Pastor's Notes:
First, thanks to all our Sunday School teachers, Alex Fremling; Dana Parker; Laura Clark-Moore; and Nora Oduor, as well as all the students for their time given to taking in more deeply the Christian faith.
Thanks also to all of our musical ensembles! In recognition and celebration of these ensembles we will have two Sundays featuring their musical contributions: June 6th “The Bells of Hope” and June 13th “The Sanctuary Choir.”
The program year (early September through mid-June) concludes with the Annual Church Picnic with BBQ ribs and all the fixings. The money raised from this event will go first to round out our $2,500 goal to assist our sister congregation in Rwanda. The remainder of the proceeds with go to Hope’s Food Pantry.
Speaking of Rwanda, I will be visiting our sister parish in East Africa in August. Soon I’ll be getting inoculations and my anti-malaria meds.
Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20, we hope the weather will have warmed up for outdoor worship followed not by coffee-hour, but by Root Bear Floats.
Starting Monday, June 28, we have a week of "Hot Summer Nights & Cool Conversations." This will be a little like Lenten Soup Suppers, but with summer time salads in the place of soup; and with desserts. This will be a time for spiritual reflection and discussion that will be interesting and energizing!
Saturday, July 10; there will be a “day of visioning” Hope’s future mission projects in anticipation of up-coming 55th Anniversary.
Our Summer Day Camp is scheduled for the week of July 12-16. After several years of effort we are happily seeing neighborhood youth beginning to trust us enough to show-up and join our various activities. If you would be willing to volunteer by making snacks, doing crafts, teaching bible stories, etc., please let us know in the church office. Take time this summer to re-create, read a book, go for a hike, join others at Hope for food and faith discussion. Help your congregation to re-create vital relationships by inviting a neighbor to join in on our summer activities. Peace, John Sullivan, Pastor PS: Those of you with e-mail addresses will be contacted this summer to see if you would like to try an electronic version of our monthly newsletter, The Anchor , to come to your email address. Sullivan, Pastor
John Sullivan, Pastor
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FROM OUR CONGREGATION PRESIDENT - Patchwork Ponderings
The new council members will be installed March 7th with the council retreat being held sometime in March. Our President is Colette Krinock, Vice president is Brenda Schmahl, Secretary is Paul Lusk and our Treasurer is Bente Ellis. Welcome to new council member Ray Macias. Rosemary McElherne was appointed the financial Secretary. Last year was a year of growth for Hope Lutheran in fellowship, prayer, and people. Have you seen the little ones in the nursery, our newborn Eli Thorsteinson at services, and our growing youth group that is gearing up for the snow trip?
Fat Tuesday donations, with the quilt drawing, auction, and great food and music, benefited Hope’s Pantry. With Ash Wednesday just passed and the season of Lent begun, our Soup Suppers are underway at 6 PM before service at 7 PM on Wednesdays during Lent. Proceeds will go to help our sister church in Rwanda. Please sign up to bring your favorite soup, juice, or bread to share.
Our Bible Study about Martin Luther at 10 AM on Thursday mornings continues to be an interesting journey of our faith. Adult Sunday School following church on Sunday mornings brings the deep history of Christian faith alive. Please join our fellowships for sharing in the message.
The choir and musicians have brought some unique, lively pieces to our services. The concert February 21st by “Opus Two” on piano and violin filled the church sanctuary with wonderful new pieces of American flavor. Our thanks to Sandra Wright Shen for providing this musical treat!
We want to establish a campership sponsorship for youth who are not able to pay all the amount to attend Mt. Cross. This year we will be using monies designated for youth from the Memorial Fund. Any unused donations for this by the congregation will support campers scholarships for next year.
Thanks to all the people at Hope who make our services fulfilling, our souls satisfied, and our outreach abundant! May your Lent be a time of spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter blessings!
God’s blessings and peace,
Colette