly benefit from your generosity. Offerings can be made during the Advent season using the Gift of Joy envelopes found in the pews. Watch Tidings for details on new options for this gift! SHARE THE WARMTH: COAT DRIVE Trinity is holding a winter coat drive this Christmas, because we believe everyone should have a warm coat. Bring gently used or new adult and children s coats to the 2nd floor commons or outside the church office. Donations will be accepted from November 29 - December 27. Coats will go to ministry partners, Firehouse Shelter and Church of the Reconciler. FESTIVAL OF THREE KINGS, December 12 Trinity along with other local UMC s, will distribute Angel Tree gifts to families at Birmingham-Southern s campus. We need volunteers to help set up (10am-Noon), distribute the gifts (1-3pm), and clean up (3-4pm). To volunteer please contact Cassie Cates at FAMILY PROMISE GIFT WRAP VOLUNTEERS, December 12 & 19 This wrapping booth will open December 1-24 at Brookwood Village. This is a fun, family-friendly opportunity. It is also a great opportunity for teen service hours. Support the cause by having your gifts wrapped at the booth. Volunteers needed (3-hour shifts) on Saturday, December 12 & 19. Jamie Fitzwater to sign up, jf2208@yp.com. FAMILY PROMISE, December Every quarter of every year, Trinity opens its doors to local families who need a place to rest their heads. This year we have the joy of hosting families the week before Christmas. We need volunteers to simply play games with children, break bread with these amazing families, and spend the night with them to make sure all is well. Interested volunteers can contact Laura McCain at lamccain@bellsouth.net. Questions about Trinity s Mission and Outreach programs? Please contact Kristan Walker, Director of Outreach Ministries 6 PACESETTERS DECEMBER 1 - UAB CHRISTMAS CONCERT Tuesday, December 1 at 2 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to enjoy a festive celebration of Christmas music presented by talented UAB students. DECEMBER 10 - CHRISTMAS TEA The annual Senior Adult Christmas Tea will be held in the Fellowship Hall from 1:30-4:00 PM on December 10. Come and enjoy wonderful food, fellowship, and music. DECEMBER 12 - MOORESVILLE HOLIDAY TOUR You are invited to join us on Saturday, December 12, for the Mooresville Holiday Home Tour and Progressive Dinner. We will leave from Trinity at 12:00 Noon / Arrive at 2:00 PM at the 1821 Stagecoach Tavern in historic Mooresville. Cost is $90 for dinner, tour and transportation. Contact Amy Lewis for reservations / alewis@trinitybirmingham.com. Next Steps A new track for our guests and new members held every Sunday at 10 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Join us! EVERY 1ST SUNDAY of the Month Meet Enjoy breakfast in a casual setting with the pastoral staff. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall EVERY 2ND SUNDAY of the Month Belief Enjoy a discussion to remember your baptism, learn about infant baptism, or explore adult profession of faith. We will also discuss communion and the sacraments of our faith. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall EVERY 3RD SUNDAY of the Month Methodism Learn about the history, theology, and practices of the United Methodist Church. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall EVERY 4TH SUNDAY of the Month Belong Hear from staff and lay ministers on the membership vows and how to find your very own place of ministry at Trinity. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall EVERY 5TH SUNDAY of the Month Tour Join a Trinity member and others for an informational tour around the church campus. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall We would love for you to join us. if you have questions, please contact Shelley Brockwell at or sbrockwell@trinitybirmingham.com.

7 HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS THIS WEEK Second Sunday of Advent - December 6 8:45 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 8:45 AM Contact Worship - WHALL 10:00 AM Sunday School - various 10:00 AM Next Steps - FHALL 11:00 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 11:00 AM Contact Worship - WHALL 4:00 PM 1st-5th Choir Program - SANC 4:15 PM Youth Handbells - Rm :00 PM Youth Choir - MS 5:00 PM Confirmation - various 6:00 PM Adult Handbells - Rm :00 PM Element - Haven 8:00 PM Men Pick-up Basketball - GYM Monday - December 7 7:45 AM Yoga - Rm :00 PM Senior Adult Activities Tuesday - December 8 6:30 AM Youth Prayer B fast - Haven 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Trinity Studio - CFT 10:00 AM Trinity Singers - MS 11:00 AM Senior Adult Lunch - SDR 3:00 P M Element Cafe - Haven & Gym 6:00 PM Young Adults (30 s) - SDR CFT FSR CONF SANC FHALL Craft Room 143 Fireside Room 145 Conference Room 220 Sanctuary Fellowship Hall LIB NAT LP SP HAVEN 6:30 PM Young Adults (20 s) - NAT Wednesday - December 9 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Yoga - Rm :45 PM NO Wednesday Dinner 6:00 PM 3K-5K Choir Program - SANC 6:00 PM Men s Study :00 PM Small Group Studies - various 6:00 PM Yoga - FSR 7:00 PM Contact Music Practice - WHALL 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir Practice - MS 7:15 PM Boy Scouts - Scout Room Thursday - December 10 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Trinity Studio - CFT 9:15 AM Small Group Studies - various 10:00 Am MOMentum - Rm :00 AM Senior Adult Lunch - SDR 1:30 PM Senior Adult Tea - FHALL 3:30 PM Element Cafe - Youth Area 6:00 PM TCDC Program - SANC Friday - December 11 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Trinity Studio - CFT 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 MODERN FAMILY FORUM: Sunday, December AM - Wesley Hall Come and hear from real Trinity families who answered God s call in building their families. Listen to stories on how God s people are caring for orphaned children. Let s start a conversation about orphan care ministry at Trinity and where God might be leading us as a church family! IN THE HOSPITAL UAB HIGHLANDS Pearl Thrash BROOKDALE REHAB TREASURER S REPORT GENERAL BUDGET: As of November 29, 2015 Jim Pratt Month to date revenue $327,869 Monthly needs to date $310,226 Balance/shortage $17,643 Capital Giving this month $28,764 Capital Giving year to date $130,709 Balance owed on Debt / Prayer Garden $298,500 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 , 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: Order Your Poinsettias for Christmas! Poinsettias purchased in memory or in honor of loved ones will be placed in the sanctuaries on Sundays, December 13 and 20, DEADLINE: Orders must be received by Monday, December 7 (Deadline is strictly observed). Please attach your check to this form, drop in the offering plate, or bring/mail to the church office before the deadline, December 7. Make checks payable to: Trinity United Methodist Church, marked Poinsettia Order. Print carefully. The information from this form is used for the bulletin listings. Please list only one name or family name for each purchased poinsettia. (Example: Jane Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Jon Smith or the Jane Smith Family.)! In MEMORY of: Given By: (OR) In HONOR of: Given By: Your Name: Daytime Phone Number: Enclosed is $15.00 for each poinsettia ordered. Number of poinsettias X $15.00 ea. = TOTAL Return your order to the church office (OR) mail to: Trinity UMC, 1400 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL

8 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 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: Join us on the Sunday after Christmas for a casual morning of fellowship and family worship. 9 AM Donuts and Coffee Fellowship Hall 10 AM Traditional Worship 10 AM Contact Worship Come as you are! Cozy, comfortable pajamas welcome. SUNDAY After Christmas December 27 HOW CAN YOU SERVE THIS WEEK? Check out WEEKLY CONNECT for ways that you can plug in to ministry today simple sign-ups available now. Log on to: