From the Rector: A Sunday for Rejoicing
 This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, goes by several different nicknames, the fanciest of which is “Laetare Sunday." Laetare comes from the Latin word for joy and is heard in the traditional choral introit for the day that sings, Laetare Jerusalem (“O be joyful, Jerusalem”, from Isaiah 66:10). Jerusalem is invited to rejoice (as are we) because God is doing something amazing and it’s about to be revealed. Easter will be here soon!
In England, this Sunday is sometimes known as Mothering Sunday, which began as a day when people would return to visit their “mother” or home church, but more recently has been a day for children to honor their mothers. “Refreshment Sunday” is another nickname, and echoes the Third Sunday in Advent as a day of joy in the midst of a quieter, more meditative and penitential season. Both the Third Sunday of Advent and this Fourth Sunday in Lent are known as “Rose Sundays,” when rose-colored vestments may be worn and the altar flowers may be used. Again, all of this works as a foretaste of Easter to come.
Even though I’ve written elsewhere about the possible problems of equating Resurrection with Spring time (spring is natural and the normal course of things; Resurrection is a disruption of the natural process whereby God acts in an unpredictable, shocking way), I do love the way signs of new life poke up through the snow. My favorite of these is the Lenten Rose.
We may have had Lenten Roses, or hellebores, in the South when I was growing up, but I never really noticed them until I was attending General Seminary in New York City. There, within the enclosed Chelsea garden, the Lenten Rose would be the very first thing to bloom, always coming when we most needed it—when the snow had turned icy gray, the sun was still hiding behind clouds, and each day being filled with exams before spring break. Those blooms reminded us that examinations (like all tests or challenges) would come and go, seasons would change, but Easter would soon come to remind us of God’s eternal life and love given for us. Laetare Jerusalem, and Rejoice Holy Trinity because Easter is almost here! John Beddingfield
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Holy Gossip
(What's Going On Around Holy Trinity)
The 10 AM Adult Christian Education book discussion on Dethroning Mammon will take place on March 26 . . . Enormous thanks goes to Yvonne O'Neal and everyone who helped make last Sunday's events with women from around the Anglican Communion so fantastic . . . The New Amsterdam Singers of New York held a successful performance of "Northern Lights," last Friday and Sunday in our church . . . There were 13 people at Stations of the Cross on Friday... Attendance last Sunday: 21 at 8 AM, 102 at 11 AM, and 19 at 6 PM . . . Community Board 8 unanimously approved our application for the MayFair, with several people commenting, "Holy Trinity does all kinds of things for our neighborhood."... come to see the play Stevie (see the ad below).
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March 26, 2017 The Fourth Sunday in Lent: Laetare
(Laetare is the Latin word for "rejoice," taken from the introit traditionally sung on the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Laetare Sunday, Rose Sunday, or Refreshment Sunday remind us that the Lenten fast is almost over-- Easter is coming soon!)
8:00 AM Said Eucharist
10:00 AM Adult Christian Education: Continued discussion of the book, Dethroning Mammon
10:45 AM Sunday School for Children
11:00 AM Choral Eucharist
12:30 PM Newcomers' Brunch
6:00 PM Contemporary Eucharist
Monday-Thursday, March 27- March 30 2017
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
12:30 PM Senior Luncheon
6:30 PM The Vestry meets
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
5:30 PM Evening Prayer and Eucharist
Friday, March 31, 2017
6:00 Stations of the Cross
7:00 Triangle Theatre Acting class presents An Evening of Monologues and a Scene
Saturday, April 1, 2017
5:15 PM Neighborhood Supper
Sunday through Saturday, if volunteers are available: Shelter for the Homeless
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 Stations of the Cross
6:00 PM Fridays in Lent: Join us for Stations of the Cross. The devotion known as the Stations of the Cross, sometimes known as the Way of the Cross, comes from a custom observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death. Carrying hand candles, we make our way around the church, praying before each image and hearing the scripture that corresponds, and then we sing a verse of the ancient hymn Stabat Mater, as we move between stations. The devotion lasts about thirty minutes.
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In our prayers: These are the names of the people specifically named or added in last Sunday’s Prayers of the People: Frank; John; Rosemary; Nadine; Britt; York; Sonny; Justin; Katherine; Ia; Dale; Mary; Greg; Chris; Orpha; Vincent; Joel; Rosalie; Jessy; Kathy; Eileen; Stephen; Mary; Dawn; Victoria; Alix; Dudley; Cecile; Richard; David; Bea; Emma; Marc; Eleanora; Audrey; Cindy; Pat; Elaine; Timmy; Elfie; Maria T.; Cecil; John; May; Michael; Diane; Kathie; Alphia; Todd; and, Elaine. We especially remember our link parish St. Stephen with St. John, in the Diocese of London.
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Newcomers’ Brunch March 26 at Rectory
Whether you have been attending for a couple of years or this is your first visit, you are welcome to join us. We’ll meet in the back of the church around Noon and then walk to the rectory (which is at 332 East 88th Street, just east of the church). Evites were sent to those who have filled out visitor cards, but whether or not you receive an Evite, if you wish to attend, simply RSVP at 212-289-4100, extension 201 or send an email to mailbox@holytrinity-nyc.org. This will be a casual gathering, a chance to ask some basic questions, and to meet some new friends at Holy Trinity.
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Thanks to all those who helped us welcome guests last Sunday from around the Anglican Communion, especially those participating in meetings around the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
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(In)vestments
 You may have noticed the choir's new black vestments at the 11:00 AM service. Though they premiered on the first Sunday of Lent, they are not intended for penitential seasons only. It's actually what will be our standard uniform for the year. Our previous red vestments will now be for special occasions: Palm Sunday, Pentecost, and other "fiery" feast days.
Thanks to the generosity of so many of you in contributing to the Holy Trinity Friends of Music fund, the choir is able to offer beautifully sung versions of a wide variety of musical styles, from Medieval polyphony to the works of the present day. Not a week goes by that we don't hold thanks for such a gift! But in the case of the choir vestments, we owe special gratitude to Carol Haley (longtime member of the choir), who contributed specifically for those. Please thank her when you see her!
Cleve Kersh |
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Easter Flowers and Music
Memorial Gifts
On Easter Day our church will be festooned with lovely hydrangeas and lilies, and our music will be enhanced with brass instruments. We invite you to dedicate the flowers and music to the memory of your loved ones, or in thanksgiving for blessings (there are many!) Please use a yellow Easter Memorial Gift envelope. (They are on the information tables in the church.) Please include the names to be listed “In Memory of…” or “In Thanksgiving for,” and whether your contribution is to be used to support flowers, music, or both. The list will be included in the Easter bulletins. Please place your envelope in the Sunday collection or send it to the parish office. Thank you!
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MayFair is coming! MayFair is coming! Let’s Get Busy!
Our annual Street Fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2017 from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Many hands will make light of the work that makes this day as successful as it is fun! We are planning our biggest FUNdraiser of the year. Please call Erlinda Brent at 212-289-4100, ext. 201, or send her an email: ebrent@holytrinity-nyc.org, and say "I'll help!"
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MayFair Raffle!
The MayFair Raffle returns, and we need your help! This year we are hoping to set up a raffle table full of themed gift baskets and other special prizes. Do you have something you can donate or know someone who would be willing to help?
Basket item ideas include (but not limited to): children's toys and clothing, spa products, wine and spirits, home goods or speciality kitchen tools, speciality food products (non-perishable), coffee and tea, and men's or women's accessories.
We also welcome gift certificates to local businesses and tickets to local events.
If you have something you wish to donate, or would be willing to arrange a basket of cheer for the raffle, please contact Alexandra at alexandra.h.barker@gmail.com
  
New or unopened items only, please
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2017 Stewardship Campaign Continues!
Please consider prayerfully your financial commitment to our parish. We'll be reminded from the pulpit of our duty to show forth our thanks for God's blessings with our support of the Church of the Holy Trinity by sharing of our time, talents and treasure. You can make your Pledge, pledge payments and one-time gifts to the Church of the Holy Trinity on our website. Secure online giving is now available at our website: www.holytrinity-nyc.org. You can make ongoing Pledge payments on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis, by automatic withdrawals from your bank account, or by credit card. It's safe and secure, and the most cost-effective way to make pledge payments and donations. As of March 15: 92 pledges at $271,233
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 Safe Church Training at Holy Trinity
Using the Safeguarding Training Series published by the Church Pension Fund, the diocese offers Safe Church Training which teaches participants to recognize the signs of sexual abuse and the behavior of sexual perpetrators, how to respond to those signs and behaviors when they are observed, and provides screening information to help stop abuse before it happens. The classes will be from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Monday AND Tuesday, April 24 and 25. (Attendance at both sessions is required in order to be meet certification.) The cost is $20 at the door and registration is with Erlinda Brent in the parish office.
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HTNC currently has three core programs: Nightly Men’s Shelter (Men are referred to us from Grand Central Mainchance Drop-in Center); Saturday Neighborhood Supper; Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homebound, and other programs. To learn more or volunteer, please visit: www.htncnyc.org.
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Get Involved!
Would you like to be more a part of something? We'd love to have you!
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Do you have something you would like to include in an upcoming newsletter? Email your announcement to
info@holytrinity-nyc.org by Wednesday at noon.
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Did you miss last week's sermon? You can read it here, or listen to it here. |
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