06/20/21 Congregational Weekly Updates

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Dear Congregational Members and Friends,

Here are this week’s congregational updates:

1) I am happy to report that Bill Ebert has returned home after several weeks at the AnMed Rehabilitation Hospital.

2) We thank the Lord that the pathology report for Abi Caldwell came back showing that the surrounding tissues were 100% benign.

3) We celebrate with Reverend Stephen Roehrs upon the 50th anniversary of his ordination this past Sunday.

4) Saturday Servants updates:
    a. Since it is difficult to locate small bags of pre-packaged pretzels, we have decided that we will be purchasing these.

    b. Because of your generosity, we have now received all needed food items except Little Debbie cakes, and we are only              needing 13 dozen of these.
    c. Someone this week dropped off several bags of Little Debbie cakes, and in the process, left a small container of cake.            If it is yours, please contact me.

    d. Keep in mind that nothing will be wasted. If we receive too much of any food item, they will be given to a local food                  organization.

    e. We are now accepting used plastic grocery bags, to be used to give the food items to those in need. These can be                    placed in the room off the narthex as well.

f. The gathering time to assemble the sandwiches has been changed from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. See you in the months of         July if you can help out.

5) This Sunday, there will be two themes running throughout the worship service, Father’s Day, of course, as well as dealing with the storms of life. I will be preaching on Mark 4:35-41, one of my favorite texts.

6) This is an exciting time for our congregation as we continue to take in new members. More are expected in the month of July. Stay tuned.

In Christ,
Pastor Fischer

 

06/13/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

 

Some updates to pass along to you:

 

  1. I apologize for not giving you an update sooner on Abi but the Caldwell family is waiting for the final pathology report. I can tell you that little Abi did great through her surgery yesterday and it went much better than expected.  In fact, she may be able to return home as early as Sunday.   Again, thank you so much for the prayers and concerns!

  2. Here is an updated list of needs we still need for the Saturday Servants projects:
    1. 11 jars of peanut butter (40 oz. size)
    2. 11 jars of grape jelly (16 oz. size)
    3. 58 boxes of Little Debbie Cakes (12 to a box)
    4. Financial donations to cover the cost of the fruit.
    5. We have found out that Sam’s Club is currently out of stock for the prepackaged small bags of pretzels.  We are in the process of placing an order to have them shipped to the church.  The cost for the pretzels has already been covered with a donation so we have decided to remove pretzels from the list of items needed.
    6. All items can be dropped off into the plastic bin in the room off the narthex.  Just use the front door code to enter.

  3. As in years past, Kroger Bakery will donate the loaves of bread needed each week.  We just need someone to volunteer to pick them up.  Bill and Shirley Ebert have done this in the past but are unable to this year, due to Bill’s health.  If you are willing to do this, please contact me for the details.  The bread needs to be picked up on Friday of each week.

  4. Sunday I will be preaching on the Gospel reading, Mark 4:26-34, as we look at the Kingdom of God being compared to mustard seed.  I will be focusing on the potential impact of the small things in life.

  5. This is the time of the year when many folks go on vacation.  We pray for the safety of all who travel.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

New Food Preparation Guidelines revised May 2021

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Food Preparation Guidelines

The following guidelines were approved by the Church Council on May 10, 2021
as we return to meals during this time of COVID, in the congregation:

1. All persons preparing/handling food shall not be ill or been exposed to those ill for the past 7 days.

2. All food handlers will be required to wear masks.

3. Food handlers in contact with food at any point shall wear gloves, including transport throughout the location.

4. Sanitize kitchen/food preparation surfaces prior to starting.

5. Hand washing: use hot water, lather soap for 20 seconds over entire surface of hands–to above the wrist, rinse, and use single use disposal towel to dry hands and then turn off faucet with towel.

6. If gloves become torn or contaminated in any way, they must be changed. Examples of contamination: after handling raw meat, touching face/hair, sneezing or coughing into your hand, taking out trash, leaving the kitchen for any reason and returning to prepare/serve food, etc… Hands must be washed between glove changes.

7. Beverages (including ice) shall be served by designated persons in the same manner as food.

8. Seating must be staggered to maintain a safe distance from one another.

9. Manual wear washing of the cooking utensils shall take place in very hot (110 degrees) soapy water, rinsed in very hot water and allowed to air dry before putting away or by using the church dishwasher.

10. Clean and then re-sanitize all kitchen/food preparation surfaces upon completion of the meal event.

11. Dining areas are to be cleaned and sanitized at the completion of the meal.

12. All plates, cups and cutlery are to be disposable.

13. Remove all trash to outside containers.

14. Commonly, often touched items such as condiments is discourage unless frequently sanitized, preferably offered in individual packets.

15. While there is no known link between Covid-19 and food-borne illness, serve/maintain hot food at 135 degrees or above and cold food below 41 degrees with any temperature deficiencies no greater than a 2 hour span. Any left-over food shall be cooled to below 41 degrees in under 4 hours.

WELCA CORNER

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WELCA CORNER
Our South Carolina WELCA Convention will be virtual (using Zoom) this year. It will be held Sunday, September 26 from 1:00 — 6:00 p.m. There will also be a link for visitors to watch the meeting as well. The convention project will be donations for the projects in the form of checks to Lutheran Disaster Response or the SC Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers. If you would like to donate make the check out to Holy Trinity and in the memo put SC WELCA Convention Projects.
Our congregation will host WELCA Sunday on September 26 and we are honored to have as our guest preacher that day, the Assistant to the Bishop, the Rev. Emily Edenfield.
In case you are wondering when we will resume our monthly in-person Women’s Circle meetings, we are hoping to return to our regular meetings in the fall. Stay safe, have a wonderful summer and see you later in the year

2021 SCLCY convention information

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YOUTH INFORMATION
Registration for the 2021 SCLCY Convention is now available at https://sclcy.link/lcyconvention
The one-day event will be held at St. David Lutheran West Columbia on Saturday June 19th from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.
All youth who are currently in 6th – 12th grades are invited along with our 2020 High School graduates! Adults are welcome to attend as visitors or small group leaders.
There is no cost to attend. Churches are welcome to send donations to the synod office to help defer costs.

06/06/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

Some things to pass along to you of interest:

  • We are now receiving food donations for the Saturday Servants project in July.  See your bulletin or June edition of the Messenger for a list of the needed items.  The list will be updated weekly.  There is a plastic tote in the room off the narthex to receive your donations.  Just use the door code to let yourself in. 
  • Copies of the devotional book, Because of Jesus, Today Is Your Best Day, are now in the narthex for you to pick up a copy at your convenience. 
  • This Sunday, June 6, we will be receiving two new members at the Late Service.  Evie Theiling will be baptized and her father, Ron, will be joining the congregation. 
  • Beginning this Sunday, you no longer have to wear a mask to worship, unless you so desire. 
  • We continue to keep Bill Ebert in our prayers as he recovers from his recent lung surgery.  As of yesterday, he is now at the AnMed Rehabilitation Hospital.  Only two visitors are allowed each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, so please contact Shirley if you would like to visit with him.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

05/30/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Some items of interest to pass along to you this week include:

 

  1. Our Lutheran Men in Mission’s Supper meeting had 23 men in attendance enjoying a meal of grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken this past Monday evening.  After taking the summer off, we will reconvene on Monday, September 27.

  2. We keep in our prayers Bill Ebert who underwent lung surgery yesterday and is expected to be in the ICU several days at AnMed.

  3. The June edition of the Messenger was mailed out earlier today.  Look for your copy in the coming days.

  4. Beginning in June, we will return to distributing altar flowers to our shut-ins and homebound, for those who desire to do this with their flowers.  Please make sure and read the related article in the June Messenger.

  5. We also keep our newest member, Lauren Guthre, in our prayers as she undergoes hip surgery on Friday.

  6. Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday when we use the Athanasian Creed and focus on one God in three persons.

  7. Sunday, I will be preaching on the Gospel reading, John 3:1-17, specifically, John 3:16.

  8. This is an exciting time for our congregation as we continue to receive new members.  Lauren joined our congregation last Sunday; this week Leon Chute will be received as well as Robin Sandwick and Phyllis Barnette joining at the 8:45 a.m. Service; and the following week, we will be baptizing Evie Theiling and her father, Ron, will be joining our membership at the 11:00 a.m. Service.  God has truly blessed us, even in these times of COVID.  Others are expected to join later, in the months of June/July.

  9. On this Memorial Day weekend, may all of us pause and remember those who have died serving this country in the Armed Forces.  As someone has so well put it, “Freedom is never free.” 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

05/23/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

Here are some things to pass along to you this week:

  1. Sunday, we look forward to receiving Lauren Guthre, as a new member of our congregation, at the Early Service.

  2. This coming Sunday, May 23, is Pentecost Sunday.  You are encouraged to wear the color red for this festive day.  Also, we will be celebrating Holy Communion for this occasion.

  3. I will be preaching on our First Reading, Acts 2:1-21, which can be a challenging text to pronounce for our lay readers with all the nations mentioned. Try it.  Our sermon message will look at how God’s Holy Spirit comes to His people in mighty ways, then and now.

  4. The C.D.C.’s recent decision to allow vaccinated people to stop wearing masks caught most of our nation off guard.  It is welcome news but exactly what does this mean for us in our everyday events, especially in the church?  The Church Council met this past Monday to grapple with this question.  The following items were approved at their meeting:

  

Effective, beginning on Sunday, June 6, 2021,

  • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will follow CDC recommendations for discontinuation of mask wearing for vaccinated individuals, but continue use of masks and encouragement of vaccinations for those not yet vaccinated.

  • Vaccinated persons may continue to wear masks should this be their preference.

  • All other previously implemented COVID precautions (Communion on the floor level, social distancing, cleaning, etc.) will remain in effect.

  • The above changes may be revoked at any time should the numbers of COVID cases begin to rise again.

 

  1. What does this mean?  Starting with our worship services in June, you do not have to wear a mask at worship, unless you so choose.

 

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday, as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday,

Pastor Fischer

 

 

COVID procedures, BEGINNING May 16

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The Church Council recently approved the following changes concerning our COVID procedures, BEGINNING May 16:

1. Return to congregational singing (while masked & distanced) of all parts of the worship service with the exception of full hymns.

2. Allow church affiliated groups (LMM, WELCA, etc.) to host meals during their meetings provided they follow HTLC’s Guidelines.
a. Limited people in kitchen to prepare meals
b. No self-serve, buffet style meals
c. Must have dedicated servers donning gloves & masks
d. Must use disposable plates, cups, utensils, etc.
e. Must maintain social distancing of 6” while dining

3. Allow non-church affiliated groups (Kiwanis, etc.) to use HTLC facilities/Fellowship Hall for their meetings provided they follow HTLC’s Guidelines.

4. Allow attendance at funeral service beyond family members, up to capacity of 60 people. No visitation prior to the funeral service will be allowed in the Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall.

5/16/21 Congregational Weekly Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

Several updates to pass along to you:

  • This just in:  Congratulations go out to Rachel and Christopher Caldwell on the birth of a baby girl this afternoon!  Abigail Frances Caldwell entered this world at 8 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 inches long.  We also celebrate with new grandparents, Chris and Anna Caldwell, great-grandfather, Bill Christmas, proud uncle Connor Caldwell, great-uncle and great-aunt Andy and Sharon Christmas, and second cousin Bill Christmas .

  • A key-less lock, similar to our other door locks, was installed this afternoon on the Sacristy entrance door.  In case you are wondering, this is the door that welcomes the ramp entrance of the church.  The code for this door is the same as all our other programmable locks.  In the event the front door lock fails to work at any time, you now have an option to enter the sanctuary.

  • Contrary to what is listed in Sunday’s email bulletin under the Calendar For This Week section, we DO have worship at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday (the 8:45 a.m. service is listed but the 11:00 a.m. service was accidentally omitted.)

  • At our meeting this past Monday evening, the Church Council decided that beginning this Sunday, May 16, we will be returning to singing all parts of the liturgy, with the exception of full hymns.  Also, all church affiliated groups (LMM, WELCA, etc.) and non-church affiliated groups that use our facilities (Kiwanis, etc.) are permitted to host meals in our Fellowship Hall, as long as they follow our revised COVID Guidelines concerning the handling of food:
    • Limited number of cooks in the kitchen.
    • Meals may not be self-serve, buffet style.
    • Use dedicated servers.
    • Use disposable plates, cups, utensils.
    • Continue maintaining 6 feet while dining.

  • Speaking of Sunday’s worship services, even though Governor McMaster has lifted the wearing of masks in our state schools, and I am reading over the internet, as I write these words that the C.D.C. has now lifted the wearing of masks in most public places, we will be wearing masks in worship this Sunday.  The Church Council will have a Called Council meeting on Monday evening (via Zoom) to discuss this latest development and whether this decision may impact the safety of our congregation as we move forward to whatever may be our next phrase of changes to our worship.

  • I am aware that the shortage of gas situation has caused challenges for many.  Hopefully you have enough fuel to do the things you must do this week.  But if you find yourself a little short and unable to attend Sunday worship, don’t forget you always have the opportunity to join us for worship via the internet.

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on our First Reading from Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 as we explore the theme, “Making Good Decisions.”  Some thoughts to ponder:
    • How did Judas Iscariot die?  Are you sure?
    • Check out Matthew 27:1-10 and Acts 1:18 to hear the two accounts of his death.
    • Who took the place of Judas as one of the 12 apostles?
    • How was he chosen?
    • What does this methodology say to the way we make decisions on important matters in our life?
    • We will explore the biblical “P-A-T” method for making decisions.

 

See you Sunday,

Pastor Fischer