The Message of. Pastor s Ponderings AUGUST 2015

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The Message of 1739 Harrison - Quincy Il, 62301 www.hopelutheranquincy.org Phone 217-214-4673 pastorscottmikkelson@gmail.com Cell 217-440-0191 AUGUST 2015 Pastor s Ponderings Our Beliefs.

Psalm 32:4 Growing up in northern Minnesota, we had a few hot summers. (Certainly not as hot and humid as we seem to get here in Illinois!

And there would be a constant cry of CLOSE THE DOOR every time someone came in from outside.

There was nothing like coming in from the hot, humid heat into a cool dark room.

Psalm 32 talks of our sin weighing us down like the heat of summer. It wears us out and slows our steps. It makes us tired and out of sorts.

1 The Message of 1739 Harrison - Quincy Il, Phone pastorscottmikkelson@gmail.com Cell AUGUST 2015 Pastor s Ponderings Our Beliefs. We believe in the triune God: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Psalm 32:4 Growing up in northern Minnesota, we had a few hot summers. (Certainly not as hot and humid as we seem to get here in Illinois!) But we didn t have an air conditioner, so my mom did her best to keep the house cool. Early in the morning she would close all the windows and curtains. And there would be a constant cry of CLOSE THE DOOR every time someone came in from outside. During the day she would work hard at keeping the thick heat out of the house, but once the cool change came, she would race around flinging wide all the doors and windows. Her diligence paid off. There was nothing like coming in from the hot, humid heat into a cool dark room. You d sit on the couch and forget how hot it was outside until you ventured back out again into the wall of heat beyond the back door. Psalm 32 talks of our sin weighing us down like the heat of summer. It wears us out and slows our steps. It makes us tired and out of sorts. No matter what we do or say, if we stay with our sin, then there is little relief. But the good news is that God does not desire for us to stay that way! He wants us to rid ourselves of the burden of our sin and walk refreshed and renewed. He wants to quench our thirst with His lifegiving water. He went to great lengths, even before Jesus walked on this earth, to redeem His people. And when we come to Him for forgiveness, it s like walking into a cool house on a hot day. God s forgiveness brings relief, lightness and the ability to look to the future with hope. It brings joy and quenches our dry and thirsty soul. For the truth is, our soul will not find a place that gives it more refreshment than at God s feet. We believe that the Bible is the divinelyinspired and inerrant Word of God We believe that we are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ We believe that God's grace comes to us through Word and Sacrament We believe in the Lutheran Confessions We believe that all are called to serve God and our neighbors through our God-given gifts, talents, and abilities Pastor s Office Hours Tuesday and Thursday: 9:00-11:00 a.m. Wednesday: 10:00am-12:00pm You can also call him at any time: So what sin keeps bringing heat into your life? Don t be stubborn and continue to wallow in the heat of your sin. I say to you, CLOSE THE DOOR and keep it outside. Stay in the cool presence of God s love, forgiveness and amazing grace. In His Service, Pastor Scott

2 Church Leadership PRESIDENT: Brian Happel VICE PRESIDENT: Sandy Cassens SECRETARY: Skyler Wiegmann TREASURER: George Black COUNCIL MEMBERS: Phyllis Hofmeister Linda Sachs Mary VanKanegan Ministry Teams SERVICE The 2015 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER S will be held Thursday, September 3 rd at Clat Adams Park. Registration is at 4:30pm. The ceremony begins at 5:30pm and the two mile walk begins at 6:00pm. Please consider joining HOPE WALKS as we help this worthwhile organization. Contact Jeff Spear to get signed up (jeff@hansenspear.com or ). If you raise or donate $100, you will receive a 2015 Alzheimer s Walk T-shirt. Let s beat this disease! WORSHIP The month of August is still the season of Pentecost in the church. Thus, we still have the green parament color. During this church season, we learn of the ministries of Jesus and how we should strive to be more like Jesus as one of His children. For those of you who serve as ushers or greeters during our worship services, we will have a training on August 2 and 9 immediately following the service. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, please talk to and I will be happy to give you instruction. Thanks to all who participate as servers. Chairperson: EVANGELISM The Evangelism Team will meet in August to gear up for the Fall. We will continue our theme to implement the evangelism plan we have been following this past year. If you have an idea for an outreach event, service project or marketing tool, please contact Mark Cassens or Pastor Scott. Don t forget to share the love of Jesus and invite someone or a family to worship with us regularly. Chairperson: Mark Cassens DISCIPLESHIP VBS is this week August 3-7 at HOPE. Dinner for everyone at 5:15. VBS following from 6-8:00pm. Everest VBS is surrounded by God s Word, plus a chance to try adventurous games, songs, crafts, and science experiments. Our special Mission project is Operation Kid to Kid. We will be collecting money for purchasing Thai language New Testaments to send to children in Thailand. Thanks to all of you who are volunteering or donating items. What a great out pouring of love for our kids.! Our Youth Sunday School will resume August 30 with CELEBRATION SUNDAY at 11:00am. September 6th will be our first Sunday back in classes. If you would like to teach, substitute or help with anything, call Sandy Cassens. Chairperson: Sandy Cassens FELLOWSHIP Join us for the HOPE BLOCK PARTY on Friday, August 7th from 7-9pm. There will be pork patty sandwiches, hotdogs, beverages, games for kids and adults, a bounce house and live entertainment. Hope to see you there! We have also reserved excellent seats at the Old Creamery Theater in Amana, Iowa for The Church Basement Ladies in The Last Potluck Supper on Sunday, October 18th at 2:00pm. Group rate is $26 per ticket. Let Tonya know the number of tickets you require by September 6th. Payment is due September 15th. Make checks payable to Hope Lutheran Church. Chairperson: Tonya Fisher

3 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL August 3-7 Dinner 5:15pm VBS 6-8pm Embark on an icy mountain adventure! Teaching solid Bible truths and helping kids learn to overcome life s challenges with God s awesome power.

HOPE HAPPENINGS HOPE S AUGUST 7 7-9pm SOUP KITCHEN Hope Serves the 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Thursday s from 11am-1:30pm each month. Join us August 13th, 20th & 27th All are invited and encouraged to serve!

!! QUINCY AREA PROJECTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD FEDERATION is looking for new or gently used shoes and clothing (for ages 6 to high school), book bags, and school supplies to be given to low income families

If you would like to donate, please contact Ed Willner (217-316-3993) or Rhonda Murry (217-430-2164) or drop your donation off at the Neighborhood Center. Thank You!

This 9-week study explores what God has to say about finance. It teaches practical ways to budget, eliminate debt, and plan for the future.

4 HOPE HAPPENINGS HOPE S AUGUST 7 7-9pm SOUP KITCHEN Hope Serves the 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Thursday s from 11am-1:30pm each month. Join us August 13th, 20th & 27th All are invited and encouraged to serve! CELEBRATION SUNDAY August 30th Worship at 9:30am Discipleship Hour 11:00AM Join us for music, games, fun, and fellowship as we begin our new Fall Programming!!! QUINCY AREA PROJECTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD FEDERATION is looking for new or gently used shoes and clothing (for ages 6 to high school), book bags, and school supplies to be given to low income families at the QNF PICNIC August 11 th George Parsons Neighborhood Center 812 Payson Ave. If you would like to donate, please contact Ed Willner ( ) or Rhonda Murry ( ) or drop your donation off at the Neighborhood Center. Thank You! Financial Peace University classes begin September 27 God desires peace for His people, but finances and peace are two words that rarely go hand-in-hand. This 9-week study explores what God has to say about finance. It teaches practical ways to budget, eliminate debt, and plan for the future. It challenges us to look at how we think about money and the role it plays in our lives, and shows us how we can become the generous people God intends us to be. See Brian Happel for more details. HOPE LET S FILL THE CART!!! FOOD PANTRY ITEMS FOR AUGUST: Cereal/Instant Oatmeal Breakfast Bars/Pop-tarts JOIN THE CHOIR! Hope Choir (7th grade 100yr!) Wednesdays 7-8pm beginning August 26th Children s Choir (K-6th grade) Tuesdays 4-4:30pm beginning September 8th Join us for an upcoming Service Opportunity HOPE Walks! for the 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer s Thursday, September 3rd Let s remember to keep all of our students and teachers in our prayers as they begin a new school year!

Small Group Study not a fan. Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus Are you just a fan of Jesus or a true follower?

way in helping couples explore and strengthen their relationships.

conflicts and reduce stress in your marriage; become comfortable discussing financial issues; and learn to establish personal, couple, and family goals. Coming Soon!

