Welcome to Trinity Lutheran Church in Greenville, SC!
Welcome to Trinity! Trinity is an inclusive, diverse congregation where all, without exception, are loved, honored, valued, affirmed, welcomed, and celebrated. Trinity’s mission is to create safe, brave spaces of belonging for more and more people, with a special focus on those who have been wounded by the church and who seek grace, mercy, hope, and healing in a community of faith. Working to make Greenville and the larger community a more just and equitable place for all people is a priority for us. If these things are important to you, Trinity might be just the right place for you!
The Trinity family, friends, and guests worship each Sunday morning at 10:00 am either in the Sanctuary or the Gym. Worship locations are noted on the home page of the website. Following worship, all are invited to stay for fellowship and refreshments either on the front lawn or in the back corner of the Gym, depending on the location of worship.
If you’re a first-time guest to Trinity Lutheran, you may have a few questions. If you don’t see the answer you are searching for below, please make sure to check out our other Frequently Asked Questions, or contact our church office at (864) 242-5702.
Is Trinity a Reconciling in Christ congregation?
Trinity became a Reconciling in Christ congregation in May of 2018. This designation means that we love, honor, affirm, and celebrate members of the LGBTQIA+ community and invite all people into the fullness of the community we share in Christ.
Are children welcome in worship?
Yes! Absolutely! To help our youngest worshippers engage more fully in the service, worship bags containing a variety of activities are available for toddlers as well as pre-school and elementary aged children.
Early in the service following the second reading, a Children’s Sermon designed especially for the youngest members of our faith community is included. Following the Children’s Sermon, children are invited to leave the worship space with Child Protection trained adults to enjoy a story related to the scripture texts, games, interactive activities, and a craft before returning to the worship space during the Sharing of the Peace and in time to participate in the congregation’s celebration of Holy Communion. Children are welcome to remain in worship or enjoy this special opportunity
Is there a nursery for infants and toddlers?
Yes! A nursery hosted by a member of the Trinity staff, Beth Oswald, as well as a small group of rotating adult volunteers who have been trained in Trinity’s Child Protection Policy is available each Sunday morning beginning at 9:45 am to care for infants and toddlers who would prefer enjoying play time instead of attending 10:00 am worship. The nursery is located on the first floor of the Pence Building. Ushers or greeters will be happy to help you locate this space. Parents or caregivers are welcome to get their children from the nursery toward the end of the service so that they can participate in communion.
What is communion? Who can participate?
Communion, the meal of forgiveness and grace, is celebrated each Sunday morning at the 10:00 am service. All, without exception, are welcome at the table of God’s grace and love. Anyone preferring not to receive the wine may accept only the bread, completely trusting that the full benefit of communion – Christ’s grace and forgiveness – may be found in either the bread or the wine. Gluten free wafers are available. There are no prerequisites for receiving communion. Adults and children of all ages are invited to the table. Infants and toddlers may receive a blessing or the elements, depending upon parents’ or caregivers’ desires. Adults are also welcome to receive a blessing, if that is more comfortable.
What should I wear to worship?
At Trinity, you will find that worshippers dress in a variety of ways. Dresses, pants, jeans, t-shirts, shorts, and jackets are all perfectly appropriate. We want you to wear whatever is most comfortable to you. Being your authentic self is the priority. Your presence is important to us. What you wear is not!
Where do I park?
Trinity has three parking lots and you are welcome to park anywhere you would like. Additional parking is available on Sunday mornings on Main Street. A number of spaces for those with mobility issues are provided in the upper lot accessed via North Main Street by the Sanctuary and in the lot adjacent to the playground and accessed via Townes Street.
How will I be welcomed to worship on Sunday mornings?
Hospitality is a hallmark of the Trinity faith community! Each Sunday morning friends, guests, and members are welcomed by someone on our greeter team. Greeters provide nametags for all worshippers to make it easier for us to call each other by name. Greeters are also available to provide directions, answer questions, or assist in any way needed.
Is Trinity the right faith community for me?
The best way to answer this question is to come and worship with us. You may worship with us in person or via the live-stream that can be accessed either on YouTube or the Trinity Facebook page. The Trinity family is continuing to find ways to more fully engage our mission to create safe, brave spaces for all people.
Our Family
Trinity Lutheran Church is one of nearly 10,000 congregations that make up the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States. The ELCA has about 4 million members across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The faith of the ELCA comes through the good news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world. As stated in the ELCA mission, “we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus’ name throughout the world.”
South Carolina Synod
Likewise, we are also part of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As part of the South Carolina Synod, we seek to respond to God’s love by loving God and serving the people God has created. There are ministries for and with all ages, not only in the state of South Carolina but also in many parts of the globe.