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

Transcription

1 W July 2015 Spirit of Hope Newsletter of Mount Hope Lutheran Church and Child Development Center Pastor s Notes For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 Dear Friends and members of Mt Hope, On July 4 we as Americans celebrate Independence Day. July 4 was the day in 1776 that representatives of the 13 original colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. But then the Revolutionary War fought with the British to secure that Declaration of Independence lasted until 1783, costing the lives of nearly 4,500 Americans. It s one thing to declare independence; it s another thing to achieve it. What does freedom mean to you? Our nation in its 240 year history has had to defend itself many times to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today. The cost of lives in the major wars America has been involved in has been enormous. In WWI e.g. the loss of life was over 116,000, WWII was over 407,000, the Korean and Viet Nam wars each claimed the lives of nearly 60,000 soldiers and so far in the war on terror in the Middle East we have lost over 6,000 lives. I don t know what your plans are for celebrating the 4 th this year, but I would just encourage all of us sometime on the 4 th to pause and think about the freedoms we have as Americans; to remember the great sacrifice of human life that has been spent to preserve those freedoms and then say a prayer of thanks to God Who gave us this great country and for all who have died for her. Have a happy and joyous 4 th of July celebration. God love you, Pastor Dan

2 Children s Ministry Jesus All Stars Sunday School Know Where You Stand Returning from Arizona in early May, I came to the conclusion that I really enjoy traveling by car. Granted, it may take longer to arrive at your destination, but you have the opportunity to easily alter routes and itinerary. And that s what I did. I had heard of a place called Four Corners where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico converge-but had never visited. So, with little effort, or added expense, I was able to do so. Once there, it was quite exciting to walk a few steps in either direction, and find myself in another state. At one point, I could stand in one spot and literally be in four states at one time. I thought, How cool is this? But then I started to ask myself some questions. If I bought something, whose sales tax would I pay? If I mailed a post card, how would the postmark read? If I needed help from the authorities or a medical team, from which state would the help come? My head was spinning. The answers to my questions did not resolve themselves, but as I looked across the vista one thing became quite clear. As a believer in Christ, no matter where I stand (physically), Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter where I stand, His truth remains constant and salvation His gift. I realized too, this is the focus of our Sunday school program-to teach and help the children understand that no matter where they are-school, home, playground, or the cabin-jesus is the same always; He keeps His promises; and, He loves them. Edward Mote, author of the hymn, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less states it best: On Christ the solid Rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. This being said, I must ask, Do you know where you stand? Francine Wallin, Director Jesus All Stars Sunday School Child Development Center We are excited to welcome Charlotte Penn to the teaching staff. She began working the week of June 15 and will be a year-round full-time employee. The addition of another fulltime teacher allows us to continue to grow the program. It is an exciting time. Many new families began sending their children to the Center this summer. Enrollment is just shy of 50 students. Many of the children that started in June will be continuing with Mount Hope in the fall. Work on the outdoor play area will be starting soon. When completed it will look more like an outdoor classroom than a playground. There will be areas for water and sand play, and also areas for dramatic play, art and music. With many natural elements added in, it should have a really fun cool backyard feel. Planning is in full gear for the beginning of the new school year. The new school year will begin Tuesday, September 8, with Back-to-School Night scheduled for September 1. Kim Woebke, CDC Director 2

3 Upcoming Youth Events July 5 th Last Day to sign up for Confirmation Camp July 18 Messy Afternoon August 9-12 Confirmation Camp August One Way Lock-In Serve the Lord with Gladness JAM (Jesus and Me) JAM (Jesus and Me) will be going roller skating on July 19 th from noon-4:00 p.m. Please meet at Mount Hope for a quick lunch. We will be going to Roller Garden, St. Louis Park. This event is open to 3rd- 5th grade students and is $6 for admission and $3 for rentals. You can bring your own skates or rollerblades. Friends are welcome to attend! If you have any questions please contact Melanie Appelquist at youth@mt-hope.org or Youth Ministry Mission Statement 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. Youth Bible Class is Sunday mornings (expect holiday weekends) starting at 9:30 a.m. Melanie Appelquist will be teaching the 6 th -12 th grade in the new Child Development wing green classroom. Bible and Brew is Wednesdays from 3:30-4:00 p.m. at Caribou Coffee on Old Shakopee Road. SWAG (Saved With Amazing Grace) meets every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. The evening is full of fun, games, and devotions. Friends are always welcomed. Messy Afternoon is Saturday, July 18 th Noon-3:00 p.m. This event is open to 6th-12th grade students and friends. Be sure to wear clothes that you will get very messy in. We will be having lunch and playing some messy games. Confirmation Camp at Camp Omega is Sunday, August 9 th Wednesday, August 12 th. This event is open to incoming 7 th and 8 th graders. This is a requirement for Confirmation. The total cost is $160, and the youth pay $30 of that amount. Please sign up with Melanie Appelquist no later than Sunday, July 5 th. One Way Lock-In is Friday, August 21 st -Saturday, August 22 nd from 7:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. This event is open to 6 th -12 th grade students and friends. The cost for this event is $15. Please bring a snack to share with everyone. We will be welcoming the newest members of One Way into the group.

4 S Back-to-School Collection~VEAP Really Is it that time again? Our collection will begin Sunday, July 26 th Sunday, August 9 th in the entryway of church. VEAP serves 3,400 kids in need. Watch July s Sunday bulletins & bulletin board for a School Supply Wish List. LWML Women of Hope What is the LWML Women of Hope? It s a group of Mount Hope Women, of all ages, who meet the second Tuesday of every month (except July and August). We usually have a speaker at our meeting with a variety of topics. After the speaker, we have a treat and then discuss the church and its many points of service where many of us are involved. On some special months we ll have a dinner and program. We have a board of elected women who set up these events and manage the finances of our group. Anyone is welcome to attend, anytime of the year, even if it s for one meeting that catches your interest! We d love for you to attend. 4

5 Summer & Sermon Series Family 101 Back to the Basics Schedule July 5 No class Patriotic Service July 12 No class - Mission Sunday July 19 Forgive One Another Explore the depths of true forgiveness. Find the path to a forgiving nature and why our God tells as we must forgive July 26 Honor One Another Honoring those closest to us can be a challenge. Familiarity often leads us to take people for granted. Listen as Pastor Dan teaches us how to honor others in our life. YAMS (Young Adults Married & Single) YAMS (Young Adults Single & Married) met on Sunday, June 7 at the home of Scott & Janelle Hampton. We enjoyed an outdoor BBQ, & the children had fun playing in the yard before it down poured. Watch the bulletin for information on our next event. In-Home Ruth Bible Study Our Ruth Bible study will be meeting on Thursday, July 9 th at 6:30 pm at the Adamek s house. We are studying chapter 12 in our Liz Curtis Higgs-The Girls Still Got it. We will learn Boaz is good, thanks to God s righteousness at work in him. Please contact Dianne Ritter with any questions We look forward to seeing you there! 5

6 daily devotional 1 July Josh 6:6 27 Acts 10: July Josh 7:1 26 Acts 10: July Josh 8:1 28 Acts 11: July Josh 10:1 25 Acts 11:19 30 Josh 10:28 22:34 5 July Josh 23:1 16 Acts 12: July Josh 24:1 31 Acts 13:1 12 Judge 1: July Judg 2:6 23 Acts 13: July Judg 3:7 31 Acts 13: July Judg 4:1 24 Acts 14:1 18 Judge 5: July Judg 6:1 24 Acts 14:19 15:5 11 July Judg 6:25 40 Acts 15: July Judg 7:1 23 Gal 1:1 24 Judge 7:24 12:15 13 July Judg 13:1 25 Gal 2:1 21 Ruth 1:1 4:22 14 July Judg 14:1 20 Gal 3: July Judg 15:1 16:3 Gal 3:23 4:11 16 July Judg 16:4 30 Gal 4:12 31 Judge 17:1 21:25 17 July 1 Sam 1:1 20 Gal 5: July 1 Sam 1:21 2:17 Gal 6: July 1 Sam 2:18 36 Acts 15: July 1 Sam 3:1 21 Acts 16: July 1 Sam 4:1 22 Acts 16:23 40 Acts 17: July 1 Sam 5:1 6:3, Acts 18:1 11, July 1 Sam 6:19 7:17 Acts 19:1 22 Acts 19:23 21:14 24 July 1 Sam 8:1 22 Acts 21: July 1 Sam 9:1 27 Acts 21:37 22:16 26 July 1 Sam 10:1 27 Acts 22: July 1 Sam 12:1 25 Acts 22:30 23:11 28 July 1 Sam 13:1 18 Acts 23: July 1 Sam 14:47 15:9 Acts 24: July 1 Sam 15:10 35 Acts 24:24 25:12 31 July 1 Sam 16:1 23 Acts 25:13 27 Book Club 1st Friday Book Club will be held on Friday, July 10 th this month, because of the holiday from 1:30-3:30 pm. Our book to read this month is your pick from the author Karen Kingsbury. We meet at the home of Renata Melby Zenith Ave S, Bloomington,

7 Financials Treasurer s Report from April 2015 Monthly Income $43, Monthly Income Budgeted $51, Monthly Expenses $45, Monthly Expenses Budgeted $44, (Includes Child Development Center) Stewardship Corner We are stewards of God s grace to us. We acknowledge that God owns all things and that everything in heaven and earth belongs to Him (1 Chron. 29:14; Ps 24:1; Ps 100:3; 1 Cor. 4:7; Cor. 6:19. As the stewards of what He has done for us and given to us, we give of our first fruits to Him and His Church. July Celebration Days Happy Birthday 4 Jessica Packard 8 Cory Brantner 10 Lorraine Blaisdell 12 Cole Hartfiel 13 Victoria Frein 15 Elaine Mansk 16 Jerry Buelow 16 Carl Fox 16 Ruth Hubner 17 Anna McGraw Wedding Anniversary 6 John & Karen Mack 10 Jerry & Kayla Kuhlman 14 David & Jenn Schleifer Baptismal Anniversary 2 Tricia Mack 11 Bob Tolzin 14 Kirsten Melbostad 15 Heather Bielec 15 Madyson Ford 15 Samarah Ford 15 Sabrina Ford 15 Jessica Packard 17 Pastor Dan Ritter 21 Claire Woebke 25 Ruth Hubner 28 Jerry Buelow Worship Attendance May 31 8:15=55 10:45=65 June 7 8:15=55 10:45=60 June 14 8:15=61 10:45=76 June 21 8:15=63 10:45=60 7 Mission Sunday July 12 Commissioning Rev. Mark Moss As many of you know Rev. Mark Moss, Army Chaplain Retired has accepted a Call to serve as a Missionary in West Nigeria. As a congregation we have adopted him as our missionary, promising to help support him and Sue both financially and prayerfully. Sunday July 12 has been designated as our Mission Sunday. Minnesota South District President, Rev. Dean Nadasdy will be preaching at both services that day and will officiate the Commissioning of Mark as a LCMS Missionary. Following the 10:45 worship service there will be a hot, catered noon meal provided with a free will offering designated for Mark and Sue s mission support. Please join us for either service and rejoice with Mark and Sue Moss in his commissioning as a missionary.

8 Mission Highlight-VBS 2015 Each year Mt Hope welcomes children ages 3 to grade 5 to learn and grow in God's word through interactive and relatable stories, music, activities, and games. Some years we have up to 70% of children attending who are not members of Mt Hope. This outreach event is a way to create and build upon existing relationships of families who attend the Child Development Center, and reach out to families in our surrounding neighborhoods with the love of Christ. Given the expansion of our physical walls of the church building, why not also expand our outreach to more neighbors? We are taking Jesus' command to go into the mission field and are participating in the Richfield 4th of July Parade. We will have a vehicle featuring the VBS 2015 theme "Everest". Picture a large mountain driving the streets of Richfield, MN with many smiling faces of YOU, the members of Mt Hope, getting the kids excited to come learn about Jesus! The parade is only the introduction to a wonderful week of August 3-6, when we open our doors to the community! But, while the harvest is plentiful, the workers are few. Our volunteers and crew leaders work very hard to make the experience fun for all the kids, but many hands will make for lighter work! Please consider lending a helping hand in walking side-byside with these young children as they eagerly hear God's word! The more helpers we have, the more 1-on-1 opportunities there will be to cultivate a closer relationship with our guests and visitors! We need station leaders to help teach, and crew leaders to help shepherd and facilitate. Lutheran Church Extension Fund LCEF is the investor member organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod that Mt. Hope is receiving our current construction loan and final mortgage when the building project is completed. More than 80% of the LCMS Churches and Ministries, at home and abroad have been supported by LCEF investors over many years. Currently Mt. Hope has 28 investors with LCEF. LCEF will be providing Mt. Hope with an annual rebate towards our mortgage based on investors designating Mt. Hope as their congregation. We will need a total of 69 investors to receive the maximum rebate. The Finance/Stewardship Committee is encouraging you to consider becoming an investor so we can receive the maximum rebate which would provide us at least one month of the monthly mortgage payment per year. Those who are new and/or youth investors LCEF has investments that offer interest rates from 2 to 3.5%. For more information there are packets in the Church office. You can also contact Glenn Thiel, our LCEF Congregation Advocate at For contact with an LCEF Representative call or go online at w.w.w.lcef.org. Quick links will give you current interest rates, various accounts available and applications. 8

9 Vacation Bible School Mark Your Calendar!!!! Vacation Bible School is August 3 rd -6 th 6:00-8:00p.m. This event is open to children ages 3 years old-5 th grade students. This event is free!!!! Fill out a registration form today. Parade Help Needed Members and friends of Mount Hope will be walking in the 4 th of July Parade in Richfield. Help decorate the SUV and walk in the parade. We will be passing out flyers promoting Mount Hope and Vacation Bible School. Help Needed Lots of help is needed for Vacation Bible School. We need people to help decorate, lead stations, and take registrations. There is a job for everyone!!!! Sign up on the bulletin board in the information hallway at Mount Hope. If you have any questions or would like to register for any of these opportunities, please contact Melanie Appelquist at youth@mt-hope.org or Young Investors Club Lutheran Church Extension Fund offers children a savings account where they can grow their money at the rate of 3.5%! Mount Hope will even get the account started by offering your child the $25 to open a new account. Savings are accessible; check and debit cards are available to custodian. The interest is compounded and paid monthly. Earn $25 per year for all A s received at school and for 10 hours volunteer hours. Applications are avialbe in the church office. 9

10 Everest Conquering Challenges with God s Mighty Power August 3-6 6:00-8:00 pm VBS Registration Form (One Per Child) Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 W Old Shakopee Rd Bloomington Child s Name: Child s Gender: Child s Age: Date of Birth: Last School Grade Completed: Name of Parent(s): Street Address: City: State: Zip: Home Telephone ( ) Parent/Caregiver s Cell Phone ( ) Home Address: Home Church: Crew Number or Name (for Church Use Only): We grant Mount Hope Lutheran permission for a photo/image of your child without any personal identifiers to be published on the church s website. Allergies or Other Medical Conditions: In Case of Emergency, Contact: Phone: Relationship to Child:

11 July 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 9:00 Staff Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth Bible & Caribou 6:00-8:00 SWAG 7:00 Praise Team Practice Church Office & CDC Closed Noisy Offering :15 Worship 10:45 Worship 8:15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 10:45 Worship 8:15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 10:45 Worship 12:00-3:00 JAM 8:15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 10:45 Worship 8:00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth Bible & Caribou 6:00-8:00 SWAG 7:00 Praise Team Practice 6:30 In-Home at Jennifer Adamek s 1:30-3:30 1 st Friday Book Club :00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth Bible & Caribou 6:00-8:00 SWAG 7:00 Praise Team Practice 10-4 Bethesda Thrift Shop Work Day :00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth Bible & Caribou 6:00-8:00 SWAG 7:00 Praise Team Practice :00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth Bible & Caribou 6:00-8:00 SWAG 7:00 Praise Team Practice Mount Hope Lutheran Church

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