5th SUNDAY
January 29th
ONE COMBINED WORSHIP 10:00 a.m.
DEDICATION OF THE WINDOW NEEDLEPOINT
PROJECT
FOLLOWED BY A POTLUCK MEAL
PLEASE BRING A DISH TO SHARE

Dear Members and Friends of the Congregation,

 

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

 

1. Last week I informed you that we needed 2 more folks to serve in delivering altar flowers for 2023.  We are grateful to Pamela Michalski who volunteered to join Kate Roehrs and Susan Straup in this outreach ministry.  We would like to have one more person, if possible.  If interested or if you have questions about this, please contact me.

2. More than likely you have seen In the news recently the cardiac arrest of Buffalo Bills football player, Damar Hamlin, and his survival, basically due to the quick response of the medical staff and the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). You are reminded that we have two AED’s on the church property.  One is located just outside the new restroom, in that hallway.  The other is located in the hallway of Fellowship Hall, in between the Men’s and Ladies’ Restrooms.  Please look for these in the event that they are needed.  In case you are wondering, these devices will walk you through the process of how to use them.

3. Sunday, I will be preaching on the Gospel Reading, John 1:29-42, as we explore a healthy and faithful way to express our Christian faith to others.  Come and see! 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

I pray you are keeping warm over the next couple of days in the extreme cold weather that is coming our way.  Here are a few updates to pass along to you:

 

1. We are offering two different kinds of worship services for Christmas Eve.  At 4:00 p.m., we will be returning to a Service of Lessons and Carols w/ Holy Communion and Candle Lighting.  This is a more family-oriented service with a Children’s Sermon and a nursery will be provided.  Holy Communion will be by intinction.  This service has been moved a little earlier to accommodate those with children and those who would rather drive in the daylight.

2. At 11:00 p.m.,  we will be offering a liturgical service with Holy Communion and Candle Lighting.  This service is for those who wish to be at the church at the midnight hour of Christmas.

3. Then on Christmas Day, we will have One Combined Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. with a slightly different liturgy format from what we normally do on Sunday morning.  This will be the last time you will have the opportunity to actually celebrate Christmas on a Sunday, until 2033!!!

4. After tabulating all requests to place flowers on the altar in 2023, there are 11 openings remaining.  To request one of these dates, do not reply to this email, instead, please inform Pat in the office, beginning on Tuesday of next week.  She is taking Monday off. These are the remaining open dates:
   • March 19
   • April 30
   • June 25
   • July 30
   • August 6
   • August 13
   • August 27
   • September 3
   • September 10
   • December 17
   • December 31

 

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Fischer

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

1. Saturday, our Congregational Workday will take place beginning at 9:00 a.m.  We will be focusing on sprucing up the church yard.  Bring your favorite rake.

2. How is your patience?  Sunday, I will be preaching on the Second Lesson, James 5:7-10.  Even though I feel I will be mostly talking to myself, my sermon title is, “Be Patient.”

3. I am happy to report that all name tags have been taken off our Angel Tree!  The gifts have already begun to arrive back in the Church Office parlor.  Please be reminded that all gifts need to be dropped off NO LATER than Thursday evening, December 15, of next week.  The gifts will be delivered to AIM on Friday morning so if you are late with your gift(s), you will be responsible for getting them to AIM.  Help us make sure that no child is left out.

4. We have decided to cancel next week’s Family Fun Night (which was to be on Wednesday, December 14) due to the fact that so many will be involved in the Pageant practice that night.   The Advent meal will still take place that night at our regular time of 6:00 p.m.

5. Our final Midweek Advent service will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday of next week.

6. The new Christ In Our Home devotionals for Jan/Feb/March are in the narthex for you to pick up your copy.

7. Nancy Korn is in the process of putting together all the worship schedules for 2023.  Although the Time and Talent Sheets have been returned, we still could use a few more volunteers in certain areas.  If you are interested in serving as a Worship Assistant next year, please let me know.  “What does this person do?” you ask.  A Worship Assistant is used on the Sundays we have Holy Communion, basically the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of each month, plus a few festive services.  They are robed up and sit in front of the choir.  There are two printed prayers that they read during the service, and they administer the wine from a pouring chalice (so a steady hand is required).  Training will be provided.     

       

The other area of need is help with the Altar Guild.  “What does this group do?” you ask.   There are 6 sub-categories, who serve in this capacity and do so for an entire month. They are:

1. 1. Preparing for Communion – Before the Early Service begins, this person sets up Holy Communion on the altar.  Then after the service, this person sets up Holy Communion for the Late Service.
   2. Communion Vessels – This person cleans up the Communion vessels and clears away the items on the altar, after the Late Service.
   3. Linens – This person take home the Communion linens, washes them and returns them to the church.
   4. Distribute Flowers – This person takes the altar flowers and delivers them to someone in need in our community – usually our shut ins.  This can be done anytime during the first part of the week. 
   5. Brass and Oil Candles – This person polishes the offering plates and flowers vases each week, and refills the oil in the candles.
   6. Replenish Pew Supplies – This person refills the Prayer Request cards in the pews, as well as envelopes, and sharpens pencils, as needed. 

 

If you are interested in serving the Lord in any of these ways, please send me a REPLY, letting me know.  Again, instruction will be provided for each position. 

 

1. Many of you have reviewed and responded to your information I sent you last week connected to our new Church Directory for 2023.  If you have not, please take a minute and let me know if it is correct or not.  You have one more week to do so.  Otherwise, I will assume that the information we have for you and your family is correct. 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

 

A REMINDER THAT DURING ADVENT
-The blue paraments symbolize the hope that comes to the world in the birth of
the Christ Child.
-We omit the Hymn of Praise.
-Each week we light an additional candle on the Advent wreath and sing an
additional stanza of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
-The Prayer of the Day begins “Stir up….”
-We use the Nicene Creed.