Trinity Newsletter for February 6, 2025
From Pastor Tom
This Sunday’s worship will be a departure from the norm. Six different readers will read the entire Book of Ruth. The text will not be projected, so you might want to read Ruth prior to worship. It’s only four chapters, and you’ll be able to say, “I read a whole book today!"
Per capita is the amount our church pays for each person on our membership roll. This year it is $46.00. This amount pays for the church’s governing structure. The support we receive from the Committee on Ministry, for example, is possible because of per capita. Members are invited to pay this amount in addition to their annual pledge.
Prayer Chain
There are currently 11 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.
Refugees Need Our Help
Hi Friends
Last week, we received devastating news: the U.S. government has halted funding for refugee resettlement programs, effective immediately. This unprecedented decision means that all refugees who arrived in our community over the past three months—over 100 individuals—have been cut off from the vital resources they rely on to start a new life. It has disrupted our organization’s ability to serve the community. The effect will be immediate and devastating. The United States has resettled more than 3 million refugees since 1975, providing financial support for the first 90 days to ensure that vulnerable families can succeed in their new homes.
Suspending life-saving support for refugees is unjust and immoral. It will no doubt cause continued hardships for those who have recently resettled into our neighborhoods after years of hoping for a chance at a life of safety in our country.
These families depend on our services for safe housing, employment, and cultural orientation to become self-sufficient. Without this support, their journey to stability and success is at risk.
Please consider making a donation today. Your contribution will support the refugee families we have recently welcomed in their critical 90-day resettlement period and ensure our organization’s ability to serve the community. Whether it’s a one-time gift or a recurring donation, every dollar helps us ensure these families can live in safety and restart their lives.
Our community has welcomed immigrants, and we have seen the incredible contributions refugees make to our local culture and economy as small business owners, artists, employees, taxpayers, and neighbors.
But right now, we cannot complete this work without the financial support of compassionate individuals like you. We need your help to keep funding essential services for refugees.
Our community has proven to be welcoming. Today, we ask you to stand with us and help fulfill our promise to these families. Your donation will ensure they receive the housing, employment, and cultural orientation they need to start fresh in their new home.
We cannot do this without you. Your generosity will make a real difference. Please donate today.
Thank you for your unwavering support of immigrants and refugees in our community.
With gratitude,
Rebekah Thomas
Executive Director of the International Institute of Southwest Missouri
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.
Get More Each Week
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Monthly Curbside Food Drive
On the second Monday of every month, we host a food (and supply) drive for Crosslines, a ministry of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks that offers assistance to our underserved neighbors. In addition to shelf-stable food items, we also collect paper products (toilet paper, paper towels), 12-count egg cartons, and personal hygiene items including feminine hygiene products and incontinence supplies.
If the office is closed due to weather, the food drive will be rescheduled and a new date announced.
Calling All Readers
Anyone interested in a Trinity Book Group please respond to Daphne Anderson. Within the next few weeks we will gather to discuss the best meeting time for everyone and develop a book list that appeals to the group. We welcome all book lovers.
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:
Liturgists for February
Thank you to the following people for sharing their talents by serving as liturgist in the month of February.
Feb. 2 - Ilace Mears
Feb. 9 - Barbara Welch
Feb. 16 - Max Perryman
Feb. 23 - Howard Henry
If you would like to volunteer for liturgist, please contact Martha Bledsoe
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.
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. This semester the Children's Sunday School will be studying the ministry of Jesus and stories of people he interacted with. We will have special lessons related to One Great Hour or Sharing and Easter too. The semester will conclude by learning stories about Paul and his travels.
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
Please join us in the Topical Discussions Fellowship for Sunday school:
January 26-Christian Doctrine by Guthrie, re: our Christian hope for the afterlife
February 2-Christian Doctrine by Guthrie, re: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
February 9-Examples of the Holy Spirit-Part 1
February 16-Examples of the Holy Spirit-Part 2
February 23-The Message of Jesus: Words that Changed the World by Hamilton
Part 1: The Kingdom of God Has Come Near
We meet 10:15-11:15 in Fellowship Hall, with good fellowship, coffee, and treats.
If you are not able to join our in-person class, then Tap the Link Below to join the class via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87258976689?pwd=8qbytxuvmIuv7KfyJTbLAQ0GaYTiUQ.1
Meeting ID 872 5897 6689
Passcode 225115
January 26 through March 9, the adult class in room 17 (formerly SALT and Studying the Word) will be sharing a video and discussion series: Painting the Stars; Science, Religion and an Evolving Faith.
Celebrating the communion of science and faith, Painting the Stars explores the promise of evolutionary Christian spirituality. Featuring over a dozen leading theologians and progressive thinkers, the program includes video and guided discussion.
Video speakers include: Philip Clayton, Michael Dowd, Rachel Held Evans, Matthew Fox, Catherine Keller, Megan McKenna, Michael Morwood, Jan Phillips, Barbara Rossing, Bruce Sanguin, Bernard Brandon Scott, John Shelby Spong, Gretta Vosper.
Join us for any of our sessions. Participant reading guides will be provided.
Contact Amy Price with questions or to get a copy of the reading guide.
To join us remotely via Ring Central, use the link below!
https://v.ringcentral.com/join/501232148?pw=e591c158b387dcd1a17ec4c6d1cefb90
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
