Epistle
News from Holy Trinity
WORSHIP
This weekend we will celebrate the Twenty-Fourth Weekend of Pentecost.

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.
Online Prayer Service
Wednesday, November 18
6:30 pm
Zoom instructions are posted on Realm and will be shared via email on the day of the service.
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.
STUDY, SERVE, SUPPORT
Adult Learning - Finding God in 2020
Nov. 11-Dec. 16, at 6:30 pm via Zoom
God of Tempest, Whirlwind, and Pandemic: Finding God in 2020
We will look at the disasters, Derechos, diseases, and destruction around us with a quest to discern what God is doing. This course will be offered via Zoom and available for personal and group use. 
Sponsor & Deliver Pies for Mosaic
We will be delivering store-bought pies to the residents of Mosaic homes. 
Here's how you can help:
1 - Sponsor an already-purchased pie. Place $10 in the black drop box by the north entrance or mail a check to the church by Nov. 15.
2 - Sign up to deliver pies to 3-4 Mosaic homes in the metro area on Wed., Nov. 25. It's contactless delivery. Just set the pie on the doorstep and ring the door bell.
Advent Gifts
Holy Trinity wants to ensure families receive needed supplies, older adults feel a sense of hope, and children experience the joy of Christmas gifts!
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.
Community Opportunities
Helping Hand Food Boxes are a local initiative to fill special boxes with non-perishable food and
personal hygiene items so that people in need can access them easily. Two boxes are located in our south
parking lot. We are asking members to sponsor a box for a week or more; sign up online.
LSI Foster Care and Adoption recruits, licenses, and supports foster and adoptive families in 30 Western Iowa counties. If you have ever thought about becoming foster or adoptive families, now is the time. Click here for more information.
Advent Book Study
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm, Dec. 1-15
Order your own book. We will divide the reading over the three weeks. 
A Zoom invite will be sent to you the day before the first gathering.
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
The Binary Lie
You sit in the optometrist’s chair and they say, “A or B?” as they flip lenses. The choice is binary, one or the other. You cannot pick both. You cannot say, “Neither.” When our son was young, we learned never to ask open ended questions like, “What vegetable do you want for dinner?” We said, “Peas or green beans?” Our whole data driven world is binary – ones or zeros. Binary choice. We humans like binary choices.
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