March 22, 2018 Volume 5: Issue 6 Greetings! Trinity Testimony Linda & Dave Tibbitts Building Christian Homes: Nurturing Children in the Faith Dave and Linda Tibbitts believe they have been called to help build Christian homes by equipping families to nurture children in the faith. Moving into children's ministry at TUMC has caused them to reflect on how their life experiences have contributed to this mission. When asking our adult children about formative experiences in their Christian journey, both of our daughters recall participating in the Faith Home series offered by Susan Vernon (Director of Christian Education) during Lent when they were in elementary school. We met weekly with several other families to have discussions, create a family banner, and talk about our faith. We were also given family devotionals to share at meal time each day. Prior to this series, our family attended church and Sunday School regularly and read Bible stories together, but we didn't spend a lot of time in conversation about our faith. Having the opportunity to come together with other families and see great models of 'faith talk' made it
ok to ask questions and talk about God. This skill served our family well as our children progressed through Junior High and High School. We were able to discuss things we heard at church, talk about questions friends had asked about God, debrief on mission trip happenings, and walk together through our personal faith struggles. This Faith Home experience has been key to shaping our Children's Ministry philosophy at Trinity. We believe that Children's Ministry goes beyond classes for kids. This ministry must include opportunities for families to come together to talk about their faith. Like Faith Home, we want to provide opportunities for families to grow in the Christian faith together. Our mission is "to build Christian homes by equipping families to nurture children in the faith". We ask for your prayers as we move forward with ministries such as 'Frolic' for families of our very youngest children as well as the possibility of family retreats and other family-based ministries. We pray that other families will experience the freedom to share faith with their children that we felt so many years ago in 'Faith Home'. Linda & Dave Important Upcoming Dates March 24 March 25 March 29 : Salvation Army Spaghetti Dinner 5:30-7:30 PM : Palm Sunday : Maundy Thursday Dinner & Gathering in Fellowship Hall 6:30 PM March 30 : Community Good Friday Service at CMA Church 300 S. Walnut St. 7:00 PM April 1 : Sunrise Easter Service at Crown Hill Cemetery Pavilion 7:00 AM - Bring your own chair Continental Breakfast in Fellowship Hall 7:30 AM Traditional Easter Service in Sanctuary 9:15 AM Kindling Service in Fellowship Hall 11:11 AM Easter Fun Fair 10:20 AM in Education Wing Noteworthy News Ways to Serve Using Your S.H.A.P.E.
A Reminder - There are "Ways to Serve" booklets at the Welcome Center desk and on the small table in the Welcome Center outside Fellowship Hall. If you haven't completed your Server Opportunities Checklist found in the back of the booklet, please prayerfully consider taking a moment to see where you believe is the best fit for you to serve our church. Then, simply complete the tear-out sheet and put it in Tammy's mailbox, or leave it in the offering plate on Sunday mornings. Thanks to those that have already turned in your forms! All Church Gathering - Tuesday, April 10 at 7:00pm In these uncertain times, it is clear that the Church needs to adapt to its changing environment. But, in order to move forward into uncharted territory, we must also be certain of what it is that will never change. The focus of our gathering will be to answer questions like: What is it that defines us? What is our congregational DNA? What is it that we will not let go of, no matter what? In doing so, we will find the freedom to let other things go. On Tuesday, April 10, you are invited to be part of a process by which we will share stories and discover what our deepest Core Values are. The conversation begins at 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall and will include desserts and coffee. Trinity Blood Drive April 13th in Fellowship Hall 2:00-7:00 PM, Volunteer Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the Welcome Center. Register online to donate blood at www.redcrossblood.org. Prayer Squares Our Angels of Comfort group has stitched some Prayer Squares for anyone needing comfort or prayer. Pick one up for yourself, or for someone you know that could use a prayer. They are located on the Welcome Center desk and on the table in the office sitting area. Adult Small Group Activities
NEW Small Group Series Trinity United Methodist Church will be offering a 5 week study by Dr. James Dobson titled "Bringing Up Boys" and "Bringing Up Girls." Dr. Dobson is the Founder and President of Family Talk, a non-profit organization that produces his radio program, "Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk". He is the author of more than 80 books dedicated to the preservation of the family. The small group will meet on Sundays from 10:20-11:05 a.m. in the church library beginning April 8th. This five-session series gives parents, grandparents, and caregivers practical strategies to establishing relationships and making a positive generational impact on our boys and girls. This series will provide an encouraging guide as Dr. Dobson offers parents sensible advice on nurturing honesty and integrity in our children. Each week, we will watch 5-7 minute "Bringing Up Girls" and "Bringing Up Boys" videos with biblically rooted content by Dr. Dobson. Cost is free and children's Sunday School classes are available for all ages. We hope you can join us! Angels of Comfort The Angels of Comfort meet in the church library at 9:00 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, September through May. All knitters and crocheters are welcome to join! We provide the yarn for the many different projects we make and give to those in need. Come join us! If you have any questions, please call Esther Leggett, 330-682-6365 or e-mail at eleggett@zoominternet.net. Men's Breakfast Fellowship All men are invited for breakfast at Dravenstott's Restaurant on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 a.m. This is a time for food, fellowship and faith. Contact Norm Hibinger, 330-682-4977 or Hibinger@aol.com for more information. Women's Fellowship Circles
