Greetings!
Advent is not about Christmas. Advent is the beginning of the Church Year and it is a season of waiting. Waiting is a spiritual discipline. God moves in God’s time. Our job is to wait on God. The church colors for Advent are the same as Lent because, like Lent, Advent is a season of self-reflection. Where are you doing well in your relationship with God? Where could you do better? In your life, what do you need to stop doing so that you can spend more time with God?
As we enter into this season, it is my hope that we might practice a simpler Advent. The weeks leading up to Christmas can be the craziest of the year! There is much to do in the holidays. If there is to be a simpler Advent, it will take intentionality on our part. We will need to carve out time to rest and be still.
In this time of waiting - accept it for what it is. Don’t try to twist it into something; just be present to your emotions and feelings. Use this time to create a space inside you where the God-mystery can be pondered, and the light of God’s presence might grow in each of us. However you engage the Advent season, I pray you will encounter God in a new, powerful and transformative way in the days ahead. The best is yet to come!
I
LOVE being your Pastor!
Todd
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You Are Cordially Invited to the Parsonage
For a Christmas Open House Event
Sunday, December 15th
2-4 PM
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WORSHIP SERVICES FOR THE MONTH
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December 1st - Matthew 6:5-15
Sermon Title: Constant Communion
Constant Communion #1
Today we begin an experiment to offer
Holy Communion at all Sunday services at Trinity. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement said that we should take Holy Communion every chance we have. It is a means whereby God can pour out God’s grace upon us. The communion special offering this day will go toward UM Student Day. We look forward to seeing you at the Table!
December 8th - Music Makers' Performance of The Great LATE Potentate at both services
December 15th - Luke 22:19
Sermon Title: Do This
Constant Communion #2
Taking Communion on a regular basis is not something that only Catholics and Episcopalians do. Jesus commands anyone who follows him to “Do This.” By practicing Holy Communion on a regular basis, not only are we being obedient to the instructions Jesus gave us, we are also connecting to God and to one another through this unifying sacrament.
December 22nd - Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon Title: Joseph – A Holy Father
We do not know much about Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. What we do know is that he was a righteous man who did what God asked of him.
December 24th - Luke 2:1-20
Sermon Title: The Birth of Jesus
The birth of Jesus is arguably the most important event in human history. It is that moment when, in the fullness of time, God humbled himself, took on flesh, and became human. Jesus shows us that humanity and divinity are not separate things. At Christmas we celebrate that God is with us!
Christmas Eve Service times. 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m.
December 29th - Matthew 2:13-23
Sermon Title: When God Speaks
God spoke to Joseph through dreams and Joseph was obedient to follow God’s instructions given to him in those dreams. Has God spoken to you? What was that like? We believe that God still speaks to us today. This Sunday we will explore what it is like to hear God’s voice.
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Questions for God
All this month, Pastor Todd will be collecting questions to prepare for his January sermon series titled
"Questions for God". He is asking for members, friends and visitors to submit questions that they would like to pose to God. The questions will be collected and compiled into different topic categories.
In the Fellowship Hall, there will be a display board with blank cards on which you can write your question and attach with a small clothespin. If you need assistance, ask one of our office volunteers to assist you!
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Bake Sale!
to support Jessica Fuller and Maia Carr
on their Mission Trip to Guatemala
Sunday, December 15
9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Fellowship Hall
Buy your Christmas cookies and other baked goods at Trinity
and help these two wonderful, rising stars to go into the world and make disciples for Jesus! Read below for more information.
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STAY IN TOUCH
If your contact information (name, mailing address, telephone number, email address) has changed, please notify the church. You can call the office at (386) 734-4425 or email the office volunteers at
officemgr@trinitydeland.org
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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, call the church office.
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* EMAIL CHANGES *
Conya Hartman -
Office Volunteers -
Lori Hansard -
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Heard about our
PhoneVites? It's a weekly phone call to let you know what is happening at Trinity. To sign up automatically, visit our website and look under the
Get Connected tab, or call the church office.
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On Instagram? Follow us today by clicking on
THIS LINK!
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PRE-REGISTER FOR EVENTS!
We have created an easy way to
pre-register for events via email. Simply create an email using the address
reservations@trinitydeland.org to let the office know which event you will be attending and how many RSVPs you are making. There is no way to make an online payment yet, but we hope to have that system set up in the new year.
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LET'S WEAR OUR NEW TEE SHIRTS ON THE 20TH OF EVERY MONTH TO LET OTHERS KNOW WHERE WE ATTEND CHURCH!
Church tee shirts are still available! A new batch has arrived. Purchase a second shirt; buy them as gifts for family members. Buy one and share with others for evangelism. And don’t forget to wear them on the 20th of every month in celebration of our
125th anniversary!
Look for a sales table in the Fellowship Hall during Holy Grounds, or pick up one in the office. A contribution of $10 is suggested.
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Every Sunday, Pastor Todd asks us to
"check in" on
Facebook when we are attending church in person, but what if we are traveling or ill? Be sure to visit our Facebook page at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings and view the service live - online. Even better? Invite your friends to view with you by creating a
"Watch Party!"
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YOUR HELP IS STILL NEEDED!
We are now up to 56 subscribers but need at least 44 more to use
YouTube Live for streaming.
Please help us to achieve our goal of 100+ subscribers! Call the church office and one of our volunteers will be able to assist you. Thanks!
Anita Campbell, Communications
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FINANCE REPORT
Stewardship Campaign
As chair of the Trinity Finance Committee, I would like to share the preliminary results of the stewardship campaign.
The cards that were turned in on or before November 10th totaled over $292,000. All Glory to God! That number will climb as cards continue to come in.
Trinity United Methodist, the
Exciting Church, has glorious plans. We turn to God for wisdom and He never lets us down.
Thanks must go out to those who assisted with the campaign by sharing their testimonials with the congregation.
Thank you to the Sunday School leaders for facilitating discussions on
Earn. Save. Give, by the Rev. Dr. James Harnish.
A huge thank you to Pastor Todd Bardin for his inspirational sermon series and, of course, the entire congregation of Trinity United Methodist Church. Your generosity is year-round, not just in the fall. It is an integral part of who you are, all the time. Your kind acts are because of your unending faith in and love for Jesus Christ. May you be repaid many times over with the love of our Lord and Savior.
Mark Moor, Chair
P.S. Our
Christmas Eve offerings
(collected on Tuesday, December 24th from all three services) will be split between the
Florida United Methodist Children's Home
and the FL Conference
Young Adult Ministries.
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ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL NEWS
With the retirement of Mary Anne Rogers as our Office Manager, Trinity is embarking on something new regarding how we are staffing our office.
We need to be creative with the resources we have, as well as live into our
new Mission and Vision. Recognizing we have many talented people in our church who have experience in office management, we have recruited a team of these talented people to fill the role.
Two people a day will work in the office, Monday-Friday. Office hours will be 9 a..m until 1 p.m.
We originally called this team of people “Office Angels” but because we already have “Trinity Angels,” we thought it might be confusing. Therefore, we are going to have
a
CONTEST
to 1) name the new office management team
and 2) design a logo that will go on their new polo shirts!
Submit your artwork and name entry to Pastor Todd by Dec 8th. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee will select the winner.
Administrative Council
P.S. To try something like this is a leap of faith and we will work out the kinks along the way. This is an intentional and conscious decision presented by the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and approved by the Church Administrative Council. Please be patient with us (and the process) as we get organized. Thank you!
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STAFF-PARISH RELATIONS REPORT
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Advent season is upon us! Traditionally Advent is a season of expectation and preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus, God’s greatest gift to the world. It is a time of reflection, anticipation, hope, joy and peace, and is the first season in our Christian calendar.
At Trinity, we are truly blessed to have a Pastor and staff dedicated to serving all of God’s people throughout the entire year. Since raises were not an option in 2019, we thought we could best show our gratitude with a special
“Cash-Only” Love Offering to be presented to all staff on Christmas Eve. Special envelopes will be available, and offerings can be given until Sunday December 22nd.
In closing, let us be reminded of some of Paul’s final words to the early Christians,
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NIV
Sincerely,
The Staff Parish Relations Committee
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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, email
Donna Beaty.
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MUSIC AND WORSHIP MINISTRY
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Save the dates for these December events!
Dec. 1
st
- 4 to 7 p.m. Gingerbread Open House
Come and decorate a real Gingerbread house! The open house event is between the hours of 4-7 p.m., so drop in and spend as much time as you like decorating your “house”.
Dec. 8
th
- Music Makers Sunday - 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship Services
Come hear the story of
“The Great Late Potentate”
. This 4
th
king is late following the star to find Baby Jesus. Come hear his story with humor and music.
Dec. 13
th
& 14
th
- Christmas Candlelight Concerts - 7:00 p.m.
Trinity's Candlelight Christmas Choir will share the musical
“Let There Be Christmas”
. With choir, solos, narration, cello and Larry (our own orchestra!), you will enjoy the beautiful music that shares the message of the birth of our Lord.
Dec 18th - Taize Prayer Service - 6:00 p.m.
Dec 24th - Christmas Eve Services at 5:30, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. will be our
Children’s Christmas Eve Service
titled
“Unwrapping the Nativity”
with carols. This service is 30 – 45 minutes geared toward children.
7:00 p.m. will be our
Contemporary Christmas Eve Service
with contemporary music, communion and candlelight.
9:00 p.m. will be our
Traditional Christmas Eve Service
with traditional music, communion and candlelight.
Most communion offerings collected in the month of December will go to the
125th Challenge.
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If you would like to volunteer to help serve communion and/or prepare the elements for Sunday worship and our outreach communion servers, contact Pastor Todd or me.
Many things are happening at the EXCITING CHURCH! Need more details? Email me at
dirmusic@trinitydeland.org
or call 386-734-4425, ext 205.
Conya Hartman, Director of Music & Worship
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CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES
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December is going to be a very busy time for the children and youth of our church.
For children-
- December 1st is the Gingerbread Open House at the church from 4-7.
- December 8th is Music Makers' Sunday
- December 15th is decorating of the education wing of the church.
- December 22nd is caroling to the Sunday School classes and our Christmas Party for Jesus.
- December 29th- Sunday School classes will watch Christmas movies and enjoy popcorn.
For youth-
- December 8th will be regular youth.
- December 14th we will help wrap presents for Citrus Grove Elementary students.
- December 15th-there will be no youth since students will go with their families to the Parsonage Open House.
- December 20th will be Youth Christmas Party at the Reddings' house.
- December 22nd will be Ice Skating in Daytona. We will meet at the church at 1:00 and be back by 5:15.
- December 24th-The youth will participate in the 5:30 Children's Christmas Eve service.
- December 29th-Christmas movies and popcorn from 3-5.
Coming up in January will be our family night called
Bubbles and Balloons onJanuary 22 from 5-7. Look for more details to come. The youth will also go to
Rock the Universe on January 25th.
Lori Hansard, Children & Family Ministry
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HAL: HISTORY, ARCHIVES
AND LIBRARY NEWS
Trinity will be conducting a
‘Give 125’ Challenge, as part of our
125th Anniversary celebration. A different
Give Project will be announced each month. We plan to collect a minimum of 125 gifts each month to help meet the needs of various groups in our community.
For December we are collecting 125 blankets for the homeless to be given out at the Trinity Community Breakfast on Friday, December 13th. In January we will collect children's socks (ankle or low cut).
Contact Information Form
We are currently seeking your updated information for our new pictorial directory. If you haven’t completed your contact form, please do so and turn it into the office or us as soon as possible. If you did not get a form and need one,
click on this link to download a blank printable copy. Complete the form and mail to the church or put in the HAL mailbox. Our goal is to have all the information entered by the end of the year to facilitate preparations for the directory. Thank you!
Save These Dates!
- Pictures will be taken March 4th-7th, 2020 for our new pictorial directory.
- Plan to celebrate our 125th Anniversary during 2020. We are planning many exciting events throughout the year. Our official "Homecoming Celebration" will be held on February 21, 2021.
Steve and Debbie Jones, Co-Chairs
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LIVING HEALTHY
Working in the medical field and teaching future healthcare professionals, many people ask me a variety of health-related questions on a daily basis. While my standard answers include get plenty of rest, eat fruits and vegetables, exercise at least three times a week and cut out stress in your life, many people including myself are unable to commit to all of these suggestions. (Stress, aka
time with your families during the holidays, can cause many health problems, but that is for another
Living Healthy article. LOL!)
What I would like to discuss here is a simple way you can improve your health on a daily basis, especially during the cold and flu season. Everyone, including children, should take this step toward better health. Yes, I am talking about
HANDWASHING!
Fact: Washing your hands multiple times a day will cut down on your chances of getting sick. While I am fully aware that most people know how to wash their hands correctly, these steps are for those who may not know:
Step 1: Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold), turn of the tap, and apply soap.
Step 2: Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
Step 3: Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. (I sing the
"Happy Birthday" song in my head; if you sing it out loud, people tend to move away from you.)
Step 4: Rinse your hands well under clean running water.
Another tip, if you’re in a public setting, movie theaters, restaurants, etc., use your arm or elbow to turn off the faucet, if you can.
Until next time, keep washing those hands and stay safe through the holiday season.
Cindy Hunt
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OUTREACH MINISTRIES
To spread the love of Christ and connect our congregation with opportunities to serve our community, both locally and globally.
REJOICE! Through the compassion and generosity of our church family, we have raised $3,655 to date for individuals, groups and churches in need of relief from damages due to Hurricane Dorian.
Thank you!!!
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR NEEDY CHILDREN AT CITRUS GROVE
Citrus Grove Elementary (our church-school partner) has asked Trinity members to
sponsor 25
Title I
children at the school by providing them Christmas gifts. We feel this is a worthy project, since this is our largest missional target group.
The names of the children and their wishes have been noted on
“angel tags” and can be found hanging on a decorated "angel tree" set up in the Fellowship Hall. Trinity members and friends have been asked to take a tag and “sponsor” a child by purchasing the gift items listed on their wish list/tag. A self-serve sign-up sheet will be located adjacent to the tree.
Unwrapped gifts marked with tags must be returned to the church
no later than Friday, December 13th. Deliver them to the church office and our volunteers will ensure they are safely locked up in a secure space until "rapping day" when Trinity Youth will join with other volunteers for a "
[W]RAP Party" on Saturday, December 14th.
Members of the Outreach Team will coordinate this project. For details, see members Anita Campbell, Dee Miller, Lana Saxon, Lori Hansard, or call the church office.
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MENTORS NEEDED FOR CITRUS GROVE CHILDREN
There are 18 students at
Citrus Grove that need/want someone to listen to them, smile at them, laugh with them and love them -
unconditionally. These students are all in foster care. (Four (4) of them are from one family because they lost their mother this past summer due to a car accident.)
Dana Copes, the school's counselor, would love to pair you with a boy or girl, depending on which gender you would prefer.
Extra love and support for these children is critical and 30 minutes a week is all it takes. Ages range from K-5
th grade, but
the majority are in Kindergarten and first grade.
The school is also looking for
"retired grandmas and grandpas" who would like to visit classrooms to read to students and to encourage and listen to them read in small groups.
Please prayerfully consider these special gifts - that only you can give. To learn more about how to become a mentor or classroom volunteer, contact us. We would love to tell you all about our experiences and the joy that we get out of every minute we spend with "our kids".
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YOUNG AT HEART MINISTRY
Members of
Young at Heart (YAH) have voted to go to Lake Helen for their Christmas Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, December 7th. If you are interested and want to ride on the bus, tickets will be $18 (which includes gas and a complimentary ticket for our driver). Reservations must be paid in advance by Wednesday, December 4th.
Click here to download an RSVP form. Extras can be found in the church office. If paying by check, please mark "Lake Helen YAH trip" in the memo line. Hand in your check/cash to the office so we can note your reservation as "paid."
The next Young at Heart (YAH) luncheon will be held on
Tuesday, December 10th. Designed for men and women over the age of 55, this vibrant ministry program will feature a great lunch prepared by our Kitchen Team and a fun, different Christmas music program presented by
Send In The Music.
Lunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall. Time to start is 11:30 a.m. All YAH events are open to the public. Cost of the lunch is $7 and paid reservations are required in advance of the event. To reserve seats,
CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER. Just know, the office must receive your payment by noon on Monday, December 9.
Never been to a YAH luncheon? First-time attendees can enjoy a complimentary meal. Complimentary tickets/bookmarks can be found in the church office or on the shelf outside the sanctuary. First-time guests must have a reservation, as well.
We hope to see you at the next YAH event!
John and Anita Campbell
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Dear Trinity Family,
I have been given the amazing opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Guatemala. Coronado Community United Methodist Church has served the Salud y Paz organization for many years doing multiple projects. This year, members of Stetson Wesley’s leadership team have been invited to join this amazing project. We will spend a week in January working on a construction project.
Although Coronado has provided a scholarship to cover our flight cost, I am asking for help to cover most of the in-country costs, such as transportation, food, and lodging. I am also asking for prayers as I participate in this mission without my sidekick (my daughter). I hope this trip will help not only those who benefit from our mission work, but also help redefine who I am as a person after having my daughter. Thank you for considering sponsoring me for this trip. Every little bit counts!
Jessica Fuller
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Dear Trinity Family,
I have been blessed with the opportunity to go on a mission trip with Coronado UMC to Guatemala this January. They have been traveling to Guatemala and working with Salud y Paz for several years now but invited a handful of Stetson Wesley students to join them in their work. I am so excited for this experience. Although Coronado has provided scholarships for all of us which will cover our plane tickets, I am asking for donations to help cover in-country expenses such as food, transportation, accommodations, supplies, etc.
Beyond financial support, I ask for prayers for myself, the team, and for those we will be interacting with in our travels. God bless! :)
Maia Carr
NOTE: To contribute to one or both of these young women by check, please make your check payable to them directly and place in the offering plate or mail to the office.
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Human Trafficking
Dates to Remember re: Human Trafficking
December 5, 6:30 p.m.: Katie Morales of the Dominican Republic will be speaking at St. Ann's Catholic Church in DeBary. Katie started a mission that helps rescue girls sex trafficked in the DR. Trafficking is the DR's 2nd highest income producer after Tourism. Come hear how Katie discovered the issue and helps combat it daily. She formed an Artisan group called the Batey girls, who make jewelry. Learn more about them by visiting https://Bateygirls.org.
January 6, 6:30 p.m.: River City Presbyterian Church in DeBary is sponsoring an event, ONE PURSE. One Purse is an Orlando-based non-profit organization founded by Heather Case. Monies from the purses go toward providing academic scholarships to human trafficking survivors. In 2017, 37 scholarships were given; in 2018, 85 were given.
To help with this event, we need gently used or like-new purses to be donated during December. Do you have some of these in your closet that you no longer use? Purses of all sizes can be dropped off in the church office OR call Lana Saxon, 736-1008, for more info.
Please plan on attending this event and finding yourself a new purse. Visit https://onepurse.org to learn more. JANUARY IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH.
Lana Saxon, H.O.P.E. (Helpers of People Enslaved) Team
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Breakfast at Trinity
On Friday, December 13, we will welcome the community to our last Breakfast of the year. It's always a special one, as each table in the Fellowship Hall is decorated with a Christmas tree. In addition to our normal breakfast foods, we provide pastries from Mr. Bill's as a special treat. Homemade cookies are given to each guest. Volunteers are always welcome!
We had 71 attending our November Breakfast. Blankets provided by the Together class were gone quickly. Clothes, shoes, and toiletries continue to be donated by Trinity members; our guests enjoy shopping our many items and are very appreciative of the donations. In addition, we are very thankful for donated bus passes, hand crocheted hats, and money to cover the cost of the Breakfast. That amount is $250 - $275 monthly, a part of the Missions-Outreach budget (all their monies come from the Fall Festival). Thanks to each of you for helping make our Breakfast a blessing for so many.
For the cold weather approaching, please leave clean coats and blankets in the bin by Euretta's Closet.
Lana Saxon, Chairman
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THE PECANS HAVE ARRIVED!
Cindy Hunt is selling pecans again this year for Christmas. (Thank you, Cindy!!) A sales table has been set up in the Fellowship Hall during Holy Grounds. The cost is $11 a pound and you can pay in cash or by check made out to the church. (Mark "pecans" in the memo line, please.)
Questions? Call the church office.
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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 intercessory prayers, planning and implementing our evangelistic efforts outside the walls of the church, including visitation and hospitality.
If you are interested in being a part of this new team, contact me by email using this link
Rob Miller or by leaving me a note in the church's
Witness Team mailbox outside the pastor's office.
Rob Miller, Coordinator
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PRAYER CORNER
Angels! Have you ever taken the time to consider their significance in announcing the coming of the Christ Child? This whimsical and delightful poem, offers a little different take on their “job duties”.
ANGEL-FILLED ADVENT
by Ann Weems
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Advent came filled with angels and alleluias?
Wouldn’t it be perfect if we were greeted on these December mornings
with a hovering of heavenly hosts tuning up their harps
and brushing up on their fa-la-las?
Wouldn’t it be incredible if their music filled our waking hours
with the promise of peace on earth
and, if each Advent night, we dreamed of nothing but goodwill?
Wouldn’t it be ectastic if we could take those angels shopping, or trim the tree or have them hold our hands and dance through our houses decorating?
And oh how glorious if would be to sit in church next to an angel and sing our hark-the-heralds!
What an Advent that would be! What Christmas spirit we could have!
An angel-filled Advent has so many possibilities!
But in lieu of that, perhaps we can give thanks
for the good earthly joys we have been given
and for the earthly “angels” that we know
who do such a good job of filling
our Advent with alleluias!
As we pray our way through the church directory,
please join me in praying this month for:
Horace & Louise O’Quinn, John & Linda O’Quinn, Ron & Ann Oliver, Lee Packer, John and Lisa Palmer, and Miro & Eli Pamoukov
Carolyn Harner, Prayer Team Coordinator
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- Like to take messages and talk with folks? Want to help in the Church Office? Contact Debra Wood.
- Willing to be a greeter or ambassador on Sundays? Contact Dave Shipman, Susan Largen 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 Becky Hurlburt 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 Anita Campbell.
- Interested in serving on the Altar Guild? Contact Cherrie Casselberry 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? Contact Conya Hartman.
- Interested in reading scripture and/or participating in worship services? Contact Rev. Todd Bardin 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 strengthen our ability to witness to others. If interested, see or contact 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. Contact Judy Ross, Ann Jenkins or Susan Largen.
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 GLOBAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE,
BISHOP KENNETH CARTER, AND THE EAST CENTRAL DISTRICT OFFICE
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Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles
at the 2020 General Conference, The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly.
The 2020 Conference will meet in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from May 5-15, 2020.
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UM Council of Bishops focuses on “justice, reconciliation, and healing.”
The United Methodist Council of Bishops met November 6-8 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. This is a condensed summary of that meeting from Council President Kenneth H. Carter, Bishop of the Florida United Methodist Church.
The Council is a global body, serving 12 million members from nations and cultures with vastly different laws and traditions.
The meeting included the following actions and agenda items:
- We announced, by a 92% global vote, the ratification of the Women's Equality Amendment.
- We celebrated the election of Cynthia Fierro Harvey as the incoming president of the Council of Bishops in May, Thomas J. Bickerton as the president-designate, Tracy Smith Malone as the secretary, Bruce Ough as executive secretary, and Sally Dyck as ecumenical officer.
- We announced gifts of $54 million (toward a $50 million goal) for the endowment of Africa University.
- We were led in the remembrance of the fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago by the Bishops of Germany, Harald Rückert and Rosemarie Wenner (retired), and Eduard Khegay of Eurasia.
- There were reports of the revision of the global social principles and on the most recent decisions of the Judicial Council, including questions of disaffiliation and aspects of the traditional plan and its implementation.
- Bishop Carter’s presidential address was entitled “To Redefine the Connection: Loving Our Neighbor with a Convicted Humility,” and was based on Matthew 22. The address can be accessed here.
- In our leadership over the next six months leading to the 2020 General Conference, the Bishops reclaimed the language in the Book of Discipline of seeking "justice, reconciliation and healing" through just resolutions and remind the church that church trials are "an expedient of last resort."
There is a strong and united voice from almost every Bishop outside the United States that the U.S. should become a regional conference, being allowed to adapt the Book of Discipline, as their own central conferences are now allowed to do.
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GOD HAS ASKED US TO
GO OUT INTO THE WORLD AND
MAKE DISCIPLES FOR JESUS.
PLEASE JOIN WITH US ON THE JOURNEY!
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306 W. Wisconsin Avenue
DeLand, Florida 32720
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