1/29/23 Dedication of Needlepoint Window Project

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Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Needlepoint Projects
In February 2003, members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church formed a group interested in
using their needlework skill to the Glory of God and to beautify Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for
generations to come. Over the next twenty years the following members of Holy Trinity
contributed their talents on needlepoint projects both large and small: Betty Barton, Gail Cannon,
Linda Cirocco, Jamie Corrigan, Rynde Dial, Roz Eckardt, Harriet Gilmer, Amy Goodson, Jan
House, Nancy Korn, Edna Moore, Dawn Myers, Jane Potter, Elaine Rummage, Stacie Smith, Judy
Wagner, and Kathryn Weeks. Unless noted below, designs were by Linda Mote.
Project #1: Four kneeling cushions with Trinity symbols and a central Luther Rose cushion for use
at the altar. Work began July 2003 and was dedicated December 2004.
Project #2: Covers for 10 chairs and the Prie Dieu (minister’s kneeler). Work began December
2004 and was dedicated November 2007.
Project #3: Seasonal kneeling cushions (Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Weddings) and
silencers for offering plates. These were dedicated November 2007.
Project #4: Red Paraments and Stole. These were dedicated May 2010.
Project #5: Chrismons. The first set of 46 were designed either by Gail Keffer (26) or were patterns
based on HTLC Chrismons not included in the Keffer patterns. Work began August 2014 and these
were dedicated December 2016. The second set of ten Chrismons were made for use in the
December 2017 Christmas Pageant. All patterns and kits were prepared by Nancy Korn.
Project #6 Chrismon Tree Skirt. The design was from the original felt tree skirt made by members
of the Morning Circle in the early 1960’s. Canvases were prepared by Jamie Corrigan. Work began
in 2015 and dedication was December 2019.

Project #7 Needlepoint Window. Work began in 2018 and is being dedicated today.

The Window Project was designed by Linda Mote, of Lexington, South Carolina. She has
designed most of our needlepoint projects including the kneeling cushions at the altar, the chair
covers, the prei dieu (minister’s kneeler) cover, the offering plate silencers, and the red
Paraments.
The Window was divided into nine sections just as the stained glass windows in the
sanctuary. The black borders show the division of the sections. A kit for each section consisted
of a painted canvas and needlepoint yarn.
Needlework was done by:
Top left – Amy Goodson
Top center – Jamie Corrigan
Top right – Kim Hill
Middle left –Nancy Korn
Middle center – Roz Eckardt
Middle right –Sue Rasche
Bottom left – Jane Potter
Bottom center – Jane Potter
Bottom right – Nancy Korn
Finishing was done by Pam Rosborough of The Finishing Works in Inman, SC.
The cost of the kits and finishing of the Window Project was donated by Dr. Georgia Lou
Huff and given in memory of her grandson, R. Julian Bannister IV.

1/29/23 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity, Here are this week’s updates:

1)  Another large group from our congregation was busy this past Monday with the SnackPack project feeding the hungry school children in Anderson county.  If you would like to be on the email list as a volunteer, contact Mike Cox.

    

2)  There appears to be another round of phishing going around with my name attached to it with the following words, “Greetings, I have an essential request for you to manage Confidentially for me via email. I will appreciate swift  correspondence via email for the descriptions, I will await your email. Reverend J. Chris Fischer”   Note: You should be suspicious if the name at the end is different from what I usually use, or if the message asks for money, or if the email connected to my name is incorrect. 

3) The church front door code is currently not accessible.  We are waiting for a repair part that has been ordered.  In the meantime, if you need to enter the church during the week, please use either the church key (if you have one) or enter through another door.  On Sunday, the door will be unlocked giving you entrance into the sanctuary.

4) Don’t forget that this Sunday, January 29 is a 5th Sunday and therefore we will be having One Combined Worship at 10:00 a.m.  (There will be no Adult Sunday School class.)  After worship, we will be having a Potluck Meal in Fellowship Hall.  Please bring a dish or two to share.  You may drop off your food into Fellowship Hall before the worship service and our Fellowship Committee will heat up your food item, if necessary. 

5) As part of the worship service we eagerly look forward to dedicating our Needlepoint Window Project which the ladies of our congregation have been working on for several years! 

6) Sunday, I will be preaching on the Gospel lesson, Matthew 5:1-12, as we try to make sense of The Beatitudes.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

2/8/23 FAMILY FUN NIGHT

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FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Each month we gather 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, February 8th 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
WHAT: “THE STORY OF LAZARUS”

9/22/23 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are a few things going on this week in our congregation:

 

  • If you are able to help out, we have a Congregational Workday scheduled for this coming Saturday, January 21, from 9:00-11:00 a.m.  We will be raking up the remaining leaves on the church grounds.  Bring your favorite rake.
  • You will recall last week my request asking for one more person to help with distributing altar flowers.  A big “Thank You” to Leigh Freeman who has agreed to be the 4th and final person to serve with this group in 2023.

  • I am pleased to announce that the Community Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be returning this year to Boulevard Baptist Church.  It will take place on Tuesday, February 21.  More details to follow.

