+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or Online | 9:30 AM+
The psalmist calls on the natural world, celestial bodies, fire and earth, creatures, and all humanity, to praise God. The voices of Simeon and 84-year-old Anna join the chorus today, recognizing what God is doing in Jesus. Simeon’s song is often sung after communion, for we have seen God’s salvation in the assembled community and have held Jesus in our hands in the bread. Then, like the prophet Anna, we tell of Jesus to all who look for the healing of the world.
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.
This Week’s Bulletin: HERE
View the December 2023 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
Isaiah 61:10—62:3
PSALM 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
Masks are now optional.
+COMMUNITY NEWS+
Trinity Calls Rev. Pauline Farrington to Serve as Pastor!!
At a special congregational meeting on December 10, Trinity called Pauline Farrington to be our next pastor, and she accepted!
Originally from Georgia, Pastor Pauline has been Co-Lead Pastor, Interim Pastor, and Associate Pastor to several congregations in Tennessee and Alabama. With a Master’s degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, she has a deep knowledge of scripture and most recently completed the Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation. In a meet-and-greet session on December 9, Pastor Pauline spoke about Christ’s love and forgiveness, authenticity, pastoral care, and the new beginnings that God is constantly bringing into our lives. As for personal interests, we know that Pastor Pauline and her husband Eric (also an ELCA pastor on leave) enjoy dinner parties and sailing.
Pastor Pauline will start at Trinity on January 22 as they make the move north from Tennessee.
Thank You Pr. Peter Bastien
Today is Pastor Bastien’s last Sunday with us. Pastor Peter was our first supply pastor the week after Pastor Christine left us. He has been with us many, many Sundays in the past year-and-some. We would like to express our thanks to you, Pastor, for your guidance during our transition time, and for your humor and friendship. We hope to see you again from time to time when we need a supply pastor! We wish you and Patricia well, and hope that you are blessed with some well-deserved rest during the new year.
Adult Forum
How much of the Bible have you read? Maybe you’ve started with good intentions and gotten bogged down in Leviticus. Maybe you’ve just read the gospels or the Old Testament histories and stories. Maybe you’ve read the whole thing, cover to cover. Maybe you’ve just picked out some of your favorite stories or Psalms. No matter how much you’ve read, whether you’ve read it all or only a little, the Adult Forum class now is for you. We will be using Daniel Erlander’s Manna and Mercy to try to understand the Bible as a whole—its major themes and messages, ultimately covering both the Old and New Testaments. Last fall we started with six sessions that took us through the people of Israel settling in the land of Canaan (Genesis to Judges). We will continue our exploration this winter starting the the people of Israel wanting a king and ending with the birth of Jesus.
Please join us for Adult Forum each week in Room 10.
Connect to Trinity’s Hearing Assistance System
Follow these easy steps to get connected:
1. Download the AudioFetch app to your smartphone or tablet.
2. Connect your phone/tablet to the AudioFetch WiFi network.
(No password should be required.at this time.)
3. Connect your phone/tablet to your listening device. This will be unique to your situation:
●Bluetooth hearing aid
●Bluetooth earbuds
●Wired headphones
Please come to the A/V table if you need assistance.
Live streaming team needs YOU!
We’d like to express our deepest thanks to our live streaming team at this busy time of the year: Mike M, Jeanine B, John B, and Greg F. If not for these people, we would not be able to share in weekly worship from home. If you have been sick, out of town, snowbound, or otherwise unable to come to church in person, you know how wonderful it is to be able to worship with us live or at your convenience on YouTube. This service is provided entirely by volunteers. We need a few more people to join the team. Please speak with Mike M about how you can help. Schedules are flexible and training will be provided.
