Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday March 30- April 1. Guest Speakers. Noon Services and Lunch. Prayer Services. in the Prayer Garden

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1 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH March 24, 2015 Vol. 49 No. 12 Palm Sunday Events Palm Cross Workshop, 9 AM-12 Noon Fellowship Hall SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Bring your scissors and a hand towel and help make over 1,800 Palm Crosses that will be used in Trinity s Palm Sunday services. All are welcome; all skills and ages are needed. Palm Sunday Processional, 8:45 & 11 AM Worship SUNDAY, MARCH 29 Children are invited to participate in the opening Palm Procession by waving palm branches and placing them on the altar. Children should gather in the Narthex before each service to receive a palm branch & instructions. Children enjoy waving palm branches each year on Palm Sunday at Trinity. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Easter Services 3 Kids Summer Activites 4 Easter Flowers 5 A Meal & A Deal 6 Calendar of Events 7 Holy Week HOLY WEEK is the last week of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday. It begins on Palm Sunday, March 29, and is a week of devout observance commemorating the last days of Christ s life. You are invited to join us for special Noon services, Evening Prayer Garden Services, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Services. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday March 30- April 1 Noon Services and Lunch These half-hour lunchtime services at Noon Monday-Wednesday of Holy Week provide a convenient worship opportunity. A guest speaker is featured each day. Lunch is served at 12:30 PM following each service in the Fellowship Hall, $5 per person. Nursery available by reservation only, Barry Smith at bsmith@trinitybirmingham.com. Guest Speakers Prayer Services in the Prayer Garden Join us for a come and go prayer experience Monday-Wednesday evenings of Holy Week from 5-8 PM in the Prayer Garden. In the garden, you will be invited to immerse yourself in God s presence as you prepare for our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services prior to our Easter Celebration. Families are encouraged to come and experience it together. Nursery not available. MONDAY, 3/30 Dr. J. Wayne Flynt Professor Emeritus, Auburn Univ. TUESDAY, 3/31 Rev. Marcus Singleton Church of the Reconciler WEDNESDAY, 4/1 Rev. Stephanie Arnold First UMC of Birmingham See inside for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday service information.

2 PERSONAL WORD PALM SUNDAY MARCH 29, :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. SERMON Rev. Brian Erickson Sermon Series: Soul Keeping MUSIC 8:45 & 11:00 AM Trinity Orchestra, Sanctuary Choir MINISTER ON CALL Brian Erickson, :45 & 11:00 AM WESLEY HALL, Rev. Nathan Carden Sermon Series: Soul Keeping MARCH 22 - ATTENDANCE 1,373 Total Worship Attendance 901 Traditional 472 Contact 850 Sunday School Attendance I have no idea what it was like for those who were watching their President drive down Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963, enjoying the parade and the Dallas weather just after lunch. I can t put myself in that place because whenever I watch footage of President Kennedy s last moments, I know what it coming. As that motorcade works its way down the street, I hold my breath, waiting for the inevitable. I do remember the day they invited the entire elementary school to watch the space shuttle take off, because for the first time, a teacher was going up into space. I remember the excitement of getting to rearrange the school day to watch television, only to have the teacher suddenly switch off the broadcast in silence and horror when the space shuttle was replaced by a huge cloud of white smoke and fire in the sky. As Holy Week begins, I know what is coming. I ve heard it all before. When the Gospel writers sat down to tell their story, they had a lot to work with many stories of Jesus miracles, the testimonies of his friends, and an especially detailed account of the end. Of all the stories that survived about Jesus, it was the story about his death that remained the most intact the best preserved piece of his life was the end. That is why most of Matthew, Mark, and Luke have Jesus running around from place to place with seemingly no direction or commentary, while the story about his last week on Earth is so rich with detail. When the Gospel writers sat down to tell this story, the most important story ever told, they started with the ending. They knew somehow that if they got the ending right, all the other pieces would fall into place. The difficulty for us, two thousand years on the other side of these events, is that we know how it all ends. We know what is coming. We know that the hosannas of Palm Sunday will become cries to crucify. We know that the crowds ready to crown Jesus a king at the beginning of the week will scatter and hide before all is said and done. A copy of the script in hand, we know how this will end. The challenge is learning to walk through these painful moments, without rushing to their conclusion. The power of Holy Week waits for those who will let themselves experience it in real time, who are willing to suffer with Christ in the shadows before rushing to the glory of Sunday morning. I ve come to believe that the surprising joy of Easter is incomplete unless you ve felt the heartbreak of Good Friday. So I encourage you to make time for Holy Week. Beginning with Palm Sunday this weekend, whether you re in town for Trinity s services or off on vacation, find your way into a church. Hear the story again. Live those final days anew. Walk this lonesome valley with your Savior. Because even if you think you already know what s coming, the truth is, the story is hardly over. The one who suffered and died for us then is alive now and forevermore. And ever since that first Easter, he seems particularly fond of surprising the broken-hearted. 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 music from the CONTACT Band, children are encouraged to attend. 10:00 AM Sunday School Ages 2 yrs. 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. Questions? Call Andrew Wolfe - Senior Minister Brian Erickson - Senior Minister Designate Nathan Carden - Minister of Outreach, Contact Suzanne Pruitt - Minister of Christian Formation Bobby Scales - Minister of Pastoral Care David Thompson - Minister of Students Church Office: / Fax: Care Line: Child Development Center:

3 Holy Week Maundy Thursday APRIL 2 SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION 7:00 PM - Sanctuary Nursery Available. Good Friday APRIL 3 SERVICE OF DARKNESS 7:00 PM - Sanctuary Scripture, prayers, liturgy and special music by the Sanctuary Choir and Trinity Orchestra. Nursery Available. Complimentary Valet Parking Available. Lenten Offering During this season of spiritual evaluation, we are given the opportunity to join God s work to bring resurrection hope to the least of these in the Greater Birmingham Area and beyond with our special Lenten Offering. This offering touches many lives and brings hope to those we serve. Your gift may be made by using the special Lenten Offering envelopes found in the pews, please mark your check Lenten Offering and drop in the offering plate. You may also make your special offering online, please visit: Easter at Trinity TRADITIONAL SERVICES 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 AM SANCTUARY, with Trinity Choirs and Orchestra Dr. Andrew Wolfe, 8:30 & 9:45 AM Rev. Brian Erickson, 11:00 AM [ Sunday School will be held from 9:45-10:45 AM ] CONTACT SERVICES 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 AM WESLEY HALL, with the CONTACT Band Rev. Nathan Carden SUNRISE SERVICE 6:30 AM HOMEWOOD PARK, led by Trinity s youth. (Rain: Wesley Hall) For your convenience, a SHUTTLE VAN SERVICE will be available on Easter Sunday from Homewood Central Park from 8:00 AM - 12:15 PM. Trinity Members: Please consider using this shuttle service, or consider parking off site in nearby neighborhoods to allow for more parking in our lots for our Easter guests. EASTER RESURRECTION CROSS Participate in a Trinity Easter Sunday tradition and bring fresh flowers and greenery from your yard and decorate the living cross on the front lawn of the church on Easter morning before worship. 3

4 PACESETTERS Weekly Radio Broadcast Sponsorships Available Remember or honor a loved one by sponsoring the radio broadcast of the 8:45 AM service that airs each Sunday from 9-10 AM on WAPI 1070 AM. We need you! The radio broadcast depends on weekly sponsors in order to keep Trinity s services on air. For details and more information on radio sponsorship, contact Lisa Elliott at or lelliott@trinitybirmingham.com. APRIL 16 - Auburn Art Tour Join us on Thursday, April 16 to tour the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University. A Little Lunch Music is a casual performance presented each week by Jules Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art and musician Patrick McCurry, series coordinator. You can sit and listen to the entire performance, dine in the Museum Cafe, browse the shop, or explore the galleries. We will have a docent led tour at 10:00 AM, enjoy the music performance at 11:00 AM, followed by lunch at the Museum Café. Cost: You pay for your lunch plus $10 for transportation. Depart Trinity at 7:30 AM. (There will be a breakfast stop.) MAY 6 - Lake Martin Garden Tour On Wednesday, May 6, we will tour the JIM SCOTT GARDEN AT LAKE MARTIN. On the banks of Lake Martin rests Jim Scott s garden. It s like none you ve ever experienced. His 12 + year creation is a labyrinth of interesting trails, meandering streams, waterfalls, ponds and pools. Elevated walkways through the tree canopy provide visitors with a wider perspective on the plantings below. We will have a guided tour, a picnic lunch in this lovely setting and additional time to stroll and look some more after lunch. Cost of $25 includes lunch and transportation. Depart Trinity at 7:30 AM. (Rest stop and snack on the return trip.) For more info on any Senior Adult event, contact Amy Lewis at or alewis@trinitybirmingham.com. 4 KIDS SUMMER CAMPS, VBS & ACTIVITIES Register Today! Log on for a list of summer camps, dates and registration forms. Forms are also available in the Children s Ministry Office. Questions? Contact Eleanor Christiansen at echristiansen@trinitybirmingham.com VBS is July Register online now! Trinity goes to CAMP CALLING ALL TRINITY KIDS completed 3rd-5th grade. Grab a friend and let s spend a week at Sumatanga together! June Ms. Eleanor and Ms. Jeanne will be there and taking on the camping experience, too! Cost for the week: $440 Tier 3. $100 Scholarships are available to Trinity members compliments of Lil Lambs and Children s Ministry. For details and to register, contact Children s Ministry at or echristiansen@trinitybirmingham.com.

5 food & fellowship student ministry weekly update Here are a few things happening this week: NO ELEMENT THIS SUNDAY NIGHT, 3/29 - We will not have Element this Sunday night, March 29 due to Spring Break. We will offer Sunday School on Sunday morning at 10 AM. 4:30-6:15 pm fellowship hall $20.00 Family Maximum (or) - $6.00 per adult - $3.00 per child (9 and under) - $5.00 per senior adult - $5.00 Salad Bar option menu march 25 ADULTS: Baked chicken, rice, steamed broccoli, roll KIDS: Chicken legs, rice, broccoli, cookie, milk Make a reservation online at Dinner WILL NOT be served on April 1 due to Spring Break! PALM CROSS WORKSHOP, 3/28 - This Saturday, we will join with other church members to make crosses out of palm leaves in preparation for Palm Sunday, March 29. All students and families are invited and encouraged to join in the fun at 9 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Hope you can join us! ELEMENT CAFE - Element Cafe is this week on Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5:30 PM. We will be selling NACHOS during the month of March! All candy, chips and drinks are only 50 cents! We will NOT have Element Café the week of Spring Break (March 29-April 4). EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE - We would like to invite you to attend our High school senior-led Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30am at the Homewood Central Park Amphitheater. Following the service, we will serve breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. ARM MISSION TRIP, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - This year s trip will be July We STILL need more adult volunteers for this trip! If you are willing to be an adult leader, David Hayes at dhayes@trinitybirmingham.com. SOS, HIGH SCHOOL MISSION TRIP JULY There is still space available for SOS. We are now looking for adult leaders! If you are interested either as a student or an adult leader, please go to As always, if there is anything that we can do better to reach your student, please let us know. Remember, we want to partner with you in helping your student grow in their relationship with Christ. David Thompson dthompson@trinitybirmingham.com! Give 2015 Easter Flowers to the Glory of God Order now through March 27. Members and friends may provide lilies to beautify our church on Easter morning in Honor of or in Memory of loved ones. These gifts will be acknowledged in the Easter Sunday worship bulletin. COST: $15.00 EACH Order deadline is at Noon on Friday, March 27. Please print information clearly; it is taken directly from this form for use in the bulletin. Please use a separate form for each lily order. Make checks payable to Trinity UMC. Place form(s) and payment in the offering plate, bring by the church office, or mail to Trinity UMC P.O. Box 19069, Birmingham, AL CIRCLE ONE: In MEMORY of (OR) In HONOR of Questions? Contact Lynn Yawn in the church office at or her at lyawn@trinitybirmingham.com. Name: Given By: Phone: # of lilies: x $15.00 ea. = $ 5

6 TAKE NOTE STAFF POSITION AVAILABLE A part-time Educational Assistant is needed to work with small group ministry. Person must be highly organized, work well as a team member, and be enthusiastic about spiritual formation. Must have general computer proficiency and be familiar with Microsoft Office suite. Send resumes to spruitt@trinitybirmingham.com. PARKING SHUTTLE Drivers Needed Volunteers are needed to drive parking shuttle vans from Homewood Park to Trinity on Easter Sunday. 2 hour shifts are available, but any help will be appreciated! If you are interested, please contact Brad Hilsmier as soon as possible at , bhilsmie@southernco.com. TRINITY STUDIO Now Open Thursdays, 6 pm Trinity has opened the doors of the old Craft Room and will continue to have open paint/sketch nights on Thursdays from 6-8PM. Bring your own materials (all mediums welcome!), bring a friend, and the fellowship and creative inspiration will be provided for free! All artists or soon-to-be-artists are welcome. Don t forget your name tag... 6 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 Marie Pasco at

7 CFT FSR CONF SANC FHALL HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS THIS WEEK Palm Sunday - March 29 8:45 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 8:45 AM Contact Worship - WHALL 10:00 AM Sunday School - various 10:00 AM Soul Keeping Study - WHALL 11:00 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 11:00 AM Contact Worship - WHALL 4:00 PM Youth Handbells - Rm :00 PM Cross & Flame Choir - MS 6:00 PM NO Element Due to Spring Break 6:00 PM Adult Handbells - Rm :00 PM Adult Studies - various 8:00 PM Men s Pick-up Basketball - GYM Monday - March 30 6:30 AM Trinity Men - SDR 12:00 PM Holy Week Noon Service 12:30 PM Holy Week Lunch - FHALL Tuesday - March 31 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 8:00 AM Sr. Exercise Class - FHALL 10:00 AM Trinity Singers - MS Craft Room 143 Fireside Room 145 Conference Room 220 Sanctuary Fellowship Hall LIB NAT LP SP HAVEN 12:00 PM Holy Week Noon Service 12:30 PM Holy Week Lunch - FHALL 6:30 PM Young Adults (20 s) - NAT 6:30 PM Young Adults (30 s) - SDR Wednesday - April 1 9:00 AM Yoga - Rm :00 PM Holy Week Noon Service 12:30 PM Holy Week Lunch - FHALL 4:30 PM NO Wednesday Supper 6:00 PM Adult Studies - various 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir Practice - MS Maundy Thursday - April 2 8:00 AM Sr. Exercise Class - FHALL 9:15 AM Adult Studies - various 6:00 PM Trinity Studio - CFT 7:00 PM Maundy Thursday Service Good Friday - April 3 8:00 AM Sr. Exercise Class - FHALL 7:00 PM Good Friday Service Library 218 Not at Trinity Large Parlor Small Parlor 105 Youth Auditorium CHAPEL MS WHALL SDR FLC Intro to Methodism Who is John Wesley? What do Methodists believe? How is Methodism different from other denominations? New members, new Christians or those who want to know more about Methodism get answers to these questions and more. Join us to learn about Methodist history, theology and practice. Sunday March 29 FELLOWSHIP HALL 1st Floor 10 AM (Sunday School hour) Led by Dr. Andy Wolfe Mouat Chapel Music Suite 132 Wesley Hall Small Dining Room Family Life Center PLEASE NOTE! Coffee with the Pastors & Membership 101 WILL NOT be held in April! Watch Tidings for a summer schedule. Questions? Contact Laura Eanes at or leanes@trinitybirmingham.com. IN THE HOSPITAL BROOKWOOD: Beverly Jones ST. VINCENTS: Shannon Jarmon IN MEMORIAM We extend our love and sympathy: to William Gunn and to Catherine & Clete Walker on the death of their father, William Lowell (Bill) Gunn, on March 21. He was also the grandfather of Wesley Walker, Griffin Walker & Caleb Walker. to Larry and Kristi Wilson on the death of his mother, Charlotte Wilson, on March 22. She is also survived by her grandchildren, April & Daniel McKinney, Justin & Melinda Wilson and Bradley Wilson. She was also the great-grandmother of Anna Reese McKinney, Wilson Clayton McKinney, Evan Graham Wilson, James Bradley Wilson and Tyler Justus Wilson. to Brian and Lynn Luckianow on the recent death of their nephew, Aaron Luckianow. CONGRATULATIONS to Brian and Shannon Jarmon on the birth of their son, Jackson Wesley Jarmon, on March 22. Proud big sisters are Carson Evelyn Jarmon and Mary Ellis Jarmon. to Nathan and Heather Gordon on the baptism of their son, John Michael Gordon, on March 22. to Michael and Katie Pilkerton on the baptism of their daughter, Allie Marshall Pilkerton, on March 22. to Ben and Donya Traylor on the baptism of their son, Benjamin Stanley Traylor, on March 22. to Lindsay Powell and Ben Andrews on their marriage on March 14. TREASURER S REPORT As of March 22, 2015 Regular reporting: GENERAL BUDGET: MONTH Month to Date Revenue $277,261 Monthly Needs to Date $244,407 Balance/Shortage $32,854 Capital Debt Retirement / month $9,302 Capital Debt Retirement / to date $34,185 Note from the Treasurer: Questions about church finances, income or expenses? 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. 7

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: STEEPLE 2 STEEPLE Dr. Andy Wolfe is pictured with the trophy awarded to Trinity UMC for having the most participation at the first annual Steeple 2 Steeple 5K and Fun Run on March 21. Best of all, this race supported the fine work of the United Methodist Children s Home. Thank you to all who participated! 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: