470 Winter Street Ext., Troy, NY 12180 Values · Each of the 15 baskets will contain • A $20 grocery store gift card • 1 can cranberry sauce • 2 cans corn • 2 cans green beans

Tonya Humphrey

[COMPANY NAME] [Company address]

We are a community empowered by the Holy Spirit,

called to bring God’s comfort, to work for God’s justice, and to

share the hope and love of Jesus with all.

470 Winter Street Ext.,

Troy, NY 12180

(518) 283-1372

www.hopelc.org

December 2019 Newsletter

Our Core

Values


I remember when “The Game of Thrones” first hit the scene—it was the books first and then the TV series. Now I will admit I personally stopped reading after the second book. Too violent, too many characters I had come to care about being killed off or dying. But still, the thing I remember from those books was the warning that always seemed to be uttered by one of the characters every few chapters, “Winter is Coming.” It was clear that the winter would bring with it a certain harshness, and an element of danger. They had to prepare. Now as I said, I didn’t continue reading or watching the TV series so I’m not quite sure what “winter” brought. But I’m pretty sure it wasn’t good. Well let me tell you folks, “winter is coming” or some might contend that it’s already here. And yes, it is a time of dangerous snow storms and ice accumulation, both of which can result in fallen wires, property damage or water damage. In some places it can even lead to avalanches. The cold of winter can be dangerous for individuals as well; even more so than being slippery and wet. Too much exposure to the cold winds of winter can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. We have to prepare, to be ready for winter in order to survive it. But it is not just the physical elements of winter that we must prepare for, but the spiritual. Winter is the darkest time of the year. For many it is a time of isolation, and aloneness. For those who have lost loved ones, it may be the first holiday season without them. It’s harder for the aged to get out and about and they may sometimes feel forgotten. Indeed if we don’t prepare, winter can indeed be a time of harshness and danger. But Advent presents us with a different scenario. A way out of the darkness. Advent is a time when we turn towards God in our anticipation of the light entering into the world. Yes, “winter is coming,” but there is hope in the light of the Christ child to come. During Advent, we prepare. We as the church, feed the hungry, clothe the naked. We as the church, reach out to our neighbor as the hands and feet of Christ active in this world, providing resources and acts of kindness. We as the church, visit the lonely and isolated. We as the church bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones, as we remember and celebrate all the saints who have died. We as the church preach the hope of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection—a message of love, healing and forgiveness. Yes, winter is indeed coming, but we as the church this Advent season are getting ready, for we know that in the midst of the sometimes harshness and danger of winter, there will also be the light of Christ, and it will make all the difference in this world. Amen



Christmas Food Baskets for St. Paul's Center

Christmas will be here soon. We'll be making 15 holiday food baskets for families who have moved out of the St. Paul’s Center. We will use church funds to buy grocery store gift cards so the recipients can buy fresh meat and vegetables. To help our funds go further, we are asking you to buy some of the needed items.

A sign-up poster will be displayed in the narthex. Please sign up for the items you can provide. Take a “Post-It” note for each item you are buying (e.g., if you are buying 6 cans of corn, take one note to remind you when you’re shopping).

Please bring the food to church no later than Sunday, Dec. 22. Please bring pies, butter and potatoes on Dec. 22, so they will be as fresh as possible.

Each of the 15 baskets will contain • A $20 grocery store gift card • 1 can cranberry sauce • 2 cans corn • 2 cans green beans • 1 can or envelope chicken or turkey gravy • A 5-lb. bag of potatoes • A 1-lb. package of butter • 1 bag/box of rice • 1 box stuffing mix • A fresh apple or pumpkin pie • A Hope calendar, brochure and pen

The baskets will be packed at church on Monday, Dec. 23 at 10am. We'll need a few volunteers to help pack, and a sign-up sheet will be in the narthex. St. Paul’s Center staff will take care of delivery.

Please help us make this holiday special for these families who have recently moved into new places and are adjusting to changes in their lives.


Is this the Season?

Tonight, my child went to bed, again, with no food in her tummy.

I wonder, worry, and weep - head bowed on bended knee.

I nurse the bruises received from my hubby.

Is this the season, He'll hear my plea?

My wife is dying from cancer. Her end is near.

She is wheezing, writhing, and withering - an alien shell.

My companion of many years - tears for my dear.

Is this the season, He'll make her well?

It's been a few days since my last fix.

My body shakes and shivers, shriveled through shame and maim.

I am powerless against the allure’s incessant tick-tock-tick.

Is this the season, He’ll quench the addictive flame?

He came to heal a world, broken and bruised, born in a stable, humble and plain. He came to be abused, accused, and misused. In this Season, came a Child, born to serve, not reign. In His Grace, WDM



The Power of Prayer Group

Hope’s Prayer Group

will meet on the 2nd & 4th

Sundays of this month :

December 8th

&

December 22nd

Following Morning Worship

Please continue to submit

prayer requests, updates,

and praise reports of

answered prayer!

All Are Welcome to Join






Food and Faith Ministry to Begin in January at UAlbany

A ministry opportunity has arisen with students at the Interfaith Center at UAlbany. Each Tuesday

evening, students gather to share a home cooked meal and a 20-30 minute devotion/discussion.

We learned of this ministry when Pastor Sandy Damhof, director of the Cornerstone Ministry at

UAlbany, spoke at the Hudson-Mohawk Conference Assembly in October.

The meals are prepared by local congregations across faiths and the devotion is provided either by

that congregation or by Pr. Sandy. Several people from the congregation go along with the food to

chat with the students. Pastor Sandy said that they really enjoy meeting new people from the

community and different faith backgrounds. Not only is this a great way to share a great home

cooked meal with college students, we can share our particularly warm HOPE hospitality and help

them get to know us Lutherans! I would LOVE it if we prepared/led devotions!

HOPE has signed up to provide meals three times. Pr. Sandy asked for vegan/vegetarianand gluten

free options. If you would like to help cook or provide menu items, plan the devotion, or just be

one of the visitors, please email Marilyn Dyer @ [email protected]. Tell me on which date

you are willing to help.

1/28/20 Dinner for 15-20 at Interfaith Center, UAlbany 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Spicy white bean chili (Marilyn)

2 store bought rotisserie chickens

Bejeweled rice (Marilyn has recipe)

Pita and hummus

GF Dessert

3/3/20 Dinner for 15-20 at Interfaith Center, UAlbany 6:00 – 7:30 PM

GF Regular and vegan lasagna (Marilyn has vegan recipe)

Meatballs

Green salad

Italian garlic bread (oil and herbs)

GF dessert

4/21 Dinner for 15-20 at Interfaith Center, UAlbany 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Lentil Soup (Marilyn)

(w plain yogurt, cilantro, and toasted unsweetened coconut topping)

2 store bought rotisserie chickens

Green salad

Bread/butter/ peanut butter

GF dessert

mailto:[email protected]


Worship Volunteer Duties for DECEMber of 2019

Please find your own replacement if you cannot be available on

date of your assignment. Thank You!

1-Dec 8-Dec 15-Dec 22-Dec 24-Dec 29-Dec

Worship 10:00am

Worship 10:00am

Worship 10:00am

Worship 10:00am

Xmas Eve 7:00pm

Worship 10:00am

Altar Guild

Intinction Marilyn D

& Maureen H

Intinction Charlie H

& Carol K

Intinction Bonny M

& Susan R

Intinction Debbie F

& Maureen H

Intinction Maureen H

Intinction Carol K

& Bonny M

Greeter Marlies P Marion D Pam D Sunday School

Chris N Greg W

Ushers Donna

& Ray L

Jon G &

Jim M

Lois &

Athena B

Sunday School

Lois &

Athena B

Pam &

Dickie D

Reader Jim M Jon G Sandra G Sunday School

Sandra G Ken K

Communion Assistant

Liz M Bonny M Chris N Mike D Chris N Liz M

Acolyte Jim M Luis C Marilyn D Sunday School

Marilyn D Jim M

Assistant Minister

Marilyn D Luis C Chris N Mike D Marilyn D Jane M

Coffee Set-up/ Clean-up

Liz M Marilyn D Charlie H Bonny M X Liz M

Provide After Worship Snack

Liz M

(healthy) &

Maureen H

Charlie H (healthy)

& Susan C

Lois B

(healthy) &

Pam D

Marion D (healthy)

& Marilyn D

X

Liz M (healthy)

& Pam D

Offering Counters

DeAnn S

& Donna L

Charlie H &

Pam D

DeAnn S

& Pam D

Marion D &

Charlie H X

Greg W &

Maureen H


News & Upcoming Events for December 2019

@ 9:00 AM Everyone is Welcome

Join Us Every Sunday

at 10:00 AM

We’d Love to have You!

Wednesdays at Noon

December 8th & 22nd,

Following Morning Worship

First

Sunday

of

1st 4th

7th

8th

12th

13th

15th

17th

Worship

& Music

Committee Meeting

@ 6:30 PM

Regional

Food Bank

Packing

Christmas

Poinsettia

order forms

DUE

Hope’s Kitchen’s Free

Community Meal

@ Rensselaer

Presbyterian Church;

Dine-Out

Dinner Group

at: Park Pub Restaurant in Troy

@ 6:00 PM

Meditation

&

Mindfulness

Class w/Liz Macris

@ 6:00 PM

18th

22nd

24th

25th

Quilting

Group

Youth

Christmas

Program

& Worship @ 10:00 AM

Christmas

Eve

CHILDREN’S December 8th

5-6 PM;

Program: 22nd

Choir Rehearsal Dec. 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd,

After Morning Worship

Pastor Pamela Hoh Phone: (518) 588-4017 Email: [email protected] Greg Whitney, Council President Phone: (518) 951-0414 Email: [email protected] Sue Anthony, RN, BSN Phone: (518) 788-4349 Email: [email protected] Tonya Humphrey, Secretary Phone: (518) 701-3623 Email: [email protected] Church Office Phone: (518) 283-1372 Website: www.hopelc.org

ADVENT

11th

Council

Board

Meeting

@ 6:00 PM

Serving from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Women’s

Christmas

Get-Together

@ 2:00 PM

@ 10:00 AM

31st

New Year’s

Eve

Tuesdays: 7 – 8 PM; Wednesdays: 2 – 3 PM & 3 – 4 PM With Pam: (518) 701-4629

:

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

470 Winter Street Ext., Troy, NY 12180 Values · Each of the 15 baskets will contain • A $20 grocery store gift card • 1 can cranberry sauce • 2 cans corn • 2 cans green beans