Epistle
News from Holy Trinity
WORSHIP
This weekend we will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent

For the time being, we will gather virtually to worship together. Worship Videos will be posted on our website, HTLC app and YouTube at 5:00 pm on Saturdays so you can worship at a time that is most convenient for you. You may join us on Sundays at 9:00 am on our Facebook page to share "virtual worship" together.

The bulletin, readings and prayers, children's bulletin, and worship notes are available on our website. Prayer requests may be submitted online. Please complete a Welcome Card when you worship.
Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service
Wednesday, November 25
The worship video will be posted on Wednesday at 5:00 pm. You may watch at any time after 5:00 pm.
Advent Prayer Services
"Watch, Wait & Wonder"
​Wednesdays, December 2, 9 & 16
6:30 pm
Zoom instructions will be posted on the Realm calendar and will be shared via email on the day of the service.
STUDY, SERVE, SUPPORT
Advent Ministry Projects​​
As you do your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, please consider supporting families, children and adults in need of your love this Christmas by purchasing a gift for our "Advent Ministries" and remembering those in our congregation through Christmas Cards. You don't have to personally know the people you are sending cards to. We are all connected to one another by the love of Christ. Share God's love this Christmas.
Ministry partners include Mosaic, Holy Trinity Food Pantry, Hope Ministries, Children & Families of Iowa, Trinity Center, and Iowa Youth Homeless Shelter.
The church will be open on Mondays, 9-11 am, and on Sundays, 2-4 pm (Nov. 29, Dec. 6, and Dec. 13). You can drop off donations in bins at the north entryway.
FreeStore Donations
The FreeStore is in need of gently used two- and 3-quart kitchen pots. Please drop off your donations on the cart at the north entry.
Journey Through Grief
Register for this six-session educational grief group that meets online the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month, January to March, 1:00 - 2:30 pm.
It is hosted by a Chaplain - Bereavement Coordinator from Unity Point Hospice.
​To register for the group or for more information email Mallory Manning or call 515-240-7473.
Advent Book Study
The book group will meet online, Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm, Dec. 1-15. Please order your own book. Click here to sign up. 
Holy Trinity Food Pantry
The north entry doors will be open each Monday from 9:00-11:00 am to drop off donated items. If you prefer to give at other times, you can stock the Helping Hands boxes located in the south parking lot. You can also make a monetary contribution to the food pantry.
The Food Pantry is in need of the following items:
  • Toilet paper and paper towels
  • Canned chicken
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned beans
  • Peanut butter
  • Recently purchased ground beef, chicken or other mainstay meats that are in 1-2 pound packages. Please place in the freezer located in the Food Pantry.
Due to space constraints, our food pantry does not accept clothing or other household items.
Your monetary, food and personal care gifts are an outreach of God's love to the Ankeny community. Thank you for giving generously!
THOUGHTS FROM PASTORS & STAFF
Giving Thanks and the Pandemic
I know that many of us have good memories of Thanksgiving. Some years might not have been so great or were downright difficult. Others leave many good memories. New marriages, new babies, new jobs, and all those other “new” life changes can be a rallying point to bring people closer together and recognize the relationships they cherish. Family feuds, partisan politics, issues related to money, and more can cause rifts to form between clans within a family. Some Thanksgivings are full of joy and gratitude. Others leave us unsatisfied and unthankful. 
We Celebrate...
Happy 65th Anniversary to Don & Arlene Smith on December 4th.

"Let's Celebrate" our worship community by lifting up your milestone wedding anniversary, birthday or acknowledging a new birth. Click here to submit your milestone.
Members who wish to mail greetings may refer to the member directory in the Realm app to get addresses.