 Dear Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving
1. Our hearts at Trinity are overflowing with a feeling of Thanksgiving to God and to you:
- for the outpouring of generosity in providing 1300 Thanksgiving Baskets for families in need
- for your generosity in helping create the area's only fully accessible playground, complete with its own "Noah's Ark!" Spread the word; we want this playground to be for everyone!
- for so many of you already turning in your pledges/commitment cards to fund the 2015 ministry budget. So far we have received 328 pledges, totaling $1,365,263, with each pledge averaging $4,162. If you haven't turned in your pledge, please mail it in today or bring it to Church on Sunday. Our new Faith Mission, a full time Sonlight Director, maintaining our buildings in top condition, all depend on our faithful giving to this important, eternal work.
2. This coming Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent. If you've ever wondered about the meaning of Advent, why the candles, why the color of the candles we use, etc, then this link of a neat video is just for you. Check it out, you'll really appreciate it, and your kids will too. Also, our worship time will be a extra special "Lessons and Carols and Message" service as we begin celebrating the Light of Christ coming into the world.
3. Speaking of Advent, we're doing something really special with our Advent devotionals (DSE's) this year. Every day a different devotional, written by a congregation member, will be shared with you through DSE emails and our social media pages. We invite you to take that scripture to inspire a photo you can share with us, your friends & your family on (a) how you are sharing your light with others or (b) where you are seeing others shine their light during this wonderful season. So step back, slow down, treasure and enjoy Advent with us! Just use #trinitylightshine to be part of the celebration.
4. A heads up for our 2015 sermon series which will be on our Family Heritage; the life and teaching of John Wesley. I share this with you now, because your Sunday School class or small group might want to plan to join in by studying one of these resources: Adam Hamilton's book: Revival; Faith as Wesley Lived it, or Steve Harper's books: The Way to Heaven or John Wesley's Message Today. Kim will have these in our Trinity bookstore.
5. If you're free - there's a special SHINE Holiday Concert on November 30th at 3pm at the Thomas Center benefiting the Mental health Coalition of North Central Florida. It will feature show tunes by our own Dorene Webster and paintings by Celia Burger and pianist Kathy Plympton. This concert is free and open to everyone.
6. If you're in town with family the day after Thanksgiving, I encourage you to come to the chapel for our Friday Night Praise Service (7:00), with Rev. Cliff preaching and his talented nephew bringing the music.
All of us on the staff of Trinity wish you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.
Rev. Dan
P.S. I'm just so proud of our Trinity team. Planning to close at noon on Wed, we got a call this pastSunday asking if we could host a memorial service for a well known Gainesville person, because no place else was big enough. I responded by saying, "Wow, that might be tough as we were planning to be closed Wed afternoon, but I'll check with our folks." And, your Trinity staff responded with their characteristic "can do" spirit, and custodians will be here to assist and then to rearrange the whole Worship side B to get ready for Church on Sunday; the sound tech is coming in; Carmen is preparing the meal; Tammy and Josh organized everything. Can I just say that we have an awesome staff!! This Thanksgiving you might say a special prayer of Thanks for them, and, over the next few weeks, let them know. With Trinity being such a "community place" the number of set ups, take downs is beyond most of our imagining. |
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 A Word from Rev. Esther
This Wednesday there will be NO 6:35 service or Coffee Talk. Please enjoy Thanksgiving -- I am personally grateful for you! On December 3 the 6:35service in the chapel will begin an Advent series, to prepare our hearts and spirits for Christmas. We'll be doing so with inspiration from Jan Richardson's book 'Night Visions' -- you won't want to miss it. Blessings! |
Family Matters
Congratulations to Gina Simonton who is GHS "Teacher of the Year."
Our prayers and Love are with Ann Mercer and her family on the passing of her husband, Cecil, whose service is today at 1:00 in the worship center. |
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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 | |
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