Why Is That Dead Tree in the Church?

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Why Is That Dead Tree in the Church?
You can’t help but notice the “dead” tree covered in caterpillars which has appeared in the Sanctuary. You may question – why is it here or what is it about?
Things are different in both the church and nature this time of year. There are some things “sleeping” in our worship such as the use of Alleluias. Everything in our yards such as the grass and trees look dead but they too are just “sleeping”. Some of God’s creatures such as caterpillars make cocoons. Although we might think they are dead, they actually have rebirth as a butterfly.
This tree is actually here to help each of us to remember that while the weather often is cool and gray and the grass is brown and the trees bare, there is the hope that Spring is coming! Bulbs are blooming and the days are getting longer. Just as we have hope for Spring, Lent gives us a time to hope for Easter and the promise that the resurrection brings. Just as the change of seasons brings surprises, keep watching the tree thru the Lenten season – there are more surprises to come!
In past years this has been a project of the LCY and the Sunday School children but this year we included all families of the congregation during a Family Fun Night event.

Bread Making Workshop

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BREAD MAKING WORKSHOP
When you receive communion, have you ever wondered what goes into this most special meal? While bread may seem a most basic and simple food, it is actually quite complex from the growing of the wheat to the reactions of the ingredients which cause it to rise into the familiar form we know and love.

On Saturday, April 5th at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, there will be a bread baking workshop. All who would like to learn more about the ingredients and the spiritual process which goes into the bread used for communion here at Holy Trinity are welcome to join us. This will be a hands-on event. No experience is needed. After our loaves are baked, we will join together in fellowship by sharing a simple meal of soup and bread. A sign-up sheet will be in the narthex and the sacristy so we can be sure everyone has the needed supplies. Please contact Amy Goodson if you have any questions.

Lent Information

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Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, when the cross of ashes is placed upon our foreheads as a sign that we are dust and to dust we shall return. But Lent reminds us that our bodies will be raised with Christ on the Last Day.
Lent is a period of preparation. We confess our sins to God. We read the Passion narratives of the Gospels to remember the hardship and the triumph of Christ’s sacrifice in our place. We consider those things that we can do in response to Christ’s great love for us. We can show compassion to our neighbors in these days. We can preach the Gospel message of forgiveness and everlasting life in the crucified and risen Savior. Lent is a season that bring us closer to the heartbeat of God, who gave his Son to save us.

Crafty Ladies

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Crafty Ladies
If you are a creative person who enjoys doing crafts, this group is for you. If you are a knitter, cross stitcher, scrapbooker, painter, quilter, writer, etc. or anything else you have started and would like to make time to work on your projects, this group is for you. We are meeting once a month on a Saturday to do our crafts and socialize. You bring your projects; we will provide the space and fellowship.
Our next Craft Day is Saturday, March 15
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Contact Beth Fischer (fischerfive@att.net or (864) 933-7446) for more information.
Come when you can and stay as long as would you like.
The next future date will be April 12th.
COME JOIN US!!!!!

4/5/25 WELCA Foothill Conference Meeting

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Just Love God’s Children
WELCA Fall Foothills Conference Meeting
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church
501 E. Creswell Avenue
Greenwood, SC 29646
The women of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Greenwood SC are excited to host the Spring Conference for the Foothills region on Saturday, April 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. A light lunch will be served.
Please plan to join us as we gather together to celebrate and act boldly on our faith in Jesus Christ. Being called to discipleship in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to rejoin our faith with deeds. As His disciples, we are called to serve and love all of God’s children in our community, our state, and the world; especially those that are with struggling food and housing insecurities.
Our guest speaker will be Mrs. Mary Ann Stroup, Coordinator of Immanuel’s Children. This nonprofit organization’s mission is to work in conjunction with District 50 school district to identify children struggling with food and/or housing insecurity. Once identified, various local organizations come together to assist in providing food and housing needs to these children in a dignified and confidential manner so that they can learn and grow in a safe, secure and healthy environment.
If you are planning to attend, please contact Beth Fischer by March 23rd @ (864) 933-7446 or email: fischerfive@att.net

3/2/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church,

 

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

(1) If you have not heard, we have a new T-shirt design we have created for our congregation so that as you are out and about the community, others may see where we worship and serve.  See attachments above for photos.  The order form is in each Sunday Bulletin and will be in the March newsletter.

The deadline to place your order is March 16.

(2) Speaking of the March Messenger, it was mailed out earlier today.

(3) For those who have worked on Encouragement Cards for the SnackPack program, you are asked to place your completed cards in the container in the

room off the narthex.  

(4) Congratulations to Joejee Jameson and Jamie Bailey who were married on February 22. We pray God’s blessings upon their new life together.

(5) Congratulations to Paul and Diane Wagner on the birth of their grandson, Daniel Jones Wagner, born earlier this afternoon, to Daniel and Rachel Wagner.

(6) Sunday will be Transfiguration of Our Lord Sunday, as we hear the scripture of Jesus going up on the mountain to encounter God when our Lord’s face is changed to a dazzling white.  I will be preaching on the gospel text, Luke 9:28-43.

(7) Our Annual Community Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will take place next Tuesday, March 4 at Boulevard Baptist Church, from 4:30-7:00 p.m.  Drop in anytime you like to eat that is convenient for you and your family.  Tickets will be available again Sunday after both worship services.

(8 Please keep in mind that our Anglican friends will be using our Fellowship Hall that afternoon for their Pancake Supper.

(9) We begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday next week, March 5.  We are offering two identical worship services, one at 12:00 noon and one at

7:00 p.m.  Both will have the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. 

(10) It is a common Lenten practice to “give up” something for the 40 days of Lent, symbolizing a form of fasting. This might include abstaining from certain foods, habits, or luxuries, creating space to focus on spiritual growth. Alternatively, many choose to “take up” new disciplines, such as daily prayer, scripture reading, giving to a charity, or acts of service, fostering a deeper connection with God and others. These practices are not about earning God’s favor but are intended to draw us nearer to the Lord as we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Ficher

2/23/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Congregational Members and Friends,

 

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

 

  • I am saddened to inform you of the death of Matt Vinson earlier this afternoon at AnMed.  We keep his wife, Delta, in our thoughts and prayers, as well as his parents, Bob and Jean Vinson, and the rest of the family. Sullivan King Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.  “Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Robert Matthew Vinson.  Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.  Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.”   – Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 283 
  • Others we keep in our prayers include:
    • John Trent – who had surgery on Wednesday to replace a pacemaker
    • Jean Vinson – who returned to The Garden House on Monday under the care of Hospice
  • We are now taking orders for a new T-shirt design for the congregation!  Order forms are in the bulletin and will be in March’s newsletter as well.  Samples of the shirt are in the narthex.  March 16 is the deadline to place an order.
  • We are now accepting breakfast donations for Hope Missions of the Upstate.  We did this last year and had a fabulous response.  A list of needed items is in your bulletin.  The deadline to drop off items is Sunday, March 9th.    There is a bin in the room off the narthex to receive your breakfast items.  
  • Saturday, the Service Committee is sponsoring an event to make note cards of encouragement for the SnackPack program.  If you are interested in being a part of this outreach ministry to the kids in the Anderson school area,  this will take place from 10:00-11:00 AM in the Office Conference Room.  Or you can make cards on your own at home.  All supplies will be provided as well as sample cards.  Contact Jamie Corrigan or Leslie Cox for all the details.
  • Saturday, we are hosting a new monthly gathering for those interested in getting together to work on hobbies (scrapbooking, cross stitching, knitting,  crocheting, etc.) in Fellowship Hall.  A time will be set aside, as well as tables and you would bring your craft to work on. If interested, you can call Beth Fischer for more information at 864-933-7446.
  • The Community Shrove Tuesday Pancake tickets will be available on Sunday morning, or if you prefer, you can stop by the office and see Pat for the tickets.  They are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.  If you would like to write a check, make it out to Holy Trinity and put “Pancake Tickets” in the memo.  The money raised will be divided between KIND Ministries and Mental Health America of Anderson County.
  • Sunday, I will be preaching on what is considered to be the most difficult command of our Lord, and that is for us to love our enemies.  In preparation for our message, I strongly encourage you to read the story of Joseph in Genesis, chapters 37-50 (our bulletin text only covers Genesis 45:3-11, 15). It is an easy and interesting read.  (Our Gospel reading, Luke 6:27-38, and our Psalm (Psalm 37) all tie into this theme as well.)
  • The men of the congregation are invited to gather on Monday evening for their monthly supper meeting.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

 

2/16/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

  • I am happy to report that the response to last Sunday’s “Souper Bowl of Caring” was the largest amount ever given by the congregation.  Thank you for generously giving $761.00.  In case you are wondering, the Eagles received $545.00 and the Chiefs received $216.00 but the real winners will be AIM, who will receive all donations.
  • We now have the Community Shrove Tuesday Pancake tickets.  They will be available on Sunday morning, or if you prefer, you can stop by the office new week and see Pat as well for the tickets.  They are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.  If you would like to write a check, make it out to Holy Trinity and put “Pancake Tickets” in the memo.  The money raised will be divided between KIND Ministries and Mental Health America of Anderson, County.
  • The new Lenten devotional, “Savior Servant Friend” by A. Trevor Sutton, will be available beginning Sunday.  Please limit the copies to one per household.
  • Sunday, I will be preaching on our Old Testament reading, Jeremiah 17:5-10, as we compare the two different kinds of plants mentioned by the prophet.
  • Sandi Jordan will soon be doing a deep-cleaning on the Fellowship Hall kitchen.  If you are willing to help, please contact her at: 864-940-6334.
  • Please update your new church directory with Patrick and Lauren Sayers’ phone numbers.  Somehow, we listed the wrong info.  Lauren’s cell is: 215-589-9647.  Patrick’s cell is: 585-957-0970.
  • The Luther’s Ladies Circle will gather next Thursday at 6:00 p.m. for their monthly meeting.
  • The Service Committee is sponsoring an event to make note cards of encouragement for the SnackPack program.  If you are interested in being a part of this outreach ministry to the kids in the Anderson school area,  this will take place next Saturday, February 22, from 10:00-11:00 AM in the Office Conference Room.  Or you can make cards on your own at home.  All supplies will be provided as well as sample cards.  See your newsletter or bulletin for all the details.
  • Saturday of next week, my wife, Beth, will begin a monthly gathering for those interested in getting together to work on hobbies (scrapbooking, cross stitching, knitting,  crocheting, etc.) in Fellowship Hall.  A time will be set aside, as well as tables and you would bring your craft to work on. If interested, you can call her for more information at 864-933-7446.
  • We keep in our prayers:
    • Sharon Christmas – surgery
    • Jean Vinson – gall bladder surgery

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

 

2/9/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

  • Our Semi-Annual Congregational meeting will take place Sunday, between the two worship services, beginning promptly at 9:50 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. We will gather to hear some of the accomplishments of our work together in the Lord in 2024. A light breakfast will be provided by the Fellowship Committee.
  • There will be no Sunday School classes this Sunday so that all may attend our meeting.
  • Every year, on the day of the Super Bowl, our congregation participates in the Souper Bowl of Caring.  This national event started right here in South Carolina in 1990 at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church.  Since then, each organization (church, business, school) collects donations and then gives it to a charity of own’s choosing.  The money that we collecty after worship, will go to AIM in their work in our community.
  • Sunday is also Red Dress Sunday, a time when we as a congregation raise heart disease awareness.
  • All three scripture readings for Sunday have the common theme of being humbled and unworthy.  Isaiah 6:1-8 tells us a bit of Isaiah’s failure.  First Corinthians 15:1-11 tells us about Paul being humbled.  In Luke 5:1-11, we hear of the failure of Peter and the other disciples being unable to catch any fish.  My sermon title for Sunday is:  “Worthy or Unworthy?”
  • On Wednesday of next week, our next Family Fun Night will take place, as we cover Commandment #2.   Supper will be provided.
  • In case you are wondering when the Community Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper tickets will be available, they should be ready to purchase on Sunday, February 16.  Boulevard Baptist Church is in charge of the tickets and we will have them ready for you, just as soon as they are printed.
  • We keep in our thoughts and prayers, Cathey Sale, and family, upon the recent death of her mother, Betty Newsome.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

2/2/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  • The February issue of The Messenger was mailed out to you yesterday, Wednesday.
  • The 2025 Yearbook has been printed and your household’s copy is ready to be picked up in the narthex.  They will be passed out on Sunday, unless you would like to stop by the church and get your copy at your convenience.  I remind you that the Yearbook is really two booklets in one.  In the front is the new Church Directory and in the back is a wealth of information: all the reports from each committee, all the financials, worship assignments, flower chart, tabulator and usher schedules, etc.  Please begin to read the committee reports in preparation for our Congregational Meeting.
  • Our Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 9, at 9:50 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  A light breakfast will be provided by the Fellowship Committee.
  • This coming Sunday will be The Presentation of Our Lord Sunday, based on our gospel reading, Luke 2:22-40, when Jesus is presented in the Temple to God by Joseph and Mary.  I will be preaching on this text.  In preparation for the message, be thinking of things/times you long for.
  • This past Sunday we had 21 in our Adult Sunday School class.  Our lesson plan is based on the gospel for that day, and is often on the topic I will be preaching on.  Coffee and cake are provided as an added incentive.   Come join us in Fellowship Hall!  Our classes begin at 10:00 a.m. and run for 45 minutes.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer