HERALD OF HOPE

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FEBRUARY 2008

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REFLECTIONS BY PASTOR JAY

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES

BAPTISMAL REDEDICATION

NEW WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

HOPE CHURCH EASTER EGG HUNT

NEW MEMBER DAY

RENTAL REQUEST

2008 TELEPHONE/ADDRESS DIRECTORY

THANK YOU NOTES

LECTIONARY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH

2008 HOPE CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE

BIRTHDAYS

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

REFLECTIONS…

Another day and another tragic and senseless campus shooting. Northern Illinois University was the recent setting for random acts of murder that will forever label it as an American tragedy. NIU joins other notables such as Virginia Tech and Columbine High School. We pray for those communities.

My daughter called in a panic the following day. Her reason for upset was understandable. As she researched the event on the internet, the name Julianna Gehant was listed among the victims of the NIU shooter. Julianna was my daughter’s best friend in the community where we once lived. The two were inseparable, maybe due, in part, to their similar life circumstance. My daughter was a P.K. (preacher’s kid) as was Julianna. Her father was the local Lutheran pastor. The one glimmer of hope provided for my daughter was that the age listed for Julianna did not match. After doing more research and checking, we discovered that it was not the same Julianna Gehant of my daughter’s childhood. My wife, Holly, responded to our discovery with relief by saying, “It’s not our Julianna.” After pausing a few moments I said, “that’s good--but it’s someone’s Julianna!” It had instantly occurred to me that our immediate comfort did not mean that there was no tragedy--just not our tragedy.

The essence of Christian compassion extends beyond our backyards. We take to heart the words of church reformer John Wesley who stated, “The world is my parish.” When we fail to practice that we fail to heed the words of Jesus who tells his disciples to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. It is the family of God. And it is our family.

Grace and Peace,

Jay

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HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES

PALM SUNDAY March 16

Worship 10:30a.m.

MAUNDY THURSDAY March 20

Worship 7:00p.m.

EASTER EGG HUNT March 22

Saturday 9:30a.m.

EASTER SUNDAY March 23

Sunrise Service 7:00a.m.

Easter Breakfast

7:45a.m. to 9:00a.m.

Sunday School 9:00a.m.

Worship 10:30a.m.

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BAPTISMAL REDEDICATION

The Easter season has always been a particularly appropriate time to baptize and reaffirm baptism because it recalls our death and resurrection with Christ. The act of baptism (immersion) symbolizes that one is buried by being lowered under the water and then resurrected as they ascend out of the water. Baptism and Easter are traditionally closely related. To celebrate that fact, a service of baptismal reaffirmation will be offered on Wednesday, March 12, 7p.m. This celebration of the baptismal covenant will be for those who have received the sacrament of baptism but who desire to renew the vows and its meaning in their lives.

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NEW WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

A second Sunday worship service is being considered as an alternative to the traditional 10:30 service. This would be a shorter and simpler service that would be before Sunday School. The intent is to provide an alternative to people who have conflicts and cannot attend worship at 10:30AM. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

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HOPE CHURCH EASTER EGG HUNT

Saturday, March 22

9:30AM

Children thru age 10 are invited to attend!

The committee planning this event is asking for donations of individually, wrapped candy to help fill the children’s Easter eggs. Please bring any donations to Room 3 and place in the collection box. If you have any questions, you can contact Najla Russell or Sherri Stephens.

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NEW MEMBER DAY

MARCH 30

New members will be received into the Hope Church family on March 30. If you are thinking about membership or would like more information, please contact Pastor Jay.

WE WANT YOU!

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RENTAL REQUEST

A family in our church is in need of a larger home and is requesting assistance in locating one that provides appropriate space accommodations. A 3-4 bedroom home is needed in Belleville beginning in May. Please contact Pastor Jay if you know of any possibilities.

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2008 TELEPHONE/ADDRESS DIRECTORY

The new directories are finished and have been mailed. If you do not receive one in the next few days, please stop by the office and pick one up.

A big THANK YOU to Don and MaryAnn Steinkamp for collating the directories and getting them ready for mailing.

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THANK YOU NOTES….

To Our Hope Church Family:

We want to thank Pastor Jay and Pastor Bob for all their prayers and their visits at the hospital. We are also grateful to the Hope Church family for your prayers, telephone calls, cards, and the delicious meal furnished by Manna Ministry. It has meant a lot to have your support during this trying time.

God Bless all of you,

Ginny and Carl Muskopf

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Dear Friends at Hope:

Thank you to everyone for the prayers after Jeff’s heart attack. Our whole lifestyle has changed for the better and things are looking good. We appreciate everything.

Love,

Vicky and Jeff Dallas

Cameron, Paige and Jake

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Dear Ladies and Men of Hope Church:

We, the family of Irma Bareham, want to thank you for all the work you put into making he funeral luncheon so great! Your side dishes were so delicious. The way you had the room look, with the white table clothes, placemats, silverware and everything we needed made us feel so welcomed. You also prepared drinks for us and had a display of so many delicious desserts--you really out-did yourselves. It showed us how much you loved Irma. Thank you.

God Bless All of You,

Clint & Nellie Buechler & Family

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Dear Hope Friends:

Anna, the six year old girl from Granite City that we prayed for, had leukemia. After radiation, chemo, and losing her hair, the leukemia is in remission. Your prayers were appreciated.

God Bless all,

The Altman and Lori Nevener families

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Dear Friends at Hope Church:

Thank you for the meat tray at the funeral home. It was very thoughtful.

Randy & Valerie Hargraves

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LECTIONARY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH

March 2

1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23

Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

March 9

Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45

March 16

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Psalm 31:9-16 Matthew 21:1-11

Matthew 26:14 - 27:66 Isaiah 50:4-9a

Matthew 27:11-54 Philippians 2:5-11

March 20

Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10) 11-14

Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

March 21

Psalm 22 Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12

John 18:1 - 19:42 Hebrews10:16-25

March 23

Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Colossians 3:1-4

John 20:1-18 (or) Matthew 28:1-10

March 30

Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Psalm 16

1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31

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Mark Your Calendars!

2008 HOPE CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Table of Contents

REFLECTIONS…

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES

BAPTISMAL REDEDICATION

NEW WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

HOPE CHURCH EASTER EGG HUNT

NEW MEMBER DAY

RENTAL REQUEST

2008 TELEPHONE/ADDRESS DIRECTORY

THANK YOU NOTES….

Ginny and Carl Muskopf

LECTIONARY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH

2008 HOPE CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE

More information will follow in the weeks to come!

BIRTHDAYS

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES