Supper with Santa - Dec. 9

Last Wednesday night the Family Life Center at Trinity UMC was FULL of wonder and cheer! Tons of kids piled out the doors of the auditorium as the firetruck pulled up in the parking lot around 6:30 on December 9th, 2009. Long Creek's finest escorted Santa Clause to our church where he sat and listened to what every last child wanted to say. Some kids stood in line for what seemed like hours, just to sit on Santa's lap for a few brief moments.

The 3rd-5th Grade Youth Group took photos of Santa and the kids and sold them for $5 as a fundraiser! They were a huge success and those kids stayed busy the whole night! Thanks to Margie O'Shields, Malcolm Miller, Cheryl Putukian, and the kids for giving us something to remember the evening by.

We look forward to seeing Santa again, this coming Sunday, December 20th at our Children's Christmas Play "A Journey to Bethlehem." Please plan on joining us for a Live Nativity, Caroling from the Choir, a medley from the Handbell Choir, and the Children's Play. Everyone has worked so hard to ensure this evening with feel as if you are truly taking a "Journey to Bethlehem"! The festivities begin this Sunday, December 20th at 5:00pm!

Here are some photos from the Supper with Santa:

Homecoming 2009

On September 20th, Trinity UMC celebrated 194 years in ministry! We enjoyed a joint service that began at 10:30am with the sounds of Cheryl & the Trinity Church Choir singing loud & proud for 15 minutes! Music was a large part of our Homecoming Service of 2009. The Praise Team from the Contemporary Service shared several songs with us throughout the service, the Handbell Choir played a resounding rendition of "Amazing Grace," and Kat McClure sang special music beautifully!

We remembered those we had lost and honored those who joined our congregation over the past year. Gary Stillwell was the only member of our congregation who received a home going service this past year. Gary past away in September of 2008 and we were honored to have his family join us for Homecoming 2009.

We were BLESSED beyond belief with 11 children born into our church family over the past year. Those who were honored include: MacKenzie Ann Helms, Hunter Caleb Taormina, Holden Garrett Taormina, Joshua Luke Wagenhauser, Reese Hayden Kidd, Rainey Cross Kidd, Henry Neal Davis, Caleb Davis McConnell, Nathan Hill Perry, Kaitlyn Rae Henson, and Melinda Kay Barth. Congratulations to the families of all these precious children of God!

After all the songs had been sung and all the babies had been blessed, we welcomed our speaker, Jimmy Howard back to the pulpit. Jimmy reminded us that those who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. He also asked everyone "Who's your daddy?" Just check the bottom of your foot and see who's name you see. Who do you belong to? THE LORD.

CROP Hunger Walk - Oct. 4th

This Sunday, a group from Trinity UMC will embark on a short but meaningful mission trip. We will be departing from the church parking lot at approximently 1:30pm on Sunday afternoon to be a part of the Charlotte CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walk.

CROP Hunger Walks help children and families worldwide -- and right here in the U.S. -- to have food for today, while building for a better tomorrow. Each year some two million CROP Walkers, volunteers, and sponsors put their hearts and soles in motion, raising over $16 million per year to help end hunger and poverty around the world -- and in their own communities. And you can be a part of it! If you are unable or unavailable to walk on October 4th, don't worry! You can still help by sponsoring someone who is walking.

Be a part of the Community Responding to Overcome Poverty and make a donation today!

Summerville Miracle League

I wanted to let you all know - We finally got the date finalized for our trip to Charleston to help with the Summerville Miracle League.

We will leave Friday, Nov. 6th at 4pm and get back home Saturday, Nov. 7th at 10pm. If you are able and willing to join us, please contact Shelly Black THIS WEEK! We will be reserving the hotel rooms this week if possible and need to have our final count ASAP.

If you are unable to go with us, but still want to help, please consider making a financial contribution. No amount is too small. I have included a link to the video from the spring season of the Summerville Miracle League for those of you who haven't seen it. Please take a few minutes to watch, it will tug at your heart strings.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

http://vimeo.com/5963248

Luke 9:23

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Offering ourselves to God isn't easy because it means we must first die to our own selfish will. Like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, we face our own cross and must cry out, "Not my will, dear Father, but your will be done!"

First Day of Playschool

Tuesday, September 8th was the first day of Playschool at Trinity UMC. What a WONDERFUL sight to see all those parents and children arriving at the church!!! In case you missed it, we included a few photos for you to enjoy!

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -Matthew 18:20

When are friends more than friends? When they gather in the name of Jesus and he meets with them there.