Message from Pastor Valeria
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This fall I've been focusing my sermons on prophets from the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament). They remind us how God calls us to live, and they are the foundation that Jesus stood on for his beliefs and his teachings, even his death.
We now begin the season of Advent together as we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Savior. The people of Israel had been waiting, longing for the Messiah to arrive and free them from oppression.
On one hand, as Christians we believe that he has already come: In Jesus, God came into this world. Jesus is the Messiah, God's anointed and chosen one.
On the other hand we also still live in waiting and longing for Jesus to return, to fulfill the promises he made. To bring justice and peace to a broken world. Christmas will not fulfill those promises. Christmas has become a mostly secular celebration of gift-giving.
Some people love the shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking and baking. Others struggle with getting everything done. And some wonder, what does any of this have to do with Jesus?
That is the challenge for us as Christians today: In some ways we have succumbed to the rituals and expectations of society. We may bemoan the fact that we hear Christmas carols in the stores before Thanksgiving. We may realize that Christmas should be more about Jesus than about chasing the best deal on gifts. But we play along. Nobody wants to be the Grinch!
And it is more fun to participate in all those festive activities than think about the story of Jesus' birth: a story about refugees, about poverty and fear.
The story of Jesus' birth reminds us that all is not yet well with the world, and yet God chose to come right into the midst of it. It reminds us that God is still coming, in unexpected ways and to places we would never imagine. Including, most importantly, our own hearts.
Is there room for him?
How we put "Christ" back into "Christmas" is up to each and every one of us. Let's not worry so much about what others are doing. We can't change that anyway, no matter how much we complain. Let's look at our own lives, our own traditions and rituals, our own preparations and celebrations. Are they about Christ?
I like to think that here at Trinity we give you various opportunities to focus on Jesus Christ. Read more in this edition of the Tidings.
Jesus wants to be part of our lives. He wants to show us the way. He wants to give us everything that this world can never give. The question is, will we let him?
May Jesus be with you this Advent season, may he show up when you least expect him and when you need him the most. May he bring you true comfort and joy.
And may we all sing with the words of Emily E. Elliott:
Thou didst leave thy throne
And thy kingly crown
When thou camest to earth for me,
But in Bethlehem's home
Was there found no room
For thy holy nativity:
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
There is room in my heart for thee!
Wishing you and yours a hopeful and meaningful Advent and a merry Christmas,
Pastor Valeria
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WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
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December 2
:
"Sign of Things to Come." First Sunday of Advent with Communion. Bring a personal item to decorate the tree!
December 9
:
"Make Ready." Second Sunday of Advent
December 16
:
"Love Rescue Me." Third Sunday of Advent, with our worship band and the bell choir
December 23
:
"Jesus!" Fourth Sunday of Advent with the Cantata
December 30
:
"What Child Is This?" Carol Request Sunday
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CELEBRATING ADVENT @ TRINITY
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Help us decorate the tree at Trinity!
Sunday, December 2nd (during worship)
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On Sunday, December 2, we invite you to bring a personal item that you are willing to lend us for the season of Advent and Christmas. It need not be an actual Christmas tree ornament. It could be a photo, a souvenir, a craft one of your kids made, a piece of jewelry. Anything that represents the love of God to you.
We'll trim the tree together as we get ready to welcome Jesus into our world.
Items can be added throughout the month of December.
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Christmas Caroling
Sunday, December 2nd, from 2pm - 4pm
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Join our youth in bringing the joy of Christmas to nursing home residents on Sunday, December 2, from 2 - 4 p.m. Please contact Sherry Clark for more information:
[email protected]
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Dove Tree
Gift Drop off 12/2 & 12/9
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The dove tree is a program run by Helping Hands that supports local families in need by buying Christmas gifts and grocery cards for them.
Doves have arrived! Gifts will be collected at coffee hour December 2nd & 9th or can be dropped off during office hours. We deliver the gifts on December 9th and we'll be looking for 4 helpers for packing and delivery that day.
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Potluck &
Handbell Concert/Carol Sing
Saturday, December 8th
Potluck - 5:30pm | Concert - 7pm
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Join Trinity Church of Northborough to kick off the 2018 holiday season with a handbell concert/choir sing and potluck dinner.
The potluck will start at 5:30 pm and lead into a magical handbell concert/carol sing at 7 pm. You are invited but not required to bring a dish to share.
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Service of Light at Trinity
Wednesday, December 19th 7:30pm
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Around the longest night of the year, in the midst of our own darkness, we celebrate the light of Jesus coming into our lives. A meditative time of music, readings, prayer, and a candle lighting ceremony will be held on Wednesday, December 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments will be offered after the service.
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Christmas Cantata
Sunday, December 23rd, during worship
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Trinity is including a Christmas musical presentation in worship this coming December 23rd. We will feature Mary McDonald's "Jesus! Advent of the Messiah"
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Trinity Church Rocks!
On Friday, November 9 there were 3 things happening in our community and church. At the monthly Coffee House was a wonderful group of teenage girls belonging to the Unified Acapella Group at Algonquin High School. Talent combined with love and support for each other was evident. These girls, special needs and typical students, are
included in events like our Coffee House.
Secondly, Trinity was represented by some of our own at the synagogue in Westborough to show
solidarity and support after the recent massacre at the synagogue in Pennsylvania.
Lastly, in our Fellowship Hall that evening was a celebration of the Hindu holiday of Diwali. Many Indian families were there looking lovely in their holiday finest.
Accepting other religions and cultures in our church building. Really, God’s building.
Look again at the underlined words. Stop and reflect on them. We are all allies whether we are aware of it or not. Amen.
Your ONA Team
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Christmas Carol Sing
Sunday, December 30th, During Worship
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On Dec. 30th, during the church service, we will have a Christmas Carol Sing. So that we can plan and organize the service, you are invited to tell us what Christmas carol you would like to sing (or hear) that Sunday.
Directions: On a table in the Fellowship Hall, there will be a cylindrical tin.
- On a provided index card, clearly write down the carol of your choice. (No names necessary, only the title of the song)
- Drop the card in the tin. That's it!
Note: Please, only 1 carol per person, and make a one-time only request. We will sing around 6-8 carols. The carols with the most requests will be sung. You have Nov. 25th and Dec. 2nd. to enter your carol of choice. Thank you so much for your input.
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Gifts for Baby Jesus!
Monday, December 24th @ 5pm
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The theme for this year's Family Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at 5 pm will be "What Can I Give Him?"
We invite you to bring gifts for Jesus that will be handed out through the Northborough Food Pantry: Wipes, diaper rash cream, baby shampoo, baby soap/ body wash, lotions, baby food (fruit, vegetable), cereal, formula, teething crackers, squeezable fruits and vegetables.
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Your Pledge to God through Trinity Church
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Thank you to everyone who brought or mailed in their pledge cards! We look forward to an exciting year of ministry here at Trinity. If you have not yet returned your pledge cards, please do so at your earliest convenience.
If you have questions, please contact:
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“We aren’t truly prophetic if we don’t occasionally make someone mad.”
Just Peace Players
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The Trinity Video Team needs you!
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The Trinity Video Team is looking for folks to help out on Sunday mornings. With enough folks we only have to cover Sunday mornings once a month or even fewer times. Tasks include running the video camera so we can tape the service for rebroadcast on Charter for shut-ins to enjoy. We also run the “sound board” that controls the microphones in the sanctuary and make us all sound good. Full training and support is provided, you are not left alone until you are ready!
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Coffee House - Open Mic
Friday, December 14th, at 7pm
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Please mark your calendars for Coffee House now being held the second Friday of the month.
New this year: Purchase a VIP pass! $50 for an individual, $100 for a family. Passes can be purchased at the door.
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).
Sign up to help make Coffee House a success - we need volunteers to donate snack items, baked goods and beverages, as well as help with setting up the food the night of the event or collecting at the door or being the MC for the evening.
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship
Saturday, December 15th, at 8am
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With Christmas coming this month, I think it is appropriate to ask ourselves as Christians, “Do I have to believe in the Virgin birth to be a Christian?”
