THE CHRISTIAN FLAME Voice of TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The Church with the warm heart of Jesus Christ 847 Tenth Avenue Brackenridge, Pennsylvania 15014 Phone 724-224-7300 Fax 724-224-0824 Web Site www.tumc-brackenridge.org JANUARY 2019
PASTOR MESSAGE for JANUARY 2019 This year, more than most, Trinity Church has good reason to expect 2019 to be a very Happy New Year. The last year has been full of questions and uncertainties. We had to adapt and work around, and through, a wide variety of circumstances. We kept the faith. What kept us going is confidence in the Lord, and belief in the mission and potential of the church to fulfill God s plan for us in this community. Now, we are getting back on our feet and rising up to a new day. Thanks and God bless this congregation of believers, followers, and disciples, who held (and hold) on to faith and hope. With a renewed building, it is time to revive and renew our spirit, fellowship, and ministry. It is a new year, an exciting and promising time. Many have known of our hardship. As we rebuild and expand our ministry and program, the community will notice, be blessed, and perhaps find themselves inspired. Of course, we still have challenges. To rebuild our ministry and grow our church will take prayer, time and effort. We need to provide ministry and activity that will meet needs and draw people to the Lord. We need to grow in faith, fellowship, and love. We need to increase in attendance and church membership. We must raise funds to both sustain and grow the ministry, and pay back the roof replacement loan, and more. Yet, these are the challenges to have. For every step we take will bless lives, and improve the church, increase our joy, expand our witness, and multiply blessings one upon another. Praise the Lord! Let us pray for our church and support and encourage one another. Let us be the people refined by hardship, strong and sure. As we participate in ministry, we will experience more appreciation, meaning love, promise and joy, than many have ever experienced before. Hallelujah and best prayers and wishes for a very happy and prosperous New Year. CONTACT INFORMATION: Pastor Greg Spencer Office Telephone: (724) 224 7300 Home Telephone: (724) 224 2370 Email Address: glspncr@gmail.com New Pastor s Office Hours for 2019 What a good thing it is to be able to restore regular office hours at the church. As we begin the New Year, there will be a change in the pastor s office hours. Beginning Wednesday January 9, Pastor Greg s regular office schedule will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 10:00 AM. Beyond these hours, appointments may be made by calling Gayla at the church office or by leaving a message on Greg s home voice mail (724 224 2370). The Wesley Challenge To increase and improve our relationships with God and each other it is critical we follow John Wesley s Rules for Methodists. More than thought, real and true faith must be practiced and lived. As we begin the New Year let us start with these: 1. Do no harm (Whether by thought, word, or deed, do not bring or cause harm to another in any way). 2. Do Good (As far as it depends upon you, take responsibility to bless, enhance, improve the lives of others). 3. Do the Good Stuff (Diligently practice those things that help sustain and grow your faith and ministry) A. Read from the Bible every day B. Pray (talk and listen with the Lord) every day, (multiple times a day) C. Spend time (frequently) talking and sharing encouragement with Christian friends D. Attend public worship every week E. Invest and participate in the sacraments
NEW MINISTRY TEAMS Forming in 2019 Are you looking for an opportunity to use your gifts and talents in service to Jesus Christ at TUMC? We are hoping to start some new ministries. If you do not see where you fit, please contact Gayla at the church office. Let s help each other grow our ministries and opportunities. Below is a list of current ideas: Hospitality: A ministry of food and fellowship. Persons who enjoy cooking, who know how to prepare meals for many persons, can help us create social events, provide refreshments when needed, organize and care for the Kitchen and more. Promotions: A ministry to promote the church and events to the community, using social media, the press, flyers, banners and more. Activities/Trips: A ministry of social fellowship, adventure, recreation, inspiration and wonder for all ages, individuals, couples, and families, for church and community. The team will identify, organize, and provide opportunities throughout the year. SPECIAL EVENTS: JANUARY Events and Activities are for all persons, church and community. We encourage you to invite folks to attend with you. This is a great way to have fun and to help open the church to the community to faith, fellowship and joy. Do you have an idea? Please let us know suggestions you have for future events. Movie Nights: Second and Fourth Thursday evenings, 6:30 PM Bottled Water and Popcorn are available to all, free of charge. JANUARY FILMS: January 10 Paul, Apostle of Jesus Christ January 24 It s a Pet s Life Laser Show Saturday, January 19 6:00 9:00 pm (details not quite finalized) Come see an amazing laser light show accompanied by contemporary Christian Music in our sanctuary proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is event is open to all. The show is Free of Charge. A Free Will Offering will be given to support church and the show. SnowTubing at Seven Springs Tuesday, January 29 Cost: $27.00/person Hours for Tubing, Pizza, Hotdogs and Hot Chocolate are 6:00 9:00 PM We will leave the church @ 4:15 PM to get there and signed in. (These events sell out) Payment due Sunday January 27. Make checks payable to Trinity UMC Write Snow Tubing Trip 2019 on the memo line of the check NEW MEMBERS CLASS Recently, several persons have expressed interest in joining the church membership. A key part of this process is to attend a series of classes in which we teach you about our church, our beliefs and traditions, our organizational structure, our connection and purpose, history, and vision. Classes begin Sunday January 20, 10:15 10:45 AM in the church parlor Adults age 16 and up are welcome. The class is also open to church members who would like to brush up on their familiarity with the church. No sign-up needed. Registration will be at the first class. For more information, contact Pastor Greg Don t miss NEW COMMUNITY (Wednesday Night Worship and Fellowship 6:30 PM) Looking for a midweek relaxed informal worship and fellowship experience? Come to the church parlor Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM. Sing a few favorites, pray, talk, and grow with us.
