Lutheran Disaster Response: Hurricane Helene

In late September, Hurricane Helene hit the coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, dropping heavy rains on the southeastern United States and leaving millions of people without power. As the storm has moved inland, it has caused dangerous flooding and landslides, as well as downed trees and power lines.

Lutheran Disaster Response works with its partners to provide immediate relief, such as water, food, clothing, gift cards, tarps and other needs. Since many hurricanes also require a long-term response, Lutheran Disaster Response provides support on the long road to recovery with disaster case management, construction management, attention to unmet needs, and emotional and spiritual care.

What you can do:
Pray
Please pray for the safety of communities impacted by hurricanes, including people in their paths and any emergency services personnel who are responding. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Pray that God will deliver comfort to those who mourn and strength to those working diligently to rescue survivors.

Give
Your gifts will support disaster-impacted communities. Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond to those affected by hurricanes and related disasters, such as mudslides, severe storms and flooding. These gifts also empower us to respond to disasters whenever and wherever they strike. Gifts to “Hurricane Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by hurricanes, until the response is complete.

To give by phone, call 800-638-3522. Checks or money orders can be mailed to:

Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

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

Place in their hands Holy Scripture

When a child is baptized the parents and the church community promise to support the child in their faith journey.  One of these promises is to place the scriptures in the child’s hands.  On Reformation Sunday, we will do that.  All Children Third Grade and above who have not received a Bible will be given one during our 10 am Worship Service on Sunday, October 27.

Parents of Third Grade children should watch for a letter about the Bible presentation and we ask all parents of older children who have not received a Bible, to please contact Nancy Fox or the church office so that we can make preparations for the day.

Music this fall – Looking way ahead

Sunday, September 8, 8:45 AM ~ First Chancel Choir RehearsalAdults

Wednesday, November 13,  6:00 PM ~ First Joyful Noise Sing & Ring Rehearsal(Grades K-5)

Wednesday, November 13,  7:00 PM ~ First Handbell Rehearsal (Middle School-Adult)

Youth Singers will begin rehearsals in September ~ Time and date still being worked out!

Spring Work Day

Saturday April 27

8:30 AM – 12 PM

Lunch will be provided.

The focus is on trimming bushes and hedges, mulching, and edging the sidewalk.

Support Mobile Hope

During the month of April we are supporting Mobile Hope, a local organization that empowers homeless and at risk youth.

Mobile Hope works to change the Social Determinants of Health for children and young adults (24 years of age and younger) who are precariously housed, homeless, and at risk, living in Loudoun County.  They create pathways for this fragile, overlooked and often unacknowledged population to have access to daily essentials and life changing support.

Our concentration this month will be to collect the follow items to donate towards Mobile Hope’s programs of support:

  • Canned Tuna
  • Canned chicken
  • Granola Bars
  • Canned Fruit
  • Cereal
  • Canned Veggies
  • Macaroni and Cheese
  • Hearty Soups
  • Snacks and peanut butter crackers

Please place your donations in the “Golden Cart” located in the church.

Easter Flowers

Each year we decorate our sanctuary with beautiful flowers on Easter. You’ll have an opportunity to purchase flowers ($12 for one or $22 for two) or donate funds to purchase flowers and can provide a dedication in honor of or memory of someone. The forms are available with the worship bulletins in the narthex, or print the attached form and return to the church office.

Flower Form

Parents Night Out

WHEN: Saturday, February 10

TIME: 4:00 – 7:30pm

SPONSORED BY: Little Blessings Preschool and HTLC Youth

WHO: Children up to age 10

COST: Free Will Donation

We will have our own Valentine Celebration while you have yours!  Dinner – Pizza, fruit, cookie and snacks provided.

PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 to Debbie Harned (daharn512@gmail.com) OR Nancy Fox (Nanc_Fox@Yahoo.com)

Tell your friends, too!  We would love to have them join in the fun.

Pancake Dinner ~ Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Dinner on Shrove Tuesday!

February 13

5:30pm – 7:00 pm

Holy Trinity invites all to a special Shrove Tuesday event at church on February 13 from 5:30 pm – 7 pm. Join us for this meal and time together as we prepare for Lent. We will celebrate together with a Pancake, Sausage, Egg Bites, and Fruit Dinner in the Commons. Free will donations are appreciated and will be used to help our youth to go to this year’s ELCA Youth Gathering.

Lenten Worship – Wednesdays

Wednesdays in Lent

“Have a Beautiful, Terrible Lent!”

Wednesdays at Noon – Lunch and Discussion

Wednesdays at 6:10pm – 6:50pm – Discussion (join us at 5:30pm for dinner)

Wednesdays in Lent will use Kate Bowler’s Lent discussion guide called Have a Beautiful, Terrible Lent!”

Kate Bowler is a Duke University professor, podcaster, and author with a single mission: giving you permission to feel human. After years of being told she was incurable, she was declared cancer-free. But there’s no going back. She is forever changed by what she discovered: Life is so beautiful and life is so hard. For everyone.

This study will use excerpts from her new book “Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!” You may buy the book, but you do not need to buy the book in order to participate in the discussion.  You may go to her website katebowler.com to sign up for daily email devotions that will come to your inbox throughout Lent to be part of your Lenten discipline.

Wednesday, February 21: “Entering The Wilderness” Mark 1:9-15

Wednesday, February 28: “The Limitless Love of God” Mark 9:2-9

Wednesday, March 6: “Transformation (Not Perfection)” John 2:13-22

Wednesday, March 13: “The Depths of Renewal” John 3:14-21

Wednesday March 20: “The Compassion of God” John 12:20-33

Children’s Choir Musical: Oh Jonah!

On Sunday, March 30 our Joyful Noise choir will present “Oh, Jonah!” by Allen Pote and Carol McCann

‘”Jonah” is meant to be a “whale of a good time” for both audience and performers as the story of the prophet is brought to life with music, mime, and merry-making. More than just good music and a fun-time, this musical also teaches children (and adults) about responsibility, repentance, listening for the word of God in our lives.  All serious thoughts, but told with a sense of humor and frolicking fun.’ – JW Pepper

Joyful Noise has a long history of presenting musicals at Holy Trinity. Children, grades K-5 rehearse on Wednesday evenings to prepare for this musical offering.  For more information please contact nanc_fox@yahoo.com