The Essence of Advent

Advent is a wonderful time of the year! Advent is the season of the church year in which we look forward to the celebration

of the coming of Christ in a manger in Bethlehem. We also look forward to the coming of Christ again. It is the joyous season when we look forward to Christmas. It is a time when families get together and share memories and laughter. It is a time when children get to take a break from school and look forward to presents under the tree and a visit from Santa. It is a time to shop and to travel. It is a time for reconnecting to distant relatives and friends. It is surely a joyous time of the year. This is the season that begins our church year. We begin with joy and anticipation. There is something I would suggest that we all remember this year as we race toward the celebration of Christmas. That is, that none of what I mentioned above has anything to do with the essence of the season. Not really. I would suggest that the essence of Christmas can be summed up in a single passage from the Gospel of John: “For God sent his only begotten Son so that all who believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). That’s why we celebrate this time of year. God loves us so much that he sent his Son to die so that we might live. That is the essence of Christmas. It has nothing to do with trees or gifts we give to each other. It has little to do with visits from Santa or shopping malls. It has nothing to do with family meals or with college bowl games. The essence of Christmas is the celebration of the love that God has for us,

his children. We celebrate that love; a love so profound and so boundless that he gave his only Son so that we might have everlasting life. There can be no more profound act of divine love than that. Indeed, the essence of Advent and Christmas is to celebrate God’s love for all of his children and the promise of God who gave his only Son so that all of his children might have eternal life. Let uscelebrate that divine gift and love each other.

Blessings,

Charles

Pastor Charles Wilbanks

Shin and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your warmth and welcome have made this year a joyous one for us.

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Trinity Times

Volume 7, Issue 12December 2018

Trinity United Methodist Church1160 Trinity Church RoadNewbery, SC 29108

803-276-3602 Office803-206-4623 Pastor Cell

clwilbanks@bellsouth.nettrinityumcnewberry@gmail.com

Peggy Bogart, Church SecretaryHead Usher: Harry LongshoreChoir Director: Jane PollardOrganist: Phyllis SandersSubstitute Organist: Eddie WelbornVideo Board: Josh Pitts, Caroline Senn, Bryan WaldropAcolytes/Cross Bearers: Eli MartinNewsletter Editor: Harriet Stevenson

Sunday Worship:Adult Sunday School: 10:00 a.m.Worship Service: 11:00 a.m.Children’s Church: 11:00 a.m.

We are a nurturing and open church to all who enter into our Sanctuary. We base our ministry on the Word of God and a caring spirit. Jesus invites us to share our ministry to all that come into our church.

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Christmas Eve Servicew/Holy Communion

Trinity UMCDecember 24, 2018

5:30 p.m.

We are a caring church and want to share your concerns. Let us know if you or someone you know would like to share a prayer request with us. We will be happy to pray for you.

Contact Harriet Stevenson or Pastor Wilbanks to add or remove names from the Prayer List.

Known Hospitalizations:Recent Hospitalizations and/or Surgeries: Nursing Home: Continued Prayers: Homer and Edna Garnett, James and Jeanette Poag, Nell Martin, Jean Bundrick, Cheryl Longshore, Martha Meadows, Laura Spicer, Eddie Welborn, Frances and Wade Pitts, Alice Longshore, Mary Waldrop, Wilson Senn, Lavone Coates, Barbara RogersFamily and Friends of Trinity: Peter Connor, Dorothy Geeter, Phillip Sanders, Judy Wicker, Freddy Bundrick, David Amick, Dale and Hugh Bickley, Ken and Barbara Carter

The beautiful poinsettias on the altar are placed in memory of or in honor of loved ones. We hope you enjoy their beauty throughout the month of December. Thank you, Sharon Baughman, for handling this project each year. Thank you, Wilson Senn, for typing up the list of names.

If you would like to place flowers in the church in 2019, please sign the flower chart located on the bulletin board opposite the pastor’s study. Record your name on the Sunday you wish to place altar flowers in the church. You will need to fill out an Altar Flower Sheet located on the bulletin board next to the Flower Chart or in the Communications Room located off the Narthex at least a week before you have the flowers. Please complete and return the form to the desk of Peggy Bogart, Church Secretary. Thank you so much for helping to make the sanctuary so beautiful each Sunday.

December Greeters

Dec. 2 – Harriet StevensonDec. 9. – Dale Longshore

Dec. 16 – June Pitts Dec. 23 – Clarissa Hendrix Dec. 30 – Watkins Martin

2019 TRINITY CHURCH DIRECTORYIf you have any changes that need to be made to the 2019 Directory, please notify the Church Secretary, Peggy Bogart. This includes additions, deletions, any changes to address or phone number, etc. Also, please let her know if there are changes in any church groups, i.e. UMW, Men’s Club, Silver and Gold, etc. The new 2019 Trinity Church Directory should be available in January.

Old Testament Epistle

Dec. 2 Betsy Black Joan MorrisDec. 9 Grady Senn Josh PittsDec. 16 Frieda Kesler Eli MartinDec. 23 Sharon Baughman Crystal WaldropDec. 30 Harriet Stevenson Josh Pitts

ACOLYTESAND

CROSS BEARERS FOR DECEMBER

ACOLYTE CROSS BEARER

Dec. 2 Coye Cutshall Chesley BrehmerDec. 9 Cameron Hawkins Isabel MartinDec. 16 Kella Battiste Dalton MorrisDec. 23 Laura Mohler Caroline SennDec. 30 Gavin Wilson Wyatt Wilson You are asked to be present and ready by 10:50 a.m. Also, all acolytes and cross bearers are reminded to hang up their robes before they leave. Please let Eli Martin know if you will not be able to serve on your Sunday. Eli can be reached at 315-1820. Thank you for being such an important part of our service.

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Dec. 4 – Donna DavenportDec. 11 – Craig KeslerDec. 11 – Becky PoagDec. 15 – Charleigh ArmstrongDec. 18 – Kim HendrixDec. 19 – Betsy BlackDec. 20 – Keith HendrixDec. 20 – Summer KeslerDec. 22 – Boyd HendrixDec. 23 – Phyllis SandersDec. 24 – David HendrixDec. 27 – Johnny MarloweDec. 27 – Dalton MorrisDec. 28 – Gene Thomas

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And

And Birthday Party for Jesus Sunday, December 16th at 5:00 p.m.

Music, Scripture, Pageantry

Covered Dish Dinner and Birthday Party for Jesus following Program in Fellowship Hall. Please bring a side dish. Meat and birthday cake will be provided. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Come and show your support for our children as well as enjoy the fellowship of other Christians during this joyous holiday Season!!!

Thank you April Wilson, Sharon Senn, Lynn Mohler and Clarissa Hendrix for coordinating thisEvent!

Harry Longshore recently completed an advanced Lay Servant class during the Fall Lay Servant School. The class was entitled Taking the Church to the Community and Bringing the Community to the Church. Good Job, Harry!

2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Birthday and Anniversary Recognitions

Communion

1st Sunday of Advent

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

2nd Sunday of Advent

ChristmasSocial

ForVoices of

TrinityAt Phyllis

Sanders home6:00 p.m.

Silver and Gold

ChristmasBrunch

Fellowship Hall

11:00 a.m.16 17 18 19 20 21 22

3rd Sunday of Advent

AND COVERED DISH DINNER

First Day of Winter

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

4th Sunday of Advent

5:30 p.m.

.

Birthday of Jesus

30 31

1st Sunday After Christmas Day

Pick Up Poinsettias

New Year’s Eve

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Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) – Josh and Erin Pitts, Leaders

The MYF helped decorate the Chrismon Tree and the Christmas Tree in the Fellowship Hall. They also plan on visiting some of our shut-ins and other Trinity members to sing a few Christmas carols. In January, our youth will be participating in the Youth Night of January Journey. Taylor Bouknight, President

UnitedMethodistWomen(Circle)

1st Monday

2019 Officers: President – Lisha Senn; Vice President – Harriet Stevenson; Secretary – Frieda Kesler; Treasurer – Susan Longshore. The UMW met on Nov. 5. Christine Hendrix presented the program and Jane Pollard and Joan Morris has delicious refreshments. Trinity collected 80 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. This is a new record for Trinity. Thank you to all who packed boxes.

Service Project for December: Shut-ins

Next Meeting: Monday, Dec. 3: Program: Barbara Rogers; Hostesses: Lisha Senn and Linda Lominack; Agenda Item: January Journey

SilverAndGold

2ndWednesday

Joan Morris, President; Rebecca Bundrick, Treasurer; Phyllis Sanders, Devotional Leader

The Silver and Gold met on Nov. 7 at the Steelhorse Restaurant in Newberry. A meal and fellowship were enjoyed by the nine members of Silver and Gold in attendance. The Silver and Gold will also hold a Christmas Get Together on Dec. 13 at the church.

Next Fellowship Meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 9. We will have a soup luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. You will be contacted about what to bring. Meet at 11:30 a.m. Bingo to follow.

TheMen’sClub

1st

Wednesday

Officers: President- Johnnie Pitts; Vice President-Ashley Wilson; Sec/Treas-Wilson Senn; Program Coordinator-Foster Senn.

The Men’s Club enjoyed their year-end fellowship meeting at the BLUE OCEAN restaurant on Wednesday, Nov. 14. There were fifteen in attendance. The next meeting will be held on Jan. 2.

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Thank you to all who helped fill the church with beautiful poinsettias during the month of December. These poinsettias were purchased in honor or memory of loved ones.

Thank you to Sharon Baughman for coordinating this effort and keeping the poinsettias watered. A special thanks also to Wilson Senn for typing up the In Honor Of/In Memory Of Poinsettia List. You may pick your poinsettia up after the service on Dec. 30.********************************************

Articles for the monthly edition of Trinity Times are due on the 23 rd of each month . To make it easier for you, an article submission form can be found in the Communications Center off the narthex or you can email me. My email address is

December 23, 2018. hbstevenson@netscape.net. We need information each and every month on events and activities at the church as well as community related events. We would also love to have any noteworthy news, i.e. awards, recognitions, etc. of our members. Please submit info by the deadline each month. I know you can help me! Deadline for January: December 23!

If you would like your newsletter emailed to you, please provide me with your email address. I will be glad to send it to you via email each month.

Remember, the newsletter can also be found online at www.trinityumcnewberry.net along with other church information. Please visit this site as often as possible.

JANUARY JOURNEY 2019Theme: Marvelous Grace

Presented by NACOM

January 6 – New Hope UMCJanuary 13 – Lewis MemorialJanuary 20 – Trinity UMC–

Youth ServiceJanuary 27 – Zion UMC

All services begin with hymn singing at 5:45 p.m. and service at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments follow service. Holy Communion will take place at Zion. Please bring a non-perishable food item for Manna House each week. Pastor Wilbanks will bring the message at Lewis Memorial. Let’s support January Journey and have a good crowd at each event. If you would like to help with the food on Jan. 20 at Trinity, please contact Lisha Senn.

Thank you, John Pollard, for the new brass altar vases. The old ones were in much need of replacement. Your gracious and loving gift to Trinity will enhance our worship experience for many years to come. The vases will be dedicated in the near future. Thanks

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Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas ChildSponsored by United Methodist Women of Trinity

Some of those who packed shoeboxes this year!Trinity received 80 shoeboxes this year. This was an increase of 22 boxes from last year. A huge thank you is extended to everyone who took the time to pack a box so that a child may have the opportunity to get to know Jesus. Please continue to pray for the child who will receive your shoebox. What a happy time it will be when they arrive!

Also, a huge thank you to Terry and Jane Woodward who obtained a monetary donation from Thrivent Financial Action Team so that we could fill an additional 22 boxes. Thank you to Phyllis Sanders, Jane Woodward, Joan Morris and Harriet Stevenson for packing these extra boxes. Harriet Stevenson was the coordinator for the project.

Items purchased with Thrivent donation for shoeboxes thanks to Terry and Jane Woodward.

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Helpers packing the additional boxes.

80 shoeboxes ready for delivery to drop-off location.Thank you, Lisha Senn, for handling delivery.

Thank you, John Pollard, for the new brass altar vases. The old ones were in much need of replacement. Your gracious and loving gift to Trinity will enhance our worship experience for many years to come. The vases will be dedicated in the near future. Thanks

An Advent Quiz

1) What is the meaning of Advent?a) Comingb) Goingc) Receivingd) Giving

2) How many Sundays are in Advent?a) Threeb) Fourc) Fived) Six

3) What is the traditional color of advent?a) Redb) Greenc) Purpled) Yellow

4) Which feast follows Advent?a) Easterb) Christmasc) Transfigurationd) Pentecost

5) What do the evergreen branches of an Advent Wreath symbolize?a) Faithb) Hopec) Eternal lifed) Love

6) What does the rose (pink) candle lit on the third Sunday of Advent symbolize?a) Joyb) Peacec) Victoryd) Fertility

Page 9Reprinted with permission from The Greatest Christmas.

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR YOUR TRINITY CHURCH FAMILY WITHOUT THE COST OF A STAMP?

Beginning December 2 and continuing on December 9, 16, and 23 simply address your Christmas cards by name (address not necessary) to anyone who is a regularly attending member of Trinity (please no out of town members or those who are not regular attendees; we will not mail them and they will be discarded). Place the cards in the designated box in the narthex. If you have the time, put them in alphabetical order with a rubber band around them. Your cards will be placed in the alphabetical slots in the mailbox area located in the room to the left of the narthex. All you have to do is check each Sunday for cards which have been sent to you. Merry Christmas!! Thanks to Harriet Stevenson and Jane Woodward for their help with this Christmas project.

Did you know? Laura Mohler made the 9th Grade Beta Club at

Newberry High School. She is the daughter of Burt and Lynn Mohler.

Wyatt and Gavin Wilson both were selected for the Duke TIP Talent Search Program and will be taking the ACT in December as a result of high scores on a 7th grade standardized test. Congratulations, Wyatt and Gavin. They are the sons of Ashley and April Wilson.

Lauryn Wilson, as a member of the Newberry Academy Cheer team, won their meet at the Newberry Cheer Classic. She is the daughter of Ashley and April Wilson.

If you know someone who deserves mention, please let me know. Harriet -hbstevenson@netscape.net

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EVENTS

December 2, 9, 16, 23 Lighting of the Advent Candle during 11:00 a.m. service

December 9, 16, 23 Christmas cards for regular attending Trinity members may be put in box in narthex.

December 12 Christmas Get Together for the Choir at Phyllis Sanders Home. You may bring a guest. You are also asked to bring a finger food - 6:00 p.m.

December 13 Christmas Get Together for The Silver and Gold – 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall -Bring a Finger Food and a Gift between $5-10 for White Elephant Gift Swap.

December 16 Children’s Christmas Program - 5:00 p.m.Covered Dish Dinner for Congregation and Birthday Party for Jesus after Children’s Christmas Program – Meat will be provided. All are welcome!

December 24 Christmas Eve Worship Service with Communion – 5:30 p.m. Come as you are. All are welcome!

December 30 Pick Up Poinsettias after church service.

The word Chrismon is derived from two words, the word Christ and the word monogram. The Ascension Lutheran Church of Danville, Virginia was the first church to use the symbols to “proclaim the name, the life and the saving acts of Jesus the Christ,” on a tree at Christmas. Thus, creating the first Chrismon Tree, a tradition adapted by many churches today. Many of the symbols come from Christian history and were used by the early Church while others were developed throughout the centuries as expressions of Christian faith, but all serve to point us toward the glory of God. The beautiful Chrismons at Trinity were hand made by several women from Trinity. These Chrismons have been lovingly cared for over the years .Take the time to really look at the ornaments on our Chrismon tree and explore their meaning and their beauty.

Evergreen tree - the symbol for eternal life

Lights - remind us that Christ is the light of the world

Gold - the color gold is a symbol of majesty and glory

White - the color white is a symbol of purity and perfection

Butterfly - the symbol of new life and resurrection

Angel - portrays the spirits God created to praise and serve him. An angel told of the birth, resurrection and ascension of Christ

Shell - symbol for baptism

Descending Dove - symbol of the Holy Spirit

Chalice - symbol for faith or worship and Holy Communion

Fish - an early symbol of Christians

IXPOYC - often used with the fish symbol, the Greek letters stand for Jesus - Christ - God - Son - Savior

Latin Cross - a symbol of Jesus representing the kind of Cross on which he died, the emptiness stands for his resurrection

Triangle - represents the three persons of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

IHC or IHS - a Greek abbreviation for the name Jesus (first 3 letters of Jesus name in Greek)

Crown - symbol of the kingship of Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords

Christmas Rose - a symbol of the Messianic promise

Lamb - Jesus is the lamb of God, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

Five-pointed Star - derived from a Greek work meaning appearance or revelation is used as a symbol for Epiphany.

Eight-pointed Star - symbol of spiritual regeneration, often associated with the Beatitudes

Dove - symbol of peace

XP Chi Rho - ancient Greek monogram for Christ

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Hey Trinity Kids!We hope you will enjoy this “Just for Kids” page each month. Here you will find activitiesthat are fun and that teach you about the Bible and how to bemore like Jesus! And adults canlearn too!

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