Thursday Spotlight: 13 January 2022

CONFIRMATIONS - Sunday, May 1, with Bishop Ken Ross

May 1 seems like a long way off, but if you or your child wants to be a part of the Confirmation Service during Bishop Ken's visit to Holy Trinity, now is the time to start the process.

CONFIRMATION is a liturgy or rite or service in which the Bishop lays hands on and prays for an empowering by God the Holy Spirit for those who desire, essentially, renewal of faith and calling. If you were baptized as an infant, then it completes your Baptism vows while sending you forward for service, now empowered. If you are an adult, it is a renewal of your Faith and also being sent forth for service. It is often referred to as "lay ordination."

In order to be Confirmed, candidates must participate in a CATECHISM class. Catechism comes from the historic preparation in head and heart for Baptism of adults, for Confirmation of young people, and for Faith renewal of Believers. It covers the fundamentals of the Faith and grounds us in God's character known over the centuries in, primarily, Scripture, and also the Church. No one has the fundamentals "down," so to speak. There are always further depths to be explored and discovered. That is why we are always "... going ever deeper with Him ..." as our Mission Statement says.

If you are interested in Confirmation, or if your child is interested in Confirmation, please reach out to Pastor Matt. We will get your name on the list and will get you plugged into the appropriate path of catechesis to be ready for the service with Bishop Ken on May 1.

For more information on Confirmation, please see the Diocesan paper from Bishop Ken at this link:

DRM Confirmation Customary

——————————————————————————

HOLY TRINITY LIFE GROUPS

As we begin the new year, we have LIFE GROUPS operating throughout the Colorado Springs area. If you are not currently plugged into a life group, we strongly encourage you to talk with Pastor Chris about adding this essential element of community to your life context.

We have openings in many of our life groups, and we are always open to starting new groups, where we have a need.

Don't miss out on the richness and the blessing of doing life together with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

——————————————————————————

SYNOD 2022 - Life in the Holy Spirit

Don't miss the amazing offerings at this year's Diocese of the Rocky Mountains Synod (Gathering)!

You can find more information on speakers and workshops at the Synod website at this link: https://drm.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1109191

If you have questions or need further information, please reach out to the Church Office (office@holytrinityanglicanchurch.org).

Weekly Update: 11-16 January 2022

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Thursday @ 9 AM: Women's Bible Study in the Adult Classroom at the Church (all women welcome)

Friday @ 7 AM: Men's Friday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall at the Church (all men welcome) - doing a study on the Book of Daniel

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Sunday 8:30 - 9:45 AM: Sunday "Classic" Communion Service in the Sanctuary

Sunday 9:45 - 10:40: Adult Fellowship Hour in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom

Sunday 10:45 - NOON: Sunday "Modern" Communion Service in the Sanctuary

Sunday 11:00 - 11:35: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4-10 in the Children's Classroom (same content as earlier class)

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: JANUARY ADJUSTMENTS

We are making some adjustments to the January calendar. Please take note!!

Sunday, January 16 - Regular 2-service Sunday with services at 8:30 and 10:45 AM

Sunday, January 23 - Regular 2-service Sunday with services at 8:30 and 10:45 AM

Sunday, January 30 - SINGLE SERVICE @ 9:30 AM (5th Sunday), followed by the Chili Cookoff at 11 AM

THE CHILI COOKOFF HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY, JANUARY 30. Please let the Church Office know if you plan to bring chili for the cookoff.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANNUAL MEETING RECORDING

If you missed the Annual Meeting on Sunday, we did capture a video recording of the speakers. We'll post the video to our Vimeo channel later this week. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact the Church Office.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COVID PROTOCOL GUIDANCE

In case you're looking for the latest recommendations, here is a link to the CDC webpage, which outlines the current protocols for COVID exposure and prevention of infection: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html

Thursday Spotlight: 6 January 2022

Epiphany 1 - Sunday, January 9

HTAC Annual Business Meeting

This Sunday is the First Sunday of Epiphany. We will have a single service at 9:30 AM, followed immediately by the 2022 Annual Business Meeting for Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

If you are a voting member of the congregation, please attend the Annual Meeting. In order to vote on the 2022 Annual Budget, we need a quorum of voting members.

Both the service and the annual meeting will be broadcast over Zoom. The meeting will be a continuation of the Sunday service. You can find the Zoom link on this page on our website.

https://www.holytrinityanglican.church/zoom-links

FIRST FRIDAY SERVICE CANCELLED

Our First Friday Service for January (Friday, January 7) has been cancelled. We decided not to have the evening service due to several illnesses among participant families and the current impacts of the COVID omicron virus.

Our next First Friday service will be held on Friday, February 4 at 6:30 PM.

CHILI COOKOFF RESCHEDULED

The super-special, always-fun, extra-delicious HOLY TRINITY CHILI COOKOFF has been postponed to Sunday, January 30!

Please mark your calendars accordingly. We are still inviting and encouraging everyone to sign up to bring a pot of chili (or any other dish that incorporates chilies or peppers) to share with the congregation.

If you are interested in being one of our judges for the cookoff, please send a quick email to the Church Office (office@holytrinityanglicanchurch.org).

Weekly Update: 4-9 January 2022

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Thursday @ 9 AM: Women's Bible Study in the Adult Classroom at the Church (all women welcome)

Friday @ 7 AM: Men's Friday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall at the Church (all men welcome)

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Friday @ 6:30 PM: First Friday Evening Service in the Sanctuary and via Zoom

Sunday 9:30 - 10:45 AM: Sunday Single Communion Service

Sunday 9:45 - 10:25 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's

Classroom

Sunday 11:00 - NOON: Annual Business Meeting in the Sanctuary.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECOND SUNDAY STORIES - ANNUAL MEETING

This coming Sunday, January 9, we have our next installment of "Second Sunday Stories." This month, our story is going to look a little different, as we integrate the "story" into our Annual Business Meeting that follows the 9:30 AM Service. Pastor Matt will be our guest, and moderator, Pastor Chris Stroup, will use the Second Sunday Story format as the structure for Pastor Matt's report to the congregation on the past year (2021) and plans for this new year (2022).

Don't miss this special report from our Senior Pastor!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: JANUARY ADJUSTMENTS

We are making some adjustments to the January calendar. Please take note!!

Sunday, January 9 - Single Service @ 9:30 AM, followed by the Annual Business Meeting. CHILI COOKOFF MOVED TO JAN 30!

Sunday, January 16 - Regular 2-service Sunday with services at 8:30 and 10:45 AM

Sunday, January 23 - Regular 2-service Sunday with services at 8:30 and 10:45 AM

Sunday, January 30 - SINGLE SERVICE @ 9:30 AM (5th Sunday), followed by the Chili Cookoff at 11 AM

THE CHILI COOKOFF HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY, JANUARY 30. Please let the Church Office know if you plan to bring chili for the cookoff.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIRST FRIDAY EVENING SERVICE

It's time for another First Friday evening service. We will meet on Friday, January 7 at 6:30 PM in the Holy Trinity Sanctuary. Pastor Chris Stroup will be teaching on the following topic: "The Politics of Jesus: Why It Matters Today."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COVID PROTOCOL GUIDANCE

In case you're looking for the latest recommendations, here is a link to the CDC webpage, which outlines the current protocols for COVID exposure and prevention of infection:

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html

Thursday Spotlight: 30 December 2021

Lessons & Carols - Sunday, January 2

We will have our annual Lessons & Carols service on Sunday, January 2 at 9:30 AM. This is a wonderful, worshipful service that tells the story of God's redeeming love and grace through Scripture readings and songs. Be sure to join us!

Our start time will be 9;30 AM, and the service will be broadcast on Zoom. The link to the Zoom session is available on our website at this URL:

https://www.holytrinityanglican.church/zoom-links

FIRST FRIDAY SERVICE

Our next First Friday Service will be held on Friday, January 7 at 6:30 PM in the Holy Trinity Sanctuary. Pastor Chris Stroup will be teaching on "The Politics of Jesus: Why It Matters Today." Pastor Chris' offering will be timely and thought-provoking, and we encourage everyone to come and hear.

The service will be broadcast on Zoom. The link is available on the website at the URL shown above.

CALLING ALL COOKERS-OF-CHILIES

The super-special, always-fun, extra-delicious HOLY TRINITY CHILI COOKOFF happens on Sunday, January 9, at around noon (after the Sunday Service and the Annual Meeting). Bring a pot of your best chili recipe to be rated by our judges and ranked by an entire congregation of tasters!

If you aren't a cooker of Southwestern or Mexican or Texan or South American versions of chili but have a special recipe that includes chilies or peppers (we're imagining, for example, some of the amazing dishes from Asia that include chilies), you are invited and encouraged to bring that offering, as well. We'd love to try any and all applications of the venerable chili pepper, in all its myriad varieties, during this fellowship gathering.

If you plan to bring a dish for the cookoff, please send a quick email to the Church Office (office@holytrinityanglicanchurch.org), so we can plan accordingly for the number of expected entries and dishes.

Weekly Update: 28 December to 2 January

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio (no Friday Lectio this week)

Sunday 9:30 - 10:45 AM: Sunday Single Service - Lessons & Carols.

Sunday 9:50 - 10:20 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FRIDAY EVENING TEACHING SERVICE

Don't miss out on the First Friday evening service planned for next week - Friday, January 7 @ 6:30 PM. This service will be constructed around an Evening Prayer service, with a special teaching from Pastor Chris Stroup. Pastor Chris will be speaking on the topic, "The Politics of the Gospel." Please invite your friends, and join us!

The service will be offered on Zoom for those who can't make it to the Church building. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86499601775.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IT'S CHILI TIME!!!

It's back! The world-famous, wonderfully delicious, amazingly nutricious Holy Trinity Annual Chili Cookoff will happen next Sunday, January 9, immediately following the HTAC Annual Meeting (around noon-ish). All chilis are encouraged to come! All eaters-of-chili are welcome! This is a great time to share a meal and enjoy fellowship with your Church family. We typically have chili of every kind and variety - hot, mild, beef, chicken, beans, no beans. We are confident you'll find one that suits your particular palate.

If you are planning to bring a chili to the cookoff, please let the Church Office know, so we can plan appropriately for the number of chili entries and the amount of food that will be available.

If you are interested in being one of our Chili Cookoff Taster/Judges, please contact Deacon Mark in the Church Office.

We hope to see you there!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

We will hold our annual business meeting for Holy Trinity Anglican on Sunday, January 9, immediately following the 9:30 AM worship service. If you are a formal member of the Church, please plan to attend. We need to have a quorum of members present at the meeting in order to vote on approval of the 2022 Annual Budget.

The meeting will include an overview of the past year and an outline of plans for 2022. This is important information for anyone who is involved with or considering involvement with our Church.

If you have any questions or need more information about the Annual Meeting, please contact Pastor Matt, or Treasurer Ross Eastman, or Deacon Mark.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—--

Thursday Spotlight: 23 December 2021

Christmas Service Schedule

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!

"O Come let us adore Him."

Our service schedule for the next few days is as follows:

Christmas Eve: 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM - Service of Communion: Word and Sacrament

The HTAC Children's Choir will participate in the 4:30 service, and the HTAC Adult Choir will join us for the 6:30 service. Both services will include a candlelight singing of "Silent Night" after Holy Communion. Both services will be available on Zoom. Links for the services are available on the HTAC website at

https://www.holytrinityanglican.church/zoom-links

Christmas Morning: 10:00 AM - Service of Communion: Word and Sacrament

Our Christmas morning service is sweet time of worship and reflection on the power and promise of the Incarnation. This is a "come as you are" service. It will not be broadcast over Zoom.

Sunday, December 26 (Christmas 1): 9:30 AM - Sunday morning Communion Service

We will have a single Sunday worship service on the 26th of December. Our start time will be 9;30 AM, and the service will be broadcast on Zoom. The link above includes the Sunday single-service Zoom link.

Please note that we will hold single services at 9:30 AM for each of the coming three Sundays: December 26 (Christmas 1), January 2 (Lessons & Carols), and January 9 (Annual Meeting and Chili Cookoff).​

REFUGEE MINISTRY SURVEY

We continue to gather responses to a short survey to see who at Holy Trinity might be interested in ministry to refugees and what types of ministry activities you might be willing to participate in.

If you haven't already done so, please take a few moments to fill out the survey at this URL:

https://htac.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/44/responses/new

Weekly Update: 21-26 December 2021

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Thursday @ 9 AM: Women's Bible Study in the Adult Classroom at the Church (all women welcome)

Friday @ 4:30 and 6:30 PM: Christmas Eve Candlelight Services also available via Zoom

Saturday @ 10 AM: Christmas Morning Service (no Zoom)

Sunday 9:30 - 10:45 AM: Sunday Morning Service (single service) also available via Zoom

Sunday 9:50 - 10:30 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REFUGEE MINISTRY - INTEREST SURVEY

We are still gathering responses to a short survey on our CCB platform to see who at Holy Trinity might be interested in ministry to refugees and what types of ministry activities you might be willing to participate in.

If you haven't already done so, please take a few moments to fill out the survey at this URL: https://htac.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/44/responses/new

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: SUNDAY SCHEDULE

This is one of many reminders we'll send out that the Sunday schedule for the next three Sundays is going to a single service at 9:30 AM. This Sunday, December 26, is a single service, on the heals of the services held on Friday evening and Christmas morning. Next Sunday, January 2, will be our traditional Lessons & Carols service, which invites us to gather together to celebrate the birth of our Savior. And the following Sunday, January 9, we'll have only the one service to make space for our Annual Business Meeting and famous HTAC Chili Cookoff.

We've created a special Zoom link for these single-service Sundays, which you can find on the Church website, on the Zoom Links page at this URL: https://www.holytrinityanglican.church/zoom-links

Thursday Spotlight: 16 December 2021

O ANTIPHONS

There is something very special in our liturgical calendar during the period from December 17th to December 23rd. This period is significant because it takes place in the octave (eight days) before Christmas. It is the time when the marvelous “O” Antiphons of Advent are either recited or sung.

You may not have realized, when you’ve sung the ancient hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, that you’re singing the “O” Antiphons! Each of these “O” Antiphons is the inspiration for one of the verses of the hymn, and each refers to one of the many names or titles of Christ taken from Scripture.

What is an “antiphon?”

An antiphon is a short sentence that is either sung or recited before or after a psalm, or at another point during a service. An antiphon reminds us of the theme of that particular day. It was an ancient tradition to include antiphons during the daily prayers of the Church (such as Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer.)

The “O” Antiphons

In the week before Christmas (December 17 – 23), the “O” Antiphons are recited or sung each day during Evening Prayer, before the Magnificat canticle, and then repeated again afterward. (A canticle is a hymn or chant, literally a “little song,” typically with a biblical text and included as a regular part of the liturgy). The Magnificat recalls Mary’s joyful song of praise to God (Lk. 1:46-55) when she met her cousin Elizabeth at the Visitation.

These seven "O" Antiphons articulate magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery. They have been sung or recited in the Church since at least the eighth century. Drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament, they proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but of present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative ‘Come!’ embodies our longing for the Divine Messiah. Furthermore, each title or antiphon refers to the prophecies in Isaiah of the coming of Jesus.

An interesting note: if you list these Messianic titles by their Latin names in reverse order from December 23rd back to December 17th, the first letter of each name makes a Latin phrase, ERO CRAS, which means “Tomorrow, I will come.”

The "O" Antiphons and our Advent Blog

We will be presenting the seven "O" Antiphons in the HTAC Advent Blog, beginning tomorrow, December 17. Each morning, we will post the new antiphon for the day, along with a short video of the HTAC Choir singing the applicable verse from "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." The blog posting will also include a short devotional that accompanies the antiphon and a gorgeous artwork piece, created by artists Ariane and Jackie Peveto, for the specific "O" of that day.

You will find each day's antiphon at the URL for the Advent Blog:

https://www.holytrinityanglican.church/htac-blog

HELP FOR KENTUCKY

The weather disaster that recently struck the midsection of the United States, most acutely in the State of Kentucky, has had heartbreaking impacts on churches, neighborhoods, and whole towns throughout the region. The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) are responding to the tragedy and have created a mechanism for individuals to contribute to the response efforts.

ARDF has The Joseph Fund for Disaster Relief, which makes funds available to churches bringing relief to their communities. The URL for The Joseph Fund is here:

https://ardf.org/joseph-fund.

ARDF says on the website that Joseph Fund donations are being used for tornado damage relief in Kentucky.

Weekly Update: 14-19 December 2021

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Thursday @ 9 AM: Women's Bible Study in the Adult Classroom at the Church (all women welcome)

Friday @ 7 AM: Men's Friday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall at the Church (all men welcome)

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Sunday 8:30 - 9:45 AM: Sunday Morning "Classic" Service

Sunday 9:50 - 10:40 AM: Adult Fellowship Time: Food and beverages in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

Sunday 10:45 AM - Noon: Sunday Morning "Modern" Service.

Sunday 11:05 - 11:45 AM: Children's Catechesis (same content as earlier): Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Special "Thank You" from Tri Lakes Cares

Our participation in the Tri Lakes Cares (TLC) Giving Tree program for 2021 has concluded. Our very generous congregation filled 47 of 50 "gifts" we were asked to provide. Our Coordinator for the program, Ryan Paradis, reports, "TLC was extremely appreciative of my delivery today, as their Giving Tree donations may have dropped somewhat from last year. They pass along their thanks to everyone for helping out. I think we've made Christmas a little brighter for a few people who really need a helping hand."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—-

REFUGEE MINISTRY - INTEREST SURVEY

If you heard Amy Schulte's recent talk about refugee ministry, you know that there are many, many options and opportunities to have an impact in this arena, especially in Colorado Springs and along the Front Range.

The opportunities for ministry to refugees run across a spectrum: from a full-on Cultural Mentorship Teams to coordinated support efforts to help a particular refugee family to ad hoc acts of care and support offered by individuals, either alone or in conjunction with a partner church.

As promised, we have posted a short survey on our CCB platform to gather information on who at Holy Trinity might be interested in ministry to refugees and what types of ministry activities you might be willing to participate in. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey at this URL:

https://htac.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/44/responses/new

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GATHERING CONTENT FOR THE ADVENT BLOG!

There are still a number of slots available for the postings in the Advent Blog. We've heard from Pastor Matt, Pastor Al, Deacon Mark, Christina Brown, Lesli McMillan, Rob Abraham, Shini Abraham, and Terri Moon. Queued up and ready for posting are additional offerings by Pastor Matt, Laura Laurie, and Terri Moon.

Don't be shy. If something you've read or watched or heard has inspired you or moved you during this Advent season, please share! Send your content to Deacon Mark in the Church Office.

And please, don't forget to check out the content that's already been posted. It is all beautiful and illuminating. The blog can be found at this URL:

https://www.holytrinityanglican.church/htac-blog

Thursday Spotlight: 9 December 2021

CONCERT REMINDER

Don't forget about the Soli Deo Gloria concert on Saturday. The details are below. We have several in our Holy Trinity family who are members of this outstanding community choir.

SECOND SUNDAY STORIES

Come hear the story of Kati Traylor on Sunday, during our latest installment of Second Sunday Stories. Pastor Chris will moderate this session with Kati between services on Sunday in the Holy Trinity Sanctuary. Don't miss it!!

ADVENT BLOG UPDATES

We've added new content this week to the Advent Blog. Rob Abraham and Pastor Al Janssen have contributions this week, and there will be more coming before the end of the week. Every one of our blog entries is different, and all offer a moment to reflect on the themes, the meanings, and the emotions of this season of Advent.

All of the content is being posted on the Holy Trinity website. You can find the postings at THIS LINK. Or you can click on the thumbnail pictures displayed prominently on the Holy Trinity website Home Page.

Weekly Update: 7-12 December 2021

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Thursday @ 9 AM: Women's Bible Study in the Adult Classroom at the Church (all women welcome)

Friday @ 7 AM: Men's Friday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall at the Church (all men welcome)

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom

Sunday 8:30 - 9:45 AM: Sunday Morning "Classic" Service.

Sunday 9:50 - 10:40 AM: Adult Fellowship Time: Food and beverages in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Second Sunday Stories with Kati Traylor in the Sanctuary.

Sunday 10:45 AM - Noon: Sunday Morning "Modern" Service.

Sunday 11:05 - 11:45 AM: Children's Catechesis (same content as earlier): Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECOND SUNDAY STORIES - KATI TRAYLOR

This coming Sunday, December 12, we have our third installment of "Second Sunday Stories" between services in the Sanctuary. This month, our story comes from Kati Traylor, spouse and life partner to our Family Minister, Matt Traylor. Did you know that Kati served in Istanbul for two years as a missionary teacher at an international school?

Don't miss out on this opportunity to hear more about Kati's story on Sunday! Pastor Chris will moderate the conversation.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: CHRISTMAS SERVICES

The service schedule for the Christmas weekend and beyond has been posted on the Church calendar on CCB (and on the Church website). For convenience, here are the key services and their times and dates:

Christmas Eve - 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM Communion Services

Christmas Day - 10 AM Communion Service

Sunday, December 26 - SINGLE 9:30 AM Communion Service

Sunday, January 2 - SINGLE 9:30 AM "Lessons and Carols" Communion Service

Sunday, January 9 - SINGLE 9:30 AM Communion Service, followed by Annual Business Meeting and the Chili Cookoff.

Please note that we have three consecutive weeks of one-service Sundays to accommodate the holidays and the Annual Business Meeting.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DON"T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE ADVENT BLOG

We'll be adding several additional pieces to the Advent Blog this week. Please check it out for content offered by Pastor Al Janssen, Rob Abraham and Terri Moon!

You can find the Advent Blog at https://www.holytrinityanglican.church/htac-blog.

Thursday Spotlight: 2 December 2021

First Friday - A "Sung Compline Service"

We are partnering with IAC (International Anglican Church) for a very special contemplative service on Friday, December 3rd, at 6:30 PM. The service will be held in the Holy Trinity Sanctuary.

Join us for a night of Scripture, music, art, poetry and prayer -- all centered around Advent themes of darkness and light and the promised coming of Jesus.

Musicians from Holy Trinity and IAC, along with the Holy Trinity Choir, will be leading us in worship. We are expecting upwards of 30 attendees from IAC on Friday night. Please come and help us connect well and deeply with our brothers and sisters.

REFUGEE MINISTRIES

Between services on this coming Sunday, December 5, we will be hosting an information session on opportunities in the Colorado Springs area to get involved in ministry to refugees who have come to Colorado from across the globe.

Amy Schulte will be sharing her experiences and her extensive knowledge about refugee ministries and how individuals and even whole Church bodies can become engaged in this field of great need.

Come and see! The information session will begin at 9:50 AM in the Sanctuary.

Missions Update: Bob and Kathie Schwerdt

You may recall that we were visited recently by Bob and Kathie Schwerdt from Greater Europe Mission. Holy Trinity provides financial support to Bob and Kathie, who are based in Britain and are engaged in soul care of missionaries serving across Europe.

We received Bob and Kathie's latest newsletter update. You can find a copy of it for your reading pleasure at THIS LINK.

Check out the Advent Blog!

Finally, we are adding content (almost daily) to the Advent Blog, identified and promoted by Pastor Matt. We would love to have content for the blog from a wide variety of folks within and among the Holy Trinity family. The content can be your own - written, drawn, played, sung. It can be something that moved you by someone else.

Contributors to date have been Pastor Matt B, Shini Abraham, Lesli McMillan and Deacon Mark. More is coming!

All of the content is being posted on the Holy Trinity website. You can find the postings at THIS LINK. Or you can click on the thumbnail pictures on the Home page.

Weekly Update: 30 November to 5 December 2021

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom (from 1 Peter)

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom (from 1 Peter)

Friday @ 6:30 PM: First Friday Contemplative Evening Service: A special "Sung Compline Service" in partnership with IAC

Sunday 8:30 - 9:45 AM: Sunday Morning "Classic" Service.

Sunday 9:50 - 10:40 AM: Adult Fellowship Time: Food and beverages in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Special Information Meeting on Refugee Ministries: Amy Schulte will share information on ministry opportunities in Colorado Springs to care for and support international refugees.

Sunday 10:45 AM - Noon: Sunday Morning "Modern" Service.

Sunday 11:05 - 11:45 AM: Children's Catechesis (same content as earlier): Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A BIG THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped with the Hanging of the Greens event and the neighborhood Open House on Sunday, November 28. The event was a blast! And the welcoming, energetic crowd was a huge blessing for everyone who attended.

A couple of very special shout-outs: to Debbie Eastman for taking point on the setup and coordination of the snacks and drinks; to Dick Battersby for picking out such an awesome new Christmas tree; to Austin Backus, Ron Fessenden, and Bob Lojewski for all the great work with ladders and garland; to the HS Youth for hanging the exterior lights, and to all the kids who did such a masterful job of decorating the tree.

It was a wonderful kickoff to the Advent/Christmas season.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WE'RE LOOKING FOR CONTENT: THE ADVENT BLOG

We are soliciting content for our daily Advent Blog that will be posted between now and December 25. If you have writings, poetry, visual art, music, inspiration or information that you'd like to share with your Holy Trinity family, please send your content to Deacon Mark in the Church Office. We are planning to begin posting submissions on the Church website this evening. If you have questions, please reach out to Deacon Mark or to Pastor Matt.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FRIDAY EVENING CONTEMPLATIVE SERVICE WITH IAC

Don't miss out on the First Friday contemplative service planned for this week - Friday, December 3 @ 6:30 PM. This service, offered in partnership with IAC (International Anglican Church), will be a "Sung Compline" service, with lots of music and amazing artwork, and lots of space for quiet time with God. Terri Moon has spearheaded this amazing night of worship. Please invite your friends, and join us! The service will be offered on Zoom for those who can't make it to the Church building. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86499601775.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weekly Update: 23-28 November 2021

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom (from 1 Peter)

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom (from 1 Peter)

Sunday 8:30 - 9:45 AM: Sunday Morning "Classic" Service.

Sunday 9:50 - 10:40 AM: Adult Fellowship Time: Food and beverages in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

Sunday 10:45 AM - Noon: Sunday Morning "Modern" Service.

Sunday 11:05 - 11:45 AM: Children's Catechesis (same content as earlier): Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

Sunday 5:00 - 6:00 PM: Hanging of the Greens - Annual gathering to decorate the Church for Advent and Christmas

Sunday 6:00 - 8:00 PM: Holy Trinity Advent Season Open House - An open house for the neighborhood and community to come and meet folks from our HTAC family.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIG PLANS FOR ADVENT 1 - Sunday, November 28

We have an ambitious schedule in place for the first Sunday of Advent, November 28. In addition to our two regular morning services, we are planning the "Hanging of the Greens" annual event for 5 PM that evening. This is our gathering to decorate the Church, inside and out, for the Advent/Christmas season. In addition, we are hosting a community Open House for the Gleneagle neighborhood and for a wide variety of our friends and ministry partners around the Colorado Springs region. The Open House will be from 6 to 8 PM on that Sunday.

We'd love for these events to be "all hands on deck" gatherings. The decorating goes quickly with lots of helpers, and the Open House really requires a solid, welcoming presence for our guests. Please let the Church Office know whether you will be able to participate in either or both of these events. It will aid in our planning.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A CALL FOR CONTENT: THE ADVENT BLOG

We are soliciting content for our daily Advent Blog that will be posted between November 28 and December 25. If you have writings, poetry, visual art, music, inspiration or information that you'd like to share with your Holy Trinity family, please send your content to Deacon Mark in the Church Office. We are planning to post submissions on the Church website. If you have questions, please reach out to Deacon Mark or to Pastor Matt.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday Spotlight: 18 November 2021

What is the plan for the Beginning of Advent?

Advent begins in just 10 days!

Advent starts early this year. With the Thanksgiving holiday sandwiched between the final Sunday of the season after Pentecost and the first Sunday of Advent, we're being a little creative in how we've scheduled the events around the beginning of the new season.

We could use your help in any or all of these kickoff activities for Advent.

Friday, November 26 - Decorating the HTAC Sanctuary

10:00 - 11:30 AM: Come help us decorate the Holy Trinity Sanctuary for the first Sunday of Advent.

This year, we are splitting up the "Hanging of the Greens" into two sessions: one session on Friday for the Sanctuary, and the second session on Sunday evening for the rest of the Church.

On Friday morning, we'll prepare the Sanctuary for our first Advent worship services on Sunday morning. If you have the day off from work, consider joining us for this special preparation of our worship space.

Sunday, November 28 - Decorating the HTAC Interior Spaces

5:00 – 6:00 PM: On Sunday evening, we'll get the rest of the "greens" hanging in their right places throughout the hallways, classrooms, fellowship hall and annex, making all of our interior spaces ready for the season and ready for our Open House guests, who will begin arriving at 6 PM.

The kids (small and large) will have the special assignment of decorating our new 9-foot Christmas tree!

Bring the whole family and join us for a true family event.

HOLY TRINITY ADVENT OPEN HOUSE

Immediately following the "Hanging of the Greens" on Sunday evening, we will host an Open House for our friends and neighbors throughout the Colorado Springs area.

The Open House will run from 6 PM to 8 PM on Sunday, November 28.

We've invited people from the apartment, condominium and townhouse communities in the Gleneagle neighborhood.

We encourage everyone in the Holy Trinity family to invite their friends, neighbors, ministry partners, work team members - anyone and everyone.

We'll have Christmas music and carols to sing, tasty homemade cookies and beverages to enjoy, and plenty of good company and conversation.

This is a no-pressure, no-expectations event, so bring your friends and family, and simply enjoy!

How can you help?

You can help make these events a success in the following ways:

1. Come! Join us for any or all of these events. Your presence makes a difference!

2. Bake or bring cookies or beverages for the Open House. We want everyone who is attending or participating in the Open House to enjoy yummy snacks and refreshments. Having lots of choices will make that so much easier.

3. Help us with the Open House. We need folks who can help with activities for the children, and we need adults to be greeters and hospitality helpers for the visitors who come for the Open House.

If you plan to be a part of any of these activities, please let us know, via email or phone message. The contact information for the Church Office is listed in the footer for this webpage.

Weekly Update: 16-21 November 2021

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom (from 1 Peter)

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Thursday @ 9 AM: Women's Bible Study in the Adult Classroom at the Church (all women welcome)

Friday @ 7 AM: Men's Friday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall at the Church (all men welcome)

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom (from 1 Peter)

Sunday 8:30 - 9:45 AM: Sunday Morning "Classic" Service.

Sunday 9:50 - 10:40 AM: Adult Fellowship Time: Food and beverages in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

Sunday 10:45 AM - Noon: Sunday Morning "Modern" Service.

Sunday 11:05 - 11:45 AM: Children's Catechesis (same content as earlier): Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2022 PLEDGE CARDS

We're making one last call for pledge cards for the 2022 budget. You can submit an electronic pledge card at THIS LINK, or fill out a paper pledge card (available in the Church lobby). You can even email Deacon Mark in the Church office at mark@holytrinityanglicanchurch.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—

BIG PLANS FOR ADVENT 1 - Sunday, November 28

We have an ambitious schedule in place for the first Sunday of Advent, November 28.

In addition to our two regular morning services, we are planning the "Hanging of the Greens" annual event for 5 PM that evening. This is our gathering to decorate the Church, inside and out, for the Advent/Christmas season.

In addition, we are hosting a community Open House for the Gleneagle neighborhood and for a wide variety of our friends and ministry partners around the Colorado Springs region. The Open House will be from 6 to 8 PM on that Sunday.

We'd love for these events to be "all hands on deck" gatherings. The decorating goes quickly with lots of helpers, and the Open House really requires a solid, welcoming presence for our guests.

Please let the Church Office know whether you will be able to participate in either or both of these events. It will aid in our planning.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A REMINDER FOR YOUR CALENDARS: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

We are planning a very special First Friday evening service for December 1. On this first Friday of Advent, we are partnering with IAC to offer an evening contemplative service that will feature a wonderful Compline liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer, along with special music and musicians, visual arts and plenty of space for prayer and contemplation. The service will begin at 6:30 PM and will be hosted by Holy Trinity in our Sanctuary. You won't want to miss this amazing service, so mark your calendars today.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tri Lakes Cares - Giving Tree Ministry

We are participating again this year in the Tri Lakes Cares (TLC) Giving Tree program, which helps underprivileged children and seniors get through the holidays. This is a wonderful cause that Holy Trinity has supported for many years. The "how do we do this" is pretty simple: Go to the Giving Tree web site at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/givingtree-holytrinity" (tags on the physical Giving Tree in our lobby have this address), select a gift, and return the unwrapped gift with the recipient's ID# attached to the church no later than 9 Dec. If you have questions or needs help, Ryan Paradis is our point of contact for the Giving Tree program. You can reach Ryan at (719) 964-6711.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—-

Baptism Photos

One last, quick item: if you have photos of the baptisms from the past two Sundays (Renee Traylor and Korbin Stone), please let the office know, so we can have those photos collected for the families and for the HTAC archive.

Thursday Spotlight: 11 November 2021

What Special Events Are We Planning for Advent/Christmas 2021?

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away! Is that possible?

That means Advent begins in just 17 days!

We are engaged in that annual, delicate balancing act: trying to offer meaningful, thoughtful activities and events that add value to the season without overloading family schedules that are already stretched and stressed. Here's what we have:

Sunday, November 28 (Advent 1)
5:00 – 6:00 PM: Hanging of the Greens - our annual gathering to decorate the Church building and the interior spaces for the Advent and Christmas Seasons.

6:00 – 8:00 PM: Advent Community Open House - Please join us as we invite and welcome our neighbors in the Gleneagle community along with other friends from the Colorado Springs area for an evening of good food and great conversation.

Friday, December 3
6:30 – 8:00 PM: First Friday Service – We are partnering with folks fro IAC to host a special Compline prayer service with music, visual art, and other elements to create a unique space in these early days of Advent for prayer and contemplation.

Sunday, December 5 (Advent 2)
9:45 – 10:35 AM: During the period between our Sunday services, we have invited Amy Schulte to lead a special information session on Refugee Ministry needs in the Colorado Springs area and opportunities for the Holy Trinity Church community to engage with these care and support ministries as part of our community outreach.

Sunday, December 12 (Advent 3)
9:45 – 10:35 AM: Also during the period between services, Pastor Chris Stroup will host another Second Sunday Stories with a special guest (yet to be identified) from our HTAC family.

Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve services)
4:30 – 5:45 PM: Early Christmas Eve Service
6:30 – 7:45 PM: Later Christmas Eve Service

Saturday, December 25 (Christmas Day service)
10:00 – 11:00 AM: Christmas Morning Service

Sunday, December 26 (Christmas 1)
9:30 – 10:45 AM: We will have our traditional “Lessons & Carols” Service on Sunday. We will have only one service that day.

OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS

OCC 2021 Gift shoeboxes are available in the Fellowship Hall. Collection of filled boxes begins on November 15. Please pick up a box and put together a special gift for a child in need!

Open House Help We still need some volunteers to help pull together the Open House on November 28. We need one or two individuals to organize greeters for the guests who come that evening, and we need some help organizing the food - so we don't end up with 14 boxes of donuts. If you can help, please contact the Church Office.

Pledge Cards If you haven't already done so, please fill out a pledge card for your 2022 giving, so we can button up the budget for next year. We've heard from about half the congregation and would love to hear from everyone else.

Weekly Update: 9-14 November 2021

THIS WEEK:

All Zoom links FOUND HERE.

Tuesday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom (from 1 Peter)

Wednesday @ 7 AM: Morning Prayer via Zoom

Thursday @ 9 AM: Women's Bible Study in the Adult Classroom at the Church (all women welcome)

Friday @ 7 AM: Men's Friday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall at the Church (all men welcome)

Friday @ Noon: Lunchtime Lectio via Zoom (from 1 Peter)

Sunday 8:30 - 9:45 AM: Sunday Morning "Classic" Service.

Sunday 9:50 - 10:40 AM: Adult Fellowship Time: Food and beverages in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday 9:55 - 10:35 AM: Children's Catechesis: Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

Sunday 10:45 AM - Noon: Sunday Morning "Modern" Service.

Sunday 11:05 - 11:45 AM: Children's Catechesis (same content as earlier): Ages 4 - 10 in the Children's Classroom.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2022 PLEDGE CARDS

Thank you to everyone who's submitted a pledge card for 2022. We're at a little over 40% response from the congregation.

We'd really like to have all the pledge cards (paper or online) by Sunday, November 14, so we can finish up the needed work on the 2022 budget.

You can submit an electronic pledge card at THIS LINK, or fill out a paper pledge card (available in the Church lobby). You can even email Deacon Mark in the Church office at mark@holytrinityanglicanchurch.org.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECOND SUNDAY STORIES - RALPH BROWNING

This coming Sunday, November 14, we have another "Second Sunday Story" between services in the Sanctuary. This month, our story comes from Ralph Browning. Pastor Chris will moderate the conversation.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to hear Ralph's story!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

We are planning a very special First Friday evening service for December 1.

On this first Friday of Advent, we are partnering with IAC to offer an evening contemplative service that will feature a wonderful Compline liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer, along with special music and musicians, visual arts and plenty of space for prayer and contemplation.

The service will begin at 6:30 PM and will be hosted by Holy Trinity in our Sanctuary. You won't want to miss this amazing service, so mark your calendars today.

Thursday Spotlight: 4 November 2021

Holy Trinity Advent Neighborhood Open House

Advent 2021 is just around the corner. It starts on Sunday, November 28.

This year, we want to launch a new Holy Trinity tradition: Hosting an Advent Open House for our neighborhood!

As we always do, our first Sunday of Advent will include the Hanging of the Greens - our annual congregational gathering to decorate the Church building and our interior spaces for the Advent and Christmas seasons.

We're planning, however, to do the Hanging of the Greens a little earlier in the day, so we can open our readied and decorated spaces to our neighbors in the Gleneagle community, the Monument community and others in the surrounding areas.

We'll have activities for the kids. Food and beverages for the adults.

What better time than Advent (and the start of a new Church Year) to reach out to our neighbors and share the hope and love of Jesus!

We will be reaching out, in particular, to the home and apartment communities that surround our property. There are so many people - just walking distance from our building - who need Jesus. Let's invite them to "Come and see."

To make this work, we truly need a whole-congregation effort:

• an individual (or three) who can take point on organizing the food and beverages;

• a small team to help Pastor Matt Traylor with activities for the kids;

• a few folks to help Deacon Mark with distribution of flyers and other communications to get the word out; and

• a small team to coordinate the Hanging of the Green activities.

Please reach out to the Church Office and let us know how and where you can support this neighborhood event.

NEWCOMERS LUNCH - THIS SUNDAY

Don't forget that we have a Newcomers Lunch immediately following the second service on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to meet the clergy and staff of Holy Trinity and get your questions answered about the Church, about Anglicanism, about our history, and whatever else is on your mind. It's a comfortable, informal setting, open to anyone who'd like to join us, whether you're new to Holy Trinity or not. Let us know, if you're coming, so we can order you a lunch.

OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS

OCC 2021

Gift shoeboxes are available in the Fellowship Hall. Collection of filled boxes begins on November 15. Please pick up a box and put together a special gift for a child in need!

Time Change

Please remember to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night. Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend, and you'll be an hour early for the start of our Sunday services if you forget.

Baptisms 

We love baptisms! This Sunday, Renee Traylor will be baptized during the first service. Next Sunday, Korbin Stone will be baptized during the second service. Come join the celebration! 

Finally, just a little peak aT what's to come. . .

We're learning and exploring options and visions for ministry to refugees in Colorado Springs. Mark your calendar: on Sunday, December 5, during the time 'tween services, we'll have an informational meeting/presentation on Refugee Ministries and how Holy Trinity might get involved. Don't miss it!  

As always, if you have questions or need additional information, please reach out to the Church Office.