Asheville, North Carolina
EXPLORE FAITH. EMBRACE COMMUNITY. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801 | info@trinityasheville.org | Tel: 828-253-9361
Advent at Trinity
advent hope
Beloved in Christ,
Advent is the Church’s doorway into the year—a tender season of expectant joy and deep reflection. As the days grow shorter and the candles grow brighter, we practice the art of waiting: listening for the still, small voice of God and learning again to trust the promises that do not fail.
Advent teaches us to look two ways at once. We turn our hearts to Bethlehem, where God takes on flesh and dwells among us. And we lift our eyes toward the horizon of all things, when Christ will come again to set the world right. Far from fear, this gaze toward “the last things” steadies us with hope. The end of this world—its injustice, grief, and death—is not the end of God’s story. In Christ, the world to come is an assured future: new creation, life made whole, every tear wiped away.
This brochure gathers our parish offerings for the season: quiet moments of prayer and worship, opportunities for study and fellowship, spaces of service for our neighbors, and celebrations that knit us together in love. Whether you can join for one event or many, I invite you to step into Advent’s holy rhythm—watching, waking, and widening your heart.
Come, Lord Jesus, and teach us to wait well. May every light we kindle push back the dark, and every act of love be a sign of the Kingdom that is surely coming. With gratitude for you, and joy for the journey ahead.
Welcome to Advent.
By Grace,
Advent Devotions
Now a Trinity tradition, members of Trinity have written a brief devotion for each day of Advent. We share this e-devotion book online and on our website and email each day’s devotion. You are already included if you have been on this daily email list for devotions in the past. If you have not or are unsure, send a note to Nanette Popa at rebecca@trinityasheville.org. She will be happy to add your name.
Reflecting on the Season in Worship
The season of Advent is one of reflection. Therefore, you will notice some changes to our Sunday worship. The season's color is traditionally violet, but there is an English tradition of using blue during Advent. Blue is the color for Mary, the Mother of our Lord, and Advent is Mary’s season. As Mary waits for the birth of her child, so do we. Trinity has blue vestments so we will use blue. You will notice greens on the altar instead of flowers to reflect the simplicity we seek at this time of year. Likewise, our music will align with the reflective nature of the season, and we will use homemade communion bread. All of these changes will be “lifted” on Christmas Eve to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity.
Advent Wreath Making
Sunday, November 30 in Tuton Hall
Join us for an all-ages beloved annual event making Advent Wreaths. Be sure to pick up the devotional booklet that goes along with the wreath. Don’t want a wreath for your own home? No problem. Come make one for us to deliver to our many parishioners living in care facilities who can’t attend church each week. We will have all of the supplies but can use EXTRA GREENERY. If possible, make a $10 donation per wreath to offset costs.
Letters to the Homebound
Sundays at Trinity in December
Each year, we give everyone the opportunity to write a note to our members who are confined to their homes or a healthcare facility. You will find letters (and a space to write your note) to each homebound member on a table in the hallway leading to Tuton Hall. Please stop by and share your Christmas greeting. We want to be sure all members of Trinity know that they remain in our hearts, though they cannot be present.
Advent Recital Series
Wednesdays in December at 12:15
December 3, 10, and 17 in the Nave
December 3 - Asheville Baroque featuring
Gail Schroeder and Rosalind Buda
December 10- Pan Harmonia Kate Steinbeck (flute) & Jessica Schaeffer (harp)
December 18 - Tate Addis (organ)
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season this December, and plan to attend Trinity's Advent recital series. This year, we have an eclectic mix of music throughout three Wednesdays.
On December 3rd, we welcome two members of Asheville Baroque, Gail Schroeder, viola da gamba and Rosalind Buda, bassoon. On December 10th Pan Harmonia will play, consisting of flutist Kate Steinbeck and harpist Jessica Schaeffer. And finally on December 17th, one of the finest organists in WNC, Tate Addis of First Baptist Asheville will share his talents. The recitals are free to attend, and will be followed each week by lunch in Tuton Hall for a nominal fee ($7.00).
advent lessons & carols
Sunday, December 21 at 5:30 pm
Mark your calendars for December 21st at 5:30, when Trinity will celebrate our traditional service of nine lessons and carols. This service, perhaps the most uniquely Anglican of the Advent/Christmas season, consists of a series of readings from scripture focused on the nativity of Christ. Following each reading will be a musical offering led by our Chancel Choir. This year’s service features works by Thomas Tallis, Boris Ord, James MacMillan, Iain Farrington, Jessica French, Richard Marlow, and Harold Darke.
The hymns and carols will be led by a professional brass ensemble, and the service will conclude with a performance of “Dieu Parmi Nous” (God Among Us), Olivier Messiaen’s powerful meditation on God’s coming to earth. Prelude music played by Dr. Kevin Seal, organ, and the members of WCU’s Brass Quartet will begin at 5:20. Like all of our worship services, Lessons and Carols are free to attend.
adult formation
The Adult Forum
November 30, December 7, 14, and 21
The Infancy Narratives with Tim Owings
What would the Advent and Christmastide seasons look and feel like without the stories in the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel? No visit by Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, no Magnificat, no shepherds or angel chorus singing “Gloria,” no Bethlehem stable, and no baby Jesus in a musty manger. To our great joy and wonder, those and other treasured stories are the gifts Luke gives the Church. In this 4-week study, we’ll journey through these first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel, asking why Luke might have felt the need to tell us about our Lord’s birth. How did he come to learn these stories that Mark omits and that Matthew and John do not seem to know? And most importantly, how do these stories function as a prelude to the rest of Luke’s Gospel?
