Volume 70 - No. 11 | November 2018
NOVEMBER TIDINGS
Message from Pastor Valeria
Welcome, November! The month to be thankful. The month to brace yourselves for a busy holiday season.

Before we get there, let's take a deep breath. 

Last Sunday, our worship band sang the song "Sanctuary," written by John Thompson and Randy Scruggs:
"Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true.
With thanksgiving I'll be a living sanctuary for you." 

What do you think of when you hear the word "sanctuary"? A sacred, holy space? A safe place? A wildlife refuge? A place of asylum and refuge for those in danger? The large room with the pews on the second floor of our building that we gather in for worship?

According to the dictionary, a sanctuary is all of those things. The song, "Sanctuary," is sung by someone who wants to be a sacred and holy space, pure and holy, filled with thanksgiving. 

Have you ever thought of yourself as a sanctuary? A sacred and holy place? A place you can go to to find rest and sustenance, and be safe? You don't have to go to any physical place. You can go deep within yourselves and find God there. Find peace, find joy and comfort. 

How do we get there? With thanksgiving. When we count our blessings and give thanks for them, we are taken to a safe and holy place. We are in the realm of God. 

Thanksgiving isn't just one day of the year, with turkey and all the fixings. (And a long, lonely day for many.) Thanksgiving is an attitude that shapes every single day of our lives. That's why some call it "Thanksliving": Living out of thankfulness for what we have. Others call it an "attitude of gratitude." Call it what you will. You get the point: It's a mindset. It's a choice, to live gratefully every day and to remain in an active relationship with God by regularly saying "thank you." 

It changes your whole outlook on life: From worry to trust. From fear to faith. From greed to generosity. From envy to happiness. From lack to abundance.

A trusting, faithful, generous, happy person can be a sanctuary for themselves, and for others. Your attitude of gratitude will let others know that they can come to you and will find acceptance and sustenance with you. What a beautiful gift to give! 

Allow yourselves to become a sanctuary. Allow God's spirit to fill you with love, hope and faith. When it does, it will spill over and fill the world with what it so desperately needs: love, hope and faith. 

May God help us as individuals, as Trinity Church, as a nation and as the human race, to become a sanctuary for everyone who is in need of safety and support.

I thank God for each and every one of you, for your kindness and generosity, for the many gifts that you share with Trinity and the wider community, and for the person God created you to be.

"Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true.
With thanksgiving I'll be a living sanctuary for you." 

Visit and follow Pastor Valeria's blog: https://pastorvaleriatrinitychurch.blogspot.com/
WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
Our sermon series continues: "Courageous Prophets of the Hebrew Bible."   

Sunday, November 4: "You Don't Say 'No' to God," based on Jonah 1:1-10, with Communion

November 11: "Hannah - Our Cries for Justice Will Be Heard," based on 1 Samuel 1:1-18 with guest preacher Kevin Vetiac

November 18: "Eat What You Believe," based on Daniel 1:8-21, with our worship band

November 25: "Thankful for Community," in Fellowship Hall, with brunch. You are invited but not required to bring a dish to share (Thanksgiving leftovers, anyone?)
STEWARDSHIP
Your Pledge to God through Trinity Church
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.

Online pledging is now available CLICK HERE

If you have questions, please contact:
Robert Mulligan: remulligan@verizon.net or
June Hamilton: junehamilton@verizon.net
WORDS TO PONDER
"We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction." - Harry Ironside
WE NEED YOU!
We are looking for Readers and Worship Leaders
If you are interested in doing the Welcome, Call to Worship and Bible reading, or leading other parts of worship please contact Pastor Valeria! 
Do you have a story to share that shaped your faith? A God Moment? We would love to hear them! Pastor Valeria will be happy to work with you and help you prepare. 
Does Anyone Know American Sign Language?
Sign language is a great tool to engage our minds and bodies in worship, for kids and adults. Some churches lead brief prayers in sign language.

Please contact Pastor Valeria if you are willing to share this gift.
The Trinity Video Team needs you!
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!

Please contact Larry Hemstreet with questions or to volunteer, larry.hemstreet@gmail.com 
EVENTS @ TRINITY
Join the Conversation!
Starting Sunday, November 4th (after worship)
In response to your requests for more conversation and connection, the Adult Christian Education Committee announces:

Conversations on Faith

A six-week program designed to prompt reflection and discussion on living a Christian life.

What is being offered?
  • Flexible meeting times - Facilitators will work with small groups to determine days, times, & locations for meeting.
  • A variety of reading materials – Carefully selected quotations, nonfiction information, narratives, Biblical Stories, and pictures guide the discussion questions.
  • No required “homework” – All readings will be completed together during your meeting.
  • Topics intended for reflection and sharing - Joy, Hope, Compassion, Forgiveness, Doubt, and Faith
Learn more at the Introductory Session on
Sunday, November 4 th  at 11:30.

If you would like to participate but are unable to attend the introductory session
please contact Pastor Valeria.
Coffee House - Open Mic
Friday, November 9th, at 7pm
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).

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

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.

Please contact Pat Faldetta for more information, thirdfloorcoffeehouse@gmail.com .  
Saturday Breakfast Fellowship
Saturday, November 17th, at 8am
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
Fall Clean up at the Parsonage
NEW DATE!
Saturday, November 10th, 9am - 1pm
We will be having a yard cleanup day at the Parsonage at 20 Dennis Circle on Sat. November 10th, starting at 9:00 am. The goal here is to cleanup the whole yard but especially what was left from the trees that were taken down this spring. Folks will need work gloves, cutting tools and rakes. The goal is to be done by 1:00.

Please RSVP to Larry Hemstreet  larry.hemstreet@gmail.com   or text to 978-697-9463
PASTOR-PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Training for Pastor-Parish Relations Committee
Sunday, November 18th, 2pm - 4pm
Trinity Church has a Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. Are you interested in learning more about its role, purpose, and best practices in helping a church fulfill its mission and vision?
Join us for a training offered by the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ on Sunday, November 18, from 2 - 4 pm, here at Trinity.

Please let Pastor Valeria know if you plan to attend.
TRINITY CO-HOST
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday, November 20th, 7pm
The Northborough Interfaith Clergy Association (NICA) invites you to a Community Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, November 20th, at 7 pm at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (30 Brigham St, Northborough). We will come together to give thanks for our blessings, share our gifts, and pray for our community. Refreshments will be served.

Please bring non-perishable food items for the Northborough Food Pantry.
FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
Faith Foundations - Exciting Changes!
We are gearing up for a great month in Faith Foundations, beginning a series on science and religion and then moving in to Cantata practices. Because of the number of kids and their ages we have decided to reconfigure the classrooms and will now have three different groups: K-4, 5-8 and 9-12. In order to offer these age appropriate classes we could use your help! Please consider volunteering even if you have never taught before! See Sherry to sign up or use this link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084dafa92ca31-faith

This past month we focused on ways to love our neighbor and give back to those in need. We ended our lesson by helping to pack Worcester Fellowship lunches and our Youth Group had a fantastic hike up Mt. Pisgah. We were very lucky to have Forest along with us and sharing all of his great knowledge of the area!

Please be sure to send in your kids’ forms for Faith Foundations and Youth Group!

Career Night
Sunday, November 4, 6-8 pm
We are hoping you can lend a couple of hours to our youth on Sunday, Nov 4th from 6-8 p.m. Whether you are retired, still working, worked in a trade, worked in an office or anywhere else, they would love to be able to speak with you. You will be seated at a table as the kids come around and hear about your career path and possibly find a mentor. Please sign up here if you can help. Invite friends to come and participate as well. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084dafa92ca31-youth  or contact Sherry at trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com .  Thank you in advance for helping our teens!


**Please let me know as soon as possible if you have a 5-12th grade child interested in church band or K-12 interested in joining the choir. This can be a weekly or monthly commitment.

See you all soon!
Sherry
508-254-2217
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

November 2nd, November 9th, November 16th, November 3oth

For more information please contact:
Melissa at projectgsalink@gmail.com or 508-735-1267
OUTREACH
Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, November 18th
1pm  Worship @ Worcester Common
We need donations! Faith Foundations will be making lunches to donate on November 18th 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.

For more information please contact  John at   johnposluszny@gmail.com
Dove Tree
Starts - Late November
The dove tree will arrive in late November. 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.

Please contact Barbara Mulligan for more information  barbaramulligan@yahoo.com .
NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
Christmas Cantata
Trinity is looking forward to including a Christmas musical presentation in worship this coming December 23rd. We will feature Mary McDonald's "Jesus!", and you are invited to join this project! You don't need to be a regular choir member, and rehearsals are limited. For more details, contact Music Director Mike Westberry at  mfwestbe@gmail.com .
FROM OUR PARTNERS IN FAITH
In light of the recent events in our country we are sharing with you statements issued by our partners in faith: the Alliance of Baptists, and the United Church of Christ.


CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Wednesday, December 19, 7:30pm: Service of Light

Sunday, December 23, 10am: "Jesus!" Christmas Cantata with youth and adults

Monday, December 24, 5pm: Family Candlelight Service with the choir, bell choir and a story for the kids
10pm (NEW TIME!): "God's Promises." Candlelight Service with Special Music
Potluck & Handbell Concert
Saturday, December 8th
Potluck - 5:30pm
Concert - 7pm
Join Trinity Church for a potluck at 5:30pm and handbell concert at 7pm.

Please contact Nancy Robbins for more inforamtion: robbinsfam105@gmail.com
MEMORIAL POINSETTIAS
Orders must be in by 12/9/2018
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 trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com or by phone (508) 393-8156.
BOOK CLUB
Do you love to read?
Love to read? Would you like to get together with other Trinity members and friends to have an exciting book discussion as well as getting to know each other better? Well, forming a book club is the answer. This can be set up for a monthly or quarterly event.

If you are interested, please sign up on line https://goo.gl/forms/ojPIa02UsBVPfsJv2 or on the bulletin board at church.

Please contact the Task Force, Martha M. for more information: martha.michalewich@verizon.net 
COFFEE HOUR
Coffee Hour Coordinators Needed!
Sign-up here: COFFEE HOUR
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: johnposluszny@gmail.com

Sign-up here: COFFEE HOUR
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 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: 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 Barbara Mulligan who has volunteered to transport the donated food to the Northborough food pantry.

ALTAR FLOWERS
Altar Flowers Needed 2018 NOVEMBER flowers needed!! ALTAR FLOWER SIGNUP!
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!

ONGOING EVENTS @ TRINITY
Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday (EXCEPT Nov 7) from 8:30 - 10am and looks forward to your visit! Festive Breads is located at  299 W Main St  in Northborough, near Romaine's.
Saturday Morning Hiking 9:30am - We meet at the church most Saturdays at 9:30am and walk on one of the many Northborough trails. Everyone is welcome (dogs included). To receive weekly notifications via email please contact Wade Robbins at robbinsfam105@gmail.com. Please consider joining us for a time of nature appreciation and conversation.

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 November 5th. 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 - Tuesday, November 20th, from 2:30 - 3:30pm.
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.
ONLINE CHURCH DIRECTORY
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 Emily in the church office: (508) 393-8156 or trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Help us get the word out about Trinity Church!
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!
Review us on Google!
Help us get the word out about Trinity Church and its ministries!

Review us on Google:  REVIEW TRINITY
Did you know your shopping can earn Trinity money?
Shop at your convenience all year! iGive Website
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.

Trinity is on Amazon Smile!
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
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Experience the Exodus in music! Handel's  Israel in Egypt  with orchestra
Saturday, November 10th at 8 pm
Congregation B'nai Shalom, Westborough
Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Robert Eaton, Artistic Director
AVM continues its 40th anniversary season with a work that represents the foundation of AVM’s repertoire, Handel’s grand oratorio Israel in Egypt. This work, one of Handel’s most popular, relies on the chorus rather than soloists to tell the exciting story of the people of Israel. Its vivid word painting, where the sound of the music imitates the meaning of the text, makes this work unique and especially exciting for listener and performer alike.   www.AVMsingers.org
Deadline Date ~ December Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the November issue of Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, November 25th 2018. 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.