Trinity Trumpet December 2019

In this issue: The Advent Worship Series and special worship services, a message from Scott Peterson, International Coffee Hours, Bible Study holiday schedule, Advent Wreaths, Poinsettia orders, opportunities for giving, and more...

December Worship Series

2019 marks the 300th Anniversary of the beloved hymn Joy to the World. Composed by Isaac Watts, in our Worship Series we will examine the nature of joy in our troubled world today. One of the sources of our reflections will be The Book of Joy, by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Together they "explore how we can transform joy from an ephemeral state into an enduring trait, from a fleeting feeling into a lasting way of being. They are moral leaders who transcend their own traditions. Their joy is clearly not easy or superficial, but one burnished by the fire of adversity, oppression, and struggle."

Advent Week 1 - Sunday, December 1 at 10 AM

Invitation to Joy

"... joy is in fact our birthright." Join us for a new definition of joy in a service including Holy Communion.

Advent Week 2 - Sunday, December 8 at 10 AM

Obstacles to Joy

"The path to joy... did not lead away from suffering and adversity, but through it." How do we often miss the joy that's available in life?

Advent Week 3 - Sunday, December 15 at 10 AM

Infused by Joy - Sunday School Pageant

Our children will provide the message about the meaning of Advent on the way to joy. Many carols and much singing.

Longest Night Service - Friday, December 20 at 7 PM

Facing Grief in a Season of Joy

"Discovering more joy does not save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartbreak." Join us for a time of quiet and reflection, with poetry and music by a trio of violin, flute and cello.

Advent Week 4 - Sunday, December 22 at 10 AM

Pathway to Joy

"There's a Tibetan saying: 'Wherever you have friends that's your country, and wherever you receive love, that's your home." We will consider spiritual practices which create the means of preparing your life for more joy.

Christmas Eve - Tuesday, December 24 at 6 PM

Our Greatest Joy

"We are fragile creatures, and it is from this weakness, not despite it, that we discover the possibility of true joy." Celebrate with us as we welcome anew the entrance of God's Joy into the world.

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK

Go to Trinity's page on Facebook and watch the "movie trailer" that introduces our December Worship Series. Then SHARE IT with your friends!

Pastor Dale

A Message from Scott Peterson

Welcome to Advent and the beginning of another Church year! In preparing for the new year, the Council is focused on planning for 2020. Our planning has two components: creating a budget, and setting goals and expectations for the work of Trinity for the coming year. These activities are the core of our planning every year. They are particularly important for 2020, however, as we enter the first full year of Pastor Dale Susan's tenure at Trinity.

Trinity members can help the process. First, let us know how you'd like to support the church. Stewardship Sunday has come and gone, but it's not too late to send in your Financial Giving Plan if you have not already done so. Those sheets can be placed in the offering plate at worship on Sunday or sent to the church office. Second, give us your thoughts about priorities for Trinity for 2020. You can do that by contacting any of the members of the Council (Roger Dart, Lucy Dorenfeld, Jean Harris, Jen Holtz, Todd Kerschke, Kim Parpala, and Scott Peterson). We hope to hear from you!

2019 has been an exciting year of growth and change. We look forward to another year great year in 2020.

Scott Peterson

International Coffee Hour - Starts December 1st

Celebrate the Holiday Season with a cup of coffee and a delicious variety of international treats! Please sign up in the Gathering Hall and indicate which country you will be celebrating - your own favorite, or any other country you would like us to explore through their food/sweets.

Adult Bible Study - Holiday Schedule

Thursday morning Bible Study will meet on December 5 & 12 at 10:00 AM in the Gathering Hall, studying the curriculum that our Confirmands will be using. The goal is to rediscover Our Faith, Our Questions, and Our Calling for today. We will reconvene on Thursday, January 9th.

A new Wednesday Evening Series will begin in the New Year - more info to come.

Advent Wreath Workshop

Sunday School families, please join us in making Advent Wreaths for your home immediately after worship this Sunday, December 1.

Poinsettias

Christmas poinsettias are available to purchase again this year. All poinsettias are RED and $15.00. Please fill out the sign up sheet with your order by December 15th. Make checks payable to TUCC, note "flower order" in the memo area, and place in the collection plate. You will be able to take your flowers home after the Christmas Eve service.

Special Choir Anthems

Join us for special music during worship on December 8th at 10:00 AM.

Sunday School Christmas Program

Join us Sunday, December 15th at 10:00 AM when our Sunday School children will tell us about the meaning of Advent on the way to joy.

Christmas Eve Service - Tuesday, December 24th at 6:00 PM

Our Greatest Joy

Celebrate with us as we welcome anew the entrance of God's Joy

into the world.

The Christmas Fund
for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund

The Christmas Fund has been a tangible expression of God's love and light in the world for over 115 years. It provides congregations an opportunity to reach out in compassion to those who have faithfully shepherded our Church and now find themselves facing worrisome financial needs.

Through your gifts to the Fund, you can help ensure that "The Light Shines in the Darkness" for those who have faithfully served our Church.

The collection will be taken on December 22nd.

Casa Central Holiday Magic Program

Once again we will be collecting gifts for children and families in the violence prevention program at Casa Central. There is no specific wish list this year, but there is still a need for gifts. Please consider purchasing a toy for children ages 4-14, or a gift card for a family. Maximum value is $30.00. Sign up in the Gathering Hall if you are able to participate - we have committed to provide 25 gifts this year. Have your wrapped gift returned to church by December 8th, and attach a note including what the gift is, the age range and whether it is for a boy or girl so Casa Central can distribute the gifts appropriately.

Holiday Food Drive

The West Deerfield Township Food Pantry is in desperate need of all types of boxed and canned food items, especially canned tuna & chicken, spam, peanut butter, jam & jelly, canned fruit, pork & beans, pasta & pasta sauce and oatmeal in canisters. There is a table in the narthex for your donations. Please check the expiration dates. The food drive will run thru Christmas.

Rotary Club Annual "Coat Off Your Back" Collection

Help the homeless by donating new or gently used coats, suits, and clean usable clothing for men, women and children. There is a bin in the Gathering Hall for your donations.

Soles for Souls

We are collecting gently used shoes and boots, and new socks. They will be taken to Kenwood UCC on the south side of Chicago, to be shared with those who come to the "Feed the People" lunch program each week.

PADS

We will be providing dinner for the PADS shelter at First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield on Sunday evening, December 29th. We will need 5 cooks, 2 servers and plenty of cookies for dessert. Watch for the sign up sheet in the Gathering Hall and if you have any questions or would like more information on how you can help, please contact Jean Harris.

Mark your calendar for these important upcoming events:

January 20 - Too Hot to Handal, 3PM

This "exuberant, jazz-gospel makeover" (Chicago Tribune) of Handel's classic Messiah celebrates 15 years in Chicago! Join us on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend to witness the transformational powers of the performing arts and uplift King's vision of a "beloved community." With fiery soloists Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke, and Karen Marie Richardson; an orchestra, jazz combo, and 100-person choir under the baton of Suzanne Mallare Acton; and spirited Detroit pianist Alvin Waddles, famous for his jaw-dropping cadenzas, Too Hot is an annual Chicago tradition that fills your soul and spirit.

More information later. Consider giving a ticket as a Christmas present! (Tickets should be under $40.) Enjoyable for all ages that love music.

Dale Susan Edmonds and Pam Keckler have been several times. It's FABULOUS!

Trinity UCC | 847-945-5050 | [email protected] | trinitydeerfield.com

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