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
August 2026
This Month’s Highlights
Saturday, August 1 Vacation Bible School 10:00 am
Sundays, August 2-30 Worship 10:00 am
Sunday, August 2 Fellowship After Worship
Saturdays, August 1-29 With God We Can! Farmer’s Market
Mondays, August 3-31 With God We Can! TLC Kitchen 8:ooam
Wednesdays, August 5-26 Summer Movie Series 6:00 pm
Sunday, August 9 Capital Campaign Begins
Council Meeting After Worship
Tuesday, August 11 Book Group 11:00 am
Wednesday, August 26 Coalition on Homelessness, 10:00 am - noon
Please read articles in the newsletter for more information about ministry opportunities offered here at Trinity Lutheran Church during August.
Please accept the invitation to participate.
Be safe, Be kind.
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph. 5:1-2
Have you ever watched young children imitate adults? The images of TV ads where a child is standing at the bathroom sink with his dad and “shaves” away the cream that’s on his cheeks with strokes matching those of the adult. Or the way an infant opens her mouth same as her mom.
Paul instructs the members of the Church in Ephesus to imitate God. In The Message, Rev. Eugene Peterson translates these verses this way –
Watch what God does, and then do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that.
Loving like Jesus doesn’t come naturally! It’s hard and can hurt and lead us to people and places we’d rather avoid!
And yet, as beloved children of God, that’s our call. We are the presence of Christ sent to share His love with everybody, to walk along rough paths, to empty ourselves in service of others, to give without expectation of reward, to tell our Jesus stories about hope stronger than despair, peace stronger than violence, love stronger than hate, life that is stronger than death.
We go together.
You continue in my prayers.
Breathe peace,
Pastor Alice
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 the heat, drought, 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 hatred, division, violence, and vitriol, especially in our country, Ukraine, Sudan, 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 July! We are truly blessed by your partnership in ministry.
Thank you to the folks who help prepare for worship and share worship leadership!
Love Meals During this time of summer break many of the children in our community go without the availability of healthy food options. There are also many households where there are uneasiness and stress as they worry about financial security. It is in these times that 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, August 11, 2026, at 11:00 am. The group will discuss Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Everybody is welcome to share this time of conversation and fellowship.
We are Called to be Daily Life-Long Learners! The winter/spring session of Sunday School may have ended, but other opportunities for us to grow spiritually are being planned. These include the following:
Saturday, August 1 – Intergenerational Vacation Bible School! We’ll meet 10:00-2:00 in Resurrection Hall. The theme is The Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:3-9. Our day will include our Bible story, singing, crafts, snack and lunch. Please sign the sheet on the white table in the Gathering Space so the leaders can prepare enough craft supplies and food. Invite your family and friends to attend this great event!
Please Note: Worship on Sunday, August 2, will gather at 10:00 am in Resurrection Hall. See you then! Thanks!
Sunday, August 9 – the Beginning of Our Capital Campaign! This event will continue until Reformation Sunday, October 25. The campaign is to raise funds to replace our building’s roof (estimated cost $120,000). Our hope is to receive as much as possible to reduce any loan that would be needed for the balance. Watch for more information.
Wednesdays in August – Summer Movie Series! On Wednesdays 5, 12, 19, and 26, our annual summer movie series will gather at 6:00 pm. The theme this year is Holy Imagination! Sacred Dreams! Folks are invited to bring a bagged dinner. Each movie selection is rated PG. More information coming! Invite folks to come with you! Watch for more information. Thanks!
You Are Invited to Help prepare our students for this new school year. Some of our children could use some help with having the supplies needed for school. Anything from the following list would be gratefully appreciated:
Pencils – yellow
Pink erasers
Pencil bags,
Backpacks
Folders
Composition books (marble print)
Notebook paper
Notebooks
Dividers
Pens
Crayons
Highlighters
Boxes of tissue
Please bring items to the church by August 9 and place on the table in the Gathering Space. Thanks for your support of this ministry. Please keep all students and staff in your prayers.
On Sunday, August 9, 2026 we will share a Litany of Blessing for the New School Year during our worship service. Teachers, support staff, and students are encouraged to bring their book bags or backpacks or lunch boxes or any other items that will be used daily to be blessed. Please keep all Trinity folks who will begin this 2026-2027 school year as well as everybody who is part of the school community in your prayers. Remember to watch for children and school buses! Thank you.
On Sunday, August 2, 2026, we will celebrate July 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. If you are interested in helping to host this ministry, please use the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space. Thanks!
Get Ready! Sunday School will resume on Sunday, September 13, 2026. 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!
Congregation Council
Cluster Reports
July 12, 2026 meeting
Worship Cluster
Sunday, July 26, 2026 Summer Community Worship Service, hosted by Lakeside Baptist Church; gathering at 6:00 pm; the theme is Let Us Pray and the focus text is Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10; the offering has been designated for UCM.
Sunday, August 2 our worship service will gather in Resurrection Hall and continue our VBS theme The Parable of the Sower.
An invitation is extended to folks who would like to serve as ushers or assisting ministers; please talk with Pastor Alice for more information.
Faith Growing Cluster
Christian Education
Our last Sunday School class for both children and adults was May 17th. We will start back up in the Fall.
We will be having VBS on Saturday Aug 1, 10:00 – 2:00. The theme this year is The Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:3-9. We are excited about what we will be doing. Getting a little dirty might be in the picture. All ages are welcome. The theme will continue in our worship service on Sunday Aug 2.
Wednesdays in August – Summer Movie Series! On Wednesdays 5, 12, 19, and 26, our annual summer movie series will gather at 6:00 pm. The theme this year is Holy Imagination! Sacred Dreams! Folks are invited to bring a bagged dinner. Each movie selection is rated PG. More information coming! Invite folks to come with you!
Also, remember that we are still sharing Jesus stories. Contact Pastor Alice for information.
Stewardship
Sunday, August 2 – the Beginning of Our Capital Campaign! This event will continue until Reformation Sunday, October 25. The campaign is to raise funds to replace our building’s roof (estimated cost $120,000). Our hope is to receive as much as possible to reduce any loan that would be needed for the balance. Watch for more information.
Please continue to pray for guidance as you reflect on your financial partnership with Trinity.
Caretaking Cluster Report
Family Life
A sign-up sheet is available for hosting in July and August.
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 two months.
Property:
Fire inspection was performed, and all that was found was that one emergency light needed a battery.
Invitation
Evangelism
Thanks to those members who help maintain our website, Facebook, and YouTube presence. Conversation will be scheduled soon to discuss how to keep our social media dynamic and provide important information and invitation for everybody who is looking at it.
Please update your photo consent permission form. Copies are available on the information table in the Gathering Space.
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!
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 9:00 am Monday; at 8:00 am on Mondays, folks gather to prepare tomatoes. Please talk with Pastor Alice for more information. Everybody is invited to participate.
Love Meals: A reminder that the first Sunday of every month has been designated as Love Meals Sunday. Please bring non-perishable food items to share with folks in our community who struggle to provide food for themselves and their families.
TLC
Book Group continues to meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am (unless otherwise announced). The July selection is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Von Pelt. The August book is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Please join us. All are welcome.
Please Mark Your Calendars! On Sunday, July 19, the Invitation Cluster is coordinating a trip to the Imperial Centre to attend the matinee (2 pm) performance of Godspell. Ticket prices are children (12 yr. old and younger) $7 per ticket; students (13 yr. old through college)/Seniors (55 and over) $9 per ticket; adults (age 19-54) $11 per ticket. If you are interested in attending, please sign the sign-up sheet on the table in the Gathering Space; payment can be placed in the offering plate (checks payable to Trinity). We need a headcount by July 5 to try to reserve tickets as a group.
Meals on Wheels on Wednesday, July 29, Trinity is scheduled to serve. Please sign the sheet on the white table in the Gathering Space. Folks are asked to pick up meals to be delivered at 10:00 am at First Presbyterian Church. For more information, please talk with Pastor Alice
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2025 September Newsletter
2025 August Newsletter
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