VOLUME 25 ISSUE 3

April

Newsletter

2020

The April newsletter is In honor of the

birthdays of our daughter Penny Nacci

and granddaughter Taylor Bechtel by

Frank and Carole Nacci.

“Serving and Ministering to the Community Since 1873”

Rev. Brian Riedy, Pastor

Ph# 610-844-8924

Email: htmlcatasauquapbr@gmail.com

“Trinity Tidings” is a monthly publication printed on the

premises of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church

Robin McCloud, Office Secretary,

Email: robin.holytrinity@verizon.net

HOLY TRINITY MEMORIAL

LUTHERAN CHURCH

604 Fourth Street

Catasauqua, Pa 18032

Phone:610-264-2641

Fax:610-264-2661

Website: www.holytrinitymemoriallutheran.com

Email: htmlcatasauqua@gmail.com

IF HOSPITALIZED,

BE SURE TO SIGN A

RELEASE CARD AND

USE OUR

HOSPITAL CODE

#244.

DEADLINE for May newsletter

is April 22nd

Core purpose statement:

“Gratefully sharing God’s love through faith and service”

My dearest sisters and brothers in Christ,

If you are still waiting for a time to be released from your home due to the COVID-19, then I pray

that God may clear away the things of this world which harm our physical bodies. Mid-March

produced a difficult time for our area. With the threat of the virus coming close to our

neighborhoods, we needed to take precautions to keep ourselves and our immune system weak

friends safe and healthy. For many of us, it meant we needed to stay away from gatherings of people

- even from church services.

The decision to remain open, as of March 14th, was a difficult decision to reach. While I did not

worry about myself becoming infected, I do worry about you and others, if you have a weaker

immune system. I tried to craft a letter releasing us from guilt and worry about not attending

services. In the future, if you feel it an unsafe venture to head to church services, please refrain from

doing it. I do yearn to see your faces and be in your presence; but, not at the expense of you

becoming ill or injured.

Now, why would I reach the decision to keep our doors open? Luke 17:11-19 tells a story of Jesus

entering a land marked for lepers. This land was located between Samaria and Galilee. It was where

the lepers were exiled until they could prove being clean. Knowing leprosy was highly contagious,

Jesus still went because those people needed to hear a message of acceptance and love of God- no

matter how society saw them.

While I was scared about people potentially becoming sick, I also know that people come to our

doors because yesterday was too difficult to manage. They need to be healed physically or mentally

or spiritually through the body of Christ. This happens not only on Sunday morning but also

Monday-Saturday. As these people come to our doors, we can offer the same message Jesus offered

to those lepers- “go, you are clean”. We aren’t to judge the ones who come and go. But, like Jesus,

we can tell the one who sees the blessing coming through the message that: “Faith has made you

well. It’s time to live a new life.

The other reason we kept the doors open was to partner with the school district. We received a

call from the district about helping them with securing food and safety for the kiddos. On Monday

March 16th, we were expecting the call on how we can walk with them at that time. Most likely, food

will be our way to help (remember, I am writing this letter early so Robin can format the newsletter).

We will try to be the body which always helps our neighbors. An open door sends that message to

others in a loud voice. COME, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE! Faith has made us well. Let’s live into

this truth by living in response to this loving message. Corona-virus and leprosy will keep us

cautious; but it will not keep us away from loving others who need to experience the love of Christ

through us.

Your brother in Christ,

Pr. Brian

Church Council Members

Barb Fister: 610-266-1160 (President) Cheryl Kneiss: 610-262-0467 (Vice President)

Diane Czar: 610-739-6006 (Secretary) RuthAnn Reinsmith: 610-264-4346

Carol Cunningham: 610-264-2045 Joe Schwindenhammer: 610-573-1957

Robert Bastian: 610-266-4287 Robin Ruch: 610-849-6585

Carole Nacci: 610-264-8785 Rick Martson: 484-661-5183

Bob Schweitzer: 610-393-4736 Stephanie Chimics: 484-553-2992

The church’s budget deficit at the end of February was (-$2,002.10). The budget

deficit at the end of February of 2019 (last year) was (-$4,580.82) - $2,578.72 more. In

addition, regular budgeted income received this far in 2020 is $4,238.72 more than what

was received in January & February last year. Not bad, that’s two positive financial results

generated in the dead of winter.

Special gifts received in February were as follows:

$ 200.00 Ray Hahn Memorial (for HT’s youth)

$ 250.00 Bette MacHose Memorial

$ 112.00 Future Projects Fund

$ 959.00 Pastor’s Discretionary Fund

$ 97.00 Wednesday night meditation services

$ 129.11 Morning Glories Fund

$1,800.00 Victorian Tea

$ 10.00 Organ Fund

$ 10.00 Wish List

$3,567.11 TOTAL

The balance in the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund was $657.27 at the end of February.

During February a total of $2,159.11 was distributed from the fund to help congregation

members and those in the community who are in need. Please consider a donation to help

re-bolster the balance in the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.

The months of Easter and Christmas are always the two best months, financially,

for Holy Trinity. Please consider a generous gift to the church during this year’s Easter

season. Easter Sunday is April the 12th.

Thank you, John Marakovits, Treasurer

About the 3rd week of April, you should be

receiving your offering envelopes for May and

June. If you do not receive them, please

contact Robin in the church office. (610-264-

2641)

What is the “Simply Giving” Program?

The Simply Giving Program offers a variety of

secure electronic payment solutions that allow

individuals to make regular offering payments

to churches. It is convenient for you and

provides much-needed consistency for the

church. Collection basket offerings can

fluctuate significantly from week to week but

when contributions are automated, the church

receives funds on a steady, uninterrupted

basis.

The Simply Giving Program helps churches

transition to an era in which families

increasingly expect the same electronic

payment options they have in all other areas of

personal finance.

At any time, you can give donations to the

“Pastor’s Discretionary Fund”. This fund is used

to give temporary financial assistance to people

of our congregation and community when a

sudden need arises. You may send contributions

to the church or place them in the offering plate

on Sunday mornings. Please mark your checks

or envelopes “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund”.

HOLY TRINITY NEWS

Happy Birthday!!!!

4/01 Allen Ulrich

4/02 BJ Kunkel

4/03 Beverly Sperling

4/04 Becky Dragovits

4/05 Jill Smerdon

4/08 Dorianne Gogal

4/11 Lysa Yarko

4/12 Rich Kunkel

4/16 Kevin Reinsmith

4/17 Lynn Zakos

4/18 Judy Connelly

4/19 Frances Kleppinger

4/23 Diane Czar

4/23 Melissa Pecuch

4/27 Susan Minnich

4/28 Betty Knauss

4/29 Latta Heil

Did you know

Blood transfusions save more than 4 million

Americans each year?

Holy Trinity is a member of the Blood Bank

Program. If you give blood, you may

designate it as Holy Trinity. Also, if you ever

need blood, tell them you’re a church

member.

Palm Sunday, April 5th—8:00am Spoken

Communion, 9:00am Relaxed Family service,

9:00am Choir, 10:30am Holy Communion,

11:30am Palm Sunday Brunch

Maundy Thursday, April 9th – 6:00p.m.

Soup Supper/service

Good Friday, April 19th – 7:00p.m. Service

Saturday, April 11th - 1pm free community

egg hunt ages 2-12 sponsored by our youth

Easter Sunday, April 12th – 8:00am

Spoken Communion, 9:00am Relaxed Family

service, 9:00am Choir,

10:30am Holy Communion

Altar Flowers

TO THE GLORY OF GOD:

April 5th In loving memory of David

Svitana and Emma Schwab

by Sandy and Erich Svitana.

April 12th In loving memory of LeeAnn

Webb by Suzanne Webb.

April 19th In honor of our daughter,

Penny to celebrate her birth

day by Frank and Carole

Nacci.

April 26th In honor of our granddaugh-

ter, Taylor to celebrate her

birthday by Frank and

Carole Nacci.

Bulletins

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND:

April 5th Open

April 12th Open

April 19th In honor of Kevin’s birth-

day by Curt and Ruth Ann

Reinsmith.

April 26th Open

“Trinity Tidings”

All dedications are taken for 2020

Thank you.

Please Note: The council has decided

that the standing dedications for

flowers will still stand but on the “open”

Sunday’s we are asking people to

sponsor bulletins , Pastor Discretionary

Fund, Etc…. to off set that cost. Your

dedication will be in the bulletin. If you

have any questions, please call the

church office.

July seems a long way off, but signups

for our 4th annual bus trip from Holy Trinity to the annual choir festival in Ocean Grove,

New Jersey will be starting soon. With an estimated 1000 voices in the choir, this is a

spectacular worship opportunity that you won't want to miss! Let Joe or Diane (610-739-6006)

know

if you might be interested in a day trip to this quaint beach town on July 12.

The bus is already reserved!

Huge thank you from the youth for your generous egg hunt donations! We filled over 1000 plastic eggs at 1st and 3rd!! And although circumstances will likely preclude holding the egg hunt on April 11th, we will be scattering those eggs for the kids in the Catasauqua community, even if it means hiding them under leaves in the fall!!! What's next? (reminder to parents to review your January parent letter/email and RSVP on upcoming activities once they're confirmed): ~ 30 Hour Famine will be rescheduled. PARENTS: If your youth is interested in doing the Famine, please let me know about their sports, family vacations, and other commitments as soon as you get that info once we get back to "normal". I have been choosing Easter weekend for the Famine for several years because it is one of the few times with minimal sports and other schedule conflicts. We'll reschedule the Famine (and egg hunt) once the dust settles. ~ To be rescheduled: roller skating at Skateaway in Whitehall. ~ Will be postponed if necessary: Saturday, 5/16 Set up for Junior Victorian Tea - parents, let me know if you'd like to be involved by helping before or during the Tea by donating/assembling baskets for the raffle, baking, soliciting gift cards from local businesses, room set-up and clean-up, inviting young guests that you know, etc. ~ Will be postponed if necessary: Sunday, 5/17, 11:30-5pm - Junior Victorian Tea & Basket Raffle. Provides us with the funds to continue sponsoring Linathi in South Africa. ~ Sunday, June 14 - youth host the after-worship refreshments - baseball style!!! ~ Hoping we get the all-clear in time for Creation Festival - Tuesday, June 23 to Sunday, June 28 - live Christian music spanning many genres, speakers, vendors, delicious fair food (not an oxymoron), camping...a great youth or family opportunity. See me for more info about this "Jesus Woodstock"! ~ Saturday, August 15 - the youth will host the Taco & Baked Potato Bar, 4-7pm. Set-up date and time TBD. Youth will decide on who benefits from the proceeds.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in God, and God will act. Psalm 37:5

2020 Monthly Fellowship and Refreshments

St Patrick’s Day came early to Alice Storch room on Sunday March 8th thanks to

Sandy, Barb and Cheryl! Ham/cheese, turkey/cheese and PBJ sandwiches were served

with tasty meatballs, veggies, fresh fruit, chips and cucumber sandwiches. Desserts

followed the theme: green jello, green-iced lime cake, chocolate cake with green

shamrock sprinkles, sugar cookies with green sugar and green

candies. Thanks for a great lunch!

Future 2nd Sunday of the month Fellowship and Refreshments

April 12th no C&C (Palm Sunday Brunch April 5th )

May 10th no C&C (Mother’s Day)

June 14th Diane and Youth

July 12th Joe and Diane

Aug 9th open

Staying tied to our homes is tough...and shopping may be an issue for many of us. Yes, this is an advertisement for the ongoing SCRIP card fundraiser, and it's a way you can continue to give to Holy Trinity, even while our doors are closed. But we hope you'll see this even more as a kind of "public service announcement". The calendar doesn't know about self-isolating. Birthdays, Easter, and other occasions that prompt gift-giving roll on. Even if you can't get together for those special occasions, a gift card received in the mail might brighten the day of that special relative or friend. In addition, we still need groceries and gas. Did you know that Giant SCRIP cards can be used to pay for their home-delivered groceries? We welcome texts, calls, or emails to Diane (610-739-0006, czarmom45@aol.com) for card requests. IOUs are welcome! We can mail or deliver the cards to your home. We have these cards available for immediate purchase:

Amazon Applebee's Arby's Bed Bath & Beyond Boscov's Boston Market Bravo Buca

Burger King Cabela's Cracker Barrel CVS Dunkin GameStop Giant Home Depot Kohl's

Longhorn Steakhouse Lowe's Michael's Olive Garden Panera Red Robin Ross

Ruby Tuesday Sam's Club Shop Rite Speedway Starbucks Subway Taco Bell Target TGIFridays TJ Maxx Walmart Wawa Weis Wendy's

In this CHURCH we strive to be…

Christ-Centered, Spiritual, Praising, Growing,

Serving, Partnering, Supporting

Pastor’s past month ministries:

Discretionary Funds- Numerous gift cards went out to the community. Rent and security

help was given to one household.

Partnering-

We have a new partnership with Catasauqua Community Cares Program. (PAYS

formerly)

Coffee with a Cop- next date Thursday April 16th possibly at La Herencia El Camacho

Lehigh St- Catty. Might need to happen at town hall. Waiting for restaurant to tell

us if enough room for us.

Praising-

3 services available on Sunday mornings 8, 9, 10:30. 8:00 spoken. 9:00 Relaxed

Family service. 10:30 traditional European service. One on Wednesday evenings

beginning at 7:00- a Meditation and Movement Worship.

Growing-

Vision team discussed new 1st and 3

rd format

Finance team motion approved. Starting a capital campaign soon.

Mutual Ministry team discussed new team headings

Personnel team to be developed by Council

Spiritual-

sat with spiritual advisor.

Continue to read spiritual offering in preparation for Wednesday services.

Recognizing God in change and in tradition.

Supporting-

spent several hours counseling non-members and 1 funeral for spouse of member.

spent time talking with members on life circumstances.

Hosted last Saturday of month free community lunch. This will happen at Holy Trinity

every month on last Saturday from 11:00-12:30. Next community lunch on April

26th.

Christ-Centered- is why I do all these things. Without Christ, I am nothing.

NEIGHBOR SUPPORTING NEIGHBOR

Here are some recent outreaches: ~ Guests at our free community lunch in February enjoyed the usual delicious meal as well as being in community. ~ March's Coffee with a Cop was canceled in deference to the Governor's urging to cease gatherings. ~ Our partnership with Haven House in Allentown again provided for our neighbors. In March we transported two more pickup truckloads of snacks from Haven House - one to the Catasauqua Food Bank, and one to Catasauqua Middle School to be included in the weekend backpacks of food for students whose families struggle with food insecurity. ~ Sunday mornings at 9am continued to find our relaxed service worshippers busily assembling goody bags for the many children at Sheckler who are unable to bring treats to their classrooms to celebrate their birthdays...a hidden aspect of food insecurity. A total of 424 goody bags have been assembled and delivered to the Admin building. This will supply treats for approximately 17 children to share with their class on their big day. Now we just need the kids back at school!! ~ Individuals/families in need who come to HT's doors are welcome to "shop" from the food table outside Pastor Brian's office. This includes our own Holy Trinity family...so if you are in need of some non-perishable food and cannot get to the store, or cannot find items at the store, contact Diane Czar (610-739-6006) to see if we have something on the table for you. The financial means to carry out these outreach activities has come from within our church family, and from businesses and individuals in the community who have heard of the "good things Holy Trinity is doing in Catasauqua". Keep in mind that offering can still be mailed to the church (604 4th Street, Catasauqua 18032). Our congregation will still be supporting our neighbors during the quarantine. Even though you might not be physically able to participate in these activities, your continued financial support plays a huge part in keeping our staff paid, our lights on when needed, our ovens and refrigerators running, and our shelves stocked with food that we can share with our community as they struggle with school closings (and therefore no free/reduced lunches) and temporary unemployment.

March 2, 2020

Attendees: Luther Itterly, Barry Steckel, Bob Connelly, Jerry Charvala, Pr Brian,

Air conditioners in Alice Storch Room and Nave have been approved by Congregation. Once funding is

secured, will contact Air Professionals to begin installation. Asking for Alice Storch Community

Room to be completed first. Hopeful completion date April 20th.

Lights- inside- Dave Speaker will be asked to continue replacing old fluorescent fixtures in hallway.

Dave will also install new lights above steps in dungeon area for safety. New LED lights replaced old fixtures in dungeon.

Lights- outside- Dave Speaker looking into ways to make basement entrance light be dusk to dawn.

Electrician Dave Speaker will now look to lighting suggestions for chancel and upper area of church Rain

spouts need repaired.

Copper spouting will be spot wielded with new patch of metal in spring. New spout to be purchased above office door..

All sidewalk cracks will be opened and then fixed in spring..

Outside railings will be sanded and painted in spring.

Bilco door needs to be addressed in spring.

Tower marked for further pointing this late spring. Spending approved by Congregation.

Power washing to happen after pointing done.

Grass cutting discussed. May need to look at adding lawn service to Property budget for 2021 year. We only have 4 volunteers to cut.

Quote coming in for tiles in community hall. First quote $8,000. Jerry C will call Remeta Rug for quote. Barry S. will call Joe Mascari Flooring for 3rd quote. Funding approved by Congregation.

Kitchen and bathroom will be looked at as well.

We will replace a new mail hinge and install in existing mail slot

Linda Weiland working on model for pew cushions coming soon

Estimates for blinds in Alice Storch Community Room. Bob C to contact Blinds to Go. Jerry C to contact JC Penny.

Some parents of 1st and 3rd group asked about painting Community Hall. They will choose sample and submit to Property Team for approval. No scheduled date yet.

May 4th- community hall and 3 rooms must be emptied at May Property meeting for LifeQuest screening.

Rooms returned that same evening on May 4th.at 6pm.

We need to make a schedule of necessary things to be housed in office. Drains must be unclogged every

fall, lights must be checked twice a year. Floor buffed yearly, waxed every other year. Ect.

**We are scheduling a Spring Clean-up day. March 28th from 9-11am. Free Community lunch

to follow cleaning. Please mark on calendars. We need lots of help!

NEXT MEETING IS April 6 AT 1:00. Please come and join team if able!!!!

THINK POSITIVE!!!!!!

Think SPRING! Save the date!!

Good news - Friday night, April 24th from 4- 7 PM will be the annual basket raffle

showcasing our fabulous basket assortments. EVERYONE is encouraged to come out to

enjoy this low key opportunity to support Trinity’s discretionary fund, and also “The Fund

to Benefit Children & Youth”...the last hope for those in need, by selecting your favorite

themed baskets and gift cards. Tickets will drawn on SAT. April 25th, during the annual

Victorian Tea. Winners will be notified by phone if they are not present at the Tea.

Basket Preview Night is successful due to basket, basket makings, and gift card

donations from TRINITY friends and family. In the past, we have been blessed with over

100 baskets ( think Italian, wine, pet, lottery, garden, snacks, paper, towels - and MANY

more), numerous gift cards, and unique items. This year, we are again seeking as many

donations as possible , as well as a HUGE attendance Friday night at the preview. The Tea

Team THANKS YOU in advance for your support!!!! See Janis or a team member if you

have questions.

Tea Team: Janis Charvala. Nancy Miller, Rena Bond, Carol Cunningham, Carol Hartranft,

Cheryl Kneiss, Barb Fister, Sue Marakovits, RuthAnn Reinsmith, Sandy Svitana, Sandi

Smith, Vicky Chimics, and Diane Jones.