Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

Here are a few things to pass along to you:

1. The Messenger was mailed out Tuesday morning and I am aware that some of you received your copy even as early as yesterday, while others of us are still waiting.  Hopefully your copy will soon arrive.

2. I mentioned in last week’s updates that we have a new copier.  What I left out is the a big word of THANKS goes out to Paul Rummage for making our new copier possible.  As he did five years ago, Paul reached out to six different copier companies, exploring their products, and explaining our need.  After presenting his findings and recommendations to the Church Council, we wisely followed his advice and leased a new Sharp copier.  Thanks Paul!!!

3. Last Sunday you were extremely generous in your financial gifts supporting the work of the Gideons.  Together, we gave $922.00 dollars for them to purchase new bibles and to be placed where they are needed!

4. Again I remind you that scams are rampant even in the church.  Two of the most common scams that are going on right now involving pastors are 1) a request to send me a gift card.  I will never ask you for a gift card, and 2) an email with the following words:  “Is your schedule open now?  I am in a meeting at the moment, no calls so just reply back to my mail.”  If you are ever in doubt about something being from me please either text or call me, or look at the email address supposedly from me.  My email address is: htlcpastor@htlc-anderson.com

5. Sunday, I will be preaching on Luke 14:25-33 as we explore the challenging and demanding words from our Lord, “”Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself, cannot be my disciple.”  Can this be right?  Jesus wants me to love my enemy but hate my own family.  What does this mean?

6. Several of you have recently asked me for the proper way to commune with grape juice.  If you consume grape juice for Holy Communion, you really should not drink it until after you hear the worship assistant say to you, “The blood of Christ shed for you.”  Also, if you drink the grape juice before the assistant gets to you, it appears to the assistant that your cup is empty and you would like it filled with wine.  Again, please stay in place at the altar until the worship assistant reminds us that the Lord’s blood has been shed for us on the cross. 

 

Even though this is a holiday weekend with Labor Day, I hope to see you in worship on the Lord’s Day, if you are in town.

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

1. After five years of faithful service, a new copier replacement was delivered to the church office this afternoon.  Please keep in mind that it will be next week before Pat and I learn all the new features but for the most part, if you are needing to use the copier, the instructions are pretty much the same as the old one.

2. If you have stopped by the church this week or last, during the weekdays, no doubt you will have noticed, the work being done to the outside of the sanctuary.  Recently the Church Council approved the refurbishment of our original sanctuary front doors as well as the refurbishment of the sanctuary’s original stained glass windows.  The front doors have been sanded down, repaired and repainted a bright Lutheran red.  The paint around the 85 year old windows has been peeling off, and the window glazing on the outside has dried out and pulled loose in places.  The old paint and glazing around the windows are being removed, followed up by a fresh coat of glazing and paint. This work is being done by a local contractor.  The final results are quite amazing! [see two photos attached]

3. We keep Joshua and Christina Fischer in our thoughts and prayers upon the death of her father this afternoon.

4. Due to COVID, it has been four years since the Gideons have been with us in worship.  This Sunday, Percy Dingle will be back with us to bring us greetings and to give us an update on their work.  You will have an opportunity to support the work of the Gideons at the end of our worship service.  Checks can be made out to “The Gideons” and handed to Mr. Dingle, following the service.

5. If you are intrigued by angels then you may appreciate my message Sunday. We will be focusing on Paul’s message to the Hebrews, specially Hebrews 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that, some have entertained angels without knowing it.”  If you have a story or two about possible encounters with angels in your life (people you have encountered whom you have not been able to explain), I would love for you to seek me out in person, phone call, or text, and share them with me sometime after Sunday.  What an interesting biblical text!

6. The Messenger is expected to be mailed out either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the many wonderful photos of our activities we have recently shared together.

7. Congratulations are in order for Bill and Shirley Ebert who celebrated 50 years of marriage earlier on Monday of this week!

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

 

Dear Congregational Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

 

1. Wednesday, September 14 – Family Fun Night from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. (Note the new time) 
2. Monday, September 26 – Lutheran Men in Mission supper meeting – 6:30 p.m. 
3. Sunday, October 2 – Blessings of the Animals at 5:00 p.m.  Our last service was in 2019.  More details later as that date approaches. 
4. Saturday, October 15 – Deutchesfest from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

 

Jackie’s Birthday appeared on Tuesday’s The Today Show

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

 

 

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

1. Last night we had another wonderful Summer Fun Night with 40 in attendance.  After enjoying a meal of chicken, chips, watermelon, and dessert, we turned out attention to the biblical story of Jonah and the Whale.  The children acted out the story as it was read, we sang a few related songs, and then created “stained glass fish” to take home.  Afterwards, the younger ones enjoyed a Slip N Slide out on the church lawn.  We plan to continue these events into the near future making adjustments as we go.  We will meet on the 2^nd Wednesday evening of each month at the new time of, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and we will call this congregational events, Family Fun Night.  Our next event will be September 14.

2. Don’t forget our Congregational 100^th birthday Drop In for Ms. Jackie McConnell will be Sunday morning between 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

3. Sunday,  I will be preaching on the gospel text, Luke 12:32-40 as we focus on verse 32, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

4. I am saddened to inform you that Jeff and Roz Eckardt have made the decision to return to Illinois to be near their family.  They have already left to prepare their new house but will be returning to Anderson in the coming weeks.  We will be having a “Farewell and Godspeed” as part of the worship service when they return.  I will keep you posted on this.

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer