LOCAL CHARITABLE GRANTS

LOCAL CHARITABLE GRANTS
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and its members have generously donated money over the years to
support organizations assisting people in need in Anderson County. The HTLC Mission
Endowment Fund has been a significant donor, distributing more than $28,000 in 2022 due to
stock market gains in 2021. However, in 2022, due to market losses and the fund’s operational
guidelines, the fund will not be able to distribute any grants in 2023 to organizations assisting
those in need in Anderson County.
We feel it is important for HTLC to maintain a notable presence with community charities,
especially in difficult economic times.
Over the past three years, the Endowment Fund of Holy Trinity has been able to provide a
total average of $10,483 per year, which has been divided and given to the following
organizations:
1. A.I.M.
2. Good Neighbor Cupboard
3. Anderson Free Clinic
4. Haven of Rest
5. Salvation Army of Anderson
Despite their continuing needs, they will receive no HTLC Endowment Fund grants in 2023.
If you already donate directly to any of these organizations or wish to contribute, we encourage
you to consider donating through their existing, specific HTLC designated account by marking
your charity donation on your offering envelope. This way, HTLC aims to ensure a regular
contribution to these organizations even when the Endowment Fund faces limitations.
These five organizations are familiar to HTLC for their efficient provision of basic services to
Anderson County residents, and we believe they should be the top priorities for our support.
Thank you for considering this method of helping these charities. Your support will make a
meaningful difference in the lives of those in need in our community.
The Endowment Committee

9/3/23 Weekly Congregational Updates

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s happenings:

 

  1. The September Messenger was mailed out yesterday.  Hopefully your copy will arrive soon.

  2. Marlys Hittner moved to Brookdale yesterday.  Her new address is:  311 Simpson Road, M-2, Anderson, SC 29621

  3. We keep Bill Welborn in our prayers as he recovers from recent hip replacement surgery.

  4. We keep in our prayers Jill Helgeson who is recovering from COVID.  Sharon Christmas will be filling in for her as organist this Sunday.

  5. We keep in our prayers Mike Oates and his Duke Energy crew who are positioned in the Florence and Marion region of our state.  They are expected to be there for another day or two and then it will be determined if they head to Florida or return home.

  6. This coming Sunday, we are starting back our Youth Sunday School class.  Anna Caldwell and Connor Caldwell will be teach-teaching.  They will meet each week in the Youth Room of the Education Building beginning at 10:00 a.m.

  7. Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel reading, Matthew 16:21-28 as Peter rebukes Jesus and then Jesus returns the favor.  We will examine one of the greatest temptations of life.

  8. Don’t forget that my Adult Catechism classes begin next week as we explore the world of Baptism.  Each there is a class on Tuesday mornings and that same material will be repeated Thursday evenings.  I would love to see you there!

  9. For those traveling this Labor Day weekend, may the Lord watch over you and your family.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

2024 ELCA Youth Gathering

All Youth 8th-12th grade are invited to our first informational meeting about the upcoming 2024 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The meeting will be held on Sunday, September 24th, immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. All eligible Youth and at least one of their parents are encouraged to attend. We will discuss the Gathering, travel plans, and lodging. Because of the cancellation of the last Gathering, the now Young Adults who missed the last event (due to COVID) are also eligible to attend in 2024 so they too are invited to attend the meeting. Lunch will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Goodson.

10/21/23 WELCA Fall Foothills Conference Meeting

Fall Foothills Conference Meeting
Saturday, October 21, 2023
St. Michael Lutheran Church
2619 Augusta Street
Greenville, SC 29605

Seasoned with Love

The women of St. Michael Lutheran Church WELCA are looking forward to hosting the Fall Foothills Conference on Saturday, October 21, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM in the church’s fellowship hall. You will be welcomed at the 9:30 a.m. registration with a light breakfast and coffee/juice.

We invite you to join us as a woman of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a child of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The guest speaker will be Mandy Learo, a representative of Jasmine Road in Greenville, whose mission is to provide a path to healing and employment for women survivors of sex trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Jasmine Road is modeled after the very successful Thistle Farms non profit which was founded over 20 years ago in Nashville, TN. Join us to hear about the mission, vision, history, residential program, and social enterprises that support and address the healing needs of each woman in this program. Our catered lunch will be prepared by Jasmine Kitchen, one of the numerous recovery opportunities that is a part of Jasmine Road.

Please RSVP by contacting Beth Fischer at fischerfive@att.net or text (864) 933-7446, if you are interested in going/carpooling, by Wednesday, September 27th .

Adult Choir practice

Choir practice will begin Wednesday, September 13th. Choir meets every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. to rehearse for the 11:00 a.m. service. The 8:45 a.m. choir meets after the Early Service every Sunday morning before the worship service and then after the service for the following week. No auditions required; all ages welcome! See Jill for more information.

Children’s Choir

Some parents of young children may be unaware that we have a children’s choir for children 4 years old through the 5th grade, and the children generally sing during the Worship Service on the 5th Sundays. We only have one 5th Sunday left this year and it will be October 30th. Then our next 5th Sunday will be in January 2023. We work on the Kyrie and a few simple songs, hope to be singing on (5th Sunday October 30th). If you want your child (or grandchild) to sing with us; we practice after the Early Worship Service each Sunday for about 10 to 15 minutes. If this practice does not work for your schedule and you want your children to be included in this choir, please call Beth Cribbe (864) 617-6216 and she will work with your schedule to teach your children the music. The children practice in the room behind the sanctuary, between the Nursery & the Library.

8/27/23 Weekly Congregational Update

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

I bring you greetings on this hot Thursday afternoon!

 

Here are this week’s congregational updates:

 

  • Sunday, we will finish up our use of the blue With One Voice Hymnal. As you will recall, we have used this hymnal during the months of July and August as a change of pace and will return to it again next summer. 
  • Who is Jesus Christ to you?  Sunday, I will be preaching on the Gospel text, Matthew 16:13-20 as we explore the significance of where this story takes place.  In preparation for Sunday’s sermon, I encourage you to google Caesarea Philippi. 
  • We eagerly look forward to receiving Kenny Ossenfort, Helen Sidoti, and John Sticker into our church family Sunday!  This will take place during the Early Service. 
  • We are getting much closer to the kick off of my Adult Catechism Classes, which begin September 5 and September 7.  I hope you are planning to join us.  The first week we will be looking at the topic of baptism and what we believe about this sacrament.  I recently was asked by someone if they should attend the classes.  I answered by asking them a question, “If someone came up to you and asked why Lutherans baptize infants while other denominations do not, could you answer them?”  They asked if they needed to sign up to attend. (They answer is, no, just show up.)

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

08/20/23 Weekly Congregational Updates

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

Here are a few of the things going on this in our congregation,

 

  • A big “Thank You” to the 18 who came out Monday morning to put together SnackPack bags for the United Way of Anderson County for the school children in our surrounding area.

  • This coming Sunday, after the Early Service, Amy Goodson will be taking our Youth and some of their parents tubing down the Green River.  For the last number of years, it has been our back-to-school tradition as the “Last Blast of Summer.”

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the Gospel text of Matthew 15:10-28 of Jesus being challenged by a persistent mother who will not go away.  I encourage you to read this story and wrestle with why Jesus treats her in the way he does.  As my sermon title implies, “What’s Wrong With Jesus?”

  • On Monday of next week, Pat will be taking the day off.

  • Finally, I hope you are making plans to attend my upcoming Adult Catechism Classes, which will begin two weeks from this coming Tuesday, on September 5, when we will dive into the world of baptism and all related questions to this topic.  

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

9/13/23 Family Fun night

FAMILY FUN NIGHT
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, September 13
JESUS RAISES LITTLE GIRL FROM THE DEAD
PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

8/13/23 Weekly Congregational update

Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

 

Here are this week’s congregational updates:

 

  • Yesterday, August 9, our very own Ms. Jackie McConnell, turned 101 years of age! 
  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel, Matthew 14:22-33, commonly referred to as “Jesus Calming the Sea.”  Questions to ponder:
    • Why did Jesus make the disciples get into the boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee?
    • Why did Jesus go up on the mountain to pray? [Hint: see last week’s gospel reading]
    • What caused Peter to sink?
    • For you, what is the most meaningful part of this incredible story? 
  • I hope you are making plans to join us for my 6-week Adult Small Catechism classes.  Our first topic will be Baptism and our first set of classes will be Tuesday morning, September 5 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. and this class will repeat on Thursday evening, September 7 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  Do you the know the difference between infant baptism and a believer’s baptism? Do you know how to respond to someone who questions why Lutheran practice infant baptism and “sprinkle” as opposed to immersion?  Please mark your calendars now for these classes or the others in this series. 
  • I will be back in the office on Saturday morning . 
  • May the Lord continue to bless our Congregation, you are being kept in my prayers

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer