Trinity Newsletter for December 5, 2024
Advent and Christmas Observances
· Sunday, Dec. 1 First Sunday of Advent (Communion)
Dr. Willadsen’s first Sunday at Trinity; reception in coffee area immediately after worship
· Saturday, Dec. 7 Presbyterian Women’s Potluck Christmas Brunch at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Please bring your favorite holiday dish plus hygiene items for students of all ages, to be distributed through Care to Learn.
· Sunday, Dec. 8 Second Sunday of Advent
Trinity children ringing bells in worship
Reception in coffee area immediately after worship (yes, again!)
Ilace Mears and Dave Wilson concert at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary
· Thurs., Dec. 12 Carols and S’Mores at 5:30 p.m. on the front lawn, hosted by Welcome & Fellowship and Worship & Music committees
· Thursday, Dec. 19 Longest Night service at 6:30 p.m. Open to all, especially those who are walking with grief, loss or sorrow this season.
· Sunday, Dec. 22Third Sunday of Advent
Choir Cantata and Christmas Joy Offering in worship
· Tuesday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 p.m. (Communion)
· Sunday, Dec. 29 Don’t Forget to Laugh: A joyful Christmastide hymn sing service
B Street Bells ringing in worship
· Sunday, Jan. 5 Epiphany Sunday (Communion)
Trinity Kids at Springfield Little Theater
Trinity Kids were all smiles as they joined kids from Westminster at Springfield Little Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol.
Join Trinity’s Ministry of WELCOME
Trinity is a connecting community, and that starts with a warm greeting as people enter our doors. Could you welcome worshippers, pass offering plates and assist with some simple tasks such as gathering friendship pad sheets and turning out lights after church? Volunteer for as many or as few Sundays as you like. Please contact Kristin Butler, 417-414-5544.
First Impression volunteers
Are you looking for a way to support Trinity with your gift of time? Volunteer to serve as a Greeter at the Welcome Desk in the West Lobby -- once a month, every week, or somewhere in between.
Volunteer shifts are usually 9 a.m. to Noon or Noon to 3 p.m. You do not need to be tech-savvy to volunteer.
The primary responsibilities are to answer the main Trinity and Brentwood phones and assist callers with grace; assist with basic office tasks, such as folding and stuffing bulletins or mailings; and – most importantly – to be a friendly, welcoming face for anyone who comes to our doors. Help us make a good first impression!
There are available dates through March 31, 2025. To sign up, simply follow the link below, choose an open time slot(s), and enter your name, email, and phone number. There is no login or password needed. SIGN UP HERE.
Thank you in advance for helping make Trinity a more welcoming place!
Screen Time?
Our wonderful AV team would like to request that if you ever need anything put on the screens for any service that is held at Trinity, please let us know in advance so we can load things into the program properly. Sometimes it is very hard to load things moments before an event. Thank you for this consideration.
Lost and Found
Wondering where your pen, mug, charger, book, hat, sunglasses, or other elusive item is? Items turned into the church office will be placed in our new Lost & Found tubs, located on the shelf above the accessibility devices near the West entrance.
Wiggle Room
Everyone is welcome in the sanctuary. If you have a fussy child and would like to step out while continuing to participate in worship, please feel free to make use of our new Wiggle Room in Room 14. The room is outfitted with comfortable chairs, a changing table, a small bathroom, and a new (to us) television mounted on the wall, showing the livestream. Please note that children in the Wiggle Room must be accompanied by a grownup who brought them. Children three-and-under can be dropped off in the Nursery in Room 12.
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Christmas Eve Cookie Sign-Up
Volunteers are needed to provide cookies to be handed out after the Christmas Eve worship service. A sign-up sheet will be available at before the worship services on December 8 and 15.
Please deliver cookies to room 17 by 3:00 p.m. on December 19.
Bags will be assembled on December 20.
Longest Night Service
On Thursday, December 19, Trinity will host a joint worship service for both congregations to mark the approaching Longest Night of the year. This service is intended to make space for difficult emotions during the holiday season, particularly grief and anxiety that are often a companion this time of year. Come as you are, as we worship through liturgy and prayer, song and candle lighting. Worship begins at 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by Rachel, Lydia, Rebecca and Sarah Circles
Join us for connection and fellowship, a casual potluck-style meal, holiday games, maybe even a Christmas carol or two! ALL Trinity Women are invited, whether or not you belong to a Circle.
No RSVP is necessary, but we will gratefully accept offerings of personal hygiene items for public school students, to be distributed through Care to Learn.
Calling All Trinity Kids and Grandkids
We are ringing bells in Worship - Sunday December 8.
We will practice in the Sunday School Room at 10:30 and then make an Advent Craft.
No previous experience needed- all are welcome, including friends
Almost Advent
Tidings of Comfort and Joy!
An Advent Concert by
Ilace Mears and David Wilson
Sunday, December 8, 6:00 p.m.
Trinity/Brentwood Sanctuary
Beloved tunes of the season, featuring hammered and mountain dulcimers, fiddle, and mandolin - and more! In the midst of busy-ness, this is an opportunity to breathe and reflect on the peace and joy at the center of our celebration. Our gift to the community; ALL are welcome! Live-stream available.
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 Sunday School: We meet from 10:15-11:15 in room 10. In November we will study lessons about David, and December lessons will be related to Advent.
Youth-Opportunities to Connect: In the planning stages for this year! Friends are welcome to join in activities and events as we connect with each other in and outside of Trinity.
Adult Class Offerings
SALT/Studying the Word class:
Advent Study Begins December 1
Join our class for the Advent study: Words for the Beginning from A Sanctified Art.
"Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. When we ourselves navigate seasons filled with endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown." (from A Sanctified Art site)
Words for the Beginning materials will also be included in worship for Advent. A booklet will be available from the church office prior to December 1.
To join us remotely via Ring Central, use the link below!
https://v.ringcentral.com/join/501232148?pw=e591c158b387dcd1a17ec4c6d1cefb90
Contact Amy Price if you have any questions
Topical Discussions Fellowship: Topical Discussion Fellowship meets each Sunday, 10:15 to 11:15, in Fellowship Hall, with coffee, treats, Christian education, discussion, and fellowship.
Please join us for a joyful four-class Advent Series. We will use Pastor DeVega’s book and DVD titled- The Christmas Letters: Celebrating Advent with Those Who Told the Story First. Our class will meet on November 24, no class on December 1, and the final three weeks will be December 8, 15, 22. Contact: Dave Muegge.
If you cannot attend in person, please join us by Zoom:
TAP THE LINK BELOW TO JOIN THE TOPICAL DISCUSSIONS FELLOWSHIP CLASS:
Topical Discussions Fellowship Class
Meeting ID 872 5897 6689
Passcode: 225115
Four and More: This Bible study derives its name from meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays (presently meeting in person in room 17 at Trinity, and by Zoom). Anyone wanting to join can send their email address to the study leader Jane Huffstetler, and she will provide the Zoom.
