1. shopping
2. gifts

TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
December 3, 2013 • Vol. 47 No. 49
ADVENT SERMON SERIES
Inside this issue:
Dr. Andy Wolfe
Christmas Services
3
Poinsettia Orders
3
JOY in Serving
4
From the beginning, the birth of Jesus
Traditional Worship was celebrated by music.
Christmas would not be Christmas
8:45 & 11:00 AM
without carols. The music of this season
Sanctuary
touches something deep within us.
Carols of
as
tm
is
hr
C
Confirmation Retreat 5
Calendar of Events
7
children’s choirs
christmas programs
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
4:00 PM | Sanctuary
1st - 5th Grade Choirs & Handbells
“The Light Before Christmas”
will be performed in the Sanctuary on
Sunday afternoon, December 8 at 4:00 PM.
wednesDAY, DECEMBER 11
CONTACT SERMON SERIES
Join us on our Advent journey as we profile each of the
characters present around the manger on the night of
Christ’s birth, as featured in the high-Baroque style
“Nativity” by Italian painter, Reni Guido.
Rev. Nathan Carden 8:45 & 11:00 AM Wesley Hall
6:00 PM | Sanctuary (Note new location!)
3K - 5K Choirs
Trinity’s preschool choirs will present their
Christmas music on
Wednesday evening, December 11 at 6:00 PM.
PERSONAL WORD
december 8, 2013
second sunday of advent
8:45 & 11:00 AM • Sanctuary
The 8:45 AM worship service is broadcast via
15-minute delay from 9-10 AM Sundays
on WAPI-1070 AM.
Communion following services
SERMON
Dr. Andrew Wolfe
Carols of Christmas Series
•
MUSIC
8:45 AM
4K & 5K Children’s Choirs, Men’s Chorus
11:00 AM
4K & 5K Children’s Choirs, Sanctuary Choir
•
MINISTER On call
Nathan Carden, 863-0765
8:45 & 11:00 AM
wesley hall • Rev. Nathan Carden
Advent Series: Faces Around the Manger
christmas gift of joy
Dear Trinity Church Family,
Each year around Thanksgiving my wife, Kameron, and I begin to quiz our children about Christmas gift ideas. It is our tradition that one gift comes from Santa Claus, (IF they remain on the
“Nice” list that is!) and other gifts come from us and other family members. As you can imagine
with a two year old and a five year old, we get requests ranging from baby dolls to toy trains,
trampolines to Disney movies.
But this year we are adding another layer to the tradition. We are going to discuss, as a family,
not just what gifts we hope to receive, but what gifts we plan to give. Like many of you who are
participating in our Angel Tree Ministry, our family is helping another family experience a joyfilled Christmas by giving gifts for them to share with their children on Christmas day. We want
our children to participate in the discussion, purchasing, and sharing of gifts to ensure that they
experience the joy possible only through receiving and giving.
I am so grateful to be a part of a community of faith whose Christmas joy is manifest in giving back. Trinity United Methodist Church has a long history of seeking to alleviate and prevent
poverty and suffering in the greater Birmingham area. By the end of 2013, we will have given over
$500,00 and thousands of volunteer hours to over 30 partner organizations around Birmingham.
We will have commissioned over 140 Trinity members to mission trips both domestically and
internationally. We will have built a Habitat for Humanity House in the Clay-Chalkville community,
engaged over 500 Trinity members in the Magic City Miracle Community Day of Service, and will
have sent over 2,400 food items to Restoration Mission in the West End.
These ministries and many others are made possible in part by our Christmas Gift of Joy Offering.
Over the next few weeks, Trinity members will receive a letter in the mail inviting your participation in this special offering. You will also have opportunities to give in worship by marking your
gifts “Christmas Gift of Joy.” Our goal this year is to raise $40,000, which will be used to feed,
clothe, heal, and empower people. We do this in the name of the One who entered our world as
a peasant baby and grew up to minister to the poor, lost and forgotten. The example of the Christ
child inspires all of us to join him in his work to renew the world around us.
This Advent season, I hope you will prayerfully consider as individuals and as families how you
can participate in our Christmas Gift of Joy offering. To miss out on the opportunity to be a blessing to someone else would mean that our Christmas would be impoverished indeed.
december 1 - Attendance
1,795 • Total AM & PM Worship Attendance
682 • Traditional | 243 • Contact
523 • Sunday School
Wishing you a Joyful Christmas Season,
Nathan Carden
information for guests & new members
Welcome to Trinity United Methodist Church!
Our mission is to Gather people to Christ, Grow people in
Christ, Go to serve Christ in the world and Glorify Christ.
Sunday Worship Opportunities:
• 8:45 & 11:00 AM – Traditional services in the sanctuary,
offering same sermon and a variety of music.
•8:45 & 11:00 AM – CONTACT – a relaxed, informal,
service in Wesley Hall featuring praise music from the
CONTACT Band, children are encouraged to attend.
•10:00 AM – Sunday School – Ages 2 years and up.
• Nursery is provided during all services.
Interested in Membership?
Please join us the first Sunday of every month in the large
parlor for “Coffee with the Pastor.” This is a time to meet
the pastoral staff, ask questions and learn more about the
core values and mission of Trinity.
We also encourage you to attend “Membership 101,” a
basic orientation prior to joining Trinity. It is offered on the
second Sunday of each month. Contact Rev. Drew
Holland at dholland@trinitybirmingham.com or call
879-1737 with any questions.
Andrew Wolfe – Senior Minister
Suzanne Pruitt – Minister of Christian Formation
Drew Holland – Minister of Welcoming Ministries
and Young Adults
Nathan Carden – Minister of Outreach, Contact
David Thompson – Minister of Students
Bobby Scales – Minister of Pastoral Care & Visitation
Mack Chapman – Minister of Administration
•Church Office: 879-1737, Fax 868-9714
•Care Line: 868-9709
•Child Development Center: 879-1749
CHRISTMAS EVE
services
a service of
lessons&carols
TUESday, december 24
Children’s Services
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
4:00 & 5:00 PM | Wesley Hall
These services are designed for families with young
children. The children are encouraged to dress as
Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels or manger animals,
and become a part of the Nativity story.
Costumes available.
8:45 & 11:00 AM | Sanctuary
A Service of Lessons and Carols is
Trinity’s annual service of music and scripture
for the Christmas season.
It is presented by the Trinity Orchestra,
Sanctuary Choir, Cross & Flame Youth Choir,
William A. Gardner Handbell Choir
•
Personal Communion
4:00 - 6:00 PM | Sanctuary
Come and go at any time during these two hours
for an intimate time of family or individual
worship and communion.
•
Candlelight Communion
holy communion
7:00 & 11:00 PM | Sanctuary
Trinity’s traditional services of Christmas with
music, word, candlelight and communion.
With special music by the Sanctuary Choir, Organ,
Cross & Flame Youth Choir & Trinity String Quartet.
HOLY COMMUNION is offered each sunday in Advent.
It is served in the large Sanctuary at 9:45 AM and 12:00 Noon
following the traditional worship services. All are invited to partake.
Order Your Poinsettias for Christmas!
!
Poinsettias purchased in memory or in honor of loved ones will be placed in the sanctuaries
on Sundays, December 15 and 22, 2013.
Deadline: Orders must be received by Sunday December 8 (Deadline is strictly observed).
Please attach your check to this form, drop in the offering plate, or bring/mail to the church office before the deadline,
December 8. Make checks payable to: Trinity United Methodist Church, marked “Poinsettia order.” Print carefully. The
information from this form is used for the bulletin listings. Please list only one name or family name for each purchased poinsettia. (Example: Jane Smith,
Mr. & Mrs. Jon Smith or the Jane Smith Family.) Poinsettias are ordered from United Community Centers, Inc. (formerly the Riley Center), with proceeds
aiding services for children, youth, the elderly, emergency assistance, hunger, health and disease ministries, advocacy and community development.
