Spirit of Hope. Pastor s News. in this issue. December Mount Hope Lutheran Church and Child Development Center

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Spirit of Hope Mount Hope Lutheran Church and Child Development Center www.mt-hope.

DEVOTIONAL FINANCIALS BUILDING UPDATE CELEBRATION DAYS BOOK CLUB MISSION HIGHLIGHTS DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS CALENDAR Pastor s News Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is

1 Spirit of Hope Mount Hope Lutheran Church and Child Development Center December 2014 in this issue PASTOR S NEWS CHILDRENS MINISTRY YOUTH MINISTRY BIBLE STUDIES WOMEN OF HOPE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM RITTER CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE DAILY DEVOTIONAL FINANCIALS BUILDING UPDATE CELEBRATION DAYS BOOK CLUB MISSION HIGHLIGHTS DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS CALENDAR Pastor s News Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord! Luke 2:11 Dear friends and members of Mt Hope, As I am writing this, Thanksgiving as yet to come but I m especially looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving this year. Many of our children, along with their families will be coming home as we will gather with the rest of our family here in Minnesota to give God thanks for all our blessings and enjoy some family time together. Immediately after the Thanksgiving holiday however we begin a new Church year as we move into the season of Advent in preparation for the celebration of our dear Savior s birth. This time of the year can easily become a season of busyness. Department stores are already advertising how early they will be opening on Thanksgiving Day to usher in the holiday gift buying season. I personally am convinced that this is not how the Lord envisioned the celebration of His birth.

During the first three weeks in November, the children studied the elements of Faith, Hope, and Love as part of our Stewardship series.

2 Children s Ministry Jesus All Stars-Sunday School Champions for Christ! Winter greetings! It s hard to believe, but that time of year is here once again, holidays are right around the corner, and much is in the hopper. During the first three weeks in November, the children studied the elements of Faith, Hope, and Love as part of our Stewardship series. The scripture verses proved so beneficial, and have given them a greater understanding of each of these topics. Excitement abounds too, as we begin preparation for our program, Step By Step to be presented December, 14. As we continue to ready ourselves, I realized that the first almost 2000 years ago was also preceded by much preparation and was not a one day event. Christ s birth was planned before the creation of the world. Christ was born of a virgin, grew into manhood, and died on the cross for our salvation. What a Story! What a Gift! What a Savior! Yes, Jesus, truly is the reason for the Season! Francine Wallin, Director Children s Sunday School Program Operation Child Shoebox JAM (Jesus and Me) party on December 21 st from noon- 3:00 p.m. This event is open to 3rd-5th grade students. Friends are welcome to attend! This event is Free!!! If you have any questions please contact Melanie Appelquist at youth@mthope.org or Child Development Center News December brings so much joy in the Center. The children will be making gifts for their families, practicing and performing their programs, playing in the snow and learning about the miraculous birth of Jesus. Three programs will be presented this year. On Saturday, December 13, there will be programs at 11:00, 1:00 and 2:30. You are very welcome to join us at any of those times. The children love an audience. During November, the Center welcomed Ms. Mary Jo Houlding to the staff. She is working the closing shift each weekday afternoon. She brings years of experience to the job, and we are so glad she was able to join us. Groundbreaking Crew 2 The Center staff is also busy preparing for the move to the renovated classrooms. It is such an exciting time. Two of the wonderful items included in the renovation plans are dutch doors between the classrooms and an interior security door. Our children will be even safer with the addition of these items. Thank you! Thank you-kim Woebke, CDC Director

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

This event is open to both junior and senior high students. Friends are encouraged to come!!! The cost for this event is $20. One Way Bake Sale is December 14th!

3 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. Upcoming Events Plant Wisdom retreat is December 5th-6th. This is an amazing and powerful retreat that is life changing. This event is open to both junior and senior high students. Friends are encouraged to come!!! The cost for this event is $20. One Way Bake Sale is December 14th! If you would like to donate items please contact Melanie Appelquist. Youth will be needed to help out at the table. Please help support the youth group with this special holiday fundraising project! Youth Bible Class is Sunday mornings (expect holiday weekends) starting at 9:30 a.m. Kathy will be teaching 6th-8th grade students in the classroom across from the church office. Melanie will be teaching the 9th-12th grade students in the daycare room. Bible and Brew is Wednesdays from 3:30-4:00 p.m. for all youth grades 6-12 at Caribou Coffee on Old Shakopee Road. SWAG (Saved With Amazing Grace) meets every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. after the Advent worship service which begins at 6:30 pm. Family Craft night is at 6:00 pm. The evening is full of fun, games, and devotions. Dec. 17 th is our Party. Friends are always welcomed. Feed My Starving Children Meal Pack Night SWAG Harvest Party 3

which is the tale of his great, overarching purpose that fits all the individual stories together like panels in one unified mural. Join us at 9:35 am on Sunday mornings.

4 Bible Studies Sunday Morning Pastor Dan and Dianne each lead a video lesson Bible study on "The Story". These sessions will open your eyes to the Lower Story, our story, which is actually many stories of men and women interacting with God in the daily course of life; and the Upper Story, God's Story, which is the tale of his great, overarching purpose that fits all the individual stories together like panels in one unified mural. Join us at 9:35 am on Sunday mornings. In-Home Ruth Bible Study Celebrate the joy we have in Jesus because of his birth at. You are invited to join our In-Home Ruth Bible Study on Tuesday, December 16 th starting at 6:30 pm. Instead of a Bible Study this month, we are taking the opportunity to be in fellowship with one another with a Party at Karen Mack s home. Please bring an appetizer to share! God s gift of love, His precious Son, wrapped joyfully for everyone! John 14:6 4

Rejoice! For God is truly near. Rejoice! Emmanuel is here! Matthew 1:23 Women of Hope Dinner Wouldn t it be fun to be able to travel around the world, seeing how other countries celebrate?

The Women of Hope officers would love to treat you to a wonderful dinner and joy!

5 Rejoice! For God is truly near. Rejoice! Emmanuel is here! Matthew 1:23 Women of Hope Dinner Wouldn t it be fun to be able to travel around the world, seeing how other countries celebrate? Now you have the opportunity to get a glimpse at these traditions and foods at our Women of Hope Dinner on Thursday, December 11 at 6:30 pm. This is a fun night to invite friends or relatives. The Women of Hope officers would love to treat you to a wonderful dinner and joy! The Harvest Bazaar We are happy to announce that we did very well at our Harvest Bazaar fundraiser (despite the construction mess!) The Women of Hope have voted to give these donations to organizations here at our church, our community and world-wide: $100 to Operation Child, $100 to Bethesda Homes, $100 to Trinity First Lutheran School in Minneapolis, $500 to Sanctuary Fund in honor of Ruth Sande, $100 to homeless youth in the area, $1,000 to sanctuary fund. Thank you again to all of your hard work! 5 Lutheran Women Missionary League Mighty Mite Offerings Each of you, giving to the Mites Offering and praying for our 18 Mission Grants, brings the Mission Goal of $1.83 million for the biennium closer and brings the hope of Jesus to others. Check for mission grant updates and more information on each grant at We are excited to announce that we will be collecting quarterly during the year at a Sunday service. Our offerings collected in October equaled $ Thank you!

6 Sunday School Program The Sunday School-Jesus All Stars will be presenting Step by Step as part of the service on Sunday, December 14 th at 10:45 am. Watch the Sunday School-Jesus All Stars as they walk, run, march, tip-toe, or whirl and twirl their way through the story. Mary and Joseph take many steps on their long trip to Bethlehem. The animals in the barn, angels and shepherds celebrate God s gift of a savior to the world-jesus God s promise to be with us where ever we go! Ritter Open House Pastor Dan and Dianne are looking forward to their 9th annual Open House for the congregation---however, this year they are bringing the reception to you! Please join them between services, from 9:15-9:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 7th, to begin celebrating the joy and blessings of. Enjoy some great fellowship time in the narthex with homemade goodies, breakfast items and beverages. They look forward to this time with you! & New Year s Services Advent Services Eve 4:00 & 6:00 pm Wednesday Dec. 3, Dec. 10, Dec. 17 Day 10:00 am 6:00 pm Family Craft New Year s Eve 6:30 pm 6:30 pm Advent Service O holy child of Bethlehem, be born in us this day. Luke 2:14 6

daily devotional 1 Dec Is 7:10 8:8 1 Pet 3:1 22 2 Dec Is 8:9 9:7 1 Pet 4:1 19 3 Dec Is 9:8 10:11 1 Pet 5:1 14 4 Dec Is 10:12 27a, 33 34 2 Pet 1:1 21 5 Dec Is 11:1 12:6 2 Pet 2:1 22 6 Dec Is 14:1 23 2

7 daily devotional 1 Dec Is 7:10 8:8 1 Pet 3: Dec Is 8:9 9:7 1 Pet 4: Dec Is 9:8 10:11 1 Pet 5: Dec Is 10:12 27a, Pet 1: Dec Is 11:1 12:6 2 Pet 2: Dec Is 14: Pet 3: Dec Is 24: John 1:1 2:14 8 Dec Is 24:14 25:12 1 John 2:15 29 Obadiah Dec Is 26: John 3: Dec Is 26:20 27:13 1 John 4: Dec Is 28: John 5: John 1 13; 3 John Dec Is 29:1 14 Jude Dec Is 29:15 30:14 Rev 1: Dec Is 30:15 26 Rev 2: Dec Is 30:27 31:9 Rev 3: Dec Is 32:1 20 Rev 4: Dec Is 33:1 24 Rev 5: Dec Is 34:1 2, 8 35:10 Rev 6:1 17 Micah 1:1 7:20 19 Dec Is 40:1 17 Rev 7: Dec Is 40:18 41:10 Rev 8: Dec Is 42:1 25 Rev 9: Dec Is 43:1 24 Rev 9:13 10:11 23 Dec Is 43:25 44:20 Rev 11: Dec Is 44:21 45:13, Rev 12:1 17 Daniel 10:1 12:13& Isaiah 48: Dec Is 49:1 18 Matt 1: Dec Is 49:22-26;50:4-51:8, Matt 1: Dec Is 51:17 52:12 Matt 2: Dec Is 52:13 54:10 Matt 2: Dec Is 55:1 13 Luke 1: Dec Is 58:1 59:3, Luke 1: Dec Is 60:1 22 Luke 1:

Financials Treasurer s Report from October 2014 Monthly Income $48,347.42 Monthly Income Budgeted $44,171.00 Monthly Expenses $47,125.04 Monthly Expenses Budgeted $45,363.

What a relief that we no longer are required to butcher and burn a specified animal on an altar to satisfy God. Jesus changed all that by sacrificing Himself once and for all.

8 Financials Treasurer s Report from October 2014 Monthly Income $48, Monthly Income Budgeted $44, Monthly Expenses $47, Monthly Expenses Budgeted $45, (Includes Child Development Center) Some of the rules for a God-pleasing offering have changed since the days of Noah, Abraham and others. What a relief that we no longer are required to butcher and burn a specified animal on an altar to satisfy God. Jesus changed all that by sacrificing Himself once and for all. But we need to get in step with the New Testament offerings. We would be most ungrateful to accept all the benefits of Jesus sacrifice yet never find ways to express our praise and thanksgiving for His unbounded love. Worship Attendance October 26 9:30=146 November 2 8:15=53 10:45=62 November 9 8:15=51 10:45=63 November 16 8:15=50 10:45=64 December Celebration Days Happy Birthday 2 Mark Appelquist 4 Tasha McLachlan 5 Ramona Moss 6 Linda Carstens 8 Will Herman 9 Ina Adams 11 Jane Johannes 16 Ed Borgen 23 Dave Wallin 29 Capri Benson 30 Shannon Hinz 30 Karen Mueller Baptismal Anniversary 5 Valerie Killam 13 Bev Yeager 16 Colin Alt 18 Rose Kitt 24 Andrew Nazy 31 Will Herman Wedding Anniversary 16 Mark & Susan Moss 28 Matt & Candy Frein Building Update Many changes have taken place this month. Our new serving window from the kitchen to the sanctuary has been cut, new walls and doors have been placed, and insulation and sheet rock in the new Child Development Center Classrooms will be hung soon. The guys from Laborers for Christ are here everyday managing the project for us. Men from the congregation are here everyday working on projects throughout the church. We appreciate all our volunteers who are committed to this awesome building project and work for the Lord! Pray that all goes well and in a timely fashion. That all the workers stay safe and away from harm. To God be the glory! New bathrooms in the CDC are framed and waiting for sheet rock. 8

9 Book Club December Book Club will be a luncheon at the Olive Garden in Bloomington. Join us on Friday, December 5 th at 12:30 pm. We will not have a book to read & discuss for December, but please bring book suggestions so we can make a list for upcoming year. Pastor News Continued The season of Advent; the three weeks leading up to, is a season of preparation and waiting; a season of watching and worshiping. If we get all caught up in the trappings of we might miss the real message of. Let me encourage all of us to slow down and take the time of Advent to prepare for. Our Sunday services during Advent will continue with The Story, God s story. But each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm is a family craft time followed by a time of special Advent worship time at 6:30 pm. Please join us each week as a family, to take your rest in the Lord as part of getting ready for. Wednesday December 3 Our Hanging of the Greens Service as we dedicate our tree and other items of the season to the Lord s glory. Wednesday December 10 Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem Wednesday December 17 A Blue service. (For some people can be a painful time. It may be the first without a family member or spouse; the anguish of a broken relationship; the weariness of health issues etc. We want to acknowledge the sadness and concerns in light of the hope Jesus brings to us.) Eve we have two candlelight services; 4:00 and 6:00 pm. Day worship is at 10:00 am. Please feel free to invite family and friends to celebrate with us here at Mt Hope. Have a Merry and Joyous. God love you, Pastor Dan 9

10 Mission Highlights Men s Bible Breakfast One of the many ministries at Mt Hope reaches out to the men of our congregation. The Men's Bible Breakfast meets on the second Saturday of each month starting up again in January. They meet at Edinborough Senior Housing Apartments in Edina in a private dining room. A hot breakfast is available offering 2-3 different choices with coffee and juice for $7.50. Each month Pastor Dan leads the informal Bible study which is currently complementing "The Story". They typically meet from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The group has about 10 guys of all ages who regularly attend but everyone is welcome at any time. Together we enjoy some good fellowship and camaraderie as we grow in God's Word. The Saturday morning Men's Bible study group has also been involved in several outreach projects; free car check ups for single women in the community, fish fry and more. The bible study group will resume meeting back together again after the new construction and remodeling at Edinborough has been completed. For more information, please contact Pastor Dan at the church office at Decorate for Come one, come all to decorate the church for on Monday, December 1 st anytime between 6:00-8:00 pm 10

December 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Noisy Offering 6:00-8:00 Decorate the Church for 1 2 Advent 3 4 5 6 12:00 WOH Officers Meet 8:00 AA

12:30-2:30 1 st Friday Book Club Youth at Planet Wisdom 2 nd Sun.

Sun. in Advent 14 8:00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth @ Bible & Brew at Caribou 6:00 Family Crafts 6:30 Advent Service 7:00-8:00 Swag 6:30

Advent 17 18 19 20 8:15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth Bible Study 9:35 Adult Bible Study 10:45 Sunday School Program 6:30 In-Home Ruth Bible

11 December 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Noisy Offering 6:00-8:00 Decorate the Church for 1 2 Advent :00 WOH Officers Meet 8:00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Bible & Brew at Caribou 6:00 Family Crafts 6:30 Advent Service 7:00-8:00 Swag Youth at Planet Wisdom 12:30-2:30 1 st Friday Book Club Youth at Planet Wisdom 2 nd Sun. in Advent Advent :15 Worship 9:15-9:45 Ritter Open House at Church 9:30 Sunday School & Youth Bible Study 10:45 Worship 3 rd Sun. in Advent 14 8:00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Bible & Brew at Caribou 6:00 Family Crafts 6:30 Advent Service 7:00-8:00 Swag 6:30 Women of Hope Around the World Dinner 9:00 Sunday School Program Practice 11:00 Pre3 1:00 Pre 4 2:30 Pre 4 CDC Program Youth Bake Sale Advent :15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth Bible Study 9:35 Adult Bible Study 10:45 Sunday School Program 6:30 In-Home Ruth Bible Study Party 8:00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Bible & Brew at Caribou 6:00 Family Crafts 6:30 Advent Service 7:00-8:00 Swag 10-4 Bethesda Thrift Shop Work Day 4 th Sun. in Advent Eve 24 Day :15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth Bible Study 9:35 Adult Bible Study 10:45 Worship 12:00 JAM 8:00 AA Meets 4:00 Service 6:00 Service New Year s Eve 31 9:30 Worship 8:00 AA Meets 6:30 New Year s Eve Service 10:00 Service 10:00 Mack Family Party Mount Hope Lutheran Church

Sunday Worship Schedule 8:15 am Traditional Worship Service 9:30 am Bible Study and Sunday School 10:45 am Praise Worship Service Phone: 952-888-5059 E-mail: church@mthope.org Website: www.mt-hope.

12 Sunday Worship Schedule 8:15 am Traditional Worship Service 9:30 am Bible Study and Sunday School 10:45 am Praise Worship Service Phone: Website: Staff at Mount Hope Lutheran Dan Ritter Pastor Jared Yogerst Vicar Melanie Appelquist Director Of Youth & Children s Ministry Kim Woebke Director of Child Development Center Heather Bielec Lead Teacher, Child Development Center Christina Brantner Music Director Jennifer Adamek Church Secretary Candy Frein Church Secretary Steve Sundseth Custodian Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 W Old Shakopee Rd Bloomington, MN Address Service Requested

Spirit of Hope. Mount Hope Lutheran Church and Child Development Center

Spirit of Hope. Mount Hope Lutheran Church and Child Development Center Dear friends and members of Mt. Hope, Happy New Year! We are now beginning another new year, the year of 2015. As we finish up the Christmas season we move right into the season of Epiphany. Epiphany begins