1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Weekly Diary
14th December 2014
Church Events
Youth & Students
7.14 Prayer - Mon 7.14-8.14am, Trinity Fusion
Trinity Maintenance Team - Tue 8.30am, Trinity House
Christmas Carol Services - 4.00pm and 7.00pm, Trinity Church
Revive (for Students) - Thur 7.30- 9.30pm, Trinity Fusion
Community
Family Tree - Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri 9.45-11.45am, Trinity Fusion
Monday Church - Mon 10.30-11.30am, Trinity House
Breakfast at The Garage - Mon & Fri , 9.30-10.30am, The Garage
Kings Table - Mon & Fri 11.30am-1.00pm, Trinity House
Garage Drop-In - Mon & Fri 1.15-4.00pm, The Garage
Women Together - Tue & Thur 12.00-3.00pm, The Garage
Garage Street Teams - Tue & Thur 7.30-8.30pm
Family Tree Kids Club - Thur 3.30-5.00pm, Trinity House
Friday Discipleship - Fri 10.30-11.30am, Trinity House
Yr 10/11 Girls Small Group - Mon, 7.00-8.30pm
Yr 10/11 Boys Small Group - Wed, 7.00-8.30pm
Yr 9 Girls Small Group - Fri, 6.30-8.00pm
Kids
Lego Club - Thur, 6.00-7.00pm, Trinity House
Kids Christmas Party - Fri, 6.00-7.30pm, Trinity Church
Celebrating Life
Welcome to Trinity
Today
Welcome to Trinity Cheltenham. If this is your first time with us, or if you are
visiting us today, then a very special welcome to you: we hope you have a
great time with us. We have a welcome point at the back of church where
you will be able to meet one of the team here and find out more about life at
Trinity, and pick up one of our welcome packs. Coffee is served in Trinity House
after the morning celebrations and at the back of church in the evening.
9.15am, 11.15am and 6.00pm
Today, we’re continuing in our
sermon series entitled “Your
Song”. Mike Fuller will be
speaking this morning and Neil
Bennetts this evening on
Simeon’s Song.
A Message from Tim
Next Sunday
Dear Trinity Friends & Family
After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and a few days
before Super Saturday, I greet you on the Third Sunday
in Advent! It may not be quite as catchy a title – perhaps
Spectacular Sabbath would be better? Awesome
Advent-tide? – but it’s seasonal themes of anticipation,
hope, light, joy and peace, all wrapped up in the coming of Jesus, are
rather more attractive than rampant shopping!
Take the Christ out of Christmas and all you’re left with really is M & S, which
some may feel is a pretty accurate commentary on the overcommercial,
self-indulgent consumerism all around us.
Keep the Christ in Christmas, up front and central, and you have something
altogether different: a precious time to reflect, a time to celebrate, a time
to give, a time to refocus on the glory and grace of God made flesh for our
sakes.
Phone Directory
General Enquiries
01242 808780
Operations - (Bookings, Buildings, IT)
01242 808925
Family Outreach - (Family Tree, Tandem, Silver Service,
Footprints)
01242 808936
Community Outreach - (Garage, Street Teams, Kings
Table)
01242 808789
ALPHA
01242 808937
Trinity Life - (Life Groups, Welcome, Element,
Worship & Creative Media - (Worship, Design, Website,
01242 808931
01242 808932
Trinity House
01242 808779
Global Mission
01242 808934
Money Matters - (Free confidential advice on dealing with
Freedom in Christ, Pastoral, & Family life courses)
Trinity Kids
01242 808935
Trinity Youth
01242 808933
Students and Young Adults
01242 808938
News Sheet, Press Releases)
money & debt)
01242 808946
Finance
01242 808920
I love how St Thomas Church, Norwich beautifully captured the difference,
in their creative take on the John Lewis ‘penguin’ Christmas advert. If you
haven’t seen it, it’s a must watch on YouTube!
Please note there is no morning service on Sunday 21st December
due to the Carol Services at 4.00pm and 7.00pm.
One of the reasons so many of us find it hard to do the ‘time alone with
God’ thing is precisely because of time. We don’t feel we have enough of
it, or there are too many competing demands on it.
