THE TWELVE DAYS of CHRISTMAS

After months of planning and anticipation, Christmas appears to be over all too quickly. On December 26, retailers tell us we are in the after-Christmas season of returns, exchanges, and more sales. The church calenda r  however, tells us it is still Christmas. The twelve days we sing about in that crazy song, are a real season, sometimes called Christmastide or the days after Christmas. During this season, we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14 NIV). To help celebrate the season, here are twelve creative and simple ideas that have nothing to do with partridges or lords-a-leaping.

1-Have a silent night – One evening, turn off everything electronic and share Christmas memories. Look at old photos, watch family movies, etc.

2-Sing the songs of Christmas – We sing many songs at Christmas, but do we really think about the words. Research the lyrics of your favorite Christmas song.

3-Remember the refugees- One of the crises in our world this year Is the number of refugees risking their lives to leave war-torn nations to find places of safety and peace. Offer your support and prayers.

4-Don’t return it, give it – Rather than returning the ugly sweater you’ll never wear or the kitchen gadget you’ll never use, give it away to someone less fortu-nate.

5-Pray through your undecorating – As you put away the decorations, consider the symbols of the tree, nativity, wreath, and more. Pray the spirit of Christmas will continue throughout the year ahead.

6-Travel by a different route-Consider traveling a different route. Let the new journey remind you that we are to follow Jesus wherever he leads.

7-Have mealtime devotions- Spend some time during the 12 days of Christmas during a meal for family reflection. Ask questions, share concerns, give thanks.

8-Pray for the persecuted- Pray for those Christians in other places whose cele-brations of Christmas could come at the cost of their freedom or lives.

9-Record aha moments-Christmas can be a time of important moments. Write them down some place so you can return to them in the weeks and months ahead for a reminder.

10-Plant a tree- Evergreen trees are a symbol of everlasting life. Plant a tree or care for the earth in another way to remind us to celebrate the gift of eternal life we have received in Christ.

11-Begin a faithful intention- Rather than a resolution to lose weight again, why not make a faithful intention to grow in your spiritual life.

12-Be a person of peace-Spend the 12 days of Christmas practicing ways you can eliminate harsh words, anger and negative attitudes from your life

With permission from Joe Iovino, UMC.org.

Trinity TimesNovember 2017Volume 5 Issue 11

Trinity United Methodist Church1160 Trinity Church Road

Newberry, SC 29108803-276-1245 (Office)

803-321-9779 (Parsonage)864-323-9721 (Cell)krcarter@umcsc.org

Pastor:Ken Carter

Head Usher: Harry LongshoreMusic Director: Jane Pollard

Organist: Phyllis SandersVideo Communications:

Josh Pitts, Bryan Waldrop, Caroline Senn

Sunday Worship:Adult Sunday School – 10:00 AM

Worship Service - 11:00 AMChildren’s Church - 11:00 AM

We are a nurturing and open church to all who enter our

Sanctuary. We base our ministry on the Word of God and a caring spirit. Jesus invites us to share our ministry to all that come into

our church.

“To make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the

World”

ALTAR FLOWERS IN DECEMBER

The beautiful poinsettias on the altar are placed in memory of or in honor of loved ones. We hope you enjoy their beauty throughout the month of December. Thank you, Sharon Baughman, for handling this project each year. Thank you, Wilson Senn, for typing up the list.

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2018 – If you would like to place al tar flowers in the church during 2018, please sign up on the Flower Chart located on the bulletin board on the wall outside the Pastor’s Study.

PRAYER REQUESTS

We are a caring church and want to share your concerns. Let us know if you or someone you know would like to share a prayer request. We will be happy to pray for you. Contact Harriet Stevenson. Peggy Bogart (Church Secretary) or Pastor Carter to add or remove names from the prayer list.

Acolytes Cross Bearers

Dec. 3 Gavin Wilson Wyatt Wilson Dec. 10 Olivia Martin Isabel Martin

Dec. 17 Laura Mohler Carolina Senn Dec. 24 Kella Battiste Coleman Waldrop

Dec. 31 Cameron Hawkins Coye Cutshall

Joan Morris is coordinating the acolytes and cross bearers with the assistance of Barbara Carter. Please let Mrs. Joan know if you will not be able to serve on your Sunday and help her by trying to find your replacement. She can be reached at 276-2700 or 924-3884. Please be ready and in place by 10:50 a.m. THANK YOU, Acolytes and Cross Bearers for your service to Trinity!

Our Known Hospitalized:Recent Hospitalizations and/or Surgeries: Nursing Home: Cornelia PittsContinued Prayers: Homer and Edna Garnett, James and Jeanette Poag, Nell Martin, Jean Bundrick, Ann Thomas, Cheryl Longshore, Martha Meadows, Alice Longshore, Eddie Welborn, Jim Waldrop, Joyce Suber, Watkins Martin, Myrtle Longshore, Denise Pitts, Lavone Coates, Dixie Waldrop, Wade Pitts, Betsy BlackFamily and Friends of Trinity Billy Dickert, Harold Harris, Donnie Longshore, Peter Connor, Dorothy Geeter, Rev. and Mrs. Hugh Bickley, Phillip Sanders, Judy Wicker

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EPISTLE, GOSPEL READERS AND GREETERS FOR DECEMBER

EPISTLE READER GOSPEL READER GREETER

Dec. 3 April Wilson Ashley Wilson Myrtle LongshoreDec. 10 Betsy Black Eli Martin June PittsDec. 17 Crystal Waldrop Sharon Baughman Clarissa HendrixDec. 24 Dixie Waldrop Eli Mar tin Watkins MartinDec. 31 Joan Morris Josh Pitts Mary Forrest

Harriet Stevenson is coordinating the Epistle and Gospel Readers as well as the Greeters. Please let Harriet or Peggy (Church Secretary) know if you will not be able to serve on your given Sunday. Please help us by trying to find your replacement. Harriet can be reached at 276-3602. Peggy can be reached at the church, 276-1245 or leave a message. THANK YOU to all the Worship Servants who help each Sunday. You make our service BETTER!

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 4- Donna Davenport 20-Summer Kesler 11- Craig Kesler 22- Boyd Hendrix 11- Becky Poag 23- Phyllis Sanders 15- Charleigh Armstrong 24- David Hendrix 18- Kim Hendrix 25- Jesus 19- Betsy Black 27- Johnny Marlowe 20- Keith Hendrix 27- Dalton Morris

Caroline Senn and Cameron Hawkins, Newberry Academy Students, both won math competitions

2018 TRINITY CHURCH DIRECTORY

Harry Longshore recently completed an advanced lay servant class titled

“From Your Heart to Theirs – Delivering an Effective Sermon”.

Congratulations, Harry!

METHODIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP (MYF) - Foster Senn, Leader

On Nov. 4th, the youth helped area churches pack health kits for hurricane victims. 1000 kits were packed in the LoRex parking lot. This mission project was sponsored by NACOM.

The MYF hosted a successful Sub-District on Nov. 19 with over 40 people in attendance. Th e speaker was Dylan Southerland, President of the Newberry College FCA and a pitcher for the baseball team. He discussed following God’s purpose for your life.

On Dec. 10, the MYF will visit Trinity shut-ins and others to sing Christmas Carols.

Taylor Bouknight, President

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The UnitedMethodistWomen(Circle)

1st Monday

President – Lisha Senn; Vice President – Myrtle Longshore; Secretary – Frieda Kesler; Treasurer – Susan Longshore.

The UMW will not meet in December due to the joint Men’s Club/UMW Christmas Party. A special thanks to all who helped pack shoeboxes this year. Our goal was 50 shoeboxes and we packed 58 boxes. We will again collect items all through the year for this mission project. Thank you to all who donated during the year. It helped a great deal.

NEXT MEETING: Monday, January 1, 2018 UMW/UMM CHRISTMAS DINNERHOSTESSES: Lisha Senn and Linda Lominack WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6 @ TRINITY @ 6:30 PMPROGRAM: Barbara Rogers

SilverAndGold

2ndWednesday

The Silver and Gold enjoyed having lunch at the Taste of Home in Laurens in November. Jim and Dixie Waldrop have graciously requested that the Silver and Gold join them for lunch on Dec. 13 All seniors, male or female, are invited and encouraged to participate in the Silver and Gold. You do not have to be a member of Trinity to attend. NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, December 13 – 12:00 – HOME OF JIM AND DIXIE WALDROP.

PLEASE let Joan Morris OR Harriet Stevenson know by Dec. 10 if you will be attending.

Joan Morris, President; Rebecca Bundrick, Secretary-Treasurer; Phyllis Sanders, Program ChairmanTheMen’sClub

1st

Wednesday

President-Johnnie Pitts; Vice President-Ashley Wilson; Sec/Treas-Wilson Senn; Program Coordinator-Foster Senn.

The Men’s Club will NOT meet in December due to the joint UMW/Men’s Club Christmas Party on Dec. 6 at 6: 30. All members are encouraged to attend as the Men’s Club will be competing against the Women’s Club in some Christmas games. Last year the men were victorious.

2018 TRINITY CHURCH DIRECTORY

1-c, 2-c. 3-c . 4-d. 5-c. 6-e, 7-a, 8-c 9-beef, raisins and prunes making a “plum porridge”10-goose, chicken and roast beef

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2017Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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3 4 5 6

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Birthday and

Anniversary Recognition

1st Sunday in Advent

UMW and

UMM Christmas

Dinner Fellowship

Hall6:30 p.m.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Administrative Council

7:00 p.m.

Silver and Gold atJim and Dixie Waldrop’s Home – 12 noon

17 18 19 20 21 22 23Children’s Christmas Program6:30 p.m.Birthday Party for

Jesus follows

1st Day of

WinterDeadline

for Trinity Times

Info for January

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Christmas

Eve Service w/Holy

Communion

5:30 p.m. Trinity

BirthdayOf

Jesus

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AT TRINITY?

Sammy Martin was recognized at the November Men’s Club meeting at The Blue Ocean for his service to Trinity and our community by picking up trash on Trinity Church Road.

UMW/MENS CLUB CHRISTMAS DINNER – WED. Dec. 6

Members of the UMW/Men’s Club are cordially invited to a joint catered Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, Dec.6, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. You may bring your spouse or a guest. All members are encouraged to attend. This is a fun event. The men will be competing against the women in Christmas games. The Men’s Club was victorious last year. Let the Games Begin!

Thank you Sammy!!!6

TRINITY’S NEW PLAYGROUND!

A portion of our new playground equipment has been delivered and set up. A Spiral 360 tube slide has been backordered. Prices are being obtained for a half-court basketball pad as well as playground fencing. Check it out the next time you’re at the church.

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Silver and Gold met for a November lunch at A Taste of Home in Laurens.

Trinity’s goal of 50 shoeboxes was surpassed with 58 shoeboxes being packed and delivered f or Operation Christmas Child. Thank you, Trinity,!!!

Members of Trinity and the MYF helped packed Health Kits for disaster relief. This project was sponsored by NACOM.

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Preparing the Way of the Lord: An Advent Quiz

1. What does the word “advent” mean?a. Arrival b. Waiting c. Coming d. Beginning e. None of the above

2. How long is Advent? a. One month b. 28 days c. 4 Sundays d. It depends when Dec. 1 is e. It de pends when Easter is

3. When does Advent end? a. New Year’s Eve b. Boxing Day c. Christmas Eve

d. New Year’s Day e. Epiphany (Jan. 6)

4. How many wise men were there?a. 3 b. 4 c. 5 d. The bible doesn’t say e. There were no wise men.

5. Who is Joseph’s famous ancestor?a. John b. Saul c. David d. All the above e. None of the above

6. According to tradition, how far did Mary travel to visit Elizabeth?a. 10 miles b. 20 miles c. 50 miles d. 75 miles e. 100 miles

7. Like the 40 days of Lent, Advent is a fixed number of days.a. True b. False

7. What is the Immaculate Conception? a. Joseph’s conception b. Mary’s conception c. Jesus’ conception

d. All the above e. None of the above

8. Where did Mary and Joseph go to escape to protect Jesus? a. Palestine b. Syria c. Egypt d. Lebanon e. The mountains

JUST FOR FUN

10. What were the first Christmas puddings made of?

11. What was generally the main course at Christmas dinner before the turkey became ‘traditional’?

Trinity United Methodist Church www.trinityumcnewberry.net1160 Trinity Church RoadNewberry, SC 29108

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