This Sunday marks the beginning of a new church year, and with this comes infinite possibilities. In the season of Advent, we remind ourselves of God’s constant and faithful presence as we prepare to celebrate the annual remembrance of our Lord’s nativity and remind ourselves that we live each day in hopeful expectation of our Lord’s glorious return. 

Each and every day offers us the opportunity for something new to emerge. If we have the courage to step onto new ground—even though the destination is still unclear—we trust in God’s love to hold us and sustain us on the way so that we may find our souls enlivened and spirits renewed. Advent is a time to “awaken [our] spirit to adventure” and to “hold nothing back”—God’s hope and love, joy and peace await.

Advent Blessings,

This Sunday, we will experience some extraordinary music to celebrate the first Sunday of Advent.  I thought it might be useful to explain a few of the selections so that they can be more fully enjoyed.

At the 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist this Sunday, Trinity's staff singers, alongside musicians from the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, will present Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata on the hymn "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland" ("Come now, savior of the nations").  This hymn was typically sung on the first Sunday of Advent in Baroque German Lutheran churches (Bach's context), and as a result, there is a wealth of deeply meaningful musical settings of it written through the succeeding centuries.  We will intersperse the various movements of this throughout the service, with each verse in a context in which its text pairs well with the readings and prayers of the day.

The opening choral movement, set in the style of a French overture, bids Jesus come and reminds us that his coming has been prophesied.  These words will be the formal opening of our season of Advent, and remind us all of the focus of these weeks.  

The processional hymn may surprise some: "All glory, laud and honor."  In my research of Bach's musical selections for the first Sunday of Advent at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, I found a fascinating pattern.  Bach often selected musical settings of the text "Hosanna to the Son of David" for the offertory motet for this day.  This is a text traditionally associated with Palm Sunday.  By using it for the first Sunday of Advent, Bach drew a liturgical line between the various entries of Christ into the world.  This, of course, pairs very effectively with the text of "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland," a hymn he programmed for that day and on which he wrote several cantatas for the same occasion.  To emphasize this connection, we will sing "All glory, laud, and honor," which we typically sing as the processional hymn on Palm Sunday.  

At the offertory on Sunday, we will hear a recitativo and aria from Bach's cantata that explore Christ's suffering and once again invite him to us.  The communion music will be the recitativo "Siehe, ich stehe vor de Tür und klopfe an" ("Look, I stand before the door and knock").  This is a fascinating piece of music, where pizzicato strings create the effect of Christ knocking on the door of the church.  The aria "Öffne dich, mein ganzes Herze" ("Open yourself, my whole heart") follows with sweeping melodic lines, speaking of God's graciousness to us.  

We will close the 10:30 service by singing the hymn on which the cantata was based as the recessional hymn.  The prelude and postlude will also be organ settings by Bach of the same hymn melody.  My hope is that this will be an enthusiastic and deeply meaningful way to contemplate Christ's coming into our midst!  

I hope you will also consider joining us on Sunday evening for our service of Advent Lessons & Carols at 5:00 p.m.  This annual service presents hymns and choral offerings interspersed with readings that prophecy about the coming of Jesus.  This year's musical selections include some perennial favorites (Paul Manz's "E'en so, Lord Jesus," Charles Wood's "O thou the central orb," and more).  But we will also feature music with a close connection to Trinity Church.  Richard Webster, who for years directed the brass ensemble at our annual service of Christmas Lessons & Carols and has a long relationship with this church, will be represented in his setting of "Adam lay ybounden."  And we will have music by several living women composers: a setting of "A tender shoot" by Kerensa Briggs and "Earth grown old" by Ghislaine Reece-Trapp.  This service is a great opportunity to invite friends who don't already attend Trinity Church to come, enjoy some great music, and participate in a meaningful introduction to the season of Advent!  

All my best,

Meg 

The Church Times in England is sponsoring a brief online Advent retreat this Saturday, November 30. You can read more about the speakers at this link: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/through-darkness-to-light-advent-journeys. Trinity has purchased a group ticket, which means you can view the retreat program anytime your schedule allows. The videos will be available on demand for those who don't want to get up at 5 am! We will send out the link in a separate e-blast as soon as we receive it. 

This Sunday, join us at 9:30 AM in Pierce-Bishop Hall for seasonal fun for all ages! We will make Advent wreaths for your family to take home and use during this season of expectation. There is a suggested (but not required) donation of $10 to cover supplies. See you there! 

The Angel Tree is UP!

The tags on the tree are all for gift cards for the three agencies we support.

The QR code will direct you to an Amazon Gift Registry for actual presents that the children at Urban Promise have requested.

Please sign the numbered sheet for the colored Angel tags and return all gift cards by Dec. 4th.

All Amazon gifts should be ordered to be delivered by Dec. 9th

Finally, you are invited to a Parish wide wrapping party on Sat. dec. 14th starting at 9 am.

Any questions?  Contact Martha Lashbrook @ 609-477-6285

Grief is one of life’s most profound experiences. Many of us are simply not prepared for the level of sadness, isolation, and vulnerability that often result after losing someone we deeply love. We have expanded our gatherings and will offer two separate groups. Please join us as we share our journeys of grief, supported by God’s grace, Scripture, and one another.

Gatherings will be held in Nassau Presbyterian Church’s Conference Room.

Tuesday evenings 7-8:30pm

• Dec 3

Friday mornings 10-11:30am

• Dec 6

Contact Lois Foley (Tuesday evening group)

Contact Sara Alvea (Friday morning group)

There will be a Cookie Walk on Sunday, December 8th, from 9am-12:30pm!

Here is how it works:

You buy a bag for a small fee, and then you fill it with cookies of your choice from the trays of delicious home-made cookies baked by fellow parishioners.  So please stop by after the 8am or 10:30 service, and enjoy this Christmas tradition!

Bakers needed!! 

Can you find some time to bake some of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes?  We would love any amount you can make!  (Please, no store bought!) 
If so, then get in touch with Terri Brown at 609-915-3800 or terribrown4@gmail.com  or sign up here:   https://evite.me/pzTtwQsEtf

The Flower Ministry team is getting ready for the Annual Poinsettia Delivery, and we could use your help!  

On Friday, December 13 through Sunday December 15, volunteers will deliver Christmas Poinsettia plants to parishioners.  The time involvement is just 1-2 hours, and the exact time you deliver is completely at your discretion.  

We will provide a list of recipients with addresses and contact information. We would like to get enough volunteers to create pairs of people to deliver, so there could be a driver and a caller.  The caller lets the parishioner know that we are on the way to drop off a plant.  This gives the parishioner a “heads up” to potentially to see a stranger at the door.

If you can help with this enjoyable and worthwhile event, please contact Terri Hassett Brown by either email at terribrown4@gmail.com, or by phone, 609-915-3800.  

It is time to sign up for the Christmas Pageant! This year's pageant will take place during the 10:30 am service on Sunday, December 22. We will be using a brand new script, complete with original songs! Rehearsals will be Sundays after church during the month of December, although not everyone will need to be at every rehearsal. There are opportunities for children of all ages to perform.  Please access this form to register and find all of the information:  https://forms.gle/f26RrA3GVtAfQuuJ7

Questions? Email Annie Bryson at brysona@trinityprinceton.org

Event Title: Voices Chorale NJ and the Trenton Children’s Chorus Present: "Sing Out, My Soul!"

Date & Time: December, 14 at 4pm

Location: Trinity Church

Join us for a joyful celebration of the holiday season as talented performers come together for “Sing Out, My Soul!” presented by Voices Chorale NJ in collaboration with the Trenton Children’s Chorus.
The program features Vivaldi's masterful Gloria accompanied by a chamber ensemble, as well as contemporary choral compositions and arrangements that invoke the many moods of the holiday season.  It's sure to delight attendees as they celebrate this season of increased community and connection!
The Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, is an ever-popular favorite with audiences since its writing over 300 years ago. Voices Chorale is honored and excited to be joined by members of the acclaimed Capital Harmony Works’ Trenton Children’s Chorus as this Christmas story is depicted through Vivaldi’s masterful musical imagery.
The program then fast-forwards through the centuries, presenting old and new texts set to music by contemporary composers, from a heartfelt Hanukkah prayer to a song of rejoicing in Latin (Gaudete!). As a special touch, the audience is treated to side-by-side contrasting musical settings of the same texts to underscore their beauty through different musical prisms.
With the combined groups “singing out” together in “Sing Out, My Soul!” by Marques Garrett, there is truly something for everyone. Don’t miss this uplifting experience!
Tickets and information are available at www.VoicesChoraleNJ.org.

For more information, contact Event Coordinator Linda Silber: LindaFSilber@gmail.com