+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or ONLINE | 9:30 AM+
As on the first day of creation, on this Christmas Day the Word illumines the world, shining forth to bring all things into being. Today we celebrate the incarnate Word, God becoming flesh to live among us in the person of Jesus Christ then and now. Emboldened by the good news of Christ’s birth, along with the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and all witnesses to the light of Christ, we declare to the world that we have indeed seen and been transformed by the arrival of “the salvation of our God.” O come, let us adore!
Blue Christmas | Online Worship Link | Bulletin
December 20 | 7:00 PM | Sanctuary and Online
If you were unable to attend the service live on Tuesday, you may view the recorded livestream as indicated above.
Christmas Eve Family Service | Online Worship Link | Bulletin
December 24 | 4:00 PM | Sanctuary and Online
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service | Online Worship Link | Bulletin
December 24 | 7:30 PM | Sanctuary and Online | ASL interpretation services will be provided
Christmas Day Worship| Lessons and Carols | Online Worship Link | Bulletin
December 25 | 9:30 AM | Sanctuary and Online
Readings for this Sunday
Isaiah 7:10-16
PSALM 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
Masks are now optional. Please read more here.
We continue to worship in a hybrid fashion. Please worship in the manner which is best for your household. Although we no longer require advance signup for in-person worship, please check in with a greeter as you arrive (for contact tracing purposes if needed). If a change needs to be made to this plan, we will notify you via email.
Welcome to Our Guest Preachers
On Christmas Eve, we welcome Rev. Sarah Garrett-Krey who is the Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility and Candidacy in the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod. She cares deeply for leaders and congregations going through discernment or transition, and hopes to be an encouraging presence in those processes. Pastor Sarah is married to Pastor Micah Krey, who serves a congregation of the Delaware-Maryland Synod. They live in Pikesville, MD with their dog, Henri.
On Christmas Day, we welcome The Rev. Cynthia O. Baskin, who usually goes by “Cindy,” came to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington in 1999 to serve as the rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Potomac, Maryland. Upon retiring from that ministry after 16 years, she began interim work for the MetroDC Synod of the ELCA (Lutheran church). She has also served as a supply priest/pastor in both Episcopal and Lutheran congregations. She and her husband live in North Potomac and enjoy traveling now that COVID restrictions have loosened.
+COMMUNITY NEWS+
Community of St Dysmas: Our Siblings in Christ
Recently Pastor Susan Beck led an Adult Forum session sharing information about her ministry. She serves as the pastor of the Community of St. Dysmas, the Lutheran churches within the walls of the Maryland state prison system. These are vibrant, faith-filled congregations, currently in Jessup, Hagerstown, and Sykesville. God’s purpose for the Community of St. Dysmas is to share the transforming power of Christ’s love with persons incarcerated in the Maryland Department of Corrections and to support them upon their release. Pastor Beck finds joy in this mission. We can find joy in offering prayers and support to our siblings in Christ. We can offer support to our brothers and sisters in Christ by writing letters to them. There are specific guidelines that must be followed. You can find the guidelines listed in the Community of St. Dysmas summer newsletter, p.3, at www.stdysmasmd.org/images/Newsletter_0822.pdf.
We will also have copies of the guidelines available at church. In addition, Trinity will purchase 24 copies of Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book for the Community. This is a need highlighted by Pastor Beck. Through our benevolences we can provide some monetary support to the Baltimore Area Aftercare Program, a partner with the St. Dysmas Community. For more information please contact Leslie S., Margaret F., or any member of the Social Ministry Team.
Children’s Library
A children’s library is now available! Pastor Christine left some of her children’s books behind and another pastor wanted to thin out his library, so we have a number of gifted books to share and enjoy. Look for the blue cart in the Social Hall, with books for our children to borrow. There will be seasonal books, as well as year round options, which will span pre-K to 5th grade. You may read the books during church, coffee hour, or take a book home. There will be a sign-out sheet for you to use.
Coffee Hour Reminder
As a reminder, a Sign Up Genius is set up for sign up through January. If you have questions or need help signing up, please reach out to Margaret F at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com or Chelsea Y at Chelsea.kiehl@valpo.org. See you at coffee hour!
Please use this link to sign up https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4caba82f4-coffee
2023 Offering Envelopes are now available! Please look for your envelopes on the table in the Social Hall, or you may pick them up during office hours Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays. Please contact the financial secretary Carol B at finsecy@trinityelca.org if you don’t see your envelopes or would like them mailed to you.
+HAPPENING AT TRINITY+
Save the Dates:
Advent Soup Suppers | Dec 22
Christmas Eve Family Service | Dec 24 | 4:00 pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service | Dec 24 | 7:30 pm | ASL interpretation services will be provided.
Christmas Day Service | Dec 25 | 9:30 am
Christmas Opera | Dec 30 | 7:30 pm | See more about the event here
Amahl & the Night Visitors, presented by Bel Cantanti Opera
Blood Drive | January 12
Food Drive | January 21
Reconciling in Christ Sunday | January 29
Advent Soup Suppers | Thursdays in Dec
Advent Soup Suppers are being hosted by Valerie and Mike on Thursday, December 22, in the Social Hall at 6:00 p.m. Supper will be followed by Holden Evening Prayer at 6:45 p.m. Please RSVP using the sign-up link provided below. Come and join us for supper, conversation, and prayer this Advent season: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4caba82f4-advent
Support a Good Mission: Nominate it for a Mission Endowment Award!
The Mission Endowment Committee seeks your recommendations of organizations to receive awards in the spring. Annually, income from Mission Endowment Fund is used to enhance our mission outreach apart from the operating budget. By sustaining the annual awards, the fund is a gift that keeps on giving!
Mission Endowment Fund awards are made in three categories:
1. Special (non-budgeted) projects of Trinity Lutheran Church – our congregation
2. Special ministries in the community
3. Special benevolence – supporting mission of the church beyond our congregation
Submit nominees to the church office (office@trinityelca.org), or place this form in the offering plate, or return it to the church office. Nominations are due by January 30.
I nominate:
___________________________________
___________________________________
Name: ___________________________________
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Dec 25, Christmas Day | Food Collection
9:30 am Christmas Day Service
(Coffee Hour to Follow)
Fri, Dec 30
7:30 pm Christmas Opera
Sun, Jan 1, 1 Christmas | Food Collection
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service (Coffee Hour to Follow)
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Adult Forum | Returns on Jan 8 | 10:45 am | Room 10
Trinity Singers | Thursdays | 7:30 pm | See the Calendar for Future rehearsal dates
Sunday School for Youth | Sundays | 10:45 am
Trinity Men’s Group | Every Second Wednesday (Starts in November) | 1:00 pm | Zoom
Contact the church office for zoom info
Heavenly Handbells | Returns Monday January 9th for Annual Epiphany Party in Social Hall at 7:00 pm | Sanctuary
Stephen Ministry | See the Calendar for meeting dates
Mission Endowment Committee | See the Calendar for Future meeting dates
+DONATIONS AND AID NEEDED+
2022 Gifts of Hope
Jesus’ birth changed the world forever. This holiday season, we too can transform the lives of others through more meaningful giving. Donate through our Synod’s Gifts of Hope program and you will support local and global organizations with proven track records of helping those who need it most. Visit GiftsOfHopeDC.org to learn more.
Many of us feel helpless in the wake of the Russian invasion into Ukraine and want to help. These are three sources that are providing immediate and direct support to the Ukrainian people:
Lutheran Disaster Response
Provides refugees with immediate support and supplies such as food, blankets, water and hygiene kits.
Lutheran World Relief :
Provides families facing crisis with emergency food, clean water, safe shelter, medical supplies and more.
World Central Kitchen:
Provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises, building resilient food systems with locally led solutions.
Please mark ‘Ukrainian relief’ with your choice of beneficiary in the memo of checks.
Food Collection: Food Drive | January 21, 2023 | 9-noon | See the list of critical food needs here
Our monthly food drive collection will be given to Bethesda Help (bethesdahelp.org). Thanks to all for their ongoing support of the food drives – the need in the community continues to grow. Trinity’s food drives will continue the third Saturday of the month from 9-12. The list of food donation requests is on Trinity’s website. If you have any questions please contact Margaret F at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com
Afghan Refugees (LSS): Lutheran Social Services (LSS) is reaching out with immediate needs due to the influx of Afghan refugees arriving in this area. They are in need of drivers, storage space, rooms on a temporary basis, and housing settlement. Contact: https://lssnca.org/help/donate-goods.html
+REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS+
We are grateful that people have been lifting up our members and friends in prayer during Zoom gatherings. Please also call the office at 301-881-7275 or email office@trinityelca.org to add them to the list below.
nursing/rehabilitation center:
Martha R (Bethesda H&R)
Philip T (Manor Care Potomac)
Yulie N (Village at Rockville)
home
Tigist G, Margo W, Lineth M, Isabel F, Gio S, Vimala P, Anya N
family and friends
Lonnie B, friend of Carol B
Donald B, brother of Marilyn C
Peter M, brother of Sarah M
Lamar K, friend of Tom K and Sarah M
Debbie P, sister of Tom K
Liliana M-P, friend of Len S
Juan S-G, brother of Ana S-G
Christine V-M, family of Robyn K-V
first responders
Lisbeth N-D
Greta S & Linda A, sister & sister-in-law of Anita S
Vanessa B, friend of Elizabeth & Ben R
*For family and friends, prayer requests will be kept on the list for four weeks. After four weeks, please complete another card/call the office.
+RESOURCES+
Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrinityELCA/streams
+OFFICE HOURS+
MONDAY: 9:30-3:30 PM
TUESDAY: 9:30-3:30 PM
THURSDAY: 9:30-3:30 PM
