Set on South York Street in Gastonia, North Carolina, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church gathers Lutherans and neighbors from across Gaston County for worship, study, and outreach under the simple motto "Knowing, Loving, Sharing Christ." A congregation of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), Holy Trinity centers its life on the historic liturgy, the preaching of Scripture, and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, while also making room for a contemporary praise band, Sunday School for every age, and a full slate of ministries from the nursery through seniors.
Two Sunday Gatherings, One Communion Table
The Sunday rhythm at Holy Trinity is shaped by two distinct worship services that share one Lord and one communion table. The early service at 8:30 a.m. follows an "Ancient/Future" model, weaving newer hymns and songs into the historic liturgical framework. Music at the early service is led by the praise team, which welcomes musicians high school aged and older, no matter what instrument they play.
Sunday School runs from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. for every age group, with classes meeting in rooms across the building. At 11 a.m., the Traditional Service offers a sung Divine Service led by organ and choir. The chancel choir performs a range of choral literature and welcomes singers from high school age and up at any skill level.
Whichever service a worshiper attends, the order of worship centers on the proclaimed Word, the preaching of the Gospel, corporate prayer, and Holy Communion. As the congregation describes it, in either service worshipers "encounter the living God as He comes to us in Word and Sacrament."
The Building and Finding Your Way Around
The church campus sits at 805 South York Street in Gastonia. The main parking lot is located just south of the buildings, and visitors enter the Welcome Center through the double glass doors leading into the Parish Life Center. Those attending the contemporary service will find that the parking lot brings them directly to the fellowship hall, while those heading to the traditional service follow the hallway from the main entrance to the sanctuary.
There is also street parking along York Street with access through the double red doors for a closer entrance to the sanctuary. During the week, all exterior doors remain locked for security, and visitors use the door buzzer to be welcomed inside by staff. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Family Ministries from the Nursery to High School
Family Ministries covers every stage from infancy through twelfth grade. Sunday School classes for preschool, elementary, and middle and high school students are part of the weekly 9:45 a.m. hour, and a staffed nursery is open from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for children from infancy through age five. The nursery accommodates families attending either Sunday service.
The youth ministry meets on Sunday evenings from 4:30 to 7 p.m. for a rhythm of teaching, fellowship, service projects, food, and a closing time of worship. The group is led by Youth Director Pam Young and follows a quarterly calendar that the congregation publishes for families.
For adults in their twenties and thirties, the Young Adults Ministry gathers for fellowship and learning, with members representing a mix of family situations: parents with young children, single adults, and those just starting careers.
Sunday School and Midweek Bible Study
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. offers four adult classes. The Upper Room class meets in Room 23, the Lingle class in Room 25, Brightstar in Room 21, and Back to Basics in Room 24.
During the week, a handful of long-running Bible studies and fellowship circles keep members in the Word together. The Laverne Davis Bible Study meets the first and third Thursdays at 10 a.m. in Room 25. Two women's circles round out the small-group calendar: Circle of Goodness meets the second Thursday at 10 a.m. in Room 25, while Circle of Patience meets the first Sunday after the 11 a.m. service, also in Room 25. A Ladies Bible Study gathers on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m., meeting offsite and also available virtually by Zoom.
Holy Trinity also points worshipers to Devoted to Prayer, the NALC's daily prayer and Bible reading challenge, and recommends the spoken and sung daily prayer offices in the Lutheran Book of Worship as resources for personal and family devotion at home.
Music and Worship Ministry
Music ministry at Holy Trinity exists "to help lead God's people in singing boldly." The two musical ensembles serve the two Sunday services: the praise band leads at 8:30 a.m. and prepares the annual Holy Trinity Christmas Concert in mid-December, while the chancel choir serves at 11 a.m. Both ensembles are open to any musician or singer high school aged and older, and the music ministry welcomes participants of every skill level.
Director of Music Justin Radford oversees the musical life of the congregation. The church has posted an opening for a Church Organist to support the traditional service.
Women's and Men's Ministries
The Women's Ministry at Holy Trinity is intergenerational and described as an active group of sisters in Christ who meet regularly for Bible study, fellowship events, and service projects. The group supports Destiny's Calling Ministries, a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Clover, South Carolina that provides restoration and care for young women ages 13 to 21 who are survivors of sex and human trafficking. Holy Trinity collects donations of purses, clothing, shoes, jewelry, hats, accessories, household items and decor, books, puzzles, dishes, cookware, and small furniture pieces on behalf of Destiny's Calling. The women's ministry also participates in the annual Lutheran women's convocation in the Carolinas.
The Men's Ministry is in a season of renewal. The congregation has scheduled men's breakfast gatherings and conversations about new fellowship, study, and service opportunities for men in the church.
Outreach and Community Partnerships
The Outreach Ministry offers service opportunities for both hands-on and behind-the-scenes volunteers. The church partners with several mission organizations, including Crisis Assistance Ministry in Gastonia, Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child, Rise Against Hunger, the American Red Cross blood drive program, USO Charlotte, Camp Centurion, and the NALC's disaster response network. The outreach ministry also supports York Chester Middle School and a local pregnancy resource center.
Becoming a Member
Membership at Holy Trinity is more than a name on a roll. The congregation invites those who have been worshiping with them to attend regularly, join a small group, attend Sunday School, volunteer in ministry, and complete the New Disciples Class, which is offered throughout the year. Lead Pastor Ryan Henkel oversees the membership process, and anyone interested can contact the church office to learn about the next class.
Beliefs and Lutheran Identity
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation of the North American Lutheran Church, a church body the congregation describes as "Christ-centered, mission-driven, rooted in the authority of Holy Scripture, centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and committed to making disciples." The congregation frames its life around a few core convictions: that Jesus Christ is at the center of all things, that Holy Scripture is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, that worship is gathered around Word and Sacrament, that disciples are formed through prayer, study, fellowship, and lives of repentance and faith, and that the church is sent into the world to proclaim the Gospel and serve neighbors.
Whether a visitor is exploring Christianity for the first time, returning to church after many years, or searching for a new church family, the congregation welcomes them. As Holy Trinity puts it, "we are not a perfect people, but we are a forgiven people, gathered by God's grace and continually being transformed by His love."
Staying Connected
Services are livestreamed on YouTube, and the live feed is also available through the church's Facebook page when needed. Online giving is available through the church's secure giving platform. The weekly bulletin, lectionary readings, and prayer list are accessible online, and the congregation publishes a monthly newsletter, weekly digests, and a calendar of upcoming events. The church maintains an active Facebook page and YouTube channel for ongoing communication, and visitors are welcome to subscribe to church emails through the office.
Lead Pastor Ryan Henkel leads the pastoral ministry, with Director of Music Justin Radford and Youth Director Pam Young rounding out the ministry staff. A Church Council with twelve members elected in three rotating classes of four oversees the temporal affairs of the congregation, and the office is staffed weekdays to help newcomers find their place at Holy Trinity.