  • As you gather your needed documents to prepare your 2022 tax returns, the Statements of Giving are in sealed envelopes in the room off the narthex.  Help yourself to your copy. “Thank You” goes out to Jane Potter, our Financial Secretary, for putting these together.

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel lesson, Matthew 4:12-23, as we explore what it means for us to “fish for others.”  Questions to ponder:
    • Where do we “fish” for others?
    • When do we “fish”?
    • What is our “fishing” style in telling others about the Lord?
    • What is the difference in using a rod and reel, a cast net, or drive-in net, when it comes to different styles of evangelism? 
    • What kind of “bait/lure” are we for Jesus?

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

1/21/23 Congregation Workday Saturday

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Congregation Workday Saturday
January 21, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• Cleanup remaining leaves from shrubbery at sides of Sanctuary and at handicap
ramp.
• Cleanup pecan shell debris from the two pecan trees at back parking lot.
• Cleanup leaves in playground and in playground lawn area.
• Cleanup leaves and pecan shells in backyard of Luther House.
• Cleanup leaves at back of front parking lot.

5th Sunday One Combined Worship service

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5th SUNDAY
January 29th
ONE COMBINED WORSHIP 10:00 a.m.
DEDICATION OF THE WINDOW NEEDLEPOINT
PROJECT
FOLLOWED BY A POTLUCK MEAL
PLEASE BRING A DISH TO SHARE

Semi-Annual meeting of the congregation

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Semi-Annual meeting of the congregation will be held Sunday, February 12TH at
9:50 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. At this meeting the officers of the congregation,
staff, committee chairs, organization presidents/leaders will present a brief report
highlighting the accomplishments of the previous ministry year. There will be a
light breakfast provided.

01/15/23 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of the Congregation,

 

Here are a few things to pass along to you this week:

 

  1. Last week I informed you that we needed 2 more folks to serve in delivering altar flowers for 2023.  We are grateful to Pamela Michalski who volunteered to join Kate Roehrs and Susan Straup in this outreach ministry.  We would like to have one more person, if possible.  If interested or if you have questions about this, please contact me.

  2. More than likely you have seen In the news recently the cardiac arrest of Buffalo Bills football player, Damar Hamlin, and his survival, basically due to the quick response of the medical staff and the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). You are reminded that we have two AED’s on the church property.  One is located just outside the new restroom, in that hallway.  The other is located in the hallway of Fellowship Hall, in between the Men’s and Ladies’ Restrooms.  Please look for these in the event that they are needed.  In case you are wondering, these devices will walk you through the process of how to use them.

  3. Sunday, I will be preaching on the Gospel Reading, John 1:29-42, as we explore a healthy and faithful way to express our Christian faith to others.  Come and see! 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

1/8/23 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  • I am saddened to inform you of the death of Curt Pennington earlier this morning at the Spartanburg Medical Center.  We keep his wife, Debbie, in our thoughts and prayers, as well as his son, Trey and family.  McDougald Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.  “Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Curtis William Pennington, Jr.  Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.  Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.”   – Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 283
    Curt Pennington’s funeral  visitation will take place Sunday evening, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at McDougald Funeral Home.  A private Memorial Service will take place with the family later.

 

  • I thought you should know that some of our congregational members have tested positive in the last two weeks for COVID, which is a definite increase for us as a congregation.  This particular strand of the virus appears to be very contagious but for the most part, mild. I remind you that if you are a high-risk patient, or concerned about this virus, or not feeling well, please stay home (and worship with us via the internet). 
  • This coming Sunday is The Baptism of Our Lord Sunday.  We will be focusing of course on baptism, using our Gospel Reading, Matthew 3:13-17.  You are encouraged to read over this text and pray over it, specifically answering the following questions:
    • Why was Jesus baptized, if John the Baptist promoted a baptism of repentance?
    • What does your baptism mean to you?
    • How does your baptism affect the way you live your life? 
  • Beginning this Sunday afternoon, Church of the Ascension (Anglican) will be using our sanctuary for worship.  Hopefully you have read my related article in January’s Messenger. Their worship services will begin at 4:00 p.m. and run until around 5:30 p.m.  This Sunday, this congregation will only be using our sanctuary and nursery, but they have permission to use our other buildings, as their needs grow.  Please be mindful of this time frame each Sunday afternoon. 
  • For 2023, we have 2 volunteers to deliver altar flowers to our shut ins, but we are still looking for one or two more people.  The way it works is this:  Each week, those individuals who provide flowers for the altar have the choice of taking both sets home with them after the Late Service, or taking one set home with them, or neither set of flowers home with them.  The flowers that remain are then given to shut-ins in our congregation.  Volunteers do this on a Sunday afternoon or even on Monday.  Names are provided of possible recipients.   Volunteers are responsible for one month at a time  (3-4 months a year depending on the number of volunteers we have).  If you have any questions, reach out to me or Nancy Korn.  Please, please, consider helping out in this outreach form of ministry.  If interested, please let me know.
  • Our next Family Fun Night will take place on Wednesday from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  The meal will be provided.

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer