Message from Pastor Valeria
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We just celebrated Easter: Jesus' resurrection from the dead. This is why we call ourselves Christians, because we believe in a God who is stronger than evil and death. We believe in a God who is alive and who wants us to live.
It's hard not to get discouraged. We deal with stress in our personal and professional lives. Depending on were you are in life you may worry about your children growing up, about your parents growing older, or about your own health. Many are overwhelmed by bad news of violent attacks on houses of worship, wars and famine, climate change.
How do we keep hope alive in all of this?
We "put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10)
That is how we keep hope alive. We tap into the hope we have in Jesus.
A God who can raise dead people is a God who can do anything!
And so we believe, through the tears and the anxiety, through sleepless nights and financial insecurity, we believe.
I see hope every day, in the children we are blessed to call part of our church, in the adults who are willing to engage with them, in the generous givers of time, talent and financial support. I see hope when people want to learn about the Bible, about our own faith and other faiths, about ways that they can grow in their commitment to a life-giving God. I see hope in the proverbial random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty that are done every single day.
God is alive.
May you believe, breathe and live in the new hope God gives us!
Pastor Valeria.
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WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
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May 5
:
"Aging Gracefully," with Communion and an ONA Moment presented by the director of the Northborough Senior Center
May 12
:
"Teaching and Learning Faith"
May 19
:
"Known by Our Love" with guest preacher Rev. LyAnna Johnson from Worcester Fellowship and our worship band
May 26
:
Worship in Fellowship Hall with brunch. You are invited but not required to bring a dish to share
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Christians must live
a burning, fierce, excessive, overflowing and questioning hope,
not one which is timid and ready to tiptoe out of the room.
-Jacques Ellul
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One Love Escalation Workshop
Sunday, May 5th, at 6:30pm
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Escalation is an engaging, emotional 1.5 hour film workshop transforming the way students view and discuss relationship abuse. This program is intended for teens in their Junior year and above as well as parents. The video does represent relationship violence and could be triggering. There will be staff on hand for those that need someone to speak with.
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Coffee House - Open Mic
Friday, May 10th, at 7pm - IN FELLOWSHIP HALL!
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We invite you to come enjoy talented musicians performing a variety of music. You may even hear some poetry recitation. Coffee and refreshments will be served with a suggested donation.
BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug). A $5 per person donation will be accepted at the door ($10 max. per family).
Sign up to help make our Coffee House a success
- we need volunteers to donate snack items, baked goods and beverages, as well as help with setting up food the night of the event, collecting at the door or being the MC for the evening.
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship, TOPIC: Chicken and Egg
Saturday, May 18th, at 8am
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship will be on Saturday, May 18
th
at 8:00 AM.
This month’s topic is a “Chicken and Egg” question: Did God create Man or did Man create God?
I know I’ve asked this question many times. If God created the universe and man, where did God come from? Doesn’t everything have to have a beginning? Or maybe humans needed a way to explain away the unexplainable and we created God.
Let’s talk about this on the 18
th
. Links to 3 articles are below along with the reference to the creation story in Genesis.
As usual, we will start with breakfast and follow with fellowship and discussion.
For more information or to add yourself to the Saturday Breakfast Fellowship email list, please contact Tom Danforth at
tomdan4@gmail.com
Genesis 1, especially verses 26 & 27
Links:
Is God man-made?
Science and religion: God didn't make man; man made gods
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SAVE THE DATE - Worcester Bravehearts Baseball
Sunday, June 23rd, at 4pm at Hanover Insurance Park / Fitton Field in Worcester
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Join Trinity Church of Northborough for a Worcester Bravehearts baseball game!
Everyone who attends gets a free Bravehearts hat!
We have a limited number of tickets and may be able to get more if we have enough commitment from people. To confirm your ticket please contact Wade Robbins (508) 393-2512 or email robbinsfam105@gmail.com. We hope to see you there.
There is no cost for tickets, but please RSVP to reserve your seats.
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TRINITY FUNDRAISING TEAM
In light of our anticipated budget deficit this year, the Board of Deacons has established a Fundraising Team. The team, composed of Jean Leif, Donna Miller, and Fran Hemstreet, will be looking at fundraising opportunities, assisting groups in their fundraising, and generally helping coordinate the many fundraising activities at Trinity Church. We ask that any team or group planning a fundraiser be in touch with Donna (
dmm4863@gmail.com
).
Our biggest community fundraiser this year will be our Applefest activities on Sept 21-22. Trinity will be hosting a craft fair and auction. Please consider volunteering to help - more info will follow.
Our "Got Sneakers?" project is ongoing. By donating your used footwear to to our collection box, third world countries will receive gently-used recycled shoes, and Trinity will be earning money.
Jean Leif, Fundraising Oversight Committee
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Did you know that your shoes could help Trinity Church? Well, they can and here’s how… Our church is participating in a fundraiser where there is nothing to buy or sell; all we need is your support and your shoes!
We are looking for caring community members to help support us by dropping off shoes of any kind in any condition (including sandals, flip flops, etc.), barely worn to worn OUT!
We even earn money for shoes that cannot be reworn,
but can be recycled for other uses.
Here’s how you do it: Start in your family’s closets and gather pairs of shoes that you’ve out-grown, are out of style, or out of season. Please ask your neighbors and/or co-workers too. Every pair counts! The shoes that we all collect will help support Trinity Church's ministry as well as individuals in developing nations like Ghana, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Bolivia. Can we count on you? Every pair helps us make a difference!
We are also looking for people who can take a "gotsneakers?" fundraising box to their workplace, school or community center.
Please contact Donna Miller for your a box and/or more information:
dmm4863@gmail.com
DONATIONS CAN BE LEFT IN THE MARKED BOX IN THE COAT CLOSET.
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Kitchen Renovation Project Update
We’re still talking with the last contractors and trying to get the final prices for the project. We expect to be able to make some decisions in the next week. Right now, the plans are to start work on the kitchen on June 3.
In mid-April, we started the Gold Envelope fundraiser for the kitchen project. Your kitchen team would like to thank all of you for your generous response and donations. As of April 29, we raised $7,210 from the Gold Envelopes and others of you had already donated $2,000 to the kitchen project before the fundraiser started.
If you’ve been considering donating and haven’t had the chance yet, we’re asking you to consider doing so soon so we can get an accurate accounting of what we will have available for the project. As of April 29, we still need $10,775 to complete the project as it was originally planned.
Many thanks for your support from all of us on the kitchen team,
Tom Danforth
Mary Kemp
Martha Michalewich
Nancy Robbins
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Applefest Update
Mark your calendar for this year’s Fun Day’s at Trinity, Applefest weekend, Sept. 21st & 22nd ! This is one of our big fundraisers of the year so we’re looking for participation from everyone to make this a success!
This year we’re planning on having the Basket Raffle again, but will not be having the Silent Auction. We are asking each committee to donate a basket for the raffle, and also, if individuals can solicit items for baskets from local businesses, etc. we will gather those items and make up baskets accordingly.
We’re also looking for a Face-painter, and a Henna tattoo artist, if anyone has that talent.
The sign-up for volunteers will be in Fellowship Hall after church on Sundays, or you can reach out to one of us.
Thank you!
The Applefest Fun Days Committee
Linda Corbett
Donna Miller
Pat Faldetta
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THANK YOU to the many dedicated volunteers who scraped and painted windows and walls in the hallway, meeting rooms and Fellowship Hall. Trinity Church is looking brighter, warmer and more welcoming every day!
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Pastor Valeria will be on vacation from May 13 - 19. In case of a pastoral emergency please contact Rev. Lee Atherton from the United Church of Clinton at 508-308-7116.
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Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, June 16th
1pm
Worship @ Worcester Common
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We need donations! We will be making lunches to donate on June 16th after worship. Donations of food or small monetary amounts towards lunch supplies are welcome.
Join us on the Worcester common at 1pm for an outdoor service.
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FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
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Faith Foundations
May theme:
We will be focusing on our skits for Children and Youth Sunday regarding bullying. We will tie in the following passages each week as we look at stories from the bible that we can relate to events today, as well as how bullying was handled or the advice that was given.
- James 3:5
- Isaiah 41:10
- Colossians 3:12-14
- Daniel 8:1-14
- Mark 6:1-6
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Faith Foundations Teachers are NEEDED!
Also, we now have a wonderful preschool class in our nursery. We look forward to seeing your little ones!
Sherry
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Intergenerational Service
May 26th there will be an intergenerational service in Fellowship Hall.
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Faith Fair
The faith fair in March was a wonderful event! Close to 100 people came through the doors to learn from 7 different represented faiths. This will become a yearly event!
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Youth Group Mission Trip Planning/Fundraising
The teens hosted a very successful Bake Off that raised $176 towards their mission trip! Thank you to everyone for their support. We will be focusing on our Mission Trip during our May Youth Group.
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Youth Group
The teens participated in a day long youth group in April complete with running the bake off, watching a movie with popcorn, painting the third classroom upstairs and then being joined by people of all ages from our church community for a game night. It was a very successful and very fun day! Our next Youth Group will be a Mission Trip planning session as well as finishing the painting in the third classroom. Please join us on May 19th from 12-2. Looking forward our final Youth Group this school year will be on June 1st. We will be going to Hopkinton State Park for a BBQ and kayaking.
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Summer Camp
Trinity Church is part of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM) who own an outdoor camp in Groton, MA. They offer both day and sleepaway camps all summer long.
We have brochures available at the church, or go to their website for more information:
Through the Central Association of the American Baptist Churches you are eligible for a $100 campership per child (to either Grotonwood and Oceanwood), and we will offer additional financial support through Trinity Church.
We believe this is a great opportunity for kids grades 4 - 11 to make friends, have lots of fun, and be part of a community of faith that will shape them for years to come.
If you have any questions or want to apply for a campership, please contact either Sherry or Pastor Valeria (
trinitypastorvaleria@gmail.com
). Applications are available to download
(
click here to download
) and also on the bulletin board across from the office. The deadline for submitting capership applications is May 31st.
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Escalation Workshop for Teens
This event is free and so important! Please bring your teen for this special evening. A donation bin will be on hand for the Blasko family if you would like to contribute.
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Upcoming dates:
May 5th -
Escalation Workshop 6:30-8pm
May 5th -
Bells practice 6-8
May 12th -
Bells Practice
May 16th -
Church Band Practice
May 19th -
Church Band
May 19th -
Youth Group-Mission Trip planning and 2nd painting party 12-2
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Looking Forward
June 1st
- Youth Group- Kayaking and BBQ Hopkinton State Park time TBD
June 9th
- CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY
- BACCALAUREATE
- Bells and Church Band
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GSA Link
The Link that Connects
The GSA Link is a project connecting local GSA high school students to collaborate, share ideas, and socialize in a SAFE space. LGBT and allied high school students are welcome.
Trinity Church of Northborough
23 Main Street Northborough MA, 01532
6:00pm-8:00pm
May 10th and May 24th
For more information please contact:
Melissa at projectgsalink@gmail.com or 508-735-1267
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Applications are available below, in the church office, and on the bulletin board across from the church office.
Application deadline to be returned to the Scholarship Committee by the first Sunday in May - May 5th. If you have questions, please contact Paul Pazareskis,
jopazz@charter.net
.
Scholarships will be awarded on Sunday, June 9th.
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Baccalaureate Sunday - June 9th
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We will be recognizing our graduates on Baccalaureate Sunday, June 9th. Please let us know if someone in your family is graduating so we can include them in this event. Please submit this information to the church office by June 2nd.
High School Grads - Please let us know where you are graduating from, the college you plan to attend, and your field of interest.
College Grads - Please let us know where you are graduating from, along with the degree you are receiving.
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Coffee Hour is an important part of our Sunday morning and it is a great way for people to connect and for us to welcome visitors to our church. Please join us after worship for coffee and a snack, and the opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new friends.
If you are interested in helping to host coffee hour, please see John Posluszny during coffee hour or contact him at
johnposluszny@gmail.com
.
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There will be an opportunity to learn about Hinduism, followed by a communal vegetarian meal leading into facilitated small group conversations on topics that can engage people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds. This program is being held at Congregation B'nai Shalom, 117 East Main Street, Westborough.
Please
RSVP if you are planning on attending.
.
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Online giving is now available through Trinity's website!
Start your online giving here:
LINK
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For those situations where a person feels inspired to make a donation in support of Trinity’s mission, online giving is now available on Trinity’s website to make giving easier.
- After a person clicks the DONATE NOW link on Trinity’s home page, online giving provides them with multiple options of which fund or ministry they can direct their gift.
- Payment methods include an electronic funds transfer from a checking or saving account, a debit card payment or a credit card payment.
- The first time that a person uses online giving, they can set-up their profile so that they will not have to re-enter the information, and they will be able to access their online giving history.
- IMPORTANT: Current members and regular donors do not need to change how they currently give to Trinity (collection plate, e-checks, etc.), if it works for them. Online giving is being made available primarily as a convenient payment method for spontaneous givers. Unlike other payment methods, Trinity is charged processing fees for each transaction by VANCO, our electronic payments vendor.
Start your online giving here:
LINK
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The “Count Your Blessings” thrift shop is open for the season.
Saturdays 10am - 1pm and Tuesdays 12pm to 3pm.
W
e’re looking for Costume jewelry and handbags!
Donations of gently used clothing can be dropped off in the marked bins in the church hallway.
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Please help by bringing food donations to Trinity.
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The food pantry donation location has moved to the marked bin in first floor hallway.
Please check the dates on food items to make sure they have not expired.
Thank you to the volunteers who transport the donated food to the Northborough food pantry.
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We would appreciate your help signing up to take a Sunday. Please click on the link above or below and after you choose a date to bring altar flowers there is a comment section where you can add the blurb you would like written in the Sunday bulletin. Signup Genie will automatically send you an email reminder six days prior to the day you signed up to bring flowers.
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Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
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Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday except May 15th from 8:30 - 10am and looks forward to your visit! Festive Breads is located at
299 W Main St
in Northborough, near Romaine's.
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Saturday Morning Hiking
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Our informal Trinity Church Hiking Club is walking most Saturday mornings. We meet at the church and hike on one of the many Northborough trails. Everyone is welcome (including dogs).
Contact Wade Robbins at 508-393-2512
or
robbinsfam105@gmail.com
to receive weekly notifications via email. Each week, the email will state which trail we will be walking and the approximate length. Please consider joining us for a time of nature appreciation and friendly conversation.
Community Meal
- Join us each Wednesday, 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. The meals are free but donations toward the voucher fund are accepted. Each Wednesday at 6pm there is a new community group hosting the meal. Please join us!
Thrift Shop -
Thrift shop hours of operations are Tuesday, 12 – 3 and Saturdays, 10 – 1. Donations of gently used clothing can be dropped off in the marked bin in the church hallway.
Give us a review on Google!
Coleman House Service
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Tuesday, May 21st at 2:30pm.
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SAVE THE DATE!
“LIBERACE: A Centennial Concert”
starring John Leslie
Celebrate the life and talents of Liberace on the 100th anniversary of his birth, in this “one-man show,” featuring some of Liberace's most requested classical piano pieces, popular songs and original songs composed by Liberace himself. John Leslie is a former music director-organist of Trinity Church, Northborough.
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One night only: Friday, May 17 at 7:30pm in the beautiful new Robert R. Jay Performing Arts Center, St. John's High School, 378 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA. Wheelchair accessible. Plenty of free parking.
TICKETS: General Admission $18.00. Senior Citizen and Student Admission: $16.00
Specific seats are not saved, but ticket reservations are strongly recommended.
TICKETS & INFO: Diane at 508-835-4941
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Healing Arts Marketplace
Saturday, May 18 11am-2pm
This will be a unique and delightful opportunity to receive various modalities of energetic healing (Reiki, Acupuncture, Marconics, etc.), to enjoy insights from gifted mediums and psychic readers, and to shop for one-of-a-kind, hand crafted gifts including jewelry, handbags, body products, and so much more! For admission, we are collecting donations for both the Northboro Food Pantry and Worcester Fellowship. Non-perishable food items, toiletries and Dunkin' Donuts gift cards are all appreciated.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1226150257552896/
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Deadline Date ~ June
Tidings
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The June
Tidings will be published the week of May 20th.
Please be sure to have all your info for the June issue of
Tidings in to the church office by Monday, May 20th, 2019. Your help is appreciated!
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TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street ~ Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156
Office Hours
:
Tuesday: 9am - 2pm
Wednesday: 9am - 2pm
Thursday: 9am - 2pm
Rev. Valeria Schmidt, Sr. Pastor
Trinity Church is an Open & Affirming / Welcoming & Affirming Congregation
Trinity Church's mission is to fill its people with the love of God
and share God's love in all the world.
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