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

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Wilderness Canoe Base Intergenerational Service Trip August 18 thru 21 We work on projects as directed by the staff at Wilderness.

1 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, Ministers of the Gospel: The Baptized 84 years in ministry Volume 81 Number 7 Making Christ Known through the Spirit of Hope July 2012 Meals on Wheels Delivery July Watch for the sign up sheet in the gathering area Hope T-shirts are s ll available. Contact Kris in the church office to purchase yours. Cost is $15 for adult shirts (blue) and $10 for kid shirts (green). July 15-19, :30-8:00 pm Dinner will be served! Evening VBS at HOPE for all ages at Hope! Can you help? See page 4 and contact Amy. Wilderness Canoe Base Intergenerational Service Trip August 18 thru 21 We work on projects as directed by the staff at Wilderness. There is me for enjoying the Boundary Waters in a canoe, by a campfire and hiking. Youth should be 12+. Cost is $75 for adults and $50 for youth. Sign up in the Gathering Area. Ques ons? contact Mary Peterson (952) FACES OF PANAMA Be sure and take me to enjoy the beau ful photographs Earl Anderson took on their trip to Panama, displayed in the fellowship hall. Discussions on the Deck Join us Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. For lively conversa ons about the big ques ons about life, the world and God. Deck each week to be announced. Check Sunday announcements or call the church office to find us! Nokomis Builds July 30 August Texas Ave (mid-construc on work) 8:30a 4:00p No experience required Sign up in the Gathering Area Ques ons? Contact Mary Peterson (952) Join us for Adult Forums on Sunday July 1 and July 8 at 9am in the fellowship hall. Doug Morton will be leading Paul s Le er to the Romans.

2 Gala ans 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.

There will be freedom parades, freedom fireworks, and freedom fes vals all in celebra on of the privilege of liberty we have as ci zens of the United States of America.

There is something about freedom, however, that we tend to quickly disregard once the ba le is over. Freedom is a gi that is meant to be shared!

To this day, we con nue to ba le over who is en tled to the freedoms upon which our na on was founded. Perhaps this was inevitable. Perhaps this is as good as it gets this side of eternity.

As followers of Jesus, we believe in the one who gave up his freedom in order that we might be free from sin and death, free from fear and worry, and free to love as God has first loved us.

As Toni Morrison said, The func on of freedom is to free someone else.

2 2 Gala ans 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. The func on of freedom is to free someone else. Toni Morrison Over the next month we will be hearing a lot about freedom. There will be freedom parades, freedom fireworks, and freedom fes vals all in celebra on of the privilege of liberty we have as ci zens of the United States of America. There is indeed much to celebrate as our great freedoms in this country have been won through ba les of heart, mind, body, and spirit. There is something about freedom, however, that we tend to quickly disregard once the ba le is over. Freedom is a gi that is meant to be shared! Ever since and even before the Declara on of Independence was signed, the road to liberty in this land had checkpoints that only allowed certain people access. To this day, we con nue to ba le over who is en tled to the freedoms upon which our na on was founded. Perhaps this was inevitable. Perhaps this is as good as it gets this side of eternity. We are only human a er all. Or perhaps there is an even greater vision of freedom to which we ought aspire as a na on, as human beings, and as a Chris an community. As followers of Jesus, we believe in the one who gave up his freedom in order that we might be free from sin and death, free from fear and worry, and free to love as God has first loved us. Chris an liberty is a self-perpetua ng cycle of freedom sharing. One who is free in Christ is called to use that freedom in order to free others. As Toni Morrison said, The func on of freedom is to free someone else. This Independence Day, I encourage you to reflect upon your freedom in Christ, the freedom upon which all other freedoms are founded, and to use it, as Paul says, not as an opportunity for selfindulgence, but to free someone else. In this way, brothers and sisters, you will be truly free. In Christ, Pastor Chris Steubing Denise Stepanek s Mother, Be e Engvall, died May 26, Her memorial service was held June 3. Our prayers are with the family during this difficult me. Are you in need of prayer or would you like to pray for others? Connect to the prayer chain of Hope Lutheran Church and join in sharing the Spirit of Hope through the ministry of prayer. To be included as one who prays for others, phone or Ginny Olson at /cgolson@earthlink.net and she will add your name to those who receive updates. To request prayers, phone or send them by to Ginny Olson or contact Pastor Chris Steubing. Please indicate if you would also like to be included in public prayer during worship. Regarding Pastoral Visits, Hospitals, and Care Centers: Please Call Privacy rules are making it increase-ingly difficult for churches to locate their members at hospitals and care centers. Consequently, if you or a family member would like to have a visit from the pastor during a hospital stay, please no fy the church office. If you or a family member are moved to a care center, please call or the informa on to the church office. We want to stay in contact with you and con nue our ministry of presence and prayer. Stay connected this summer Away at the cabin for a weekend? On vaca on for a week? Stay connected to Hope this summer by listening to the sermons online. Visit Pastor Chris blog at ers.blogspot.com. You can also find a link to his blog on the home page of Hope s web site,

3 3 Worship and Music Ministry Russ Carlson, Minister of Music Notes from Russ Well, summer is certainly here. I miss mee ng with the choir on Wednesday evenings and certainly miss their leadership in worship on Sundays. The contemporary ensemble does meet during the summer, although not every week. It was so good to have them assist with worship leadership at the Falls on June 17 th and to have the summer choir sing on June 24 th. If any of you are interested in sharing your musical gi or would like to sing with the contemporary ensemble during the summer, please contact me at music@hopempls.org, or call me at my home number Hope s Library Are you heading for the beach, for the cabin or even for your own porch to relax? How about ge ng into a nice lounge chair, a glass of iced tea and a good book? We have many of them in the library for adults and kids alike. Here is just one of them: The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers Two women, Sierra Madrid, a woman of today and Mary Kathryn McMurray, a young pioneer on the Oregon Trail, are joined through a ta ered journal as they contend with God, husbands and even themselves...un l they fall into the arms of the One who loves them uncondi onally. Father s Day Worship at the Falls Picnic The pot luck picnic following the Worship at the Falls service was well a ended with a delicious variety of side dishes and desserts to go with the grilled hamburgers. Mike Grundeen s home brewed root beer was again a wonderful addi on. Thank you to all who assisted with set up and clean up, making it again a very enjoyable day. Hope s fathers and other men of faith were honored on Sunday, June 17 as well with Men of Faith Turbo Key Ring Lights being distributed prior to the service. During the picnic special drawings were held for gi s going to two of Hope s Dads. The winners of the two insulated tumblers were Jim Nunn and Rich Donnelly. Save the date Thursday, August 23 at 7pm Learn how to get involved in Hope s Worship Experience. There will be learning sessions about how to be involved as: Ushers Greeters and Welcomers Assistant Ministers Acolytes Sound Technicians Computer\Power Point Operator Communion Assistants Readers Altar Guild Helpers We ll gather in Hope s sanctuary for a me of prepara on for the upcoming year of worship leadership. Look for more informa on in upcoming publica ons. Thank you I d like to thank all ushers for their loyalty to the program while I was head usher. You made the posi on very easy, and a please and honor for me. The Lord blessed me with your rela onship. So I want to thank you again. God bless you all. Bob Shoberg Music for Missions CD Recorded by Pastor Jim Sbertoli, Warren Elness and Jeff Hotchkiss. Suggested dona on: $15. All dona ons given are earmarked for mission outreach by the community of Hope. Contact the church office to order. 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. Thought for the Day Read this line very slowly and let it sink in... If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

A Ray of Hope September May July 2012 2007 4 CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY Amy Morphew: Children, Youth and Family Minister NURSERY NEWS During the summer months, our nursery (lower level) is

We ask all who use the nursery to please clean up after your children so that it is ready for future use. In the fall we plan to be staffing the nursery during the education and worship hours.

If you would like to donate, please contact Amy Morphew.

We will provide lunch and ask for donations to help in covering the cost. Our "picnics" will take place at the church and then we will walk as a group to a nearby park.

July 11 10-3pm What s it about: A Day of Service! We will focus our day of being served and how we can serve others. Bring a Lunch! July 25 10-3pm What s it about: A Day at the Falls!

4 A Ray of Hope September May July CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY Amy Morphew: Children, Youth and Family Minister NURSERY NEWS During the summer months, our nursery (lower level) is available during the worship service times (from 9:45-11am). Parents are asked to stay with your child/ren while they use the nursery. We ask all who use the nursery to please clean up after your children so that it is ready for future use. In the fall we plan to be staffing the nursery during the education and worship hours. If you are interested in leading/ organizing this ministry, please contact Amy Morphew. WANTED A baby changing table and a port-a-crib (in good/new condition and safe) for Hope s nursery. If you would like to donate, please contact Amy Morphew. We invite ALL to join us on the following Sundays at noon for picnic lunch and fellowship in a neighborhood park: July 8 & 22 and August 5 & 19. We will provide lunch and ask for donations to help in covering the cost. Our "picnics" will take place at the church and then we will walk as a group to a nearby park. In the event of bad weather, we will have the picnic and activities at church! For kindergarten and older. Youth please come and help too! $5.00/ person for treats/activities. July pm What s it about: A Day of Service! We will focus our day of being served and how we can serve others. Bring a Lunch! July pm What s it about: A Day at the Falls! We will travel to Minnehaha Falls... wear walking shoes, wear your suit (under your clothes), bring a towel and a bag lunch. FUN AT CAMP Seeds:2 & 3 Grades Friday July 27 Sunday July 29 Youth: 4 th Grade - 9 th Grade, Sunday July 29 Friday August 3 July Youth Servant Trip to Shalom Hill Farm in Windom, MN Vacation Bible School HELP NEEDED!!! We are still looking for many hands to help with VBS! We will have set up/prep sessions at the following days/times: Monday-Thursday (July 9-13) from 10:00-4:00, Sat. (July14) 10-6:30...come when you can! Kids are welcome to help with you! July 14 VBS Staff KICK OFF MEETING (6:30). This meeting is for ALL who will be working with VBS!

5 75 Evolve (50years old+) re-igni ng self and community The Evolve course will kick off on October 12 at Wilder Center in Saint Paul. In just eight days--one day a month--you will develop skills that will last for the rest of your life. (Re) discover your passions and purpose Learn to be a be er leader Plan and implement a civic project Connect with high-energy, enthusias c people Become a part of a community for exchange of ideas, resources, and support Being part of the Evolve class was a great experience and has given me tools to move forward with seeking a career with passion, purpose and a paycheck. --Mary Peterson, Evolve grad Registra on opens July 1. Evolve brochures available in the Gathering Area rack or visit For addi onal informa on call Fill the Well Dear Friends, I have exci ng news! This summer we are bringing back the LWR Summer Matching Gi Challenge! Some very generous friends of LWR have issued this challenge: they'll double the value of gi s received dollar for dollar between now and August 31st, up to $193,000! That means your gi will work twice as hard to fight poverty, provide clean water, grow food and help impoverished families earn income. What a blessing! And what an opportunity to reach out even further with your gi. John A. Nunes, LWR President and CEO Our gi s each Sunday to the Fill the Well children s coin collec on will make a double impact on the lives of our brothers and sisters in need because of this matching gi challenge. God bless you! Bread for the World Offering of Letters Thank you to those of you who took the me to write a le er to your congressional representa ve, or sign the pe on, asking them to create a Circle of Protec on around people who are hungry and living in poverty in the United States. Hope Church sent 25 le ers and also many pe on signatures to those who are currently making budget decisions in Washington. We will keep you updated on what congress is doing to help those who are hungry. You are showing the love of Christ through your efforts! Thank you! Food Ministry Feeds 1,500 During the Month Minnehaha United Methodist Church is home to the neighborhood Food Shelf. They serve the area between the Crosstown and Lake Street, Cedar Avenue and the river. Each month they serve more than 600 households about 1,500 men, women and children and distribute approximately 28,500 pounds of food. It's an incredible mission that relies on volunteers. The need for food con nues to grow. Over the past year, for example, the number of people served at Minnehaha increased 250%. Need rises during the summer as children are home from school and not receiving a school lunch. Minnehaha Food Shelf is open Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. 3p.m. Hope serves and has available Equal Exchange Coffee: Regular and Decaf Tea: Earl Grey, Green, Breakfast Tea and Cocoa mix in the cabinet by the kitchen If you have a need or know someone that could benefit from the food shelf, please bring a photo ID with a current address (must reside within the area served: between the Crosstown and Lake Street, Cedar Avenue and the river). WANT TO HELP? If you'd like to help with the Minnehaha Food Shelf, contact Minnehaha United Methodist Church at (612) Hope needs someone to deliver the groceries donated by our community. Please contact Mary Peterson if you are able to help with this outreach ministry. WANT TO DONATE? Would you like to see a miracle? If you donate $1 it will generate $30 worth of food. Wow! Groceries can also be donated by placing them in the shopping cart found in the gathering area.

6 Council Mini-Minutes (highlights) June 21, 2012 Worship and Music Committee will have a worship training event in August. The youth acolyte schedule for the summer is completed.

6 6 Council Mini-Minutes (highlights) June 21, 2012 Worship and Music Committee will have a worship training event in August. The youth acolyte schedule for the summer is completed. A planning session for the youth trip is tentatively scheduled for July 8. Carol Farnham has agreed to be the LSS Ambassador for Hope Church. Habitat for Humanity is filled for week of June 25 June 29. Openings still available for July 3 August 3. Reminder that Pastor Chris has said he would shave his head if 20 people from Hope volunteered over the course of the two weeks (we are half way there!). Picnic in the Park at Pearl Park is July 26. Youth, Preschool and Hospitality Task Force will represent Hope at the Picnic. Rally Sunday is scheduled for September 9 with a barbecue after the service. National Night Out is Tuesday, August 7. It was suggested that anyone attending their own block party should wear their T-shirts. Postcards could be available for hand out also. People who do not have their own block parties are invited to join Pastor Chris in attending various block parties close to the church and passing out ice cream treats or some other treat yet to be determined. Discussion was held regarding future changes/additions to Sunday morning s education and the option of adding a Wednesday church opportunity to the calendar, in way of a social or educational gathering. It is currently in discussion phase only. As with all of the monthly council meetings, they are open to congregation members to attend. Work "Dedicated Service" "So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin". John 13:4a In this story of Jesus washing the disciples feet, Jesus takes on the role of a servant, a slave. That's why Peter reacts so strongly, and basically tells Jesus that he won't let Jesus wash his feet. For servants are not their own persons. Servants serve at the discre on of the master, at the convenience of the master. This servant is in complete submission to the master. Peter could not even think to have Jesus take on this role. This ac on by Jesus shows us two things: 1. Jesus is a Servant Messiah serving at the discre on and convenience of God the Father. 2. Jesus tells us to do the same, to become servants of the Master, Jesus. Many churches speak about the "volunteers" of the church. What if we were to not be called "volunteers" but "servants?" Pastor John A. Holm Because: - Chris ans are not volunteers who serve at their own discre on, who serve at their own convenience. - Chris ans are servants who serve at the discre on of Jesus, who serve whenever Jesus calls. Bringing it Home: Do you serve God only when it is easy and convenient for you? Is there a job at church or outside church that is below you? The next me the call comes your way to serve, bend your knee, wrap the towel around yourself, and serve, --- not as a volunteer, but as a servant of Christ. Pray that God would help you become more than a volunteer a servant! Prayer: Lord God, We confess to you that we o en act like a volunteer, serving only when we want to, when we have extra me, extra energy, or extra money. Help us not to just give you our le overs. Help us to become servants who respond to your call, even when it is hard or inconvenient. We want you to be our Lord and Master. Help us become your servants. Amen Hope Serves Breakfast Sunday, July 29 at St. Stephen s Shelter. Sign up in the gathering area. We meet at church at 7:15am, carpool to the shelter, serve breakfast, and are back at church by 8:45 or so. We need four people to serve and more people to donate food items, as listed on the signup sheet. Thank you! 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

7 Hope Lutheran Church Contact Persons PASTOR Christopher Steubing church (612) 827-2655 ext 13 cell (651) 335-0256 PASTORAL ASSOCIATE Doug Morton church (612) 827-2655 SECRETARY Kristi Gay church

7 7 Hope Lutheran Church Contact Persons PASTOR Christopher Steubing church (612) ext 13 cell (651) PASTORAL ASSOCIATE Doug Morton church (612) SECRETARY Kristi Gay church (612) ext 10 MINISTER OF MUSIC Russ Carlson church (612) ext 15 cell (651) CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTER Amy Morphew church (612) ext 10 cell (651) PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE DIRECTOR Michelle Florey preschool (612) COUNCIL PRESIDENT Jim Gay church (612) NEWSLETTER EDITOR Ginny Olson home (612) Church Council President Jim Gay Vice President Becky McDaniel Treasurer Clair Brenna Financial Secretary Dorian Thompson Secretary Barb Nelson Business Management Jim Nunn Education open Evangelism Jan Nunn Finance Dorian Thompson Pastoral/Social Ministry Mary Peterson Property Charlie Olson Recreation/Fellowship Eileen DePoe Stewardship Dave Fernandez Worship/Music Duane Horn Youth Jacki Just Summer Office Hours Monday Thursday: 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Blood Pressure Monitoring The second Sunday of every month in the gathering area after the worship service Idle Thoughts From A Retiree's Wandering Mind If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales? EARLY DAY CARE Michaelle Flaten rd Ave S Minneapolis MN Over 26 years experience Michaelle Flaten, member of Hope FOOD & DRINK 1611 West Larpenteur Ave. Falcon Heights MN Ph Ward Wollerman, General Manager & member of Hope Henry W. Anderson Mortuary Minneapolis Apple Valley Funerals Ave So Garrett Ave (612) Cremation (952) Advanced Planning Westen H. Anderson Timothy W. Anderson TUTORING Science, Math, and general study strategies MN Licensed Teacher AD SPACE AVAILABLE For information contact Ginny Olson at or cgolson@earthlink.net OHANA STYLING SHOP for Men, Women & Children 1512 East 66th St Richfield, MN Colleen Schamber, member of Hope Complete Automotive Service Cty. 42 & Galaxy, Apple Valley Brother of Taimi & Scott Herron, members of Hope Hope Preschool & Child Care Center ~ Licensed ~ 33 months to first day kindergarten full and part time positions open 5712 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis (612) hopepreschoolandchildcare.org Located between Fat Lorenzo s and the 5.8 Club

Making a Home for Faith

Making a Home for Faith A Ray of Hope A Ray September March of 2012 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