THE BRIDGE Trinity Presbyterian Church Independence, MO 64052 816-252-5893 Fax # 252-5024 Rev. Elizabeth M. Strobel July, 2017 Volume FMMXVI, No. 7 www.trinityofindependence.org trinitypresby@att.net Friends, As I write to you, we are in the middle of Vacation Bible School Week! This year, the children are particularly enthusiastic about singing and dancing. Their songs for the week are a mix of children s music, contemporary Christian songs, and hymns. One hymn they are singing that is very familiar to our congregation is They ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love. It has been a wonderful experience to sing it with them! They ll Know We Are Christians was written by Peter Scholtes, a Catholic priest ministering on the South Side of Chicago in the 1960s. According to hymnary.org, At the time, he was leading a youth choir out of the church basement and was looking for an appropriate song for a series of ecumenical, interracial events. When he couldn't find such a song, he wrote the nowfamous hymn in a single day. His experiences at St. Brendan's, and in the Chicago Civil Rights movement, influenced him for the rest of his life. This hymn speaks a great deal about unity and identity themes which have been occupying my mind a great deal. Last month, we finalized our unity as one church. This month, Americans will celebrate our identity as citizens of the United States. My own identity as both a part of the Trinity family and as an American are a source of joy which help me feel connected with those around me. Listening to They ll Know We Are Christians, during VBS, however, reminds me that my ultimate identity is as a child of God. The connection that I have with my brothers and sisters in Christ no matter what their background or affiliation is certainly cause for singing! Watching the children at VBS clap and dance to this hymn has helped me hear it with new ears. Most of them are young enough that they are only just learning about division, and so they are also only beginning to understand what it means to be united. To hear them loudly proclaim with childlike trust that they are one in the Spirit has been moving. I am grateful that the Spirit makes me united with these children as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am grateful to be united with you, and with Christians from all times and places. God is good, and God has gathered us as one people and my identity as a child of God is one of the many I celebrate this month! Blessings, Elizabeth
WEEKLY PRAYER LIST This list of members at Trinity has been organized for the purpose of being lifted up in prayer during the week. We look forward to God's blessings as we pray for one another. During the month please pray for these: July 2: Betty Miller Christopher Miller Diana Miller July 9: Jean Marie Miller Kenneth, Patricia, & Jonathan Miller Nick Miller July 16: Rick Miller Michael & Annie Mae Miller Tim, Kim, & Charlie Miller July 23: Dr. & Mrs. Ralph Mitchell Gary & Ruth Murray Ron & Janice Nodwell July 30: Rick & Diane Norman Jack & Karol Palmer Kyle Palmer, Jenna Zakrajsek, & Dev Palmer June. 1 Barbara Burnett 2 Michael Snell 3 Sally Burns 7 Margaret Edwards 10 Becky Layman 13 Claire Ann Sprick 16 Grace Breeze 17 Tonya Breeze 19 Bonnie Piper 21 Klaus Grunewald Bob Sonensen 25 Luke Rodgers 26 Sylvia Livingston CHURCH POTLUCK Sunday, July 9 - Following Worship Please join us as we enjoy a meal together. We will also be bidding farewell to longtime members Paul and Sondra Tivis as they are moving to Texas. Let s all join together and wish them the best in their new adventure! Please bring an entree, side dish, or dessert to share. Please call Jan Privett with any questions at 816-419-9405. See you there! July 20 Rich & Donna White 31 Kyle Palmer & Jenna Zakrajsek SEW N SO S Thank you Trinity, for saving the Best Choice Bar Codes for us. We have received 784 bar codes for this year. Please keep saving those bar codes.
