What kind of worship happens at Trinity?
Currently Trinity has one worship service at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings. Join us in the Sanctuary, on Zoom or via YouTube for worship featuring a diverse blend of preaching, music and prayer that appeals to a variety of ages.
During services you can expect to hear different musical styles including more contemporary music from our praise band, beautiful anthems from our chancel choir, booming hymns from our Casavant pipe organ, the voices of our future in the Children’s Choir, the lovely ringing of one of our three handbell choirs, and/or all sorts of different orchestral arrangements. We would describe our worship as truly blended. We celebrate all of the varied musical expressions that enhance our connection to God and each other.
The first Sunday of each month is an intergenerational worship service that includes communion and emphasizes opportunities for worshippers of all ages to participate. About four times a year, the first Sunday will be a special “Milestone Sunday” when we celebrate milestone moments in the lives of our members.
How long are your worship services?
Our services average between 60-75 minutes most Sundays. This can vary based on what is happening in the service.
How should I dress when I come to Trinity?
The only dress code at Trinity is that you wear clothing of some type, what that clothing is should be whatever you are comfortable in. We have people who come in suits and dresses, and we have people who come in jeans, a t-shirt, and flip flops. Most Sundays our pastor will be leading worship in khakis and a t-shirt. When we gather it isn’t a fashion show, but a time to connect authentically with God and each other, and we believe that happens best when everyone feels comfortable in their attire.
How does Trinity collect the offering?
If you are simply visiting Trinity there is NO expectation of giving financially to the church. If that is something you wish to do there are several ways that can be done. You can go to our website at grtumc.org and give through the giving portal on our website. During the service when the offering is called, the music will play and people will walk up to the front of the church and place their offering in the basket. We also encourage people to fill out connection cards and place them in the basket. That way no one has to feel awkward if they give online or are a visitor who is not ready to give financially to the work of Trinity. If neither of those options work for you there is always mailing in your offering to: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1100 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. We are grateful for the gift of your presence with us and your financial generosity.
Is there Sunday School at Trinity?
YES! Several years ago Trinity updated its language around the idea of “Sunday School”. The term we currently use is “Faith Formation”. We prefer this term because the goal of Faith Formation is not to indoctrinate those who attend but rather to give them the tools to explore and grow in their faith. Our goal is to show everyone the amazing love of God and empower them to search for truth, strive for justice, and live out God’s purpose for their life. Faith Formation is available for all ages and takes place almost every Sunday from September to May. More limited offerings are available for children during the summer months. Read on for details.
Tell me more about Faith Formation for Children on Sunday mornings.
During worship, the second to fifth Sundays of the month from September to May, children ages Pre K to 5th grade start in the Sanctuary with their families and then have the choice to go to class upstairs. We have two offerings: Children & Worship (Pre K to 2nd grade) or Kids Connect (3rd to 5th grade).
The Children & Worship (Pre K to 2nd grade) curriculum has been offered at Trinity for many years and is a Montessori-style experience that focuses on the stories of our faith. This class meets in the Children & Worship Room upstairs.
Kids Connect (3rd to 5th grade) encourages older elementary students to connect with God’s big story through quirky humor-filled videos, Bible exploration, and hands-on projects. This class meets in the TrinityKids Room with check-out in the gathering area outside the elevator on the 2nd floor.
Check-out for Children & Worship and Kids Connect is at 11:15am and takes place in the gathering area outside the elevator on the 2nd floor.
During the Faith Formation hour after worship (11:30am-12:30pm), children ages Pre K to 5th grade have TrinityKids Fellowship. This is an opportunity to crank up the volume and the activity level. Get ready for gym time, game time, dance parties, sing-alongs, crafts, science & more! This program begins in the TrinityKids (formerly Sound Beat) Room upstairs at 11:30am. The class may venture to other parts of the church during the Faith Formation Hour, but pick-up will be back in the TrinityKids Room at 12:30pm.
What about my young children? Is there a nursery?
Children pre-K and under are welcome in our fully staffed nursery every Sunday from 9:00am-12:30pm.
The nursery is open an extended period to allow grown-ups to participate in everything from band and choir practice to worship to Faith Formation hour. The nursery is down the hall from the Sanctuary on the main floor. It’s staffed by Safe Sanctuary certified paid employees and screened volunteers. Our leaders focus on creating a safe environment for engaging our littlest friends with stories, music, art and more.
Tell me more about Faith Formation for Youth on Sunday mornings.
Faith Formation for youth (6th to 12th grade) takes place from 11:30am-12:30pm in the upstairs Pellowe Room. Join us each week for a youth experience that focuses on relationship building – with ourselves, with each other, and with God. Typically the conversation looks to examine the scripture and sermon from worship and how the ideas presented apply in their own lives. The youth also have time to share about their weeks, play pool or video games, burn off some energy in the gym, and plan for future youth events.
Tell me more about Faith Formation for Adults on Sunday mornings.
Each Sunday, there is at least one offering for adults during the Faith Formation Hour (11:30am-12:30pm). Most classes meet in the Discovery Room on the main level. Classes vary over the course of the year and may include everything from bible studies to DVD series to outside speakers. A few highlights for this program year include:
Grateful Living Small Group Study
Half Truths by Adam Hamilton Book Study
The Chosen – Season 3 Video Screenings
The Mister Rogers Effect by Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley Book Study
Courageous Conversations, Missions Speakers & More!
A detailed class schedule is released 3-4 times a year as a one-page flyer and can be found on our Discipleship page at: https://www.grtumc.org/discipleship/
What is a prayground?
The Prayground in the back of the Sanctuary is designed to give families of all types a comfortable space to worship together. It features quiet toys, books, and activities as well as supplies for infants and breast-feeding parents. It also incorporates materials that can be taken back to a pew if desired.
Everyone is welcome in this space and in any of the pews during our worship service. Children of all ages may have difficult moments during worship, but it is their birthright as Christians to worship in our church. At a child’s baptism, we vow to “support and encourage them in their Christian life.” Being truly welcomed into the church helps establish lifelong habits that allow children to develop a strong faith of their own.
Our prayground seeks to be a space for kiddos and their adults to be their true authentic selves. We fully welcome your child – their wiggles, their tears, and their super loud whispers. That said, the nursery is available for any grown-up looking for an alternative option for their younger kiddo.
Are there nursing or baby feeding spaces? What about changing tables?
Trinity believes that a fed baby is a happy baby. We encourage you to breastfeed or bottle feed wherever you are comfortable and whenever your baby needs. More private spaces are available in the Nursery & Fireside Room. Nursing supplies can be found in various locations. Hot water is in the kitchen off the Parlor.
Changing tables are available in the nursery, main level women’s room, and main level all gender restroom. Child height toilets are available in the nursery and in the upper level all gender multi-stall restroom.
What’s the restroom situation?
As a reconciling church seeking to be inclusive of all people, we have a variety of restroom options available. There are all gender single stall restrooms, all gender multi-stall restrooms, handicap restrooms, women’s restrooms, men’s restrooms, and restrooms with changing tables & child height seats. Outside each door is a sign with information on that specific restroom and where to find other options in the building.
What about beverages and snacks?
Trinity has hot coffee and a variety of snacks available in the parlor behind the sanctuary on Sunday mornings starting at 9:30am and going until 11:45am. There is typically coffee, hot tea, and water available as well as bagels and fresh fruit. Feel free to bring your beverages into the sanctuary for worship. Sometimes we all need a little caffeine and calories to get us through our Sunday morning!
Where do I park and what door do I come in?
There are three parking lots at Trinity. The main parking lot is across the street from Trinity and is accessed via Calkins Ave SE, Lake Drive SE or Carroll Ave SE. The secondary lot is accessed via Lake Drive SE and is reserved for members and guests in need of accessible/handicapped parking. Our third lot is accessed off Calkins Ave SE and is a smaller lot that is utilized primarily by staff and volunteers who arrive earlier in the morning. If you find a spot open there when you arrive, you are welcome to use it.
On Sunday mornings, the three doors shown in the image below will be open. The accessible door features a ramp up from the accessible/handicapped parking lot. All the other entrances require stairs.
Who can receive Holy Communion at Trinity?
Trinity celebrates an open table. That means you do not have to be a member of Trinity, or any other church, to be welcome to receive the sacrament. All those who are seeking Christ are welcome at the table. Our communion bread is 100% gluten free. It is important to us that there are no barriers for anyone at Christ’s table. Our Pastor will give more specific instructions about how to receive the bread and cup during the service. Communion is typically offered the first Sunday of every month during the 10:00am worship service.
How do I join one of the music groups at Trinity?
Joining any of our musical groups is as simple as showing up at the next rehearsal. For our vocal choirs (adult and youth) that is Thursday evenings beginning at 6pm (for those interested dinner is available starting at 5:15pm). For other groups like the praise band or the adult handbell choir, check the weekly schedule for rehearsal times or get in touch with Director of Worship Arts, Randy Burghart, at: r.burghart@grtumc.org.
How do I sign up to help with youth and children’s ministry?
We are always looking for help in our growing youth and children’s ministry areas. It is our policy that anyone desiring to work in these areas must be members or constituents of Trinity for at least six months before working with vulnerable populations. Then there is a short online course that must be completed along with a background check. The safety of our children and youth are of the utmost importance for us. More information on our policies can be found at: https://www.grtumc.org/safe-sanctuaries/. Even if you haven’t been here for six months yet, please reach out to Laura Johns at l.johns@grtumc.org to let her know about your interest so we can help you in the process.