Parish Community

Sunday school is offered on the first and third Sunday of every month, September through May. After the children's sermon, children will be directed to follow our volunteers downstairs, where they will learn about the teachings of Christ and build interpersonal skills through play and group activities. There are many opportunities for older children to get involved in church proceedings as well. Youth ages 12 and older are welcome to share their gifts by joining the Celebration Choir, Bell Choir, or by offering assistance as Acolytes. Youth can also choose to be confirmed, which can be organized by contacting Pastor Mark or the church office.”

Adult Forum is a time for church members to discuss and apply the teachings of the church to their outside lives. Those who wish to participate gather after church from September through May, in discussion led by the Pastor and congregation members. This is a time for parishioners to have an open discussion about a variety of topics relevant to our lives and the world around us. Adult forum topics have included theological media and books, discussions of important religious voices such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, general Bible study, as well as studies of other religious teachings so that we may better understand our brothers and sisters of different religious background.

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible

than to be alive without breathing.”

Martin Luther

Prayer Chain

Approximately 12 women participate in Holy Trinity’s Prayer Chain. To ask for prayer for oneself or for others, submit your name(s) to the church office.

"Prayer is the place of admitting our need, of adopting humility, and acknowledging our dependence upon God. Prayer is the needful practice of all peoples from all over the world. Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope. Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the eternal.”

Women’s Prayer Group

The Women’s Prayer Group meets every Monday morning at 10 AM in the church library to pray for those we know and for those we do not know.

Prayer Shawls Ministry

 The making of prayer shawls or lap blankets is a new ministry at Holy Trinity. When a shawl or lap blanket is completed, prayers for its recipient are said, and it is presented to someone as a physical symbol of our care and prayers. Those receiving a prayer shawl are literally wrapped in our prayers and feel God’s presence and the community of His people in a most special way. Contact the church office if you are interested in joining this new ministry.

Celebration Choir

Music is an important element of our liturgy and community at Holy Trinity. The Celebration Choir sings an anthem once or twice a month and on high holy days, September through May. Choir practice is held on select Wednesday evenings each month. The choir sings a broad variety of musical styles, including classical, gospel, and contemporary hymn arrangements. Anyone is welcome to join the Celebration Choir, and those who wish to participate are encouraged to speak with our choir director, Deb Olsen, to start their involvement.

Bell Choir

Holy Trinity is home to a bell choir, which rings once a month. The Bell Choir meets for practice every Wednesday evening. A complete set of four octave Malmark Hand Bells were donated by Emily B Sprecher, and the bell choir uses these wonderful instruments to share their musical gifts with the congregation. Anyone is welcome to join the Bell Choir, and those looking to join are encouraged to speak with our organist, Debbie Fortna, who also directs the Bell Choir, to start their involvement.

Liturgical Music

Holy Trinity is blessed to have a three manual Moller Pipe Organ. An exposed trumpet rack of pipes was presented by Emily B. Sprecher in Memory of her husband and longtime organist at Holy Trinity, Theodore R. Sprecher. Hymns during the liturgy are all accompanied by organ, and are listed in the bulletin. Hymnals are made available in the pews so that the congregation may easily find the music of the day. We sing our hymns together as a congregation, unless otherwise specified in the bulletin. All of our congregation members are encouraged to share their musical talent in the life of the church as they are capable.

Council

Lisa Garrett; President

John Weiss; Vice President

Bill Spitzer; Secretary

Larry Hummer; Treasurer

Christy Boos

Ed Quirke

Katherin Baltz

John Fuehrer

Heather Zimmerman

Elaine Sernofsky

Norm Wangman

Barry Kreider

Rob Gilbert

Communication- Dan Doremus & Adam Doughty

Is responsible for the delivery of information regarding the church and the community.

Fellowship- Katherin Baltz

Hosts activities for the congregation to meet, socialize, and expand the relationships of our members.

Evangelism- Peggy Dean

Encourages members of the greater community to participate in the life of the congregation and shares the joy of Christ’s teachings.

Finance- Larry Hummer

Directs the management of Holy Trinity’s fiscal affairs and budget to support the life of the church.

Mutual Ministry- Lisa Garrett

Manages personnel policies and procedures including but not limited to job descriptions, benefits, employee handbooks, and personnel issue resolution.

Property- John Fuehrer

Supervises Holy Trinity’s buildings, goods, and grounds in order to preserve and maintin all those facilities necessary to fufill our ministry.

Safety and Security- Denise Shirker

Oversees ctivities related to congregational safety and the security of the church.

Social Ministries- Rob Gilbert

Directs Holy Trinity’s charitable outreach through organizations such as Ephrata Area Social Services, Lancaster County Council of Churches, LOVE INC., and other social welfare groups.

Stewardship- Norm Wangman

Organizes Holy Trinity’s time and financial support for the theological ministry of the congregation and the ELCA.

Worship and Music

Pastor Mark

Plans the major aspects of worship, such as the music and the setting

Holy Trinity has many available fellowship groups to build and foster a friendly connection between parish members. For photos and event updates, please see our Facebook page.

Monthly Potluck

A monthly potluck is hosted at the church on the third Friday of every month, from 6:30-8 PM. Curch members bring in home-cooked dishes to share and enjoy in a casual evening of camaraderie. A sign up sheet for the month’s potluck can be found at the back of the church. Any change in scheduling for the potluck can be found by looking at the community calendar, and further questions can be directed to Kathy Kuhns.

Friday Night Dinners

On the first Friday of every month, congregation members meet at one of the many wonderful local restaurants for dinner and conversation. As reservations at restaurants need to be made in advance, this event is by sign up sheet only, though there is no limit to how many people may sign up to participate. Participants will meet directly at the restaurant of the month at 6:30 PM, and should identify themselves to waitstaff as part of the Holy Trinity reservation party. The sign up sheet for the dinners can be found in the back of the church, and questions about location and scheduling should be directed to Katherin Baltz.

Pickleball

We host games of pickleball in our gymnasium every Tuesday, from 6-8 PM. All are welcome to join for a game, and the casual atmosphere is beginner-friendly. Particiapants do not need to own any pickleball equipment, as the church has the needed equipment for the game, though we do not discourage people from bringing their own kits from if they prefer it. Questions about pickleball should be directed to Ron Kerschner.

Luther Lunch Ladies

Luther Lunch Ladies is a casual lunch group that is open to all members. They meet on the third Wednesday of every month for a noon lunch at The Udder Choice (1812 W Main St, Ephrata, PA 17522-1108). To get involved and added to the notification list, contact Elaine Sernoffsky.

Coffee Klatch

Coffee Klatch meets in the church cafe area on the fourth Tuesday of every month, from 9 to 11 AM for a relaxed and convivial coffee hour. This event started out as an informal gathering and has since become one of our regular fellowship activities, open to all. For further details, talk to Candy Snyder.

Online Giving

Donate to the Unified Budget, Homes of Hope House, Monthly Stewardship or Capital Campaign online at Online Giving. QR codes can be found in our weekly bulletains for those who might utilize them.

Members With Thrivent Policies

Holy Trinity members who have Thrivent insurance policies or investments may have accumulated Thrivent Choice Dollars to donate. December is a good time to check if you have Choice Dollars and, if you do, to consider directing them to Holy Trinity.  You can go to Thrivent.com and log in (click My Thrivent in upper right corner, on next page under the welcome with your name click “Membership Overview”, then scroll down on the right side to Thrivent Choice and click “Direct Choice Dollars”). You can also contact your Thrivent representative or call Thrivent (800-847-4836) for assistance with determining your Choice Dollars and how to donate them