Trinity Newsletter for January 15, 2026
Installation of Elders and Deacons
In worship this Sunday, January 18, we will install new Ruling Elders and Deacons during worship. These people have all heard the call to serve the church through the voice of the congregation. Our members (you!) see in these people the gifts needed to lead the church in the Way of Jesus Christ.
To get ready for ordained service, the current and newly-elected Ruling Elders and Deacons will gather this Saturday, starting at 8:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for the Officers' Retreat. We'll begin at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast and be done at noon.
Looking for a Good Used Car to Purchase
Denny Saw (the father in the refugee family that attends church with us sometimes) was in an accident on Christmas Eve which totaled his car when another driver ran a red light. The insurance money should be about $4,000. If you have a good used car that you would be willing to sell to them for about that amount, please contact Mike Simpson (870-736-2172).
Celebration of Life for Pete Leonard
A celebration of life for Byron "Pete" Leonard is planned for Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Join Trinity’s Congregational Care Committee
Trinity is known as a joyful, caring, and compassionate community. Do you want to help support our members as they experience times of joy, difficulty, or sorrow? We send flowers, birthday greetings, and get-well cards; organize receptions following funerals; and coordinate meal deliveries. Our homebound ministry provides important and regular connections with those unable to attend church. Please contact Colleen Lightwine (785-806-3567) for more information.
Trinity Book Club
The book club is taking a break in December, but will resume in January. We have a great line up of books to start the year:
February 21- Every Step is Home by Lori Erickson
March 21- How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
April 18- Clear by Carys Davies
May 16- Horse by Geraldine Brooks
We usually meet at Neighbors Mill on Independence at 9:00 am on the third Saturday of the month.
Everyone is welcome to join and read along with us! Please contact Daphne Anderson with any questions or if you would like to be on the email list.
Welcome & Fellowship Committee
Can you spare 15 minutes after church, one Sunday a month?
We need a few volunteers to help your Welcome & Fellowship committee tidy the Coffee Nook, wipe tables and put away carafes on first or fourth Sundays. Please see Sarah Muegge or Kristin Butler.
HotHands Collection
We will be collecting HotHands throughout Cold Weather Shelter Season, which starts Saturday, Nov. 1 and runs through March 31. In recent years, different organizations have held big collection drives of HotHands, building up the stash available to help our unsheltered friends and neighbors. That has not happened this year and circumstances are all the more critical. You can drop off individual packs or whole cases in the Collections tub across from the Sanctuary. We will share them during our outreach dinners, through the shelter at the Fairbanks, and on occasions when we open our fellowship hall to be a Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP) shelter during major winter weather events.
Per Capita
The per capita assessment for 2026 will be $42.50. Per capita is the amount that churches pay to the Presbytery for each member to cover the cost of higher levels of church government. Members are encouraged to pay this amount, some see it as part of their annual pledge, while others make an added gift to the church.
Trinity gets a lot of return for the per capita we pay. The guidance our Pastoral Nominating Committee is receiving during the search process is paid for by per capita.
You can write a check to Trinity and put “per capita” on the memo line or make a one-time donation through the website. Every little bit helps.
Liturgists for January
We are grateful to the following people who are sharing their gifts with Trinity by serving as liturgists during the month of January.
Jan. 18 - Amy Price
Jan. 25 - Martha Bledsoe
If you would like to serve as liturgist, please contact Martha Bledsoe.
Prayer Chain
There are currently 16 people on Trinity’s Prayer Chain. Pray-ers receive text messages whenever someone requests prayer. Prayer requests can be as specific or general as the requester wants. Two people were added to the Prayer Chain after filling out Helping Hands at Trinity Connects on January 26. If you would like to be added to the Prayer Chain, please text Pastor Tom at 920-237-9840. If you would like to request prayer, please text Pastor Tom at 920-237-9840.
Contacting the Church Office
To reach Alyssa Spradlin, Director of Communication & Administrative Ministries, to communicate with the church office use this and only this email address:
Trinity Sunday School Classes
Sunday School opportunities for all ages. Please consider joining us in exploring our faith and learning from one another in spaces of grace and love. All classes begin at 10:15 a.m.
Children's Class
Sunday School for Children resumes January 4th. We will study the New Testament and teachings of Jesus and his followers.
Adult Class- Room 17
Class Schedule:
January 18- We begin an eight-week study by Jill Duffield: Appreciate These Things; Eight Ways of Cultivating Compassion.
In a world tense with anger and division, how can we preserve our sense of well-being and inject a little more kindness into our daily interactions? Pastor Jill J. Duffield turns to the apostle Paul’s guidance in Philippians 4:8: "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Thinking about, looking for, appreciating these eight things can reorient our hearts and minds in ways that nurture compassion for ourselves, those in need, and those with whom we are inclined to disagree.
Our discussion-style class is open to all. Please contact Amy Price or Daphne Anderson with any questions.
Topical Discussions Class
Please join with us for Sunday School weekly in the Fellowship Hall. We enjoy good fellowship, hot coffee, and delicious treats as we discuss God’s presence in our daily lives.
January 18 - Paul-First Missionary Journey……….Marilyn Bell
January 25 - Paul- Second Missionary Journey….Dave Muegge
This series on Paul is based upon The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul by Pastor Adam Hamilton.
Four and More Begins Again!
Rev. Jane Huffstetler has agreed to lead Bible study on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. (thus the name) starting on Wednesday, February 4. We meet both at the church and by Zoom if that is what works for you. If you want to be included in the weekly reminder that also includes the Zoom link, please send Jane an email. We will begin with Genesis and work our way through the Bible. No prior knowledge is needed, just a Bible and a desire to study with others.
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