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". . .At its heart, Lent is a six-week journey of transformation - and transformative journeys can be messy. This printable calendar will help you and your family “bless this mess,” as we travel with Jesus through the valley of the shadow of death into newness of life.
Each week leading up to Easter has its own set of illustrated cards: each Sunday outlines a simple candlelight service, including a confession, words from scripture, a bite-sized meditation, and a blessing; then there are five cards for each week that feature simple, engaging daily practices to try as we travel the road to the empty tomb. Forty cards in all (including one for Ash Wednesday)!
From caring for God’s creation to fighting for racial justice and equality, the calendar’s themes and activities are both accessible and challenging. Conversation starters over tea, “things to remember,” and concrete daily practices round out this resource, helping to ensure that this Lent, we connect with each other, work toward repairing God’s world, and look ahead to the new life of Easter morning. . ."
Sets of these devotional cards will be available starting next Sunday, 2/11, outside the sanctuary. They are a great way to share the richness of Lent with your "beloveds". Never observed Lent with your family or friends before? These cards are an easy way to start. Adapt them to your needs and lifestyle to celebrate this important season in the church.
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The Creation Care Team calls your attention to this invitation from our Lutheran sisters and brothers. "Lutherans Restoring Creation" are eager to share a resource that faith communities can use to start discussions and inspire community-based-solutions to grow climate justice. The three-part documentary "Regenerating Life" offers attainable solutions to the climate crisis through an ecological approach that unpacks the social and environmental crises confronting us.
Register now to gain free temporary access to the film to watch at your convenience, prior to meeting virtually with the filmmaker on February 27 at 8:00 PM. (Note: you can watch the film w/o attending the February 27 discussion.)
| The Creation Care Team calls your attention to the Episcopal Church's monthly Creation Care Newsletter. It's filled with resources, upcoming virtual and in-person events, grant updates, and stories from across the Church. You can subscribe to it here and take a look at the January issue here. | |  |
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Our neighbors at Newtown Congregational Church invite us to join them on Friday, February 9, for their next "thoughtful film" screening, "The Occupation of the American Mind: Israel's Public Relations War in the United States." Come to refresh your knowledge of what has happened in Israel and Gaza and learn why we in the US are experiencing so much debate about our support for Israel.
The event begins with a light supper at 6 pm, followed by the film at 6:20 and discussion until 9 pm. You are welcome to bring your own supper or to order sandwiches for $6.50 via the sign-up link below (order by Thursday, February 8; pay onsite).
To add your name to the sign-up list, click here https://rebrand.ly/sign-Israel-war, or contact Katherine Simpson at 734-645-6909 or [email protected].
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I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30
What do our conversations with God look like during the week? We pray for our families, our friends who are in need, we pray for those in the world who desperately need peace, and we ask for God’s help and provision in our lives. Are we praising God too, or are we waiting for Sunday morning when we can sing those songs of praise and check that box?
Songs and prayers of praise and gratitude can be a part of our daily devotion to God, and the addition of worship to our prayers changes our conversation with God in transformative ways. And, if we add singing to our daily worship, then we’re doing as the Psalmist admonished us to do- to praise God’s name in song! Surely there is a hymn that you love that you can sing when no one is around. Resist the habit of judging the quality of your voice and just praise God with your voice. Singing is freeing, it is heart-opening, and it is a pure form of worship.
This week, challenge yourself to bring even more thanks and praise into your daily talks with God, and then take it a step further and sing… even if just a little bit!
Jennifer
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Church School students have earned their first attendance award! Kids will enjoy a movie and popcorn this Sunday, 2/4, during church school and worship. We will be watching Evan Almighty, rated PG. This movie is a fun and modern adaptation of the story of Noah's Ark, which the kids learned about earlier this year. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring a cuddly friend with them. They have been working toward this award since September and are very excited to celebrate their accomplishment. We will meet in the Johnson Room/library this Sunday so kids can lounge on the comfy couches!
Upcoming events:
*Sunday, February 4, Movie and Popcorn during church school and worship
*Sunday, February 11, Lenten devotional for families becomes available
*Sunday, March 3, Make baptism gifts at coffee hour
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We are collecting names and addresses of all college kids to send Valentine boxes - please e-mail the church office or Julie at [email protected].
Some suggestions include:
Index cards
Gum
Hot chocolate packets
Chapstick
Post it notes
Toothpaste
Youth will meet in library this week to make Valentines to send to the troops.
February 11: Youth meet in library and pack college gift boxes
March 10: Youth meet in library
April 7: Youth meet in library
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The Mission:
Preparing a nutritious meal in an efficient manner. Serving the guests. Caring for those in need.
