Hope Lutheran Church - Current News!

Current News and Events at Hope Lutheran Church
Seasonal News Pastor Hills's "Vision of Hope" Haiti Disaster Relief Fund Anchor Nursery School	Holy Week Schedule Fellowship Opportunities New England Winds Concert Stewardship News

LENT IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Although many of us are still putting away Christmas decorations, it hardly seems possible that Lent is almost upon us.

ASH WEDNESDAY PLANS

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 16. To begin the Lenten Season we will again have two services on that day, a noontime service and a service at 7:30 p.m. At both we will celebrate Holy Communion and distribute ashes.

In preparation for Lent we have been encouraging members to purchase copies of the Lenten Devotional called "Lenten Journey-Marks of the Christian." Using the same format as last year the book has daily chapters for each of the 40 days of Lent. Each day there is a theme, a theme verse, a personal reflection, some questions to ponder, and a few questions for your own personal journaling.

The book costs only $8 each. They can be used for individual devotions and as the basis for discussion in small reflection groups during the week. Groups are forming for Wednesday mornings, Thursday afternoon, and Sunday morning, and a sign up sheet is posted.

WEEKLY SERVICES

During Lent we will have two Wednesday services each week, following the Ash Wednesday pattern. The noontime service will be around fifteen minutes long, held following a reflection group meeting. The evening services begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be around 45 minutes each week.

LENTEN PLAYS

This year our Wednesday evening services will feature a series of short plays called :Following God's Pathway." There original plays written by Pastor Hill will follow the spiritual journey of a young pastor named Chris Everyman. Members of Hope will portray the characters in the weekly "episodes" under the direction of Sandy Reifel.

Those wishing to play parts in the Lenten series may speak with Sandy.

On the Sundays in Lent a different series of messages is being developed by Pastor Hill.

GUEST SPEAKER

On Sunday, March 14, Pastor Jack Horner, who is the Director for Evangelical Mission for our Synod, will preach while Pastor Hill presides. Later that day he will meet with our Stewardship Team and speak at the Annual Meeting of the Peconic Conference which we will host here at Hope.

Holy Week plans are underway, Palm Sunday is March 28 and services during Holy Week ill include Wednesday services.

"Thank God for January"

Several years ago I took part in a seminar that helped me think about how we are affected by the changes that come with each passing season of the year.

Until then I was always bothered by the fact that every year, right after Christmas, I would experience a form of depression that would make me very uncomfortable.

I learned that through nature God has a way of helping us as his creatures to experience renewal at key moments in our lives. For me this has always begun in the month of January.

What I learned is that during the month of January, it is natural for us to go through a sort of "hibernation" process whereby we slow down and even shut down our outward activity for a while. During this period we are able to reflect on where we are in life and what we need to focus on as we get ready once again for the activity that normally increases with the arrival of Spring.

January is a month when nature tells us to "slow down' and "go deep." The short days and the long nights provide us with a chance to rest and recuperate so we can be able to grow again once spring arrives.

I used to hate the month of January, but now I've come to appreciate it and even look forward to it. Soon February will be upon us and with it the church season of Lent will provide new stimulus for growth and change, but I thank God for January now because it is such a valuable time for me to find rest and refreshment

Pastor Hill

A total of $1,144 has already been collected and additional gifts will be added as they come in. We will send in the gifts we receive by February 1st.

Lutheran World Relief is the lead agency in coordinating the religious organizations in providing assistance in Haiti. Our regular offerings to the ELCA provide the administrative support for the ongoing work of LWF, so a full 100% of our relief offerings will be used for direct assistance for earthquake victims.

Hope's Stewardship Team has been meeting regularly since last fall to discuss ways to help our members grow in their understanding of and commitment to biblical stewardship.

The team is focusing on an effective resource that has been used in many churches around our nation called "Consecration Sunday," and they have chosen Sunday, May 16th as the date for this special emphasis.

This approach to financing the operational ministries of a congregation teaches stewardship from a spiritual perspective rather than from a fund-raising perspective. Consecration Sunday is based on a biblical/spiritual theology of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual benefit rather than on the need of the church to receive. Directed toward raising the level of stewardship rather than toward raising the church budget, its no-gimmick approach focuses on the question, "What is God calling me to do?" rather than on the question, "What does the church need in order to pay its bills?"

More details will be coming soon about the special activities and plans being made for this exciting program. For more information, or to offer your time to help with the work of the team, speck with Brian Steck or you can send an e-mail note to him at msteck@optonline.net.

There are still a few openings for the current year's nursery school program. Parents who are interested should contact the school at 732-2511 or Laura Laza at 642-7429.

All classes are for 3 and 4 year olds. There is a $75 registration fee and small trip fee for all students. For more information about registration or to come and visit call 732-2511 or email Laura Laza at llaza@optonline.net.

Early Registration Bonus: Anyone who registers before March 1st will have the $75 registration fee waived.

Hope's Investment Management Team has completed its work in identifying and recommending Professional Investment Manager to oversee the investment of the proceeds we received from the sale of the property formerly owned by St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

Funds have not yet been invested because the team is now working with an attorney to create the framework for how the funds will be managed and administered. The attorney they selected has extensive experience in working with non-profit endowment funds.

As soon as these guidelines are established, the funds will be invested. In the meantime they remain in the hands of the ELCA Mission Investment Fund where they receive monthly interest.

All members and friends are invited to participate in this fun time of OUR talent -- whether in song, dance, musical instrument, comedy .

On Shrove Tuesday, February 16, we will have a Pancake Supper at 6 p.m. followed by a service to prepare ashes for the next day.

On Sunday, February 14th at 1 pm, join us as we sing from house to house to "share the love" with members of our congregation who are shut-in especially during these winter months. What a wonderful way to show God's love for others! If you know of anyone who could would like a visit please speak with Pastor Hill or Joyce Stahl.

On Ash Wednesday we begin our season of Lent with the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion at services at NOON & 7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday gives us the opportunity for self-examination and repentance but it also stands as the beginning of Lent and Lent is the preparation for the feast of the resurrection, Easter.

Our Evening services during Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday will focus on Romans 12 "Marks of the Christian--Seven Steps to Wholeness" with plays written by Pastor Hill about the struggles of a young pastor in her spiritual life.

This theme ties into the daily Lenten Devotional booklets. Actors/actresses are needed, please speak with Sandy Reifel, Pastor Hill if you are interested.

As part of your Lenten growth join us every week and follow the story and grow in your faith.

Special Lenten Devotional books are being ordered for your personal devotion and for use in small reflection groups during the season of Lent.The books cost $8.00 -- just sign up in the narthex or call the church office if you want a copy. Share your reflections with others in a group -- groups are being offered on:

On Saturday, March 6th at 7:30 p.m. the New England Winds Ensemble from the Air Force Band of Liberty will be joining us here at Hope for a special concert. All are invited to share in a pot-luck supper at 6 p.m. and then stay for the concert at 7:30 p.m.

Concert is free and open to all -- please invite friends and family! Chris Stahl is a member of this ensemble!

Plans are underway for a musical play for children/teens to be performed on the Sunday after Easter, April11th. Rehearsals will be on Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. and Wednesday afternoons at 5:30 p.m. All children and teens are invited to be a part. Look for details and sign up sheets

THANKS TO ALL THE CHILDREN AND TEENS who shared the Christmas story with us in the play, Away in a Manger. Special thanks to Diane DeNicola, Teresa Varela, and Michelle Knauer. If you want to see it just go to YouTube.

All are welcome to help decorate the sanctuary for Palm Sunday and Easter on Saturday, March 27 at 9 a.m. and/or Saturday, April 3rd.

On Sunday, March 7th at 4 p.m. join us at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sayville for a handbell festival that our handbell group, Grace Notes is playing in. Five handbell groups will be playing pieces together in what's called "massed ringing." It is a very special experience.

Many thanks to everyone who donated food and funds for Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner baskets! Approximately 28 baskets were given out at Thanksgiving and about 25 given at Christmas. Thank you to everyone who helped set up the holiday meal baskets.

We were very fortunate to be able to give out as many baskets as we did this year. Many food pantries had very little food togive out due to the present economy. Even our major supplier of food, Long Island Cares, has had a very limited amount of food that we could order.

Because of the donations made by groups such as our Teen Ministry, Wendy's, Knights of Columbus, bowling teams, scout troops, and especially by the members of our very generous congregation, we were able to stock our pantry with plenty of food to give out. We still have a full pantry even after the holiday season!

Thank you again for supporting our food pantry. Many families were able to enjoy a wonderful holiday meal because of your generosity!!!!

Soup is a popular item that our food pantry families ask for during the winter months. It is also an item that we don't usually have a great amount of. This year, the Caring Committee is sponsoring a "Souper Bowl Sunday". They are asking the congregation to donate cans of soup and try to meet a "goal" of 250 cans by Super Bowl Sunday.

If anyone is interested in helping with the food pantry, for about an hour, one Wednesday morning each month, please speak with or call Heidi Thide at 736-4456. Training will be provided.

Located in the narthex you will find new sign up sheets for flowers, candles and wine. You may sign up for any week, even if someone else has signed up for a week you wish. Both names will appear as requested in the bulletin.

You can also sign up for coffee hours. There is a sign up sheet for that also on the door in the fellowship hall. There are instructions and reminder slips instructing you on exactly what is needed and required in order to host a coffee.

A Youth Quake is a gathering of teens grades 6-9 where they participate with others in Bible Study, hear great music featuring Captive Free East Coast and Agape, participate in large group games and activities and make lifelong friends.

We need to register for this event as soon as possible. To pay the early registration fee we need to register by Feb. 10. If you are interested in attending please hand in the registration fee of $134 by February 7th to Pastor Hill or Laura Laza. Teens have been sent home with a medical / registration form which should be returned as well.

The remainder of the cost for this trip is $66 which includes meals and transportation. This money will be due closer to the quake. Join us for this great event.

Teen Ministry dates for February are the 6th and 13th. We will be having teen night following both of these sessions. We are making plans for the teen night on the 6th and will have a lock-in on the 13th. Details will be sent home with the teens and emailed to parents.

Please check your emails and teens backpacks. If you do not receive a teen ministry email please email llaza@optonline.net to be added to the list.

The Sunday School teachers are making exciting plans for the remainder of the year. Attendance has been great and we are hoping it will continue throughout the spring. Upcoming plans include a Palm Sunday Parade from Walgreens to the church on Palm Sunday morning, Global Mission Sunday, a Barbeque for families and many more exciting lessons from our new Spark curriculum. Details will be sent home with children be sure to check their Sunday School bags weekly.

I continued on my journey down town along the shops of 5th Avenue. Nope, it's still not helping. There are too many people in a hurry to go nowhere, and too many car horns blowing in anger. Lots of cursing by people talking on their cell phones while unintentionally trying to get themselves killed crossing the street while not paying any attention to the do not walk sign in full red.

Then I saw her, a small elderly woman huddled on the steps of the cathedral with her belongings alongside a paper cup with some loose change thrown in by some concerned pedestrians. I'll long remember the look of hopelessness and sadness in her eyes as I walked up to her on the steps, reached into my pocket and placed the $5 bill in her hand. It's not much, $5, but it was all I had on me at the time.

It was then that she gave me back my Christmas spirit. With sincerity in her eyes and a genuine appreciation, she looked me square in the eyes and said the 3 words that changed it all; "God bless you"!

My sincerest hope for you is that God has and continues to bless you not just throughout this holiday season, but all the days of your life. What's my blessing? The feeling I get inside whenever I give back. There''s just nothing else like it. God bless you!

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