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Greetings, fellow disciples. As you are likely aware, we are in the process of bidding godspeed to a valued colleague in ministry. We celebrate all of the energy, vitality, and vulnerability that Pastor Katie has shared with us over the past six years. I’ve truly appreciated her willingness to help us consider new alternatives, advocate for social justice, and engage the young people of our congregation with ministries to which they are can easily relate. We’ve been blessed by both her comfort and her challenging. Let’s give thanks for them as we wish her well in her new ministry! We will surely miss her presence! The Visioning Council is planning a special farewell potluck and celebration for Pastor Katie after worship on Sunday, August 14th. Gilled burgers and hot dogs will be provided; members are encouraged to bring a dish to pass. We’ll begin preparing for this event starting this Sunday; so come ready to contribute to a special hand-crafted creation that we can share with her on the 14th! Meanwhile, the Council is looking to fall and the launch of a new program year. We are in real need of timely input into what we are all willing to invest. Hard copy surveys were recently mailed to all parents of Sunday School age children, “Club 56” (grades 5-6) youth, confirmation age youth, and high schoolers. Your feedback is sought by NEXT MONDAY (Aug. 8) if at all possible. Either complete and mail yours back when it arrives, complete a copy at church this weekend, or use this link. It is on our website on the children's ministry page, the youth ministry page, and on the Resource page. It should be very easy for anyone to complete this survey. It’s really critical that we hear back from all families involved as we can make the best decisions possible! Thanks in advance! As for worship this weekend, we’re going to focus on the timely topic of being able and willing to step out in faith once again, following the examples of Abraham and Sarah, and so, so many of our ancestors in God’s family! The Letter to the Hebrews highlights their examples. We’ll use it as our “launchpad” for our joint exploration. Join us at 9:00 a.m.! Remember to pray for both Richard and Pastor Katie, who will be each heading to Columbus next week to participate in our triennial churchwide assembly. We have been praying for the Assembly each week in the Pop-up Prayers using petitions prepared by the ELCA for that purpose. Safe journeys to all involved! Your brother in Christ, Pastor Tim

Dear Friends, My brain is still in youth mission trip mode! That means it's a bit fuzzy but focused on the tasks in front of me. It was a mountaintop week of 24/7 with the team of amazing, gracious, and hard-working youth. I am proud of them. You would be proud of them as well. “Let them give thanks to you, LORD, for your steadfast love and your wonderful works for all people.” Psalm 107:8 This team of youth – they got it and they shared with all their hearts God’s purpose for the week. Together we served our resident, Francine, not only by the work we provided her, but by being in a loving and trusting relationship with her and alongside of her. One without the other is meaningless; but both together is life changing meaningfulness. I would say the greatest challenge of the week was NOT the 90+ temps with high humidity, the reality of the condition of the home we were working on without a sustainable roof, the 30-foot ladders that didn’t come close to reaching the top floor, the cafeteria food, the air-mattresses, the limited showers, and so on. The real challenge was the strength to love one another each day without looking over our shoulders to see what “the others” were not doing – aka – youth from other communities on our same work crew who simply did not come to work. We are called to love one another so that the light (in this case, the painting of a home in the center of Toledo, Ohio) shines the light of Jesus. “Whoever is wise will ponder these things, and consider well the LORD’s steadfast love.” Psalm 107:43 You, my beloved friends, are loved now and forever by a God who loves first, loves forever, and invites, encourages, and commands that we love one another. By now, you have received notice that I have accepted a new call to First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. I am thankful for the opportunity to share God’s love with you and you with me. See you in worship! Peace, Pastor Katie

A huge thanks goes out to Pastor Ron Schardt for his generous offer to help lead worship last weekend! Pastor Katie was off on our Youth Mission Trip to Ohio, while I was participating in events around my daughter’s wedding. I’m thankful to report that it was a tremendous and memorable weekend, with near-perfect weather, venue, and participation of many of the people who have been a gift to her in all of her years of growing and serving! We have much by which to be humbled! Pastor Katie and I will be rejoining you this weekend as we return to our “R.E.A.L. Faith in a Real World” series – this week pondering the many potential connections between that theme and the familiar text of the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11). I hope that you’ll be able to join us on Sunday or Wednesday, – as who knows - perhaps you will gain insight that forever transforms the way that you pray that prayer! It’s certainly a rich one and resembles a diamond that reveals more and more beauty as you view it from different perspectives. Many thanks, too, to those who have already responded generously to our special appeal to help offset the unanticipated major repairs to our geothermal system. Thanks to you, we’re still able to gather in comfort! If you’ve intended to pass along a gift, but haven’t done so, we’d love to hear from you soon! Meanwhile, join me in prayer for a safe return for our Mission team. Come share the Word and Holy Communion this week with your brothers and sisters in Christ! Let’s celebrate summer together! Pastor Tim

EVENTS Saturday, April 29 9:00 a.m. Holy Trinity Walk & Talk Our Mental Health Advocacy Team is hosting Holy Trinity Walk & Talk again this year in order to raise funds and awareness for mental health resources. Participate by gathering at 9:00 a.m. at the Holy Trinity patio to walk in surrounding neighborhoods, or stay and socialize instead. Donations will be collected to support the National Alliance for Mental Health. If you're unable to walk this day, we encourage you to sign up for the NAMI Walks Johnson & Linn County the following Saturday! Reach out to Kris Frisbie with questions about the walk. Donate to our team Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Laugh Out Loud Small Group Ladies, BYOC (bring your own coffee!) for this lighthearted hour of fellowship on Wednesday mornings. There will be no formal lesson or schedule, but there will be laughter! This group meets in the church sanctuary or outside, based on the season. Email Church Office Watch for Future Dates LWR Quilting This winter we are working on our Lutheran World Relief Quilt Ministry. Many of us have been sewing kits, cutting battings, and backings so that we can start assembling of the quilt tops. If you would like to sew a kit, they are available and located in the quilt closet or contact us to get one to you. Dates will be added--watch here for details and join us in working towards our goal to provide others with comfort from these quilts. Email Church Office Saturday, May 6 8:30 a.m. Registration 10:00 a.m. Walk starts NAMI Walks Johnson & Linn Counties Each year, the local chapters of National Alliance for Mental Health bring together corporations, community organizations, families, and individuals to raise funds and let every person living with a mental health condition know that they are not alone. This year's walk will be held at Terry Trueblood Recreation area. Let's raise our voices to be heard, united in our commitment to raising awareness of NAMI Johnson County & NAMI Linn County's free, mental health education, support, and advocacy. Register to Walk Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study Join Pastor Ron Schardt for a Bible Study! All men are invited. No homework, no pressure; just great fellowship and discussion! Take the Holy Nudge and jump on in! Email Church Office Tuesdays at 9 a.m. Agape Prayer Group Our Agape Prayer Group meets Tuesday mornings in the sanctuary. Everyone is invited to join in, but we'd appreciate knowing beforehand that you're interested in participating. We gather for conversation, prayer, and friendship! Please email the office to express your interest. Email Church Office Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Women's Bible Study A Women’s Bible Study will meet for 6 weeks on Thursday mornings beginning March 2 at 9:30 a.m. The study is “Who Is The Holy Spirit? ” Cost of the materials is $7. Bible study leader is Kathy Stickney. To enroll, contact Kathy directly or reach out to the church office. Email Church Office

WELCOME TO GET TO KNOW US PRAYER REQUESTS LISTEN/WATCH MAKE A GIFT YOUTH YOUTH MINISTRY CHILDREN'S MINISTRY ADULTS ADULT MINISTRY MINISTRY GROUPS SERVING & SHARING SERVE EVENTS About Announcements for the week of March 19 , 2023 Learn more about ELCA resources and beliefs Learn More Holy Trinity is a vibrant ELCA congregation in Johnson County, Iowa. All are welcome and invited to call Holy Trinity their church home. When we say, all are welcome, we mean all - no exceptions, qualifications, or asterisks. As a community we are committed to be authentic, safe, and intentional as we grow in our relationship with God and with one another. ​ We worship on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Worship is offered via Facebook Live at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Any updates can be found on our Worship Services page. On-demand recorded worship is always available on our Worship Services page. Join us for Small Groups and Ministry Events: There are many opportunities to get involved at Holy Trinity. All opportunities are found in the banner at the top of the site. ABOUT US Want to learn more about events at Holy Trinity? See Events

Mental Health Advocacy Team The Mental Health Advocacy Team at Holy Trinity advocates for those who are directly impacted by mental health issue personally or through close personal relationships. Additionally, our intent is to support individuals who want to understand how to respond to friends, neighbors, or acquaintances who are experiencing mental health issues. The team does not provide mental health services, such as treatments, therapy, or counseling. NEED RESOURCES? IN Crisis? Get Help Now What is Mental Health? As opposed to physical health, mental health relates to the well being of an individual in terms of their ability to think, express their emotions, and relate to others interpersonally in satisfying ways. When a person has a physical health problem, there are usually observable symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing or having a leg with a cast. Most often, those with a mental health problem don’t have any observable sign that something is causing their body to respond in ways that are different from how they may have responded in the past. Learn more about mental health from National Alliance on Mental Illness. All of the NAMI programs and support groups listed below are free. For more details regarding these opportunities, please visit the websites for NAMI Johnson County https://namijc.org or NAMI Linn County https://namilinncounty.org . For those living with a mental illness: NAMI Peer-to-Peer: 8-week class led by trained peers NAMI Connection Support Group: Weekly support group for adults living with mental illness For families and friends: NAMI Family-to-Family: 8-week class for family members— experience a sense of belonging and improve coping skills NAMI Family Support Group: Weekly support group designed for adults with loved ones living with mental health conditions. The support group is confidential and individuals can share their concerns and gain support from others about dealing with issues surrounding their loved one. Spotlights on Mental Health are periodic messages intended to increase awareness about mental health issues, provide information about available resources for help, and to increase understanding about how to respond to mental health challenges we might face. ​ Click below to read Spotlights on Mental Health. October 2022 - About the 988 Hotline April 2022 - Learn about NAMI February 2022 - Removing the Stigma of Mental Health Finding Assistance Dial or Text 988 Chat online https://988lifeline.org 988 is the new three-digit dialing code connecting people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). Compassionate, accessible care and support is available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress —thoughts of suicide, mental illness or substance-use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The goal of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is to provide immediate crisis intervention and support. When someone calls 988, a trained crisis counselor will answer the phone, listen to the caller, understand how their problem is affecting them, provide support and share resources, as needed. Crisis counselors are trained to help in a variety of crisis situations, and no caller is required to disclose any personal information. Iowa 211 is a free information and referral system linking Iowa residents to health and human service programs. 211 can assist you by helping to clarify your personal situation and help determine the best resource(s) for you. https://www.211iowa.org Direct: 2-1-1, or 515-246-6555 Toll Free: 2-1-1; or 800-244-7431 Text: Text your zip code to 898211