Paul Vasile, Minister of Music

Click here to hear Paul, FredO and Chris discuss the concert on KWMU's Cityscape.

Trinity Presbyterian Church in collaboration with the City-Wide University Chorale and the St. Louis African Chorus will present the St. Louis Premier of Dr. Fred Onovwerosuoke's "African Highlife Mass for Soloist, SATB Choir and Pop-Band" on Saturday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6800 Washington Avenue in University City. Part of Trinity's Reverberations Concert Series, the concert is free of charge and open to the public.

The African Highlife Mass follows the usual Christian Liturgical settings of the Kyrie, Gloria-Laudamus, Acclamation, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. It is sung in English language with some West African Pidgin English and Caribbean Patois. The idea of the Mass was inspired by the need to showcase other cultural perspectives in religious worship. Stylistically, the Mass draws from cross-cultural pop-music genres such as traditional African harmonies, West African "Highlife," Caribbean "Reggae-Calypso" and American R&B. The Mass is accompanied by a "Highlife Band" of horns, electric guitars and percussion.

The concert will be repeated on Sunday, February 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the Missouri Botanical Garden (Schonberg Auditorium at 4300 Shaw Ave., St. Louis).

Early Music St. Louis and Trinity Presbyterian Church will present a concert of virtuoso Italian vocal music for three female voices on Saturday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6800 Washington Avenue in University City. Part of Trinity's Reverberations Concert Series, this concert is free of charge and open to the public.

"Musica Secreta: Virtuoso Vocals from 17^th-Century Italy" will feature music by Claudio Monteverdi, Barbara Strozzi, Luigi Rossi, and Giovanni Kapsberger for one, two and three female voices. Vocalists Nancy Bristol, Emily Heslop, and Caroline Kraft will be joined on the program by baroque violinist Brandon Christensen and lutenist Jeffrey Noonan.

Inspired by the famous "Three Ladies of Ferrara," Italian composers in the 17^th century created beautiful and demanding vocal pieces by blending two and three voices in exquisite harmonies. This concert includes trios by Luzzasco Luzzaschi, Claudio Monteverdi and Barbara Strozzi, recognized today as a significant woman composer of that period. In addition, the three singers will pair up to present duos by Luigi Rossi, Strozzi, and Monteverdi. The instrumentalists will provide instrumental interludes, including a violin sonata by Biagio Marini and a baroque guitar suite by Ludovico Roncalli.

Nancy Bristol has been a featured vocalist with Early Music St. Louis for many years while Emily Heslop and Caroline Kraft make their first appearance with EMSL on this recital. All three vocalists are busy performers in the St. Louis area and all sing in the acclaimed St. Louis Chamber Chorus. Brandon Christensen, professor of music at Southeast Missouri State University, has performed with many of St. Louis's early music ensembles including EMSL, Collegium Vocale and the Kingsbury Ensemble. Jeff Noonan has been playing Renaissance and Baroque plucked instruments with St. Louis ensembles for over 25 years. Christensen and Noonan are founders of Musicke's Cordes, a baroque string band which has performed at Trinity Presbyterian several times.

As in all EMSL concerts, this program features historically-informed performances using historically accurate instruments. Christensen's baroque violin and bow are modeled on instruments of the early 17^th century. Noonan will play a baroque guitar based on an instrument by Jean Verboam, a 17^th-century French luthier. In addition, he will accompany the vocalists on the massive theorbo, a six-foot long lute popular in Italy in the early 17^th century.

A primer from the equipping conference this past October, attended by church members Dan Anderson-Little, Liz Nelson, Julie March and Lisa Bernhard:

Prayer: The equipping church recognizes the inherent value of prayer to discern God's vision, leadership, and plan toward an equipping ministry model. Equipping church leaders rely on prayer to see God in all aspects of their ministry.

The Priesthood of all Believers and the Vision of the Church as Contained in Ephesians 4: Every member in the body of Christ is gifted and called into ministry. The church embraces people holistically in the discovery of gifts, needs, and God's calling. The church seeks to equip people for ministry in the family, the church, the community and the world.

Servant Leadership: Leaders demonstrate humility, authenticity, accountability, and genuine care of people, and they equip others to use their gifts in the body of Christ.

Team Ministry: Healthy community and teams are built around the individuality of gifts, team accountability, and willingness of people to work for the good of the greater body.

Intentionality: The church embraces equipping ministry as a value and models it through the intentional implementation of systems to prepare, connect, and equip people for ministry inside and outside the walls of the church. It calls a leader to facilitate the implementation throughout the body of Christ.

Proactive Toward Change: The church recognizes and embraces the organic characteristic of change and responds creatively and proactively to shifts in culture. The church continually changes its methods, but maintains the message of Christ regarding the church.

Plan to stay for the Souper Bowl Lunch Sunday at noon. The Lunch is held each year to benefit the Matthew 25 Fund.

Half of the offering goes to the Presbytery for hunger relief and half stays with the Winger Food Pantry. Who will win the contest between adults and kids to see who can bring the most powdered milk for our pantry?? BRING POWEDERED MILK!

The Rev. Julie March will be installed as Associate Pastor for Equipping Sunday in the Sanctuary at 4 p.m.

Please join us for this celebration.

Confessions of a Christian Humanist, by South African theologian John de Gruchy. De Gruchy was one of the leading theological voices during the anti-apartheid movement. In this book, de Gruchy explores the deep and rich connections that can be made between humanists of all religious and secular traditions. Led by Dan Anderson-Little. 4 weeks. Weems Chapel.

Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster. This ground-breaking book, subtitled The Path to Spiritual Growth, explores Christian spiritual disciplines such as meditation and prayer, simplicity and service and worship of God, as opportunities for us to deepen our inner life with God. The author draws on wisdom from such spiritual sources as Francis of Assisi, Julian of Norwich, Thomas Merton and Quaker leader George Fox to overcome the superficial nature of our age and to allow our lives to be shaped by the Spirit. This class will continue as long as the group chooses to meet. Led by Chris Schmidt. Room 206.

An update and invitation from Lisa Bernhard:

Dick Glassey (the project manager for the construction of the meeting hall in Houma at the PDA volunteer village) will need some help in mid February with drywall installation. It would be wonderful if some people from Trinity could go and help him. The action team that I chair for the presbytery is working with PDA on the volunteer village in Houma.

Here is the note from Dick:

Hi Everyone,

Our small group trim to Houma was very successful. We were able to
button-up all framing needed for the utility wall rough-ins. HVAC people
and plumbers started work last Friday and Monday of this week. Electricians
will be starting today or tomorrow.

The local Elks lodge has offered to help with the insulation and drywall
installations. The Elks may be able to complete the insulation installation
before my next trip down which is planned for Feb. 12- 16, 2007. If the
Elks are successful with the insulation, then we can start drywall that
week. St. Mark Presbyterian in Ballwin is going down that same week Feb
12-16. We will need lots of people to help with the drywall so anyone who
can make it down to Houma this week in Feb. or the next few weeks can help
with the drywall finish and begin the building interior finish work and
exterior vinyl siding.

I have located someone in Houma (thanks to Beulah and Rod Rodrigue of the
Elks) to help us with the vinyl siding installation on a part time basis and
who can loan us the proper equipment for the job.

Dick Glassey

Please contact Lisa Bernhard if you can help. (Lisa Bernhard [bernhardlm@gmail.com], 863-6505)

Third Saturday Nighters, a fellowship group open to all ages, will meet at the Esquire Theatre on Clayton Road this Saturday, Jan. 20, to see the movie Dream Girls. We'll see a "rush hour" show. After the film, we'll go to Luise Hoffman's home in U. City for pizza.

Unfortunately, the exact time of the movie will not be available until later this week (Wed. or Thurs.) but it should be around 4 p.m. If you RSVP, I'll call to let you know the exact time as well as the time we expect to get to Luise's. There may also be an alternate movie available at about the same time as Dream Girls for those folks who have seen or don't want to see Dream Girls.

RSVP to Corie Merker at 314 434-8286.

Directions to Luise Hoffman's, 8100 Tulane: (Google Map)

From Delmar turn onto Old Bonhomme (Pasta House is on the corner of Delmar and Old Bonhomme) and go north to the first stop sign. Fork right onto Swarthmore. Continue on Swarthmore to Tulane. Luise's house is on the corner of Tulane and Gay. If the ground is wet, use the back door on Gay.

Come watch the game while helping raise money towards the Senior High trip to Montreat and their mission trip to South Dakota.

When: February 4^th, 2007 from 5:00-end of game

Where: Trinity's Fellowship Hall

Donation: $5 for adults & $2.50 for kids under 12

• food
• contests
• games and activities for kids
• silent auction

Dorothy Strickler passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday (1/6/07). A memorial service will be held at Trinity on Wednesday, January 17^th at 1:30 pm.

