Trinity Newsletter for May 8, 2025
Pastor's Note
Yesterday I received a check for $25.00 from my credit card company. I was informed that I had “earned” this “reward,” apparently because I’ve used my credit card so much. I was not expecting this money. I do not feel that I earned this reward. It’s a complete surprise, which I think of as “pennies from heaven.” I donated it to the church operating budget. I find it easy to give away things I did not earn or expect.
In Presbyterian churches the Session sets the budget. When your Session adopted the budget for 2025 at their February meeting, there was a shortfall of around $50,000. They looked at the expenditures and found there were no cuts to make. The budget was as lean as possible. The discussion turned to raising revenue. (I want every member of the Session to run for Congress!) As the discussion continued, I challenged your elected leaders to increase their financial commitments to the church. In less than a week their increased giving took care of 20% of the projected shortfall. That’s leading by example.
I am pleased with the leadership they have shown. I bring it to your attention because I believe in transparency. I intend to keep the church’s progress on reducing this year’s projected deficit on everyone’s mind.
And if your credit card company rewards you—or other pennies fall into your pockets from heaven, please consider donating them to the work of your church.
Knitting4Peace
This week a group of Trinity members/friends joined together to knit and visit. This group was formed back when we were still at Westminster. Officially, we are known as Missouri Peace Pod #1. That designation came from the Knitting4Peace organization located in Denver, Colorado. They collect hand-knit/crocheted items and then distribute them around the world to people in need of warmth and comfort. They also encourage each group to make local donations.
We plan to meet on May 19, June 9 and June 23 at 1 p.m. before taking off for summer. We gather at the west entrance of the building. Everyone is welcome! If knitting or crocheting is something you’ve given thought to but not tried or if you’re an accomplished knitter/crocheter, join us. We have tons of yarn, needles and hooks to help you get started. Come join the fun!
Help With Tree Damage
Church members: if you suffered tree damage in this week's storms and need someone to clear your driveway of downed limbs, you can call Bob Kick, 417-425-6756. He doesn't climb on roofs, and he doesn't deal with power lines, but he'd be happy to help with branches.
Pastor Tom's Challenge
During the Season of Easter, Pastor Tom will be wearing this neck tie. Here's a challenge to the congregation: What beloved hymn was the inspiration for this tie?
The answer will be revealed on Pentecost, June 8.
Liturgists for May
We are grateful to the following people who are sharing their gifts with Trinity by serving as liturgists during the month of April.
May 4 - Bill Trotter
May 11 - Brenda Havens
May 18 - Deborah Cron
May 25 - Marsha Landrith
If you would like to serve as liturgist, please contact Martha Bledsoe.
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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Deacons Meeting Cancelled
Deacons will not meet Sunday, May 11, 2025.
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.
Guest Musician in Worship May 18
Trinity worship service attendees are frequently blessed by guest musicians. On May 18, we’ll have the pleasure of hearing North Carolinian Joe Collins. Joe fell in love with the mountain dulcimer in 1978, long before he became a National Champion on the instrument – or a noted professor of religion at Gardner-Webb University. He’s retired now and able to devote more time to writing, playing, and teaching music across the U.S. More info on Joe is at www.jcdulcimer.com.
Also on May 18, at 2:00 p.m., Joe will join locals Ilace Mears and David Wilson as featured performers at Gigs in the Garden. This free concert series is held in the Springfield Botanical Gardens in the Peace Through People Pavillion. This facility is accessible to all.
Billed as “National Dulcimer Champs and Friends,” the concert will include a finale performance with these three being joined by members of the Dogwood Dulcimer Club. Bring a chair and a friend! In case of inclement weather, the concert will move inside the adjacent Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center (within the Gardens). More details on this event are at www.PeacethroughPeople.org/gigs.
Easter is the Season for Transitional Conversations!
Part of what I do as your Transitional Pastor is listen, a lot, to get a sense of where the church has been and where it is heading. It's all part of taking our next, faithful step.
I hope you can join me for a Transitional Conversation during the Season of Easter.
Every Transitional Conversation will meet in the Trinity Room. You can expect them to last about 90 minutes.
They will be:
Thursday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Monday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m.
If you are not able to attend any of these times, please contact the church office: office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org and we can email you a form to complete. Or phone the church office: 417-450-2544 and we'll mail you a form.
Slides Before Worship Service
If your group would like to get slides in the pre-service announcement time, they need to email them to Robert Reed.
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.
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:
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.
Adult Class Offerings
Please join us in Topical Discussions Fellowship for Sunday school. We meet 10:15-11:15 in Fellowship Hall, with good fellowship, coffee, and treats. If you would like to join the class by Zoom, please contact Dave Muegge ahead of class, for assistance (Cell 417-773-7138).
Our topics in May are:
May 4- Micah-Week one: What does the Lord Require of Us Dave Muegge, facilitator
May 11- Micah-Week two: What does the Lord Require of Us Dave Muegge, facilitator
May 18- Roses, Thorns, and Buds: Class sharing at Summer break Dave Muegge, facilitator
May 25- No Class: Memorial Day Weekend
The Room 17 adult class schedule for May 11 through Summer:
May 11 and 18: informal discussion of current event article
May 25: No meeting/Memorial Weekend
June- August: Join the combined adult classes for the summer series in the Fellowship Hall!
Adult Summer Sunday School topics are getting lined out and will be published soon.
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.
