December 23rd, 2020

A Meditation for Christmas
Click here.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.

[Isaiah 7:2]

I Will Light Candles this Christmas By Howard Thurman
I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.
 
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
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December 24th: The Eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord:  Holy Communion with Carols and a Dramatic Reading of the Gospel @ 4 PM
      Consecrated Communion wafers will be available to take home from the church  2:30PM-4 PM
December 25th : The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord:  Holy Communion @ 9AM
       David Clinkman, Musician
Private Holy Communion will be available in the church 10-11 AM
December 27th:  The First Sunday after Christmas: A Festival of Lessons and Carols @ 9 AM   
Musicians: Randy Bloom, Jeff Lukas, Cathy Poch, Kim Stochaj, Maddie Stochaj, & Emily Rose Maddock
Private Holy Communion will be available in the church 10-11 AM
For the Christmas Eve Leaflet, click here.
For the Christmas Day Leaflet, click here.
For the December 27th  Leaflet, click here.
For the Weekend Announcements, click here.
There will be no Sunday School on December 27th. 
The Zoom links will be available in the reminders that we will send on the days before each service.

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January 3rd - Epiphany Sunday: 
Christmas Pageant on Zoom @ 9 am: "Zooming to Bethlehem"
Youth Group Meeting on Zoom @ 7 pm

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Stewardship: A Season of Thanksgiving
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.  

[Psalm 106:1] 

This year, especially, it's important to pledge so that we plan for the increased costs of 2021 and so that the candidates can see that we have a robust Stewardship commitment. 
                                     
We now have the option of pledging  by completing the confidential form at our website: 
 https://www.trinitychurchmilford.org/2021-pledge
As of December 14th - Number of pledges received:  81   [77% of total]   
                                             Amount pledged:  $150,120 [82% of budget]
 
Gracious God, abundant are the blessings you have freely and joyously given us. Grateful for the opportunities you provide for living generous and compassionate lives of love, prayer, and service, we ask that you help us now and always to offer freely and joyously to you, O God, our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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Next Week at Trinity:
​The Office will be open Monday – Wednesday 10am – 2 pm.
Mother Judith is working remotely and can be reached by phone [716.949.8194]
There will be no service of Morning Prayer on Wednesday December 30th
Wednesday 4 pm Take out Christmas Dinner prepared in the Trinity Kitchen

Community Meals Program
We will be preparing takeout meals in Trinity’s kitchen on Wednesday December 30th.  We plan to include with the meals a “meal in a bag” bag of groceries.  We need volunteers to help pack these bags.  Please call or email the Parish Office if you are able to help for a couple of hours on either or both days.  Community Service credit will be given to students. We are grateful to the Lions Club, St. Mary’s, and private donors for your generous support of this program.

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Notice:  Annual Parish Meeting on Zoom     Sunday January 31st  @ 9AM

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Our Prayers are offered for:
Parish Members & Friends: the McMahon & Robeson Families; Allan Smat; Zak Gustavesen; Rachel Martin; Sharon Manoogian; Sal & Vas Ferreira; Laura Uretsky; Brad Gustavesen; Barbara; Michelle; Stephanie; Maureen Colvin; Rita & Dick Cronan; Kim Liquori & Family; Mark Mattioli; Karen Carig-O’Neill; Ray & Enid;; Marco Weiss; Al Price; Robert; Mary Torian, Beth & Terry; Esther McKenzie; Lisa Wilson; Sandra Arbogast; Len Baird; Judy Shea; Robin Rowe; Skye Bayleigh Plaisted; Alex; Alisha Starkis Weddeke; Chrissy & Mark; Thomas Scano; the Canali Family; Sherel & Lou Frere; Craig Silverman; Justin Perkin; Dr. Stephen Janko; Tom Childs; Nancy Sharoogian; Bob Mezzadri; all those serving in the military and the Peace Corps, especially Avary DeRagon; Dan Consigli; Drew Beauchamp; Charles; Laura; Elena; Brendan Wood; Danielle & Joel Marsh; Tom Bento; Joel Joudrey; Justin Woessner and their families.
 
Homebound Parishioners: Verna Parente, and Wayne Morey.
 
The Deceased: Dr. Margo E. McMahon
 
Our Partner Dioceses: Kumasi and Asante-Mampong in Ghana
 
Those celebrating birthdays this week: Lee Baisley; Ruth Cooper; Bill Hanrahan; Alex Garay; Chris McNulty; Logan Viens; Rose Belisle; Michelle Cifizzari; Jack Eastwood; Allyson Levesque; and Ian McCarthy.

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For Bishop Doug Fisher's Christmas message, click here.
For Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas message, click here.
For news and access to Diocesan meetings and worship, go to https://www.diocesewma.org/ 
For news about events at Trinity and the National Episcopal Church go to https://www.trinitychurchmilford.org