words of

For a time, I know many of our Team members will not be able to put aside the thoughts, in relation to what we experienced, with the 75 Guatemalan Mayan families and one school, we served with the stove and water filter installs.

After installing the stove and water filter, for each family, we would hold hands with them, and ask if they had any special needs we could pray for. Many of them would have small requests, like better health or more food for their family, but always stated they wanted the Lord to bless us for the stove and water filter and safe travels on our way home.

Receiving the hugs, and kisses on the cheeks, and smiles on the faces of the Mayan ladies, made it all worthwhile, but it all would not have been possible without the prayers and monetary gifts of all the faithful donors. For these 75 families, there will be no more smoke in their eyes and lungs, there will be much less wood to be hauled, clean drinking water, medication for parasites and two Spanish New Testament Bibles that we gave each family. But most importantly, that they know the Love of Jesus. Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

What a joy for all of us to be part of such a wonderful mission and may God bless you for being so thoughtful and kind in your prayers and giving. --- The Guatemala Stove Team 2016

* * * * *

A gigantic “THANK YOU” for all of the faithful prayers and support for each team member while in Guatemala. (continued to page 2)

Graduation

Congratulations to

LLooggaann SSaallnneerr NNhhiiaall PPuuoocchh

We will be recognizing

High School and College Graduates

Sun. May 1 during the service.

STOVE TEAM 2016 Bobby Panger, Interpreter-Cindy Lope, Carlos

Umanzor, Samantha Panger, Darrell Armbrust, Dan Babcock, Jan Wilde, Reuben Wagenius, Interpreter-Marta Asturias , Dave Fimrite, Pat Isenbart, Karen Rock, Ken Panger, & Interpreter-Wilson Cali. Our team felt God's presence as God wonderfully blessed the Mayan families, as well as each of us.

May-June 2016

from Keith Meyer, Lead Pastor

Thanks to all at Hope for your prayers and cards and flowers and memorials for my mother, Carol Jean Meyer. Hope's presence was really felt there at the funeral and in our time of grieving since. Please pray for my father as we bring him up finally on Monday, May 2 to Cornerstone Elim Home in Plymouth. He is so excited to be with my brother, his family and grandkids, and me and my family and his grandkids and GREAT grand babies! What a wonderful forever family Cheri and I have at Hope!!!!

Mark your Calendar ~ Summer Worship Schedule begins May 29 at 9:30 am

The Transforming Marriage Workshop…..Changing Your Relationship’s Story Fri. May 6: 6:45-8 pm Sat. May 7 8:45-11:45 am To sign up, contact Pastor Keith or Janelle at 257-4673 or hope@hopecovenant.org

Sun. May 1 Graduate Recognition Sunday.

We will honor our graduates.

Sun. May 22 Last Day of Sunday School

Wed. May 25 Last Wednesday Night Youth

Hope Youth Ministries News — May/June 2016

Youth Group held Wednesdays

7-8:30 pm (time change)

at 837 18th Ave. N-St. Cloud

Volunteers: Dan & Michelle Nelson

meye1137@morris.umn.edu

320-493-3238

Old Stove New Stove

Guatemala Stove Team – 2016 (continued from page 1)

Our team felt God's presence as God wonderfully blessed the Mayan families, as well as each of us.

Teacher Appreciation…. Below is a testimony from a pre-school parent.

There is so much I want to say "thank you" for when it comes to our Children's Ministry:

As a parent, I feel it's mine and my husband's responsibility to make sure our kids have a first-hand experience with praying, learning about Jesus, reading the bible, worship and developing a relationship with God, all of which start in the home.

However, to have such great volunteers and leaders who help reinforce biblical truths and aspects of our faith at church and outside the home is such a huge blessing. I often hear Milo singing the songs he learns with Miss Jess in the first part of Sunday School, whether on our way home from church or even throughout the week. And the lessons taught by David and Ashlan really seem to stick. one week they talked about the Good Samaritan and gave the kids stickers to hand out when they saw someone being a Good Samaritan. A week later, Milo reminded me that his stickers were still in my purse and asked if he could have his "Good Samaritan stickers" back! :)

I realize not all of the aspects of every lesson, song or JAM session makes complete sense to him at this point, but I know he's starting to understand a good chunk of it. And either way, it's laying the foundation for principles that will stick with him for a life time. I know this because I remember being Milo's age, and I can still sing "Jesus loves the little children" that I learned in my own Sunday School class.

It's an amazing gift to have such an exciting, welcoming, and uplifting environment for the kids to get to learn and grow in their faith and understanding of God. I know that without all the amazing volunteers that we have, these classes and programs would not be happening. And as a stay-at-home mom of young kids, I especially appreciate being able to have some adult time while my kids are well cared for and building relationships with their peers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you!

(“Club 56”--Photos from Teacher Appreciation Sunday)

Women-at-the-Lake Retreat June 15th to 18th

Calling Hope

women to a relaxing retreat at Koubsky's cabin on beautiful Lake Shamineau. Come for the whole time, one or two nights, or just for the day. No cost, but you will be asked to help create and serve a meal with others. Devotions, boating, paddling, and friends are provided!

Lake Beauty Bible Camp Family Camp May 27-30 Join the Hope Group

Youth Camp Schedule Leaders in Training (10-12

th) June 12-23

Frontier Kids #1 (1-3rd) July 5-7 Trailblazer #3 (3-5th) July 17-21 Jr. High #2 (6-8th) July 10-15 Sr. High (9-11th) July 31-Aug 5 (grade completed)

Register at www.lbbc.com 320-732-3218

Call Cindy to sign up at 320-309-6255

May Birthdays

2 – Julene Granberg 3 – Dave Kamphenkel 4 – Marshall Engevik 4 – John Theis 5 – Steve Sellnow 8 – Brea Skajewski 13 – Dave Laliberte 18 – Steve Schirmers 25 – Keith Krueger 26 – John Kaczor 27 – Kristin Heysse 27 – Giles Roehl 28 – Tim Johnson 30 – Jack Salner 31 – Nyamal Puoch 31 – Lare Puok

May Anniversaries

16 – Gregg & LuAnn Brown 19 – Eric & Jessica Kerwin

June Birthdays

1 – Georgia Noble 7 – Evan Olson 7 – Lila Donlin 8 – Gary Noble 8 – Janelle Rudningen 8 – Krystin Sutherland 10 – Jessica Kerwin 13 – Haylee Olson 14 – Bob Koubsky 14 – Kristopher Neupauer 14 – Maja Noble 15 – Koryom Puoch 16 – Kirsten Eriksson 17 – Ruth Johnson 17 – Jessica Neupauer 18 – Jacob Olson 18 – Sawyer Skajewski 18 – Faith Sutherland 18 – Kami Ziebarth 22 – Debbie Godding 22 – Ethan Ronnei 26 – Gregg Brown 26 – Jenna Noble 26 – Angela Christenson 27 – Audrey Kamphenkel 29 – Nancy Wasmund 30 – Jeremy Forsell 30 – Zachary Stump

June Anniversaries

1 – Pat & Lila Donlin 2 – Dave & Audrey Kamphenkel 2 – Rand & Rochelle Olson 4 – Ryan & Annie Salner 5 – Larry & Nancy Wasmund 6 – Janelle & Lyle Rudningen 7 – Phil & Debbie Godding 8 – Arlen & Ruth Johnson 8 – Ellis & Barb Scheevel 12 – Bob & Sandy Dopkins 14 – Ralph & Bev Kluball 17 – Keith & Jan Olson 18 – Bernie & Mary Jo Wager 19 – James & Lacey Schirmers 27 – Josh & Kristen Bauer

Campus Crusade Update

As usual, we sent students from Minnesota campuses to our Spring Break outreach in Panama City Beach, Florida. The party scene has changed drastically in Panama City due to a “no alcohol on the beach” ordinance the city passed since last year at this time. Although, beaches are much less filled with students, our students and staff are still out sharing Christ. Let me share a story. “Savannah, Abigale, and I went out on Tuesday not sure what to expect and right as we walked on the beach, we saw two guys, both from Dubai and students at UNC-Charolette. We started a conversation and they were excited to talk. We asked what it means to be Muslim and we discussed how the media misrepre-sents their faith and who they are. We then asked them what it meant to be a Christian. As we talked we learned one of them had host families here in the US and had a small grasp on what it meant. The girls got the chance to go thru the gospel with them. The guys listened, asked questions, and enjoyed talking. At least they liked us enough to take a selfie with us.” At the end of our conversation, they are still Muslim, but the girls had this look on their faces, as they say in the south, “stoked”, and they got to see God work even when the beaches felt stale. —Patrick Schlepper

Mark your Calendar! Pregnancy Resource

Center’s Annual

“Walk for Life” Sat. May 7

at Lake George, 1101 7th St. S ~ St. Cloud

Walk starts at 10 am with food and great prizes to follow. Check-in at 9 am. Lunch 11:20 am Register or make a donation online today at preghelpfriends.com/walk

Questions? See Pam Schirmers 293-8838

Men’s Breakfast 2nd Sat. May 14 & June 11

8-9 am Fellowship Hall

KKaatthhyy’’ss LLiibbrraarryy NNootteess

Don’t Waste Your Life by Jon Piper

John Piper writes, "I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest: A couple 'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells. . .' Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgement: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy. "God created us to live with a single passion to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. The wasted life is the life without this passion. God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of Him in every part of our lives." Most people slip by in life without a passion for God, spending their lives on trivial diversions, living for comfort and pleasure, and perhaps trying to avoid sin. This book will warn you not to get caught up in a life that counts for nothing. It will challenge you to live and die boasting in the cross of Christ and making the glory of God your singular passion. If you believe that to live is Christ and to die is gain, read this book, learn to live for Christ, and don't waste your life!

The Wonderful World of Boys by Dr. Dobson

Spectacular photography celebrating the wonderful world of boys is featured in this book of sensible parenting advice, caring encouragement, and heartwarming stories from Dr. James Dobson. Packaged in a gift-book format, this book celebrates the next generation of men with over 80 extraordinary photographs of boys revering their fathers, loving their mothers, honoring God, and just plain being boys.

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls Fundraiser Mon. May 4 4:30-7:30 pm

“Taste of St. Cloud” Coyote Moon & Grill

See Maggie Bjorklund for tickets $25 Call 253-4126 ($30 at the door)

MAY-JUNE 2016 VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

USHERS Date Greeter/

Usher North Usher East Usher West

May 1 Carol Ervasti Andy Anderson

May 8 Lori Engevik Marshall Engevik

May 15 Olson Family Mark Danzeisen

May 22 Dick & Ellen Geurkink Kelly/Claudia Warzecha Deborah Owen

May 29* 9:30 am

Russ & Sue Simmons

June 5* Jerry & Rosie Lommel Andy Anderson Carol Ervasti

June 12* Marshall & Lori Engevik

Scott Bjorklund

Wilma Jean Schwegel

June 19* Mark Danzeisen Bobbie Ziebol

June 26* Olson Family Russ & Sue Simmons

* 9:30 Worship from May 29--Sept 4

Thank you for serving during our worship. Please find a substitute, if needed.