Tim Owings will lead this study, which will meet in Redwood Chapel. An ordained minister, Tim holds a Ph.D. in New Testament literature. He and his wife, Kathie are active members of Trinity Church.
Please bring a Bible to the class.
parents in conversation
Sundays at 9;03
Parents in Conversation will meet in the Clark Room.
Children & Youth
Bishop of Myra Sunday
December 7 at the 10:45 service
We expect a visit from a very special bishop. This bishop has traveled halfway around the world to be present with us. Bring all of your young friends and friends of friends to enjoy this annual tradition. Our overall service will be much abbreviated to accommodate our guest. “Santa” is a Dutch derivation of the English word for “Saint.” The Dutch word “Klass” and the German “Claus” are variants of the name “Nicholas” in those languages: “Niklass” and “Niklaus”, respectively. For those who follow Jesus, the story of a man who partakes in random acts of kindness at Christmas is a story of the Saints of God.
Club 345
Sunday, December (TBA)
Join us for ACT’s "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" production on Sunday, December TBD. The show is at 2:30 pm, and tickets are $24 each. Please drop your child off at the Asheville Community Theatre at 2:00 p.m. and pick them up at 5:30 p.m. Limited tickets are available.
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
December 21, 9:30–10:30 (during the Sunday School hour)
This is our one and only rehearsal for the 3:00 p.m. Christmas Eve children’s pageant. Attendance at this rehearsal is mandatory for children playing major roles (Mary, Joseph, Wise Men, Lead Angel, Angel carrying the baby) and is strongly encouraged (but not required) for everyone else!
middle school
Grades 6-8
Lessons on Advent. During Advent, the Middle Schoolers will be learning about the deeper meaning behind Advent, what it teaches us about God, and how it shapes how we relate to God and each other. Join us during Formation from 9:30-10:30. We’re going to have a holly-jolly good time!
EYC december 14
12:00- 3:00
This event involves volunteering with the Church of the Advocate's homeless ministry (also known as the Red Door Ministry) Participants will have lunch, make hygiene bags, set up, and serve the community meal. Please bring money for your lunch. If you have any questions, contact Debbie at debbie@trinityasheville.org
high school
Grades 9-12
High School Formation - Bible Project Advent Series
December 7, 14, and 21
In most Christian traditions, Advent is a four-week season of celebration and observation before Christmas, each week often focusing on a particular biblical theme. Although the selection and arrangement of themes can vary, these are some themes commonly explored during Advent.
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Week 1: Hope
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Week 2: Peace
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Week 3: Joy
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Week 4: Love
Christmas
the Feast of the Nativity
Christmas Eve Services
3:00 pm
Children's Pageant and Holy Eucharist
Come to this beloved service, where our children will lead us in the dramatization of the story of Jesus’ birth. All Trinity children, their friends, and any young visiting family members are welcome to participate in the pageant. All children should be at Trinity by 2:30 p.m. to claim a costume. This service will conclude with the Holy Eucharist and include the traditional carols of the season. Nursery Care will be provided.
5:00 pm
Choral Prelude to the 5:30 Holy Eucharist with choir and brass
5:30 pm
This service is a traditional Christmas service of the Holy Eucharist. Trinity’s Adult choir will lead traditional carols of the season along with a brass quartet, other instrumentalists, and the Trinity Choir. Nursery care will be provided.
This service will be livestreamed. Click here.
10:30 pm
Choral Prelude to the 11:00 pm Holy Eucharist with choir, brass, and strings.
11:00 pm
Holy Eucharist and Blessing of the Christmas Creche.
This service is a traditional Christmas service of the Holy Eucharist. Trinity’s Adult choir will lead traditional carols of the season along with a brass quartet, other instrumentalists, and the Trinity Choir. Nursery care will not be provided.
Christmas Day Service
10:00 am
Holy Eucharist with Carols
At Trinity, the quiet of Christmas morning is experienced with deep joy. This simple celebration of the Holy Eucharist will include carols. If your schedule allows and you are “over” the crowds of Christmas Eve, this service may be for you.
Christmastide
The First Sunday After Christmas
Sunday, December 28
All our regular Sunday services will take place at 8:00, 10:45, and 5:30. We will not hold traditional Sunday School or Adult Formation classes, but there will be breakfast and a Children’s Hour starting at 9:30.
The Second Sunday After Christmas
Sunday, January 4
We return to our regular Sunday Schedule with Sunday School for all Ages. At the 10:45 service, we will have the Feast of Lights (described below). Feast of Lights and Burning of the Greens Sunday, January 5, at 10:45 service. On this day, we anticipate the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6). Epiphany is the date the Wise Men—or Three Kings—are said to have arrived at the manger to worship the Christ child. Nearly fifty percent of the Christian World (Orthodox Christians) keep this day as the celebration of the Feasts of the Nativity rather than December 25. The season of Epiphany is the season when we celebrate the light of Christ shining out into the whole world.
At the close of this service, our younger members will help us remember those of the faith who have spread the light of Christ, and they will help us carry the light out from the church into the courtyard, where we will burn the Christmas greens symbolizing an end to the Christmas season.