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

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