Trinity this week – Advent Peace – December 4, 2022

Hello Trinity Friends,
Join us this Sunday for the second Sunday in Advent.  We celebrate White Gift Sunday.  You are invited to bring items for the Christmas Gift Bag outreach or non-perishable food for the food bank. These gifts will be brought forward during worship and will be donated to Trinity’s Trinity’s Food Shelf Ministries or Trinity’s Christmas Gift Bag Project. See towards the end of the email for ideas of what you could bring.  Thanks in advance, for supporting out outreach ministries.
Sunday’s worship will be prefaced with a Carol Sing.  Come early and join us as we join our voices in song.  You can even request one of your favourites!Following the worship service you are invited to stay for lunch. A free will offering will be collected for Trinity’s Infant Food Bank and the North Bay Food Bank. 
Following lunch, the JOY Band will present A Yuletide Festival. Directed by Betty Farris and Neil Kennedy and joined by the Joyful Bells, the JOY Band concert will begin at 1:30 pm.  Admission is by free will offering which will be split between Trinity’s Infant Food Shelf and the North Bay Food Bank. 


OFFICE HOURS CHANGED Trinity’s office is now open from Monday to Thursday 9 am to 12 pm.  The office is closed on Friday (unless there is a special event occurring).  Your Trinity staff’s hours are not affected by this change – we are often on site outside those posted hours or working from home, however, the main office will generally be closed on Friday now.  


The Compassionate Committee of North Bay is hosting an event in Trinity’s Sanctuary  called “What you need to know about helping people who are experiencing homelessness”  Tonight (Friday) December 2nd at 7 pm. All are welcome to come and learn more about how you can be a beacon of hope in your community!Invited presenters are listed below.
  Canadian Mental Health Association of North Bay and District (Healthy Community Ambassador Program) – Benji Nelson
 District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board – Rhea Funnell
 True Self – Donna Forget
 AIDS Committee of North Bay – Stacey MayhallAll are welcome and encouraged to attend this excellent and informative session!


Don’t forget to order your AOTS Gift Cards from Rob Brownlee this Sunday!  Gift cards make excellent Christmas gifts!  They can also be used to purchase groceries, gas, clothing, tools and more! You can purchase gift cards for multiple organizations – ask Rob (or Wanda in the office) for an order form.  Deadline to submit your order in time for Christmas is TODAY by 4 pm. Ask for Rob’s contact information from the office or speak to him this Sunday!


TRINITY’S CHRISTMAS GIFT BAG OUTREACH
Each year, with the support of the Trinity Congregation, the Trinity youth pack over 150 Christmas bags for those in our community who may not otherwise experience the joy of receiving a gift.  We pack bags for teens, adults and some children, in transitional housing, treatment centres, hospital and more!We will be packing them the week of December 12th with pick-up sometime after that.
If you’d like to donate any NEW items, Christmas bags or cash (Please make cheque payable to Trinity United Church or etransfer. Some of the items that we distribute are below!• word search or crossword books
• socks, slippers, scarves, mitts, t-shirts, pjs
• treats – chocolate, candy (regular and diabetic ones)
• playing cards, magazines, comics, current novels, writing books, 2023 calendars, puzzles, games
• toiletries (such as hand sanitizer, chapstick, hand cream, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes – no hotel soaps please).
• Christmas gift bags or money to purchase gifts are also appreciated.
Thank you for your support!

UPCOMING EVENTS – SAVE THE DATE!
Friday Dec. 9th: Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre presents: “The Night the Reindeer Rocked!” – 7:00 pm at Trinity  Admission Free – Donations appreciated to Trinity’s Food Shelf Ministries
Sunday Dec. 11: Advent 3 – “Just a Little Christmas” Sunday School Christmas Pageant, 10:30 am
Sunday Dec 18:     Advent 4 – “I Hear the Prophet Callin”Trinity Choir Cantata, 10:30 am
Wednesday  Dec 21st – “Longest Night” candle service of prayers and string music at 7pm – with friends from St. Andrew’s United Church
Saturday Dec 24th- Christmas Eve Family Service, 7pm.
                                  Communion, 8:15pm
Sunday December 25th 10:30am: a fun interactive Christmas
                                       Day worship service