1/26/25 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:

 

  • The Statements of Giving for 2024 are in the room off the narthex, if you have not already picked your up yet.  Many of you will need these for tax purposes.
  • Congratulations are in order for Amy Compton and Brian Kelly who were recently joined in Holy Matrimony!  We pray God’s blessings upon this couple in their new life together.
  • Today is the last day to make any changes to the 2025 rough draft I sent you last week of the Church Directory.  Many of you have responded as I requested.  Thank you!  After making all the changes, I am planning to send out the final version to you next week. 
  • The men of the congregation are invited to Monday’s monthly gathering of the Lutheran Men in Mission.   The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
  • While you are marking your calendars, our next Semi-Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday morning, February 9, during the Sunday School hour.  We will begin promptly at 9:50 a.m. as we hear of God’s accomplishments among our various committees and ministries.  A light breakfast will be provided. 
  • This Sunday, I will be preaching on our gospel reading, Luke 4:14-21 as we hear of the reaction of Jesus upon reading the words of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue. 
    • What is your reaction to the words of Jesus?
    • Is it good news to you?
    • Why, or why not?

 

 

See you Sunday in worship,

Pastor Fischer

 

   

 

1/19/25 Weekly Congregational Update

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Subject: Weekly Congregational Updates

 

Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  • You may recall that January 6 is Epiphany, and every Sunday after that (for a while) is in the season of Epiphany.  This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany.  The word “epiphany” means “a revealing” so every week we will hear a gospel story of God revealing a little bit more to us of His Son, Jesus.  Last week we had the story of the baptism of Jesus and had God say, “This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”  Sunday, we will take a look at the first miracle of Jesus changing water into wine.
  • But have you ever wondered why John chose to use this story to begin the story of Jesus? 
  • Was it to show to us that Jesus enjoyed life like us and attended weddings?
  • Was it to show the compassion of Jesus as he rescued the bride and groom from embarrassment?
  • Sunday’s gospel text is, John 2:1-11, and I encourage you to read this story over several times before Sunday and really think about this miracle, and the importance to us.
  • As you will hear in my sermon Sunday, I will propose another possibility on the motive of Jesus to perform this miracle.
  • In other news, please make sure and look over the church directory I sent you earlier today and let me know if your information is correct.

 

I am looking for to seeing and worshipping with you on Sunday!

 

Pastor Fischer

1/12/25 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 sure the first thing you want to know is whether we will have church services Sunday, with the impending weather to come upon us.  My answer is of course, “God only knows.”  Beth Cribbe, the Congregational President, and I will be conferring with each other on Saturday, watching the weather reports and if we decide to cancel Sunday services, we will activate the Congregational Call List. The big question is how will the roads be on Sunday morning after a very hard freeze Saturday night?  Stay tuned.
  • This coming Sunday is the Baptism of our Lord Sunday, a time when we focus on the meaning of Jesus being baptized and what that means for us.  I will be preaching on the gospel text, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.  At the Late Service, we will be baptizing Lilian Ruth Bannister! 
  • Thank you for the tremendous response to filling the volunteer position in delivering the canned goods to Good Neighbor Cupboard.  Quite a few of you offered to help out.  Beginning in February, Jim and Leslie Trant will be assuming this responsibility.
  • We keep in our prayers:
    • Paul Wagner – upon his recent hip replacement surgery.
    • Drake Dial – upon his recent ear surgery.
  • We still have the following dates open to provide flowers on the altar for 2025.  If you are interested in any of these, please send me a reply with the information:
    • February 2
    • February 9
    • February 16
    • August 10
    • August 17
    • September 7
    • November 23

 

Enjoy the snow, stay warm and safe.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

1/5/25 Weekly Congregational Upate

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

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

 

  • We are looking for someone in the congregation who is willing to take the food items donated to Good Neighbor Cupboard. This would involve one trip, every other month.  If you are interested in fighting hunger in the Anderson area in this way, or if you have a question, please let me know.
  • While most of the world already has Christmas packed away until next year, not the Church.  This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Christmas on the church calendar, which means we are still in the season of Christmas and will be singing Christmas hymns one last time.
  • With Holy Communion taking place Sunday, I remind you that our Canticle of Praise is very fitting for this time of the year, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.”  Luke 2:14, records the shepherds in the fields encountering the news of the angelic hosts.
  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the Old Testament reading from Jeremiah (31:7-14) as we explore what it means to be “home.”  Questions to ponder:
    • What does “home” mean to you?
    • What qualities of “being home” are special to you?
    • I often hear members of our congregation make the comment, “The first time I entered the sanctuary of Holy Trinity, it just felt like home.”  Would you agree with this statement?
    • God is always concerned about brining His people “home.”  What does that mean to you?
  • Our next Family Fun Night will take place on Wednesday of next week, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  We will be looking at the first commandment to have no other gods but God Almighty.
  • We keep Shelley Carroll in our thoughts and prayers as she recovers from surgery earlier this week.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

Angel Tree 2024

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Angel Tree
1. All tags have been taken. Thanks!!  Please do not wrap gifts.
2. Leave gift, with tag attached, in the church office parlor (use door code).
3. Gifts should be returned NO LATER than, Wednesday, December 4th, after which, you will be responsible for delivering your gifts to A.I.M.
4. In addition to selecting names from the Angel Tree in-person like we usually do, you also have the option of making a donation and someone from WELCA will do the shopping for you. If you would rather participate in this way, just make a check out to “Holy Trinity
Lutheran Church” and put “Angel Tree” in the Memo and drop it the offering plate or mail it to the church office. If you have any questions on any of this, please contact Nancy Scalf or Beth Fischer.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

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ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Mid-Week Advent Meals – 6:00 p.m.
December 4 Luther’s Ladies – host Meal Group A-Beth Fischer
December 11 Luther’s Ladies – host Meal Group B- Beth Cribbe
December 18 The Lutheran Church Youth – host

Worship follows at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 6 “Witness to Christmas – Mary”
Wednesday, December 13 “Witness to Christmas – Joseph”
Wednesday, December 20 “Witness to Christmas – The Angels”

The Mid-Week offerings received will be donated to the SC Synod Disaster Relief Fund.

