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Sunday, May 4th - Worship at 8:30 & 10:45, Education Hour at 9:45
Sunday, May 11th - Worship at 8:30 & 10:45, Education Hour at 9:45
Sunday, May 18th - Worship at 8:30 & 10:45, Education Hour at 9:45
Sunday, May 25th - Summer Worship at 9:30

THE CHILD IN THE SEAT
Welcome to House of Prayer!!
Children are an important part of our worshipping community. Their presence grows out of our commitment to incorporate children in the life and mission of House of Prayer and to nurture them in a growing relationship with God.

Why? Well, first because we take seriously our promise in Baptism. This is “to support and pray for all baptized in their new life in Christ” (ELW page 228.) Second, in joy, we look to help raise the next generation of God's people. In so doing, we recall the words of Deuteronomy 6:5-7:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might. Keep these words that I command you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.

Bringing children to church may not always be easy, but it is an extremely vital part of their spiritual growth. We trust that, together, we can provide a positive experience for our youngest worshippers and learn from each other.

Helpful hints for caregivers:
• Play church at home. Pretend games prepare your children for new experiences.

• Make church a habit. If you only take your kids to church occasionally they get out of practice (plus, they don’t get to hear how loved they are from their church family.) Young children learn through repetition. Over time, they will understand that church is a special place that requires special behavior.

• Bring something for little ones to hold on to or look at. (Grab a worship bag and/or Children’s Bulletin on your way in. Let kids decorate the offering envelop or color if they need something to occupy them.)

• Establish signals which can be used to help children know when to settle down.
• Stop at the bathroom before the service.
• Bring snacks.
• Sit near the front so children can see what is going on.
• Give your child a bulletin and hymnbook to use.
• Let kids pass the offering plate to others. Remember, letting them put in the family offering or a coin teaches sharing.
• After worship introduce the kids to the pastor so they get to know who is leading worship.
• Find times to stretch those muscles and invite participation by:
* Encouraging your child to stand up when the congregation does.        
* Letting your child dance during appropriate songs.
* Have your child walk around and share a sign of peace when the time comes.
* If there are empty seats, let your child walk amongst them if they need    an outlet.
• Attend church functions in addition to worship. This way kids feel at home with their church family and experience how worship leads us to help our neighbor.

Notes to parents from their children:
• When the offering plate is passed, please let me put my money in it and allow me to help pass it.
• When I wiggle, don't be upset. Adults wiggle too. (Pssst! Remember, wiggles can glorify God!)
• When I have a question, answer it briefly. Don't hush or ignore me.
• From the day I'm born, bring me forward at communion to receive a blessing.
• Remind me that the Children's Sermon is my special time during church. Please understand if I run forward in excitement.
• Help me pay attention. Tell me to squeeze your hand whenever I hear a ‘code word’ from the pastor or readers during worship (Jesus, love, God, mercy, et cetera.)
• Don’t give up!  It’s not always easy and staying at home with me may seem like the ‘better’ option. But in doing so, I am denied the need to hear God’s promises. Plus, my church family misses seeing the life I bring to worship (wiggles, giggles, protests and all!)

Some suggestions for congregation members:
• Express joy at having children worship with us! Send a smile their way. Greet them when we pass the peace.
• Help parents of small children by showing your support of their child. Send the message that you want every child to be part of our church family-even on the ‘bad’ days
• Say a silent prayer of thanks when you see a child in your midst.
• Invite parents to sit with you so you may assist with bottles, dropped toys and teaching kids how to worship.
• Encourage parents! It’s not easy to parent kids in the pew and parents can easily feel embarrassed. Remind them that their family adds to our church family; wiggles, giggles and protests included!

All adults – members and worship guests – are invited each Sunday morning to share in an informal time of learning and growing in faith between services (9:45 to 10:30) in the Fellowship Hall.  Grab some coffee and a treat, and see what new insights you might glean from this time together.

Here is the May schedule:

Sun., May 4   - Volunteer Appreciation Reception - HOP would not be the welcoming and vital place it is without the innumerable volunteers who give so generously of time and energy to our ministry.  You are invited to a time of fun and food in the Fellowship Hall as we give thanks for you and you have the chance to to give thanks for one another.

Sun., May 11   - 2008 Buffalo Roast Preview - It’s time to start gathering and planning for the big August event.  This is your opportunity to give your input in shaping this year’s event and learn how you can be involved.  

Sun., May 18  - Confirmation / New Member Reception  -  Come into the Fellowship Hall to more personally welcome our new members and to encourage the Confirmation students who will be affirming their faith at the second service.  (And besides, there will be food to share!)

Sun., May 25  –  No study hour – Memorial Day weekend.  Start of summer worship at 9:30am.

NOTE: ONE SERVICE BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 25th

The Sunday morning SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE will begin this year on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 25th, and will continue through the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, August 31st.  During the summer months, we will have one service at 9:30 a.m. – a chance for the whole HOP community to gather together (so you can be better acquainted with some of those people who might worship at the “other” service!).  

“Thank you!”

On any given Sunday, and some days in between, I am blessed to hear thankfulness spilling from people’s lips. It may be a thank you directed toward a congregation member, Pastor Phil or myself. These “thank yous” are a blessing to hear and to receive.

Genuine “thank yous” reveal a grateful heart. They also recognize the time, energy, care and commitment someone has put into a given service. Yet, there are many vital services that go unseen and unnoticed.  These are services such as bulletins and newsletters edited, assembled, folded, addressed and mailed, plowed parking lots, lawns mowed, money counted, office organized, luncheons served...

The list of behind the scenes services performed at House of Prayer is endless. I am in awe when I see the steady volunteers that come in to perform tasks week after week, month after month. I am also amazed at the willingness of people to help with a sudden, unexpected task. This may be preparing a dish and/or serving at a funeral luncheon or coming in to help clean the church. People jump in and often times don’t need to be asked.

Yet, if these services did not get done, the church wouldn’t function nearly as smooth. Imagine the welcome to visitors if the lot remained unplowed or the coffee was never made. Imagine what would be left undone if the energy of the paid staff had to focus and complete all these important details.

So thank you, both to those of you who help with the more public ministry and those who work under the radar. The tasks are not always glamorous and perhaps not always noticed. However, they add to the life of this community in immeasurable ways.

In light of this, “Thank you!” We hope you come as we honor your work at the Volunteer Appreciation Reception between services on May 4th. It will be a celebration of thanks for the time, care, commitment and love you put into this vibrant community.

With a  grateful heart,
Intern Pastor Renita

PS If you are interested in ways you may get involved in the various ministries and services at House of Prayer, please call the church office and talk with Pastor Phil, Jill or myself.  

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 May.  Take some time during each week to read ahead and see what kind of a sermon God plants in your heart.

May 4                       
Acts 1:6-14              
Ps 68:1-10, 32-35              
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11        
John 17:1-11          

May 11                      
Num 11:24-30  
Ps 104:24-34,35b          
Acts 2:1-21              
John 20:19-23    
          
May 18
Gen:1-2:4a
Ps 8
2 Cor 13:11-13
Matt 28:16-20

May 25
Isa 49:8-16a
Ps 131
1 Cor 4:1-5
Matt 6:24-34