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Trinity Tidings Trinity Tidings Trinity Tidings TTTRINITYRINITYRINITY PPPRESBYTERIANRESBYTERIANRESBYTERIAN CCCHURCHHURCHHURCH DDDECEMBERECEMBERECEMBER, 2016, 2016, 2016

Look What Has Come

In his 1942 devotional Abundant Living, E. Stanley Jones, Methodist physician and missionary to India, wrote: “The early Christians did not say in dismay: “Look what the world has come to,” but in delight, “Look what has come to the world.” They saw not merely the ruin, but the Resource for the reconstruction of that ruin. They saw not merely that sin did abound, but that grace did much more abound. On that assurance, the pivot of history swung from blank despair, loss of moral nerve, and fatalism, to faith and confidence that at last sin had met its match.” That assurance, that transforming hope, that pivot, is of course Jesus coming into the world. Because his birth and its significance for us, for our world, for history itself, exceeds our grasp, perhaps it is best related in the story of a young man couple turned away from the inn, and who had a baby in a stable, surrounded by gentle sheep and cattle. The story is beloved in its simplicity, in the gentle images, in its familiarity to us. But let us not forget that the baby in the manger held the power of the universe, the power that created the galaxies and set the stars and planets in their places. The story taps the imagination of children and adults alike, it transports us to the point in time when God came among us; it brings the moment into our presence and once again we find ourselves with tears in our eyes and a lump in our throats. We can hardly speak the words, God with us, as the flow of history and the hopes of our world envelope us. Loved ones past and present abide with us and our own lives swell to the music and the light and power of these moments and memories, and prophetic words, “God with us.” Clothed in the familiar Christmas story in Luke 2, Joseph and Mary, manger, shepherds, angels, in the familiar form of a baby, a form acceptable, gentle, welcome… a baby…Jesus comes to us again, comes to us new, comes to us now, as he comes every Christmas…God once again reaching out to us. Look what has come to the world…. May grace and hope abound in your heart again this year! Merry Christmas!

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Dear Friends, Than you so much for the Prayers that were lifted for my nephews’ wife Debbie Dungan and my grand-daughter Monique’s mother Diane Queen. Both of them passed away in November from their battles with cancer. I know their families were comforted and appreciated your prayers. Thanks again for remembering Debbie and Diane in your prayers. Love, Gerry Smith.

HELPING HANDS MINISTRY: If you could use a

hand with a project around your home or you're able to lend a hand, please contact Dave Blodgett at 438-2928

or 341-3937

Join us at Loaves and Fishes Soup

Kitchen Sunday, December 6, 2016 at

4:00 p.m. to help serve dinner! We

need you!

Dear Trinity Session and Legacy Committee, During this season our church has so much to be thankful for. It has been since 2009 that Pace Presbyterian has had a minister. Without the help that you extended our church, we would not be enjoying the pleasure of having Janice Fraser residing in our pulpit. We, the congregation and the Session, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity. Thank you, Pace Presbyterian Session

SAVE THE DATE The Youth will have a Soup Sale on January 22 after church in the narthex. Proceeds will help offset the cost of the Rummage Sale! See you there!

Your thoughtfulness means a lot to us—more than we can say—and our warm appreciation comes with this thank you note today. The Marty Family

ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDY, November 20-December 18, 8:45AM in Room 10.

Please Join us for a combined class led by teachers from Serendipity, Sojourners, Home-

builders, and the 50’s -60’s-70’s Classes.

The 5-week study, SENT, by Jorge Acevedo and four young Methodist ministers uses DVD

presentations, 12-15 minutes each, by one of the pastors telling the story of a poign-ant Christmas experience (a breakfast at Waffle House with his children; Ms. Ruby a de-

velopmentally disabled woman helping at a homeless shelter on Christmas Eve; an unex-pected C-section delivery of a premature baby; a Christmas tree skirt; a Google search of

the odds of you being born in a certain place at a certain time?) The ministers then dis-cuss each’s story and consider what it means in our own lives that Jesus was sent 1) to

reconcile, 2) to set us free, 3) to be God with us, 4) to bring new life, and 5) to change

everything. How are we each called and sent in our unique ways to do the same for oth-ers? What Christmas stories do we each have to share and what about that story(-ies) informs us, empowers us?

To enhance your class experience, order Jorge Acevedo’s book SENT: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas ($10.04) and/or the daily devotional SENT: Devotions for the Season (6.69) from Amazon or Cokesbury.com. Each is

available in eBook format as well.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENTS The Stewardship Team, on behalf of the Session, would like to thank you for your generous pledges of time, talent and treasure. If you haven’t turned in your pledge card or time and talent sheet, it is not too late. Please join us in the great work that God is doing through the ministries of the Trinity Presbyterian Church, and in so doing, take hold of the life that really is life.

What Do You Think About RightNowMedia? The annual

subscription to RightNowMedia expires at the end of the year. The Library Board and Christian Education Team are interested

in your opinion about RightNowMedia. Would you send an email to Steve Takeuchi at srtake@bellsouth.net or give him a

call at (850) 994-8013 (home) or (904) 588-2820 (cell) and

voice your opinion. Thank you.

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PRAYER CONCERNS TRINITY MEMBERS Betty Burrows Gordon Couch Eileen Crabtree James & Ann Dees Dilver Fellers Dan Forster Jeanne Franz Melanie Hinton Haupt Kenny Heffner Barbara Landsgaard Elaine Longuet Lucy Maver Donna Moates Gary Moore Vic and Barbara Sapio Marge Shimmin Ann Vick Annette Wells TRINITY FRIENDS & FAMILY Mr. and Mrs. Bob Adamson (friend of M. R. Dobie) Mike Barrington (friend of Joe Black) Gretchen Barron (daughter of Jon & Karen Nagel) Clare Benson (request of Jan Beck) Becky Bradley (request of Ann Forster) Bill Briggs (request of Joe & Mary Black) Ake Burman (request of Carl Williams) Mike & Janet Butler (request of Annette Wells) Bambi Carter (request of Martha Hauck) Cathy Case and Family (request of Mary Ruth Dobie) Jerry & Cheryl Cozart (request of Sally Zorn) John Connell (friend of Rita Hawthorne) Melissa Crawford (request of Jill Clark) Mary Beth Culp (request of Mary Ruth Dobie) Alice Cushon (request of Marge Shimmin) Michele Dana (friend of Laura Lawrence) Joey Davidson (son of Patty & Gary Davidson) Dr. Art deLameren (request of Patty Davidson) Kary Dixon (request of Ed Kidd) Jim Dobie &Family (family of Mary Ruth Dobie) Clayton Dodd (friend of Jim Green) Rob Duke and Family (brother of Patty Hightower) Judy English (friend of Sandra Buck) Ginny Endicott (sister of Sherrie Davidson) Vince Fisher (friend of Laura Lawrence) Todd Frank & Family (request of Mary Ruth Dobie) Pete Franklin (regular attender) Marianne Fortuna (request of Jonathan Fortuna) Lynn Fulton (request of Sue Coleman) Jean Gannon (mother of Lori Prettyman) Tuula Goulet (request of Jean Norman) Annie and Alice Gnojek (nieces of Sherrie Davidson) Marianne Grant (request of Sandra Holman)

Bret Groves (nephew of Jack Groves) Sherry Hagburg (request of Peggy Watson) Janis Hand (request of Donna Moates) John Harris (Former member, request of Frank & Sylvia Beall) Steve Henderson (request of Karen Nagel) Tom Hereford (request of Jill Clark) Greg Hess (son of Joan Bost) Barbara Isiminger (request of Mary Green) Frank & Norma Johnson (former members) The Rev. Dr. Jay Kanerva (son of Stephanie Vockell) Steve Landsgaard (son of Barbara Landsgaard) Ron Lansley (request of Ed Kidd) Charlie “Chip” Lea (request of Jan Beck) Gina Ledford (friend of Joanne & Noel Faddis) John Lewis (friend of Margie Sanders) Beverly Little (request of Annette Wells) Jerry Lolli (father of Ginnette Lolli) Dennis Lunsford (request of Jill Clark) Dr. Ron Maddux (brother of Karen Nagel) Greg Majewski deployed in Kuwait (son in law of James & Ann Dees) Mari Marcanio (request of Annette Wells) Rev. Rebekah Maul (former Associate Pastor of Trinity) Carl McNair (brother of Betty Petree) Bonnie Nock (friend of Kelly Slorahn) Greg & Linda Ozmar (request of Martha Hauck) Christopher Phillips (friend of Leah Harrison) Micah Picker (brother of Marte Picker) Crista Pozier (request of Carol Brogdon) David & Cheryl Robatzen (request of Jean Norman) Mrs. Jeannie Robinson (request of Marge Shimmin) Marilyn Rogers (friend of Freddie Prettyman) Brian Sakey (friend of Beverly Patteson) Roger Satterfield (request of Carl Williams) Andrew Scarborough (son of Melanie Hinton Haupt) Taylor Shaw (grandson of Pat Drlicka) Bob Snowden (request of Dale Zorn) Barbara Street (friend of Jennifer Holman) Donna Stumpe (request of Bert Stumpe) Logan Tan (request of Rita Hawthorne) Norma Teusink (friend of Kelly Slorahn) Mary Lou Thayer (former Trinity employee) Jonathan Treesh (grandson of Janet Behrens) Lovina Turner (mother of Gail Childs) Dianne Ward (request of Karen Nagel) The Weaver Family (request of Nancy Huggins) Brenda Webb (request of Patty & Gary Davidson) Branson White (grandson of Ruth White) Steve Wiedenbeck (US Army deployed brother of Wendy Davies) Katie Willenborg (family of Melanie & Peter Haupt) Carol Wood (sister of Pat Drlicka) Justin Taylor Wright (request of Ruth White) Paul Young (father of Marilyn Shugart)

Please stop by to say a prayer and sign cards in the Prayer Room from Monday 3:00 pm to Thursday 9:00 am.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps reserve

which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to

buy gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 and has

collected over five hundred million toys for disadvantaged children.

Trinity Service Team has partnered with the local U.S. Marine Corps

for the 2016 Christmas season and will be collecting new, unwrapped

toys through December 11. Please place your toys in the collection

boxes located in the narthex. Gifts are requested for infants through

teen years.

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Happy December Birthdays

December Birthdays 1 Freddie Prettyman 2 Susan Clark 2 Mallory Lawrence 3 Aline Nicholson 4 Ted Nickinson 5 Eileen Crabtree 6 Donna Moates 6 Gail Childs 6 Mary Miller 6 Maren Fox 7 Diane Snyder 9 Craig McFarren 10 Marianne Palmer 10 Debbie Ritchie 12 Beverly Patteson 14 Amy Alumbaugh 14 Jennifer McFarren 15 Joanne Faddis 16 Pat Patterson 17 Melinda Beckett 19 Jake Renfroe 19 Thomas Prettyman 20 Dawn John 20 Melanie Haupt 22 Bishop Kelley 22 Mandy Stevens 23 Sue Coleman 23 Cam Massengill 24 Angie Shehee 24 Natilee Martensen 27 Jean Wiedenbeck 29 Nancy Zamlynski 29 Dot Young 30 Sydney Ryon 30 Phillips Nickinson

From Your Fellowship Team

Join us for Wednesday Night

Suppers! 5:30 each week! All

are invited. Please make

your reservations by MONDAY

AT NOON! Thanks!

ART in the LIBRARY - Aline Nicholson returns to the Library to bless us all with the beauty of her creations and her philosophies! You frequently see her smiling face at the front door, welcoming us to Trinity on Sunday mornings.

Painting on Loan to Trinity Presbyterian Church Library David and I have lived in Pensacola since the 70’s, and reared our sons here.

Since then, I have been a member of Trinity involved in Congregational Care (through the Stephen Ministry, Christ Care, and Small Groups), Christian Education, Presbyte-rian Women, and being on the session.

Painting has been my hobby since childhood. Sometimes paintings are done just for fun, experimenting with new techniques, or celebrating life through sharing God’s gifts given to all of us. As our church family has shared one another’s burdens these past few years, some paintings have taken deeper meanings. “The Unknown Lies Ahead” is one of those. The journey through the Norwegian fjords was one unbeliev-able scene of beauty following another. But the mist around the bend concealed what may be ahead; such is the way of life.

“The Unknown Lies Ahead” “Apprehension/Anticipation: Life in the Wilderness” arose from concerns for

church members, and remembering God is in the wilderness too. As he walks with us through the wilderness experiences, he gives unexpected blessings. What will they be?

“Apprehension/Anticipation: Life in the Wilderness” Thank you for the opportunity to share the gifts God has given to me with

you. May these painting inspire you to share the gifts he has given to you, and that our gratitude to God may bless others. Aline Nicholson

LARGE PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS

needed for the clothing department dur-ing the Rummage Sale. Please bring

your large used bags from the dept. stores to the box near the TLC Office.

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Trinity Presbyterian Women's 2017 Winter Retreat

Registration Opens Soon!

Oh my, Christmas will be here soon! Throughout our nation, Christmas is an-

ticipated in Christian churches and homes, to celebrate the joyous birth of Jesus.

However, along with spiritual songs of comfort and joy, December also brings an

exhausting flurry of activity in our lives, complete with parties, gatherings, and

gift shopping in packed malls. As much as we cherish the Christmas sea-

son, afterwards, most of us are ready for some real moments of heavenly peace.

