✢ E-PISTLE WEEK OF SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 ✢

WEEK OF SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026
✢ SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST ✢

This is our time!

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11-14

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,

I have returned from my summer ministry at St. John's Church in Harbor Springs, Michigan, and it is wonderful to be home—back in the rectory, back in my office, and, most importantly, back with all of you.

I come back with so much anticipation and joy as we get ready to celebrate Homecoming Sunday and begin another program year together.

The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is indeed "a time for everything, and a season for every matter under heaven." A time to be born and a time to die, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

And there is also a time to begin again.

This is such a time for Trinity Church.

Homecoming is more than returning to familiar pews and familiar faces. It's an invitation to begin afresh—to open our hearts to where God is leading us in the days, weeks, and months ahead. The Holy Spirit is alive and at work in our midst in new and exciting ways.

Whether this is your first Homecoming Sunday or your fiftieth, we'll come together to sing and pray, to hear God's Word, and to gather around the Lord's Table. We'll listen for where God is calling us, and pray for the wisdom, courage, and strength to follow.

And then we'll go forth.

Because the Gospel doesn't end at the church doors. We're sent into our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplaces and schools, to be people of healing and hope in a world that badly needs both.

There is indeed a time for everything under heaven.

And this is our time to gather, to begin again, and to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ.

Welcome home, Trinity Church. I can’t wait to see you this Sunday!

Forward in faith!

Peace and Blessings,
Paul

The Rev. Paul Jeanes III, Rector

THIS SUNDAY

Sermon: The Rev. Paul Jeanes III

Readings for The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

First Lesson: Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm: 103:8-13
Second Lesson: Romans 14:1-12
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

10:30 AM BULLETIN

LIVESTREAM

MEET OUR CLERGY AND STAFF

THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13: Homecoming Picnic! Sign Up HERE to help make it happen!

MUSIC PROGRAM

Do you know a child who loves to sing?

Trinity's Choirs are just back from their summer tour of England, and choir season kicks off after Labor Day. Now's a great time to help spread the word about the amazing music that happens here at Trinity Church Princeton.

ABC Choir - Kindergarten-Grade 2 - Rehearsals resume Thursday, September 17. Please email Annie at brysona@trinityprinceton.org for more information.

Treble Choir - Boys Grade 3-voice change; Girls Grade 3-12

- No prior experience needed, only a love of singing!

- Top tier music education ranging from the basics all the way through college-level music theory and singing skills.

- Sing masterworks ranging from 1600 to newly composed pieces, learn music theory and music history.

- Have extraordinary experiences and make friendships that will last a lifetime!

- Completely tuition free.

Send a note to our director of music Meg Harper at harperm@trinityprinceton.org if you know of a child who would be a good addition to our treble choir!

AROUND TRINITY

New Pastoral Care E-mail Address!

Do you have a pastoral care need? Now you can send an e-mail to pastoralcare@trinityprinceton.org and reach all three clergy members at once. Please feel free to reach out any time!

Caution: Uptick in Phishing Scams

Please be aware that there has been a prevalence of phishing scams pretending to be clergy or staff. Recently, there has been a rash of “spam” invitations purporting to be from Father Paul and other staff. Please make sure to confirm that the email address is coming from the correct @trinityprinceton.org email. We will never solicit or ask you to send money, valuables, or your personal information to an unknown source. If you’re not sure, you can always e-mail us to verify!

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 19: Trail Church

The next Trail Church gathering will be Saturday, September 19, at Mercer Meadows Trail. The trail is off Blackwell Rd. in Hopewell Township. See this map link for precise directions. The parking lot looks like this:

SEPTEMBER 20: Acolyte Training!

Are you an adult who would like to serve as an acolyte? Join Mother Kara right after the 10:30 service on Sunday, September 20 for Acolyte Training! You can e-mail Kara for more information.

SEPTEMBER 21: Platinum Lunch Club

The Platinum Club meets Monday, September 21st in the Thomas Room at Noon! Come a few minutes before to help set up! As always, bring your own lunch, and dessert will be available.

Remember: Platinum Club is for all “older” Trinity people. No proof of age required!

SEPTEMBER 27: Stewardship Forum

Please join the Stewardship team at the September 27 Forum for a discussion on the place that Trinity holds in each of our lives. We are looking to share a lively session of Q&A that focuses on the spiritual and fiscal importance of participation in giving of resources to the Trinity community. Between now and the 27th, think about what brings you to Trinity on Sunday - what makes this journey we share A Walk in Love.

OCTOBER 3: Baby Shower for Joseph and Stephanie Ferguson

Our beloved Associate Director of Music Joseph Ferguson and his wife Stephanie are about to become parents for the first time! On Saturday, October 3, we will celebrate this joyous occasion with a shower from 3-5 PM in Pierce-Bishop Hall. We are taking up a collection so they can buy the things they need and want, and as always you can send checks to the Finance Office, Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St, Princeton NJ 08540. Put “Ferguson Shower” in the memo line. Or, you can give online at trinityprinceton.org/giving and make a note that it is for the Ferguson Shower.

