Trinity Church in the Pines Quarterly Newsletter
Advent and Christmas 2024

Church Mailing Address
Trinity Church in the Pines
P.O.Box 676
Grand Lake, CO 80447 

Pastor’s Message (below Prayer Concerns)

We Keep In Our Prayers...

Barbara and Glenn Shull.  Barbara fell down some stairs at home resulting in some serious injuries such as fractured ribs and bleeding on the brain.  She is showing some encouraging sings of recovering.  She is at The Medical Center of the Rockies.

Charlene Penson is now in a re-hab center for physical therapy.  Her address is:                           Villa Manor Care Center                                                                                                                                   7950 W. Mississippi Ave                                                                                                                                Lakewood, CO 80226         

Pat Granquist is in declining health at home.  Prayers for Pat and Gary

Geoff Elliott's sister, Nancy is having a rough recovery after having her pancreas, spleen and gall bladder removed. She has been in the hospital for over 3 weeks.                                                                                                                                   

Melody Anders' friend, Mary Ann Montgomery's cancer has returned.  We pray that her new treatment will work.

Brook Mark who is recovering from basil cell removal from her nose.

Dana Conley, whose Uncle Ben passed away recently..

For past prayer concerns please click on "Ministries" tab and then click on "Prayer and Care"

Pastor's Message

Dear Members and Friends of TCP

Dear loved ones,

Advent is here once again!  Good Christian friends rejoice, as the hymn puts it.  Read Isaiah 9:2-7.  A baby has been born to us, and authority over the world is HIS.  He is our ruler, and he will be just.  In fact, his name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  And he will bring ENDLESS PEACE, JUSTICE, and RIGHTEOUSNESS forevermore.  What a promise!  What a glimpse into God’s kingdom.  This is what God’s love for us and vision for us is like.  Come to church this Advent Season to hear the wonderful music and the familiar Scriptures. Come and rejoice!  Come and worship God. 

During this season, our usual activities - cookie baking, package wrapping, gift buying, tree trimming, card writing - all of these things prepare us for the “big day.”  They almost become the focus in preparation for the coming holiday.  Christmas Day then, can seem like a “let-down” after such a hurried pace of preparation, rather than the real focus for all we do.  

Have you ever wanted something so badly that it hurt, and yet you weren’t sure you’d ever get it?  Maybe it was a childhood toy that you wanted for Christmas.  Maybe it was health for a loved one or the gift of a child.  There is no guarantee that any of these desires will be fulfilled, but if they are, think of the feeling of elation and unexpected grace that comes then.  The wanting, the wishing, the desiring of that gift makes the receiving of it so much more astounding and sweet.

I think that’s what Advent is about.  It is not just a time where we work hard to get ready outwardly for the arrival of Christmas.  It is also, and especially, a time when we look into ourselves and recognize again that need, that desire, that hunger… that wish for the entrance of God’s own Son into this world. 

Be still today and throughout this Advent and Christmas season.  Step outside of the worries and cares of your daily life and see if the Lord doesn’t have a word for you.  Perhaps there will be a moment of “God’s time” that will be your gift during this season.  Keep your eyes open for that glimpse of the kingdom.  I look forward to seeing you this glorious season, especially in worship on Christmas Eve at the 4:00pm or the 6:00pm service.    May you have a blessed Advent season and Christmas, and may you begin your new year with joy.

With love and gratitude,

David

Around this time of year we elect new members to session and deacons.  This time we welcome Bonnie Crutcher, Neal Cross and Ike Hull to new 2 year terms to session.  We say goodbye and thank you to Karen Smith and Steve Meyer for jobs well done. Brook Mark joins Melody Anders for another 2 year term on deacons.
 
Another thing that happens around this time of year is praying that we meet the current year's budget while we work on the formulation of the operating budget for the next year. 
 

Consider Year End Giving to Support TCP

Financially, Trinity Church in the Pines is having another difficult year.  While Trinity’s 2024 budget was thoughtfully developed based on prior years’ expenses, and our current expenses are below that budget, our donations are significantly lower.  Here are the facts.  As of October 31, 2024, TCP income has significantly decreased during the year.  Accumulated income is $127,552, and accumulated expenses are $163,041, for a shortfall of $45,273 in income so far this year.

So here is a reminder as we all consider year end giving.  There are three efficient ways to give in order to financially support TCP.

            First, donating appreciated securities is quick and simple.  You, the donor, receive the current value of the security as a charitable deduction but without the tax liability for the capital gain.

Second, if anyone over the age of 72 has not yet made their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their IRA or SEP for 2024 it is not too late!  You can have the distribution made directly to Trinity Church in the Pines by December 31st and you will not have to declare it as personal income because it goes directly to the church.  As always, check with your qualified tax advisor for specifics related to your personal situation.

Third, your cash or check contributions can be given to TCP when you are in church or by mailing them to the church.  The TCP mailing address is PO Box 676, Grand Lake, CO 80447.

Thank you for your consideration.
 
Your Materials are below.  You can also access our service on Sunday mornings at 9:30 on our Facebook page, and our website. See you Sunday.
 

With love and gratitude,

David

Dear Friends,

I urge you to read and prayerfully consider the following information from our Session and Treasurer.

Consider Year End Giving to Support TCP

 

            First, donating appreciated securities is quick and simple.  You, the donor, receive the current value of the security as a charitable deduction but without the tax liability for the capital gain.

Second, if anyone over the age of 72 has not yet made their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their IRA or SEP for 2023 it is not too late!  You can have the distribution made directly to Trinity Church in the Pines by December 31st and you will not have to declare it as personal income because it goes directly to the church.  As always, check with your qualified tax advisor for specifics related to your personal situation.

Third, your cash or check contributions can be given to TCP when you are in church or by mailing them to the church.  The TCP mailing address is PO Box 676, Grand Lake, CO 80447.

Thank you for your consideration.

 

 

 

 

Let’s remember our friends by dropping them a note!

Barbara & Glenn Shull 917 Scenic Drive Ft. Colliins, CO80526

Marv Fischer & Gay Shaffer 650 Mango Drive Castle Rock, CO 80104-5342

Karenann Manley Julia Temple Memory Care 3401 S. Lafayette St. Englewood, CO 80113

Steve Mulligan The Suites in Parker 9398 Crown Crest Blvd. Parker, CO 80138

Harry Canon 9000 N. Congress Ave. Apt. 336 Kansas City, MO 64153

Gala Wenzel 9629 Applewood Trail Denton, TX 76207

DeAnn Tibbetts 652 Breckenridge Dr. Broomfield, CO 80020

 

 

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Money Matters… JUST A REMINDER AS WE CONSIDER YEAR-END GIVING …  

As we consider year-end giving, there are two tax efficient ways to give in order to support TCP.  ​ First, donating appreciated securities is quick and simple. You, the donor, receive the current value of the security as a charitable deduction but without the tax liability for the capital gain.  ​ Secondly, if anyone over the age of 72 has not yet made their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their IRA or SEP for 2022 it is not too late!   ​ You can have the distribution made directly to Trinity Church in the Pines by December 31st and you will not have to declare it as personal income because it goes directly to the church. As always, check with your qualified tax advisor for specifics related to your personal situation.  

 Trinity Food Bank Has Become Something More

Due to COVID our Food Bank at Trinity has closed.  At the time we could not risk allowing people into the church.  We felt this would put our administrator and pastor at risk unnecessarily.  So as not to waste the food we had downstairs, we gave it all to the Mountain Family Center Food Bank in Granby.  They were very appreciative of our large donation.  It has all been used well and given out to those in need.    In the meantime, your generosity has allowed us to make our foodbank much more. In partnership with Mountain Food Market in Grand Lake, Trinity has been offering $100 gift cards to purchase the groceries they want, (except tobacco and alcohol).  The cards are at the market.  All one has to do is mention the Trinity gift cards to the cashier and they will be helped – no questions asked.  So, if you or someone you know is in need of this assistance, we are only too glad to help! ​ 

 

Men’s Breakfast Group  meets every Thursday morning for good food and great fellowship in our fellowship hall.  This is open to all men, so invite your friends/neighbors to join us.  Hope to see you at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings. ​ ​

The Knitting Ministry The Ladies of the Knitting Ministry at TCP  meet together in the fellowship room on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 10:00am.  Our Mission is to knit and deliver prayer shawls to people experiencing a setback or illness and are in need of comfort. Please feel free to join us.  If you would like more information about our group, please contact Melody Anders, (303) 917-3923, manders63@msn.com   All are welcome. ​ ​

Church is Open for Live, In-Person Worship Services

Masks are welcome, but not required.  If you still are not comfortable coming to church, or if you are out of town, you can still participate in our worship.   We continue to live-stream our services each Sunday morning at 9:30.

You can view our service on our website: tcpgrandlake.org 

OR

  • Trinity Church in the Pines Facebook page
  • our link at Twitch: https://twitch.tv/tcpchurch  also at 9:30.   
  • And yet another way is to click onto our YouTube link that is sent out over email each Thursday or Friday, along with worship bulletin, announcements, Scriptures for the morning, and music to follow along.

If you would like to be on this email list, or know of anyone else who would please let me know.  Just send your or their email to me at heild@me.com   ​

 

THANK YOU for stepping up and helping us make Trinity Church in the Pines great!Thanks to our corporate officers and the session for all they do and thank you for your willingness to serve.   Ike Hull, Clerk,  Steve Meyer, Treasurer and Elder,  Neal Cross,  Karen Smith, Elder,  Geoff Elliott, Elder  and David Heil, Pastor. ​ We also thank those that are serving Trinity Church in the Pines in their care positions. Thank you for your willingness to serve.   Melody Anders, Deacon  Brooke Mark, Deacon Kate Elliott, Deacon.   Thank you to the musicians who provide us with music each Sunday morning,   David Heil,  Geoff Elliott,  Neal Cross,  Mandy Cluck, Dennis Stafford, Daryl Troute, Jerry Pope, Patrick Warfle. ​

 

TRINITY CHURCH IN THE PINES

604 Lake Avenue, P.O. Box 676 Grand Lake, Colorado 80447

(970) 627-3510 (Church Office)

Website:  www.tcpgrandlake.org

Pastor Rev. Dr. David C. Heil, 970-685-7046  heild@me.com

Trinity Office email:  tcpingrandlake@aol.com