WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE CONGREGATION?
Trinity has about 225 members and several very active non-members. Our Sunday attendance averages about 95.
One of the
benefits to Trinity is that you will NOT be just another face in the
crowd. The members are welcoming and friendly (we don't let the four grumpy
ones near the visitors), and our community of faith is a safe place to
share whatever joys or sorrows, struggles or triumphs you are experiencing in
your life.
WHAT ARE THE WORSHIP SERVICES LIKE?
We begin each
service with a time for announcements as birthdays, anniversaries, prayer
concerns, and items of information are mentioned. Bulletins containing the
entire service (except for the hymns) are provided to all, and
the hymns
are found in our new red worship books "Evangelical Lutheran
Worship." Although we use time honored liturgical expression during the
service (Kyrie, Sanctus, etc.), the music it is set to is very contemporary,
and the service itself often has a relaxed atmosphere.
We use the
Revised Common Lectionary (a three year series of selected Bible readings which is
used by the Lutheran, Roman Catholic, UCC, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist,
and several other church bodies) and observe the different seasons on the
church calendar (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost). We celebrate
Holy Communion using wine (also offer grape juice) and unleavened bread on the
first and third Sundays of each month. Our choir
provides music from September through May and is open to anyone (member or
visitor) who likes to sing. About once a month, members provide special
music during the service on a variety of instruments (chime choir, guitar, hammered
dulcimer, trumpet, clarinet, etc.).
Most
services last about one hour.
Yes. Some
parents chose to have their younger children attend worship with them, while
for others, wrestling with one or two youngsters makes it difficult for them to
participate. Those wishing to make use of our nursery need only to ask one
of our ushers
at the back of the church and the usher will direct you to the nursery room
filled with toys and the usher will also introduce you to the
member(s) staffing the nursery that morning.
WHAT SERVICE PROJECTS IS TRINITY INVOLVED IN? CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THEM?
We attempt
to have a different service emphasis each month for the entire congregation. (World
Hunger, Disaster Relief, Salvation Army Kettle bell ringing, Mosaic-several
homes in Macomb for differently abled individuals, Loaves and Fishes-the local food
pantry, Lutheran World Relief-health, school, & layette kits, Habitat for
Humanity, and Prison Ministry to name a few.)
We have
contacts with each of the organizations if you want to serve by working at a
local Habitat for Humanity site, help staff the local food pantry, visit Mosaic
residents, or ring a bell near Christmas for the Salvation Army.
There are many other opportunities for anyone to serve the local or global community that we do not have in a monthly focus, such as Hurricane Katrina Relief trips (with other ELCA congregations) and Mission trips to Costa Rica (with the Western Illinois University Campus Ministry Partnership).
WHAT ELSE HAPPENS ON SUNDAY MORNING?
From September to May we have a Christian Education hour at 9 am prior to our 10 am worship service. Children from about age 3 to young adults in high school have classes geared for them, while the ADULTS have a forum to discuss a variety of topics dealing with faith and everyday life. In our ADULT FORUM, we have a wide spectrum of opinions that are expressed, and both the members of the group and the facilitator are respectful towards all as we wrestle with what following Christ means in the 21st Century.
Immediately after worship, about 11 am, we havefellowship time in our church basement. A variety of refreshments are served, and each week it is different. Some weeks we snack rather healthy, grapes, cheese, carrots, and apples, while other weeks we laugh and visit, share our ups and downs over doughnuts, cookies, or cake.
Not everyone decides to attend the educational hour and/or the fellowship time after worship, but certainly all are welcome.
I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS...
If you have a question concern that was not answered here, please send us an e-mail at the address above. We'd love to hear from you!