Hi, Everybody:
This Sunday, July 19, is Christmas in July – not an actual church festival, but we’re just goofy that way. It started last year when we got so many Christmas favorite hymn requests that we lumped them all into one Sunday and called it Christmas in July. Who knew it would turn out to be popular? Carmen is editing the videos for the online service soon, so it’s last call for Christmas pictures. Please send them to Carmen by 6 pm TODAY.
We’re also having a Christmas in July Food Drive this Sunday (normally known as Fill the Food Barrel Sunday). You can drop off non-perishables at the church between 8:30 am and 11 am where over-sized elves will gratefully receive them (I’ll be the chubby and plump right jolly old one).
Zoom Communion continues this Sunday at 9:45 am followed by Coffee Chat at 10 am. See the attached document for Zoom instructions. Wear your ugly Christmas sweater (or tank top), deck your background with boughs of holly (or palm fronds), grab a cup of hot cocoa (or mocha Frappuccino), and tune in to wish each other other season’s greetings!
The last time I asked for more Favorite Hymn requests, I only heard from the people I’d heard from already. Don’t let only 7 people dictate what you sing – stand up and be counted! Just email me your request (plc@holytrinityfremont.org) and I’ll do my best to find it and place it (but please, no more Christmas songs – those three ships have sailed!). I haven’t chosen my favorite yet, so let’s have some more folks chime in or I swear I’ll make you sing the old missionary hymn “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains” (#310 in the 1958 red hymnal) with those immortal lyrics: “Waft, waft, ye winds, his story, And you, ye waters, roll, Till like a sea of glory, It spreads from pole to pole;” (sounds more like the coronavirus than the Gospel).
Speaking of ways to become involved in the services, we could sure use some more volunteers to be Lay Liturgists and Readers. Just contact Pastor Tim, Carmen Blair, or me if you’re interested. It’s easy: we email you the bulletin, and you record midweek with Carmen by Zoom (either video or just voice – but we all miss you and want to see you!). It can be one person and Carmen, or a family dividing up parts – but this is a great way to feel more connected with the community that is Holy Trinity.
As mentioned last week, a Virtual Spaghetti Feed is scheduled for Saturday, Aug 29th (I’m sure virtual spaghetti is more filling than it sounds!). Meal tickets for the event are $15 per person and include spaghetti (not a shock), garlic bread, salad, and tiramisu. Food pick-up will be from 4:30 pm to 6 pm at Holy Trinity (delivery available upon request) with online content and auction/raffle between 5 pm and 7 pm. The Spaghetti Feed has become a KEY FUNDRAISER and unifying/fun event for HTLC over the years with many people participating in varying roles. Due to COVID restrictions and the nature of the event this year, volunteer opportunities are limited, so participation by buying tickets is essential. Please mark your calendar to virtually dine with HTLC that evening and maybe even drop off a meal for a friend that night. Details on purchasing tickets, raffle/auction, and more will be announced in the coming weeks.
I’d end with a coronavirus joke, but I’d have to wait two weeks to see if you got it.
Stay well!
– Keith, your friendly PLC