TheGrapevine - Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church

Grapevine
The
November 2011
Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church
16245 Nacogdoches Rd
San Antonio, TX 78247
Phone: 210-654-3411``
church@holytrinitypres.org
Fax: 210-654-0161
Web: www.holytrinitypres.org
God’s people called by the Holy Spirit to proclaim with joy, the presence and love of Jesus
Everyone knows the Pilgrims; those Calvinist who moved from England to Holland and
finally to the new world. After surviving a terrible winter, for which those city people
were totally unprepared, they were thankful to be alive at the beginning of another winter.
But do you know where the first Thanksgiving service among European settlers and
Native Americans was held? Long before the Pilgrims gave thanks, a group of Spanish
settlers headed across the great desert of Northern Mexico in the sixteenth century.
They had heard of cities of gold in what is today New Mexico and with wagon loads of
supplies, several hundred men, women and children and many head of cattle set out to
establish a new colony. After crossing the desert and coming to the Rio Grande River,
they too were thankful to be alive. So they sat down with the local Native Americas and
celebrated a meal of thanks. The location was probably near El Paso.
Later, a group of settlers founded the Jamestown colony in 1603. Part of the agreement with the people in England who financed the colony, they were required to celebrate a service of thanksgiving upon landing in the new colony,
Our nation was founded by people who naturally paused to give thanks. It is part of
who we are as a nation. The ancient Hebrews celebrated the Feast of Booths each fall
to give thanks for the harvest. It is part of our spiritual heritage also.
So, this year, when we pause to give thanks, we are part of a long tradition of both our
spiritual ancestors and our national ancestors.
Happy Thanksgiving
Dick Lavender
Holy Trinity is a Stephen Ministry congregation. A Stephen Minister is a member of the
congregation who has volunteered to be trained and commissioned by Stephen Leaders to provide a Christ-centered, one-to-one caring ministry to members of the congregation. Here are statements from those currently serving as a Stephen Minister.
―Being a Stephen Minister has meant that I can fulfill my calling to help others through
difficult times. I am privileged to share time with someone in a more meaningful way
than just ‗being a friend.‘ Stephen Ministry has given me a new sense of purpose for
my life. ―
―Being a Stephen Minister has equipped me with more of the people skills that have always wanted. I am now more able to use appropriate and sincere words when meeting with my care receiver as well as when dealing with others who need a helping hand
or an encouraging word. I often used to get nervous around such people because I
cared, but did not know what to say or do. I am now more relaxed and more able to express my concern while exhibiting the loving presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior.‖
―I have gotten the chance to develop really special relationships with my fellow
Stephen Ministers and my Care Receiver.‖
―It has allowed me to practice my own personal philosophy that we are only on earth
to help each other.‖
―I have been involved with Stephen Ministry for nine years and have found this to be
the most rewarding ministry in the church. The distinctiveness of Christian care lies
not only in what we do, but in why we do it.‖
―Being a Stephen Minister has given me a sense of purpose. It has allowed me to be
present for someone during a difficult time in their life in a way different from just being a friend--giving someone the freedom to explore their feelings.‖
―Being a SM is one way I can serve the church and demonstrate Christian love and
caring.‖
―Being a Stephen Minister enables me to visit a person and see a big smile of enjoyment on his face as I enter the room and then hear his laughter as we discuss various
factors in each other‘s life. When I leave, I have a warm feeling in my heart and a big
smile on my face.‖
If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or learning more about the
Stephen Ministry program, talk to one of the three Stephen Leaders--Dr. Kreutzer,
Marcia Parks or Len Gray.
On Saturday the 29th of October, seven sturdy and eager volunteers began shoveling, hauling, and spreading mulch over the garden in the very first cool morning of the season.
Many thanks to Val and Hiroshi Ajas, Don Therneau, Dave Perez, Karen Wallace,
Neisha Marshall, and a little for me. All of the new mulch (1/2 ash and 1/2 cedar) has been
distributed over most of the garden. We will be receiving additional mulch, before too long
at which time Val and Hiroshi Ajas will be setting up another day/time for mulch spreading.
Please take time from you busy days to visit and enjoy the beauty of the flowers and plantings.
Peace,
Robert Pierce
Reserve this date! Come and join us on Feb. 11, 2012 for the Tools for Development Fundraiser event. It will be held in the family room at HTPC.
Come meet members of the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Monterrey. The Emmanuel
Church and our sister non-profit ―Partners‖ work together with us to give us a presentation
of their visits to the villages and a perspective of Mexico‘s overall situation.
Additionally, you will enjoy a Mexican dinner, entertainment and a raffle. We would like to
express our heartfelt thanks to HTPC for the blessings of much needed school materials.
May our Lord bless you all. We hope to see you there!
Steve and Maria Lewis
The words grief and holidays seem to be such opposite terms. Grief brings to mind loss, despair, and loneliness. Holidays signify celebration, connection with family, hope, and renewal. How can both exist at the same time? How does a person live with such paradox in
the first few years after the loss of a special loved one?
Yet, the holidays must be faced. Just like grief, they do not go
away just because the other exists. Somehow, each person must
discover a way to use the holidays to help them heal or the season
can cause the grief to become all-consuming and bitter.
Do you know someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one? Do
you wonder what to say or wonder how you can help your friend
or family member in this sad time? If you have lost a loved one
and find yourself on a journey of grief or if you know someone who
is on a grief journey during the holidays, there are things you can
learn during this difficult time.
Please join us for Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church‘s second annual Grief, Healing, and the
Holidays Workshop at on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Celeste Miller, Bereavement Coordinator from Porter Loring Mortuaries, will be the facilitator.
RACAP
Holiday Meal Basket Program
Please help RACAP fill its Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets.
Items Needed:
Chicken broth
Flour
Granulated Sugar (4 lb. bag)
Brown Sugar (1 lb.)
Canned Green Beans and Corn
Evaporated Milk
Stuffing Mix
Canned Pumpkin
Yams
Fruit Cocktail
Cranberry Sauce
Donated funds will be used to purchase turkeys and perishable items for the
baskets.
If you are sponsoring a family, the basket should also include eggs, margarine/
butter, pie shells,
and rolls/bread.
Would you like to sponsor a family or families for the upcoming Holiday season? Sponsors
are assigned a family or families based on their preferences, whether it‘s a small family with
young children, a senior living alone, or a large family with several children. You decide! The
sponsor will have direct contact with the family, providing everything the family will need to
prepare a small holiday meal. If the sponsor chooses, they may also provide gifts for the children in the family. If interested, fill out the Sponsor Application included in this newsletter
and return it to RACAP, 307 Pfeil St., fax 658-3336 or email it to racap@att.net.
Keenagers
Luncheon with Pastor Caryn
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHERE:
What do you say? Let‘s catch up with each
other. And there is no better place than the
monthly luncheon with Pastor Caryn.
Keenagers (age 55 and older)
Monthly Luncheon
Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11:30am
Schobel‘s On the River
(buffet or menu orders)
DIRECTIONS:
1515 Kuehler Ave,
New Braunfels 78130
From the church, take 1604 to I-35 N toward
Austin. Go 16 miles on I-36 and take Exit 187
You will see a large Schobel‘s sign ―high‖ in
the air.
Book Discussion Group
Like reading books? How about discussing
them with friends. That is what the HTPW
Book Group is all about.
The book for our December meeting is Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan
Gregg Gilmore. ―Sometimes you have to return to the place where began, to arrive at
the place where you belong.‖
The book group will meet on Thursday, December 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the Geneva Room
at church. Bring a small snack for eight people. Paper goods will be provided.
Have you read any good books lately? Recommend them to the group.
Questions? Contact Sheila Clark.
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHERE:
ADDRESS:
HTPC Ladies and Guests
Monthly Luncheon
Nov. 9th at 11:30am
Chili‘s
The Forum
Adventure Girls
The King William Historic District is an
amazing sight to see. This December, the
Adventure Girls are touring the homes. The
tour takes us throughout the neighborhood
where we will be able to admire the beautiful architecture, décor and stunning elements of each home as it is decked out in
its holiday regalia.
WHEN: Dec. 3rd, 11am—not determined
WHERE: Carpool from HTPC
COST: $15-20
There are limited number of tickets so
RSVP to Katherine Mehaffey
(mehaffeyk@holytrinitypres.org) soon.
Youth Activities
Youth Group Sunday Nights
Hondo Corn Maze
WHEN: Saturday, November 5th at 9am
WHERE: Meet at HTPC to carpool to Maze
COST: $11 entrance plus money for other
activities, souvenirs, snacks & lunch
RSVP: Katherine Mehaffey
Nov. 6th:
5pm
Pizza at HTPC followed by trip to
see ―Courageous‖
Nov. 20th:
5-7pm
Games at HTPC followed by
dinner & devotional at someone‘s
House
Nov. 27th:
5-7pm
Games at HTPC followed by dinner
And devotional at someone‘s house
RSVP: Katherine Mehaffey
Happy Anniversary
2nd
3rd
3rd
4th
5th
5th
5th
5th
8th
9th
10th
12th
12th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
16th
16th
16th
19th
19th
20th
20th
20th
20th
21st
21st
21st
22nd
24th
24th
25th
25th
25th
27th
28th
28th
28th
29th
Janice McGhee
Will Ann Nava
Layton Pennington
Paul Smith
Bryan Boyd
David Rodriguez
Chandler Schavrien
Esther Thomas
Tracie Morton
La Donna Smith
Zack Serrato
Gloria Collins
Michael Schweitzer
Mark Widmer
Larry Dell
Margie Tidler
Gail Gitcho
Christian Ginesi
Hattie Hockaday
Juanita Luensmann
Coleman Van Allen
Jason Saleen
Wayne Smith
Beverly Fender
Renee Olivarez
Bob Parks
Karen Wahrmund
Will Reinhard
Carolyn Thurston
Terry Widmer
Kathy Price
Nancy Herriger
Kim Hierholzer
Sheila Earley
Jefferson Johnson
Kelly Rodriguez
Bob Hoffman
Tim Beaver
Manuel Serrato
Martha Waters
J. D. Arnold
1st
4th
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
17th
18th
25th
26th
27th
27th
Linda & Rusty Koehler
42
Pat & Bill Warren
11
Martha & Randy Waters
44
Rosie & James Knaack
6
Betty & Frank Rutledge
12
Trish & Dennis Doyscher
29
Stephanie & Marc Overall
8
Judy & Dave Bird
48
Virginia & Bill Hopfensack
11
Carolyn & Mike Holtz
51
Nannette & George Gwaltney 18
Makenna & Tyler Maloy
7
Rosie & Randy Schweitzer
29
Rev. Richard E. Kreutzer
Pastor
Rev. Caryn Thurman
Associate Pastor
Rev. John Shute
Parish Associate
Rev. Richard Lavender
Parish Associate
Grapevine
Editor
Valerie E. Carter-Cole
valerieecc@holytrinitypres.org
Members of Holy Trinity,
I can‘t begin to express my thanks to everyone for all of the caring and thoughtful ways that I was blessed before, during and after my back surgery. All of the cards, food, visits and prayers
were much, much appreciated and Keith and I thank you so very
much.
Elinor and Keith Greene
There will be a Gathering to welcome our new Holy Trinity
members to the Emmaus community.
November 13, 2011
Holy Trinity Family Room
Bring your favorite pot luck dish to share.
Don‘t forget you Purple Worship Books and name tags
Some people, no matter how
old they get, never lose their
beauty—they merely move it
from their faces into their
hearts.
- Martin Buxbaum
Everyone is cordially invited to attend, even if you haven‘t
attended a ―Walk to Emmaus.‖ After our meal we will have
Worship and Communion.
If you have any questions, please contact Pam Miller or Sue