The Chimes

December

2020

Trinity United Methodist Church 75 East High Street, Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338

6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service will be Facebook Livestream only, no

in person service

‘Tis the season to be excited about the birth of our Savior. Of course, Jesus was born 2000 plus years ago. He came into our world having left heaven, was conceived in the womb of

Mary and born into the world as a little bitty baby. It’s amazing that our great big God became a small child. But why did He come? Why was he born? Answer: to give His life for our sins that we could receive the gift of eternal life. And thus, I would like to share again, two images from a Christmas card that Denise and I received from our church secretary all the way back in the early 90’s. It’s the image

of the baby footprint and the hand that has been pierced. Both images summarize and illustrate the truth of the Gospel of God’s grace wrapped in those swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Jesus: born to die for us. That’s the truth we

celebrate at Christmas.

Merry Christmas and God Bless,

Pastor Jeff

Holiday Church Office Closing -The Church Office will be closed on Friday, 12/25 and Monday

12/28.

Trustees Moments

I appreciate all the dedicated trustees and all they do to keep our church building and parsonage up and going. Saying that, one of the more difficult tasks is determining church usage whether it be groups, activities and of all things whether we should or should not have in person worship. It’s a tough call. Our last decision to close came from a divided trustee group. Please pray for us as we make these decisions during these COVID-19 times.

The sound system update is now complete and working well. The remote speakers seem to be responding to the new equipment in a positive way.

It has been determined that the sanctuary roof is still leaking. So, that delays the wall repair until we can once again tackle the issue. Please be patient as this is a very difficult area on the roof where rainwater comes off several large roof areas and funneled into a small area to the eave trough.

We are in the initial stages and moving forward with air conditioning the education wing rooms. A memorial fund is being used to accomplish this dream Jim Brucker had during his many dedicated years as our education leader. Merry Christmas! Prayers, Gary Begeman

PRAYER CONCERNS Trinity members and friends who

have been in our prayers the past

month…..

New Prayer Concerns: Orpha Belardo, Barb Dixon, Linda Douglass, Juanita Piercy, Mary Sellers, Doug Van Horn, Robin Wenger, Charlene Wilson

Ongoing Prayer: Roger Anotlik, Amy Barr, Phyllis Bell, Tracy Boone, Barb Brewer, Bill Brucker, Barb Detwiler, Deb Dupilka, Connie Fritz, Diane Geyer, Doris Hildebrand, Gale Graham, Rev. Beth Mansperger, Sherry Seckel, Mark Sterritt, Ele Thompson, Gary Thompson, Pat Tolbert, Unspoken Request, Civilians serving overseas.

Military: Curt Belohlavek, Travis Hill, Troy Hill, Emily Garry - Kearnely, Eric Mann, Jonah Maggs, Kelly Mann-Sorgenfrei, Jon Tschudi, & all other military personnel around the world

Nursing Home Residents & Shut-Ins: Carlotta Blair, Alice Foley, Mary Dianne George, Martha Kubbs, Tom Rocks

Missionaries: Gordon & Ardell Graner [Dominican Republic], Matthew Laferty [Austria]

Our Trinity Family wishes to extend prayers to the following families in the loss of a loved one this past month: Cluane Bardo, Betty Ford

TRINITY ATTENDANCE

DATE

SUNDAY

SCHOOL

8:30

AM

10:30

AM

TOTAL

11/01/2020 19 28 57 85

11/07/2020 21 27 54 81

11/15/2020 No In Person Worship

11/22/2020 No In Person Worship

11/29/2020 No In Person Worship

There will be No in Person Worship on

Sunday, 11/29 or 12/6. After 12/6 we will reevaluate the COVID

situation and let the congregation know the Sunday Worship situation.

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY AT SAMES & COOK 2:00 - 3:00 pm

We are back to Sames and Cook but the time has changed. Karen has graciously allowed us to meet after the store closes at 2pm (and we still get to order

beverages) to have our study in a safe environment.

Psalms by Bill Hybels is a six-week session studying six Psalms with discussion. We will learn about God's heart toward us and what He looks for in our heart toward Him. The following Psalms will be discussed: 1, 8, 34, 62, 91 and 145.

Attend one or all of the sessions and dig into the Psalms of the Bible.

This study is on Tuesdays from 2:00 – 3:00pm. Come and join us!

Dec 1: The Road to Blessedness (Psalm 1) Dec 8: People Matter to God (Psalm 8) Dec 15: Reasons for Praise (Psalm 34) Dec 22: No Bible Study – Christmas Break Dec 29: God Only (Psalm 62)

2021 Offering Envelopes are available on the table in the

Narthex or in the church office.

Updated Church Telephone Directories are available on the table in the Narthex or in the church office.

Christmas Eve Service Because of COVID, we are unsure how we will be doing the Christmas Eve Candle Lighting service. At the time of this writing, we

are planning to have a 6:30 p.m. Facebook livestream service only, no in person service. You are invited to have candles available to light in your homes at the end of the service as we sing the final 2 Christmas Carols.

Estimate of Giving Cards – If you have not yet turned in your Estimate of Giving card, you can still drop it off at the church office or send it in by mail.

December Youth Schedule

Sunday, 12/06 7:00 p.m. – Youth Group at church

Sunday, 12/13 7:00 p.m. – Youth Group at church Sunday, 12/20 7:00 p.m. – Youth Group at church Sunday, 12/27 7:00 p.m. - Youth Group at church

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile collected 40 pints of blood on their last visit here, 11/9 . There was 1 first time donor.

A Note from the Lay Leader

I know. It’s getting more and more important to stay safe. It seems as if it would just be easier if we knew the outcome and its timing. Be that as it may, Pastor Jeff was right on target Sunday when he said we need to stay in constant prayer, in total openness to God. He didn’t mention a pandemic, but he had the answer to it. Even though vaccines are on the near horizon, we need to stay safe yet a little longer.

We may be blessed by a memory-making virtual Christmas Eve Service. Have your own candle or other light. Gather your house mates if you have them. Feel the togetherness as we sing, and listen, and let our lights shine, knowing that our church family is together on this.

If you have an inkling that there is a need that someone in the church family might fill, please fill that need. Or let another of our church family know how we could help. It could be financial, but it might also be listening, or counseling, or food prep, or just a simple card. We’re in this together.

Peace, Anne Cotton

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN NEWS

UMW Ladies,

We have had to cancel

our November meeting, so we voted for officers via text messaging.

The officers for 2021 will be: President: Noni Wheeler Vice President: Marilyn Turner

Secretary: Anne Cotton Treasurer: Barb Brewer Spiritual Growth: Susan Keightley

Nominations: Carol Begeman We could still use someone for Program

Resources to order books for the reading program and keep the library up to date. In addition, the Mt Gilead Trinity UMW

Unit is District Historians.

We will be unable to meet for our annual

Christmas Luncheon due to the virus. Everyone stay home and stay safe.

As an alternative, I encourage and challenge all UMW ladies, which means all

ladies of Trinity, to send one another (at least one) physical Christmas cards

this year. This will help us stay connected and feel the love of our

Methodist sisters. In addition, to “Let Your Light Shine”, which was our program theme for the year, send at least one

additional card to someone on the prayer concerns, nursing home, shut in, military

or college list. If you need an address that isn’t in the directory, you may text me or contact the church office.

As I retire from the office of President, I want to thank everyone who has

participated in any UMW service or mission. I have enjoyed representing you for the past 3 years.

In Christian Love, Marilyn Turner

Mission Notes: The Corona virus as done its best to sabotage the plans we made, but here is an update on what is still happening:

1. We will still be collecting money donations for Heartbeat to help them support families. Starting Sunday, November 22 through the Sunday after Christmas we will have a box in the narthex for checks or cash on the Sundays, we have sanctuary services. At other times donations can be dropped off or mailed to the office. Checks should be made out to Trinity United Methodist Church and Heartbeat should be written on the memo line.

2. Beginning November 26 Flying Horse Farms will be hosting “Light Up Camp”, a free drive -through Christmas light show, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening through December 27th. Trinity is one of the local sponsors helping in a small way to support this project. There is no cost to visitors, but there will be an opportunity to donate. This project was started as a way to show appreciation to the local community for their help and support over the years. We hope many will visit the camp and make this light show a safe and blessed part of their holiday.

We hope everyone enjoys a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. God willing, we can all come together again to celebrate the Savior’s birth!

Your Mission Committee

Fear not!

On that first Christmas night, the angel said to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid” (Luke 2:10). What is

there to fear from a baby? A baby is powerless, with no guile, no anger and no judgment, only needing from us without fearing we will not

provide: simply trusting, and content to be resting in our arms. This is how God came. This is Christmas. This one child, and for a time, perhaps too brief, our fears are taken over by our love for this child, and he is able to change our hearts.

In Jesus, we are free to live life as fully and as joyfully as we will allow ourselves. For it is only we who hold ourselves back. God does not. For God has forgiven us in this baby and will not restrain us from living with sheer abandon, trusting in this gentle and gracious God, who keeps telling us: “Do not be afraid.” —Gary Westgard, At Break of Day

CIC Sunday School Class is Adopting a

Family for Christmas: Each year, the CIC

class raises funds to adopt a needy family for Christmas. With

these funds, we purchase gifts, clothes, and gift cards for the family. With 2020

being a unique and challenging year, we are unable to raise funds as we are used

to doing. Therefore, we are asking you, our church family, to help us raise funds

to help us adopt a needy family. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. If you

wish to contribute, please get your

donation to the church office no later than Sunday December 13. If you write a

check, please make it payable to the CIC Class/Trinity UMC. We thank you in

advance for your generosity!

Christmas Poinsettias If we are not worshipping

in person by 12/20, the Christmas Poinsettias that have been ordered will be

available 12/22 at the church to be picked up during office hours. We will have them

sitting in the Center Street lobby area. Just let Denise know you have picked up your Poinsettia.

A sacred summary

The simple shepherds heard the voice of an angel

and found their Lamb; the wise men

saw the light of a star and found their Wisdom.

—Fulton J. Sheen

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Because of our Child Protection Policy, we need a 2nd person in the nursery with Diana Kemp during the Sunday school hour

and during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Please contact

the church office if you are able to help during either of these times at trinityumc@redbird.net or 419-947-6040. There are also sign-up sheets in the nursery. Thanks to all those who volunteered in the nursery: Gary Begeman, Kristi Bulkowski, Tom Cotton, Alberta Stojkovic, Pat & Dick Miller, Joyce Overmoyer, Vince Brown, Kimberly Neal and Sue Williamson.

LOW IMPACT/STEP AEROBICS CLASS

Exercise to Energize - Classes are on

Mondays & Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

We exercise with music and mix in

light weights and floor exercises. We

would love to have you join us! If you

have any questions, ask Allen or

Alberta Stojkovic 419-946-4982.

2020 Altar Flowers Sign up Calendar

The Altar flower sign-up sheet for 2020 is hanging up and is located in the hall next to the workroom.

Make sure you write who is purchasing the flowers and who they are “In Memory of” or “In Honor of”. The cost of the flowers is $30. Please mark “Altar Flowers” in memo line of your check made out to Trinity UMC. The church office orders flowers for anyone who has signed up the week before the Sunday they are for. If you decide to get them yourself at another florist, please let the church office know in advance. Thank you!

SPECIAL EVENTS AND USE OF FACILITIES

We are fortunate to have a facility that is busy through the year. If you plan to hold a special event, work session or other function in the church, please make sure to check availability of date and time with the church office as far in advance as possible. A Building Use form may need to be completed and returned for approval and signature by the Trustee Committee. The forms are available in the church office or may be emailed by the office at your request. Your cooperation in this process helps everyone coordinate use of the facility. Thank you!

KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM

Trinity is part of the Kroger Community Rewards program. Just by using your Kroger plus card when you shop at Kroger, they will make a donation to our church. Our most recent check was $212.99. To sign up go online at www.kroger.com/community and register your Kroger Plus Card. Kroger recently updated its Community Rewards system. Trinity has been assigned a new number. You will need to enter Trinity’s number #RH570 and your email address. Thank you for supporting this program and Trinity UMC!

REIMBURSEMENT VOUCHERS

If you make any authorized purchases for the church, please return the original

receipt and a completed Voucher to the church office within one month of the purchase. This will insure that you receive your reimbursement on time and it also helps the church keep its accounts up to date and accurate. Blank Vouchers are available in the church office.

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GOD’S SERVANTS – December 2020

December 2020

8:30 am Greeters

8:30 am Call to Worship Readers

8:30 am Scripture Readers

6 Mary Fuller Mary Fuller Pat Tolbert

13 Cal & Donna Shirk Donna Shirk Gary Begeman

20 Bill & Loretta Curts Loretta Curts Loretta Curts

27 Gary & Carol Begeman Noni Wheeler Rod Clinger

December 2020 10:30 am Greeters

10:30 am Call to Worship Readers

10:30 am Scripture Readers

6 Allen & Alberta Stojkovic Vince Brown Barb Brewer

13 Jim & Joyce Overmoyer Nancy Reed Robin Brucker

20 Juanita Piercy & Suzy Piercy Anne Cotton Marilyn Turner

27 Ruth Logan & Evelyn Shoults Barb Brewer Joel Seckel

December 2020 Pre-Worship

10:30 am Music

Altar Flowers ($30.00) 6 Recorded Music Nonnie Hamilton

13 Recorded Music Gary & Carol Begeman

20 Recorded Music Christmas Poinsettias

27 Recorded Music

December 2020

9:30 am Nursery Volunteers

10:30 am Nursery Volunteers

10:30 am Acolytes

6 Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed The Rocks Family

13 Gary Begeman Gary Begeman The Bulkowski Family

20 Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed The Rocks Family

27 Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed The Bulkowski Family

10:30 am Ushers: Merrill Brucker, Dennis Richardson, Dennis Hill, Glenn Hayes

Trinity United Methodist Church: Office Hours: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm [Lunch 12:00-12:30 pm]

Phone: 419-947-6040 Fax: 419-947-6050 Website: www.mgtrinity.com Email Address: trinityumc@redbird.net

Pastor Jeff’s Email Address: jcanankamp82@gmail.com

The Chimes is a monthly publication of Trinity United Methodist Church. Copy deadline is the third Wednesday of each month by 4 pm.

Trinity United Methodist Church Staff: Rev. Jeff Canankamp, Pastor - Parsonage Phone: 419-751-7572

Sabina Anderson, Music Director Susan James, Pianist Tina Schaeufele, Treasurer

Denise Canankamp, Secretary Troy Mangrum, Custodian Barb Brewer, Kitchen Coordinator Diana Kemp, Nursery Care Giver

http://www.mgtrinity.com/mailto:trinityumc@redbird.net