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

November 2026

This Month’s Highlights

Sundays, November 1-29                                                                              Sunday School 9:00 am                                                                                                                                           Worship 10:00 am

Sunday, November 1                                                                                      All Saints Day   Fellowship After Worship

Tuesday, November 3                                                                                     Election Day

Mondays, November 2-30                                                        With God We Can!                                                                                                                                TLC Kitchen/TBA 

Saturdays, November 7-28                                                                         With God We Can!                                                                                                                                               Farmer’s Market

Tuesday, November 10 Book Group 11:00 am

Sunday, November 15                                      Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Business Mtg

Saturday, November 28                                                                            Prep for Advent 9:00 am

Sunday, November 29 Beginning of Advent

Please read articles in the newsletter for more information about ministry opportunities offered here at Trinity Lutheran Church during November and December.

Please accept the invitation to participate.

Be safe, Be kind.

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich marrow, of well-aged wines strain clear.  Isaiah 25:6

This passage usually is understood to refer to the new earth and heaven, to a time yet to come and still much anticipated.

But what if the people of God, you and me included, began to understand that we live in the eternal right here and right now?  What if we looked beyond the proclamations and insistence of gloom and doom that scream for our attention from TV and newspapers and even the conversation that engages us?  What if we dare to really see the blessings that surround us and thank God for this gracious abundance?  If we did this, I believe there would be a shift in our vision of reality.  I believe there would be a shift in how we understand the presence of God and what it is to be the Church.  And I believe this passage from the prophet could begin to be lived now.

Contrary to what the world’s message might tell us, God has not abandoned God’s creation!  God has entrusted the care for the world to the Church, the Body of Christ, to us here at Trinity.  We are the means of sharing the richness of God’s blessings with those who are without food and shelter and hope.  We are God’s hands that are called to extend God’s invitation to all people to share the feast of God’s love.

We are called to live into this vision here and now!

Thank you for your partnership in ministry.

You continue in my prayers.

Breathe peace,

Pastor Alice

May Your Table Be Blessed!  As you gather on Thanksgiving Day and offer thanks to God for the gracious gifts of food and shelter and fellowship, please also remember our brothers and sisters who are alone and hungry and homeless, those in places where there is war, those still struggling to recover from weather events, those whose resources and security have been reduced or cut-off, and those who feel there is no one to pray for them.

Please include in your prayers our members, relatives, and friends who have requested our prayers:

. . . for people and land threatened by or recovering from recent weather events especially in Nepal and Tibet, and from heat, drought, floods, storms, and wildfires; 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 vitriol, violence, and division especially our county, 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 October!  We are truly blessed by your partnership in ministry.

Thank you to the folks who help prepare for worship and share worship leadership!

Dear Church Family -

Thank you for the prayers, cards and concern during my recent illness.  I look forward to returning to worship with all of you. 

Daylight Savings Time ends Saturday, October 31, 2026.  Remember to set your clocks back one hour – or you’ll be really early for Sunday School and Worship!

All Saints Day, November 1, 2026

In keeping with the tradition of this congregation, names of departed saints will be included in the Prayers of Intercession during worship on November 1.  The Book of Remembrance is available on a stand at the Sanctuary entrance for names to be included in the prayer. Please print clearly.

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! 

Voting is both a privilege and responsibility.  Please vote on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.  And pray daily for all elected officials that they would serve with integrity all the people they are called to lead.

Tuesday, November 11, 2026, is Veterans Day.  Thank those who have provided/still provide for our protection.  In recognition of members of the military, the 4th Annual Ride of Honor will be held November 6-7, with various activities including a procession of riders through Rocky Mount beginning at the Harley-Davidson shop on Winstead Avenue on Saturday, November 7.  For more information, go to rideofhonor.org.

The Book Group will gather on Tuesday, November 10, at 11:00 am to discuss The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick. The selection for December is The Christmas Guest by Andy Griffith.  Come join us for this time of fellowship and conversation.  Everybody is welcome!

Congregation Meeting Sunday, November 15, 2026 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 is available on the white table 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 15, 2026, after the dinner.  Prior to beginning the business action of our meeting, the council and Pastor Alice will lead conversation among all who are present about the next part of our journey as a congregation (more information to come).  The business agenda includes election of council members, election of 2027 nominating team, and voting to adopt the 2027 Ministry Spending Plan.  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.

November is Homelessness Awareness Month

The Coalition on Homelessness is sponsoring an event at the Braswell Memorial Public Library on Thursday, November 19, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 Noon AND 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  All Coalition members have been invited to attend and have a table display to share about their important work in the community. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring items for our homeless/unhoused community members, like:

  • Blankets

  • Sleeping Bags

  • Gloves & Scarves

  • Food items (canned, non-perishable)

Melissa Corso, Director of Library Services, mentions that the library will be holding a Book Sale that day open to the public.

Christ the King worship will be celebrated on Sunday, November 22, 2026.  This is the traditional end of the Church year.  Come and join in praising the King of Kings!  Thank you.

On Thursday, November 26, 2026, the office will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving.

Prayer for Thanksgiving Day

 Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen. Sundays and Seasons, Year A 2026

Please Mark Your Calendar

for these Upcoming Ministry Opportunities

Christmas Poinsettias  A form is available on the back cover of the newsletter for your use to order  poinsettias to adorn the chancel on Christmas Eve.  Please submit completed forms to the church office by Sunday, November 22, 2026.  Payment is due by Sunday, December 13, 2026.  Thank you!

Decorating the Sanctuary  On Saturday, November 28, 2026 everyone is invited to gather at 9:00 am to help prepare the Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas – decorate the Chrismon tree; place candles and greens in the Sanctuary windows; prepare the Advent wreath; change paraments.  For more information, please call the church office.  Thanks!

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 6, 2026.  Please talk with Pastor Alice for more information.  Thank you for your generous partnership in this ministry.

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 Watch, Wait, and Wonder – December 2, Watching for Christ’s Coming Again; December 9, Prayerful Waiting in Preparation; December 16, Embracing Holy Wonderment; and December 23, Leaving Fear at the Manger.  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!  December 5, 2026.  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!

Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2026, at 2:00 pm.  Plans for our worship service are still being made.  We will gather on this Holy Night 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.  Watch for more information in Sunday bulletins, the December newsletter, our website, and on Facebook.  And plan to come and worship the Child in the Manger!  Invite someone to share this holy time.

Congregation Council

Cluster Reports

October 11, 2026 meeting

Worship Cluster

October 18 -  because the Commemoration of St. Luke is on a Sunday, worship will include the use of some of the liturgy from the Service of Prayer for Healing.

          October 25 – Reformation Sunday (wear red)

          November 1 – All Saints Day; the Book of Remembrance will be made available on Sunday, October 11

Faith Growing Cluster

Christian Education

  • Sunday School for both children and adults started Sunday Sept. 13. We will continue using Whirl for the children and Pastor Alice will continue with          Wonderings as her lessons.

Stewardship

  • Offerings are not meeting the congregation’s expenses.

  • Please remember that the Capital Campaign will continue through Oct 25th.

Caretaking Cluster Report

  • Family Life

    • A sign-up sheet is available for hosting monthly after worship refreshments in October through February.

    • A sign-up sheet will be available In October for our annual Thanksgiving dinner on November 15.

  • Finance

    • Congregational leaders have been scheduled to count offerings and make deposits through the next council meeting.

    • Contributions have not met expenses for the last five months. Council continues to monitor.

  • Property:

    • There are two emergency lights that need replacing.

    • The Capital Campaign for repair and replacement costs for the HVAC system and roof replacement will continue through October 25th.

Invitation

Evangelism

  • Check out our website and Facebook to see some changes in their layouts.  This is a great space to get updates about the ministries at Trinity.

  • Photo Consent Forms In order to honor privacy, we ask that everyone sign a new photo consent form to be kept on file for one year. Copies are available on the information table in the gathering space.

    Social Ministry

  • With God We Can! and Freeze continues to prepare fresh produce contributed by vendors from the farmers market as well as produce purchased by financial support of shoppers.  Produce is available for preparation on Sundays after worship to be returned by 8:00 am Monday; at 8:00 am on Mondays, folks gather to prepare tomatoes.  Everybody is invited to participate.

  • Love Meals A reminder that the first Sunday of every month is designated as Love Meals Sunday.  Please bring non-perishable food items to share with those in the community who struggle to provide sufficient food for their families.

TLC

  • Book Group continues to meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am (unless otherwise announced). The October book is Country People by Daniel Mason. Please join us. All are welcome.