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A Word from your Pastor—
May the fullness of the Word Made Flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord, dwell in you richly!
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the
Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
One of the greatest joys and privileges of
serving you as your pastor is the opportunity
each week to lead the God's Divine Service
(worship). The Divine Service (what Lutherans
call 'worship') is God's service to us poor sinful
beings. It is the primary time each week in
which God speaks to us and gives to us His gifts
of Word and Sacrament— for the forgiveness of
our sins and the up-building of our faith in
Christ. The privilege of leading this service is an
honor of which I am totally unworthy, but one
to which nonetheless God has called me to do.
A primary facet of this calling is, of
course, speaking the Word of Christ in the
liturgy and proclaiming the witness of Scripture
through reading and preaching. All of this
involves words, using words to proclaim the
Word of God Incarnate— Jesus Christ.
Still, leading the Divine Service is more
than words. Motions, actions and gestures are
necessarily a part of anything we do and this
month I thought I would take the opportunity to
explain a little about some of the actions and
gestures that I make during the Divine Service.
Some of these actions may be the same as
Pastor Stoll did them; some may be different
(having never seen a Pastor Stoll-led service, I
don't know).
It's important, though, to talk about
actions because, here in the Church, nothing we
THE ANCHOR LINE
July 2010
Hope Lutheran Church
and
Angels of Hope Preschool
700 S. Superior St. De Pere, WI 54115 ~ (920) 336-9843
On the web: www.hopedepere.org ~ e-mail: [email protected]
Matthew Christians, pastoroffice: 336-9843, home: 336-9582
emergency cell: 615-5136e-mail: [email protected]
Gail Thiel, preschool directoroffice 336-9843
e-mail: [email protected]
Our Vision at Hope: that we would be a growing, vibrant, praying, caringcongregation– boldly reaching out with Jesus Christ in word and deed.
do in the Divine Service is done just "because."
In the Lutheran Church, everything we DO
confesses SOMETHING about what we BELIEVE.
For example, whenever I approach the
altar or cross before it, I stop and bow to
reverence the altar. I also ask the acolytes and
communion assistants to do the same. Why?
Because this is the table from which Jesus feeds
us His own body and blood for our salvation. It's
natural to reverence the Lord and His precious
gifts, that we never take it for granted. The
action, therefore,
confesses what
we believe.
Secondly,
at various spots
during the
service (primarily whenever God's Triune Name
is invoked), I cross myself. Why? Because I
belong to the Crucified and need to remind
myself of it constantly. It reminds me that the
whole of God, revealed in Three Persons, points
us ever and always to the cross of Jesus. It's a
reminder that every good in the world is
wrapped up in the Crucified and Risen Lord and
He has marked as His own with the cross.
Thirdly, at the reading of the Gospel, I
often lift the book up and announce "This is the
Gospel of the Lord" so that all can see it. I then
close the book and return it to the lectern.
Why? Because the Gospel reading includes the
literal Word which was spoken by the Word
made Flesh during His earthly ministry in Galilee
and Judea. We love Jesus' words and are
grateful for them. By these words, we live in
hope and through these words we die in
confidence. There are no words on earth so
precious! The elevation highlights what we
believe about this precious Word of Christ.
Also, during the prayers, often in the
Prayer of the Church and always during the
Proper Preface prayer during the Communion
liturgy, I raise empty hands to heaven. I do this
partly because this is how the ancient apostles
and disciples prayed, lifting hands to heaven. I
also do so because those empty hands remind
myself that we come before God always as
beggars, as those seeking from Him His mercy
for our needs and for the needs of the whole
Church and indeed the whole world.
Finally, one very important action takes
place during the
consecration of the
elements in the
Sacrament of the
Altar. During the
consecration, I
elevate the host so that the people can see it. It
is a visual proclamation (as Dr. Luther described
in German Mass). It is good and right to uplift
and reverence the One who has sacramentally
united His crucified and risen body to that host,
for "every knee shall bow and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians
2:10). Similarly with the chalice.
In summary, are these gestures and
actions essential to worship? No— they are
neither commanded nor forbidden in Holy
Scripture. But the point is that these actions
have meaning; they confess something about
the wonder and the grace and the mercy of a
God who loved me all the way to the cross —
that I may live in peace... forgiven, renewed,
and refreshed for a Spirit-filled life. Thanks be to
God.
Yours, humbly, in Jesus' name,
Pastor Matt
"Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, sothat [you] may be able to give instruction insound doctrine and also to rebuke those whocontradict it." (Titus 1:9)
Here in the Church, nothing we do in the Divine Service is
done just "because." In the Lutheran Church, everything we
DO confesses SOMETHING about what we BELIEVE.
The Catechism CornerThe Third Article:
I believe in the Holy
Spirit, the holy Christian
church, the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of
sins, the resurrection of the
body, and the life
everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason
or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or
come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by
the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts,
sanctified and kept me in the true faith.
In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens,
and sanctifies the whole Christian church on
earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one
true faith.
In this Christian church He daily and richly
forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers.
On the Last Day He will raise me and all the
dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers
in Christ. This is most certainly true..
(submitted to "The Anchor Line" by Pastor Matt)
Life Quote
"O most glorious God, direct
my thoughts, word and work,
wash away my sins in the
immaculate blood of the
Lamb, and purge my heart by
the Holy Spirit... Daily frame
me more and more into the
likeness of thy Son, Jesus
Christ.... Thou gavest thy Son to die for me,
and has given me assurance of salvation"
—George Washington
(submitted to "The Anchor Line" by Pastor Matt)
Patristic Quote of the Month
"Yes, and most wonderful
of all is that all these things
were successfully brought
about through a cross and
suffering and death. The
Gospel of the knowledge of
God has been preached to the whole world
and has put the adversaries to flight not by war
and arms and camps. Rather, it was a few
unarmed, poor, unlettered, persecuted,
tormented, done-to-death men, who, by
preaching the One who had died crucified in
the flesh, prevailed over the wise and
powerful, because the almighty power of the
Crucified was with them.... Well done, O
Christ, O Wisdom and Power and Word of God,
and God almighty! What should we
resourceless people give You in return for all
things? For all things are Yours and You ask
nothing of us but that we be saved. Even this
You have given us, and by Your ineffable
goodness You are grateful to those who accept
it. Thanks be to You who has given being and
grace of well-being and who by Your ineffable
condescension has brought back to this state
those who fell from it!.
— St. John of Damascus (AXD 676–749)
Arab Christian monk and priest
(submitted to "The Anchor Line" by Pastor Matt)
Old Lutheran Quote of the Month
"The streams of divine grace
flow downwards, not
upwards. As nature's
streams seek the lowlands,
so those of divine grace flow
down into lowly hearts....
Well may we rejoice, then, and magnify
the mercy of our God. What good thing will
He, who loved us while we were yet His
enemies, disdaining not to take our human
nature into the very closest union with His
divinity, withhold from those who are
partakers with Him of the same flesh? Who
has ever hated His own flesh? How can He
possibly cast us off, when by an exercise of
such exalted and infinite mercy, He hath
made us partakers of His own nature?"
— Johann Gerhard (AXD 1582–1637)
Lutheran church leader & professor
(submitted to "The Anchor Line" by Pastor Matt)
New Lutheran Quote of the Month
"When man enters the
presence of the holy, he
becomes distinctly aware of his
unholiness... Man falls to his
knees to confess the sins that
have separated him from God, who is holy, that
is, set apart by being whole in Himself.... And
through renewal of the promise of God's grace
in Christ, disordered and twisted lives are again
redirected and set right with God. We find that
the righteousness God demands of us is the
very righteousness He gives us. He makes men
holy who in their self-centeredness and lack of
trust would like to rely on their own efforts.
The question, then, of whether this
righteousness has truly become ours is not to be
answered by an appeal to our own feelings or
sentiments. Such is the dialectic of the Christian
faith that God's law finds him guilty even when
he feels no guilt. God's Gospel, on the other
hand, declares him not guilty and righteous
even when he feels most despicable. God's
promises are sure."
— Ernest Koenker (AXD 1895–1976)
Retired LC–MS pastor and author
(submitted to "The Anchor Line" by Pastor Matt)
Every Sunday Sermon PrepPreparation
To help you prepare for
worship, here are the weekly
readings for Divine Services
in July:
June 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isaiah 66:10–14
Galatians 6:1–10, 14–18
Luke 10:1–20
July 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leviticus 19:9–18
Colossians 1:1–14
Luke 10:25–37
July 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Genesis 18:1–10
Colossians 1:21–29
Luke 10:38–42
July 25 (St. James). . . . . . . . . . . Acts 11:27–12:5
Romans 8:28–39
Mark 10:35–45
(submitted to "The Anchor Line" by Pastor Matt)
Jesus said: "I Am the Vine; You are the
branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in
Him. He it is that bears much fruit; for
apart from Me you can do nothing.
—John 15:5
(submitted to "The Anchor Line" by Pastor Matt)
The Biblical View of Worship (part 1 of 3),
by Dr. John W. Kleinig, Professor
Emeritus, Australian Lutheran
College
(submitted to "The Anchor Line" by Pastor Matt)
A. Tuning In
1. Imagine a colour television set which has
never been used. There it sits in the living room
of a house, sheltered from the sun and rain. Since
it occupies such a prominent place in the living
room, it has developed rather inflated notions
about its own importance. It has met all the
visitors that have come to the house; it has
eavesdropped on all the conversations in the
room; it has watched everything that has
happened in the house. But it has never been
used. It has never let its owners push in its plug
and switch on the electricity. No one has ever
turned on its speaker, so that it could sing and
speak properly. No one has ever adjusted its
vision, so that it could display a clear, coloured
image.
And so it has sat there undisturbed and
has never functioned as a television set. It has
lived all its life in that room and has never
discovered what goes on elsewhere outside its
immediate range. It has never caught a vision of
the world outside and has never brought it back
into its home. It has never become a receiver and
so could never become a transmitter of words
and visions. It is nothing but a useless piece of
furniture. Well that’s how people are who never
worship God. They do not fulfil the purpose for
which they were created. They never become
receivers and transmitters of God’s heavenly
transmission to us in this world. They lead lives
that are spiritually frustrated and unfulfilled.
2. There is only one activity which we do here
on earth that will also be done in heaven.
Whatever else we do lasts only for a while, or, at
best, for as long as we live here on earth. But this
lasts forever and will occupy us through all
eternity. In fact, we rehearse this for as long as
we live and even then we never get it completely
right. This activity is worship, which is the
beginning of a heavenly life here on earth and a
preparation for our life with God in heaven. Our
worship here is practice for the real thing, like
learning to play a musical instrument, like
attending school to prepare for our job, like going
steady to get ready for married life. It’s a
heavenly activity which is done perfectly only in
heaven.
3. Worship then is something supernatural,
and it is supernatural in three ways. First, it does
not come naturally to us human beings. If we
were left to our own devices, we would never
worship God properly, as it goes against our grain.
We would rather worship ourselves, or some
homemade idols, than the living God. So God
himself has to teach us how to worship. In fact, he
doesn’t just show us how it is done; he actually
does it together with us, so that we get the hang
of it from him. It is then a divine activity, and we
join in with it, like a horseman who rides a racing
horse. But more about that later.
Secondly, worship is supernatural, because
it has to do with what is out of this world. It has
to do with God and what connects us with God,
just as an umbilical cord joins the baby to its
mother and nourishes the life of the baby from its
mother. Worship is the divine lifeline of the
Church and that’s what makes it so important.
Now that is something that those who aren’t
Christians can’t understand. The ordinary, secular
person is utterly bamboozled by worship. It is
unlike anything else we do. It isn’t useful for
anything else. It seems a waste of time and
energy. It is rather boring as nothing much seems
to happen in it. In short, it makes no earthly sense
to anybody who is merely an earthling. So, since
they can’t appreciate the great importance of
worship for the Christian, atheists sometimes
commit monumental blunders. For example, the
Russian communists banned all Christian activities
except worship without ever realising that they
thereby helped the Church survive and even
thrive in Communist Russia.
Thirdly, worship is supernatural, because it
is, at core, a divine activity. The chief celebrant is
Jesus our great high priest in the heavenly
sanctuary. He leads us in our worship by
representing us before the Father in intercession
and thanksgiving (Heb 7:25; 9:25) and by
representing God the Father to us in
proclamation and praise (Heb 2:12). By his service
in the heavenly sanctuary he leads us together
with the angels and the whole communion of
saints in the performance of the heavenly liturgy
(Heb 2:11; 8:2; 12:22- 24; 13:15).
4. Since it is supernatural, Christian worship is
a matter of mystery. Now a mystery differs from a
secret in that it remains hidden and inexplicable,
even when you are let in on it and know a lot
about it. St. Paul sums it up in Colossians 1:24 as
‘Christ in (or among) you, the hope of glory’. It
has to do with the mysterious, hidden presence
of Christ who is with us and among us. We are in
him and he is in us. He comes to us and does
things for us when we gather together in his
name. He brings the Holy Spirit with him and
ushers us bodily into the presence of his heavenly
Father. So in worship we come into contact with
the Holy Trinity. We come into the presence of
the Triune God and share in the ongoing work of
Jesus here on earth.
But worship also has to do with our hope
of glory, that is, with our life as sons and
daughters of God in heaven. This life is not yet
apparent to us. It is ‘hid with Christ in God’ (Col.
3:3). The wonder of it is that in worship heaven
comes down to earth in Jesus and we earthlings
are taken up together with him into heaven. We
join in with the angels and saints in heaven as
they gather round God’s throne and sing: “Holy!
Holy! Holy!” So by faith we get a foretaste of
heaven; we anticipate the glory we shall share as
children of our heavenly Father and members of
God’s royal family. Wilhelm Loehe, a Lutheran
theologian of the nineteenth century, says this
about the mystery of worship:
In its worship the congregation feels closest to
its Lord. There as close to the Bridegroom as it
can get, it leads a heavenly life on earth, an
earthly life in heaven.
Worship then is a mysterious tuning into
heaven here on earth. By it we human beings
become receivers and transmitters of heavenly
life together with other Christians and our risen,
ascended Lord Jesus.
5. When we worship, we begin to do what we
were created for. We fulfil God’s ultimate
purpose for us and his whole creation. We
become fulfilled with the fullness of God. It is
therefore the chief thing that we ever learn in this
life. That’s why the first three of the Ten
Commandments cover various aspects of it. Apart
from worship, our Christian faith remains
notional, theoretical and ultimately unreal.
The early Christians spoke a lot about
‘orthodoxy’. Now we normally define orthodoxy
as correct teaching about the Triune God, but it
also means ‘correct worship’ or ‘right praise’.
Both belong together. Correct doctrine is teaching
the right worship of the living God. All doctrine
achieves nothing, no matter how good and
correct and inspiring, unless it comes from
worship and leads back to worship of the Triune
God, for, when we worship properly, we let God
be our God and have his way with us. In orthodox
worship we join in with Jesus in his ministry as the
great high priest in the heavenly sanctuary. #
Stewardship"July is Freedom Month!”
July 4, 1776 was a memorable day in the history
of the United States of America. On that day, the
founding fathers of our nation declared their
independence from England and English rule.
Each year we pause to
remember the freedoms
we enjoy and give thanks
for all those brave men and
women from 1776 to this
date who have risked their
lives for the sake of
freedom and
independence. We enjoy the freedom of religion,
of gathering in public, of oppression from the
government or any other agency. We have the
freedom of electing our national, state, and local
leaders into office as our leaders. In November,
we will have the opportunity to exercise that
freedom one more time. It is our privilege and
duty to vote whenever we have the opportunity.
History teaches us that national apathy has
destroyed numerous empires and America can
also flounder and fail if we citizens do not
exercise our freedoms in a responsible way.
Not only are we citizens of probably the greatest
nation in the history of mankind, but we are also
citizens of the Kingdom of God! Because of that
citizenship, we enjoy countless freedoms and
blessings, like the forgiveness of sins, life, and
salvation. These freedoms and blessings come to
us at a great cost--not on our part, but on the
part of our gracious Savior Jesus who offered
Himself up to death as the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world. Even though we
can never adequately express our thanks to Jesus,
we can by the power of the Holy Spirit live each
day more and more like the children of God. In
Colossians 3:12-17, we find a list of virtues that
are appropriate for us as God's children.
God's children are stewards or managers of the
many blessings that God has bestowed upon us.
Stewardship is not meant to be an oppressive
response to God's grace and goodness, but rather
a joyful response. In our church we have defined
stewardship this way: "Christian stewardship is
the free and joyous activity of the child of God
and God's family, the church, in managing all of
life and life's resources for God's purposes."
What a beautiful definition for our Christian
stewardship!
Because Christ has redeemed us to be the
children of God and heirs of salvation, we have
the privilege and responsibility to give evidence of
this precious freedom through our words and
actions. Jesus changes everything in our lives
(relationships, use of money, time, talents, and so
much more) so that we practice our stewardship
not in order to gain salvation, but rather as a free
and joyous response because of what God has
already done for us through the sacrifice of Jesus
and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
What a joy to freely and joyfully practice Christian
stewardship not because we have to but because
we get to! Enjoy your freedom as a citizen of the
United States of America and a citizen of the
kingdom of God and let your life show it!
Financial Figures
2010 Average per week: $3,087.85
Budget per week: $3,765
Difference: - $677.15
20/20 total for 2010:
$4,194.03
Those Who Serve in July
Ushers:
Sunday 9am Wednesday 7pm
7/4 Dan Dennis
7/11 Available Dennis
7/18 Available Dennis
7/25 Available Dennis
Altar Aides:
Sunday 9am Wednesday 7pm
7/4 Elvera Louann
7/11 Available Louann
7/18 Available Louann
7/25 Available Louann
Flowers:
7/4 Available
7/11 Available
7/18 Available
7/25 Darryll & Sharon – anniversary
All dates available for greeters, readers and
acolytes.
Thank You
Thank you to those who served in June:
Ushers: David & Julie, Dan & Jane, Joe & Jean,
Dennis, Randy & Michelle
Altar Aids: Elvera, Louann, Renee, Shirley
Greeters: Jean
Acolyte: Nikki
Education Ministry
The Education Ministry will be combining the
regular meeting for June and July to just one on
Tuesday, July 13.
Evangelism Ministry
Members of the Evangelism
Ministry are working on a
"Meet the Members" link
on the Hope website. They
are looking for families
and/or individuals who
would be willing to
complete a brief outline about themselves to be
included on the website – more info to come on
that.
Maggie Christians is training several others to be
able to work on the website.
A Mission statement for the Ministry is being
developed along with a list of activities in which
the ministry is typically involved.
Tentative dates for New Member Breakfasts are
Oct 17, 2010 and a Sunday in April 2011.
The next meeting is planned for Saturday, July 31
at 9 am. New members always welcome! If you
have ideas for the Evangelism Ministry but cannot
attend the meetings, please contact any of its
members: Chris, Nancy, Matt , Maggie, Pastor
Matt or Paul.
Trinity Board Member
One of Hope's Trinity School delegate's (Jenn)
school board term is up the end of July. She has
served the past three years and would be eligible
for another 3 year term if chosen. She is available
to continue serving. Trinity's board currently
consists of 10 members of which 7 are parents.
The board would like to include more people with
business backgrounds as they have grown so
much. Hope council needs to appoint a delegate
at the July meeting. If you are interested in this
position, please contact Meinie.
Search the web and earn 1 cent
for each search. Designate HOPE
LUTHERAN CHURCH DE PERE as
the cause you support. Click to
Goodshop for your on-line
shopping. Proceeds benefit Angels
of Hope Preschool. Participating stores are listed
in the website and you can still use other coupon
codes.
Funds raised in 2010: $33.31
Funds raised since we first registered: $117.11
Celebrate De Pereby Michelle
It was an unusually beautiful Memorial Day
weekend at Voyageur Park in De Pere this year.
The sun was shining and no rain for three full
days. Volunteers worked on Thursday to cut up
veggies, on Friday to set up our tent and on
Saturday, Sunday and Monday to cook and serve
Italian Sausage and Chicken Breast Sandwiches
along with Hamburgers, Cheesecake on a Stick,
Snickers Chunk and Rocky Road Brownies (a
special thanks to Jen for
these!), not to mention
scooping Zesty's Frozen
Custard into cones, bowls
and cups for Rootbeer Floats.
The final numbers are not in
yet but I am confident that
this was one of our best years ever.
I would like to thank all of the volunteers that
made the 2010 effort possible: Shirley, Evelyn,
Darryll and Sharon, Howard and Leona, Romaine ,
Bob and Tia, Betty, Elvera, Matthew, Laurie, Dave
and Julie, Dave, Ben, Paula, Myrna, Steve and Jen,
Pastor Matth, Bruce, Brenda, Ryne and Benjamin,
Matt and Christian, John, Randy and Michelle ,
Rhonda and Walker, Judy and Liz, Derrick, Kathy,
Joe and Jean, John and Ellie, Dawn and Alyssa ,
Deb, Hayden and Denzel, Helen, Scott, Jakob and
Cambria, Rick and Bette. Many more unnamed
folks need to be recognized for donations,
patronage at the tent and prayers for good
weather and if I missed anyone above, I apologize
and thank them privately for their service.
There are still a few leftovers available for
purchase. A 12-pack of buns or a Cheesecake-on-a
Stick (Original or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough)
are $2 each; both can be found in the freezer. The
30-pack pillow of buns is also just $2. Purchase
one of the four 2-liter bottles of A&W Root Beer
for just $1! The other unsold/leftover beverages
and brownies were enjoyed at the church picnic
on June 27. If you purchase any of these items,
please place your money in an envelope, mark the
envelope ‘Celebrate DePere sale' and place it in
the offering plate.
If you have any comments, suggestions, etc. for
next year's event, I would be happy to hear them.
I know I have a few of my own after being in
charge of the tent for the first time since we
began participating in Celebrate DePere in 2002.
www.goodsearch.com
Packer Games Are Coming LEVY - Online Alcohol Training – Non Profit
Groups
Instruction sheets are
on the bulletin board.
This training must be
completed before
working any Packer
games. It's basically the
same as last year but, of course, a bit different.
We have five people who have completed
training so far. Remember to e-mail Judy so we
also have a record of who has completed the
training.
VBS: High Seas Expedition
Attention VBS Volunteers:
Training Session #1 is
Sunday, July 11 at 7:00pm.
Please RSVP to Kim
regarding your attendance.
We will together prepare
and familiarize ourselves
with the High Seas
Adventure where we explore the mighty love of
God and set sail with Jesus.
Training Session #2 is Thursday, July 29 at
6:30pm. This is an important night where you will
get crew names and final directions. Following
the training, we will work on decorating. Please
plan on staying until 9:00pm if you are able.
Background Checks:
If you are a VBS volunteer over 18 years of age,
you must turn in your background check form to
Kim prior to July 11.
Decorating:
VBS decorating will continue on Friday, July 30
from 9am until complete. Please come and help.
Sign up is on bulletin board.
VBS Clean Up:
Will begin on Thursday, August 4 following our
VBS closing fellowship. We are looking for a few
good lifters and willing hearts. Sign up is on
bulletin board.
Friday, August 6 beginning at 9:00am until
complete or as long as you can stay. Please sign
up on bulletin board.
VBS Closing Program and Ice Cream Social:
Thursday, August 5 will be
our final day of High Seas
Adventure VBS. Come and
hear what the children have
learned and feel the
excitement of Jesus' love.
Our program will begin at
8:10 and followed by an Ice
Cream Social.
Do you love scooping ice cream? Please sign up to
help scoop ice cream on Thursday, August 5 at
8:30 following the closing program of VBS.
Help Us Put Our Sail in VBS:
Our VBS is still in need of many items. How can
you help? Check out the list on our Website or
check the display in the narthex. You can take a
sailboat off the window indicating the item and
return it to the display at the time noted. We truly
appreciate your willingness to help make our VBS
program a success.
Invite a Friend, Grandchild, or Neighbor:
VBS High Seas Adventure – New Friends –
Amazing Crafts – Wild Games – Lip Smacking
Snacks – Swashbuckling Bible Adventures –
Incredible Music – and of course the amazing love
of Jesus. It all starts on Sunday, August 1 and ends
Thursday, August 5 from 6:00- 8:30pm. Students
should arrive the first night at 5:50pm for
registration.
If you have a child that you would still like to
register, please call Kim. Even if you are not
involved come in and take a peek as we transform
Hope into our High Seas Adventure. If you can't
be with us please keep us in your prayers.
VBS Truck, Trailer or Van and a Few Extra Hands:
We are looking for someone that could help to
move VBS ship and mast from another church to
Hope on Monday, July 26 at 9:00am. Please
contact Kim if you are able to assist.
Vacation Bible School Mission Projects:
This year our VBS will help to support a local
mission that Hope Lutheran Welfare Committee is
coordinating. We will be sponsoring a daily
offering that will go to the local Christian
Outreach. Each year they
help to provide backpacks
and school supplies to
children in need. Each day
we will suggest an item that
you can bring to help with this program. Our VBS
group has the opportunity to help others and
share Jesus' love as follows:
• Sunday: S is for scissors ( child size)
• Monday: M is for markers (wide washable
Classic Colors)
• Tuesday: T is for tacky, as in glue sticks
• Wednesday: W is for writing (wide rule
notebooks
• Thursday: T is for a TRUSTY pencil (#2
pencils only)
Our VBS children will also be invited to bring in a
monetary donation that will help two mission
projects in Haiti. What a great choice for our High
Seas Adventure since it is an island country that
we could sail to! Haiti is also the poorest country
in the Western Hemisphere.
One of the mission projects is "Friends of Haiti."
The Friends of Haiti is a nonprofit organization
operating as one interconnected family with the
people living in the four sections of Thomazeau,
Haiti. They are a local group that is devoted,
through mutual efforts, to improving the health,
education and economic development of Haiti.
The second mission
project is an LCMS
missionary, Alyssa
Stone, seeking to
help the people of
Haiti know Jesus
Christ as their Savior.
Ms. Stone serves as a GEO missionary who
teaches a women's Bible study, helps with youth
and children's ministries in the congregation she
serves, makes visits to families, sick community
members and the elderly and fills other diaconal
service roles as needed.
Music CD's:
We have CD's of our VBS music available for sale.
The cost is $10.00. If you would like one ahead of
time, they are available on the display. Please
leave your payment in the church office made out
to Hope Lutheran otherwise you may purchase
one at registration.
Youth Newsby Kim Thompson and Beth
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew
their strength; They shall mount up with wings
like eagles. They shall run and not be weary.
They shall walk and not faint"
– Isaiah 40:31 –
So it is with much anticipation and excitement
that a group of 8 youth and 2 adult leaders finish
final preparations for the 2010 Lutheran Youth
Gathering. It seems like we have been talking
about this a long time -- 3 years in fact. Talking,
preparing, serving, fundraising and WAITING!
Waiting for the day to arrive to experience
celebrating our faith in Jesus Christ with over
10,000 young people.
There are so many periods of "waiting" in life that
make time seem long, while the rest of our life
flies! There is waiting to finish school, waiting for
exam results, waiting for the next birthday to
celebrate; there is waiting for unfortunate
circumstances to end, waiting for a long illness to
break and signs of recovery to be real; there is the
waiting for that event all Christians most urgently
desire for Christ to return and restore the fallen
world. That will be the true fulfillment with no
shadow of disappointment for our waiting.
So as we wait for our flight to depart....we can
share in the ultimate wait that we all will share in
some day because together WE BELIEVE!
L.Y.G. (Lutheran Youth Gathering Group):
Our next bible study for
June 30th at 1:30 at Beth's
house. This is our third
bible study in the series for
"We Believe" the spiritual
preparation for the 2010
National Lutheran Youth
Gathering. We will not be
serving lunch but will have
a snack. Bring your
calendars as we hope to schedule one more
gathering prior to our departure on July 16.
We will have a final meeting for parents and
youth on Monday, July 12 at 6:00 PM to make
sure all loose ends are in place for travel to New
Orleans. Meeting will be at Beth's house. Parents
please let us know your availability.
SUMMER STRETCH OPPORTUNITY:
We are sorry to report that we did not have any
youth sign up for this great summer opportunity
for 4 days of service and fellowship. We hope to
work with the other area churches and have more
information out earlier.
LCMS National Youth Gathering:
The 2010 LCMS National
Youth Gathering will begin
with worship on Sunday,
July 11 at 9:00 AM. The
group from Hope will be traveling to New Orleans
on July 16 and return to Green Bay on July 23.
They look to share about their experience at a
future service and time. Thank you to all for your
support and prayers.
Lifefest:
On July 11 come check out
Lifefest as we travel to the
11:00 AM outdoor worship
service. Worship Service
featuring: Luis Palau, Bob
Lenz, Kutless and Peder
Eide. There is free
admission to the Sunday event. If you are
interested in attending, you should sign up on the
youth board. Youth and any congregational
members are invited. We will look to leave the
church at 9:30 AM and travel in car pools.
LCMS NYG 2010 Youth
The National Lutheran Youth Gathering (NYG) is
held every 3 years and is set to begin on July 17-
21, 2010 in New Orleans. The theme of this
Gathering is "We Believe."
We live in a world in which we are constantly
bombarded with messages about how we should
dress, spend money, eat, drink, study, work, vote,
believe, live, etc. There are so many different
messages that it gets hard to know which
messages are true and which are just a bunch of
lies. And then there are those in-between
messages--the ones that aren't entirely wrong,
but aren't entirely right either. So how do we
know what messages we should listen to? How do
we know what we really believe?
In God's Word, we find this statement in John's
Gospel:
But these things are written that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in his
name.
– John 20:31 –
At the 2010 NYG, we'll be focusing on these
words. We'll look at what WE BELIEVE and at
what that means for everything we do.
We'll LOOK…
…and see the Lamb of God who takes away the
sin of the world.
We'll LISTEN…
…and hear the words of the Word made Flesh
whose words are spirit and life.
And we'll LIVE…
…because we have been given life in Jesus' name
to love others as He first loved us.
Mass Event News:
Do you know parents, grandparents, Bible study
groups, or friends who are not able to attend the
National Youth Gathering (NYG) but would like to
experience the Mass Events and worship service?
The Mass Events and worship service will be
streamed live during the NYG. You will be able to
find the live stream on www.lcms.org. A link to
the stream will be provided on the NYG Website.
The NYG thanks the LCMS Commission on
Worship for providing video streaming services
for Gathering Mass Events.
Meet our 2010 NYG Youth &
Leaders
Hope Lutheran has 8 youth and 2 adult leaders
that will travel to the NYG. They have been
working hard for the last 3 years with a
commitment to the Lord, service and fundraising
that have allowed them to experience this NYG.
The youth and the leaders would like to thank
everyone in the congregation and parents who
have helped in anyway by assisting with events,
encouraging their youth, supporting and
participating in fundraising events, and prayers. It
is truly appreciated.
We would like to introduce the youth and the
leaders that will be attending the 2010 LCMS
NYG. Read on…..
MEET: Sarah
PARENTS: Dave and Kim
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: Soccer, traveling,
shopping, and hanging out with friends
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: No, I attended the
Gathering in Orlando in 2007. I am looking to
attend again because of the great experience last
time. It was truly inspiring and I left really feeling
the love of God within me. It was the greatest
feeling being with so many people my age who all
believe the same thing. Everyone being there
together praising God left me with a feeling of
certainty and safety.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "For by grace you have
been saved through faith. And this is not your
own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of
works...." Ephesian 2.8-9a
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: To me this means we
all have a strong faith in Christ and are not scared
of it. It means we have recognized the faith and
want to share it with others. We know that
someday we will be with Him.
MEET: Katie
PARENTS: John and Karen
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: soccer, tennis, horseback
riding, family vacations
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: Yes. I am very excited to
meet new people and encounter new
experiences, while also continuing and
strengthening a relationship with God.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE:
"But God proves His love for us in that while we
still were sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: This means to me that
by believing in God, I put faith in Him and follow
Him so that I may live in His glory after my life
here on earth is complete.
MEET: Emily
PARENTS: Scott and Lori
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: softball, reading, being
with friends, snowboarding and cooking.
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: Yes, this is my first
Gathering. I am very excited to attend so I can
grow in my faith in a new, more contemporary
way. I feel that as a teen, I'll be able to relate
more to the upbeat ways they share the love and
word of the Lord. Also, I am just excited to go to
New Orleans.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "For I know the plans I
have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I think this verse applies to everyone. Everyone
has a purpose and God has very specific plans and
reasons for what He does.
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: To me, it means that
we're all getting together to share our faith and
celebrating the fact that we all BELIEVE!
MEET: Tricia
PARENTS: John and Deb
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: cooking out at friends'
house, home or school.
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: Yes it is my first
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "The Lord is my light and
my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the
stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27.1
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: It means to me that we
believe in Him and we care about what we learn
and what we talk about to others.
MEET: Sydney
PARENTS: Bill and Char
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: playing softball at West De
Pere and running, hanging out with friends and
family and being outside.
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: Yes. This is my first
Gathering and I'm looking to attend to grow in my
faith. I want to worship God and understand the
things He did for us and I believe this Gathering
will help me do that.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "For God so loved the
world that he gave his only begotten son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
eternal life." John 3:16
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: This means to me that
I believe in Jesus and by believing we'll have
everlasting life.
MEET: Krysta
PARENTS: Jeff and Dawn
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: playing sports (volleyball,
basketball, and softball) for West De Pere and
spending time with family and friends.
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: Yes, this is my first
Lutheran Youth Gathering. I am looking forward
to strengthen my faith in God. I also have several
friends from other churches that I am hoping to
see there.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "God is our refuge and
strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm
46:1
I like this verse because I always know God is
with me on both the good and bad days.
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: This means to me that
everyone at the Gathering are like me and are
believers in Jesus.
MEET: Briana
PARENTS: Michele and Brian
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: reading, playing baseball
with my family and playing the clarinet.
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: This is my first Lutheran
Youth Gathering. I am looking to attend because I
want to share God's Word with other Christians
and have fun praising and worshiping Him.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "Keep your lives free from
the love of money and be content with what you
have, because God has said, "Never will I leave
you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: To me "We Believe"
means that as Christians we believe in God even if
we don't see Him.
MEET: Bailey
PARENTS: Michele and Brian
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: singing and listening to
music, shooting hoops or playing basketball.
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: Yes this is my first Youth
Gathering. I am looking to attend because I think
it will be a fun experience and I am looking
forward at meeting new people.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "My peace I leave with
you my peace I give you. I do not give to you as
the world gives, do not let your heart be troubled,
do not be afraid." John 14:27
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: It means that we
believe in God and all that He did for us
MEET: Beth, one of the NYG leaders
FAMILY: Ben, Amber and Autumn
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: sports, outdoors,
kayaking, singing and contemporary worship.
Spending time with family and friends, teaching
and sharing Jesus' love with all ages.
IS THIS YOUR FIRSTNYG: No. I have attended
several of them both as a youth and as a
chaperone. I look forward to seeing youth
connect with their faith in a real way.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "For I know the plans I
have for you. Plans to prosper you, not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: It means we are all
united in a faith that we share in Jesus. It does
not matter what our background is or what path
we have taken to get where we are. What unifies
us is that we have a Savior that loves us and has
given us all the free gift of grace. Collectively we
can share this gift with others and further God's
Kingdom here on earth.
MEET: Kim Thompson, one of the NYG leaders
FAMILY: Dave, Emily and Sarah
ACTIVITIES SHE LOVES: speaking Portuguese and
Brazilian music, travel, international exchange,
family vacations, sharing the love of Jesus,
watching daughters play soccer, spending time
with Christian friends
IS THIS YOUR FIRST NYG: This is my third
gathering as I led a group in 2004 and 2007. What
awesome and faith building experiences they
were. I love seeing the youth get excited about
their faith in Jesus!
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "I can do all things
through Christ that strengthens me." Philippians
4:13
THE GATHERING THEME IS "WE BELIEVE" – WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU: "But these are written
that you may BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that by believing you may have
life in his name." John 20:31
It means that we are so blessed that God loves us
so much that he has given us a Savior and the
Hope of eternal life. Each day we are able to rise
with this confidence of our salvation to carry us
through this life during challenging moments,
times of hurt and loss and the good times too.
Bulgaria Mission
The following items are requested: Quilts,
blankets and towels; new or gently used
sweatshirts and coats for men, women and
children in all sizes; new or gently used socks and
shoes for children up to age 12; new or gently
used yarn for knitting, nativity sets and decorative
crosses.
Please bring donations to
the coatroom. A shipment
will be made to Bulgaria in
August. See the poster on
the bulletin board for
more information.
Helping Hands for Bulgaria is headquartered at
Christ Lutheran Church, 308 Wet Linden St.,
Abbotsfort, WI 54405. Linda, daughter of Myron
and Gerry, is co-founder of this mission.
NEW Association Women's
Choir
Come join in the NEW
Association Women's Choir
as we present special music
for the National Lutherans
for Life Conference service
on Friday, July 23 at 5:00 at the Tundra Lodge. We
will have one rehearsal on Saturday, July 17 at
11:00 -12:00 at N.E.W. Lutheran High School. If
this rehearsal doesn't work for you but you would
like to participate, please still call and let me
know. If you are interested in this awesome
opportunity email Cindy Fosheim at
[email protected] or call Cindy at 362-6859.
Camp Luther
Women's Weekend Out:
Join us September 17-19 for
our annual Women's
Weekend Out Retreat. This
is an exceptional weekend
of laughter, friendships and
fun for women of all ages.
This year we are excited to welcome Jan Struck as
our guest speaker. You will be filled with laughter
and encouragement as Jan shares stories that will
touch your heart. Learn more about her ministry
at her website www.struckwithlaughter.org.
Gather the girlfriends and REGISTER TODAY for
this not-to-be-missed retreat!
Labor Day Weekend Family Retreat: This retreat,
held September 3-6, offers a very flexible
schedule with a variety of activities. There are
age-appropriate Bible studies, with discussion
based on "The Family of God." During the rest of
the weekend, you can join in activities lead by our
staff or just enjoy the beach. Activities will include
a trip to Bond Falls, a golf outing, pontoon tours
of the Chain-o-Lakes, a cookout, minnow races,
kayaking, trail biking, swimming, and so much
more. Start a new family tradition this year! Visit
www.campluther.com for more information.
Women's Craft Weekend: Whether you love to
quilt, scrapbook or stamp, women of all ages can
bring their supplies and enjoy some intense
crafting time from October 22-24. Bring your
current project and share ideas. Consultants on
quilting, scrapbooking and jewelry making will be
available with lots of ideas and "make and take"
projects. Bible Study and devotions will focus on
what it means to have a multi-faceted faith. Just
like craft projects have many different colors,
textures and materials, our faith must have many
dimensions to stay strong and active. Optional
activities (biking, camp tours, coffee shop break,
etc) will also be available to give you a break from
crafting. Please indicate your hobby choice on the
registration form.
3rd Annual Camp Luther Quilt Auction:
Your handmade quilts are
needed for the 3rd Annual
Camp Luther Quilt Auction!
This year there will
additional auction items, a
new auctioneer and
additional advertising to boost this awesome
event. Donate new quilts for twin, double and
queen-sized beds to Camp Luther no later than
October 1st. Table runners, wall-hangings and
baby quilts are also great items that people love
to bid on. We also ask that enclose a quilt
information sheet so that we might catalog and
display your work accurately. And then join us for
the quilt auction on November 6th at Celebration
Lutheran in Appleton. All proceeds directly
benefit the ministry of Camp Luther.
Couple's Retreat:
From newlyweds to empty-nesters, this is a
retreat for married couples of all ages held
September 24-26. You will find time to spend as a
couple as well as in fellowship and Bible study
with other Christian couples. The theme for this
year's retreat will be based on John 15, where
Christ commands us to "love one another as I
have loved you." Activities will include couple
time, a fall colors bike trip, winery tour, optional
trip to Bond Falls and much more! Meals will
include two "Breakfasts in Bed", a picnic lunch
and a romantic candlelight dinner. Cottage
housing is available on a first-come, first-served
basis.
Fall Cottage Retreats:
Plan your individual or family two-night fall
get-away at Camp Luther. Cottages are available
this fall for just $65 per night (for a two-night
minimum stay). That's half the regular rate! Hike
our trails, fish the chain, bike the Three-Eagle
Trail, hunt the Nicolet Forest, or just sit back and
enjoy a colorful autumn view from your cottage
porch. Offer good Labor Day through December
15. Book your family or individual retreat
get-a-way by contacting Camp Luther at
1-877-264-CAMP.
"Every Kid to Camp" Auction:
The "Every Kid to Camp"
auction, "Bids-for-Kids"
needs both silent and live
auction items. Silent
auction items range in price
from $25-$75. Live auction items are anything
over $100. If you have an item you would like to
donate, please let Sandi at the North Wisconsin
District know at [email protected] or
715-845-8241, ext. 23.
Items need to be in our hands by August 11, 2010,
unless other arrangements are made. Your help is
greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. The
"Bids-for-Kids" Auction is September 11.
Camp Luther is a ministry of the North Wisconsin
District-LCMS. Our mission is to build up the Body
of Christ for service to the church and witness to
the world.
Save This Stuff
< General Mills Boxtops for Education and
Kemps and Morning Glory milkcaps
which go to Trinity Lutheran School. They
are worth $0.05 each.
< Egg cartons go to Paul's Pantry. We are
still looking for a volunteer to take the
cartons during the summer months.
Contact the church office if you can do
this.
< Campbell Soup labels go to Bethesda
Home. Only the UPC code with the little
point square next to it are needed. They
recently sent a thank you for out labels.
< Plastic and paper bags may be
contributed directly to Christian
Outreach or to Bethesda Thrift Shop.
< Empty pill bottles (must be from
prescriptions, not over the counter
medications).
< Food items for St. Anne's food pantry.
< Used postage stamps – leave ½ inch
around the stamp. There is a 3 drawer
container in the coatroom for these.
< Computer ink cartridges. Eligible brands
are now HP, Dell, Lexmark, Brother,
Epson, Samsung, Kodak, Sharp or Canon
ink or toner cartridges. The highlighted
brands were not accepted in the program
before, but are now. The recycling
rebates are used to offset office
expenses (paper/ink/envelopes, etc) in
the church office. Put these in the middle
drawer in the coatroom.
< Portals of Prayer. Please recycle your old
issues or pass on to others. The groups
for whom we had previously collected
old copies no longer use them.
Publication Information
Bulletin information is due
by Wednesdays at 8:00 pm.
Information for the July
newsletter will be due on
Monday, June 21. Please
put information in the
church secretary's mailbox.
Please sign any notes in
case of questions. Thanks.
Please remember to check your mailbox in the
coatroom each time you are at church. Your
name is above your box.