Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church. Living for Christ through Worship, Discipleship, Service and Fellowship

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1 19251 North Tamiami Trail, No. Ft. Myers, FL Phone: THE MESSENGER Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church Nov., 2018, Volume 2018, Issue 11 Website: Living for Christ through Worship, Discipleship, Service and Fellowship HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Nov. 4 Pat Maxwell Nov. 6 Nancy Walker Nov. 9 Faye Jean Hall Nov.10 Brenda Snyder Nov. 10 Terry Walker Nov. 13 Don Brinker Nov. 14 David Gluck Nov. 14 Howard Wright Nov. 15 Kelly Dickey Nov. 17 Joyce Schmidt Nov. 21 Penny Gillespie Nov. 26 Ellen Minckler Having a Birthday This Month? Sign up to greet so we can say Happy Birthday! And why not celebrate the many blessing in your life and be a blessing to Holy Trinity, too? Contribute to the birthday fund to help us pay for special projects like the Keep Cool Fund. ** Suggested donation is $1.00 per year of age. To the Saints of Holy Trinity Presbyterian: What does it mean to live gratefully? Obviously, each of you must answer that question for yourself, even as I have my own, idiosyncratic, answers. We are coming towards the end of our Grace and Gratitude stewardship season and entering the month of Thanksgiving. In that spirit, I share a poem that expresses my deep delight in the small things of life that cause me to praise God, and lead me to give thanks to Him in tangible ways. This poem is by the renowned Mary Oliver: is where in the pinewoods in the moments between the darkness and first light two deer came walking down the hill and when they saw me they said to each other, okay, this one is okay, let's see who she is and why she is sitting on the ground like that, so quiet, as if asleep, or in a dream, but, anyway, harmless and so they came on their slender legs and gazed upon me Not unlike the way The Place I Want To Get Back To May God give you numerous surprising reasons to be thankful in this coming month. Joy in Christ, RC Smith I go out to the dunes and look and look and look into the faces of the flowers; and then one of them leaned forward and nuzzled my hand, and what can my life bring to me that could exceed that brief moment? For twenty years I have gone every day to the same woods, not waiting, exactly, just lingering. Such gifts, bestowed, can't be repeated. If you want to talk about this come to visit. I live in the house near the corner, which I have named Gratitude Support the people and causes you love through your will!

2 Page 2 November 2018 SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE MONTH Nov 4 Sermon: Revelation 21:1-6a; Liturgist: Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9; Mark 12:28-34 Nov 11 Sermon: Mark 12:38-44; Liturgist: Ruth 1:1-18; Hebrews 9:24-28 Nov 18 Sermon: Mark 13:1-8; Liturgist: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Hebrews 10:19-25 Nov 25 Liturgist: 1 Kings 3:9-15; John 13:3-17; Galatians 6:2-10 Prayer Chain Warriors Ushers & Greeters for November If you cannot serve on the Sunday you are to usher, please call the Usher Captain. 1 st Service: Alice Clarcq nd Service: Mary Ann Chamberlin We have very good warriors on our prayer chain at Holy Trinity. If you have a prayer request, please contact any of the following and the name of the person you want us to pray for will be put on the prayer chain. Nancy Rad Roger Smith Kelly Dickey Ann Sosa Joyce Schmidt Wilma Jenkins Billie Sonderman Nancy Walker Ruth Rickard Joy O Dell Nov. 4 8:30 A.M. Service Communion Joan Ostrander Andrea Helms Nancy Rad Carol Dant Nov. 11 Luanne Putnam Dan Putnam Billie Sonderman Rosemarie Prud homme Nov. 18 Pat Soper Debbie Sanders Bonnie Anderson Alice Clarcq Nov. 25 Eva Ferrell Bonnie Anderson Diane Villwock Ron Stout Greeter for November: Joyce Lee Nov. 4 10:30 A.M. Service Communion Marty Rudo John Strickland Judy Steele Charles Schnuth Ken Reese (Choir) Nov. 11 Joanne Weightman John Strickland Charles Schnuth Roger Smith Nov. 18 Joan Hall Joanne Weightman Ed Hall John Strickland Nov. 25 Margaret Lloyd Joanne Weightman John Strickland Joan Hall MISSION REPORT We began our fall schedule with a luncheon and business meeting at the Smoke npit. Food and fellowship helped to build strong committee relationships. We received thank you letters from J. Colin English, The Academy for the Arts, Life Line, and Beacon of Hope in response to the church family s donations. If you have an interest in helping those in need and would like to visit our committee for possible membership, please notify Larry Raber or Fran Smith to make arrangements. Our group enjoyed participating in the Rally Day learning session. Larry Raber, Chair

3 Page 3 November 2018 Pastor Nominating Committee Report The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has completed the first two phases of our task. The Mission Study Report was finalized and made available to the congregation in August, The Ministry Information Form (MIF) was completed by the PNC in mid-september, 2018, approved by the Holy Trinity Session on September 23, 2018, and approved by the Committee On Ministry at the Peace River Presbytery on October 9, The MIF has been posted on the national Presbytery site in Louisville, Kentucky. We have received Personal Information Forms (PIF) from prospective candidates. In addition, the job description has been posted on the church website: The PNC continues to review PIF s, resumes, and vitas. Our goal is to secure the most qualified person for the pastor position who can meet the needs of our congregation and community. HTPC Pastor Nominating Committee Evangelism There were 137 First Time Visitor Packets given out so far this year. The Pictorial Directory third proof was sent back to Lifetouch the first week of October. It is expected that we will receive the Directory sometime around the latter part of October. Betty Robertson stated that plans for the "Trinity on the Go" outings are being firmed up by her and Fran Smith. Two trips are planned this year after being approved by the session. One is to the Mote Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota on November 15 th for $70, and one with the Florida Christmas Light Train/Bus/Boat ride in Punta Gorda Isles. Total cost is $100 for this excursion. The trip to the Morris Museum in Winter Haven on October 25 th was cancelled due to lack of interest. Membership Matters Classes began on October 21 st. The subsequent dates of classes will be held on October 28 th, and November 4 th. The perspective members will meet with the Session and be taken in as members on November 11 th, and then at the following service, they will be presented to the congregation. They will also each receive a gift and their name badges. Flyers and ads for the Christmas Cantata and the Christmas Services will be placed in the December community Newsletters for the southern parts of North Fort Myers that do not have the advantage of seeing our sign. The sign will display the time and dates of the events for those living in the northern part of North Fort Myers. Our sign helps with defraying the cost of advertising by directly informing our surrounding community. Beverly Smith, Chair CONGREGATIONAL MEETING NOTICE, NOVEMBER 4 TH The Session of Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church has issued a call for a meeting of the congregation on Sunday, November 4 th, immediately following the 10:30 worship service. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the report of the Nominating Committee for church officers. Those being placed in nomination are as follows: Elders, Class of 2021: Elaine Knell, Luanne Putnam (2 nd term), Scotty Robertson (2 nd term), Betty Robertson Deacons, Class of 2019: Polly Timberlake (2 nd term) Deacons, Class of 2021: Mary Ann Chamberlin, Rosemary Ling, Aileen Reese

4 Page 4 November 2018 Music Department It s November, our winter residents are coming back, and cooler weather on the way, what a time of the year. The choir has been learning some great anthems and making great progress on the Christmas Cantata. On Sunday s I hear lots of great singing from the congregation, please consider joining the choir. Our first service is going strong with almost 60 in attendance each Sunday for the month of October. May you all have a blessed November month. Blessings to all, Paul Brewer, Music Director We had 8 men enjoy a PRESBYTERIAN MEN delicious breakfast and fellowship at our October 5 th meeting. German Battleship Bismarck HMS Battlecruiser Hood For our next men s meeting breakfast on Nov. 3 rd, Charlie Schnuth will be presenting a program titled Reflections On WWII. Charlie will be touching on battles and facts that many of us may not know about. Ladies are invited. Join us by signing the sheet in the church Narthex. Upcoming Events: Breakfast Mtg. Friday, Nov. 2 nd 9:00 A.M. Fellowship Hall Breakfast Mtg. Friday, Dec. 7 th 9:00 A.M. Fellowship Hall Please join the Men s Group and get involved. It is only one Friday morning a month. All men in the community are welcome at our meetings. Come and enjoy great food and fellowship! Jerry Strohmenger, Secretary PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN I want to thank all the women who helped with Presbyterian Women s Sunday. I am very proud to be a part of this group of women. They are the GREATEST! I can t believe it is this close to Christmas! On Saturday, December 1st at 10:00 A.M., we will be putting up the Angel tree. This year we will be putting ornaments on the tree with gender and shoe size on them. Shoes that are purchased go to the children at Mision Peniel in Immokalee and will need to be donated by December 18 th. Again, Judy DeLonge made all the ornaments and Alice Clarcq added the information on them. Thank you both. The church will also be decorated at this time, and help will be greatly appreciated. If there are any questions regarding this project, please call me at UPCOMING EVENTS: Dorcas Circle/Bible Study Wednesday, Nov. 7 th 10:00 A.M. No Rachel Circle PW Council Monday, Nov. 19 th 10:00 A.M. Janet Rivero THANK YOU Thank you to everyone for all the get well cards and thoughts. I appreciate all the wonderful birthday cards I received for my August birthday. I would be so grateful for your continued prayers. Lovingly, Leona Jennings

5 Page 5 November 2018 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION The Sunday morning adult Sunday School Class that is based on the book, Parables from the Back Side, Bible Stories with a Twist by J. Ellsworth Kalas, will continue through November 11 th. This class is offered between services from 9:35 to 10:15 on Sunday morning in Room 4, led by Elders Janet Daly and Janet Rivero. We hope you will consider joining us as we explore the parables from a slightly different point of view. An Advent study will be led by Pastor R. C. Smith for the four weeks of Advent, December 2 nd, 9 th, 16 th, and 23 rd. Based on the book, The Bible and Handel s Messiah, you can look forward to another interesting and diverse approach to preparing for the birth of Jesus. The Christian Education will have Advent devotionals available in the Narthex starting Sunday, November 18th. Please take one per person or couple. These are designed to help you prepare your mind and spirit to welcome the Christ child into your heart and home this Christmas season. We can always use additional members and new ideas for adult study. Please see me or Committee members Janet Rivero and Wilma Jenkins. We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 12:30 P.M. in Room 2. We d love to have you join us. Janet Daly, Vice-Chair ALL SAINTS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 th November 1 has long been known as All Saints Day in the tradition of the Christian Church. Most Protestant churches observe the first Sunday in November as All Saints Sunday. On November 4 th in both worship services we will be honoring the members and friends of Holy Trinity who have joined the Church Triumphant since last November. THANK YOU Thank you for your expressions of sympathy, prayers, cards, and flowers in the loss of our loved one, Richard Mac MacAllister. God Bless, Audrey and Family Building & Grounds Notice The Church cannot accept any Christmas Decorations, including trees, and cannot accept any tables or chairs. We have absolutely no room to store such items beyond what we already use for our annual decorating. If you have surplus items, please give them to a charity of some kind. Your cooperation is appreciated. John Strickland, Chair WORSHIP Sunday, November 4 th is All Saints Sunday. We will be remembering the saints from our congregation who have gone to be with their Lord this past year. This will be a very memorable service. On Sunday, November 11th, we will be receiving new people into membership in our congregation. We hope you will welcome them and make them feel at home. Looking forward, we will be decorating the church for Christmas on Saturday, December 1st. We are looking for volunteers to help us. If you could give us an hour or two, we would greatly appreciate it. Ruth & Terry Rickard Daylight Savings Time ends on November 4th

6 Page 6 November 2018 CHURCHES VISITED Terry & Ruth Rickard brought us back two Church Programs. They visited St. Thomas Church, Bernville, PA on August 26 th and on September 16th they visited Bethel United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, TN. I found from reading Bethel s Program that their church was dedicated in Barbara Nase FELLOWSHIP DINNER Fellowship will host a Thanksgiving Feast after the 2 nd Service on November 18 th. A donation of $10 per person would be appreciated. Signups will be on 11/4 and 11/11. Seating will be limited to 100. Fellowship Hall will be closed until 11:30. Please do not attempt to enter prior to then. Nancy Rad, Co-chair Finance Committee Our finances including income and expenses for September: income was $24, and expenses were $24,386.28, leaving us with a shortage of only $ The Finance committee members are mindful that our surplus dollars are not huge, but they are anticipating they will carry us through the summer months. Thank you and God bless. The Fall Stewardship campaign committee is in full gear. They have sent out two mailings with information and a pledge card for your use. If you did not receive a pledge card they will be available at the church. Commitment Sunday was October 28 th, but it is not too late to complete one. You can put it in the collection plate or give it to our treasurer, Andrea Helms. Hopefully, I will be able to give everyone a report next month on the success of our campaign. The last payment on our mortgage was submitted - $10, We have not yet received from the lender an official letter stating our mortgage has been satisfied, but expect it any day. We are so grateful to so many who contributed faithfully to the monthly mortgage envelope and the birthday fund. We want to continue the birthday fund to help cover special projects like the Keep Our Cool Fund. As you probably heard our AC units in Fellowship Hall have seen better days. We will be addressing at least 3 bids at our November meeting. We are still somewhat cool thanks to the great work of our Building and Grounds Committee. The Finance Committee voted to continue the Birthday Fund through These donations will go toward the payment of the new AC units and be deposited in a new fund Keep our Cool. If anyone wishes to contribute to the Keep our Cool fund,you may put your donation in the collection plate. Please mark it for this fund. Thanks for all your help. HELP HELP Holy Trinity needs your assistance we have two teams who count Sunday Collections. Mac MacAllister lead a team for many years, but due to his sudden passing we need help. A team spends about 3 hours every other Monday, so it really does not take up tons of time and you will be serving Holy Trinity in a big way. Please see, call, or Ed Hall (239) ; edjoanhall@gmail.com. Again, thank you all for your continued support to Holy Trinity. Pat Colucci, Chair

7 Page 7 November 2018 HOLY TRINITY EVENTS CALENDAR November 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Congregational Mtg. All Saints Day Communion Sunday Daylight-Saving Time Ends 7:30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 8:30 AM Contemporary SVC 9:35 AM Adult Bible Study Rm 4 9:35 AM Membership Matters 10:30 AM Traditional SVC 11:30 AM Congregational Meeting 5 10:00 AM Fellowship Committee Mtg. in FH 11:00 AM Evangelism in CR4 6 10:00 AM Club House Ministries 7 10:00 AM Dorcas Circle in CR4 10:00 AM PNC Meeting CR2 9:30 AM Finance 12:30 PM Christian Ed in CR2 6:00 PM Christmas Cantata Rehearsal 7:00 PM Choir - CR1 8 6:00 PM Christmas Cantata Rehearsal 7:00 PM Choir in CR1 9:00 AM Men's Breakfast in FH 11:00 AM Communications - CR Session Retreat 9:00-1:00 11 Veterans Day 7:30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 8:30 AM Contemporary SVC 9:35 AM Adult Bible Study Rm 4 9:35 AM Membership Matters 10:30 AM Traditional SVC :00 AM Club House Ministries 1:00 PM Session Meeting 14 10:00 AM PNC Meeting CR4 15 Messenger Articles Due 6:00 PM Christmas Cantata Rehearsal 7:00 PM Choir in CR THANKSGIVING FEAST 7:30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 8:30 AM Contemporary SVC 9:35 AM Membership Matters 10:30 AM Traditional SVC 19 10:00 AM PW Council in CR :00 AM Club House Ministries 21 3:00 PM Bldg & Grnds CR4 22 Thanksgiving Day 6:00 PM No Cantata Rehearsal 7:00 PM No Choir :30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 8:30 AM Contemporary SVC 9:35 AM Membership Matters 10:30 AM Traditional SVC :00 AM Club House Ministries 1:30 PM Care Angels CR2 2:00 PM Deacons CR4 2:30 PM Congregational Care REMINDER :00 AM PNC Meeting CR4 1:00 PM Missions in CR3 MEET THE NEED SUNDAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH! 29 1:00 PM Worship in CR4 6:00 PM Christmas Cantata Rehearsal 7:00 PM Choir CR1 30 Saturday December 1 10:00 AM

8 Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church North Tamiami Trail North Fort Myers, FL Phone: Website: NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID FORT MYERS, FL PERMIT NO. 67 Living for Christ through Contemporary Service Adult Bible Study Traditional Service Sunday Schedule 8:30 A.M. 9:35 A.M. 10:30 A.M. November November 4 th : Daylight Savings Time Ends Communion Sunday All Saints Day Observance Congregational Meeting November 10 th : Session Retreat 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. November 11 th : Veterans Day November 22 nd : Thanksgiving Day Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church would like to remind everyone of our Church Web Site, You will find most of our Pastor s recent sermons there, and also find it interesting to listen to them once again in a quiet and peaceful setting. Also, you are invited to visit us on Facebook.