The Sacraments
Holy Baptism
In Holy Baptism the triune God delivers us from the forces of evil, puts our sinful self to death, gives us new birth, adopts us as children, and makes us members of the body of Christ, the Church. Although a person is baptized once, the gift of baptism continues throughout a Christian’s life.
Careful, intentional and honest consideration on how you will fulfill your Baptismal promises is necessary. Because of the important role the congregation plays in Baptism, the Baptism must take place during a worship service. Exceptions are only made in extreme circumstances. If you want yourself or your child baptized at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, please contact the church office to schedule a time to meet with Pastor Kathy.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and drink. All baptized believers are invited to the Lord’s Table.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church offers a special milestone celebration for children receiving their First Communion. Please call the church office if you are interested in this special celebration for your child.
Is My Child Ready to Receive Holy Communion?
There are many factors to consider in determining when first communion is ready to be received – a child’s maturity, a child’s experience in the church, a child’s family as a supportive context for faith, discipleship and understanding, etc.
The following questions are provided to help you determine the readiness of your child to receive their first Holy Communion:
- Has your child been baptized?
- Is your child comfortable in various locations around the church, including the sanctuary and chancel?
- Is your child asking questions about Holy Communion?
- Will your child extend his or her hands when asked to do so?
- Does your child recognize the pastor and communion assistants, and seem to be able to interact enough with them to receive the elements (bread and wine)?
- Is your child aware enough of others in the congregation and their needs to show a degree of respect for their communion experience?
- Are you prepared to help make the process positive?
- Are you prepared to continue to fulfill the promises you made at your child’s baptism to bring him or her regularly to the Lord’s Table?
Only the first question requires a “Yes” before your child can be considered ready to receive his or her first communion. Use the others to generate discussion and to plan, for your child’s preparation to begin receiving the sacrament and the gifts it brings.
Life Passages
Marriage
A wedding before God and among God’s family is the best way for a man and woman to begin their lives together as husband and wife. Marriage in the Church is best understood as a worship service in which all the gathered people offer thanksgiving and praise to God. God’s love pours down in us and through us toward one another. God is active in our lives and we seek God’s blessings as the new family is created through marital vows. Please contact the church office and read our Wedding Guide to decide whether Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is the place for your wedding.
Funeral
A Christian funeral or memorial service is a service of worship that provides family and friends with an opportunity to remember one of God’s own children and find hope in God’s Word and eternal life-giving power. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church welcomes the opportunity to conduct funerals or memorial services for members of the congregation as well as non-members. Please contact the church office and read our Funeral & Memorial Service Guide to begin making arrangements.
Parish Education
Confirmation / Catechetical Instruction
Confirmation/Catechetical Instruction is for adolescents and/or adults (12 years old and up) who want to learn more about the Lutheran faith. Our dominant resource for learning is Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. Regular Bible readings is also part of instruction. It is a two-year program for adolescents. Typically, it is a much shorter length of study for adults. Upon completion, students affirm their faith with the Affirmation of Baptism liturgy during a regular worship service. This is considered a special milestone celebration. Contact the church office if you would like to begin confirmation/catechetical instruction.
Adult Education – Adult Christian Education & Bible Study takes place through a variety of opportunities:
- Table Talk is offered Sunday mornings following worship, September through May. During this time we use God’s Word and church doctrine to guide us in discussing current news and issues in an effort to open up our awareness to the issues of our day, and help us think through about how those issues affect us as Christians.
- Pastor’s Study is led by Pastor Kathy for a few weeks at a time throughout the year. Topics and timing are determined upon congregants’ interest. If there is a topic or focus you would like the pastor to facilitate a study on, please contact her.
- Chuck Missler Bible Study is typically held Thursday mornings at 10am, September through May.
- Small Group Study – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church encourages for small groups of individuals/couples to gather together on a regular basis to engage in Bible study. Though no “approval” is necessary, we encourage you to contact our Parish Ed Chair and/or Pastor to let us know that a small group study is happening. Both of us are willing to offer our assistance in any way we can.
Vacation Bible School
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church participates in a community vacation Bible school experience with First English Lutheran Church and Kingdom of Grace Fellowship every summer. Typically it is held the third week of July, Monday through Wednesday, 5-7pm with dinner provided each night at First English Lutheran Church. There is an Adult Bible Study component as well.
Children & Youth Education
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church does not currently have the consistent attendance of children and youth to warrant regular educational offerings for children and youth. We are eager to provide such offerings when we have a commitment to participation.
Worship & Music
- Worship – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is a traditional, liturgical church. Our worship services are accompanied by an organist as long as we have an organist available to lead us. Our Sunday morning Communion liturgy is either Settings One or Two from Lutheran Book of Worship, Setting Five from With One Voice, Setting One or Ten from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Our hymns come from those three hymnals as well.
In addition to our weekly Sunday worship services at 10am, we have midweek Lenten services on Wednesdays at noon during the season of Lent followed by a light lunch of soup and bread. We are open to offering evening services as commitment to participate warrants it.
- Holy Trinity Singers – the “choir” at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. No experience is necessary, but the ability to read music and/or hum or whistle a tune helps. The Holy Trinity Singers practice on Thursdays at noon and sing on the second Sunday of each month during worship. Pay is a minimum of $1.10 and a Klondike bar per person, per year.
Missions & Outreach
Missional is one of our three core values. Therefore, we are generous in how we plan, develop, and implement programs to witness to our faith through actions in our community, country, and world. Most of our focus is on the Mansfield/Richland County area.
We regularly contribute, support, and serve The Salvation Army at Mansfield, St. Luke’s Meals, Project One, NALC Disaster Response, Richland County Humane Society, Richland Pregnancy Services, Richland Dolly Parton Imagination Library Book Distribution, LifeWise Academy in three local school districts, The ARC, several local food pantries, Domestic Violence Shelter, Malawi Orphan Care Project, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Wayfinders, Elijah’s House, Men of Valor, Love our Heroes, Woodland Elementary, Ronald McDonald House, Scout Troop 152, Water Missions, Lutheran World Relief, and Friendly House. Additional missions are added as we learn the need.