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Dec '23
For the Journey – December 2023
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Dec '23
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:2, 6
In times of peril and calamity, God gives light. God gives hope. I am amazed at the early darkness we are experiencing these days. It seems to get dark, really dark very early. There is nothing better in the darkness than light. We could apply these words across many worlds. Both here in the United States, and in our world, there is deep darkness. There is conflict around every corner. However, there is also truth and light standing next to it.
I love Christmas. It really is the most joyful time as I consider all that we celebrate in Christ’s birth. But we also hear that it is the most depressing month of our calendar. For those who know the Light of Jesus, it may seem joyful. But, for those hanging on their last thread of hope, it is often deep and dark. Those around us may need a dose of light that comes from Jesus shining through us.
As we round out the days of December, we will also be rounding out the days of our first year of utilizing our new space. It is amazing to see families together and generations of church friends visiting in the Cafe area. Our adult and student spaces are being used several times a week for groups to gather and plan and study. Thank you, TBC, for your faithful dreaming and stewardship in bringing this about.
We have witnessed good things take place in 2023. I am certain that we will witness and experience the same in 2024. I hope you will take advantage in preparing your heart for the Christmas season through the many and varied opportunities at Trinity. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to come with you. Let us approach this season with gratitude in our hearts as we make ourselves available to be used by God in the days ahead.
May it be said of us what was said about the village lamplighter. We may not see him anymore, but we can certainly tell where he has been. May people know we have walked with Jesus as He lights the path on our journey.
Merry Christmas!
In Christ,
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Dec '23
Genesis Class
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Dec '23
by Dale Moreau
The Genesis Class aims to help people progress in their ability to study the Bible and understand its meaning. The key to good Bible study is not following steps. It is learning to think carefully about what you’re reading. The Genesis Class helps you to develop thinking skills by asking insightful questions about the biblical text, learning to detect and avoid flawed ideas (your own and those of others), and being dissatisfied with explanations that aren’t comprehensive.
Learning to think well is much more powerful than memorizing a method. Careful thinking allows you to adapt to whatever Scripture presents you rather than asking the same repetitive questions of every passage.
Many things we read, especially in the Bible, are not as easy to parse as this headline. Many readers will have memorized Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
But how many of us have bothered to ask the obvious question: What is the gift of God? Is it grace? Faith? Both? Something else? How would we know? Memorizing these verses is a good idea, but understanding what they mean is even better. The Genesis class will help you explore this passage and many more and find the biblical truths and meaning in the text.
You missed us concluding our study of the Book of Genesis. So, come join us in our new study, John’s Use of the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation. It is unlike any other study you have heard. We are in room 217, upstairs near the elevator, in the new building.
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Dec '23
Disciple Kids
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Dec '23
by Sue Owens
There is a wonderful group of 3rd—5th grade boys and girls who meet for Disciple Kids each Wednesday night at 6:00pm. Our Disciple Kids Junior (Pre-K—1st) also meet at this time and are studying how be like Jesus.
The older Disciple Kids were given a Sermon Notes booklet at the beginning of Pastor John’s series on “We Believe” and they take notes each Sunday and we discuss our notes on Wednesday. This has been a productive time of learning and understanding what we believe. In addition, we have turned to God’s Word to help us learn the importance of making good choices and what to do when we make poor choices. And, most weeks, we close with a fun game of “Minute to Win It” with Mr. Tommy.
These children are such a blessing to our church and are dedicated to growing as disciples. They recently made Thanksgiving cards to give those who will be blessed with a Thanksgiving meal from the church. They also participate in various outreach projects during the year.
As you can see, these young disciples KNOW they were created by God on PURPOSE, with PURPOSE, and for a PURPOSE. And, they PURPOSE to be who God created them to be! May we always remember to encourage them as they carry out that PURPOSE!
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Dec '23
Fun & Fellowship with Prime Time
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Dec '23
by Don Francis
Prime Time is a group of seniors 55+ who get together for fellowship, entertainment, food, and subjects of interest for seniors and activities to serve our Lord.
Prime time Game Day is the first Monday of each month and we meet in the church café for a time of fellowship and games. Bring your brown bag lunch and perhaps some cookies to share. We play a variety of domino and card games. Join us for a great time of fellowship, fun and laughter with games. The time is 11:00am until 2:00
Prime Time Dinners are scheduled at various times during the year. The meeting will include a meal, potluck or catered by Judy Brooksher the church food expert. There will be music. We may sing as a group or be entertained by special guests. This past year we have enjoyed Trinity Men’s Quartet, Ray and Jan Solomon, a Ray Stevens impersonator and a group from Sunrise Baptist Church. We have benefitted from presentations by Greg Longenbaugh from Kerr County Sheriff’s Department concerning frauds and scams, JD’s teacher Dr. Dan Crawford, and have enjoyed open mike time sharing stories of what God has done in our lives. Most important of all, we have enjoyed the fellowship with one another and sharing God’s love. We most recently had a Thanksgiving pot luck with Missy Coulter giving a presentation on home safety and fall prevention.
Every May we have a 2-day senior event called ENCORE! (Energized, Committed, Reassigned) with a light lunch, games, music and speakers. This is a special event attended and enjoyed by many of our seniors.
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Dec '23
Student Ministry – December 2023
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Dec '23
by Wes Henson
December may be one of my favorite seasons around TSM. For the Christmas season we intentionally shift gears, aiming to help build connections.
Our Circles have gone great so far this semester, but during December they take a break and we get to gather everyone together for a few weeks.
This year we have our 3rd Annual Christma-lympics on Wednesday, December 13, and it’s going to be even better than the first two! Plus, it will be our first Christmas Party in the Refinery
!I’m excited to announce we have scheduled a Disciple Now for February 9-11, 2024. For those who may not know, Disciple Now is a local weekend retreat. I’m excited for the opportunity to include members of the church in the weekend through hosting, feeding, and praying. If you’re an adult and interested in serving, let me know.
To help kick-off Disciple Now registration, we are having a Special Edition of TSM Live on Wednesday, December 6. On this night, we will have a very special guest, and you will not want to miss out!
Finally, I cannot give enough thanks to all of our wonderful adults who have jumped in to help lead a Circle, to sub, to invest in students in the Forge, to bring donuts, to go to camp, to serve, to love, to laugh and to give. We couldn’t do what we do without all of you!
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Dec '23
Music Notes – December 2023
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Dec '23
Christmastime is here again! Our favorite time of year! Worship Ministry has been busy preparing for our Christmas programs!
First up, we have the Prime-Time Singers Christmas Cantata on Sunday,
December 10th at 5:00pm. Join us for a light-hearted, fun Christmas program featuring your holiday favorites. You’ll no doubt find yourself singing along!
December 10th at 5:00pm. Join us for a light-hearted, fun Christmas program featuring your holiday favorites. You’ll no doubt find yourself singing along!
Next, we have this year’s Christmas Worship Program, “Joy Has Dawned”. It will be an exciting presentation of music telling the story of Christ’s birth, featuring some new and some beloved traditional Christmas favorites presented by our Worship Choir, 8:30 & 9:45 Praise Bands. We are thrilled to have our Handbell Choir joining us also! Our Praise Kids, and our Trinity Worship Signers, will also be featured. Each group bringing their own flavor to our program.
Grab your family & friends and join us for this year’s Christmas Worship Program. You have two opportunities to join us, Saturday, December 16th or Sunday, December 17th at 7:00pm. You won’t want to miss it!
You know it just wouldn’t be Christmas at Trinity if we didn’t go out Caroling! Don your festive apparel and come with us as we spread some holiday cheer on Wednesday, December 20th at 6:00pm. There will be cookies and hot chocolate in the Family Life Center to follow.
Finally, Christmas Eve is on Sunday this year and we will have one service in the morning at 11:00am. We will have our usual two Christmas Eve services that evening, at 5:00pm and 6:30pm.
Take a moment, stop and reflect on what Christmas means: Jesus Christ is born! Treasure this season, make memories, and try not to get caught up in the stressful chaos of ‘to-do’ lists. Instead, enjoy the time spent with family and friends as you celebrate together.
Merry Christmas, Church Family!
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Nov '23
For the Journey – November 2023
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Nov '23
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
It is easy to consider all the negative that is going on in our world today, the division of people, the lines being drawn, and miss the goodness of life that God provides. The conflict in Israel, the voices levied for and against personal opinions and agendas, tend to leave us conflicted and worrying about the future. The death that is attributed to mental illness and our lack of understanding on how to curb the aggression and action.
A deeper look at Psalm 118:22-23 tells us, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This has come from the LORD; it is wondrous in His sight.” In the church we know this is referring to Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith. No matter what comes our way, our cornerstone remains steadfast. Be careful to whom you give your ears and hearts. News agencies are at most times good for information, if we understand the spinning that takes place. But, it is always beneficial to look to the LORD. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. It is in Christ that we find hope and direction.
I am so thankful for you as a people of God. Together, we have taken it upon ourselves to take care of our needs while also reaching into the future. We are so blessed by God to be used by Him in making Him known. Always remember, God uses all circumstances to make Himself known. All things work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. We are using our gathering space to bring our church together while also inviting others to come and see. What a blessing to get to lead a church that goes beyond what is seen to what is needed.
At our last member meeting, we voted to collect a special Building Offering on Sunday, November 12. It gives us an opportunity to come and think about what God has called us to do together. As a part of this special offering day, we have also been asked to join a communal church effort to finish the last house for Habitat for Humanity. It is a blessing to come alongside three other churches in our area: First United Methodist Church, Kerrville Church of Christ, and Impact Fellowship in completing this neighborhood. The first $25,000 collected on our ingathering day will go to support this endeavor while the additional funds will be applied to our building debt. Blessed to Bless is more than a campaign, it has always been a movement of Trinity Baptist Church for God’s glory. Thank you in advance for your contributions to bless our community.
At this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for your faithfulness to God’s movement among us. May we see more and more of God’s activity as we submit to His leadership and direction.
In Christ,
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Nov '23
Fall Retreat
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Nov '23
by Anna Henson
My name is Anna and I am a junior at Tivy High School. I am looking forward to our Fall Retreat this year.
Last year I had the opportunity to build relationships with some of the students in the youth group, older and younger. When I attended as a sophomore, I was in a room with four middle school girls with whom I spent a lot of time and I am so grateful to have those connections today.
One of those connections happened during our meals where we would all sit at a table, talk, and eat some amazing food. We had so much fun participating in so many activities such as s’mores around the campfire, sliding down a wooden coaster, and making our way through an underground bunker. Of course, we also had time for devotionals and we had the opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, as well as the Christ-Centered youth and adults around us.
I can point back on Fall Retreat as a time of spiritual growth as a leader and as a Christ follower. This year I am looking forward to connecting with more of the newer members of our youth group through fellowship, fun and good food. And, I also hope to build on the connections I have with those who are already in our youth group. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me at Fall Retreat this year!
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Nov '23
Children’s Ministry – November 2023
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Nov '23
One thought that comes to my mind often, is how incredibly grateful I am for Trinity Baptist Church. The Children’s Team that I have the privilege of serving alongside, is such a joy. The Teachers that share the gospel with kids each week, the Shepherds that support and lead, and the Plan Teams that make our events happen are absolutely terrific and I am so blessed by them every day.
My words are not adequate enough to express how wonderful these leaders are to our children, families and me personally. I see these leaders live out Philippians 2:1-2 which says “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” With one purpose, these amazing leaders pray for, teach, and love kids and parents.
If you see one of our Children’s Team, please pray for them and thank them for their dedicated service.
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