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
More Fun at Trinity Sunday School
Children's Sunday School meets every Sunday Morning at 10:45 a.m. starting in Trinity's Choir room for music time, then the kids will go to classroom 202 (located on the second floor of the Parish House in the corner, behind the choir room) for a Bible Story and Lesson. New faces are always welcome!
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.
Upcoming Events
October 5, 2025
C.S. Lewis The Chronicles Of Narnia
The study of presented by Mary and Tony Appplegate on C.S. Lewis's well read series, The Chronicles of Narnia continues. 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.
October 5, 2025
Adult Forum – Habitat for Humanity
Representatives from Lancaster Habitat for Humanity will share their recent works and outlooks for the future
October 5, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
It being the first Sunday of the month, Doug will teach on Luther's Small Catechism, specifically Confession and Absolution.
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 12, 2025
Annual Holy Trinity Bonfire Event
Again this year, Chuck and Beth Petka are hosting a fall bonfire at their home. We'll enjoy a potluck dinner, fellowship, games, and a pumpkin decorating contest with a prize being awarded to the "best of show". If interested in attending(and hope you are), reach out to Rachel Kramer for details, [email protected]
October 12, 2025
Faith Talk After Worship and in the Library
Faith Talk will continue our Lectionary Texts study – the worship texts for October 19, 2025
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.
October 19, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
Faith Talk will continue our Lectionary Texts study – the worship texts for October 26, 2025
October 26, 2025
Adult Forum – Konde Diocese
In August we heard from Reverend Cliff Eschbach on his most recent trip to the Konde Diocese in Tanzania. On this day, representatives from the Diocese will present to us the wonderful things happening there and the challenges they face.
October 26, 2025
Lutheran Camping Fall Foliage Day!
Summer is in the review mirror but the fun and outdoor minstry continues at Camp Kirkenwald with a celebration of Fall. If interested in being a part of a group from Trinity to attend this event please contact Rachel Kramer at [email protected] Activities include hiking, pumpkin painting, canoeing, hayrides, outdoor worship, and a picnic supper. There is a $15.00 charge to cover the cost of the evening meal.
October 26, 2025
Faith Talk After worship in the library and via zoom
Faith Talk will continue our Lectionary Texts study – the worship texts for November 2, 2025
November 2, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
Faith Talk will continue our Lectionary Texts study – the worship texts for November 9, 2025
November 9, 2025
Adult Forum – Henry Muhlenburg Jr. with Tanya Kevorkian
Tanya will share with us who was Henry Muhlenberg Jr. (the one who was pastor at Trinity)? Muhlenberg as a Lancaster Renaissance man. Should be very intersting.
November 9, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
Pastor Joel joins faith talk will be joining faith talk, a continuing conversation on Luther's Small Catechism - specifically The Lord's Supper.