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
Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, August 4th Trinity hosted an Easter Egg Hunt. Festivities began in Fondersmith Auditorium with games, snacks, a story by Rachel Kramer relating a dozen eggs to Jesus's life. Then, the 1000 egg scramble.
March 31st, after the education hour, we enjoyed lunch together
After the education hour, we enjoyed lunch together and stuffed 1000 eggs for the upcoming community Easter Egg Hunt, April 4th.
The Annual Holy Trinity Soup-er Bowl Party
After worship we gathered in Fondersmith Auditorium to sample 14 different soup recipes prepared by Trinity Disciples. We played some Super Bowl Trivia and gathered non-perishable food items for the Food Hub.
Upcoming Events
April 26, 2026
Adult Forum – Report from the Vestry
After worship we will gather in Fondersmith for a meal followed by the annual report from the vestry to the congregation.
April 26, 2026
Faith Talk
No Faith Talk today, we will join the adult forum for the annual report to the congregation from the vestry.
May 3, 2026
Adult Forum – Dementia
Dawn Hippensteel, Clinical Nurse Specialist- Gerontology at UPMC Pinnacle will share with us the signs of dementia, caregiving for people living with dementia, and types of dementia.
May 10, 2026
Mother’s Day/Hat Day at Holy Trinity
The Sunday School and Confirmation Youth will sing a special anthem during worship and the ladies and gents are invited to wear special hats to church. The hats signify "crowns" to represent faith, elegance, and community. All "hatters" please come to front of the church for a group photo.
May 17, 2026
Adult Forum – confirmation lessons
Our confirmands will talk with us about their classes, what it's meant to them. Pastor Joel will share some thoughts as well.
May 24, 2026
Lemonade on the Lawn
Celbrating Confirmation Sunday, we will gather on the lawn after worship for Lemonade, lite food and conversation. If it rains, we'll go inside and crumble cookies on the carpet(HA)
May 30, 2026
Lancaster British Brass Band
You are all in for a treat. Well known, and well loved, the 31 person Lancaster British Brass Band will fill Holy Trinity's Sanctuary with musical art. A truly inspiring and "goosebumpy" experience. The concert begins at 4:00pm.
May 31, 2026
Adult Forum – Pastor Joel
Pastor Joel presents to us on "Death and the Life After".
June 4, 2026
Urban Air Fundraiser
Trinity's Youth Ministry is hosting an Urban Air "Spirit Night!" Anyone is allowed to attend so please invite your friends and neighbors to join you at Urban Air Adventure Park. Mention Holy Trinity Lutheran Church when you purchase your tickets to get a discount on Platinum Passes! For more information contact Rachel, rachel@trinitylancaster.org.
June 8, 2026
Science Mondays Vacation Bible School!
Register now for God's Wonder Lab, Science Mondays VBS. This is a collaborative ministry between Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church. The dates are: June 8th, June 15th, June 22nd, June 29th, and July 6th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603 will host our VBS. Registration forms can be found in the church Narthex. For questions please see Rachel Kramer, rachel@trinitylancaster.org.
June 10, 2026
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Trinity is the Nonprofit of the Night at the Lancaster Stormers on Wednesday, June 10th. The gates open at 5:45 pm. Our choir will kick things off with the singing of the National Anthem at the Baseball game! The first pitch, which will be thrown by one of our confirmation students, Hudson, will happen at 6:45 pm. Tickets can be purchased via a check in the offering plate, writing Stormers in the memo.