Trinity Times December 2016

Volume 4 Issue 12

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 LongshoreChoir Director: Jane Pollard

Organist: Phyllis SandersVideo Board: Josh Pitts, Bryan

Waldrop, Caroline Senn

Sunday Worship:Adult Sunday School - 10:00AM

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

We are a nurturing and open church to all who enter into 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”

From the Pastor’s DeskBeloved In Christ,

We now are in Advent and it will not be long at all before Christmas will be upon us. In the hustle and bustle of dealing with everything associated with Christmas, many of us may pause, reflect and wonder, “What is the meaning of Christmas? While the author is unknown below is a good story and lesson for us to help put the proper perspective on the meaning of Christmas. I hope you enjoy.

A Christmas Problem

“Once upon a Christmas Eve, a man sat in reflective silence before the fireplace, pondering the meaning of Christmas. “There is no point to a God who becomes man,” he mused. “Why would an all-powerful God want to share even one of His precious moments with the likes of man? And even if He did, why would He choose to be born in an animal stall? No way! The whole thing is absurd! I’m sure that if God really wanted to come down to earth, He would have chosen some other way.” Suddenly, the man was roused from his reverie by a strange sound outside. He went to the window and saw a small gaggle of blue geese frantically honking and aimlessly flopping about in the snow. They seemed dazed and confused. Apparently, they had dropped out in exhaustion from the flight formations of a larger flock on its way from the Arctic Islands to the warmer climes of the Gulf of Mexico. Moved to compassion, the man tried to “shoo” the poor geese into his warm garage, but the more he “shooed” the more they panicked. “If they only realized I’m only trying to do what’s best for them,” he thought to himself. “How can I make them understand my concern for their well-being?” Then, this thought came to him: “If for just a minute, I could become one of them, an ordinary goose, and communicate with them in their own language, they would know what I am trying to do.” And suddenly … suddenly, he remembered Christmas and a smile came over his face. Suddenly, the Christmas story no longer seemed absurd. Suddenly, he pictured that ordinary-looking infant, lying in the manger, in that stable in Bethlehem, and he knew the answer to his Christmas problem: God had become one of us to tell us that He loves us.”

Barbara and myself hope and pray that each of you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year.

Blessings and Love,

Pastor Ken

The Concerns of Trinity

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. Our Wesleyan Covenant Prayer group will also pray for you. Contact Harriet Stevenson or Pastor Carter to add or remove names from the prayer list.

ACOLYTE AND CROSS BEARER SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER

ACOLYTE CROSS BEARER

Dec. 4 Gavin Wilson Wyatt WilsonDec. 11 Coye Cutshall Laura Mohler Dec. 18 Caroline Senn Cameron HawkinsDec. 25 Coleman Waldrop Shelbie Johnson

Joan Morris is now coordinating the acolytes and cross bearers. 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 . Mrs. Joan can be reached at 276-2700 or 9243884. THANK YOU, Acolytes and Cross Bearers for your service to Trinity!

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Our Known Hospitalized: Wade PittsRecent Hospitalizations and/or Surgeries: Dale Longshore, Jim Waldrop, James Poag, Sarah Greene Nursing Home: Cornelia PittsContinued Prayers: Homer and Edna Garnett, Eva Waldrop, James and Jeanette Poag, Nell Martin, Caroline Morris, Jean Bundrick, Linda Rowe, Laura Spicer, Shirley Berry, Eddie Welborn, Dorothy Jackson, Alice Longshore, Heather Morris, Hagen Waldrop, Ann Thomas, Cheryl Longshore, Martha Meadows, Lavone Coates, Harry Longshore, Frances PittsFamily and Friends of Trinity: Billy Dickert, Margaret Shealy, Phillip Sanders, Todd Sanders, Harold Harris, Donnie Longshore, Peter Connor, Ramona Berry, Doretha Schumpert, Jamie Medlock’s son, Gabriel (house fire), Melynda Gunter, Adam McCullough

Harriet Stevenson is collecting personal items for the firefighters in Oconee County battling the wildfires in upstate South Carolina. Items needed include: travel size toothbrush/toothpaste, cough drops, handkerchiefs or bandanas, lip balm, granola bars, socks, gatorade/powerade and eye drops. There is a box in the vestibule for donations. They will be delivered to Greenwood Connectional Ministries who will deliver them to the firefighters. Donations accepted until Dec. 11.

EPISTLE, GOSPEL READERS AND GREETER SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER

EPISTLE READER GOSPEL READER GREETER

Dec. 4 Betsy Black Ashley Wilson Harry LongshoreDec. 11 Sarah Greene Frances Pitts Linda LominackDec.18 Dixie Waldrop Lisha Senn Watkins MartinDec. 25 Eli Martin Grady Senn Wilson Senn

Wilson Senn is coordinating the Epistle and Gospel Readers as well as the Greeters. Please let Wilson knowif you will not be able to serve on your given Sunday. Please help him by trying to find your replacement. Wilsoncan be reached at 276-4852 or 944-1876. THANK YOU to all the Worship Servants who help each Sunday!

