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408.377.8930 ~ Fax: 408.377.8932
Email: info@trinitypresbyteriansj.org
~ Office Hours Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm
Past Feature Articles
TARA DAHLEN TO REPORT ON TRIP TO UGANDA
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Tara’s heart was moved
in a tremendous way during her two weeks visiting our partners in
ministry, Ruth and Elijah Sebuchu in Kampala and surrounding
villages.
Don’t
miss her up-to-date exciting report of
what God is doing through our partnership. While
there Tara made the personal commitment to
sponsor two children
–one that is a young girl who resides at the Hands of Love
Orphanage, the other
a young man who resides with the Sebuchu’s—Jowel and Paul.
Tara will be sharing with us how we too might sponsor these children in Uganda. She also contributed to the building of a play structure for children at the new Trinity Orphanage Complex in Kampala.
PRAY FOR OUR PARTNER IN MINSTRY, REV. ELIJAH E. L. SEBUCHU,
the Hands of Love Orphanage and HIV/AIDS Center, and Global Discipleship Ministries.
You may visit Elijah’s webpage at: http://www.globaldiscipleship.net
and you may email him at: pastorelijahkicc@yahoo.com.
Testimony a Cappella Ensemble Performs at TrinityMay 11, 2008 -- Testimony, Stanford University's Christian a cappella group, performed at Trinity on May 11. The group is one of only a few such groups on the west coast. The group performs for hospitals, churches, schools, soup kitchens, and homes for senior citizens. They performed at Trinity last year, and were blessed to have them return this year. To learn more about Testimony visit their web site. |
Trinity Travelers Tour Filoli House and Gardens |
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photo courtesy Barbara Braun |
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April 7, 2008 -- Most of the Trinity Travelers group tours are "virtual" tours consisting of slide shows and talks about international destinations. But the April tour was a real tour of a local destination, the Filoli house and gardens in Woodside, CA. The Filoli house is a 1917 Georgian revival house that is recognized as one of the finest remaining historical country estates of the early 20th century. It is set within 16 acres of formal gardens and is part of a 654 acre country estate owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. San Francisco architect, William Polk, was the principal designer for the home, which was built for William Bowers Bowen II and his wife. Bowen was owner of the Empire Mine located in Grass Valley. In 1937 the estate was sold to William Roth. The Roths lived there until 1975 when the property was donated to the National Trust. For more information about Filoli, see the website at www.filoli.org. For more information about the Trinity Travelers, see the small groups page. |
Ryan Tally Arrives Home Safely;
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March 16, 2008 -- "My heart is in the shape of Africa, and I left a little bit of it there, too," Ryan Tally told the Trinity congregation today after returning from a 3-week trip to South Africa, Malawi, and Uganda. Assistant Youth Minister Ryan Tally was Trinity's delegate to the PC USA traveling seminar to Africa. The seminar, "HIV/AIDS in Africa: A Time of Hope and Challenge," was sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Ryan participated in seminar activities in South Africa and Malawi. After that, he extended his stay and traveled on his own to Uganda, where he was hosted by Rev. Elijah E. L. Sebuchu. Rev Sebuchu visited Trinity in December. Ryan told the congregation that he was treated like a celebrity while in Africa. All eyes looked to him with hopefulness, because people knew that those who visit Africa are there to help. Ryan said he saw Jesus in the faces of orphans whose parents died of HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and curable diseases; in the faces of widows who were HIV+ because of the unfaithfulness of their husbands; and in the faces of women who are oppressed and uneducated. South Africa is like a big city, and has the most cases of HIV/AIDS. People there can get free testing and free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, but the stigma of HIV prevents many from taking advantage of this help. Malawi is a rural country and has the highest percentage of HIV-infected people; 1 of 3 are infected, compared to 1 in 249 in the U.S. In Malawi, the government focus is on malnutrition rather than HIV. Uganda is the poorest of the countries Ryan visited, and while they have resources, people lack money to obtain what they need. While in Uganda, Ryan traveled by bike and motorbike with Rev Sebuchu, who founded and runs four organizations:
When he visited the orphanage, Ryan brought bananas for the 300 children there, and was met with a thunderous roar of appreciation. That was second only to the roar and applause when Rev. Sebuchu told the children that Ryan was from the church that sent blankets to them. The blankets were purchased with funds raised by the Trinity Youth AIDS task force headed by intern Jake Espy. Ryan told of a poverty line in Johannesburg that was marked by a railroad track. On one side were nice homes; on the other were small shacks. A similar poverty line runs through the orphanage in Uganda -- some orphans are sponsored and receive daily meals and clothing, while unsponsored orphans may receive only one meal per week and may have no clothes to wear. Ryan said that what is needed most is not one-time contributions, but an ongoing partnership to help overcome the cycle of extreme poverty, lack of education, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. What can we do? Trinity has formed a task force headed by Jerry Slade to explore how we might help. We invite partnership with other churches. Trinity also has a Youth AIDS task force headed by Jake Espy. |
Trinity Youth Band Hosts HIV/AIDS Benefit Concert |
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January 27, 2008 -- Trinity's youth band, "This Way to Heaven," hosted an HIV/AIDS benefit concert at Trinity Presbyterian Church on February 1, 2008. The youth band, pictured above, was joined by the GKI Church band and the Cambrian Park Church of the Nazarene youth band for this concert. Donations from the concert will help purchase a vehicle for use by Pastor Elijah E. L. Sebuchu, the director of the Hands of Love HIV/AIDS Combat Programme, and to purchase 200 Bibles for his Hands of Love Orphanage/School (an estimated $6,000). Pastor Sebuchu, of Uganda, Africa, spoke at Trinity in December; click here to see the article. As a result of Pastor Sebuchu's visit, Trinity youth formed an AIDS Youth Task Force led by Jake Espy to find ways to support the AIDS initiative in Africa. The benefit concert was a central event in the fund-raising effort. The group is also planning car washes, bake sales, and other methods to raise the needed funds. |
Climb Aboard for a Trip to Mongolia |
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January 9, 2008 -- You didn't need a passport, suitcase, or ticket. Those who attended the January meeting of the Trinity Travelers were treated to a virtual trip to Mongolia courtesy of guides, Ed and Ida Strickland, pictured above. This trip to Mongolia was the first event of the new year for the Trinity Travelers. The Trinity Travelers meet monthly to share travel experiences and fellowship. The group offers a chance to learn about places you might like to go. Each meeting has a theme, usually a country or region. The group focuses mostly on foreign travel, but some domestic adventures are included. The Trinity Travelers is one of many small groups at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Small groups provide a unique opportunity for fellowship. Some groups are centered around a special interest, such as travel or genealogy, and some are centered around service or Bible study. For more information about Trinity small groups, visit the small group page. |
Pastor Sebuchu Addresses TrinityDecember 9, 2007 -- Pastor Elijah E. L. Sebuchu, of Kampala, Uganda, East Africa, delivered the morning message and answered questions at a forum on December 9. He is the Senior Pastor of the Kampala International
Christian Centre, the Proprietor/Director of the Hands of Love
Orphanage/School, and the Proprietor/Director of the Hands of Love
HIV/AIDS Combat Programme. |
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It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas at Trinity |
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December 2, 2007 -- It was the first Sunday of Advent and joyous Christmas music filled the air at Trinity's annual Around-the-Table Carol Sing. One of the features was a performance by the Sunday School Singers, pictured above, under the direction of Sylvia Sperling. The evening also included music by the Chancel Choir under the direction of Norma Perkins, and by the "This Way to Heaven" band under the direction of Vincent Arishvara. Of course, as is the long-standing tradition at Trinity, Dr. Joe Evers led the singing of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The evening also included a drama performed by the Trinity youth. Other 2007 Christmas season events were a Family Advent Celebration, the Chancel Choir's performance of "Emmanuel," and the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. |
Former Trinity Pastor Dr. Aahmes Overton
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November 18, 2007 -- Dr. Aahmes Overton was back in the Trinity pulpit on November 18, 2007. Dr. Overton was pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church from 1971 through 1977. After Trinity, he pastored First Presbyterian Church of Hayward (San Francisco Presbytery) from 1977 until his retirement in 2003. During 2005 and 2006 Aahmes was interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Bakersfield (San Joaquin Presbytery). Currently, he is an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Education, Azusa Pacific University, and a Bible teacher at Community Presbyterian Church, Ventura. His wife, Marilyn, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Marilyn and Aahmes serve several weeks each year on the counseling and pastoral care staff of HeartStream Resources, a residential care agency for missionaries located in Pennsylvania. Their two children, Julie and Mark, were both born and baptized into the Trinity family in 1971 and 1974, respectively. Julie and her husband and their sons live in Fresno. Mark and his wife live in Cameron Park. Aahmes and Marilyn live in Ventura, and are regularly amused by Calvin, their Golden Retriever. |
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Trinity Hosts Mission Faire |
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October 8, 2007 -- Trinity Presbyterian Chuch hosted a mission faire on September 16. Organized by mission chairperson Dorothy Stoner Gleespen, pictured here, the faire was attended by many local mission organizations and provided Trinity members an opportunity to learn about those organizations. Some of those organizations were:
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Dr. Carol Brees Speaks at Trinity Mission FaireSeptember 7, 2007 -- Dr. Carol Brees spoke at the morning worship service on September 16, and worship was followed by the Trinity Mission Faire. Dr. Brees and her husband, the Rev. Jim Brees, are missionaries working in Pakistan under appointment by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). They work at the Memorial Christian Hospital in Sialkot, which is located in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, about eight miles from the Indian border. |
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Jim is the Superintendant and Carol is an obstetrician/gynecologist at this hospital, which delivers more than 7000 babies per year. In addition to delivering the morning message, Dr. Brees spoke to our high school youth on Tuesday, September 18. The September 16 Mission Faire followed worship service and provided an opportunity to learn about many local mission organizations. Information booths were set up on the patio. Mission organizations that displayed at Trinity include the convalescent hospital ministry, correctional institutions chaplaincy, Friends Outside, InnVision, Sarah Care, Next Door Solutions, and many more. |
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Writing the Next Chapter of Trinity
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August 19 , 2007 -- Having marked its 50th anniversary, Trinity Presbyterian Church now turns its attention to writing the next chapter of the church, and a key part of that is investing in its rapidly growing youth ministry. Trinity began the chapter this week by hiring three of its college youth as interns. Richard Thayer, Jacob Espy, and David Villarreal will be working with Youth Director Vincent Arishvara and Assistant Youth Minister Ryan Tally. They will also be shadowing Rev. Jack Longley on tasks, such as hospital visits, as well as attending some committee, session, and mission meetings. The interns will enable Vincent to focus more attention on the newly formed College Youth Group and on a parents' group, and it will allow Ryan to focus more on the junior and senior high groups. The internships will also provide a great learning and skills-development opportunity for these youth. In their own words, the internships will allow them to "grow stronger in Christ" and to "learn how to lead people in Christ."
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Trinity Welcomes Founding Pastor
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June 19, 2007 -- Trinity Presbyterian Church welcomed back its founding pastor at its 50th anniversary celebration on June 17. Dr. John R. Chandler, pictured above to the right of current pastor Rev. Jack C. Longley, returned to Trinity for the first time since leaving in December of 1962. Dr. Chandler delivered the morning message, "The Long Distance Runner," to a full house that included more than 20 early Trinity members. Dr. Chandler is a native Californian. He served in the Naval Air Corps during World War II; graduated from Occidental College; received his B.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary and his ThD from the Graduate Theological Union (San Francisco Theological Seminary. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Princeton Seminary in 1992, and the New Church Development Legacy Award at the 211th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA in 1999. Also addressing the Trinity congregation on Sunday was Dr. Chandler's wife, Haroldine Chandler. Edith "Edie" and Charles Marshall, who joined Trinity in 1957, played a piano and organ duet. Edie was the Trinity organist for a number of years and later became the organist at Los Gatos Presbyterian Church. They now live in Ventura, California. Also attending on Sunday were Marylynn and Richard Rush, who are currently members of the Foothill Presbyterian Church in San Jose. Trinity Presbyterian Church started in the Rush's home before moving services to the "We and Our Neighbors" clubhouse. |
Some of Dr. Chandler's accomplishments:Founded Trinity Presbyterian, San Diego, 1951 Founded Trinity Presbyterian, San Jose, 1957 Senior Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian, Pasadena Development and redevelopment responsibilities in the Sierra Mission Area (Northern California) and Board of National Missions (New York) Executive Presbyter for Lake Michigan Presbytery (Kalamazoo) and Los Ranchos Presbytery (Anaheim) Since retiring, assisted in starting southern California branch of San Francisco Theological Seminary and served as consultant for a number of Presbyteries |
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Founding Pastor Dr. John Chandler to Speak at 50th Anniversary Service
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June 3, 2007 -- On Sunday, June 17, Trinity will celebrate its first 50 years as a church. Dr. John Chandler, organizing pastor (pictured here in 1958), will return to Trinity to deliver the morning message, and a reception will follow in the Trinity Rose Garden.
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It was June 23, 1957 when the organizational meeting of the Trinity Presbyterian Church as held in the "We and Our Neighbors Clubhouse" located at Union Avenue and Los Gatos-Almaden Road. One hundred and fourteen people were received into membership on that day. Trinity's first official session meeting was conducted five days later. Rev. Chandler served as pastor from June 23, 1957 through December 31, 1962. During that period, 963 people joined Trinity. Rev. Morris Jewell, Dr. Paul S. Heath, and Rev. Richard S. Chiolis were associate pastors. On June 24, 1964, the Rev. Frank E. Havens became pastor and served through December 27, 1970. Dr. Aahmes E. Overton became pastor on October 3, 1971, and Rev. Steven M. Hanna became Associate Pastor on June 24, 1973. Dr. Overton pastored until September 30, 1977, and Rev. Hanna until July 24, 1980. Rev. Ben F. Janes served as Interim Pastor from October 3, 1977 until September 1, 1978. He donated the grand piano that is currently in Trinity's sanctuary. Rev. Jack C. Longley became Trinity's fourth pastor on September 1, 1978. He served with Rev. David Dehaan, Assistant Pastor from July 8, 1979 to January 31, 1981; Dr. Steven R. Swanson, Associate Pastor from July 19, 1982 to July 31, 1986; Revs. Lynell and Rob Caudillo, Assistant Pastors from June 28, 1981 to June 30, 1983; Rev T. Royal Scott, Parish Associate from March 1, 1986 to September 7, 1992; Rev. Thomas N. Waddell, Parish Associate from July 1, 1992, to June 14, 2004; and Rev. Don Hammond, from January 2005 to present. Also serving with Rev. Longley were youth leaders Mike Garner, Greg Anderson, Fritz Moga, Danny Franklin, Vincent Arishvara, and Ryan Tally. |
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'Testimony' A Cappella Ensemble Performs at Trinity
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May 24, 2007 -- Testimony, an a cappella ensemble from Stanford University, performed at Trinity on June 3. One of only a few such groups on the west coast, Testimony offers its music to the Stanford community through free concerts and dorm shows, which include songs, skits, and a testimony given by a member of the group. |
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Testimony also goes on tour, offering its music and sharing God's love by visiting hospitals, churches, schools, soup kitchens, and homes for senior citizens. The group recently performed in Chicago and Milwaukee. The group recently released their fourth CD, “Accelerate,” showcasing various musical styles from contemporary to blue-grass to jazz. To learn more about testimony visit their web site. |
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Storyteller Gay Ducey Visits TrinityMay 27, 2007 -- Storyteller Gay Ducey visited Trinity Friday, June 1, to share some of the stories that have made her one of the best known storytellers in the country. Ms. Ducey has appeared in many festivals in the United States, Ireland, and Canada, and she has appeared twice at the National Storytelling Festival. She was selected as a commissioned artist at the Smithsonian Institution and as a guest storyteller on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
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Her stories are drawn from world folklore, personal experience, family, and history. As a children's librarian, she is surrounded by preschoolers who consider her a natural peer and by middle school students who strive to help her become hip. Her work with adults has been called "witty and elegant, full of wisdom and amusements, but always aimed straight at the human heart." |
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Let My Heart Be BrokenMay 9, 2007 -- Marilee Pierce-Dunker, Child Advocate and Ambassador-at-Large for World Vision International, spoke on the topic "Let My Heart Be Broken" on May 20, 2007 at 9:30 am. She also spoke to a forum at 10:50 am on that morning. She is the daughter of Dr. Bob Pierce, who in 1959 founded the World Vision International organization. For more information, click here. |
The Joy and Pain of Motherhood
May 9, 2007 -- "The Joy and Pain of Motherhood" -- that was the morning message on Mothers Day, May 13, 2007. Youth Director Vincent Arishvara delivered this sermon, which he wrote for his Homiletics Class at Fuller Theological Seminary.
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One of the joys of motherhood is guiding our youth as they grow. Trinity has robust youth programs, and one key youth activity is their annual trip to Hume Lake Christian Camp in June. This year, Trinity will send more youth to camp than ever before. You helped through the Annual Camp Scholarship Offering, which was received on Sunday. For a transcript of Vincent's morning message, click here. |
Spring Music Festival to Include Many Local Choirs
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April 9, 2007 -- Trinity Presbyterian Church hosted a Spring Music Festival that featured many local choirs, guest conductor Eric Dale Knapp, and organist Mark Thallander. The Festival Choir included choirs from:
The festival was May 6 at 4 pm and was open to the public. |
  Mark Thallander and Berdie Bowlsby |
Eric Dale Knapp is the Conductor-in-Residence for MidAmerica Productions at Carnegie Hall. Prior to MidAmerica, Mr. Knapp held posts on faculty with Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, as music director with Faith Lutheran Church, and conductor of the Vocal Arts Ensemble, a semi-professional ensemble, in Des Moines, Iowa. |
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Mr. Knapp founded and currently serves as music director for Orchestra de Camerata and the Chamber Music Series at Salisbury House in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, see his biography on the Mark Thallander Foundation website. Festival organists include Mark Thallander and Berdie Bowlsby. For more information about Mr. Thallander, see his biography. Also be sure to read Mark's Story on MarkThallander.com. Learn more about Berdie Bowlsby by reading her biography on the San Jose Wind Symphony web page. The festival also featured Jeff Bowlsby, trombonist, and Carol Griffin, pianist/organist. |
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Easter Events Include Performance of "The Road to the Cross"
March 25, 2007 -- Easter events at Trinity Presbyterian Church features a performance of "The Road to the Cross," an original drama written and directed by Vincent Arishvara. The performance was part of the activities on April 5, Maundy Thursday. The Maundy Thursday events began with the annual potluck dinner in Trinity Fellowship Center.
The performance was part of the Maundy Thursday Worship Service. The worship included meditation by Rev. Don Hammond, music by the Trinity Chancel Choir and the Communities of Hope Worship Team. We also celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
On April 6, Good Friday, the sanctuary was open for self-directed prayer and meditation. Also, the Sacrament of Holy Communion was served to Trinity's sick and shut-in.
Easter Sunday services began with the Sunrise Service at 6:30 am. Sunrise Service was in the Trinity Rose Garden and was led by Rev. Don Hammond and Vincent Arishvara. This was a cooperative service with the Communities of Hope.
Easter Sunday Service in the sanctuary was at 10 am and was led by Rev. Jack Longley.
Trinity Reaches Out to the World and Community Through Three
Initiatives
Helping to Fight AIDS and World Hunger
February 26, 2007 -- They each lost one parent to AIDS or war. Some lost both parents. But they did not lose hope.
Pictured above, they are the children of the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda, Africa, and they brought their message to standing-room-only crowds (693 attendees) at Trinity Presbyterian Church in February.
We witnessed their powerful voices and energetic dancing. We saw their optimistic eyes and confident smiles. We heard them tell of their dreams to become doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers, pastors, pilots, and bus drivers. We could see that in their hearts they knew that God has not forgotten them!
We showed that we have not forgotten them, either. Through this event, we raised more than $10,000 for the Watoto children's organization!
AIDS and world hunger are among the greatest challenges we face today, and as Christians we must take action to address these challenges. At Trinity, we formed a team that is determining what we can do to assist in the eradication of extreme poverty and AIDS around the world and in Africa. We can't do everything, but we can do something. We're researching a number of organizations to determine which we will support.
Trinity youth are involved, too. On the same weekend Trinity hosted the Watoto Choir, Trinity youth participated in the 30-hour famine to raise money to fight hunger through World Vision. During the 30-hour famine, the youth volunteered at Innvision, preparing meals for the homeless.
The youth also served dinner to the Watoto children prior to their performance. Check out some of the photos on the youth page.
Rebuilding Churches in Indonesia
In addition to fighting AIDS and world hunger, Trinity formed a team to determine how we can help rebuild Indonesian churches that were destroyed by natural disasters.
Working through our friends in the GKI Indonesian Church, we are investigating the status of the destroyed churches and how we can best help.
Helping In Our Local Community
Finally, Trinity is committed to helping meet needs in our local community. We formed a team that is focused on hands-on volunteer work with local organizations. Our first activity will be volunteering at the Second Harvest Food Bank, and we will expand our volunteer work from there.
The first work session at the Second Harvest Food Bank will be on Wednesday, March 28, from 6 pm to 8 pm. The first 15 people to sign up will be included in this group. To sign up, contact Dorothy Stoner Gleespen at tgleespen@aol.com.
Get involved!
In January, we saw a multimedia presentation by rock star Bono about extreme poverty and AIDS in Africa. In February, we saw a live performance by the Watoto Children's Choir and heard their message first-hand. Trinity is responding through three initiatives:
- Determining what we can do to help eradicate proverty, hunger, and AIDS in Africa and throughout the world
- Determining what we can do to help rebuild Indonesian churches destroyed by natural disasters
- Helping to meet needs in our local community through volunteer work with local organizations
Trinity formed three groups to focus on these three initiatives, and the response from Trinity's congregation has been inspiring. If you haven't joined one of these groups yet, there is still time to do so and to help Trinity make a difference.
If you are not a member of Trinity, but would like to contribute to these initiatives, we invite you to contact Trinity at the email address or phone number above.
Trinity Welcomes the Watoto Children's Choir
from Uganda
February 1, 2007 -- The Watoto Children’s Orphan Choir, from Kampala, Uganda, will appear twice at Trinity Presbyterian Church in San Jose:
- The first concert will be a community-wide event on
Saturday, February 24, at 7 pm in the church
sanctuary.
- The second concert will be in the Sunday morning worship service at the church on February 25 at 9:30 am.
All are invited. There is no charge for admission; a freewill offering will be received.
The choir consists of eighteen boys and girls who have lost one or both of their parents to AIDS or war. Since 1994, the Watoto Children’s Choirs have toured internationally, informing audiences of the plight of Africa's needy children and spreading a message of hope.
These children are among the more than 2 million children in Uganda who have lost one or both of their parents. Through their lively and inspiring performances, they share their unique experiences, as well as their newfound joy and hope, which thrill and dazzle audiences everywhere.
Trinity is pleased to host these "Concerts of Hope." We also extend a special thanks to those Trinity members who are hosting the children and chaperones in their homes during their stay.
Some Watoto facts:Watoto means "the children." 880,000 Ugandan children are orphans due to AIDS. The children's choir regulary tours the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain, and recently performed at the White House. Learn more about Watoto at www.watoto.com. |
Ski Trip Provides Spiritual 'Lift Ticket' for Trinity Youth
January 8, 2007 -- This month the Trinity Youth Group will embark on its annual Ski Trip at Diamond Peak. This trip is a fun getaway to enjoy skiiing, snowboarding, and just playing in the snow. They drive up to a cabin on a Friday, ski most of the day on Saturday, and return on Sunday.
While the ski lift provides the physical boost needed for fun on the slopes, evening Bible study provides the spiritual lift that will last a lifetime. The trip provides a way for youth to get away from their busy lives for a weekend, achieve a deep spiritual connection, and focus their minds on Christ.
This winter ski trip and summer camp are two of the most prominent activities that the youth group does. In addition to these major activities, the youth group meets weekly for games and Bible study. The Senior High group meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, and the Junior High group meets on Thursdays at 6:30 pm.
The main goal of the youth group is to give young people a place to come and get to know Christ in a comfortable environment with their peers. And it's a great way to make and stay in touch with friends.
The Trinity Youth Group has tripled in the past five years to more that 30 youth today thanks to the leadership of Vincent Arishvara and Ryan Tally, and the group has had a significant positive impact on the lives of these youth. Here is what some of the youth group members had to say about the group:
“Youth group has introduced me to a lot of my closest friends, as well as taught me a lot of things about Christianity that I didn't know before.”
“It has changed my life completely for the better, teaching me about Christianity and opening my eyes.”
“Through youth group I have met some amazing people and made some amazing friends. I learn more about God and Christianity every week.”
If you'd like to participate in the Trinity Youth Group, contact us at the email address or phone number above.
Come Hungry to an Inspiring Twelfth Night Presentation
January 1, 2007 -- Friday, January 5, is the twelfth night after Christmas and is traditionally a night of feasting and frivolity. But this year, we ask that you skip dinner and attend a multimedia presentation by Bono, star of rock band U2 and spokesman for the anti-hunger organization ONE.
The presentation includes a video of a talk Bono gave to President Bush and other national leaders challenging us all to end poverty and disease. You will see a Willow Creek Association video as he spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. last February. It is a compelling presentation, and you will gain an increased awareness of poverty and disease, especially AIDS, and their impact around the world.
You will also have a chance to discuss the video and our options for taking action on the issues raised by Bono.
Worldwide, more than 852 million people go hungry. In California, 400,000 people experience hunger. In Silicon Valley, 40,000 people are hungry, and almost 15,000 of them are children.
This event is sponsored by Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of San Jose Hunger Action Program, and it is open to all.
You can help a hurting world. On Friday, January 5, skip dinner and attend this presentation at 7 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
For more information, contact Pat Plant, Hunger Action Advocate, at patplant@comcast.net. For more information about the ONE organization, see www.one.org.
175 Presbyterians Singing ...
...and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
December 5, 2006 -- It was the evening of the first Sunday in Advent, and you could hear the joyful noise up and down Union Avenue in San Jose. The Presbyterians were singing again!
Every year, Trinity Presbyterian Church has its "Around the Table Carol Sing," and more than 175 people attended this year.
One of the traditions is the singing of the "Twelve Days of Christmas." Each table has a placard depicting one of the gifts that "my true love gave to me," and when it comes time to sing of that particular gift, those at the table stand and sing that part -- as loud as they can! The singing of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" was led by Dr. Joseph Evers, pictured above, who has been leading this tradition for many years.
The carol sing included many other traditional songs, from "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
The evening included songs by the Trinity Chancel Choir led by Norma Perkins, the GKI Choir led by Vania Arishvara, and a debut performance by the Sunday School Singers led by Sylvia Sperling.
The uniquely creative Trinity youth managed to incorporate pirates and ninjas into their Christmas skit, and they rocked the new bell tower with "Jingle Bell Rock."
The event was also an opportunity to learn about some Christmas ornament legends, including the star or Bethlehem, the turtle, the legend of the rooster, St. Nicholas, and the tradition of the pretzel.
The carol sing, co-organized by Irma Longley and Sylvia Sperling, was a great kickoff to the Christmas holiday season.
Many special events will be happening at Trinity this month, with Sunday morning messages centered on the coming of Jesus, special music by the chancel choir, and a special Christmas Eve service that you will not want to miss!
The Christmas season is an exciting and joyous time at Trinity as we celebrate not only that Jesus came, but that he comes to each of us today, knocking at our doors, that we may accept him into our lives.