NURSERY SCHEDULE

May 1 Jessica Rowen/ Sharon Scuteri/Marit Engevik

May 8 Deb & Phil Godding/Lauren Stump

May 15 Jessica Neupauer/Kristi Laliberte

May 22 Jessica & Evan Olson/ Jan Olson

May 29 James/ Lacey Schirmers/Makenzie Neupauer

June 5 Engevik Family

June 12 Ryan & Krystin Sutherland/Marit Engevik

June 19 Noble Family

June 26 Josh & Kristen Bauer/Kira Salner

May 22 Last Day of Sunday School

May 22 Last Day for JAM

JAM Schedule

May 1 Kathy Armbrust May 8 Krystin Sutherland May 15 Jessica Rowen May 22 Kathy Armbrust

No JAM during the summer

COMPUTER TECHS

May 1 Gary Noble May 8 August Kerwin May 15 Brandon Stump May 22 August Kerwin May 29 Brandon Stump

June 5 Gary Noble June 12 August Kerwin June 19 Brandon Stump June 26 August Kerwin

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

1 Communion/

Benev/Fund GraduateSunday

9:00 Class 10:00 Worship

2

5:30 Tumbling

3

6-8p N/A

7pm Men

BSF

4 7-8:30p Youth Group At Nelson’s

5 9am

Women Study

6 6:45-8pm Marriage

7 10-3pm Go

Serve-St Paul 8:45-11:45am Marriage 10 Walk/Life

8

9:00 Class 10:00 Worship Mother’s Day

9

5:30 Tumbling 6:30 Herit Girl

10 6-8p N/A

6:30pm Elder Mtg.

7pm Men

BSF

11

7-8:30p Youth Group At Nelson’s

12 9am

Women Study

13 No Club 56

14

8-9am Men’s Breakfast

15

9:00 Class 10:00 Worship

16

5:30 Tumbling

17

6-8p N/A

18

7-8:30p Youth Group

At Nelson’s

19 9am Women Study

20

21

22

9:00 Class Last Day Class

10:00 Worship

23

5:30 Tumbling 6:30 Herit Girl

24

6-8p N/A

25

7-8:30p Youth Group At Nelson’s

26 9am

Women Study

27

Lake Beauty

Family Camp Weekend

28 10-2p Com Meal

Family Camp

1-5pm Salner Grad Party

29 9:30 Worship Family Camp Lake Beauty

30 Memorial Day

Family Camp

31 6-8p N/A

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

1

2 9am Women’s Study

3 4

5 9:30 Worship Benevolent Fund

Communion

6

7 6-8p N/A

6:30pm Elder Mtg.

8

9 9am Women’s Study

10 11 8-9am Men’s Breakfast

Brown/Krueger Wedding

12 9:30 Worship

13

14

6-8p N/A

15

16 9am Women’s Study

17 18

19 9:30 Worship Father’s Day

20

21

6-8p N/A

22

23 9am Women’s Study

24

25 10-2pm Com Meal

26

9:30 Worship

27 28

6-8p N/A

29 30

June 2016

May 2016

Women’s Retreat—Lake Shamineau

Covenant Annual Meeting—Tucson, AZ

following Jesus into God’s love ……………………………………………………….

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM Lead Pastor: Keith Meyer Christian Ed. Kathy Armbrust Worship: Eldon Stump Family Life Ministry: coming soon Facilities: Pam Schirmers Office: Janelle Rudningen

Council Members: Roger Eriksson, Chair Gary Noble, Tracy Eriksson, Beth Krueger, Ruth Kaczor, Cheryl Larson/ Jessica Olson, Rosie Lommel/Joanne Reinhart, Lowell Larson, Glenn Scuteri, Sharon Scuteri, Ellis Scheevel,

Elder Co-Chairs: Keith Krueger-- Laurie Summerland Elders: Barb Scheevel, Keith Olson, Bob Koubsky, Audrey Kamphenkel

Christian Education Hour 9:00 am Worship 10:00 am Summer Worship 9:30 am (May 29-Sept 4) Office Hours 9-2pm Tuesday through Friday

Hope Covenant Church 336 4th Ave. S St. Cloud MN 56301 hope@hopecovenant.org

May-June 2016

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Join us at Bible School! Mark the Dates: August 7-10