"Rat Race" Routine

As summer fun transitions into regularly scheduled programming, how do you prioritize and manage each day?

Check out what our friend over at LiveLove Chandler has to say about each personal "Rat Race" and Jesus:

http://whatislivelove.com/the-rat-race/

Faith & Families Scavenger Hunt

Plan to join many Holy Trinity families for faith-filled lunchtime fellowship and an exciting Scavenger Hunt!

Visit with old friends and reach out to new ones.

Meet in the CLC from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

THIS SUNDAY, February 8th!

Remember That Survey?

Peggy Hahn, director of LEAD (Living Everyday As Disciples), began working with Pastor Scott and Darcy as a "coach" earlier this year to assist with fulfilling Holy Trinity's mission to deepen the faith of the children and youth to serve God and our neighbors.

With Peggy's guidance and the support of the Listening Team, the following questions were presented to the congregation in early September. Six questions were divided between two 3-question surveys and many folks are curious about how the questions were answered. With more than 250 completed surveys, the following results paraphrase the most prevalent answers shared for each question.

If this congregation disappeared tomorrow, what would the families in the community and neighborhood miss?

Community Outreach, Sunday morning worship, Several "I" statements were made in reference to personal statements.

List 3 reasons why families would want to attend worship or other activities at this congregation.

Spiritual needs, it's more than a place to worship (outreach opportunities), programs/fears that programs offered in the past are disappearing.

What is keeping this congregation from growing?

Location, feeling that "we need to...," societal/cultural changes, age of congregation and disconnect among generations.

What would inspire the people of this congregation (especially families) to come together for a big project?

Inter-generational projects, projects need to be worthwhile, food and fun.

How is this congregation know for supporting children, youth, and families in this community and neighborhood?

Many folks responded with personal experience, rather than a community/neighborhood focus. Concerns of huge disconnect with families (kids know each other, but their parents don't know other parents with like-aged children). People had a hard time naming things we do for kids outside of the Holy Trinity campus.

What are 3 things about this congregation that you would never want to change?

Pastors, Community Outreach, caring and support of each other.

So, what does all this mean?  The responses sparked additional efforts to "Listen In" to the people of Holy Trinity in small ministry settings, such as choir, Bible studies, and committees. As the Listening Team continues to gather information from withIN, they are also beginning to "Listen Out" beyond the walls of HTLC.

As the next weeks and months of "listening" are taking place in and around HT, many other exciting things are happening, too! Goals are being assessed, recommendations are being made, and clarification of identity is being considered for the future of Holy Trinity.

How can you get involved? Tell someone- it's that easy! Share your ideas and commit to assisting with the mission of deepening faith and serving God.

Summit Weekend - It's a BIG deal!

Please plan to attend the ALL CONGREGATION summit meeting in the sanctuary THIS SATURDAY at 9:00 a.m and during worship on Sunday.

God is calling us into an exciting future!

While we hold fast to the foundation of faith, scripture, and tradition, the Church is a radically different thing that it was in the past. Our world is different. Our lives are different. Some say the church is dying. But we here at HTLC are confident that God continues to call us to worship, share, and give in our community and the world.

We have embarked on a journey of self discovery. With the help of a committed team of HT members designated as a “Listening Team,” this congregation will spend the next months and into the years ahead dedicated to the following:

Tune-upward – What is God up to?

Tune-inward – Who are we?

Tune outward – Where is God sending us?

Peggy Hahn, former assistant to the bishop in the TX/LA Gulf Coast Synod and Project Developer for LEAD, will guide us in further exploration of the exciting plans God has for our future.

Saturday, October 18 – Plan to gather with the whole people of God here at HTLC for a grand discussion and exploration of who we are as God’s recipients of grace and servants to the community. We will celebrate together what God has done through us in the past and dream about future mission possibilities.

Sunday, October 19 – Peggy Hahn will bring the Word at all 3 worship services sharing stories of congregations that have listened to the community around them and been blessed to grow into deeper mission with local partners.

Tune In and Stay Connected

After a summer that took members and friends away from the demands of hectic schedules, weekly commitments, and adventures to and fro, we welcome you back to Holy Trinity and look forward to gathering with you regularly.

Sunday School is back in session at 9:15 following last Sunday's Backpack Blessing and Waffle Breakfast. Joyful noises were heard throughout the morning! But there are so many opportunities for fellowship and worship, how can YOU stay connected and participate in ministry?

It's easy! Whatever format is most comfortable for you - we've got it!

• If you like browsing the web, visit the Holy Trinity website (click on the highlighted link to the left).
• Do you usually use your iPad or Windows tablet to browse? Download the Apple iPad or the Android App clicking on one of these links. You'll have up to date information at your fingertips!
• Did you know that Holy Trinity has a Facebook page? If you use Facebook, look for htlutheran and follow posts from pastors, staff, campus groups, and others!
• Maybe you'd rather pick up the phone and talk to a familiar voice. Call the church office at (480) 963-4127 with any questions or inquiries.
• Have you shared your email address with Holy Trinity? Email blasts are occasionally sent to communicate with members and friends. Contact the church office by phone or email the secretary to provide or update your email address.
• Both pastors author their own blogs. If you don't have the following blog addresses saved in your favorites, please visit Pastor Lee's blog and Pastor Scott's blog to link up with them.
• See that cute little blue bird in the graphic above all this info? If you recognize it, then you can probably stay tuned on Twitter.
• Finally, the monthly newsletter is always available in print or online (website and tablet apps).

We're in the process of Tuning UP, so we can Tune IN, and Tune OUT. So, stay "tuned" for more on all that! And look for this logo:

Welcome back!

Prayer Changes Everything

How would you answer someone who asked you about prayer? Or wondered what you pray about? Or wanted to know how often or when you pray? Do you pray intentionally? Do you ever wonder where to look for biblical text related to specific topics? 

Check out these guides, provided by Family Matters, a non-profit ministry dedicated to educating, encouraging, and equipping family members with strategies for making positive choices.

Each of the 31 Days of Prayer calendars can be emailed directly to you via the Family Matters website, or, you may simply click on either calendar, save it to your personal device, and access it directly.           

Many additional PRAYER resources are available in both App Stores for use on your tablet or phone.

 

It's okay if it takes you a minute to think about how you'd answer questions about prayers. Are you happy with your response? Will you continue praying as usual or do you have a desire to change your pattern? Strengthening your relationship with God is an ongoing journey. Seek Him and listen to His commands. Let His grace be sufficient.

The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16

Back To School Prayers

Many children will be heading back to school in the next weeks, likely experiencing a range of emotions from excited anticipation to anxious uncertainty. These emotions aren't reserved only for students, but for parents, teachers, and school personnel, as well.
As a church community, we can lift up our youth, their families, and their leaders in daily prayer. Don't know exactly where to start or what to say? Here are some examples:

*(click on each picture to view it larger)*

Are you an educator? The list of responsibilities is great and often, seemingly unending. May you begin each day with peace and comfort as you influence the lives of your students everyday.

Julie Sanders, from The Mom Initiative, writes about the importance of prayers FOR teachers in addition to those we pray for students.

How to pray for the new teacher in your child’s life:

• Pray for the teacher as she looks at her summer to do list; she might not’ve had a vacation or success in taking care of needs.
• Pray for the teacher as she needs to be refreshed and healthy; her summer may’ve included loss, grief, disappointment, or trial.
• Pray for the teacher as she has concerns about how her relationships will change with the school year starting: daycare, marriage, family, needy children.
• Pray for the teacher as she gets her classroom ready; she may have to move rooms, may not have supplies yet, or might have issues to address.
• Pray for the teacher as she attends staff development and meetings; she may have requirements to meet or assignments to finish.
• Pray for the teacher as she re-connects with fellow staff & faculty; some working relationships might be challenging.
• Pray for the teacher as she sorts through curriculum; a change in grade level, publisher, or requirements can be difficult.
• Pray for the teacher as she begins to do her planning; teachers have so much to pack in, and the unexpected will enter in.
• Pray for the teacher as she receives information about her students; she needs openness, insight, wisdom, and compassion.
• Pray for the teacher as she meets a whole new group of parents; parent relationships are crucial to the success of students & teachers.

Every teacher is a real person who goes to the grocery store, does laundry, has dinner with friends, cries, hurts, and worries. She needs the Kleenex and the hand sanitizer, but most of all, she needs your prayers.

Whether you put someone on the school bus this week or watch a bus drive by, talk to God.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.