Volume 76 - No. 12 | December 2024 | |
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First Sunday of Advent - December 1, 2024 at 10:00am
Sermon “In Search of Peace”
Communion Sunday
We will be serving fresh gluten-free bread and fresh juice
for Communion in the sanctuary.
Worshiping from home?
Please have a piece of bread or cracker and water or juice
ready for Communion.
This service will be live streamed on Facebook.
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Don't have Facebook? Don't worry, you can still view the live service from any device by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/Trinitychurchnorthborough
A step-by-step tutorial on how to access Facebook Live CLICK HERE
Have your Bible, a candle and lighter ready and create a worshipful space, maybe with a cross, a nice tablecloth, or other devotional items that are meaningful to you.
Replay on Verizon channel 31 and Charter channel 191
Sundays (previous week's) at 6pm and Thursdays at 8:00am.
Rita is here to help you. If you need technical assistance please email her at: trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com or call her (508) 393-8156
and she will walk you through each step.
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It’s December 1st.! Advent Is Here!
With the shortened holiday season this year, we don’t have as much time as we usually do to get ready for Christmas. But how exactly – this year or any year – do we get ready?
John the Baptizer gives us a clue. He came to Judea proclaiming the coming of Jesus (read Matthew 3:1-12 for reference).
To help people get ready, he spoke about something called repentance. Repentance is simply turning your life around.
As we get ready for Christmas, think about what needs turning around in your life. Is it your attitude? Your lack of faith? Or maybe it’s your lack of hope and peace that needs turning around.
Whatever it is, we can get ready by turning toward Jesus.
Turning toward Bethlehem.
Turning toward the manger.
Turning toward the silent and holy night when Christ was born.
Turning toward the message of peace and goodwill from the angels who announced Jesus’ birth.
Turning toward the shepherds and wise men who came to visit the Christ child, with overflowing joy and gifts fit for the King of Kings.
“Advent is not about a sentimental waiting for the baby Jesus,” says Fr. Richard Rohr, a noted Franciscan priest, writer, and teacher.
“Advent is a time to focus our expectation and anticipation on…the Cosmic Christ,” (meaning the spirit that is embedded in -- and makes up -- everything in the universe -- that Life-Giving Spirit embodied in Jesus.)
As you get ready for Christmas this Advent season I pray you will find something in your life that needs a good turnaround. Take time to find out what that is. And then make the decision to change.
Change. Redirection. Turning around. Moving towards Christ Jesus. Finding what treasures of life he is here to give us -- and the world -- with lovingkindness and good cheer.
That is what helps us get ready to celebrate Christmas anew.
Blessings,
Will
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DECEMBER WORSHIP SERVICES | |
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FROM THE MINISTER OF MUSIC | |
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Hello Trinity Community & Friends,
December is finally upon us and with it comes the seasons of Advent and Christmas, some of the most festive and MUSICAL times of the church year. The music ensembles are preparing special music for the various services throughout the month, as well as the Faith Formations children will share with their gift of singing and dancing!
Musical Happenings planned for December:
- Dec. 1st - Opening of Advent with traditional hymns and communion-themed music as well as Special Music from myself.
- Dec. 8th - Special Music provided by the Low Voice Ensemble and Postlude piano solo by Pam Jones.
- Faith Formations Music & Movement after the service to practice for Christmas performance.
- Dec. 15th - Special Music provided by the Hand Bell Choir
- Dec. 22nd - Service Music on congregation songs provided by the Worship Band, in addition to a special musical presentation from the Faith Formations children.
- 4pm - Annual Lessons & Carols Service filled with Scripture Readings & Musical Specials from the Adult Voice Choir and Hand Bell Choir.
- Dec 24th - Community Christmas Eve Service that will include singing “Silent Night” by candlelight!
- Dec. 29th.- 5th Sunday Hymn Sing with the theme of Christmas Celebration. Also including a Prelude piano solo from Pam Jones and Special Music from myself.
During each service in Advent, we will enjoy a candle lighting moment followed by our Song of the Month “Prepare the Way of the Lord” (#121 in Chalice Hymnal). Listen to it HERE. We also will enjoy the lilting Advent hymn, “Christians All, You Lord Is Coming” (#136 in Chalice Hymnal) for our Song of the Month. HERE is a recording of me demonstrating how it goes. The chosen Sung Benediction is not technically a Christmas tune, but I feel it represents the spirit of Advent. “There’s Something About that Name” by Bill Gaither (#115 in Chalice Hymnal) expresses just how precious the name of Jesus truly is to us. Listen to the original version HERE.
The holiday season is always busy and we are constantly on the go, but sharing a few moments together with songs, scripture, and messages about Peace, Hope, Joy, & Love can keep our light shining bright for others! Come worship with us!!
Until We Meet Again
Find God in the Music,
Scott Arnold (He/Him)
Music Director
Trinity Church of Northborough
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Starting this month and going forward, we will be trying something a little different with newsletter communications to see how it goes. We will continue doing the monthly Tidings once a month and instead of weekly newsletters being sent out every Thursday we will send just one out in the middle of the month.
If there is something that needs to be communicated outside the realm of the newsletters it will either be in the announcements slides during Worship service or we will send out a Constant Contact.
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If you have any paper grocery bags that you might be looking to recycle, the outreach Team is currently collecting paper grocery bags for the Newburyport Food Bank. If you have any questions please contact John P. | |
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Car Rides for Michael
Our Outreach Team has a new opportunity to help others! Michael is originally from Haiti and came to Northborough last year. Michael has graduated from Algonquin, received a Trinity Church scholarship and is currently attending Quinsigamond Community College.
Please help provide rides for Michael by signing up via this link: Click Here:
Thank you!
Your Trinity Church Outreach Team
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FROM THE STEWARDSHIP TEAM | |
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Thank you to everyone who has returned their pledge card. We are off to a strong start, but still have a ways to go! If you have not yet returned your card, please do so as soon as possible.
Our new fiscal year starts in January, so the sooner all cards are in, the more time we have to work on the budget. If you need another pledge card, please contact the church office or pick one up in the office or in the back of the sanctuary.
Thank you for your support!
Your Stewardship Team
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship for December will be on the 21st at 8:30 AM.
Every December, I try to focus Breakfast Fellowship on Christmas, what it means to us individually, and the traditions we follow in our families. This year I decided to look at Christmas miracles. Aside from the miracle of Christmas itself, what are some miracles that have happened around Christmas?
I’ve got two articles I’ll share with you before the 21st. One is about a big, well known, miraculous event and the other is about a very small event. Start looking for stories about miracles you can share on the 21st.
We’ll gather on Saturday, the 21st, for breakfast, fellowship, and to talk about Christmas miracles. Everyone is welcome to join us.
For more information or to add yourself to the Saturday Breakfast Fellowship email list, please contact Tom at tomdan4@gmail.com
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"Children's Church" is scheduled for Sunday, December 8th. There will be children's music time with Scott and also a 15 minute faith-based lesson which will take place in the 2nd floor classroom, across from the bathrooms.
The children who want to participate will leave the sanctuary with Faith Formations leaders during this time, and will return to their parents/guardians in the sanctuary before the end of the worship service. We hope to see you there!
The Faith Formation Committee
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WHAT AM I GOING TO GET FOR CHRISTMAS? | |
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It’s time for Christmas and what are your adult kids going to give you? Maybe another kitchen gadget you’ll use once. Maybe a gift card for a restaurant. Maybe tickets for a show. Or, maybe a donation to Trinity Church.
If your adult children are always asking what you want for Christmas and you’re not sure how to answer because you have everything you want, suggest that they make a donation in your honor to Trinity Church. You’ll know that the donation is going to help Trinity share God’s love in all the world and, bonus, your kids may get a tax deduction.
Suggest to your kids that they can use Venmo and make a donation to “TrinityChurchNorthboro”. Or, they can go to Trinity’s web page (https://www.trinitynorthborough.org/), click on the “Donate” tab, then click on the “Give Here” button under Online giving.
Thank you for considering this for Christmas.
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MEMORIAL POINSETTIAS 2024 | | |
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Orders must be in no later than 10:00am on Friday December 6, 2024.
Order forms will be hanging on the bulletin boards inside the church as well as on the counter in the hallway where the donations bins are and also in the church office.
Please return your forms with payment via mail or drop them in the mail slot on the church office door.
If you have any questions please contact Rita in the church office for more information:
trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com
or (508) 393-8156.
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STEEPLE AND EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE UPDATE | |
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The Exterior Restoration & Maintenance Task Force has decided to withdraw its current year application to the Northborough Community Preservation Committee to fund restoration of the large sanctuary windows and the front doors of the church.
Following discussions with the Northborough Historic District Commission, the Task Force concluded that further exploration of alternative approaches to the restoration would benefit the project.
In addition, the Task Force is considering recommendations received from Trinity’s structural engineer as to repairs and restoration of the church steeple.
If you have any questions or suggestions for the Task Force, please contact one of its members: Pete Carlsen, Jean Leif, Tom Danforth, Wally Corwin, Cheryl Silverberg, Beth Buckley or Tim Cashmore.
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TRINITY'S COFFEE HOUSE
FRIDAY DECEMBER 20, 2024 AT 7:00PM
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The Pastoral Care team is available for anyone who would appreciate a friendly caring call or a check in on a home bound member. We keep in touch weekly or monthly or whatever is needed. We even make “sunshine“ house visits with a small box surprise!
We are here and if you or anyone you know would benefit from a call from our team please contact Linda F. at: lmferraro25@gmail.com or Michele W. at michelewheelock@gmail.com
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We meet once a month at Trinity with knitting/crocheting hands to make shawls for our members in need of a “hug.” Blessed handmade items are delivered right to their home to warm the heart and soul. I have a simple knit pattern that can be made easily. It comes along with a card of encouraging words.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday December 18, 2024, 1 to 2 pm.
Our shawls and blankets have become quite popular and we need to keep on making more to comfort our members in need and the fellowship is great too!
Anyone interested in meeting over a cup of tea just once a month for one hour for a rewarding mission please contact Linda F. at: lmferraro25@gmail.com
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HOSPITALITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | |
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I am looking to put together a list of people who would like to help when needed on our hospitality list. We are looking for people when we have collations (after funeral services) to help with set up, serving, clean up and baking.
If you would like to be called upon, please email me at:lornahelms1@gmail.com or call/text me at
(508) 596-1776.
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Would you like to provide altar flowers for Sunday worship? Please click on the link below to choose a date and add a comment if the flowers are in celebration, honor or memory of an event or person.
Signup Genie will automatically send you an email reminder six days prior to the day you signed up to bring flowers.
ALTAR FLOWER SIGNUP CLICK HERE
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ONGOING EVENTS AT TRINITY | | |
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Coffee or Tea on Zoom Wednesdays at 9:00am
Chat on Zoom, Wednesdays at 9am.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/954033518
Meeting ID: 954 033 518
Password: 569713
Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 954 033 518
Rita is here to help you. If you need technical assistance please email her at trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com or call her at (508) 393-8156 during office hours.
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Join Pastor Will
At Coffee & Pi (π)
276 Turnpike Rd #8 Westboro
Wednesdays 10 am - 11 am
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The "Count Your Blessings" Thrift Shop
Open Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00pm.
At this time we are accepting women's winter clothing donations and men's tops, coats, jackets. No pants or suits. No formalwear.
We're also looking for household donations, such as kitchen items and house decor. No picture frames.
Please drop the houseware donations off during regular thrift shop hours.
Come in and get an early jump start on your holiday shopping! It's also a great place for children to purchase holiday gifts for family and friends!
We have a great selection of clothing, shoes, handbags, costume jewelry, and fall and holiday decor. Perfect for your holiday gift-giving and entertaining!
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Thank you for sharing your time, talent, and treasure with Trinity Church!
If you're paying by check, please make checks payable to Trinity Church. Our mailing address is 23 Main St, Northborough, MA 01532.
You can also use “bill pay” and have your bank mail a check to us on a regular schedule set up by you, at no cost. Or give online at www.trinitynorthborough.org/donate
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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 Will Seals at 508-393-8156.
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THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED... | |
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Wednesday December 25 - Thursday December 26 2024 for the Christmas Holiday. The office will reopen on Friday December 27, 2024 for regular business hours.
Have a safe, blessed & Merry Christmas!
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Mondays through Thursdays 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm
Fridays 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm
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If you have any information that you would like to have included
in the January 2025 Tidings,
please be sure to have it to Rita / church office
no later than Friday December 27, 2024.
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