Dearest Church,

After talking with session, staff, and other church leaders, we have decided that it is prudent for us to move to one worship service at 10:00am, starting THIS SUNDAY.  We will also not be holding Sunday School classes for the next few weeks.  (and, we will be posting more and more online as we are able)

We want to be proactive and wise about what we can do, how we can help, and, how we can keep people safe.  We recognize that there are some who are more at risk, and we don’t want them to be placed in harm’s way.  That being said, for those who are healthy, low-risk, and able, we still want to offer worship opportunities. 

In many ways, these are the times when it’s most important for us to be the church, together. 

• We need to find ways to worship so that we can be reminded and refocused on God’s power and goodness. 
• We need to find ways to learn so that we can recognize all the different ways that Christians have lived faithfully through difficult times. 
• We need to find ways to fellowship so that we remember that we’re not alone. 
• And we need to find ways to serve, because we have been called to be the hands and feet of God to a hurting world. 

Speaking specifically of service opportunities, we have identified a few places where we can get started serving today. 

• Community Storehouse needs grocery gift cards and non-perishable food.  If you pick up any of these things, feel free to drop them off at the church, or you can deliver them straight to Community Storehouse.
• People are going to feel more and more isolated over the next few days and weeks.  What if we took it upon ourselves to call a couple people a day to check in with them?
• Of course, we should be in prayer during this time, asking God for wisdom, healing, and peace.

I was also struck by the fact that it’s Lent: a season of reflecting, slowing, remembering, and looking to God’s faithfulness to us in Jesus.  What if we all practiced a Holy Lent over these next few weeks… 😊

Yours,

-Pastor Tim

P.S. A reminder for parents of young children: Remember to talk to your kids about what’s happening.  They HEAR more than you think, but they often don’t know what’s happening.  And it’s scary when your parents seem nervous.

Dearest Church,

As our world becomes more frightening and as people become more fearful, I want to take this opportunity to address some concerns while also encouraging calm and extending our calling.

Acknowledging that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is scary, especially as things are cancelled, shut down, run out, and fail, let us also recognize that many of our real worries are coming from our fear of the unknown.

• We don’t know enough about what’s happening
• We don’t know how the virus will spread
• We don’t know how long this pandemic will last
• We don’t know what lasting changes this will bring

What’s more, our fear and uncertainty are only exacerbated as we watch financial markets fall, oil prices drop, and jobs fail.

All of that being said, as Christians, we are called to respond differently… to act differently… to BE different.

As much as we have a natural tendency to want to ‘circle the wagons’, horde resources, and turn inward and away… OR ignore, overlook, and dismiss…  the reality is that we can do more… and better.  While of course we will be wise and vigilant, we also want to make sure that we are not unduly reactionary or fearful.  Remember, WE are a people of peace.  WE are a people of courage.  WE are the people of faith.  (And we serve a BIG and GOOD God!)

In fact, it was only a few months ago that we spent some time in our worship services learning about being faithful as we go through interesting times.  Who would have suspected that those interesting times would happen so soon?  But, as we learned, even in turbulent times we look to and follow our God.

What’s more, it is important that we recognize that there are whole groups of people, both inside and outside our church, who are more vulnerable than others in this season.

• There are those who struggle to eat in the best of times – how much more so now?… or if schools close?
• There are those who have health struggles – how much more so when supplies run low and medical facilities are busy?
• There are those who struggle financially – how much more when they aren’t able or allowed to work? 
• There are those who have felt the overwhelming nature of loneliness before… how much more if there’s a quarantine or people are actively avoiding each other.

It strikes me that this is a time, for us, as a church, NOT to shrink back, but to step up… to reach out… to love more…  while still exercising wisdom, discernment, and prudence.

So, we will be taking some precautions as we continue to monitor this evolving situation.  Here are some of our initial changes:

• We will change how we do the greeting time or eliminate this part of worship all together for a time.  (Of course, we will remain a warm and friendly congregation, and so we’ll have to work extra hard at how we welcome each other within these limitations).
• We will not pass the offering plates during service, but we will have them in the back.
• We will do communion differently for the foreseeable future.  We will use small single serving cups to limit the possibility of spreading disease during the Sacrament.  (We will be also be especially vigilant about Communion preparation.)
• The church’s doors and surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized before worship on Saturday night.
• We will have hand sanitizer much more available, and of course, wash your hands, with soap, frequently!
• For the time being, we will continue with our worship, classes, and growth groups, but be wise.  If you aren’t feeling well, if you’ve been around anyone sick, if you experience symptoms, or if you are particularly susceptible, you should stay home. 
  • Additionally, if we cancel services in future weeks, we will still BE the church during this time, just in different ways.  (We may move services online.)
  • We will communicate any changes via the website and an Enews-email.  Additionally, you can call the church office if you have any questions.

All of that said, there are also some opportunities for us to BE the church together.

• I’m particularly worried about those in our community who are helped by the ministry of Community Storehouse – if these kids don’t eat much when there IS school, what happens to them if schools are closed.
• I’m particularly worried about those in our community who will be hit by the financial ramification of what has transpired.
• I’m particularly worried about those who are being overcome by fear… despair… and loneliness.

For the past 2000 years, the Christian church shines the brightest during times of uncertainty and tragedy. 

• We have been a people who have extended help even to our own peril. 
• We have loved others, even when no one else did. 
• We have shared what we have, even when we didn’t have enough.

And in doing these things, we have been the hands and feet of Jesus to our hurting world. 

Maybe this is OUR chance to help, to show the love of Christ, to be a people of peace, and to bring our prayers before our powerful God.

What if we really did believe the mission of our church: To make and grow disciples who give their lives to make a difference in our world.  (Maybe that means more today than it did yesterday)

Stay Tuned,

Yours,

-Pastor Tim

P.S. If you or someone you know specifically needs help, please let us know so that we can see if we have the ability to do something about it!!

P.S.S. Also, it just so happens that this Sunday’s passage is: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” – Psalm 23 😊

Join us on Sunday, February 2nd, at 10am for a combined worship celebration. Then, after worship, we will have our Annual Congregational Meeting. As a church, we will look back at where we’ve been, we’ll look at where we are, and we’ll look ahead to where we’re going.

There will be no Sunday School, but childcare will be provided for the meeting.

Please join us!

This year, we will be celebrating Advent (And each Sunday of December) as a Church family @10:00am. Join us at 10, as we prepare our hearts and minds and souls for this season and as we look towards the Joy of Christmas.

Sunday School will follow worship around 11:00.

Join us on Sunday as we celebrate and worship together at 10:00.  Following the worship service, we’ll be receiving Officer Nominations from the 2019 Nominating Committee in a brief Congregational Meeting.  Then, we’ll enjoy lunch together!  (And remember, if you have the “Spiritual Gift of Making Pies”, please bring one to share!) 

Trinity partners with Upward Sports, the world’s largest Christian youth sports provider, to sponsor and host a season of Basketball and Cheerleading each winter. The mission of Upwards Sports is to promote the discovery of Jesus through sports and our program touches hundreds of kids in the North Tarrant County area.

Upward at Trinity is open to all boys and girls in grades K5 through 6th grade. Practices and games begin in early January and continue through early March.

Registration for the 2020 Season begins soon, on October 1. You can register online, or come to the church office to obtain a registration form.

The calendar for the upcoming season is:

Registration:
Online registration for Basketball and Cheerleading begins on October 1. Cost is $100 per child if registered by October 31, or $110 after October 31. Basketball shorts and Cheerleading mock turtlenecks are included at no additional cost.

Evaluations and Orientations:
Note: Your child must attend an evaluation for team placement.

• Kindergartners (K5) Boys & Girls – Monday, November 4, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
• 1st & 2nd Grade Boys & Girls – Tuesday, November 5, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
• 3rd & 4th Grade Boys and Girls – Thursday, November 7, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
• 5th & 6th Grade Boys – Saturday, November 9, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
• 5th & 6th Grade Girls – Saturday, November 9, 10:00 am – noon
• All Age Level Make-Up – Saturday, November 9, 8:00 am – noon
• Cheerleaders can come to any of the above evaluation times for placement and uniform fitting.

Program Schedule:

• First practices begin the week of January 6, 2020
• First games begin January 18, 2020
• Award Celebration – February 23, 2020

For more information, please feel free to contact John Monrad (Upward@trinitysouthlake.org).

Are you interested in membership?
Or want to learn more about us?

Join us for our New Member’s event on Sunday, September 15. Come prepared to meet new people and learn more about our church. We’ll meet in the Adult Sunday School classroom around 12:30. Lunch and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP your interest on a Connection card or email info@trinitysouthlake.org.

Our Wednesday Morning Women’s Study Group starts a new study on September 11th. Women of the Torah: Matriarchs and Heroes of Israel is part of Stephen J. Binz’s Ancient-Future Bible Study series.

Ancient-Future Bible Study incorporates contemporary study of the Bible with an experience of the church’s most ancient way of reading Scripture, lectio divina. This time-honored practice consists of five basic movements: biblical study (lectio), reflection (meditatio), prayer (oratio), discernment (contemplatio), and contemplative action (operatio). In six clearly written volumes, bestselling author Stephen Binz helps readers study the Bible in a way that leads to spiritual transformation and brings them closer to God.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Sue Mulvin for a book.

Our Women’s Bible Study Group meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30, beginning September 11th.

Fall 2019 Growth Groups run September 8 – November 23
Signups begin on August 18

Growth Group FAQs

What is a Growth Group?
Growth Groups are groups of 8 to 12 adults who meet once a week to fellowship, study God’s Word, and support one another through prayer. The groups also commit to serve together in the community at least once during the semester.

Why does our Church believe Growth Groups are so important?
Our mission behind Growth Groups is to help us grow in relationships with one another and with Christ. We find these small gatherings of people to be primary in our church mission of making and growing disciples who give their lives to make a difference in the world.

How long is the Fall semester?
Fall 2019 Growth Groups will begin meeting the week of September 8th and will meet for a total of 10-12 weeks. The semester will end the week of November 23rd.

Where and when do the Growth Groups meet?
The Growth Groups generally meet at members’ homes. The hosts’ addresses are provided at the sign-up table.  The Fall 2019 times and hosts are as follows:

How do I sign up?
Sign-ups are held for two-three weeks prior to the start up of the semester. The sheets are located in church lobby. Fall 2019 sign-ups begin Sunday, August 18.

What will the groups study?
Groups will be doing a sermon/scripture-based study. You will listen to the sermon on Sunday (or online during the week if you can’t make it to church) and discuss it and the scripture at your Growth Group meeting.

Will childcare be provided?
Some groups have childcare provided. See the description for each group for more information.

Please contact the church office for more information.