‘I don’t have time. I’m too busy’. Jesus never said that. Even at Christmas!
In essence, to say ‘I don’t have enough time, I’m too busy’ is to say ‘God,
you got it wrong! You should have made 25 hours in a day, 8 days in a
week...’. Good luck with that one! I suspect he probably gives us just the
right amount of time he wants us to have for the things he wants us to
do with it! Do you struggle with this like I do?!
In other words, our ‘use of time’ so often determines our ‘prayer life’. We fit
it in when we can (and are then surprised when life and relationship with
Jesus doesn’t flourish as it might!). Here’s the thing: for Jesus, it was the
total opposite.
For Jesus, his ‘prayer life’ determined his ‘use of time’.
Time, priority, focus, engaging others in God’s story.......each year at this
stage, we who follow Jesus encourage one another to make time amidst
all the busyness for things that really matter, to prioritise our daily lives, to
focus on Jesus and take advantage of simple ways to engage others in the
Best Story the world can ever hear.
From the early morning, solitary prayerful place with the Father, the rest
of his day flowed, his priorities were shaped, his focus was clear, and off
he went to engage others in the Good News story of love, grace and
salvation.
Time, priority, focus, engaging others........these are the messages that struck
me again as I read Mark 1:35-39 last week.
Time, priority, focus, engaging others.....it’s all about connection with the
Lord. Relationship with him. Abiding in him. Pressing into the presence of
God, which is to say welcoming the life of his Spirit to fill us and flow in us
and through us.
Jesus has been healing, drawing huge crowds, ministering to all kinds of
need. Verse 35 begins with some of my least favourite words in the New
Testament - “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark....” Mmm, see
what I mean? He goes to a solitary place, as is his habit, and there spends
time with the Father alone. He is met later by further pressing demands to
come and heal and bless the gathering crowds. ‘No’, he says, ‘we need to
go to some other places to bring Good News there too, for that is why I’ve
come’.
Time, priority, focus, engaging others.......
I’m guessing that most people reading this want to have a deep and close
relationship with Jesus, and would see that as the main key to the fulfilling,
purposeful, fruitful life that God created us all for. Most of us would see
regular time alone with Him as the main ingredient of that relationship,
listening to his voice through Word and Spirit, conversing with him,
worshipping him, just as Jesus did.
Keep in Touch
For more information on the life of this church and the various activities
to get involved with, follow us online or if you have any questions please
talk to someone with a pink lanyard or contact us:
In the Life Group that I’m a part of, we almost always start our time with
the same question to each other: how is your heart relationship with
Jesus? Why? Because it’s at the heart of everything else, and we want to
encourage each other in what matters most and what enables us most
to grow.
How to keep the Christ in Christmas this year and every year? This day
and every day? Pay attention to the basics, pay attention to him.
Time, priority, focus, engaging others in the Good News........
Have a Spectacular Sabbath, an Awesome Advent-tide, and a truly
wonder-filled Christmas with Jesus at the heart of it all.
With my love and prayers
Tim
trinitycheltenham.com
/trinitychelt
/trinitycheltenham
[email protected]
@trinitychelt
+44 (0)1242 808780
Church Vision: To make committed followers of Jesus who change communities and nations for Him.
Events and Courses
Last Weekend
Last Sunday saw the first of our Carol Services here at Trinity! We had a
wonderful evening of songs, carols and readings. Nearly 500 people came
to join us, 300 mince pies were eaten, 50 litres of mulled wine and spiced
apple were drunk and 7 people gave their lives to Jesus! Much to be
celebrated! We’re greatly looking forward to our next Carol Services next
weekend - we hope to see you there!
Coming Up...
kids christmas party!
School of Theology Spring term
christmas carol service: good news!
Sunday 21st December, Trinity Church, 4.00 & 7.00pm
(please note there is no morning service)
Come and join us for an evening of Christmas Carols, songs and readings
followed by mulled wine and mince pies. The service will be held at
4.00pm and 7.00pm. Please pick up a flyer from the back of church to
invite your friends or visit the website for more information. The full
Christmas calendar of events can be found on the right.
trinitycheltenham.com/christmas
TRINITY christmas celebrations - CAN YOU HELP?
Kids Christmas Party
Friday 19th December, 6.00pm, Trinity Church
Carols
Sunday 21st December, 4.00pm & 7.00pm, Trinity Church
(no morning celebrations)
Family Christmas Eve Celebration
(please wear nativity fancy dress)
Wednesday 24th December, 4.00pm, Trinity Church
Midnight Communion
Wednesday 24th December, 11.30pm, Trinity Church
Christmas Day Celebration
Thursday 25th December, 10.30am, Trinity Church
We have various events coming up in the calendar for which we need
volunteers to help in various capacities, including set-up and set-down,
welcome and stewarding, hospitality, and technical. Events include the
following:
- 19th Dec (event 6.00pm): Kids Christmas Party
- 21st Dec (events 4.00pm and 7.00pm): Carols
- 25th Dec (event 10.30am): Christmas Day Celebration
If you can help for all or part of the day for one or more events, please let
us know ... we’d love to hear from you!
[email protected]
Monday evenings, starting on 26th January 2015 for 8 weeks (not
including half term), 7.30-9.45pm, Trinity House
Bookings are now open for the School of Theology starting in January!
The School of Theology is a series of short, 8 week theological courses for
those who want to study the Bible in an accessible and applicable way.
The Spring Term sees 3 Bible Tracks available, including our NEW Bible
Track 3: The Word and The Spirit, featuring speakers including Dr Graham
Tomlin (St Mellitus College, London), Dr Sean Doherty (St Mellitus
College, London) and John Inge (Bishop of Worcester). The full details
and course options are available on the website. The cost of the course
is £120 but book before 31st December and make the most of the Early
Bird rate of only £100! Discounted rates also available for students and
retirees - please get in touch for more details.
trinitycheltenham.com/schooloftheology
[email protected]
7:14 Prayer
Mondays, 7.14am, Trinity Fusion Prayer Room
Come and join us in prayer on a Monday morning at 7.14am in the Prayer
Room, located next to the Fusion building, where we can lift our God
together in worship and praise.
Sunday Celebration
Notices
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHOIR!
THIRD PERSON CONFERENCE - save the date!
Saturday 18th April, 10.00am-9.30pm, Trinity Church
Third Person is a one-day conference aiming to equip the wider church to
effectively minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. Hosted by Mark Bailey
and the Trinity team, with guest speaker Robbie Dawkins. For more details
and to book your place, visit the website.
trinitycheltenham.com/3rdperson
SILVER SERVICE
We are looking for someone who would be willing to lead the kitchen
team for Silver Service meals on the second Thursday in the month. This
would involve preparing and serving a two course meal to approximately
fifty guests. Time commitment required is from 9.30am to 1.15pm; the
meal is served at 12.00 noon. There would be liaison with Tina Blankson
(catering manager) concerning the menus to be cooked. If you enjoy
cooking and would like to serve in this way, please get in touch.
[email protected]
01242 808780
TRINITY MAINTENANCE TEAM NEEDS
YOUR HELP
A bunch of (predominantly retired) chaps gather each Tuesday morning
to bless Trinity with their time, energy, enthusiasm and tools, undertaking
various projects around the campus to keep buildings and facilities in
good working order and decor. If you have time and skills to spare, we’d
love to hear from you!
[email protected]
Garage Resources
trinitycheltenham.com/christmas
Coming Up in Spring 2015...
Friday 19th December, 6.00pm, Trinity Church
After another successful Light Party we’ve decided to hold a Kids
Christmas Party at Trinity in the main church building for Reception to
Year 6 children. The party will start at 6pm. Included will be Christmas craft
stalls, photo booth, some carol singing and more messy games. We’re in
need of volunteers to help run the small craft stalls and generally be there
at hand to help where needed, so if you’re interested in helping us out
we’d love for you to get in contact with Corrie. Thank you in advance!
[email protected]
save the date: trinity party!
Saturday 7th February 2015, 7.00-10.30pm, Trinity Church
Make sure you put this date in your diaries - it’s the Trinity Party! And this
year the theme is HOE DOWN! So get your best country and western attire
ready for an evening of music, dancing, food, entertainment- something
for everyone! All ages welcome - we’d love to see you all there! Ticket
prices TBC and more information to be released after Christmas.
Sunday 28th December, 10.30am, Trinity Church
(no evening celebration) - please note this is the only celebration on
this Sunday
Saturday 20th December, 7.30pm, Parabola Arts Centre
Britain’s contemporary ACM Gospel Choir and much more is raising funds
for charity!
everymantheatre.org.uk/m-shows/christmas-with- the-choir/
Opportunities to Serve
Thank you so much to everyone who has dontated to the Garage in recent
months. We’ve really been delighted by people’s generosity.
We have another request... We need some more wintery clothing,
particularly Tshirts, jeans, sturdy boots and shoes, socks and boxers. If you
have any to donate please drop them by the Foodbank baskets on Sunday
or into the Garage or Trinity House during the week. Thank you!
AUDIO, VISUAL & CAMERA OPERATORS
CHRISTMAS PLANNING!!
Christmas is nearly here and Money Matters would like to wish everyone a
very Happy Christmas and New Year.
Over the last few weeks a number of tips have been in the news sheet that
may help you avoid a debt hangover after Christmas. Christmas is a time
of giving, this needs planning and budgeting to avoid money problems
at this time and in the future. So, if you do get into difficulties or are you
finding it tough to manage your money, get advice as soon as you can
from Money Matters, as Debt can be for life and not just for Christmas.
Money Matters provides FREE, practical and confidential advice on all
aspects of money and debt management. For further information, please
contact Money Matters on:
01242 808946
[email protected]
River run album - available NOW
Our new album ‘River Run’ is officially released on iTunes, but we are making
hard copies available to all at Trinity while stocks last! These are all songs
that have been written by our worship team here and we pray that it will
be a blessing and resource both at home and beyond. Available from the
bookstore for only £5, and on iTunes, Amazon MP3, Spotify and other online
distributors. #RiverRunEP.
trinitycheltenham.com/river-run
fit for life: group sign up today!
Fit For Life is the 6 week series we are kicking off the New Year with, starting
on Sunday 4th January 2015. As a whole church family (including Kids,
Youth, Students, King’s Table etc) we are going to be looking at how we
can ‘get fitter’ in different areas of our lives; spiritually, physically, mentally,
emotionally, relationally, and financially.
Each week, we will be taking one of these areas; we will be thinking about
it together in church on Sunday and then unpacking it together in groups
during the week.
If you are not currently in a group, we would love you to connect you to
one for this short period of time, so that you can make the most of what is
on offer and grow together with others. Please visit the website below. If
you would be willing to host a group for this 6 week series, all you’ll need
is a venue and a kettle to make the coffee! We’ll supply the materials and
guidelines you need. If you’d be interested in hosting, please email Lucie.
trinitycheltenham.com/fit-for-life
[email protected]
Harry tait funeral
Wednesday 17th December, 12.00pm, Trinity Church
Harry Tait’s funeral will be held this coming Wednesday at Trinity. All are
welcome to come and celebrate his life.
Have an interest in Sound, Visuals or Camera work? We would love to hear
from you. We are looking to expand our current team of fantastic volunteers,
so feel free to apply even if you have no previous experience. These teams are
an integral part of our celebrations, and we are looking for new members for
Sundays, Hungry for God and other ministries throughout the week. If you are
interested and would like to find out more, then please contact Jimmy Flanders.
[email protected]
Join the Trinity Worship Team
If you are a musician or singer, we’d love to meet with you as we’re always
on the look out for new musicians to join the team here at Trinity. We’re
increasingly finding that we’re in need of more individuals to lead worship,
play, sing and operate sound and visuals equipment at our many celebrations
and events throughout the week. If you are a committed follower of Jesus,
recognise Trinity as your home church and are a skilled musician (or keen to
learn for the audio/visual team) please contact Becky Bull.
[email protected]