Symbols of Love & Thanks

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1 NOVEMBER 2016 volume 18 number 9 APRIL 2018 What s INSIDE 1 The Pastor s Pen 2 Social Concerns 2 Mission Statement 2 Finance Report 3 Worship Times 3 Luther Glen Event 4 Church Council Report 5 Congregational Life Report 5 Seniors Jesus Loves Me 6 Serving 7 Calendar 8 Big Springs Bunco Fundraiser Hope Lutheran Church 2882 Arlington Avenue Riverside, CA Pastor: The Rev. Julie Kelly Organist: Norma Townsend Office Manager: Doris Diaz Office: (951) Fax :(951) Web Address: hoperiverside@att.net Pastor s pastorjuliekelly@gmail.com A publication of Hope Lutheran Church, Riverside, CA From the Pastor s Pen Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Even throughout Holy Week, as we remembered the passion of our Lord and his week of celebration, betrayal, and death, we celebrated it because we see it looking back. We know we are no longer caught in sorrow and desolation. We already know the end of the story. Or do we? In reality, we don t. We know that Christ died that day and it is well documented in non-christian documents of that time. But the rest is hearsay and requires trust, or in religious terminology, faith. That faith is rooted in an Easter promise that we claim without proof. We do not have the opportunities of Mary or Thomas, to see or touch our Lord, only to hear the story and believe. We are an Easter people and as with any demographic, we are identified by certain characteristics. We are people who must believe in what we cannot see or prove. We are Symbols of Love & Thanks Your flower donations recognizing special dates for family members, or dedicated simply to the glory of God evoke thankfulness and love. Flowers are needed for the sanctuary on Sunday, April 29 th and May 6th. Please sign up on the flower chart in the Narthex. people who live in the world, experiencing the tactile daily tasks and events, but who are focused on an end goal we cannot see but know down to our bones that we desire: to be united with our creator. Being Easter People requires us to balance the reality of now and the hope for eternity. But that doesn t mean we don t live out the promise now. It just means we won t see it fulfilled completely yet. To be an Easter People means we bring the promises of the Kingdom of God into our lives now. We live as Christ taught us to live, with charity, love, mercy and radical hospitality. We can do this not because we are perfected, for we are far from that. We are just like everyone else on earth. But as an Easter People, we understand that we are truly free and in that freedom, we no longer need to Continued on page 2 1

2 Voice of Hope volume20, issue 4 News from Social Concerns LSS Food Pantry I would like to thank Larry and Sandy Hall for taking your food donations to Lutheran Social Service Food Pantry after Larry Kleven was unable to do it anymore. The food we donate goes to people who live on the street or their food stamps have run out. Thank you Sandy and Larry and to all of you who donate! Guest Chef We served 130 people March 3rd. They received a delicious hot casserole fresh chicken, fresh broccoli, with a cheesy sauce. Fresh green salad and fresh fruit salad for dessert. We also had bread and healthy bars. Thanks to Larry Dodson for shopping and creating the menu, Johnnie Corina, Ed Mills, Shelley Palestis, Amy Freeman, Tony Ingrassi, Pat Schwartz Carol Haffter and a new person Patrick Pacino. The meal called for a lot of cutting and chopping: half frozen chicken, broccoli, and fresh fruit. Larry found grape size Kiwis to put in the fruit salad that you eat without taking the skins off. I haven't seen them in the stores yet. Thank you everyone! Submitted by Carol Haffter Mission Statement: At Hope Lutheran Church, Riverside, Jesus Christ leads us to welcome and respect all people, to grow in our whole being as gospel ministers, to equip children for life in the Christian heritage, to serve basic human needs in our community, and to worship God in word, in song, and in life. February Finance Report February 2018 Year-to-Date Total Income: $17, $35, Total Expense: $20, $42, Difference: -$2, $7, Average Worship Attendance for February 2018: 57 From the Pastor s Pen Continued from page 1 we no longer need to live in fear of insufficiency and want. We are free to live looking at the world as unlimited bounty to be freely shared by all of creation. What will living this freely look like for you this year? What will knowing the promise change you? My chains are gone, I ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, his mercy reigns. Unending love, Amazing Grace. (My Chains are Gone by Chris Tomlin) Christ is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! You are free. So now what shall we do? Gentle blessings, Pastor Kelly 2

