House of Prayer

Ministry Appreciation May 20

hop_admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:56:42 +0000

The Ministry appreciation event will be held between services on Sunday, May 20. We hope you will attend to celebrate the ministry we do together. Pictures will be shown of the many ministries at House of Prayer. In addition to a good time, we will have drawings for several prizes. You must be present to win Don’t miss the chance to be thanked or to say thanks for a great job.

The fellowship potluck has been rescheduled for June 24 after the 9:30am service.

Youth Valleyfair Trip May 20

hop_admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:50:01 +0000

Steel Venom, Wild Thing, Power Tower, Xtreme Swing! If you’re looking for a fun afternoon, our Middle and High School youth are taking a trip to Valleyfair on May 20^th. Cost is only $20 for the afternoon! We will leave church after the 2^nd Service and return around 7pm. Sign up is on the welcome desk.

Feed My Starving Children

House of Prayer Staff — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:13:40 +0000

Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit. A group from HOP will be meeting at 10:45am at church to carpool and going to hand-pack meals from 11:30am-1:30pm, on 5/19, designed specially for starving children. There are still a few open spots available please sign up at the Welcome Center if you would like to participate in this fun mission event.

Invite a friend, neighbor, or someone you haven’t seen in a while to join us!

Another way you can support this mission is to send along a donation to help pay for the ingredients that go into the meals. Please make checks payable to: House of Prayer with FMSC in the memo line. Contact Maren N. or any Social Ministry committee members if you are unable to attend and would like to us to deliver a donation.

Strands of Hope Tues, May 22 at 7:00pm & Wed, May 23 9:30am

hop_admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:07:49 +0000

Create a beautiful and meaningful necklace to give as a gift or to keep for yourself. Strands of Hope was created by women in a breast cancer support group as a way to share encouragement and hope with others. You can see the necklaces and earrings on the website www.strandsofhope.com. Necklace kits are $15. Matching earrings are $15. Sign up at the welcome desk for the evening or morning sessions. You can pay at the event. If you can’t join us, order forms may be picked up at the welcome center and checks can be made out to “Strands of Hope” and left in the church office. Please call Monica S. with questions.

Upcoming Youth Events

hop_admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 18:20:52 +0000

Saturday, May 5 - BIG day of service

Sunday, May 20 – Valleyfair

Sunday, June 10 – Ascension Place

Saturday, July 8 – Ski Day with Ski Otters

Monday, July 30 – Saints Game

From the Pastor’s Study – May 2012

hop_admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:38:16 +0000

Greetings, and Happy Easter to you all!

Christ is Risen Alleluia!

I said during Lent that questions about our faith are welcome! I truly mean that. From our questions come a deeper understanding of God and God’s world, and a deeper understanding of our faith and relationship with God and others. From new understandings can spring new birth, new beginnings and new life – Easter! And so, to help us better understand parts of our faith and belief I am going to include a new section in each months Newsletter called “Faith Facts”. I encourage you to submit your questions about religion or faith either in writing (to Pastor Dan at House of Prayer) or via email and I will do my best to shed light on your inquiry.

Recently I heard what sounds like confusion or misunderstanding about the words ‘holy catholic’ church used each week in worship in one of our three Creeds – the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed or the Athanasian Creed. These creeds are statements of our faith that help us to both understand what we (all Christians) believe and to confess what we believe to others.

Did you know that when we say in the Apostle’s Creed that we “…believe in the Holy Spirit, the ‘holy catholic’ church…” (notice these are all small letters) that we are simply saying that we believe in the holy universal church of Christ. When we confess these words from the Creed we are simply saying that we, as Christians, all believe in the same God and are part of one larger Christian church. This does not mean that we believe in the “Holy Roman Catholic” church. These are our brothers and sisters in faith in the Roman “Catholic” (big C) church, and, yes, we as Lutherans do disagree with them on some things. We do, however, believe in the same God even though we are part of a different denomination or branch of Christianity.

In John 10:16 Jesus says, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” Here Jesus is talking about one day bringing people of other faiths (non-believers), and for us today other Christian denominations, all together so that Christ is our shepherd. One way to look at this would be that non-believers are not even part of the flock yet. And that Catholics and Presbyterians are part of different flocks. And one day, we will all be part of one flock.

So, next time you are reciting the Apostles Creed, do not worry that you are saying you believe in some other form of Christianity or religion, you are not. You are simply saying that you believe in the one universal church of Christ! – Thankfully, our God –the Triune three-in-one God believes in relationship, unity and new life! Happy Easter ! – Thanks be to God!

Pastor Dan

H.O.P. Graduates

hop_admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:35:53 +0000

Congratulations and God’s blessings to the following young men and women who are graduating from high school this year: Eric, Levi, Ryan, Dillon They will be recognized in worship on June 3rd. Please include these young people and their families in your prayers … Continue reading →

Confirmation Classes and Final Meetings of the Year

hop_admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:34:35 +0000

Confirmation classes will be held the first three Wednesdays in May. On May 2^nd and 9^th Pastor Dan will be wrapping up our study on our neighbors’ faiths. On Wednesday, May 16, the Sixth and Seventh grade confirmands and their families will be preparing and hosting dinner for the confirmation student being confirmed on Sunday, May 27. Watch the mail for more information!

May Schedule for Sunday School and Faith Matters

hop_admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:31:40 +0000

SUNDAY SCHOOL

May 6 Abraham led by Janet

May 13 Abraham led by Janet
- Children Sing at 10:45 Worship

May 20 End of year celebration
- games / prizes / activities

May 27 No Sunday School for the Summer
- Attend 9:30 Worship with your families

June 18 – 22 See you all at Summer Bible School!!

FAITH MATTERS SCHEDULE

May 6 Social Ministry Presentation by Deb Seyfer

May 13 Topic: Tanzania 2013 Trip

May 20 End of Year Celebration with Sunday Church School

May 27 Memorial Day weekend begins Summer 9:30 Worship Schedule

June 18 – 22 Adult volunteers needed for Bible School!!

Preschool Update May 2012

hop_admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:27:33 +0000

As our year comes to a close I would like to take this time to thank you all for your prayers and support. It has been a wonder filled year and I can’t believe it is over. This spring we will be graduating 17 children on May 28^th. June 1^st we will have an all school picnic with families and friends. I hope you all have a safe and sunny summer. See you in September. Blessings,

Jody L. Doree