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Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
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This is My Story... What is Yours?
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Greetings!
Recently I was questioned about my support for Justice For Our Neighbors JFON). Without explanation, I can certainly understand why someone might question why I would be in favor of legal support for non-US citizens. It is good to have laws that provide safe living as well as give folks ways to legally enter this great nation if everything were easy and laws were fair for everyone; it just isn’t that simple.
Let me simply say I would not be passionate about feeding the hungry, had I not worked in several food pantries or a monthly breakfast where I discovered the names of folks in need. I would not be passionate for flood buckets had I not lived through the destruction of a hurricane in Florida. I would not be passionate about Haiti had the US Army not sent me there for six months to live and work, followed by half a dozen mission trips with the United Methodist Church and Volunteers in Mission.
I would not be passionate about JFON had I not lived in south Florida, in fact, I was not passionate about their ministry before living in Homestead in 2014. While serving FUMC, I met a fellow pastor from Redland UMC, Rev. Dr. Janet Horman, who later went on to become a full time missionary and director of JFON in Florida. I discovered that 80% of their Homestead clients lived within three blocks of our church-yes three blocks! Jesus encourages us to love our neighbors, but I did not know my neighbor nor did I know how they become my neighbor in the first place.
I discovered many of these young people (age 13-18) came to this country legally with the support of a family member who was a legal resident of the United States. In a very short time (usually within 1-3 months) these children found themselves homeless and without the support of a family. They did not want to come to this country but their families sent them here to get an education and opportunity to improve their lives. Most did not even speak English. They were in a very difficult place and they certainly missed their home and family.
JFON rescued them by helping them find housing and bilingual schools as well as legal counsel. Many of these kids will not become US citizens, but if they can stay long enough to receive an education, their dreams could come true. Becoming legal does not always mean becoming permanent US citizens. There are also many Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) children who need assistance to stay in the only country they know. The folks who come to JFON are seeking a lifeline of humanity. JFON is helping them to live among us legally, be it temporary or permanent.
This is not to say JFON is not helping adults as well, but their biggest challenge is with children and youth. I sat with these children, fed them, prayed with them, clothed them and learned their names. Had JFON and local United Methodist churches not helped these folks, we would have certainly put more illegal immigrants in the fields picking fruit and vegetables with no hope for a better life. Even worse, these children could have become victims of the sex trade or turned to crime as a way of living. For me, this ministry is more than lawyers helping folks with legal counsel.
The awesome thing about our United Methodist Church is that we can get involved in ministries we are passionate about. We can help in local schools with shoes, mentoring and even bringing lunches to well-deserved teachers. We can join a mission trip to Cuba, Costa Rica, hurricane rebuilding or something more local like Florida UM Children’s Home. We can provide donations for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). We can find ways to support our own youth group, take communion to shut ins…bottom line we are invited to live out our faith in ways that we are passionate about; or not.
There are many ways to follow Jesus through outreach beyond the walls of the church. Not everyone will be passionate about JFON and that’s okay. Passion becomes personal quite often through the experiences of our journey with Christ. Follow your heart and allow your passion to flow to the ministries that have found nurture and growth. I’m passionate about Justice For Our Neighbors because their heart touched mine on the path Jesus led me on. It is not possible to do everything; only Jesus can do that. Do what your passionate about and carry no guilt for the rest. This is my story…what is yours?
Your humble servant in Christ Jesus,
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Pastor Dale
"The Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." -
Numbers 6:22-26
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SERMON SERIES FOR THE MONTH
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January 7 is
Epiphany Sunday and Pastor Dale will present the message in the form of a dramatization based on John Wesley's
Sermon 101 entitled
"The Duty of Constant Communion." The sermon was based on the Scripture verse from Luke 22:19 -
"Do this in remembrance of me."
New 4-Part Series to start based on the Book of Ruth
The 21st century world society is in transformation and in search of redemption - we are hearing voices not heard from before. These voices are often women and bringing new clarity to a broken world. For this reason, I believe it is important for us to listen to one of the most powerful voices of the Old Testament. It isn't the voice of Ruth, but rather that of Naomi. This fresh narrative will be a drama of Scripture from both our pastor and worship leader.
January 14 -
God the Redeemer (Ruth 1)
January 21 -
Kindness Comes from the Strangest Places (Ruth 2)
January 28 -
It's Never Wrong to Do What is Right
(Ruth 3)
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MOST WORSHIP SERVICES ARE NOW BEING VIDEO RECORDED AND POSTED TO
YOUTUBE
. PLEASE VISIT AND SUBSCRIBE TO TRINITY'S
YOUTUBE
CHANNEL TO CATCH UP ON THOSE SERVICES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED. TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE.
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1 Angela Baumgartner
1 Roger Baumgartner
4 Georgia Cowan
4 Trevor Rosso
5 Donna Haneline
6 Christopher Jones
6 Marsha Rooney
8 Steve Labchuk
9 Larry Miller
10 Donna Beaty
10 Joanne Osterhouse
11 Jean Clayton
12 Michael Pertler
13 Lindsay Lowery
14 Taylor Palmer
15 Susan Eunice
16 Laura Hunt
17 Tom Cunningham
17 Olivia Panda
17 Olivia VanDeusen
17 Vern Westlake
18 Debbie Jones
23 Dan Vergara
24 Alice Dubberly
24 Larry Graham
24 Mark Moor
26 Stephanie Ford
27 Elissa Fuller
28 Judith McLaughlin
29 Wyatt Dunne
29 Don Halavin
30 Jessica Fuller
31 Bill Hartman
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10 John & Marsha Rooney
48 years
22 Bill & Conya Hartman
18 years
28 Frank & Sally Ford
61 years
29 Walter & Joyce Bennett
59 years
30 Don & Nancy Taylor
64 years
31 Robert & Donna Beaty
37 years
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To call, write or send a member a card or email, contact the church office to request an updated
"People Directory."
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QUICK REMINDERS
- If you are a committee chair or ministry team leader, please let the office know of your meeting dates/times/locations for 2018, so the dates can be put on our e-calendar. If you need to look to see if your dates are already on the calendar, click HERE.
- If you have changed your address, email address or phone number, please send this information in writing to the church office so we can update your profile.
- There is a new 2018 Altar Flower Calendar posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. The cost of floral arrangements are $25 each, with two arrangements featured most every Sunday. You can buy them in memory, honor or celebration of someone. Be sure to sign-up soon, as the slots fill-up quickly. For more info, see Sue Jackson.
- We will "un-decorate" the Sanctuary on Wednesday, January 3rd at 5:30 p.m. Many hands make light work - come one, come all!
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NEWS FROM THE UM CHURCH
AND FLORIDA CONFERENCE
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MAKING DISCIPLES FOR CHRIST:
IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS
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As you have been developing your personal sense of discipleship – both being a disciple and working to make disciples – you have undoubtedly developed some new relationships with people outside your church family. I hope some of these new relationships are with people who, frankly, make you a little uncomfortable.
Look at
Wesley’s General Rules in the Discipleship guide:
- Do no harm by avoiding evil of every kind.
- Do good as often as you can to as many as you can (to their bodies and to their souls).
- Practice the means of grace taught to the disciples by Jesus.
The first two are pretty self-explanatory. Doing no harm and doing good are basic positive traits for humanity. But what about the means of grace?
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ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE
Trinity's Administrative Council will begin the new year by welcoming all new leaders that were elected at our Church Conference last fall. Council meetings will generally be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month in the Wesley Room, unless it conflicts with a holiday. We do not meet in August, unless necessary. The January meeting will be on the 23rd at 6 p.m. Trinity members are welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. All have a voice; only elected members can vote.
John Campbell, Chair
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COMMUNICATIONS WE'VE RECEIVED IN THE MAIL
Dear Parishioners & Pastor Dale,
Thank you for a delicious luncheon at Citrus Grove Elementary. It was very much appreciated and so thoughtful. We are blessed.
Sarah Collins
************************************************************************************
Dear Lana,
Please pass along out heartfelt gratitude to the members of your church for the sneaker donations. What a blessing for our students! It has been a pleasure working with you on this project.
Merry Christmas,
Denise Ribeuo
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PASTOR DALE'S WEEKLY BLOG
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For those who are looking for a deeper insight into some of Pastor Dale's teachings and leadings, he has created a blog which can be viewed anytime on the church website. Click
HERE
to read his latest blog! And, to get an email notice about new blogs being posted on the website, click on the red button below to sign up or contact Lori Jones in the church office for assistance.
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January 2018
This truth comes from Charles Spurgeon, a great, long-deceased Baptist preacher from England, whose books and sermons are still relevant today:
“There is no doubt that it is by praying that we learn to pray, and the more we pray, the better our prayers will be. People who pray in spurts are never likely to attain the kind of prayer described in James 5:16 as 'powerful and effective'. Great power in prayer is within our reach but we must work to obtain it."
Dear friends, this requires commitment. Most of us have busy schedules so perhaps you could begin by getting up just a little earlier and in the quiet of the morning, spend time with the Lord, reading the Word and a devotion and thanking Him for all His provisions. Maybe it would work better for you at night.
During the coming year, we will begin praying through our Church Directory. After our quiet time with the Lord, lift up these church family members, some of whom we may not know, but God does. Perhaps they no longer attend church and need our prayers to bring them home. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray as you lift them in prayer:
Tom & Lynda Adams, Bill & Leanne Adams & family, Jeff & Amanda Agnew & girls, Bob and Sandy Allinson & family, and Ann Anderson
Blessings,
Carolyn Harner, Prayer Team Coordinator
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Merry Christmas to All!
The Trustees last met on December 6th. During the meeting we discussed maintenance on the church bus, security during church services, the Easterseals school maintenance, and general improvements to the church building. Other items discussed were holding another Trustee/Member Work Day and the purchase of an AED (automatic electronic defibrillator).
The Trustee/Member Work Day held on Saturday, December 9th, was highly successful! Some of the things we accomplished included pressure cleaning the sidewalks, grinding down the concrete walk in places that were uneven, replenishing the mulch around the building, and removing an unsightly bush in the front. Miro’s office was cleaned up and re-organized and surplus items were discarded. We also constructed and set up the Nativity in front of the marquee.
I would like to thank Lori and Jeff Hansard and Trinity Youth, Boy Scout Troop 599, David and Jennifer Griffis, Buster Hunt, Miro, Pastor Dale, as well as my fellow Trustees and everyone else who pitched in to “spruce things up”. Many hands make big jobs much smaller.
The Trustees next meeting is scheduled for January 10th. I also want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.
Charlie Daniels, chair
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CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS
Through your generous giving, our Christmas Eve offerings will be sent to UMCOR for relief work being done in California and surrounding states affected by devastating fires. Thank you for your generosity!
Carolyn Linder, Finance Secretary
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TRINITY ANGELS
The Angels now meet the third Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in the Wesley Room. Please join us.
Debra Wood, team leader
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PECAN PRICE DROP!
The cost of a bag of pecans has just been reduced to $9.00! See Cindy Hunt or Claud Anna Smith during the Fellowship Hour or check with Lori Jones in the Church Office during the week. At this price, they won't last long!
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Make plans to join us - TRINITY STRONG!
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Members of
Trinity Strong are busy preparing for the annual
MeStrong 5K Run-Walk to take place on Saturday, February 3rd in the Historic District of DeLand.
Think you may need a little preparation before signing up for a 5k? If you want to join us, participants are currently meeting each Saturday in the parking lot of Freedom Playground at 8 a.m. to stretch, get training tips, then practice for the race. I am willing to help train anyone needing assistance - from beginner walkers to advanced runners.
If you intend to participate in the 5k, you must register at the
MeStrong website as soon as possible. Look for the "Team Registration" page and select
Team Trinity Strong. Next, you will want to order a shirt. Tee shirts with the Team Trinity Strong name, church logo and a Scripture verse are being ordered now. Contact me with your request and size (or any questions) by emailing me at
TeamTrinityStrong@yahoo.com.
Even if you are not going to participate in the run/walk, volunteers and cheerleaders are needed. If you are willing, we need volunteers to man tables and serve water/hot chocolate along the route. Email me or see me at church, if you are interested. And don't forget to order your tee shirt too. We really want to stand out in the crowd on February 3rd to let everyone know who we are, where we are located, and how civic-minded our church is!
I look forward to seeing you this Saturday.
Dona Butler, Team Trinity Strong Coordinator
P.S. Bring a friend! It's the perfect way to introduce them to our church!
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SCHOOL-CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS
On Monday, December 18th, members of Trinity provided a
Christmas lunch to the faculty and staff of
Citrus Grove Elementary in recognition of their hard work and dedication to children. Thanks to everyone who contributed time and goodies to this effort!
Want to get involved? Have questions? Feel free to call, text or email me.
Leslie LaRue, chair
386.748.8501
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Ways to Help Trinity Grow!
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CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES
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The children and youth of Trinity will be going rollerskating on January 14th from 1 to 4 p.m. We will meet at the DeLand rink. Cost is $8.00 plus snack money.
The
Souper Bowl of Caring will be held on Sunday, February 4th. Before both servicesTrinity's youth will collect monetary donations and canned goods to give to the Florida United Methodist Children's Home.
Our annual
Youth Spaghetti Dinner & Talent Show is being planned for sometime in January. Watch for details. Sign-ups are now posted on the bulletin board outside of my office. We are also planning to hold a
Confirmation Class in January for 6th grade and older youth to explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Please contact me for more information.
Happy 2018 to everyone. It is going to be a great year for Trinity youth and their families!
Lori
Hansard, Children & Family Ministry Coordinator
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BREAKFAST AT TRINITY
One of our guests at our December 8 Breakfast played the keyboard and astounded us all with his expertise. We have another guest, who attends church, who is a very good artist. What other gifts are hiding under a bushel for us to discover from our neighbors? Even though some of our guests are down and out, homeless, and sleep in the woods, they come from all backgrounds and God has given them talents just like He has given us.
Once a month, we are able to accept any who enter our door with a delicious meal and loving godly spirits from all who volunteer. We hope we are making them feel special just as God would have us do. They have many problems and ask frequently for our prayers. Our numbers in November and December were 66 and 77; we are thrilled to have our numbers increasing again.
Our breakfasts continue throughout the year on the fourth Friday of each month from 9:30 – 11:15. Come join us as a volunteer; call me or the church office to do so.
Lana Saxon, Breakfast Coordinator
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SUSANNA CIRCLE UPDATE
Susanna Circle closed out its year with a Christmas party at Anita Campbell's, which included eating many different appetizers and desserts, made by the members, and a Chinese gift exchange, which is always lots of fun. During the year, Susanna women feed the homeless at First United Methodist, feed our Fall Festival crowds with hot dogs and chili (homemade), and have various programs that are inspirational and uplifting. We also support women with
Kiva micro-loans, and funds for
Florida Justice for our Neighbors, and the
Grace Pregnancy Center here in DeLand.
Are you interested in being a part of a women's group? We meet the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Call me for more information. We would love to have you join us!
Lana Saxon, Leader
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Join one of our Sunday School classes
designed just for you!
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THE DISCUSSION CLASS
For more information, contact
Steve Roland
, class leader.
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NOT YOUR MOMMA'S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
For more information, contact
Cindy Fox
, class leader.
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THE FRIENDSHIP CLASS
The Friendship Class meets Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Wesley Room, located on the first floor (no stairs to climb). Open to all adults. The current lesson material comes from the Bible and the United Methodist Church's
Adult Bible Studies
“Covenants With God”. For more information, contact
Don Taylor
, class leader.
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BRING A FRIEND AND JOIN US
FOR THE NEXT YOUNG AT HEART LUNCHEON!
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The next
Young At Heart
Luncheon will be held
Tuesday, January 9th at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
.
This month's program will focus on the
newest trends in cancer research and treatments, including gene therapy.
Our speakers will be Ann DeCarr, Oncology Nurse Navigator, and Cindy Trawick, Genetic Counselor, at
Florida Hospital DeLand Cancer Institute
. If you want to learn more about some of the advances that are being made every day, here's a link to an interesting article you may want to read before the luncheon:
In a milestone year, gene therapy finds a place in medicine
.
Plan now to invite your neighbors and friends (
who do not attend Trinity
) and join us! The member who brings the most guests wins a prize. The cost of the lunch is $7 per person.
Reservations
with payment
are now requested in advance
. Complete the reservation form found in Sunday's bulletin and insert with your payment in a pew envelope.
Miss church? Mail or hand-deliver your reservation to the Church Office with your check no later than Monday, January 8th. RSVPs
without possibility of cancellation
can also be made by calling or emailing
Anita
or
John Campbell.
MENU
Meatloaf with Whipped Potatoes
Green Beans
Garden Salad
Hot rolls
Coconut Cake
Make your plans to join us -
today!
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When was Jesus' name decided by the angel Gabriel?
Find out the correct answer to this week's
Bible Quiz
!
What’s a 3-letter word for “a name of God”?
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GOD HAS ASKED US TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN - PLEASE JOIN WITH US ON THE JOURNEY!
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306 W. Wisconsin Avenue,
DeLand, Florida 32720
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