_____________________________________________________

— ARNIE’S CORNER –

Last month I wrote about Lent. Lent is a 40 day period of time in our church year. Time is that ever important piece of our lives that we give up, sometimes freely and sometimes reluctantly. “Time is a language of communication in our daily lives, particularly when we are late, either habitually or occasionally, for a meeting, either a business meeting or a lunch date. Some cultures recognize tardiness as a token of respect, testifying that this individual is obviously a very busy person. In other cultures, this (tardiness) represents a lack of respect for the other’s time. I’m sure we can all relate to sitting in a waiting room for an extended period waiting for an appointment of some sort. I can relate to this, for my thoughts go to the insensitivity of the individual I am waiting for and lack of respect for my time.

Interestingly, we as Christians also use time as a language to express worship. Christianity is a religion that takes time seriously. “History is where God is made known.” God chooses to make Godself known to us within the same time period that measures our daily lives. “God’s self-disclosure occurs during the same time as political events.” Luke 1:5 (KJV) is an example; “In the days of Herod king of Judaea” or in Luke 2:2, “It took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria.” Christianity talks not of salvation in general, but of specific actions by God at definite times and places. “Ultimate meanings of life…” are revealed by concrete acts of God. God, “…in the fullness of time, invades human history, assumes our

flesh, teaches, heals, and eats with sinners. When the work was done, Jesus was put to death on a specific day… and rose on the third day of a particular year.” It is all done in the same time we inhabit. Time is measured by a specific device, the calendar, the same time we shop, or cut the lawn, or go to school or earn a living.

“Our worship uses time as one of its essential structures.” The time in which we live is used to put us in contact with God’s acts both in the past and in the future. Time enables you and me, as Christians, to remember “…and experience again the acts upon which our salvation is grounded.” Time talks. When we give it to others, we are truly giving of ourselves. Time is an identifier of what our priorities are and what we value. It is how we allocate this most valuable resource that identifies what we value most.

In mid-April, we as Christians, remembered and celebrated the Passion, betrayal and Crucifixion of our Lord. This is an annual event, just as much as it is a written narrative. Christmas, too, is far more an annual event than a nativity story. The four gospels are all specific in saying that it was on the morning of the first day the empty tomb was discovered, the day on which God separated the light from the darkness, the stone was rolled away and the empty tomb was discovered, and the grave clothes neatly folded.

Our time is special to each and every one of us. We all want more time to_______________. I’ll let you fill in the blank. But, remember, what we do with our time identifies us and tells what it is we actually value most. Think about that the next time you decide to blow off worship to___________. You can fill in the blank.

[Areas within quotation marks were excerpted from “Introduction to Christian Worship” by James F. White.]

~~Pastor Arnie

— CHRISTIAN EDUCATION –

Welcome to the Lord’s Table

The weekend of April 25/26, 24 children took their places at the Lord’s table for the first time.

Sean Patrick Dickenson, Alex Jay Fox, Dylan James Kois, Alexandra Eleanor Kowalczyk, Matthew John Moran, David Lawrence Pearce, Patrick Joseph Regan, Lauren Kandis Restucci, Anders Tomas Scala, Christopher Robert Sevastakis, Andrew Nicholas Vogel and Kyle William White received their First Holy Communion during the 5 p.m. service Saturday.

Shaun Patrick Ahern, Jr., Cameron Cole Centrella, Dakota Kayne Donohue, Paige Kristin Donohue, Erika Kristin Hand, Emma Post Leming, Willow Moon Nicolaides, Aidan C. Quakenbush, Madison Ann Rydholm, Daniel Sherman, Laura Ann Vorbach and Jessica Maria Waldeyer received their First Holy Communion during the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday.

God bless our young people – and us! – with lifelong hunger and thirst for the bread of life and the cup of salvation♥. “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life…”(John 6.54). Our faith family’s heartfelt thanks go to Terri Restucci and Karen Kosequat who assisted Pastor Mary in preparing the children to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time, and to Robin Baymore who created certificates for the children.

JJ Reflects on a “Great Friday”

I feel like I won an academy award! I really don't know what to say other than that I have so many people to thank. First, I'd like to thank Joy Blazak for her FABULOUS handbook on how to run Good Morning Good Friday! If there was ever a cookbook for running an event this was it! All I had to do was get the ingredients and mix! Although I must admit I made one HUGE mistake Joy's note for the day of cookie baking indicated that you should order 10 pizzas (3 pepperoni and 7 plain) for the bakers. Everything up to now worked was spot on so why would I deviate from the plan? Well, let me tell you... 10 pizzas for eight volunteers is a little too much!

Speaking of a lot... I'd like to thank everyone who made cookie dough. The cookie dough angels were multitudinous - we were rolling in dough! I'd like to thank Tina Braender-Shinn and her sister Terry Pinnella, Mary Kay Kelly, Kelly, Diana, Ashley and Timi Meade and Eleanor Gaiser for coming on Wednesday April 8th to bake the cookies. You guys gave me a great birthday present!

Regarding preparation, I need to thank Cathy Taft for procuring the items that went into everyone’s GMGF remembrance bags. She shopped until she dropped. Catherine Schwier-Mencer did the internet procuring and bought the gift bags on-line!!! I would also like to acknowledge Neary-Quinn for donating the prayer cards that went into each child's remembrance bag. A huge thank you goes to Susan Ardito for finding such amazing crosses - hand carved out of olive trees by Christians living in Palestine - amazing and beautiful.

As far as the 'big day' – Oh my gosh! I know I'm going to forget someone so let me apologize right off the bat in case I miss anyone!!!! Nancy Pugliese, Tina Leming (and her friend Susan), Joan Merritt, Donna Dreibelbis, Genna Chesney, Matthew Wall, Kristiane Olson (also thanks for letting me borrow your laminater/lambinator?, Thomas Howell, Gail Kave (the icing was AWESOME), Barbara and Melissa Barrella, Leeann Pearce, Mary Kay Kelly

and her niece Ashley, Andrew Flores, Barbara Tillson, Susan Ardito, Katie Barnes, Kelly Pretz, Tom Vorbach, Debbie Vogel, Kaitlin McLaughlin, Cynthia Mussinan, Diana Anderson, Rachel Howell, Terri Restucci and Sheila Wall. You guys are ALL STAR volunteers. I'll pick you to be on my team any day! I also want to thank the parents, grandparents, aunts and neighbors who brought the kids to the event. Mr. Ned Perwo also deserves a standing ovation! He did a great job with the ad hoc choir. Maybe he'll get some choristers or cherubs out of the day!?

My thank you wouldn't be complete without mentioning two more people. Laura Malta, thanks for pulling together all of the sign-up sheets. And last, but never last in my thoughts is Diane Churchman. Thank you for helping with the announcements and publications for the bulletin and Lamplighter. Because of you we never missed a deadline.

Of course the day wouldn't have been possible without Pastor Mary! Her passion and creativity for teaching our children about Good Friday is amazing! I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work on such a fantastic project!

~~ JJ Keelan

(p.s. You did a spectacular job of organizing, motivating and energizing all of us, J.J.! Thank you and God bless you! Pastor Mary)

Wanted: Sunday School Teachers

We at Holy Trinity are proud of our Christian Education programs. We have the second largest Sunday School enrollment in our synod. We have new families enrolling all the time and we are

already starting to prepare for the 2009-2010 Sunday School year.

We need your help to keep a great thing going. We are in need of teachers for Pre-K, 1st grade, 4^th grade, 5^th grade and 6^th grade. Please prayerfully consider if one of these is a

position you could fill. Some of the grades already have one or two experienced teachers who will be continuing next year. We try to have three teachers in each class so that while you are making a commitment there is also some flexibility. Some of the classrooms work in a rotation where you teach one week, assist one week and are off one week. Below is a testimonial from one of our teachers letting you know what a rewarding experience teaching our youth can be.

"You never really know something until you teach it.” As a Sunday School teacher I can confirm this statement. Another one I'll offer you, when you teach you increase your relationship with God because you'll continually ask yourself, "How do I pass this knowledge onto my class?"

The other benefit is the relationship you develop with the kids in your class. It's a fabulous feeling when your students see you in church or at a restaurant and wave excitedly and then remark to whom they are with, "That's my Sunday School teacher.” It makes you feel like a million dollars!

In this economic period wouldn't you appreciate feeling like a million dollars?

Consider teaching at Holy Trinity. You'll grow in ways you never knew you could.

If you are interested in any of these positions please contact us.

Thank you,

Cathy Taft

Telephone number: (732)223-5785

Sheila Wall

Telephone number: (732) 223-6635

Sunday School Co-Superintendents

Financial Aid Available

for the College-bound

All college-bound Holy Trinity youth are invited to consider applying for financial aid through the Karl, John and Elizabeth Wurffel Memorial Fund of our New Jersey Synod.

The student must plan to attend or enroll in a matriculated program of study in an accredited 4-year or 2-year college or university. Aid is provided on a one-year basis in the form of student loans. Applicants may reapply annually for up to five years. Loans are for undergraduate study only. Priority consideration is given on the basis of activity in the life of the church, as described by the recommendation letter of the applicant’s pastor and on the basis of need. First priority is given to students attending an ELCA Lutheran college or university.

For more details, visit the church office and ask for an application. (Please note: Requests for a pastoral letter of recommendation must be sent to Pastor Mary before May 11.)

— LIBRARY –

Children’s Book Week

Now in its 90th year, Children's Book Week was established by the Children's Book Council in 1919 to promote children's books and family reading. All across the United States, libraries and book stores will be celebrating with special events. The week begins with a kick-off in New York City's Bryant Park behind The New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue (the one with the lions at the main entrance) on Saturday, May 9, and ends at the Boston

Public Library on Saturday, May 16. Details can be found on the Children's Book Week website.

Holy Trinity will celebrate Children's Book Week with an Adopt-a-Book/Support Your Library Coffee Hour on Mother's Day, May 10. Books will be available for adoption in honor of or in memory of a loved one. In addition, there will be a table of children's books, many suitable for gifts to mothers-to-be or for reading aloud to the very young, for purchase at 25% off. Proceeds from the sale of discounted books will be donated to Reading is Fundamental (RIF), a non-profit organization that distributes books to families who cannot afford to purchase books for their children. Also, I'd be happy to autograph copies of my latest book, Mother's Song, a Lullaby. Copies may be purchased in advance at Barnes & Noble in Brick. Thank you for your support of the library and RiF.

Grace Matters

It is with much sadness that I announce that the Executive Directors of ELCA decided to eliminate Grace Matters, the radio ministry and web broadcast of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This program has been aired for over 60 years, beginning in 1947 under the name Lutheran Vespers. In 2005 the name was changed to Grace Matters. Over the years this wonderful ministry has reached hundreds of thousands of listeners in the United States, several European countries, plus Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. Peter W. Marty presented the last program, "Easter People!" on Easter Sunday 2009. We are fortunate to have many of the programs on CD in the library kiosk as well as a copy of Pastor Marty's first book, The Anatomy of Grace. Please avail yourself of these resources.

Ellin Greene,

Library Coordinator

Holy Trinity Library TRIVIA

The Holy Trinity Library is holding a contest to see how well you know your library.

Trivia questions will be handed out to Sunday School classes during library volunteer visits. Ask your Sunday School teacher what day the library volunteer is visiting your class. You can also go to the Holy Trinity website and click on the library blog (http://www.holytrinity-nj.org/libblog/) to find the questions. Print out the questions, answer them and put your answers in the box on the cart in the library.

The answers were checked on Sunday, April 19, and everyone who has answered correctly will have their names displayed on the Holy Trinity Library website and on the bulletin board in the library.

All those who have answered correctly will be entered in a drawing for a Barnes & Noble gift certificate to be held during coffee hour on May 10.

Good luck!

~~ Courtney Kays

— EVANGELISM –

All in the Family

We look forward to receiving new members into our faith family this spring. For convenience sake, preparation meetings will be on Sunday morning, May 3 (Luther in a Nutshell) and May 17 (Meet and Greet with sponsors and Council) from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. New members will be received during worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 7. The service will be followed by a welcome luncheon.

Questions? Please see or call Pastor Mary, Evangelism co-chairs Tina Braender-Shinn (732-528-9036) and Jeanne Schwarz (732-223-2636) or Stewardship chair Dennis Blazak (732-892-9735). Adults are formally on the rolls

if baptized and confirmed at Holy Trinity or received by affirmation of baptism from another congregation.

Spiritual Nourishment

Max Lucado’s Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God, is the subject of our Easter season weekday spirituality series. Join us for conversation about some unlikely people God chose for holy responsibilities in the Bible.

Classes meet 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. (The first session was April 22.) Pastor Mary leads the conversation.

A copy-to-borrow is available in our church library.

Icon Writing:

September Women’s Retreat

Artist and art educator Patricia Miranda, director of Concordia College’s art collection and owner of her own gallery, will lead our next women’s retreat.

Twenty of us will have the opportunity to engage in the prayer exercise of “writing” (painting) an icon, a holy image, on wood. Artistic “talent” is not necessary, just openness to engaging in a new form of prayer!

The fee of $185/person includes lodging, meals and materials.

Dates: Noon on Friday, Sept. 18, to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Location: St. Marguerite’s Retreat House, Mendham.

A deposit of $50 is requested to reserve your space. (At press time, 14 spaces remain). Please make checks payable to Holy Trinity, write “women’s retreat” on the memo line and submit to the church office. Balance due by Tuesday, September 1. Scholarships available to cover or defray cost; see Pastor Mary.

Willing Hands and Caring Hearts

The Trinity Blanketeers were busy the past few months and made 20 blankets which were donated to Project Linus New Jersey. We also welcomed three new volunteers. Happy to have them join us!

The Blanketeers will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, May 11 in the room behind the kitchen in Fellowship Hall.

Please join us if you like to knit, crochet, sew or quilt for an enjoyable afternoon.

Please call Gloria Smith (732-449-1942) for more information.

Thank you for your continued support.

Gloria Smith

— CHILD OF GOD –

During the Great Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter we welcomed Nicholas “Cole” Povia into the Body of Christ through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Cole’s mother is Cherie Povia. His sponsors are John and Debbie Vogel.

— REST IN PEACE –

Our love and prayers are with the family of:

Doris C. Hill, who died February 23, 2009.

Pastor Mary presided at the memorial service for Doris on Monday, March 2, in the Holy Trinity sanctuary.

— BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY –

On the first Sunday of each month, Holy Trinity offers bereavement support to those grieving a loss or a change of some kind. The group will meet at 10:15 a.m. on May 3 in Pastor Mary’s study. Chris Ann Waters, author and certified bereavement specialist, leads the discussion. Consecutive attendance is not required and people are welcome to attend as needed.

The most recent Transitions, a monthly devotional written by Ms. Waters that addresses matters of grief and change, is printed here for the benefit of Lamplighter readers:

The Lily on the Rail

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1: 1-5

Years ago on an Easter morning, an image etched itself on my mind that has stayed with me since. During worship when it was time for communion, I kneeled at the altar rail and waited my turn to receive communion. Since it was Easter, beautiful lilies adorned the altar; a lone and especially long-stemmed lily lay on the rail, appearing as a divider, separating the next person from me. Delicate, fragrant, and exquisite, it was a fine subject on which to focus my attention while I waited. As it lay on the altar, lovely and surrendered, it was symbolic of Christ Himself. The pastor came by and I received communion and its blessings. I walked away from the altar and the image of that lily came with me.

Jesus is sometimes referred to as the Lily of the Valley. Just as the lily on the altar rail did that Easter morning, Jesus separates. He separates people from their sins. He separates people from death and from Hell. He separates people from others because of belief in Him. He came to the world to reconcile and unite yet He is a polarizing figure. He made Himself the sacrifice necessary to cleanse people from their sins, and to be joined with Him and the Father in Eternity when life in this world concludes. For the Christian, this is Good News. This is comforting. For those who do not believe in Jesus, this is myth or trite folklore or a truth too powerful to accept given the changes belief brings. Even in the fullness of Christian preparations for Easter and the light of hope expressed all around us, for some Easter will be spent outside of its meaning. It will be experienced as a mere springtime holiday not the central hope on which the Christian soul rests and ancestries are built. Indeed, Jesus separates. He does so for the deepest and most purposeful reasons, and He wants every person to be separated from sin and death and Satan.

When Jesus surrendered Himself to the will of the Father, this surrender came out of love for God and love for people. All people. People who walk in darkness and do not comprehend the light, are people for whom Christ died and people for whom Christians continue to pray. The loving surrender Jesus made was not beautiful. It was cruel and bloody. For those who loved Jesus and witnessed His death at Calvary, their grief was heavy and their hope was gone. They could not know what was to come three days later: The Resurrection. God would raise Jesus from the dead and prove that death had no power over God. It never has. It never will.

While Easter is a glorious season to celebrate God’s power and promise, it is also a sad season for those who do not possess Christian faith. Easter is also a sad time for those who experience grief. Human loss due to deaths, divorce, estrangement, illness, job loss, and suicide, are among the losses that are real and emotionally challenging to those who struggle with them. Christian faith does not minimize or erase trials in this world. What is does do, however, is put at an advantage—a supernatural advantage—those who place their trust in Jesus. His promise to be with His people and carry them through painful times is inherent in Easter. His presence is there whether people feel it or not. That promise lives on. Jesus lives on.

The mystery of God is considered with particular sensitivity at Easter for the past, present, and future join together on this day. God’s Word tells anyone who will read it, what many of His plans are—but not all. As Creator, God has made everything—including humanity and the delicate lily—yet God does not seek control over His creations but grants free will. As the Light of the World, He fills the earth with His presence and enables the darkness the opportunity to see the light and to be transformed by it. The Easter message proclaims the truth that Jesus separates, and gives everyone the opportunity to embrace the value of separation. May the Holy Spirit keep people mindful of the Christ who is the powerful separator between people and their sins and death yet who is as approachable and beautiful as the lily on the rail.

Lord God, we rejoice in the Resurrected Christ and all that this means for us today and for our tomorrows. This sacrifice came at great pain to You and to Your Son. Yet, You fulfilled Your great plan for all of its earthly and eternal value. Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, praise and thanksgiving are Yours for all You gave. Painful as Calvary was, then and to remember it now, all it ever speaks to is the depth of Your love for people.

In the Living Redeemer, Amen.

— WOMEN OF THE

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

IN AMERICA (WELCA) –

Elisabeth Circle will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 11. Eleanor Gaiser will be our hostess and Ellin Greene is preparing our devotions. Our members are collecting new baby clothes this month, to be taken to the WELCA ThankOffering service on May 2. They will

then be given to the Women of Hope Resource Center of Pine Hill, NJ. Anyone is welcome to contribute. Call Louise Moenke (732-899-6845) for more info.

Our Annual ThankOffering service has two locations to choose from this year. They will both be on Saturday, May 2. The North location is Spruce Run Lutheran Church in Glen Gardner
and the South location is Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Berlin.

Registration forms are on the WELCA bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Directions and In Kind gift information
are indicated on the forms.

We are still in the planning stage for our annual WELCA luncheon. Keep an eye in our bulletin for the time and place!

The Louise Circle has changed its name to Circle of Faith. This was done to avoid confusion with the Elisabeth Circle which is led by Louise Moenke. We continue to act boldly in our mission to love and support one another in our faith.

— COMMUNITY –

Fireproof Your Marriage

The First Presbyterian Church, Manasquan, will host a free showing of the movie “Fireproof” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 in the Algonquin Theatre. This is their way of saying “thank you” to the churches and community organizations that have supported them during their construction project.

“Firepoof” debuted in approximately 850 theatres in the U.S. and in its first week was number four in the box office. The film remained at the top 10 for three weeks. It is a Christian movie about love, relationships, personal struggles and the power of prayer and was the basis for the NY Times bestselling book “The Love Dare.”

A ticket for the event in the Algonquin is not necessary; just come!

— MAILBAG –

Dear Holy Trinity Family,

Thank you for your prayers, get-well cards, gifts of food, and rides to therapy following my total knee replacement surgery. I feel truly blessed to be a member of such a caring family.

As many of you know, the surgery went well, but unfortunately, I caught a virulent virus in rehab. Pastor Mary's telephone prayers as I "…walked through the valley of the shadow of death" helped me to keep my faith in God's love.

I am happy to say that all is well now. It is just a matter of regaining my strength. I look forward to seeing many of you at Adopt-a-Book Coffee Hour on May 10.

In appreciation,

Ellin Greene

{

I would love to get some mail, my address is below. Please share with anybody else who might want to know.

Love,

Alicia

Alicia Dodds

U.S. Peace Corps

P. O. Box 357

8 King George V St.

Roseau, Dominica

{

Greetings from Florida!

I’m still enjoying Florida sunshine and flowers. Only two rainy days since I’ve been here. Looking forward to spring flowers when I return to NJ later this month.

Happy Easter to all!

Love,

Gloria Smith

{

Anatomy of a College Care Package

It all starts with a desire of Holy Trinity’s faith family to support and stay connected with those members who are attending college.

When our loved ones are home we have a tendency to feed them, so why not when they are away from home? The process starts with the donation of 40 unassembled boxes, 6 rolls of packing tape, industrial strength tape dispensers, a giant roll of bubble wrap and announcements to the rest of the faith family that the project has been launched.

The cause is furthered by the parents of the youth we have our sights set on. They contribute peanut butter and crackers or their child’s favorite snacks.

Other members of the Holy Trinity Family add their generous donations at coffee hours or in the collection basket, as well as donations dropped off in the church office, earmarked for the cause.

Many times these members of the family wish to remain anonymous, but God sees all they do. Some sign up on our Evangelism board to donate goodies or to bake homemade cookies, a real treat from home.

Then the preparation for packing begins; mailing addresses are verified, inventory is taken of what we have and what needs to be purchased to round out the packages. The boxes are assembled and taped, the last minute items are purchased, home baked goods arrive and volunteers show up to

pack the boxes with the goodies and a letter from the faith family. This year we included information and an application for financial aid through the Karl, John & Elizabeth Wurffel Memorial Fund of our New Jersey Synod

A prayer is whispered on behalf of the eager hands and heart that will open the box once it reaches its campus destination.

Thirty-nine boxes were shipped to these states: VT, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, LA, FL, MD, NC, OH, WV, MO, TX. This year Dennis Blazak’s brother, Tom Blazak and his wife prepared the address labels and paid for the shipping of all the boxes! May God bless you for your generous gift!

Thank you to all who gave so generously whether you be a first timer or have faithfully supported this twice a year effort, with donations of many kinds. Even the smallest contribution helps.

We know the boxes have been received because the email responses are rolling in!

Read the ones that arrived in time to be included in this month’s Lamplighter (below).

Many thanks to all,

The Evangelism Committee

(p.s. special thanks to Pat & Chuck Augustine, the principal shepherds of our care package ministry!)

{

Thank you! I got the care package today and was totally caught by surprise … I do appreciate the thought and time and that everyone is still thinking of me. I have 32 days left (not that I am counting) and it’s hard to think my first year at college is over.

Thank you again,

Emily Dreibelbis

{

Dear Pat and Holy Trinity Church Family,

Thank you so much for sending me such a wonderful care package!

It was such a wonderful surprise receiving another huge package with so many delicious things inside. It was so nice of the Holy Trinity Church Family to donate time and money towards us struggling college students!

Everyone in my apartment loved the snacks and we were all so happy to see that someone was thinking about us

during exams! It really meant a lot to see that you all are recognizing my

hard work throughout this semester.

I am doing well this semester and this encourages me to keep up the good work!

Thank you so much for everything! It was great seeing everyone at Church this past Easter Sunday!

Thank You,

Jamie Gyftakis

{

Dear Holy Trinity Church and family,

Spring is finally here and so is the culmination of a long spring semester. As always, I am so grateful to have a church that supports my education.

A master’s degree is definitely one that needs some treats because the credits are sure expensive! Thank you so much for this semester’s care package and happy Easter!!

Love,

Mark Harris

{

To all my friends at Holy Trinity Church,

Thank you so much for my Care Package full of amazing goodies! It came on a perfect day, I was in need of cheering up. My friends and I are enjoying every snack in there. It was just what I needed.

I will see you this weekend for an

Easter Service with my dad Andrew Maroney and Sue D'Avanzo.

Love and Peace,

Leanne Maroney

{

Hello All,

Thank you again for the wonderful care package! It is always something nice to look forward to during stressful times. Everything here at Rowan is good... very busy practicing and playing constantly. Hope to see everybody over the summer!

Thanks again,
Eric McLaughlin

{

        Hello and thank you so much for sending me a care package! There are only about four weeks left of school and I am actually sad. This year has been incredible. I recently joined a sorority and already I know these girls will be my friends for life. I had some stressful times trying to schedule classes and making sure everything I take will benefit me. I have a psychology major but need to take science and math classes in order to get into dental school. It's tough but it is making me a stronger student and I'm trying my best which is all that matters!

               All these goodies in the box are so nice and delicious! I am very grateful for them.

               So, thank you again for keeping me in your prayers and I look

forward to seeing everyone when I come home in May.

Love,

Brianna O'Hara

Thank you so much! I just received the care package from the church. My roommates and I just sat on my floor and it was a free for all for whoever wanted what.

Thank you again, so much!

Sincerely,

Kristin Phillips

{

Dear Holy Trinity Church family,

Thank you for the box of goodies that you sent to me at school. My friends really enjoyed having new snacks to steal from me! It came at a perfect time because I have been hit with so many exams in the last few weeks. It was very kind of you to think of me and send me so many things, I greatly appreciate it.

School at Bucknell University is going well and the end of my sophomore year is coming to an end soon. I am still continuing studying biology and it is going well. I hope everyone is healthy at home!

Thank you again!

Jenni Pretz

{

Thank you so much! I just received my package of goodies and my apartment mates and I had just been discussing last night about how we had no food to get us through finals, but that is certainly not the case any longer. We appreciate it so much! Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Kaitlyn Turi

{