Trinity Press

Trinity Press is the monthly newsletter of Trinity Presbyterian Church.  Here you can find current and upcoming events and congregational news.

​The congregation is encouraged to submit articles/information that may be relevant for this newsletter to Pastor LaVera via her email by the 22nd of the month.  Ideas include:  notes to the congregation, community ministry news, community events, volunteer opportunities, and celebrations.

April 2026


From the Pastor
Thank you for sending Jim and I to the Theology Matters Conference.  This year’s theme was “The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life for His Sheep.”  Jim participates in this conference as much as I do because it’s not just for pastors.  As I mentioned last month, there was a cohort from Presbyterians for the Kingdom in attendance.  Two of their members gave their testimonies on Wednesday night in combination with two other members of their cohort working on a Masters in Reformed Theology, a joint program between Theology Matters and Dubuque Theological Seminary.  Two other members of their cohort also shared.  The final member to share was Helene Church, a Commissioned Ruling Elder from our Presbytery, serving Bethany Presbyterian Church in Lumberton. 
This year’s conference was geared to those of us in the PC(USA).  The message I heard repeatedly was “Don’t pick up your toys and leave,” though not in those words.  Dr. Richard Burnett did it through using letters between Deitrich Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth.  Dr. Andrew Dearman did it by using the example of the prophet Jeremiah, whose faithfulness to God was never acknowledged in his own lifetime.  And Dr. Raymond Hylton kicked us off Tuesday night by challenging us to be a Shepherd After God’s Own Heart using Ezekiel 34. 
 
At the end of the month, I will be attending the Fellowship Community Conference which will be held at Zionsville Presbyterian Church, Zionsville, IN.  Jim will not be going.  I ask prayers especially for travel as I have a very long day of travel on Monday, Apr. 27 after the Apr. 26 Carolina East Singers concert.  I should be back to worship with you on May 3, though I will not be preaching. 

 
Bible Study
Bible study will only meet on Wednesday, April 15 & 22 at 11:00 am.  This will finish up our series on other religions.  We will begin a new study in May.  
​

Worship News
We will have a Maundy Thursday Communion Service at 5:30 pm. 
St. Christopher’s is having a Good Friday Service at 3:00 pm.  All are welcome to attend. 
We will also be celebrating the Lord’s Supper on Easter Sunday, April. 5.
Joye Hodges Douthart will be our guest preacher on Sunday, May 3.  Joye is a Candidate for Ordination in New Hope Presbytery and has been doing her internship with the Presbytery.  Joye will be graduating with her M.Div. from Union Seminary, Charlotte in June.  Joye is already a Christian Educator and works as the Communications Director for Westminster Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC.  She already years of ministry experience and is an ordained Deacon.  Joye lives in Clayton with her family, and they also have a home in Belhaven, NC.  She is a former member of Discovery Church, Clayton where Pastor LaVera served before coming to Trinity.  


Mission News
On Wednesday, April 8 at 5:30 pm, we will have a fellowship dinner and will be watching a recorded video presentation with John Fong.  Please bring something to share.  This was presented to the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina last fall.  John gives great practical ideas to help churches reach out in their community.  Several of our sister churches in the Presbytery have been working with John and have found new life and growth.  The Session voted to also work with John and is in process of scheduling our first live video meeting with him.  The April 8 event will serve as an introduction and might even spark some initial things we might want to try. 
On Sunday, April 19, Michele Fisher will be our guest speaker in worship to tell us about the ministry of Tried By Fire, My Sister’s House, a home providing full wrap-around services for formerly incarcerated women.  Michele is an elder at Faith Tabernacle of Praise.  She is a retired parole officer and recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.  My Sister’s House is just one of MANY ministries in which Michele is involved.  She serves as a Chaplain in 2 nursing homes and runs a once-a-month food distribution (3rd Saturdays). 
Missionaries to Thailand, Ellen & Andy Collins, will be speaking at First Presbyterian Church, Morehead City on Wednesday, April 15 @ 6:00 pm.  All are welcome, but you must let Pastor LaVera know by Sunday, April 12 or call First Presbyterian Church by noon on Monday, April 13.  Dinner will be served, and the cost is $6/person.  


Scout News 
​There will be a Scout Court of Honor at 6:30 pm on Monday, April 20 in the Fellowship Hall of Faith Tabernacle of Praise.  The Court of Honor will be followed by a potluck meal.  
 

Community News 
Carolina East Singers spring concert will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Morehead City on Sunday, April 26 @ 5:00 pm.  Tickets are $10 each.  LaVera has tickets. 
 
The Havelock Senior Center is having a birdhouse painting party on Tues., April 14 from 2pm to 3 pm.  All supplies will be provided.  For more information, call 252-638-7804.
 
The City of Havelock Annual Plant Swap will be held at Havelock City Park on Saturday, April 18 beginning 10 am.  

    
Important Dates in April​​​
Apr 2 –  5:30 pm Maundy Thursday Communion Service
Apr 3 –  3:00 pm St. Christopher’s Good Friday Service
Apr 5 –  Easter Sunday Communion Service
Apr 15 – 11:00 am Bible Study
                   6:00 pm Collins’ Presentation @ First Presbyterian Church, Morehead, NC
Apr 19 – Guest Speaker, Michele Fisher on My Sister’s House
Apr 20 – 6:30 pm Scout Court of Honor @ Faith Tabernacle of Praise
Apr 22 – 11:00 am Bible Study
Apr 27 – May 3 – Rev. Parato @ The Fellowship Community Conference in Zionsville, IN