3/20/22 Weekly Congregational Update

Dear Members and Friends of the Congregation,

 

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

 

  1. The Congregational Workday, which was schedule for March 26, has been cancelled due to lack of large group projects.

  2. For those who ordered a COVID Test Kit when first available, you can now order a 2nd COVID Test Kit through the USPS using this site:  https://special.usps.com/testkits

  3. We continue to keep Ben Emanuel in our thoughts and prayers.  He underwent successful carotid artery surgery yesterday and the plans are to do the other carotid artery next month.

  4. I am happy to report that the Church Council at its meeting Monday night approved the removal of ALL remaining COVID worship restrictions.   Beginning Sunday, we will: 1) return to using every pew (not skipping one in between), 2) return to passing the offering plates, as well as the Sharing of the Peace, 3) handshaking and hugging have been officially reinstated, and 4) we will return to providing a nursery during worship and Sunday School.  Additionally, we will return to communion at the altar rail on Maundy Thursday, and we will return to our 5th Sunday One-Combined worship and meal on May 29th.

  5. Next Wednesday evening, the Lutheran Men in Mission will be providing our Lenten meal for the congregation.  We were not able to hold our Congregational Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper this year, so you will have the opportunity to get your pancake fix next Wednesday evening as the men cook pancakes, sausage and bacon.

  6. Sunday, I will be preaching on Luke 13:1-9, our gospel reading assigned for the day.  We all try to make sense of the horrible things that happen to us in life.  My sermon title should intrigue you, “The 5 Worst Things We Say After A Tragedy.” 

See you Sunday,

Pastor Fischer

3/16/22 Midweek update

Dear Friends and Members of the Congregation,

A couple of notes about tonight’s worship service:

  1. First of all, concerning the weather, if the forecasters are correct, there should be a window of clearing just in time for our Lenten meal tonight at 6:00 p.m. and worship at 7:00 p.m.

  2. We are using the Evening Vespers Service for our mid-week Lenten services each week.

  3. Worship services are lasting about 45 minutes.

  4. I pray you will come out and join us.  Tonight we will explore the powerful story of Jesus encountering the woman caught in the act of adultery and the crowd is ready to stone her.  I will be speaking on the topic of forgiveness and the damaging power of our tongue in the words we often use with others.

  5. If you are not able to join us in-person, make sure to catch the service later as it will be recorded and placed on the church website.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

3/13/22 Weekly Congregational Updates

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are some things worthy to pass along to you:

 

  1. Don’t forget to change your clocks Saturday night before going to bed.  I wouldn’t want you to be late, if you are planning to worship with us Sunday morning!
  2. Last Sunday at worship, Leslie Cox shared with us a new project for Operation Inasmuch – United Way’s Middle School Market Program – to provide food to needy middle school students.   Your response has been absolutely incredible.  In fact, so much has been donated, that she and Mike have had to carry off donations to free up space in the room off the narthex.  Please keep the food coming.
  3. This week I want to lift up another Operation Inasmuch project – Clean Start. This organization does fantastic things for those homeless in the Anderson area, by providing a place to take a shower and for folks to pick up hygiene items.  The full list is posted in your weekly bulletin and March’s Messenger.  There is a box to collect these items in the room off the narthex.
  4. We got off to a great start for our first Lenten supper and service.  We had 43 enjoy a fabulous meal providing by our Youth.  Not only did we enjoy the food, but the fellowship, face-to-face has been sorely missed for the last two years.  Afterwards, 56 of us gathered for our Mid-week Lenten service as we heard about Jesus being the rejected stone that has become the chief cornerstone.  We will do this again this coming Wednesday, for a meal and worship. If you have forgotten what the Fellowship Hall looks like with tables and chairs set up for a meal, see attached photo.
  5. In case you are wondering, yes, each of our Mid-week services will be recorded and placed onto the church website.
  6. What do you believe about God’s promises?  Sunday, I will be preaching from our Old Testament lesson, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 as we explore God’s promise to Abram, and God’s promises to us.
  7. On Monday, (from 7:00-8:30 p.m.) Jane Cahaly will begin a 12-week Zoom Bible Study, using Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, The God You May Not Know. To be a part of this, simply contact Jane at janecahaly@gmail.com

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

Join our choir!

“You are invited to join one of our choirs!! All ages welcome! You will find joy in
the fellowship and the blessing of using your voice to praise God! (And you have a
reserved seat every Sunday.) All kidding aside, we could really use some voices.
Give it a try, you might like it!”

Practice is before and after the Early Service for the 8:45 choir and before the Late
Service and on Wednesday nights at 7:30 for the 11:00 choir. No experience necessary, no
pressure. Just another great way to serve and praise our Creator.