All women of the church are invited to join in a women's fellowship circle. Priscilla Circle: 9:30 AM on 3rd Tuesday of the month (church Library) Lydia Circle: 1:00 PM on the 3rd Thursday of the month (Dravenstott's Restaurant) ** There is NO Lydia Circle in March. Meetings will resume in April. For more information on the circles and their activities contact President Rose Hibinger 330-682-4977 or Hibinger@aol.com. Children's Ministry News Linda & Dave Tibbitts Easter Family Fun Fair The Easter Family Fun Fair will be held Sunday, April 1 from 10:20-11:00 in the Education Wing. Families will have a chance to make crafts, play games, and decorate cookies together. Let's invite friends to participate! Chapel Dates Our Children's Ministry Directors, Linda & Dave Tibbitts, have scheduled Chapel Time with preschool families. The next Chapel Times will be at 9:15 AM on April 23 in the Chapel and April 24 in the class room. Trinity Christian Preschool Secret Pals It's time for Secret Pals to think about the Trinity Teachers and Staff if you haven't had a chance lately. This is a great time to share items like gardening gloves, seed packets, Easter Candy, and other inexpensive spring items. They really appreciate your time and attention. Congregational Life April Birthdays 01 - Amaya Evans 03 - Taden Handwerk, Jack Rogers 04 - Sue Corfman, Sue Hillebrecht, Melanie Sander Fisher, Sara Sturgeon 05 - Rhonda Peters 07 - Craig Bacher, Val Buckley 10 - Michael Ellis 11 - Esther Leggett 12 - Wade Ubelhart 13 - Rod Steiger, Zach Vodika 16 - Don Holderman, Sandy Luchette Holland, Gayle Norris, Travis Wyatt
17 - Kyle Evans, Debbie Handwerk 19 - Bob Ellis 21 - Dan Hullinger 22 - Kathy Bertsch, Joshua Rittgers 24 - Christine Domer 25 - Diane Painting 27 - Harrison Brown 28 - Zyah Handwerk 30 - James Kaufman Congratulations To Bill and Nancy Hunter on the birth of their granddaughter Amelia Grace, born February 27th at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 21" long. Amelia was welcomed by proud parents Bill (Jr.) and Tija Hunter. Prayer Concerns Amelia Grace Hunter To view a full listing of prayer concerns, click here. If you are viewing a printed version of the newsletter, please find the prayer requests attached. People Around the Congregation State Champ!
Gavin Stika was crowned the Division III Ohio State Wrestling Champion in the 152# weight class at the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Tournament on March 10th. This was Gavin's fourth trip to State and his first championship. Congratulations Gavin! Confirmands Trinity celebrated the confirmation of three young men on Confirmation Sunday, March 18th. Those confirmed were Mason Hamsher who was mentored by Bruce Ubelhart, Aidan Hiner who was mentored by Bob Hoover and Dave Tibbitts, and Isaac Leggett who was mentored by Drew Wolfe. Also recognized were the boys' teachers Ann Peterson-Miller, Deanna Stika and Susan Vernon. Congratulations to these gentlemen and their families as they continue on their faith journey! Confirmands (L-R) Mason Hamsher, Aidan Hiner & Isaac Leggett
Our confirmands, their families, teachers and Pastor David Mission Opportunities Adult Mission Trip The ADULT mission team has a trip scheduled to go to Elkhorn, West Virginia the week of April 22nd. We will leave Orrville at noon on Sunday and return on Saturday the 28th. The mission is set up through the MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) SWAP (Sharing With Appalachian People) program, and we will be helping low or no income people with home repairs, and also helping a new host camp location get ready to receive mission teams. The cost is $325 a person, (Trinity members or attendees have this fee paid from our adult mission trip fund), plus whatever you need to pay for your meals down and back. If you would like to go or need more information, contact Dan Holderman, either via voice or text at 330-988-0241, or email HoldermanDan@gmail.com. Is God calling you to serve? Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8
Kids! Remember to bring your change to help other Kids. We're collecting every week during the Children's Chat at the 9:15 and 11:11 AM services. Funds will go to O- Huddle, a mentoring program in the Orrville Public Schools. Trinity's Hands If you're interested in helping with Trinity's Hands projects, or would like more information about the Trinity's Hands program, please contact Dan Holderman at HoldermanDan@gmail.com. Conference News Canal Spring District Conference - Sunday, April 29, 2018 3:00-4:30 pm - Akron First UMC, 263 E. Mill St., Akron. Vote for: Members-at-large for annual conference 2019; 2019 District Budget; Candidates for Ministry; 2018-2019 Leadership Team. Everyone is invited but only voting members can vote. Thanks to Trinity Acknowledgement was received this month for Trinity's donations to: Salvation Army Community Announcements Lutheran Marriage Encounter Married Couples: Spring is coming. Here's some "Miracle Grow" to make your love blossom! Want to get closer to each other AND to God? Find out how your communications and love can be nourished to grow and grow. Marriage Encounter sponsors a unique retreat Weekend where couples can get away from jobs, chores, kids, etc. to focus on each other and strengthen the foundations of your marriage. Call now to find out more about Lutheran Marriage Encounter and the Weekend for couples it sponsors - coming April 27-29 in Beachwood. For details and how to register, go to GodLovesMarriage.org, or contact Duffy & Nan Guthrie at 440-599-9090 or nguthrie@suite224.net.
This is a MOST worthwhile program - in existence for almost 50 years, in 90 countries around the world - providing a safe and encouraging environment where Christian couples can focus on each other and discover the amazing plans God has for their marriage. With the divorce rate climbing, even among Christians, even among clergy, we ALL need to join forces to encourage, empower, and enable people to be the best marriage partners they can be. An ASL interpreter for the deaf will be available at the encounter. Community Bulletin Board Please check the Community Bulletin Board in the hall across from the church office to see up-to-date announcements.