Dear Trinity, In the late 200s, a man became a bishop of a small town in Turkey through a very strange circumstance. The local bishop had died, and the priests decided to pray that the one to walk in through the church door next would be his successor: this is how Nicholas became Bishop (and later "St Nicholas"). The priests could have done a lot worse - for Nicholas was already renowned for being the "real deal." As a teenager, Nicholas' parents had died, leaving him a fortune which he slowly (and secretly) dispersed. Later, under the persecutions of Diocletian, he was imprisoned and tortured, but never recanted. He was famous for helping the poor, particularly one wealthy man who had lost everything in a shipwreck, and was being forced to sell his daughters into prostitution to cover his debts. (This story is considered not just legend, but true!) At night, Nicholas slipped small sacks of gold coins into the girls' shoes, which were kept outside the door. When the Father attempted to catch Nicholas in his act of stealthy charity, Nicholas threw the last bag of coins through the window - and they landed in one of the girls' stockings that were drying in front of the fire. (That part may not be true - but it makes for a good story, and has a lot to do with why we hang stockings in front of our fireplaces!) And despite the fact that I was taught that we give Christmas gifts because the wisemen gave gifts to Jesus, it is actually St Nicholas' love of gift-giving and the poor that determined this Christmas tradition - for his "Saints Day" is Dec 6th. And in this spirit of selfless giving, Trinity Church, we invite you to take part in a Food Drive and support of St Jude's Housing and its families this week. Last year you blew St Jude's away with your generosity to families in crisis, who don't have enough for food - let alone gifts. And this year, Leah Dillman will give us another opportunity to give (see below). So come with food pantry donations and consider giving to St Jude's. Finally, DON'T MISS OUR ADVENT LECTURE on Wednesday night, 7pm. This is #2 of our Church Calendar Public Lecture series, so please join us for Chris Green, professor of Public Theology at Southeastern University, followed by holiday drinks - all in Trinity Church. The Evensong girls will be hosting refreshments afterwards, please consider donating to their trip! You won't want to miss Chris Green, who has just released a book All Things Beautiful with meditations on art and theology, structured around the Church Calendar. Looking forward to hoping for what we ceased hoping for this Advent ... Julie
Support St. Jude's Landing This Christmas
Read Leah Dillman's full letter HERE
(or click the image below)
Kids & Families:
Saint Nicholas Play This Sunday
This Sunday we will be celebrating St. Nicholas day during the 9:15 am service! Children will be dismissed during the Gloria (about 9:25) and return at the Peace (around 10:05 am). We will go DOWNSTAIRS to the Fireside Room for a St. Nicholas play and activities. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come, especially if you have young children.
We are excited to collect food for Serve Wenatchee, who is unusually short on food for those in need. PLEASE bring non-perishable food items this Sunday.
Advent Blessings!
PS - If you would like to make a donation for your Advent Bag, please put it in the Offering Basket with a notation "Advent Bag."
Join the Trinity Christmas Choir
Practices begin this Sunday
This Sunday, we will start rehearsal at 8am sharp. If you have any questions, please call Julie Canlis 206.953.4128. We need men and women, boys and girls (junior high and up - able to read music).
Sunday 8am - Dec 5, 12, 19
Rehearsal - 12/23, 4-6pm (pizza included)
Christmas Eve - 12/24 two concerts:
7pm family concert
11pm candlelit concert
Key Info for Church this Advent
Our services are at 8am and 9:15am.
Live stream our 9:15am services HERE
Register for services HERE
Watch past services on YouTube
Listen to Sermon audio
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