Trinity Newsletter for June 19, 2025
Pennies From Heaven
We’re counting down to the celebration of Trinity’s 10th anniversary on Sunday, August 24.
At June’s Session meeting, your elected leaders voted to challenge the congregation to gather Pennies from Heaven.
Many, many of our members have collections of coins that they added to over the years, never spending them. Why not donate them to Trinity to celebrate our 10th anniversary? Watch for places to toss your pennies in the weeks leading up to August 24.
If you have a lot of coins, contact the church office, 417-450-2544, office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org and we’ll send some sturdy people with a wheelbarrow if necessary, to get them to church.
Pastor Tom here—I think this is a terrific “Fun Raiser!” I’m dreaming big, but it would be a nice connection to raise $10,000 in honor of our 10th anniversary. And I just did the math, that’s 1 million pennies! So, of course, other coins will be welcome—I hope it’s not only pennies that fall from heaven this summer!
“Bad Faith” Documentary
Trinity Presbyterian Church and Brentwood Christian Church, 1900 E. Barataria Street, in Springfield will show the documentary “Bad Faith,” on Thursday, June 26, at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The public is invited. Following the presentation, there will be a time to discuss the film. Light refreshments will be served.
“Bad Faith” is a must-watch documentary for those who want to learn the history behind the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States. This critically acclaimed film has been called a “landmark documentary,” and “a terrifying political thriller.”
For more information, contact Tom Willadsen, Transitional Pastor, 417-450-2544,
Trinity is Turning 10
Save the date!!
Trinity will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sunday, August 24.
We've begun planning a festive weekend that will look back to our founding and ahead to our next faithful step.
Liturgists for June
We are grateful to the following people who are sharing their gifts with Trinity by serving as liturgists during the month of June.
June 22: Diane Meade
June 29: Mike Simpson
If you would like to serve as liturgist, please contact Martha Bledsoe.
Springfield Little Theatre presents OKLAHOMA! at the historic Landers Theatre, June 13 - 29
(Music direction by Carla Wootton and featuring Robert Reed as Andrew Carnes.)
Experience the pioneering spirit of the American frontier with the joyous classic OKLAHOMA! This beloved musical, set in the early 1900s, tells the story of the spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys, and the blossoming romance between Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a headstrong farm girl. Featuring an unforgettable score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, with timeless songs like “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and the rousing title number “Oklahoma!,” this production captures the heart and soul of a community, striving for a bright future. With vibrant choreography, colorful characters, and an uplifting story of love, hope, and determination, OKLAHOMA! is a celebration of the enduring American spirit that will leave you singing and smiling long after the final curtain.
Springfield Little Theatre's OKLAHOMA! is presented by Mercy Hospital with support from The Guild of Springfield Little Theatre with media support from Springfield Daily Citizen.
417-869-1334
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.
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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Commissioner's Report on John Calvin Presbytery
John Calvin Presbytery held its 218th stated meeting at Crocker Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The theme was “How are we Generous?”
Morning worship was led by The Rev. John Anderson from First Presbyterian Church in Joplin. John spoke poignantly about generosity being distinct from stewardship. Living in God’s loving presence makes us alert to the needs of others, moving us to compassionate witness in a hurting world.
Presbyterian Women
PW is a connectional organization for all women of the PC(USA). PW is committed to prayer and Bible study; supporting mission worldwide; working for justice and peace, and building an inclusive, caring community of women to strengthen the PC(USA) and witness to the promise of God’s kingdom. PW’s generosity includes one-time grants from the Birthday Offering to help churches with capital improvements and special projects. The PW co-moderator also encouraged churches to apply for Thank Offering grants for small projects.
Education/Mission & Nurture
The Public Domain Hymn Project now offers JCP churches access to digital recordings and screen lyrics of 200+ hymns from the Glory to God hymnal. These may be used with videos and are compatible with the Proclaim image library that Trinity uses in worship.
JCP currently has seven Living Waters for the World water purification sites in operation. Mike Simpson, Trinity PC(USA), shared a presentation and photos from the February 2025 trip to the Dominican Republic.
Crocker Presbyterian Church runs an exemplary food pantry ministry. This well-run operation is a vital resource in their community.
Administrative Ministries
The session of First Presbyterian Church in Carthage, through their administrative commission, requested permission to sell their building to Cornerstone Baptist Church but continue holding FPC services in the facility. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Dissolution of Woodland Heights Presbyterian Church was approved by unanimous vote, effective May 31, 2025. Pending approval by the Commerce Bank board, trust distributions previously directed to WHPC will be sent to Hillcrest Presbyterian Church. Laying hands on the WHPC members present, we offered a prayer of gratitude for this congregation’s generous, faithful work and ministries. The administrative commission formed to support WHPC through this transition was dismissed.
Committee on Ministry
By unanimous vote, the following actions were approved:
• Dismissal of Laurie Foos to Seattle Presbytery.
• Confirmation of JCP policy that those filling in pulpits are not to serve the same pulpit for two consecutive weeks without permission from COM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristin Butler, Commissioner
Trinity Presbyterian Church
International Institute Open House
You’re Invited to an Open House!
International Institute of Southwest Missouri
"Rooted Here- Reaching Further"
When: Friday, June 27
Time: 10-2:30
Where: The Fairbanks (1126 N. Broadway Ave., Springfield)
Having passed through some rather challenging months in 2025, IISMO welcomes you to join with us to celebrate where we are today at the Fairbanks, alongside many incredible nonprofit partners, and to look ahead toward deeper engagement across our service area—from Bolivar and Buffalo to Springfield, Branson, and West Plains.
Needed: One Good, Used Car to Sell to a Refugee
Mike Simpson has been teaching one of our refugees how to drive. The Burmese man is the father of a family of four. He currently rides a scooter 5 miles to work evenings in all sorts of weather. Taking his family on outings involves city bus rides with two young children. He and his wife have been saving money and hope to buy a good, used car. If you know of someone who has such a car to sell, please contact Mike Simpson (870) 736-2172.
Redfern Memorial Library
In memory of Greg Redfern, Jan Redfern has gifted Trinity with a wonderful Children's Library that can be of interest to all ages. Find it in the copy room, and check out one or two beautiful books that are waiting for YOU to enjoy!
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:
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.
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.
Adult Sunday School classes meet jointly in the summer in the Fellowship Hall at 10:15 am. Please join us as we explore our next, faithful steps during this transitional time.
Children’s class is on break for the summer and will resume in the fall.
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.
