11/12/23 Weekly Congregational Updates

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  • The first gathering for the new Women’s Bible Study was successful last week as 8 women participated.  They will meet each week from 6:00-7:00 p.m.  Come when you can.

  • This coming Sunday, we will be recognizing all 19 of our military veterans in our congregation.
  • Some of our hymns Sunday will be patriotic.  You will quickly recognize our First Hymn, as the Navy Hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save, and we close by singing My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.

  • As part of our miliary support for our community, our Service Committee’s congregational project for Richard M. Campbell Veteran’s Nursing Home will finish up this Sunday.  In the past two weeks, an incredible amount of requested items has been brought in.  There is still time to drop off donated items in the room off the narthex.   The complete list is in your November, The Messenger.

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel text, Matthew 25:1-13, as we explore the Parable of Bridesmaids.  In preparation for the message, please contemplate:
    • How many decisions do you think the average person makes each day?
    • Of those decisions, how many are mundane and how many can have dire consequences?
    • What is the purpose of this story that Jesus gives us?
    • What does it mean to “be prepared for the return of the bridegroom?

  • Our Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting will take place Sunday, “during the Sunday School hour” beginning at 9:50 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.   A light breakfast will be served by our Fellowship Committee.  We will be doing two things, electing four members to serve on the Church Council for a 3-year term and approving a budget for 2025.  Please be on time so that you may be able to have your vote counted.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

11/05/23 Weekly Congregational update

Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

 

Here are this week’s happenings:

 

  • Thank you so much for participating in this past Sunday’s Potluck Meal!  We had 65 in attendance which is the largest crowd we have had in quite a while.  I just sat in wonderment as I watched folks sit (or stand) after the meal and catch up with each other.  This blessing is always a sign of a healthy congregation.

  • To date, we have had 60 Time and Talent Sheets returned.  It is not too late.  This is the only time of the year we do this as we use this information to fill out all schedules for the next year to fill all committees, as well as the Altar Guild, Ushers, Altar flowers schedule, etc.  Please consider the gifts God has given you and how you might use them here in our congregation.  If you have any questions about these groups and how often they meet and what they do, reach out to me for answers.

    Earlier this week, on Tuesday, the November issue of The Messenger was mailed out.  Reading each month’s article is always the best way to keep up with all that is going on in our congregation.

  • I am excited to report that Pastor Paul Cooper and Debbie will be back with us this Sunday.   Pastor Cooper will be filling in for me in the pulpit and leading our worship service Sunday in my absence.  They faithfully served Holy Trinity from 1997-2007.

  • Don’t forget that the time will change this coming Sunday.  Daylight Saving Time ends (clocks fall back one hour.)

  • On Tuesday of next week, we will begin a weekly Women’s Bible Study group, led by Lauren Guthre.  This will take place each week in Fellowship Hall from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

  • Then on Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m. we will gather in Fellowship Hall for our next Family Fun Night as we take a look at the Ten Lepers Bible story, connecting this with a Thanksgiving theme.  Supper will be provided.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP Starts 11/7/23

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Beginning Tuesday, the women of HTLC will meet every Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. to join together in studying the Bible! This Women’s Bible Study group is open to women of all ages, members and non-members, and is intended to be an informal setting in which the women of our congregation can come together in discipleship to learn about the joys our Lord has brought to us through His Word! No prior “experience” or formal bible study “training” is required! All women are encouraged to attend as you are able.
This group will begin with looking into the ways in which we approach Bible Study and how to make sure we are getting the most from our time spent with God’s Word. After that we will dive right in to some New Testament books and begin utilizing our new skills to discuss the knowledge the Lord reveals to us through our studies!
For more information or to sign up for email alerts regarding the start of our Women’s Bible Study group, please contact Lauren Guthre at leguthre@yahoo.com OR send a text or call (215) 589-9647. We hope to see you there!

For more information or to sign up for email alerts regarding the start of our Women’s Bible
Study group, please contact Lauren Guthre at leguthre@yahoo.com OR send a text or call (215)
589-9647. We hope to see you there!

11/8/23 FAMILY FUN NIGHT

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Our next Family Fun Night will be on Wednesday, November 8th . We will meet in Fellowship Hall for a time of Food, Fun & Fellowship around a Biblical theme. Adults and Kids of all ages are invited to join us! There will be crafts, games, and song.

The meal will be provided.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 8th
THE TEN LEPERS
TIME: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS

Every day brave individuals jeopardize their lives to safeguard our freedom and uphold cherished values. These are our Veterans, deserving of our appreciation and assistance. Now, it’s our opportunity to aid those who served by enhancing their welfare. Join the Service Committee in supporting veterans at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans’ Nursing Home. You can make a meaningful impact by donating requested items. Drop off your donations in the room off the Narthex beginning today and on November 5.

We will also be honoring our Holy Trinity Veterans during our church services on November 12th. We would like to have a list of all of those who are veterans.

If you have served, please let us know by contacting:
Jamie Corrigan (864-224-8070) jamiehcorrigan@gmail.com
Leslie Cox (301-788-9035) lwooddycox@hotmail.com

Requested Items:

1. Body Wash (no bar soap, please) 10. Diabetic Snacks
2. Body Spray or Cologne Sets 11. Skid-proof socks
3. Deodorants 12. Diabetic Socks
4. Individual Wrapped Snacks 13. T-Shirts (Medium through 5X)
5. Individual Puddings & Jello 14. Stress Balls
6. Individual Hot Chocolate Packs 15. Boxed Craft or Art Kits
7. Cheese Puffs 16. Batteries of all sizes
8. Popcorn (microwave) (including hearing aid batteries)
9. Soft drinks (small cans)

10/29/23 Weekly Congregational Update

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

  • There will be no Sunday School classes on Sunday.

  • Don’t forget that with this coming Sunday being a 5th Sunday, we will have One-Combined worship service at 10:00 a.m.

  • Please fill out your Time and Talent sheets/ Pledge cards and bring them with you on Sunday.  Again, as part of the worship service, we will be blessing these commitments for 2024.

  • Please bring back your Trick-Or-Treat-So-Others-May-Eat bags filled with needed items. You may bring them with you on Sunday, of course, or if you prefer, you may stop by the church at your convenience and leave it in the room to the right of the narthex.  If you were not in worship this past Sunday when they were passed out, you may come by the church before Sunday and pick up a bag.  They are in the narthex.   Again, this is one of two major food drives for AIM for the year that helps restock their empty shelves.

  • After worship, we will gather in Fellowship Hall for a Potluck Meal.  Please bring a dish to share.  The Fellowship Committee will be in Fellowship Hall by 9:30 a.m. if you would like to place your dish with them before worship.  They will be on hand to heat up all dishes (but not cook it).
  • Important: I cannot emphasize this enough, please make every effort to attend and support our 5th Sunday meals.  In April of this year and again in July, we only had 37 come over and participate in our Potluck meal.  I think that many believe they will not be missed, but that is not the case.  I would hate to see us discontinue our meals due to lack of participation.

  • Sunday is Reformation Sunday!  You are encouraged to wear something red for this festive occasion.  I will be preaching on our Second Reading, Romans 3:19-28, a text that changed the life of Martin Luther and the world’s view of God.  We will explore Luther’s struggle with “Getting Right With God.”

  • We will be recognizing all of our congregational Military Veterans on Veteran’s Sunday, November 12.  We would like to list all names in our bulletin that day.  If you are a miliary veteran and have not yet contacted Jamie Corrigan or Leslie Cox, simply send me a REPLY indicating which miliary branch you have served and I will get that information to them. 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

10/22/23 Weekly Congregational Update

Dear Congregational Members and Friends of HTLC,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

  • We are eagerly looking forward to this year’s Deutsches Fest on Saturday.  The weather is expected to be a perfect fall afternoon.  This event takes place from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  Sometimes folks ask me what time they ought to arrive.  Technically, you can drop it anytime you like during those hours but I always suggest arriving at the beginning.  Some folks stay for an hour or two.  Some stay the whole time.  And some even stay afterwards, enjoying the wonderful fellowship. The choice is yours!

  • We are extremely grateful to Kim Hill and George Mason for delivering two wonderful Stewardship Temple Talks these past two Sundays.
  • While we are giving out a word of thanks, we are also grateful to Diane Ricardson for filling in the office this week as Pat took some time off.

  • We keep in our prayers, Barbara Thomas, who underwent hip replacement surgery earlier this morning.

  • Sunday will be Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday.  You are encouraged to wear something pink for this occasion.

  • By now you should have received a new Stewardship envelope for 2024.. We gave them out at both worship services and then those not picked up were mailed out earlier this week.  You are asked to prayerfully read over the material and then consider your involvement in our congregation in your Time, Talent, and Treasure.  This is your opportunity to indicate your willingness to serve next year on specific committees, serve on the altar guild, serve as lay reader and ushers, as well as provide flowers on that altar, among other things.   There will be an opportunity during Sunday’s worship service (and again on Sunday, October 29) where these pledges will be blessed.