3/19/22 QUILT DEDICATION

QUILT DEDICATION
Saturday, March 19, 2022 is National Quilting Day so our dedication
today is timely.
Lutheran World Relief distributed its first quilts in 1945 to families in
war-torn Europe following the Second World War. Within a decade,
the ministry was reaching around the globe to villages far removed
from the world’s attention. Over 27.4 million quilts have been given
during the 75 year period from 1945-2020. Today, an average of
300,000 quilts are lovingly given worldwide each year.
In 2020, 264,585 quilts were shipped to 18 countries. Holy Trinity dedicated 38 quilts on 10/11/2020
and shipped them to the Maryland warehouse.
In the Winter 2022 LWR newsletter, the final numbers of quilts made in 2021 was 122,400 and sent to
19 countries.
Quilters during the pandemic, have included Jane Potter, Cherie Brown, Roz Eckardt, Nancy Korn,
Bobbi Metz, and Kim Hill.

Easter Lily orders

EASTER LILY ORDER FORM
We would like to place Easter Lilies in our windows and on the Chancel steps for
the services on Easter Sunday. The cost is $15.00. If you desire to place an order
for one or more lilies, please use the form below. Fill in the information and place it
in the offering plate or mail it to the church office as soon as possible. The deadline
is April 10th.
Note: Payment must accompany your order.
Enclosed is $_____________________
For______________ Lilies
In Memory of__________________________________________________
In Honor of____________________________________________________
Other (To the Glory of God)_____________________________________
Given by______________________________________________________
Because 35 lilies must be special ordered from Whitten’s to have them arrive at their peak for Easter,
they will be assigned on a first-ordered, first-served basis. When 35 have been assigned, no more can
be purchased. Thanks for your understanding.
The Worship and Music Committee

You can download a print friendly version by clicking on the link below

Easter Lily order form 2022

 

Why Is That Dead Tree in the Church?

Why Is That Dead Tree in the Church?
You can’t help but notice the “dead” tree covered in caterpillars which have appeared in the
Sanctuary. You may question – why is it here or what is it about?

Things are different in both the church and nature this time of year. There are some things “sleeping”
in our worship such as the use of Alleluias. Everything in our yards such as the grass and trees look
dead but they too are just “sleeping”. Some of God’s creatures such as caterpillars make cocoons.
Although we might think they are dead, they actually have rebirth as a butterfly.

This tree is actually here to help each of us to remember that while the weather often is cool and gray
and the grass is brown and the trees bare, there is the hope that Spring is coming! Bulbs are blooming
and the days are getting longer. Just as we have hope for Spring, Lent gives us a time to hope for
Easter and the promise that the resurrection brings. Just as the change of seasons brings surprises,
keep watching the tree thru the Lenten season – there are more surprises to come!
In past years this has been a project of the LCY and the Sunday School children but this year we
included all families of the congregation.

3/14/22 THE GOD YOU MAY NOT KNOW an online Zoom class

Are You Interested In Taking The Journey From Knowing About God To Knowing
God?

If so, you should consider joining Jane Cahaly who will be facilitating Dr. David Jeremiah’s
presentation of THE GOD YOU MAY NOT KNOW in an online Zoom class on Monday nights from
7:00-8:30 PM starting Monday, March 14. Sponsored by the Salt and Light Foundation, a new
Christian non-profit, in which Phil and Jane are involved, a major focus of this “Prepare 2 Share”
class will be not only learning for our own spiritual growth, but identifying opportunities to share
everything we learn with the next generation! The format will be similar to those studies we have
done in the past and will include a video presentation by Dr. Jeremiah and will be followed up with
guided discussion and individual input.

As a foundation activity, this study will be open to anyone interested and will be published via the
foundation website. You can sign up for the class at saltandlightfoundation.net or by contacting Jane
at janecahaly@gmail.com. THE GOD YOU MAY NOT KNOW book is an excellent resource (not
required for participation) and can be purchased at davidjeremiah.org. However, if you are unable to
purchase the text but want a copy, please let Jane know when you sign up and the foundation will
provide one for you.

“We can only worship someone we love, and we can only love someone we know. Let Dr. David
Jeremiah take you on a journey to discover the God who loves you more than you know.”

Lent Reminders

LENT

Just a reminder

The Forty Days before Easter are the Lenten season. During this time we omit the refrains that are
connected to celebrating Christ’s resurrection and we use the verses appropriate for Lent.

They are:
• We refrain from singing or saying Alleluias because of its connection to Easter.

• There is no Absolution (minister declaring our forgiveness, page 118) for all of Lent is a time of
self-examination.

• We use the Apostles’ Creed.

On Easter Sunday, April 17, we will return to the verses praising our Lord and His resurrection.