8/9 Crafty Ladies

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Crafty Ladies
If you are a creative person who enjoys doing crafts, this group is for you. If you are a knitter, cross stitcher, scrapbooker, painter, quilter, writer, etc. or anything else you have started and would like to make time to work on your projects, this group is for you. We are meeting once a month on a Saturday to do our crafts and socialize. You bring your projects; we will provide the space and fellowship.
Our next Creative Day is Saturday, August 9
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Contact Beth Fischer (fischerfive@att.net) or (864-933-7446) for more information.
Come when you can and stay as long as would you like.

8/7 Dining Divas

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Dining Divas
Thursday, August 7, at 6:00 PM
Brothers Italian Cuisine
2105 S Main St, Anderson, SC
Please RSVP
Beth Cribbe (call or text 864-617-6216
or email bcribbe1@gmail.com)

7/27/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

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

• We had a good turnout this past Saturday with 24 volunteers who helped make sandwiches and bagged lunches for those hungry in the Anderson area. We will do this again, one more time, this Saturday at 9:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. It is very typical that the need for food increases later in the month so we are planning on making 187 bagged lunches on Saturday, which is quite an endeavor. Come join us!

• Sunday, I will be preaching on prayer based on our First Reading (Genesis 18:20-32) and our Gospel Reading (Luke 11:1-13). Thoughts to ponder:
• Who taught you how to pray?
• Why is it that some folks believe in the power of prayer while others do not?
• What exactly should we be praying for?
• What does it mean to be persistent in prayer?

• Sunday, we will begin a different outreach project for the community. We are gathering frozen casseroles for Calvary Home for Children, as the kids get ready to return to school. You may choose to purchase or prepare a casserole dinner but please refer to the bulletin or the last newsletter for all the details. Casseroles are to be placed in the freezer in Fellowship Hall. We will be doing this on July 27 and August 3.

• I am happy to report an improvement in health with two of our members:
• Joby Hefner returned home last week, following her rehab stay at NHC.
• Ernie Thoms is expected to return home on Saturday of this week.

• During these very hot days, please be aware that Pat and I often park our vehicles in the back parking lot, under a shade tree. The front parking lot may appear to be empty but the office may be full!

In Christ,
Pastor Fischer

7/20/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

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

  • I thought I would send out these updates a day early to share the latest with you concerning Ernie Thoms.  Ernie was released from the hospital yesterday (Tuesday) and was moved to Encompass Health and Rehab (Room 110), 3372 Laurens Road, in Greenville, as he continues to recover from his recent stroke.

  • We will gather again in Fellowship Hall this Saturday to make sandwiches and bagged lunches for those hungry in the Anderson area.  Please note the new time: 9:45 a.m.

  • On Sunday July 27 and August 3, the Service Committee will sponsor another outreach project for us.  We will receive frozen casseroles for Calvary Home for Children, as they get ready for a new school year.  We have supported this ministry for the last several years and our congregation has been very generous each time. See a bulletin or newsletter for all the details.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

7/13/25 Weekly Congregational Update and week 1 Saturday Servants

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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

7/6/25 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

  • In case you missed the organ recital in our sanctuary on June 22, here is the link. There were 6 organists from various churches in the area.
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=VG8W0tCWmoA&feature=shared

  • If you were wondering just how many were in worship this past Sunday for our One Combined Service, we had 94!  (Though we missed many as less than half (44) came over to eat afterwards.)

  • We now have everything we need as food items for our Saturday Servants events.  Thank you so much for your generosity.  Now all we need is you to show up to make sandwiches on Saturday.  If you purchased one, please wear your red church T-shirt.  We will gather in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. each Saturday in July (except July 12).

  • As is our summer tradition, for a change of pace for the months of July and August, we switch over to using the With One Voice hymnal (the blue one).

  • Even though the 4th of July will have already come and gone by then, Sunday, we will be closing out our worship service with Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies.

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel text of Luke 1-20, as we explore the difference between being a participate and a spectator for the Lord.

  • Following a fall and breaking her hip, and then hip replacement surgery, Joby Hefner is at NHC for rehab in room 422A.

  • Crafty Ladies will gather on Saturday, July 12, in Fellowship Hall.

  • Our next Family Fun Night has been moved from July 9 to July 16, at 5:30 p.m.

  • Happy 4th to you and your family tomorrow. May we all remember to express our deep gratitude to the Lord for His many blessings upon our country.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

SUMMER FUN NIGHT

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We continue our monthly summer gatherings 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, July 16 THOU SHALL NOT MURDER
TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE.)

WHEN: Wednesday, August 13 YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
TIME: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

06/29/25 Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

  • June 29 is set aside for Peter and Paul, Apostles Sunday on the church year calendar.  Every time June 29 lands on a Sunday, this observance takes precedence over the Sundays after Pentecost.  Having said all that, our prayers, hymns, and scripture readings will focus on these two martyrs. 
  • I will be preaching on the gospel that day, John 21:15-19, as we focus on how Jesus treated these two men, even after they turned their backs on Jesus. 
  • Sunday will be a 5th Sunday so that means we will have One Combined Worship Service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Potluck Meal.  Please join us and bring a dish to share.  Our 5th Sundays are an intentional time for us to get to know the other members of our congregation who might attend “the other worship service” on Sundays. 
  • On Thursday evening the Dining Divas will gather at the The Galley Restaurant for their monthly supper outing. 
  • Then on Saturday, our first Saturday Servants event will take place in Fellowship Hall.  We will gather at 9:30 a.m. (Note the new time) to make sandwiches and bagged lunches for those hungry in the Anderson area. 
  • We keep in our prayers, Jobie Hefner upon her recent surgery. 
  • The July/August Newsletter was mailed on Wednesday afternoon.

 

 

    In Christ,

    Pastor Fischer

06/22/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

  • Sunday afternoon, the American Guild of Organist members will be presenting a recital in our sanctuary, beginning at 4:00 p.m.  The public is invited.  A reception will follow in our Fellowship Hall.

  • Just a reminder, that on Sunday, June 29, we will have One Combined Worship Service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Potluck Meal.

  • Saturday, July 5, will be our first Saturday Servants project this year where we will gather to make sandwiches and put together lunch bags for those hungry in our area.  We have already had one member commit to covering the cost of the bread (Kroger is no longer supplying it at no charge) and another family is graciously providing the bottled water for each week.  We are ahead of our needed items in some areas but a little behind in others. Here is the latest list of food items still needed.  If you can help out, there is a bin in the room off the narthex to receive them:
    • 604 individual snack size bags of salty snacks (chips, pretzels, goldfish, etc.)
    • 61 boxes of individually-wrapped Little Debbie Cakes (any type)
    • 17 jars of grape jelly (16 oz. size)
    • 5 jars of Mayonnaise (32 oz. size)

  • I heard from Michelle Nelson yesterday, letting me know that after a long three weeks, her belongings are to finally be delivered to her new address today in Florida.  She asked me to say “hello” to all of you and how much she misses our church family.

  • We keep in our prayers:
    • Gail Cannon – who continues to heal at home from a recent fall
    • Rita Bell – on the death of her sister, Melissa Burns

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

06/15/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

  • As you receive this, I will already be in North Charleston with my wife, Beth,  and Beth Cribbe, as we serve as the congregation’s representatives for the SC Synod Assembly.  Please keep the Assembly in your prayers that God’s will may be done in our time together.  We will be back on Saturday afternoon and I will be in the pulpit on Sunday.

  • With Sunday being Father’s Day, we will be recognizing all of our fathers with us that morning, during the announcements.

  • Sunday will also be Holy Trinity Sunday, when we focus on the challenging concept of one God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We will be using the Athanasian Creed to process our faith during the worship service.

  • I will be preaching on the gospel text, John 16:12-15 and the idea that God enlightens us in small quantities, as we are able to handle it.

  • Our next Family Fun Night will take place on Wednesday as we look at the commandment to “Honor Your Father and Mother.” Supper will be provided at 5:30 p.m. Come and join us!

  • The new Christ In Our Home devotionals for July/August/September are now ready to be picked up at your convenience in the narthex.

  • I have access to quite a few corks from a person in our community. If you are interested in working with corks for some kind of hobby, please contact me. I know that some folks use them to make coasters and Christmas ornaments.

  • We are in the process of replacing the piano in our choir room.  If you are interested in our current piano, please contact Jill.

  • Bob Vinson called me earlier this week and wanted me to let you know that he has decided to move in to The Garden House.  He has recently been having some issues with steps at his house and this move may be temporary or permanent. He will be in room 202 beginning on Monday.

  • We keep in our prayers:
    • Katie Weeks – upon recent surgery
    • Rette Stokes – upon recent surgery

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer