Making a Home for Faith

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Faith Sunday, February 26. Baptism: The Nursery of Faith Sunday, March 4. Devotions: Setting the Table of Faith Sunday, March 11.

Service: The Chores of Faith Lenten Wednesday Study Baptized We Live: Walking Through Life with Soggy Shoes* 5:30 p.m. Baptized We Live Study in the Gathering Area 6:15 p.m. Light Supper in the Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.

1 A Ray of Hope A Ray September March of Hope 1 Monthly newsletter of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church 5728 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417, Ministers of the Gospel: The Baptized 84 years in ministry Volume 81 Number 3 Making Christ Known through the Spirit of Hope March 2012 Lenten Sunday Worship Series Making a Home for Faith Sunday, February 26. Baptism: The Nursery of Faith Sunday, March 4. Devotions: Setting the Table of Faith Sunday, March 11. Rituals & Traditions: The Interior Decorating of Faith Sunday, March 18. Caring Conversations: The Hospitality of Faith Sunday, March 25. Service: The Chores of Faith Lenten Wednesday Study Baptized We Live: Walking Through Life with Soggy Shoes* 5:30 p.m. Baptized We Live Study in the Gathering Area 6:15 p.m. Light Supper in the Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m. Worship Holden Evening Prayer and Stories of Faith by members of Hope *Pastor Chris Steubing will lead this 45 minute study each Wednesday in the Gathering Area using Daniel Erlander s book Baptized We Live. This short course will explore general themes of the unique Lutheran perspective on the Christian faith and how followers of Jesus are called to view all of life as response and remembrance of the promises of baptism. The course concludes with an opportunity for baptism or to affirm one s baptism in worship on the last day of class, March 28. Blood Drive Good Friday, April 6 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Hope will be hosting the Bloodmobile for our annual Good Friday Blood drive. Appointments are encouraged. See Jan Nunn to find a time that works in your schedule to donate. He gave His blood for us, can we do any less. Give blood for others. You are invited! Harold and Charlotte Frisvold invite the congregation to join them on Sunday, March 4 2pm- 4pm for coffee and cake to celebrate their 70 th Wedding Anniversary. The Open House will be held in the fellowship hall at Hope.

2 Old Hope New by Pastor Chris Steubing I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

I have heard stories of how the ministry of this congregation has inspired and nurtured so many throughout its 83 years.

I have heard of times that were peaceful and prosperous and others that were tumultuous and turbulent.

The Israelites of Jeremiah s day struggled with this very issue. Their world had changed. Nothing would ever be just as it was.

Jeremiah stayed behind and brought words of comfort and hope to those who remained and sought to rebuild their lives. He said things like, There is hope for your future.

2 2 Old Hope New by Pastor Chris Steubing I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Over the last month, I have listened to many personal stories about Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church. I have heard stories of how the ministry of this congregation has inspired and nurtured so many throughout its 83 years. I have heard stories of how the people of this faith community have cared for and served one another as well as their neighbors. I have heard of times that were peaceful and prosperous and others that were tumultuous and turbulent. The common thread running through all the stories has been a desire for this church to regain a vibrancy to its ministry for the sake of the future while maintaining the best of Hope s past. The Israelites of Jeremiah s day struggled with this very issue. Their world had changed. Nothing would ever be just as it was. The land of Israel and Judah was decimated as the majority of the population had been taken into exile in Babylon. Jeremiah stayed behind and brought words of comfort and hope to those who remained and sought to rebuild their lives. He said things like, There is hope for your future. Your children shall come back to their own country. I know the plans I have for you to give you a future with hope. As we journey together into the new day to which God is leading us, things will not be exactly as they once were. This is not the old Hope as it has always been. And yet, there remains a continuity of vision, a constancy of purpose that comes from the plans God has always held for the people of Hope Lutheran Church. This is still a church that inspires and nurtures. This is still a faith community that cares for one another and its neighbors. This is still a church that proclaims the same old hope, the same old hope spoken of by Jeremiah and Jesus and Sbertoli and Scott. This is still the same old Hope. It s just old Hope new! I invite you to join me in proclaiming the old hope for a new day as we journey together into the future with hope God has planned for us. Baptized February 19, 2012 Leo Nels Zuckweiler Parents Margaret & Gary and Baptized February 26, 2012 Tristan Galen Carlson Parents Mariah & Erik New Member Experience Are you considering becoming a member of Hope? There will be an informal luncheon for all who are interested in membership as part of this community of faith on Sunday, March 11 at 12:00 p.m. where you will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet others who are new to Hope, hear about the vision of this faith community and meet with members of council and staff. There will be a follow up learning session with Pastor Chris Steubing on Thursday evening March 22 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. New members will be officially received on Palm Sunday, April 1! Please call or the church office with questions or to sign up. In Christ, Pastor Chris Steubing A Ray of Hope is published monthly by Hope Lutheran Church 5728 Cedar Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN Church phone (612) Church Fax (612) Preschool Phone (612) Websites: pastorchris@hopempls.org secretary@hopempls.org

3 3 CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY Amy Morphew Lent Wednesdays We have table projects for kids (of all ages) after you are done eating each week. On Ash Wednesday we made Butterflies and put them in "cocoons" (toilet paper rolls) on a "Celebration of Life Tree." If you have not had the opportunity to add a cocoon, you may do so on a Sunday or Wednesday during fellowship times downstairs. On Easter Sunday, our Butterflies will emerge and our tree will be beautiful! Sunday School Thank you to all the wonderful Sunday School Staff who have been so dedicated and prepared every week to teach our children about God's love for them. We have also been seeing some new faces in Sunday School... AWESOME! Summer Mission Trip Pastor Chris will be leading a group to Shalom Hill Farm this summer. If you are interested, we need you to let us know asap. Please contact Pastor Chris, the office or Amy Morphew. Nursery is OPEN! We are looking to staff the Nursery during all the worship services. Our goal is to have one youth and one adult in the Nursery at all times. This would be a great opportunity for families to serve together. There will be a sign up on the door to the Nursery to volunteer! Spring Fundraisers We will have many opportunities to raise funds and help in defraying the cost of camps. (See Spring Plant Sale and Easter Garden on this page). Watch for more details to come. Summer Mark your calendars for Vacation Bible School (for all ages!) July from 5-8 pm. Watch for more details to come! Come and join me On Sundays after worship, I encourage all the children and youth to join me (after you get your treats, of course) for some activities and projects. We will gather near the library in the fellowship hall. Each week will be something different. Come and check us out! Spring Plant Orders Orders are due by March 12 and pick up will be May 19. You will find a pink order sheet in the gathering area and church office. If you have a special need for your garden, let Mary Peterson know ( ) and it might be available from the nursery that provides the wonderful flowers, vegetables and herbs. This is a fundraiser to help send Hope's children to summer camp at Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp. First Communion Class Is your child ready to receive his or her first communion? Church traditions around the appropriate age for first communion have varied greatly depending on each local congregation. The practice at Hope has been for children to begin receiving communion in 5 th grade. According to our Lutheran theological heritage, however, every baptized Christian is welcome at the Lord s table. If your child has yet to receive the Lord s Supper, you are invited to come together for a time of experiential learning with the Pastor on.. Sunday, April 1 from 5:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. We will have a meal together and experience through taste and touch the grace of God in this Holy Sacrament. Children will be invited to receive their first communion at worship on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week (April 5 at 7:00 p.m.) Easter Garden You ll find your Easter Garden order form is this newsletter or on the welcome table in the gathering area. Lilies and spring plants are used to decorate the church on Easter Sunday. After Easter Worship you are welcome to take your plant home. Deadline to order is March 28. The Easter Garden is a fundraiser to help send our kids to Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp each summer

4 Worship and Music Ministry Russ Carlson Notes from Russ Lent for some is a time of fasting, of giving something up, a time for prayer around the cross, of traditions that speak to us.

4 4 Worship and Music Ministry Russ Carlson Notes from Russ Lent for some is a time of fasting, of giving something up, a time for prayer around the cross, of traditions that speak to us. Join us on Wednesday evenings during Lent as we gather to worship using Marty Haugen s Holden Evening Prayer. Lent is also a time for the choir and the contemporary ensemble to prepare for Easter. Yes, we have started to rehearse the music to celebrate the resurrection, but we also are preparing music for the time leading up to Easter. You are invited to come and sing with us. You may not have the time to commit to singing all the time in the choir, but maybe you have the time for a shorter commitment during the Lenten and Easter seasons. The choir room is the place, and we will be rehearsing following the Wednesday evening worship. Traditions can be a hard thing to replace. Hope has used the same choir robes for more than 25 years. Talk about tradition. The choir has agreed it is time for new robes. New albs will be purchased soon. Donations are welcome. You can make a check out to the church and indicate in the memo line it is for new robes. Lent began February 22. This season, don t just give something up, give something back. Celebrate the fullness of God's promises by filling the mouths of the hungry. Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: volunteers hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and then they ship the meals to nearly 70 countries around the world. Volunteer on Wednesday, March 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Eagan site ( 990 Lone Oak Road, Suite 160). Meet at church at 9:00 to carpool. Sign up sheet is in the gathering area. We re celebrating the 39th Annual FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS MARK YOUR CALENDARS Watch for more details to come MUSIC FESTIVAL Sunday, April 29 10:00 a.m. Worship Featuring Hope s musical ensembles GALLERY & DINNER EVENT Saturday, May 5 5:30 p.m. Gallery Opening 6:00 p.m. Dinner & Show Hope members & friends will present A 1950 s Radio Show FESTIVAL CLOSING Sunday, May 6 10:00 a.m. Worship ART EXHIBIT on display throughout the week The work of local illustrator & author Lauren Stringer New Website Hope's new website is available to visit. We have some updates that will be made over the next few weeks, but take a look and let us know what you think. Visit to check it out!

5 5 Community Class: Try it Out! PILATES MAT Monday, March 12 7:00 pm Build core strength, stability, and alignment. Today people everywhere are choosing to stay fit and healthy with more mindful, less jarring exercise programs like Pilates. Any age, fitness level, and body type can benefit from doing Pilates regularly. Do you want to: Improve your posture? Build your strength? Increase your flexibility and endurance? Tone your muscles? Relieve tension? Prevent injury? Come and try Pilates in the upcoming sample class. Students notice a healthy difference in their bodies almost immediately. And, most importantly, Pilates is fun! Bring a mat or large towel to lie down on. This sample class is appropriate for all fitness levels. See you there. Hope serves and has available Equal Exchange Coffee: Regular and Decaf Tea: Earl Grey, Green, Breakfast Tea and Cocoa mix March Minnesota Foodshare Minnehaha United Methodist Church is home to our neighborhood food shelf. They serve the area between the Crosstown and Lake Street, Cedar Avenue and the Mississippi River. Each month they serve more than 600 households, about 1500 men, women and children - and distribute approximately 28,500 pounds of food. The need for food continues to grow. Please bring donations to fill the grocery cart in the Gathering Area or make a financial donation marked for the food shelf. Hope for Parents invites you to: Parenting on Purpose Dr. Ada Alden Monday - March 19 7:00-9:00pm Dr Ada Alden has been working with parents for over 30 years. Purposeful parenting provides a framework to assist parents to assure short term actions achieve long term goals. The Red - Yellow - Green framework is a way to think about parenting in order to raise a cared for self-reliant child. This simple but effective way of thinking, provides parents a way to deliver direct and clear messages, establish necessary rituals and routines, and communicate family values, benefits and expectations. Hillclimber s Event Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Cliff Brunzell and the GOLDEN STRINGS Bus from church to the Lafayette Club for Lunch and Performance $58.00 per person includes bus, show, and lunch (tax, tip and beverage included). Leave on the bus from church parking lot at 10:15 am. Sound like fun? Call Kathryn Schwappach at Hope Preschool and Childcare Michelle Florey, director Our Open House was a success! We had 8 families that came and 6 of them have already registered for the summer/fall. We have many, many children going to kindergarten in the fall so there are many spots to fill. All the teachers and I went to a ELEA conference on January 27. It was a nice day of learning, fellowship and worship well worth it. Thought for the Day He sends you a sunrise every morning. Face it, friend - He is crazy about you! in the cabinet by the kitchen Celebrate an important event or remember someone special with an arrangement of flowers on the altar. Contact the office to arrange the order and to put a note in the bulletin. Arrangements are $30.

6 6 Hope s Library Beware of Cat by Vincent Wyckoff A letter carrier, who delivers mail to a neighborhood in South Minneapolis, relates many of his escapades on his daily route. He delivers far more than mail to his customers, his humanity and humor shine a light on the everyday world. A true story and a fun read. The Angels of Morgan Hill by Donna Van Liere The Gable family meets the first black family in Morgan Hill, the Turner family. Tragedy strikes the Turner family and changes the Gable family forever. A decision they make finds them troubles, but then also finds there are angels all around us every day, in the most extra ordinary and in ordinary ways. Create Memories with Digital Photos Do you have photos on your digital camera, phone and/or computer? Have you ever lost photos in a hard drive crash? There is a better way to celebrate those memories again. We are hosting a free evening of training and inspiration. We will learn the basics of digital photo organization, and scrap-booking. Did you know that you can take a few photos, and in just an hour or two create a photo storybook? Bring your questions and laptop, and a friend on Tuesday March 6 from 5-8pm in Hope s Gathering Area. Evening is free to attend, software will be available to purchase. No laptop is required to attend, please feel free to come and learn. Questions? Ginny Olson Annette Brisse Council Mini-Minutes (highlights) February 9, 2012 Festival of the Arts dates have been set (April 29 through May 6). Planning is in progress. The dinner show will be either May 4 or May 5 yet to be determined. Duane Horn presented a proposal to purchase new choir robes. The robes currently being used have been in use for many years and are well used. There are currently 15 choir members. The proposal was to buy 30 robes at $85 per robe (sale price), on sale until the end of February. A motion was made to raise choir robe funds from the congregation. Any additional funds needed for the purchase of 30 robes would come from undesignated memorials. The motion was seconded, discussed and approved. Charlie Olson met with representatives of the Three Rivers Park regarding a proposed pedestrian/bike trail that will connect Lake Nokomis to Bloomington. The proposed path will pass in front of the preschool and the church. The intended path will probably begin construction in The departure of Getsemani from Hope was discussed. They had outgrown the space they occupied at Hope. While we were looking into what we could do to expand their space usage, they found another church home that allowed them full use of the church building and also had storage and office space that met their needs and decided to move immediately. Next council meeting: March 8, pm As with all of the monthly council meetings, they are open to congregation members to attend.

A Ray of Hope 7 September March 2012 2007 Hope Lutheran Church Contact Persons PASTOR Christopher Steubing church (612) 827-2655 ext 13 cell (651) 335-0256 CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTER Amy

7 A Ray of Hope 7 September March Hope Lutheran Church Contact Persons PASTOR Christopher Steubing church (612) ext 13 cell (651) CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTER Amy Morphew church (612) ext 10 cell (651) church (612) PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE DIRECTOR Michelle Florey preschool (612) PASTORAL ASSOCIATE Doug Morton SECRETARY Kristi Gay church (612) ext 10 MINISTER OF MUSIC Russ Carlson church (612) ext 15 cell (651) COUNCIL PRESIDENT Jim Gay church (612) NEWSLETTER EDITOR Ginny Olson home (612) Church Council President Vice President Treasurer Jim Gay Becky McDaniel Clair Brenna Financial Secretary Dorian Thompson Secretary Barb Nelson Business Management Jim Nunn Education open Evangelism Jan Nunn Dorian Thompson Finance Pastoral/Social Ministry Mary Peterson Property Charlie Olson Recreation/Fellowship Eileen DePoe Stewardship Dave Fernandez Worship/Music Duane Horn Youth Jacki Just EARLY DAY CARE Michaelle Flaten rd Ave S Minneapolis MN Over 26 years experience Michaelle Flaten, member of Hope Office Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Blood Pressure Monitoring FOOD & DRINK 1611 West Larpenteur Ave. Falcon Heights MN Ph Ward Wollerman, General Manager & member of Hope This SPOT For RENT Contact Ginny today cgolson@earthlink.net How can there be self-help "groups"? Henry W. Anderson Mortuary Minneapolis Apple Valley Funerals Garrett Ave Cremation (952) Advanced Planning Ave So (612) Westen H. Anderson Timothy W. Anderson Complete Automotive Service For information contact Ginny Olson at or cgolson@earthlink.net Place your ad in A Ray of Hope! I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure The second Sunday of every month in the gathering area after the worship service AD SPACE AVAILABLE LOOKING FOR NEW CUSTOMERS? Idle Thoughts From A Retiree's Wandering Mind Cty. 42 & Galaxy, Apple Valley Brother of Taimi & Scott Herron, members of Hope OHANA Hope Preschool & Child Care Center STYLING SHOP 33 months to first day kindergarten ~ Licensed ~ for Men, Women & Children 1512 East 66th St Richfield, MN Colleen Schamber, member of Hope full and part time positions open 5712 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis (612) hopepreschoolandchildcare.org Located between Fat Lorenzo s and the 5.8 Club

FACES OF PANAMA. Meals on Wheels Delivery July Watch for the sign up sheet. July 15-19, :30-8:00 pm

FACES OF PANAMA. Meals on Wheels Delivery July Watch for the sign up sheet. July 15-19, :30-8:00 pm A Ray of Hope A Ray September July 2012 of 2007 Hope 1 Monthly newsletter of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church 5728 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417, 612-827-2655 www.hopempls.org Ministers of the Gospel: