We will postpone our Epiphany progressive dinner for the whole church until Sunday, Feb. 6, 5:00 pm., since covid cases are high in our area.  We'll use the same plans, but, hopefully, have a safer environment.
 

We'll start our new Sunday School study on January 9th at 9:00 am in the old kitchen.  We will be looking at the book of Esther. Check with Karen for a copy of the lessons.  According to the material,  "The book of Esther is one of the latest writings of the Old Testament, perhaps written to inspire Jews who had been scattered in the diaspora. The narrative takes place in the court of the King of Persia, King Ahasuerus. Some think that it was written to explain and establish the Jewish festival of Purim."

Join us for a special candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6PM on 12/24.  We will have a special performance by our handbell choir.  

We are being conscientious of the rising number of Covid-19 cases nationwide with the rise of a new variant.  If you are bringing guests, please remember we ask everyone to wear a mask while entering and finding their seats.  Once seated at a distance, the congregation can remove their masks.

Sunday's 12/26 10AM worship service will be in a "Lessons and Carols" format.  

Read about our new corporate partners for our Backpack Buddies program.

Holy Communion Lutheran Church joins St James Methodist Church this Sunday in welcoming Woodland Heights and surrounding neighborhoods for a Trunk or Treat in our parking lot by the playground. Holy Communion will have free hot dogs, treats and fellowship for our neighbors. Be ready for your family portraits, too, as one of our members shows off his newly-restored antique tractor. St James will be hosting their own Trunk or Treat at the same time. So swing by both just down the street from each other to take advantage of all of the neighborhood fun!

Sunday, October 31, 2:00 pm
We’re hosting women from Joy, Springs of Grace and St. John’s as we learn about Katie Luther and The Reformation on an individual basis. Look for more information about how to help in the near future.

WELCA

WELCA is an easy way to say Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. So, that’s us - women from Holy Communion Lutheran Church. We’re a small part of a large community of women. We affirmed at our meeting that we want to use this name and start learning about the regional and national organization of WELCA. Look at womenoftheelca.org to see more about this larger community. When you see WELCA here at church, know that HCLC women are an active part of our church. Dorothy Bird will help by contacting regional and state-wide WELCA groups for information.

Surveys, Women’s Circle, Sunday School

We’re trying to reorganize and getting your input is the first step. We want to update our contact information, too. Look for the purple sheets in the narthex.

According to the surveys that have been collected, there is interest in starting a women’s circle and Sunday school class with Women of the Bible as a topic. Karen Harris will help to organize these. Please consider your interests and talents since we’re looking for leaders/teachers/facilitators for these.

Exciting Update: Starting August 15, 9:00 am, there will be an adult Sunday School class meeting in the old kitchen, that will use the nine week study  “Stories of Biblical Women,” and be open to everyone. 

Food

Rose England said she would be a contact person for the Pastor regarding meals for funerals, births, and hospital stays. Many people have expressed willingness to help with food. Karen will get information to Rose from surveys with contact information for those who will cook/provide food. 

Progressive Dinner celebrating Epiphany, planning stages

 This is a developing idea for us to organize a church-wide progressive dinner on Saturday, January 9, 2022, which would center on Epiphany and be inspired by the Star of Bethlehem. Suggestions include doing it in different areas of the church, starting earlier in the day to reflect dark nights during Daylight Savings time, and asking our men’s group to do one course of our meal.

Next Meeting, Ice Cream Social, Sunday, August 22, 4:00 pm

We have another planning session. Bring your ideas. Then, bring your favorite toppings to share and enjoy on top of some homemade ice cream and fellowship.  We’ll highlight the school supply collection headed by Janice Stevenson. Planning meeting at 4:00 pm, others welcome to share fellowship and ice cream afterwards.

Peace Garden, Ann’s roses

DeLaine and Blaine and Jan have been weeding, planting, trimming and generally making the Peace Garden better. Mulch is planned, too. Karen is getting a quote for painting the cross and looking at engraved bricks to replace the tile. Beth (Tuesdays) and Dorothy (Thursdays) will help DeLaine (Sundays) water the roses honoring Ann.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events!

August 22, 4:00 pm  WELCA Ice Cream Social and Planning Meeting

September 11           Church-wide Yard Sale 

     Charlene Bingner, Dorothy Bird    contact people

September 12          Church-wide, God’s Work, Our Hands

October 16               Church-wide, Craft Fair 

     Charlene Bingner     contact person

January 9                  Progressive Dinner for Epiphany

Help Wanted, Collections

Please talk to Rose England if you are interested in helping with the Soup Kitchen.

Peanut Butter for Total Ministries

Grocery bags and small boxes for yard sale.

Luther World Relief School Kits - contact person Jan Stevenson - * 70 page spiral notebooks, 12” rulers, 2.5” pink eraser, *blunt tip scissors, box of 24 crayons, *pencil sharpener, ball point pens, unsharpened #2 pencils      *most needed items

The Church Council today approved the return to regular in-person worship starting on Easter Sunday 4/4/2021 and the following Sundays in April.  Services will still be held under our COVID-19 Covenant and expectations for the congregation.  Face masks and social distancing are a key part of continuing to keep COVID-19 at bay.  Anyone uncomfortable returning or following the Covenant may still participate with our simulcast/concurrent livestream.  

A drive-through communion will be held at HCLC on March 28th, Palm Sunday.  Please plan to swing by the church this morning to share in communion and receive a palm for your home or vehicle.