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Walk our Indoor Labyrinth @ Trinity on Sunday, March 17th
after Worship - Coffee Hour will be in the Library!!
Beloved Ones,
Our large cloth Labyrinth will be laid out on the floor in the Hall below the Sanctuary on Sunday, March 17th. Our Church School students will have an opportunity to experience the Labyrinth during their class.
We invite pilgrims of all ages to pray with the Labyrinth after worship! We do ask that no food or drink be shared near or on the Labyrinth; therefore, coffee and treats will be served in the Library upstairs, just down the hall from the Sanctuary. Also, no shoes on the Labyrinth!
Peace, Rev. Andrea
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Last year's Easter Egg Hunt was a smashing success! Please help the Children's Ministry Team to host yet another "egg-citing" event this Easter. You can help by donating pre-stuffed Easter eggs. Easter eggs of all sizes and colors can be filled with candy, stickers, tattoos, and little trinkets. Donations will be collected in labeled bins outside the sanctuary until Palm Sunday, 3/24. No time to stuff eggs? Bring in plastic eggs, candy, or both, and the Children's Ministry Team will do the rest. The earlier you can bring in your donations the better. Thank you in advance for your support! | |
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Thanks again, Trinity!
Donations for the Little Pantry
WE ARE LOW & NEED-
Peanut butter
Jelly
Coffee / tea
Canned tuna / chicken
Canned beans
Pasta and sauce
Pet food
Laundry detergent
For a complete list, scan the QR code.
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 | Rev. David Artman is a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Members of that denomination are expected to actively work out their theology through personal study and community worship. If that feels familiar, consider joining Cindy Anderau, Lisa Mages, Tom McMorran, and Pastor Andrea for a March Discussion series on Artman's book Grace Saves All: The Necessity of Christian Universalism. We will meet in the library on March 3, 10, and 17th from 3:00 to 4:00. In the introduction to his book, Artman writes, "...most people don't know it's possible to be a Chrisitan and to believe grace is God's way of ultimately saving everyone. They don't know where to find biblical evidence for this understanding of grace. They don't know this way of understanding grace was common in early Christianity. They wrongly assume they can only be Christian if they believe God will not, or might not, save everyone." Artman's book challenges the idea of any person being abandoned by God. If you are intrigued by the idea that our God's loving grace will never give up until all are united to God, please join us. Books are available via Amazon, and you might want to check out some of Artman's podcasts. As always you are most welcome to join the conversation even if you haven't read the book. Feel free to email Tom McMorran, or let Rev. Andrea know if you are interested. | |
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Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O lamb of God, I come, I come.
The hymn that we will sing during communion this Sunday, “Just As I Am” is one that I grew up with in church, and I was so happy to find that our 1982 Hymnal included it as well. This hymn is a favorite as a humble prayer during communion and is widely used in more charismatic churches as an ‘altar call’. Evangelist Billy Graham famously used this hymn for his altar calls at the end of his crusade services to give worshippers the opportunity to come forward for healing prayer or to publicly give their hearts to Christ. It has stuck with churches in many denominations for good reason: Its text conveys that we are not worthy to receive Christ, but by his grace, mercy, and pardon do we approach the altar. This hymn always moves my heart at a deep level.
“Just As I Am” was written by Victorian hymn writer, Charlotte Elliott, and as this is Women’s History Month, I thought it appropriate to highlight this remarkable woman and her contribution to musical worship. Charlotte Elliott was the granddaughter of a famous evangelical preacher, and her family belonged to the evangelical wing of the Anglican Church. Charlotte was a well-known poet in her youth, and then at the age of 32 suffered a serious illness that left her disabled for the rest of her life. In her great suffering, she felt isolated and was reportedly severely depressed.
The minister Cesar Malan of Geneva was visiting Charlotte’s father, and he asked her if she was at peace with God. Charlotte greatly resented the question, but later confided in Malan that she wanted to ‘cleanse her life’ before becoming a Christian. Malan answered, “Come just as you are”, and Charlotte committed her life to Christ that day.
Even in her constant suffering, Charlotte continued to write. After her father’s death, she became the editor of the Christian Remembrance Pocket-Book and published The Invalid’s Hymnbook, to which she contributed 115 hymns, including the great “Just As I Am Without One Plea” that she wrote remembering the powerful words of Reverend Malan. From her great suffering came a song of great faith.
