Are you interested in seeing what House of Prayer church is all about? Our visitors page can give you an introduction to the community and ministries of House of Prayer.

Memorial Day Weekend traditionally marks the beginning of our SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE here at House of Prayer – so now throughout June, July, and August, you are invited to gather at HOP for one Sunday service at 9:30 a.m.  

As we continue to grow and welcome many new people among us, these summer months provide a great opportunity to not only worship with people you may not see as often when we have the two services, but also to meet and greet people who are new to our community.  And don’t forget that the summer months are a great time to invite your neighbor, co-worker, or friend to experience worship and fellowship at House of Prayer.

Sunday, July 5th - 9:30am Summer Worship
Sunday, July 12th - 9:30am Summer Worship; 10:30am Brunch
Sunday, July 19th -  9:30am Summer Worship
Sunday, July 26th -  9:30am Summer Worship

Click here for a map and driving directions to House of Prayer

SPECIAL SUMMER OPPORTUNITY:

You are invited to spend some time each Thursday evening this summer -- beginning July 2nd – at an informal Bible study entitled “50 Days of Scripture and Prayer”.  This seven-week study has been offered by the ELCA Bishop’s Office to draw congregations throughout the country into study and prayer in preparation for the 2009 Churchwide Assembly which will be held in August in Minneapolis.  The suggested Biblical texts for each week will be surrounded by important questions of faith about what God is up to in the world and how we are involved in God’s ever-unfolding purpose, both in our local settings and in the greater world.  

We will meet each Thursday night at 7pm here at church for one hour.  (Weather-permitting, we will gather outside whenever possible, so you might want to bring a lawn chair.)   You are encouraged to make it a weekly habit  -- but you can come to any one of the sessions.  You might especially consider it when your plans will take you away on the weekend.  No preparation is necessary; all are welcome.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S SCREAM!  (Scream, like having fun!)

Be sure to set aside Tues and Wed evenings, July 27 and 28, to bring the whole family (and neighbors, relatives, and friends)  up to House of Prayer for a special outdoor midsummer event featuring food, fun, and learning  for people of all ages.  We are calling it “A Midsummer Night’s Scream,” because it is going to be a lot of fun!

This year, instead of the traditional Vacation Bible School just for the young kids, we are excited to offer two evenings designed to include all the generations, beginning with a picnic dinner, offering an outdoor Bible “theater” to set the stage for the evening, including age-appropriate teaching (for children, youth, and adults), along with crafts, games, music – and maybe a s’more or two over a campfire to conclude the night.

Watch for more info all during the month of July – but mark the dates now,  and start thinking about friends, family,

It’s gonna be another Buffalo stampede!

The Buffalo Roast, scheduled this year for Sunday, August 23rd, is our biggest outreach event of the year.  It provides a unique opportunity for us to bring our friends and neighbors to share in the great joy and good news of our community of faith here at House of Prayer.  

As our congregation continues to grow, we are hoping that we can use this event to get to know each other better and spread the welcome of HOP to many more people.  We need lots of help on the various strategic “teams” – Marketing, Activities, Food, or Logistics, and in the coming weeks, you will also be asked what food item you would be able to contribute.  By the end of July, you will receive an informational letter along with tickets which we hope you will help us sell for the Buffalo Roast.  

There will be a SIGN-UP BOARD in the narthex all during July for your use.  Questions?  Contact the church office.

Weekly Bible Reading
You are encouraged to engage in weekly sermon preparation.  Your worship experience can be greatly enhanced by reading and studying the scripture lessons in advance.  To help you do this, we have listed below the Biblical readings for each Sunday in July.  Take some time during each week to read ahead and see what kind of a sermon God plants in your heart.

July 5                        
Ezek 2:1-5              
Ps 123                  
2 Cor 12:2-10          
Mark 6:1-13            

July 12
Amos 7:7-15
Ps 85:8-13
Eph 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29

July 19                      
Jer 23:1-6              
Ps 23                  
Eph 2:11-22            
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56    

July 26
2 Kings 4:42-44
Ps 145:10-18
Eph 3:14-21
John 6:1-21

...to think of what to write to you all, House of Prayer, in this last newsletter. My heart is full of both joy at what lies ahead and sadness about the goodbye at hand. I wish I had the perfect words to tell you how much you mean to me, what you have shown me, the faith you have nourished, the Christ filled love you have shown.

Truth be told, as a person who is constantly immersed in words and the (hopefully) Spirit filled production of them, I am at a loss at just how to tell you thank you, I love you and I’ll miss you.

How do I let you know the importance of the mission you are supporting with hosting students; a word that has gotten around to the surrounding community? Through Pastor Kelly I heard the good things going on at House of prayer. I heard of your faith, your generosity and your willingness. Blessed am I that I was invited to be part of what God is up to in this place.  

And blessed am I to hear that you are continuing the tradition of welcoming students. My heart is filled with excitement at all the learning and teaching you all will have with Intern Pastor Joseph S.

Yes, blessed am I, but my words still fall short. Words cannot keep up with the amazing works of the Spirit I see in you all. So that being said, I look to the Bible, our Book of Faith, to help me begin to let you know the thanks in my heart.

"I thank God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me….

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.” (Phillippians 1: 3-11)

Intern Pastor Renita