If you would like to give a gift from their registry, see https://my.babylist.com/sqatmxwyr.

OCTOBER 22, 23, 24: 51st Annual Rummage Sale!

Your exquisite “no longer wanted” items will be welcomed on the drop off dates in the fall.
Volunteers and donations are needed! More info on drop off and work dates will be available soon.

TURKEY TROT REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

The 19th Annual Trinity Turkey Trot will be here before we know it! Register Here to secure your spot!

FAMILY MINISTRIES

Click here to read our newsletter!

ADULT FORMATION CORNER

Here We Go!

Dear friends,

This week feels like the last deep breath before we all jump off the diving board of the new year of church programs. If you haven’t made learning about the faith a priority in a while, maybe this is your nudge to get back into it. We have a number of formation opportunities, on different days and at different times, with more on the way. (Stay tuned for more on that!) We will have several short courses and discussion groups, plus a retreat to Holy Cross Monastery in November. See below for some upcoming opportunities to grow in the faith and think more deeply about God.

Formation This Week

Sunday, September 13 at 9:30 AM: Sundays with Storymakers intergenerational forum. Come learn more about Storymakers, our Sunday School curriculum, and participate in some fun activities. This event truly is for people of all ages, parents or not!

Monday, September 14 at 7:30 PM: Pub Theology at Yankee Doodle Tap Room

Monday through Friday at 7:45 AM: Morning Prayer Rite II, the Zoom Daily Office link is here

Monday through Friday at 5:00 PM: Evening Prayer Rite II, the Zoom Daily Office link is here

Saturday, September 19 at 9:00 AM: Trail Church at Mercer Meadows Trail. See the map link here.

Sunday, September 20 at 9:30 AM: The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Walton, President of Princeton Theological Seminary

Try Our Sermon Podcast

Trinity Church has a sermon podcast! We tried this briefly just after COVID, but the technology wasn’t quite there yet. We’re now able to provide a podcast feed of our sermons on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, with both video and audio available on YouTube. Click, like, and subscribe!

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Do you have questions about your faith?

Do you wish for a community of like-minded seekers?

Do you want to integrate what you read in the Bible with your daily life?

Then EfM is for you!

Want to know more?

Call Julia Garry at 609-902-1388 or email her at jspenick@aol.com.

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers:

Caleb A., Joshua Alexander, Dan Van Abs, Alexey Aulov, Barbara, Susan Barry, Zoe Beaton, Vanessa Belhomme, Gloria Bellamy, Cynthia Bellamy, Pamela Brecknell, Wesley Brown, Helen Burke, Jennifer Burke, Judy Burke, Brian Burleson, Bill Causey, Jessica Connor, Peggy Crawford, Kevin F. Cunningham, Chip Dongara, Daryll Eatmon, Gus Escher, Abigail Evans, Wendy Evans, Sue & Steve Frank, Amy G., Sebastian Godinez, Pat Grabiec, Jackie Greggs, John Hannan, William Hannan, John Havener, Ellen Jane, Anne Jarmon, Deborah Jordan, Joyce Kelleher, Patricia Killian, Kristen Lees and Family, Alexandre Lewkowicz, Noelle Lewkowicz, Philippe Lewkowicz, Cecil Marshall, Makenna Mattesi, Lucy and Megan, Edwin Metcalf, Nancy Metcalf, Clive Muncaster, Dulcie Muncaster, Joan Nester, Ross Parker, Bob Pietrucha, Lisa Witt Pinair, Vinnie R., Elizabeth Read, Carol Reynolds, Samantha Seto, Randy States, Jody Stebbins, Mike Stebbins, Jim Stepleton, Isaiah Stevens, Gary Sykes, Ward Tomlinson, Marue Walitzer, Aaron Ward, Sue White, Dawn Young, Nancy, and Joshua.

Please pray for the souls of the recently deceased:
Robert Crafford, Dianne Senko, George Webb

Individuals will remain on the prayer list for one month, unless we are otherwise notified.

➨ If you want to add someone to the list, please email Annie Bryson at brysona@trinityprinceton.org.

RECOVERY MEETINGS: Looking for recovery meetings? See our list of recurring meetings here.

ZOOM EVENTS: Join all Zoom meetings, unless otherwise advertised, at ZOOM.US/J/2859819016 [By phone: 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 285 981 9016 Password: 1979].

ABOUT US: Trinity Church ➨ Est’d 1833 ➨ An Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey ➨ 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 ➨ (609) 924-2277 ➨ The Rev. Paul Jeanes III, Rector; The Rev. Cn. Dr. Kara N. Slade, CGS Associate Rector; The Rev. Stephen Connor, Associate Rector ➨ Website: trinityprinceton.org

“We believe God’s love is expansive and unconditional and that through Christ, God has called us to love one another as God loves us. We welcome all people of every gender, race, age, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, family configuration, or difference of ability. We celebrate the worth, dignity, and gifts of every person as a child of God.”

Please know that we are here for you, to support you and pray for you however best we can. Feel free to reach out to the clergy individually, or you can click the button below to reach them all for any pastoral care needs.

PASTORAL CARE