Hello Trinity Friends,

Please join us this third Sunday in Advent as we celebrate “JOY” The Trinity Choir will bring us into the joy of the Christmas season with their wonderful Choir Cantata – Love: A Gospel Christmas Celebration. Come early for a good seat and to join in the Carol Sing!  We are encouraging young people to remain in the sanctuary for worship to enjoy the musical celebration.  There will be “busy” bags at the back of the Sanctuary for anyone to grab (colouring pages, Christmas stories, word searches, etc.)  The nursery will be available for younger children.

Celebrations

Trinity has been a very busy place these last few weeks.  It is heartwarming to know how generous our Trinity Congregation is! Here are just some of the events worth celebrating this month!
• Near North Voices along with celebrity readers performed to a full house for a wonderfully successful Dickens’ Christmas Carol reading!  We were able to raise over $8000 for the Gathering Place!
• Trinity youth just finished packing over 150 Christmas Bags for the Christmas Bag Outreach. Your generosity has helped to provide Christmas gifts to Children, Youth and Adults at several organizations. Thank-you!
• The UCW has prepared 40 Cheer Plates for people who are not able to get out of their homes or not well. The UCW have been providing hospitality and refreshments for many joyous celebrations and sad farewells this season – Thank you to the UCW for all you do!
• The Christian Education Committee hosted a Messy Church event for families to get into the Christmas Spirit with crafts, activities, storytelling and a hot meal.  There were over 60 people in attendance – including several new Canadian Families from Ukraine!  Thank-you to the Christian Education Committee for this wonderful outreach!

Christmas Worship Services

As we journey through the week of Christmas, there are a couple of special worship opportunities to share with you.

The LONGEST NIGHT Service – Thursday December 21st, 7 pm.

Our friends from St. Andrew’s United Church join us to host a “Longest Night” service of candlelit prayer and of heartfelt string music with “Depatie and Hyatt” in the Trinity sanctuary. Join us Thursday Dec. 21st at 7pm, when we embrace a holiday opportunity of spacious prayerful pause, to contemplate the hopes and fears that fill the actual longest night of the year! 

ADVENT 4 WORSHIP – Sunday December 24th, 10:30 am

Advent/Christmas Communion.  Sunday School will include an informal Christmas activity.

CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE – Sunday December 24th, 7 pm
Our service will include the scripture story and lively singing of many Christmas favourites.

FIFTH SUNDAY SERVICE – Sunday December 31st 9:30 am
Area United Churches will gather together for worship at Omond Memorial Church.  (319 McKenzie Ave) Worship begins at 9:30 am.  There will be no church service at Trinity that morning.

OFFICE HOURS DURING THE HOLIDAY

Please note that Trinity Offices will be closed on December 22nd and will re-open on Tuesday January 2nd. The answering machine and email will be checked periodically.

See you Sunday!

Hello Trinity Families,

This second Sunday in Advent we light the candle of Peace. We also celebrate White Gift Sunday and enjoy the Sunday School Christmas Pageant. It will be a joyous service that you will not want to miss!  This newsletter is jam packed – please read through so you don’t miss anything!

But first, join us tonight, Friday December 8th,  7 pm (6:30 for a sing-a-long) for Christmas, A Humbug?! A dramatic reading of Dickens’ Classic “A Christmas Carol”.  Come out and join your friends for an enchanting evening sure to put you into the seasonal spirit. Charles Dickens’ timeless classic “A Christmas Carol” is a story of laughter and redemption, enriched with victorian Christmas music courtesy of the Near North Voices under the direction of Dr. Adam Adler. All shared with great “Dickensian” atmosphere, humour, and warmth!  
Celebrity readers include: CBC Radio’s Markus Schwabe, Darlene Leferriere, Rod Carley, Doctor Joe Madden, John Powers, Maureen Cassidy, and Reverend Ted Harrison. “God bless us, every one!”

In true Dickens fashion, all ticket proceeds go to North Bay’s soup kitchen, “The Gathering Place.” Tickets are $20 and available at the door.

This Sunday the Sunday School present their pageant “A Shepherd’s Christmas Story” written by Brenda McLay and Directed by Darlene Laferriere with musical accompaniment by Sophia Karasseva.  The Sunday School pageant is always a delight. 

Immediately following the pageant, the Sunday School children will gather white gift donations from the congregation.  Gifts of non-perishable food items, money and other items that may bring comfort to those in need will be gathered by the Sunday School children during the service.  Donations will be received to Trinity’s Food Shelf and the Christmas Bag Outreach Programs.  Of particular need: toothbrushes, toothpaste, playing cards, puzzle books, magazines or comics and toiletries for men. A full list of needed items is posted in the Sunday School Room.

Next Sunday, Trinity’s Choir will present their Cantata: Love!  A Gospel Christmas Celebration during worship.  Be sure to come early for a good seat.  You will not want to miss this!

TRINITY YOUTH GROUP – Cheesy (and Heartwarming) Christmas Movie Night – Friday December 15th 6 – 10 pm
We will watch a Christmas movie (or two), eat snacks and get our Christmas spirit on! Feel free to wear an ugly Christmas sweater or your Christmas PJ’s. All youth in Grade 7 and up are welcome! Please RSVP to Lisa Blais or Marcel MacDonald.

The LONGEST NIGHT Service – Thursday December 21st, 7 pm The Advent and Christmas seasons can inspire profound highs and lows in our lives. Over the period of COVID isolation, we managed to maintain and adapt our Trinity tradition of teaming up with St. Andrews to host a “Longest Night” service of candlelit prayer and of heartfelt string music with “Depatie and Hyatt” in the Trinity sanctuary. Join us again on this Thursday Dec. 21st at 7pm, when we embrace a holiday opportunity of spacious prayerful pause, to contemplate the hopes and fears that fill the actual longest night of the year! The Longest Night Service is a gift to the community – therefore there is no collection. 

CHRISTMAS EVE There are two services on Christmas Eve. Sunday December 24, 10:30 am is our Advent Communion service. Then come early for a good seat at our Christmas Eve family service, 7pm on Sunday December 24th. That Service will include the scripture story and lively singing of many Christmas favourites.

The Faith Forward Team has launched a survey for anyone between the ages of 25 – 45 (whether they attend church or not).  Amanda will speak to this on Sunday.  Please feel free to share with anyone you think would be willing to participate.  This will help us ensure we are providing services and meeting the needs of this demographic!

This week as we journey into the second week of Advent, take some time to offer prayers of peace to the places in our own lives, in our communities and in the wider world that are thirsting for peace. Peace is needed more than ever right now.

May peace be with you,

Hello Trinity Friends,

This Sunday we enter into Advent with a special Communion Service at 10:30 am.  Come early to join in a Carol Sing, led by the Trinity Choir.  Plan to come on back for the J.O.Y. Band Christmas Concert: A Yuletide Festival, directed by Betty Farris. This Sunday December 3rd at 1:30 pm.  Includes a carol sing and refreshments.  Free will offering with donations going to North Bay’s Santa Fund and Trinity’s Infant Food Shelf.

Tonight – Families are invited to Messy Church – Christmas style. Families are invited to come out and participate in a variety of fun activities, share a meal and hear an interactive Christmas story.  All families are welcome!  Friday December 1st from 5 – 7 (doors open at 4:30).

There are a number of exciting events and some important announcements to share.  This will be a long email – please read through to the end so you don;t miss anything!

Saturday December 2nd, 10 am to noon: Kids Only Bazaar​ at St. Andrew’s United Church – an opportunity for the kids to do their shopping!

Christmas, A Humbug?! A dramatic reading of Dickens’ Classic “A Christmas Carol” with Celebrity Readers and Near North Voices

Join us at Trinity United Church on Friday December the 8th at 6:30 pm for a sing-a-long of Christmas favourites, followed by the Dickens classic at 7pm and interspersed with exquisite seasonal mood music performed by the Near North Voices under the direction of Dr. Adam Adler. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door or by calling (705)474-3310

In true Dickens fashion, all ticket proceeds go to North Bay’s soup kitchen, “The Gathering Place.” Celebrity readers include: CBC Radio’s Markus Schwabe, Darlene Laferriere, Rod Carley, Doctor Joe Madden, John Powers, Maureen Cassidy, and Reverend Ted Harrison. “God bless us, every one!”  Dickens Event Page

Christmas Bag Outreach

Each year Trinity’s youth group collects items for the Christmas Bag Outreach Project. We provide over 150 Christmas gifts to children, youth and adults in our community! These bags are packed according to the age of the receiver and delivered the week prior to Christmas. We pack bags for teens and adults in transitional housing, treatment centres, the NBRHC Mental Health Unit, Suswin Indigenous Housing, and more.  If you would like to contribute to this outreach program please bring in your donations to Trinity on White Gift Sunday (December 10th) or any Sunday morning prior to then.  A full list of needed items can be found in your bulletin!  Cash and Christmas Bags are also appreciated.

AOTS GIFT CARDS are available to purchase this Sunday.  Gift cards make excellent Christmas gifts!  Gift cards are available for many different things: groceries, gas, restaurants, drugstore, entertainment and more!  You can now pay by etransfer, cash or cheque.  To place an order, speak to Rob Brownlee after church.  Orders are due this Sunday December 3rd. 

DATES FOR YOU CALENDAR!

• Friday December 8th, 7 pm (sing-a-long at 6:30):  Christmas, A Humbug?!  An enchanting presentation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
• Sunday December 10th, 10:30 am:  Trinity’s Sunday School Present “A Shepherd’s Christmas Story”
• Sunday December 17th, 10:30 am: Trinity’s Choir Cantata: Love​: A Gospel Christmas Celebration​.
• Thursday December 21st, 7 pm:  Longest Night Service.
• Christmas Eve, Sunday December 24th:  10:30 am Advent 4 Communion Service and a 7 pm Christmas Eve Family Service

Hello Trinity Friends,

We hope you will come on down to the Christmas Walk tonight and look for United Church friends outside of Creative Learning.  Join us in singing Christmas Carols, grab an adorable candy cane reindeer and gather with friends from the local United Churches!

Then tomorrow, pop over to Trinity Church to pick out some delicious cookies.  The Cookie Walkdoors open at 9:30 .a.m We have a great variety of Christmas cookies and squares for you to choose from. Come, support Trinity and buy some sweet treats.

This Sunday, we celebrate AOTS Sunday – the AOTS is the United Church Men’s Group, which stands for “As One That Serves”.  The children will continue their Sunday School pageant rehearsal during church.  

Following the worship service, the Rapport Singers will present a beautiful afternoon of music with their concert: “Waiting: Songs of Advent and Celebration” It begins at 1:30 in Trinity’s Sanctuary. 

THE COMPASSIONATE COMMITTEE OF NORTH BAY – What you need to know about helping people who are experiencing homelessness. Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 7 pm. hosted by Trinity United Church. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

THE COMPASSIONATE COMMITTEE OF NORTH BAY – What you need to know about helping people who are experiencing homelessness. Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 7 pm. hosted by Trinity United Church. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

You will find the Advent Newsletter here https://trinitynorthbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/advent-2023-1.pdf Thanks to Ross Brewer for putting this together – and to all those who contributed to it!  There is an abundance of activities and special worship services coming up.  I encourage you to sit down over a cup of tea/coffee, and read it thoroughly!

Here are a few highlights of some upcoming events to put in your calendar.

Hello Trinity Friends,

Please join us this Sunday for worship at 10:30 am.  This is a busy Sunday! The children will begin their Sunday School pageant rehearsal during church. Following worship, plan to stay for a hotdog lunch sponsored by Trinity Families and then head outside our Ferguson entrance to watch the Santa Claus Parade (with a delicious cup of hot chocolate).  We would welcome cookies or squares for the hotdog lunch – please bring them to the kitchen before 10:30 on Sunday if you are bringing anything in. 

Next Sunday November 26th is AOTS Sunday.

Covenanting Service at St. Andrew’s United Church

You are invited to attend a Covenanting Service for Caitlin Smithers on Sunday, November 19th at 6:00 pm, at which time we will celebrate the beginning of her new journey with the congregation of St. Andrew’s United Church, North Bay.  All are welcome!

There are a number of events coming up and a few announcements to share.  Please read on!  

Newsletter Deadline

Items for the Advent/Christmas Newsletter are due this Sunday November 19th to Ross Brewer. 

Christmas Bag Outreach

Each year, with the support of the Trinity Congregation, Trinity youth pack approximately 150 Christmas bags for those in our community who may not otherwise experience the joy of receiving a gift.  We pack bags for teens and adults in transitional housing, treatment centres, the NBRHC Mental Health Unit, unsheltered individuals and more.  If you would like to contribute to this outreach program please bring in your donations to Trinity on White Gift Sunday (December 10th) or any day up to then.  A full list of needed items will be posted in your Advent newsletter and in the Fellowship Hall.  Cash to purchase items and Christmas Bags are very much appreciated! Contact Lisa at blais.trinity@gmail.com for more information

Downtown Christmas Walk. Friday November 24th 6 – 9 pm: Come downtown and enjoy an old fashioned Christmas event downtown North Bay. United Church friends will have a spot outside Creative Learning where we will sing songs and hand out Reindeer Candy Canes. We would love to see a good turnout of our United Church friends join us. Marcel MacDonald and Rick Banting will lead us in singing carols.  Please feel free to bring bells, shakers, drums, etc.  All welcome!

Cookie Walk – Saturday November 25th 9:30 – 11:30: Come pick up some Christmas cookies to share or keep for yourself 

Rapport Concert “Waiting” Sunday November 26th: 1:30 pm.  Come on out and enjoy a beautiful evening of music.  Joined by the Joyful Bells, the Rapport Singers will set the tone for the season of Advent!  $20 Adults, $15 Students (under 12 free).

THE COMPASSIONATE COMMITTEE OF NORTH BAY – UPCOMING  Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 7 pm. – Information Session about how to help people who are experiencing homelessness,  hosted by Trinity United Church. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Messy Church – Trinity Style: We Wish You a Messy Christmas: This is a fun family friendly evening where you can hear a Christmas story, enjoy a meal together and participate in a variety of fun self guided activities. This is a free family event. Friday December 1st:  5 pm – 7 pm (Doors open at 4:30)

Kids Only Bazaar​ at St. Andrew’s United Church –  ​Saturday December 2nd, 10 am to noon:- an opportunity for the kids to do their shopping!  All items are $2.  Your children will not want to miss this opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping.  

Coffee and refreshments available for parents and caregivers while they await their shoppers!

JOY Band Christmas Concert: A Yuletide Festival. Sunday December 3rd, 1:30 pm.  Includes a Carol sing-a-long.  Admission by donation – all proceeds to the North Bay Santa Fund and Trinity’s Infant Food Shelf.

Christmas, A Humbug?! An enchanting presentation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”—interspersed with heartfelt music performed by the Near North Voices choir. In true Dickens fashion, all ticket proceeds go to North Bay’s soup kitchen, “The Gathering Place.” ​Friday December 8th, 7 pm (sing-a-long at 6:30): $20 (children under 12 are free).  Celebrity readers include:Rod Carley, Darlene Laferriere, Maureen Cassidy, Joe Madden, John Powers and host of CBC’s Morning North, Marcus Schwabe. 

​See you Sunday!