Trinity United Church

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)

Here is the link for the Destination Bethlehem – the pageant for the December 1, 2024 worship service: https://youtu.be/WvjNQgAz4s0

Scripture for the week: Luke 1:68-79; Luke 3:1-6; Philippians 1:3-11; Malachi 3:1-4; 

Scripture to Ponder & Prayer

Second week of Advent

Theme: PEACE

Scriptures: Malachi 3:1–4; Philippians 1:3–11; Luke 3:1–6

Scriptures to Ponder: 

During this Advent season, as we await Christ’s coming, we long for peace in a world torn by conflict and suffering. It’s easy to be discouraged by the brokenness around us. Yet, this longing for peace reminds us of our need for the Prince of Peace to make all things new.

In Malachi 3:1-4, we are reminded that God’s peace is transformative, not just a quick fix. It requires facing brokenness and allowing God to refine us. In Luke 3:1-6, John the Baptist calls us to prepare the way for Christ, to turn away from division, and to make room for true peace in our hearts and in the world.

 Though the world is fractured by violence, injustice, and hatred, Advent reminds us that peace has already begun with the birth of Jesus. Christ came into our broken world to heal it, bringing a peace that transcends understanding—a peace that can begin in our hearts today.

 Let us meditate in prayer

 Lord of Peace,

We come before You with heavy hearts, burdened by the world’s brokenness and pain.
We long for Your peace to heal and restore what is torn.
In this Advent season, we ask You to refine and purify us, making us instruments of Your peace. 
Help us to remember that Your peace is not just a future hope but a present reality that can transform us.
Grant us courage to bring peace to our families, communities, and the world. 
May we be voices calling for justice and healing where peace is needed most.
We trust in Your promise that one day all will be made new. 
Until then, we wait with eager hearts for Your peace to fill our lives and the world.

Amen.

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)

December 1, 2024 – Joint service with  Good Shepherd Anglican (GSA) – Destination Bethlehem.
Please join us at 10:00 a.m. for coffee and muffins, worship is at 10:45 a.m. 

Scripture for the week: Luke 21:25-26; 1Thessalonians 3:9-11; Psalm 25:1-10; Jeremiah 33:14-16

We are grateful to Ruth and Arnold Graham and Edgar Rosales for cashiering this Sunday.

In our Prayers:
We pray for Priest Jennifer Sisson, Good Shepherd Anglican (GSA) and her family as her husband Bishop Geoff Woodcroft faces health issues. 
We pray for a speedy recovery for Sumi as she continues her recovery following chemo therapy.
We pray for Bernice Gregory as she recovers at home 
We pray for Bill Monro who is dealing with health issues.

DESTINATION BETHLEHEM – As we journey through Advent there are many ways for all to get involved.
Come and join us as we decorate the church for Christmas. Saturday, November 30th at 9:30 am. Coffee will be on.  
Sunday Dec. 1st, 10:00 a.m.  1st of Advent – Fellowship & Pageant 
December 8, 15 & 22nd – Advent Candle Lighters
See Sign up sheets in the Narthex, talk to one of the Worship Committee members or call the church office.

CHRISTMAS STARS CAMPAIGN
 Ends Sunday, December 22^nd

Purchase your Christmas Star in memory of a loved one or event, to honor someone or something special, or just because…
Karen Wall will be in the narthex before and after services from 
Sunday, November 17^th to Sunday, December 22^nd to assist you with the Stars information form and payment.
There is no set payment amount for a Christmas Star, give what you wish…   

*From the Ministry & Personnel  and Property Committees:  Our caretaker is occasionally unable to work a shift due to illness or other reason – this may occur up to about 5-6 times over the year.  Our committee members are the volunteers usually called upon to do the cleaning in Samantha’s absence.  Due to recent changes, we are finding it more difficult to find enough volunteers from within our committees to help clean.  We are therefore putting out a plea for volunteers from the congregation who would be willing to form a back-up “cleaning team”.  Appropriate training would be provided.  Feel free to approach Ed Tymofichuk or Sandi Fitzmaurice for more information.  We will have a sign-up sheet posted in the narthex. 

Congratulations to Lily Hemlow for recently winning the award, for the Top Female U16 Athlete in all of Manitoba!! And Lily is only 14, so if all goes well, hopefully she will repeat next year!! She was also nominated for the Top Female Athlete Overall for Manitoba, but lost out to another older Track Star that goes to the same High School. Better luck next year!!

Thank you to Stephanie Hemlow and Terry DeLong for presenting the first AED training on Monday November 25. There will be another session on Sunday, Dec. 1, shortly after our regular Service ends. This session is full but if you are interested, check with Terry on Sunday to see if there are any cancellations. 

Electronics Recycling – The electronics recycling is continuing, thanks to the kind volunteer time of Carl and Margaret Shaykewich. Please only put recycle items that fit into the blue recycling box. NO large items, such as appliances or tv’s. It is also helpful if you package batteries in a plastic baggie. Thank you.

Personal Care Home Services
We are pleased that Personal Care Home Services have resumed at the Waverley/Rosewood location and at St. Norbert Personal Care Home. The St. Norbert service is at 10:30 the first Wednesday of the month and the service at The Waverley/Rosewood is the second Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. We warmly invite our members to join us and contribute to the worship service. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there! Services resumed October 2. If you would like more information about this opportunity, please talk to Damber or to Terry DeLong. 

From Prairie to Pine Region: First Sunday of Advent; World Aids Day (December 1); International Day of person with Disabilities (December 3); National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6).  

Please hold in prayer the following communities of faith: Lutheran-United Church of Thompson,  Souris

We hold in prayer community members and families as we mourn Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe and all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Programs at Trinity:
Saturday, November 30 – Trinity Yoga on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. followed by fellowship coffee – adapted so all can join. 
Sunday December 1– Destination Bethlehem – 10:00 a.m. – Fellowship with coffee and refreshments followed by worship (pageant) at 10:45 a.m. 
Bible Study will resume in January. 
Wednesday – December 4-  SSCFF Yoga 10:30 a.m. (in person and on Zoom) 
Trinity Walkers – Call Maryann for a time and place you would like to walk. 

Opportunities to serve:
Needs at Trinity: There are many volunteer opportunities in the ministry at Trinity. If you are able to offer the gift of time to give please let us know. There are opportunities, to serve on committees, to help with one time special events, help serve at funeral lunches and fellowship coffee, to help with technology, read scripture, offer prayers, sing in the choir, to work at bombers games, help with Sunday School and Youth, etc. Please prayerfully consider these opportunities and be in touch with the office (204 269 1632 tuc@mymts.net) We are grateful for every gift given and appreciate all you do for Trinity. See sign up sheets in the narthex for scripture reading, prayers of the people, ushers and greeters. 

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)

Here is the link for the November 24, 2024 worship service: https://youtu.be/Pt6NEJIksnY

If you would like a copy of the sermon please call Damber or the office.

December 1, 2024 – Joint service with  Good Shepherd Anglican (GSA) – Destination Bethlehem – please join us at 10:00 a.m. for breakfast, worship is at 10:45 a.m. 

Scripture for the week: Luke 21:25-26; 1Thessalonians 3:9-11; Psalm 25:1-10; Jeremiah 33:14-16

Scripture to Ponder & Prayer

Week of Nov 25, 2024

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

 In Luke 21:25-36, Jesus’ apocalyptic warnings about persecution and the end times seem a surprising way to begin Advent. Why might this passage, filled with cosmic signs and judgment, be chosen for this season of anticipation? It challenges us to reflect on the paradoxes of the Christian faith—how Christ is both the humble infant in the manger and the powerful, glorious King who will return. How do we hold these two truths together? This tension between suffering and hope, destruction and redemption, invites us to embrace a “both/and” mindset rather than settling for “either/or.” How can we learn to navigate life’s contradictions with faith\/

Jesus calls us to stay alert and trust in His strength, but what does it mean to be truly prepared in a world of uncertainty? As we journey through Advent, how can we expand our vision to see God’s kingdom not just as something “coming” but also already present, unfolding in ways beyond our understanding?

Let us pray 

Lord, the Prince of Peace, as we enter this season of Advent, we are reminded of the paradoxes in Your kingdom—You are both the humble infant and the glorious King who will return. Help us hold these truths together in our hearts, embracing the tension between suffering and hope, destruction and redemption. Teach us to navigate life’s contradictions with faith, trusting in Your strength even in uncertainty. Open our eyes to Your kingdom, already present but still unfolding. Give us the courage to stay alert, prepared not by our own plans, but by Your wisdom and grace. May we see beyond our limited understanding and embrace Your expansive vision for the world. Amen.

Prairie to Pine town hall on connecting and community, part 2: Wednesday, 27 November- 7:00 PM (via Zoom)

Join us for part 2 of the conversation and planning on how we create community and connection in our Regional Council. We’re going to continue June’s conversation with a look at how we actually create and sustain these spaces. Come out with your ideas! Here is the Virtual Town Hall summary (part 1) held on June 25, 2024.
Zoom details: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/89249071098?pwd=TQqldCY79Y3LxF6eioV32fQltb0sq6.1  

Meeting ID: 892 4907 1098 Password: 370648         855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free 

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)

WORSHIP Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Trinity 10:45 a.m.

Big Question: Sunday November 24 from 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. in person and on Zoom. 

Scripture for the week: John 18:33-37; Revelation 4b-8; Psalm 132:1-2 (13-18); 2Samuel 23:1-7

We are grateful to Joann Sauve and Maryann Koop  for cashiering this Sunday.

Rev. Damber Khadka will be on vacation from November 12 to 23, 2024. 

In our Prayers:

We pray for Priest Jennifer Sisson, Good Shepherd Anglican (GSA) and her family as her husband Bishop Geoff Woodcroft faces health issues. 

We pray for a speedy recovery for Sumi as she completes chemo therapy.

We pray for Bernice Gregory as she recovers in her new home.  

We pray for Bill Monro who is dealing with health issues.

Just a reminder that AED/CPR Training Sessions will take place at Trinity on Monday, November 25 at 7pm and Sunday, December 1 shortly after the regular Sunday  Service ends. There is currently only one spot remaining and that is for the Monday night Session. If anyone wants that spot reserved, please contact Terry DeLong at terry_delong@hotmail.com  or call 204-254-3450. Each Session will be about an hour in length. You are welcome to bring your own drinks for either Session and a bag lunch for the Sunday Session if you wish. Each participant will be given 2 TimBits courtesy of Trinity. 

DESTINATION BETHLEHEM – As we journey through Advent there are many ways for all to get involved.

Come join us:

Saturday – Nov. 30th, 9:30 a.m.  Decorate the Sanctuary

Sunday   – Dec. 1st, 10:00 a.m.  1st of Advent – Pageant & Fellowship

Needed: Actors – small reading parts – usual characters – Mary, Joseph, Innkeeper, Wise Men, shepherds & sheep

Food – donations of muffins, fruit, cheese

December 1, 8, 15 & 22nd – Advent Candle Lighters
See Sign up sheets in the Narthex, talk to one of the Worship Committee members
or call the church office.

CHRISTMAS STARS CAMPAIGN

Starts Sunday, November 17^th

Ends Sunday, December 22^nd

Purchase your Christmas Star in memory of a loved one or event, to honor someone or something special, or just because…

Karen Wall will be in the narthex before and after services from 

Sunday, November 17^th to Sunday, December 22^nd to assist you with the Stars information form and payment.

There is no set payment amount for a Christmas Star, give what you wish…    

*NEW From the Outreach Committee: As in the past, the Outreach committee is making some suggestions for your Christmas  giving, both local and abroad.  We hope you find these ideas helpful at this time of the year.  Thanks for considering these ways of making Christmas a time of joy for others.

Mitten Tree – Trinity has a long standing tradition of providing hats and mittens for children in the local schools.  The tree will be up in the narthex from December 1  – 22.

Christmas hampers for families in the Dalhousie area – We ask that you contribute non-perishable food items for the hampers that Dalhousie school will be making for a family by December 8 to allow time for them to put the hampers together.  Suggested items are rice, lentils, beans, canned meats, canned fruit, pasta and sauces. Monetary donations are also welcome for the purchase of fresh produce. Donation boxes will be available in the narthex 

December 1-8
Velma’s House – Donations to Velma’s House were so well received last year that we are once again offering our support to the young women that use this resource. Velma’s House is under the parent organization of Ka Ni Kanichihk for women fleeing violence on Winnipeg Streets and requiring a temporary refuge. There is a need for new warm socks and underwear. There will be a box set up in the narthex from 

Dec 1-22
Gifts With Vision – the United Church catalogue is available online at giftswithvision.ca for those wishing to make a contribution to church projects both in Canada and abroad.

Electronics Recycling – The electronics recycling is continuing, thanks to the kind volunteer time of Carl and Margaret Shaykewich. Please only put recycle items that fit into the blue recycling box. NO large items, such as appliances or tv’s. It is also helpful if you package batteries in a plastic baggie. Thank you.

Personal Care Home Services
We are pleased that Personal Care Home Services have resumed at the Waverley/Rosewood location and at St. Norbert Personal Care Home. The St. Norbert service is at 10:30 the first Wednesday of the month and the service at The Waverley/Rosewood is the second Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. We warmly invite our members to join us and contribute to the worship service. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there! Services resumed October 2. If you would like more information about this opportunity, please talk to Damber or to Terry DeLong. 

From Prairie to Pine Region: Reign of Christ Sunday  
Please hold in prayer the following communities of faith: Pembina Parish (Morden, Darlington); Sandy Lake; Vermillion Bay

We hold in prayer community members and families as we mourn Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe and all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Programs at Trinity:
Saturday, November 23 – Trinity Yoga on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. followed by fellowship coffee – welcome back – adapted so all can join. 

Sunday November 24 – Big Question 9:15-!0:00 a.m; Worship !0:45 a.m.

Monday November 25 – 1:30 p.m. Bible Study 

Wednesday – November 27 –  SSCFF Yoga 10:30 a.m. (in person and on Zoom) 

Trinity Walkers – Call Maryann for a time and place you would like to walk. 

Opportunities to serve:

Needs at Trinity: There are many volunteer opportunities in the ministry at Trinity. If you are able to offer the gift of time to give please let us know. There are opportunities, to serve on committees, to help with one time special events, help serve at funeral lunches and fellowship coffee, to help with technology, read scripture, offer prayers, sing in the choir, to work at bombers games, help with Sunday School and Youth, etc. Please prayerfully consider these opportunities and be in touch with the office (204 269 1632  tuc@mymts.net) We are grateful for every gift given and appreciate all you do for Trinity. See sign up sheets in the narthex for scripture reading, prayers of the people, ushers and greeters.