Now, consider this:

What better way to celebrate the gift of our own lives, by planning ahead for a

restful weekend retreat at beautiful Pensacola Beach? The 2017 retreat is slated for the week-

end of January 27-29th at Holiday Inn Resort. Our theme this year is "Holy Places, Holy Time--

Finding God in the Everyday," led by the Reverend Sara Holben, our former pastor.

Since our theme relates to "...Finding God in the Everyday," we included a Lighthouse

photo to symbolize our search, as noted in Psalm 43:3: "Send out your light and your truth,

and let them lead me..."

Registration for the retreat opens in December at the Presbyterian Women's Christmas

Luncheon. This year, another registration option is now available. Just go online to Facebook,

and type in the search line: 2017 Trinity Prebyterian Women's Retreat. When the website ap-

pears, join the group, then just scroll down, and click on the link to online registration to com-

plete your form online. We are most grateful to Leah McCreary for sharing her high-tech skills

in creating this site for us.

There are three ways to pay your $65 registration fee: First, your check may be mailed to

Leah McCreary at 2101 N. 20th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32503; or you may pay your fee on

Sundays for the next six weeks at the registration table in the narthex; or lastly, you may give

your check to Wendy Davies at the church office. The $65 fee covers lunch and dinner on Sat-

urday. Breakfast is not included.

Holiday Inn Resort has offered us special retreat rates of $89 per night for inland rooms, or

$99 per night for beachside rooms. Hotel reservations may be made by calling 1-855-373-

7271; ask for group rates for Trinity Presbyterian Church, Group Code TRI.

Please watch your Sunday bulletins and Tidings for updates. We hope you will make plans

to attend this wonderful weekend of spiritual renewal. Beverly Patteson is serving as retreat

chairman, assisted by Leah McCreary co-chairman, and a committee of able volunteers.

Scholarships for registration fees are available. To inquire about a scholarship, please con-

tact your Circle leader, or a member of our Retreat Committee.

"Send out your light and

your truth, and let them

lead me..." Psalm 43:3.

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Presbyterian Women's Christmas Luncheon

A festive gathering is in store to welcome the Christmas season at Trinity.

On December 6th at 10:30 a.m., Trinity Presbyterian Women will host their annual Christmas

luncheon, and you are cordially invited to attend. The event will include an entertaining sea-

sonal program in the sanctuary featuring area talent. Guest vocalist Ellen Vinson, will share

her lovely voice with a blend of moving music sure to delight our guests. Then stepping back

in time, actress Kay Yarbrough will offer a soulful glimpse of Christmas past in a "A Colonial

Christmas Diary." More information about our guest performers is printed below this article.

After the program, guests will gather in the activities center for our luncheon, catered by Four

Seasons Catering. Luncheon tickets are $15, and will go on sale Sunday November 6th, in the narthex, before

and after worship services.

Since this is a catered luncheon, tickets will not be sold at the door. During November, tickets will be avail-

able on Sundays in the narthex, and on Wednesday evenings in the activities center at Wednesday night sup-

pers. To order tickets sent to you, please call Freddie Prettyman at (850) 324-2917, or Sue Davis at (850)

572-0508. Sandy White is serving as luncheon chairman, and she has gathered a group of able volunteers to

help make this event a reality. We encourage you to come to this special gathering, and share the joy of the

sacred season. Better yet, we hope you will come, and invite friends

More about our guest performers:

ELLEN VINSON: Ellen has been a music lover most of her life. She started college as a music ma-

jor, but graduated with a degree in elementary education, as noted in a recent article. Her major served her

well, since after college, she devoted over 30 years enriching young lives as an elementary school teacher

in Northwest Florida.

Now retired, Ellen enjoys performing at events to benefit nonprofit groups, including the Pensacola Sym-

phony Guild, Independence for the Blind and the Pensacola Museum of Art, among others. Her favorite genre

is Jazz, yet she enjoys music in a rich variety of forms. She attends First Baptist Church of Pensacola, and is a

member of their church choir. She calls Pensacola home and enjoys volunteer work, travel and spending time

with her family.

KAY YARBROUGH: Kay will present "A Colonial Christmas Diary" at our Christmas luncheon. She gradu-

ated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre. Kay is a familiar face to lo-

cal actors and theater goers, in her current position as Operations Director at the Pensacola Little Theatre. Kay

is a member of several lineage societies, including Colonial Dames XVII Century, Daughters of the American

Colonists and Jamestowne Society, She currently serves as Florida State second Vice Regent of the National

Society of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Legacy Fund We are continuing to highlight the difference that the Legacy fund and Trinity have made locally, nationally and internationally. Two months ago, you may remember that we looked at a Legacy grant to replace and upgrade the lighting in the gym. This month we would like to discuss the Legacy Grant Applications to supplement the “Stop Hunger Now” program. In 2014, 70 Trinity members of all ages participated in the Stop Hunger Now initiative by packing 15,400 meals that were shipped to Liberia. Reserve funds from the Youth budget were used, packing took less than an hour and only half the gym was needed. With the success and efficiency of this event, it was suggested that Trinity set a goal to pack 50,000 meals in 2015 with a concert targeting youth one week before packing to promote, enlist help and raise funds for the packing budget. As a result, a Legacy application from the Youth Team was approved by the Session in August of 2015 to help fund 50,000 meals and a concert by Jenny Simmons to promote the Stop Hunger Now campaign. The Jenny Simmons concert was held on October 10, 2015 in the Sanctuary and was well attended by the congregation and the community. The meal packing event was held on October 18, 2015 and the goal of packing 50,000 meals was met. Pre-schoolers to senior citizens worked side by side to attain the goal, as a spirit filled congregation that is the workmanship of God. With such a tremendous re-sponse for the past two years, the Youth Team requested a Legacy grant for this year’s Stop Hunger event. A goal has been established of 30,000 meals and another spirit filled packing event was held on October 23, 2016. Due to your generous support by giving your change each month, supporting the Christmas door decorating competi-tion and other contributions to the Stop Hunger events, only part of the requested Legacy funds were needed for the past two events. Please watch for this column in the months ahead to learn more about the difference the Legacy Fund is making. If you have suggestions for future initiatives funded by the Legacy Fund, please talk to a member of the staff, session or legacy committee. Please remember that Legacy Funds are dedicated to projects outside the nor-mal Church budget. To learn more about legacy fund priorities go to our webpage at trinitypcola.org/money mat-ters. Legacy Committee: Jan Beck, Jean Norman, Steve Takeuchi, Bob Palmer, Giles Yokel and Leah McCreary. Ex Officio members are Hugh Hamilton, Ruth White and Sharon Robbins.

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MONTREAT 2017 Worship and Music Conference Week II Early Bird registration

is from November 15 through January 5. Our house is already reserved for June

25-30, 2017. The theme this year is THEN SINGS MY SOUL. Rejoice in the beauty

of Montreat, surrounded by worship, music, spiritual challenge, relaxation, and

fun. Please call Ginger Caro if you have questions-

516.9139 Visit www.presbymusic.org/montreat for the latest conference infor-

mation. Or call 888.728.7228, ext. 5288. Be sure to register for Week 2. Cost is

$368 from Nov. 15 - Jan. 5, $398 from Jan. 6 - Apr. 15, $448 Apr. 16 – May 31 and

$498 after June 1.

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Calling All Doors Decorating Contest Please Join Us in this Church Wide Contest Christmas/Advent Door Decorations

Creations by any group occupying a door. This includes ALL: TLC classes, TLC Ad-ministration, Robert & Facilities, Sunday School Classes, Small Group Studies, Church Administration, Men’s Group, Jim & Jim, Kitchen Crew, Parlor Team, Library, Choir, Worship Team, Sewing Team, Presbyterian Women, and if you need a door we will find an extra door. Please join in. Not only will we enjoy the church unity but we will help raise money for next year’s Stop Hunger Now Campaign. Each door will receive votes through donations. More information will follow on voting procedure. The door receiving the most donations will be crowned the victory group. Displays should be ready by November 27th for voting to begin. Voting will end on January 1st Winners will be announced on January 11th. Remove no later than January 8th. Rules: No Duct Tape No Nails No Permanent Changes to Door or Door Frame Have Fun! Be Creative! A Point of Contact is needed for each decorated door. Please contact: Leah Harrison, Leharrison2@gmail.com Ryan Obray, RyanO.5@hotmail.com

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December 1, 2016 Please visit us at www.trinitypcola.org Senior Pastor The Rev. Dr. Hugh Hamilton hughhamilton@trinitypcola.org Music Director Wayne Millet waynemillet@trinitypcola.org Organist Margie Sanders margielovesnotes@gmail.com Administrator/Controller Sharon Robbins sharonrobbins@trinitypcola.org Trinity Learning Center (850) 435-7829 Anna Kay Shirah, Director anna@trinitypcola.org Administrative Assistant Wendy Davies wendydavies@trinitypcola.org

Trinity Presbyterian Church 3400 Bayou Boulevard Pensacola, FL 32503 (850) 432-3505 www.trinitypcola.org FAX (850) 434-1172