Trinity Lutheran Church
433 S. Winstead avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 443-7462
Identity Statement:
With God We Can!
The Joyful Noise
October 2025
This month’s highlights
Sundays, Oct 5-26 Sunday School
9:00 am
Worship
10:00 am
Sunday, Oct 5 Fellowship/celebration
of birthdays and anniversaries
After Worship
Saturdays, Oct 4-25 With God We Can!
Farmer’s Market
Mondays, Oct 6-27 With God We Can!
Kitchen, 8:00 am
Saturday, Oct 11 Chrismon Workshop
10:00 am-1:00 pm
Tuesday, Oct 21 Book Group
11:00 am
Please read articles in the newsletter for more information about ministry opportunities offered here at Trinity Lutheran Church during October.
Please accept the invitation to participate.
Be safe, be kind.
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed, you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5
This is part of the closing passage of Paul’s letter to the congregation in Corinth. It is in advance of his third visit. This community of believers has given Paul more trouble than the others combined. It seems that he no sooner addresses one problem than three more appear! Paul has become aware of continuing challenges to his authority and accusations against what he has taught and done. In response, Paul defines the nature of leadership within the Body of Christ – that it is necessary and part of being in community but that it isn’t intended to create an environment where people feel they are blocked from relationship with God.
Paul reminds the Church, including this congregation, that we all have gifts that are expected to be used to build up the Body of Christ and work for the glory of God, that each of us is a lodging place for Jesus, and that authority is granted by God for the building up and not tearing down.
Paul doesn’t stop loving these people. He closes his letter with this instruction –
Put things in order, listen to my appeal,
agree with one another, live in peace;
and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. (vv 11b-12)
And then comes this blessing –
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with all of you. (v13)
These words might sound familiar. I share them with you from the altar every Sunday morning during worship.
Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
You continue in my prayers.
Breathe peace, Pastor Alice
Words of Appreciation
Thank you to everybody who has given time and effort in assembling bulletins and newsletters in September! We are truly blessed by your partnership in ministry.
Thank you to the folks who help prepare for worship and share worship leadership!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month I suspect most of us have seen pink ribbons on people’s lapels. It has become the common symbol of breast cancer awareness. This disease knows no age or social status or race. Even today with all the advances in medicine, women (and, although not common, so do men) still get breast cancer and still die. Early detection can make a difference – so please get in the habit of monthly self-examination and talk with your doctor about getting an annual mammogram. And, please wear a pink ribbon in memory or support of someone – maybe whose name you know or who you’ve yet to meet. There’s a basket with pink ribbons available in the Gathering Space. And keep all whose lives have been affected by this disease in your prayers. Thank you.
October is Also Domestic Abuse Awareness Month Every day, someone is wounded by a person who is supposed to love them. Injuries inflict damage to bodies, minds, spirits. Too often the scars are hidden, and the one who’s been hurt carries shame and a sense of responsibility, that somehow if they were better, didn’t cause trouble, kept quiet, were more attentive, or a variety of other things that are used as justification for being abused. Truth is – nobody deserves to be abused! The symbol for domestic abuse awareness is a purple high heel to represent walking away from the abusive situation. This is not as easy as it seems to those never in such a situation. Please let’s all be safe people. And keep all who live in scary, threatening places as well as those who provide care for them in your prayers. Thank you.
And October is Mental Illness Awareness Month Even as some national and international efforts have been made to shine light on mental illness, it is still too often an ignored and uncomfortable issue in our society. Even with efforts to educate our society, unfortunately, there is much misinformation and is still a stigma associated with mental illness. Maybe you’ve seen these words in ad campaigns - Mental Health is Health. Please keep brothers and sisters who struggle with thoughts or voices or images that cause them anguish, pain, suffering in your prayers. And may all of us be kinder to each other. Thank you.
Commemoration of St. Luke, October 18, 2025
There is a difference between how the world views illness and health and how the Church does. In the Christian mindset about sickness and healing there is the sense of wholeness and shalom. Our prayers are always for healing of mind, body, and spirit. Although we would not deny God’s ability to cause miraculous physical healing events, we acknowledge God is not restricted to the physical and brings many kinds of healing. In Scripture, healing is often depicted as a manifestation of God’s compassion and power. Old Testament passages present health as a gift from God. Interestingly, shalom, more commonly translated as peace, can also mean health. The New Testament also records occurrences of healing. Jesus is sometimes called the Great Physician. It is important to understand that Jesus had concern for the whole person, and usually forgiveness was part of the declaration of healing. Healing was also understood as a feeling or experiencing of God’s reconciling love. A Biblical definition of healing must include the idea of restoration to wholeness. To offer religious healing is one way in which Christians can express that love in the world today.
Because the 18th is on a Saturday this year, council has approved moving observance of this day to Sunday, October 19. During our worship service, we will include parts of the liturgy are used in Service of the Prayer for Healing which emphasize the ministry of healing by recognizing those in healing professions and providing the opportunity for congregants to approach the altar to present petitions for healing and, if for themselves, receive an anointing with oil Petitions in the Prayers of Intercession will be lifted which specifically ask God’s healing presence for those whose lives are affected by breast cancer, mental illness, and domestic violence.
Sunday School has resumed! Classes meet at 9:00 am for adults and children/youth. Come and be part of this opportunity of learning and growing together. There’s room for everyone! Thanks!
Community Event
Saturday, October 4, 2025, a Family Fun Day, 10:00 -6:00. This is an event to raise financial support for Jason Tant, who battles the progressive neurodegenerative disease known as ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s Disease). The address is 5547 Fire Tower Road, Bailey, NC
Chrismon Workshop, Saturday, October 11!
On Saturday, October 11, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm a shared ministry among all our clusters will gather – and everybody is invited! This event will be a time of focus on Chrismons. It’s an opportunity to learn about the symbols and colours used and include time to repair old Chrismons and make new ones to be placed on our Chrismon tree this Advent. No special skills required – just an interest in participating in this ministry. Thanks!
The Book Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am unless otherwise announced – and October is one of those times! The book group will gather on Tuesday, October 21, to discuss Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The November selection is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The book for December is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Come join us for this time of fellowship and conversation. Everybody is welcome!
When I was hungry…
Feeding Ministries through Trinity
Love Meals A reminder that the 1st Sunday of every month is designated as Love Meals Sunday. Please bring non-perishable food items to share with folks in our community who struggle to provide food for their families. The bucket is under the side table in the Gathering Space. Thanks!
With God We Can! and Freeze continues – On Saturdays produce is received from vendors at the farmers market; produce is distributed on Sundays to be prepared for freezing; on Monday mornings additional produce is prepared and delivered. It is indeed a sacred privilege to be the hands of Jesus providing vegetables for our brothers and sisters whose bowls might otherwise go empty. Thank you for your partnership in ministry. Please keep With God We Can! and Freeze in your prayers.
Meals on Wheels Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Meal pick-up is 10:00 am at First Presbyterian Church. This important ministry provides food (and a friendly face) to our brothers and sisters in our community who might otherwise go hungry. Trinity delivers meals on six of the routes on 5th Wednesdays. The sign-up sheet is on the white table in the Gathering Space. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry.
Reformation Sunday, October 26, 2025
A Mighty Fortress is Our God!
On Sunday, October 26, our congregation will gather to sing this hymn and others with great Lutheran gusto! It is the day to wear red and celebrate the dynamic relationship between God and the Church. Come and share this day of celebration!
All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2025
In keeping with the tradition of this congregation, names of departed saints will be included in the Prayers of Intercession during worship on November 2. The Book of Remembrance will be available on a stand at the Sanctuary entrance for names to be included in the prayer beginning October 12. Please print clearly.
Invitation to Serve The 2025 Nominating Team will soon be spending time in prayer, Bible study, and conversation, listening for God’s call, and then begin to invite folks to prayerfully seek God’s guidance about serving as leaders of Trinity. This is not a responsibility taken lightly. I ask that everybody be in prayer for this ministry – pray for the team and those invited to serve. If you are contacted, please be prayerful about your response. I am always available for conversation, especially in this process of discernment for partnership in the leadership ministry of this congregation. Thank you. My prayers join yours.
Breathe peace, Pastor Alice
On Sunday, October 5, 2025, we will celebrate October birthdays and anniversaries during our after-worship fellowship gathering in Resurrection Hall. Everyone is welcome! It’s an opportunity to enjoy some conversation and light refreshments. Thanks!
Congregation Meeting Sunday, November 16, 2025 with Thanksgiving Dinner
Immediately after worship, we will gather to share a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, gravy, dressing, and drinks will be provided. Everybody is invited to contribute a side dish or dessert. A sign-up sheet will be available in the Gathering Space to help the Caretaking Cluster better plan the meal.
The annual business meeting of Trinity Lutheran Church will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, after the dinner. The agenda includes election of council members, election of 2026 nominating team, and voting to adopt the 2026 Ministry Spending Plan. Also a final vote will be taken to approve and accept the updated constitution. Everyone is invited; however, only those who are identified as active members according to the constitution may vote. An active member is defined as one who has communed and made a contribution of record to the general offering within two years of the annual business meeting. If you have any questions about being eligible to vote, please contact our treasurer. Thank you.
Everybody’s Story Matters – Including Yours! And we all have some! Think about how many times you’ve told or listened to somebody else tell stories about life experiences – childhood or playing sports or spending a week in the summer with grandparents or heading to college or the first day on a new job – anything. Think about how stories connect us and engage us in each other’s life.
Same as the many stories we tell and retell to one another about our lives, each of us has Jesus stories about how we’ve experienced Jesus through people or events. Our Jesus stories are important to share. They provide ways to invite each other into some of the ways we experience Jesus in our lives. All our stories are special and unique. Telling and hearing Jesus stories in our lives helps us grow in our faith journey and witness that the Good News of Jesus is dynamic and active in our lives now, today.
To help us share these important Jesus stories, the Invitation and Faith Growing Clusters are developing a new ministry. Anyone who wants to share a Jesus story is invited to prepare a brief narrative (no longer than 90 seconds) and be recorded sharing your story to be posted on our website and Facebook. A helpful guide – think about a time when somebody was Jesus to you by how they treated you or through something they might have said (hint – keep in mind a Jesus story tells how Jesus touches us; we are not the subject or hero of our stories).
If you have any questions, please talk with Pastor Alice. Thanks for your partnership in this ministry.
Congregation Council
Cluster Reports
September 14, 2025 meeting
Worship Cluster
September-Green Season
October
· 18th- Feast Day of St. Luke (moved to be observed Sunday, October 19)
· 26th- Reformation Sunday- wear red
Faith Growing Cluster
Faith Sharing
Shortly, we will be recording and broadcasting videos of individuals telling their Jesus story. The videos will each be 90 seconds in length. The media team has met and will take each Jesus story and capture it on video and then post it on our web site. One Jesus Story will be added each week. This is a cooperative ministry between the Faith Growing and Invitation clusters.
Christian Education
Adult Sunday School begins on September 7th with a series on selected Parables of Jesus. Did you know that there are 42 parables of Jesus? Jesus often used these parables to teach very important lessons to His disciples and others. Selected parables will be used with interesting comparisons between the parables. Come join us and share our discussion.
The Children’s Sunday School also begins on September 7th and will continue to use Whirl, an ELCA lectionary-based resource.
Stewardship
Please continue to pray for God’s guidance as you reflect on your partnership in Trinity’s ministry through your financial stewardship. Thank you.
Caretaking Cluster
Family Life
o A sign-up sheet is available for October through December hosting.
Finance
o Congregational leaders have been scheduled to count offerings and make deposits through the next council meeting in October.
o Funds were transferred from the Operating Reserve account to cover the budget shortfall for July.
o An Audit team will be appointed to audit the 2024 records. Nominees will be contacted.
o A Repair Reserve fund has been created to address future building maintenance and repair.
Property
o The cable that Brightspeed installed still has not been buried. The company has been notified.
o There are open dates on the sign-up sheet for grass cutting.
o Dobson Pest Control sprayed for pests on August 15th.
o The shingles on the roof are due to be replaced, and some damage has been noted.
Invitation Cluster
Evangelism
- A cooperative ministry between the Invitation Cluster and Faith Growing Cluster will begin in September to record and post members sharing their Jesus Stories.
- YouTube, Facebook and the website are continually updated.
- Photo Consent Forms: In order to honor privacy, we ask that everybody signs a photo consent form to be kept on file for a year. Copies are available on the information table in the gathering space. This is required for anyone participating in Sharing Jesus Stories.
Social Ministry
- Love Meals: A reminder that the 1st Sunday of every month is designated as Love Meals Sunday. Please bring non-perishable food items to share with folks in our community who struggle to provide food for their families.
- Meals on Wheels: Thank you to Trinity people who served meals on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The next date for us to participate is Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
- With God We Can! continues. Please see Pastor Alice for information about prepping produce. Bagged produce for freezing is to be returned on Monday morning at 8:00.
TLC
- The book group is held on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am (unless otherwise announced). The book selection for September Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll in the October selection. All are welcome.
- Links to the Nash County Arboretum Tour Schedule and the Fundraiser For ALS Warrior: Jason Tant have been posted to Facebook
DOWNLOAD PDF LINKS: