LIFE@TRINITY

Prime Time Ministry – December 2025

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 in Adults, General |

By Don Francis

Prime-Time Ministries includes many activities at Trinity Baptist Church. We are involved with Prime-Time Game Day, potluck dinners and Genesis 1.

We have 3 or 4 potluck fellowship dinners each year. It’s a time of good fellowship and great meals. We have speakers that share something to enrich us spiritually and to help us as senior adults. Some of our speakers have been from the Dietert Center sharing with us about programs that are helpful to seniors. Lois Carter shared information with us about caring for aging parents, and representatives from the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office helped inform us about fraud on computers and cell phones. We’ve enjoyed music presented by God’s Scrap Iron Band and Trinity’s own men’s Quartet. Encore in the springtime is a 2-day meeting of Christian speakers, fun fellowship, music and lunch.

The first Monday of each month is Prime-Time Game Day. We meet in the church café and play table games. We start at noon and play until 3. You can bring a sack lunch to eat before games begin if you would like. It is a fun time with new and old friends.

Genesis 1 is a hiking activity. We mainly go to state parks and caverns are an alternate if the weather is too hot or too cold to hike. We all bring a picnic lunch or we eat at a restaurant. Some of our favorite places to go are Lost Maples in the fall to enjoy the maple trees in their best color; Inks State Reserve in the spring, it is breathtaking to walk through the fields of blue bonnets, as well as Enchanted Park, Pedernales, South Llano and Schreiners Park. We are always open to suggestions from hikers on other parks we might want to visit. We try to find the highest point of our hike and sing the doxology to give praise and honor to our great God and Creator of all things. In December, Genesis 1 will be going to San Antonio for a boat ride on the river to see the Christmas decorations and dinner at the Rainforest Café. I am sure that we will find a location to sing the Doxology. We have several activities and would love for you to join us.

Trinity Life – December 2025

The Genesis Class

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 in Adults, Bible Study Class, General |

By Dale Moreau

Are you ready to dive deeper into the Bible and truly understand its meaning? The Genesis Class is here to help you do just that! Whether you’re a teenager, young adult, husband, wife, or seasoned Bible reader, our class welcomes everyone eager to explore the Scriptures in a fresh and exciting way.

Unlike traditional Bible study classes, our approach goes beyond rote memorization or becoming a scholar in Greek and Hebrew. We emphasize understanding the meanings of the biblical languages in a practical way. You will learn to pose insightful questions, identify flawed interpretations, and seek comprehensive explanations that resonate on a deeper level.

Imagine reading a Bible verse you’ve memorized, like 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.” Have you ever wondered, what exactly is the gift of God? Is it grace, faith, or something else? Our class will guide you through questions like these, helping you uncover the true meaning behind the words.

We recently finished our study of the Book of Revelation and before that the Book of Genesis and are now excited to begin a new journey: What is the Gospel and What is Salvation? This study is unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

Join us in room 217, upstairs near the elevator, in the new building. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to grow in your understanding of the Bible and enrich your faith.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Children’s Ministry – December 2025

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 in General, Kellee, TrinityKids |

By Kellee Parish

Night in Bethlehem will be held at 6pm on Friday, December 5th and Saturday, December 6th. What a great time to invite your friends and neighbors to come and drive through the Story of Jesus’ Birth! This free event will be located on the Bluebell side of the church. Bring your phone to listen along as the scenes unfold.

Disciple Kids will be adding a new element to our time together on Wednesday nights from 6-7pm. We will be learning about worship through “BoomWhackers” for part of our Disciple Kids ministry. Kids come and join us on Wednesday nights!

Children’s Ministry Shepherds, Teachers and Leaders will have our Christmas Party on Thursday, December 18th at 5:30pm. Please let Bianca know you are coming so we can have plenty of food for dinner. We have a fun fellowship night planned!

Operation Christmas Child – A Trinity Success!

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 in Adults, General |

By Sue Oliver

Thanks to everyone who participated in the packing of the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and in giving generously for supplies and postage. The TBC Youth and Come and See Class filled over 100 shoeboxes this year.

Operation Christmas Child, a program sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, has given out gift-filled shoeboxes to over 232 million children in more than 170 countries and territories. Through these boxes, children hear the gospel of Jesus through a booklet, The Greatest Gift, written in their language. Then they can participate in a 12-week Bible study, The Greatest Journey.

This shoebox is probably the first and only gift the child may receive in his/her lifetime. Through these boxes, children realize God loves them and gives them hope. Children treasure these quality gifts, and some keep an item from the box for a lifetime. There are countless stories online at Samaritan’s Purse of how God has changed lives and entire villages through a simple shoebox.

Items included in the box include school supplies, hygiene items, toys, and a WOW item, such as a soccer ball, fishing kit, toolbox, stuffed animal, doll, musical instrument, or large toy. Some churches and individuals collect items year-round. One 101-year-old lady sewed a dress a day to put in the boxes. You’re never too old or too young to be involved.

If you or your class would like to participate in Operation Christmas Child next year, please contact Sue Oliver (text or call 719-650-6301) or Alycia Apostolides in the church office.

Worship Ministry

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 in Charlie, General |

One of the most beloved Christmas hymns of all time, “Silent Night”, also happens to have two fascinating stories to help make it even more special. The story of how it came into being is proof again that even when things are not going exactly as planned, God can still make something amazing. The second story is proof that even in the midst of a hellish war, a beautiful moment can have a lasting impact.

The small town of Oberndorf, Austria, was preparing for Christmas Eve in 1818 and the local church had a problem. Their organ was in such disrepair, probably part of the devastation of the Napoleonic Wars, that it was not usable. The priest, Joseph Mohr, had written a poem during the recovery and hardship of war that he hoped would usher in some peace, some heavenly peace. As Christmas Eve approached he gave the poem to the church organist, Franz Guber, who then set the wonderful and rather simple tune to the words of the song we now know as “Silent Night, Holy Night” and it was used during their Christmas midnight worship service. Knowing the organ was out of commission he wrote the tune so it could be played on guitar. After that, traveling singers realized they could take it with them very easily, and that is how it began its journey around the world and now has been translated into countless languages.

The other touching story behind this wonderful song happened in 1914 during the first World War. On Christmas Eve the British and German troops agreed to an unofficial truce because both sides held Christmas near and dear. During the truce many soldiers sang carols and some even emerged from their trenches to exchange small tokens or “gifts” with each other. In what can only be described as a miraculous moment of civility, British and German soldiers mingled together, with one another. At some point the famous Austrian opera star, Ernestine Schumann Heinke, could be heard singing on their radios, and she was, of course, singing “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht”. For a few tranquil moments both sides enjoyed a night where gunfire was silent, and thoughts turned to more holy and peaceful things, and a heavenly peace fell on the fields of battle.

Merry Christmas,
Charlie Barganier

For the Journey – December 2025

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 in General, John |

“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 9:6

Advent is defined by a season of four Sunday’s prior to Christmas where many Christians will participate in a special time of prayer and fasting with anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. The Messiah has come! As Christians, we look back to God’s faithfulness while also looking forward to a second advent when Jesus will return not only as Savior but as Reigning King. Our Advent Season will culminate at our Christmas Eve services where we will light the Christ candle and share in the Light that has come into the world.

December is the last month of our year and we will be experiencing the days of 2026 very soon, should the LORD tarry. I hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities to prepare your hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth. I pray we will stand in the truths of God’s amazing gift of love. God did not send to us more religiosity at Christmas. God sends to us the potential of relationship instead. It is possible to get so caught up in the trimmings of Christmas that we forget to truly make the most of God’s gift.

The songs of Christmas are like no other season of the year. We sing and listen to joyful music. We can see the drama of Christmas taking place through the songs we sing. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. O, come let us adore Him, Christ the LORD. What a blessing to be the recipients of such a great love from God. But more than adoration, may we come to reception. The Scriptures tell us that the Word, Jesus, “He came unto His own but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” What a joy to be counted among the children of God.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Night in Bethlehem, December 5th & 6th, Prime Time Singers and Ringers “Merry Christmas to You,” and “Christ Has Come” by Trinity’s Christmas Choir and Community Orchestra. We hope to see you often.

Our Midweek Bible Study will cover our Christmas season with a special time of Christmas caroling on Wednesday, December 17. We will also be taking up our Christmas offering for International missions this month. We will have guest missionary preachers, Austin Roden and John Hinds, on December 7th and 14th receptively. Also, be sure to mark your calendars for our Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Services at 5:00pm and 6:30pm.
I hope you find joy this Christmas as you gather around family, friends and especially our Savior for whom we celebrate.

Merry Christmas.

Pastor John

Men’s Bible Study – November 2025

Posted on Nov 1, 2025 in Adults, General |

by Mike Mullens

Men’s Bible Study groups study biblical passages together to foster group growth in faith and understanding. The Men in our Thursday morning Trinity Men’s Bible Study are from different backgrounds and come together at our Thursday morning Bible studies to expand their knowledge of Scripture.

Being a discussion leader for the Trinity Men’s Bible Study involves leading a group of mature men through scripture in a way that fosters growth, provides mutual encouragement, and builds a stronger community of men around their faith in our God. However, I must confess, leading a men’s Bible study always requires diligent preparation, humility before God and the text, as well as facilitating a discussion where the men in the class can discover biblical truths together rather than being lectured to. In order to do this, it is important to create a safe and welcoming environment where the men in the class are comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts. The goal is to guide a discussion by asking questions that help the group discover God’s truth together, rather than delivering a sermon or a lecture.

The second part to leading men in a thoughtful study of God’s word is it also helps me to grow in my own knowledge and spiritual maturity because it always allows me to develop a closer walk with God. The role also requires me to model my life of faith by showing others how to apply scripture alongside the joy of seeing God work in their lives. Through fellowship and a shared encounter with scripture, a thoughtful study of God’s word can and often does lead men to grow in their faith.

See the Invisible

Posted on Nov 1, 2025 in General, JD |

by JD Templeton

The 2004 Pixar movie “The Incredibles” entertained audiences of all ages. Its retro vibe connected with older adults, while the animated action grabbed the attention of younger viewers. In this heroic flick, “supers” Bob and Helen have three children. Their oldest is a junior high daughter, Violet. With her two powers she is able to become invisible and create a forcefield…ironically two common characteristics of young teen girls.

Do you know someone like Violet; someone who can enter a room yet remain invisible in a crowd? Someone who tries to keep others at arm’s length? Every Sunday people walk into our church services and Bible studies, invisible to those who walk by them. Some sit in a corner, in a sense erecting a forcefield around themselves. Most, however, are desperate to be seen. We too often walk right by. We don’t mean to, but we are frequently blind to newcomers.

Our Bible study groups give us a wonderful chance to change this. You can help build a culture in which we make a concerted, intentional effort to see who is in the room. Find the person who is new to you, then grab a “regular”. “I don’t recognize that person over there, let’s go meet them!” With just a little determination and time, we can “see” those new to our groups and our worship services. Yes, we are there to reconnect with old friends. We don’t have to sacrifice fellowship for outreach, or vice versa. We can do both!

Will you pray that God open your eyes to the “Violets” who enter our doors weekly, those invisible people who would love even a 30 second conversation? It just might be a divine appointment!

Reflections on My First Year at Trinity

Posted on Nov 1, 2025 in General, Youth |

by Alycia Apostolides

This month, while my boss is away on study leave, I thought I’d take a shot at writing the article for Trinity Life. As it happens, this month also marks my one-year anniversary of working here at Trinity! It’s hard to believe—it’s gone by so quickly. I truly love my job and feel incredibly blessed to work with such amazing people.

Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand what makes Trinity such a special place. Here are just a few things I’ve learned along the way:

The pastor, ministers and staff genuinely care for the people of Trinity.
They consistently go above and beyond to serve, which was especially evident during the events of this past summer.
Every week in our staff meetings, each prayer request is lifted up with intentionality and care.
We function as a united team, striving to bring glory to God and support His people in every way we can.
Trinity Student Ministry (TSM) is a wonderful place where students are growing in their understanding of God and His incredible love for them.
Wes is a gifted encourager who leads TSM with both energy and grace. He’s supported by an amazing team of parent volunteers who faithfully invest in the lives of our students.
And last, but certainly not least, I’m grateful for a thoughtful and funny boss who encourages me, challenges me, and continues to help me grow.

It is a joy to be part of this community, and I’m so grateful for all the ways I’ve grown over the past year, and all the wonderful people I’ve met. I’m excited to see what God has in store in the months and years ahead!

For the Journey – November 2025

Posted on Nov 1, 2025 in General, John |

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6

God has been so faithful and good to us. Even in the midst of struggles and grief, we sense God’s presence and direction forward. Let me first of all thank you, Trinity Baptist Church, on behalf of the Pastor and our Ministerial staff, for the most generous appreciation through words and cards during Pastor Appreciation month in October. It is such a blessing to travel alongside you as we serve the LORD together.

I am most grateful for God’s salvation through Christ our Savior. This month, which holds the day we call Thanksgiving, gives us many opportunities to stop and consider the many things for which we are thankful. I count as blessings from God my family, with Melinda being the starting point. God has been so gracious to provide such a rich spiritual heritage for which I am a recipient, and prayerfully being a contributor. I hope and pray that as the days of November pass that we will have exponentially more things to list than the number of days in the month.

I am also thankful for the way in which Trinity Baptist has made ourselves available for assisting others through our community recovery and rebuild efforts. This truly is a long haul and we can only see one week at a time. We are blessed to be a part of a larger Baptist family who have poured in from other cities and states. We continue to consider ways to support those in need.

God is on the move redeeming all that takes place. There is a renewed emphasis on spiritual conversations that I pray will lead to gospel presentations. We are hearing that young men are making the turn of leading others back to the church. It is encouraging to know that the Body of Christ is at work leading others to relationship in Christ and service to Christ.

During the month of November, we will be recognizing the Persecuted Church around the world. You will notice the flags of many countries where there is extreme persecution for being a Christian. Two of the greatest persecutions are upon gathering in Jesus’ name and in the distribution of Bibles. May we remember those of our brothers and sisters in Christ as they remain faithful as we do our part to be aware of their struggles and pray for their witness.

A special thanks to Texans on Mission for their continual work among us and for STCHM for their counseling services in September and October. We have much to do and will continue to find ways to share the love of Christ as we minister and care for those in our community. Thank you for your faithfulness.

In Christ,

Pastor John

Children’s Ministry – November 2025

Posted on Oct 29, 2025 in General, Kellee, TrinityKids |

by Kellee Parish

God is doing amazing work all around our community! It was a joy to see over 150 volunteers serving at First Blessing! Trinity provided breakfast for over 300 families and 417 pairs of shoes were given to kids. Six people accepted Christ, and many Bibles were given out in English and Spanish. Thank you, Trinity, for sharing the gospel!

God opened the door at the perfect time for Xtreme Obedience to be at Pre-Teen Camp this past summer. Our kids were blessed to spend time with Justin and his well-trained therapy dogs after the flood. Xtreme Obedience also came to Trinity and shard on Wednesday night about following the Master (Jesus) and listening to him. Justin and the dogs also shared with Center Point ISD kids about being a champion in life and making wise choices. The Xtreme Obedience team has been a blessing to our community!

Mark your calendars for Night in Bethlehem to be held on December 5th and 6th, Friday and Saturday night, at 6pm. What a great time to invite your friends and neighbors to come and drive through the Story of Jesus’ Birth! This free event will be located on the Bluebell side of the church. Bring your phone to listen along as the scenes unfold. If you are interested in serving at this wonderful ministry event, or need more information, please contact the church office.

Trinity Life – November 2025

Shepherding

Posted on Oct 1, 2025 in General, TrinityKids |