04/06/22 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Some things of interest to pass along to you:

 

  1. The April Messenger went out in the mail yesterday.  You should be receiving your copy soon.
  2. How many were at this past Sunday’s worship services?  We had 61 at the Early Service and 68 at the Late Service, for a total of 129! 
  3. Saturday, of this week, is the last day for all donated items for our Operation Inasmuch projects.  Thank you for the generous outpouring of items. 
  4. Saturday, of this week, the Litter Pickup Project will begin at 9:00 a.m. 
  5. To date, we have had only 17 Easter lilies given for Easter Sunday.  We have already ordered 35 lilies to fill the sanctuary as needed, so we are looking for another 18 lilies to be given.  April 10th is the last day to do so.  If you would like to give a lily In Memory Of or In Honor Of a loved one, please reply to this email and I will pass the info on to Pat on Monday morning.  The flowers are $15.00 each. 
  6. As you make your plans to worship with us on Easter Sunday, keep in mind you have three choices, 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.  We will NOT be enacting the Congregational Call Tree as we have before, so just show up on Easter Sunday! 
  7. Sunday, I will be preaching on the interesting story of Jesus having his feet anointed by Mary and then her drying his feet with her hair (John 12:1-8).  I will be preaching on FORGIVENESS. 
  8. Wednesday evening, April 6, will be our LAST Lenten meal for this season.  This will be a potluck meal, meaning that we ask folks to bring a dish or two to share.  The church will be providing the drinks. 

I am praying that I see you on Sunday,

Pastor Fischer

03/27/22 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  1. The web bulletin I sent you earlier today is in error.  The Luther’s Ladies Circle will be providing the meal for Wednesday’s Lenten supper, not the Katie’s Ladies.

  2. Beginning Sunday we will be returning to most all of our Children’s activities in the congregation, including:
    1. A Children’s Sermon each Sunday
    2. The Children’s Choir practices – led by Beth Cribbe
    3. Providing a nursery for each Sunday worship service – with Marijane Coggins as our nursery keeper.

  3. Sunday, I will be preaching on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, from our Gospel text, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32.  I encourage you to read this over as a devotional before then and think in what ways we are like the oldest son in this story.

  4. Don’t forget that all projects for our Operation Inasmuch will come to an end on April 2!  It is still not too late to be a part of these ministries.  We currently have 13 signed up to participate in the Litter Pick Up, which is great!  And thank you for responding to our need for more to participate in providing a casserole for the Calvary Home for Children.  We now have 17 signed up! We have 7 who have agreed to write notes of encouragement for the SnackPack Program. And thank you for the generous donations to the United Way’s Middle School Market Program and Clean Start.  Again, the last day to drop of donations is Saturday, April 2.  Just let yourself into the church using the code for the front door.  

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

6:30 PM Lutheran Men In Mission meeting

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LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION SUPPER MEETING
March 28
at 6:30 p.m.
In Fellowship Hall.
All men of the congregation are invited to attend the in-person LMM meeting on March 28th at 6:30
PM in the Fellowship Hall. Our speaker for the evening will be David Moore, Executive Director of
The Lot Project in Anderson County. Take a look at their website ( https://thelotproject.com/ )
beforehand.
This is our first meeting in eons to serve a meal. Yes, you read that previous sentence correctly! The
$5 gourmet meal has returned.
This meeting will not be held over Zoom, so come out and enjoy the fellowship!

4/2/22 Operation InAsMuch A Compasion Revolution

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First a bit of background information: In 2009 one hundred and one members of Holy Trinity gathered to participate in
the South Carolina Synod’s first Synodical community service blitz day known as “Operation INASMUCH”. Based on
Matthew 25:14-46, “Inasmuch as you have done this to one of the least of these you have done it to me”, Operation
INASMUCH strives to meet the needs of the least of these in our community through one-day service projects.

Now fast forward to 2022 and Holy Trinity is still participating in Operation INASMUCH, but on a somewhat smaller scale due to COVID concerns. The Service Committee has identified five scaled back projects that meet COVID protocols and will take place on or no later than April 2, 2022. They include:

1. Casseroles for Calvary Home for Children
All items should list the main ingredients on the dish as well as instructions for cooking it.
Casseroles should be placed in the Fellowship Hall freezer no later than 10:00 a.m. on
Saturday, April 2.

2. Notes of Encouragement for SnackPack Program
We will be writing notes of encouragement to be included in the food/snack packages
prepared by the United Way SnackPack Program and distributed weekly to needy
elementary school students. Those who sign up will be contacted and given details and
supplies to complete the project.

3. United Way’s Middle School Market Program – a collection project
This is a newly created program designed to provide food to needy middle school students.
The following items are needed: Peanut butter, Jelly, Cereal, Oatmeal,
Pop Tarts, Mac and Cheese, Spaghettios, Applesauce and Crackers. Any size or type is
acceptable. Donated items should be placed in the appropriate box located in the room off
the narthex by April 2.

4. Clean Start – a collection project
Clean Start, a hygiene and resource center for the homeless in our community is in need of
the following items: Paper Towels, Paper Plates and Cups (8 oz.), Trash Bags (13 and/or
30 gallon), Shampoo and Soap, Small Deodorants (or spray), Vaseline, Q-tips, Toilet
Paper, Disposable Razors, Toothbrushes, ToothPaste, and Mouthwash. Items should be
placed in the appropriate box located in the room off the narthex no later than April 2.

5. Congregational Litter Pick-up
Litter Pick-up is scheduled for Saturday, April 2 with the time to be determined. All
necessary supplies will be provided. Contact Leslie Cox to suggest a roadway you think
needs our attention.

Sign-ups continue for OPERATION INASMUCH.
Sign-up sheets are located in the room off the narthex.
If you have any questions, contact Shirley Ebert or Leslie Cox, Service Committee Co-chairs.

3/20/22 Weekly Congregational Update

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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

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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

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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!

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“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

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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.