Epistle
News from Holy Trinity
WORSHIP
Weekend Worship
This weekend we will observe the Second Weekend in Lent. 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.

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.
Wednesday Lenten Worship
Wednesday Lenten worship videos will be available on YouTube and our website by 6:00 am each Wednesday during Lent. These short services will focus on faith and the book of Hebrews, especially Hebrews 11, with the final week focusing on Jesus and his path to the cross.
Parking Lot Communion Worship Service 
We will offer a communion worship service in the church parking lot on Sunday, March 21, at 10:00 am. The service will broadcast through your car radio on 87.7 FM; it is also available through Spotify, iHeart Radio, the HTLC App, and our website. You will remain in your vehicle for the duration of the service and will be asked to wear a face mask when communion is delivered to your car.
Sign up online or email Krista Gerth so we can plan accordingly. Please indicate the number of passengers you expect to receive communion in your vehicle. Contact Pastor Tim with questions.
STUDY, SERVE, SUPPORT
Order You Are Loved Yard Signs
We are excited to brighten up these wintery white streets and share the message of God’s love this Easter with "You are Loved" yard signs. This fundraiser will support the High School mission trip to Denver this summer. Signs are $20.
Please support our mission trip and Holy Trinity's mission to Share God's Love! Click here to order your sign.
Community Opportunities

Participate in the Virtual Lutheran Day on the Hill Thursday, March 11, from 9:30-11:30 am. Click here for details and registration.
Make cookies for the FreeStore to distribute to clients when they move into their new homes. Cookies must be kid-friendly, nut-free, and placed in Ziploc freezer bags labeled with the flavor and date packaged. Six cookies per package. Deliver cookies (may be frozen if baked earlier in the week) to the church on Mondays from 9:00-11:00 am. No need to sign up; they would like to receive several dozen cookies per week.
Sign up to receive fresh produce through the Global Greens Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Purchase a subscription for a weekly share of vegetables grown using organic practices by former refugees who are establishing local small vegetable farming businesses. Click to sign up.
Volunteer to help with Family Promise
During our host week of March 28-April 4, Family Promise families are staying at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and host church volunteers are coming to them. 
We need volunteers to help with meal preparation and overnight hosts. 
  • Overnight Hosts - Due to the pandemic, we need one person, but two are allowed. The hours for overnight hosts are 7:30 pm until 7:00 am. The overnight host will have very little contact with the families.
  • Meal Preparation - Volunteers are asked to prepare the meal and drop it off at the site; not serve it. If you prefer not to travel, we can arrange for someone else to transport the meal.
If you can help or have questions, please sign up here, email Carlie Fitzgerald or call Scott Hamilton at 964-8434.
Donate to 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
Operations & Administrative Associate
Holy Trinity is seeking a qualified individual for a part-time position working as Operations & Administrative Associate. This person will work with the Lead Pastor on matters including, but not limited to, scheduled and contracted maintenance, repairs to the building and grounds, equipment leases and purchases, communication with staff and leadership. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and fill out an application through links on our website.
The Change Will Do You Good
Sheryl Crow sings, “A Change Will Do You Good.” I like Sheryl Crow and will likely be listening to her a lot next week when I take a few days off. We were supposed to go to Santa Fe with friends to enjoy the mountains, landscape, city, and the green and red chile. We booked the time so I could rest a bit before Pastor Pam goes on sabbatical from April 5 – July 5. (I obviously won’t be leaving town then!) Due to the pandemic, New Mexico would rather we stay away. Lately, our lives have made us a bit more cautious as well. So, vacation will be a staycation where I work in the basement and cook New Mexican Cuisine. It is a change. But the change will do us good.
The church building continues to be closed. All in-person activities and events are cancelled during this time.
Please click here to learn more and read how we are continuing God's work despite the building closure.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
517 SW Des Moines Street
Ankeny, IA 50023
515-964-4348