November 2015 Spirit of Hope Mount Hope Lutheran Church From the Pastor Dear friends and members of Mt Hope, Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God Philippians 4:6 November is the season of Thanksgiving as we thank God for all His bountiful gifts to us, especially for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In response to God s love and generosity the greatest thanksgiving we can offer to God is a faithful life to Him through bountiful worship, bountiful growing in our faith, and in bountiful living for Him. We are so blessed to have an abundance of physical things, like clothes, food, resources available to us etc. And there s nothing wrong with abundance unless we have a wrong attitude toward abundance. If we think we need an abundance of everything for our own safety and security then we lack a confidence and trust in our heavenly Father to supply us with all that we need. I love what St Paul reminds us of in 2 Corinthians in regard to the Christians in Macedonia. They didn t have a lot of abundance of anything but Paul mentions them because they gave towards the Lord s work out of their poverty not from abundance. And the reason they were able to give in such abundance is because as Paul writes, first they gave themselves to the Lord. The first two Sundays in November are being dedicated to learning more about being good and faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. And then on Sunday November 15 we will celebrate God s abundance by dedicating our giving intentions for 2016. Dianne and I both feel so blessed to be serving our Mt Hope congregation and thankful for your love, prayers and gifts of appreciation. We give God thanks for you. Happy Thanksgiving to you all, Pastor Dan
Bible Studies Sunday Morning Adult Our adult Bible class is offered between the early and late worship services, starting at 9:35 a.m. in the sanctuary. On Sundays, November 1 st & November 8 th, Glenn Thiel will lead a on Stewardship. On November 15 th, Pastor Dan will teach again on the Book of Revelations. During Advent, Paul Hinz will lead this in-depth exploration Bible Class on Revelations. We will not have class on Thanksgiving weekend, November 29 th. In-Home Our women s study The Unexplained: Miracles, Mysteries and Morefrom the Concordia Publishing House looks at a specific postmodern issue affecting science, technology, and spirituality, and examines it from a biblical perspective. It explores the issue's impact on our culture and provides you with the tools you need to respond with God's Word. Chapters include: Miracles Mystical Experiences Near-Death Experiences Dreams Demons Angels We meet at Jennifer s at 9117 Yukon Ave S, Bloomington. All women are invited to attend. We meet one time this month: Tuesday, November 17 th at 6:30 pm. If you have any questions about this study, please contact Jennifer Adamek at 952-451-5860.
Prayer Group Meets Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am at the church. Feel free to come with your prayer requests and stay and pray, if you wish. Join the Prayer Chain Available to anyone with a computer. As prayer requests are asked Marilyn Nelson emails everyone on the email prayer chain. Please take a moment to pray, asking God for mercy and guidance. Email Marilyn at conradmarilyn@usfamily.net, if you would like your email address to be added or if you have a prayer request. Pray continually, giving thanks in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Thank God for Good Music Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul, said Martin Luther. Of course, he never heard intense rap or loud rock n roll! Still, the great reformer of the faith was correct. What other art can so quickly soothe us and bring us inner peace? Bernard Berenson put it this way: On the wings of music we soar above and beyond nature, farther than any other vehicle can carry us. King Saul often became depressed and inwardly tormented. Some of his servants thought he could find relief by listening to music. Saul sent for Jesse s son David, who he had heard, skillfully played a harp. Saul was so helped by the music that he asked David to join his court. This upcoming weekly Wednesday Advent Season (begins Sunday, November 29 th ) we will be focusing on the biblical songs of God s people as they awaited the Savior. Week 1: The Song of Zechariah Week 2: The Song of Mary Week 3: The Song of Angels Week 4: The Song of the Church. A devotion booklet on the songs of the Christmas season will be available. We encourage you to take one home. We are anticipating Christ s arrival and all its celebration!
YOUTH MINISTRY-One Way Mission Statement of One Way 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. Check out the easy ways to support One Way Youth on our website at www.mt-hope.org Upcoming Events SWAG (Saved With Amazing Grace) meets every Wednesday from 6-8 pm. The evening is full of fun, games, and devotions. Your friends are always welcomed. Bible and Brew is Wednesdays from 3:30-4:00 pm at Caribou Coffee on Old Shakopee Road. Youth Bible Class is Sunday mornings (expect holiday weekends) starting at 9:30 am. Melanie Appelquist is teaching the 6 th -12 th grades in the Orange CDC Classroom. We will move into the new youth room once the remodeling process is finished. Full Shelves/Full Hearts is November 15 th 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m. This event is open 6 th -12 th grade students and adults. We will be having a short worship service then going over to Cub Foods to purchase food. Then we will deliver the food to VEAP. We will be doing this with other churches. More information to come. If you would like to donate money for us to shop with please contact Melanie Appelquist. Lost and Found Concert is November 27 th. Please meet at Mount Hope at 5:30 p.m. Please eat before you come. This event is open to 6 th -12 th grade students. Tickets are $12.This is the last time this band will be in Minnesota. Planet Wisdom is December 4 th -5 th! This is an amazing two day retreat that shouldn t be missed! Because this retreat is so important and we want as many youth as possible to attend, this event is FREE!!! November December 15 th Full Shelves/Full Hearts 4 th -5 th Planet Wisdom 27 th Lost and Found Concert 16 th White Elephant Christmas Party
CHILDREN S MINISTRY In All Circumstances Thanksgiving is 26 days away. I call it the hidden holiday because it somehow has gotten lost between Halloween and Christmas. In the ESV Bible there are 168 references to giving thanks or thanksgiving. From this I gather that being thankful is important. But with so much going on in the world today at times feeling as if we re living in the days of Noah (Luke 17:26) it s sometimes hard to think about being thankful. Yet we are called to do so during the good times and the bad. Reflecting, I realized I have much to be thankful for wonderful parents, a great childhood, a strong Christian foundation, a solid marriage, a wonderful husband and daughter, my country, and for those who sacrificed much that I might enjoy the freedoms I have. I would also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Pastor Dan, the Mt. Hope congregation, the staff and volunteers who support this ministry. I am also thankful for the parents who allow me the privilege of teaching their children each week. Above all, I m thankful to Jesus, the Christ He loved me enough to die for me the indescribable gift. What more can I ask? All this being said, from the All-Stars, a very Happy Thanksgiving-Fran Wallin. ****************************** A few things to mark on your calendar: November 1 Christmas program practice begins continuing through December 13. November 8 last day to bring items for Operation Christmas Child. November 29 no Sunday school, Thanksgiving recess. December 13 Sunday school Christmas program @10:45 JAM November 15 th JAM (Jesus and Me) will be going bowling. Please meet at Mount Hope at Noon. We will return to Mount Hope by 3:00 pm. The cost for this event is $10. This event is open to 3 rd -5 th Graders. Friends are welcome to attend. If you would like to provide lunch that day please contact Melanie. If you have any questions please contact Melanie at youth@mt-hope.org or 612-834-9822.
SHOEBOX MINISTRY Now collecting items for the Operation Christmas Child: Shoebox Ministry. Pack a shoe box with toys and hygiene items. These boxes go to children in many different third-world countries. Many of them have never received a gift or a toy. Suggested items to fill your box are: school supplies (pencils, coloring books, etc) tooth brushes & tooth paste, bar soap, washcloths, combs, sun glasses, caps, socks, hair clips, watches, solar calculators, toy jewelry, flashlight with extra batteries, hard candy, gum, jump rope, sticker books, stuffed animals, yoyo s, or small cars. No chocolate or soft candy or war-like toys are accepted. Items can either be brought to the Women of Hope meeting on Tuesday, November 10 th or given to Marlys Herman, Fran Wallin or left in the church office. Child Development Center Thank you to the Women of Hope for hosting the Fire Safety event for the CDC families. Your hard work and willingness to serve is greatly appreciated. Conferences were held the third week of October. The Lead teachers met with each family to set goals for the school year and to talk about their child s progress. Conferences are a great way to connect with our families. They are held again in the spring. The second week of November is Book Week at the Center. Children are encouraged to come dressed as book characters throughout the week. They are also encouraged to bring with a copy of the book the character is in so it can be read to the class. The Wonder Weaver story-tellers will also be here that week to entertain the children. Christmas Program practices will start in November as well. This year we are doing a show called Christmas in our Jammies. It is always such a blessing to watch the children learn and then present the Christmas story. Kim Woebke, CDC Director
Daily Devotional 1 Nov Deut 34:1 12 Matt 21:1 22 2 Nov Jer 1:1 19 Matt 21:23 46 3 Nov Jer 3:6 4:2 Matt 22:1 22 4 Nov Jer 5:1 19 Matt 22:23 46 5 Nov Jer 7:1 29 Matt 23:1 12 6 Nov Jer 8:18 9:12 Matt 23:13 39 7 Nov Jer 11:1 23 Matt 24:1 28 Jer 12:1 19:15 8 Nov Jer 20:1 18 Matt 24:29 51 9 Nov Jer 22:1 23 Matt 25:1 13 10 Nov Jer 23:1 20 Matt 25:14 30 11 Nov Jer 23:21 40 Matt 25:31 46 12 Nov Jer 25:1 18 Matt 26:1 19 13 Nov Jer 26:1 19 Matt 26:20 35 Rev 13:1 18 14 Nov Jer 29:1 19 Matt 26:36 56 Rev 14:1 20 15 Nov Jer 30:1 24 Matt 26:57 75 Rev 15:1 8 16 Nov Jer 31:1 17, 23 34 Matt 27:1 10 Rev 16:1 21 17 Nov Jer 33:1 22 Matt 27:11 32 Jer 34:1 36:32; 45:1 51:64 18 Nov Jer 37:1 21 Matt 27:33 56 Rev 17:1 18 19 Nov Jer 38:1 28 Matt 27:57 66 Jer 39:1 44:30 20 Nov Dan 1:1 21 Matt 28:1 20 21 Nov Dan 2:1 23 Rev 18:1 24 22 Nov Dan 2:24 49 Rev 19:1 21 23 Nov Dan 3:1 30 Rev 20:1 15 24 Nov Dan 4:1 37 Rev 21:1 8 25 Nov Dan 5:1 30 Rev 21:9 27 Dan 7:1 8:27 26 Nov Dan 6:1 28 Rev 22:1 21 Dan 9:1 27 27 Nov Is 1:1 28 1 Pet 1:1 12 28 Nov Is 2:1 22 1 Pet 1:13 25 Isaiah 3:1 4:6 29 Nov Is 5:1 25 1 Pet 2:1 12 Amos 1:1 9:15 30 Nov Is 6:1 7:9 1 Pet 2:13 25
LWML Women of Hope The Women of Hope meet on the 2 nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM. Our ladies group share a devotion, listen to a speaker, enjoy a dessert and then conduct a business meeting. All the women of Mt. Hope are invited to attend on Tuesday, November 10 th at 6:30 PM. Our special speaker for our meeting in November is Pastor Dan Ritter. Y.I. Club Account Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Did you know? Lutheran Church Extension Fund offers: Young Investors (Y.I.) Club for children and young teens. This program supports many values of a Christian family. The money that children invest in this program provides customized loans to help build, improve and expand facilities for Lutheran churches and schools and also for church workers. Mount Hope offers new investors a $25-first gift deposit which is enough money to become a Y.I. Club member and open a Y.I. StewardAccount earning 3.5% (Oct. 2015) up to $1,000. (Can your bank offer that?!) Call the church office or talk to Pastor Dan or Youth Director, Melanie Appelquist for more info.
Financials Treasurer s Report from September 2015 Monthly Income $55,962 Monthly Income Budgeted $51,115 Monthly Expenses $45,985.00 Monthly Expenses Budgeted $44,971.00 (Includes Child Development Center) God s Word tells us that we are to give freely from what we have graciously received (Matthew 10:8). How can we in our financial giving show our gratitude to God for Who He is and what He has done for us through His Son? To encourage and educate us on how we should give, God gives us His giving principles, which are: Firstfruits giving Regular giving Proportionate giving Cheerful giving Sacrificial giving Worship Attendance October 4 8:15=51 10:45=61 October 18 8:15=46 10:45=79 October 11 8:15=47 10:45=63 October 25 8:15=54 10:45=65 November Celebration Days Happy Birthday 1 Pastor s Ellen Henning Pen 1 Jeremiah Moss 2 Mary Mack 2 Vern Von Deylen 4 Helmuth Schmidt 5 David Higgins 8 Hope Berg 13 Betty Schleifer 16 Sabrina Ford 17 Kevin Woebke 20 Madyson Ford 20 Samarah Ford 23 Shirley Favorit 24 Arlene Schmidt 27 Sydney Higgins 27 Drew Adamek 27 Joyce Peecher 28 Rose Kitt 29 Janelle Roehrick 30 Colin Alt 30 Lea Fox Baptismal Anniversary 11 Vern Von Deylen 15 Christina Brantner 15 Jack Melbostad 22 Rev Ralph Rokke 22 Kelly Rosner 23 Jeremiah Moss 23 Helmuth Schmidt 30 Olivia Woebke Wedding Anniversary 22 Armand & Marjule Boehnke Labels for Education Our goal this year is to collect 10,000 points to add to the points 29,000 we have already, to purchase an ipad. We can do it! Just cut the UPC label (not front label) off your Labels for Education products and place them in the container by the church office. We are still collecting the labels from Box Tops.
Book Club 1 st Friday Book Club-Friday, November 6 th from 1:30-3:30 pm is at Renata Melby s home, 10727 Zenith Ave S, Bloomington, 952-881-7160. For November we will be reading the At Home in Mitford book from Jan Karon and for December "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" by Ben Carson, MD. We share our opinions of the book, touch upon the happenings of our lives and enjoy food and fellowship. Join us. We are so pleased to welcome new members and guests. Thanksgiving Service Our Thanksgiving Service will be held on the eve of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 25 th at 6:30 pm. Refreshments will be served after the service. Decorate the Church We will be decorating the church for the Christmas season on Monday, November 30 th from 6:00-8:00 pm. Advent Wednesday services begin on Wednesday, December 2 nd. Thank You I can t begin tell you how much it has meant to PD and I the love and support that has been given to us by our Mt. Hope family! It has been a long and sometimes, scary journey over the past 3 ½ months, but I have felt your love and prayers continually. I have received many beautiful cards, flowers and phone calls that have touched my heart---thank you so much for your warm thoughts! Confirming my diagnosis by a rheumatologist very soon, is the last step to this mystery, and then the healing can begin. I remember each day that God is in control and I will trust in Him for what the future holds. Thank you also, for understanding that at this time, I may not be able to be the Pastor s wife that I want to be. Much love to you all! Dianne Ritter
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Noisy Offering Fall Back 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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 8:15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 8:15 Worship 9:30 Sunday School & Youth 9:35 Adult 10:45 Worship 12:00 JAM Youth VEAP Drive (Full Hearts Full Trunks) 8:00 AA Meets 8:30 Staff Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth Bible & Brew @ Caribou 6:00-8:00 SWAG 6:30 Confirmation 7:00 Praise Team Practice 1:30-3:30 1 st Friday Book Club 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6:30 Women of Hope Meets 8:00 AA Meets 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth Bible & Brew @ Caribou 6:00-8:00 SWAG 6:30 Confirmation 7:00 Praise Team Practice 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 8:00 AA Meets 6:30 In-Home at Jennifer Adamek s 9:00 Prayer Group 3:30 Youth Bible & Brew @ Caribou 6:00-8:00 SWAG 6:30 Confirmation 7:00 Praise Team Practice 6:30 Governing Board Meets 10-4 Bethesda Thrift Shop Work Day 22 23 24 25 Thanksgiving 26 27 28 1 st Sun. in Advent29 30 8:15 Worship 10:45 Worship 6:00-8:00 Decorate the Church for Christmas November 8:00 AA Meets 3:30 Youth Bible & Brew @ Caribou 6:30 Thanksgiving Eve Service Church Office & CDC Closed Mount Hope Lutheran Church 952-888-5059 www.mt-hope.org Church Office & CDC Closed 5:45 Youth Lost & Found Concert
Sunday Worship Schedule 8:15 am Traditional Worship Service 9:30 am and Sunday School 10:45 am Praise Worship Service Phone: 952-888-5059 E-mail: church@mthope.org Website: www.mt-hope.org Staff at Mount Hope Lutheran Dan Ritter Melanie Appelquist Kim Woebke Heather Bielec Charlotte Penn Christina Brantner Jennifer Adamek Candy Frein Steve Sundseth Sam Killam Pastor Director Of Youth & Children s Ministry Director of Child Development Center Lead Teacher, Child Development Center Lead Teacher, Child Development Center Music Director Church Secretary Church Secretary Custodian Part-time Custodian Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 W Old Shakopee Rd Bloomington, MN 55431 Address Service Requested