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
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)
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Trinity Youth Journey Through Holy Week
Sunday School children heard the stories of Palm Sunday, Jesus Cleansing the Temple, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday with crafts and activities that supported each story!
Holy Trinity Lutheran Children
For the third Sunday in Lent, Trinity enjoyed a special prelude to our service performed by youth under the direction of Joyce Gundrum
Easter Egg Stuffing Party
After worship March 30th, we gathered in Fondersmith Auditorium to stuff eggs for the upcoming community Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 19th.
Upcoming Events
April 16, 2025
A Seder Service at Holy Trinity
Rabbi Jack Paskoff will lead us in a Seder celebration in Fondersmith Auditorium. A complete worship service rich in tradition in Judaism and a wonderful opportunity for us to take part in such. Worship begins at 6:15pm.
April 17, 2025
Maundy Thursday
We will gather for a candlelight service in Fondersmith Auditorium beginning at 7:00pm. This worship service is to remind us of the Last Supper experience of Jesus and his Disciples.
April 18, 2025
Good Friday
A noon time service will be held in the chapel with readings. At 7:00pm, a Tenebrae service in the Sanctuary.
April 19, 2025
Holy Trinity Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19th, 2025 -You are welcome to take part in Trinity's Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt! Join us at 10:00 am for a fun morning of crafts, treats, the Easter Story, and an egg hunt!
April 20, 2025
Faith Talk after worship in the library and via zoom
Faith Talk continues with the study on the Gospel of Matthew.
April 27, 2025
Adult Forum – the annual report to the congregation from the vestry
After worship we will join in Fondersmith for a meal followed by a report from the vestry. You'll learn what they've been doing and plan to do for Holy Trinity Worshipers as lay leaders.