ADVENT - Trinity Presbyterian Church

One of the nicest seasonal traditions at Trinity is Wednesday worship during Advent. Each of this year’s three services is designed to help you find the peace and joy of the season. These casual services begin at 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Dec 6th will be led by Carol Feather Martin, Dec 13th is led by Alan MacEwen and December 20th is led by Pastor Judith. Stop in, breathe deeply, and step away from all the craziness of commercial Christmas.

Ongoing: Angel Tree Program begins Nov. 15th-Dec. 10th

This year, TPC is focusing its Angel Tree Program closer to home, benefiting children who attend Abington and Cardinal Elementary Schools in Arlington and are identified by their school counselors as needing special support this holiday.

Our goal is to collect money and provide each child at least a $75 gift card to ensure they have presents under their trees this Christmas season. If we raise more, we will consider increasing that amount and/or providing their families with a grocery gift card to help put food on the table while these children are out of school for the holiday break.
You can contribute by using the QR Code or going to our web page, clicking on the “give” button, then scrolling down to select the Angel Tree item, entering an amount and your payment information. Please consider covering the transaction costs so the full amount goes to the program.

Your family’s generous donation will help make this Christmas a happier day for these children! As in recent years, to accommodate COVID concerns we will provide gift cards rather than wrapped presents.

Alternative Gift Market: Dec 3rd or online

Supporting the Alternative Christmas Market on Sunday December 3rd is a wonderful way to help others. On Sunday, December 3rd from 8:30-12:30 you will have a wonderful opportunity to purchase gifts that make a difference in the world.

Heifer International-where you gift initially helps a family who in turn gives back by providing support to their community, Ten Thousand Villages-where you can purchase crafts and other wares from artisans in developing countries who through this enterprise are provided an opportunity to earn income and provide for their families and communities, Olive Oil from Palestine- where we are able to support efforts for Peace in the Middle East, Arlington Thrive-provides timely assistance to help our neighbors in need so they can develop the capacity to be stable, secure and thrive in their jobs, health and home, Resilient Threads– weaving that provides income for families in Guatemala, and Gift wrapping to support children in Philippines. Gift cards that describe your donation are available for each contribution. You will also have the option of making purchases/donations online.

Donations/purchases will be made directly to the participating organizations, so bring your checkbook! Interested in helping? Please contact Jocelyn Hunn at or Lynn Pollock. Click here to shop online!

Advent Craft Workshop December 3rd

The Annual Advent Workshop will be held on Sunday, December 3rd in the Narthex from 3:30-5 p.m. There will be plenty of craft opportunities for kids, as well as the popular living greens Advent Wreath station. It’s a great way to make some wonderful gifts while getting in the Christmas spirit. The cost for the event is free except for a small charge of $10 for those interested in making the Advent Wreath (a tabletop living greens wreath with candles). Reserve your wreath spot today by using this sign up. Reservations are not necessary for the other crafts. Thank you to Tabitha Circle for hosting this event.

Annual Cookie Exchange and Caroling: Dec. 18th Sign up today!

The Annual Cookie Exchange will take place on Monday, December 18th at 7:00 PM beginning with Christmas carols in the sanctuary. Please join us for carols and then those interested will exchange cookies at 7:30 p.m.! All bakers and singers are welcome. If you want to just come and sing carols, snacks will be provided afterward. For those interested in exchanging cookies, please bring 4 dozen cookies (48!) and package them in 16 sealed bags with three cookies per bag. You will go home with 16 bags of three cookies and enjoy a variety while only having to bake one batch! Questions? Please contact Jocelyn Hunn.

Please click here to sign up to bring cookies or to help set up or clean up. Then please come and enjoy them! Thank you to the Hannah Circle and Jocelyn Hunn for hosting.

Carols, Chili, and “Not Your Typical Nativity:“ December 17th
The annual “Not Your Typical Nativity” by our Youth will take place on Sunday, December 17th. The evening begins with all carolers meeting in the Narthex at 5 pm to head out in the neighborhood to sing. Lyric sheets are provided, so come sing even if you only know the chorus to “Jingle Bells.” A delicious chili supper will follow in Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m. The youth production of the Not Your Typical Nativity, a unique interpretation of the Christmas story, is in the Sanctuary at 7 p.m. Thank you to the Abigail Circle for hosting the chili dinner.

Ongoing: Enjoy Christmas Music this December at Trinity

In addition to our music in worship, each Sunday we will have a selection of Christmas music beginning at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. If you are eager to hear hand bells, they will be featured in service in the traditional service on December 3rd. Please check the Advent Calendar on page 4 for the other special music offerings. We will be caroling on December 18th at 5 p.m. and also after the Christmas morning worship service at 10 a.m. We have other special music plans in the works and will be sure to keep you updated in the bulletin and enews.

Wednesday Advent Worship begins December 6th

Be a Part of Worship: Advent Candle Lighter/Reader or Usher

Please be a part of worship this Advent and Christmas. This is a wonderful way to give back and be part of the service in a hands on way! We invite you, a group, or a family to light the Advent candles and do a short reading each Sunday at worship and on Christmas Eve. Please sign up here. We also invite you to be an usher or slide runner during these services. Sign up here.

Gift Wrapping Dec. 3-17th to benefit school in the Philippines

Nene and her team will offer gift wrapping each Sunday in Dec (3rd, 10th and 17th) 8am -1pm. You can drop your gifts and pick up the next Sunday or at the chili dinner on December 17th. The donations collected will make a significant difference in the lives of children at Baclayan Elementary School in Nene’s hometown. By providing essential school supplies, you can help around 100 students, from kindergarten to 6th grade, who face challenges due to financial constraints. Your support allows us to prioritize their education, breaking the cycle of limited opportunities and creating a brighter future.

We kindly request your assistance in monetary donations as well as items like paper, pencils, pens, crayons, watercolor paints, and books. Additionally, the school needs a projector for special events to enhance the learning experience. Your contributions will help these children with the tools they need to excel academically and create better futures for themselves. Your monetary donations will also help cover the cost of shipping ($95 a box). See the table at the Gift market on Dec. 3rd or in the preschool hallway by Room 11 on the other Sundays.

Christmas Memorial Flowers 2023

We will collect contributions for memorial poinsettias and recognize each memorial gift in the December 17th and Christmas Eve worship bulletins. We are asking for a minimum donation of $20.00 per dedication. You may choose to take your plant home after the Christmas Eve service or help deliver to either VHC or the homebound.

Please complete the form online. You may make checks payable to Trinity Presbyterian Church, annotated “Christmas Flower” (or poinsettia if you are a good speller). Drop the form in the offering plate on Sunday morning or return the form to the church office no later than Wednesday, December 13th. You can also pay online (please cover the transaction costs) and note “Christmas flower”

Christmas Joy Offering

This offering is shared equally by the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides critical assistance to Presbyterian church workers and their families, and Presbyterian-affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges, which enable students to develop their gifts and find their calling. We will collect for this offering on Christmas Eve.

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