Check Out Pastor Valeria's Weekly Blog:
LINK
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Message from Pastor Valeria...
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We are well into the season of Lent. Five weeks to go! Hang in there, all you who are fasting!
If you haven't incorporated any particular Lenten practice into your daily routine there is still plenty of time to do so.
Here are a few very simple but powerful suggestions:
- Pray more
- Read the Bible
- Sign up for a daily email devotional
- Set aside money each day to give to a cause close to your heart
- Forgive instead of holding a grudge
- Reach out to someone you haven't heard from in a long time
- Do a random act of kindness every day
Prayer tents with weekly prayers for hungry people are available at the church.
In worship we are focusing on hunger this Lent: Hunger for love, for compassion, for comfort, for safety, for respect and for joy.
We are all hungry for a closer connection to Jesus and to each other. We may get there in different ways but we all need to be fed spiritually and emotionally as much as physically.
For several months, worship has been a topic for discussion here at Trinity. We've talked about why worship is important, and what makes worship "worship."
These are some of the ideas we collected at January's annual meeting:
Why is worship important?
- Learning something – values
- Fills void
- Come together as community of faith
- A charge for the week
- Reflection / reflect on relationship with God
- God takes first place (unlike the rest of the week) - and I'm not second place with God
- Quiet moment
- Uplifted
- Time for praising God
- All week I do for others. Worship is about me – getting what I need
- Other people’s vision
- Praise through music
- Gratitude
What makes worship worship?
- Prayer
- People
- Music
- God’s word
- Willingness to share
- Willingness to share love/be loved
- Being open
- Being challenged
- Listening before acting
- Willingness to understand different ways
- Partnership with the Lord
- Finding peace within
- Reading from the Bible
- Acceptance
- God Moments
- Relationship / Community / Friendship
- Rituals
- Affirmation
- Sermons
- Acceptance of change
We also talked about the fact that certain elements are important to some (the choir wearing robes, for example), but not so much to others. Some like worship being the same format every week, others appreciate frequent changes.
You know as well as I do that we will never make everybody happy. And that's not our job as a church. Our job is to help people grow in their faith. One person said, "We want the church to grow but we don't want to grow with the church!" Growth without change is not possible.
The Deacons, Worship Team and I appreciate all of these conversations. We appreciate your feedback and we understand the need for a sense of safety, tradition and comfort. We don't want to take that away from you. But we also don't want to be stuck. Here's a cold and uncomfortable truth: The church as it is now is irrelevant for the majority of the generation age 35 and younger. That's a fact. We can blame it on them, or we can strive to become more relevant for them.
I've heard some of you say: "But they're not here! Why are we changing things when most of us are older and like things the way they are?" My answer to that is: If we make changes and try to be welcoming and inclusive of a more diverse population, they may come. And they may come back. There's no guarantee. But if we don't try to include them they will never come. That's pretty certain.
There is much more that we need to do beyond worship to become meaningful to a younger generation. We can't stop there but we can start there.
Will all this being said, we value and need you as members of Trinity Church. You are the body of Christ here in Northborough, every single one of you. In response to our discussions, we will celebrate the first Sunday of the month, Communion Sunday, as a more traditional worship service. One Sunday a month will be accompanied by our worship band with contemporary music. And the other two to three Sundays will be a mix between traditional and modern elements. We hope this will offer all of you a worship experience that you find meaningful. As I've said many, many times before, please keep in mind that all of us together make up the body of Christ, and each of us is equally important. We have different tastes, styles and needs. One particular "style" of worship may not be your preference, but it may be meaningful to someone else. I encourage you to find joy in that.
Some people like knowing what to expect when they come to worship on Sunday mornings. If you are one of those people please look for a brief introduction in each issue of "This Week @Trinity."
Allow me one comment on "tradition," literally: "what has been handed down." Some of our traditions go back about 50 years (the worship format and robes, for example), others go back a hundred to 500 years (most of our hymns), some to the first Christian gatherings (the Lord's Prayer, the breaking of the bread, readings from the New Testament) and some to our Jewish roots (the Psalms, Hebrew Scripture readings, prayers of the community).
And then we have new traditions like the God Moments!
Some of our traditions will never change. They make up the core of worshipping God as a community of faith: readings from the Bible, prayer, Communion, music. Other traditions will change to ensure that our message is heard and understood. The message of Jesus has not changed, nor will it. How we get that message across must because the world is changing.
I pray that God's Spirit will guide us as we move into the future, growing closer to Jesus!
Pastor Valeria
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WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
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Sunday, March 4th:
3rd Sunday in Lent and Communion Sunday. "In God's Hand - Hungry for Comfort"
Sunday, March 11th:
4th Sunday in Lent. "Saying No - Hungry for Safety"
Wednesday, March 18th:
5th Sunday in Lent. "Hungry for Respect"
Sunday, March 25th:
Palm Sunday with our worship band. "Hungry for Joy"
Thursday, March 29th:
Maundy Thursday Service at tables in Fellowship Hall with Communion and a simple meal, 7:30 pm
Friday, March 30th:
Good Friday Service 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 1st:
Easter Sunday. Sunrise service 6:20 am at
Tougas Family Farm (
234 Ball St
)
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A big
THANK YOU
to Cheryl and other helping hands who have been setting up, providing snacks, and cleaning up after coffee hour!
If you, your team, your family or a group of friends would like to offer the gift of hospitality to each other at Trinity, please contact Pastor Valeria.
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Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, March 18th 9am & 1pm
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We need volunteers & donations! Worcester Fellowship will be making lunches to donate on March 18th before worship at 9am.
Donations of food or small monetary amounts towards lunch supplies are welcome.
Join us on the Worcester common at 1pm for an outdoor service.
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Special Offering
Sunday, March 4th & 11th
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Special Offering March 4
th
and 11
th
- One Great Hour of Sharing is an offering that makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of money and time. Today, projects are underway in more than 100 countries, including the United States and Canada. Please contact John Posluszny for more information
[email protected]
.
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FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
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Faith Foundations
The Confirmation group is already scheduled to help with Worcester Fellowship lunches on 3/18. I am really hoping I can get the rest of the 6-12th graders to go as well! Please let me know if your child can help!
Don’t forget we now have a great lending library for youth and teens upstairs!
JC is bored! He's been sitting in Pastor Valeria's office for weeks and is looking for friends to hang out with.
Will you invite him to your home? Take him shopping, to the park, to a game, day trip - anywhere that you are going. We're hoping to get 20 photos of JC in action by the end of the month. Post them on Facebook, Instagram, and send to Pastor Valeria!
What would make it even more fun? Meet up with another Trinity family to pass JC on! And be sure to snap a pic!
If you want JC, please email Pastor Valeria. By the way, he loves adults, too, so don't hesitate to sign up even if you don't have any kids in your household!
PLEASE HELP!
It is time to fill the volunteer calendar for the New Year. We could really use your help and I promise to make it as easy and fun as possible :-) Not included on this sign up but help needed are 3/4, 4/1 and 5/6. Please email me if you can help [email protected]
We need acolytes!
Is your child in grade 4 or above? We would love for them to be involved! All that is required is to please be sure to be at Trinity by 9:50 on the Sunday you are volunteering. Use this link to pick a week(s).
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084dafa92ca31-acolytes
Youth Group Spring 2018
Schedule:
3/25 7-9
4/29 7-9
6/10 7-9 OUTING*
*The outing is earned by attending 2 out of the 3 Youth Group meetings and one community service project through Trinity. Community Service can come through Worcester Fellowship lunches, Community Meals, Coleman House, being an Acolyte at Trinity or through a program our Youth group designs.
Worcester fellowship lunch help dates:
March 18th
April 15th
Acolyte Service:
3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27
Coleman House:
Dates TBD
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Thank you ~ COOKIES FOR COLLEGE KIDS!
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THANK YOU!....to all who baked cookies for our students away at college. On Sunday, February 11
th
, the Friendly Visits Team at Trinity packed up 12 boxes of cookies which we mailed out on Monday and should reach our students on Valentines Day. Your response to our cookie request is very much appreciated.
Your Friendly Visits Team – Barbara Lewis, Carolyn Squillante, Muriel Swenor
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Altar Flowers Needed 2018
MARCH flowers needed!!
ALTAR FLOWER SIGNUP!
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Trinity now has online sign-ups for altar flowers! We would appreciate your help signing up to take a Sunday. Please click on the link above or below and after you choose a date to bring altar flowers there is a comment section where you can add the blurb you would like written in the Sunday bulletin. Signup Genie will automatically send you an email reminder six days prior to the day you signed up to bring flowers.
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Saturday, March 3rd 9:30am - 1:30pm
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Do you have a broken toaster or some clothes that need mending? Don't throw them away!
GFWC Northboro Jr. Woman's Club's Conservation Committee is hosting a Repair Cafe to be held here at Trinity
Church from 9:30am - 1:30pm on Saturday, March 3.
Bring your items that need repair, and knowledgeable volunteers will help you try to fix them for free. The volunteers can work on items such as small appliances, computers, lamps, bikes, jewelry, clothing, and power equipment. They can also sharpen knives, scissors, and garden tools. You only pay for needed parts. If you know what parts are needed, please get them ahead of time and bring them to the Repair Cafe to save time. For more information or to volunteer contact [email protected].
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Messy Church - **NEW DAY ADDED**
Wednesday, March 7th 11am & Saturday, March 10th 3pm
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Messy Church has added a new day and time! Now being offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Wednesday, March 7th and Saturday, March 10th, you are invited to “Messy Church” – a church that is fun, creative, and messy!
We will sing songs, hear a story from the Bible, and do a messy craft.
All kids age 6 and under are welcome (their parents, grandparents, siblings and friends, too).
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Coffee House - Open Mic
Friday, March 16th at 7pm
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Please join the Coffee House for open mic Friday,March 16th at 7pm.
We invite you to come enjoy talented musicians performing a variety of music. You may even hear some poetry recitation. Coffee and refreshments will be served with a suggested donation.
BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug). A $5 per person donation will be accepted at the door ($10 max family).
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship
(Topic: W
hat will it take to make it stop?
)
Saturday, March 24th at 8am
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship will be on Saturday, March 24
th
at 8:00 AM.
In light of all of the recent gun violence and mass shootings, I want to talk about what we as individuals and as a religious organization can do to help stop it. I was struck by the article (link below) which was on the front page of the Boston Globe on February 16. I have to agree with the writer, if we don’t change something, it will happen again. There are dozens of proposed solutions, but what will it take to make it stop?
I hope you will join us on the 24
th
for fellowship and conversation.
As usual, we will start with breakfast and follow with fellowship and discussion.
For more information or to add yourself to the Saturday Breakfast Fellowship email list, please contact [email protected].
Facebook EVENT (Please share on your page or click "Interested" in the event to help spread the word about this important topic)
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March 10th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
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Join Trinity Church for our annual Chili Cook Off! Win bragging rights in three categories:
- Best Taste
- Under 13 years old
- Most Creative Display
For more information or to sign-up please contact Linda Corbett, by email
[email protected].
No entry fee and admission for tasters is free. Cast your vote for $1 each. Also enter to win a raffle!
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Formal Dress Sale!
Saturday, March 24th
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Join us Saturday, March 24th from 10am to 3pm for our special dress sale!
A local dress shop went out of business and donated what they had left to Trinity's Count Your Blessings thrift shop. This is a great way to get that designer gown you have been searching for at a fraction of the retail price. Prices range from $25 to $90.
Styles: prom, wedding, bridesmaid, formal, mother of the bride, senior ball.
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Mystery Dinner Theater
Saturday, May 5th
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 5
th
for our Mystery Dinner Theater fundraiser!
Tickets will be on sale soon!
We’re still looking for 1 more actor, dinner/kitchen coordinator (the dinner is being catered so it’s just coordinating) and set-up/clean-up help.
We hope to hear from you!
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Ongoing Events at Trinity
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Grief Support Group
- Come support and share with others who experienced loss. A Grief Support group is held the first Tuesday of each month, 7:30pm in Room 105. Next meeting date is March 6th. All ages are welcome. If you have questions, please contact Carey Rublesky, 774-258-1814.
Community Meal
- Join us each Wednesday, 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. The meals are free but donations toward the voucher fund are accepted. Each Wednesday at 6pm there is a new community group hosting the meal. Please join us!
Thrift Shop
- Count Your Blessings Thrift Shop at Trinity Church is open every Tuesday 10am - 3pm and Saturday 10am - 1pm. Gently used clothing and shoes for all genders and sizes! Infant to plus sizes available. Donations of clothing and shoes are welcome, please drop off any donations during thrift shop hours or church office hours (see below).
Give us a review on Google!
Coleman House Service
-
Let's bring church to those who can no longer come to us! Help with singing and serving Communion is always needed and appreciated. Tuesday, March 20th from 2:30 - 3:30 pm.
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Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
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Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday from 8:30 - 10am and looks forward to your visit! Festive Breads is located at
299 W Main St
in Northborough, near Romaine's.
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Help us get the word out about Trinity Church!
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Are you on Facebook? If so, we need your help to spread the word about Trinity Church and all the wonderful things we do here.
1) Please consider inviting your friends to "Like" the Trinity Church of Northborough page. @Trinitychurchnorthborough
2) If you see an event posted at Trinity Church please click "Interested". Did you know every time you click "interested" on an event your friends are notified? This will help spread the word about events happening at Trinity Church.
I received a call from Google Maps letting me know that Trinity Church is number two on the Google maps search! The person I spoke to was very impressed that in such a short time we had moved to the top! Thank you to everyone who helped make that happen with reviews and photos! Now let's see if we can increase our following on Facebook with your help!
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Did you know your shopping can earn Trinity money?
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Trinity Church is set up as a charity on iGive! Please consider downloading the app or shopping through the iGive site and a percentage of your purchase will be sent to Trinity Church! This does not cost you any extra money, the donation comes from the stores you already shop at.
Please consider shopping through iGive to help support Trinity.
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Trinity is on Amazon Smile!
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You shop. Amazon gives.
- Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
- AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
- Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
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Help us get the word out about Trinity Church and its ministries!
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IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
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If you know of someone who is hospitalized, ill, suffering from the loss of a loved one, or troubled in some way and in need of a pastoral call, please call Pastor Valeria at the church office, 508-393-8156.
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Do you know of a community event you would like to have listed here?
Please contact Emily Donovan in the church office to have your event added.
[email protected]
or (508) 393-8156
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Spring Music Series: BrassBoro
BrassBoro, the premiere Brass Ensemble in the Boroughs area, is a 10-member band that plays music in the quintet style. Members are made up of some of the finest brass players from the Interboro Community Band. BrassBoro’s charter is to bring great music to the community. BrassBoro's philosophy is simple: Music requires both people to make the music, and people to listen to it.
Their goal is to bring great music to the local community.
They play an eclectic mix of music from classical to jazz, with some patriotic and pop mixed in for good measure. Of course, they don’t avoid marches either!
Please join us for the first concert in our Spring series!
Food Wars - Northborough Public Library
This month we are making some St. Patrick's Day inspired desserts. All supplies will be provided. Teens in grades 6-12 are welcome. Registration is required. This event will be in the Meeting Room. CONTACT: Bonny Krantz 508-393-5025 ext. 7
[email protected]
LOCATION: Meeting Room. There are 14 spaces available.
11th Women in STEM Conference for Middle School Girls
Algonquin Regional High School, Northborough, MA
Saturday, March 24th, 2018 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This conference is an unprecedented opportunity for these young women to be exposed to and experience vocations in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
After an opening keynote presentation, the girls will attend
four 40 minute interactive hands-on career workshops. Presenters will represent fields such as Forensic Chemistry, Dentistry, Architecture, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine, Teaching, Engineering, and Medical Professions. The presenters explain what they do in their occupation, share different tips on courses of study & ways to train for their profession, and provide hands-on exploration/activities. A luncheon follows the workshops and offers an opportunity for the students and presenters to continue discussions in a more informal setting.
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Deadline Date ~ APRIL
Tidings
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Please be sure to have all your info for the March issue of
Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, March 25, 2017. Your help is appreciated!
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TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street ~ Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156
Office Hours:
Monday 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Wedesnday 9am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Rev. Valeria Schmidt, Sr. Pastor
Trinity Church is an Open & Affirming / Welcoming & Affirming Congregation
Trinity Church's mission is to fill its people with the love of God
and share God's love in all the world.
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