3 Voice of Hope volume 7 number 3 Voice of Hope volume 20, issue 4 Worship Schedule: Sunday Worship & Communion Service and Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Adult Forum: 10:30 a.m. Monday Thursday 9 a.m. 2 p.m. (Closed holidays) Event Details: The Barn Raising Fundraiser is your opportunity to see Luther Glen, enjoy fellowship with our community and help raise enough money to begin building the Luther Glen Barn! Barn Raising Fundraiser Saturday, June 9, 3:00pm - 8:00pm 3-5 Activities/Silent Auction 5-5:30 Presentation/Blessing 5:30-6:30 Dinner 6:30 Live Auction 3

4 Voice of Hope volume 20, issue 4 News from Church Council March Meeting Highlights (This does not include the committee reports, which are reported separately in this newsletter.) 1. A new sound board has been approved and purchased in order to improve the sound quality in the sanctuary. The first Sunday it was in use was March 18 th and a significant improvement was noted. A select few people will be trained on the more technical aspects of the system, and a few others trained for routine Sunday services operation. Additional improvements will be studied to make the quality even better. 2. The annual church audit was performed by Chris Brown and Dr. Steve Larson, and they submitted their report to the Executive Committee. This was an extensive and comprehensive audit of all procedures and policies to verify that all financial and operational controls are being properly adhered to. There were many good suggestions made to improve our procedures and controls and the major findings include: a) The books and records of Hope Lutheran Church are in good order and are materially accurate in all respects. a. We do not have a backup person designated to handle the office and accounting system (along with detailed instructions and procedures) in the event that the office manager or bookkeeper were not available. Many suggestions were made regarding this and the Executive Committee will make this a priority. 3. The Council approved the re-keying of all locks on all doors throughout the property. A review will be made to determine what access zones need to be established, so certain keys will be limited to specific rooms or areas. It has been over 20 years since this was done and this will provide the level of security as many keys have been distributed over the years and may not be accounted for. The bathrooms will also have a new (and easier to use) locking system. As always we want to hear from you. Ask questions, give your suggestions, and lend your support. Larry Hall President Church Council Stay connected We want to be connected with you. If you would like to receive information by from Hope Lutheran and are not currently receiving them, please include your address on The Little White Card the next time you re in church. 4

5 Voice of Hope volume 20, issue 4 Congregational Life March was a busy month for the members of Hope. First of all I would like to say a huge thank you for all of you who so generously brought soup, salad, bread and dessert to our weekly Lenten soup suppers. We had a wonderful variety of very delicious soups and goodies. Also thank you to those of you who supplied goodies for our bake sale at the "yard sale". If you didn't get a chance to donate this time, we will probably be having a "redo" in the fall so you can show off your baking skills at that time. We had a real fun time at our game/ice cream social afternoon a few weeks ago. I plan on having another one when the weather warms up so keep posted and don't miss out on an enjoyable time in, please let me know and we can set it up together. After Easter one of our Dinners for 8 will take place and I hope to have a few more starting up. If any of you would like to host one of these dinners, please contact me and I will give you a list of people who showed interest in them. A few people attended the play at CBU about Dietrich Bonhoeffer and enjoyed it very much. I will be letting you know about their upcoming events so you can decide if you would like to attend. If you come across anything that you think our members would like to be involved in, please let me know and we can set it up together. I thank all of you for supporting me in this position. Hope and its members have a very special place in my heart and I thank God each day for all of you. Blessings to you all. Submitted by Connie Fortier Seniors Jesus Loves Me (A SENIOR VERSION OF JESUS LOVES ME) Jesus loves me, this I know, Though my hair is white as snow Though my sight is growing dim, Still He bids me trust in Him. YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. Though my steps are oh, so slow, With my hand in His I'll go. On through life, let come what may, He'll be there to lead the way. When the nights are dark and long, In my heart He puts a song... Telling me in words so clear, "Have no fear, for I am near." When my work on earth is done, And life's victories have been won. He will take me home above, Then I'll understand His love... I love Jesus, does He know? Have I ever told Him so? Jesus loves to hear me say, That I love Him every day. 5

6 Hope Lutheran Church 2882 Arlington Ave. Riverside, CA Christ has risen! He has risen indeed! - Page 1 Voice of Hope volume 7 number 20, issue 3 4 Big springs Fundraiser When: Friday, April 27 th Time: 4:30pm Where: Hope Lutheran Church 2882 Arlington Ave Riverside, Ca Tickets: $10 the door Refreshments, Coffee, and Juice are included. 1Win= 1 raffle ticket, 1 Bunco= 2 Raffles tickets You will accumulate Wins and Buncos to earn more tickets for the raffle Prizes! 6