Weekly Newsletter 12/3/20
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Trinity Presbyterian Church PC(U.S.A.)
Welcoming you to share the joy of Christ
Worshiping Together | Serving Together | Caring Together
December 3, 2020
From Pastor Chris
Over the last couple of weeks, I've talked quite a bit about our Trinity Advent Kits. Hopefully, by now you've had the chance to pick up yours (or let the office know you'd like a volunteer to bring one by your home). If not, please reach out!
Today I want to focus on two ways you can engage in the season of Advent at home. The first is by engaging in either daily or weekly prayer and meditation on the themes of Advent. If you aren't sure where to start, pull out the Home Worship & Devotional Resources book included in your Advent Kit. This contains a host of prayers and devotionals for you to use at home or with family. For a weekly pattern, look on pages 5-7 for patterns around Advent Candles (and you can use the LED candles included in your set). For a daily pattern, look on page 10 for information on two sets of daily devotionals.
If you don't happen to have your book handy, you can download the full guide as a PDF in two parts: Click here for Part 1 and Click here for Part 2.
The second way you can engage in Advent is by participating in our Advent Study Group. Our first session is tonight at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. You can find the participant guides here: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/study
However you are engaging in Advent this year, I hope you are finding moments of unexpected joy!
Peace,
Pastor Chris
Parking Lot Carol Sing - December 5 at 3pm
This Saturday, December 5 at 3:00 p.m. we will gather in the back parking lot at Trinity for a Carol Sing. To make sure we stay safe and warm we will remain in our cars and enjoy the musical leadership of Robert Reed and Ilace Mears over our radios. We can’t wait to see everyone this Saturday!
The Common Table Podcast
Our new podcast, featuring conversations with Trinity members, ministry leaders, and others in our community, is now live! Our first full episode was posted yesterday, featuring Trinity member and local journalist Katie Kull. To listen to the episode, and learn more about The Common Table, visit https://commontablepodcast.com
Curbside TOY (and food) Drive - December 14
Our next curbside donation drive is coming up Monday, December 14. We will continue to collect non-perishable food items to support our food pantry partner Crosslines.
In addition, Crosslines has asked us to help collect toys as part of their Christmas family outreach. Donations are behind schedule this year on toys and the need is higher than usual. Below is a list of the specific needs identified by Crosslines. Please only donate new toys in their original packaging. We must have all toy donations on Monday so they can be delivered and sorted for distribution.
If you wish to drop off donations prior to Dec 14, please contact either Pastor Chris or the church office and arrangements can be made.
Here are the specific needs identified by Crossines:
2-4 year old boys- common requests are trucks, dinosaur items, anything Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, building blocks like Duplos, etc.
5-7 year old girls- common requests are for dolls, Lego sets, craft kits, Paw Patrol is also popular in this age range
11-13 year old boys and girls- common requests are headphones, Lego sets, art kits, craft kits, anime items, and sports balls
We also need 14-18 year old boys and girls items and they have a similar wishlist to what is listed above.
Crosslines also has wishlists on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3TOAQZF0IFTA6?ref_=wl_share
Wal-Mart: https://www.walmart.com/registry/registryforgood/0b7787ea-24a5-452b-af26-3590a63bbd11/view
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Advent Study with Pastor Chris
During the season of Advent, Pastor Chris will be leading a four-part study series entitled “Peace, Justice, Joy, and Salvation.” Each session will take place via Zoom at 6:00 p.m. on the listed date. Find the participant guides at:
https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/study
Thursday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m.- The Gift of Peace: Swords into Plowshares
Thursday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. - The Gift of Justice: The Peaceable Kingdom
Thursday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. - The Gift of Joy: The Desert Shall Rejoice and Blossom
Monday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m. - The Gift of Salvation: Restored to Wholeness
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
Carla's Corner
I'm very excited about Advent. Yes, it's virtual and yes it's different from anything we've experienced, but guess what, JESUS isn't different! He's still having a birthday and we still get to celebrate it! I will admit it's been kind of fun and challenging finding new ways of celebrating Advent musically and with my Trinity kids. To be honest, this is my favorite time of year, so Covid is not going to steal my Christmas. (Only the Grinch can do that!)
2nd Week of Advent
This week we will have our extended musical selections from our World Champion Hammered Dulcimer gal, Ilace Mears. For advent we are including a prelude AND postlude, so after Pastor Chris gives his benediction, hang around for the postlude. Our Advent family for this week will be the Groves Family. I hope you tune in for our special Advent virtual services.
Thank You/Rare Breed Christmas Eve!
