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with Hope January, 2017January, 2017January, 2017January, 2017

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newsletter of newsletter of newsletter of newsletter of

Hope Church, Hope Church, Hope Church, Hope Church,

Spencer, IowaSpencer, IowaSpencer, IowaSpencer, Iowa

BY Pastor Russell MuilenburgBY Pastor Russell MuilenburgBY Pastor Russell MuilenburgBY Pastor Russell Muilenburg 2016 is behind us. 2017 is here. It’s time to set some goals and change some behaviors for the year ahead. Here are some

suggestions for New Year’s resolutions you can make with regards to your faith:

1. Make Attendance at Worship a Priority. Last year saw an interesting statistical phenomenon. The membership of our

church grew from 527 members to 546. Yet our average Sunday morning worship attendance declined from 524 to 490. How

is it that 19 more people call our church their home, and yet we saw, on average, 34 fewer people per week? The answer, it

would seem, is that church attendance is not consistent. Now, I understand that just being in church on Sunday morning does

not make you a Christ-follower. And there are many other ways to nurture your relationship with Jesus besides being in a

building with a cross on it. But it seems to me that the weekly gathering with our church family is a good way to re-focus our

attention on Jesus. The interaction with other believers—many of whom we only see on Sunday mornings—is a good way to

be encouraged in our faith. There are lots of reasons to miss worship from week to week. But the habit of church attendance

is one which, once broken, can be hard to re-establish. So let me encourage you to build that habit in 2017.

2. Read a Christian Book. Many of us have not read a serious book since high school or college. For many of us, carving

out the quiet and the down time to focus on a book is next to impossible, and if we do find it we are just as likely to fall asleep.

And yet, there is something about processing the words on a page and wrestling with the information they convey that teaches

us in a way that watching a screen or listening to a podcast just cannot do. One of the treasures of our church that many of us

don’t even notice (because it is right under our nose) is our church lending library. Our library has hundreds of books that are

written by some of the best Christian thinkers in our world today. It regularly gets new books, and they are well organized.

Using the library is as simple as leaving your name on the card and placing it in the check-out box. There’s not even a due

date, though we encourage you to get the books read and returned as quickly as possible. If you don’t read regularly, make it

your goal to read at least one serious Christian book this year. Some of my favorite authors are Philip Yancey, Kyle Idleman,

and Mark Buchanan. Their books can all be found in our library.

3. Volunteer in the Nursery. When you have children under the age of two, one of the real blessings is being able to attend

a church with a clean, safe and well-staffed nursery. Being able to entrust your busy little ones to people who will see that they

are well cared for helps you to relax and fully engage with the service. We have an excellent nursery that is capably managed

by Missy Lair (lair@smunet.net). It is often the families who most use the nursery who take turns staffing it as well. But it

doesn’t have to be that way. One of the biggest encouragements people who do not have young children can give to those

who do is volunteering to serve in the nursery from time to time so that these young families can have a stress-free time of

worship. If you would like to learn more, contact Missy or Kim Smith (ksmith@spencerhope.org) .

4.Mentor a Youth. Research shows that young people who have adult Christian influence in their life in addition to their

parents are much more likely to maintain a lifelong commitment to Christ. Each winter Youth Pastor Jay and Youth

Assistant Eric challenge the Middle School and High School students to take another step in their journey of faith by

entering into a mentoring relationship with an adult from church. With more students seeking mentors, there is a need for

more adults. Once partnered with a youth, you will be provided with discussion material and challenged to meet at least six

times over six weeks. After that, hopefully the relationship will continue. For more information contact Pastor Jay

(jvangelder@spencerhope.org) or Eric (emeeter@spencerhope.org)

These are four possible New Year’s Resolutions you could make for your faith. What’s yours?

New Year’s Resolutions for ChurchNew Year’s Resolutions for ChurchNew Year’s Resolutions for ChurchNew Year’s Resolutions for Church

Jay Van GelderJay Van GelderJay Van GelderJay Van Gelder

Youth NewsYouth NewsYouth NewsYouth News

Youth Special EventsYouth Special EventsYouth Special EventsYouth Special Events

Looking ahead

6th, 7th, 8th Youth Group

January 11: Bridge Event in Orange City

January 25: No Apologies

February 5: Super Youth Football Party

March 26: Bridge Event at Hope Church

April 7—9: Retreat Weekend (Tentative)

June 21—26: Work Trip to Lincoln, NE

Sr. High Youth Group

January 11: Bridge Event in Orange City

January 25: No Apologies

February 5: Super Youth Football Party

March 10—12: Spiritual Retreat (Tentative)

March 26: Bridge Event at Hope Church

July 16—26: Work Trip/Rocky Mountain High

Parents:

No ticket is required to attend.

Meet us at the Clay County Events

Center.

Youth:

We have a ticket for you. Meet at

Hope Church at 5:30 p.m. and we

will carpool to the Clay County

Events Center.

SPECIAL GIVEAWAYS

& DOOR PRIZES!

Kim SmithKim SmithKim SmithKim Smith

Children & Family NewsChildren & Family NewsChildren & Family NewsChildren & Family News It would be impossible to list all of the things that happened in the Children and Family Ministry areas of Hope Church this past year. I guess if there was one thing I would look back on and want others to know or highlight would be that we are being “intentional”. We are using that word to remind us and describe what it is we are trying to be every time your family walks into our church, whether it be during Sunday mornings, Early-Outs, VBS, or when we are doing outreach in the community such as the Tiger Tailgate or Trunk or Treat. We want to make the most of the time we have with your family, especially your children. We don’t want to waste a minute or an opportunity to let them know how much God loves them and that He has an incredible plan for their lives. We consider it a privilege and a responsibility to be able to walk alongside you and your family as we have or continue spiritual conversations. One of the things I enjoy most about serving God at Hope Church is that we recognize the value of relationships and that we are encouraged to have fun with the families and children in our congregation and community. That we acknowledge that God is able to use the relationships we make as ways to open the doors for conversations that matter about salvation and the freedom found in Christ. Thank you for sharing your kids with Hope Church this year! It has been a very busy but productive year! Have a Happy New Year!

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Here are a few fun pictures from our Early-Out Happy Birthday Jesus party! At Kid’s Connection this year we have been talking

about people who add value to our lives and being appreciative of them. In

September we made gifts to thank all of the employees of the Spencer School District, Sacred Heart and Iowa Great

Lakes Lutheran School. We talked about how all these people help us learn and

grow. At our Happy Birthday Jesus party we made cards and gave our friends at the Spencer Police and Fire Departments and the Clay County Sheriff’s office. We also

gave them boxes of goodies to thank them for the way they add value to our lives by

keeping us safe. A few special guests came to join us!

During 2016 Hope Church experienced a very good number of people participating in small groups and also volunteering in the different adult ministries. Now we look ahead to the oncoming year. If you are new to Hope or have attended for some time, and you feel that you would like to become more connected; please seek out more information on the different programs that are available at Hope. Some of the ministries available are Small Groups, Take Them a Meal, Prayers and Squares, Visitation Teams, Journey 50 and Beyond, Divorce Care will start another series on January 15 and run through April 9. The sessions will be held on Sunday evenings from 6:00—8:00 p.m. Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey will start on Thursday, January 12. This will run for 9 weeks and be held in the Harbor at Hope Church. You can sign up at the Information Desk in the lobby of the church, or you may go online to http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes/1024067. God’s blessings to you and your families in 2017.

Ray MeyerRay MeyerRay MeyerRay Meyer Congregational NewsCongregational NewsCongregational NewsCongregational News

Therefore,

if anyone is in

Christ, the new creation

has come: The old has

gone, the new is

!here

2 Corinthians

5:17

• Thank you to those volunteers who delivered Meals on Wheels the month of December. You are very much appreciated! The

Meals on Wheels Board has decided to discontinue this program through the Spencer Hospital .as the general diet meals

delivered through Elderbridge Agency on Aging are believed to meet many of the needs to their special diet meal recipients.

Volunteers are being sought with Elderbridge Agency on Aging to deliver meals for those who need them. Call Sandi Iwen at

Elderbridge at 262-1775 ext. 7014 to sign up.

• The Deacons strongly encourage the use of offering envelopes or tithing by automatic withdrawal (ACH) to ensure accurate

record keeping and regular giving. If you are currently using offering envelopes your 2017 envelopes are ready to pick up in the

lobby. If you have not had offering envelopes and would like to use them, or would like to set up ACH withdrawal, please contact

Lori in the church office at 262-3016.

• In accordance with the Constitution of the Reformed Church in America, unless there are reasonable spiritual objections

presented to the Board of Elders, Bryan Christoffer and Doug Siepkes will be installed as Elders and Danny Dekker and Jason

Warren will be installed as Deacons on Sunday, January 15 as they were elected at the Congregational Celebration on

December 11.

Financial Peace University Hope Church is offering Financial Peace University

(FPU), a Biblically based curriculum taught by Dave

Ramsey. You’ll learn the basics of budgeting,

dumping debt, planning for the future, and much

more. This nine-week class will be held on Thursday

evenings beginning January 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the

Harbor, and Debbie Dalager will be the facilitator.

The cost for materials is $90 per family. Please

contact Ray Meyer at 262-3016 if you have interest in

attending.

Digging Deeper Pastor Russell will be leading Digging Deeper, a

seminar-type class to “unearth” what Christians

believe and why it matters. This class will run for 9

sessions on Saturdays, January 14 through April 8

from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and is intended to feel similar

to a college seminar, complete with a syllabus,

outside reading, lectures, and discussions (but no

exams!). Cost is $30 for books. Sign up at the

Information Desk by January 8.

Starting Point Starting Point will be held Sundays, January 22 and

29 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in the Well. This class is

intended for adults and is your pathway to

membership at Hope Church. It is a great

opportunity to find out about our church and the

church we are trying to be. Attending does not

commit you to joining Hope Church, but it helps you

make that decision wisely. Sign up at the Information

Desk.

Consistory NewsConsistory NewsConsistory NewsConsistory News The regular meeting of the Hope Reformed Consistory met at 7:00 p.m., in the Harbor, on Thursday, December 8, 2016. A quorum was present. Present: Deacons Ryan Blau, Mike Bryan, Ivan Crane, Eric Van Der Heide, Gary Van Wettering; Elders Karmen Brown, Arvin Druvenga, Dave Johnson, Terry Johnson, Gary Kuiper, Cedric Winterboer; Pastor Russell Muilenburg Absent: Deacons Steve Rhode Pastor Jay Van Gelder Pastor Russell read Romans 14 and lead a devotional focused on pursuing unity. Pastor Russell closed the devotional time with prayer. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISIONS A. MMSC to accept and approve the minutes of November

10, 2016. B. MMSC to accept the financial report given by the Deacons. C. Discussed Congregational Celebration to be held on

December 11, 2016. D. Discussed and determined General Synod delegate for

2017 will be Terry Johnson. E. MMSC to approve Hope Church Cafeteria Plan #501,

effective 1/1/2017. F. Pastor Russell provided an update on Crossroads,

Estherville. G. Discussed East Sioux Classis special Elders meeting on

January 31, 2017 regarding proposed RCA constitutional amendments. H. Closed this part of the meeting with prayer.

ELDERS’ MEETING A. Pastor Russell opened the meeting with prayer. B. Constitutional Question was asked and answered in the

negative. C. Particular congregational care situations were discussed. D. Closed the meeting with prayer.

DEACONS’ MEETING A. Opened the meeting in prayer. B. All bills on vacant lot project have been paid. Ivan will be

checking on the electrical box. C. Discussed ADA Door system repair bill. D. Discussed upcoming Congregational meeting. E. Reviewed financial information. F. Talked about 2016 giving statements. G. Eric & Ryan will do January offering. H. Eric closed the meeting in prayer.

919 Grand Avenue, Spencer, IA 51301

(712) 262-3016

WORSHIP schedule & sermons

Sundays:

8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Sunday, January 1

10:45 a.m. Service only

Sunday School:

9:45 - 10:40 a.m.

Ages 3 years old through Adult

There will be no Sunday School on

January 1.

January 1 Do Not Receive God’s Grace in Vain

The Gospel According to Mark

January 8 Secret Identity

Mark 1

January 15 Challenging Assumptions

Mark 2:1-3:6

January 22 The Soils

Mark 3:7-4:34

January 29 A Conversation with Peter

Mark 4:35-5:43

Hope Church Staff:

Russell Muilenburg, Lead Pastor; Jay Van Gelder, Pastor of Student Ministries; Scott Heide, Facilities Director,

Eric Meeter, Worship/Music/Assistant Youth; Ray Meyer, Congregational Care; Kim Smith, Children & Fami-

lies; Lori Swanson, Office Administrator.