+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or Online | 9:30 AM+
As we get into the winter months, we are aware that inclement weather can happen on any day of the week. In the event of storms on the weekend, we will try to make decisions on Saturday evenings about changes to our Sunday morning schedule.
PLEASE CHECK TRINITY WEBSITE FOR CHURCH CANCELLATIONS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.
All the baptized have a calling in God’s world. God calls not just pastors and deacons but also the youngest child, like Samuel. The story of the calling of Nathanael plays with the idea of place. Nathanael initially dismisses Jesus because he comes from Nazareth. But where we come from isn’t important; it’s where—or rather whom—we come to. Jesus refers to Jacob, who had a vision in a place he called “the house of God, and …the gate of heaven” (Gen. 28:17). Jesus says he himself is the place where Nathanael will meet God.
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 JANUARY 2023 Trinitarian HERE
Readings for this Sunday
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Psalm 139
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
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.
Welcome Marcello Silva as our new Minister of Music!
We are delighted to announce that Marcello Silva has accepted the Minister of Music position with Trinity Lutheran Church. Marcello has been working with us as our interim musician for over a year now, and we are so happy to have him with us as a regular employee. Marcello is a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Maryland in College Park. In addition to playing for all of our services, Marcello will now lead the vocal choir, work with the pastor on music planning, and supervise the music aspects of Trinity’s worship and ministry. The Trinity Singers are hosting a coffee hour this Sunday in his honor. Please welcome Marcello and get to know him better!
Welcome Back Pr. Brian Taylor!!!
We are happy to welcome back Pastor Brian Taylor as our supply pastor this morning. Pastor Brian will be with us until Pastor Pauline Farrington joins us at the end of January. Pastor Brian is retired and living in the D.C. area. We are grateful that you are supporting Trinity through the last few weeks of our call process.
2024 Offering Envelopes Are Available
To help us save on postage, please pick up your envelopes at the Usher Table by Sunday January 14; you may also pick them up during office hours M-F. If you are unable to come in person, please contact Carol B, Financial Secretary (or leave a message for Carol with the office) and we will see they get delivered to you.
Special Adult Forum
The Adult Forum, after service on Jan 14, will be hosted by the Transition Team to update the congregation on the current plans to welcome Pastor Pauline and additional ways they can be involved in the process.
Nancy N and Nancy J will lead the update, but this is a good opportunity for all of us to hear congregational input to the transition process, get input on your to-dos, and to recruit helpers for the tasks which you have volunteered.
See you there!
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+
Church De-Decorating | January 13
Food Drive | January 20
Pastor Pauline Starts at Trinity | January 22
Just Stalking Event | January 27
Epiphany Baby Food Drive | All Month
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Jan 14 Second Sunday After Epiphany
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service
Coffee Hour (Following Worship)
10:45 am Sunday School Classes and Special Adult Forum
Mon, Jan 15 CARMEN OUT OF OFFICE
7:30 pm Heavenly Handbells
Tues, Jan 16
11:00 am Staff Meeting
7:30 pm Congregational Council
Thurs, Jan 18
7:30 pm Trinity Singers
Sat, Jan 20
9:00 am Food Drive
Sun, Jan 21 Third Sunday After Epiphany
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+
Epiphany Baby Food Drive
For the entire 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.
The church
our synod & bishops: Bishops Elizabeth E, Michael B, and Leila O
our missionaries: Stephen D/Marta G, Cent. Amer
our congregation: Trinity Church
the nations: Afghanistan, El Salvador, Gaza, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, North Korea, Palestine, Somalia, Spain/Cataluña, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, United States, Venezuela
the sick and suffering
nursing/rehabilitation center/hospital
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
Sylvia DeV, sister-in-law of Tad and Vi DeV
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 DeV
Debbie G, friend of Valerie M
Lyla G, friend of Carmen D
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
Susan K, niece of Nancy and Thor N
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
Andrew Z, friend of Carol B
deaths
James Marsalek, + January 2, 2024 +, cousin of Carol B
first responders
Lisbeth N-D
Greta S & Linda A, sister & sister-in-law of Anita S
*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.