September 9 - September 16, 2009

Trinity Presbyterian Church
2200 N Bell Denton TX 76209
940-382-8815
web site: http//tpcdenton.org
Trinity Greetings - September 2 - September 8, 2009
Table of Contents
1. Austin Notes
2. September 13, 2009 - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
3. Pizza, Music and Worship
4. Literacy Program
5. Lazy Day" Fund Raiser
6. Christian Education
Christian Education Sunday
Third Graders to receive Bibles
Mid-week Bible Study
7. Church Information
8. Coffee Fellowship
9. Remember in Prayer
10. Choir Rehearsals
11. Theology Reading Group

Austin Notes
I was able to get away late this weekend for a brief trip down to Austin. It was my first time, there, believe it or not. I have long heard so many people talk about it as if it were the promised land -- don't forget to come back, some told me before I left.
I stayed with a seminary friend there, who is now married, with one child and another one on the way shortly. After seminary, he went to Princeton University to get a Ph.D. in the sociology of religion. He shared with me some interesting facts, such as the fact that people who attend church tend to have more children, partially because of the positive appreciation for children they tend to encounter at churches. He is currently working to discover why one of the predominant images for Jesus has changed from that of a friend to that of a king in the last twenty years. I was reminded of the need to stay into closer contact with him, as his studies and research give him a different glimpse into the life of the church.
On my way back, I saw a church sign that advertised a thirty minute worship service. That stuck with me for a while. Has worship become just another chore to do, to get over with as quickly as possible? Are we becoming a fast-worship nation as we have become a fast-food nation? Sometimes it almost seems as if we have this idea that anything good becomes better if it becomes faster.
My spiritual experience hasn't been like that. On the contrary, my spiritual life at its best has been more like an oasis than a race, more a place that provides sacramental sustenance for a long journey than a dash towards some measurable goal.
I am reminded of that as Sunday school begins this week. Spiritual development is not a race. It is the slow and steady development of character, and development of community, that takes when people gather together around the well of Scripture to partake of the gifts that the Holy Spirit provides.
In our culture, that may appeal only to a minority. The majority may skip Sunday School and opt for a fast-food spirituality. But nevertheless, the opportunity for a slow, sacramental feast remains. The invitation is open . . .
In Christ,
Craig Hunter
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 - 24th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship hosted by the Pooles & Pat Cheek
11:00 a.m. Worship
Liturgist: Carl Seiler
Greeters: Kathy Massey & Horace Brock
Ushers: Retha & Jim Whittle

Pizza and music! A taize' service!
Come join us for an evening of food, song and worship. We will begin with a supper of pizza, salads and desserts. We will follow this with music provided by Prentice Barnett and the Quartet. The taize' service will follow at 7:30 p.m. All this happens on Sunday, September 20th from 5 to 8 p.m. Babysitting is provided. Please sign up by September 13 if you plan on attending. Sign up to bring a salad or a dessert. The sign up sheet is in the Narthex.

Literacy Program

The Denton Public Library is forming an adult literacy program. An informational meeting for those interested in becoming volunteers or tutors will be held at the Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland Street, on Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m.According to the literacy organization ProLiteracy, 30 million people in the United States over age 16 don't read well enough to fill out a job application. Training is free and the rewards are priceless.If you also know of anyone who needs assistance with reading, please feel free to refer them to our program.For more information, please contact Wylaina Hildreth, Assistant Branch Branch Manager, North Branch Library at 940-349-8774 or at wylaina.hildreth@cityofdenton.commailto:wylaina.hildreth@cityofdenton.com

"Lazy Day Fundraiser."

HOPE, INC is having it summer fundraiser. It is called "Lazy Day Fundraiser." That is because you don't have to dress up, leave the house, or drive the car. AND you at Trinity don't even have to use a postage stamp. You can just make your check out to HOPE, Inc., place it in the Sunday offering, and Paula Blind or Shari Brand will be glad to deliver it to HOPE for you. If you do not know about HOPE, there is some information on the bulletin board for you to view. A brief statement about HOPE is that we are a United Way partner agency, a 501(c) Non-profit organization addressing homelessness in Denton county since 1986, we need your support.Please remember HOPE, Inc and make a donation. At Trinity it is very easy to do.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Christian Education Sunday—September 13 Trinity will begin new Sunday School classes on Sunday September 13. Everyone will gather briefly in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30. Children will be promoted to their new classes and adults will begin their new classes also. There will be sign-up sheets and members of the Christian Education Committee at a table in the narthex following worship on Sunday September 6 so that adults may receive information regarding the new classes and register for the classes. Adult Sunday School Classes—Sunday September 13 through Sunday November 15—11 WeeksThe Gospel of Luke will be taught by Sara Hagan and Prentice Barnett. Class members will get to know the author of the book of Luke and will have an opportunity to become familiar with the third gospel in a new and deeper way. Basic Bible Study The American Gospel—Teachers Barbra Ivy and Beth Peak Thompson will use the book by this title to guide class members through learning about and discussing the human story of how the founding fathers viewed faith, and how they ultimately created a nation in which belief in God is a matter of choice. Jon Meacham, author, brings historical authority and a sense of hope to the issue of religion and politics. Social Issues and Culture Losing Moses on the Freeway: The 10 Commandments in America--Coordinated by Carolyn and Kerol Harrod. A review of the book from Amazon.com--Why should all Americans –not just Christians and Jews -- care about the Ten Commandments? Chris Hedges, a former foreign correspondent for the New York Times and Harvard Divinity School graduate, believes that the commandments keep us from committing evil. They hold our communities together. "They lead us to love, the essence of life," he writes. Adapted from his series of articles for the New York Times comes these thoughtful essays on why we need these ancient laws -- and what happens when we abandon them. A Phish band groupie provides a springboard for a discussion of idolatry. A Long Island whiskey bar becomes a laboratory for understanding "You shall not bear false witness." Honoring the Sabbath, he shows through the observances of one busy family, may be the antidote to popular culture. The story of the havoc wreaked on one child’s life vividly illustrates the reason for the commandment, "You shall not commit adultery." Throughout his essays, he deftly weaves his own experiences into the narrative, as well as references from Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s classic book on good and evil, The Brothers Karamazov. Hedges believes that the commandments hold out to us the possibility of love -- and love means living for others. The commandments are guideposts that bring us back to the right path, he writes. They call us to sacrifice. Compellingly, he urges us to abandon the culture of self; to live "not by exalting our life but by being willing to lose it." --Cindy Crosby Christian Life and Spirituality Third Graders to Receive Bibles on September 13 Jillian Cheek, Andrew May, Anistyn Holt, and Ibi Eni are our new third graders and will receive Bibles during worship! If there are additional third graders in the congregation, please notify the church office with their names. Thank you.

Mid-Week Bible Study
The Bible study on the Lord's Prayer will begin meeting Wednesday, September 16th from 5:30 to 6:30. The study guides are in the Library. Anyone wanting to try our group out is welcome to drop in over the next 6 weeks and join our discussion. For more information contact Margaret Dawson 940-591-1008 or mdawson6and@aol.com.

From the Top 10 Popcorn Thoughts No. 1053

Before making a decision or responding, remember the acronym HALT.
Do not make an important decision when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired.

Church Information
Deadline for the next Trinity Greetings is 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, Bulletin deadline is 1:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Please help the secretary to keep member information (address, telephone number and e-mail address) up to date by submitting changes as soon as possible.
Normal Office hours are 1-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
TWO FAMILIES NEEDED EACH SUNDAY TO HOST COFFEE FELLOWSHIP!
Now is the time to volunteer for September and October. The calendars are in the Narthex or you may call the church office.
Sept. 20 Hagans & ___________________
Sept. 27 Diane Kohlhase &_____________
Oct. 4 _____________________________
Oct. 11 Jackie Bruce & Kathy Massey
Oct. 18 _____________________________
Oct. 25 _____________________________

REMEMBER IN PRAYER:
All military personnel serving all over the world

For Healing
Walter & Lois Sorensen's daughter-in-law
Mike Luedde
Nancy Pollard who is having chemotherapy
Dale Conway
Margaret Sands in Select Rehab at 2620 Scripture; returning home on Sunday
Euline Brock

Prayer Requests - Cards are provided for your prayer requests in the attendance folder and by the box in the Narthex. You may leave your prayer requests in the box in the Narthex. Prayer requests will be removed from the list after they have appeared for three weeks. Prayer requests that have been on the list for three weeks must be resubmitted.
From the Top 10 Popcorn Thoughts No. 1053
A great deal on something you don't need is never great.
Choir Rehearsals
Sanctuary Choir rehearsals are on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
Grace Notes Handbell Choir on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
Children’s Choir will begin rehearsal Sunday, September 13, 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Youth Choir and Praise Ensemble will begin rehearsal on Sunday, September 13 at 4:00 p.m.

Theology Reading Group
The next book for the Theology Reading Group is Barth for Armchair Theologians by John R. Franke. For those who will have read the book the group will meet to discuss it 2-4 p.m., Sunday, September 13.
Calendar of Events:

Wednesday, September 9 6:00 p.m. Grace Notes rehearsal
7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Friday, September 11 11:30 a.m. Denton County Federation of Families in Fellowship Hall

Sunday, September 13 12:15 p.m. New Member Class
2:00 p.m. Theology Reading Group
4:00 p.m. Youth Choir
5:00 p.m. Youth Group (Grades 6-12)
5:00 p.m. Children's Choir

Monday, September 14 6:00 p.m. ODIS Informal Spanish Class

Tuesday, September 15 7:00 p.m. Habitat for Humanity in Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, September 16 12:00 p.m. Denton County Federation of Families Advisory Bd in Fellowship Hall
4:30 p.m. Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m. Grace Notes hand bell rehearsal
7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir rehearsal

Thursday, September 17 9:00 a.m. Ann's Haven Hospice Group in Fellowship Hall

Friday, September 18 6-7 p.m. Humble Beginnings AA Group meets in the Library

Saturday, September 19 9-12:00 Opening Doors Immigration Services
12:30 p.m. Opening Doors Operating Board

Sunday, September 20 10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:15 p.m. New members class
4:00 p.m. Youth Choir
5:00 p.m. Youth Group for grades 6-12
5:00 p.m. Children's choir
5:00 p.m. Pizza & Music Night
7:30 p.m. Worship in the manner of Taizé