TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
meet our pastor:
Rev. Tiffany Newsom is an ordained elder who holds membership in the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Tiffany has lived a life dedicated to building a future for the UMC where all people are valued and loved exactly as God calls them to be.
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR TIFFANY NEWSOM
“As we enter into the month of November and wind our way through the final weeks of the LONG season after Pentecost, we enter into what is sometimes referred to as the season of the Long Advent. In the Christian tradition we often use big words to set up those things that are significant to our faith or that we deem to be holy. The seasons of Pentecost and Advent are no different. In today’s case, Advent simply means ‘arrival’ and is taken to have a two-fold meaning. First, it refers to the birth of Jesus, his first arrival on earth to walk among us. Second, it holds the promise that we are continually awaiting Jesus second arrival among us.
We are often tempted to focus more on the tangible nature of the former—which generations of Christians have testified has already occurred—over the latter which we have been waiting for generations. In these final few weeks of the season after Pentecost, the tone of the scriptures shifts substantially. We will spend the month of November focused first on the great cloud of witnesses who “believed though they did not see” and testified that Jesus was the Messiah. Then we will look to the future—to the resurrection of all who have died in faith—and to the kingdom Jesus intends to establish when he returns to walk among us once more.
Then, as we enter what is actually deemed the season of Advent, we will look to the prophecies of old that serve to bolster the Christian claim that Jesus was in fact the prophesied Messiah. As we hear these familiar passages again, I invite you to hear them anew. I invite you to look at them from the perspective of the peoples who for centuries looked to them with hope that one day God would come and set the world upon a new and just path.
I ask this of you, because I find myself feeling as though our little corner of the world, and so many others, are in such a state of disrepair that we could benefit from the arrival of our Messiah once again. For long centuries of suffering and uncertainty, God’s children held onto the hope that day would come, and it did. Let us, too, hold onto that hope that one day soon God’s love and peace may be restored and we might live together in joy once more. In the meantime, let that hope spur you into acts of love and kindness that foster peace and joy in the world.”
Blessings upon your Advent journey,
Pastor Tiffany
DECEMBER WORSHIP SCHEDULE
First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, November 30, 2025
“Hope”
Rev. Phred Cain leading worship
Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 7, 2025
“Peace”
Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12
Sermon: Signs and Stories
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 14, 2025
“Joy
Guest Speaker: Jan Janke
Isaiah 35:1-10 and Matthew 11:2-11
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 21, 2025
“Love”
Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon: Signs and Faithfulness
Wednesday, December 24th, 2025
Christmas Eve
Candlelit Service at 7:30pm
Lessons and Carols with special guest Harpist Deidreanna Potter
NEWS TO USE:
Learning and Growing Together is using the book by Max Lucado titled Help Is Here, Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit. These hardcover books are in, and are $7.00 each. Questions? Please talk with Dave Goldsmith.
Our Saturday morning Book Study restarts on Saturday, September 13th at 10:00. The study continues with NT Wright's Romans for Everyone: Part One and will move on to Romans for Everyone: Part II (Chapters 9-16). Everyone is welcome. The discussion is led by Mary Sweet.
Caregivers Support continues to meet the first Tuesday of each month. (September will be the second Tuesday). Everyone experiencing caregiver overload and needing support is welcome to come and share. Sandy Hite facilitates the conversation.
“The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”
God created all things and called them good. Acknowledging the brokenness of the world and the ways the Church has condoned that brokenness through it’s own silence, we trust in God’s abiding love and extravagant welcome. At Trinity, we welcome everyone as full participants in the life and sacraments of Christ’s church. Everyone includes people of any age, economic status, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, race, sexual orientation, faith background, life experience or physical, emotional and mental capability. Simply put: everyone, everyone, everyone is welcome. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