+HAPPENING AT TRINITY+
Blood Drive | January 11
Food Drive | January 20
Epiphany Baby Food Drive | The Entire Month
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Dec 31 First Sunday of Christmas
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
Coffee Hour (Following Worship)
10:45 am Sunday School Classes and Adult Forum
Mon, Jan 1 OFFICE CLOSED NEW YEAR’S DAY
Tues, Jan 2
10:00 am Stephen Ministry Training
11:00 am Staff Meeting
7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Supervision
Thurs, Jan 4
7:30 pm Trinity Singers
Sun, Jan 7 Epiphany of Our Lord
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
Coffee Hour (Following Worship)
10:45 am Sunday School Classes and Adult Forum
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Trinity Singers | Thursdays | 7:30 pm | Room 9
Sunday School and Adult Forum Classes | Sundays | 10:45 am
Trinity Men’s Group | Every Second Wednesday | 1:00 pm | Zoom
Contact the church office for zoom info
Heavenly Handbells | Mondays | 7:30 pm | Sanctuary
Stephen Ministry | See the Calendar for meeting dates
Mission Endowment Committee | See the Calendar for Future meeting dates
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for Coffee Hour! Please call the church office to sign up, or click here or contact Margaret M at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com with questions.
+DONATIONS AND AID NEEDED+
Start 2024 Off Right by Helping Save Lives – Give Blood
Start the new year off by savings lives -Thursday, January 11, 2024
1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Register online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor ID: “TrinityLutheranNBethesda” or call
1-800-733-2767 to schedule your life-saving donation! donating blood. Trinity will be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, January 11 from 1:30-6PM. Register online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor ID: “TrinityLutheranNBethesda” or call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule your life-saving donation! Save more lives by bringing a friend to donate too. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Margaret F at gmfitzwm85@gmail.com.
Epiphany Drive
In the month of January we are having a drive to support the Greater DC Diaper Bank using an Epiphany theme; rather than gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the new baby, we will be collecting formula, baby cereal and baby food.
Please contact Leslie S for more information.
Food Collection: Food Drive | January 20, 2024| 9-noon | See the list of critical food needs here.
Thanks to the many congregation members who continue to support our monthly food drives to support Bethesda Help. We are also pleased that each month we welcome donations from members of the neighborhood. Each month we drop off between 300-500 pounds of food and 10-20 gift cards. Bethesda Help is very appreciative and recognizes Trinity each month in the BH newsletter. 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.
Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry
We are excited to have our Little Free Library (LFL) and Little Free Pantry (LFP) open for business. Both are located near the entrance of the southside parking lot (the big lot), facing Old Georgetown Rd.
The LFL has 2 shelves and is accepting children’s and young adult books (lower shelf) and adult books (upper shelf). The books may be new or gently used books in good condition.
The LFP is accepting food items (no produce or perishables), as well as non-food items. A detailed list of what is needed can be found here: https://trinityelca.org/little-free-library-lfl-and-little-free-pantry/.
Questions can be directed to Stella, Jerry, and Social Ministry members.
+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:
Yulie N (Village at Rockville)
home
Isabel F, Tigist G, Lineth M, Anya N, Vimala P, Elizabeth R, Gio S, Margo W
family and friends*
Donald B, brother of Marilyn C
Gene B,friend of Kim and Pam B
Pam C, sister of Mike M
Ruth F, aunt of Donna S
Josefa F-V, friend of Len S
Betsy G, friend of Margaret F
David G, friend of Tad and Vi D
Debbie G, friend of Valerie L
Joe J, friend of Sarah M and Tom K
Terry K, brother-in-law of David and Leslie C
Carol K, mother of Jim K
Anne L, friend of Len S
Randi L, friend of Mike and Valerie M
Jacob M, son of James M and Leslie S
Juan-Maria M-M, friend of Len S
Kathy M, niece of Margaret and Greg F
Linda P, cousin of Julie N
Ditte R, sister of Thor N
Janis R, mom of Donna S’s college roommate
Karen and Harold S, friends of Pamela B
Paul S, brother of Steve S
Victor V and family, friends of Kim and Pam
Cheryl Van A, friend of Cathy C
Family and friends of Beatriz N
first responders
Lisbeth N-D
Greta S & Linda A, sister & sister-in-law of Anita S
deaths
Lucinda Ivy, + December 22, 2023 +, friend of Sabrina R
*For family and friends, prayer requests will be kept on the list for 4 weeks. To renew, please complete another card/call the office.
+RESOURCES+
Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrinityELCA/streams
+OFFICE HOURS+
Carmen will be in the office from 9-5 on Monday-Friday. Please contact the office or a council member if you have a request for pastoral care.