first lutheran church of hope · 7/7/2020 · reflect his different capacities of relating to...

FOOTPRINTS July/August, 2020

First Lutheran Church of Hope

Growing in Christ. Sharing His Love.

Reaching the World.

Worship Time: 9:00 am Adult Bible Study

10:30 am

“Come join our Family of God”

Location: 8953 SW 37th Ave., Hope, MN 56046

Mailing Address: PO Box 7, Hope MN 56046

507-451-3854

Pastor Sandy Miller

Cell phone: 507-456-1794

PASTOR SANDY’S OFFICE HOURS

Tues/Wed/Thurs 2pm – 5pm

FOOTPRINTS July/August, 2020 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly

perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are

without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Anyone who knows me knows that my very favorite season of the year is summer! And as I sit here

contemplating about what to write in this month’s newsletter, I’m in my ‘happy place’. As I sit on our

deck I hear the sounds of summer all around me ~ water trickling; lawn mowers; birds singing; a light

breeze in the air; sunshine peeking through a partly cloudy sky ~ and the song that’s going through my

head is “This is My Father’s World”. Following are the lyrics:

This is my Father’s world, And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas— His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world: The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world: O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!

This hymn reminds us not only of the beauty of creation, but the way in which it also binds us to

the Gospel and to the goodness of our Father. What do the words of this song speak to you? Our

Father in Heaven is literally the backdrop for everything around us. He is everywhere and in

everything, in the good and the bad, in our joys and our sorrows. He is big enough, strong

enough, creative enough and loving enough to handle any situation we face, and He absolutely

delights in blessing us with His wonderful creation as He affirms His majesty and greatness.

In saying that, how He must grieve at the conflict going on in our world today. Friends, as

Christians we must seek peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as our neighbors

who are different from us. Any evil in this world whether it be racism, abortion, jealousy or

anger is an abomination in God’s sight and goes completely against His goodness. It’s when we

delight in His creation, not just nature but in human life, that we begin to love what He loves and

hate what He hates. Nobody said being a Christian would be easy. It’s why we need each other –

to love one another, encourage one another, and to hold one another accountable. The LORD is

King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!

In His JOY ~

Pastor Sandy


SPRING/SUMMER BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

SUNDAY MORNING STUDY We are temporarily suspending our Sunday morning Bible study, “The Gospel Project” through the summer months primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions. We’ll pick it back up in the fall and hope that you’ll join us then!

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Calling all men! You’re invited to our Men’s Bible study that meets every Saturday morning at 7:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. What do we do? We simply read a few chapters in the Bible and then discuss it, what it means and how it relates to our lives as men. Bring your own coffee and something to eat if you wish!

SUMMER BIBLE STUDY

“The POWER of God’s Names” by Tony Evans 6-week study beginning Wednesday, June 17th

6:30 -8:00 pm; Cost = $15

Because of God’s depth of character, He has a variety of names to reflect His different capacities of relating to humanity. God is

called Elohim when referenced as the all-powerful Creator. When you need provision, get to know the name Jehovah Jireh, which

means God, the Provider. God has a name for any and every situation that you can find yourself in. Get to know the names of

God through this six-session study because it is in knowing His character and His capacity that you will rest and discover both

peace and power in His covenant care. If interested, please contact Pastor Sandy @ 507-456-1794

or [email protected]


WOMEN OF THE WORD

JULY ALTAR GUILD

Communion: Lori Springer Paraments & Banners: Nancy Brekke

& Janet Thompson

AUGUST ALTAR GUILD

Communion: Lori Springer Paraments & Banners: Raquel Hansen

& Carol Wilker

JULY SERVICE GROUP

AUGUST SERVICE GROUP

YOU ARE APPRECIATED!

A big thank you to Raquel Hansen for all of her work to research and complete the Paycheck Protection Loan through the COVID-19 Federal Stimulus Bill. It was a fair amount of work initially in addition to following it through and completing the proper paperwork in the end. Her attention to detail and understanding of what needed to be done is a real blessing to our congregation. Raquel, you are appreciated!


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FREE WILL OFFERING TO PREGNANCY CENTERS

On Friday, June 19th Chad Royer from Bedford, IN was in the area doing a fundraiser for Hope Resource Center, a pregnancy center on which he sits as a board member. His goal? To raise money for the pregnancy center as well as raise awareness for other pregnancy centers. Chad’s goal was to visit seven communities with the name Hope in seven different states. He went from Indiana down to New Hope, Mississippi and then worked his way up to Hope, ND finally ending in Hope, MN before his return trip home.

During his visit to MN, he visited Pregnancy Options in Faribault, MN where he met up with Pastor Sandy and Ron Neuharth from Good Shepherd Church where we learned about the services they provide in the hope to move pregnant women towards choosing life rather than abortion for their unborn child. On Sunday, June 21 we collected a $460 free will offering which will be split between the two pregnancy centers. Thank you to all who contributed!! It is greatly appreciated!!

First Lutheran Treasurer’s Report for May, 2020

Submitted by Raquel Hansen, Treasurer

35,830.19$

Income 16,945.00$

16,315.00$

Other Income -$

630.00$

6,721.71$

6,721.71$

-$

46,053.49$

48,455.38$

44,641.67$

3,813.71$

Beginning Balance

Total Income

General Offering

Designated Giving

Amount Over/(Under)

Total Expenses

General Expenses

Designated Giving (Out)

Ending Balance

YTD Budget

Total Tithes and Offerings

Amount needed for Budget


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SCRIP FOR SALE

We continually have scrip cards available from HyVee, Fleet Farm, and Kwik Trip in $25, $50, and $100 amounts. NEW TO SCRIP: Kwik Trip Car Wash cards. $30 gets you 5/ea Ultimate Car Washes, a $50 value! See Lori Springer or Dean Shankland before or after church to purchase. All proceeds remain in the Scrip Fund for future ministry needs.

Scrip Report, May, 2020

Submitted by Raquel Hansen, Treasurer

3,336.13$

Income: 2,443.27$

-$

2,443.27$

Expenses: 1,000.00$

1,000.00$

4,779.40$

2,620.00$

7,399.40$

Sales Profit YTD Profit

Hy-Vee 1,625.00$ 32.50$ 73.50$

Fleet Farm 100.00$ 5.00$ 35.00$

Kwik Trip 575.00$ 82.02$ 433.10$

Kwik Trip Car Wash 90.00$ 30.00$ 60.00$

Total 2,390.00$ 149.52$ 601.60$

Ending Account Balance

Ending Scrip Card Balance

Ending Account Balance

Scrip Sales and Profit

Beginning Account Balance

Donations

Scrip Card Sales

Expenses:


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Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2020

Present: Sandy, Lisa, Raquel, Dave, Randy, Mary, Jim Devotion & Prayer: Randy Secretary’s report: Raquel made a motion to approve. Dave seconded; motion carried Treasurer’s Report: Raquel

• The reports indicate a YTD unfavorable variance from 2019 to 2020 offering of $1399. April 2020 is showing $3908 unfavorable difference in tithes and offerings compared to April 2019.

• PPP loan is showing other income and transfers ($12,917)

• YTD Tithes and offerings compared to budget is unfavorable by $3572

• YTD Tithes and offerings compared to actual spending is unfavorable by $2051

• Actual spending compared to budget is favorable by $1522 Pastor’s report: Sandy.

• Weekly calls are continuing and seem to be appreciated

• Impact of covid-19 on members of congregation

• Posting Sunday’s message online is reaching many Prayers for our Ministry: All Old Business:

• CARES ACT PPP Loan. Raquel will submit the necessary information and we will pay off whatever funds remain sometime around June 21,2020

New Business:

• Response to Covid19 Survey results were distributed. Each question with results was individually discussed.

• Lengthy discussion around the issue of when to reinstate services, with care, in the church building based on the results of the survey.

o Specific cleaning protocol was established o Seating, seating arrangement, enter and exit procedures in the

sanctuary were established o Our safety plan will be posted on the door o There will be no socialization within the building o Masks will be optional o Sanitizing stations will be established o No childcare but parents are welcome to use the nursery area


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• Sandy presented a request from an individual with unusual circumstances to join First Lutheran. No action taken at this time.

Committee Reports Finance Committee-Randy

• CARES ACT-PPP LOAN Deacon Report-Randy

• Men’s group is meeting using social distancing

• Calls to members continues, going well

• Need to reach out to New Richland

• Coverage for Sandy for June 7

• Use of power point during services, no bulletins Trustee Report

• AED sign is up

• Mildew was removed from outside of building

• Mowing schedule is set

• Cement soon to be replaced Board of Ed

• Sandy has Bible Study chosen for Summer by Tony Evans will start June 17th and run for 6 weeks

• Men’s study continues

• Sunday morning Bible Study will be on hold Ministry reports Laundry Love report: Lisa

• May was cancelled next one 6/15/2020 WOW: Sandy

• No report Mission: Sandy

• People asking for Pastoral care in Estonia

• Pastor Bob in need of $3500 for expanded housing for his family. Anyone wanting to donate can write out to designated giving to First Lutheran and indicate purpose.

Review June Monthly calendar: All Randy moved to adjourn; Raquel second; Approved. Closed in Prayer Respectfully submitted: Mary Arfmann


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July 2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 Benevolence

Committee, 4:00 pm Bible Study, 6:30 pm

Board of Deacons 6:30 pm

BD – Kathy Streiff

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Worship with Communion 9:00 am

Bible Study, 6:30 pm

Men’s Bible Study, 7:30 am BD – Randy Borchert

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Worship Service 10:30am

BD – Dean Shankland

Finance Committee, 5:30 pm Council Mtg. 7:00 pm

LCMC Ministry Board Bible Study, 6:30 pm

LCMC Ministry Board

LCMC Ministry Board

Men’s Bible Study, 7:30 am

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Worship with Communion 9:00 am BD – Jadan Young

Laundry Love, 6pm

Board of Education 6:30 pm BD – Anna Nelson

Bible Study, 6:30 pm


26 27 28 29 30 31 Worship Service, 9:00 am

BD – Darla Skalicky


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August 2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Men’s Bible

Study, 7:30 am

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Worship with Communion, 9:00 am BD – Ellie Nappin


9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Worship Service, 9:00 am

Finance Committee, 5:30 pm Council Mtg. 7:00 pm

BD – Gary Schwartz

BD – Steve Jensen

Men’s Bible Study, 7:30 am BD – Audrey Larson

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Worship with Communion, 9:00 am

Laundry Love, 6pm BD – Jennifer Malepsy


23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Worship Service, 9:00 am

Meatball Supper Planning, 6:30 pm (?) BD – Lisa BOrchert

BD – Dave Luedtke

BD – Sylvia Smuland

Men’s Bible Study, 7:30 am Pastor Sandy vacation

30 31

Worship Service, 9:00 am

Pastor Sandy vacation

Pastor Sandy vacation


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Bits and Pieces

We thank God for the many guests and visitors who have been attending worship at First Lutheran. Please introduce yourself and welcome them warmly. Invite them to come again and ask them to sign the guest book. And don’t forget to keep handing out your Invite Cards located in the basket on the table in the lower narthex.

Keep Them in Your Prayers

• Those in need of on-going strength & healing: Bobby Thompson; Gary Schwartz; Mary Arfmann; Emily Otto; Lisa Skalicky; Roxanne Wadley

• Those who we are in ministry partnership with: LCMC; Pastor Bob Mankaka; Pastor Siimon Hammer, EEMN, Enrique Estrada; Pastor Peter Sewarkayanga & Andrew

We recycle aluminum cans. Please place in the trash can under the steps (not in the WM container). Proceeds go to the building fund.

Thank you for your help.

Church Attendance

May 3 Online (93 views) May 10 Online (97 views) May 17 Online (80 views) May 24 25 + 58 views May 31 34 + 37 views

July Birthdays

3 Kathy Streiff 19 Jadan Young 11 Randy Borchert 21 Anna Nelson 13 Dean Shankland 31 Darla Skalicky

April 28 Mike Hartle

August Birthdays

2 Danielle Nappin 17 Jennifer Malepsy 13 Gary Schwartz 26 Lisa Borchert 14 Steve Jensen 27 Dave Luedtke 15 Audrey Larson 28 Sylvia Smuland


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JULY/AUGUST WORSHIP at FIRST LUTHERAN

LAY LEADER SCHEDULE

Date Ushers Communion Sound Technician

July 5 Wendell & Kathy Peterson Jan Clementson Steve Miller

July 12 Randy & Lisa Borchert Jadan Young

July 19 Todd & Raquel Hansen Randy Borchert Steve Weigt

July 26 Warren Suchanek & Darla Skalicky AJ Pirkl

August 2 Dean & JoAnn Shankland Kathy Peterson Warren Suchanek

August 9 Gary & Dawn Schwartz Jadan Young

August 16 Dave & Chris Jensen Raquel Hansen Steve Weigt

August 23 Charlie & Carol Anderson Steve Miller

August 30 Richard & Karlene Hansen AJ Pirkl

Date Projection Tech Reader Greeter Acolyte

July 5 Randy Borchert Raquel Hansen Jim Springer AJ Pirkl

July 12 Angela Olson JoAnn Shankland Steve Miller Dakota Nappin

July 19 Steve Miller Kathy Harty Richard Hansen Joey Pirkl

July 26 Mary Arfmann Kathy Streiff Mary Hoelz AJ Pirkl

August 2 Randy Borchert Jim Springer Kathy Harty Dakota Nappin

August 9 Angela Olson Lisa Borchert Nancy Brekke Joey Pirkl

August 16 Steve Miller Dave Jensen Steve Skalicky AJ Pirkl

August 23 Mary Arfmann Nancy Brekke Todd Hansen Dakota Nappin

August 30 Randy Borchert Jan Clementson Dawn Armstrong Joey Pirkl *If you are unable to serve at your scheduled time, please find a replacement and let

Pastor Sandy know. Thank you!

July 5 9:00 am Worship w/Communion July 12 9:00 am Worship Service July 19 9:00 am Worship w/Communion July 26 9:00 am Worship Service Aug 2 9:00 am Worship w/Communion Aug 9 9:00 am Worship Service Aug 16 9:00 am Worship w/Communion Aug 23 9:00 am Worship Service Aug 30 9:00 am Worship Service

first lutheran church of hope · 7/7/2020 · reflect his different capacities of relating to...

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