Shown here: Shopping for the meal, Measuring ingredients, filled dinner boxes, accepting donations, a meal, some of the team, gallons of chili.
Please contact Nancy Cole or Marcia DeBrock if you are interested in being on the list of volunteers. Our regular volunteer team: Bob Gardner, Marcia DeBrock, Nancy Cole, Jean Maurice Calmels, Dorothy Schmidt, Mark Benedict, not shown Laurie Trotto, Carol Bigman, Kelly Rowan.
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Do you or someone you care about need prayers?
There are several avenues for prayer at Trinity!
Weekly bulletin:
Send in a prayer request to [email protected] or ask Rev. Andrea.
Intercessory prayer team:
This team commits to praying regularly for the people in the bulletin list and also a private list of prayer requests. The private list is for those who wish for their prayer requests to remain private. The intercessory prayer team has been trained in confidentiality and honors that request. To get a prayer request onto their list, contact [email protected], or use the Prayer Request button on Trinity’s website, or ask any member of the team: Cindy Anderau, Andrea Castner-Wyatt, Frank Brill, Barbara Chamberlain, Martha Dayton, Teddy Jameson, Kelly Rowan, Gordon Strother, Glenda Strother, Karen Wojtowicz. This team also meets once a month (3rd Saturday, 10:30-11:30) to pray together for those on these lists as well as any other prayer concerns that they bring with them that day. This group is open to anyone who would like to join. We will provide confidentiality training for you. For more information contact Cindy Anderau.
Emergency prayer team:
This team is committed to praying as soon as the request goes out to them (via email and text). They stop whatever they are doing and pray for the person or situation sent to them. This team is also trained in confidentiality and honors that for all prayer requests.
What is considered an emergency? This really applies to anything that is needed in the
moment. Someone has just been admitted to the hospital, or was in an accident, or has had a sudden loss, anything for which immediate prayers are needed. This prayer request can also be used for something that is scheduled for the future at a particular time when prayer would be needed. For example, if you knew that you were going to have surgery on Tuesday and wanted prayers said for you that day you could reach out to this team and request that prayers be said for you on that day (and even at a specific time if you have one). For these requests, contact Rev. Andrea or [email protected].
This prayer group is also open to anyone who would like to join them. We will provide
confidentiality training. You must have access to email and be able to receive text messages and be able to commit to praying as soon as you get the request. For more information contact Cindy Anderau.
Prayer Request button:
See button at the bottom of Trinity’s home page. Your request can go on the public or private list.
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Caregiver Support Group – Winter 2024
Are you care-giving for a loved one? Perhaps children or teens, perhaps elders or partners? Being a caregiver can be isolating. We invite you to a community support group as we share our experiences together.
These monthly conversations are open to our wider community as well as to members and friends of Trinity Church. Led by Rev. Andrea Castner Wyatt and trained Stephen Ministry listeners, we offer an interfaith and non-judgmental space for mutual encouragement.
We will gather on the Fourth Thursday of the month, on these days:
Thursday, February 22 @ 4:00 – 5:15 PM
Thursday, March 28 @ 4:00 – 5:15 PM
We meet in the Johnson Library, on the 2nd Floor of Trinity Church, accessible through the glass doors to the rear of the Church. Elevator access, as well as ample parking, are available. RSVP to [email protected].
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Girl Scout Cookie Time!
Nina is once again selling Girl Scout Cookies! Here is the link for folks to order online. They can either have them shipped directly to them, or they can request for Nina to deliver the cookies (pickup will be at Trinity).
https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/nina755724
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Christian Yoga
Join Christian Yoga class on alternating Tuesdays at 7 pm for an hour of movement incorporating prayer and scripture. This is a great way to connect to yourself, with others and with God. The next sessions will be held on 2/13 and 2/27. All are welcome!
Free will offering is completely voluntary.
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Weekly Happenings
Trinity's nursery is open every Sunday from 9:15 - 11:15, and is professionally staffed by Wee Care Nanny Agency.
Trinity's Grief Support Group runs every first and third Thursday of the month, and is open to all.
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Praise and Thanksgiving
For those requesting our prayers
Arlene, Maureen, Janet, Rick, Marie, Jennifer, Joyce, Jacky, Gail, Alveta, Bode, Gracie, Martha, Daniel, Judy, Cheryl, Shirley, Dan, Brian, Barbara, Lucille, JM, Diane, Marie, Erin, Richard, Jean, Thomas
For those celebrating a birthday this week
Judy LaCroix, Cindy Anderau, Maddie Britton, Jessica Gibson,
Karen Wojtowicz, Hailey Loftus, Jenna Dunn, Pat DeBrock
Altar flowers are given to the glory of God in memory of Elaine Clark
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