LET ME HELP! Isaiah 6: 1 8. In this passage the prophet tells the story of his call and response to God. The center of this story is how he was so moved to see and encounter God, to be forgiven and redeemed, that when God needed help he jumped up and proclaimed Here am I; Send me! We invite everyone in our church to have the same experience and to join the company of heaven in helping the Lord deliver the world. One of the ways we do this is to participate in the ministries of the church. What are your gifts and interests, skills and abilities? How can you use them to serve the Lord with the same enthusiasm? Below are listed the committees the Nominations Committee are working to fill with good faithful folk to provide care and leadership in the coming year. Use the form to put your name on the list with us, happy to serve the Lord! Traditional Worship Liturgists: In December, at the 9:00 am Traditional Worship Service we provided a sample of a bit more structure to the worship with the inclusion of Worship Liturgists (leaders), and the use of the Lectern and Pulpit. We would like to have a team of 6 or more persons willing to learn, and take turns leading worship at the traditional services. Please see Pastor Greg for details and to volunteer. Education: Providing spiritual nurture for all ages through Sunday School, studies and programs. Includes teachers, & leaders. Help us rebuild our this ministry. Praise Worship Singers: Key to our praise worship is music and singing. Though currently we are using electronic media to provide the music, it is truly helpful to have live singers to practice and prepare, and provide live leadership. Are there persons among us who like to sing? Worship Rehearsals are in the sanctuary, Saturdays at 6:00 PM. We invite and welcome you to learn and lead with us. Movie Nights Providers: On the second and fourth Thursdays of the month we provide popcorn, bottled water and movies projected on a big screen to church and community. It would be a great help to have folks from our church to help this ministry to be a success. We need folks from the congregation to attend and enjoy the movies. We also need volunteers to help prepare and provide, equipment, and refreshments. If you would like to help, please contact Gayla for information and express your willingness to serve. OTHER AREAS OF MINISTRY AT TRINITY... Gardening: Care and beautification of areas surrounding the building and courtyard. Tech Team: A new group that will learn and then operate lighting, sound, computer and video for worship and special events throughout the year. Visitation Ministry: A new group the pastor will train to help folks visit guests, hospital, homes, shut-ins, and more to build friendship, prayer and care for one another. Transportation: Possibly a team of persons willing to help provide emergency transportation or possibly worship or special events. (if interest is shown a coordination meeting will be called). Worship Greeters: Welcome people to worship services, providing a warm friendly face and a name to assist guests in orientation to our worship and faith community. Worship Ushers: Caregivers through the worship services that ensure safety, coordination, guidance, assistance, offering, and communion. Kitchen Help: In addition to the Dollar Dinner we occasionally serve funeral luncheons, make soup, hold fundraising dinners, etc. Is the kitchen your area??
CALLING ALL GROUPS, COMMITTEES and TEAMS GOD HAS GIVEN, NOW IT IS OUR TURN 2019 is an important year for Trinity Church. It is a time of new beginning, and a time of coming together in mission and purpose, in hope and vision, in activity and dedication, in support and growth. We are confident the repairs of the church will be completed this month. We have received repairs of heating system, renewal of floors, fresh paint and carpet, repairs of sanctuary ceiling and replacement of the roof. In other words a great building renovation. More than half of the cost for all this has been provided by Church Mutual Insurance Company. What remains is up to us. We all have a stake in the growth and prosperity of our church. So let us all work together, and do our part to meet this responsibility. Later this month, we will be sending to the people of Trinity, a letter updating on the status of our building and beginning a capital campaign, encouraging additional financial gifts to the Building Fund. We need to pay back $180,000.00 in loan from the Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union, plus provide for other maintenance and improvement projects. Of Course we also need to commit to support of our General Fund and budget as well. Together, we can truly renew, revitalize and grow our church and ministry. This is our calling and purpose, and we are up to the task. Let every committee, group, and organization in the church conduct at least one fundraising event during 2019 to help pay this loan. Projects can be large or small, simple or complex. If the project is large, groups may wish to band together in mutual support to help make the project a success. Be creative, think of ways to raise funds, that also help us connect with the community around us. Our fundraisers give the opportunity to our neighbors, friends and community to help the church. HAVE YOU PREPARED A WILL FOR YOUR ESTATE? Include the church. Your gifts will ensure the long term future of the ministry. THANKS GIVING When you give an offering to support church and ministry what do you think and feel? John Wesley teaches that every act of faith is a response to God s grace that came before. Our best giving is in thanks to God. Thanks for the abundance and blessing of our lives received; thanks for the relationship and blessings we enjoy every day with God; Thanks for the guidance, blessing and help we know are part of our future with God. Give tithes and offerings with thanksgiving in your heart, joy in your soul, and a smile on your lips, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver. There are two primary funds to which we ask the congregation to support: General Fund, and Building fund. The General Fund pays for the weekly and essential operations of the church. Building Fund giving is primarily given to make payments on the church loan. Please do not reduce giving to the General Fund to benefit Building or other funds. Our first mile of support must be the General Fund. Second Mile is Building, Missions, and other special needs or projects.
BUY ONE ~ GIVE ONE A.V.A.C. CONTRIBUTIONS It is our hope that when you go grocery shopping you will buy something for you and another nonperishable item to give to our local food bank. Thank you to all who faithfully help those in need. There are baskets in both the entryway and hallway by the office. B ~ O ~ G ~ O Our contributions since the last Flame: Apple Sauce 2 Baby Wipes 6 Baked Beans 2 Beefaroni 1 Boxed Potatoes 2 Bread Mix 2 Brownie Mix 5 Cake Mix 6 Canned Chicken 1 Canned Fruit 1 Canned Milk 1 Canned Veggies 40 Cereal 18 Chili 1 Crackers 1 Diapers 428 Dog Food 1 Fruit Bites 1 Gravy 1 Hamburger Helper 1 Jelly 2 Mac & Cheese 7 Monetary Donation 6 Muffin Mix 3 Oatmeal 1 Pasta Sauces 13 Pasta Sides 1 Pasta 24 Peanut Butter 6 Pop Tarts 4 Pudding 1 Pumpkin Pie Mix 2 Rice 1 Salad Dressing 2 Sloppy Joe Sauce 3 Soap 2 Soup 16 Stuffing Mix 3 Tuna Fish 6 AVAC is always very appreciative of our gifts to the food bank and reminds us from the Gospel of Matthew... As you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. ************************************************************************************
GIFTS & MEMORIALS (Since the last Flame) Given in Memory of MARILYN MORRIS Rev. James Morris Endowment Fund Given in Memory of MARGARET & EVA WILLLIAMSON Judy Jarosinski Given in Memory of GEORGE MACK, SR. The Mack Family Given in Honor of MY DEAR FATHER, HOWARD STEWART Helen Smedley Given in Honor of EDNA KLANICA Betty Lou Patz Given in Memory of OUR PARENTS, WILLIAM & LILLIAN HARRIS William D. Harris & Phyllis Buehl Given in Memory of JEAN & AL CARNEY Jim, Marcy, Cody & Courtney Collins Given in Memory of HONEY & SONNY SMITH Shawn Smith & Family NOAH Fund Given in Memory of JERRY ROBIINSON Bonnie Robinson & Family Given in Memory of GRACE CRIGHTON Bonnie Robinson & Family Given in Honor of PASTOR GREG Bonnie Robinson & Family Given in Memory of MARION FAUSTIN Linda & Bob Gibson Joan & Herk Logan Bob & Dawn Conroy Linda Walters Bill & Sue Barnett Jane Matjasko Helen Bell Buff & Dara Nolen NOAH Fund Betsy & Ron Buco Betty Lou Patz
NOTES OF APPRECIATION Trinity Church, Thank you for your gift received on 11/20/2018 for $754.00 for Hurricane relief. 100% of your contribution will support UMCOR s U.S. disaster training and response. You can learn more about UMCOR at www.umcor.org. Roland Fernandes & Rev. Russell C. Pierce General Board of Global Ministries Trinity Church, A big thank you from Allegheny Valley Association of Churches (AVAC) for supporting this ministry through your presence, service and giving of $1,282.00 for 2018. Through Christ, and the help of us, his disciples, hope becomes reality and the grace of God grows in, around, and through us. Karen L. Snair, Executive Director Trinity Staff would like to thank everyone for the Love Gifts and Christmas cards this holiday season. Also thank you to EVERYONE for the work you do for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Blessings and Peace to you. Dear Friends at Trinity, Thank you so much for keeping me in the loop with all church matters. It has been a trying year mentally and health issue wise. So thanks for all you and the church family do for me. Hope to be more active in church and in social affairs in 2019. Trinity United Methodist Family, Cindy Fisher Thank you so much for the gift card. I really appreciate it. Dear Trinity Church, Michele Vertosick Thank you for the delicious cookies you sent me for Christmas. I miss all of you and thank you for making me one of your Missions Love, Betty Clark
HERE AM I, LET ME HELP! Name: Phone: Email: Area(s) of service & interest: Talents, abilities, areas willing to serve: Please place this form in the offering plate in worship or turn in to the church office. *************************************************************** Donation Form (Helping to pay for the roof repair) Name of Donor: Name of person(s) honored/remembered: Amount: Envelope # (If applicable) This gift is (please circle) In Honor In Memory