CHRISTMAS EVE
WORSHIP SERVICES – December 24th
Worship Service w/Communion Lessons and Carols – 4:00 p.m.
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Christmas Eve Liturgical Worship Service w/Communion – 11:00 p.m.
Note: There will be candle lighting at both services.

December 29th
One – Combined Worship – 10:00 a.m.
No Sunday School or Potluck Meal.

Mark your calendars:
Youth Christmas Party – December 13th – Goodson Farm at 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Pageant – December 15 – During the 11:00 a.m. service.
Choir Party – December 19 – Helgeson’s Home at 6:30 p.m.
Congregational Chili and Caroling – December 22 at 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Services – 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

POINSETTIAS for the Christmas Eve 2024

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POINSETTIAS for the Christmas Eve services will be provided this year for $13.00. Donors will be listed in the worship bulletin for the Christmas Eve services. If you would like to place an order for one or more, please download and fill out the form and place it in the offering plate or send to the Church office. The deadline is Sunday, December 15th. Payment must accompany your order.
Plants may be picked up after the 11:00 p.m. service Christmas Eve. (Please leave the three white poinsettias in the manger.)

Poinsettia order form for Christmas 2024

12/1/24 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

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

  • The December edition of The Messenger was dropped off at the post office this afternoon.

  • A big “Thank You” for your generous and quick response in taking tags off the Angel Tree.   As of this morning, all tags have been removed!  Now, all we need is for everyone to purchase the gifs and return them to the church office no later than Wednesday, December 4.  Remember please:  do not wrap the gifts.

  • My prayers go out to you and your family, that you all may have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!  The Lord has truly blessed each of us in so many ways.

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel reading, Luke 21:25-36 as we begin the season of Advent.

  • Speaking of Advent, on Wednesday, our Midweek suppers and worship services begin.  We eat at 6:00 p.m. and worship will follow at 7:00 p.m.  This year, our 3-part Advent series will be the “Witnesses to Christmas.”  On our first week focus, we will be taking another look at Mary’s devotion and trust.

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

11/24/24 Weekly Congregational Updates

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Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

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

  • The reviews are coming in.  Several of you have expressed your delight in seeing the movie, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” that I recommended to you last week.  If you get the chance, you won’t regret seeing this movie now showing at our two local cinemas.

  • The Angle Tree was put up this morning in our narthex.  We have 60 tickets adorning our tree, representing six gifts for 10 children. If you would like to come by the church before Sunday, to remove a ticket or two, help yourself.  The final day to return all gifts is Wednesday, December 4, which is 13 days from now.  Items purchased are to be placed into the church office parlor, which is the room with the fireplace, using the same door code as the church.  Please note:  All gifts are NOT to be wrapped this year. If you prefer, you have the option to make a donation and someone from WELCA will do the shopping for you. Simply make a check out to “Holy Trinity Lutheran Church” and put “Angel Tree” in the memo and drop it into the offering plate or mail it to the church office.

  • This coming Sunday is Christ the King Sunday (the final Sunday of the Church Year).  I will be preaching on the gospel text, John 18:33-37, using a first-person narrative on Pontius Pilate.

  • Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., the Learning Committee will be offering a Congregational “Build Your Own Chrismon” event, in Fellowship Hall. Cookies and Hot Cocoa will be served.  You do not need to sign up for this event. Just show up!

  • We keep the following in our prayers:
    • Rette Stokes – who underwent gall bladder surgery on Wednesday and is recuperating at home.
    • Jessica Wagner – who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor Tuesday at MUSC.  Jessica checked out of the hospital this afternoon.  I spoke to her just a little while ago via phone.  She and Bobby will be returning home on Friday.
    • Bob Vinson – whose sister, Becky Smoak, died Monday evening.

  • Our Christmas Pageant will take place at the Late Service on Sunday, December 15. If you or a family member would like to participate, please contact Virgil Hobbs at 706-717-1177.

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer

11/17/24 Weekly Congregational Update

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Dear Members and Friends of the Congregation,

 

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

 

  • This past Sunday, during our Semi-Annual Congregational meeting, we approved the proposed budget for 2025 and we elected Chad Evans, Phyllis Barnette, Leon Chute, and Sandi Jordan to serve a 3-year council term.

  • I mentioned during the meeting my recommendation for you to see the movie, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” now showing at both of our local movie cinemas.  It has received a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes movie reviews. Beth and I saw it last week and enjoyed it.  I think it will give you a new appreciation for the story of Christ’s birth, on many things we tend to take for granted in the birth of our Lord.

  • We keep in our prayers:
    • Don Simon – who is now at AnMed Rehabilitation Hospital, room 114.
    • Jessica Wagner- who will be having surgery on Tuesday of next week to remove a brain tumor at MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina – Charleston).

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on the gospel text, Mark 13:1-8, as we explore the words of Jesus concerning the end of times.

  • The new Advent Devotionals are now ready to be picked up in the narthex at your convenience. Avent begins December 1.

  • Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. the Lutheran Men in Mission will gather for their monthly supper meeting.  Please note the change in date due to the week of Thanksgiving.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer