12/31/23 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s congregational updates:

 

  • The January issue of The Messenger was mailed out on Wednesday of this week.  Hopefully, you and your household will receive your copy soon.

  • If you provided a poinsettia for the Christmas Eve worship services, you may stop by the church and pick one up anytime at your convenience.

  • With this coming Sunday, December 31 being a 5th Sunday, we will have One-Combined worship service at 10:00 a.m.   Please keep in mind that we will NOT have Sunday School OR a Potluck meal.

  • A reminder that the Christmas season runs all the way through until Epiphany, which is January 6.  We continue to sing the hymns of Christmas in worship until then and you are encouraged to keep your Christmas tree, lights, and decorations up until then.

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

12/24/23 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  • In case you have not thought about the significance of this day, today, December 21 is the Winter Solstice.  Today is the shortest day of the year, or another way to look at it, tonight is the longest night.  Beginning tomorrow, the days begin to get a little longer each day by about a minute per day. By mid-January the increase jumps to about 2 minutes per day and by the middle of February, the daylight speeds up to 3 minutes per day.  Now you are ready for Jeopardy.

  • We are missing one of the wooden carries that are used to transport the flowers.  We have two but one is missing.  If you know of its location, please let us know.

  • Don’t forget, Sunday morning, we will have One-Combined worship service at 10:00 a.m. (There will be no Sunday School classes or potluck meal.)  I will be preaching on the Gospel Reading, Luke 1:26-38, as we explore the role of Gariel in giving the news to Mary that she is to carry God’s Child.

  • Again this year, you have a choice of attending two different Christmas Eve Worship Services
    • At 4:00 p.m., there will be a Service of Lessons and Carols w/ Holy Communion and Candle Lighting. This is a more family-oriented service with a Children’s Sermon and a Nursery will be provided (by Nancy Korn.)  Holy Communion will be by intinction.
    • At 11:00 p.m., there will Liturgical Service w/ Holy Communion and Candle Lighting.  Holy Communion will be at the altar, similar to what we do on Sunday mornings. This service is for those who desire to be in worship during the midnight hous of Christmas Day.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

12/17/23 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  • We rejoiced to have Marijane Coggins (and Harry) back with us last night at our Midweek Advent meal and worship service.  Marijane has completed her chemotherapy treatments and is awaiting radiation treatments in January.

  • We keep Anita Roehrs in our prayers, who has been admitted to AnMed for treatment of flu-like symptoms.

  • As of 12/12/23, our house phone has been discontinued.  Most everybody already does so, but if you need to reach us, please call my family on our cell phones.

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the Second Reading, from First Thessalonians 5:16-24 as we focus on Paul’s words, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

  • Sunday is the deadline to turn in all poinsettias requests for the Christmas Eve worship services.  If you have someone you would like to recognize in the bulletin either In Memory Of or In Honor Of, please fill out the form in the bulletin or newsletter.

  • Sunday afternoon, rain or shine, we will be gathering in Fellowship Hall to assemble before going Christmas Caroling. Please arrive a few minutes before 5:00 p.m. as we will be pulling out of the parking lot at 5:00 pm.!  Afterwards, we will gather back at the church for some delicious chili.  If you have any questions about this, please reach out to me, 864-933-7434.

  • We are still needing a few more pots of chili.  If you can help us out, contact Amy Goodson @, 864-934-4015.  You will not have to sit and wait for us to return to eat.  You can simply drop off your chili and return at another time to pick up your crockpot or cooking pot.  It will be washed and waiting for you.  Just ask Amy for the details.

  • Wednesday evening will be our final Advent Meal and Advent worship service.  The Youth Group will be providing the meal at 6:00 p.m. and our worship service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

  • As you begin to make your plans for worship on December 24, Christmas Eve, the way the calendar falls, Christmas Eve lands on a Sunday.  For our morning worship service, we are offering One-Combined Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. (No Sunday School or Potluck Meal).  Then that afternoon, we again will have a Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Service at 4:00 p.m.  This service will have Holy Communion and candle lighting, as well as a nursery.  Then for those who enjoy being together in the sanctuary at the midnight hour when Christmas begins, we are offering a Liturgical Christmas Eve Worship at 11:00 p.m. with Holy Communion and candle lighting.  In case you are wondering, this is the same schedule and types of worship services we offered last year. 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

12/10/23 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  • As Westside High School won the AAAA State Championship this past week, two of our church members are connected to their staff.  We congratulate Michael Staup, who serves as the Assistant Coach at Westside, and Jeremy West, who serves as the Athletic Director of Westside High School.

  • We ask God’s blessings upon Chelsea Drennan and Trevor Rowland who will be united in Holy Matrimony on Saturday of this week in Greenville.

  • I am utterly amazed at your generosity with the Angel Tree project each year but this year, you out did yourself.  Together we gave away more gifts (in the shortest amount of time) than we ever have before!  As you can see from the attached photo, which, by the way, does not do it justice, gifts filled a good portion of the Church Office Parlor.  Thank you again so much for your compassionate hearts that go out to the little ones in need in the Anderson area.

  • Earlier today, I sent out two bulletins for this Sunday, one for each worship service.  For those that desire the 8:45 a.m. time frame, we will hold our regular service with me preaching on the Second Reading of the day, 2 Peter 3:8-15a.  At the 11:00 a.m. time slot, the worship service will repeat, but with our Congregational Christmas Pageant taking the place of the sermon.  Every year we have a few folks who choose to attend both services. If not, come to the one your heart desires.
  • On Wednesday of next week, we will gather for our 2nd Advent Meal and Midweek Worship Service of the season. Our meals start at 6:00 p.m. followed by our Advent worship service at 7:00 p.m., which will last about 35 minutes.

  • Please mark your calendars for Sunday afternoon/evening for our Congregational Christmas Caroling and Chili Event which will take place on Sunday, December 17.  We will gather in Fellowship Hall a little before 5:00 p.m. to receive instructions on carpooling and stops to visit. Please be on time so we can leave right at 5:00 p.m.  We will return to the church around 7:00 p.m. where home-made hot delicious chili will be waiting for us, made by members of our congregation. 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

12/3/23 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

Here are this week’s updates:

  • Several of you have asked for the mailing address of Jeri Cole so you can send her a sympathy card in regard to Allan’s death.  It is:  Jeri Cole, 137 Old Blue Mountain Lane, Georgetown, TX, 78633.

  • We keep in our prayers Whitney Moody who underwent surgery yesterday, Wednesday.

  • Richard Polsdorfer is expected to return home tomorrow, Friday.

  • Whether you have signed up to attend or not, we would love to have you at the Advent Congregational Event on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  We will have hot chocolate, make an Advent craft and talk about ways to ensure we slow down during this time of year we call Advent.  Please be aware that the Anderson Christmas Parade is scheduled to take place during that time (unless the weather postpones the event) so Main Street from West Highland Avenue to River Street will be closed and you will need to take detours.

  • THANK YOU.  All 70 tags have been removed from the Angel Tree!  All gifts need to be dropped off in the Church Office Parlor by Tuesday evening of next week.

  • Sunday, we begin the season of Advent, as the gospel readings shift mostly to Mark.  I will be preaching on Mark 13:24-37 as we explore the four time periods mentioned for the return of Christ – evening, midnight, cockcrow, and dawn.

  • Then on Wednesday of next week, we begin our Advent meals and worship services.  Each week a meal will be offered by a different group in the congregation (A freewill offering basket will be on the table) at 6:00 p.m. followed by a worship service at 7:00 p.m.  I will be preaching on “The Waiting Game.”  We will return to Marty Haugen’s beloved Holden Evening Prayer Service.

  • The December edition of The Mesenger was mailed out earlier today.

  • The Tuesday evening Women’s Bible Study will be gathering each week in a new location until further notice.  They will meet in the Pairs and Spares Room.

  • If you have not watched the Israel-Hamas History video I sent you two weeks ago, I highly encourage it.  All who have seen it and have sent me comments, have had nothing but good things to say about it.  This video will greatly help you see the complexities in this region.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer