This past year 10 people were received into our membership through the sacrament of Baptism. In the past year the church was involved in 12 funerals, eight of which were members. Eight members received their first communion, in church, on April 19, 2009, and through the help of the Fletcher Fund we gave six third graders their own Bibles on April 12. Five couples were married this past year. In January 2009 the Church Council affirmed a provisional church membership of 712 baptized and 587 confirmed.

We held a host of rich worship experiences for the family of God which gathers here: Christmas Service in the Barn, Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve, All Saint's Remembrance of Faithful Departed, Shared Lenten Service with Berlin Ministerium, Community Good Friday service, Easter Worship, Recognition of Graduates, Community Thanksgiving Service, special Reformation service, World Wide Communion Sunday, anointing and prayers for the sick. There were several special Sunday school programs, including Christmas & Easter. Our newest addition to our worship offerings is the 5:06 Contemporary Service, which is held the second Sunday of each month.

Average Attendance at worship this year has been 144, which is only a slight decrease from last year. Average Sunday school attendance has increased from 70 in 2008 to 73.

The youth program has had quite an eventful year under the leadership of Youth Director Jeff Moore. Youth activities over the past year included the Advent Cookie Bake and Christmas Caroling; Uncommon Life including snow tubing and corn maze; various family movie nights; Dominican Republic mission trip and other fundraising luncheons and sales; Music in the Mountains and Creation music festival; bowling, bonfires, bike trail rides; VBS and Sunday school Rally Day. The next youth planning committee meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23. All are invited to attend.

Our educational offerings for adults went beyond our regular Sunday School classes with our evening Alpha courses. We studied “The Question of God”, “Jesus of Nazareth” and most recently, “Christianity & Islam.” During summer Sunday school we also studied The Lord’s Prayer. We continue to look for new ways to engage our members in Bible study and exploration of the faith. To date at least 110 members and 23 guests from outside our congregation have attended these courses.

The Music Ministry has had a busy year and the rest of 2009 and 2010 will continue to be busy. The Senior Choir continues to grow in numbers would like to invite anyone who wants to join us to sing a special number for Christmas Eve to do so, and we are hoping to do an Easter Cantata next year instead of a Christmas one. The Adult Bells have also grown in numbers and will be joining the Brethren and UCC churches in a combined Christmas bell concert at the high school in December. They will be playing six pieces with the other two choirs as well as a solo number. Joyful Noise increased the number of times they played this past year and is currently on a break until the Bell Concert is over. The youth of the church continue to be involved in singing and playing the chimes. Musical Director Maria Mowry is thankful for all the support that is given to all of the ensembles of our church, and she is pleased that we have so many different ways to praise God through music.

We held a host of fellowship events: Fastnacht, Pentecost Dinner, Advent Dinner and Easter Breakfast. We honored fathers and mothers in worship. Honored teachers and students for attendance and work. Crusaders Class held a dinner for those who live alone. The Homebound Communion and Compassionate Visitors committees meet bi-monthly to address the concerns of our church family. Homebound Communion members review those persons who desire or need to receive communion in the home or place of residence. This committee is faithful when and where they are asked to provide the sacraments. Compassionate Visitors make visits, phone calls and give support to those who need any sort of compassion in their lives. If there are concerns regarding parishioners, we will appreciate letting the church office know so we can make the appropriate contact.

One aspect of our congregational life we wish to lift up is our support of civic and community organizations and ministries. As the chartering organization of Berlin Troop 135 of the Boy Scouts of America we are heavily involved in their work in our town. In addition to an annual financial gift to the BSA, we supply meeting and storage space to the troop. We supply meeting space to AARP Tax Aid Program, as well as the Berlin Senior Citizens. The Whiskey Rebellion Committee uses our facilities as does Berlin C.A.R.E.S., the community ministry to our service people in the war zone. We are a pickup point for Meals on Wheels as well as a financial supporter. We are proud of our involvement in the life of our community.

In January 2009, 18 members of our Mission Group went to the Dominican Republic to help at Summer’s Best Two Weeks camp. They helped build a foundation for a new dining hall and prepare the ground for a new volleyball court. Members also had a chance to visit with children they sponsor through Compassion International.

Our church continues participation in Operation Shoebox, ALSM’s Harvest Home fund drive and Lutheran World Relief’s Blanket Sunday. Through our offerings we supported a host of other ministries: Allegheny Synod - $12,251.01; Camp Sequanota - $1,633.45; ALSM Counseling Ministry in Somerset - $1,633.45; Boy Scouts - $400; World Hunger - $1,527.16; Food Pantry - $2,895.16; Blankets - $175.

We worked with the graduating class to hold a Community Baccalaureate Service this year. Participated with other Berlin churches in donations to the Berlin Food Pantry. This year the Crusaders Class held their annual ham dinner. They and the Faithbuilders Class also prepared other fundraiser meals and donated to a variety of charitable causes. The Jolly Quilters and Knotty Knotters gave to Lutheran World Relief, various hospitals and nursing homes, Somerset Oncology and various individuals. They produced 285 covers, including some from a Frostburg seniors group; 12 layettes, 256 caddies and tote bags, 79 pillows, 10 afghans and prayer shawls and 12 handbags.

The biggest project for our Property Committee has been the steeple renovation. After receipt of the steeple condition report, internal repairs were done during Holy Week. A special meeting in June was held to approve the selection of contractor and the method of financing. The loan was secured through the Mission Investment Fund, and we have been receiving additional monies through pledged donations and fundraisers. The external work began October 1 by Reese Brothers Construction. The cross at the top of the steeple was taken down in September, and it was decided to have a replacement created by Gross Brothers Welding & Fabrication.

Other property projects in 2009 included new fans for the kitchen and a new ceiling in the Fellowship Hall; electrical re-wiring and new glass block windows in Luther Haus; renovation of the church sacristy made possible by memorial monies; new exterior church lighting; major Luther Haus, church and parsonage landscaping clean-up; new phone system in Luther Haus and new computer for Pastor John; sewing room and classroom renovations. Future and ongoing projects include the handicapped ramp, improvements to stone and brick surfaces on the north and east exterior of the building; possible chair lift on the east entrance; and further discussion on the Janet Gindlesperger property.

We continue to collect and preserve historical documents and items associated with Holy Trinity. This year we prepared a new church photo directory that will act as a time capsule of our congregation and its ministries for future generations.

It has been an exciting year and 2009-10 should prove to be no less enticing. There are great challenges ahead but also great opportunities. With God’s guidance and help we can accomplish much for the kingdom.