What’s Happening at Trinity—Jan. 2, 2021
UPCOMING JAN/FEB. SERMON SERIES
Next weekend, we’ll kick-off an 8 week preaching and teaching series based on the book DELIGHT: Discipleship as the adventure of loving and being loved. Rev. Justin Rossow, formerly on staff at Trinity and the book’s author, will be our guest preacher for all 8 weeks of the series.
Our celebration of Christ’s birth with its emphasis on the “good news of great joy. . .a savior is born” provides the perfect launching pad into thinking about discipleship as “DELIGHT.” Copies of the book are available in the church foyer. The books are free though there is a $10 suggested donation if you are able. (You can also purchase your own copy online.)
In order to maximize this unique experience, along with joining us for worship, we are suggesting you participate in one of three ways.
- Read the book on your own and reflect on the questions at the end of each section.
- Form a “book club” or meet with a “small group” of friends who read and discuss the book together.
- Join us Wednesday nights during E3 as we continue to study and discuss “Discipleship as Delight.”
We have created a reading outline calendar that is available at the Welcome Center. Pick it up today or check out Trinityct.org/delight for the schedule and any other information as we go along through this process. Pastor Rossow addresses the topic of discipleship in a manner that is biblical, theological, and practical. We hope you will join us on the adventure.
>ENGAGE GOD
LIFE WITH JESUS STARTS JAN. 13-Whether you’re a lifelong believer or interested in finding out more about Christianity, this 10-week class is for you. We will explore Christ’s gracious invitation of a personal relationship with God and the Spirit-filled life of following Christ as his disciple. Life with Jesus is for anyone who would like to attend, and is required of those considering membership at Trinity (but does not obligate you to become a member.) Life with Jesus will be held on Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Jan. 13 – March 21, in the Church Lounge. Child-care is available. To register, go to Trinityct.org/LWJ. For more information, contact Robin Shuell, 463-2921 ext. 143 or
BAPTISM CLASSES SCHEDULED—If you are interested in baptism at Trinity, Vicar Jeremy Ashley has baptism sessions coming up to prepare you for the process. You will talk about what baptism is, how we do it, why we do it, our role, your role and how this all plays out in the “real life” of your home. There are will be a Zoom session on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. There will also be in-person sessions will be held Monday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. or Tuesday, March 29, at 1:30 p.m. in the Church Lounge. To sign up, visit Trinityct.org/baptism.
E3 and YOUTH GROUP RESUME IN JANUARY—Our E3 activities are on pause. This includes our youth meetings. Both activities will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 12. Stay tuned for details.
SUBMIT YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS—We have an online form for submitting those requests. Go to Trinityct.org and click Submit a Prayer Request toward the bottom of the page. Complete the form and it will be sent to the appropriate prayer warriors.
WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES AND CLASSES
MONDAY NIGHT LADIES BIBLE STUDY continues Mondays in 2022. A new study begins Monday, Jan. 10. Join us at 7 p.m. in the Church Lounge. Stay tuned for information on the upcoming topic. For information, contact Bonnie Young at 586-350-3222.
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY-- Meet to enjoy God's Word every Tuesday morning 9:30-10:45 a.m. Led by Mary Hartman and Lila Tirsell. Meetings will be held in the Church Lounge.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MEN’S BIBLE STUDY meets Wednesday at 6 a.m. in the Church Lounge. Starting Jan. 12, the men’s group will begin a study on Delight, which is also our sermon series. Study guide provided. Bring your own breakfast/beverage. We will NOT have coffee. Pat Anderson leads the group. To join by Zoom, email
SATURDAY MORNING MEN’S STUDY—A Saturday morning men’s Bible study meets weekly at Great Lakes Family Dining, 36830 Harper Ave, at 8 a.m. Currently, the group is studying “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Join in after the new year. For more information, contact Brian Lanko at
>ENGAGE GOD’S PEOPLE
PAPER HUGS MEETS DEC. 2—The next meeting of Paper Hugs is Thursday, Jan. 6 from 1:30-8 p.m. in the Church Lounge. Come when you can and leave when you must. No experience necessary. Bring a snack! For more information, call the Church Office at 586-463-2921.
STOCK THE FOOD PANTRY—MEIJER SIMPLY GIVE IS BACK—Trinity’s Food Pantry can get a little help from you and Meijer. From now until April 2, purchase the specially-marked Simply Give donations cards from the check-out lines at the store on Groesbeck and those gift cards will be given to Trinity’s Food Pantry, to help us purchase food and other eligible baby items. In addition, Meijer will match the gifts donated to Trinity. Trinity’s Double Days are Saturday, March 5 and Saturday, March 26. On that day, Meijer doubles their donation for each card. On those days, for every $10 Simply Give card purchased on these dates, Meijer will provide an additional contribution of $20, bringing the total to $30 for a single customer purchase. For more information on the Simply Give program, contact Pastor Gary at or call 586-463-2921.
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD GREETERS—It's always nice to be greeted by a warm “hello” and a smiling face. If you can help on Sundays before services, we are looking for several greeters to open doors, say hello and welcome everyone to Trinity. If you are interested, contact Kent or Vicki Marshall at 586-465-0589 or
PHOTO CONTEST—The church’s phone directory is scheduled for publication in February. Trinity supplies the cover photo to the printing company. This year, we want you to have a chance to get your picture on the cover. Between now and Jan. 28, submit your best picture on our website at Trinityct.org/contest. All of the details are available on the website. If you have any additional questions, contact Rebecca Thomas at
>ENGAGE THE WORLD
DO YOU HAVE RETURNABLES?—If you have empty, returnable cans or bottles, consider donating them to Trinity for our support of Groundwork Guatemala. In the last year, we’ve raised $635 for Groundwork Guatemala in deposit returns. This money helps us further our support of the mission. If you have returnable, there are two can and bottle collection boxes located in the church foyer near the Youth Lounge for use throughout the year.
>SCHOOL & EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
NEW 4TH GRADE TEACHER—God has answered our prayers and we have hired a new fourth grade teacher. Grace Adams is a Concordia, Ann Arbor graduate and completed her student teaching at Trinity, Utica. We are excited to welcome Ms. Adams and to see how God works in and through her as she joins the ministry here.
VIRTUAL SCHOOL—This week, Trinity’s school will be virtual. In-person classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 10. SAC will be open for those in need of childcare. Call the Early Childhood Center at 586-463-8803 for information.
DINNER DANCE FUNDRAISER—The Trinity 8th grade class will host a night of dinner, dancing and fun as they raise money for their class trip to St. Louis, Missouri. The dinner dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Italian American Cultural Center from 6-11 p.m. The cost of tickets is $50 per person. There will silent and live auctions, music, dancing, open bar, whiskey and wine pull, baskets and prizes. Contact the school office at 586-468-8511 for more information or for tickets.
>ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2021—Previously, charitable contributions could only be deducted if taxpayers itemized their deductions. However, the CARES Act changed that. Taxpayers who don't itemize deductions may take a charitable deduction of up to $300 ($600 for joint returns) for cash contributions made in 2021 to Trinity.
† Also taxpayers required to make RMD’s can make a qualified charitable distribution from their IRA – up to $100,000 – directly to Trinity. It's generally a nontaxable distribution made by the IRA trustee to a charitable organization. A QCD counts toward your minimum distribution requirement for the year.
† We will be emailing 2021 statements next week. If you do not get the e-mail or require a mailed statement please text the word “Statement” to 586-571-9996.
† You can download your statement at any time by logging into Elexio and clicking on Giving-Statement-Last Calendar year.
This week at Trinity—Jan. 2-8, 2021
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Sunday (2) |
9 a.m. |
Worship –Sanctuary |
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11 a.m. |
Worship—Sanctuary |
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Monday (3) |
1 p.m. |
Alanon– Church Lounge |
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6:30 p.m. |
Tai Chi—Gym |
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7 p.m. |
Stephen Ministry Training—Meeting Room 3 |
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Tuesday (4) |
9:30 a.m. |
Ladies Bible Study—Church Lounge |
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7 p.m. |
Boy Scouts—Community Center |
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7 p.m. |
Head Usher Meeting—Church Lounge |
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Wednesday (5) |
6 a.m. |
Men’s Bible Study—Community Center |
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Noon |
Kiwanis |
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Thursday (6) |
9:30 a.m. |
Pastoral Care Team—Church Lounge |
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1:30 p.m. |
Paper Hugs – Church Lounge |
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7 p.m. |
Voices in Praise—Music Room |
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7 p.m. |
Purls—Church Lounge |
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Friday (7) |
9 a.m. |
Athletic Directors Meeting—Church Lounge |
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7 p.m. |
NA—Community Center |
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Saturday (8) |
5 p.m. |
Worship —Sanctuary |
PRAYER LIST
Please update any prayer requests with Pastor Gary at to avoid having the names of those still in need removed from the list.
Special Prayers
† For the Sick and Suffering
† For those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this month
† For our nation and our leaders
† For those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior
† For all those impacted by COVID-19