5 Small Group Study not a fan. Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus Are you just a fan of Jesus or a true follower? Challenging you to consider what it really means to call yourself a Christian, this dynamic 6-session study from Kyle Idleman invites you to take an honest look at your relationship with Christ and make Him the center of your life! Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00pm at HOPE beginning August 25th and 27th Marriage Enrichment Seminar Saturday, September 19th 9am-3pm Led by Pastor Scott The Prepare/Enrich program leads the way in helping couples explore and strengthen their relationships. During this seminar, you will discover your strengths as a couple; identify and learn to overcome your issues; explore your personality traits; strengthen your communication skills; learn to resolve conflicts and reduce stress in your marriage; become comfortable discussing financial issues; and learn to establish personal, couple, and family goals. Coming Soon! Walk n Word A fellowship opportunity that offers exercise for body and spirit Meet at lower parking lot at the church. We will Walk about 30 minutes then share the Word. The word can be a friendly, supportive conversation, a brief devotion or a prayer. No prep just let it flow. Saturdays at 9:00am Bring a friend! All are welcome to come when you can. Mark Your Calendar! The Fellowship Team has reserved a limited amount of seats at the Old Creamery Theatre Company in Amana, Iowa for the 2pm performance on October 18th of the musical comedy The Church Basement Ladies In The Last Potluck Supper. Contact Tonya Fisher for tickets by September 6th. $26 per ticket.

August Birthdays 4th Jack O Neal 5th Stacey Dunmire 9th Grant VanDenBerg 9th Jan Yates 18th Jeremy Hinkamper 19th Josiah Mikkelson 19th Helen Langan 19th Jade Wiegmann 21st Norma McNay 21st Jon O

Stacey Dunmire 26th Pastor Scott & Karen Mikkelson August Servers 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 3oth Worship Assistant Mark Cassens Shirley Lindroth Patricia Smith Rich Demien Greeters Sue Willner Harold Willner

6 August Birthdays 4th Jack O Neal 5th Stacey Dunmire 9th Grant VanDenBerg 9th Jan Yates 18th Jeremy Hinkamper 19th Josiah Mikkelson 19th Helen Langan 19th Jade Wiegmann 21st Norma McNay 21st Jon O Neal 22nd Richie Bias 29th Conner Brinson 30th Russell Schoch 31st Dale Wiesemann August Anniversaries 10th Tom & Kathy Albsmeyer 10th Jeff & Mary Vankanegan 16th Ron & Delors Wingerter 19th John & Stacey Dunmire 26th Pastor Scott & Karen Mikkelson August Servers 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 3oth Worship Assistant Mark Cassens Shirley Lindroth Patricia Smith Rich Demien Greeters Sue Willner Harold Willner Linda Sachs Jan Yates Brian Yates Harriet Adams Delors Wingerter Birdy Paul Ivan Paul Ushers Toni Vollbracht Phyllis Hofmeister Bob Hofmeister Vanessa Coons Chuck Coons Linda Sachs Les Sachs Michelle Willner Ed Willner Altar/Communion Kathy Buckman Val Anders Ron Anders Shirley Lindroth Inez Totsch Kathy Buckman Communion Helper Kayleigh Altgilbers Luke Chevalier Jade Wiegmann Acolyte Keturah Mikkelson Meredith Fisher Kate Chevalier Rashayla Bias Jacob Happel Flowers Lindroth Hofmeister Refreshments Chevalier Lindroth/Waite Fisher Spurrier/Osterman Happel Nursery Nursery Assistant Stacey Dunmire Isaiah Mikkelson Sandy Cassens Kate Chevalier Heather Bias Rashayla Bias Amanda Goodwin Jacob Happel Jessica Wiegmann Keturah Mikkelson

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2

CELEBRATION SUNDAY 3 10 6:30pm Council Mtg 4 17 18 12:00pm

2015 5 6 11 12 13 11am-1:30pm 19 20 11am-1:30pm 26 7-8pm

7 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 Greeter/Usher Class 9 Greeter/Usher Class CELEBRATION SUNDAY :30pm Council Mtg :00pm Area Pastors Meeting pm Small Group Study AUGUST am-1:30pm am-1:30pm pm HOPE Choir 27 11am-1:30pm 7pm Small Group Study

The Message of. Pastor s Ponderings OCTOBER Oct 7th 10th. Our Beliefs.

The Message of. Pastor s Ponderings OCTOBER Oct 7th 10th. Our Beliefs. The Message of 1739 Harrison - Quincy Il, 62301 www.hopelutheranquincy.org Phone 217-214-4673 pastorscottmikkelson@gmail.com Cell 217-440-0191 OCTOBER 2018 Pastor s Ponderings Like newborn babies, crave