Volume 71 - No. 3 | March 2019
MARCH TIDINGS
Message from Pastor Valeria
With Easter being so late we've had plenty of time to prepare ourselves for the season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 6. Will you do anything special to recognize the meaning of this season? We focus on the suffering and death of Jesus, and we remember that he fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days. Lent is an ancient Christian tradition, a time of fasting and repentance. Ask yourself, is there time in my daily routine for Jesus? How could I make more time for him and me outside of Sunday worship? The Worship Ministry Team has developed a list of suggested spiritual practices for you to try out (see below.)

We will focus on the theme of reconciliation: Reconciliation with God, with ourselves, with others, with other nations or cultures, and with the planet. Do any of those relationships in your life need healing?
I would say for myself, yes, all of them! Choose to focus on one, or one a week. Don't get overwhelmed by trying to accomplish too much. This is a time of spiritual rejuvenation, making more room for Jesus - not loading additional burdens onto your already busy schedule. 

I encourage and invite you to join us for worship on Ash Wednesday to begin the season of Lent together as a faith community. Join us for worship on Sunday mornings as often as you can. Join our New Testament study group. Make this season of Lent special, use it as an opportunity to grow in your faith and your commitment to Jesus, and to grow closer to others who are making the same attempts.

I would love to hear about your Lenten experience!
May God give us the peace and reconciliation this world cannot give. May God be God's merciful and compassionate self, even when we are not.

Pastor Valeria.  

Visit and follow Pastor Valeria's blog: https://pastorvaleriatrinitychurch.blogspot.com/
WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
March 3 : "God's Plans," with Communion, the bell choir, and Mike Westberry speaking.
Welcoming new members.

March 6 : 7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service

March 10 : "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" First Sunday in Lent. Please wear purple.

March 17 : "The Most Impossible Commandment Ever Given," with guest preacher Rev. Michael Harvey

March 24 :  "Reconciliation by Inclusion," with William Corwin speaking about the Best Buddies program, and our worship band

March 31 :  " Take a Look in the Mirror"
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
The Worship Team has discussed how to make Holy Week more meaningful and engaging. We are considering offering only a Good Friday service and investing our energy and resources into it. This would mean there will be no service on Maundy Thursday. We are asking for your thoughts and input. Please contact the chair of our Worship Ministry Team, Julia Woodward, peacejules@gmail.com or Pastor Valeria, or see any of our team members: Donna Greska,
June Hamilton, Pam Jones, Sandra McCann, Muriel Swenor, Mike Westberry. 
WORDS TO PONDER
“I don't do guilt. I gave it up for Lent years ago." ~Greg Boyle
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES FOR LENT
I’ve long loved the seasons of preparation in the life of the Church. As a child, I learned about the tradition of giving up something for Lent and identifying with Jesus’ suffering. As an adult, I came across the idea of adding a spiritual practice during Lent. Some years I purchased a Lenten Devotional and read a page each day. A few years ago I got a book that was a 40-day examination of the relationship between living with depression and living a life of faith. It included questions for reflection each day, so I ended up with a long journal about my experience.
 
Below is a list of suggestions to help you come up with ideas, but you are welcome to try whatever spiritual practice appeals to you.
 
Sign up for a daily devotional:
 
Follow Jay Sidebotham’s “Journey Through Lent” Calendar (See Julia on Sunday). 
 
Lenten Buddy- meet with another church member weekly to discuss a scripture passage (we have some suggestions that will be in the bulletin).
 
Get in contact with someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Perhaps one person each week of Lent. Or pray for someone each week.

Giving more: to Trinity, to the food pantry, or other organizations of your choice. 

 
Don’t worry if you “fail,” because Lent offers forgiveness and a chance to try again. Perhaps the practice during Lent will become a part of your daily routine throughout the year.
 
~Julia and the Trinity Worship Team
KITCHEN PROJECT - UPDATE
Kitchen Renovation Project Update

After the Annual Meeting approved the project to renovate the church’s kitchen, the kitchen team has started contacting the vendors for the appliances, sinks, and cabinets to get final quotes. We’re also starting to raise the money needed to complete the project.

The budget approved for the project at Annual Meeting had an estimate of $50,000 and the congregation voted to spend $22,500 from our capital funds. An additional $6,477 is coming from the former Women’s Fellowship. This leaves us with just over $21,000 remaining to be raised for the project. At this time, we have some promising leads in the community and organizations associated with Community Meals which may be willing to contribute to the kitchen.

We’ll keep you up to date as the project progresses, especially as we get close to construction time.

Your Kitchen Team,
Tom Danforth, Mary Kemp, Martha Michalewich, Nancy Robbins
EVENTS @ TRINITY
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, March 6th at 7:30pm
Join us for a meditative service as we begin the season of Lent together.
 
We will reflect on ways to be reconciled with God, with ourselves, and with others through music, readings, prayers and distribution of ashes.
Coffee House - Open Mic
Friday, March 8th, at 7pm - IN FELLOWSHIP HALL!
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).

Also check out the new Coffee House Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ThirdFloorCoffeeHouse

Sign up to help make our Coffee House a success - we need volunteers to donate snack items, baked goods and beverages, as well as help with setting up food the night of the event, collecting at the door or being the MC for the evening.

Please contact Pat Faldetta for more information, thirdfloorcoffeehouse@gmail.com .  
Repair Cafe
Saturday, March 9th, 9 AM to 1 PM
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.
 
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 info@northborojuniors.org.
 
NEW: Lenten Bible Study Series
"Learn what Nazareth was like in the first century, discover what scholars know and don't know about Jesus as a historical figure, and explore how Paul really wrote all those letters. And who is the Antichrist anyway?" 

This is how the book  Introducing the New Testament  by Anne Robertson is described. Join us for a six-week series during Lent to explore Robertson's book and acquire a deeper understanding of the books of the Bible on which our Christian faith is based. This is our third Bible study using Robertson's books, and this one looks to be just as interesting and thought-provoking as the previous ones.

We will offer two groups - Sunday after church or Wednesday evenings at 7pm, starting March 10th and March 13th respectively. Please register using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/WzEB5QqIeHc6UDFl1 or with Emily in the church office.

The book can be ordered on Amazon at the following link:

We hope to see you there.

The Adult Ed Team
Saturday Breakfast Fellowship, TOPIC: "Is God your agent?"
Saturday, March 16th, at 8am
This month’s topic is “ Is God your agent?”

I was struck by a note in the “Uncommon Knowledge” part of the Ideas section of the Boston Globe on February 17.  The note which was entitled “Is God your agent?” was a summary of a research article in which researchers “found that religious believers ‘can justify questionable behavior when they believe in a God who intervenes in specific circumstances to help people, and when there is no clear person involved.’”

Do humans use a “divine intervention” to justify bad or questionable behavior?  How does this affect the credibility of Christianity or any faith?

We’ll talk about these questions and more on the 16 th .  The links to the Uncommon Knowledge article and others are below.

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  tomdan4@gmail.com
 
Links:
Why do some people think that religion excuses all their bad behavior?
Behaving Badly? Stop Using Religion as an Excuse!
Are You Hiding Bad Behavior Behind Your Religion?
Uncommon Knowledge from 02/17/2019:
Faith Fair for Kids
Saturday, March 30th, 2 - 5 p.m.
Representatives of different religions will introduce their traditions with activities, crafts and snacks. 
Kids and young adults through grade 12 are welcome. (Children through grade 8 should be accompanied by an adult.)
 
$1 donation per child to benefit Northborough Helping Hands.
 
Saturday, March 30th, 2—5 p.m.
Trinity Church of Northborough
23 Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532
 
Please register by Sunday, March 17

This event is open to the public so help us spread the word! 
Save the Date: Cook-Off Fundraiser for Youth Group
Sunday, April 7th after worship
Please join the Trinity youth for a cook-off event to raise money for their mission trip! More information to come soon.

For more information:
Sherry: trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com or 508-254-2217
Linda: lcorbett12@hotmail.com  or 508-688-9392
WORDS TO PONDER
There's something about it that makes sense, Lent. You give something up, and everything's more joyful." Elaine Stritch  
OUTREACH
Habitat Dedication
Saturday, March 2nd at 10am
Please join us for a home dedication ceremony!

The dedication will include a brief speaking program followed by a ceremonial key passing and light refreshments. Your support of 37 Main Street has helped to make this day possible. We look forward to having you share in the excitement of this home dedication!

Please RSVP to Erin Sullivan
Phone: 508-799-9259 ext. 111
Special Offering
Sunday, March 31st
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  johnposluszny@gmail.com 

More information:
FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
Faith Foundations
March Themes:
  • Disciples Luke 5:1–11; 8:1–3; Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9–13; 10:1–4
  • Good Samaritan Luke 10:25–37
  • Story of Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday Luke 19:28–40; 22:14–23:56; 24:1–12
Faith Foundations Teachers are NEEDED!
Faith Foundations Teachers are NEEDED! Please consider volunteering even if you have never taught before! It is time to fill up the sign-up sheet again for the new year! See Sherry or use this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084dafa92ca31-faith

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!
Youth Group
The February youth group to Roller Kingdom was an absolute blast for both the teens and the adults that chaperoned! March 3rd from 6-8 we will have our next event of a movie and popcorn. We will be watching Rudy and enjoying time to just relax and socialize.

Sherry
Youth Group Mission Trip Planning/Fundraising
Linda Corbett has come up with the wonderful idea of the annual Chili Cook off becoming a fundraiser for our teens and their mission trip. We also have a pancake breakfast to plan on Easter and various other restaurant night fundraisers to plan. We will begin meeting for a ½ hour each Sunday after coffee hour (11:30-12pm). We will begin these meetings this Sunday, March 3rd.  We will meet right in Fellowship Hall. 
Bells
Tom and Laurie are again offering up their time to teach the kids bells and have them do a song during service on April 7th. Practices will be on 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 and 3/31 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Please let Sherry ( trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com ) know ASAP if your 5-12th grade child would like to participate.
Interfaith Opportunity
Middle and High School students are welcome to join an interfaith event on Wednesday, March 20th, from 6 pm to 8 pm (parents and others welcome). We’ll be making joke books for kids at Children’s hospital, having dinner together and casual discussi on at the Worcester Islamic Center. Please contact Sherry for more information:  trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com .
Summer Camp 
Families beginning to think about summer plans can find information on two great summer camps using the links below. There are also hard copy brochures for Silver Lake available upon request. Scholarships for both camps can be applied for through Trinity as well as a second scholarship that is available for Grotonwood through the American Baptist Churches.
Good Friday on April 19 
We are hoping to incorporate our kids into our Good Friday service. If your child would be interested in participating please contact Sherry at trinitycenorthborough@gmail.com
Upcoming dates:

Sunday, March 3rd:
  • Mission Trip fundraiser planning 11:30 am - 12 pm
  • Youth Group 6 pm - 8 pm, movie and popcorn

Friday, March 8th: Coffee House, 7 pm - 9 pm

Sunday, March 10th:
  • Mission Trip fundraiser planning 11:30 am - 12 pm
  • Bells Practice, 6 pm - 8 pm

Sunday, March 17th:
  • Mission Trip fundraiser planning 11:30 am - 12 pm
  • Bells Practice, 6 pm - 8 pm

Wednesday, March 20th: Interfaith opportunity….joke books for Children's hospital, 6 pm - 8 pm at the Worcester Islamic Center.

Thursday, March 21st: Church Band Practice, 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 24th:
  • Church Band and Inter-generational Service
  • Bells Practice, 6 pm - 8 pm

Saturday, March 30th: Faith Fair 2 pm to 5 pm, Sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084dafa92ca31-faith1

Sunday, March 31st:
  • Mission Trip fundraiser planning 11:30 am - 12 pm
  • Bells Practice, 6 pm - 8 pm
CHILDREN & YOUTH
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

March 1st, March 15th, March 29th

For more information please contact:
Melissa at projectgsalink@gmail.com or 508-735-1267
THANK YOU - COOKIES FOR COLLEGE KIDS
The Friendly Visits team of the Pastoral Care group extends a sincere THANK YOU to all cookie bakers who supplied sweet treats for our college kids away at school. We packed up and sent out 13 boxes of cookies to our students and have received many thanks from the students who truly appreciate that their Trinity family is always thinking about them and keeping them in prayer.
OUTREACH
Mission Trip Opportunities

International Ministries, our American Baptist partner, is offering several mission trips this year to Asia, the Middle East, and Central America. Please contact Pastor Valeria for more information. 

COFFEE HOUR
Coffee Hour Coordinators Needed!
Sign-up: Please see John P. during coffee hour or contact him directly
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.

Please contact, John Posluszny for more information or to sign up: johnposluszny@gmail.com

Sign-up: Please see John P. during coffee hour or contact him directly
PROPERTY & FINANCE
Online giving is now available through Trinity's website!
Start your online giving here: LINK
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 @ trinitynorthborotreas@gmail.com .

Start your online giving here: LINK
THRIFT SHOP NEWS
The “Count Your Blessings” thrift shop is open for the season.
Saturdays 10am - 1pm and Tuesdays 12am 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: lcorbett12@hotmail.com  or 508-688-9392
FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS
Please help by bringing food donations to Trinity.
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 the volunteers who transport the donated food to the Northborough food pantry.

ALTAR FLOWERS
Altar Flowers Needed 2019 !! ALTAR FLOWER SIGNUP!
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! ALTAR FLOWER SIGNUP!
ONGOING EVENTS @ TRINITY
Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday (except March 13th) from 8:30 - 10am and looks forward to your visit! Festive Breads is located at  299 W Main St  in Northborough, near Romaine's.
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, 12 – 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 - Tuesday, March 19th at 2:30pm.
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
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.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
The Northborough Free Library is presenting a series of films aimed at bringing our community together to reflect upon and share our cultural views and experiences. 
Next Date: Thursday, March 14th at 7pm
Fed Up  is a documentary that upends the conventional wisdom of why we gain weight and how to lose it and unearths a dirty secret of the American food industry-far more of us get sick from what we eat than anyone has previously realized. Filmmaker Stephanie Soechtig and TV journalist Katie Couric lead us through this potent exposé that uncovers why-despite media attention, the public's fascination with appearance, and government policies to combat childhood obesity-generations of American children will now live shorter lives than their parents did.
Fed Up focuses on the harm sugar does in the body. It provides a lot of statistics, historical facts and figures, research, and interviews that will teach both kids and adults about healthy eating. Rated PG, the large amount of data in the film may be too overwhelming for children. Fed Up is more appropriate for tweens, teens, and adults. Registration is not required, but attendees should plan to participate in both the viewing and the discussion of the film. LOCATION: Meeting Room
The next two films in this series are RBG on March 23 rd  and Bag It on April 6 th .
Deadline Date ~ April Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the April issue of Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, March 24th, 2019. Your help is appreciated!
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.