  • Sunday, we will be giving out the Treat-Or-Treat-So-Others-May-Eat bags on the way out of worship.  Please fill these bags with needed food items (items labeled on the sides of the bags) and then return them the next Sunday.  All food items will be given to restock AIM’s Food Pantry.

  • Sunday is the deadline for all Youth to indicate whether they will be attending the 2024 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans.  If you have any questions, see Amy Goodson.

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel text, Matthew 22:15-22, as we hear Jesus make the startling comment, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

  • Monday evening,  the Lutheran Men in Mission will gather for their monthly meeting in Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m.

  • Don’t forget that with Sunday, October 29, being a 5th Sunday, we will be having One-Combined worship service at 10:00 a.m. and then gather in Fellowship Hall for a potluck meal.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

Giving is Living Living is Giving

On Sunday, October 8th the Support Committee officially opened the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 2024 Stewardship
Campaign with Temple Talks at both services. This will take place again. This Campaign is our opportunity, as a Christian
Community, to commit our Time, Talent and money to the things we profess to believe. As Christians, in these troubled
times, it is more important than ever that we reach out with God’s Love to each other, to those who are in need, showing
God’s Love in action. We need to be a Living, Giving example of Christ.

Prior to each service on October 15th members of the Support Committee will be on hand to distribute Stewardship Packets.
Each packet will contain an Estimate of Giving Card and a Time and Talent Survey for each family member. Packets not
picked up will be mailed October 16th. Then on October 22nd and October 29th, during the worship service you will be given an opportunity to return your intentions to share, give and serve by returning your completed Estimate of Giving Card and your Time and Talent Survey during the appropriate time in the service. If you forget your card and survey, ushers will have
extras available that day…just ask. You may also mail your response directly to the church office. We hope to have all responses returned by November 5th.

Each of us has made a commitment to Christian Living and Giving! This is our opportunity to prayerfully formulate how that will play out in our lives in the coming year.

Truly…Giving…Time, Talent and Treasure…is Living!

10/15/23 Weekly Congregational Updates

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Good afternoon on this gorgeous fall day that the Lord has given us!  Here are this week’s updates:

  1. October 1, was the last Sunday our friends of the Ascension Anglican Church used our sanctuary and facilities.  They are extremely grateful for the use of our buildings since January 8 of this year, but after much discussion, they have decided to worship on Sunday morning.  Beginning this past Sunday, October 8, they began Sunday morning worship using Temple B’Nai Israel, just down the street from our front doors, on Oakland Street.  Their worship is at 10:00 a.m. and have agreed to park as much as possible just in front of their worship space, as well as in our back packing lot.  We are monitoring this each week to make sure that there is adequate parking for our folks of Holy Trinity.

  2. We will be celebrating the baptism of Lydia Grace Caldwell at the Early Service Sunday!

  3. Sunday is the LAST day to purchase Deutsches Fest tickets.  If you still need tickets, please see a Church Council member after the worship service. A reminder that all monies raised will be going to the AIM – Food Bank.

  4. I understand that some of our tickets from last year’s Deutsches Fest event may have been inadvertently mixed in with this year’s tickets.  If that is the case for you, no worries.  You will not have to join Marty McFly in his DeLorean to have them redeemed.  Your ticket will still be honored this year.

  5. Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel’s text from Matthew 22:1-14.  Some thoughts to ponder:
    1. When is the last time we sent someone an RSVP to an event?
    2. Have you ever not responded to an RSVP invitation?
    3. How can not responding be a harmful thing?
    4. What is the big deal in this story with the man not wearing the proper wedding robe?
    5. How does this parable relate to God and His many invitations to us?

  6. Tonight is our final Adult Catechism Class.  We had 21 in attendance this past Tuesday morning! We will meet again tonight, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. as we connect the Scripture Readings, to the Church Calendar, to the colors on the altar.  Are you aware of just how many other denominations use the same readings we use each Sunday morning?  I say it again, even if you have not attended any of the other classes, come on out tonight.  We will meet in the Pairs and Spares room.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

11/12/23 Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting

Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting
At our next Congregational Meeting, Sunday, November 12th, (9:50 a.m.) we will be:
1) Electing four new Council Members for a 3-year term and
2) Approving the 2024 Church Budget.
Please Note: as per our Church Constitution, absentee ballots are not permissible.