NURSERY ATTENDANT On the first Day of the Week "The people came together..." Worship Services: June 4...98 June 11.86 June. 18...73 June 25...69 "and the people gave... " June 4... $8,057.23 June 11... 2,003.00 June 18... 1,480.84 June 25...1,817.61 Total.. $ 13,358.68 Church Nursery Attendants: Trinity Presbyterian Church of Independence, MO, is seeking two warm and courteous individuals to provide Sunday morning care for children, ages Birth to Kindergarten. They will be responsible for cultivating a safe environment in which children are provided faith development activities such as crafts and games. Age appropriate care such as diaper changing and feedings will also be included, as well as cleaning after such activities. The Nursery Attendants shall follow Trinity s Sexual Misconduct Policy and be willing to submit to a background check. Experienced care providers ages 18 and over will be considered. Regular hours will be Sundays from 9 am to noon, with optional special events and holidays offered. Compensation will begin at $10 an hour. To apply, please send a resume with 3 references and cover letter to trinitypresbypastor@gmail.com. 2017 PER CAPITA - $41.96 Per Member This year s Heartland Presbytery Per Capita assessment is $41.96. If you have not already contributed your Per Capita, please do so as soon as possible. SUMMER MUSICIANS NEEDED As the choir takes a much-deserved Sabbath from weekly anthems this summer, all musicians on the church are invited to offer solo or small group pieces for special music in worship. If you feel the Spirit moving you to serve in such a way, please call Jack Palmer at 728-6646.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT CHRISTMAS IN JULY Friday, July 7-6:00 8:00p.m. Come have fun at our Christmas in July Family Fun Night! We will watch The Muppet Christmas Carol, have snow cones and a tissue paper snowball fight. Bring a snack to share. It will be a jolly good time. All are welcome! TRINITY GOES TO A MOONLIGHT MOVIE Thursday, July 20-7:45-11:45 Trinity is going on a field trip! We'll be going to see Moana on the Independence Square! We'll gather in the church parking lot at 7:45 and leave the church together promptly at 8:00. Don't forget to bring your folding chair! CHRISTIAN SYMBOL T.I.G.E.R.s CORNER July 9 11:30 a.m. - T.I.G.E.R.'s July 23: 11:30 a.m. - T.I.G.E.R. s The Youth Group is collecting vegetable seeds for Festival of Sharing. Sparrow Birds in general symbolize God s presence. Sparrows represent God s concern and care even for those thought insignificant. In Jesus words, Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father s care So don t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29, 31, NIV).
Trinity, We want to send a special thank you for all the cards and prayers you have sent our way. I know in my heart my father is at peace in heaven with my mom and in the loving arms of our Lord. Diana Miller & Family The 2017 Strawberry Festival was a great success. Thanks to all of those who helped we raised $1,062.00. We want to thank each one of you; we couldn t have done it without you! We plan to use the proceeds to purchase more long tables. A thank you from Mother s Refuge: Dear Trinity Presbyterian Congregation, Thank you so much for all the lovely gifts you showered us with on Mother s Day! What a blessing you have been to us! We are so grateful for your love and support! Many thanks, All of us at Mother s Refuge June 2017.-Jan Privett Thank you to the Christian Education committee for sending the very kind and very appreciated care packages for final exams! Sincerely, Reid and Maddie Hansen Thank you to the many volunteers from Trinity who helped and led our joint Vacation Bible School. Your hard work and generous spirits impacted the lives of many of our community children!
1 ST ANNUAL CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR July 15 th 10am-4pm The Trinity Presbyterian Women s Group are hosting a soon to be annual event. We have invited many Crafters and Vendors from the area to rent booth space for an exciting event scheduled to take place on July 15 th in Founder s Hall. We are asking all our wonderful Bakers at Trinity to put on their aprons and donate some tasty treats we can include in a Bake Sale. All items will need to be at the church no later than 10 a.m. the morning of the fair. No worries if you are not a Baker, we will need volunteers for 2 hour shifts to staff the Bake Sale table. Sign-up sheets for bake sale items and volunteer opportunities will be in the Tower Room starting July 2 nd. We will also be hosting a raffle, if you have items you would like to donate please bring them to the Church by July 9 th. Raffle ideas: handmade crafts, baseball tickets, gift cards, restaurant or event vouchers. All monies raised at this event with be used to further facilitate and grow the ministry of the TPC Women s Group. If you know of any crafters or vendors who would like to participate they can get a booth application through the church office. We will share more information as the date approaches. SUMMER OFFICE HOURS For June, July and August, the church office will be open from 8:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday Thursday. The office will be closed on Fridays. Recipes are still needed for the Presbyterian Women's cookbook. We are looking for all kinds of recipes and especially from our youth. Any questions please contact Lucy Berry at 456-2235. SUMMER SERMON SERIES Have you ever wanted to know more details about the Christmas Story? Do you have questions? You re in luck! Beginning June 25 th, Elizabeth will preach an 8 week sermon series on the nativity narratives in both Matthew and Luke. During the month of June, there will be a jar in the sanctuary where you can drop off any questions about the birth of Jesus Elizabeth will try to cover as many of them as she can! June 25 John the Baptist July 2 Mary July 9 Joseph July 16 The Manger July 23 The Magi July 30 The Shepherds & Angels August 6 Herod August 13 Presentation in the Temple
UNITY CELBRAITON ON TRINITY SUNDAY
DONATE YOUR CARDS The Congregational Care & Evangelism Committee needs cards for their card ministry! If you have extra greeting cards or envelopes particularly birthday, anniversary, and get-wellsoon cards please consider donating them to the church! You may drop off your cards at the church office or give them to Carolyn Rich. Thank you! The deadline for items submitted to the July Bridge is Friday, July 21. Information for the weekly News Sheet is due each week on Wednesday by 1:00 p.m.