Music News (October 2018)

SING WITH US! Trinity’s Chancel Choir rehearses Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. in Room 115. We welcome new singers!

October’s Weekly Choir Anthems

Oct. 7         A Communion Invitation (Craig Courtney)

Oct. 14      Teach Me, O Lord (Philip Stopford)

Oct. 21      Deep Waters (Pepper Choplin)

Oct. 28      What Does the Lord Require (Eric Nelson)

A SINGERS’ PRAYER: O Lord, bless your servants who minister in your temple. Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts we may proclaim in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

RING WITH US! The Trinity Ringers rehearse Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. in Room 115. We can use your musical talents!

October’s Monthly Bell Prelude:

Oct. 14      Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (arr. Linda Lamb)

A RINGERS’ PRAYER: Grant, O Lord, that these bells may sound your praises and the good news of your salvation; may they summon the faithful to worship and stir all who hear them to glorify your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Crafts for a Cause October Update (2018)

Crafts for a Cause

Recently, Trinity’s Crafts for a Cause ministry was recognized for the contributions of neck pillows, blankets, baby caps, adult hats, teddy bears and Christmas stockings made to Fair Oaks Hospital’s programs to bring comfort to patients of all ages. Volunteers Marti Bowden, Naty de las Alas and Molly Sprouse, along with Pastor Jim Sprouse, represented Trinity at the Teddy Bear Tea, where the chief medical officer reported that since 1991 the program has generated nearly 94,000 comfort items! Crafts for a Cause is honored to be a part of that effort.

Meanwhile, the work continues to produce all those comforting pillows, blankets and hats at alternating Monday night work sessions, coming up on Oct. 8 & 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 124. You don’t have to be a crafter to participate. We also have homework projects if you can’t make the meetings.

Crafts is starting a Loom Hat Project to make warm adult hats for Christ House and newborn hats for Fair Oaks Hospital. Look for the display in the Narthex and the Fellowship Building for details on materials and instructions. This is a fun, easy project for men, women or older children.

For more information, contact Molly Sprouse at
mollysprouse@gmail.com.

A Life-Rebuilding Ministry of the United Methodist Church

By James C. Sprouse, Senior Pastor

The United Methodist Committee on Relief [UMCOR] is the not-for-profit humanitarian agency of The United Methodist Church. Since 1940, UMCOR’s mission –  providing relief in disaster areas, aiding refugees and confronting the challenge of world hunger and poverty – has helped to heal the hurts of humanity in nearly 100 countries. UMCOR maintains a corps of trained disaster response specialists for quick reinforcement of national efforts and keeps a supply of relief materials in warehouses for dispatch when and where required. It also trains disaster response specialists in their own countries as part of a global ministry by a global church and works in partnership with other international agencies.

For many years Trinity Church members have given with a sense of pride and confidence to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. I want to remind you that UMCOR follows the professional accounting and auditing regulations of The United Methodist Church. When you give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief you can be sure that your money will go where you want it to go. One hundred percent of your tax-deductible gifts go to the emergency or project that you designate. UMCOR’s administrative costs come from other sources, especially the United Methodist One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

United Methodists are stepping up to the challenge of Hurricane Florence and ministering to many people who are in crisis. United Methodist churches in North and South Carolina are acting as shelters for displaced people and relief workers. ERTs (Emergency Response Teams) are present at the disaster sites. Dozens more churches are supporting local shelters by providing food, transportation, Internet and phone usage, as well as meeting other needs.

Of all the Christian denominations that provide relief and emergency assistance in times of crisis, my experience is that none rivals the abilities of UMCOR to respond immediately and on a global level to any crisis or emergency. You make this life-rebuilding ministry possible through your financial support of UMCOR’s projects and World Service giving. On behalf of a grateful pastor and the denomination of which you are a much-appreciated member, Thank You! And may you continue to bless and be a blessing to persons whose very lives depend on your continued generosity.

Shalom,

Jim

Discover Trinity

By Eileen Gilmer, Associate Pastor

Have you taken stock of your New Year’s resolutions? It’s been ten months since you probably made them. Or, maybe you’re a planner and are getting a jump start on your 2019 plans.

I hope one of your resolutions is to become more involved at Trinity Church. It’s never too late or too early to start. Do you like to speak in public? We would love to have you be a reader during worship. Do you have a passion for feeding the hungry? Help us with Martha’s Table Sunday by buying the bread, making sandwiches and snack bags, or delivering them. Do you have an interest in finance, administration, children or adult education, worship, or social justice? We have a place for you! God has placed a call on your heart. Trinity would love to have you live out that call with your church family.

Where do you get started? If you are thinking about joining Trinity or are interested in finding ways to get involved with the church, we invite you to join us for our Discover Trinity classes. Here are the details:

Discover Trinity

October 14 & 21

9:30 a.m.

Chapel in the Fellowship Building

Childcare is available during this time. The nursery (also located in the Fellowship Building) is open for infants and toddlers. Older children are welcome to join us.

During our Discover Trinity classes you will have a chance to meet with church leaders, as well as find out about what it means to be a United Methodist and member of Trinity Church. Plus, you’ll have a chance to ask questions about Trinity or the greater United Methodist Church. We would love to have you join us for both classes but welcome you, even if for only one.

Please let me know if you have any questions. You can always reach me at the church or through my email: egilmer@umtrinity.org.

I’ll see you at church!

 

Creative Play

By Keith Lee, Associate Pastor

Israel is known as the “Startup Nation” – the country with the highest number of startups per capita in the world! Over the years, Israeli startups have given rise to innovations in a range of fields, from agricultural irrigation and GPS navigation to life-saving cancer treatments. World class technology companies, such as Samsung, Intel, IBM, Google, Amazon just to name a few, have research and development facilities located in Israel due to access to creative and innovative tech savvy human resources. There are many factors for its innovative tech culture. In trying to identify these factors, some educators point out Israel’s creative approach to education as one contributor.

When I was able to observe its preschool system while I was staying in Jerusalem, the most prominent feature was a free play approach to education. In the early educational stage, it seems to have no formal curriculum and structured learning; mostly, children played outside and engaged in various art activities. For parents who are not Israelis, they think this approach is frivolous and undisciplined. Their main complaint was “In Israeli gans (Hebrew for preschool and kindergarten), all they do is play?!”

When I was looking for one for my daughter, I visited a preschool. After observing I thought to myself, “Why should I pay for this when I could just gather neighbors’ kids and play at the local playground?” But I was curious, so I asked one of the administrators, “I was told that playing was one of the main features of the Israeli education system. Can you explain the reason for this?” She corrected me and said, “We engage in creative play, not random play. The first verb in the Bible is the word “created” and we believe it is one of the most important principles of education.”

That surprised me in two ways. First, Israelis are mostly secular. Only twenty percent of the population practiced religion. In fact, many non-religious Israelis have a disdain for those who do. Therefore, when an administrator at this secular preschool quotes the Bible as a guiding principle, I was pleasantly taken back. Second, I read that passage multiple times and never thought of it in this manner. But after hearing her, it made perfect sense. The first act of God was to create. Furthermore, we are made in God’s image, so we should act to emulate our creator. Of course!

I recall all this because I would like to incorporate more play, specifically creative play and learning in our children and youth education. I love formal learning because that’s all I know. But playing games and creative approaches in teaching bring greater attentiveness and interaction. If you have creative approaches you would like to implement please let me know!

 

October 2018 at Trinity UMC

BOOK CHAT

The Trinity book club is starting a new season! We’ll meet on Tuesday, October 9: Exit West, by Mohsin Hamid. Bring a light dinner, if you like (dessert is provided), and enjoy fellowship and lively conversation. Reading the book isn’t even required! Contact Kathy Maher (Kathyngs@gmail.com) to obtain a copy of the full reading list.

Oct. 7	Pet Blessing	Details here and below
Oct. 8	Office Closed
Oct. 8	Crafts for a Cause 7 p.m.	Learn about the latest projects: https://wp.me/p3ZFFv-rP
Oct. 9	Book Chat 6:30 p.m.	This month: Exit West, by Mohsin Hamid. Details on page 4.
Oct. 13	Good Works Day 9 a.m.—12 p.m.	Indoor & outdoor projects with chili lunch. See http://bit.ly/tumcgwd
Oct. 14	Martha’s Table Sandwich Making
Oct. 21 Oct. 27	Laity Sunday Heart to Heart Famly Fiesta	Join us for our fundraiser dinner. Find all the details here.
Oct. 28	Trunk or Treat 6 p.m.	See graphic below
Oct. 28	Celtic Service 5 p.m.
Nov. 4	Charge Conference 3 p.m.	Held at Mount Olivet UMC, 1500 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington

Bridging God’s Word to Everyday Life: Sept. 30

Our Prayer List

Abby, Alice, Andrea, Andrew, Angela, Ann, Anne, Ashley, Barb, Barbara, Ben, Beth, Bill, Billy, Boutwell family, Brenda, Buddy, Burl, Carl, Carla, Carol Ann, Carol, Carroll, Cathy, Charlie, Cherié, Chip, Christopher, Cindy, Connie, Connie, Dale, Daniel, Danny, Darlene, Dave, David, Dean, Debbie, Del, Diana, Dorothy, Ed, Eileen, Elbert & Lois, Ella, Flo, Florian, Frank, Gabriela, Gail, Gary, Herb, Holly, Hope, Jane, Janet, Jean, Jeff, Jerry, Jim & Sharon, Jim, Joan, John, Josh, Joyce, JR, Judy, Julie, June, Karen, Kay, Layne, Leah, Len, Len, Lenny, Leonida, Lilly, Lincoln, Linda, Lindie, Lisa, Lorraine, Maddy, Marciene, Margaret, Martha, Mary Lou, Mary, Maryann, Merlin, Michelle, Mike, Mila, Nancy, Nelda, Olivia, Pat, Paul, Pauline, Peg, Peggy & Bill, Peggy, Ralph, Ray, Richard, Robert, Ron, Rosa, Sandy, Sarkees, Shannon, Sherry, Silka family, Steven, Sue, Susan, Suzanne, Terri, Terry, Theresa, Thomas, Tiki, Tom & Jewell, Tony, Torry, Vanna, Vivian, Yancey Young, and those impacted by natural disasters.

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This week  

New Topic Begins This week

Join Pastor Jim for Bible Study for Gnosticism: From Nag Hammadi to the Gospel of Judas. This video series, also presented by The Ohio State University professor, Dr. David Brakke, will examine the people and texts of the first four centuries A.D. with a shared interest in knowledge (gnōsis, in Greek). Sundays at 9:30 a.m., Mondays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Library. This week: Rediscovering Gnōsis.

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H2H Children’s Village Family Fiesta

Saturday, October 27

5 – 8 p.m.

The Speidel Home

900 Chinquapin Road, McLean

You are invited to a FAMILY FIESTA to support Heart to Heart Children’s Village in Honduras, a U.S. nonprofit.

Our mission trips have connected us to these beautiful children. They’ve suffered unimaginable trauma, violence, abuse and severe malnutrition. H2H takes them in and raises each one as their own with unconditional love, care and education. Right now there are 110 H2H children.

Our evening will include delicious El Tio’s Tex-Mex, wine & beer, and an ice cream bar. There will also be fun stuff for the kids; childcare provided.

You will meet Francisco, 17, who grew up at H2H! He just graduated from high school and is now living in New York with a sponsor to continue his education. His dream is to become a robotics engineer.

Donate for Tickets:

Go to http://bit.ly/TUMCgive click on “Other” and write “H2H fund” in the box with *.

Please visit http://bit.ly/h2hfiesta for more.

$50 individual

$150 family–includes 10 raffle tickets

$500 tax deductible donation & invite 8 friends

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Mission Trips

Dan & Chris Moore are returning to The Leadership Center in Honduras and you’re invited to join them: Nov. 9-26 and Jan. 9 – Feb. 5. Interested persons are welcome to join them for all or part of either trip. For more, please visit: https://wp.me/p3DkoW-gd

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Good Works Day

Oct. 13

9 a.m.—12 p.m.

Chili lunch at noon

Exciting indoor and outdoor projects at Fellowship Building, Langley Building, Parsonage, Trinity House and parking lot. More details at http://bit.ly/tumcgwd. Contact Wayne Detwiler, wldetwiler@yahoo.com or Karen Hunt, karenwhunt@earthlink.net.

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Outreach

Collection Drive for Art for Humanity

Trinity’s Church & Society Committee sponsors monthly collections for local and worldwide ministries. During September, we’re collecting over-the-counter health care products for Art for Humanity in Honduras. Due to chronic malnutrition, multivitamins are particularly needed.

• Multivitamins
• Decongestant
• Antihistamine
• Neosporin antibiotic cream
• Cough drops
• Cortisone anti-itch cream
• Band aids
• Toothbrushes
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

Please be sure products have 12 months before expiration. Leave your donations in the donation baskets located outside the sanctuary and in the fellowship building.

Crafts for a Cause

Recently, Trinity’s Crafts for a Cause ministry was recognized for the contributions of neck pillows, blankets, baby caps, adult hats, teddy bears and Christmas stockings made to Fair Oaks Hospital’s programs to bring comfort to patients of all ages. Volunteers Marti Bowden, Naty de las Alas and Molly Sprouse, along with Pastor Jim Sprouse, represented Trinity at the Teddy Bear Tea, where the chief medical officer reported that since 1991 the program has generated nearly 94,000 comfort items! Crafts for a Cause is honored to be a part of that effort.

Meanwhile, the work continues to produce all those comforting pillows, blankets and hats at alternating Monday night work sessions, coming up on Oct. 8 & 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 124. You don’t have to be a crafter to participate. We also have homework projects if you can’t make the meetings.

Crafts is starting a Loom Hat Project to make warm adult hats for Christ House and newborn hats for Fair Oaks Hospital. Look for the display in the Narthex and the Fellowship Building for details on materials and instructions. This is a fun, easy project for men, women or older children.

For more information, contact Molly Sprouse at
mollysprouse@gmail.com.

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