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
December 2025
This month’s highlights
Sundays, Dec 7-21 Sunday School 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
Sunday, Dec 7 Fellowship/celebration of birthdays and anniversaries After Worship
Gifts for Children in Foster Care Due
Wednesdays, Dec 3, 10, 17 Advent mid-week Worship Noon
Saturdays, Dec 6 & 13 Christmas Caroling
Tuesday, Dec 9 Book Group 11:00 am
Sunday, Dec 14 Council Mtg (present and newly elected)
Payment for Poinsettias Due
Wednesday, Dec 24 Christmas Eve Worship 2:00 pm
Please read articles in the newsletter for more information about ministry opportunities offered here at Trinity Lutheran Church during December.
Please accept the invitation to participate.
be safe, be kind.
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
…Come, let’s climb God’s mountain, go to the House of the God of Jacob. God will show us and teach us God’s ways and how God works so we can live the way we’re made to live. God will settle things fairly between nations. God will be the arbitrator and make things right for many people. Those who were once divided and who caused violence against others will beat all their weapons into productive and useful tools for the well-being of all people. No more will nation fight nation; they won’t play war anymore! Come, family of Jacob, let’s live in the light of God! Isaiah 2:2-5
This passage from the prophet Isaiah is exhausting! Who has the energy to climb a mountain? And if that’s where I need to go to see God in action, I’m not sure I can (or even want to) do it.
And that’s that, right? Let’s all just stay in our private valleys of despair.
Not an option for us, dear Church!
This call is to a people in exile, people who feel forgotten and lost and hopeless. It is a reminder to an ancient community and to us 21st century communities – even here at Trinity – to look to God, to keep our eyes and ears and hearts focused on the Holy One, the God of Jacob and you and me and all people.
The prophet’s words are spoken as a reminder that God hasn’t abandoned God’s beloved. In the face of fear-mongering rhetoric and threats and abrasive actions, God does and will prevail. God will bring justice and rescue and peace. God will end violent regimes and refashion their weapons of destruction into tools for farming.
You and I are called to live fully and faithfully as the people who God has created us to be – people who live in God’s light and are workers for the well-being of all God’s children, especially those who are victims of wars and violence and hatred at the hands of people who think they have power and authority. God will equip each of us, dear Church, individually and as a community, to effect change, to turn swords and spears into shovels and plows.
No mountain climbing required, just looking up to God and out to one another. All around us God’s action is visible. You and I have the sacred call and privilege and responsibility to join in and be part of God’s action.
The time is now.
Thanks for your partnership in ministry.
You continue in my prayers.
Breathe peace,
Pastor Alice
Our Christmas Prayer for Each of You
May the hope born in the Holy Babe fill your hearts during this sacred time and continue to encourage you in the New Year! Peace, Bob and Pastor Alice.
Please include in your prayers our members, relatives, and friends
who have requested our prayers:
…for all whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS; 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 violence 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 and newsletters in October! We are truly blessed by your partnership in ministry.
Thank you to the folks who help prepare for worship and share worship leadership!
A Sincere Note of Appreciation to everybody who provided the lavish Thanksgiving meal shared on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
Throughout the world, December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month. This disease has claimed millions and continues to ravish families and villages and countries across the world including our community. Red ribbons are available on the table outside the Sanctuary; please consider wearing one to remember all who battle this epidemic, especially the millions of children.
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.
Love Meals During this time of uneasiness and stress when many in our community worry about losing SNAP assistance, 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. 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!
Advent Mid-Week Worship This year we’ll have the opportunity to gather on the Wednesdays during Advent at noon in Resurrection Hall. Our worship services will last between 30 and 45 minutes. You are welcome to bring your lunch. The theme for our worship is Preparing in Christ’s Presence – December 3, Do Less; December 10, Experience Wonder; December 17, Hold onto Hope. Please plan to include spending time bathed in holy quiet, a respite from the frantic pace and noise this season too often brings. Invite somebody to share this worship with us.
Annual Christmas Caroling! Because we have six stops to make this year, our caroling will be divided between two Saturdays – December 6 and 13. Folks are asked to meet at Trinity by 10:30 am. There are sign-up sheets on the white table in the Gathering Space for carolers. As any who’ve participated in this ministry can tell you, the greater blessing comes to the carolers! Thanks!
Book Group meets on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 11:00 am. The book selected for this month is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The January book is The CIA Book Group by Charlie English. Come and join this time of great conversation! All are welcome.
The Invitation Cluster is organizing a congregation event to attend The Winter Wonderland at the Imperial Centre on Sunday December 14 from 1:00 to 5:00.
The Longest Night Worship Service
Hosted by Lakeside Baptist Church
Because the Church recognizes that for some of our brothers and sisters, this time of year isn't "the most wonderful time of the year" and instead brings with it heavy burdens, it is important to give space and voice and light to those who are struggle to find anything to celebrate.
At 6:00 pm on Sunday, December 21, 2025, Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, will host a worship service that provides space for those who are grieving or suffering from depression / loneliness / loss during the holidays.
At this worship service, opportunity will be provided to light candles or otherwise mark the struggles people are facing. All are invited, especially whoever needs a word of hope and love and understanding in the darkness.
For more information, please contact Lakeside Baptist Church at (252) 446-0126.
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 2:00 pm. We will gather on this Holy Eve to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This worship service will use favourite hymns as liturgy. Holy Communion will be celebrated, and a Litany of Blessing of the Children will be shared. Candles will be lit, and the congregation will process outside to declare Glory to God with the whole cosmos for the Holy Child of Bethlehem. After singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas, the congregation will go to Resurrection Hall to continue the celebration with A Birthday Party for Jesus. Please plan to come and worship the Child in the Manger! Invite someone to share this holy time.
With God We Can! Since this ministry began in 2013, this congregation has responded with energy and time and support and prayers, living a full commitment that we are truly called to help feed brothers and sisters in our community. Trinity folks understand that as an assembly of people who believe we are called and claimed to be the presence of Christ and share His grace, it is both our sacred privilege and responsibility to care for our neighbours. We began with a faithful crew of about 25, folks coming when their schedules allowed, and spending many hours in the various stages of the process – getting the produce and washing and preparing and cooking and labeling and delivering and picking up empty jars. Navigating COVID 19 meant thinking outside the box to continue providing healthy, fresh produce to our partners in this ministry. To do that, we adjusted our efforts to freeze what we could and deliver more “fresh from the Farmers Market” items. While we no longer spend the hours canning produce, the ministry still provides a lot of food that is shared through the soup kitchen, Peacemakers, and the Salvation Army. As a congregation, we know - it’s more than a catchy phrase – With God We Can!
Trinity Lutheran Church
With God We Can! & Freeze
CANNING YEAR TOTAL QTS.
August 5 – Nov. 19, 2013 1,095
July 26 – Nov. 20, 2014 967
July 11 – Nov. 23, 2015 1,049
June 18 – Aug. 22, 2016 719
June 17 – Sep. 9, 2017 651
June 16 – Sep. 29, 2018 1,649
June 22 – Nov. 11, 2019 1,039
July 18 – Nov. 21, 2020 1,013
June 19 – Nov. 15, 2021 951
June 18 – Nov. 19, 2022 1,048
June 17 – Nov. 18, 2023 1,339
June 15 – Oct. 26, 2024 764
June 14 – Nov. 22, 2025 849
Total 13,133
Types of Produce Donated by the Farmers Market in 2025
APPLES KALE
BAKERY GOODS LETTUCE
BEETS OKRA
BLUEBERRIES ONION
BROCCOLI PEARS
BRUSSEL SPROUTS PEACHES
BUTTERBEANS PEPPERS
BUTTERNUT SQUASH POTATOES
CABBAGES RADISHES
CANTALOUPES SQUASH
CARROTS STRINGBEANS
COLLARDS SWEET CORN
CUCUMBERS SWEET POTATOES
FIELD PEAS TOMATOES
GREENBEANS WATERMELONS
GREENS ZUCCHINI
Blessings to all the hands that provide the produce, the hands that prepare it, the hands that serve it, and the hands that receive it. What a witness of being Church together in a world that too often sees only division! Thank you.
Please note – all gifts to be included on your 2025 financial contributions statement must be received by Sunday, December 28, 2025. Please talk with our treasurer, or Pastor Alice if you have any questions.
Highlights from the 2025 Annual Congregation Business Meeting, November 16, 2025.
- Second vote taken to adopt updated constitution; unanimous in favor.
- 2024 audit was presented; records in good order; our treasurer was recognized and commended for her service.
- 2026 Ministry Spending Plan unanimously approved.
- Because the slate of nominees for the vacancies on the Congregation Council presented less than the number needed (and there were no nominees from the floor), the congregation voted to allow the Congregation Council to conduct the business of the congregation without seating a full council; three people were elected (this provides a council of six instead of a full council of eight).
- 2026 Nominating Team were elected.
Congregation Council Cluster Reports
November 9, 2025 Meeting
Worship Cluster November / December 2025
November
• Sunday, Nov. 2nd- All Saints Sunday
• Sunday, Nov. 16th- Annual Congregation Meeting and Thanksgiving meal after worship. The agenda includes election of council members, election of 2026 nominating team, and voting to adopt the 2026 Ministry Spending Plan. We will also have a final vote to approve and accept the updated constitution.
• Sunday, Nov. 23rd- Christ the King
• Saturday, Nov. 29th-prep for Advent at 10:00am (blue)
• Sunday, Nov. 30th- Advent begins
December
Mid-week Advent Services at 12 noon
• Wednesday, Dec. 3rd
• Wednesday, Dec. 10th
• Wednesday, Dec. 17th
Christmas Eve Service- Wednesday, Dec. 24th at 2:00pm (white)
Faith Growing Cluster November / December 2025
Christian Education
In October we began 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 will be coordinated between the media team in the faith growing cluster. A signup sheet has been created for members to have their Jesus story recorded.
Our Chrismon collection has deteriorated and needed to be repaired or replaced. There was a Chrismon project held on Saturday, October 11th from 10AM to 1PM. Pastor Alice will update the history of the Chrismon. The Adults will cut out the Chrismon blanks and the kids will decorate.
Adult Sunday School is studying the Parables of Jesus and looking at the meanings behind the parables. The youth Sunday school is continuing with the Whirl Series, which is based on the lectionary. A rotating schedule of teachers is being developed.
Stewardship
The Faith Growing Cluster members participated in an ELCA webinar on eGiving. A recording of the webinar was provided by the presenters and that recording has been shared with the Invitation Cluster for possible implementation. After discussing eGiving it was agreed by all that eGiving is not a good match for our congregation and it would be too costly to implement it.
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:
o A sign-up sheet is available for October-December hosting. Additionally, a sign-up sheet is available for those who wish to provide a dish for the Thanksgiving meal on November 16th.
o Thanksgiving meal on Sunday, November 16th.
• Finance:
o Congregational leaders have been scheduled to count offerings and make deposits through the next council meeting.
o Audit team nominees have been contacted and all accepted.
o A Repair Reserve fund has been created to address future building maintenance and repair.
o The next Business meeting is scheduled for November 16th.
o A spending plan for 2026 has been proposed.
• Property:
o Due to poor customer service from Brightspeed, our phone and internet service have been switched to Optimum.
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 will begin 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, 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.
- 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. Bagged produce for freezing is to be returned on Monday morning at 8:00
• 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 November is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley All are welcome.
- A possible event is Winter Wonderland at the Imperial Centre. Sunday December 14 from 1:00 to 5:00
DOWNLOAD PDF LINKS:
2025 November Newsletter
2025 October Newsletter
2025 September Newsletter
2025 August Newsletter
2025 July Newsletter
2025 June Newsletter