Rick Jeter sent an email message from the Adult Mission Trip to New Orleans:

Just to update you on what's going on here in New Orleans...

The team gutted a home completely yesterday for an elderly gentleman. We toured the New Orleans area this morning and will be returning to work this afternoon.

As all have said, the devastation shown in the media does not accurately portray the scope of the tragedy. The National Guard continues to provide police services in many areas.

Without faith based groups, the impacted area would have no chance of recovery. RHINO has gutted over 150 homes in the area. The sponsoring church of RHINO, St. Charles Ave. Pres., is partnering with the public schools to provide space, teachers, and resources from nursery through high school. Other churches have taken the responsibility to provide meals to groups working throughout the city. A faith based group has sponsored sites to loan tools and equipment to homeowners rebuilding.

While we see what we do in gutting a home, we accept on faith the greater, expanded, efforts of God's people to restore hope and home for the person, neighborhood, and city. We know that other people/groups are "equipped" to do tasks that all serve God for the common goal and common good.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

In peace.
Rick

The mission trip participants and their prayer partners are:

Lisa Bernhard / Kim Martin
Diane O'Brien / Michael Wysession
Jim Person / Dayna Early
Barb Rand / Jane & Milt Rand
Vicki Carmichael / Betty Burnett
Pat Courtney / Rob Peglar
Ann Fischer / Joanne Roman
Margy Brown / Cathy Smith
Rick Jeter / Dave Nelson
Vickie Jeter / Liz Nelson
Larry Newberry / Ruth Cobb

Dr. Daniel Anderson-Little, Pastor

I will be teaching a new Bible study starting in January 2007. The Bible study will be offered at two different times and locations. On the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., the class will meet at the home of John and Corie Merker, 14322 Millbriar Circle, Chesterfield, 63017. Call the Merkers for directions (314-434-8286). On the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., the class will meet at the church.

This new Bible study will focus on five of the major themes of the Old Testament - Creation, Covenant, Exodus, Nation, and Exile. These five themes run through the Old and New Testaments. When we have a good grasp of them so much of the Bible makes more sense. We will spend three class sessions on each theme. We will read and discuss portions of scripture that pertain to those themes. We will also read psalms that make reference to them. We then discuss how these themes inform and shape our faith and how they speak to our modern world. Assignments will be given out at each class.

The class will begin in the middle of January. We will meet at the Merkers for the first time on January 16 and for the first time at church on January 23. You don't need to sign up in order to attend.

Starting on January 21, the Adult Education program will feature two book studies. One study will be led by Dan Anderson-Little and will use the book Confessions of a Christian Humanist by South African theologian John de Gruchy. De Gruchy was one of the leading theological voices during the anti-apartheid movement. In this book, de Gruchy explores the deep and rich connections that can be made between humanists of all religious and secular traditions.

Chris Schmidt will also lead a study, which will begin on January 21 and run for four weeks plus, on the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.

On January 14, 2007 we will have our annual congregational meeting after worship. During the meeting we will thank members who have served in the past year, we will receive the annual budget, we will approve the Pastors' terms of call, and we will elect officers. The Annual meeting is great time to rediscover how God is at work in our congregation as we look forward to a new year of ministry. We have much to celebrate and much to look forward to at Trinity.

Julie March, Minister of Equipping

There are many opportunities for ministry here at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Invitations to join in particular ministries will be a part of each newsletter. To respond to these invitations to ministry, or to list your own, please contact Julie March at the church (725-3840) or email, juliammc@sbcglobal.net.

Ministry opportunities

• The Trinity Food Pantry needs food shoppers for July, August and September. Particularly helpful for this ministry are a big car and strong muscles. Substitute baggers are also needed for the food pantry to fill in for regular baggers when they are unable come. Please call Sandy Norkaitis (863-7699) or Julie March (725-3840) to join this ministry.
• The Matthew 25 luncheon will be held on January 21 to raise funds for the Food Pantry. Extra helpers are needed for this important annual event on Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21. Please call Sandy Norkaitis or Julie March to assist this ministry.

On Saturday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m., Guitar Circus, an ensemble featuring electric guitars, tuba and percussion, will present the third concert in Trinity's Reverberations series. The program is free and open to the public; a reception will follow. Invite your friends and colleagues!

Dan Anderson-Little received the following letter form Marc Thayer, who played violin for the Bach Cantata on Sunday, December 10.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Dear Rev. Anderson-Little and Congregation,

It was a pleasure to be involved in your morning service this past Sunday with Paul, the string quartet, and your choir. I want to commend and compliment you on your dedication to the music program, the quality of your presentations, and your financial commitment. The renovation on your organ is something that many congregations would not make a priority and the result of your work is one of the finest instruments in this city and beyond.

Your concert series and worship presentations are also of the highest caliber and this is a large factor in choosing a congregation for me and many others. I have the highest regard for Paul Vasile and his work which is obviously a labor of love. The fact that the congregation would listen quietly to his postlude by JS Bach this past Sunday also speaks volumes about the kind of people in your church. There are few organists in St. Louis that could begin to play that difficult piece or that have the musical knowledge, talent, and sincerity that Paul has. You are very lucky to have him.

And Rev. Anderson-Little, your introductory remarks before the Bach Cantata were not only appropriate but inspirational and right-on. I enjoyed playing more because of them. You should introduce all of our symphony concerts.

Thanks for your presence and work in our community, for hosting classes from the Community Music School, and for continuing to sponsor fine music's presence in the church, where it began in the first place.

Sincerely,
Marc Thayer
Vice President for Education and Community Partnerships
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra

Kim Merritt

Wow! What a glorious day! Sunday, December 10, the confirmation class, parents and leaders headed for Target. To many of you this might seem like a nightmare, but we were on mission ... a mission of faith. With the help of Katherine Klostermeier, the confirmation class purchased gifts for three families, 10 people total, ranging in age from 1 to 18 years old and their moms. The suggested amount to spend was $25.00 per person, and this should purchase an item of clothing and something fun.

Earlier in the year, the class had decided that we did not need to exchange gifts with each other and would take our money and donate it to help some who might otherwise not have Christmas. We had asked the kids that the money collected should be some of their own, from their allowance, from extra chores that they did around the house, etc. and then if parents or families wanted to participate and put in additional funds, that would be awesome.

A miracle happened on our classroom table -- $500.00 was collected. That meant that we could spend $50.00 on each person. The kids were so excited. They took such care in choosing the gifts, thinking about the person they were buying for. In addition to the gifts, the families also need toiletries, diapers, Kleenex, alarm clocks, etc. Another miracle happened - we had an angel among us who purchased another $300.00 in extra supplies for our families.

This day will not be forgotten by any of us. I believe the kids realized they were walking in the footsteps of faith, living outside their comfort zones, and thinking of the least of these. I still get goose bumps when I think about what happened that glorious day in December.

Be generous
you don't know what
you get back
until you give!

God's peace and blessings to all of you during this holiday season and throughout the year.

Keith Fischer

This may seem like a question with an obvious answer. We are at war. Lebanon is on the brink of civil war. The Israelis and the Palestinians are continually in conflict. Not only does the world need peace, but I need peace and so do you. We need peace in our families, our work places, and in ourselves. Trinity has had a peace candle for many years, and in the past had a monthly Peace Prayer. When I suggested to Dan that we revive the Peace Prayer and that I would be responsible for it, he suggested it be every Sunday.

Why is this important to me? One reason involves my personal history. My college years during the sixties at Oberlin College and Johns Hopkins Medical School had a profound impact on me. This was the time of another agonizing war - the Viet Nam war. The nightly news, as now, gave a daily body count. Unlike like now, however, news broadcasts were filled with anti-war protests. I participated in these and was among the millions of students who descended on Washington for anti-war marches. Then, as now, I belonged to a church that allowed me to follow my conscience. Along with my understanding of myself as a physician, it was an important part of my decision to become a conscientious objector, as I focused on Jesus' ministry as the Prince of Peace.

Not only do I see a need for peace in the external world. I also feel the stress of conflict in myself as I go about daily living. It seems so clear that efforts to foster peace at all levels need to be nurtured. What better way for us to do this than through prayer. "Lord, make me an instrument of your Peace; where there is hatred let me sow love..." The world needs peace, the church needs it, and I need it.

If any of you are moved to pray for peace in our worship service, please call me (361-5891) or Dan. Meanwhile, I hope that these prayers fulfill a need in you as they do for me.

Anna Gardner-Andrews and Chris Moffatt. Anna heard about Trinity from her mother, a Presbyterian pastor and past moderator of the General Assembly. Anna brought Chris, and it is now our good fortune they are joining Trinity. As you can surmise, Anna is a life-long Presbyterian. Chris is new to the denomination. Anna grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and Chris in Florida. They met at Oberlin College, where Chris was president of the campus chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Chris is an aero-space engineer at Boeing. Anna teaches ninth graders at Williams Academy in the city of St. Louis. She has recently had foot surgery but is recovering. When asked about Trinity, Anna said she likes a more traditional service, Chris a more eclectic one. Trinity will be a good church home for them both. Welcome Anna and Chris!

- Keith Fischer

Nancy Lang grew up in southern Ohio and has been a Presbyterian her entire life. She has two brothers and two sisters. She is a teacher for the Special School District, and she teaches at Mehlville High School. She currently lives in Webster Groves. She has no children but lots of animals and toys. She came to Trinity after learning about it from me. She also liked Trinity's welcome statement.

- Rhonda Dunbar

We are excited to welcome Bonnie McFarland and Brad Roy to the Trinity Family! Bonnie found Trinity about a year ago when she had been church shopping and encouraged Brad to try it out with her. They were looking for a place that would interest both of them and as stated by Brad, "...we fell in love with it! The music, the people, and the children...a place for our 'future children'..." Bonnie and Brad have chosen to be married next September at Trinity - beginning a new chapter in their lives having known each other since kindergarten. Both are from Merrillville, Indiana and moved to St. Louis after graduating from Ball State University. Bonnie is a landscape architect employed with SWT Design and Brad is a St. Louis Police officer. One of their favorite pastimes is watching the Chicago Cubs play the Cardinals. Please join us in welcoming Bonnie and Brad!

- Traci O'Bryan

Larry and Elaine Pontious are natives of the St. Louis area and have been married for 30 years. They have three children - Paul, age 23; Adam, age 20; and Tatiana, who is 5. Larry is a career employee with UPS for some 33 years and is a consultant for large corporate customers. Elaine focuses her energy on the home environment with primary care responsibilities for Adam, who has cerebral palsy, and Tatiana. Tatiana was adopted from Russia four years ago.

One thing that is evident when you first enter their home is their love for music. They have several instruments on display and enjoy a variety of musical styles, ranging from Celtic and folk to religious and traditional. Elaine has played the organ for one church they attended in the past. Elaine enjoys quilting, yarn spinning, poetry, and of course music. Larry enjoys trout fishing and annually makes it to Wisconsin to enjoy this hobby. Their faith backgrounds are as rich as their musical tastes, as Larry comes from a Southern Baptist heritage and Elaine from the Catholic faith.

At one time in their faith journey Larry converted to the Catholic faith and most recently they have been active as Sunday school teachers at Concord Baptist Church. The things that drew them to Trinity are the church's stance on diversity and inclusiveness and of course their love for superb worshipful music. They initial introduction to Trinity was through our web-site, but the warmth of the people kept them coming back. Please welcome Larry, Elaine, Adam and Tatiana.

- Tina and Larry Newberry

Rachel Presti lives with her husband, Jeremy, and their son, D.J., in University City. She met Jeremy soon after moving to St. Louis in 1994, where they had both relocated for graduate school. Rachel completed her M.D. PhD. At Washington University, where her husband also completed doctoral studies. She is now a faculty member at Washington University in the Department of Internal Medicine. She is engaged in research with clinical expertise in HIV. Rachel comes from the Seattle area, while her husband emigrated to the United States from Guyana. She has a Scandinavian background, and attended Seattle First Covenant Church for many years. After moving to St. Louis, the initially attended Central Presbyterian Church. Her father led her to Trinity after he did some internet surfing and concluded from the web site that Trinity might be the church home she was looking for. We welcome Rachel and her family and look forward to growing in faith with them.

- Kim Martin

The Presbyterian Women's Friendship Bunch Christmas Project: A Children's Shower of Gifts to benefit Our Little Haven was a success! The church dining room is covered with stuff. The top of their want list was paper goods - so we have paper towels and toilet paper stacked a mile high!

Thanks to the Friendship Bunch and everyone else who made this such a bounty of gifts. Our Little Haven is a safe, healing environment for children suffering from abuse and neglect; birth to seven years of age.

Keith Fischer, for the Corporate Affairs Commission

As of December 18, 2006, Trinity has received 95 pledges for 2007 totaling $325,440. This exceeds what was pledged for 2006 in eight fewer pledges. More than half of the pledges were increased this year. Three new pledges totaling $15,000 were also received. We are so blessed!

We think that there are ten more pledges yet to come in, so we have confidence that actual pledges will exceed the $330,000 budgeted for 2007. If you are among the "tardy 10," pledges can still be made! We would appreciate receiving them as soon as possible. Operators are standing by.

In further good news, we have exceeded our budgeted amount of loose offerings for calendar year 2006 thanks to an unexpected but providential $5000 gift that arrived in the office in late December.

Dan Anderson-Little

Last fall, I received the letter below from a Washington University student.

Dear Pastor Dan Anderson-Little,

This past Sunday I visited your beautiful church for the first time. You may remember meeting me on the way out; I am the Washington University senior from Brooklyn. I wanted to thank you for an inspiring and enlightening morning.

I must profess that I did not attend your service totally out of my own volition. I am an anthropology major, and for one of my classes, Writing Culture, I was assigned to attend the religious service of a tradition that I was not familiar with. Many of my classmates chose ostensibly more exotic institutions such as mosques, Hindu temples, and Baha'i gatherings, but for a secular Jew like me, Christianity, and Protestantism in particular, has always been foreign, novel, and mysterious.

I probably wouldn't be able to count the number of times I have passed your church on my way to the Loop. Your warm welcome sign with its rainbow colored triangle has engraved itself into my memory as one of University City's icons. From this little symbol no larger than my hand, I had always assumed that Trinity Presbyterian Church was a tolerant place committed to social justice. When I visited your website I realized that if I were to attend a service, I would not be disappointed.

I have two basic stereotypes of Christianity in my mind. Images of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., pastel colored flowers, King Arthur, doves, Mother Teresa, placid oceans, and Sister Act inundate my childhood conception of Christianity. As I got older though, my impression slowly changed. Recently, in light of the rhetoric of the so-called Christian Right, I view Christianity and the great prophet Jesus, with suspicion and fear. In fact, in my mind, your Lord's very name elicits visions of war, bigotry, patriarchy, imperialism, and jingoism. I am sure you find this very sad and disturbing, but I can assure you, after Sunday, my faith in the power and potential of Christianity for progressive social action has been partially restored. Even though I am positive that my own ignorance and prejudices have misconstrued my interpretation of Christianity, I am also certain that many other Christians in America might not agree with your interpretations of the Gospel.

I don't want you to have the false impression that I see the Presbyterian Church as a bastion of political liberalism. Despite the love I felt flowing through the veins of total strangers when you called on us to greet each other with the words, "The Peace of Christ be with you," in spite of the laughter I expressed when you started your sermon with "Jesus, I'd wish you could shut your big yapper!," and even with the repeated emphasis that within the walls of your church everyone is welcome "without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, worldly conditions, sexual orientation, disability, or any other condition," your messages should not be interpreted as being politically liberal; they transcend politics. I consider myself a liberal, but what impressed me most about your church and your sermon was how you managed to call people to action without demagoguery. Unlike so many pastors, you don't explicitly tell people to vote a certain way; you merely illuminate questions that they have about their own faith. They have to decide for themselves what policies best reflect their own values and interpretations of the Bible.

I found your church, with its lively professional quality music, friendly patrons, and straightforward and earnest sermons to be a very illuminating place. I would love to worship with your congregation again.

Sincerely,
Josh Marshack

Carol and Cathy Kramer

We would like to thank our Trinity friends for all the love, support and expressions of sympathy shown us at the passing of our husband and father. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful church family.

...are available in the Dining Room. Those members who had envelopes last year and those who have asked to receive them, are included. If you would like to begin using offering envelopes, please contact Linde Baechle in the church office (725-3840).

Linda Min

I am coordinating ushers for 2007 and would love to hear from anyone who is feeling called to the ministry of greeting people Sunday mornings and collecting the Offering. Training will be provided, so don't be shy. I can be reached at 314-781-2150. For those of you who have served as ushers in the past, please let me know if you are willing to serve in this capacity again in 2007. Thank you!

Have you looked at the large magnetic calendar outside the church office lately? During December, delicate Advent wreaths and tiny mangers (complete with Baby) marked each Sunday of Advent, golden bells indicated handbell rehearsals, and beautiful handwritten signs noted special concerts and other events. Vicki Jeter and Do Kirk update the events, with Vicki hand-making many of the magnets (rumor has it she created the Advent wreaths by hand during our last ice storm power outage!). Thank you Vicki for using your artistic gifts to create this visual representation of the activities, life and energy at Trinity Church. Come see how the building is being used by Church members and the community alike! What will appear in January?

This is a list of Trinity Members who need our prayers. If you would like to be added to the prayer list or know of a member in need of prayer, please call the church office, 314-725-3840.