Wednesday Evening Advent Midweek Vespers
A season of hope and expectation, during Advent we pause in the life of the church to provide a counterweight to the remarkable busyness of the holiday season. Wednesday Midweek Vespers will be offered on November 30 and December 7, 14, and 21 at 6:30 p.m. following a simple supper in the Courtyard at 5:30 p.m. You are welcome to join us for Midweek Vespers in Trinity’s sanctuary on Wednesday evenings during the four weeks of Advent.
Pastor Kari Fast will provide the homily weekly with a series based on 2 Timothy 1:1-14, and Pastor Bob Linstrom will join cantors and Dr. Kuperus in leading a liturgy offering the well-loved vespers service of Holden Evening Prayer. The December 21 service will feature a third annual commemoration of The Longest Night.
The Longest Night is a simple service of lament, petition and comfort, intended for the darkest night of the year – the Winter Solstice. Together we remember that while the darkness is real, we journey together with hope, preparing our hearts for the light of Christmas born among us.
Our Longest Night service will be offered by Pastor Dan, our Stephen Ministry team, and Trinity musicians on Wednesday, December 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary as our last midweek Advent worship.
Advent Potluck Suppers
Please join us for potluck suppers in the Courtyard on Wednesdays during Advent (November 30 through December 21). Supper will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by Vesper Service in the upper Sanctuary.
Attendees are invited to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Please look for the link to our SignUp Genius in the eBlasts. We also need people to help set up for supper and people to help clean up after supper. The more helpers we get each week the faster we can all get upstairs for the Vespers Service. Please contact Tess Lundgren at tess.lundgren@tlcgr.org if you have any questions.
Children’s Christmas Program & Cookie Reception — Sunday, December 11
Children will present the story of Jesus’ birth on December 11 in the sanctuary at the 10:45 a.m. worship service. The program will replace the lessons and homily and conclude with the order of Holy Communion. A Christmas Cookie reception in the Courtyard will follow the 10:45 a.m. service.
All children aged 3 years through 5th grade are invited to participate in this cherished tradition. Children will rehearse this month during Sunday School at 9:20 a.m., learning both classic and contemporary Christmas songs. 4th and 5th graders will have speaking parts.
Click here to sign up
Dress rehearsal: Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. to noon.
Contact Rachele Battreall for more information.
Advent by Candlelight — Sunday, December 11
After a hiatus, Advent by Candlelight is returning this year on Sunday, December 11 at 6:30 p.m. Advent by Candlelight is an opportunity for women 12 and older to set aside the tasks of holiday preparations, step away from busy, crammed schedules, and focus on the wonder and beauty of the birth of Christ. We will share an evening of fellowship, reflection, and wonderful desserts as we prepare our hearts for the Christmas Season.
We are looking for 16-20 table hostesses who will set their own tables and provide their own desserts. Different this year, we are asking participants to sign up for general seating as we come back together to reacquaint ourselves with each other and to make new friends.
We will be serving our traditional Christmas Tea. Tess has picked up 14 antique teapots and is looking for 6 more teapots that serve 8-10 cups. Please let us know if you have a teapot to share for this event!
If you would like to host a table or would like to sign up to attend please look for the sign up on an upcoming eBlast. If you have questions regarding this event, please contact Tess Lundgren.
JOYful Days Holiday Lunch — Wednesday, December 14
Come celebrate the holidays with friends as we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on Wednesday, December 14. Watch for a link in the upcoming eBlasts for more details and to sign up. Space is limited and will be first signed up/first on the attendance list. Trinity members and friends – men, women, singles, and couples — are all invited! For more information, contact Tess Lundgren.
Scandinavian Smörgåsbord — Saturday, December 17
We are pleased to announce that the Scandinavian Smörgåsbord is returning to Trinity this year after several years absence and is scheduled for Saturday, December 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Trinity’s Scandinavian Smörgåsbord provides an abundance of great food, a musical program, and even a visit from Santa Lucia! Doors open at 5 p.m. and the meal begins at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $12 per person. Payment can be made by cash or check sent to or dropped off at the church, or at the door. Please indicate that this payment is for the Scandinavian Smörgåsbord.
This is a big undertaking and we especially welcome volunteers to help with the following:
- Make a Scandinavian side dish or dessert at home and bring to the event (recipes available if needed)
- Help with advance food prep at Trinity on Friday, December 16 (laugh and talk while peeling potatoes, boiling and peeling eggs, etc.)
- Help set up the Courtyard for our event
- Help cook the food on Saturday
- Help serve during the meal by replenishing food items at the buffet
- Help clean up after the event and reset the space for our Sunday services
Please help us plan effectively for this special evening and RSVP early to make this beloved program a wonderful success. Look for the signup in the eBlasts and/or contact Tess Lundgren with any questions.