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Apalachicola, Florida
September 11, 2026
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Most of life happens without thinking much about it. You have your routines and familiar places. You’ve said the same thing a thousand times. And you’ll continue to shake hands, answer questions, and read aloud. These are habits, which allow us to navigate life with efficiency and purpose.
But…those little things say a lot. Greeting someone, listening, looking others in the eye: they all say something. In fact, we begin communicating before we ever open our mouths. Our posture, tone of voice, attention (or lack thereof), and the way we carry ourselves communicate things we may never actually put into words.
This week, I've been thinking about the word intentionality: doing something while remembering why we are doing it. You can apply this word everywhere, but church is a wonderful place to practice it.
Think about what happens on any given Sunday morning. Someone opens the doors and lights candles. Someone greets you. Someone rings the bell. Someone reads the lessons. Someone sings as another someone carries bread and wine to the someone who prepares the altar. Someone operates the camera so another someone who cannot be there can still worship with us.
And then there are all the people sitting in the pews.
The congregation is not the audience. Worship isn't a spectator sport. We participate together when we stand, sit, kneel, sing, listen, pray, receive, and greet one another. And every one of those acts can become routine.
A lector can walk to the lectern because it is time to read or because they remember they have been entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God. A greeter can hand someone a bulletin or can remember they may be the first person who tells this stranger, without speaking, that there is a place for them here.
A choir member can sing the notes, or they can help a congregation pray. An acolyte can carry a processional cross, or they can remember what that cross means. And those in the pew can always listen to a reading or two and go back to what they were doing, or they can hear what God might have to say about their particular situation.
When I stepped into the why of my own church experience, my actions remained the same. But incorporating the why changed the how. It changed how I prepare for worship, how I speak and listen, and how I carry myself. It eventually spilled into life outside the church walls.
Attending church doesn’t require you to have your act together before walking through the door. Actually, it’s the opposite. God wants you to be here, fully present to God, to one another, and to yourself.
We spend so much time trying to decide what we are going to do. I believe it is useful to ask every now and then why we do it.
What would happen if you remembered your why?
Why you chose this work? Why you promised to serve?
Why you show up? Here’s the best part: once you remember
the why, the how has a funny way of taking care of itself.
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
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Unfolding the Liturgy, Part Nine:
Making a Joyful Sound -- Music in Worship
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Sound. Space. Time. Those are the ingredients of music. They are also among the first gifts we encounter in Scripture. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..." (Genesis 1:1). There is God. There is time. There is space. But there is no music yet.
Then, in the very next verses, there is sound. God spoke.
With God's voice, creation begins. The universe responds to its Creator through rhythm, order, harmony, and life. Perhaps that is why music feels so deeply woven into our humanity. It connects thought and emotion, the earthly and the divine. It speaks when words alone are not enough. It truly is one of God's greatest gifts.
Church music is far more than something that happens before the sermon. It is an extension of the lectionary and the liturgy, guiding us through nearly every movement of worship—invitation, praise, prayer, reconciliation, thanksgiving, lament, celebration, and finally our sending into the world. With only a few exceptions during Holy Week, the Episcopal liturgy is almost always carried by music.
In the early days of Anglican worship, music and liturgy were often described as two hands working together. One proclaims the Church's prayer; the other gives that prayer its voice. Together they shape a single act of worship.
As Christianity spread throughout the world, churches often had few material resources. There might not be an organ or even a piano. Yet every congregation possessed one instrument: the human voice. Long before magnificent instruments accompanied worship, Christians sang together. From the Psalms onward, new hymns continued to be written so that every generation might proclaim God's faithfulness in its own language and musical style.
That tradition continues today. Here at Trinity, we are blessed with a rich musical heritage. Our faithful choir, gifted instrumentalists, historic pipe organ, grand piano, and generous benefactors have given us a wonderful foundation. We stand at an exciting time when church music is once again flourishing, rooted in tradition while continually finding fresh expressions of praise.
Choosing hymns is not simply checking boxes. It is an art guided by prayer, discernment, and ultimately the priest’s approval.
Everything begins with Scripture. The Episcopal Church follows the three-year Revised Common Lectionary (Years A, B, and C). Hymn texts are chosen first because they continue proclaiming God's Word. From there, meter, tempo, key, cadence, and the overall musical flow of the liturgy help shape each Sunday's worship. Simply put, it is about finding the right text and the right tune.
At Trinity we draw primarily from three hymnals. The Hymnal 1982 remains our principal hymnal and contains most of our service music. Wonder, Love, and Praise expands our repertoire with newer texts and musical settings. Lift Every Voice and Sing II (LEVAS II) celebrates the rich heritage of African American spirituals and gospel music. Together these resources remind us that Episcopal worship is wonderfully broad and inclusive. Beyond hymns, our library also includes canticles, chants, rounds, anthems, psalms, poems, and musical settings for every season of the Church year.
Each Sunday's music is unique. Scripture, the Church calendar, diocesan events, parish life, and the needs of our local community all help shape the week's musical program.
Throughout a typical service, music prepares us for worship in the Prelude, gathers us in the Processional, accompanies the Gospel, enriches the Offertory, surrounds the Eucharist through the Sanctus and Fraction Anthem, accompanies Communion, and finally sends us back into the world with the Recessional. Occasionally a Postlude or special musical offering allows us to celebrate in ways beyond the liturgy itself.
Music also carries Trinity beyond Sunday morning. We celebrate Evensong, Lessons & Carols, and our beloved Almost Midnight Christmas Eve service. Our musicians support mission churches, Cursillo, Porch Fest, the Ilse Newell Concert Series, the Bay Area Choral Society, and many other community events.
Whether you sing in the choir, play an instrument, ring the bell, offer special music, or simply raise your voice from the pew, you are part of Trinity's music ministry.
If you have ever made a joyful sound, thank you. To quote Ina Margaret Meyer: “We appreciate each and every voice.” Together we continue an ancient song that began when God spoke and creation answered: "tune my heart to sing thy grace." (The Hymnal 1982, #686)
If you are interested in joining the choir, contact TJ Wolferseder (wolferseder@gmail.com) or call the parish office. Choir practices at 9:30 every Sunday morning and during the week.
-- Love and peace,
Music
| | Looking for A Few Good Writers. Advent is a season in the church year covering the period leading up to Christmas. Many churches (Trinity included) have a tradition of using this time as a way to reflect upon the season in order to stay grounded in God. We would like to bring back an Advent Reflections, and we invite you to consider participating. We need at least a few writers, and we would love to have a different writer for each of the days of the season. If you want to find out more, reach out to Fr. Stephen or call the parish office. | | |
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 4 at 4 pm in Gorrie Square
Bring your animal or favorite creature to Trinity for our annual
commemoration of the Feast of Saint Francis and the Blessing of the
Animals. Representatives of the animal rescue community will be
onsite with pets available for adoption as well. Be there!
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Remembering 9/11
After 25 years, most of us remember where we were that day.
As we recall the tragic events, we pray for peace:
God of compassion, we remember the sorrow of this day. We hold in
prayer the innocent lives lost and the families who still grieve. Lord,
you know our fear, our pain, and our loss. Let your mercy bring healing
and hope. Breathe peace into our troubled world. Turn the hearts of
those consumed by hatred toward your way of love. Give us the wisdom
and the courage to work for a world where true peace and dignity reign
among all nations. Make us instruments of your peace, so that light
may overcome darkness and love may be the last word. Amen.
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A Special Evening of Entertainment and Fellowship
is planned on Sunday, September 20 at 6 pm in Benedict Hall. We will begin the 6th season of The Chosen, a biblical TV series focusing on the disciples and the Jewishness of Jesus.
Our church was selected to get early access to the first episode of Season 6. Don’t worry that you’ve missed other seasons of the show; besides, you know the plot already! Come join us and let’s experience this event together. Popcorn provided!
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The Holy Smoker Returns!
The Holy Smoker Grill Team will be front and center at Porch Fest on Saturday, October 10,
11 am - 6 pm on the street side of the church.
Trinity will be host to several acts, including our own Father Stephen and Carol Harris as Preacher and the Wombat. The Grill Team will be serving up our popular brats once again!
We are looking for a few donations to round out the meal:
-- Sparkling water
-- Bottled water
-- Sodas
-- Homemade cookies & brownies, (individually wrapped)
| | Drinks may be dropped off at Benedict Hall anytime between now and Friday, October 9. Baked goodies should be delivered to Benedict Hall by 10 am on Saturday, October 10. And don’t forget to stop by the Holy Smoker as you enjoy the festivities at Porch Fest. Grab a brat, enjoy a treat, and support a great cause. All proceeds benefit Apalachicola Riverkeeper. | | And don’t forget your Golf Cart Blessing! Fr. Stephen will be out and about on the day of Porch Fest (Saturday, October 10) blessing the many golf carts and their occupants who zip around town. Everybody needs a blessing now and then, whatever they ride. | | Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on September 13, pray for St. Simon’s on the Sound, Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and on September 20, pray for Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores, Alabama. For prisons: on September 13, we pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Coffee County Jail County Complex, New Brockton, Alabama; and on September 20, please pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Choctaw County Jail, Butler, Alabama. | | CELEBRATING FAMILY & FRIENDS | | |
| On the way to see the homes and learn the history of eight presidents from Virginia, Bill & Patti McCartney had a visit with T McLain. She sends love to Trinity friends. They also saw all of the grandchildren and a great-grand! | | Trinity is everywhere! Even at the Apalachicola Yacht Club, where Beth Barber & Travis Pecot were supporting Bring Me A Book Forgotten Coast during last weekend's Fins Up Music Festival. | | |
The TRINITY TEN, a ten-point questinnaire that provides a light-hearted,
yet sincere, profile of Trinity parishioners, is designed for us to get
to know each other a little better. Your responses, along with a
photograph, will appear regularly in the Bay View.
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Carol Elizabeth “Beth” Barber grew up in Brooker, Florida.
She has been a Florida Licensed Realtor since 2002 and served as President of the local MLS during 2020. Throughout her career she has met many great people and hopes to retire at the end of this fiscal year.
At Trinity, Beth has been involved with the annual Tour of Homes, serving as a greeter in several homes as well as welcoming guests at the ticket table.
Greatest influence on your life (person or experience): My
Parents; they both had strong work ethics and taught me that to get ahead you had to work at it.
How would someone else describe you: Caring, funny.
One thing people might be surprised to know about you:
I was raised on a farm. I was a flight attendant for a commuter airline that was affiliated with Eastern Airlines.
Favorite part of living here: Family
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Bacon or broccoli: Both
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: Both
One thing you are good at:
Organizing
One thing you’d rather not do: Mop floors
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What drew you to Trinity: Mike grew up in Apalachicola and
was an acolyte at Trinity. We were members at Carrabelle Christian Center and over the years old friends would say, “Come
back, we will take you”. When his sister passed, we decided
to make a change and started attending Trinity. I think we are
here to stay.
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Trinity's Online Calendar
Trinity also has a new, online calendar which offers the
freshest view of all events going on at Trinity.
This cloud based calendar can display: by day, week, month, or by list
and is maintained in real-time by Trinity's Office staff.
Find this on our website at: www.TrinityApalachicola.org/calendar
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Watch our Sunday sermons online:
Generosity is a key component of our successful ministry: You can share your generosity easily and safely through our secure Electronic Giving platform.
| | | COMMUNITY EVENTS OF INTEREST | | |
Your Bay View: Trinity's bi-weekly e-newsletter, the Bay View, reaches members and friends every other Friday, sharing news and inspiration for and about our parish. Please send information and announcements, as well as photographs, to info@trinityapalachicola.org or call the church office at 850-653-9550. The deadline for submission is noon on Wednesday of each publication week. The next deadline is September 23.
-- Kay Carson, Editor
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Worship Service at 10:30 am Sunday
Morning Prayer at 8:15 am Wednesday
Compline at 8 pm Wednesday - Facebook Live
Church address: 79 6th Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Office address: 76 5th Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Mailing address: PO Box 667, Apalachicola, Florida 32329
Phone number: (850) 653-9550
Email: info@trinityapalachicola.org
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