ALTAR FLOWERS IN DECEMBER

Poinsettias in memory of or in honor of loved ones are placed on the altar throughout the Advent Season. Thank you, Sharon Baughman, for handling this project. Thanks to Wilson Senn for typing up the list. You may pick up a copy of the Poinsettia list from the Charlie Senn Vestibule.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

4-Donna Davenport 22-Boyd Hendrix11-Craig Kesler 23-Phyllis Sanders11-Becky Poag 24-David Hendrix15-Charleigh Armstrong 25-Jesus18-Kim Hendrix 27-Johnny Marlowe19-Betsy Black 20-Keith Hendrix20-Summer Kesler

Be sure your name is listed on the birthday chart onthe bulletin board on the wall opposite the Pastor's study. Notify the church secretary, Peggy Bogart, if you wish to add or delete a name.

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ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2017 If you would like to place altar flowers in the church during 2017, please sign up

on the Flower Chart located on the bulletin board outside the Pastor's Study. If you need any information on the Flower Chart, please contact Harriet Stevenson.

Did you know?????? Corban Cutshall was recognized as an All Academic team member from Newberry High School. Corban

is the son of Mark and Ashley Cutshall. Congratulations, Corban. Ashley Cutshall was recognized for working with the Utility Dept of the City of Newberry for 15 years.

Congratulations, Ashley. The Community Thanksgiving Service held at Trinity on November 20 was a great success. With 118 in

attendance, Rev. Carter and other area pastors lead a beautiful service. The refreshments after the service were delicious. Thanks to everyone who had a part in making the evening such a great success. Special thanks to Jane Pollard for heading up the Refreshment Committee.

Dave Waldrop’s birthday was November 23. You probably didn’t know because it was inadvertently omitted from the November Trinity Times. Sorry, Dave!

The Greenwood District will host a Drop-in at the District Parsonage located at 102 Covey Court, Greenwood, on December 10 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

The Greenwood District is having a Nichols, SC Hurricane Relief Work Blitz on Dec. 2 and 3. You have to bring your own tools. For more information or to sign up, go to www.umcsc.org/data/nicholsrelief.php.

Pastor Carter, Barbara Carter, Phyllis Sanders and Josh Pitts attended the Bishop’s Forward Focus Tour in Greenwood.

Families to light the Advent Candle are: the Bryan Waldrop family on Nov. 27; the Mark Cutshall family on Dec. 4; the Michael Bouknight family on Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 TBA.

24 Shoeboxes were prepared by the UMW and Trinity UMC for Operation Christmas Child. These shoeboxes will be a blessing to those who receive them.

McCallum Senn represented Newberry Academy at the SCISA State Cross Country Meet in October. The Men’s team finished 3rd in the State for the second year in a row. McCallum finished 7th with a time of 20:44:88. Congratulations, McCallum. McCallum is the son of Foster and Sharon Senn.

The meaning of the Advent candles: first purple candle – Hope; second purple candle – Love; third purple candle – Peace, Pink candle – Joy.

The Voices of Trinity will perform a special Christmas anthem on December 18 during the 11:00 a.m. service. It is called The Gift of Christmas.

The youth of Trinity will hold their annual Christmas Program on Sunday, December 18 in the evening. A birthday cake for Jesus will be served afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.

Trivia Answers: 1) a; 2) b; 3) c; 4) b; 5) c; 6) a 4

METHODIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP (MYF) - Foster Senn, Leader

Meaghan Bedenbaugh; President.

The MYF will meet to go Christmas caroling on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 pm.   This is one of the most enjoyable evenings of the year as the youth get a chance to visit with some of Trinity’s senior members.

On Monday, Dec. 19, the MYF will attend the Greenwood District youth party in Saluda at St. Paul UMC.  Last year's party was well attended and included fun and a lot of really good food.   We'll leave Trinity at 5:30 for the party, which is from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.   This year's theme is "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party," though ugly Christmas sweaters are not required.

UnitedMethodistWomen(Circle)

1st Monday

2017 Officers: President – Lisha Senn; Vice President – Myrtle Longshore; Secretary – Frieda Kesler; Treasurer – Susan Longshore. Thank you all for serving another year!

The UMW met Monday, Nov. 7 in the Fellowship Hall. Delicious refreshments were served by Jane Pollard and Joan Morris. Christine Hendrix presented the program. Shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child were prepared by UMW members and blessed at the service on Nov. 13. The Shoeboxes are an annual mission project for the UMW. There will be no meeting in December due to the UMW/Men’s Club Joint Christmas Dinner on December 7. The next meeting will be Monday, January 2.

SilverAndGold

2ndWednesday

Silver and Gold enjoyed a lunch outing to the Amish Oven in Greenwood on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The Silver and Gold will not meet in December. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday,January 11. All seniors, male or female, are invited and encouraged to attend our meetings. You may INVITE A SENIOR FRIEND to join you. We will have a SOUP AND SANDWICH lunch followed by bingo. Joan will contact you about what to bring. No call means you don’t have to bring anything!

Joan Morris, President; Rebecca Bundrick, Treasurer

TheMen’sClub

1st

Wednesday

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

The Men’s Club invites all men, regardless of membership at Trinity, to attend their meetings. There will be NO meeting in December. We will join with the UMW on Dec. 7 for a Christmas Dinner. The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 4. Cooks will be Michael Bouknight, Harry Longshore, Steven Morris, William Johnson and Johnnie Pitts

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AT TRINITY

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEND YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDSWITHOUT THE COST OF A STAMP?

Beginning December 4 and continuing on December 11 and 18, simply address your Christmas cards by name (address not necessary) to anyone who is a regularly attending member of Trinity (please no out of town members)and place the cards in the designated box in the narthex. Your cards will be sorted alphabetically and placed in the appropriate slot in the Communications Center area located in the room to the left of the vestibule. All you have to do is check each Sunday for cards which have been sent to you. Merry Christmas!!

United Methodist Women collected 24 shoeboxesfor Operation Christmas Child.

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JANUARY JOURNEY 2017

January 8 – New HopeJanuary 15 – New ChapelJanuary 22 – Zion – Youth ServiceJanuary 29 – Epting

All services begin with hymn singing at 5:45 p.m. and service at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments follow service. Holy Communion will take place at Epting. Please bring a non-perishable food item for Manna House each week .

DECEMBER 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3

No Men’s Club Meeting

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Birthday and AnniversaryRecognitions

2nd Sunday of Advent

No Bible StudyWill Resume inJanuary

No UMW meeting

UMW and Men’s Club Christmas Dinner inFellowship Hall6:30 p.m.

District Christmas Drop-in at

District Parsonage 3:00 – 6:00

p.m.

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

MYF ChristmasCaroling5:30 p.m

3rd Sunday of Advent.

18 19 20 21 22 23 24Christmas Program

6:00 p.m.Birthday Party for

Jesus follows

4th Sunday of Advent

District YouthUgly Christmas Sweater PartySt. Paul UMC

Saluda6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Deadline for January

Trinity Times

Christmas Eve Service

with Holy Communion

5:30 p.m.Trinity

Birthday of Jesus 25

26 27 28

29 30 31

Christmas Day Service at 11:00

a.m.

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BIBLE TRIVIA - Test your knowledge of ADVENT

1) What is the meaning of Advent?a) Comingb) Goingc) Receivingd) Giving

2) How many Sundays are in Advent?a) Threeb) Fourc) Fived) Six

3) What is the traditional color of Advent?a) Redb) Greenc) Purpled) Yellow

4) Which feast follows Advent?a) Easterb) Christmasc) Transfigurationd) Pentecost

5) What do the evergreen branches of an Advent Wreath symbolize?a) Faithb) Hopec) Eternal lifed) Love

6) What does the rose (pink) candle lit on the third Sunday of Advent symbolize?a) Joyb) Peacec) Victoryd) Fertility

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In celebration of the true meaning of Christmas, why not celebrate by performing Random Acts of Christmas Kindness every day leading up to Christmas beginning on Dec. 1. Here are some suggestions but you can make up your own. Copy the You’ve been Rack’d card or make your own and hand out/attach with your act of kindness.

Give a compliment to a friend. Tape change to a vending machine Tape a candy cane to the ATM Send a card to or visit a shut in Pick up litter Take cookies to the fire station or police station Give someone a hug Candy cane bomb a parking lot (tape a candy cane to the You’ve Been Rack’d card and

put on every car in a particular parking lot)

Pay for a stranger’s coffee Take supplies to an animal shelter Smile at everyone you see today Donate food to your local food pantry Do a chore for someone in your family Call a faraway relative to say hello Leave quarters at a laundry mat Find a dirty car and leave a car wash certificate on it. Pay for someone’s tab in line behind you Donate a toy to Toys for Tots Tape a lottery ticket to a gas pump Donate diapers and wipes to a daycare Let someone in line get in front of you Give a treat to the mailman Leave a bag of microwave popcorn on a DVD rental machine Feed the birds Help someone with their groceries and return the buggy for them

9Trinity United Methodist Church

1160 Trinity Church RoadNewberry, South Carolina 29108