The purpose of the Holy Trinity Challenge Grant fund is to support initiatives for the development of services to address social, economic or cultural needs in Lancaster County.
Above is our 2025 Challenge Grant winner Patty Eastep from Anchor Lancaster receiving the “check” from Pastor Joel.
Since 2001, the Community Outreach Ministry has awarded a $5,000 Challenge Grant annually. In 2011 the committee awarded two $5,000 grants to commemorate the Challenge Grant‘s 10th anniversary. In 2013 the Challenge Grant awarded $2,500 for existing programs, in addition to the $5,000 Grant for new projects.
For 2024, SOWE was awarded the grant. Their project is to construct outdoor locker space in Culliton Park, giving the unsheltered a safe place to store their belongings.
Priorities in selection of an organization to be awarded a Challenge Grant are:
- Address the needs of the most at-risk populations
- Provide services which help recipients to move toward living situations of self-support
- Empower people to be full participants in the economic, social and cultural life of the community
The process begins with a letter being mailed to all identified organizations in September with a grant request proposal. Our grant reading volunteers privately submit their assessment of each grant, ranking in order those they find the most deserving and why. The top 3-4 ranked organizations are invited to a designated day and time to be interviewed by a separate committee. From that interview process the current year organization is selected to be awarded the grant.
The grant presentation takes place on a Sunday in mid-November at the beginning of the worship service.
Past Recipients Include
ASSETS Lancaster
Bridge of Hope
Clare House
COBYS Family Services
Crispus Attucks
Gaudenzia
Milagro House
The Mix at Arbor Place
Mom’s House
The Threshold Foundation
Transitional Living Center
Find Other Ways to Serve
Challenge Grant
International Ministry
Partnerships
School Supplies
Make a Gift to Support Our Mission
At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, we believe and teach that all we have is a Gift from God. As good stewards of these gifts, we share as we are able with sacrifice and gratitude.Through our generosity we can express our Love, Faith and Thanksgiving. As the Psalmist writes: “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” (Psalms 24.1)
Consider Giving HereFamily News
A great kickoff to the new Church School Year
Sunday, September 7th, Trinity kicked off the Church Sunday School Year with an all ages congregational Talent Show! We heard a variety of music, jokes, and a skit. A special thank you to all our performers and for those that attended, it was a great experience. For more photos, visit Trinity's FB page.
July Summer Family Prayer Time
Families made a "prayer cross." located in Trinity's narthex. You are invited to write down a prayer on the colorful slips of paper beside the cross and then roll up your prayer and stick it in the "prayer cross" as a reminder that God is the answer to all our needs.
First Friday in July at Holy Trinity Lutheran
Trinity celebrated Lancaster's First Friday July 4th with outdoor games! Our resident chess coach showed off some smart moves for the games of chess. Save the date and join us Friday, August 1st at 5:00 pm for more family fun during Lancaster's First Fridays celebrations.
Upcoming Events
September 14, 2025
C.S. Lewis The Chronicles Of Narnia
Beginning September 14th and continuing for 10 weeks, Mary and Tony Appplegate will lead discussions on C.S. Lewis's well read series, The Chronicles of Narnia. The Applegates will share their study of the books, take a deep dive into themes, good vs. evil, the purpose of the writer as the tale is told. Books will be provided. For all interested, the group will meet in the cafe at start of the education hour.....approximately 11am.
September 14, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
Faith Talk series continues – we will study the lectionary texts in next week’s worship
September 14, 2025
Adult Forum – The Prophets….and did they predict the future?”
Our Old Testament, the Jewish Bible, includes many prophets.....some considered major prophets, some considered minor. Which is which, depends who you ask.
September 21, 2025
Adult Forum with Drew Snyder
Columbia Borough Police Officer, Drew Snyder will talk with us about "Personal Safety and Awareness". Things you should know for your well being and that of your family and friends.
September 21, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
The teaching on the upcoming Sunday lectionary continues
September 28, 2025
Adult Forum with Pastor Joel
A continuing series with Pastor Joel leading a discussion...we talk and listen to one another on a topic relevant for the day.
September 28, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
No Faith Talk today. We will join the forum for Pastor Joe's presentation.
October 5, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
It being the first Sunday in the month, the study will be on Luther's Small Catechism.
October 12, 2025
Adult Forum – The Christian Church Reformation Part One
The first in a two part series where we will dig a bit deeper into the Reformation of Luther's Day. There was a lot going on in Europe and the Near East at the time. Let's be open to learning more about this critical event in the history and evolution of "The Church"
October 19, 2025
Adult Forum – The Christian Reformation Part Two
We continue with the second in a two part series. The Arts were impacted and influenced greatly during the Reformation period. We'll take a look at this along with some other historical perspectives.