Worship: Sundays @ 8:15, 9:40, 11:00 am | Wednesdays @ 6:35 pm
Singing our Way to the Manger
In this Sunday message series throughout December, let us prepare our hearts once again to make room for the Christ child.  
 
This Sunday's sermon is titled, "Zechariah's Song," (Luke 1:67-79) by Rev. Steve Price.  
6:35 Contemporary Service
The Wednesday night, 6:35pm Contemporary service began a new series, "The Redemption of Scrooge" on November 29 and will run through the end of 2017.
Mission Box 
This week's Mission Box supports Charity Nerds. Charity Nerds donates new and used games and gaming consoles to hospitalized children to provide an escape from the psychological and physical effects of their treatment, and to help them and their families cope with their healthcare experience. In addition to our mission box support, we are also accepting video game and console donations until December 17th. You can put them in the blue bins in the Worship Center or in the lobby of the Education Building. (text 2 give keyword: nerds)  
Skate Station Christmas Party
Join us on December 17 from 4-7pm for the annual Trinity Christmas party at Skate Station! There is free admission, sponsored by Alpha, so what a great opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor who is looking for a church home! There is something for everyone - from rock climbing, skating, miniature golf, go-carts, games, or just sitting, chatting and eating Christmas cookies.  Santa will be joining us too for your children or grandchildren so bring your cameras! Please bring your favorite Christmas Cookies to share, other concessions will be available for purchase.
Habitat Dedication & Construction
Last Saturday, Alachua Habitat for Humanity held a dedication ceremony for three new homes that are currently under construction in the Hammock Oaks neighborhood in southeast Gainesville. Rev. Steve Price participated in the ceremony, offering a blessing for the construction. Trinity member Jeff Montgomery was also onsite for the occasion. Jeff's Chevron at Hunter's Crossing is the title sponsor for one of the homes, for which he invited Trinity to be a co-sponsor. Trinity is also one of an interfaith group of sponsors for a second home at the site.

Work teams are currently forming to assist with construction on the homes. All skill levels welcome. Habitat will find a place for everyone to serve. Only requirement is to be at least 16 years of age. To share your interest in participating, email Jordyn Cowart. Please indicate if your availability is weekday, weekend, or both.

Christmas Eve Offering
We are very excited to tell you about this year's Christmas Eve offering; you have the opportunity to support a ministry Trinity has partnered with for many years and through which many of you have served.

Family Promise is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence. Recently, they began collaborating with Habitat for Humanity to help families move from homelessness to home ownership in as little as two years with their new Family Promise Partners in Housing Program. This program purchases manufactured homes where families can live for up to one year, during which time Family Promise continues to provide case management that helps them learn important life skills. Families who stay on track during this time of transition and thrive in the program then become eligible to enter the Habitat for Humanity home ownership program. Our goal is to receive $35,000 through the Christmas Eve offering, which would provide one new manufactured home to the program. Your gifts can make this dream become a reality! Simply place your gift inside the envelope during the Christmas Eve service you'll be attending. If you will be away at Christmas, you can give online or bring your gift to Worship or the office anytime before December 31. You can read more about this program here.

On a night when we remember the child laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn, how great to be able to offer gifts that will bless people in our community who are seeking shelter!
Cantata & Live Nativity
There is a lot going on tomorrow night! First,
invite your friends and neighbors to gather around the big oak tree, sip hot cocoa, and view our live nativity (preschool and elementary children dressed as the nativity characters).   

Then, wander into the Worship Center at 7:30pm for "A Celebration of Carols," our annual Christmas Cantata featuring our combined adult choirs and orchestra. No tickets are required.



Live Stream Christmas Cantata
If you're unable to make the "Celebration of Carols" Cantata this year, we will be streaming it live on our website at 7:30pm.


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Adult Classes
We have a LOT of new classes beginning in January. Online registration is coming soon, but in the meantime, click here to check out all our new offerings!
Christmas Poinsettia Dedications
The poinsettias that will be adorning the chancel areas in the Worship Center and Chapel are available for purchase and dedication. If you would like to order and pay online, please click here. If you would like to pay by cash or check please contact  Bree Kerwin  (416-3017). Orders are due by December 13.
Youth
Mystery Trip: Where are we going? What are we doing? ITS A MYSTERY! January 12-15, all youth (middle and high school) are invited to join us for a unique trip that will not only focus on fun, but also faith. The trip is $100, with a $50 deposit due by December 30. Sign up here!

Yo3@3: Join us on Wednesday's for frozen yogurt at Yo3 Metro at 3pm.  
 
Youth Group: We will be attending the Church-wide Christmas Party at Skate Station! Meet us there from 4-7 pm, admission is free.  
Children's Ministry
No school? No problem! Come join the fun at Trinity's Day Camp on December 20 & 21 from 9am-1pm. 3 years old (by September 1, 2017) through 5th grade are eligible to participate. Cost is $20 per child/day (includes snacks and supplies). Pre-registration is required and space is limited!
Church Directory
We are excited to partner with Lifetouch Photography again to help us create a new church directory.  Photographers will be onsite in January and February to photograph our families for the directory.  Every family will receive a complimentary portrait for their participation and have the opportunity to purchase other photo packages as desired.  Click here to select your preferred date and time slot.  If you need assistance in selecting an appointment time or you would like to serve as a volunteer host during photography times, please contact Jordyn (376-6615). 
Is Trinity on Your Christmas List?
December is a wonderful time to share a special gift with your church home. As the end of the year approaches, there may be giving opportunities available to you that can be a blessing that supports the ministries of the church while also being advantageous to you as a tax deduction. Here are several options to consider:

Gifts of Cash 
This is the simplest and most flexible way to make a gift. You can offer these gifts in worship or go online at trinitygnv.org/giving, where there are options to support the general fund or one of several mission opportunities.

Gifts of Securities
Many persons have experienced significant appreciation of assets in the stock market this year. Consider a gift of stock that has substantially increased in value. Generally, you will receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the asset on the date it is transferred into the church's name without incurring a capital gains tax burden for the appreciation of the asset.

Gifts from an IRA
There are also tax incentives for making IRA distributions to your church. Such gifts from an IRA or similar retirement plan may result in little or no tax on those withdrawals.

Persons who are age 70 ½ or older should check with a tax advisor about the ability to make a tax-free charitable gift directly from a qualifying IRA.

Memorial Gifts
Perhaps as this year comes to an end, there is someone special whom you would like to remember with a special gift. You can make a gift to the general fund in someone's memory or designate your gift in support of any of the existing ministries of the church. Trinity also has a capital needs list from which you could select an item to purchase as a memorial.

For more information about these and other options for giving available to you, please contact Church Administrator, Laura Richardson (352-376-6615).

Charitable contributions must be claimed for the year in which they are delivered. If you make a contribution in early January 2018, it must be claimed on your 2018 return. However, if your gift is mailed and postmarked in December 2017, it is deductible in 2017.
Christian Love and Sympathy is extended to
Rick Cain and family on the passing of his father, Lee Cain, on November 30.  
This Sunday's altar flowers are given to the Glory of God. 

If you would like to provide the altar flowers, please contact Bree (416-3017). If you need to make arrangements for assistance or special accommodations during Sunday services, please contact  Shannon (416-3005) Monday - Thursday. If you would like to have your milestone birthday announced in the Tuesday Word, please email Kelly. 
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