As you can imagine, there are very strong views on both the “Yes” and “No” sides. I’m including a few links to articles with some very different opinions. References to Jesus birth in the Bible are:
- Isaiah’s prophecy: Isaiah 7:14
- Luke 1:26-38 and Luke 2:1-7
- Matthew 1:18-25
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]
Articles:
Must Christians believe in the Virgin Birth?
Can you question the Virgin Birth and still be a Christian?
The story of the virgin birth runs against the grain of Christianity
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FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
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Faith Foundations
Christmas Cantata practice begins this month! (See below for more details)
The maximum cost for this event will be $45, however, we are trying to get the cost defrayed completely. There are scholarships available so please do not let the cost be the reason your teen does not sign up. Please let me know if your teen would like to join us.
Also, we now have a wonderful preschool class in our nursery. We look forward to seeing your little ones!
Don’t forget to send in your kids’ forms!
See you all soon!
Sherry
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Career Night - THANK YOU!
Thank you to all those that lent their time to talk to our teens about their careers! We had over 25 Trinity church members lend their time to this event and it was a great start to what will be a recurring event.
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Worcester Fellowship Lunches
Our kids continue to prepare lunches for Worcester Fellowship. It has been a great opportunity for them to give back and have them all working together!
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Upcoming Dates:
Sunday, December 2nd, (During Worship)
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Cantata practice begins and parts will be given during Faith Foundations. Children with speaking parts should try to attend Faith Foundations every Sunday in December in addition to practices December 11th and 20th at 7:30 pm. The Cantata will be performed on December 23rd during worship. Children should plan to arrive at 8:30 am on December 23rd to do a run through and get ready. If your child won't be at church this Sunday, Dec 2, but would really like a speaking role please let me know so I can be sure they get one!
Sunday, December 2nd, 2 pm to 4 pm
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Caroling, meet at Trinity Church at 2 pm and carol until 4pm. This is an event for the entire Trinity community!
Sunday, December 2nd, 4 pm to 6 pm
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Youth Group (5th-12th grade) we will begin youth group after arriving back from caroling (4 pm) and end in time for Handbell practice (6 pm). Please have your children bring a favorite game if they have one. We will be playing games and discussing our Mission Trip as well as ReachOut Worcester. Children are invited and encouraged to bring friends.
Sunday, December 2nd, 6 pm to 7:15 pm
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Handbell Practice in the Parlor
Sunday, December 9th, (During Worship)
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Cantata Practice during Faith Foundations
Would any teens like to stay after church and help wrap some Dove tree gifts? Please let me know if your child would like to help.
Sunday, December 9th, 6 pm to 7:15 pm
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Handbell Practice in the Parlor
Tuesday, December 11th, 7:30 pm
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Cantata Practice for speaking roles 7:30 pm (figuring out timing with chorus)
Friday, December 14th, 7 pm to 9pm
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Coffee House, come to watch or perform :-)
Sunday, December 16th (During Worship)
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Those who have been practicing handbells, please be sure to be at church by 9am for setup and practice. Worcester Fellowship lunches during Faith Foundations followed by Cantata practice if there is still time.
Thursday, December 20th, 7:30 pm
:
Cantata Practice for speaking roles at 7:30pm (figuring out timing with chorus)
Sunday, December 23rd (During Worship)
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Cantata. Please be at church for 8:30 am
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GSA Link
The Link that Connects
The GSA Link is a project connecting local GSA high school students to collaborate, share ideas, and socialize in a SAFE space. LGBT and allied high school students are welcome.
Trinity Church of Northborough
23 Main Street Northborough MA, 01532
6:00pm-8:00pm
December 7th, December 21st, January 4th , January 18th
For more information please contact:
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Special Offering
Sunday, December 9th, During Worship
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We have a special offering
December 9th
. This is our opportunity to support our retired ministers and missionaries who have served our United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches over the years. We will be supporting supplemental pension and health benefits, emergency assistance and we will be giving a “Thank you” to those who have made it their life’s work to serve others.
Thank you. The Outreach Ministry Team
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Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, December 16th
1pm
Worship @ Worcester Common
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We need donations! Faith Foundations will be making lunches to donate on December 16th during their class (during worship). 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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Wednesday, December 19, 7:30pm:
Service of Light. During the darkest time of the year we will light a candle for those we have lost or anything that we mourn. Escape the noise and busyness of the season and join us for a quiet, meditative service to be reminded that Jesus brings light to all of us.
Sunday, December 23, 10am:
"Jesus!" Christmas Cantata with youth and adults
Monday, December 24, 5pm:
"What Can I Give Him?" Family Candlelight Service with the choir, bell choir and a story for the kids. Please bring a baby item for the Northborough Food Pantry.
Monday, December 24,
10pm (NEW TIME!):
"God's Promises."
Introspective Candlelight Service with special musicians
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Orders must be in by 12/9/2018
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Order your memorial poinsettias now! Please use the link provided to access the order form.
ORDER FORM
Order forms are also hanging outside the church office (on the purple bulletin board), on the events board in the hallway (outside room 105) and on the counter in the hallway where the donations bins are.
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 Emily Donovan for more information
[email protected] or by phone (508) 393-8156.
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Coffee Hour Coordinators Needed!
Sign-up: Please see John P. during coffee hour or contact him directly
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Coffee Hour is an important part of our Sunday morning worship together and it is a great way for people to connect and for us to welcome visitors to our church.
We are in need of people to host coffee hour. One way it can be done is have a captain for the month, whether an individual or a committee. They would organize the month and get others to help. However, if someone would like to do it only one week, that is also welcomed.
Sign-up: Please see John P. during coffee hour or contact him directly
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Online giving is now available through Trinity's website!
Start your online giving here:
LINK
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For those situations where a person feels inspired to make a donation in support of Trinity’s mission, online giving is now available on Trinity’s website to make giving easier.
- After a person clicks the DONATE NOW link on Trinity’s home page, online giving provides them with multiple options of which fund or ministry they can direct their gift.
- Payment methods include an electronic funds transfer from a checking or saving account, a debit card payment or a credit card payment.
- The first time that a person uses online giving, they can set-up their profile so that they will not have to re-enter the information, and they will be able to access their online giving history.
- IMPORTANT: Current members and regular donors do not need to change how they currently give to Trinity (collection plate, e-checks, etc.), if it works for them. Online giving is being made available primarily as a convenient payment method for spontaneous givers. Unlike other payment methods, Trinity is charged processing fees for each transaction by VANCO, our electronic payments vendor.
If you have any questions about online giving, please contact Pete Carlsen, Treasurer @
[email protected] .
Start your online giving here:
LINK
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The “Count Your Blessings” thrift shop is open for the season.
Saturdays 10am - 1pm and Tuesdays 10am to 3pm.
Donations of gently used clothing can be dropped off in the marked bins in the church hallway.
We are also looking for more volunteers to “work” at the shop on Saturdays and/or Tuesdays. Please contact Linda Corbett if you are interested:
[email protected]
or 508-688-9392
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Please help by bringing food donations to Trinity.
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Trinity Church has a drop off area for donations going to the Northborough Food Pantry.
Please check the dates on food items to make sure they have not expired.
Thank you to Barbara Mulligan who has volunteered to transport the donated food to the Northborough food pantry.
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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.
The altar flower sign-ups are now linked on the Trinity website, too!
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Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
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Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday (EXCEPT Dec 5) 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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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 December 4th. 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 -
Thrift shop hours of operations are Tuesday, 10 – 3 and Saturdays, 10 – 1. Donations of gently used clothing can be dropped off in the marked bin in the church hallway.
Give us a review on Google!
Coleman House Service
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Tuesday, December 18th, from 2:30 - 3:30pm.
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IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
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~ Everyone who is estranged from their family, or without a family
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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Are you interested in being added to the online church directory?
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Please use the instructions
HERE
to add yourself and your family to the Trinity Church online database.
If you need any assistance connecting to the online directory please contact Emily in the church office: (508) 393-8156 or [email protected]
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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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Help us get the word out about Trinity Church and its ministries!
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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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Deadline Date ~ January
Tidings
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Please be sure to have all your info for the January issue of
Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, December 23rd 2018. 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: 8:30am - 1:30pm
Wednesday: 9am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 3pm
Thursday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Friday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 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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