10/3/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

 

Here are a few happenings around the congregation:

 

  1. The Messenger was mailed out yesterday.  This is our monthly newsletter.

  2. In it you will find two pull outs for the Time and Talent Sheets for 2022 where you will have the opportunity to indicate the things you would like to do around the church, including worship.  If you need any explanations on anything, please do not hesitate to contact me (933-7434).  Please prayerfully consider your gifts of time and talent to the Lord.

  3. Also in The Messenger is an article on a new pictorial directory we are working on.  For most folks, we will be using the same photo as the one in the 2019 Photo Directory. However, if you would like a new photo, Dave Korn will be available between the worship services, and after the Late Service for the next three Sundays.  You may contact him or me if you have any questions.

  4. Several of you have asked me how you can obtain a COVID booster shot.  Amy Goodson, our Health Ministry leader, informed me that the AnMed vaccine clinic is open for boosters in the Healthy Futures Room at the North Campus Monday-Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Thursday -Friday 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Appointments can be made through My Chart or by calling 864-512-2897. This is for people 65 and older, residents of long term care at least 6 months after their primary series. Ages 50-64 with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot at least 6 months after primary series. Age 18-49 with underlying medical conditions at least 6 months after their primary series.

  5. Would you rather hear a sermon about money or one about marriage/divorce?  I know, both can be a “Debbie Downer.”  Sunday, I will be focusing in on the challenging words of our gospel, in Mark 10:2-16. Please read these words ahead of time as a devotional.
    1. What does Christ say about divorce?
    2. What does He not say?
    3. What does Christ say about marriage?
    4. In your mind, what is the ideal marriage? 
    5. What does God have in mind for us through marriage?

 

See you Sunday,

Pastor Fischer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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October is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

On Sunday, October 10TH everyone is invited to wear PINK in honor of all Survivors and in memory of loved ones who have been victims of breast cancer.

Lutheran Men in Mission Meeting 9/26/21

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LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION In–person Meeting September 26 In Fellowship Hall. No supper provided. This meeting will also be held via Zoom. 6:30 p.m.
To join the Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4601449703?pwd=VmVmbUxKeGJwSzR0MXJuV3Y2d0o1UT09
Meeting ID: 460 144 9703
Passcode: FED3339

Women of the ELCA Sunday 9/26/21

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Jane Cahaly is a wife, mother of three sons and grandmother (Nana) to four grandchildren. As a lifelong teacher/educator, she taught elementary, middle, high and college students, in addition to adults in higher education and corporate settings. She retired from Anderson University in 2014 where she served as the Director of International Programs and had the opportunity to travel extensively with students and faculty. Since her “formal” retirement she has continued to serve as a State Representative for Sister Cities International and as a senior consultant for the Consortium for Global Education. Jane and her husband Phil have been members of Holy Trinity since 2008 where she has taught several adult Bible studies. Currently she, along with Phil, are serving as Directors of the newly established Salt and Light Foundation that is dedicated to “Sharing the Truth with the Next Generation.”
We are honored to have Jane Cahaly bring us God’s message today.

09/26/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

Here are this week’s updates:

  1. Sunday is the deadline to turn in nominations for the Church Council.  This is a 3-year term, from 2022-2024. There is a form in Sunday’s bulletin that needs to be filled out and placed in the box in the narthex or the sacristy (room near the ramp door).

  2. As I mentioned last Sunday in the Announcements, we recently received four letters in the mail from four Lutheran congregations in the upstate, letting us know that their congregation recently lifted us up in their prayers.  The letters were signed by members of each congregation.  The four congregations were: The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Newberry, Colony Evangelical Lutheran Church in Newberry, St. John Lutheran Church in Pomaria, and Grace Lutheran Church in Prosperity.  How great is that!!!

  3. Last week many of you have picked up hymnals we are trying to find homes for. Thank you! Here is an updated list of what still remains.  Please help yourself to as many copies as you want by using the door code or pick them up on Sunday.
    1. 26 copies of the Service Book and Hymnal (the red hymnal printed in 1958, the one before the “green hymnal”)
    2. 1 copy of The Lutheran Book of Worship (better known simply as “the green hymnal” – printed in 1978
    3. 16 copies of the Christian Youth Hymnal (printed in 1948)

  4. The LMM group will gather on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, wearing masks.  Please eat before you arrive as there will be no meal served at this meeting.  Or if you choose, you can join us using Zoom.

  5. Sunday is WELCA Sunday when the women of the congregation will be leading the worship service.  We are blessed to have Jane Cahaly giving the message.  If you have looked at the internet bulletin for Sunday, you have noticed a blank page for the writing of sermon notes.  As you know, Jane is a gifted teacher so we look forward to her presence with us.

  6. Finally, have you thanked the Lord for this gorgeous weather!  I know I have and will continue to do so.

 

God’s Peace,

Pastor Fischer

 

9/19/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

This week’s Congregational Updates include:

 

  • New Congregational COVID Guidelines – The Church Council met on Monday night to discuss COVID concerns in our congregational events.  Basically, worship will stay the same for right now.  Groups in the congregation can gather for meetings (including LMM, WELCA, Youth, Never-Too-Late, Committees, etc.) if they so desire but meals may not be served.  With this in mind, our Deutches Fest celebration has been cancelled for this year.  The Choir Party/Get Together has been cancelled for this year.

  • Free For the Taking  – The choir rooms were recently cleaned out and the walls repainted and in the process, we have found some hymnals we no longer need. They have been placed in the narthex and ready for you to pick up and take home. You may pick them up on a Sunday or just stop by the narthex and let yourself in using the door code.  They are:

 copies of the Service Book and Hymnal (This is the red hymnal, the predecessor to the “Green Hymnal,” printed in 1958.)

 copies of the Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (black hymnal printed in 1919)

 copies of the Christian Youth Hymnal (red hymnal printed in 1948).

 copies of The Parish School Hymnal (printed in 1926)

  • Sunday, our sermon message will be based on our gospel reading, Mark 9:30-37, as we explore being great in the Kingdom of God.  Questions to ponder:
    • What do you make of Jesus’ question to his disciples, “What were you arguing about on the way?”
    • Why would Jesus talk about greatness, and then pick up a child?
    • When is the last time we welcomed Jesus/God?  [see verse 37]

  • The deadline to turn in a Church Council Advisory ballot is Sunday, September 26.  If you have someone in mind you feel would make a good candidate to serve on our Church Council, please fill out a form in the bulletin and place it into the box in either the narthex or the sacristy.

  • You are asked to pray for Craig Lockhart, Kevin’s father, who is at AnMed fighting COVID.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

 

9/12/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  1. Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of 9-11 and the attacks on our country.  As part of our worship service on Sunday, we will be using “A Liturgy of Prayer, Hope, and Remembrance on the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001.”

  2. You may not be aware of it, but Sunday is Grandparents Day.  We will be recognizing all grandparents at the beginning of the announcements on Sunday.

  3. Sunday, I will be preaching on James 3:1-12, and the power/danger of the tongue.  I encourage you to use this text as a devotional in preparation for the message.

  4. On Monday evening, the Church Council will gather for its monthly meeting.  We will be continuing our discussion on COVID precautions in the congregation, including whether Deutches Fest will be taking place this year. We ask for your prayers and guidance from the Lord.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

9/5/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  1. We keep Elizabeth Fogle and her family in our thoughts and prayers upon the recent deaths of both of her sisters, Ashley Harvey and Kay Cherup, who died within the past two weeks with COVID.

  2. Sunday, I will be preaching on the Holy Gospel, Mark 7:24-37 as we look at “The Power of Words.”
    1. What are the most powerful words you have ever heard?
    2. What words have the potential to change our life?
    3. Sometimes the words we chose inspire others and lift them up.
    4. Sometimes the words we hear frighten us and scare us to death.
    5. Sometimes the words we use cause great damage.
    6. What does the word, “Ephphatha,” mean in our Gospel reading?
    7. In what ways does our Lord use this word in our lives today?

  3. Since we are currently not singing hymns in our worship service due to COVID, to compensate for this, on Holy Communion Sundays, our soloists will sing two solos – one after the Message as we have been doing and one will be sung during the distribution of Holy Communion.

  4. We are still looking for someone to fill our volunteer spot to take care of the maintenance of our small power equipment at the church.  Please see your copy of the bulletin or the Messenger for all the details.

  5. A reminder that the SC Women of the ELCA  are receiving donations for their two projects of their upcoming convention – Lutheran Disaster Response and the SC Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers. Details are also in your bulletin and the Messenger.

  6. Monday, the Church Office will be closed for the Labor Day holiday.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

Advisory Ballot

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ADVISORY BALLOT

Church Constitution and Bylaws:

“The Nominating Committee shall present to the congregation, at the Annual Meeting, the names of two persons for each Congregation Council term to be filled, both expired and unexpired terms without distinction. Those receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for a full term. All nominees shall be involved in all phases of the work and ministry of the congregation. The Nominating Committee shall not present the name of any member of the committee nor shall it select as a nominee more than one member of an immediate family or someone who has a member of his/her immediate family already serving on the Congregation Council.

The Nominating Committee, using an advisory ballot, shall give members of the congregation the opportunity to suggest persons for consideration as nominees. Each voting member may submit the name of one person for each vacancy to be filled.”

THEREFORE, an ADVISORY BALLOT is provided below for your use in submitting names of individuals you would like the Nominating Committee to consider as nominees.

The following are ineligible for nomination either because they are currently members of the Nominating Committee, the Church Council, spouses of current Council members or they have served on Council within the past two years: Christopher & Rachel Caldwell, Beth Cribbe, Brenda McGowan, Sid Stokes, Phil Cahaly, Kim Hill, Mike Oates, Susan Straup, Allan & Jeri Cole, Mike & Leslie Cox, Amy & Steven Goodson, Kate & Matt Roehrs, Connor Caldwell, Bobbi & Mike Metz, Jane Potter, Bobby & Jessica Wagner.

COUNCIL ADVISORY BALLOT – 2022
The following are suggested for consideration as nominees for Congregation.
1._______________________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________
4._______________________________________________________________

Please deposit your Advisory Ballot in the box in the Sacristy, Narthex or mail to the church office by September 26th.

8/29/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are a few updates to pass along to you this week:

  1. The Messenger was mailed out earlier today.  Hopefully you will receive your copy soon.

  2. I will be preaching on the Second Lesson Sunday, James 1:17-27
    1. You may not be aware of it but Martin Luther was not too keen on the book of James. Please look this up on the internet to discover why.
    2. What does it mean to be “Doers of the Word” in verse 22?
    3. Do others we regularly come into contact with, know we are followers of the Lord?
    4. If so, what does that look like?

  3. We are looking for someone to help maintain our small equipment at the church.  We have been blessed the last number of years to have members of our congregation take care of the maintenance of our small power equipment and complete the annual maintenance, most recently Paul Rummage, followed by Dave Rasche.  We are currently looking for someone to fill this need.  If you are willing to do this, please contact Ernie Thoms, or let me know and I will put you in touch with Ernie.  Small equipment items include:
  • Backpack blower – change spark plug and clean air filter annually, clean spark arrestor screen frequently.
  • String Trimmer – change spark plug & clean air filter. Replace bump head as needed.
  • Lawn Edger – change oil, spark plug & air filter. Replace blade and belt as needed.
  • Honda push mower – use carburetor cleaner, change oil, spark plug & air filter. Replace blade as needed.
  • Pressure Washer – change oil, spark plug & clean air filter.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer