Greetings!
“Mary’s boy”
The world is beginning to show signs of an annual celebration of Mary’s boy: Jesus. More often than not, we think about Christmas as a time to celebrate giving gifts to one another, family gatherings, office parties, decorations and special once-a-year music. We hang lights on trees, our homes—basically ANYTHING that will hold a string of lights. We love to decorate!
Beyond our celebrations this is also a time of year that we set aside to remember when God came to town as a little baby. God eventually grew into a man so we could get to know him and appreciate how much God loves each of us. Jesus, the Messiah had a mom and she proclaimed,
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Lk 1:46–49)
Blessed Mary brings us back to the point of her boy coming to town. The celebration is both bigger than us and not about us. Mary reminds us of how blessed we are when the “Mighty One” loves us and encourages us to love one another. Since Jesus’ birth there have been many generations that remembered Mary’s blessedness.
If Jesus, the Mighty One of God, has come into your life, bringing blessing and joy, then share that blessing with others during this season of joy and celebration. If this is a difficult time of year for you as you enter into a joyless season or a time of year without the one who brought joy and partnership to your life, remember the joy you once shared and the perpetual blessing of the one who “holds the keys of life and death.” I am so thankful for the Prince of Peace who invited all of us to share in His everlasting, never ending joy and peace.
Welcome to Advent, followed by the season of Christmas
Pastor Dale
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JOIN US FOR COMMUNION
On the first Sunday of each month, we observe the Sacrament of
Communion
in all Sanctuary worship services. Your next opportunity to partake is Sunday, December 2. Also, during the 9 p.m. service on Christmas Eve, we will serve communion. Please make plans to join with us!
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ADVENT BEGINS
The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians.
During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Click
HERE to read the rest of the article from UMC.org.
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WORSHIP SERVICES FOR THE MONTH
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December 2 - The First Sunday of Advent
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" - Luke 21:25-28 & Jeremiah 33:14-16
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
December 9 - The Second Sunday of Advent
Music Makers Sunday
Come join Candy Cane Jane, as she leads us on a sweet journey and learn the
Recipe for Life! This delightful Christmas musical teaches that God alone can satisfy His children. It also incorporates the spiritual lesson behind the candy cane and even includes a birthday cake and a birthday song for Jesus. Bring your children and neighborhood children to enjoy this special event!
December 16 - The Third Sunday of Advent
"There is Hope" - Isaiah 12:2-6
Isaiah 12 concludes the first section of the book of Isaiah, during which the prophets tell the people of God’s foreboding judgment on them for breaking their covenant relationship with God. Keep in mind, the judgment of doom has not happened yet, although the prophets foretell of it and their hope of restitution has not happened. When doom happens, the people are to remember these words.
December 23 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent
“This Is the Right Time” - Luke 1:46-55 and Isaiah 9:6-7
A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal One, and Prince of Peace. So, the teenager, Mary, said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.” (excerpts from both texts)
December 24 - Christmas Eve
“People Look East” - Luke 2:1-7 and 8-20
“People, look east, the time is near, of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair, as you are able; trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way.”
December 30 - First Sunday after Christmas
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A Christmas Carol Celebration in
Song & Worship
Gospel and classical Baritone, James McDuffy, will lead both worship services through a Christmas carol and hymn fest on Sunday, December 30th at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Mr. McDuffy will also perform two solos, the popular Christmas songs “Mary Did You Know?” and “O Holy Night”.
Click
HERE to get a sampling of what you are to experience that Sunday!
You will not want to miss this event! James McDuffy’s rich voice and his strong witness of faith will inspire your soul and fill your heart. A free-will offering will be collected for Mr. McDuffy’s ministry. For more information, call the Church Office at (386) 734-4425 or contact
Conya Hartman.
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MUSIC MAKERS SUNDAY
Trinity's
Music Makers
will present
"Candy Cane Lane"
on Sunday, December 9th at both services. Come along with our dream team leader, Candy Cane Jane, as she takes us on a journey through Candy Cane Lane, the Soul Food Forest, and Ms. Gingerbread's house, all in search of the
Recipe for Life.
Bring your camera to catch all the action and enthusiasm, as some of DeLand’s most creative and musically-gifted children bring this delightful tale to life. This "sweet" Christmas musical teaches that God alone can satisfy His children. It also incorporates the spiritual lesson behind the candy cane and even includes a birthday cake and a birthday song for Jesus. Invite your neighbors and friends with young children then watch their faces - you won't be disappointed! If you are on Facebook, click
HERE to let us know if you are coming!
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES AT TRINITY
Please share this information with your family, neigbors and friends. Invite them to join with you as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus!
5:30 p.m. - This service will be targeted to families with young children.
"Unwrapping the Nativity" will tell the story of Jesus' birth through music, puppetry and narration, as we connect scripture to the traditional nativity scene. The entire service has been designed to give families an easy, meaningful way to anticipate and celebrate together the birth of Jesus. If you are on Facebook, click
HERE to let us know if you are coming to this service.
7:00 p.m. - This service has been one of our most popular and is also targeted to families with children of middle school-age and up. A traditional service filled with organ music, solos, carols, lessons and Scripture readings - all by candlight in our beautiful Sanctuary. The message titled
"People Look East" based on Luke 2:1-7 and 8-20.
9:00 p.m. This service will be similar to the seven o'clock service but will also include the serving of communion. The United Methodist Church practices
open communion and everyone is invited to come to the table, for it is God's table. Come and join with us, as we welcome the Christ Child into our hearts, minds and souls!
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MOST WORSHIP SERVICES ARE NOW BEING VIDEO RECORDED AND POSTED TO FACEBOOK AND
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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BIRTHDAYS
1 Eleanor Griffin
2 Lisa Palmer
4 Glen Oberst
5 Robert Miller
6 Vanessa Beaty
6 Dail Helms
11 Cayman Forbes
13 Payton Ebanks
16 Rick Jones
18 Gale Gately
21 Brian Fuller
21 Jackie Westlake
23 Harvey King
30 Patty DeWeese
30 Carol Plummer
31 Dr. Taylor Griffin
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STAY IN TOUCH WITH US!
If your contact information (name, mailing address, telephone number, email address) has recently changed, please notify the church. You can call the office at (386) 734-4425 or email Lori Jones at
officemgr@trinitydeland.org.
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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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ANNIVERSARIES
3 Betty and Leon Hamilton
20 Cecil and Linda Chester
22 Alex and Vincetta Ford
27 Dr. Taylor and Eleanor Griffin
27 Jon and Karen Robbins
29 Steve and Debbie Jones
30 Brian and Melissa Fuller
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- The church Calendar of Events is always available for viewing and can be accessed anytime - 24/7. Simply visit http://www.trinitydeland.org/events to view and print. To submit corrections, changes or new entries, send the informa-tion to Lori Jones in the church office.
- Trinity Today, our monthly newsletter, is distributed by email. Current and older issues can be viewed on the church website http://www.trinitydeland.org/newsletter. Printed copies are available for pickup in the Narthex. If you need to have a newsletter mailed to you, contact the church office.
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Like getting our weekly
PhoneVite calls? If you are not getting them, call the church office at (386) 734-4425 so we can double-check the number we have on file for you.
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REMEMBERING OUR SAINTS...
- Bernice Fishpaw - January 2018
- Hank Kobler - January 2018
- Ann Husfeld - January 2018
- Hubert Talton - January 2018
- Louise Pennington - February 18
- Jean Clayton - March 2018
- David Churms - April 2018
- Jerrie Shepard - June 2018
- Carolyn Szell - August 2018
- Julie Baumgartner - October 2018
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...AND WELCOMING HIS NEWEST CREATIONS
Ritter William Fussell, son of Olivia (Van Deusen) and T.J. Fussell, was baptised on Sunday, November 18th. Proud grandparents are Sally and George Van Deusen.
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PLANNING AND VISIONING RETREAT
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Our
Planning and Visioning Retreat, held at the Children's Home last month, was very successful in that it opened our eyes to both realities and possibilities. Retired pastor, Beth Fogle-Miller, facilitated the retreat and 36 members were in attendance.
At their November meeting, members of the Administrative Council discussed the issues and conclusions from the retreat, acting directly on some items and referring others to appropriate committees. Rather than inserting a detailed report in the December newsletter, they felt it best to send out under separate cover.
The written report is being prepared now and will be sent to all members in a few weeks via email. Photocopies will be placed on a shelf/table outside the Sanctuary doors, and will be mailed to members
upon request. For more information, call the Church Office or contact
Rev. Beth Fogle-Miller.
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FINANCE TEAM UPDATE
Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church of DeLand. Your support makes it possible to do ministry in a very distinctive and excellent way that sheds the light of Christ throughout our community and the world.
We have been sharing God's blessing in our devoted youth ministry, children's ministry, mission and outreach (locally, nationally and globally), Music Makers, a wide variety of Bible studies and Sunday School, as well as our diverse worship experiences. Our choir and praise band have truly blessed us this year, pointing us to the celebration of our Lord in every season. We have sent an adult mission team to Cuba and hope to send another team in the spring of 2019, in addition to a youth mission team.
Programs and ministries such as these are a regular part of the ministries of our Church; however, these ministries do not happen without a lot of hard work and financial support. At the end of October, we were still in a deficit position.
Now is the time that we ask that each of us take one final look at our giving statements for 2018. We need to end strong so that we can continue our great ministries through the last quarter of this year. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and your continued support of the ministries of Trinity United Methodist Church.
Finance Team members
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ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
Church Council Secretary needed
Barbara Bradley has faithfully served as the Council Secretary for several years and feels that it is time to step down and enlist a new individual for the job. This is a voting-member position. ("Don’t be afraid; they are a kind bunch!" says Bradley.) Duties include the following tasks:
- Attend all scheduled and called Council meetings (regularly scheduled for the fourth Tuesday of each month)
- Take notes by hand or recording
- Prepare minutes shortly after each meeting then circulate to Chair and Pastor before distributing to Council members
- Email request for committee reports about ten days before each meeting
- Copy reports into two electronic files (Word and PDF format) and distribute, along with meeting date info and minutes from the previous meeting, to Council Leadership list via email
- Request new Leadership List from Lori Jones or Pastor Dale in January
- Add new Council members and remove retiring ones from attendance sheet (used at every meeting).
- Other tasks, as assigned.
Computer skills are a must. The Secretary must be familiar with Word and Excel, as well as know how to convert Word documents into PDF files. All correspondence is handled by email, so having an email program with dependable access to the internet is essential. For details, contact Pastor Dale or John Campbell.
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LOCAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP TRAINING
When? Saturday, December 8
Where? Solid Rock UMC, 440 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando, FL 32811
Who? Designed for current and incoming administration team leaders and members, including those serving on
Finance,
Staff-Parish Relations,
Trustees, and
Children & Family Ministries (those working with children and youth, ages infant to 18).
We encourage the above-mentioned team leaders and their committee members to attend. Cokesbury sells Committee guideline books, however, a few of those books are in the Pastor's office. If not, click
HERE to view and order.
The event is free; organizers ask that you register for planning purposes. Click
HERE to register.
Blessings,
John Campbell, chair
Administrative Council
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Christian nurture, the edification of believers, helps people understand, know and love God more. Teaching, guiding ministries must be a priority to help fulfill our church's purpose.
If you are interested in serving on one or more of our nurturing ministries, contact
Donna Beaty.
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ADVENT PREPARATIONS
Advent will begin on Sunday, December 2nd. Here is a link to an
Advent Guide
containing lots of ideas, activities and prayers to be shared and enjoyed by families during this special time. If you cannot download the document, contact the Church Office for a printed copy. (The guide has been produced by
Outreach.com
.)
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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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CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES
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Merry Christmas & Happy Advent to all! The month of December will be exceptionally busy.
Thank you for sending one of our lead teachers, Karen Robbins, to
Church of the Resurrection in Kansas. She brought back lots of new ideas to share with members of our
Children & Family Ministry Team! This winter, we will be using the
Deep Blue curriculum. Our teachers are researching a curriculum used at the Resurrection church to discern if we can incorporate it for use at Trinity next year. We are also working with the Worship Team to create a
Blessing of the Pets Service to be held on our Plymouth Avenue property. And, finally, we are working on organizing a
Children's Bible Study Group in the new year.
Here are the scheduled activities for December:
- Sunday, December 2nd, children will participate in the Gingerbread House-making activity.
- Sunday, December 9th, between the two services, children in Sunday School classes will join with Music Makers in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy crafts, games, movies, and snacks.
- Sunday, December 16th, the Sunday school will go to a nursing home and sing Christmas carols and deliver cards signed by both adults and children.
- Sunday, December 23rd, the children's Sunday school classes will sing to the adult Sunday school classes then we will go back to our classes to say Happy Birthday to Jesus.
- Sunday, December 30th, the children and youth will go to the DeLand Fire and Police Station to deliver cookies and express their thanks to all First Responders.
Thanks to all of our teachers, leaders and volunteers who work with our children, youth and young adults in ministry. Bless you all for having such caring hearts!
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YOUNG AT HEART
The next gathering of Trinity's
Young at Heart ministry will be held on Tuesday, December 11th at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Young at Heart (YAH) is a ministry for senior adults age 55+. Come and enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie with other seniors. Lunch cost is $7 per person. Reservations are required. Complete the form inserted in weekly bulletins or call the Church Office. Payment is due at the time of reservation.
This month's program will feature our own
Larry Graham - singer, arranger, keyboardist extrordinaire - playing and singing your favorite Christmas tunes and a few that you may not know by heart but will
definitely enjoy hearing!
Oops - don't forget - we are collecting disposable items needed by clients of the
Volusia Council on Aging for Christmas. We agreed to collect items until December 10th. Items like Depends, Ensure (both regular and sugar-free), canned food with pop-tops, socks, brushes, combs and gift cards to Wal Mart or Publix are needed. A collection bin has been set up in the Fellowship Hall. To ensure the safe delivery of gift cards, take them to the Church Office and Lori should be able to give you a receipt. Thank you!
And, finally, our
"daycation" to Winter Park on the SunRail was a HUGE success. (Just ask Linda Capilupo!) We are busy making plans for our
next
day trippin' fun outing. Plan now to join us at this month's YAH so you can vote on where we go for our next trip. Invite your neighbors and friends. Remember, the person who brings the most guests
wins a prize!
Questions? Call or
send us an email. Hope to see you on the 11th!
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To spread the love of Christ and connect our congregation with opportunities to serve our community, both locally and globally.
If you are interested in serving on one of our outreach ministry teams, contact
Dee Miller.
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OPEN HOUSE AND GINGERBREAD HOUSE-MAKING EVENT
Join us for our very
1st Annual Gingerbread House event for families and individuals of all ages. Attendees will get to tour our beautiful Sanctuary and make their own Gingerbread House, while enjoying some fabulous hot chocolate and making new friends!
The "open house" event will be held on
Sunday, December 2 between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m.
Advance reservations are requested. Call the Church Office at (386) 734-4425 or click "Going" on our
Facebook page to reserve your spot and ensure we will have all the ingredients for you to make your very special and unique house!
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CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS
Our very popular
Christmas Candlelight Concerts will be held on
Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. The music to be performed is titled
"Darkness into Light: A Christmas Musical Journey". Hear the story of Jesus, as a baby, who comes into the world bringing light and hope to all. The uplifting work will be performed by a choir, soloists, narrators and instrumentalists on piano, organ and cello.
This event is open to the public and there is no charge for admission. If you are on Facebook, click
HERE to let us know you are coming!
Volunteers are needed to put up flyers around the downtown area. If you can help, contact
Conya Hartman or call the Church Office at (386) 734-4425.
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FSU'S ALL-NIGHT YAHTZEE RETURNS TO TRINITY ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH!
That's right!
All Night Yahtzee - the popular, contemporary a capella singing group based at Florida State University will come back to DeLand to put on another outstanding concert. The concert event is open to the public. Invite your friends and neighbors to come and hear this talented group of collegians as they entertain us with familiar Christmas carols plus arrangements of their own - all with a unique blend of harmonies that will amaze and entertain you!
Concert time is 7:30 p.m. If you are on Facebook, click
HERE to let us (and your friends) know you are coming!
This is a free concert but to help the group defray the cost of their tour, we will be taking up a free-will offering. Need more information? Call the Church Office at (386) 734-4425 or contact Conya Hartman or Kathy Clark.
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OUR SCHOOL-CHURCH PARTNERSHIP
Citrus Grove Elementary
is in need of volunteers to help stock and maintain the school's
Parent Resource Center.
Volunteers are needed to unpack, catalogue and shelve school supplies, non-perishable food items, and holiday gifts that will be coming from Angel Tree donors for needy students at the school. Contact Christina Dewberry at (386) 626-0053, extension 22596, to learn more.
Citrus Grove Elementary School's
7th Annual Groovin' at the Grove 5k & Fun Run/Walk
will take place on Saturday, February 23rd. Volunteers are needed to fill a variety of jobs. Contact Denise Riberio at the school to learn more and to sign up. She can be reached at (386) 626-0053, extension 22578.
If you have not applied online and received approval to volunteer at the school, I can assist you! Simply
contact me via email
.
Anita Campbell, CG Mentor & Volunteer
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SNEAKERS FOR KIDS
It's time to buy sneakers for kids who are in need at
Citrus Grove Elementary. Trinity started this project in 2015 after receiving a $1500 grant from The Alice Lockmiller Foundation of the Florida Conference. To date, we have purchased 220 pairs of sneakers for children in need.
Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, members of the
Outreach Team will be making another “buy” (purchase of shoes) this month! The process began in November, as teachers gave a list of children in need to our liaison at the school. Measuring, buying, matching up socks, fitting, swapping---all this began at the end of November and will continue through the first week of December. We expect to buy 50 pairs of sneakers.
If you would like to help
in any way, please let me know.
Lana Saxon, Coordinator
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BREAKFAST AT TRINITY
Our Breakfast for those in need in our community will be early this month due to so many Christmas activities. Please join us on December 7 from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. if you would like to volunteer to help provide a delicious breakfast to our community. Would you like to bake for us? We give out individually-wrapped packages of six cookies to our guests in December as a special treat.
Many of our Breakfast guests sleep in tents or in their cars and could use some warm clothing. If you have any coats for men, women or children in good, clean condition, or any blankets or sleeping bags, please put them in the clear bins in the Fellowship Hall. We will pass them on to our Breakfast guests in December. Many thanks!
Lana Saxon, Coordinator
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DINNER CHURCH IS COMING!
A new approach to worship is gaining a lot of attention these days. It's called
Dinner Church. What is it? First and foremost, it is church. Second to that, it incorporates a meal - be it a dinner or a lunch or breakfast. The concept is grounded in the fact that Jesus always invited those around him to share a meal. It was during those meaningful, intimate settings that he engaged and developed close relationships with them - men, women, sinners, Jews and Gentiles alike. That relationship is what started the church and eventually grew the church into the millions of Jesus followers today!
Trinity is forming a
Task Group that will attend multiple trainings on the Dinner Church concept to learn all about it and how it is being successfully implemented in churches around Florida and the U.S. The Task Group will learn how the simple act of sharing a meal and sharing the Word can work miracles in bringing the unchurched and marginally churched to Christ.
If you are interested in learning more or want to join this exciting new task group, contact me by
email or call Pastor Dale at (386) 734-4425.
Denise "Dee" Miller
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WITNESS
Christian witness is a public act of both faith and hope intended to awaken in the world belief in Jesus Christ and hope of salvation.
The
Witness Team coordinates, plans, carries out, and evaluates the congregation’s witness ministries, helping all to know and respond to the love of God in Christ. This includes planning for evangelistic outreach and setting goals for congregational growth, visitation, and hospitality.
If you are interested in being a part of this essential new team, contact
Rob Miller at church, by email, or by leaving him a note in the Witness Team mail box at church.
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'TIS THE SEASON
Trinity's Advent and Christmas worship services, concerts and special events will be some of
the best opportunities to express our Christian witness to those that may be hurting, seeking and thirsty for the love of Jesus Christ. We hope you will join with other
Trinity Ambassadors as we welcome our guests with candles in the windows a beautifully lighted Chrismon tree, the singing of carols, smiles all around, and an inspirational message to go out and awaken everyone you meet with the news -
Joy to the World, the Lord has come! Merry Christmas!
The Editor
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PRAYER CORNER
The Focus of Christ at Christmas
Dear Father in Heaven,
I am sorry when I have made my never-ending lists of things to do before the holiday season take the place of You. I know that Jesus Christ is
the reason for the season in the first place. It is Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7; John 1) in Jesus Christ. Please forgive us when our “to-do” lists make us esteem ourselves better than others and makes us “me-first” oriented because we want to get everything done, every gift bought, and every last preparation completed, even if someone’s feelings get hurt.
The commercialism just seems to grow worse every year, Lord, and the significance of You keeps shrinking. We replace worshiping with shopping. We take temporal things and put our pleasure in them instead of in the eternal things and everlasting joy in You. Things pass…Your joy remains. May we never forget that.
With all of the plays, parties, musicals, choir presentations, church services, and family gatherings, no wonder we are exhausted before Christmas even gets here. Restore the joy of Christmas to our hearts, Lord, and help us take time to relax each day and abide in Your Word. Help us remember the coming of Jesus Christ, as both God and Man, so that we may share in the worship of Jesus, just like the angels, and the gladness of the shepherds, as well as the worship of the wise men, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen. [Adapted from Jack Wellmans' book
The Christian Crier]
We are continuing to pray through our church directory. This month, please join me in praying for:
David, Susan, Jennifer and Emily Eunice. Jerry and Peggy Ferrara. Richard Fisher. Bertha Stepp Fletcher. Alex and Vincetta Ford. Frank and Sally Ford.
Carolyn Harner, Coordinator
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TUMC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
by June Shearin
"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen…" - Isaiah 43:10
Rob and Denise Miller visited Trinity about a year ago when they were visiting DeLand to build their new home. In February, they immediately became a part of “our church family,” jumping in like they had always been here. They joined Trinity soon after and Denise joined Wednesday Women, while Rob joined the Men’s Bible Study.
Denise grew up in Michigan and moved to Maryland during her teenage years. Rob’s birth parents couldn’t raise him, his brother and sister. They were with his maternal grandmother and grandfather when the social services took them out of the house and placed them with a family when Rob was 4 years old. This family raised Rob’s brother and sister, but Rob was returned to the social worker and placed in several foster homes before being placed with the Miller family when he was 7 years old. The Millers adopted him and his father was in the Air Force. When his dad retired, they moved to Maryland where both Denise’s and Rob’s families attended Glenmont United Methodist Church. When they were 15 years old, they joined the MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) and met each other. Denise dedicated her life to Christ at 16 years old during a service one evening while on a summer trip with the MYF. She experienced a “flash of light and felt amazingly different.”
After high school, Rob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). They were married a year later and Denise discovered that Rob had not really given his life to Christ, so she began to pray for his salvation. They became parents to two sons and moved around the world. After 7 years of marriage and prayer, Rob gave his life to Christ while on a ship in the East China Sea. When they came stateside again, they returned to the United Methodist Church. Rob served in the USMC for 20 years. They were in Jacksonville, Florida, and members of LakeShore UMC. They served at that church as Mission Coordinators and there they learned about
Mercy Ships.
After much thought and prayer, they gave away most of their belongings and joined Mercy Ships in 2002. They trained for three months in Texas, were assigned to the ship, Caribbean Mercy and served for three years until the ship was retired. “Our second ship was the Africa Mercy which took us to England for 18 months as we prepared the ship for service in Africa,” Denise said. Rob related, “Though not an engineer, I came to realize it is not what you do or what you can do. It’s when we are willing to take the skills God has given us and use them for His purpose. I was given a job, in Engineering, that had not been in existence previously.” The last year on board, 2011, Denise served as Mercy Ministries Coordinator.
The Africa Mercy is 500 feet long with a crew of 450 people comprised of doctors, nurses, cooks, teachers, electricians and many other professions...a long list of crew members going from port to port at the invitation of the host government. Originally, Africa Mercy was a Danish Rail Ferry which was transformed to a hospital ship. The ship serves thousands of patients for free in the 10 months each year it spends in the hosting country. Patients come to the ship, adults and children, for specialized surgeries, like cleft lip and palettes, cataracts, orthopedics, tumor removals, goiters and burn contracture release and many others.
While on the Africa Mercy for six years, they were in West African countries. One of Rob’s favorite times was playing with orphaned children. One child told Rob, “Just be my daddy today.”
Plans for Denise in the coming year are for her to coordinate the reactivated Outreach Team and for Rob to coordinate the new Witness Team at our church.
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DATES TO SAVE TO YOUR 2019 CALENDAR!
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- January 11th - Human Trafficking Awareness Day - contact Lana Saxon, HOPE Team Member, or Dee Miller, Trinity's Outreach Team Coordinator, to learn more about how you can donate money, time and manpower to reduce this growing social problem.
- January 21 - The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday Observance.
- January 18-25 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- February 2 - DeLand MeStrong 5k Run-Walk to raise funds for individuals affected by cancer and for cancer research.
- February 10 - Boy Scout Sunday
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- Like to talk with folks? Want to help in the Church Office? Contact Lori Jones.
- Willing to be an usher or greeter on Sundays? Contact Dave Shipman or Jennifer Griffis.
- Love cooking and want to serve on our Kitchen Team? Contact Betty Kobler.
- Want to serve the least of these through our monthly Breakfast at Trinity ministry? Contact Lana Saxon. Or Interfaith Kitchen? Contact Melissa Fuller.
- Excited about going to Cuba or taking other mission trips? Contact Dee Miller or Dan Vergara.
- Willing to call, write or visit homebound members? Contact Debra Wood or John Campbell.
- Want to help our TLC (Trinity Loving Care) team with funeral services, receptions and bereavement calls? Contact Debbie Bennett.
- Love kids and want to serve as a volunteer or mentor in local schools? Contact Leslie LaRue or Anita Campbell.
- Interested in serving on the Altar Guild? Contact Cherrie Cassleberry or Becky Kellogg.
- Want to help showcase our historical artifacts and write our history in preparation for our 125th Anniversary celebration? Contact Steve Jones.
- Willing to learn how to operate our sound board and video camera? See Conya Hartman.
- Interested in reading scripture and/or participating in worship services? See Pastor Dale or Conya Hartman.
- Find it easy to talk with people about your faith? Join the new Witness Team to study, pray and plan for ways to strenthen our ability to witness to others. If interested, see Pastor Dale or Rob Miller.
- Are you an outgoing extrovert and love people? Willing to serve as an "ambassador" for Trinity at church and area events? Consider joining the Hospitality Team. See Judy Ross or Ann Jenkins.
If you do not personally know some or all of these ministry team leaders but want to contact them about volunteering, call the Church Office (386) 734-4425 to request an updated "People Directory."
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NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE
AND BISHOP KENNETH CARTER
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One Church Plan creates a home for everyone
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News Service) — Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr., episcopal leader of the Florida Conference and president of the Council of Bishops, also served as a moderator for the
Commission on a Way Forward. He shares some concerns he’s heard and talks about the effect the three plans might have at the local church level. Carter spoke with United Methodist News Service as part of “Seeing a Way Forward,” a video series featuring different perspectives of church leaders on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward.
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Help With Hurricane Michael Relief
Sisters and Brothers in the Florida Conference,
In the last month churches and individuals have sent just over $250,000 toward the needs of our brothers and sisters in the United Methodist churches of the panhandle. Thank you for this amazing response!
As a reminder, the people of the First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach have challenged us to help through a matching grant up to the amount of $500,000. We are half way there!
Click here to
donate online.
We ask that
*
all gifts to be matched be given by December 31. (See *notation below.)
These offerings will be distributed by Bishop David Graves and the cabinet of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference to local churches with the greatest needs.
I give thanks from the depths of my heart for your faithfulness and generosity.
Please share this news and invite others to participate.
Bishop Ken Carter
*
Trinity's Administrative Council voted to direct both the Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings to this effort
. When contributing, make your check out to Trinity UMC with the words "Hurricane Michael" in the memo line.
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On Mission Together
Bishop Ken Carter discusses Methodist clergy and laity being on mission together and the mission, vision, and mindsets of the FLUMC conference. Released 11/7/2018
Free
To listen to this audio podcast, open iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify, subscribe, search for the podcast by title and author, click to listen.
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Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church
450 Martin L King Jr Ave, Lakeland, FL 33815 | 863-688-5563
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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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