Sunday, March 15
:
“Jesus Gets in Trouble.”
Sermon based on Isaiah 5:1-7 and Mark 12:1-12
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch a
selection of Pastor Valeria's sermons and our worship music.
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Sojourners magazine published a number of letters to the American church from Christians around the world. Pastor Valeria read this one in her sermon last Sunday. It was a lot to process. Here it is, for further reflection.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I write you as a sister from Latin America who yearns to see peace and justice embrace on this suffering planet that is humanity’s home. I write you in hopes that you will ponder these questions in the spirit they are offered, that of a shared prayer that God’s good will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The core question I pose to you is this: What might it mean for you, citizens of an extremely powerful, prosperous, and plundering nation, to live in light of that prayer and your citizenship in God’s kingdom?
Engaging these more specific questions could contribute to addressing that broader one:
First, might worship of God, the creator and sustainer of all life, to whom the whole earth belongs, not be more faithfully embodied in responsible care of all that God created than in elaborate Sunday services while energy, creativity, and imagination the rest of the week are concentrated on consumption and accumulation without a thought for their ecological impact or the effects of privileged lifestyles on the great majorities both inside and beyond the borders of your nation-state?
Second, might confession of Jesus Christ as Lord not be more consistent with his reconciling peacemaking work when communities that claim to follow him embody humble, risky, selfless, equalizing inclusion rather than shielding themselves within bubbles of ethnic, racial, cultural, economic, partisan, or national likeness?
Finally, might submission to the gift-granting, truth-telling, life-empowering Spirit not be more honoring of the community of love when the gifts, revelations, and power granted are used in service of the common good far beyond the walls and trenches of church institutions rather than hoarded within them?
As the cultural scaffolding under your feet, Christendom as you’ve known it—the acritical association of Christian faith with the powers-that-be—crumbles, I see two options. You retrench and trace even tighter doctrinal and ideological lines, judgmentally demarcating who is in and who is out. Or you recognize the demise of cultural Christianity as a God-given opportunity for you to question where your core allegiance is rooted.
Before you lies the choice to demonstrate in refreshed identity, recast belonging, and reoriented lifestyle what the good and just reign of God looks like here and now, while you join your sisters and brothers from around the world in expectation of its full expression at Christ’s return. I, for one, pledge my prayers for you as you make that choice.
Your sister and co-citizen in Christ,
Ruth Padilla DeBorst
Santo Domingo, Costa Rica
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My Lenten Practice
By Jean Lief
My practice is a daily meditation called Morning BREW, described in the book by Kirk Byron Jones.
This is a daily 10-min check-in with God. Using the acronym BREW (B R E W) each letter stands for a different mantra of the meditation. A mantra is a phrase that you repeat to yourself over and over as you meditate.
The first letter of BREW is B, which stands for Be Still. Just being still is probably the hardest part of the meditation for me. As I repeat the mantra BE STILL, I gather up all my anxieties, concerns, and random thoughts going through my head, surrender them to God and say, “God, for the next 10 min, these are your problems, not mine.”
Once my mind is clear, I move on to the next letter in the word BREW, which stands for Receive God. This is where I really try to feel a connection between my heart and my mind and God. Sometimes I imagine God’s love flowing over me.
After a couple of minutes, I move on to the third mantra. E is the third letter in BREW, and it stands for Embrace Myself. I thoughts go toward “I am a child of God, I am worthy of love, I love myself as God loves me.” Often embracing myself extends to embracing all of humankind and all of God’s creation.
Which brings us to the last letter of the word BREW – W. W stands for Welcome the Day. After nurturing all this positive energy, Welcome the Day sort of bursts forth with joy and gratitude. It's a feeling that God will be with me throughout the day, I am looking forward to all the wonderful possibilities God has in store for me.
So this is my 10-minute check-in with God. I encourage you to try it. You really will feel that connection to God.
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PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCEMENT
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If you have any symptoms (cough, fever, and shortness of breath) we also ask that you stay home to minimize the risk of infecting others (until 24 hours after symptoms subside), and to see your doctor.
For the time being, we will refrain from shaking hands when we greet each other before and after worship at Trinity, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze, and remain calm. Steve, our custodian, regularly wipes/sprays all areas frequently touched with disinfectant.
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Third Floor Coffee House - On the first floor!
Friday, March 13, 7pm - 9pm
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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).
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Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, March 15th Worship @ 1pm
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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 at All Saints Episcopal Church at 1pm for an outdoor service. We will carpool from Trinity at 12:15. The Confirmation/Baptism group will attend.
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UPCOMING EVENTS @ TRINITY
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Easter Music - Singers needed!
Sunday, April 12 during worship
NEXT REHEARSAL THURSDAY, MARCH 19, AT 7PM.
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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).
Additional Rehearsals
:
- 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]
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship - TOPIC: Who gets to go to heaven?
Saturday, March 21st at 8am
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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
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Special Offering
Sunday, March 22nd
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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:
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Food Pantry Donations
Bag Collection: March 22nd
Thank you to everyone for your generosity!
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
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All-Church Birthday Party
Sunday, March 29th
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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. You are invited but not required to bring a dish to share.
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
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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.
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COMING UP:
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.
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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 20th
For more information please contact:
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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:
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“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.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR
Neighborhood Block Party
Saturday, June 20th 4pm - 8pm
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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.
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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].
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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.
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Orders must be in by 4/5/2020
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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:
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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:
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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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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!
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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.
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A donation box can be found in the hallway at Trinity Church until March 15.
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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:
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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!
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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.
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