1. Art and Diseño

HOPE
HIGHLIGHTS
FEBRUARY 2015
Issue No. 01-15
Inside this issue:
Use Your Spiritual Gifts
2
LWML Bake Sale
2
Treasurer’s Report
2
Christian Education
3
Ash Wednesday
3
Mid-week Lenten
3
Lenten Soup Suppers
3
Youth News
4
Stephen Ministries
4
Blood Drive
4
Servant Event
5
Free Movie Night
5
Leisure Lutherans
5
Birthdays/Anniversaries
6
Just for Kids
6
Calendar
7
From Pastor Nieting
We joke around a lot about New Year’s Resolutions, the ‘lose 20 pounds, eat
better, get healthy’ things we know we should do anyway. We KNOW it is good
to be healthy. We know we will be happier and live longer if we do the things we
need to do to get, and stay healthy.
The same applies to churches. There are healthy churches and there are
churches that are not so healthy. Some, sadly, are even toxic. So what IS a healthy
church? What are the symptoms, the marks of a healthy church? How do we,
HOPE, take our own temperature and determine how healthy we are? Let’s list a
few and see.
Healthy churches:
- teach the unchanging Word of God. They are not swayed by trends of culture
and currents of popularity. (The recent “Duck Dynasty” flap should be a clear
indication that many in our culture won’t willingly welcome Biblical teaching.)
- are concerned about Personal Discipleship. A healthy church helps members
deepen their relationships with Jesus Christ, while at the same time being
clear about the expectations of what it means to live as a Christian.
- are outwardly focused. Healthy churches do all they can to expand the Kingdom of God. They are not focused on institutional preservation.
- engage their members in servant ministries and servant leadership. They exist
to serve others.
- practice good stewardship, wise administration and accountability. They practice internally what they preach to their members and the world.
I could go on with ease, but you, dear reader, get the idea. A congregation has
to work at its health, just as individuals do. What can you do? What am I asking of
you?
1.Keep HOPE in your prayers; our pastors, teachers, council members, ministry team leaders, musicians, youth workers, kitchen krew, lawn cutters and
all the rest of the servants who make HOPE what it is. Pray for them often.
2.Be in worship and in Bible class. Don’t take your personal discipleship lightly. It takes more than worship a few hours a month to be a healthy Christian.
3.Have your kids (grandkids?) in Sunday School. Take their discipleship seriously. They depend on you. (Remember their baptisms? You promised!)
4.Be a good financial Steward. People who are good stewards are blessed, and
a church full of blessed people is a healthy church.
Have a HEALTHY new year, HOPE!
DID YOU KNOW? If you’re reading this newsletter in paper form, did you
know that you can also access it on Hope’s website? Go to
www.hopevabeach.org and click on “About” at the top of the page. Then
click on Forms and Documents. For past issues, look at bottom of the home
page.
PAGE 2
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
WORSHIP SERVICE VOLUNTEERS—USING SPIRITUAL GIFTS
By: Kathryn Wacker
The 2015 January through April Worship Volunteer schedule is posted in the narthex on the bulletin board.
Thank you to everyone who is already serving! Please check the schedule and confirm that you are available.
Currently, we have about 130 folks filling all of the worship service volunteer positions. This may seem
like "enough", but there are many needs. Ideally, volunteers are scheduled to assist once every other month,
except for our audiovisual volunteers, who work the booth once a month. Realistically, 180 volunteers are
needed for the bi-monthly rotation to work. At the end of this article you'll find current specific volunteer positions that need to be filled.
We have all been called to Hope Lutheran Church as family members in Christ to worship, learn, serve and
seek. Worship is an interactive experience, not only between us and God, but amongst us together. All Christians have been blessed with spiritual gifts, to be used for God's glory. I encourage you to take some time with
God to acknowledge your spiritual gifts.
If your spiritual gift is: leadership or teaching-consider serving as an Usher or Layreader; hospitalityconsider serving as a Greeter or *sanctuary preparer (pew picker) or *decorator; service or mercy-consider
serving as a Communion Assistant; faith or helps-consider serving as a communion preparer; administrationconsider serving as an Audiovisual operator; Prayer-consider *praying over our pastors, all volunteers, and all
aspects of our worship services each week; Helps-*folding bulletins. All confirmation students are encouraged
to serve as an acolyte: to minister (or assist) to our Pastors.
Training and guidelines are offered. Layreaders are given the lessons several days in advance. Once you
sign up to serve, I will send a reminder e-mail, phone call, text or Facebook message, or see you in person
about a week prior to your date, to confirm your availability. Dates can be swapped and substitutes are available if something comes up on your scheduled date.
Worship volunteer needs for an 8-week rotation: Traditional 8:15: 2 A/V Operators, 2 Ushers; Praise 11:00:
2 A/V operators, 6 ushers, 7 communion assistants. *Call the church office if you wish to serve in these areas.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total Income:
Total Expense:
Income Less Expense:
(January of Fiscal Year 2014-2015)
January Actual
$27,493.79
- 22,107.46
$ 5,386.33
Year-to-Date Actual
$471,400.73
- 441,255.17
$ 30,144.56
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Sweets
for the
Sweet
LWML Bake Sale
Sunday, February 8
(In the narthex between services)
By: Linda Taylor
Keeping the church directory up-to-date
is a Daily Challenge due to our transient
membership. Please keep the church office
up-to-date on your address, phone number
and e-mail changes. Also, we would like to
recognize your birthday and wedding anniversary in the Highlights.
Please contact the church office with
any changes you have. It only takes a minute and it means so much. E-mail [email protected] or call 424-4848
with your updates. Current copies of the
directory are in the wooden racks in the
narthex.
SICK OR IN THE
HOSPITAL?
Need a visit?
Call the pastors to
let them know.
They care!
(424-4848)
PAGE 3
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
ASH WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 18, 2015
As we did last year, we will begin Lent with the Imposition of Ashes early on Wednesday morning, Feb. 18, from 6 to 8am. What a wonderful witness we can make as we go
to work or school with the “mark of the ash” upon us. And what do you say when someone calls attention to it? Simply this: The ashes remind us that today is the beginning of
Lent, the 6 weeks when we remember that Jesus suffered and died for our sins and for
yours as well. Our Ash Wednesday services will be at Noon & 6:30pm.
A CHILD’S GREATEST TREASURE
By: Carolyn Powell
What kind of life will your child have? What kind of
person will he become? What can you give her and what
will she need to earn for herself? What would you wish for
your child?
Ask any new mother or father and they can tell you that
even their newborn infant has its own personality and temperament! Studies prove that the earliest experiences can
help form attitudes that will make a difference later in
life. Parents, of course, bear a great deal of responsibility,
but parenting also brings a lot of joy! Children will more
than likely imitate the adults in their lives, so we parents
need to be sure to lay a good foundation.
The world can be cruel by passing judgment as to
whether or not your child measures up. In fact, the world
may even consider a child’s worthiness based on achievement. That is why it’s so important for parents to be reminded that there is Someone who loves their children, not
for what they can or cannot do, but because God is
love. And parents can take comfort in knowing that God
takes an active part in their everyday lives, as well, by supporting them and forgiving them and making sure that everything works out in the way He knows is best!
Each child has received a
great treasure from God, their
heavenly Father. By loving,
teaching and sharing with our
children that life in our Father’s
world is good, we can raise confident and caring children who
will blossom and grow into wonderful adults who, one day soon,
will imitate to their children
what they experienced when they were little. Our dear little
ones may never know the good life according the world’s
standards (power, riches, fame), but they will possess a
priceless gift from God….salvation, immeasurable love,
forgiveness, and the joy of knowing Who they belong to…
Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior! God is so good!
By: Kathryn Wacker
Lent is a time of repentance, a time to reflect
on renewal of our faith and
on life eternal through the
resurrection of Christ. The period of Lent
begins with Ash Wednesday and ends Saturday before Easter Sunday. Calculating this
by calendar days will figure at 45 days, but
the 5 Sundays in Lent are excluded, giving a
total of 40 days. These 40 days represent the
Temptation of Jesus during the 40 days of
fasting Christ spent in the desert. (Matthew
4:1-11; Mark 1:9-12; Luke 4:1-13) Lent is
the time of year to think of our own sinful
temptations and of Christ’s saving grace.
