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

12/25/22 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

I pray you are keeping warm over the next couple of days in the extreme cold weather that is coming our way.  Here are a few updates to pass along to you:

 

  1. We are offering two different kinds of worship services for Christmas Eve.  At 4:00 p.m., we will be returning to 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.  Holy Communion will be by intinction.  This service has been moved a little earlier to accommodate those with children and those who would rather drive in the daylight.

  2. At 11:00 p.m.,  we will be offering a liturgical service with Holy Communion and Candle Lighting.  This service is for those who wish to be at the church at the midnight hour of Christmas.

  3. Then on Christmas Day, we will have One Combined Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. with a slightly different liturgy format from what we normally do on Sunday morning.  This will be the last time you will have the opportunity to actually celebrate Christmas on a Sunday, until 2033!!!

  4. After tabulating all requests to place flowers on the altar in 2023, there are 11 openings remaining.  To request one of these dates, do not reply to this email, instead, please inform Pat in the office, beginning on Tuesday of next week.  She is taking Monday off. These are the remaining open dates:
    • March 19
    • April 30
    • June 25
    • July 30
    • August 6
    • August 13
    • August 27
    • September 3
    • September 10
    • December 17
    • December 31

 

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Fischer

12/18/22 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

As we near the celebration of Christmas, there are many important things to share with you.

 

  • Tonight, Thursday, is the deadline for all Angel Tree gifts to be returned.  They are to be placed in the Office Parlor using the door code, if I am not in the office when you come by. Thank you again so much for your support of this very worthwhile outreach ministry to children in the Anderson area.

  • I want to put in one more plug for our Congregational Christmas Caroling and Chili event on Sunday afternoon.  This will be the first time in three years that we have this and we are looking forward to renewing this wonderful tradition.  We will begin to assemble in Fellowship Hall at 4:45 p.m. – giving out the music booklets, reviewing the stops, and figuring out caroling arrangements.  We will be dividing into two groups.  We will be LEAVING at 5:00 p.m.  If you arrive at 5:00 p.m., you will be late and slow down our excursions.  Please be on time!  If you have a Christmas sweater, Santa hat, or Reindeer antlers, etc. this will be the perfect opportunity to wear it.  We hope to return to Fellowship Hall by 7:00 p.m. where 5 different kinds of chili will be waiting for us, and desserts.  We even have some volunteers who have agreed to stay behind and keep the chili stirred.  Come out and enjoy some good old fashion Christmas Caroling!

  • We will have two worship services Sunday.  The Early Service will be using their normal liturgy, at 8:45 a.m. while the Christmas Pageant will take place as part of the 11:00 a.m. service.  Holy Communion will be offered at both services.

  • The deadline to place a poinsettia in the sanctuary for the Christmas Eve worship services is Sunday.  There is a form in the bulletin or send Pat an email or leave her a voice mail on the office phone with your information.  She will take care of it on Monday morning when she returns to the church office.

  • There are 11 opening dates remaining for altar flowers for 2023.  If you would like to place flowers In Memory Of or In Honor Of somebody, there is a signup sheet in the narthex, or contact Pat in the office.

  • The 2023 offering envelopes are ready for you to pick up in the room off the narthex.

  • If you are interested in a 2023 calendar, our two local funeral homes have placed some copies in the narthex.  Help yourself.

  • We keep the family of Betty Williams in our prayers upon her death on Friday of last week. Even though Betty was not a member of our congregation, she was a frequent visitor and was in attendance at our last Deutschesfest.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer