Weekly Newsletter - 1/14/21
Trinity Presbyterian Church PC(U.S.A.)
Welcoming you to share the joy of Christ
Worshiping Together | Serving Together | Caring Together
January 14, 2021
From Pastor Chris
These are hard days for our nation, there is no way around it. Even as the first round of vaccine doses are rolling out nationwide, we remain in the midst of a massive surge of hospitalizations and fatalities from the pandemic. Yet the grief of this moment is overshadowed by the violence, hatred, and death visited upon our Capitol this past week.
While the right and necessary legal and political processes of holding to account those who incited and participated in this act of insurrection will play out over the coming weeks and months, we as people of faith also have a role to play.
First and foremost, we must pray. We pray that the coming weeks of transition in our nation's political leadership are free from additional violence. We pray for the families of those police officers whose lives were lost during and in the aftermath of the insurrection. We pray for the families of those individuals who participated in the insurrection and died in the violence. We pray for those whose hearts are so full of anger and hatred that they can see no other option than to bring violence and threats of violence. We pray for those who are trying to come to terms with what happened, and who wonder where we go from here.
We pray, yet it is not enough. We must also take bold action as the church to help build a world that looks more like the Kingdom of Christ - a world where reconciliation is the goal of all people. However, we are mindful that true reconciliation cannot happen without repentance, and true repentance cannot happen without confession.
The American church must confess our role in building and maintaining a society so divided, so mistrustful. While some churches have actively promoted division and anger, others have avoided confronting our fellow Christians out of a misplaced devotion to maintaining the appearance of unity even when none exists. We must call all our siblings in Christ from across our varying traditions to honestly look at how we have each played our part, through action and inaction, in coming to this point. We must all repent and turn from our ways of division, and make reconciliation across the family of Christ our goal.
This work will not be easy, but yet it remains our work. As we call the whole church to confession, repentance, and reconciliation, may we be given strength and wisdom to speak the truth in love. May God be with us.
Peace,
Pastor Chris
NOTICE: Annual Congregational Meeting
The Session of Trinity Presbyterian Church has called for the Annual Meeting of the Congregation and the Corporation to take place on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. Additional information on how to participate in the meeting will be sent to members prior to the meeting. Business to be conducted during this meeting shall be the presentation of the 2020 Annual Report.
2020 Annual Report
The 2020 Annual Report for Trinity, which includes the 2020 end-of-year financial report, will be presented at the annual meeting on January 31, 2021. Copies will be distributed to all members the week before the meeting, and print copies will be available on request.
Carla's Corner
Carla's Corner will return next week.
Poinsettias Available for Adoption
The church office has red and white poinsettias in need of forever homes. If you would like to adopt one of these sweet, lovable flowers please contact June at the church office. The plants have had all their shots and adoption fees are being waived for the month of January.
The Common Table Podcast
Our new podcast, featuring conversations with Trinity members, ministry leaders, and others in our community, is now live! Our seventh episode is now available, featuring a great discussion with John Calvin Presbytery Pastoral Presbyter Malinda Spencer. To listen and learn more about The Common Table, visit https://commontablepodcast.com
Here is the schedule of current and upcoming episodes of The Common Table:
Dec 2 - Katie Kull
Dec 9 - Rev. Bill Havens
Dec 16 - Katherine Arquitt
Dec 23 - James Martin
Dec 30 - Rev. Jacob Douylliez (Seminary colleague of Pastor Chris)
Jan 6 - Brenda Sneed
Jan 13 - Malinda Spencer (John Calvin Presbytery Pastoral Presbyter)
Jan 20 - Robert Reed
Worship With Trinity
Even though the pandemic means we aren't gathered together in the same physical space, we are still worshiping together at a church family. Find our latest worship service, plus weekly resources for families, devotional links, and much more on our worship page.
https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/worship
January Birthdays at Trinity
Take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for these members of our Trinity family this month
January 9 Harry Criswell
Jerri Flikkema
Joan Menchetti
Martha Sparrow
January 10 Nell Jersak
January 11 Grace Douglas
Rachel Plate
January 12 DeAnn Holt
Sarah Muegge
Julie Thomas
January 15 Denise Miller
January 17 Rich Landrith
Marilyn Lowe
January 18 Rev. Chris Miller
January 21 June Thomas
January 25 Jillian Kane
January 26 Jim Forrester
January 28 Carole Douglas
If you would like to be included in our birthday list, please be sure to update your records with the church office before your birthday occurs. You may call or email your information.
Remaining Connected During Social Distancing
Even though we aren’t together for in-person worship, there is still a lot happening with your Trinity family right now. To see the latest, and how you can get involved in safe ways, visit our News & Updates page on the church website: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/news
Sunday School Classes
Topical Discussions Fellowship:
January 3: Class sharing and discussion-all members.
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by United Methodist Pastor and Bishop, Robert Schnase.
Jim Stewart will teach and facilitate these classes, enriched with scripture and thoughtful discussion questions.
January 10: Radical Hospitality
January 17: Passionate Worship
January 24: Intentional Faith Development
January 31: Risk-Taking Mission and Service
February 7: Extravagant Generosity
We encourage anyone who doesn’t have a Sunday school home to join us for fellowship, discussion, and new insights into our faith. Furthermore, with our Zoom format for a little bit longer, the coffee will always be ‘just the way you like it’.
The Lectionary Class meets via Zoom at 9:30 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.
The Salt and Topical Discussion Classes meet via Zoom from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Resources
Contacting Pastor Chris
I want to be the best support I can for you. Here is how to get in touch:
The easiest way is by email: cmiller@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org
I am also available by phone or text at 816.805.2742
I am in the office most days, Monday through Thursday. I am currently holding personal meetings / counseling sessions outside under the covered Trinity entrance. Call or email to schedule a time for us to meet.
NOTE ABOUT FRIDAYS: I take Friday as my Sabbath day to focus on my family. I try to not reply to email, phone, or text. However, if there is an urgent pastoral issue, please contact Deacon Sharon Marsh at 417.880.5988/smarsh43@icloud.com or Deacon Greg Redfern at 417.225.2435/jredfern1313@gmail.com and they will make any necessary arrangements. If you have an immediate need to speak with a pastor and it is a Friday or Chris isn’t in town, you may call Rev. Bill Havens at 417.350.4507.
Prayer Concerns
If you or someone you love want to be included on the prayer list, please let the office know. (Always get permission before submitting information.) Also, when you want your name removed from the prayer list (or an update added), please let the office know at 417-450-2544 or office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org.
Please remember in prayer the family and friends of Harriett Mercer. Harriett entered the Church Triumphant the morning of December 28th. Harriett was very active in John Calvin Presbytery and worked in the JCP office in Springfield for many years. Harriett was the mother of the Reverend Julie Mercer, who serves as pastor for First Presbyterian Church Mt. Vernon and serves Mercy Hospital - Joplin as VP of Mission Integration.
Expressions of encouragement can be sent to:
Julie Mercer
4407 W. William
Brookline Station, MO 65619
Please lift up in prayer the Reverend Susan Rosenbaum. Susan had to have an emergency appendectomy on Christmas day. She is recuperating at home and resting well, please pray that she heals quickly. Susan is an honorably retired minister, former pastoral presbyter, and current bookkeeper of JCP. She has served many churches in Kansas and Missouri.
Expressions of encouragement can be sent to:
Susan Rosenbaum
222 Skipping Rock Road
Shell Knob, MO 65747
For Jeanne, Mary Erin Miller's mother, as she continues treatment and evaluation for pancreatic cancer.
For Teresa Olsen's brother, Craig, who lives in a care facility and has been diagnosed with Covid-19.
For friends of David and Susan Hart who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Brenda Havens continues to face health challenges and appreciates your continued prayers.
For Lori Becker as she undergoes medical care.
For Chris Plate and his family, as he continues medical treatment.
For Charlotte Dugan, as she receives medical care.
QUICK NOTES
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 3486, Springfield, MO 65808-3486 | 1900 E. Barataria Street | 417-450-2544 | office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org
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Learn more about Trinity Presbyterian Church at http://TrinitySpringfieldPCUSA.org
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Learn more about the denomination at http://www.pcusa.org
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Have something to add to our newsletter? Please send submissions to David Bohnenkamper at dabohnenkamper@gmail.com by Monday at 6:00 p.m.
