Dear Friends,
Life is filled with strange and challenging juxtapositions, isn't it? The euphoria of Gator Basketball wins (and softball, gymnastics, etc.) and the angst of illness that might be, or is, cancer; the glory of this Spring weather with Dogwoods and Azaleas aplenty, and a missing 777 airliner, vanished, in a technological age when someone seems to know everything about us, or far more than we might want them to, but can't know (yet) what happened to this plane and where it is; the joy of modern medical miracles and the horrific struggle in Syria, displacing millions of innocent children, and innocent lives lost.
Psalm 124 is about all of this and more, and comes to that place where we too begin and end: "Our help is in the name of The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth," for ourselves and for all who struggle in these situations. We'll be looking at this Psalm this Sunday. I know that many of you will out with Spring Break, but want you to know that you can catch our sermons on VIDEO as well as audio from Monday afternoon on; just go to our web page.
Can I make a dramatic shift in focus?
Mortgage Retirement Update: We now stand at less than $400,000! - $390,000 to be exact, with 2 and 1/2 months to go. Thanks for your diligence in your contributions to pay this off. Remember, June 1
is the big day; plan to be in worship with us to burn the mortgage.
"If I had a hammer," "Turn, Turn, Turn," "This Land is Your Land," - many of us grew up on these and love them still. I hope you'll join me this Friday night for the Pete Seeger tribute and sing along, led by our own Anna Moo and her friends. (7:30).
Go Gators! Dan
Sermons may be accessed by clicking here. Sunday Sermons are usually available to view by Monday afternoons.
Quick Links
Submit a Prayer Request Donate Online
Trinity's Website
Week-end Worship Sunday Service
Worship Center 9:40 & 11:00 Rev. Dan JohnsonYouth Building Modern Worship Service 11:00 Rev. Esther Rodriguez
Upcoming Events
3/19 - Cheers 2pm, Rejoice 4pm3/19 - Wednesday Night Dinner, 5:30 Worship B
3/19 - Alpha 6 pm
3/19 - 6:35 Worship, Chapel with Rev. Aaron Rousseau Lenten Series "Via Crucis" (The Way of the Cross)
3/20 - Stepping Stones "County Fair" 5:30 - 7:30
3/20 - Healing Touch Cancer Support Group, 5:30
3/21 - Tribute to Pete Seeger led by Anna Moo, 7:30 Worship Center
O. Dean Martin Prayer Room
3/25 - UMW Mission Study, 9:00 Registration begins, Program begins 9:30 Worship B
Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 12 pm
Associate Pastors
Rev. Esther Rodriguez
Rev. Aaron Rousseau
A word from Rev. Esther: I love that the Psalms give us permission to feel and pray in many ways -- anger, sorrow, joy, thanksgiving. During this season of Lent as I'm reflecting on my own journey, I'm appreciating going through the Songs of Ascent in our sermons. I'm particularly excited about this coming Sunday's sermon at Modern Worship. Psalm 124 - 'If the Lord had not been with us.' It's a confident witness spoken not from a person talking about the good, easy life, but someone who's been through the worst -- someone who is thankful that in the midst of it all, God "didn't go off and leave us." Be encouraged this week that God is with us, in the midst of it all.
A word from Rev. Aaron: "Join us on Wednesdays at 6:35 in the Chapel from March 12 through April 16 for a six-week series called "The Way of the Cross". This will be a special time for worship, including singing, prayer, Word, and Holy Communion... all aimed to prepare our hearts and minds for experiencing the joy of Easter in its fullness by first making the journey from the garden of Gethsemane down the Via Dolorosa to the cross on Calvary's hill."
Please click here to visit Rev. Esther's blog.
Please click here to visit Rev. Aaron's blog.
Join us on Wednesday Nights for Food, Fun & Fellowship
Wednesday Night Supper
Wednesday, March 19 Menu:
Roasted Chicken and Corn Chowder
Cornbread
Southwest Salad
Cheese Quesadillas
Dessert
Meal Costs:Adult - $5; Child - $3 (ages 0-5 eat free); $15 family cap
Dinner is served from 5:30 - 6:30; dining open until 7:00.
Please pay by cash, check or charge at the door.
Following dinner is the 6:35 Service with Rev. Aaron
(6:35 pm in Chapel)
Join Rev. Aaron each Wednesday evening at 6:35 pm in the Chapel through April 16 for a six-week series called "The Way of the Cross". This will be a special time for worship, including singing, prayer, Word, and Holy Communion... all aimed to prepare our hearts and minds for experiencing the joy of Easter in its fullness by first making the journey from the garden of Gethsemane down the Via Dolorosa to the cross on Calvary's hill.
Other Wednesday night opportunities for March 12:
Alpha: Searching for More? We will offer an Alpha Preview TOMORROW night, a way to try it out without a commitment. Meet in the Atrium 6:00 - 8:30 pm.
Missions
Ted Grueser
This week's Mission Box supports The Climb for Cancer Foundation. This wonderful Gainesville organization is dedicated to helping ease the pain and suffering of those affected by cancer. All money and proceeds will stay right here locally, and provides a way for you to personally help families affected by cancer. It's that time of year to save your treasures from spring cleaning and make some money at the Spring yard sale April 26. Table rental is $20. No need to sign up, just come Saturday morning.
Have you seen the new Mission's Magazine? It provides information about our mission trips in 2014 and highlights some local mission opportunities. Get your copy at the Welcome Center or any of the kiosks in the Education building.
The blue BOGO bin is back in the Narthex and the Reception area. Please remember to bring your kid- friendly food donations on Sunday morning and drop off in the bin. Any other items that you may be collecting for missions please also place in the blue bins
Membership
Carmen Nelson
Are you interested in joining Trinity UMC?If you are looking for a church home and want to learn more about the vision, mission and ministries of Trinity United Methodist Church, we invite you to attend one of our upcoming Coffee with the Pastors. It is a casual gathering in which you'll learn more about the United Methodist Church, who we are at Trinity and what is expected of members. The class is designed for visitors and gives you the opportunity to meet our ministers and learn about the many ways to become involved in our church family.
The next Coffee with the Pastors is Sunday, April 6, from 12:15 to 1:45 pm in the Room 222. To register for Coffee with the Pastors click on this link or e-mail Carmen Nelson to receive the form via e-mail. We would love to meet you and to welcome you into the membership of our church!
Bookstore
Kim Lewerenz
The Trinity Bookstore will have flexible hours next week (March 24 - March 28). If you would like to visit our Bookstore during that week, please contact Kim to schedule a specific day and time. For more information on the Trinity Bookstore click HERE.
Adult Ministries
David Leonard
Parents of Youth Sunday School class (11:00 am; rm E204) - Please note March and April's class schedule:
March 23 & March 30 (Spring Break)- class is canceled
April 6 & 13 - class will meet
April 20 (Easter) & April 27 (Confirmation Ceremony) - class is canceled.
Youth Ministry
Julie Mishoe
Spring Break is six days away! We will be offering day trips to the beach, as well as the option to stay overnight. Space is limited, so sign up. Download forms with more info here. Since it is Spring Break, there will be no UMYF the next two Sundays, March 23 and 30. On March 30, we will have Moe's and a Movie in the afternoon. We will meet at the Royal Park Moe's for lunch after church, and then head over to an early afternoon movie. Watch for more details next week when showtimes are released.
Summer Mission Trip forms are online! The first mission trip meeting for anyone interested in either high school ASP or middle school SIFAT is Sunday, April 13 at 7:30in the youth building.
Children's Ministries
Elizabeth Jones
Sit Together Sunday, March 23, 9:40 & 11:00: Elementary Children will be joining their family for worship in the Worship Center. We will offer Sunday School and childcare for our preschoolers (Pre-K and younger).The Children's Ministries Office and Stepping Stones will be closed the week of March 24 (Alachua County's Spring Break). There will be NO CHEERS on Wednesday, March 26. CHEERS will resume on Wednesday, April 2.
Mark your calendar for our Easter Celebration on Easter Sunday, April 20, at 9:40 and 12:00! Join us at 9:40 for our wonderful children's Sunday School program, followed by refreshments, singing under the oaks and our family egg hunt. For our 11:00 attenders, children will join their parents in worship for a Family Easter Service followed by an egg hunt by the big playground. Don't forget your Easter basket!
SAVE the date: May 4 is Children's Sunday! Our Trinity children will be leading the 9:40 worship service so we need all of our children's beautiful voices! Parents, please plan to be in town on May 4.
Register your child for Summer Time Fun and/or CrossTrainers! For more registration and details, visit here.
Sports Ministry
Ben Haines
Next Level Soccer Clinic: for boys & girls age 9-13. May 7 - June 13 (Wednesdays and Fridays) from 4 - 7pm. Click here for more information and to register.Senior Slow Pitch Softball 55+ every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 AM on the softball fields. The 65+ group meets on Mondays at 9 AM. Both groups are open to males and females. Females can attend either group regardless of age. Come and join us if you're interested!
Trinity Co-Ed softball is back! Anybody 18 and over, games will be played on Friday evenings beginning at 5:30. First game is April 11, final game is May 16. Deadline to register is March 21. Cost is $30. Click here to register for Co-Ed softball. I hope that all of you will consider signing up. The more the merrier! :)
CrossTrainers registration is now open for Trinity members and regular attenders, Stepping Stones, and MOPS families. Registration is open to the community on April 7. For more details, click here.
General Announcements
We are having all the asphalt on campus resurfaced next week. Driveways and parking areas will be closed for periods of time as the work is completed. One main entry drive will always remain open. Please contact Josh Fuller with any questions.The Facility Management Department is looking for volunteers to help pressure wash our sidewalks. If you are available during the business day, weekend or evenings and enjoy this type of work, please contact Josh Fuller or call 416-3039. We have all the equipment required.
Stephen Ministers care for people facing tough times. Every one of us experience challenges at some time in our lives - times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty. Trinity currently has Stephen Ministers who are available to help. Call Kay Walker at 336-2006 or Tom Sklens at 384-1807 for more information.
Trinity Dance Camp 2014: Registration will begin on Monday, April 7. Dance Camp is for girls who are currently in 1st - 5th grade. The camp will be held July 28 - August 1st this year from 9am - 1pm. For more information or to register please email Susan Kovi,or call 352-416-3017.
Gainesville Fine Arts Association Winter Show ends on March 21! Don't miss this great mixed media juried show on display now on the second floor of the Education Building. Participating artists may pick up their items on Friday, March 21 from 8:30am to 12:00 noon.
COUNTY FAIR! Stepping Stones Spring Program! Thursday, March 20 5:30-7:00pm Hold onto your hats! You're in for a "rootin' tootin"' good time at the Stepping Stones County Fair! We begin the evening with a picnic dinner that you provide for your family under the shady trees in front of the Worship Center. We will have a few picnic tables set up but encourage our families to bring blankets to sit on. We are also offering box lunches (to be ordered and prepaid through the school office) as an option for your picnic dinner. Afterwards, the fair continues inside where parents view our blue ribbon exhibits with categories varying from recycled art, to gardening, to beekeeping. Local farmers are also invited and bringing spring produce and information about their farms. All age groups have been working hard to learn songs and dances to perform. We ask children to wear jeans and white shirts if possible. We have color coordinated bandanas for each age group to wear. More information to come home soon. Monies from the Special Events Fee were used to defray the cost of this event.
Healing Touch Cancer Support group will meet tomorrow, Thursday, March 20 at 5:30 in the O.Dean Martin Prayer Room off the Atrium. All cancer patients and survivors, family and friends are welcome for prayer and encouragement as we lean on Christ to help us. Joanie Kniseley will be leading us in Affirmative Prayer for Everyday Health Care.
United Methodist Women Mission Study, "The Roma of Europe," Tuesday, March 25, TUMC Worship Center, Banquet Side. Registration begins at 9:00 am and the study is from 9:30 - 1:30. "The Roma Of Europe" will introduce us to the Roma people, often called gypsies, their history, spirituality, life style and how they are treated in modern Europe. Bring your lunch. Drinks and other snacks will be provided. The study is open to anyone who wishes to come so bring a friend.
"Everyone knows at least one person that has cancer". Perhaps, even, it might be you or you could be a cancer survivor. It is a wicked disease. The most positive thing that we can do to support our friend, family member, or co-worker who has it is to lift them in prayer into God's healing light. Let the Order of St. Luke add our prayers to yours. Very powerful! Next Healing Service in the chapel is the second Sunday in April, the 13, Palm Sunday at 9:40. Come! We will pray with you."
Sunday Morning Altar Flowers - If you wish to reserve the Worship Center altar flowers in honor or memory of someone or to the Glory of God, please contact Tammy.
Volunteer Opportunities
•We are in need of volunteers for the Front Reception Desk, please contact Susan Kovi for details. •If you want to volunteer but don't see anything that interests you, contact Susan Kovi. Susan can help you help Trinity!
•Hospitality volunteers needed one Sunday per month for the new Modern Worship service in the Youth Building. Please contact Franny or call her at 352-416-3027 if you would like to help. •Communion Stewards are still needed for all three Sunday services - especially the 9:40 and 11:00 services. No experience is needed. Volunteers may help as they are available. No short or long term commitment. Please contact Pam Goad or Chuck Goad.
•Kitchen Volunteers Needed: The food service ministry needs your help. Please contact Franny.
•A call for volunteers! We need your help! If you have a desire to serve, we have many opportunities for you to use your gifts and graces in our Modern Worship service. Greeters, Communion Servers, Hospitality, set up/tear down, to name a few. Please contact Rev. Esther or check out our list at here .
Weekly Bible Studies
-Tuesday Morning Moms, Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30, E203 -Women Growing in Faith, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30, E232
- Men's Prayer and Bible Study, Wednesdays, 7:00 am, E232
- Wednesday Morning Pastor's Bible Study, Wednesdays at
9:15 am, Chapel
- Exploring Jesus' Teachings Bible Study, Thursdays at 10:30am, E232
- Dan Johnson's Daily Scripture Email is available upon request.
Trinity Members in the News
We would love for you to share any news involving our Trinity family. Please contact Tammy or call 416-3005.
Family Matters
Christian Love & Sympathy is extended to Vicki Guinn & Family on the February 27 passing of Vicki's mother in law Annette Guinn and also to Marian Caddis Braswell & Family on the March 8 passing of Marian's mother Earlene Owings Caddis.Special Birthday Greetings are extended to Glenn Westerheim (93) on 3/18, Hazel Wendelburg (98) on 3/18 and Fran Allison (90) on 3/22.
If you are celebrating your 80th, 90th, 90th plus birthday and would like it announced in the Tuesday Word and/or the bulletin, contact Tammy Karafa.
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Trinity United Methodist Church
4000 NW 53rd Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32653 United States
(352)376.6615
TrinityGNV.org
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