Join us on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, to
receive the mark of ashes and to humbly
reflect how our time here on earth is short
"For dust you are and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19), but with Christ we
have eternal life. Then beginning Feb. 25
return each Wednesday at Noon or 6:30pm
for our Mid-Week Lenten services.
Ash Wednesday Service Schedule
6—8am Imposition of Ashes
12noon & 6:30pm Worship Services
Mid-Week Lenten Service Schedule
Feb. 25 thru March 25
12noon & 6:30pm Worship Services
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS
Soup & bread will be served every
Wednesday during Lent from 5:45 to
6:15pm. Dates are Feb. 25, March 4, 11, 18
& 25.
Each Wednesday will need a sponsor.
Church staff has adopted Feb. 25. Would
your group or family like to adopt a
Wednesday? Call the church office for
more info.
PAGE 4
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
YOUTH GROUP NEWS
By: Linda Muth
Construction Zone for TRUTH is March 6-8 at the Sheraton VB Oceanfront. If you would still like to go
and have not registered, please contact Linda Muth ASAP. We will meet at Hope at 5:45pm on Friday and
return to Hope at 12:30pm on Sunday. You should eat dinner before coming on Friday. Please remember to
bring your Bible, appropriate clothing, and money for lunch and dinner on Saturday and also for offering. We
look forward to a great weekend praising God with other youth from around the East Coast.
BODY will go to Charlotte, NC for Quake on April 10-12. Costs for this event are $145 for Early Bird registration or $160 for regular registration. To take advantage of the Early Bird price, a $60 nonrefundable deposit must be turned in to a confirmation teacher or Linda Muth by Sunday, Feb. 8. Regular registration deadline is March 8 at which time the total registration cost is due. If you would like to see what the weekend is all
about please visit www.youthencounter.org. This weekend will be a great time for our group to grow and
bond. Hope’s own Sam White will be there with his Captive Free team. Hope you can go!
Please watch the bulletin for information about a TRUTH activity on Feb. 20 and a BODY activity on Feb.
27. Mark your calendars. Details will be coming soon.
Please keep our hire committee in your prayers as they start the search for a full-time youth director at
Hope. We thank God for the support of our congregation and also that we know He already has just the right
person prepared for us.
Activities at a Glance
Feb. 8
Quake Early Bird registration due (BODY)
Feb. 20
TRUTH activity (TBA)
Feb. 27
BODY activity (TBA)
Mar. 6-8 Zone (TRUTH)
Many, Many Thanks
SAVE THE DATE!
March 4
1 to 6pm
RED CROSS
BLOOD DRIVE
Hope Lutheran
Fellowship Hall
Sign-ups coming soon!
I was so blessed by the outpouring of love and appreciation that I received at my retirement celebration. Words cannot express how much that
day meant to me. I especially want to thank Bob and Rivers Brauer, Shawn
and Sarah White, our pastors and all those who volunteered to prepare my
special day. Having a congregation who loves and supports our youth as
Hope does is a great example of the importance we place on proclaiming
Christ to all generations, including those still to come.
With love and thanksgiving, Linda Muth
WANTED:
PEOPLE
WHO CARE ABOUT
PEOPLE!
By: Pastor Nieting
Our Stephen Ministry program has openings for
several men and women who feel the desire to make a
difference in the lives of others on a one-to-one basis.
Training will begin soon. Please talk with Pastor
Nieting immediately!
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
ADULT SERVANT EVENT FOR HOPE
By: Pastor Nieting
Remember Hurricane Sandy? Folks in Crisfield, MD
sure do! Over 500 homes were severely damaged. Recovery work is still going on.
Pastor Nieting will lead a team of Hope members to
Crisfield to aid in rebuilding. We will leave Sunday afternoon, May 3, and return Friday evening, May 8.
Whether you have construction skills or not, there is
work to be done. We need you!
Our team (max of 15 people) will stay in a former
Navy facility (now owned by the American Legion) that
has become the recovery effort’s “Kamp Kairos.” There
is a small cost ($100) to participate. Can’t go? Can’t
build? Perhaps you can contribute and pray! See pastor
for more info.
VALENTINE’S DAY MOVIE & POPCORN
FREE SHOWING OF
“THE SONG”
You’re invited to the fellowship hall for a free
showing of “The Song” on Saturday, Feb. 14. Doors
will open at 7:15pm. Movie begins at 7:30. Popcorn and
other refreshments will be available.
The movie is about the relationship between an upcoming musician star, following in his famous fathers
footsteps, and the love that builds between the musician and the girl of his
dreams. He finds he must change his
ways and turn to God for everything in
his life. The movie demonstrates what
happens when he forgets to include God
in his life and how easy that slippery
slope begins. It's a sweet and beautiful
movie. Bring a friend and enjoy a free
evening on Valentine’s Day.
PAGE 5
By: Carroll Bains
About 40 seniors gathered at the Honey Bee
Golf Course Club House
for our annual Christmas
luncheon on Dec. 15. A
beautifully decorated room was provided and a
good buffet of turkey, beef and fixins was enjoyed
by all. We brought an assortment of our own desserts. Paula Friedmann's chocolate pudding recipe
was a hands-down favorite! Pastor Nieting, with
his guitar, led us in Christmas carols after lunch.
Leisure Lutherans choral ensemble is now contemplating a road tour....maybe to Chesapeake? The fun really started when we began the
annual "Chinese Auction" of choosing gifts and
trading them away from time to time.
With this great turnout, we welcomed three
new couples to our group; the Koons, Chipchaks
and Erbers, as first timers for our Christmas celebration. We look forward to a wonderful Christmas, and as we proceed to the New Year, we hope
to have more seniors join us for a year of good
Christian fellowship, good food, and good fun!
January 19 ushered in another Leisure Lutherans year of luncheons and Christian fellowship activities. Twenty-four members met at Y’not
Pizza on Volvo Parkway in Chesapeake and enjoyed a variety of delicious Italian foods. Several
took advantage of the scrumptious homemade dessert array! (All No-Cal, of course!). Pastor Nieting
provided us with a good update on congregational
happenings and upcoming plans before Church
Council. It really pays to have the pastor in our
age group, so we get the straight word from the
"Head Shed."
BREAKING NEWS!! Hello, I am Linda
Chappell and have accepted the position as organizer for the monthly Leisure Lutheran luncheons.
Just as it takes a village to rear a child, I will be
pleased to accept any suggestions to assist in
achieving the scheduling of successful events. I
will be open to any and all input. My cell is 757589-4167 and email is [email protected].
On Monday, Feb. 16, we will meet at the Olive Garden (Greenbrier,
1631 Ring Rd, Chesapeake) in The 50's Room.
Sign-up sheet is in the narthex. I look forward to seeing you all.
PAGE 6
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
Articles for the March issue of Hope Highlights are due Sunday, Feb.
15. E-mail your article to: [email protected] or leave a
copy in Martha’s box in the church office.
February Birthdays 23 Lonnie Baird
1
2
3
6
7
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
21
22
Taylor Guillory
Brennan Werner
Mary Dugroo
Shannon Coburn
Millie Gennaro
Michael Plummer
David Hernandez
Jon Lee
Sam White
Misu Brown
Bill Cashman
Liliava Hartje
Melanie Oswald
Bill Riley
Caroline White
Sadie Bagwell
John Gebhardt
Connie Plemmons
Gannon Connor
Linda Santoro
Sophia Johnson
Rosanna Mulske
Abby Sneath
Michael Leveskas
Benjamin Martin
Nicholas Payne
Alisha Cofer
Alyssa Vargas
James Johnson
Ashley Seron
Zahkaiah Brickhouse
Jonathon Crissman
Jackson Hartje
Derek Lane
Chris Speckman
Shannon Frederick
Luke Frye
Neil Slinde
Paul Strait
Aimee Dohner
Tara Johnson
Nathan Lane
Jemma Stewart
Nathan Barry
24
26
27
28
29
Serena Hohnsbehn
Deborah Johnson
Nicholas Woods
Josh Sneath
Rollie Soderholm
George Jones
Luke Riccio
George Schaefer
Diana Stancy
Joanne Graebner
Ryan Mulske
Gedion Teklegiorgis
Audra Motley
ANNIVERSARY
11 Matt & Nancy Harrell
MISSING?
If your birthday/anniversary
is missing or incorrect,
please contact the church
office: (424-4848) or
[email protected]
ALTAR FLOWERS
AND
ETERNAL LIGHT
There are many opportunities still available in 2015 to
sign up for altar flowers or
Eternal Light. Payment is
due at sign-up. Cost of
flowers is $40 per week.
Cost of Eternal Light is $40
per month. Please see
Kathryn Wacker in the
church office (424-4848) or
e-mail
[email protected]
Lily orders coming soon!
Watch your bulletin
Announcements
for details.
The Story: Chapter 21
“Nehemiah”
8:15am:Worship Service
11am: Worship (HC)
22 1st Sunday in Lent
Articles for March issue of
Highlights due today!
The Story: Chap 20
“Queen Esther”
8:15am:Worship (HC)
11am: Worship Service
15 Transfiguration Sunday
12:15pm Stamp Camp
LWML Bake Sale after each
service
GROW ONE SUNDAY
Mite Sunday
The Story: Chap 19
“The Exiles Return”
8:15am: Worship Service
11am: Worship (HC)
8 5thSunday after Epiphany
The Story: Chap 18
“Daniel”
8:15am: Worship (HC)
11am: Worship Service
1 4thSunday after Epiphany
SUNDAY
MONDAY
7:30pm Stephen
Ministry Meeting
23 Hope School
11:30am Leisure
Lutherans Luncheon
(Olive GardenGreenbrier)
Hope School Closed
16 Presidents’ Day
9 Hope School
2 Hope School
February 2015
4:30pm Arabic Language
Class
9:30am-Noon Staff
Devotions & Meeting
24 Hope School
4:30pm Arabic Language
Class
9:30am-Noon Staff
Devotions & Meeting
17 Hope School
6:30pm Council Meeting
4:30pm Arabic Language
Class
10 Hope School
7pm Worship Committee
Meeting
4:30pm Arabic Language
Class
9:30am-12:30pm Staff
Devotions & Meeting
3 Hope School
TUESDAY
6 – 8am
Imposition of Ashes
7:30pm Adult Choir
Lenten Worship Services
Noon & 6:30pm
6-7:30pm Food pantry
10:30am Luther Manor Visit
10am Arabic Language Class
9:15am MOPS Meeting
25 Hope School
7:30pm Adult Choir
Ash Wednesday Services
Noon & 6:30pm
10am Arabic Language Class
10:30am Bible Study
Hope School
18
6:30pm OASIS Worship
& Bible Study
7:30pm Adult Choir
6-7:30pm Food pantry
10am Arabic Language Class
10am Bible Study
9:15am MOPS Meeting
11 Hope School
7:30pm Adult Choir
6:30pm OASIS Worship
& Bible Study
10am Arabic Language Class
10am Bible Study
4 Hope School
WEDNESDAY
7pm Praise Team
Rehearsal
7pm Adult Bell Choir
6pm French Language
Class
26 Hope School
7pm Praise Team
Rehearsal
7pm Adult Bell Choir
6pm French Language
Class
19 Hope School
7pm Adult Bell Choir
6pm French Language
Class
12 Hope School
7pm Praise Team
Rehearsal
7pm Adult Bell Choir
6pm French Language
Class
5 Hope School
THURSDAY
10:30am French
Language Class
9:15am Bulletin Folding
Crew
27 Hope School
10:30am French
Language Class
9:15am Bulletin Folding
Crew
20 Hope School
10:30am French
Language Class
9:15am Bulletin Folding
Crew
13 Hope School
10:30am French
Language Class
9:15am Bulletin Folding
Crew
6 Hope School
FRIDAY
8am Knights of Hope
10am Arabic Language
Class
28
10am Arabic Language
Class
21
7:15pm Free Movie &
Popcorn: “The Song”
Happy Valentine’s
Day!
10 – 11:30am
Food Pantry
10am Arabic Language
Class
14
10am Arabic Language
Class
7
SATURDAY
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL
Missouri Synod
5350 Providence Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
February
Highlights
We’re on the web!
Hopevabeach.org
HOPE HIGHLIGHTS NEWSLETTER
February 2015
No. 01-15
Published Monthly
Hope Lutheran Church
5350 Providence Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23464