Volume 72 - No. 3 | March 2020
|
|
Message from Pastor Valeria
|
|
"Lent is a nice song, but it's hard to sing."
Rev. Anne Russ remembers her grandfather saying this about certain hymns. I agree. Both about certain hymns and about Lent.
The idea of giving something up, eating or drinking less, consuming less, and instead, praying more, reading the Bible more, meditating more, thinking more about your faith, being more generous and compassionate, serving more, being more grateful... It's a nice idea. But it's such a joy kill.
Technically, you don't have to fast on Sundays. That's why the time between Ash Wednesday is described as 40 days. It's actually 46 days but the Sundays don't count. Sunday is the day of the resurrection and you don't have to fast.
I like to give something up for Lent. I don't LIKE it but I think it's good for me, for my health and for my faith. I also hope every year that the habit I've created during Lent may last past Easter. To eat less, consume less and instead, pray more, read the Bible more, meditate more, think about my faith more, be more generous and compassionate, serve more, be more grateful...
Doing that all year long instead of just 46 days would be good for my health and for my faith! Lent is the Christian's new year's resolution. We try, we fail, we don't judge ourselves.
I invite you to try singing the Lenten song with me. However you decide to do it. Do something different. Do something less, or something more. (See the "Lenten Inspiration" section for suggestions.) Be intentional about this holy season in our church calendar. It's meaningful. It will deepen your commitment to Jesus, and your joy about the resurrection.
And if you need someone to commiserate with about your sugar cravings or your anger at certain Bible passages, or your frustration with yourself - find a Lenten buddy to talk to. And be compassionate. Be compassionate with yourself, and with others. God is. Jesus is. They're good role models that way.
Wishing you a meaningful and inspired season of Lent,
Pastor Valeria.
|
|
In Case You Missed It
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch a
selection of Pastor Valeria's sermons and our worship music.
|
|
|
WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
|
|
March 1
:
“Hard, But Not Impossible,” with Communion. Sermon based on Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 and Mark 10:17-31
March 8
:
“Have You Decided to Follow Jesus?” Scout Sunday and welcoming new members. Sermon based on Isaiah 53:4-12 and Mark 10:32-45
March 15
:
“Jesus Gets in Trouble.” Sermon based on Isaiah 5:1-7 and Mark 12:1-12
March 22
:
"All We Have to Live on.” Sermon based on 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Mark 12:38-44. Wear your mismatched socks for World Down Syndrome Day!
March 29
:
All-Church Birthday Party in Fellowship Hall, with our worship band. You are invited but not required to bring a dish to share. See more information below.
|
|
“I imagine Lent for you and for me as a great departure from the greedy, anxious antineighborliness of our economy, a great departure from our exclusionary politics that fears the other, a great departure from self-indulgent consumerism that devours creation. And then an arrival in a new neighborhood, because it is a gift to be simple, it is a gift to be free; it is a gift to come down where we ought to be.”
―
Walter Brueggemann
|
|
|
|
- Sign up for a podcast for parents and families.
- Find out how you can reduce plastic as a Lenten practice.
- Take the "Gratitude on the Move" challenge.
- Read a queer Lenten devotional: Ashes to Rainbows.
All this and more can be found here:
|
|
Chili Cook Off
February 29th, 6pm - 8pm
|
Join Trinity Church for our annual Chili Cook Off! Win bragging rights in three categories:
- Best Taste
- Under 13 years old
- Most Creative Display
For more information or to sign-up please contact Linda Corbett, by email
[email protected]
.
No entry fee and admission for tasters is free. Cast your vote for $1 each.
Proceeds will go towards the Trinity youth to raise money for their mission trip expenses!
|
|
|
Third Floor Coffee House - On the first floor!
Friday, March 13, 7pm - 9pm
|
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).
|
|
Saturday Breakfast Fellowship - TOPIC: Who gets to go to heaven?
Saturday, March 21st at 8am
|
The next Saturday Breakfast Fellowship will be on Saturday, March 21
st
at 8:00 AM.
This month, we’ll talk about heaven and who gets to go to heaven. Is it only Christians who go to heaven? Are only good Christians going to heaven? What will happen to Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and others?
The links below have a couple articles which talk about who will go to heaven from a Christian perspective. There are also links to articles about other religions and heaven. The last link leads to a study done by Pew Research which talks about Americans’ views on who can go to heaven.
As Christians, do we own heaven and are we the only ones who will be allowed to go there? Let’s talk on the 21
st
.
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]
Links:
Do You Have to Believe in God to Go to Heaven?
Don’t All Good People Go to Heaven?
According to Islam, are all non-Muslims going to hell?
Do Buddhists Go to Heaven
Is there a concept of heaven and hell in Hinduism?
Many Americans Say Other Faiths Can Lead to Eternal Life
|
|
|
|
All-Church Birthday Party
Sunday, March 29th
|
We will have worship in Fellowship Hall, celebrating everyone's birthdays. You will sit at tables with others from the same birthday month as you, and make new friends.
Please dress in the color of your birthday month!
January -- Black
February-- Pink
March -- Green
April -- Purple
May -- Teal
June -- Blue
July -- White
August -- Grey
September -- Yellow
October-- Orange
November -- Brown
December ---Red
|
|
Easter Music - Singers needed!
Sunday, April 12 during worship
|
YOU are again invited to bring your singing voice to a new project for Easter morning. This project will present "Redeemed", a musical work centered on Christ's resurrection. Only 4-5 rehearsals are necessary, and you will also be provided a CD to practice your part on your own (these make learning much quicker).
Rehearsals
:
- Thursday, March 5th at 7pm
- Thursday, March 19th at 7pm
- Sunday, March 29th at Noon in the Sanctuary
- Thursday, April 9th at 7pm
Contact Music Director, Mike Westberry, to sign on or if you have any questions!
[email protected]
|
|
|
FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
|
|
Faith Foundations classes were focused on Ruth last month. The new interactive youth bulletin board continues to get plenty of traffic. It is wonderful seeing all the photos coming in.
This month the 6-12th graders will begin work on their mission journals in preparation for our trip. K-5 will be learning about David. The focus as we study will also relate to Lent and Julie Cedrone will join us for one class to work with us on some mind and body prayer work.
|
|
The first 14 week session of OWL for the 7th -9th graders has concluded. The feedback from the teens and adults has been incredibly positive. The next session will be for those teens entering or already in 10th-12th grade. Please see below for sign up information. We keep the classes small in order for the teens to bond and be comfortable in class.
|
|
Our Youth Group activity in February was a movie day with popcorn and other snacks. We discovered during the activity that the teen space could really use a new DVD player. If you happen to have one lying around and not being used please consider donating it to our teen space.
|
|
Please be sure that you have filled out forms for your kid(s) if you have not done so yet before Sunday’s classes.
Be sure to fill out all forms for your child's age group.
**We are hoping to involve the kids in communion this year and I have created a sign up for kids interested in helping set up, serve and clean up after communion.**
Don't Forget:
Saturday February 29th 6-8 Chili cook off
There is still time to enter your chili in the competition. 12 and under category or over 12 category. Everyone is welcome to come and taste test and vote for their favorites. All proceeds will go towards the teen mission trip.
COMING UP:
Sunday, March 1st 5:30pm - 6:45pm Confirmation/Baptism 2020 starts
Sunday, March 8th at 10am Scout Sunday
If you are a scout in town come in uniform and be part of this special service.
Sunday, March 8th from 4pm - 5:30pm Youth Group- Family Feud
Teens will form teams and compete in a variety of topics. Dinner will also be served.
Sunday, March 29th after church in Fellowship Hall mandatory mission trip meeting
Teen and parent meeting for our upcoming mission trip. Packets will be sent out in advance.
The meeting should last 30-45mins.
Mission Trip
We have dates!!
Our teens ages 13+ will have the opportunity to go on a Mission Trip to Camden, NY from April 20-April 23 for a group called Cluster 13. This is a group that adult members of Trinity have worked with in the past. Chaperones for this trip will be Sherry Clark, Dave Gauthier, Amy and Glen Kwasny, Larry Hemstreet and Al Mosher.
Currently all of our teens that are of age to go on the trip are going!!
HELP NEEDED!!
I am going to set up an
adulting day at Trinity
and will needs adults to run different "classes". Do you feel particularly adept at budgeting, taxes, interviews, applications? Maybe you would like to show your skills of how to change oil or a tire.
WANTED
TEACHERS
: CE in K-4, 5-8 or 9-12
WANTED ADULT: Youth Group helpers
I need at least one adult once a month
WANTED ADULT: Builder / Handy Person
an adult who is good with building and can help us build a neighbor chair.
|
|
GSA Link
The Link that Connects
The GSA Link is a project connecting local GSA high school and middle 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
Middle School: 4pm - 5:30pm
High School: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
March 5th & 20th
For more information please contact:
|
|
Food Pantry Donations
Bag Distribution: March 8th
Bag Collection: March 22nd
Thank you to everyone for your generosity!
We will pass out the bags on the second Sunday of the month with a list inside indicating the most needed items as well as a special item for the month, but we will have the bags available every week on the pew in the back of the Sanctuary (in case you do not come to church on the second Sunday and you still want to participate).
We will continue to collect the bags the fourth Sunday and deliver them to the Food Pantry, but if you are unable to be in church that Sunday, there is a bin in the hallway marked, “Food Pantry” and you can drop off your bags there any time.
The Food Pantry right now has many more canned vegetables than they can use, so please think about other items to donate. Meals in a can are always welcome.
Thank you,
Martha Michalewich, Mary Kemp and John Posluszny
|
|
Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, March 15th Worship @ 1pm
|
We need donations!
Faith Foundations will be making lunches to donate on March 15th. Donations of food or small monetary amounts towards lunch supplies are welcome.
Join us on the Worcester common at 1pm for an outdoor service.
|
|
|
|
|
Special Offering
Sunday, March 22nd
|
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.
More information:
|
|
|
|
Drivers Needed
Occasionally we have requests for a ride to church by folks who have no transportation. The Pastoral Care Team is compiling a list of Trinity folks willing to give rides to those wishing to come to church.
If you would like to be included on the "Driver" list please contact Carolyn Squillante:
|
|
“Count Your Blessings” Thrift Shop
NEW SPRING ARRIVALS!
Open Wednesdays, 9am to Noon and Saturdays, 10am - 1pm.
Donations of gently used clothing can be dropped off in the marked bin in the church hallway.
|
|
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR
Neighborhood Block Party
Saturday, June 20th 4pm - 8pm
|
For the first time Trinity Church will host a block party for our immediate neighborhood in our parking lot. Members of Trinity, neighbors, as well as neighboring businesses and organizations are planning a free event with food, music, and games. We will invite all residents from our neighborhood. As members of Trinity, you are considered part of our block and are invited. Please note that parking will be very limited. Walk, bike, or carpool if you can. In the event of rain we will be in Fellowship Hall.
|
|
|
Coffee Hour is an important part of our Sunday morning and it is a great way for people to connect and for us to welcome guests to our church. Please join us after worship for coffee and a snack, and the opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new friends.
If you are interested in helping to host coffee hour, please see Michele Wheelock during coffee hour or contact her at
[email protected].
|
|
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.
|
|
Orders must be in by 4/5/2020
|
Order forms are also hanging outside the church office (on the purple bulletin board) and on the counter 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 the church office for more information:
|
|
|
Are you interested in being added to the online church directory?
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 the church office:
|
|
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 @
[email protected]
.
Start your online giving here:
LINK
|
|
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
|
|
~
The people of Puerto Rico, and our American Baptist mission partners
~ Confirmation/Baptism 2020, and their families and mentors
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.
|
|
Pastor Valeria will be at Inhouse Coffee on Wednesday mornings from 8:30am to 10am. Inhouse is located at 17 West Main Street. She's looking forward to seeing you and making more connections to local businesses, and to people who live and work in Northborough. She will talk to anyone, not just members of Trinity. Help us spread the word!
|
|
Community Meal
- Community Meal is back at Trinity Church!
Join us each Wednesday, 6pm. 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!
Coleman House Service
- Tuesday, March 17th at 2:30pm.
|
|
A donation box can be found in the hallway at Trinity Church until March 15.
|
|
Did you know you can donate your gently used appliances, furniture and building supplies? And also purchase all these items at a low price while benefiting Habitat for Humanity?
More info here:
What and how to donate:
|
|
Deadline Date ~ April
Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the April Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, March 22, 2020. Your help is appreciated!
|
|
TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street ~ Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156
Office Hours
:
Monday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Tuesday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Wednesday: 9am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 2:30pm
Thursday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Friday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Rev. Valeria Schmidt, Sr. Minister
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
