Trinity this week – Advent Hope

Hello Trinity Friends,
This Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent.  We celebrate the start of the season with a special Communion Service.  We light the first candle in our Advent wreath – the candle of Hope.  The Junior Choir will be sharing some music as well.  Following Communion, the children will go downstairs to continue practicing for the pageant!  All children are welcome.
There is still time today to come down to Trinity for the UCW luncheon.  Chili, sandwiches, soup and more!  All are welcome.
This Saturday is the Children’s Only Bazaar at St. Andrew’s United Church.  Children ages 4 – 13 can do their Christmas shopping while parents/caregivers enjoy coffee and treats.  It runs from 10 am to noon.
(We wish you a ) Messy Christmas is this Saturday from 3:30 – 6:30 pm.  Families with children are invited to drop in to enjoy storytime, crafts and activities, followed by a Sloppy Joe dinner.
​Announcements​
​Sunday December 9th is White Gift Sunday.  Please bring your gifts for the Food Shelf, Infant Food Shelf or Christmas Bag Outreach for the Sunday School to collect during worship.  Thanks for supporting these important outreach ministries.
Advent Offering – In the spirit of giving, we invite you to contribute to the Advent Offering.  This year, Advent offerings will go to Sleeping Children Around the World and Packsac Smiles.  Please see your bulletin or check out their websites for more information.  Pill Bottle Banks are available from the ushers.  A suggestion is to set it on your table and during your grace, add money ​to it.  It is a wonderful opportunity to participate in the joy of giving this season!
Looking for a stocking stuffer or a gift for a host/hostess?  The United Church of Canada Calendar is an ideal gift for only $5.  Available from Janice Brownlee after church.
In a world where there is much turmoil and instability we need to be reminded of the promise of Hope.  What do we hope and long for deep in our hearts? What does God hope for us? How can we offer hope to those for whom Christmas is a stressful time?
There is an excellent website called Advent Unwrapped with activities to do at home with your family. An Advent Calendar, prayers, activities and more.  http://www.adventunwrapped.ca/at-home/
May you be a message of hope to those who need it this season and beyond.

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”: A Heartwarming Evening of Wartime Story and Song

In our annual evening supporting “The Gathering Place” Trinity United Church gathers a talented group of musicians and storytellers to share an enchanting night of seasonal songs and stories, with a wartime flavour.

As we wrap up this 100th anniversary year of the end of World War One, Trinity United Church reflects on both the warmth and the tumult of Christmas during wartimes.

Treat yourself to an evening of Christmas spirit at Trinity United Church (Ferguson at McIntyre) on Tuesday December the 11th—all to benefit North Bay’s soup kitchen, “The Gathering Place.”

At 6:30pm we gather for a sing-a-long, followed by story and music at 7pm. Tickets are $15 for Adults, $10 for students, children under 12 are free. Refreshments will be served.

 home for christmas

Trinity this week – Sunday November 25th, 2018

Hello Trinity Friends,
This Sunday join us for a special service hosted by the AOTS (men’s group).  The JOYFUL BELLS will be sharing their musical offerings this morning as well.
AOTS is an acronym that comes from the bible passage in Luke 22:27 when Jesus says “I am among you AOne That Serves.”  Trinity’s AOTS usually meet on the first Saturday of the month – the meeting dates are posted in the bulletin.  Trinity’s AOTS serves our church in many ways, with an emphasis on supporting youth and youth ministries at Trinity and in our wider community.  For more information about the AOTS you visit www.aots.ca or speak to any AOTS member.
As we head into the season of Advent, beginning with a special Advent Communion Service on Sunday December 2nd at 10:30 am, there will be a number of ways to celebrate the season!  Please take a look below at a few of the upcoming worship services and special events.  We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
Worship Services and Upcoming Events
 
Friday November 30th 
UCW Cafeteria Luncheon – 11 – 1 pm
Saturday December 1st.
We Wish You a Messy Christmas!  Trinity Families is hosting a very special session of “Messy Church” on Saturday Dec. 1st from 3:30 – 6:30 pm
We’ll explore and reflect on the messiness of the First Christmas through games and crafts, and enjoy a meal together. This is a free event and is open to all families.
Sunday December 2nd 
* Advent Communion Service, 10:30 am
Sunday December 9th 
* White Gift Sunday, 10:30 am – please bring your donations of food, money or gifts for the Christmas Gift Bag Outreach to be collected by the Sunday School.
Holy Grounds Youth Christmas Party 12 – 2

Youth in grade 7 and up are invited to an afternoon of community building activities: games, baking and an advent reflection.

Tuesday December 11th,  
“I’ll Be home For Christmas”: A Heartwarming Evening of Wartime Story and Song!  
As we wrap up this 100th anniversary of the World War One Armistice, Trinity United Church reflects on both the warmth and the tumult of Christmas during wartime. Pause with us to witness the hope that arises even in the cold theatre of human conflict. Benefits entirely for North Bay’s “Gathering Place” soup kitchen.   Join us on Tuesday December 11th at 7 pm (sing-a-long starts at 6:30 pm)  Tickets are $15 for Adults, $10 for students, children under 12 are free.
Refreshments will be served.
Sunday December 16th 
*  Sunday School Pageant – An Animal Nativity, 10:30 am
*  J.O.Y. Bands Concert – A Most Wonderful Christmas, 1:30 pm (sing-a-long begins at 1 – Free will offering to the Warming Centre
Thursday December 21st 
*  Longest Night Service, 7 pm – members of Trinity United, along with friends from St. Andrew’s United, will gather for a service of heartfelt string music and candlelit prayer in the Trinity sanctuary. It’s an opportunity for a spacious pause, to contemplate the hopes, fears, and prayers that fill that longest night of the year.
Sunday December 23rd
* Trinity’s Choir Cantata – One Silent Night, 10:30 am – This beautiful cantata, by Pepper Choplin, is a Christmas ballad of love and joy. It features scripture narration, soloists, and instrumentalists.
Monday December 24th
*  Family Christmas Eve Service, 7 pm
*  Communion, 8:15 pm

Trinity this week – November 18, 2018

Hello Trinity Friends,
This snowy weekend, a reminder that we will gather for worship at 10:30 am on Sunday November 18th, followed by a hotdog lunch and VIP seating for the Santa Claus Parade!  The Sunday School will begin rehearsing for the Christmas Pageant (December 16th).  All young people are welcome to participate – this year’s pageant is “The Nativity – as told by the Animals” – plenty of parts for everyone.
Here —-> Newsletter – (Advent) November 2018 (2) you will find (hot off the presses) Trinity’s Advent Newsletter.  There are a number of special worship services and activities to look forward to this season.  We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
Just a reminder that we are still looking for cookies for the cookie walk – individuals, families or groups are invited to consider baking cookies – plain, fancy or gluten free are all appreciated!  See the bulletin for more information.
Have a wonderful weekend and travel with care in this snowy weather!  Hope to see you Sunday!

Trinity this week – Remembrance Sunday

Hello Trinity Friends,
Trinity is a buzz of activity as we prepare for the UCW’s Christmas Tea and Bazaar tomorrow!  It is sure to be another wonderful event and I hope that you all are able to come and enjoy.  Tea,sandwiches and desserts in the Fellowship Hall and crafts, baking, books, white elephant and more will be upstairs in the gym.  Saturday November 10th from 1 – 3:30 pm
This Sunday we will have a very special Remembrance Day service. Don Clysdale will be presenting us with a memorial book that can be held and looked at, honouring the many Trinity people who served our country in military service. In honour of the 100 year anniversary of the Armistice, we are joined by students from Canadore College’s Theatre program who will bring to life some of the stories of the Trinity men and women who served in the military.
Older children will be encouraged to remain in Church for this very special service.
A few announcements:
If you have anything for the Advent newsletter please email it to Ross (contact the office for his contact info)  The deadline is this Sunday!
The 2019 United Church Calendars are available for sale from Janice Brownlee.  They are $5 each and make wonderful gifts!
Communion Services will take place at Casselholme on Monday Nov. 12th at 10:30 am; Marina Point on Monday Nov. 19th at 2 pm and Empire Living on Monday Nov. 26th at 10:30 am.  All are welcome to join us!
Do you love to bake?  If so, please consider baking cookies for Trinity’s Cookie Walk.  This is a fundraiser for the Church.  Families, Teens, Groups are all welcome to bake 5 dozen plain, fancy or gluten-free cookies.  Cookies can be brought to Trinity Friday morning – Nov. 23rd or between 9 and 9:45 on Saturday November 24th.  Thank-you for your support!
​Peace,​