To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-7
In South Florida we don’t experience the change of leaves and the winter snows—it’s sunny year round. We still live our lives in seasons
As the school year looms, adults join in the fun of Rally Day with the children, parents. As a parish family, all the generations gather! We share a parish-wide picnic and provide fun games and activities for children. Adults are encouraged to support our youngest parishioners with words of encouragement even as we see the newest Christian grow into their first seasons of life. Adult Christian Education and Formation opportunities start with Sunday morning offerings, Bible Studies, prayer groups, and service opportunities throughout the week. These offerings vary in content with opportunities for people just beginning their faith journeys and those a little bit further down the road.
As Christmas grows near, we mark the season of Advent as a time for preparation. In our Adult Christian Education and Formation we experience continued opportunities to learn and grow in the knowledge and love of God. There are added opportunities to grow in friendship with the Women of Trinity and the Christmas Market and ways to join in with the generations gathered through Evening Prayer on the Beach and Christmas Cookie Sunday.
Christmas Eve worship is one of the great times when we all gather together to mark the holiness of life and the special gift of Jesus. There is several worship services offered on Christmas Eve with the earliest service in the afternoon being the service with the Christmas Pageant. Many adults revel in seeing the younger generations gathered. Later in the evening, there are beautiful services filled with sacred music and sermons to lift your heart and soul to the love of God.
Following the New Year’s beginning, the season of Epiphany begins in church. In Naples and at Trinity by the Cove, this is the time of high season. You will find our regular Sunday Adult Education and Formation and weekly Bible Studies and prayer groups augmented with Wednesday Night Dinner and Programs and special Symposiums and speakers.
As Ash Wednesday comes and goes, the Forty Days of Lent begins. Worship takes on a more somber tone as there is less organ music and the Alleluias are put away. There is an opportunity for quiet days and Lenten Luncheons.
Following the Palm Sunday Liturgy, Holy Week begins. We mark the Sacred Three Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday with meaningful worship. On Easter Sunday the parish is decked out in the white vestments and flowers of Resurrection. It’s a great way to celebrate Easter as friends and family, children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews might be in town.
As the Fifty Days of Easter march toward Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit, some weekly offerings begin to wind down as new ones rotate into the schedule for the summer months. There grows an emphasis on fellowship and friendship as seasonal Neapolitans go north and the year rounders get to know one another.
Please call me with more information about ways to get involved.