Billy Graham referred to “Just As I Am” as “the strongest possible Biblical basis for the call of Christ”. Historian of Hymnody (that’s a thing!) Kenneth Osbeck said that this hymn “touched more hearts and influenced more people for Christ than any other song ever written”. Christian writer Lorella Rouster called it “an amazing legacy for an invalid woman who suffered from depression and felt useless to God’s service.”
We are never useless to God’s service. Our lives, just as they are, are gifts to be shared for the glory of God.
In Christ,
Jennifer
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Baptism Gift Making Event - Now this Sunday
Trinity Church School families are invited to make baptism gifts this Sunday, 3/10, after worship in the Glover Community Room. Together with Trinity's youth, we will make sets of prayer beads that will be gifted in the future to families on the day of their child's baptism. These keepsakes are a loving way for children to welcome other children to Trinity church. All are welcome.
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Lenten Passport
Our Lenten Passport competition continues! Throughout the season of Lent kids can earn stickers to put in their passports by attending church school, doing labyrinths, bringing in items for Trinity's Little Pantry, learning the Lord's Prayer, and much more. If they get 12 stickers they earn a prize. The church school student with the most stickers wins an extra prize! Ask your child how he/she/they can earn more stickers.
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Upcoming Events
*Sunday, March 10, Make baptism gifts at coffee hour
*Sunday, March 17, Walking Labyrinth
*Sunday, March 24, Church breakfast following worship
*Sunday, March 31, Easter Egg Hunt following worship, NO CHURCH SCHOOL
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Sunday 3/10: meet in Glover Community Room for baptism gifts
Sunday 4/7: meet in library
Sunday 5/5: meet in library
Sunday 6/2: meet in library
Sunday 6/9: end of the year celebration- youth participate in service (ushers, acolyte, readers, oblations), photo slide show, honor seniors, cake after the service
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March 16 12:30pm
We have 3 people who have been getting together together once a month to paint together. We find it is a good way to commit to making art - anything goes! We use watercolor, gouache, acrylic - open to any ideas to make art together. For more information, contact Nany Cole.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Monteverdi Vespers 1610
April 14, 2024 - 3 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, CT
Join the Connecticut Choral Society ORCHESTRANEXUS, and Nexus Choral Artists
with renowned soloists Linda Sweetman-Waters, organ and Max Vladimiroff, harpsichord for a special presentation of the Monteverdi Vespers 1610 under the direction of Maestro Eric Dale Knapp. Come and enjoy this rarely performed gem of the 17th century that forever changed the course of music!
Reserve your seats now as space is limited. Tickets are $55.00 online or at the door if not
sold out prior to the concert.
For more information visit us at ctchoralsociety.com or email us.
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Chapel on the Green
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-17
Chapel on the Green at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Haven commemorates Maundy Thursday, the day that Jesus washed his disciples' feet, by washing the feet of the most vulnerable - those experiencing homelessness. The event is on Maundy Thursday, March 28th, with an outdoor worship service at 2:00 pm, followed by a foot clinic and health fair with volunteers from Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center from 2:30-4:00 pm. If you would like to be a part of this outreach ministry by volunteering for the foot washing clinic or to find out more information please contact Noelle D'Agostino by email or by phone 203.581.0497.
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Christian Yoga
Join Christian Yoga class on alternating Tuesdays at 7 pm for an hour of movement incorporating prayer and scripture. This is a great way to connect to yourself, with others and with God. The next sessions will be held on 3/12 and 4/9. All are welcome!
Free will offering is completely voluntary.
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Weekly Happenings
Trinity's nursery is open every Sunday from 9:15 - 11:15, and is professionally staffed by Wee Care Nanny Agency.
Trinity's Grief Support Group runs every first and third Thursday of the month, and is open to all.
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Praise and Thanksgiving
For those requesting our prayers
Arlene, Maureen, Janet, Rick, Marie, Jennifer, Joyce, Jacky, Gail, Alveta, Bode, Gracie, Martha, Daniel, Judy, Cheryl, Shirley, Dan, Brian, Barbara, Lucille, JM, Marie, Erin, Jean, Thomas, Matt
For those celebrating a birthday this week
Jean Bellesheim, Anne Calmels
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