Christmas Eve at Trinity

Christmas Eve Services – Tuesday December 24th 7 pm and 8:15 pm

The All ages Family service begins at 7 pm.  We joyfully celebrate the Christmas story with scripture and carols.  A brief Communion service will follow.  All are welcome to both of these services.  Our nursery is available for your convenience but will not be staffed on Christmas Eve – children of all ages are more than welcome to both services!  

The Christmas Eve bulletins are available by clicking here.

7pm Family Service    Dec24713

8:15 pm Communion Service  Dec24138PM

Advent Love

This Sunday we light our fourth Advent candle – the candle of Love.  Trinity’s choir will be offering a fantastic cantata called I Hear the Prophet Callin’.  Through upbeat songs and meaningful readings, the choir will lead us through the Christmas story from prophecy to fulfillment.  Sunday December 22nd  – I Hear the Prophet Callin’ – Trinity’s Choir Offering, 10:30 am

Join us on Saturday night – the longest night for a quiet and reflective candle lit service. The Longest Night is a candle lit worship service offered annually to the wider North Bay community by Trinity and St. Andrew’s United Churches. It’s an opportunity for quiet engagement with the Christmas mystery on the longest night of the year. The Longest Night service has become for many an important seasonal tradition, as it acknowledges the mixture of loss, contemplation, and wonder that attends Christmas and the winter solstice.  Saturday December 21st 7 pm

 Christmas Eve Services – Wednesday December 24th 7 pm and 8:15 pm

The All ages Family service begins at 7 pm.  We joyfully celebrate the Christmas story with scripture and carols.  A brief Communion service will follow.  All are welcome to both of these services.  Our nursery is available for your convenience but will not be staffed on Christmas Eve – children of all ages are more than welcome to both services!  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Seasons of the Spirit Congregational Resource, the reading for December 22nd is from Matthew 1:18–25

As Advent draws to a close, we focus on the birth of Jesus. Joseph’s role in the birth and life of Jesus is often speculated, but one thing is sure – he trusted God’s will and stood by Mary during a difficult time in her life. Joseph provides a home and family for Jesus, an example that all of us can learn from today. 

This week as you prepare your hearts and homes for Christmas, take pause and give thanks to all those people who act in courage and love to offer radical and gracious hospitality to those in need this season.  People who donate items or money to an outreach organization, people who volunteer their time to help and those who invite someone for Christmas dinner who would otherwise be alone – your act of love truly is what Christmas is all about!

May the promise of the Christ Child fill your heart and home with radical and outrageous love!  

Christmas Outreach Project

A snapshot of some of the Christmas gifts that the I-DYG and North Bay Ventures packed this week for the Christmas bag outreach. There are approximately 125 gift bags plus miscellaneous items for people in crisis or emergency situations in our community. Thanks to the many people who donated money, items and time to ensure that so many people get to experience the joy of receiving a Christmas gift this year!

This week at Trinity – Advent Hope

Hello Trinity Friends,

We are heading into a very busy week at Trinity! 
 
“The Best Story: An Imperfect Christmas Pageant”
Sunday December 15th at 10:30 am.
The Sunday School children have been busily preparing for this Sunday’s Christmas pageant.  The pageant is a wonderful way for the children to share the Christmas story with the congregation. Following the pageant we will gather for a cold potluck lunch.  Please bring your potluck to the kitchen before the service.
 

Trinity Arts presents –  “The School of Yule”   Wednesday, December 18th at 7 pm 

Trinity United Church continues their tradition of Christmas laughter, light, and lore with an entertaining evening of stories and songs that will help you to “Unwrap Christmas”!  A talented group of North Bay’s finest readers and actors will again fill the church with stories, laughter, and carols – all in support of “the Gathering Place.” 

 

December 18th at 7 pm.  (Carol Sing-a-Long starts at 6:30) Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, children (12 and under) free. See you then!

 

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE – Saturday December 21st at 7:00 pm

“The Longest Night” is a worship service offered annually to the wider North Bay community by Trinity and St. Andrew’s United Churches. The Christmas season can be a difficult and complicated time for so many of us.

Accompanied by warm and heartening string music, community members like you offer the prayers (both happy and sad) laid on our hearts this season. Light a prayer candle and be touched by soothing seasonal music. “The Longest Night” enables us to step back and be most fully ourselves.

Come as you are to “The Longest Night,” December 21st at 7pm at Trinity United Church (Ferguson at McIntyre). 

 

Sunday December 22nd  – I Hear the Prophet Callin’ – Trinity’s Choir Offering, 10:30 am

 

Trinity’s Choir will fill our morning with music and readings.  

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Seasons of the Spirit Congregational Resource, the reading for 

December 15 is from Luke 1:47–55
 
Mary proclaims her devotion to God and God’s liberation in her Magnificat. She’s carrying the very one who will continue the work of liberation in the lives of the poor and marginalized. Mary herself becomes a prophet, declaring God’s vision of a world where God has “brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly…filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” Mary turns toward God in faith and follows the path before her. She takes on the role of bringing liberation to the world. Will we follow her example?
 
This week as we light the Advent candle of joy, take a moment to hold those in prayer who are feeling the loss of a loved one, those who are struggling with illness, addiction or loneliness and those whose day to day challenges prohibit them from experiencing the joy of the season.  
 
May you be a beacon of light and joy to those around you.
Wishing you grace and joy this week!