Trinity Topics December 5, 2025

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DEAR FRIENDS

Dear Friends!

At Trinity, we are a community who truly understands and values the impact of music and the arts; two ultimate forms of communication. They allow us to take our stories and deepen our understanding, starting with analytical thought and moving into a deeper, internal wisdom of knowing. Their practice extends an invitation to share in the depth of human experience, shaped through a full telling of stories.

This weekend, Trinity is delighted to share one of Christianity’s greatest stories with you in a new way. “The Innkeeper” is a one-person play about the nativity, told from the perspective of the Innkeeper. It’s forty years after the birth of Christ, and we find the Innkeeper is contacted by a man named Luke, who is collecting the stories of Jesus’s life.

Joyfully, we welcome Michael Searle, a regional actor and active member of Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg, performing the role of the Innkeeper. This piece was originally titled “I Remember Bethlehem: The Innkeeper’s Story” and written by Dr. Frederick Speakman. After many revisions by both Michael and his father John, the current version of the work has truly taken a life of its own. Michael takes this piece around the region for the holiday season, and knowing how short that season is, we are delighted that Trinity is a part of his tour this year.

My hope always is that this non-traditional sermon offering will help deepen your experience of Advent this year. Afterall, this is why we tell the story.

Chelsie
Director of Music and the Arts

POINSETTIA ORDERS

We will be filling our sanctuary with stunning red poinsettias again this Christmas Eve for all three worship services. Honor a loved one and help decorate all at once. The plants are $12 each. Two options - fill out the form in this link: Poinsettia Order Form or complete one at church on Sunday morning. Forms and envelopes and drop box all at the back of the sanctuary in the Coffee Hour area. You can also pay for them online by selecting Christmas Poinsettias from drop down menu. And if you need help, you can always reach out to Heather Meyer! DEADLINE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

HELP PORTRAIT

Trinity is bringing back Help Portrait for the first time in six years. We will be opening our doors and welcoming all peoples to get a photo taken with their family or individually, and Santa! In order to make this happen, we will need 12 volunteers from 9:30-2:30 on 12/6. There is a sign-up genius you can access by clicking here! Questions? Contact George Benson at george@trinitytoledo.org

MITTEN TREE

Before you leave for church each week

Remember the words we heard Jesus speak

Breakfast at Trinity feeds the flocks

Now let’s help with gloves and socks.

Our Living Room tree is empty and bare

Why don’t we fill it with things we can share?

Like hats and scarves to keep out the cold

So breakfast friends have warmth to hold.

Bring in your new and clean gently worn

Things that bring warmth with a tree we adorn

Let’s keep the tree up as long as we dare

With weekly donations to show that we care.

Just one small way to spread some cheer

For those whose days may not be so dear.

It’s just a hat, a scarf, a glove

But mostly it’s about sharing love.

We’ve all had that moment: Your Christmas cookies are so good, you just know you could win a prize for them. Your wait is over!! Bring a batch to share after church on Sunday, December 14. This Bradley Bash is all about sharing your favorite cookies. What’s not to like?? This will not be a cookie exchange—just bring 2 dozen to share for fun. We’ll have cocoa and milk and trophies. We’ll also have a few simple ornaments for the kids to hang on their tree. Any questions? Talk to Becky Koskinen, Kyle Grefe, Chelsie, or Heather.

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday, Dec. 21 - Following December 21st worship service, come help us put the finishing touches on our Christmas decor and prepare the sanctuary for our joyful Christmas Eve celebrations!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

ALL SAINTS PARISH - NEW INITIATIVE

Starting in January, our siblings at All Saints Episcopal will be hosting a commodities pantry that will run from 11:30a - 1pm the first and second Sunday of the month. Trinity is very excited to be supporting this pantry, so please drop of toilet paper, paper towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and feminine hygiene materials at the donation station by the guestbook podium. If you have any questions, please contact George Benson at george@trinitytoledo.org

WEDNESDAY NOON SERVICE IN CHAPEL

TRINITY'S PRAYER LIST

Trinity continues to have an active prayer list. If you’d like prayers for yourself or for someone you know, you can request them by contacting the Trinity office (trinity@trinitytoledo.org or 419-243-1231). All prayer requests are shared only with a small intercessory prayer group who, along with parish clergy, offer recurring prayers for each request. When a request is received, it remains on the prayer list for four weeks before it’s taken off. Requests can always be renewed or submitted again; having an “expiration date” simply prevents the list from overflowing with prayer requests that are out of date.

TRINITY@HOME LIVE-STREAM

Trinity@Home is now a live-stream of Trinity’s 10:00 am in-person service with an interactive chat.

www.trinitytoledo.org/live

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