+WORSHIP | IN-PERSON or ONLINE | 9:30 AM+
Who are the blessed ones of God? For Micah, they are those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. For Paul, they are the ones who find wisdom in the weakness of the cross. For Jesus, they are the poor, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who mourn, and those who hunger for righteousness. In baptism we find our blessed identity and calling in this countercultural way of living and serving.
This Week’s Online Bulletin: HERE
Readings for this Sunday
Micah 6:1-8
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12
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.
A Message from our Director of Youth & Family Ministry, Anita Smallin
Hello Friends!
It is with extreme joy and sadness that I share my resignation from Trinity effective February 12, 2023.
I was offered a position at a community center with Fairfax County Government, which I accepted. For many reasons, this will be a great opportunity, and the right move for me. I have felt every emotion when I think about leaving Trinity. I have felt the Holy Spirit guiding me through this season, and I cannot overlook the Spirit’s voice and guidance. I am confident that the Holy Spirit led me here to Trinity, and I feel the Holy Spirit calling me to something new.
We have done such great work together, from mission trips and retreats, to Advent pageants and shredding events. We learned how to do church together in this new and current normal. We survived YouTube church, and you were patient with me when I was learning how to livestream church.
I will be in conversation with the Trinity Council to ensure that the great ministry will continue to grow and thrive.
Thank you for the laughter and the joy of the past almost 9 years. It has truly been an honor to serve here at Trinity.
Blessings,
Anita K Smallin
Welcome to Our Guest Preacher!
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+
An invitation to the LSSNCA Resource Center Open House Weekend
Join us in celebrating the opening of our NEW client resource center! There will be refreshments, games, guest speakers, and tours! Saturday 1/28 and Sunday 1/29, 12:00pm – 3:00pm. 5710A General Washington Drive, Alexandria, VA, 22312
Worship leaders needed for Lenten Services
We are starting to plan for our midweek Lenten services, and we’d love for you to help lead them. Thursday evenings we will begin with a soup supper at 6pm, and Holden Evening Prayer will start at 7pm. We are looking for a volunteer each week to lead prayers, read lessons, and provide a 3-5 minute message or reflection. We are also looking for instrumentalists to help lead the music. Please contact Mary B or Valerie M if you can offer your gifts on Thursday evenings in March.
Service of Installation: The Rev. Susan Beck | January 29 | 3:00 PM
The Community of St. Dysmas cordially invites Trinity to attend Rev. Susan Beck’s installation at Salem Lutheran Church | 905 Frederick Road Catonsville, MD 21228. A reception will follow.
Trinity Prayer Event for the Call Process: Intergenerational Sunday School February 26, 2023
Have you wondered how Trinity, as a congregation, can support the call process of a new pastor? Trinity’s Stephen Ministry program is sponsoring an Interdenominational Congregational Prayer Event, to be held after the church service on the first Sunday in Lent, February 26. At this prayer event, we will learn new ways of opening our hearts in prayer to specifically listen and be guided by the Holy Spirit. There will be opportunities to pray together and pray individually, try a variety of prayer practices, including some art work and breath prayers, and to continue to pray for our congregation in the days, weeks, and months ahead. We welcome Trinity’s children at this prayer event, which will be an intergenerational time of prayer. The children will take part in Trinity’s annual pretzel-making experience as well as other children’s prayer opportunities. Join us for this time of prayer and be a part of a beautiful way of coming together as a spiritual community to prayerfully support our call process for a new pastor as it continues.
Interfaith Women’s Shelter Dinner | Sunday, February 12 | 11:00 AM
We are providing dinner for the women at the Interfaith shelter. Please review the sign-up linked below for more details. There are items that are easy to pick up and drop off for those short on time or who don’t cook. We also need up to 3 volunteers to serve dinner that evening. Any questions should be directed to Valerie at valerie@vmwishes.com. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4CABA82F4-interfaith1
Farewell Coffee Hour in Honor of Anita
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, February 12th, and plan to join us for worship and fellowship afterwards with a special coffee hour as we bid farewell and godspeed to Anita as she embarks on a new calling. Leslie C. and Jeanine B. are taking the lead on planning this special coffee hour. If you have any questions, please reach out to them. And please watch for any additional updates. Sign up for future coffee hours here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4caba82f4-coffee
2022 Annual Giving Statements Are Available!
To aid you with tax preparation, 2022 hardcopy annual statements are in the Social Hall for pickup to save on postage. If you prefer receiving a statement through email, please contact Carol B at finsecy@trinityelca.org.
2022 Benevolences
In addition to the many generosity of members supporting Social Ministry drives and efforts addressing special needs all year long, each year a portion of Trinity’s Congregational spending plan includes an allocation for benevolences. The following organizations received contributions from Trinity in 2022:
For efforts in Refugee support
Lutheran Social Services
La Sagrada Familia
Solution in Hometown Connections
For efforts addressing poverty and food insecurity
Manna Food Center
A Wider Circle
Gaithersburg Help
InterFaith Works
Mar-Lu-Ridge Scholarship Fund
Other Special Needs/ Projects
Lutheran Disaster Response
Baltimore Area Aftercare Program (A partner of The Community of St. Dysmas working with individuals released from of prison)
Scotland AME Zion Building Fund
Montgomery County Interfaith 5K
+HAPPENING AT TRINITY+
Save the Dates:
Reconciling in Christ Sunday | January 29
Interfaith Dinner | February 12
Farewell Coffee Hour | February 12
Food Drive | February 18
Prayer Event Setup | Feb. 25
Prayer Event | Feb 26
+Next Week at Trinity+
Sun, Jan 29, Reconciling In Christ Sunday | Food Collection
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service (Coffee Hour to Follow)
10:45 am Adult Forum-Room 10
10:45 am Children’s Sunday School- Room 8
Mon, Jan 30
7:30 pm Heavenly Handbells
Thurs, Feb 2
7:30 pm Trinity Singers- Choir Room
Sun, Feb 5, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany | Food Collection
9:30 am Holy Communion Worship Service (Coffee Hour to Follow)
10:45 am Adult Forum-Room 10
10:45 am Children’s Sunday School- Room 8
+CLASSES AND MEETINGS+
Adult Forum | Sundays | 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 | 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
+DONATIONS AND AID NEEDED+
Food Collection: Food Drive | February 18, 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
Vern W, brother in law of Sabrina R and Mark L
Peter M, brother of Sarah M
Debbie P, sister of Thomas K
Karen B, cousin of Julie N
Adelino & Anila, friends of Trinity
Christine V-M, family of Robyn K-V
Family and friends of Leanne Elliott
first responders
Lisbeth N-D
Greta S & Linda A, sister & sister-in-law of Anita S
Vanessa B, friend of Elizabeth & Ben R
births
George Robert F, January 19, 2023, son of Steven and Katie F, grandson of Greg and Margaret F, and great-grandson of David F
*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