We want to send a big thank you to the Kutter family, Douglas family, Arquitt family and Garvin family for providing our November monthly meal to Rare Breed.
This month we are delivering Rare Breed meals on CHRISTMAS EVE DAY! I already have 2 Trinity Kid families helping and will need 2 more. Each family provides 10 sacked meals that do not require heating and can be eaten on the go. Since it is Christmas Eve, I want to do something a little more special and provide 40 Christmas Bags to Rare Breed, in addition to the sacked meals. I have emailed the coordinator as to what we could put in the Christmas bags for the Rare Breed kids that would be helpful. Once I have ideas, I will let all of you know. This is something that we want to do together: Trinity kids and our Trinity family!
Christmas Ornament Craft
The week of December 14th, I will be dropping off a Christmas Ornament Craft at the homes of our Trinity kids. We have several crafty ladies from our congregation who are providing the directions and we hope all will have fun making some ornaments, compliments of your Trinity family! I will provide a "how to" video which parents can watch on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. And as a side-note......the Thanksgiving Craft at my house turned out to look more like Harry Potter Pilgrims and some character from the game Roblox the kids play. The Turkeys definitely fared much better than the pilgrims and the Native American. But I guess that's the beauty of this! I just hope Ms Julie doesn't take it personally. Her directions were great. I think my kids decided they would put their own spin on this. And they sure did!
Christmas Eve Virtual Creche
Every year we have a reenactment of the Christmas Story and we will this year too, only virtually. I'm asking all Trinity kids who would like to participate to say a little part, have their parents do a video recording and then text/email it to me. I will then put the Christmas story together for our virtual Christmas Eve service with all of our Trinity kids. More information will be sent to parents via email.
Trinity Book Club
Attention all book worms! The Trinity Book Club is meeting by Zoom on Monday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. We will be discussing The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. If you would like to be on our email list, please contact Penni Groves.
From the Generosity and Engagement Committee
We have begun our 2021 Stewardship Campaign. Our theme is "Faith for today, Hope for tomorrow." We are all too aware of the challenges we have faced in 2020. Our faith has carried us through these difficult times and faith, along with hope, will do the same for us in 2021. You will soon be receiving a letter and pledge card in the mail. It will contain information about both the sources of our funds and the many missions those funds have allowed us to accomplish. Please pledge generously as you are able.
To learn more about our 2021 Pledge Campaign, and to make your pledge securely online, please visit https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/pledge
Urgent Need at Crosslines
Trinity is still working at Crosslines the third Friday of each month. The pandemic has taken a toll on our volunteers, who work from 8:30 - noon. Also, the church that volunteered to work the afternoon shift (11:30 - 1:45) is no longer serving. We have been asked if we can supply workers for that shift. We've barely been able to supply workers, and need help! There is no contact with clients - just between our workers, who are wearing masks. Your temperature is taken on arrival, so the risk is rather low. If you would be willing to help out with either shift, please contact Cynthia Oliver (cyncola@sbcglobal.net). Our next day to serve is November 20. Thanks!
From the Creation Care Committee
Old magazines to get rid of? Extra junk mail in the recycle bin?
The City of Springfield is challenging residents to recycle 100 tons of paper between Nov 15 and December 17, 2020. A normal month is 80 tons, so dig into the garage or basement and get rid of old files, magazines, things that need to be shredded, and take them to one of the city’s recycling centers. Just the incentive you need to get rid of some “2020 stuff” to start fresh for a better 2021!! Here is a link to the city’s Facebook announcement:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=368975127860755
December Birthdays at Trinity
Take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for these members of our Trinity family this month
Dec 2 Mike White
Dec 2 Ilace Mears
Dec 6 Phil Cain
Dec 8 Max Perryman
Dec 14 Eltjen Flikkema
Dec 14 Mary Erin Miller
Dec 17 Marce Payne
Dec 17 Linda Daniel
Dec 20 Todd Morriss
Dec 26 Steve Kane
Dec 30 Eva Martin
Dec 30 Eva Payne
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
The Fall 2020 schedule of classes can be found on the Trinity Website.
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
· Participate in our Financial Life
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.
For the family and friends of Michael Howell, who passed away last week. Please hold Charlotte Dugan and all who love Michael in your prayers in this time. A service for Michael will be held at a later date.
For the Luce family, upon the passing of Mona.
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
Learn more about Trinity Presbyterian Church at http://TrinitySpringfieldPCUSA.org
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/trinitypcusaspmo/
Learn more about the denomination at http://www.pcusa.org
