Weekly Newsletter - May 14, 2020
From Pastor Chris
“God, from my youth you have taught me.” (Psalm 71:17)
God’s vision for the world is that everyone find a place within God’s kingdom—God’s house.
In just a couple weeks, Trinity will join together with Christians around the world in our celebration of Pentecost. What we celebrate at Pentecost is God’s pouring out of the Holy Spirit so that people of every identity and language can hear a word of welcome into God’s household. All belong in God’s household and we get to live together and learn together and celebrate together.
At Pentecost, we look especially to the children, youth and young adults with whom God has called us to live. The psalmist reminds us of the importance of faith being established during our earliest years, saying, “God from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.” God’s youngest family members need support to build their full potential in both faith and life, and all of us have a role to play. These young ones also show, and sometimes teach, all of us more about faith in Jesus Christ and how the Holy Spirit is moving in our world. The Pentecost Offering lets us support the development of children, youth and young adults in our community and throughout the country.
Forty percent of this offering stays within our community because we want to build the household of God together, in this place. Half of our local portion is used to support our local mission partners who work directly with youth and young adults, while the other half supports special ministry with the children and youth of our congregation. The remainder is sent on to our denomination so that young adults can lay a foundation for their lives through a year of service as part of the Young Adult Volunteer program. It is also used to support ministries with youth through experiences of worship and formation like the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, which gathers nearly 5,000 young people every three years to learn and grow together. A number of Trinity youth participated in Triennium last summer. There is also a portion of this Offering that supports the education of every child in this country through the Educate a Child, Transform the World national initiative. During this Pentecost season, I want us to celebrate the fact that we are building a life of faith and building the household of God with our children, youth and young adults.
You may make your gift in support of the Pentecost offering by visiting http://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/give to make a gift online or to see information on how to mail a gift to the church. Thank you for your generous support!
Peace,
Pastor Chris
PS - If you haven't made your One Great Hour of Sharing gift yet, please do so in the next week. Remember, OGHS supports the important ministries of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all critical agencies responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carla's Corner
Mother's Day Craft
A big "Thank You" to Miss Julie (Thomas) for providing our flower napkin holder craft for our children to make for their mothers on Mother's Day. It was really cute, and we hope it made the day a little more special!
Trinity Senior Report
We hope everyone received the addresses for Sophia Gentle and Daniel Bohnenkamper so you can send your graduation wishes. We have one more senior graduating whom I missed! Katherine English has been studying in Germany and will graduate with a degree in biochemistry and cell biology in a couple of weeks, then start her graduate work in Amsterdam. Any graduation wishes for Katherine can be sent to her mom here in Springfield. Her address is: 2111 Eureka Terrace, Springfield 65804
Trinity Youth!
We know all in-person activities have been cancelled for May. However, it is never too soon to start thinking about the things we will want to do, safely, whenever we can meet in-person again. Here are some of the things we are looking forward to:
A service project for one of our May Day recipients who needs some landscaping done on their yard.
Movie on the Lawn- one of our parents suggested bringing their screen outside, our youth bringing their own snacks, sitting at a distance and watching a movie together.
Ring dem' bells- we had practiced our bell part to "hallelujah" at one time, and it certainly wouldn't be hard to do so again. Maybe down in the fellowship hall, where we could really spread out and ring them bells! Someday!
Trinity Children!
It was a lot of fun dropping off the craft bags at the homes of our Trinity children! I hope you all had fun making the flower napkin holders for your moms! This week I will be sending another Bible story and song about David & Goliath! I will email all parents of our children the link and you will also be able to find it on our Trinity YouTube channel.
Miss Kristin has been sending out weekly Sunday school lessons to the children in her class and they are FANTASTIC! I have loved getting them for Carson and we have incorporated them into our homeschooling day. They are so kid and parent friendly and sent with all of the love that we always feel from Miss Kristin and Mr. Ron. Thank You, Butlers! Let us know if there might be other children we could involve!
UPDATE on HandBell Supplies
We are so Thankful and Appreciative to Brentwood for allowing us to borrow their handbells! Music & Worship committee approved the purchase of supplies so we can use and maintain the bells the proper way. We know what we need (Thank you to Sharon Reed and Ilace Mears!), but it has been decided we will wait to purchase these items until someone is at the church for the delivery. Hopefully, that will not be far away! So for the 12+ people who signed up to be a Trinity Ringer, we haven't forgotten about you!
Music For Virtual Worship
I will admit, I have had a steep learning curve during this time of distancing regarding how to use technology to provide music for worship. In the next few weeks, you will be seeing more of me and some of my friends providing music via the Acapella app, among other methods. In the coming Sundays, you will be hearing some beautiful music for clarinet, violin, and of course I am kind of partial to a certain trumpet player who lives with me. Do you have a request? We would love to get some of our choir members involved in helping record the hymns, as Robert has been doing. Are you interested? Please reach out to me if you have any requests or you are interested in participating in making music with us! I am happy to explain our technology.
In-Person Activity Suspension
All in-person activities of Trinity have been suspended through and including Sunday, May 31, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes all gatherings such as worship, social events, studies, and meetings. Under our current suspension the first possible date for in-person church activities is Monday, June 1, 2020. We will review the public health situation and current guidance as the end of May approaches and communicate any updates.
We strongly encourage all members and friends of Trinity to follow the COVID-19 mitigation measures being recommended by our public health officials. These steps are essential to slowing the spread and will save lives.
May Birthdays at Trinity
Take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for these members of our Trinity family this month!
May 1 Debbie Cron
May 1 Carla Wootton
May 5 Debbie Stewart
May 6 Trace Johnson
May 7 Elijah Conaway
May 10 Robert Reed
May 13 Zion Howard
May 14 Hazel Amos
May 19 David Fleetwood
May 29 Wayne Highley
May 30 Daniel Bohnenkamper
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
For the latest update on staying connected, check out this post by Pastor Chris.
https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/news/remaining-connected-may-11-2020
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.
Current
For the family and friends of Carolyn Hart, widow of the late Rev. Dr. Jack Hart, at her death on Wednesday, April 29,2020.
Strength and comfort for Jerry Redfern and his family.
Chris Plate and his family as he continues medical treatment.
Charlotte Dugan, as she receives medical care.
Michael Howell as he recovers from an auto accident.
Tom Cavicchia and family, for strength and comfort.
