Congregational Forum and Meeting for the Adoption of the Ministry Budget for 2022:  

• TODAY at 4pm, we will hold a Budget Forum in the Sanctuary and by Zoom, specifically to answer questions about the proposed 2022 budget.  Copies of the ministry plan were mailed to the congregation two weeks ago.

 

• To Join this afternoon’s Congregational Forum via Zoom: please email Chris Murphy (chris@holytrinitygastonia.org) for the link.

 

• Next Sunday, December 12, there will be a Congregational Meeting held at both worship services to vote on the proposed budget. A congregational meeting will be called to order at the 8:30a.m. worship service and reconvened at the 11a.m. worship service. Since this congregational meeting is in two parts, it will not be possible to answer questions from the floor. 

It is the wish of the Church Council to communicate openly with each member of the congregation and make every attempt to keep every member informed and aware of the financial accountability of Holy Trinity. We welcome your input and questions and hope that you will seek answers to all of your questions from our church leaders.

 

New Covid Procedures:  Wearing of masks is now optional. In addition we have removed the seating restrictions in the Sanctuary, and have returned to the former seating arrangement in the Fellowship Hall. For those who need one, masks are available in both the Narthex and the Welcome Center.

 

Wednesday Evening Vespers—Each Wednesday in Advent.  Please join us at 7pm on Wednesday for Evening Prayer.  This week’s Evening Prayer will be Jazz Evening Prayer.

 

Ministry Meetings This Week:

•  Circle of Patience—Today at 3:30pm

•  Advent Vespers—Wednesday, Dec 8 at 7pm

•  Circle of Goodness—Thursday, Dec 9 at 10:30am

•  Organist Search Team—Thursday, Dec 9, at 6pm

 

Church Family - Children’s Sunday School Helpers are Needed! Please contact Sumner Rhodes for more information or to get signed up! We are building our rotation and serving even once per month would be a huge help!

 

Giving Tree items are due back next Sunday, December 12! There are several opportunities for you to give the gift of hope to those in need this Christmas season.  Instructions are listed on the tags.

Giving opportunities include:

• Salvation Army Angels (children in Gaston County)

• Lutheran Family Services (foster care children in Gaston County)

• Heritage Oaks Assisted Living (40 residents on very limited income)

• Backpack Ministry (Lingerfeldt Elementary)

• Casa Bernabe` Orphanage in Guatemala (sponsorship of Cristoffer and Manolo)

• Resource Connection Gateway Network (adults & children in our community)

 

Winter Coat Drive:  Help us Share the Warmth with others in our community!  New or gently used warm winter coats--clean, in good condition. A collection box is in the PLC.

 

Pastor Brack will be working out of town Monday morning --Wednesday afternoon.  You can contact him with any urgent pastoral concerns at 704-689-7023.

 

Looking ahead to Christmas:  Our Christmas Eve worship services will be:

            6:30pm  —  Service of Lessons and Carols

            10:30pm — Festival Holy Communion

Please plan to worship with us as we celebrate the “real” meaning of Christmas!   Feel free to bring a friend!!

 

A New Altar Flower Chart for 2022 is in the Narthex. If you’d like to sponsor a particular week for donating altar flowers, feel free to sign up now.  FYI:  After the worship service, you may decide the disposition of the flowers:  Designate a recipient of them, take them with you, or leave them. The bottom line is that God is glorified in our worship!

 

This week’s birthdays:  Vicky Heinrich, Jerry Sofley (12/5), Cobey Silverstrim (12/7), Missy O'Donohue (12/9), Andrew Luksa, Shelly Murphy (12/10), Heather Peoples (12/11) Bob Burleson, Pinkney Froneberger, Marilyn Kosak (12/12), Eric Anderson (12/14). Birthday blessings to you all!

 

This Week’s Bible Readings from the 2-year Daily Lectionary:

Monday:        Amos 7:1-9; Revelation 1:1-8; Matthew 22:23-33

Tuesday:        Amos 7:10-17; Revelation 1:9-16; Matthew 22:34-46

Wednesday:  Amos 8:1-14; Revelation 1:17-2:7; Matthew 23:1-12

Thursday:      Amos 9:1-10; Revelation 2:8-17; Matthew 23:13-26

Friday:          Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 2:18-29; Matthew 23:27-39

Saturday:      Haggai 2:1-9; Revelation 3:1-6; Matthew 24:1-14