Check Out Pastor Valeria's Weekly Blog:
LINK
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A word from Pastor Valeria
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We are quickly approaching the holiday season. How did that happen??
With the weather being so warm it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving yet at all. And I've had my mind on the Reformation lately, as well as our Pledge campaign, our new Faith Foundations program, the Adult Christian Education program we are trying to get started, and on Baptist Polity and History. (Please see my recent blogs to read more:
https://www.trinitynorthborough.org/blogger)
How can I sum all this up and tie it together into a good message for November?
One statement I read about Baptist polity is that all Christians are ministers (in Reformation language this was called the "priesthood of all believers", based on 1 Peter 2:9), and everything they do in their lives is service. Not just coming to worship or volunteering for a church project. But whatever it is you do at work, or when cleaning your house, driving your kids, taking care of an aging parent, helping some random person out... All of those are acts of service to God.
What happens in church on Sundays (ideally) is we encounter other ministers of Christ, and we strengthen our faith by discussing Scripture passages and current events. We pray with and for each other. We sing praises to God. We find comfort and encouragement so we can go back out into the world and serve.
"Worship is rehearsal of a world for which we yearn." (I don't remember where I read or heard this, but I love it.)
Worship is where we are all the same: Needing God, and needing each other. Worship is where all ages come together to lift each other up and learn from each other. (Where else in life does that happen regularly anymore, that different generations spend time together and listen to each other?)
So in worship we rehearse a life of love and acceptance because our world is not there yet.
As Christians, we need to lead the world. We need to protest (because we are Protestants!): hatred, bigotry, discrimination, the rule of money and power, and we need to stand up for justice and freedom and love.
As we get closer to Thanksgiving and the insanity of Christmas shopping, let's keep that in mind: Everything we do (including how we spend our money) is service. Let's also keep in mind that while we give thanks, others mourn the loss of their land, their dignity, their identity as a nation.
I'm not trying to be a killjoy. I just want us to appreciate that many of the things we give thanks for were taken away from someone else. Our freedom meant the oppression of others, our wealth means poverty for others. (Here comes one of my soapboxes! The things we buy are cheap because on the other end of the world, and right here in America, someone is not getting paid a decent wage. And someone is getting rich, but it's not the ones who work on the bottom of the chain. The rich really are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.)
This is not where I was planning on ending up with my Thanksgiving message. But I did. I blame Jesus.
I give thanks for all of you, ministers of Christ and servants of his people! I give thanks for God's love that is greater than all hatred and injustice and evil. I give thanks that I still have hope we can make a better world a reality.
Thanks and praise be to God.
In Humility and Gratitude,
Pastor Valeria.
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Please send in your pledge cards for 2018 if you haven't already done so.
Thank you!
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WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
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Sunday November 5: "True Greatness" - Worship for All Ages
Sunday November 12: "Sent Out"
Sunday November 19: "Children of Light" with our worship band
Sunday November 26: "When Did We See Jesus?" with Baptisms
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Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, November 19th 9am
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We need volunteers! Worcester Fellowship will be making lunches to donate on November 19th and December 17th before worship at 9am.
Donations of food or small monetary amounts towards lunch supplies are welcome.
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Outreach is planning our next work mission: back to Clendenin, WV between Christmas and New Years. We will be helping individuals repair their flood damaged homes. Last year, we helped repair the Clendenin First Baptist Church social hall.
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FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
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We have had a fantastic first month in Faith Foundations. I have really enjoyed getting to know you and your children. We are still missing some registration forms so please try to turn those in next Sunday. A copy for you to print and bring in can be found attached to this newsletter.
Hopefully, the syncing of the message in worship and in faith foundations has been helpful for your families to continue conversations throughout the week. I wanted to share some of the other things you can look forward to in the upcoming months:
- A redesigned children/teens Trinity webpage that will have information about upcoming lessons, videos or project ideas from prior classes, book reviews from our lending library, games kids can play on the computer, ideas and helpful websites for the whole family.
- Service day for the teens combined with a Youth Group program in the evening. (Keep Dec 17th in mind)
- Pageant practice--this year the kids will be part of the music program that Mike is doing and will be acting out and narrating intertwined with the singing.
** If you have been helping to teach THANK YOU, if not we would still love for you to join us! Please be sure that if you have already or plan to in the future to please attend Safe Church Training on Nov 12th at 11:30 after church. Please RSVP here so we have enough materials ready to go.
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
Please use these next two links to 1) fill out a quick 5 question survey about your Faith Foundation expectations and 2)
sign up to volunteer
to teach (I would love if we had some consistency month to month for the kids of the same people taking the same slot for a month at a time...but this is not a requirement).
Don’t forget we now have a great lending library for youth and teens upstairs!
Sherry :-)
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Spaghetti Dinner and Movie on the BIG Screen!!
RSVP Link
Saturday, November 4th 5:30pm
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Join Trinity Church for a movie on the BIG SCREEN (in the sanctuary) and spaghetti dinner in Fellowhip Hall!
Family friendly (Rated G).
MOVIE
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
The eccentric owner of a magical toy store surprises the shop's manager by turning over ownership to her in a warm-hearted comedy fantasy directed by Zach Helm and starring Jason Bateman, Dustin Hoffman, and Natalie Portman. 2007, Rated G, 1 hour 33 minutes
RSVP welcome through Evite (click link below), Facebook or the church office [email protected] / (508) 393-8156.
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Messy Church
Saturday November 18th 3pm-4pm
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Saturday, November 18th, you are invited to “Messy Church” – a church that is fun, creative, and messy!
We will sing songs, hear a story from the Bible, do a messy craft and have snacks.
All kids age 6 and under are welcome (their parents, grandparents, siblings and friends, too).
Saturday,November 18th 3pm – 4 pm
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Coffee House - Open Mic
Friday, November 17th 7pm
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Please join the Coffee House Friday, November 17th 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 per family).
No charge to performers. Contact Janet Robbins for more information,
Mark your calendars for every third Friday of the month at 7pm to join the Coffee House fun!
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Fellowship Breakfast -
Saturday, November 18th 8am
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship, November 18th at 8:00am.
In November, I want to talk about the psychology behind a divided America.
I was listening to an Innovation Hub podcast a couple of months ago and they were talking about the divide in America; whether it is the political divide, the racial divide, the income divide, or another divide.
Links to the
PODCAST (click here) as well as some other related information are available from me or from the church office. Come and join our 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 Tom Danforth at
[email protected]
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Transgender Dinner of Remembrance
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Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to honor all trans people who have lost their lives as a result of murder or suicide.
Trinity Church of Northborough will show a brief movie and hold a memorial litany, followed by dinner with speaker Taj Smith. The intent is to educate us about the plight of transgender people, and to learn how communities of faith can better include them.
Taj M. Smith graduated from Harvard Divinity School (HDS) with a Master of Divinity in 2016. He is a member of the United Church of Christ where he is invested in conversations that will expand hospitality to transgender and gender non-conforming people. Prior to attending HDS, he had another life as a singer/songwriter and a professional street performer. He sees no limit to the imagination and seeks out creative ways to advocate for justice, usually through artistic expression. He is an avid sci-fi lover and a longtime musician. He also really likes hats.
We are
looking for some volunteers
to assist with set-up, clean-up and bringing some dessert items. Anyone willing to please contact Monica Osborn at [email protected]
, or Fran Hemstreet at
[email protected]
.
The event is free and open to the public. Donations to benefit Trinity Church's outreach to the LGBTQ community are welcome.
RSVP appreciated but not required by the link below or [email protected] or by phone (508) 393-8156.
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday, November 21st 7pm
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This year, the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Northborough. We come together as a community to give thanks to God.
Trinity folks are welcome to join the choir. Please contact Mike Westberry at [email protected].
Refreshments will be served following worship.
Please bring a bag of non-perishable food items to be donated to the Northborough Food Pantry.
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Mistletoe Mart ~ Saturday December 2nd 10am-3pm
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The Mistletoe Mart Holiday Fair Committee is busy planning for our
biggest fundraiser of the year! It will be held on Saturday, Dec.2
nd from 10 – 3.
There will be beautifully decorated live wreaths and swags for sale, the “Festival of Wreaths” artificial custom wreath raffle, crafters selling their handmade wares, a Trinity jewelry table, a Handbag table, a Cookie Walk, and lunch for sale. Please plan to visit us that day and bring a friend. It’s a great way to get some of your Christmas gifts checked off of your list and to get into the holiday spirit!
The committee is also looking for the following:
Wreath makers and/or sponsors for the Festival of Wreaths (artificial wreaths). The cost to sponsor a wreath is $75, or $50 if you also make a wreath and donate it to the raffle.
Helpers to decorate the live wreaths the week before.
Decorations “do-dads” for wreaths.
Gift cards to Michaels, AC Moore, or anywhere that sells Christmas decorations.
Gently used jewelry (see Lynn, Bonnie, or Barbara)
Cookie bakers (see Carolyn )
Donations can be dropped off in the Mistletoe Mart bin, in the office, or with one of the committee members.
We hope to see you there! Spread the word to your family and friends!
Thank you,
Linda Corbett
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National Vigil to #EndGunViolence
Wednesday, December 6th 7pm
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December 14, 2017 marks the 5-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy. Since that heartbreaking day in Newtown five years ago, half a million Americans have been killed or injured by guns. We urge you to join us in our effort to continue to shed a light on the devastating epidemic of gun violence in our nation until these gun deaths and injuries are reduced.
The victims, survivors and the families impacted by gun violence are often forgotten. Trinity Church will offer one of many nationwide vigils and events to
#EndGunViolence
on Wednesday, December 6, at 7 pm.
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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 November 7th. 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!
Saturday Morning Hiking Club
- Join us for a time of nature appreciation and friendly conversation with our Hiking Club. The club is still walking most Saturday mornings. Meet at the church at 9:30am and hike on one of the many Northboro trails. A leisurely pace is kept and hikes are typically done by noon. Contact Wade Robbins to receive weekly notifications via email, 508-393-2512 or
[email protected].
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!
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Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
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Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday from 8:30 - 10 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 and its ministries!
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Annual Children’s Book & Media Sale @ Northborough Library
There will be a wide range of children’s books available. Picture books, board books, first reader and intermediate reader books will be available. We will also have children's audiobooks and DVDs. It's a great resource for teachers, daycares, and parents. We hope you will stop by!
Book Sale hours are Wednesday 9:30AM-8:00PM, Thursday and Friday 9:30AM-5:00PM, and Saturday (Bargain Day) 9:30AM-3:00PM(the Bag sale starts at 2:00PM). The sale is located in the Children's Craft Room at the Northborough Library, 34 Main Street.
Donations of books and media are greatly appreciated. Please drop off inside the library in the front conference room.
Concert - Duo Tanto @ Trinity Church in the Sanctuary
Saturday, November 4th 3:00pm
Please join the duo Matthew Capobianco on Cello and LeeAnna Hazel on piano for their performance of Manuel de Falla, Benjamin Britten, Beethoven.
Compassion for the Caribbean
The First Baptist Church is sponsoring a fundraiser for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the US
territories devastated by Hurricane Maria. You are cordially invited to attend this wonderful evening
of love and giving. The program will include a presentation, “Puerto Rico: Then and Now” and a
Caribbean inspired dinner. We will be collecting the following items just outside the church office
and at the supper: canned goods, shampoo, hand soap, toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrushes, baby
food, baby formula, baby wipes, mosquito repellant, sunblock, and powdered laundry soap.Please join us for this fundraiser to help our neighbors in need, tickets are $20. The event will include traditional Caribbean cuisine, Spanish music, and raffles. First Baptist Church (Gordon Hall) 111 Park Avenue, Worcester MA 01609. For more information please contact: (508)-755-6143 or [email protected].
Making the Creation Connection: Christians and Environmental Justice
Saturday, November 11th 9:30am - 4:00pm
MORE INFO
A day with Margaret Bullitt-Jonas at Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center. The Christian faith is often portrayed as being "anti-environment," but in fact Christianity has deep roots in theology, the Bible, contemplative traditions, and ethical principals that call is to care for creation and create a just an life sustaining society. In this day-long retreat, Margaret Bullitt-Jonas will offer a three-part framework to transform hearts and minds about our environmental responsibility as Christians and to inspire bold and faithful action. Register online at: www.rollingridge.org or call (978) 682-8815. Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference center is located at
660 Great Pond Rd, N. Andover, MA
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First Parish Chelmsford Concert Series Presents...
Steve Zocchi, pianist performing Jazz, Blues, and Inspiring Improvisations (reception to follow) Suggested donation $15 adults, $8 children 12 and under Proceeds to benefit ‘Home For Our Troops’ whose mission is to build and donate custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
A reception will follow the performance. Recommended donation is $15, $8 for children twelve and under. First Parish is located at 2 Westford Street, Chelmsford MA, 01824. For more information call our office at
978-256-5133
or email Steve Zocchi, Music Director, at
[email protected].
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Leftover Halloween Candy?
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Do you have leftover Halloween candy or maybe your children have an excess from Trick-or-Treating? In previous years I have collected Halloween candy to bring to local recovery programs. This year I would love the support of the Trinity community to help supply people in recovery with much needed SUGAR!
There is a drop box in the church office and on the cabinet in the hall near room 105.
Please contact me, Emily Donovan, for more information [email protected] or (508) 393-8156.
Thank you,
Emily
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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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Deadline Date ~ December
Tidings
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Please be sure to have all your info for the December issue of
Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, November 26, 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 - 2pm
Wedesnday 9am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Friday 9am - 2pm
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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