VOLUME 20 ISSUE 10

Dec. 2015/Jan. 2016

December/January

Newsletter

“Serving and Ministering to the Community Since 1873” Rev. John A. Hart, Pastor

Phone: 610-282-3336, Email: pstrhart@gmail.com “Trinity Tidings” is a monthly publication printed on the

premises of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church (Hospital Code: 244)

Robin McCloud, Office Secretary, Email: robin.holytrinity@verizon.net

HOLY TRINITY MEMORIAL

LUTHERAN CHURCH

604 Fourth Street

Catasauqua, Pa 18032

Phone:610-264-2641

Fax:610-264-2661

Website: www.holytrinitymemoriallutheran.com

Email: holytrinity604@verizon.net

IF HOSPITALIZED, BE SURE

TO SIGN A RELEASE CARD

AND USE OUR

HOSPITAL CODE #244.

WE ARE A HANDICAPPED

ACCESSIBLE FACILITY.

DEADLINE FOR FEBRUARY 2016 NEWSLETTER

IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20TH.

The December/January newsletter is in

loving memory of Clara Fischer

by the Carl Fischer Family.

The Hart Family wishes

you a very Merry Christmas

and Blessed New Year!!!

Church Council Members Term Ending Dec. 2015 Term Ending Dec. 2016 Terms Ending December 2018

Barb Fister: 610-266-1160 Dale Greenzweig: 610-419-3843 Arden Strickland: 610-351-0341

Cheryl Kneiss: 610-262-0467 RuthAnn Reinsmith: 610-264-4346 Rick Martson: 484-661-5183

Sherry Creyer: 484-550-2774 Carol Cunningham: 610-264-2045 Joe Schwindenhammer: 610-573-1957

Carole Nacci: 610-264-8785 Mark Fried: 610-262-2645 Open

Youth Rep.:

OFFICERS President: Barbara Fister Vice President: Arden Strickland

Secretary: (Rotating) Treasurer: John Marakovits

$ FINANCIAL UP-DATE $

The church’s budget deficit at the end of October was (-$10,764.12). The budget

deficit at the end of last October was (-$6,182.32) -$4,581.80 less.

Regular budgeted income received through this October was $317 more than last

year.

In order to make this year’s budget of $170,242, we need to average $3,273.88

each Sunday. Through October the 31st we are averaging $3,023.60 each Sunday —

$250.28 per Sunday less than what is needed to make this year’s budget.

At the end of October all of our bills were paid. This includes our monthly

commitment to the Synod for Benevolence.

The following special gifts were received in October:

$440.00 - Pastor’s Discretionary Fund

$235.00 - “Morning Glories” Fund

$240.00 - Stained Glass Window

$ 35.00 - Building Fund

$150.00 - Numan Orphanage Fund

$306.00 - Heating Fund

$ 30.00 - Benevolence

$724.64 - “Over-the-top”

$149.57 - Scrip Program—Fall S.C.S. Curriculum

Thank you to all for your generous contributions. They are all greatly appreciated.

Well it’s that time of the year again. On Monday, November the 9th, the budget

committee put together 2016’s budget for Church Council to review and approve at it’s

November 16th meeting. The proposed budget then goes to the congregation for approval

on December 13th. Needless to say, 2015 is definitely on it’s way out. The advent and

Christmas seasons are vital to the church’s financial success. Please be extra generous to

Holy Trinity this holiday season.

Thank you,

John Marakovits, Treasurer

“Joyful Giving Circle”

Help further the ministry of Holy Trinity…Don’t wait for a special occasion to make a contribution in honor or in memory of someone. Fill out the enclosed form or print it off our website, place it in the offering or mail it with your check in any amount. We will print your dedication in our next

BYOB - Bring Your Own Bible. It's more than just a clever name for Thursday Night Bible study - it's a diverse group of people gathering to learn more about the word - and the Word - of God. Our small group includes a scientific mind, a former Daisy leader, a grammar surgeon, a guy with a smart-phone answer for every question, an R.C. (reformed Catholic), a guy whose hip Bible that belies his chronological age, a snarky Jesus freak, and a pastor who does his homework before each study! There's room for so many more personalities - let us get to know yours while you're getting better acquainted with the Bible. Join us from 7-8 o'clock for Thursday night BS with Pastor John - Bible Study, that is! Come see what you've been missing!!

When there is inclement weather (snow, ice, sleet) all functions at church are canceled. For Sunday worship cancellations, tune to WFMZ TV or WFMZ Website or radio. Sunday early service is always cancelled when there is snow, sleet or ice.

About the 3rd week of December, you should be receiving your offering envelopes for January and February in the mail. If you do not receive them, please contact Robin in the church office. (610-264-2641)

Holy Trinity is a member of the Blood Bank

Program. If you give blood, you may designate

It as Holy Trinity. Also, if you ever need blood,

tell them you’re a church member.

ARE YOU PROUD OF

YOUR CHILD’S

ACCOMPLISHENT?

Let us know. We are happy to publish it in our newsletter. Call 610-264-2641.

At any time, you can give donations to the “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund”. This fund is used to give temporary financial assistance to people of our congregation and community when a sudden need arises. You may send contributions to the church or place them in the offering plate on Sunday mornings. Please mark your checks or envelopes “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund”.

You will be receiving a letter in the mail to

remind you that your Team/Committee reports are due before and no later

than Thursday, January 7, 2016. You may submit them in various ways.

Hand-written, typed, flash drive, or email. If your report will be turned in late,

please let Robin know 610-264-2641.

HOLY TRINITY NEWS

Our deepest

sympathy to the family of Robert Eberhart who entered into eternal rest on October 31st.

ELECTRONIC GIVING!! “SIMPLY GIVING”

Your annual pledge helps us forecast, with confidence, the level of

financial support our congregation will receive in the year ahead. It is

through the pledges and contributions of our members that we are able

to carry on our work here Holy Trinity.

As you consider your pledge, we remind you that we offer Electronic

Giving as a way to automate your offerings. It is convenient for you

and provides much-needed consistency for the church. Collection

basket offerings can fluctuate significantly from week to week but

when contributions are automated, the church receives funds on a

steady, uninterrupted basis. To learn more, call the church 610-264-

2641. “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as

good stewards of God’s varied grace.” I Peter 4:10 – RSV

The SALT Team would like to thank all who

participated in Holy Trinity's Intention to Give Sunday. Thank

you to everyone who supplied refreshments, volunteered in

the kitchen, and especially to members who completed and

returned commitment cards.

Intention to Give cards are still available for those

who have not yet completed one. To receive a card, please

notify the church office or Pastor Hart.

Remember or Honor Loved Ones

Altar Flowers

TO THE GLORY OF GOD:

Jan. 3 In loving memory of parents Hilda

Bond, Wm. Anderson & Dr. John L.

Bond for their birthdays by Carole and

Frank Nacci

Jan. 10 Open

Jan. 17 Open

Jan. 24 In loving memory of Joyce Gillespie by

her cousins and Olive Gillespie by her

family.

Jan. 31 In loving memory of mother Margaret

LeBlanc by Suzanne and Olin Webb.

Bulletins

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND:

Jan. 3 Open

Jan. 10 Open

Jan. 17 Open

Jan. 24 Open

Jan. 31 Open

“Trinity Tidings”

All dedications are taken for 2014. Thank you.

Please Note:To reserve a flower date, fill in the Flower Chart in the narthex and call Suzanne Webb 610

-264-4880 with your dedication. If you do not call Suzanne, the dedication will read “To the glory

of God by (your name)”. To dedicate a Sunday bulletin, call the church secretary (610-264-2641).

Bulletins are $10, altar flowers are $35. Please pick up your flowers or have someone pick them up for you.

Have you remembered

Holy Trinity in your will?

The Sunday Church School staff is happy and pleased to welcome our newest students f or the 2015-16 school year: Jason Coffin Joseph Green Steven Green Sophia Yarko There will be no Sunday School classes on December 27 but we still hope to see you during worship. Beginning on January 3, we will resume our normal closing program at 10:00 each Sunday in the Alice Storch room. Please join us and meet our church leaders of tomorrow. We are now preparing for our Sunday School Christmas Program “Little Packages” which we will present during worship on December 13th.

Remember or Honor Loved Ones

Altar Flowers

TO THE GLORY OF GOD:

Dec. 6 In loving memory of David Svitana by

Sandy and Erich Svitana

Dec. 13 Sandi Smith

Dec. 20 In loving memory of John Medence Jr. by

his wife, Rita

Dec. 27 In loving memory of my loved ones by

Rena Bond

Bulletins

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND:

Dec. 6 Open

Dec. 13 Open

Dec. 20 Open

Dec. 24 7pm Merry Christmas from Lester, Linda,

Lucas and Lindsay Ettl.

God Bless Everyone!

11pm In loving memory of Clara Fischer

by the Carl Fischer Family

Dec. 27 Open

Pew Candles Christmas Eve: In memory of loved ones by Rena Bond.

“Trinity Tidings”

All dedications are taken for 2014. Thank you.

Please Note:To reserve a flower date, fill in the Flower Chart in the narthex and call Suzanne Webb 610-264-

4880 with your dedication. If you do not call Suzanne, the dedication will read “To the glory of God by (your name)”. To dedicate a Sunday bulletin, call the

church secretary (610-264-2641). Bulletins are $10, altar flowers are $35. Please pick up your flowers or have

someone pick them up for you.

YOUTH NEWS

Did you hear...what 5 HT youth and 89 mini powdered-sugar donuts accomplished? Nothing less than a $903.50 donation to the Race for Adam Foundation!!! Congratulations to our youth, and huge thanks to our sponsors. If you missed the details about this very worthy cause in the October Tidings, you can google Race for Adam for more information. Alex and Emily Suter presented a giant check to their teacher, Mr. Recke, along with the real checks, at their Salisbury school in mid-November. Did you see...the array of photos posted in the Alice Storch Room? The posters chronicle HT Youth events in the first 10 months of 2015, as well as some Sunday School and VBS activities. Did you go...to Ten Thousand Villages (TTV) on Sunday, November 8th? Our second community shopping event at the fair trade shop netted $241.51 from TTV, a non-profit. Caleb charmed an additional $20 donation from one of the shoppers. Thanks to Ethan Schock, Meliya Hart, and Caleb Staub for playing host to customers, introducing them to Nohla (our sponsored child) via our scrapbook, and thanking them for their purchases during the 4-hour span. TTV generously offered a 25%-off coupon to shoppers that day, so everyone was a winner: the shoppers, the youth, Nohla, and the artisans who received a fair price for their crafts. 100% of the proceeds will be used to continue to sponsor Nohla in the coming months. Stop at the Fair Trade table in the sanctuary to browse our updated Nohla scrapbook, including a photo and letter portraying the purchases she made for her family with the $100 special gift our youth sent for her a few months ago. And check out the 4 items that were created by a South African craftsman - 2 are the artist's version of birds that make their home in Nohla's native South Africa. Thank you to our Holy Trinity shoppers who came to TTV to support our fundraiser! Did you realize...that our youth can give as well as receive? The Catty Food Bank welcomed us on Saturday, November 14 to help shelve the Scouting for Food collection. John from Pies On Pizza treated Joe and Steven Green, Ethan and Noah Schock, Emily Suter, and the regular food bank volunteers to pizza after 2 hours of sorting and shelving. Thanks, John! Later that day, several youth served at the 5 Loaves and 2 Fish spaghetti dinner: Ethan Schock, Joe Green, Alex Suter, Emily Thomas, Sam Wetzel - I hope I didn't miss anyone. Weren't they an awesome addition to the spectacular food?! Now it's our turn to do something for our church family. Once again, we are making beautiful calendars available to you at an amazingly reasonable price. Visit the display in the narthex to see a sample wall calendar. The calendars will arrive any day now. We're not hoping to make a profit on this sale. Instead, it's our way of saying thank-you to our congregation for another year of awesome support for our activities. Coming next: Confirmand sleepover at Holy Trinity from Tuesday, December 29th at 1pm to Wednesday, December 30th at 6pm. We'll break down the components of a typical Holy Trinity worship service, and reassemble it using contemporary Christian music. Of course the time will include dart baseball, a fun movie, and FOOD!!! This ain't no Famine, guys! Mark your virtual calendars now for 29 hours of fun and spiritual eye-opening!

SOCIAL MINISTRY NEWS

REMINDER: Last call for Ingathering gifts, including 25 rolls of lifesavers, and an additional $10 toward our cash donation for the Synergy Project. Want to know what happens to those Ingathering gifts (and Christmas trees)? Join us on Monday, November 30th at 7pm for about an hour or so at Holy Trinity to sort the gifts and tuck the trees away for the year. Then on Thursday afternoon, December 3rd, take a trip with us to the district sorting of gifts, and hear a speaker from Valley Youth House talking about the Synergy Project for homeless kids in Allentown. See Cheryl Kneiss or Diane Czar (610-739-6006) for more information.

'Tis the season...for our Sunday bulletins and the Trinity Tidings to be filled with lots of opportunities to give - both Christmas gift-giving and compassionate giving. From Scrip gift cards to benefit our Christian Education program...to sponsoring Christmas decorations, trees, candles, and poinsettias for our house of worship...to the Fair Trade table filled with gift catalogs and handmade items and chocolate...to the food table...to the Bean Soup mix that benefits the Pastor's Discretionary Fund...to

the Numan Orphanage...to all the amazing things the Morning Glories do...

It's helping people unwrap a better life. We hope that, rather than feeling spread too thinly in supporting these and other giving opportunities, you will find one or more that tug at your heart, and that you will pour some of your earthly blessings into them. Turn your Christmas giving into an opportunity to share your blessings and your faith story with those who will enjoy the fruits of your "shopping". When asked "What do you want for Christmas?", give a list compiled from your visit to Ten Thousand Villages or the Fair Trade table, or from one of the Fair Trade table catalogs. Already content with what you have? Ask for a donation in your honor to Holy Trinity, the Numan Orphanage or the "Metsehet Fund", World Vision, Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity...the possibilities are endless. How about a $20 hen or a $30 colony of bees to fill your Christmas stocking? Throw in a fairly-traded Divine chocolate bar, and your Christmas will be more than magical...It will be heavenly.

SCRIP NEWS

The last SCRIP gift card order before Christmas will

be placed on Sunday night, December 6th!!! You can

email orders to Diane at czarmom45@aol.com, bring

your order to church, or call/text an order to Joe

(610-573-1957) or Diane (610-739-6006). So even if you're away from Holy Trinity, we're

only a mobile device away!

Our featured Card-of-the-Month for December is Cabela's. With a 14% rebate, Holy

Trinity receives $7 for every $50 in SCRIP cards you purchase! So if you're 'hunting' for

great Christmas gifts, including clothing and toys, think Cabela's, and think SCRIP! It's not all

camouflage at Cabela's!

Some things to note about ordering:

Eddie Bauer cards are no longer available through SCRIP.

Think gift-giving, office parties at local restaurants, teacher and coworker gifts, and

Secret Santa's. Low denomination gift cards are back for a short time, too!

Gift card holders are available at no charge, while supplies last.

There are many retailers that are not included on our order form - ask Joe or Diane to

check for you, or go online at GLScrip to explore other options.

Many retailers offer gift cards in amounts other than those shown on our order form. Make a

note on your order if you'd like, for example, a $50 card instead of 2 $25 cards.

Here are the cards that are available for immediate purchase:

Panera Outback TGIFriday's Boscov's Starbucks Boston Market Taco Bell

Burger King PetSmart Dick's Sporting Goods Cabela's Aeropostale Boscov's Old

Navy/Gap/Banana Republic

Weis Bonefish Grille Applebee's Home Depot Staples Subway

Walmart/Sam's Club Arby's

Bed Bath & Beyond iTunes Barnes & Noble ($5) Q'doba

Carrabba's CVS Sheetz Kohl's Dunkin

Olive Garden/Longhorn Steakhouse/Red Lobster JCPenney Giant

Our goal? To completely pay for ongoing Christian Education needs. The 2015 budget line for

Christian Education is $1500, to cover Sunday School, VBS, confirmation, and First Communion

expenses. In addition, the Christian Education Team has the responsibility of raising funds for our

annual Paul Frantz Scholarship awards. The annual yard sale proceeds have typically gone into the

general fund, which then pays for budgeted items including Christian Education expenses. SCRIP

profits aren't quite enough yet to pay ALL Christian Education expenses, because much of the reported

profit is tied up in our inventory of cards available for immediate purchase, as well as a minimum-

balance account requirement. But to date, SCRIP profits have paid a total of $1525.19 to subsidize

curriculum, confirmation, and scholarship needs in 2015. Not a bad start! Thanks for your continuing

support of the SCRIP gift card program! Gross profits from April 1, 2014 through November 15th,

Calling all Decorators!!

November 29th is the date - after church - for the annual Christmas decorating . If you have helped in

the past - please feel free to join in this nice opportunity to beautify our church, and to bond with all at

the other helping hands. There is something for all ages - men and women to help with.

Just as a reminder - here are some of the tasks - battery filling, bow fluffing, swag hanging, wreath

(outdoor)? arranging, and more! Your 15 minutes or more will greatly help in this preparation for our

Christmas Holy season!! THANK YOU!!!!! (See Nancy Miller for details)

December 13th, Brief Congregational Meeting to elect Council members and approve the 2016 budget

Christmas Cookie Sale

Sponsored by the

Morning Glories

Beginning December 21st (see “2015

Monthly Fellowship & Refreshments” for

more details)

Thursday, December 24th

7:00p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight/Communion/Choir

11:00p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight/Communion/Choir

Sunday, December 13th

Sunday School Christmas Program

“Little Packages”

10:30a.m. worship service

Bring your family and friends!

Sunday, January 3rd — Undecorate Church after worship