Spirit of Hope. From the Pastor. February Monthly Newsletter Mount Hope Lutheran Church Preschool and Childcare

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1 Spirit of Hope February 2017 Monthly Newsletter Mount Hope Lutheran Church Preschool and Childcare From the Pastor Dear friends and members of Mt Hope, From now until March 1 we remain in the season of Epiphany. The word epiphany simply means to make known. Our Lord made Himself known by entering into our world of humanity as one of us in the person of Jesus Christ. After Jesus birth, God placed a special star over the dwelling place of the One Who had come to save us, to guide the Wise Men from the East who worshiped Him and presented Him gifts. The month of February is most often associated with love because of Valentine s Day. As Christians we are also reminded that Jesus through His teaching and ministry, continually made known God s love for us all. He especially made known God s unconditional love through His suffering and death on the cross so that we might receive forgiveness and life through Him. How grateful each of us can be that God made Himself known to us. But think of all the people that do not know Him. Think about that person in your circle of acquaintances that is living without hope. Our vision is to reach out to our family and friends with the truth, love and hope of Jesus Christ. Through His great love for us, each of us needs to be motivated to also make Jesus love, hope, peace and forgiveness known to others. Let s all make it a true epiphany this year and make God known in and through your life. God love you, Pastor Dan

2 LifeLight LifeLight will continue to meet on Thursday mornings during February. The group is led by Candy Frein. This session will cover Proverbs. If you would like to join this Bible study, books are still available. Please call Harriet Buelow at (952) In Home Bible Study Our study for the In-Home Bible study will be meeting on Tuesdays, Feb. 7 & 21 at 6:30 pm. We meet at the home of Jennifer Adamek, 9117 Yukon Ave S in Bloomington. We will be studying chapters 5 & 6. Every woman in the pew has a story of God s faithfulness, and women love nothing better than to revel in one another s experiences and celebrate the sisterhood of believers. Pew Sisters helps get that celebration started. Written in a devotional tone, this study tells what God is doing in the lives of real women today. From when our children are sick to Can I ever be right with God? Join us as we study the Bible together. Book Club Calling all booklovers and those who went to the MIA Luther exhibit. We will meet on February 10 (note the date change) at Renata Melby's home at 1:30 pm. Coffee and treats will be served. Please read/review your Martin Luther info from both books and exhibits as we will have a spirited discussion of his life and times. Welcome to non members - Renata at melby@q.com for directions. We hope those who saw the exhibits will share their insights. Sunday Morning Bible Studies Adult Bible classes are offered between the early and late worship services beginning at 9:35am. In the coming weeks, the larger Bible Study group led by Paul Hinz will begin meeting in the Adult Education room and the smaller group led by Dianne Ritter will meet in the conference room behind the offices. Watch the bulletin for a start date for those location changes. Both studies will continue to follow the Believe series.

3 Sunday School LOVE My name is God is how the article, author anonymous, started. It continued, You hardly have time for me. I love you and will always bless you. WOW! Read it again. I love you and will always bless you. The Almighty loves you and me. Such a gift, so undeserving. Then I thought of February 14 Valentine s Day a day of flowers, cards, candy, and even wining and dining, wonderful ways to show our love or appreciation to a loved one. But it all pales in comparison to what Christ did for us because of His Love for us. Take a minute and consider His life; His sacrifice. J ustified me before God E mancipated my heart S aved me from myself U ntangled my self-esteem S poke life over me C leansed me of shame H ealed my wounds R edeemed my life I nspired me to love others S moothed my rough edges T ook my place on the cross Consider further: God has no cell phone, but He is a favorite contact He is not on Facebook, but He is our best friend He is not on Twitter, but we can still follow Him, and even without the internet we are always connected. He is not on g-mail, but He s always online. When we re too tired to pray or when the kids say they are bored or don t want to, this might be something to think on and to talk about. A blessed Valentine s Day. Francine Wallin Children s Sunday School

4 . Youth Ministry One Way Mission Statement of One Way We exist to bring youth into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, while encouraging them to share with one another, explore their ministry gifts, and praise God with their lives. February 5 th -SWAG Movie Day Noon-3:30 p.m. (Notice the time change) 19 th -SWAG Game Day 4:00-6:00 p.m. On February 5 th from noon-3:30 p.m. (please notice the time change) One Way Youth will be watching I m Not Ashamed! It is a powerful movie about Rachel Scott and her faith story. She is a girl that was shot during the Columbine school shootings. This event is open to 6 th -12 th grade students and friends. SWAG (Saved With Amazing Grace) is held the 1 st Sunday of the month from Noon-2:00 p.m. and the 3 rd Sunday of the month from 4:00-6:00 p.m. SWAG is a time of fun, food, and fellowship. It is open to 6 th -12 th grade students and friends. If you are interested in donating lunch or dinner, please sign up in the information hallway. Bible and Brew happens Wednesday afternoons at 4:15 p.m. at the Caribou on France and Old Shakopee Road. Come enjoy some yummy coffee drinks and. Youth Bible Class is held Sunday mornings (expect holiday weekends) starting at 9:30a.m. Melanie Appelquist teaches the 6 th -12 th grade students in the youth room.

5 JAM JAM (Jesus and Me) will be going bowling on February 19 th. Please meet at Mount Hope at noon. We will return to Mount Hope by 3:00p.m. The cost for this event is $12. This event is open to 3 rd -5 th graders. Friends are welcome to attend. If you would like to provide lunch that day or have any questions please contact Melanie at youth@mthope.org or Family Magic Night On February 24 th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Mount Hope is hosting a FREE Family Magic Night. From 5:30-6:00 pm members of the Women of Hope will be serving a light supper. From 6:00-7:00pm the Amazing Jeffo will share a magic show while sharing the gospel message. This event is open to everyone. Please contact Melanie Appelquist to RSVP at youth@mt-hope.org or

6 Valentine s Tea Mount Hope s annual Valentine Tea will be held on Saturday, February 11 th at 10:00am. We are in for a real treat as the Benson Family Singers from Faribault, MN will entertain us. Peter and Rachelle, along with three of their sons, David, Aaron, and Luke have a unique ministry consisting of barbershop, bluegrass, and gospel music. They specialize in tight a cappella harmonies and also play a variety of instruments, including guitar, banjo, bass, violin, and mandolin. Together they have performed for many shows, festivals, fairs, churches and private events throughout the Midwest. A light lunch will be served following the Benson Family program. Note the change: Lunch instead of early brunch. Tickets will be on sale in the narthex on Sundays January 29 th and February 5 th. Tickets are $8.00. Preschool and Childcare What a wonderful year we are having in the Preschool and Childcare. The staff works beautifully together, and we have been blessed with exceptionally kind and caring families and children with whom to work. During February the teachers will spend extra time on student assessments in preparation for Parent-Teacher conferences held in March. We are using a new assessment program this year, in which documentation is kept in a binder for each child along with samples of their work and many photographs of them learning and developing new skills. Teachers are then able to make notes in this binder to share with each student s parents. Thanks to fundraising and donations each teacher now has an ipad on which they can organize and store photographs. The Preschool will host two Special Person s Days in February. Each child will invite a special person in their life to join them for 45minutes of preschool fun. They will move through activity centers and enjoy a book and a song together. National Lutheran Schools Week was celebrated during the last full week of January. The children had so much fun, and it was wonderful to be able to share the rich tradition of Lutheran Schools with our families.

7 Special Music Opportunity During February and March, Special Choir rehearsals will be taking place on Thursday nights at 6:30 in the sanctuary. Please consider being part of this special group as they prepare music for the coming Lenten season. See the calendar for specific dates. Contact Christina Brantner at with questions. Special Service Opportunity Mount Hope will be hosting a Parent s Night Out on Saturday, February 11 from 4:00-7:00. It s an opportunity for parents to have a little break near Valentine s Day. There will be craft activities, a movie and food. If you would like to help that afternoon, please contact the church office or Christina Brantner at music@mt-hope.org. Mitten Tree Update Over 100 hats and mittens were delivered to Trinity First School in Minneapolis. All are much appreciated. Thanks to everyone who made this gift possible. Jerry & Harriet Baby Shower 380 baby items plus 480 diapers were delivered to First Care Pregnancy Center (formerly New Life Family Services). The staff was very happy to receive so many needed items for their work with mothers who choose to keep their babies rather than have abortions. Your generosity is overwhelming. Many thanks to Darlene Wendt for her help in sorting and counting the items. Jerry & Harriet FYI (For Your Information) From Dianne Ritter: Did you know that in December your donations of food and sundry items for the care packages resulted in 1 Surprise Christmas package for our missionaries; Mark and Sue Moss in Ghana 1 to Jonathan Moss our deployed serviceman 4 away from home college students and 10 care baskets to our homebound members. Thank you so much for remembering these Mt Hope family members during the Christmas season and throughout the whole year. God bless you, Dianne

8 POBLO International Ministries POBLO Ministries have begun their work at Mount Hope. They are now conducting ESL (English as a Second Language) and Citizenship classes in the Adult Education room on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Please see the calendar for specific times. Last year our brothers and sisters in Christ in our circuit congregations decided to be more engaged in mission with POBLO and our MNS District by working together to help support an International Friendship Center here in Bloomington. P.O.B.L.O. is an acronym for People of the Book Lutheran Outreach. Their work here in the Bloomington area would be to the many immigrants of the Muslim faith. POBLO has had great success in other cities like Omaha, NE and Rochester, MN. Our local missionary and his wife are Nader and Georgette Alaraj. Sometime in the new year they will be speaking to several of our congregation organizations about their work and ministry. Mount Hope is helping in this endeavor at this time by supporting them with space to hold meetings, training and activities to enable them to carry out their work. Worship Attendance December 4:00=169 December 10:00=67 December 6:30=30 January 10:00=67 January 8:15=51 & 10:45=48 January 8:15=54 & 10:45=57 January 8:15= 57 & 10:45= 68 Treasurer s Report Financials November 2016 (Includes Preschool and Childcare) Monthly Income $ 48,768 Monthly Expenses $ 44,084 Monthly Income Budgeted $ 53,284 Monthly Expenses Budgeted $ 49,016 December 2016 (Includes Preschool and Childcare) Monthly Income $ 52,101 Monthly Expenses $ 48,542 Monthly Income Budgeted $ 53,273 Monthly Expenses Budgeted $ 49,057 John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! The Israelites of old offered a lamb to God at Passover so that death might pass over them and do no harm. Over those long centuries of sacrifice, did they understand that this was actually God s gift? That God would be the true Giver of the Lamb? Truly, we can never out give God: for all that we have is His.

9 Those Who Serve in February Mount Hope is in need of volunteers to count offerings on Sunday mornings. Training will be provided. Please contact the office if you are willing to help. Altar Guild Sunday Morning Coffee Kitchen / Reception Committee Sue H & Shannon H Prepare: Darlene W Clean-Up: Karen Mack Candy F & Carol T Feb 5 Elder John M 8:15 10:45 Reader Orlan N Scott H Greeters Rose & Linda C Karen Mueller & Betty S Ushers John & Karen M, Conrad & Marilyn N Joel & David S, Ron F, Armand B Feb 12 Elder Lloyd Q 8:15 10:45 Reader Paul H Karen M Greeters Conrad & Marilyn N Jennifer A & Linda Q Ushers Helmuth S, Al B, Jeff & Faith A Steve S, Scott H, Eileen D Feb 19 Elder Steve S 8:15 10:45 Reader Faith A Betty S Greeters Pat & Gene R Shirley F & Darlene W Ushers Bob T, Bryan M, Matt F, Lloyd Q John M, Bill R, Kirk V Feb 26 Elder Matt F 8:15 10:45 Reader Conrad N Praise Team Greeters Jerry & Harriet B Harriet B & Betty W Ushers Jerry B, Orlan N, Glenn T, Eileen D Kirsten B, Steve S, Brent B

10 February Celebration Days Happy Birthday Baptism Anniversary Wedding Anniversary 2 Kim Woebke 1 Tracie Klug-Melbostad 16 Dave & Fran Wallin 4 Zachary Vogland 3 Cory Blauvelt 9 Kathy Barnaby 3 James Froemming 9 Kate McMullen 5 Kevin Woebke 10 Candy Frein 9 Marilyn Nelson 12 Eunice Marose 10 Kelly Lingen 12 Wyatt Vogland 14 Gene Roehrick 13 Harriet Buelow 21 Hope Berg 15 Luella Domras 22 Jenny Rosenlund 17 Brian Lingen 23 Luella Domras 18 Todd Mack 23 Janice Elbert 20 Karen Mack 24 Steve Schmidt 26 Cathy Frank 28 Caleb Mack 1 Feb Zech 11: Tim 4: Feb Zech 12:1 13:9 Titus 1:1 2:6 3 Feb Zech 14:1 21 Titus 2:7 3:15 4 Feb Job 1:1 22 John 1: Feb Job 2:1 3:10 John 1: Feb Job 3:11 26 John 1: Feb Job 4:1 21 John 2: Feb Job 5:1 27 John 2: Feb Job 6:1 13 John 3: Feb Job 6:14 30 John 3:22 4:6 11 Feb Job 7:1 21 John 4: Feb Job 8:1 22 John 4: Feb Job 9:1 35 John 4: Feb Job 10:1 22 John 5: Feb Job 11:1 20 John 5: Feb Job 12:1 6, John 5: Feb Job 13:1 12 John 6: Feb Gen 1:1 19 Mark 1: Feb Gen 1:20 2:3 Mark 1: Feb Gen 2:4 25 Mark 1: Feb Gen 3:1 24 Mark 2: Feb Gen 4:1 26 Mark 2: Feb Gen 6:1 7:5 Mark 3: Feb Gen 7:11 8:12 Mark 3: Feb Gen 8:13 9:17 Mark 4:1 20 Gen 9:18 11:26 26 Feb Gen 11:27 12:20 Mark 4: Feb Gen 13:1 18 Mark 5:1 20 Gen 14: Feb Gen 15:1 21 Mark 5:21 43

11 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 9:00 Prayer Group 4:15 Bible and Brew :00 LifeLight 6:30 Special Choir rehearsal Noisy Offering :15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 10:45 Worship 11:30 Confirmation 12:00-3:30 SWAG 6:00p POBLO 8:00pm AA Meets 6:30 In Home 9:00 Prayer Group 4:15 Bible and Brew 6:30 Ministry staff mtg 10:00 LifeLight 6:30 Special Choir rehearsal 1:30-3:30 1 st Friday Book Club 10:00 Valentine s Tea 4-7 Parent s Night Out :15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 10:45 Worship 11:30 Confirmation 6:00p POBLO 8:00pm AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 4:15 Bible and Brew 10:00 LifeLight 6:30 Governing Board Meets 6:30 Special Choir rehearsal 10-4 Bethesda Thrift Shop Work Day 8:15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 10:45 Worship 11:30 Confirmation 12:00-3:00 JAM 4:00-6:00 SWAG 8:15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 10:45 Worship 11:30 Confirmation :00p POBLO 8:00pm AA Meets 6:30 In Home :00p POBLO 8:00pm AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 4:15 Bible and Brew 10:00 LifeLight 6:30 Special Choir rehearsal February 2017 Mount Hope Lutheran Church Family Event 5:30 dinner 6:00 magic show

12 Sunday Worship Schedule 8:15am Traditional Worship Service 9:30am and Sunday School 10:45am Praise Worship Service Phone: Website: Mount Hope s Staff Dan Ritter Pastor Melanie Appelquist Director of Youth & Children s Ministry Kim Woebke Preschool and Childcare Director Administrative Assistant Heather Bielec Preschool and Childcare Lead Teacher Charlotte Penn Preschool and Childcare Lead Teacher Christina Brantner Music Director Candy Frein Administrative Assistant Steve Sundseth Custodian Sam Killam Part-time Custodian Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 W Old Shakopee Rd Bloomington, MN Address Service Requested