Trinity Reformed United Church of CHRIST

Non-Profit

Organization

U. S. Postage PAID

Conover, NC 28613

Permit Number 15

Rev. Peggy J. Stout, Pastor

Rev. Jaha Seechang, Lahu Worship Leader

Mr. Mark Dickerson, Director of Christian Ed

Mrs. Cathy Higgins, Dir. Children’s School

Mr. Steve Thomas, Financial Secretary

Mrs. Tamara McCarter, Church Secretary

Ms. Alyssa Lowe, Dir. of Traditional Choirs

Mr. Marty Light, Organist

Ms. Sonya Starnes, Nursery Supervisor

Mrs. Stacy Helton, Housekeeper

Mr. Rick Helton, Custodian

Prepared Especially For:

TRINITY REFORMED UNITED

CHURCH OF CHRIST

217 Second Avenue NE

Conover, NC 28613

Phone: 828.464.8226

Fax: 828.464.1622 SEPTEMBER 2017

WEEKLY SUNDAY WORSHIP

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30am

Offers educational experiences for all ages.

THE TRADITIONAL

SERVICE 10:30 am

Traditional choir Liturgical worship Monthly Communion

LAHU NATIVE LANGUAGE SERVICE

10:30am

”FAITH ALIVE!” Alternative Worship

5:00 pm Music by a full band Informal Service For those who miss

Traditional Worship

CHECK OUT our website:

www.trinitytoday.org

Here you can find bulletins for Sunday, Newsletters,

Calendars, Weekly Schedules, Upcoming

Events & more...

Today I want to share some devotional thoughts I gleaned from a pastor, Steve May, of Nashville, Tennessee. It spoke to me, and I hope you, too, find it meaningful.

Carl Sandburg said, “There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.” Carl Sandburg may not have known it, but he was describing the Christian life. It’s our dual nature—as the Apostle Paul talked about in Romans 7:22-23—“I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another law at work in me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.” Every day you and I must choose: will we live according to our new nature in Christ or to our old nature and way of doing things? Will we soar with the eagles or wallow in the mud with the hippopotamus? Our decision every day-every moment of the day to follow Christ (our new nature under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) or to fol-low our sinful nature is our choice, and it will affect how we think, speak, and act toward others. Remember, God is calling you and me upward! Let’s soar with the eagles!

On another note, I want to ask you to please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Sundays, September 17 & 24—5:00 pm—FAITH ALIVE! PRAISE BAND and MARRIAGE SEMINAR led by Dr. Todd Byrd of Cor-nerstone Counseling Center in Hickory. 5:00-Music, 5:25 to 6:15 Marriage Seminar, 6:20-Snack supper

Sunday, September 24—10:30 am – VOLUNTEER APPRECIA-TION DAY—the Board of Stewardship will be recognizing all of our volunteer workers (kids, youth, and adults). We will also have a catered meal in honor and appreciation of all of our volunteers immediately following the worship that day.

Sunday, October 8 – 10:30 am —HOMECOMING and DEDICA-TION of the STAINED GLASS WINDOWS—plus a covered dish luncheon following the worship service. We hope to have some special guests with us that day, and I hope you’ll plan to bring some food—meat, vegetables, salad, or desserts, etc. (Paper products, tea, and lemonade will be provided.)

Just so you’ll know-- I will be away on vacation September 4-11.

Rev. Sandi Hood, Director of Volunteer Services at Catawba Hos-

pice, will speak in my place on Sunday, September 10 at the 10:30

am service. If there is an emergency, please contact our elders of

PASTORS CHATTER:

Office Hours: Monday—Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm

Email: trinityucc@trucc.net Web: www.trinitytoday.org

$5.00

SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 7

WORSHIP IN SEPTEMBER: SEPTEMBER 3—13TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST AND COMMUNION 10:30 am Sermon: “Let’s Learn to Live Together” Liturgist: Ted Setzer Lay Reader: Kathy Winters Old Testament Reading: Psalm 113 New Testament Reading: Romans 12:9-21 NO FAITH ALIVE! at 5:00 PM

SEPTEMBER 10—14TH SUNDAYAFTER PENTECOST Children’s Sermon: Mark Dickerson 10:30 am Sermon: “Do you know what time is is?” With special guest, Rev. Sandi Hood Liturgist: Jerry Mallonee Lay Reader: Greg Reitzel New Testament Reading: Romans 13:8-14 Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:15-20 4:30 pm--“Back to School Bash”

SEPTEMBER 17—15TH SUNDAY AFTER

PENTECOST Children’s Sermon: Jessica Spain 10:30 am Sermon: “Mercy Triumphs Judgment” Liturgist: Jessica Spain Lay Reader: Jennifer Lingle Old Testament Reading: Psalm 145:3--14 New Testament Reading: James 2:1-13 Faith Alive!-5:00 pm—Special Music & Marriage Seminar led by Dr. Todd Byrd

SEPTEMBER 24—16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—Ministry of Intercessory Prayer Volunteer Appreciation Day & Catered Luncheon 10:30 am Sermon: “Gratitude for God and Others” Liturgist: Pat Bowers Lay Reader: Naomi Smith Old Testament Reading: Psalm 105:1-5 New Testament Reading: Philippians 1:3-11 Faith Alive! -5:00 PM— Praise Band and Marriage Seminar led by Dr. Todd Byrd

Recuperating at Home—Margaret Lane, Gloria Hill, Enang Saesee, Alma Barringer, Louise Schell, Mike Kilby, Peggy Miller, Bobbie Whisenant

Homebound—Paul & Lula Towery, Mary Tuttle Abernethy Laurels—Grace Gundlach, Joan Williamson, Peggy Hollis, Marilyn Mills Conover Nursing—Helen Ellis Trinity Ridge—Odessa Whitmire Also, please remember: Lawrence & Pat Warf Caroline Bryan Bruce Rockett *Naomi Trado Darlene Whittaker Bill & Marion Graham *Billy Loftin

REMEMBER IN PRAYER (& with your cards, calls, visits):

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS: the month: Dennis Falder or Hamp Shuford—or call Pat Bowers or Deb Hill.

I look forward to our upcoming fall, 2017 and I can assure you that our staff and our committee boards have some great things planned. Hope to see you in worship and invite a friend—they may be just waiting on an invitation!

Humbly in His Service,

Rev. Peggy

*With Special Guest, Todd Byrd! Todd is a counselor, minister, and writer. After serving in church staff positions and as a pastor and chaplain, Todd pursued a new path in life as a professional counselor. His work as a counselor is focused on helping older adolescents and men deal with life’s struggles and difficulties with a particular emphasis on the unique challenges faced by men. Todd provides individual, marital, and family counseling, counseling for relationship concerns, men’s issues, adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety, spirituality, communication, intimacy, attachment, and self-esteem difficulties.

Todd is the founder of ReBuilding Bridges, a ministry affiliated with Cornerstone, which seeks to help those whose lives have been damaged by sexual addiction to make healthy connections with God, with others, and with themselves. As a writer, Todd seeks to integrate the concept of recovery with the Christian principle of redemption. The great joy of Todd’s life is being Deb’s husband and parent of their six children in their blended family.*

September 17 & 24—5:00pm

FROM The Southern Conference UCC:

All are invited to a Celebration honoring the Rev. C.L. “Curly” Stumb and the impact of his 30 years of ministry by the waters of the Johns River. Event is planned for Saturday, September 23—11am-4pm at Johns River Valley Camp in Collettsville.

The Celebration will begin with a BBQ lunch catered by the Collettsville Ruritan Club (vegetarian meals will also be available).

Registration fees: $22/adults, $15/students (6th grade-college), $10/students (K-5th grade), $0/preschool.

Please visit www.jrvc.org for more information.

7th Annual Retired UCC Servants Retreat

Coming... October 2-4 at the Blowing Rock

Conference Center.

If interested in more

information, please contact Tamara at the Church Office.

*The purpose of this program is to help couples rediscover the love, joy, contentment, and satisfaction that marriage is designed to

bring—and that often gets lost in the day to day living of this thing called life.*

Mark will be taking a group of interested individuals to The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte on Tuesday, October 10th. The group will leave the church at 10:30am, have lunch at the center, and take part in a private guided tour. Please let Mark know if you would be interested in going BEFORE Monday, September 25th.

This year, we will be taking a group of interested individuals to Samaritan’s Purse, in either Boone or Charlotte, to aid in Operation Christmas Child! The dates and times will vary, based solely upon interest. If you would be interested in helping, please let us know as soon as possible.

*** MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24*** Trinity Member Appreciation Day Luncheon

The Stewardship Committee will be sponsoring a Member Appreciation Luncheon as a “THANK YOU” for all your support. Your devotion to Time,

Talent, and Treasure TRULY makes a big difference—to both our Church and Community. Rick will be preparing a fantastic meal for us, and afterwards, we will open the floor to anyone who would like to share what Trinity and

Stewardship means to them. We hope to see everyone there!

SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 6 SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 3

July YTD

Actual

July YTD

Budget

Difference from

Budget

ENVELOPE OFFERING $ 154,897 $ 156,568 -$ 1,670

INVESTMENT INCOME $ 13,267 $ 13,913 -$ 646

RENTAL INCOME $ 8,200 $ 10,500 -$ 2,300

OTHER INCOME $ 4,233 $ 925 $ 3,308

TOTAL INCOME $ 180,597 $ 181,906 -$ 1,308

TOTAL SPENDING $ 187,193 $ 185,364 -$ 1,829

Surplus/Deficit (-)* -$ 6,596 -$ 3,459 -$ 3,138

FINANCIALS:

Monthly Service Alcolyte—Nathan & Addyson Lingle Cross Bearer—Richard Bowers Elder(s) - Dennis Falder & Hamp Shuford

September 3 September 10 September 17 September 24

Flowers Kathy Winters Dianne Propst Yvonne Propst Alicia Deal & Monica Wise

Liturgists Ted Setzer Jerry Mallonee Jessica Spain Pat Bowers

Lay Readers Kathy Winters Greg Reitzel Jennifer Lingle Naomi Smith

Treasury Dennis Falder Greg Reitzel David Setzer Deb Hill Assistants

IN THE LORDS SERVICE:

FROM THE CONSISTORY:

Approved Minutes and Financial statement for July Set Annual Fall Meeting date—November 12, 2017 Approved joining LINC ministry for 2018—will re-evaluate at end of 2018 Received report from Rev. Stout: Reported on staff cookout, Reported on joint musical concert/

cake/ice cream fellowship, Reported on up-coming events: August 13—Youth Mission team to share recent mission trip August 23—need volunteers for Corner Table September 17/24—marriage seminar September 24—Volunteer Appreciation Day October 8—Homecoming Sunday Reported on visits and contacts with Church members Received report from DCE Mark Dickerson: Reported on Youth activities, Reported on Kids

activities, Reported Supper Bunch, Good Timers, and Singles Received report on Faith Support / Elder of the Month Assigned Communion ushers Next meeting – September 3

SENIOR ADULTS (age 55+):

Saturday, September 2—Hendersonville Apple Festival—Apple-themed street fair with live entertainment and fresh food—including fried pies! We are leaving at 10:00am. Please bring $3 for van gas and money for lunch/spending.

Looking for a way to get MOVING and GROOVING? Stay tuned, because Carole Cross is in the process of planning a low-impact exercise course for Trinity. Please call the church if you are interested. Thank you!!

SINGLES:

September 25 at 5:00pm—Everybody’s Birthday Celebration—with gift exchange and a funny movie! This will be a potluck dinner—with a big birthday cake.

Regular monthly meeting—Monday, September 11 at 5:30pm.

Trinity BROTHERHOOD:

FROM THE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL (828-464-0057):

September 5: First Day of School! September 20: Field Trip to Perry Lowe Apple Farm for 3-4 and pre-k classes! September 28/29: Individual & Class Photos Taken!

Women’s T.A.G. Ministry:

Please come and join us as we begin our “Scripture Talk” Bible Study lessons back in September! We will meet on Tuesdays, September 12 AND 26, in the Parlor/Conference area.

Start planning now!

Rev. Jaha Seechang and the Lahu group will be doing another Mission Trip to La Chang in

Southwest China next year March 15-April 15, 2018.

If you would be interested in traveling with them,

please talk to Rev. Jaha as soon as possible.

Back to School Bash (for all ages) Sunday, September 10—4:30-6:00pm

$5.00 entry fee ($20.00 for groups of 5+)

Children’s Clothes, Books, and School Supplies will be given away!

We will have Face Painting, Haircuts,

Balloon Art, Tattoos, Sno-Cones, Popcorn, Games, Prizes, a Silly Photo Booth,

Spaghetti Dinner, and much, much more!!

Bring a friend and join us!

Church Staff Meeting Due to some staff members being out of

town, we have rescheduled our meeting to Tuesday, September 13 at 6:15pm.

SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 5

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord- 1 Corinthians 12:5.

Out of all of the jobs that I have had at thus far in my life, all of them have been service-oriented. The only one of those that was not people-oriented was being a contracted network engineer. In that job, I mostly worked with modems and cables, but I still had to talk to people. (Anyone who knows me, knows that is not a problem!!)

One thing about being in services, particularly here in the United States, is the fact that a great deal of smiling is often involved. One Sunday as I was doing a congregational greet, a young child was following me around. She asked why I was smiling so much, and I replied, “It’s all part of the job!” Later, it made me analyze what I had told her and also what it means to smile to someone. We smile at others because it makes them feel welcomed and comfortable. I cannot think of a better place to smile at someone than at church. What attracted me to this church seven years ago was in fact the friendliness of the congregation and the staff.

Sometimes when you are in service, you have to smile, even when you are feeling awful or (let’s be honest) really want to deck someone between the eyes. When I waited tables, I worked with a lady who remarked that I was genuinely friendly. I thanked her, but she went on to say, “No, I mean, there are so many people in this business and service in general who are ‘fake’ friendly.” I did not get that feeling of ‘fake’ friendly from anyone here at Trinity when I came to visit seven years ago. Another trait that I have noticed about the congregation was how hard some of the volunteers work. Whether it is with vacation Bible school, teaching Sunday school, that is why I am beyond excited that this month we will have a special volunteer appreciation meal to thank all of our volunteers and what they do here at Trinity. This will take place on Sunday, September 24th and I hope that all of our extraordinary volunteers are able to attend!

Another event that I am excited about takes place on the last day of September. The Simply Youth Ministry training course I will attend will be in Apex this year on Saturday, September the 30th. I went to a training course on children’s ministry last year in Weddington and it was phenomenal! I am anticipating for a great experience this year!!

Blessings for September!!

Mark

MUSINGS FROM MARK: 01—Greer Cecil Preston Cecil Ella Mae Stewart 04—Gerald Bowman 05—Christine Barrymore Natalie Inman Alex Winters Tony & Patsy Wells 06—Stan Griffin Duane Alexander Jaiden Seechang Eric & Brigail Kanipe 08—Ed Gurley Gene Hamilton Marjorie Reaves 09—Diane Loftin 10—Nicholas Anderson 11—Mike Brittain 12—Larry Fox Kevin Trotter 13—Joyce Potts 14—Bob Parker 17—Andrea Timmerman

Amber Hidalgo 18—Pat Warf 19—Jeanne Michael 20—Mike & Dawn Kilby David & Jeanne Michael 21—Kellan Bowman 22—Deb Hill Allen Overcash 23—Vickie Piercy Pat Hamm 24—Mary Tuttle Larry Pope Ashley McAdams Shuford & Jayne Abernethy 25—Beth Bolick 26—Keith Grubbs 27—Gerald & Bonye Bowman 28—Jordan Helton 30—Eric Kanipe Gina Setzer Destiny Starnes Bruce & Alicia Deal

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY/

ANNIVERSARY:

We will have a combined Board of Christian Ed AND Parent Meeting on Tuesday, September 5th at 7:00pm in the Library. If you are a parent of children and/or youth and want to help plan events for fall and winter, this is the meeting you need to attend! We will be discussing the Fall Festival, Advent Workshop, (some) Christmas items, as well as other events and items of interest—and also evaluate how summer events went. We will also discuss the 2018 Mission Trip and potential sites! If you have any questions, please give Mark a call, text, or email. Thanks!!

Rescheduling of event: Movie Night with the youth VBS volunteers will take place on an upcoming Sunday. Although originally scheduled for stimulus Tuesday, Tuesday turned out to be a day that did not work well for anyone. Please check with Mark for more information—he really wants our young volunteers to know they are appreciated!!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU to my Trinity Church family for all the cards, prayers, and best wishes that you have sent recently. Love you. - Wanda Sue Ammerman

Dear Trinity Church Members, THANK YOU to all who have sent cards, made phone calls, and visits to me while I have been sick. I truly appreciate all your kind thoughts and prayers.

- My Love, Alma Barringer

THANK YOU for all the calls, cards, food, visits, and prayers sent to me after my surgery and during my recovery. Trinity is a very special church family. - Patsy Wells

I would like to say THANK YOU to the prayer shawl group for the beautiful blanket and my lovely church family for their continued prayers. - Martha Sigmon

I have really appreciated the prayer blanket, food, visits, and prayers from the church congregation. THANK YOU so much for your care and concerns. - Gloria Hill

THANKS to all my loving friends for their food, visits, calls, cards, notes, and prayers. They made my day. - Love, Louise Schell

THANK YOU to the Trinity UCC for all the prayers, love, and support for Halle Ritchie during her fight against pancreatic cancer. On July 13th, Halle finished up chemo and rang the bell to celebrate being cancer free! Again, the Overcash and Ritchie Family thanks you all for support. We couldn’t have done it without you! God Bless.

Margaret would like to THANK all the members of Trinity Reformed UCC for all the prayers, beautiful cards, numerous phone calls and offers of food and assistance during this 2 and a half month ordeal—NOT forgetting the uplifting visits at Winston, Abernethy Laurels, and here at the house. We continue to ask for your prayers and support during the continual healing and strengthening process. She is looking forward to be back in the congregation in the near future and once in a shile being at the organ.

THANK YOU:

KIDS & YOUTH:

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Children’s Church will start back in September. This will be a new and revamped church service for our youngest members, with the intention of getting them used to an “order of service.” We will start with a greeting and then a song/music. This will be followed by the Bible verse that will go along with the story, which will try and follow Rev. Peggy’s sermon. We will implement an offering (which can be small, but just to teach children about giving to church) and then finish with the Doxology. We will do a craft or similar art activity that will correlate to the Bible story. We will finish with prayer and (time and weather permitting) spend some time outside.