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** Winter Weather and Possible Church Cancellations**
With winter right around the corner, we need to start thinking about snow and the possibility of church service delays or cancellations. In the event of bad weather, a decision will be made
by noon on Saturday regarding the SNL service and by 7P on Saturday night for Sunday morning services.
On Sunday mornings, we may cancel the 9:30 service along with LTA and Student Ministry Programming and just have the 11A service.
You can learn about plans to cancel or delay services by:
- Calling the church office (508-358-7717) where you'll hear a temporary message on the answering machine relative to cancellations or programming status
- Checking the front page of the TCC website
- Checking CBSBoston.com
- Watching WBZ-TV
As always, please use your own discretion before traveling in questionable weather!
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Saturday Men's Breakfast and Bible Study - This Saturday at 8A in Phillips Hall
All are invited to attend!
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Saturday Night Life (SNL) - This Saturday at 5P
Saturday Night Life is our contemporary worship service at TCC.
SNL's mission is to invite people to experience God's grace through the message of Christ and to grow together in Christian community. Our hope is to help connect people to God and His story by extending the love of Christ to the Metro West area. SNL offers a casual atmosphere, so come as you are!
The Teaching at SNL This Fall Will be Different from Sunday Mornings.
Here is a glimpse of what we will be teaching at SNL this fall:
"Come..." A Series on the Invitations of Jesus
There is something everyone loves about being invited to something or somewhere with someone. To hear the words, "come join me", "come on over", or "come, hang out with me" sends a message of inclusion, acceptance and connection. The gospels are filled with examples where Jesus invited people to come and join him. What does Jesus invite people to? Where does Jesus invite people to go? To become? This series will help you consider the invitations of Jesus, and his call on our life.
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Preaching this Sunday
Pastor Chris will be preaching at both worship services this Sunday, continuing in the sermon series "Songs for the Savior" with "Part 4: The Song of Zechariah", based on Luke 1:67-80.
Sunday Morning Adult Ed with Dr. Tom Petter at 9:30A in RM 214
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 This Sunday, Living Nativity from 2:30-4P
The 49th Annual Living Nativity will be held at the Kilburn/Pettersen Barn (43 Old Connecticut Path in Wayland) from 2:30-4P this Sunday. All are welcome to join in this family celebration featuring TCC's Student Ministries program re-enacting the manger scene, Christmas Carols led by the Choir, a bonfire, cookies and hot cocoa. Gifts (UNWRAPPED) of warm clothing (coats, hats, gloves, and socks) can be left at the manger for "Serve Worcester". On the third Sunday of each month, our Student Ministries program participates in "Serve Worcester", a soup kitchen and clothing drive in downtown Worcester, MA.
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2014 Year End Church Giving
Thank you so much for your generosity to TCC this year! As of November 30th, we still need over 300K to meet our budget. Our current spending is 165K over what we have received in income YTD. There are two Sundays left in the year. If you would like to have your TCC contribution reflected in your 2014 Record of Contribution Statement for tax purposes, your gift must be received in the church office by noon on December 31 or postmarked by December 31, if mailing.
If you have not yet fulfilled your Faith Promise and would like to know the balance, please email or call Aimee Mury at [email protected] or Ext 303. If emailing for the information, please write "Faith Promise" in the subject line.
Stock Gifts, Cash Transfers or Setting up Direct Deposit
If you would like to make a stock gift, a cash gift transfer or learn how to set up direct deposits from your bank to the church, please notify our Accountant, Mary Ayotte, at [email protected] or our Contributions Recording Officer, Aimee Mury, at [email protected]. You can also call the church office at (508) 358-7717.
For stock gifts, please indicate the name of the donor, as well as the name(s) of the stock and quantity. This will ensure that the gift is credited to the correct account in a timely manner. Fidelity does not provide the name of the donor when stock is received.
Thank you for Returning Your Faith Promise Card!
To date, we have received 103 cards indicating $855,645 in planned contributions to TCC next year. If you have not yet returned a card, you may do so through the church office or the offering plate. To aid us in developing our 2015 budget, please return your Faith Promise Card ASAP. Additional Faith Promise Cards and Stewardship Packets may be found at the Connection Hub.
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2015 Offering Envelopes
Offering envelopes for 2015 are now available in the church lobby for pick up. If you like to use assigned envelopes and do not see a box already there for you, let Aimee Mury know by signing up on the clipboard sheet located in the lobby with the envelopes, otherwise call the church office at 508-358-7717, or email Aimee at [email protected] .
Likewise, if you have assigned envelopes, but won't use them, please leave them in the box in the lobby BUT mark "Won't need" and initial the box. This will save us from over ordering next year. Thank you!
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Cookies Needed for Kilburn/Pettersen Barn, December 21
Would you be willing to bake or buy cookies, brownies or other finger desserts for refreshments to be served at the Kilburn/ Pettersen Barn Living nativity? If so, please bring them to church Sunday morning, December 21, in a disposable container marked "K/P Barn." Thanks!
Kitchen Manager Needed - Volunteer Position
TCC really needs a volunteer Kitchen Manager. The kitchen is used by many different groups throughout the week. Are you organized, detail oriented and have a servant's heart? Maybe this is something you'd be interested in... For more details, please contact Debbie Wilson at [email protected].
Are you Missing a Dish, Tupperware Container or Pan that you Brought to Church?
On the kitchen rack next to the refrigerator, there are many kitchen items to be claimed. Please stop by and see if your items are among them. Anything remaining after December 31 will be donated to Goodwill.
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The Parsonage will be Available Soon for Short Term, Month to Month Rental.
If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Debbie Wilson for more information
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Advent and Christmas Schedule at TCC
Invitations with the TCC Advent and Christmas schedule are now available at the Connection Hub. Stop by and pick up a few to hand out to friends and neighbors!
Advent 4
December 20 SNL at 5P
December 21 Worship Services at 9:30A & 11A
December 21 Kilburn/Pettersen's Barn Living Nativity, 2:30-4P
Join us at 43 Old Connecticut Path in Wayland for the 49th Annual Living Nativity. Lots of activities for children including a living nativity scene, Christmas carols by the fire, cookies and hot cocoa! On the 3rd Sunday of each month, the Student Ministries program participates in Serve Worcester, a soup kitchen and clothing drive in downtown Worcester, MA. Please bring gifts (UNWRAPPED) of warm clothing (coats, hats, gloves, and socks) for our students to distribute to those in need.
Christmas Eve
December 24th Christmas Eve Family Lessons and Carols Service at 5P
Christmas carols lead by our worship team, special music by our children's choir, and unique kid-friendly nativity drama. All children grades K-5 and their parents are invited to play a role in telling the Christmas story!
December 24th Christmas Eve Communion Service at 7P
Join us for this contemplative service as we sing Christmas carols accompanied by our organist Charlie Orr, on our Hook and Hastings pipe organ, and partake in the Lord's Supper together.
December 27 No SNL
December 28 Family Worship Service at 9:30A
- NO LTA programming, however Infant and Preschool care is provided
- No Student Ministry Service in Bradford
- K-12 students are invited to join the worship service in the Sanctuary.
NO 11A Service
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Welcome Brunch, Sunday, January 11
On Sunday, January 11, the staff will be hosting a Welcome Brunch following the 11A service. The Welcome Brunch is a gathering for anyone who is new to TCC in the last year or so, and is interested in learning more about the mission and vision of TCC, meeting Pastor Chris and the rest of the staff, and learning about the process of becoming a member. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the Communication Card on Sunday or use the online form here.
The Welcome Brunch will last about an hour. Childcare will be available. We would love for you to join us!
TCC's Annual Business Meeting, January 25th at 11A
All church members are called to the Annual Meeting of Trinitarian Congregational Church, on Sunday, January 25th at 11A. Church Members will adopt a 2015 Budget, vote on a new slate of church leaders and receive updated ministry reports.
There will only be one service that morning, at 9:30A. During Coffee Hour, a light breakfast will be served. A reminder to all ministry heads, Annual Reports are due into the office by January 14th.
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CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE - Help Needed!
We are looking for volunteers to care for infants and preschoolers during the Christmas Eve family service, December 24, 5-6 P. If you are able to serve the many young families at TCC, please contact Gail Hughson.
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 Student Ministries
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ATTENTION TCC, the Student Ministries program is inviting you to SERVE :
FINISH 2014 by donating winter coats, winter hats, winter gloves and socks to those in need in Worcester, MA, through the Serve Worcester Program. Please drop off your donations in the first floor stairwell of our main building.
PLAN TO SERVE IN 2015 by cooking for our middle and high school students:
1. Sunday Morning Pancakes:
This year, we have seen how the pancake breakfasts give our leaders and students an opportunity to share a meal and conversation on Sunday mornings. Students participate more in worship. They pay more attention to the sermon. Our group has been immensely blessed by all of you who cooked this year! Please sign up to cook pancakes next year!
We provide the kitchen, griddles, bowls, spatulas, pancake mix, syrup, plates, silverware and napkins. The pancake mix we use only requires water! Please try to be at Bradford Hall by 9:00A on the Sunday morning for which you signed up.
Please sign up via this link:
2. Wednesday Night Student Leadership Program Dinners:
This year, the Student Ministries program has continued our Student Leadership Program Dinner (6-7P) on Wednesday nights. This weekly dinner is for our incredible group of high school students leading Middle School Midweek (7-8:30P).
Our group has been blessed by all the volunteers who cooked and prepared wonderful meals for our student interns. Thank you for loving these students!
Next year we are looking for more volunteers to cook/prepare meals. On behalf of myself and Dawn Gunn-Brown, who is our contact person for these meals, please sign-up! Dawn will send you a reminder email or give you a call during the week you signed up to bring a meal. Special thanks to Dawn!
Here are the basic details:
-Plan to drop off the meal at Bradford Hall at 5:45P on Wednesday evening; our SLP dinner begins at 6P.
-Please make enough food for about 10 people.
-We have plates, cups, silverware, napkins...you don't need to bring these!
-No one in our group has significant food allergies!
Please sign up via this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QtGME2aSud5wJOrTHxsUMlQRLrWqwNc64S19CZDwHR8/edit?usp=sharing
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Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Service
December 24, 5P
Volunteer instructions:
Nativity Drama Team:
Here is the full schedule of rehearsals and services:
Saturday 12/20 rehearsal in gym @ 9-11A
Wednesday 12/24 rehearsal in gym @ 10-11A
Wednesday 12/24 call time in RM 204 @ 3:45P, service @ 5P
Please let Gail Hughson or Kristin Neprud know if you cannot attend a rehearsal.
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Precepts: A New Evening Bible Study for Women Beginning in January
In January we will be offering an inductive Bible Study for women on Monday evenings. This study will explore God's Covenant from Genesis to Revelation. You will learn how God enters into a binding agreement with His people, and discover how He always keeps His promises. Trusting God as a covenant partner frees us to see who we are as a child of God and how faithful our God is!
Precepts will meet from 7P-9P for eleven weeks beginning January 12-March 23 at TCC.
The cost for materials is $25.
For more information, or to register, please contact Missy Ringuette, [email protected].
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 TCC Women's Bible Study, Thursday Mornings Women's Bible Study will resume on Thursday, January 15. Newcomers can register here. For more information, contact [email protected]. |
 Prayer Shawl / Lap Blanket Ministry Visit the Parlor to see the items you may give to a new mom, a friend for comfort, or a grieving family, etc. All you need is there to make the gift special. Questions: Susan Foster 508-358-5852 |
Additional Ushers Needed - Especially for the Second Service
Our mission: To welcome every visitor and member to the house of God!
What is needed: We really need to beef up our Usher teams. Ushers are absolutely critical in helping newcomers form their first impression of TCC. You help set the tone for the worship experience. You are representatives of God's kingdom - you're not just opening doors, handing out bulletins or collecting the offering. You are making people feel welcome!
Could you help: 1 Sunday a month? Please contact Debbie Wilson at [email protected] or call the church office at 508-358-7717.
Volunteer Offering Counters Needed
Are you accurate and reliable? Volunteers count the weekly offering (mostly checks) for deposit each Sunday, and we are in need of some new helpers. Offering counters work in pairs. Contact Aimee Mury at [email protected] or 508- 358-7717, x303 if this might be a way you could help out. Training provided!
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Coffee Hour needs YOU! If you enjoy a cup of coffee while chatting with others after Sunday service, please sign-up (alone or with your Small Group) to host a coffee hour! You don't even have to provide snacks - just make, set up and clean up the coffee and tea! (Easy instructions provided - click here to see what is involved!) Participation gives you and your group an opportunity to serve the Lord and is greatly appreciated by your fellow members. If no one signs up, there will be no coffee! ( How to use the Coffee maker - click here) Please sign up at the Connection Hub this Sunday, or contact the church office at [email protected]. |
The TCC Food Pantry, "Loaves & Fishes" offers assistance to those of TCC and the surrounding community who need help with providing for themselves and their family. If you are in need, please feel free to visit the church office for assistance from the food pantry. The food pantry is open on Sunday mornings or during regular church office hours.
We gratefully accept donations to the TCC "Loaves & Fishes" Food Pantry. There is a collection bin on a table near the lobby stairwell. We only accept donations of non-perishable food and personal items. We respectfully ask you not to donate any open or expired items - we just have to throw them away!
TOP ITEMS NEEDED:
Toothpaste
Hair Conditioner
Pine Sol, Lysol, Mr. Clean, etc.
Disinfectant Wipes
If you have any questions regarding donations, contact Diane or David Newcomb at [email protected] or [email protected]
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
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Daily Bible Reading Resources
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Thanks for reading and hope to see you this weekend.
Sincerely,
Debora Wilson
Trinitarian Congregational Church |
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