The Epistle: Weekly News from HTLC

Worship this Week

This weeken d we will celebrate the second weekend of Advent.

Come and worship:

Saturday at 5:30 pm
Sunday at 8:30 am - Grades K-2 and Handbell Choirs
Sunday at 10:00 am - Grades 3-5 and Handbell Choirs
Wednesday at 6:00 pm

Grace Notes - Thoughts from the Pastors

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

A lot has happened in the world over the last week. Last Thursday, the schedule said, “Give thanks.” So, with tables piled high with food and football on the TV, we gave thanks for all the stuff we possess, and the loved ones who benefit. Seems we also took note of what we did not have in the process, because “Black Friday” called us to rush into every available retail outlet to push, shove, and harangue to get whatever we lacked to make life full... READ MORE

Th at’s the subject of GraceNotes this week… Read this blog and subscribe to new posts on the Grace Notes blog page here!

Fair Trade Fair - This Weekend

We will be hosting a Fair Trade Fair after worship on Saturday and Sunday. Stop by the narthex to see a variety of items:

Fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate gift items
Hand-woven and knitted items made by LSI's Elders Refugee Program in Des Moines
Recycled aluminum crosses and decorations made in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Christmas cards you may order through The Printery House

Looking Ahead

Lessons & Carols Worship

Dec. 15 during worship at 8:30 and 10:00 am

Church School Christmas Program

Dec. 15 at 4:00 and 6:00 pm

Christmas Eve Worship

Dec. 24 at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00 pm

No Wednesday worship on Dec. 25

Worship and Brunch

Dec. 29 at 10:00 am - worship with brunch afterwards (no 8:30 am worship)

Family Promise

HTLC is hosting three Family Promise families the week of January 12-19. Together, we can serve these families in various ways including meal prep, serving, evening host, overnight host, van driver, set up, tear down, and laundry.

Learn more by signing up online or visiting the Red Wall. Questions can be directed via e-mail to Carlie Fitzgerald or by phone to Scott Hamilton at 964-8434. Volunteer hours may count towards Silver Cord for high school youth.

Parents' Morning Out - Dec. 14

On Saturday, December 14, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm,

parents are invited to drop off their kids to the Fellowship Hall. Click here to register.

Enjoy a few hours to Christmas shop or just relax while the kids hang out and have fun with the high schoolers.

This is a fundraiser for the 2020 High School Mission Trip so a freewill offering will be accepted. Snacks will be provided but not a full meal. Kids are welcome to bring a sack lunch if they want. Contact Christina McClearly with any questions.

Cookies for Christmas Eve

We will serve cookies for fellowship on Christmas Eve. If you’re willing to contribute a dozen (or two), sign up online or at the Red Wall.

Open Hearts. Open Doors.

God has given us much; blessed us with abundance. God has also called us to do much with what we have received. Let's join together for this generous undertaking that will fill our city with grace, mercy, love and hope.

Click here to submit your estimated plan for giving.

Advent Giving Projects

Advent Giving Projects are underway!

Hope Ministries, CFI, Holy Trinity Food Pantry, and more. You can also sign up to deliver Christmas Cards to our homebound members. Our theme for giving this advent season is God's work. Our hands. Share God's love with our local neighbors and families across the globe.

You can learn more at the Red Wall at church.

Subscribe to Living Lutheran Magazine

It's time to renew or sign up for Living Lutheran magazine.This special offer of $9 (subscriptions are normally $19.95) is available only once a year. To subscribe, please click here or pick up a subscription form at the Welcome Desk by Dec. 22.

Holy Trinity Food Pantry

The Holy Trinity Food Pantry has moved! It is now located in the south hallway by Entry Door S4.

The Food Pantry is in need of the following items:

Recently purchased ground beef, chicken or other mainstay meats that are in 1-2 pound packages. Please place in the freezer located in the new Food Pantry. Enter the door marked "Food Pantry Donation Drop Off."
Laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, and personal care items (toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc)
Canned meat
Children's books
Clean, empty plastic grocery bags
Credit/debit card donations at the Giving Station located in the Narthex.

You may place items in the grocery carts located by the entrances to the church.

Your monetary, food and personal care gifts are an outreach of God's love to the Ankeny community.