Trinity United Methodist Church "Tuesday Word" fot Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Tuesday WordTuesday, 2 December 2014    Worship: Sundays @ 8:15 am, 9:40 am, 11:00 am | Wednesdays @ 6:35 pm | Fridays @ 7:00 pm Dear Friends, I lost a dear friend this weekend.  Gainesville lost a model citizen and stellar attorney; Blue Key - a former president; UF -  a great advocate and alum; FFA -  a former national officer; our Church lost a Christian gentleman. James Quincey passed into life eternal this past Sat morning.  Oh my!  He and Connie have meant so much to so many.  We will celebrate Jim's life this Wed morning at 11:00 at Trinity, and we will hold Connie and her family in our hearts and prayers. Now let me remind you of some upcoming events of Advent: Wednesday night: Our Church Family Advent Festival -  5:30 - 7:30pm in the Worship Center, great for entire family. Dinner tickets are still available online. Also, our Wed night Contemporary service in the Chapel (6:35). Thursday night: Trinity's Stepping Stones Preschool Christmas Program at 6:30pm, we are so proud of our preschool! Sunday morning: I'll be preaching on our Advent theme of "Light shining in the Darkness."  If you haven't ordered your poinsettias and made their dedication in honor or memory of a loved one, I encourage you to do so here; they add such beauty to our worship center, and the dedications mean so much. Wednesday, Dec. 10 is Malawi night at Trinity.  If you're one of the 300 Trinity folks who sponsor a child in Malawi, or want to learn more about this ministry and a possible trip to Malawi next year, then I really hope you will join Jan and me for dinner at 6:00 (just come, dinner is provided), and hear more about Ted Grueser's recent trip to the community where these 300 children live. RSVP to Ted. Thanks for your ongoing generosity to God's work through Trinity.  If you haven't yet returned your commitment card, would you do your best to do that this weekend?  Thanks. I began this Tuesday Word talking about the loss of my dear friend.  But, the deeper truth is this: that in God's forever love there are no forever losses, for Christmas is the ultimate affirmation that God is with us, so that we might be with God - forever.  Jim just got a head start on the rest of us.  May we all know this wondrous Savior, too, and live to make Him known.  Amen. Quick Links Upcoming Events Submit a Prayer Request  Donate Online  Trinity's Website  ______________________________ Worship This Week Sunday: Dr. Dan Johnson Wednesday: Rev. Esther Rodriguez Friday: Rev. Cliff Patrick 3 | Family Advent Festival, 5:30-7:15 5 | Parent's Night Out, 5:30-8:30. RSVP by 12/3 4 | AARP Smart Driver Course , E222 10 | Malawi Family Reunion, 6pm, Worship Center 14 | Order of St. Luke Healing Service, 9:40, Chapel 14 | Baptism Orientation, 11am, CMT office 14 | Church-wide Christmas Party, 4 - 7pm, Skate Station (sponsored by Alpha)  A Word from Rev. Esther Rev. Esther's blog "Tell it as a story about darkness giving birth to light, about seemingly endless waiting, and about that which lies at the end of all our waiting." -Rev. Jan Richardson I am thankful for Advent and am full of expectation -- I'm so glad it's here.  If you'd like to take time and prepare for the coming of the Messiah along with the Wednesday, 6:35 service in the chapel, please join us.  This week we're starting our 3 week Advent series, inspired by Jan Richardson's book 'Night Visions.'  The bookstore has copies, if you want to go deeper into it -- and whether you come to the services or not, I recommend it; the artwork is stunning.  This week we'll begin by exploring 'Darkness' -- this is the place the Advent journey begins.  Hope to see you there.  Advent blessings. A Word from Rev. Aaron Rev. Aaron's blogI pray everyone enjoyed a Happy Thanksgiving! My prayers turn now to the season of Advent...may this be a wonder-filled time for us all as we wait with joyful anticipation for the coming of Christ. I am so excited about all that God has in store for our church this holiday season, from the Advent Festival to the Stepping Stones program to our Christmas concert to the series at the 6:35 in the chapel to all of our Christmas services. So many moments await us that are meant to be shared. Please consider inviting people you know who may be new to Trinity to attend with you. "Let every heart prepare Him room." Amen. Music & Worship Arts  Alice Wallis Plan to join us for our annual Trinity Family Christmas Dinner and Adult Choir Christmas Concert on Wednesday, December 17, beginning at 5:30pm. Tickets for dinner are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Ages 0-4 eat free. Tickets will be available beginning Sunday, November 30, and are only required for the dinner.  The concert will begin at 7:30--no ticket required! Contact Susan to reserve your tickets. The new Sonlight Director Position Description is located on our website.  This position will require a very special person, so please (a) pray with us for this person and (b) feel free to share with anyone you think might be interested.  We are receiving applications through Dec. 31. Missions Ted Grueser Can Christmas still change the world? The Christmas story is a story of love, hope, redemption and relationship. So, what happened? How did it turn into stuff, stress and debt? Somehow, we've traded the best story in the world for the story of what's on sale.  Throughout Advent, our Mission Boxes will focus on Advent Conspiracy, a global movement of people and churches letting their light shine this Christmas by Worshipping Fully, Spending Less, Giving More and Loving All.  This week's Mission Box will go towards Living Water International where we are joining with Stepping Stones Preschool to pay for a well for in El Salvador. Let's let our light shine in El Salvador. You're Invited! Do you sponsor a child with World Vision in Malawi? Do you want one? Mark Your Calendars!Wednesday, December 10th at 6:00 p.m. we will have a Malawi Family Reunion.  This will be an evening to learn and see what is taking place in Nhkoma, Malawi. We will have a special presentation from Missionaries that work in Malawi share stories, photographs and moving testimonies.  We would love to have everyone that is supporting a child or is interested in supporting a child come and enjoy this great evening of food and fellowship. I want to say a huge thanks to everyone that helped with the Thanksgiving Basket ministry this year.  What a huge success! Because of your participation, more than 1300 families in our area were able to have a complete Thanksgiving meal.  Everyone didn't get a chance to see the smiles of families walking out with their basket and turkey or feel the hug of the social workers that picked up meals for their referred families but please know this program is a blessing felt by our neighbors. This outreach would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our Trinity family, our awesome staff, and the Missions Committee.  The Thanksgiving Basket Outreach has become one of my favorite Trinity traditions and it was Amazing! Youth Julie Mishoe There is a Parent's Meeting on Sunday, December 7th! Meet in the Youth Building at 4:30 PM. It's the most wonderful time of the year... Christmas caroling season!! Join us on Sunday the 7th for a night of caroling and yummy s'mores by the campfire. No singing talent required! Cost is $8, and the event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. We could still use drivers for the Christmas caroling event. Please contact us if you are willing to help out. Thank you! Children's Ministry Elizabeth Jones Our Family Advent Festival is TOMORROW! Come and join us for dinner (5:30-6:30), Christmas crafts (6:00-7:00), caroling and Chrismons (7:00-7:15)!  It's not too late to reserve dinner tickets  online. Thank you Trinity for sponsoring 138 Guardian ad Litem (GAL) children!  Help us transport and deliver the gifts to the GAL office on Monday, Dec. 8th at 9:15. Please contact Machelle at marrison@trinitygnv.org if you can help.    Mark your calendar for these upcoming events and find more information on the Children's Ministry webpage:  December 3: Family Advent Festival, 5:30-7:15 December 5: Parents Night Out, 5:30 - 8:30 (register by Dec. 3) December 8:  Guardian ad Litem Gift Drop off, 9:15 December 14: Baptism Orientation, 11:00, rm. 108 December 17:  Live Nativity, 5:30-7:30 Dec. 24: Children's Christmas Eve Service, 5:00 pm December 28: One Family Friendly Service (No Sunday School nor Childcare), 9:40 am Adult Ministries David Leonard  Families on a Mission Sunday School class (11 am; Youth Bldg) will begin an Advent study Not Yet Christmas: It's Time for Advent by J.D. Walt THIS Sunday Dec. 7.  Daily readers are available at the Trinity Bookstore for $7.  If you would like to purchase a book before Sunday contact Kim. Caring & Support Jim Cook Plan to join the Order of St. Luke for the next Healing Service on Sunday, December 14th at 9:40 in the Chapel. David Yonutas will be the speaker and share his healing testimony. Come and pray for healing, for yourself, a friend, a family member, a co-worker.  It's the most you can do for them. Caregiver Support Group: Meet every Monday from 7 pm-8:30pm (E225). Contact: Mary Steinwandt or call 214-662-4869. Are you experiencing the holiday blues?  The joy  of the holidays can turn into a time of painful loneliness and emptiness for those who have suffered a loss or who are going through a difficult time.  Our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care.  They will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and support you through the holidays and as long as you need.  If you or someone you know is hurting, call Kay Walker at 336-2006 or Tom Sklens at 384-1807. General Announcements The MOMMY READS group is always in need of new paperback books, and especially Christmas ones to take on ourDecember 6 trip, but we are also now collecting gently used clothing in all women's' sizes for the inmates at Lowell who have nothing to wear home when they are released. Please place the clothing in ziploc bags with the sizes written on the bag. Both donations can be left at the front desk for MOMMY READS.  For more information, feel free to contact Beth Haines at 373-9469. Join us for the Live Nativity on Wednesday, Dec. 17th from 5:30-7:30 pm.  Invite your friends and neighbors to gather around the big oak tree, sip hot cocoa and view the live nativity.  It will be an evening you will not want to miss! The poinsettias that will be adorning the chancel areas in the Worship Center and Chapel are available for purchase and dedication. Please click here if you would prefer to order online and pay with Visa or MC debit/credit. If you would prefer to pay with cash or check, please use the envelopes located at Trinity. All dedications are due byDecember 17th. #GivingTuesday: On December 2, you can extend the spirit of giving thanks into the Advent season by participating in UMC #GivingTuesday. Every gift made online through The Advance at www.umcmission.org/give on Dec. 2 will be matched up to $1 million.*  See more here   Fred Korzec will teach the AARP Smart Driver Course in a one day session in room 222 on Thursday, December 4th. This classroom refresher for motorists age 50 and older is offered for a modest fee and you do not have to be an AARP member to register for the class. For course registration call Mrs. Lynda LeGrow at (352) 333-3036. 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. Bible Studies Women Growing in Faith, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30, E232 Tuesday Morning Moms, Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30, E203 Bible Study with Rev. Cliff Patrick, Tuesdays 7 pm, E207 Men's Prayer and Bible Study, Wednesdays, 7 am, E232 Wednesday Morning Pastor's Bible Study, Wednesdays, 9:15, Chapel Exploring Jesus' Teachings, Thursdays, 10:30, E226 Life Changing Gathering with Rev. Marvin Celso, Sundays, 3:30 - 5:00 pm, E225 Weekly Prayer Group, Thursdays, 7pm, Chapel    Dan Johnson's Daily Scripture Email is available upon request  Family Matters Happy Birthday!! Phyllis Darnell (90) on November 30 Charles Thomason (92) on December 2 Harold Snider (91) on December 2 Dorothy Linney (90) on December 5 Francine Bangstad (97) on December 5  If you are celebrating your 80th, 90th or 90+ birthday and would like it announced in the Tuesday Word and/or the bulletin, contact  Kelly Ping.   Trinity United Methodist Church 4000 NW 53rd Avenue Gainesville, Florida 32653 United States 352.376.6615 TrinityGNV.org Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Friday, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm STAY CONNECTED

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