As I write, hundreds of thousands of people are making preparations and taking shelter from the approaching hurricane, Dorian. This feels eerily familiar. We have certainly had more than our share of devastating hurricanes in the past few years. My prayers go out to everyone in the path of the storm, and I am sure that you join me in praying for safety and health for all. I give thanks to God for the meteorologists, media, and first responders who help us minimize the damage to life and property.
By Sunday, Rally Day, the storm will be well past us, and the forecast is for clear weather. I hope you will join us for a day of celebration as we begin a new year of ministry and mission together. The men’s group will serve a delicious pancake and bacon breakfast at 9:00 a.m. followed by a brief orientation before everyone heads off to new Sunday School classes. The new adult Disciple Bible Study is an 11-week study of the Gospel of John, which is a very interesting book. We will commission all our teachers, youth advocates, PK leaders, nursery volunteers during worship, and the full chancel choir will be back in the chancel with their first anthem of the season. At 5:30 we will have a cookout, weather permitting, followed by some energizers and orientation for youth group and PK parents. Thanks to all who volunteer their time, talent, and love in nurturing our children and youth and teaching them the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ. I know of no higher calling. That goes for the parents too!
We still need a few more volunteers for the Habitat for Humanity house. Our workdays are September 21, October 12, November 9, and December 7. There is also still time for you to join a small group in the church to deepen your faith and connection our congregation. Last week I forgot to mention our women’s book club that meets monthly. If you are interested, please let their leader, Fonda Page, know. They really have a great time together, and they read some good books too!
As I ponder what I am going to say in my sermon on Sunday, I keep bouncing back and forth between grace and love. The Christian life is built on these two foundations. God accepts and redeems us not by our good works but by grace, which is unconditional love. But just as important as the free gift of grace is what we do with this gift. I suppose we could sit at home watching television all the time, with our ticket to heaven in our back pocket feeling like we are home free. But anyone who has ever had a genuine experience of God’s grace knows that this is not really possible. That grace transforms us into grateful, humble, loving people who cannot help but express that gratitude by loving God in return, which means loving others as well. So, I guess I will be preaching on both. I hope you will be there to hear it. We all miss you when you are not. In the meantime, may God be with you and yours, and may we be a blessing to others every chance we get.
Upcoming Communion dates: October 6th and November 3rd
It can feel hard to make friends at certain stages of life. Happily, the church has groups which choose to meet on an ongoing basis, allowing friendliness to build into friendship. At each group, listed below, you are welcome to drop in and test the waters, no commitment!
Faith Circle: 2nd Tuesdays (9/10) at 9:30 am, church’s Parlor
Hope Circle: 2nd Wednesdays (9/11) at 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
The Men’s Group: 1st Sundays (10/6) at 8 am, Fellowship Hall
Each group is just starting up and would love to have you join them at their monthly meeting!
Are you interested in joining Trinity, or perhaps simply exploring membership? We invite you to join David Huffman beginning Sunday, September 22nd for a series of 3 Sunday afternoon classes in the church’s Parlor, from 3:00-4:15 pm. This informal class offers time for questions, and gives a good background to our faith and denominational structure. To participate, either speak with David or call the church office at 919-872-1142.
ACTS Fall Outings
Thursday, Oct. 3: Randleigh Dairy Museum & Dairy Farm
Highlight: A guided tour at 10a.m. ($11/person) - "The museum is a unique agritourism experience. It also honors the Kenan family, whose support helped create this educational destination at the NC State Dairy Farm. The Jersey cows are descended from William Rand Kenan’s original stock."
Thursday, Nov. 7: NC Museum of History
Highlight: The Toy Boom! exhibit at the NC Museum of History - "The artifacts in Toy Boom will be curated into unique environments, including TV westerns, space age, zany toys, creative toys, dolls, action figures and more."
A Brief Preview of Fall Classes and Rally Day Events
Children: A nursery will be provided during the 11:00 a.m. service for infants to Kindergarteners. Muriel Pepe is our nursery coordinator. Children K-5 will meet for Sunday School during the worship hour in Fellowship Hall, after the Children’s Time. Youth: Meeting at 9:30 a.m. in room 101 (couches!), this new Sunday School class will be a mini-youth group for middle and high schoolers, exploring topics which our youth are exposed to in everyday life. Extra-incentive: breakfast will be included! Adults: The Disciple Sunday School class for adults on the Gospel of John will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Everyone is welcome, whether you attended last year’s Disciple’s Class or not. This study will be taught by David Huffman and Shelley Clayton, our Faith Development elder. Childcare will be provided for younger children.
Sunday, September 8th is Rally Day!
Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. - Get ready for some flapjacks from our Men’s Group! Meet in the Fellowship Hall. Information Session at 9:15 a.m. – Following breakfast, Shelley Clayton will lead an introduction of the classes. After the introduction, everyone will be dismissed to their classes. Worship at 11:00 a.m. – We’ll celebrate the beginning of the church year together. And our Chancel Choir is back and ready to sing! Churchwide Picnic at 5:30p.m – Join us on the lawn (inside the Fellowship Hall in case of rain) for a fun picnic. Following supper, we’re asking all PK and youth parents to stay for an important meeting at 6:15 p.m. Our youth advocates will cover upcoming events, calendar items, and expectations. PK and Youth Group – The PK group and MS/HS youth groups will meet after supper for their first gathering of the year.
