Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

Here are this week’s updates to pass along to you:

• Pat will be taking some time off next week and will not be in the office. We are thankful to Diane Richardson who will be answering the phone and assembling our next bulletin, among other things.

• We keep in our prayers:
o Ernie Thoms – who is at AnMed following a stroke
o Jan House and family – upon the death of her mother, Myrtle McLain
o Dave Korn – who is currently having severe back pain

• Be aware that fake emails are going around again, in my name. These current emails are asking for help in taking care of a request. I ask you to always think about how well you know me and what I normally do or don’t do. For instance, this email is signed, “Reverend J. Chris Fischer.” You have never seen me sign my name this formally before in previous correspondences with you. Also, always check the email address they give. If you are still in doubt, contact me by another means, never sending a REPLY to the person who sent it to you.

• Sunday, I will be preaching from the Gospel text, Luke 10:25-37 as we focus on the story of the Good Samaritan, and take a deeper look at, “Who is my neighbor?” Even though all of us know this story, perhaps we know it too well. I encourage you to read it anew and look at it from the actions of the three different characters in this parable.

• Family Fun Night will take place on Wednesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m.

• We had 28 volunteers come out this past Saturday to make sandwiches as part of our Saturday Servants. Please be reminded that we will NOT gather this Saturday, July 12, but will do so again the following week, Saturday, July 19 at 9:45 a.m. {Note our new time.) If you ever wonder what it is like to pass out food, as part of Saturday Servants, please read the following summary from Leslie Cox.

In Christ,
Pastor Fischer

Week #1 of Saturday Servants

What a wonderful morning! Although it was very hot, we were able to stand under the awning to distribute food. We gave away everything within 45 minutes! Even after the food was gone folks continued to arrive seeking food. As a result, we will increase the number of lunches we make at our next packing on Saturday, July 19th. We will meet at 9:45 a.m. (NOTE: new time) since we finished early today. We will continue to need your help as we will make 165 meat and cheese sandwiches and 165 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a total of 320 lunches. If we need to increase again for the fourth Saturday we will do so, as food is a critical need for many in our community.

Let me share with you stories of two individuals we served today.

One young man came walking up to the Soup Kitchen, obviously overheated. (I would suspect he was one of our homeless neighbors.) I was truly worried for his well-being and was afraid he was going to pass out. He had removed his shirt and was holding it in his hand. Amy called out to him and tried to give him water. He walked to the bus stop, sat down, and after a minute put on his shirt. He then came over to us. He asked for a lunch for himself and “his lady.” He told us his lady was at the library as she could not walk that far in the heat. He stated that he only had one bus ticket so he was going to use that to get back to the library. He took his food, thanked us, and went to sit at the bus stop, awaiting a bus.

I checked the mileage. He walked 1.4 miles in the sun on a 90 degree day to obtain lunch. It made me think about the lengths to which some people in our community have to go to obtain food. What a blessing it is for us that we can give it.

A young girl who appeared to be around 11 or 12 came by herself to get food. She is a child we have seen before as she also came last summer to get lunches. She asked for two lunches. We tried to get her to take additional fruit, but she was having none of that! All I could think is, she is a child after all.

Having a grandson around the same age, I thought what it would be like to be a child and have to find your own lunches. This young girl was “please” and “thank you” and appeared very grateful for her lunch. As a mom and grandmother, I just wish I could do more.

I left today feeling blessed, but wanting to do more. Truly, Jesus is working through us and walking with us as we feed our neighbors. I look forward to seeing all of you at our next Saturday Servants packing.
Leslie Cox

Saturday Servants
As in prior years, HTLC will prepare bagged lunches for the Anderson Emergency Soup Kitchen through the Saturday Servants Program. Each Saturday in July (except the second Saturday) we will gather in the Fellowship Hall to prepare 150 peanut butter/jelly sandwiches and 150 bologna and cheese sandwiches, along with other food items. The dates are Saturday, July 5th, 19th, and 26h with another church taking care of the second Saturday of the month. We will begin to pack
at 9:30 a.m. (Note the new time.)

We are asking for the following donations. Donations can be placed in the designated box in the room off of the Narthex.
• 900 individual snack size bags of salty snacks (chips, pretzels, goldfish, etc.)
• 125 boxes of individually-wrapped Little Debbie Cakes (any type)
• 22 jars of smooth peanut butter (40 oz. Size)
• 22 jars of grape jelly (16 oz. Size)
• 8 jars of mayonnaise (32 oz. Size)

If you have questions, please contact Leslie Cox at 301-788-9035 or Jamie Corrigan at 864-224-
8070, our Service Committee Co-Chairs.

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

Here are this week’s updates to pass along to you:

• This past Sunday, at the Early Service, we said our goodbyes to Michelle Nelson, who is moving to Florida this week to take care of her mother.  Michelle’s new address will be: 1639 Blackfoot Court, Leesburg FL  34748.

• We continue to pray for Jan House who continues her stay at AnMed.

• The June issue of The Messenger was dropped off at the post office this afternoon.

• Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel text, John 17:20-26, on the Farewell Discourse of Jesus to His disciples.  We will be taking a look at how our Lord calls us to unity in our faith, but not uniformity.

• A week from today, June 5, the Dining Divas group will be eating at Logan’s Roadhouse.  Contact Beth Cribbe to make a reservation (864-617-6216).

• With Father’s Day coming up on June 15, a special offering, sponsored by the Lutheran Men In Mission, is being received to support the South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission. If you would like to give a donation In Memory Of or In Honor Of your father, please fill out the form in the bulletin or newsletter.  All names will be listed in the Father’s Day bulletin.  The deadline to do this is June 8.

• Again, this year, Holy Trinity will be joining Abiding Savior Lutheran Church to put together a Vacation Bible School program (Abiding Savior will be hosting).  Classes for children between 3 years of age and 5^th grade are being provided June 9 – 13, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. We are looking for helpers and children to participate.  For more information, you can reach out to Kate Roehrs (864-356-2907)

• Saturday Servants is fast approaching.  A complete list of needed food items is printed in your June newsletter and Sunday’s bulletin.  Donations can be placed in the room off the narthex.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

SERVICE COMMITTEE INVITATION
Explore Haven of Rest
Join Us for a Ministry Tour

Are you curious about the mission and impact of Haven of Rest? Are you wondering how they serve the community and whether it’s a good place to volunteer?

Join fellow church members on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10:00 a.m. for an informational tour of the Haven of Rest facilities.

Here’s what to expect:
Start Location: Meet at 219 West Whitner Street at 10:00 a.m. for an introduction to the Men’s Ministry facility and a tour. Next Stop: Women’s Ministry facility at 509 East Orr Street.

Final Stop: Training Center at 1106 North Major Road in Belton. They will provide us with lunch at this site around 12:15 p.m. at which time the Haven of Rest staff will provide insights and have time for our questions.

There is ample parking at each location. You may carpool from the first stop or follow each other in separate cars. We hope that many of you can join us for this activity. If you plan to attend or have questions, please contact Jamie Corrigan at 864-224-8070 or Leslie Cox at 301-788-9035.

Amazing Response!

The picture say it all! The generosity of our church members is incredible. It is one of the many reasons we are all proud to say, “I attend Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.”

On Tuesday, several members of the Service Committee met to tally, box and deliver your gifts to Hope Missions. Individuals from Hope Missions helped carry items into the building. They were very grateful for these “Breakfast Blessings.”
You donated the following:
• 84 pounds of coffee (This is approximately 2,142 cups of coffee.)
• 44 pounds of non-dairy creamer and 120 individual cups of creamer (This will provide creamer for approximately 1,088 cups of coffee.)
• 38 pounds of sugar
• 1,038 individual packets of oatmeal
• 706 individual packets of grits
We also received 2 boxes of protein bars and 32 Fruit and Grain Cereal Bars.
Thank you Holy Trinity for your outpouring of care and for continuing to make a positive difference in our community.