Weekly Update: 29 Nov - 4 Dec 2022

Adult Discipleship Class - The Humanity of Jesus 

Glenn Paauw will be leading an adult discipleship class on the next three Sundays at 9:50 AM (between Sunday services) in the Holy Trinity Sanctuary. Here's a brief description of the class.

The Humanity of Jesus

When faithful Christians saw the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus being threatened, they responded by re-emphasizing this classic, orthodox element of the faith. But have we lost sight of the humanity of Jesus? Does it really matter?

Here’s what we’ll explore in this three-week Advent series:

Dec 4    The kind of human the story is looking for.

Dec 11    The human Jesus who was with us

Dec 18    The human Jesus who will be with us 

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Sunday Evening Service - A Sung Compline

Holy Trinity will host an evening contemplative service in the form of a “Sung Compline” this Sunday, December 4 @ 6:30 PM in the Church Sanctuary.

The service will be led by the HTAC Choir, accompanied by gifted musicians. In addition to the great music, the service will include poetry, visual arts and plenty of space to be with Jesus and to hear the Spirit's voice.

This service is open to all. Please invite your friends and family to join us for a time of reflection and anticipation in this season of Advent. 

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Advent Art Submissions

We are building a new web page on our Holy Trinity website to feature the various art submissions we are receiving for the Advent season. The page currently has the following elements already loaded:

Music: we've got links to several Spotify playlists built around Advent themes. We appreciate the work that Clay Clarkson put in to identify these playlists and to curate several of them.

Visual Arts: we're creating an image carousel of the paintings and other visual art pieces submitted in response to our call for Advent-themed art. All of these works are best experienced in person, but the image carousel will help you recall what you saw this past Sunday and will give you a preview of what to look for this coming Sunday and in the weeks ahead. If you click on the images in the carousel, you'll go to a detailed page for the particular piece with the comments and thoughts of the artist or the person submitting the work.

Written Arts: Finally, we will be adding written pieces - poetry, prose, etc. - submitted over the coming days. Links to those works will also be available on this new page.

The design work is still in process for this new page - Advent 2022: Beauty and the Arts - but feel free to check it out. And visit the page from time to time to see what new pieces have been submitted and what design improvements we've made.

Weekly Spotlight: 23 November 2022

Evening Contemplative Service - December 4 

Holy Trinity will host an evening contemplative service in the form of a “Sung Compline” on Sunday, December 4 @ 6:30 PM in the Church Sanctuary. 

The service will be led by the HTAC Choir, accompanied by gifted musicians. In addition to the great music, the service will include poetry, visual arts and plenty of space to be with Jesus and to hear the Spirit's voice.

This service is open to all. Please invite your friends and family to join us for a time of reflection and anticipation in this season of Advent. 

A Call for Art Pieces

Holy Trinity is inviting artists to consider offering visual art pieces and written art pieces for the Church to experience during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

We are looking for visual or written pieces that communicate these themes:

• Advent: longing for our Messiah, we wait in hope, joy, peace, and love.

• Christmas: we rejoice in the mystery and beauty of Christ's Incarnation.

If you have a work of visual art or written art that you would like to offer, please connect with the Church Office for instructions on how to submit your piece.

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Advent Materials Available­­­

Looking for something to help you or your family enter into the Advent themes of hope, joy, peace and love? We have several pieces you might consider available in the Fellowship Hall:

Advent Calendar: We have a fun Advent calendar for the kids. This hard stock calendar has little windows for each day of December leading up to Christmas and Bible verses for the kids to discover. 

Daily Devotional: We have copies of “Be Born In Us Today”, a daily Advent devotional authored by Chad Bird. This work is designed to remind us of how God's grace enriches our lives every day.

Daily Examen: We have printed a simple devotional guide for the daily Prayer of Examen, which we will be doing in our services on Sundays during Advent. This resource will walk you through the daily Examen, inviting you into a deeper awareness of God's presence and activity in your days.

In addition to these items, Pastor Matt Traylor has recently emailed resources to our families for use during Advent. He's shared an “Advent Family Prayer” and “The Ultimate Family Guide to Advent” to help our families enter into healthy rhythms of devotion and contemplation with our children. If you missed Pastor Matt's emails or didn't get them, let us know in the Church Office, and we'll forward them to you.

Weekly Update: 22-27 November 2022

A CALL FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WRITTEN ART 

Holy Trinity is inviting artists to submit written works for the congregation during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Written work might include a poem, a short meditation, or even an original, beautifully-written prayer. If you have questions about the genre, formatting, topic, or more, please ask Michelle Drake, who can be reached by e-mail at misshindman@gmail.com. 

Some well-known themes of Advent are hope, love, joy, and peace. The main Biblical characters are the prophets, John the Baptist, and Mary. These are present within the strong themes of waiting and longing, often in darkness, for Christs’ second coming, even as we rejoice in His incarnation and first coming. There's lots to work with in Advent and Christmas!

How, When, and to Who

Written pieces will be distributed electronically to the congregation, will be posted on the Holy Trinity website, and ultimately, will be compiled into a small booklet. Please send your pieces, as well as a short introduction to or explanation of the work, and your full name to Michelle Drake at  misshindman@gmail.com by December 18th.  

It is our preference to distribute the written works throughout the season of Advent, so please begin submitting as soon as you desire between now and 18 December. Even though the deadline is the 18th, please submit work that we can share during all of Advent and even Christmas season. We look forward to your submissions, and thank you for your creative efforts! 

NOTE: If you would like to offer a “classic” creative writing piece for submission instead of one of your own, such as a poem by a favorite author or a prayer by one of the church fathers, you may do so. Please submit along with it a short explanation of its meaning to you, its Advent themes and purposes, and why you wanted to bring it before the congregation for consideration.

TriLakes Cares Giving Tree

The December 9 deadline for returning gifts from the Tri Lakes Cares (TLC) Giving Tree is fast approaching. You still have time to grab one of the remaining ornaments on the tree and bless someone for the holidays.

Pick an “ornament” from the tree and purchase the gift requested on the ornament. Return the gift UNWRAPPED (with the ornament taped on it) to the Church no later than 9 December.

If you have questions or need help, Ryan Paradis is our point of contact for the Giving Tree program.­

Reminder: Membership Class on Sunday

Membership Class: 27 November @ 12:30 PM

We will have our final Membership Class of 2022 on November 27 from 12:30 to 3:30 PM at the Church. 

The Membership Class reviews the theology and history of Holy Trinity and of Anglicanism in general. This is a comprehensive class on our collective and foundational beliefs, and it offers a look into what membership at HTAC is all about.

Whether you are seeking membership or not, this is an excellent class for learning more about HTAC and is highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of our church.  It is also a required experience for those wanting to vote as members of the congregation at the annual meeting in January.

Prior reservations are not necessary for this class; however, it would be helpful to know if you intend to participate. Please email Deacon Mark in the Church Office if you plan to attend or if you have any questions.

Thursday Spotlight: 17 November 2022

Hanging of the Greens: Sunday, November 20

Holy Trinity will hold its Hanging of the Greens event on this Sunday, 20 November from 6 to 8 PM at the Church. 

Please join us, and invite your friends! This is a very special Church/community event that will include activities for the children, the decorating of our Christmas tree, special music and singing of carols, great food, and wonderful fellowship.

As we did last year, we will have a delicious cookie & sweet treat potluck buffet, so bring your favorite holiday cookies or treats to share.

Our plans to serve bar-b-que and buns did not work out. The meat we froze after the picnic in September did not fare well in the freezer and could not be served. So grab dinner before you come, or feast on the sweets at the event. 

A Call for Advent & Christmas Art

Holy Trinity is inviting artists to consider offering visual art pieces for display in the Church during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

We are looking for art that communicates these themes:

• Advent: longing for our Messiah, we wait in hope, joy, peace, and love.

• Christmas: we rejoice in the mystery and beauty of Christ's Incarnation.

Art pieces will be placed in various spots inside the Church, based on subject matter, size of the piece, and flow of the overall content.

If you have a work of art that you would like to offer for display, please send a photo and information about the piece using the Google form at this link: HOLY TRINITY ART PROJECT  

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to the Church Office or to Terri Moon.

Weekly Update: 15-20 November 2022

The Final Week: Operation Christmas Child

The 2022 edition of Operation Christmas Child draws to a close after this week.

The collection week runs from November 14 to 21. That means this coming Sunday, November 20, is the last Sunday you can drop off your gift shoeboxes at the Church.

If you haven't already done so, come by the Church this week and pick up a shoebox. Put together a special Christmas blessing for a child who needs to experience the love of Jesus.

You can find more information about the shoeboxes and how to prepare a gift package at the OCC website: 

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/ 

TriLakes Cares Giving Tree

The Tri Lakes Cares (TLC) Giving Tree, which is part of a program that helps underprivileged children and seniors get through the holidays, is standing in our Church lobby and is filled with ornaments. 

Pick an “ornament” from the tree and purchase the gift requested on the ornament. Return the gift UNWRAPPED (with the ornament taped on it) to the Church no later than 9 December. 

The Giving Tree volunteers at TriLakes Cares will match up the gifts with the requesting families and will have them wrapped and delivered in time for Christmas.

If you have questions or need help, Ryan Paradis is our point of contact for the Giving Tree program. You can reach Ryan at (719) 964-6711.

IMPORTANT COMING DATES­­­­

Here are several important dates and events you'll want to mark on your calendars:

Hanging of the Greens: 20 November @ 6 PM

Our annual fellowship gathering to decorate the Church for Advent and Christmas is THIS SUNDAY!! We're “hangin' the Greens” before Thanksgiving this year, because we want all of the decorations in place for the first Sunday of Advent on November 27.

This is a wonderful gathering that you won't want to miss. We share snacks and treats, sing a few carols, entertain the kids with activities, and get all of our holiday decorations in place, including the Christmas tree. We have a special Christmas potluck with everyone bringing their favorite cookies and sweet treats to enjoy while we decorate and fellowship.

The event begins between 5:30 and 6 PM on Sunday evening (November 20) and usually ends around 8 PM. Please join us!!!

Membership Class: 27 November @ 12:30 PM 

We will have our final Membership Class of 2022 on November 27 from 12:30 to 3:30 PM at the Church. 

The Membership Class reviews the theology and history of Holy Trinity and of Anglicanism in general. This is a comprehensive class on our collective and foundational beliefs, and it offers a look into what membership at HTAC is all about.

Whether you are seeking membership or not, this is an excellent class for learning more about HTAC and is highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of our church.  It is also a required experience for those wanting to vote as members of the congregation at the annual meeting in January.

Prior reservations are not necessary for this class; however, it would be helpful to know if you intend to participate. Please email Deacon Mark in the Church Office if you plan to attend or if you have any questions.

Contemplative Service: 4 December @ 6:30 PM 

As we've done in years past, we will be hosting a special contemplative worship service on Sunday, December 4 in the evening, starting at 6:30 PM. This is a beautiful service, supported by the HTAC Choir and a number of local artists and musicians from the local area. It is a powerful way to enter into and reinforce your Advent mindset.­­­

A SPECIAL CALL FOR ADVENT / CHRISTMAS ART PIECES­­­­­­­

Holy Trinity is inviting artists to consider offering visual art pieces for display in the Church during the Advent and Christmas seasons. 

We are looking for art that communicates these themes:

• Advent: longing for our Messiah, we wait in hope, joy, peace, and love.

• Christmas: we rejoice in the mystery and beauty of Christ's Incarnation.

Art pieces will be placed in various spots inside the Church, based on subject matter, size of the piece, and flow of the overall content. 

If you have a work of art that you would like to offer for display, please send a photo and a little more information about the piece using the Google form at the link below: 

HOLY TRINITY ART PROJECT  

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to the Church Office or to Terri Moon.

Thursday Spotlight: 10 November 2022

Hanging of the Greens: Sunday, November 20

From Wikipedia: The hanging of the greens is a Western Christian ceremony in which congregations adorn their churches with Advent and Christmas decorations. This is done on or directly before the start of the Advent season, in preparation for Christmastide. The event involves the placement of evergreen vegetation, such as the evergreen wreath, which carries the symbolism of everlasting life.

Holy Trinity will hold its Hanging of the Greens event on Sunday, 20 November from 6 to 8 PM at the Church. 

Please join us, and invite your friends! This is a very special Church/community event that will include activities for the children, the decorating of our Christmas tree, special music and singing of carols, great food, and wonderful fellowship.

As we did last year, we will have a delicious cookie & sweet treat buffet, so bring your favorite holiday cookies or treats to share.

For those of you who might want a more substantial “supper”, we  also plan to thaw out and heat up the bar-b-que meat and buns that have been in our freezer for the past couple of months. 

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Second Sunday Stories - Amy Stroup

This Sunday, November 13, we will have one of our special Second Sunday Stories between services (from 9:50 to 10:40 AM) in the Sanctuary.

Our guest speaker will be Amy Stroup who is director of an amazing ministry in northern Thailand - Joy To The World Thailand. Amy will share some of her own spiritual journey and her passion for bringing education and opportunity to children from the hill tribes in northern Thailand through the programs stewarded by Joy To The World Thailand. 

Please join us for this inspiring and glorious story of God's work in one of the more disadvantaged regions of Southeast Asia.

Weekly Update: 8-13 November 2022

Operation Christmas Child

The 2022 edition of Operation Christmas Child is under way, and the gift shoeboxes are available in the Fellowship Hall at the Church.

The collection week is approaching quickly: November 14 to 21. 

Pick up a shoebox this Sunday and put together a special Christmas blessing for a child who needs to experience the love of Jesus.

You can find more information about the shoeboxes and how to prepare a gift package at the OCC website: 

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/ 

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TriLakes Cares Giving Tree

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: Pick an “ornament” from the tree in the Church lobby and purchase the gift requested on the ornament. Return the gift UNWRAPPED (with the ornament taped on it) to the church no later than 9 December. 

The Giving Tree volunteers at TriLakes Cares will match up the gifts with the requesting families and will have them wrapped and delivered in time for Christmas.

If you have questions or needs help, Ryan Paradis is our point of contact for the Giving Tree program.

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IMPORTANT COMING DATES

Here are several important dates and events you'll want to mark on your calendars:

Second Sunday Stories: 13 November @ 9:50 AM

On Sunday, November 13, we will have one of our special Second Sunday Stories between services (from 9:50 to 10:40 AM) in the Sanctuary.

This month, our guest speaker will be Amy Stroup, director of an amazing ministry in northern Thailand - Joy To The World Thailand. Amy will share some of her own spiritual journey and her passion for bringing education and opportunity to children from the hill tribes in northern Thailand through the programs stewarded by Joy To The World Thailand.

Hanging of the Greens: 20 November @ 6 PM

Our annual fellowship gathering to decorate the Church for Advent and Christmas comes early this year, so get it on your calendar. We're doing it the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving, because we want all of the decorations in place for the first Sunday of Advent on November 27.

This is a wonderful gathering that you won't want to miss. We share snacks and treats, sing a few carols, entertain the kids with activities, and get all of our holiday decorations in place, including the Christmas tree.

The event begins between 5:30 and 6 PM on Sunday evening (November 20) and usually ends around 8 PM. Please join us!!!

Membership Class: 27 November @ 12:30 PM

We will have our final Membership Class of 2022 on November 27 from 12:30 to 3:30 PM at the Church. 

The Membership Class reviews the theology and history of Holy Trinity and of Anglicanism in general. This is a comprehensive class on our collective and foundational beliefs, and it offers a look into what membership at HTAC is all about.

Whether you are seeking membership or not, this is an excellent class for learning more about HTAC and is highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of our church.  It is also a required experience for those wanting to become members of HTAC and qualify for voting in the annual meeting in January.

Prior reservations are not necessary for this class; however, it would be helpful to know if you intend to participate. Please email Deacon Mark in the Church Office if you plan to attend or if you have any questions.

Thursday Spotlight: 3 November 2022

Fall leaves. Shorter Days. Cool, crisp nights.

Remind you of anything?

Yes! It's time for us to “fall back” and reset our clocks on Saturday night.

Daylight Savings Time end this weekend. We will push our clocks back an hour when we go to bed, and the Sunday alarm will chime after an extra hour of sleep. 

Don't forget! If you fail to adjust your clock, you'll arrive at Church on Sunday an hour before the real start time.

Second Sunday Stories - Amy Stroup

Next Sunday, November 13, is our second Sunday of the month, and accordingly, we will have one of our special Second Sunday Stories between services (from 9:50 to 10:40 AM) in the Sanctuary.

This month, our guest speaker will be Amy Stroup. Among her various life roles as Mom to three, wife to Pastor Chris, daughter to Bill and Mary Lee, Amy is also director of an amazing ministry in northern Thailand - Joy To The World Thailand. On Sunday, Amy will share some of her own spiritual journey and her passion for bringing education and opportunity to children from the hill tribes in northern Thailand through the programs stewarded by Joy To The World Thailand. 

Please join us for this inspiring and glorious story of God's work in one of the more disadvantaged regions of Southeast Asia.

Weekly Update: 1-6 November 2022

FALL BACK!  Daylight Savings Time endS this weekend.

Please keep in mind that this weekend marks the end of Daylight Savings Time for 2022. Thus, we FALL BACK by one hour overnight on Saturday night into Sunday.

Our cellphones and computers will change automatically, but most of the other clocks in our homes and businesses will not change. 

Happily, we'll get an extra hour of sleep on Saturday night. But if you forget to change your clocks, you'll likely arrive at Church on Sunday an hour early!

We'll make a couple of additional reminders this week to help you not forget.  

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COMING DATES: Mark Your Calendars

Here are a couple of important dates and events you'll want to mark on your calendars:

Hanging of the Greens: 20 November @ 6 PM

Our annual fellowship gathering to decorate the Church for Advent and Christmas comes early this year, so get it on your calendar. We're doing it the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving, because we want all of the decorations in place for the first Sunday of Advent on November 27.

This is a wonderful gathering that you won't want to miss. We share snacks and treats, sing a few carols, entertain the kids with activities, and get all of our holiday decorations in place, including the Christmas tree.

The event begins between 5:30 and 6 PM on Sunday evening (November 20) and usually ends around 8 PM. Please join us!!!

Membership Class: 27 November @ 12:30 PM 

We will have our final Membership Class of 2022 on November 27 from 12:30 to 3:30 PM at the Church. 

The Membership Class reviews the theology and history of Holy Trinity and of Anglicanism in general. This is a comprehensive class on our collective and foundational beliefs, and it offers a look into what membership at HTAC is all about. 

Whether you are seeking membership or not, this is an excellent class for learning more about HTAC and is highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of our church.  It is also a required experience for those wanting to become members of HTAC and qualify for voting in the annual meeting in January. 

Prior reservations are not necessary for this class; however, it would be helpful to know if you intend to participate. Please email Deacon Mark in the Church Office if you plan to attend or if you have any questions.

Thursday Spotlight: 27 October 2022

Operation Christmas Child 2022

The shoeboxes have arrived! Children around the world are beginning to think about Christmas. Samaritan's Purse is setting up collection stations and coordinating shipping containers and delivery vehicles.

It's time for the 2022 edition of Operation Christmas Child!

We are praying for an extravagant response this year from our Holy Trinity family for the children who will be blessed with gift shoeboxes at Christmas time. The collection week is approaching quickly: November 14 to 21. The OCC display is setup and waiting for you in the Holy Trinity Fellowship Hall with plenty of shoeboxes to be filled.

Each gift box will be tagged for a specific age group and gender, and suggested gifts for each child group are listed on the Operation Christmas Child website at THIS LINK.

Our OCC program is being coordinated again this year by Ashley Carlson. If you have questions, please reach out to Ashley or contact the Church Office.

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Sunday Brunch & Newcomers

We are going to take advantage of the gathering time and Potluck Brunch on Sunday to also have a short “Newcomers Lunch” in the Adult Classroom.

If you are a visitor, new attender, or anyone who wants a chance to visit with Pastor Matt and other clergy, staff, and leaders to learn about Holy Trinity, this will be a great way to have that visit.

The Newcomers conversation is relaxed and informal and Q&A-driven. We give you an opportunity to learn more about who we are and what we do here at Holy Trinity.

After everyone has gone through the food line at the Potluck, we will make a call for those interested in the Newcomers Conversation to peel off and join Pastor Matt in the Adult Classroom next to the Sanctuary.

Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Weekly Update: 25-30 October 2022

Single Service Sunday - October 30!

Please remember that this coming Sunday is the fifth Sunday of the month. Thus, we will have a SINGLE SERVICE at 9:30 on Sunday morning, followed by a congregation-wide potluck brunch and fellowship gathering.

Children's Catechesis WILL happen during the single service. And we are delighted to have the Concordia Ringers, our bell choir, supporting the worship service through their presence and playing on Sunday.

If you are able, please bring a food item to share with the congregation during the Potluck Brunch that follows the service. Our potluck events are always wonderful, eclectic and delicious. Please feel free to add your own favorite breakfast/lunch dish to the mix.

Newcomers Conversation - October 30!

We are going to take advantage of the gathering time on Sunday to also have a short “Newcomers Lunch” in the Adult Classroom on Sunday morning.

If you are a visitor, new attender, or anyone who wants a chance to visit with Pastor Matt and other clergy, staff, and leaders to learn about Holy Trinity, our Newcomers Lunch is a great way to have that visit.

The Newcomers conversation is relaxed and informal.  The conversation is Q&A-driven, and we talk and answer questions to give you an opportunity to learn more about who we are and what we do here at Holy Trinity.

After everyone has gone through the food line at the Potluck, we make a call for those interested in the Newcomers Conversation to peel off and join Pastor Matt in the Adult Classroom next to the Sanctuary.

Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Prayer Project!

Please also remember that we are in week 2 of a 6-week cycle of intentional and specific prayer for particular ministries at Holy Trinity. This week, we are called and encouraged to pray for the following HTAC ministries:

Little Women’s Society - Middle and High School Girls

(led by Lara Stata, Sara Haddox, Lesli McMillan)

Please pray

• to reach girls with encouragement in their faith and meet practical needs

• to cover the appropriate topics to help these girls grow strong in the Lord

• for God to bring the right women to the group and that we would effectively support their calling and mission

• to cultivate life-giving intergenerational connections and peer friendships at all ages, at monthly meetings and everyday life

• for Lara, Lesli and Sara: glorify God and follow the Spirit's leading in planning, preparing, teaching, and serving
  

High School Youth Group

(led by Pastor Matt Burnett and Kevin Brooks)

Please pray

• our High Schoolers have a strong sense of God's personal love for each one of them

• their time in the Bible and prayer draws them nearer to God and equips them to navigate a quickly changing world

• school goes well and is not a source of undue stress
  their families remain health and strong
  

Collect for our Youth Ministries: Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom so to train them, that they may love all that is true, and pure, and lovely, and of good report, following the example of their Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thursday Spotlight: 20 October 2022

Outreach Report - 3rd Quarter 2022

The Outreach Team is very excited to share the ministries and missionaries Holy Trinity has chosen to support with the Church's quarterly distributions of Outreach funds through the first three quarters of 2022.

40% of our distributions have gone to international missions. Holy Trinity is continuing to support Bob and Kathie Schwerdt, through Greater Europe Missions, in their care for missionaries in Europe and around the world. In addition, the Church has supported the following compelling missions recipients: 

• A Lebanese missionary who works among Syrian refugees;

• A Christian missionary from Nigeria who works in the anti-trafficking and domestic abuse arena;

• A Burmese missionary who is a convert from Buddhism and has a high-impact and authentic ministry among widows and orphans in Burma;

• Three different ministries in India focused, respectively, on church planting and discipleship in the rural areas of India, on providing skills training for poor and disadvantaged women, and on providing a home and care for abandoned babies and children;

• Scholarships for ministry workers, pastors and missionaries in the international arena to participate in soul care and replenishment retreats through SonScape Retreats;

• A Christian medical ministry in Nigeria that is establishing a rural health care clinic for villagers;

• A couple providing evangelism and discipleship to people in the northern villages in Thailand; and

• A newly deployed Anglican missionary couple in Rwanda that is working in the Kigali region supporting the education of pastors in training.

 40% of our distributions have gone to ministries in our local community. Because of existing relationships and because HTAC has a particular passion for the work they do, Holy Trinity is continuing to support these local organizations, which we have supported for many years:

• Tri Lakes Cares - www.tri-lakescares.org

• Life Network - www.elifenetwork.com

• Mercy’s Gate - www.mercysgatecs.org 

Finally, the Outreach Team has set aside 20% of our quarterly distributions for the new and emerging Refugee Ministry at Holy Trinity. These funds have enabled our Refugee Ministry Team to help a local Afghan family get their children into swimming lessons - a thing completely unheard-of in Afghanistan. 

The Refugee Team has also been working with Lutheran Family Services to identify areas of greatest need in the local refugee community, and they have pointed us to the Cuban community in particular, where many of the refugees are not receiving much support from government or social service agencies. Our Team is working with LFS to create a gift card program for these refugees to help them with basic food and household needs.

In total through the first three quarters of 2022, Holy Trinity will distribute a little over $31,000 across these three major outreach sectors. Praise God!! If you are aware of ministries, either local or international, that we should consider supporting in the 4th quarter of 2022 or into 2023, please reach out to Deacon Mark, and he will share the information with the Outreach Team.

Weekly Update: 18-23 October 2022

Prayer Project!

Please remember that our Long Range Prayer & Planning team has begun a 6-week cycle of intentional and specific prayer each week for particular ministries at Holy Trinity. This week, our first in the 6-week rotation, we are called and encouraged to pray for the following HTAC ministries:

OUR HTAC LIFE GROUPS:

• that Life Group members would grow in fellowship with one another and with the Lord

• that those who have not been involved in Life Groups would take the step to try it out

• that Life Group members would have grace for one another as new members join existing groups and as new groups form

• for Pastor Chris to have clarity in continuing to help HTAC members find a good Life Group fit

Here is a specific Collect from the Book of Common Prayer that you may want to include:

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people: Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE HTAC OUTREACH TEAM

• for God to use the ministries supported through Holy Trinity's outreach funds to effectively bless people and reveal Himself to them

• for wisdom and discernment within the Outreach Team in decisions on who to support and how much funding to provide

• for God to give the Outreach Team awareness of new ministries that HTAC should support

• that God would help the Outreach Team be effective in keeping our congregation informed about outreach ministries the church supports

• for the members of the Outreach Team to collaborate well in their conversations and deliberations

Here is a specific Collect you may want to use for these prayers:

O merciful Creator, your loving hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence, and give us grace to honor you with all that you have entrusted to us; that we, remembering the account we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Thursday Spotlight: 13 October 2022

Prayer Project

The Long Range Prayer & Planning team is beginning a 6-week cycle of encouraging our congregation to pray with intentionality and specificity each week for the Church and for the ministries at Holy Trinity. This week is our first in the 6-week rotation, and we are calling and encouraging everyone to pray for the following ministries:

Pray for our HTAC Life Groups:

• that Life Group members would grow in fellowship with one another and with the Lord

• that those who have not been involved in Life Groups would take the step to try it out

• that Life Group members would have grace with one another as new members join existing groups and as new groups form

• for Chris to have clarity in continuing to help HTAC members find a good Life Group fit

Here is a specific Collect from the Book of Common Prayer that you may want to include: 

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people: Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray for the HTAC Outreach Team

• for God to use the ministries supported through Holy Trinity's outreach funds to effectively bless people and reveal Himself to them

• for wisdom and discernment within the Outreach Team in decisions on who to support and how much funding to provide

• for God to give the Outreach Team awareness of new ministries that HTAC should support

• that God would help the Outreach Team be effective in keeping our congregation informed about outreach ministries the church supports

• for the members of the Outreach Team to collaborate well in their conversations and deliberations

Here is a specific Collect you may want to use for these prayers: 

O merciful Creator, your loving hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence, and give us grace to honor you with all that you have entrusted to us; that we, remembering the account we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Weekly Update: 11-16 October 2022

Compassion Sunday!

This coming Sunday, October 16, is Compassion Sunday at Holy Trinity. We will have a special presentation about child sponsorship opportunities with Compassion International. We will also have a display in the Fellowship Hall with brochures and handouts on the sponsorship process and information cards on children needing sponsorship through the Compassion ministries. Please check out the displays in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, and please prayerfully consider whether sponsoring a Compassion child might be something your family is being called to do.

Biblical Sexuality Workshop

How do we apply the Gospel in the area of sexuality and sexual brokenness, first for ourselves and then, as parents, for our kids, in order to foster relational and sexual health and wellness?

Holy Trinity and IAC are jointly presenting a workshop to begin to address this question. The workshop will be offered over 4 sessions on Monday evenings, October 17, October 24, November 7 and November 14 in IAC's Sanctuary. The workshop will begin at 6 PM on each of those dates. We anticipate that childcare will be available for those in attendance. 

The topics to be covered include:

• What are the fundamentals of Biblical sexual health, and how does the current culture depart from those fundamentals?

• How has our own story of sexuality impacted how we parent in this area?

• What is the Gospel vision of redemption for our sexuality, and how is healing realized in our brokenness?

• What are some practical tips for talking to our kids and to one another in ways that lead to healing and wholeness?
  

This will be a powerful and pointedly relevant conversation. Please plan to join us. 

The first session will be held on this coming Monday, October 17, at 6 PM at the IAC Sanctuary at 1305 N. Union in Colorado Springs.

Little Women Society: Saturday, October 15

Young Ladies in grades 5-12 (and their moms)
Saturday, October 15th from 3-5pm in Holy Trinity’s Fellowship Hal

Topic: Stillness Before the Lord
Activity: Handcrafting Floral Watercolor Cards with Emily McMillan

To further explore our relationship with God the Father, Emily McMillan will share her journey with art and stillness before the Lord, highlighting how this practice has brought her peace in the midst of uncertainties and chaos.

Young ladies and their moms are invited to join us in learning about watercolor art, practicing this skill yourself, and handcrafting a floral watercolor card that you can keep or share with someone God puts on your heart.

Tea will be served as well as an assortment of delicacies.

For more information, contact Lesli McMillan - leslimcmillan@gmail.com.

Holy Trinity's Little Women Society is a nod to the classic story in which four very unique sisters and their parents live out their strong faith and strive for virtue while learning from and leaning on each other. This discipleship group for young ladies in grades 5-12 is formative in spiritual and practical ways as we gather on the third Saturday afternoon of each month to pray, discuss a Biblical virtue, memorize Scripture, and fellowship with one another and mentor women through hands-on skills, projects, service, outreach, and more.­­­

Newcomers Lunch and Membership Class

NEWCOMERS LUNCH: On Sunday, October 30, we will host a Newcomers Lunch following the single service. After everyone has gotten lunch at the congregation-wide potluck brunch, we will call those newcomers interested in talking with Pastor Matt to a Newcomers' conversation. If you are a visitor, new attender, or anyone who wants a chance to visit with Pastor Matt and other clergy, staff, and leaders to learn about Holy Trinity, this will be a great opportunity to learn more about HTAC. The Newcomers conversation is relaxed and informal. It is Q&A-driven, and we talk and answer questions to give you an opportunity to learn more about who we are and what we do here at Holy Trinity.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS: We will host a Membership Class on Sunday, November 27, following the second service. The class will run from 12:30 to 3:30, and we will provide lunch. If you are interested in membership at HTAC or just want to know more about the church, consider attending our Membership Class. The Membership Class reviews the theology and history of Holy Trinity and of Anglicanism in general. This is a comprehensive class on our collective and foundational beliefs, and it offers a look into what membership at HTAC is all about. Whether you are seeking membership or not, this excellent class is highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of our church.  It is also a required experience for those wanting to become members of HTAC and to qualify for voting in the annual meeting in January.

Weekly Update: 4-9 October 2022

­Second Sunday Stories - Curtis Pollard

This coming Sunday, October 9, we will have our October edition of Second Sunday Stories in the HTAC Sanctuary, between services. Our story this month will come from Curtis Pollard and will be hosted and moderated by Pastor Chris Stroup. Curtis is a senior in high school and has grown up in the Holy Trinity family. Please join us for Curtis' story.

HTAC Choir on Sunday

The HTAC vocal choir will be leading our musical worship on Sunday. In addition, the choir will present a special rendition of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” for the Offertory at both services. Please come and support our Choir. . .and add your own voice as we make a joyful noise to our Lord.

Looking Ahead: Single Service & Potluck on October 30

October is a 5-Sunday month, so we will have a single service on the fifth Sunday (October 30), followed by a potluck brunch for the entire congregation after the 9:30 AM service. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this special time of fellowship.

Thursday Spotlight: 30 September 2022

Mark Your Calendars - What's Coming

We have a LOT of wonderful worship and discipleship offerings planned for the rest of 2022 and the first half of 2023. Mark your calendars! Here's a listing of what's in store:

NEW! Sunday Evening Services (monthly at 6:30 PM)

• October 16: Pastor Chris Stroup - “How We Got the Bible and Why It Matters”

• December 4: Advent Contemplative Service

• January 29: Evening Worship and Teaching Service

• February 26: Lenten Contemplative Service

• March 26: Evening Prayer and Praise Service

Adult Discipleship Offerings (between services on Sunday mornings)

• December 4, 11 and 18: Advent class on Christ's Incarnation and Mission

• February 5, 12 and 19: Epiphany class on Revelation of Christ and His Mission

• May 7, 14 and 21: Easter class on Christ's Resurrection and Mission

  Other General Discipleship Offerings

• October 9 (between services): 2nd Sunday Stories - Curtis Pollard

• November 13 (between services): 2nd Sunday Stories - Rob and Shini Abraham

• January 8 (between services): 2nd Sunday Stories - to be determined

• February 17 and 18: Marriage Workshop facilitated by Al & Jo Janssen and Mark & Christy Summers

• February 26 to March 26 (between services): Baptism Classes

• April 16 to May 21 (between services): Confirmation Classes

 Other Important Events

• October 30: Single service Sunday (@ 9:30 AM) followed by Potluck Brunch

• November 20 (evening): Hanging of the Greens with hymn singing and special potluck dinner

• January 15: Annual Business Meeting followed by the Annual Chili Cookoff

More details will be provided on all of these as the dates come closer, but in the meantime, please get your calendars updated with these offerings. The events are listed in the Church calendar in CCB and on the Church website at this link: https://www.holytrinityanglican.church/calendar.

Sunday Schedule and Links

8:30 - 9:45: “Classic” Anglican Communion Service - Zoom LINK HERE

 9:50 - 10:45: Fellowship time in the Fellowship Hall and Annex

 10:45 - 12:00: “Modern” Anglican Communion Service - Zoom LINK HERE

 11:00 - 11:35: Children's Catechesis/Discipleship in the Children's classrooms - (Level 1 for ages 4-7 and Level 2 for ages 8-11)

Weekly Update: 27 September - 2 October 2022

Anselm Special Concert - 29 September

The Anselm conference is closed for ticket sales, but the pre-conference CONCERT still has seats available. 

The performing artist will be Ella Mine. Ella is the daughter of Douglas McKelvey (“Every Moment Holy”),and she is a superbly talented and trained songwriter and performer. This live concert has received rave reviews. And in its progressive rock genre and subject material, it’s a pretty different experience than Anselm usually puts on musically — dealing with such real, applicable topics like pain, mental health, and hope. 

If you want to know more about Ella and the album, check out this link:

https://rabbitroom.com/2019/10/dream-war-an-interview-with-ella-mine/

To hear more about Ella's music go to this link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OGGV3aSbgG1YJJ50oQi49

To get tickets, call the Glen Eyrie ticket office at 719-265-7050.

Altar Guild Volunteers Needed

We continue to recruit for much needed new members for our Altar Guild. If you are interested and willing to serve the Holy Trinity congregation by helping to set up the Altar for Sunday services, please reach out to Debbie Eastman.

Mark Your Calendars: Biblical Sexuality Workshop

How do we apply the Gospel in the area of sexuality and sexual brokenness, first for ourselves and then, as parents, for our kids, in order to foster relational and sexual health and wellness?

Holy Trinity and IAC are jointly presenting a workshop to begin to address this question. The workshop will be offered over 4 sessions on Monday evenings, October 17, October 24, November 7 and November 14 in IAC's Sanctuary. Details on the workshop will be coming soon, but we anticipate that childcare will be available for those in attendance. The topics we will cover will include:

• What are the fundamentals of Biblical sexual health, and how does the current culture depart from those fundamentals?

• How has our own story of sexuality impacted how we parent in this area?

• What is the Gospel vision of redemption for our sexuality, and how is healing realized in our brokenness?

• What are some practical tips for talking to our kids and to one another in ways that lead to healing and wholeness?

 This will be a powerful and pointedly relevant conversation. Please plan to join us. More details will be coming soon.

A Seasonal Reminder

We are entering the annual cold and flu season, and COVID continues to be a part of the contagious landscape, as well. Please care for one another: if you have symptoms associated with the flu or COVID, we ask that you not come to the Church in person. Instead, take advantage of our online services, and care well for yourself and others by staying at home.

Weekly Update: 20-25 September 2022

The following special events are scheduled for this coming week:

Wednesday, September 21 @ 5:30 PM - Rehearsal for the Concordia Ringers. The bell choir will be supporting worship this coming Sunday, 25 September.

Reminder: CityServe on October 1

The Fall 2022 iteration of COSILoveYou's CITYSERVE is coming on Saturday, October 1. Signups to participate in the City-wide (actually County-wide) service day on Saturday, October 1 (with a limited number of service slots on Friday, September 30) can be done on the CityServe webpage at THIS LINK.

CityServe has over 2,000 slots available for volunteers, many of which are family- and kid-friendly, and many of the volunteer sites are perfect for groups of neighbors, friends, and small groups! Sign up for Fall CityServe today!

Thursday Spotlight - 1 September 2022

Sunday in the Park! September 4

This is a final reminder that we are meeting at Bear Creek Regional Park for services on Sunday. Details are in the graphic at the bottom of this email.

Don't forget to bring your softball/baseball glove if you want to participate in the friendly game of softball after lunch.

Imagination Redeemed Conference - The Anselm Society

Tickets to the Anselm Society's Imagination Redeemed annual conference are going fast. You don't want to miss this opportunity. The conference runs September 30 to October 1. Here are the particulars:

Holy Trinity people can use discount code HTAC to save 20% on full-price tickets.

Tickets/further info link: https://www.imaginationredeemed.com/

Short video teaser: Video Link

Description: This year’s conference will explore a theology of time, and take a deeply practical look at the relationship between God’s eternity and the ways we wrestle with one of the most important questions we ask every single day: what shall we do with the time that is given to us? How can we find more (or spend it better)? How can God redeem our past (personal or corporate)? How can we face the future with hope (rather than anxiety or naïve optimism)? Along the way, we’ll learn how music can help train us to encounter time Christianly, how we can learn to encounter life as pilgrims rather than tourists, and — as always — be encouraged by new and old friendships with fellow travelers.

Refugee Ministry - Bedding Drive

We have been informed by the donations coordinator at Lutheran Family Services that they are just about out of bedding for newly arriving refugees.

LFS needs full and twin sized sheets and comforters (and they wouldn’t complain about getting pillows too). New or used is fine. They just ask that used bedding be clean, without holes, and labeled so they can store it properly.

If you are interested in donating items for this bedding drive, please bring them into the Church, and Amy Schulte will make sure they get to the right folks at LFS. If you have questions, please connect with Amy.

CITYSERVE - October 1

The Fall 2022 iteration of COSILoveYou's CITYSERVE is coming soon: on Saturday October 1. CityServe is calling for signups to participate in the City-wide (actually County-wide) service day.

CityServe is a no-strings-attached, city-wide day of service where “all are welcome to serve and be served.” This event is meant to be a starting place, inspiring the community to be engaged with needs year-round! To see what CityServe is like, check out this video from 2021 - CLICK HERE

Might YOU be amongst the hundreds of volunteers spread across the Pikes Peak Region to serve schools, parks, local non-profit organizations, and neighborhoods? Volunteers are called to love this city through simple tasks like pulling weeds, painting, picking up trash, making cards of encouragement, dropping off care packages, cleaning, sorting donations, and more! Right now, CityServe has over 2,000 slots LIVE and ready, many of which are family- and kid-friendly, and perfect for groups of neighbors, friends, and small groups! Additionally, they will have limited slots available on Friday, Sept 30th, if serving during the week is preferred.

Don't wait, as slots fill up quickly. Sign up for Fall CityServe today! Here's the link: SIGN UP HERE.