Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As we enter this Advent leading into our celebration of Christmas – God with us in Jesus, our Savior, I have always been struck by the words of the carol, “It Came upon the Midnight Clear.” The complete words of the text of this hymn can be found on the back page of this newsletter.

Edmund Sears, a Unitarian minister, is said to have written these words at the request of his friend, William Parsons Lunt, pastor of United First Parish Church, Quincy, Massachusetts, for Lunt's Sunday school in 1849.

According to Ken Sawyer, Sears' song is remarkable for its focus not on Bethlehem, but on his own time, and on the contemporary issue of war and peace. Written in 1849, it has long been assumed to be Sears' response to the just ended Mexican–American War as well as the Revolutions of 1848 in Europe. The words reflect Sears’ personal struggle with world events and the anxious and despairing affect it seemed to have on his life and the lives of others in the practice of their faith.I am especially struck these days by the bolded verse on the back page, which is not included in our worship book version, especially these words:

And man, at war with man, hears notThe love-song which they bring;

O hush the noise, ye men of strife,And hear the angels sing.

There is so much noise about, within, and around us these days which prohibits us from hearing the “love-song” the angels bring. We seemingly are at war with each other – partisan divides and social strife front and center. Perhaps then it is necessary for all of us to step aside from the anxiety and despair which conflict brings and call to mind whose we are (children of a loving, merciful, and just God) and who we are called to become in this weary world (children of God who show kindness, compassion, and mercy to all those in need). As we journey this Advent season to the wonder and hope of Christmas, perhaps it would be good for all of us (as Sears’ carol so aptly says) “O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.” Take time and, yes, hear the angels sing into our hearts and lives this message: “Peace on the earth, goodwill to all!”Then, swiftly on the wings of said angels, we carry that message into the world in which we live.

Peace and Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Paul

“Family to Family”

We thank all who have joined with Child and Family Services in sharing the joy of the upcoming holiday season by participating in the Holiday Hope Project. Throughout the years, thousands of children and adults have seen their holiday wishes come true because of the generosity of people like you. Holiday Hope matches sponsors with clients who are burdened with financial worries, illnesses, mental and physical disabilities, limited education and resources, and personal tragedies which have left them unable to provide for themselves or their families. As a congregation you are graciously sharing in the Christmas spirit and giving the most vulnerable members of our community the greatest gift of all – HOPE. We were given the names of 45 children this year.

Children’s “ornaments” were made available on November 24. Also, if all the names of children are gone and if you still wish to participate, gift cards to local grocery stores or restaurants (such as 99) are also appreciated. We thank you for taking part in this project of HOPE & LOVE!

You are reminded that wrapped gifts are due no later than Sunday, December 8. Also, please let us know what gifts were purchased from the list

on your angel. Thank you! If you have any questions please talk with Pastor Paul.

Sunday School Schedule

Listed below you will find the Sunday School schedule for the month of December. Thank you to all children, parents, and volunteers for their involvement this year in our nurturing the faith of all!

December 8Christmas Pageant Practice

December 15Christmas Pageant Practice

December 22 ONE Service Only Pageant Presentation

At 10:00 AM

December 29No Sunday School

(On December 22 we are requesting the membership to bring some Christmas goodies to share for the “party” after our worship. See the sign up sheet in the greeting area of the church!)

CHRISTMASWORSHIP SCHEDULE

December 24

6:00 PMA Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

11:00 PMA Candlelight Service of Word and Sacrament

December 25

10:00 AMA Service of Holy Communion

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICESEAMEN’S BETHEL, NEW BEDFORD

DECEMBER 22 AT 4:00 PM

A Meal, a Conversation, and Worship

Two Opportunities

Wednesday, December 11“Experience Wonder”6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Wednesday, December 18“Hold on to Hope”

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Take a break from the busyness of the season and join Pastor and the Confirmation class over food and drink as we talk of wonder and hope. Then, we close with worship reflective of the Advent season. See the sign up sheet in the gathering area of the church or call the office to add your name. The tentative meal for each week: December 11 is Mac and Cheese; December 18 is a soup to be determined.

Christmas Caroling

Seeking hearts and voices to join Pastor Paul and others as we go Christmas caroling to homebound and nursing home

members on December 21 at 10:30 AM! See the sign up sheet at church!

Wednesday Morning Adult Study

The Monday Adult Study group will meet during December on Wednesday, December 4, 11, and 18 at 10:00 AM.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Vivian Ostensen Rick Schlak Zachary HollisterRobbie Hutchins Lori Hadfield JohnRene Rivard Rev. Marshall Victoria HuntDwight Theresa Souza MikeGene Connors Steve Cambra Cindy S.Zachary Mary Roderick John Mark Campbell Terri Souza Kathleen Thornton Kylie GonsalvesBob Beverly Shavinsky Karen M Frank Bob Phelps Peter MuiseDebbie Kackley Rose Morrison ChrissyFred Mueller Leroy Bowman Nancy Murphy BarrettBogart Family Molly Tetreault Jeannie GoldenDulce L. Cheryl Johnson Ariel SalaicesPatricia Harlfinger Gina Despres Pat KrosschellCarter R. Kelly S. Fred PierceShelly Buckley Ellen Isaksen Janet CabralKaren Rhoda Don Mendell

Military DedicationsJeremy Ewing Matt Correia Peter Magnus Brunette

CONTACT INFORMATION

Church Phone 508 993-6351Pastor Paul’s Cell 508 264-5624

Pastor Paul pasttlc@yahoo.comJohn Softcheck jsoftcheck@gmail.com

Church Website at trinityfairhaven.org (Like us on Facebook)

Shepherd’s Pantry

Marie Mindle is our representative to this vital ministry to the community and invites you to be a part of this ministry. You may reach her at (508) 965-3311. We want to thank all who responded so graciously during the month of November to the needs of the food pantry. Your support of this ministry

to those in need speaks of wonder and hope! The Shepherd’s Pantry is open to all people in need. The hours of operation are every Saturday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Volunteers Needed

The Extreme Weather Emergency Overflow Shelter housed at the Sister Rose House will be in need of volunteers again this winter

season. Volunteers are needed to: assemble cots (4:00 – 5:00 pm); serve shelter guests and residents (5:00 – 7:00 pm); monitor bathrooms and sleeping hall, assisting staff (6:00 – 10:00 pm). All volunteers will, also, participate in an orientation and, if a new volunteer, will be paired with seasoned volunteers. Individuals and teams are always welcomed. Throughout the past years

a number of Trinity people have assisted with meals at the shelter. If you are interested in this opportunity to minister to the homeless, please talk with Pastor Paul and/or see the posts on the bulletin board in the church for more information.

Light Dawns on a Weary WorldA Celebration of the Epiphany

A Service of Lessons and Songs (gathering one more time around the tree and Christmas) as well as a Celebration of the Sacrament

January 5, 2020

ONE Service Only at 10:00 AM

Followed by a Soup Luncheon and a Special Presentation on the Blessing of the Home at the Epiphany!

As the words of the Psalmist remind us:

The Lord is my light and salvation; whom then shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Altar Guild/Care

As we look forward to the year 2020, we recognize the need to update our monthly volunteer list for those who care for the altar and worship space. We will contact those who are currently serving and we welcome any others who would like to serve the church in this capacity. Please contact Becke Wheeler at 508 264-5633 to share your interest in this ministry. And, we thank all for their care and commitment to this part of our worship life!                                                                           

At our “Stir It Up!” worship services on November 3rd, we again participated in a Reverse Offering where we were given a gift of money to use in whatever way we felt stirred by the Spirit. At our one worship service on November 17, followed by a brunch, we heard your stories of how the Spirit stirred in your hearts to share the gift of service and ministry.

We are so thankful for the gift of this community of faith, and the many ways it helps us grow in grace and live out our faith in a world that really needs to hear the message of a God who is always stirring things up in order to bring new life.

Seeking a Pianist/Substitute OrganistWe are actively seeking a pianist and/or substitute organist for leading worship on as needed basis as well as possibly working with the choral group. Klara Barlow, our loyal substitute organist as well as leading the choir and playing for them, has decided to step away from these roles. We thank her for her service and her music ministry to the church. If you know of anyone who would be willing to volunteer to work with choir please contact the church office. As for a substitute organist/pianist for worship this is a paid position. If you know of anyone to fill that role contact the office.

“Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things—the weather, human relationship, the economy, the political situation, and so on—will get better. Hope is trust that God will fulfill God’s promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom.” ~ Henri Nouwen

Poinsettia Plants

We will decorate the chancel area with poinsettia plants. A sign up chart with prices is posted on one of the church bulletin boards or you may call the office to order. The last day to order plants will be December 16.

It Came upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,From heaven's all-gracious King."The world in solemn stillness lay,

To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,With peaceful wings unfurled,

And still their heavenly music floatsO'er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains,They bend on hovering wing,And ever o'er its babel sounds

The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strifeThe world has suffered long;

Beneath the angel-strain have rolledTwo thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears notThe love-song which they bring;

O hush the noise, ye men of strife,And hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing wayWith painful steps and slow,

Look now! for glad and golden hourscome swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

And hear the angels sing!

For lo!, the days are hastening on,By prophet bards foretold,

When with the ever-circling yearsComes round the age of gold

When peace shall over all the earthIts ancient splendors fling,

And the whole world give back the songWhich now the angels sing.

We thank the women of the church and all for another successful Christmas Fair! Your

faithfulness and commitment within the church community is a blessing to all!!! Now a few photos

to share: