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

Haiti Earthquake relief

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Friends,
A devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southwest Haiti on Saturday morning. Over 1,400 people were killed, and that number is expected to increase as search-and-rescue efforts continue. Blocked roads are delaying the delivery of vital supplies to hospitals, which are overwhelmed with more than 6,900 injured people. At least 26,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, but the full extent of damage is still unknown. Haiti is also suffering through a political crisis and was hit by Tropical Storm Grace on Monday night, which caused severe flooding in communities already damaged by the earthquake.

For over two decades, the ELCA has maintained a presence in southern Haiti through support for agricultural and sustainable development work. To continue our engagement with those communities, Lutheran Disaster Response is collaborating with partner organizations in the communities to meet relief needs, including food, water, medical supplies and temporary shelter. In the future, other areas of support will include psychosocial care, water and sanitation, and creating sustainable livelihoods through agriculture and livestock. We also stand with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Haiti as it assesses damage and impacts on churches and church life.

Your gifts will support earthquake survivors in Haiti. Gifts to “Haiti Crisis” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the earthquake.
Together, as church, we can be there for our neighbors in Haiti.
In Christ’s service,

Daniel Rift
The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response Fund
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Checks or money orders can be sent to:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Write “Haiti Crisis” on your check memo line.
Give by phone at 800-638-3522 or online.

https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response

 

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

08/22/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

Here are some things I consider worthy to pass along to you this week:

  1. This past week, Anita Brady sold her house and she is now living at the Summit Place, Room #103. She still has the same phone number, listed in the Church Directory.

  2. The Prayer Card Requests (yellow cards) are now back in the pews.  When you have prayer needs, simply fill out the name of the person you want prayed for and your name as the sponsor, and place the yellow card in one of the offering plates (located in the Narthex and Sacristy – the room where Holy Communion is prepared), or send Pat an email with the information, or call her in the office.  The names will be printed in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

  3. Yes, you are not seeing things.  The city repaved the road in front of the church, Broad Street, earlier this week.

  4. Last night, I joined other members of the Safety Team in an Active Shooter Training session led by Lt. Tod Caron with the Anderson Sheriff’s Department.  We met at Temple B’Nai Israel, just down the street from the church.

  5. Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel text, John 6:56-69, as we explore Simon Peter’s words to Christ, “You have the words of eternal life.” 
    • What do these words mean to you?
    • Who are the people in our life who we trust, without question?
    • Why do we place in our trust in the words of the Bible?
    • Why do we place our trust in Jesus?

 

I hope to see you, either in person at worship on Sunday, or you seeing me in worship over the internet.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

8/15/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

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

  1. Mrs. Jackie McConnell turned 99 years of age this past Monday.  She is our oldest member.

  2. The date of August 15 is a Lesser Festival in the Lectionary Series, as Mary, Mother of Our Lord Sunday.  My sermon message Sunday will focus on Mary.

  3. With the CDC again recommending social distancing and wearing of masks, as is the SC Synod, and in an abundance of caution, we are returning to prior worship practices. The following recommendations were set forth by the council on Monday, August 9:

 

  • Worship Services – beginning immediately, masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged and all singing by the congregation is suspended.  Soloist following the sermon will continue.  Individuals feeling ill should refrain from attending worship and vaccinations are encouraged for those not yet vaccinated.

  • Nursery – HTLC will not be providing a nursery attendant at this time.

  • Sunday School – Classes may continue to meet in the Fellowship Hall.  Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.

  • Choir Party/Get Together Scheduled for August – Postponed.  To be re-evaluated by Council at the September meeting.

  • Church Affiliated Group Meetings – LMM, WELCA, Youth Group, Never Too Late – Postponed.  To be re-evaluated by Council at the September meeting.

  • Non-Church Affiliated Group Meetings – TOPS, Kiwanis, etc., may continue to meet if they so desire.  Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.

  • Deutches Fest – To be re-evaluated by Council at the September meeting.

  • Church Council – September meeting will be held in person in the Fellowship Hall.  Masks and social distancing will be followed.

  • Confirmation Classes – Pastor Fischer will have the latitude to hold classes in person (masked and social distanced) provided parents of confirmands are in agreement.  Should parents have reservations about in-person meetings, confirmation classes may be postponed until next year. 

 

Note: The above recommendations are point-in-time decisions and are subject to change.

 

  1.  We ask that those attending worship only sit in the designated pews marked with a bulletin.  In recent weeks, folks have started sitting in other areas and we want to return to using every other pew, during this time.

  2. I know that these decisions may be disappointing to many.  As Lutherans, singing is in our blood and tradition,  but these decisions are in the best interest of the congregation.  No one enjoys wearing a mask, except Zorro and a few other super heroes but we can endure these new worship guidelines in Christian love for each other.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

 

8/8/21 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

Here are some things of note to pass along to you:

  1. Nancy Korn returned home from the hospital on Monday.

  2. We keep Brenda McGowan and family, in our thoughts and prayers upon the death of her daughter, Lisa McGowan, on Tuesday.

  3. Jane Potter underwent successful knee replacement surgery this morning at the Oconee Memorial Hospital.  She is expected to return home tomorrow, on Friday.

  4. Every wonder where is God when you are looking for Him?  We will be exploring First Kings 19:4-12 as we look at Elijah’s hunt for God.

  5. Sunday worship will be as it has been the last couple of months – the wearing of masks is optional.  Monday evening, as part of its agenda, the Church Council will be in conversation about the new COVID variant and how/if that may affect our worship.  Please be in prayer for our meeting.

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

DONATIONS FOR THE SCWELCA CONVENTION PROJECT

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DONATIONS FOR THE SCWELCA CONVENTION PROJECT

The project for this year’s South Carolina WELCA Convention, which will be held on Sunday, September 26, is to provide monetary support to Lutheran Disaster Response and to the SC Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers.

The Lutheran Disaster Response provides aid to those impacted by natural disasters and the pandemic.
Lutheran World Relief

The SC Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers assist victims of abuse.
SC Network Children’s Advocacy Centers

If you wish to donate to this year’s project, please submit your contribution, payable to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, no later than September 19. Please indicate that it is for the WELCA Convention Project and include the name of the organization you wish to receive your support – LDR or SCNCAC.