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 2026 Challenge Grant winner is the Lancaster Food Hub. Shown above is Pastor Joel handing off the $5000 check to Paige McFarling, Executive Director at the Food Hub.
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 2025, Anchor Lancaster was awarded the grant.
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
Anchor Lancaster
SOWE
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
Christmas Eve 2026
Organist and Choirmaster Chris Prestia singing "O Holy Night" accompanied by Joyce Gundrum
Christmas Tree Decorating Party
Trinity is now selling ELCA Good Gifts. Make your Christmas shopping special by giving a gift that fights hunger and poverty around the globe! Check out our ELCA Good Gift trees to see what we’re selling. The trees were decorated by some of Trinity’s Sunday School and Confirmation kids.
Holy Trinity Youth Reformation Sunday Journey
Trinity Youth took part in a special Reformation journey Sunday, October 26th. Trinity's children and youth had to make a document printing press style, nailed their own 95 Thesis to the castle door, built their own "Mighty Fortress", played 9 pins, and decorated luminaries for All Saints Day! How cool is that?
Upcoming Events
January 18, 2026
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
Faith Talk continues reading Paul’s Epistle to the Romans – Chapter 2
January 18, 2026
Adult Forum – International Ministries – 2026 Valentine Project
The International Ministries Small Group has invited Howard Good to talk with us about the 2026 Valentine Project.
January 18, 2026
Martin Luther King Memorial Service
Holy Trinity hosts the annual MLK Memorial Service which is led by the Lancaster Chapter of the NAACP. The Reception and Health Fair begins at 3:00 pm in Fondersmith Auditorium and the Commeration Service begins at 5:00pm in the Sanctuary.
January 25, 2026
Faith Talk in the library and via zoom after worship
Faith Talk continues reading Paul’s Epistle to the Romans – Chapter 2
January 25, 2026
Adult Forum – Lancaster and the Underground Railroad Part 1
Silvia Cavenaugh and Nelson Polite (First of a two-part series on Lancaster and the Underground Railroad)
February 1, 2026
Adult Forum – Lancaster and the Underground Railroad Part 2
Silvia Cavenaugh and Nelson Polite (Second of a two-part series on Lancaster and the Underground Railroad)
February 1, 2026
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
Faith Talk continues reading Paul’s Epistle to the Romans – Chapter 3
February 6, 2026
Holy Trinity Lutheran First Friday Speaker Series
Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 S. Duke Street on Friday, February 6th for a First Friday Speaker Series. Church bells will ring at 5 pm, followed by refreshments and a short organ performance. The main speaker presentation will start at 5:30 pm with Tanya Kevorkian presenting “G.H.E. (Henry) Muhlenberg, 1753-1815, Renaissance Man in Lancaster: Botanist, Pastor, Farmer, Healer, and More.” All activities will be held in the Church Sanctuary. Parking in our lot is free.
February 8, 2026
Holy Trinity Lutheran “Soup” -er Bowl Party.
To celebrate the end of our "Soup"-er Bowl Food Drive for the Lancaster Food Hub, we will celebrate with a Soup Potluck following worship. We will also have games like soup trivia to play. It'll be a rollicking fun time, plan to attend.
February 15, 2026
Adult Forum – Lutheran Camping Opportunities for All Ages
Zach Weiss director of Camp Kirchenwald in Lebanon, will share the many intergenerational offerings coming up in 2026. If you thought Lutheran Camp was just for kids, think again. Weather you're 8, 18 or 80.....Zach has a program for you.
February 22, 2026
Adult Forum – Let’s Talk About the Season of Lent
The meaning, significance, tradtions, history of the Lenten Season presented by Loren Good.
March 8, 2026
Adult Forum – Ukraine/Russia Conflict Part I
“Divided at the Heart: Spiritual and Cultural Dimensions of the Russia / Ukraine Conflict”. With Pen Hoover Part I.
March 15, 2026
Adult Forum – The Ukraine/Russia Conflict Part II
“Divided at the Heart: Spiritual and Cultural Dimensions of the Russia / Ukraine Conflict”. With Pen Hoover Part II