Trinity Lutheran Church
433 S. Winstead avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 443-7462
www.trinityrm.org
Identity Statement:
With God We Can!
The Joyful Noise
January 2026
This month’s highlights
Sundays, Jan 11-25 Sunday School 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
Sunday, Jan 4 Fellowship/celebration of birthdays and anniversaries After Worship
Tuesday, Jan 13 Book Group 11:00 am
Saturday, Jan 17 Council Retreat 10:00 - 2:00 pm
Tuesday, Jan 20 Conference Clergy Mtg Trinity hosts, 10:00 am
Please read articles in the newsletter for more information about ministry opportunities offered here at Trinity Lutheran Church during January.
Please accept the invitation to participate.
be safe, be kind.
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This is the message we have heard from Christ
and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him
there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5
There’s a hymn based on this passage that has this refrain
In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus. ELW 815
This hymn is in the Commitment/Discipleship section of the ELW.
Seasonally, we live in the time of cold weather and possibility of frozen precipitation and later sunrises and earlier sunsets making for dark days. There also seems to be a global spiritual darkness as across the world and in our country and in our community. There is unrest and uncertainty and division which also make for dark days.
But the writer of this letter reminds us, the Church that includes you and me, that the message from Jesus, the message lived by Jesus is that in God there is no darkness. The Light has come into the world, Holy Light that brings hope and peace and restoration and love and life to all this broken, flawed, fractured world – even you and me.
As we enter this New Year, may each of us pray the words of this hymn’s first verse
I want to walk as a child of the Light.
I want to follow Jesus.
May the Light of Jesus shine through us in all we say and do.
Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
You continue in me prayers.
Breathe peace,
Pastor Alice
A Word of Thanks from Pastor Alice
Thank you from Bob and me for the kindness, generosity, and support shared with our family throughout 2025 and especially during this Christmas season. May God keep you, bless you, and fill you with the Light of Christ now and always. You are held in our hearts.
Please include in your prayers…
…for people and land threatened by or recovering from recent weather events; for our brothers and sisters who have no shelter and whose bowls are empty and who struggle to have hope for assistance especially those in Gaza and in our country; for all communities wounded by hatred, division, violence, and vitriol especially in our country, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Middle East; and for those who feel there is no one to pray for them.
Words of Appreciation
Thank you to everybody who has given time and effort in assembling bulletins in December! We are truly blessed by your partnership in ministry.
Thank you to the folks who help prepare for worship and share worship leadership!
Several Words of Thanks!
- thank you to everyone who was a partner in With God We Can! in our thirteenth year of this amazing ministry!
- thank you to folks who provided food for Love Meals; cleaning and paper products for the shelter; personal care items for My Sister’s House bags; water and socks for the Linus Ministry; and gifts for local children in Foster care!
- thank you to those who decorated and de-decorated the Sanctuary and throughout our facility for Advent and Christmas!
- thank you to the angelic voices sharing Christmas carols and holiday songs with our shut-in and senior members and others!
- thank you for your faithful partnership in ministry during this challenging year of 2025!
I am blessed to be your pastor. Thank you!
Breathe peace, Pastor Alice
As we enter the season of winter weather, please watch Channel 11 for closing or delay information for Trinity.
Love Meals During this time of uneasiness and stress when many in our community worry about financial security, faith communities and non-profit groups are more likely to receive requests for food – including Trinity. A reminder that the 1st Sunday of every month is designated as Love Meals Sunday (although your generous gifts are appreciated anytime!). Please bring non-perishable food items (basic staples) to share with folks in our community who struggle to provide food for their families. Please be sure to check the expiration dates. The bucket is under the side table in the Gathering Space. Thanks!
Book Group, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 11:00 am. The group will discuss A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The February selection is The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature by Charlie English. Everybody is welcome to share this time of conversation and fellowship.
At 10:00 am on Sunday, January 4, 2026, our new adult Sunday School session began with the wondering “What do we know about Jesus’ childhood?” This was one of several great wonderings shared in the box which will provide focus for our forum where we can explore thoughts that make us wonder, those questions we never had the chance to ask. Do you have things that have made you wonder – about God, angels, the Church, worship, life, other nagging questions? Paper and pens are available in a basket on the white table in the Gathering Space. You are invited to write your question on a slip of paper and put it in the We Wonder Together box (only I will read them). Please include your name in case I need some clarification as I prepare for the class. There are no silly questions! Please talk with me for more information. Last Sunday was great! I’m excited about this new class and look forward to more amazing conversation. Thanks! Pastor Alice
The Children/Youth Sunday School class also gathers at 10:00 am every Sunday. They use Whirl, a resource that follows the Scripture read during worship. All children are welcome!
Council is reminded our annual retreat will gather Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00-2:00, in Resurrection Hall. Lunch will be provided. Thanks for your partnership in ministry.
Several Jesus Stories have been posted on our Facebook site! There is a Sign-Up Sheet for folks who are willing to participate in Sharing their Jesus Stories. Each of us has a story to tell, and all our Jesus stories matter! Please talk with Pastor Alice for more information. Thanks!
Ministry Reflection and Review in February 2026.
Following worship we will gather for soup and sandwiches and a time to reflect and review our ministry of the past year as well as look forward to opportunities in the coming year. The 2025 Annual Report will be published with reports from council that are summaries of our 2025 ministry, the treasurer’s annual report, letter from the president, and pastor’s report and letter along with an updated community directory. These will be available at that meeting. Watch for more information with the date and sign-up sheet. Thanks!
A Prayer for Epiphany
O God, on this day You revealed Your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know Your presence in our lives, and bring us at the last to the full vision of Your glory, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Sundays and Seasons, Year A 2026
Congregation Council
Cluster Reports
For December 14, 2025 meeting
Worship Cluster December 2025 / January 2026
- Christmas Poinsettias- A form is available on the back cover of the newsletter for your use to order poinsettias to adorn the chancel on the Christmas Eve. Please submit the completed forms to the church office by Sunday, November 23, 2025. The cost is $9.00 and the payment is due by Sunday, December 14, 2025. Thank You!
December
- Mid-week Advent Services at 12 noon in Resurrection Hall; theme is Preparing in Christ’s Presence
· Wednesday, Dec. 3rd – Do Less
· Wednesday, Dec. 10th- Experience Wonder
· Wednesday, Dec. 17th – Hold onto Hope
- Christmas Eve Service – Wednesday, Dec. 24th at 2:00pm (white) We will have a celebration for Jesus’ birthday after the worship service.
January 2026
· January 6th- Epiphany of Our Lord
· Saturday, January 10th at 10:00am – de-decorate the Sanctuary
· Sunday, January 11th- The Baptism of Our Lord
Faith Growing Cluster December 2025 / January 2026
Christian Education
We are recording and broadcasting videos of individuals telling their Jesus story. The videos are 90 seconds in length with one video to be broadcast each week. This activity is coordinated between the Invitation Cluster media team and the Faith Growing Cluster. A signup sheet has been created for members to have their Jesus story recorded. There is still time to sign up.
Adult Sunday School will conclude their study of the Parables of Jesus and looking at the meanings behind the parables. A parable is best described as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
In January Pastor Alice will lead the Adult Sunday School with a theme called “I Wonder…”.
There will be a drop box placed in the Gathering Space for people to leave their “I Wonder…” questions as input to the new class. All are invited.
The children/ youth Sunday School is continuing with the Whirl Series, which is based on the lectionary. A rotating schedule of teachers is being developed.
Stewardship
Please 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
- A sign-up sheet is available for October-December hosting.
Finance:
Congregational leaders have been scheduled to count offerings and make deposits through the next council meeting.
The Audit Team report is in and has been accepted by the Congregation Council.
A Repair Reserve fund has been created to address future building maintenance and repair.
Property
A Repair Fund has been established in an effort to fund maintenance issues.
Invitation Cluster
Evangelism
- 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.
- A cooperative ministry began in July between the Invitation Cluster and Faith Growing Cluster to record and post members sharing their Jesus stories. There is a sign-up sheet for folks that are willing to participate.
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 Wednesday, December 31, 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.
- With God We Can! and Freeze will end prior to Thanksgiving and will resume next year.
- Highway Cleanup will be held during the final quarter of 2025; date to be announced.
- Trinity Will Sponsor Five Children in Foster Care with Christmas Gifts. The gift cards will be available on the table in the Gathering Space. Please remember to attach the gift cards to wrapped presents. Gifts are due by Sunday, December 7, 2025. Please talk with Pastor Alice for more information. Thank you for your generous partnership in this ministry.
TLC
- Book Group –The book group is held on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am (unless otherwise announced). The book selection for December is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens All are welcome.
- A possible event is Winter Wonderland at the Imperial Centre. Sunday December 14 from 1:00 to 5:00 All costs are free with the exception of the food trucks.
- Annual Christmas Caroling! Because we may have as many as eight stops to make this year, our caroling will be divided between two Saturdays – December 6 and 13. Full details are not available at this time. Watch the bulletin and December newsletter for more information. As any who’ve participated in this ministry can tell you, the greater blessing comes to the carolers!
DOWNLOAD PDF LINKS:
2025 November Newsletter
2025 October Newsletter
2025 September Newsletter
2025 August Newsletter
2025 July Newsletter
2025 June Newsletter