September/October Newsletter Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 3712 W El Prado Blvd. Tampa, FL 33629 www.holytrinitytampa.org T: 813-839-6847 Let me check my schedule. If you ever respond to someone with such a phrase, it s probably because your schedule tends to be packed. How have things been? Busy. Busy, busy, busy we say. Technology and convenience are supposed to lighten the load, yet we somehow manage to inconvenience ourselves with an equally heavy load. The more we can carry, the more we take on. This provides a reason to say no pretty much whenever we feel like it, particularly when it comes to things we might consider non-essential. In a few weeks we will be launching some small group events again. What is a small group event? It is a Bible Study and fellowship group that meets on a regular basis. But rather than meeting for an indefinite period of time, each group will meet for a fixed short-term period around 4-6 weeks. The goal is for us to grow in the Word and in fellowship with one another as we walk together in faith. I invite you to say yes to this opportunity and participate in a small group. Be enriched by this study and fellowship opportunity. Spending more time in God s Word and in fellowship with your family in Christ can only be of benefit. So take the time and be enriched! It is essential for our spiritual wellbeing to be in God s Word: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). Pastor Andy Save the Date! HTLS Annual Auction Event! Saturday, March 4, 2017 6:30-10:30PM Glazer s Children s Museum We are in the planning phase of our annual auction. We are very excited to host our event at the Glazer s Children s Museum. If you are interested in helping out with the event please contact us! Alex Martin Office.holytrinitytampa@gm ail.com Becca Schermbeck rschermbeck@gmail.com Church Calendar Stay connected every day of the week with Holy Trinity! Click here to view our church calendar. Page 1 of 7
From the Prez Hi everyone, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Donald Price. I have been a member at Holy Trinity for 3 years now and have seen a lot of growth in church membership and school enrollment. I was formerly a member of the HTLS School board and as such am very connected to the mission of the school. I am very happy to be serving as your council president and look forward to helping the church to grow and flourish. I know with the team of council members as well as the wonderful member of our congregation we affect positive change to not only our church but to our community as well. God Bless Don Price HTLC Council President Stewardship Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God s family, the church, in managing all of life and life s resources for God s purposes. With the youngsters returning to school for a new year it seems like a good time for us all to take a back to basics refresher on the principles of stewardship commonly in use throughout The Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod. Genesis 1:1 underscores the basic truth that God created all things, visible and invisible, and thus He is the rightful Owner of all things. If we do not have this basic principle of ownership in the proper perspective, then we are tempted to believe that all the things we surround ourselves with are ours to do with as we please. Stewardship is, as a Lutheran leader long ago said, everything I do after I say I believe. Stewards do not belong to the congregation in the sense that only those things done for the congregation are examples of good stewardship. Stewards belong to God and, as they mature, they seek out God s will for their stewardship attitudes and practices. I. GOD'S STEWARDS ARE GOD'S STEWARDS. God's stewards are stewards by virtue of creation and their re-creation in Holy Baptism; therefore, they belong to the Lord. Page 2 of 7
II. III. IV. GOD'S STEWARDS ARE MANAGERS, NOT OWNERS. God's stewards have been entrusted by God with life and life's resources and given the privilege of responsibly and joyfully managing them for Him. GOD'S STEWARDS ARE SAINTS AND SINNERS. God's stewards rejoice in and live out what God has declared them to be through the cross. At the same time His stewards recognize they are sinners who fight sin and its consequences each day. GOD'S STEWARDS ARE UNIQUELY SINGULAR, YET PROFOUNDLY PLURAL. God's stewards recognize that their lives are not solo performances but are personal responses to God, lived out within the community of faith to benefit the whole world. V. GOD'S STEWARDS ARE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD. God's stewards recognize that the Lord sets them apart from the world and by the transforming power of the Gospel sends them into the world to live out the Gospel. VI. VII. GOD'S STEWARDS ARE LOVED AND LOVING. God's stewards recognize that their stewardship flows out of God's act of love for them in Christ which empowers then, in turn, to love others in acts of Christ-like love. GOD'S STEWARDS ARE SERVED AND SERVING. God's stewards recognize that their stewardship involves a Gospel-powered style of life which is demonstrated in servanthood within all the arenas of life. VIII. GOD'S STEWARDS LIVE WITH AN AWARENESS OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE, OF TIME AND ETERNITY. God's stewards live intentionally in the light of God's eternal purpose while being firmly committed to His rule in the here and now. Ephesians 2:8-10 eloquently state the truth that we are God s workmanship and this is all a matter of grace. It is so comforting to know that our salvation does not depend upon us and our works; if it did, we would never have the assurance that we have done enough. Make sure you spend some time reflecting on verse 10. We Christians have not just been saved from but we have also been saved for, that is, saved for doing good works which honor God and bless others! In His service, Pam Borgstede Beth Moore Living Proof Simulcast Join ladies from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and women from around the world for this inspiring one-day event with Beth Moore! You're invited to be part of this global, one-day simulcast that will encourage you to dive deeper into the Word of God. Don't miss out on this special event! Where: When: Cost: 11699 82nd Ter N, Seminole 33772 (Alex and Brett Martin s House) Saturday, September 17th 10:30am-5:15pm $20 per person and a potluck dish Contact Pam Borgstede by Sept 10 th at 727-871-3757 or pam.htcs@gmail.com to attend. Pam will collect the registration fee and make the group registration. Page 3 of 7
DISNEY s NITE OF JOY: Christian Music Concert We will meet at 8:00am in Church Parking Lot. Visit one of 4 theme parks. Return 1:00am Sunday Morning. Transportation is a 15Passenger Van. Price is $80.00 per person and checks or cash payable to HTLC: Youth Group. Please contact Ginger Torgrimson at Gtorg30@me.com to sign up. Youth can vote on which Park: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom (included with price of Saturday s concert) Social Ministry It is a true honor to take over the Social Ministry position on the church council. I have a heart for those in need and I am always willing to help. My job on the council is to ensure that those that need to be visited such as the homebound or hospitalized are visited and they know we are thinking of them. Within the next few weeks I will be gathering information such as birthdays, fun facts, and addresses. I want to leave cards in the narthex that can be filled out by congregation members and I can deliver or mail them to the homebound/hospitalized. If you know of anyone that needs to be visited or would like to receive phone calls now and again please let me know. Another part of my job is to set up meal deliveries. For example, if a member of our congregation has a baby or has had surgery I would set up a meal schedule through Take them a meal online. Lastly, because I am also a teacher here at HTLS I will be starting and leading a bible study for our teachers. This is such a special way for us as teachers to grow and learn in God s word. I thank God for this wonderful opportunity to serve others. My email address is mrs.reedhtls@gmail.com if you need to contact me. In His Service, Amanda S. Reed Trunk or Treat To: All are Welcome From: Cathy Douglas and Amanda Reed Date: Saturday, October 29, 2016 Time: 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. You are cordially invited to attend an evening of food, fellowship, and fun for the whole family! Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will once again host our annual Trunk-Or-Treat event. Church and School families will decorate their car trunks with themes and hand out candy and trinkets to the children who stop by for Trick-Or-Treating. Page 4 of 7
If you would like to help with this fabulous event, here are a few ways you can help. * Donate Candy * Donate Hot Dog Buns * Donate All Beef Hot Dogs * Donate Bottled Water * Donate Canned Soda (Variety) * Donate Individually Packaged Chips (Variety Packs) * Provide Assistance at the event * Provide Set-Up Help * Provide Clean-Up Help If you would like to decorate your vehicle trunk and participate that way, we would love it! We will need to know your theme as soon as possible. Please contact us with your responses, questions, or fun ideas. Cathy Douglas: c.douglas@htlstampa.org Amanda Reed: mrs.reed@htlstampa.org From the Principal s Desk Finding Our Way Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it. Do you remember your first day of school each year? No matter how many tours or Open Houses you attended, when that first day came around you probably were still trying to figure out where your classroom was and where they said the bathroom was. And where was that map they gave you anyway? The first day of school can always bring nerves, jitters and uncertainty, but you know what? There is never a need for worry because, as it says in Isaiah 30:21, there is a voice behind you showing us the way just as there is every day of our lives. Whenever we feel like we don t know which way to turn, just remember to listen for that gentle voice of God behind you leading you to follow Him. Enrollment We are excited to have added 3rd grade for this school year. What an exciting time for HTLS! It s really amazing to see God s work in the growth of our school. We are currently at an enrollment of 165 that s 24 more students than last year! We look forward to adding 4th grade for the 2017/2018 school year and 5th grade the following year. Monthly Missions & Chapel Offerings Again during this school year the students will participate in Monthly Missions. Each month we will focus on a specific group or charity that we will support through donations or collections and prayer. September s monthly mission will focus on disaster relief for the flood victims in Louisiana. We are still in development at this time, but more information will be shared soon. Our 1st Quarter Chapel offerings will also be going to Louisiana relief. Page 5 of 7
Wishing Tree On behalf of all the staff, we want to extend our sincerest thanks for the amazing support the congregation has shown us through our Wishing Tree. Your generosity is truly a blessing. We do plan to bring our Wishing Tree back out throughout the year as needs arise so please keep your eyes out if you would like to help in the future. Upcoming September & October Dates - September 21st & 22nd: Donuts With Dads - September 22nd: Papa John s Spirit Night - September 28th-30th: Teacher s Conference in Orlando - October 6th: Picture Day - October 27th & 28th: Parent/Teacher Conferences - October 29th: Trunk-or-Treat Page 6 of 7
Worship Assistants Schedule Elder on Duty Communion Assistants Reader Acolyte Nursery Attendants Cleaning Crew Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Don Price Erich Borgstede Bob Reed Dave Snyder Ken Kallaher Russ May Phil Bickhart Erich Borgstede Erich Borgstede Piepebrink Phil Bickhart Ken Kallaher Dave Snyder Traci Lindhart Carolyn Reed Phil Bickhart Stan Boston Megan Corrigan Cathy Douglas Jayden Milne Sean Corrigan Pat Fisher Kelsey Torgimson Sarah DeVries Victoria Merriman Kara Savannah Smith Kelly Reilly Sydney Atkins Dave Snyder Bobbie Snyder Danielle William Sydney Atkins Christine Smith Savannah Smith Kara g Victoria Merriman Pat Fisher Kelsey Torgimson Tuyet Nguyen Tuyet Nguyen Page 7 of 7