In Memory of:
(OR)
In Honor of:
Given By:Given By:
Your Name:
Daytime Phone Number:
Email:
Enclosed is $15.00 for each poinsettia ordered. Number of poinsettias
X $15.00 ea. = TOTAL
Return your order to the church office (OR) mail to: Trinity UMC, P.O. Box 19069, Birmingham, AL 35219-9069
3
giftwrap volunteers needed, December 7
The Family Promise of Birmingham (formerly BHN) Gift Wrapping
Booth will open the Friday after Thanksgiving in Brookwood Mall. This
year, it will be located near Macy’s. Trinity is in charge of wrapping
on Saturday, December 7. A talent for wrapping is not required! This
is a family-friendly opportunity and a great way
to give back and experience the true meaning of
Christmas. You may also support the cause by
having your gifts wrapped at the booth if shopping at Brookwood Mall. For shift times and more
details, contact Jamie Fitzwater at 205-441-4062
or jamiesfitzwater@gmail.com.
NOTE: Trinity will host families from Family Promise of Birmingham
beginning next week on Sunday, December 8.
ANGEL TREE GIFTS, RETURN December 8
Please remember that all gifts will be collected by Sunday, December
8. Return your gifts to the ARK on the first floor. Questions? Contact
Cassie Cates at 205-515-9311 or cassidy.dempsey@gmail.com.
Festival of Three Kings, December 14
Many volunteers are needed! This is an annual event that is
held to distribute our Angel Tree gifts. It is for area kids in need. A day
filled with Christmas games, prizes, shoes, snacks and more while
their parents get their presents secretly from Santa! This year’s festival
is on Saturday, December 14. Trinity is the event organizer this year.
To volunteer please contact Cassie Cates at 205-515-9311 or email
cassidy.dempsey@gmail.com.
Gift Card Fundraiser
To help families from Family Promise of Birmingham (formerly
BHN) We are holding the annual gift card fundraiser for our Greater
Birmingham United Appeal Fund which supports our sales tax exemption. These gift cards will be used for families that come through the
program. We need gifts of $25 to purchase Wal-Mart gift cards. (You
may donate by cash, check, or Wal-Mart gift cards) Checks need to be
made payable to “The Greater B’ham UM UAF.” Questions? Contact
Ann Neptune at 879-1737 or aneptune@trinitybirmingham.com.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY - OPERATION OUTREACH
This Advent season, Children’s Ministry will participate in Operation
Outreach: Soldiers in Afghanistan helping the people of Afghanistan.
This is organized by Cpt. Ben Traylor, Trinity member and father of
Alyssa and Emma. We will be collecting winter clothing items for the
children of Afghanistan. Winters in the desert mountains are very cold
and we want the children there to stay warm. Please have children
bring items such as gloves/mittens, winter hats, scarves, heavy socks
to Sunday School by December 22. Questions? Contact Jeanne Baswell
at 879-1737 or jbaswell@trinitybirmingham.com.
4
Joyfully Offering Yourself
in Serving in Trinity’s Holiday Mission Program
This is a season of giving and serving. There are many
opportunities available to connect directly with one of
Trinity’s mission ministries. Plug in now, and continue
to serve throughout the year.
FEEDING:
• Sign up to serve meals at Urban Ministry, Church of the Reconciler, and Firehouse Shelter.
• Bake yummy treats and bag them so that our pastors can deliver
them to Homebound Trinity members and Trinity members in the
hospital. Please deliver treats in bags to Trinity UMC front office.
GIFTING:
• Donate used toys, linens, and furniture to the Community Furniture Bank (tax donation).
• Talk to your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family and see
if they have a used laptop to donate to the Community Church Without Walls (tax donation) for some individuals in pursuit of higher
education. They are in need of 12 laptops.
• Pick up on Sundays (Welcome Center in the main Narthex &
Guest Desk in Wesley Hall) a “JOY tag sheet” and decorate it. Return by Dec. 8. These tags will be handed out with Angel Tree gifts
bringing joy to the families receiving gifts.
To volunteer for one or all of these ministries and to learn more
information about these great opportunities to serve, contact
Brittany Arias at barias@trinitybirmingham.com
Pictured Left:
Oatmeal cookies
baked by Trinity
member, Courtney
Watts for our homebound members and
members in
the hospital.
In August, Confirmands began meeting on Sunday nights, participating in rich times of fellowship, study, worship, prayer and service.
In November, the Confirmands and their mentors traveled to beautiful Lake Junaluska, NC for a retreat where they participated
in worship and attended workshops on the five different vows of membership. They also experienced lots of “God Moments.”
CONFIRMATION RETREAT 2013
The last Wednesday Supper
of the semester will be served
this week on December 4.
2014 Stewardship Progress
Stewardship Report: (as of 12/2/13)
2014
2013 Comparison
Commitments Received:
Total Committed:
Avg. Amount Committed:
576 $2,736,408
$4,751
577
$2,538,168
$4,399
2014 Pledge Goal: $3,024,000
You can make your 2014 Estimate of Giving by:
• Dropping your yellow Estimate of Giving card in the offering plate
• Calling Ann Neptune in the Finance Office at 879-1737
• Mailing or returning your Estimate of Giving card to the church office
• Logging on to www.trinitybirmingham.com/resources/pledging
PARKING NOTICE:
Trinity members and guests
should NOT park in the All Saints’ lot near Oxmoor Rd. Also,
please do not block the dumpsters or areas that are marked as
NO Parking zones. Note that the small parking lot is reserved
for handicapped, elderly and families with small children on
Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.
Do not park in marked handicap spaces if you do not have
an official handicap permit.
food & fellowship
$20.00 Family Maximum (or)
- $6.00 per adult
- $3.00 per child (9 and under)
- $5.00 per senior adult
- $5.00 Salad Bar option
Make a reservation online at
www.trinitybirmingham.com.
MENU - December 4:
• Adults: Beef tips, noodles, carrots,
green beans, roll
• KIDS: Macaroni and cheese, green
beans, fruit, cookie, milk
5
student ministry
weekly update
meet the staff
www.elementstudentministry.com
Our theme for the month of December is “We are Family.”
Whether it is times of tragedy or times of celebration we are called to come together as
the Body of Christ to be in union together. One of the best ways to grow as family is to
have meals or “break bread” together around a table. During this month we will have a
lot of food, fellowship, conversation and worship because we are family.
Here is what is happening at Element this week:
Progressive dinner (12/8) – This Sunday, December 8, is our Progressive Dinner.
Students need to arrive at Trinity by 6 PM so that we can load up vans and vehicles to
head to various houses for dinner. We are still looking for a few more houses willing to
host and a few more adult drivers. Please let Robert know if you are willing/able to host
or drive. (rstudivant@trinitybirmingham.com)
Element Prayer Breakfast – Prayer Breakfast will be this Tuesday morning
at 6:30 AM in the youth café. Elizabeth Pettey will be our speaker. Breakfast is just $3.
Element Cafe – We’re open Tuesday and Thursday this week from 3-5:30 pm. Tuesday we will start back Doughnut December! Parents - please remember that you can
sign up for volunteer shifts at Element Cafe by going to http://vols.pt/tJ9Dft
SOS, High School Mission Trip – SOS registration is now open! This year, SOS
will be July 6-12 and we will have limited spaces available. If you know your student
is going to attend and they have not signed up yet please let us know. We want every
student to be able to attend this amazing week long mission.
ARM, Middle School Mission Trip – ARM registration has now started! This year,
ARM will be July 16-20. We have only 7 student spots available!! Go to http://elementstudentministry.com/arm/ to register. Parents, if you are interested in going as a chaperone, please email Robert at rsturdivant@trinitybirmingham.com.
ELEMENT HOMECOMING (12/15) – December 15 from 6-8 PM is our last SNL of the
calendar year. This will also be an Element Homecoming as we are inviting any student
or adult volunteer that participated in Element from 2005 – present to come join us. If
you were a volunteer or you have an older student that participated in Element then
please make plans to attend the night. We are family!
In Christ,
David Thompson, Student Pastor
pacesetters news
• December 19 - senior christmas party
Pacesetters Christmas Party will be Thursday, December 19 in the Fellowship Hall from 1:30-4 PM. (Note the new time.) There will be even more
holiday fare this year, with a special pasta bar and crab cakes cooked to order. Of course, we will have fresh shrimp, roast beef and lots of finger foods,
including great desserts. The tables will be set with festive Christmas décor
as we enjoy a special time of fellowship during this wonderful season.
For reservations or more information on any event listed above, contact Amy
Lewis at 879-1737 or alewis@trinitybirmingham.com.
6
Dan Hermany
Director of Handbells
Meet Dan Hermany – Dan serves as Trinity’s Director
of Handbells and has been directing handbells for over
50 years. Dan and his wife, Jan, were the Directors of
Music at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland, FL
for 25 years. The Handbell Ringers and Singers from
First Church Lakeland toured Europe eight times. They
traveled to Germany, France, Holland, England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They traveled
twice to the West Indies, Barbados, and St. Lucia islands – as well as toured many, many times in the U. S.
Dan directs three handbell choirs here at Trinity: the
adult choir, William A. Gardner Handbell Choir; the
youth choir, Cross & Flame Youth Handbell Choir; and
the Children’s Handbell Choir. These choirs play during worship on a regular schedule. Dan has toured five
times with the Cross & Flame Youth Handbell Choir,
including the 2013 trip to London, England.
Dan has his own set of 6 octaves of Whitechapel Handbells fom the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London, England. Jan says they had many handbells but little furniture in their early days!
Dan and Jan Hermany received the Alumni Merit
Award in 2000 from Westminster Choir College in
Princeton, NJ.
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is
the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the
earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to
the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even
youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble
and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and
not be faint.
highlighted events this week
Second Sunday of Advent - December 8
8:45 AM Traditional Worship - SANC
8:45 AM Contact Worship - WHALL
10:00 AM Sunday School - various
10:00 AM Membership 101 - LP
11:00 AM Traditional Worship - SANC
11:00 AM Contact Worship - WHALL
4:00 PM Children’s Choir Program - SANC
4:00 PM Youth Handbells - Rm. 225
5:00 PM Cross & Flame Youth Choir - MS
5:00 PM Sr. Adult Bible Study - SP
5:00 PM Disciple I Study - Rm. 310
6:00 PM Confirmation - various
6:00 PM Element, Youth - Haven
6:15 PM Adult Handbells - Rm. 225
Monday - December 9
8:30 AM Mouat Chapel Open for Prayer
Tuesday - December 10
6:30 AM Youth Prayer Breakfast - Haven
8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various
8:30 AM Mouat Chapel Open for Prayer
10:00 AM Mama & Me - Nursery
10:00 AM Trinity Singers - MS
CFT
FSR
CONF
SANC
FHALL
Craft Room–143
Fireside Room–145
Conference Room–220
Sanctuary
Fellowship Hall
3:00 PM Element Cafe - Haven
6:00 PM Young Adult Study (20’s) - NAT
6:30 PM Young Adult Study (30’s) - SDR
Wednesday - December 11
8:30 AM Mouat Chapel Open for Prayer
4:45 PM NO Wednesday Supper
6:00 PM Preschool Choir Program - SANC
6:00 PM Adult Studies - various
Thursday - December 12
8:30 AM Mouat Chapel Open for Prayer
3:00 PM Element Cafe - Haven
6:00 PM TCDC Christmas Program - SANC
Friday - December 13
8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various
8:30 AM Mouat Chapel Open for Prayer
LIBLibrary–218
NAT
Not at Trinity
LPLarge Parlor
SP
Small Parlor–105
HAVEN
Youth Auditorium
in memoriam
James Russell McElroy, Jr.
November 29
We extend our love and sympathy:
• to Mark Harvard and family on the death of his
wife, Mary Ann Harvard, on November 27.
• to the family and friends of Gray Godwin, who
died on November 28. He was a participant in
Trinity’s youth ministry.
• to the family and friends of Colonel James
Russell McElroy, Jr., on November 29.
congratulations
• to Jenny Dollar and Fred Major on the birth of
their daughter, Caroline Evan Major, on November 25.
treasurer’s report
CHAPEL
MS
WHALL
SDR
FLC
Mouat Chapel
Music Suite–132
Wesley Hall
Small Dining Room
Family Life Center
take note
Called to Pray
The Mouat Chapel is open for prayer
weekdays from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Prayer request forms can be found on the
last pew. Please enter silently, pray quietly
and stay as long as you like.
If you would like more information on our
Prayer Ministry,
contact Lisa Elliott at 879-1737
or email
lelliott@trinitybirmingham.com.
As of November 30, 2013
Regular reporting:
GENERAL BUDGET:
Month to Date Revenue-Nov.
Monthly Needs to Date
Balance/Shortage
MONTH
$341,293
$257,277
$84,016
Capital Debt Retirement gifts this month $12,706
Capital Debt Retirement gifts to date
$121,824
Note from the Treasurer: Questions about church
finances-income or expense? If you wonder how funds
are received or expensed, the financial books of Trinity
are open to any member. Contact Ann Neptune at 8791737 or aneptune@trinitybirmingham.com.
YOUNG Adult Tuesday Evening Study
Are you in your 20’s? Are you out of college? Are you not married? If so...
please join Trinity’s Young Professionals for an ongoing weekly study at the
home of Mark & Lisa Elliott. Dinner is served at 6:30 PM and the study
follows. To register, please contact Lisa Elliott at 879-1737 or lelliott@
trinitybirmingham.com.
7
Tidings Trinity United Methodist
Church (USPS 0641-120) is published weekly, except Christmas week,
by Trinity United Methodist Church,
1400 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham
(Homewood), AL 35209-3998. Periodicals postage paid at Birmingham, AL.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Tidings, Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 19069, Birmingham, AL 35219-9069.
Sundays at Trinity: Worship 8:45, 11:00 & 11:15 AM • Sunday School 10:00 AM • Youth Activities 6:00 PM
Serving Greater Birmingham from Homewood • Our Mission: To Gather…To Grow…To Go…To Glorify
1400 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209 • 205.879.1737 • Careline: 205.868.9709
www.trinitybirmingham.com
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Tyler and Lindsey Marshall
2000 2nd Avenue South #402, Birmingham, AL 35233
The Marshalls joined Trinity by vows from another
Christian denomination and by transfer from another
United Methodist Church. Tyler is a surgical resident at
UAB. Lindsey is a dentist with Coleman Dental Group.
Interested in Membership? Join us the first Sunday of every month in
the large parlor for “Coffee with the Pastor.” This is a time to meet the pastoral
staff, ask questions and learn more about the core values and mission of Trinity.
We also encourage you to attend “Membership 101,” a basic orientation prior
to joining Trinity. It is offered on the second Sunday of each month. Questions?
Contact Drew Holland at 879-1737, dholland@trinitybirmingham.com.
Sunday, December 8
10 AM • LARGE PARLOR
This class is strongly suggested for visitors who are considering
membership at Trinity. During this hour, prospective members and
those interested will review the membership covenant one makes
when joining the Trinity Family. Ask a Greeter to direct you!