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MARCH 2009
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Table of Contents
LECTIONARY FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL
LIFE SMART FOR WOMEN TO BE HELD AT HOPE CHURCH
ST. ELIZABETH’S HOSPITAL FAMILY EDUCATION
I
have learned to interpret my dog’s language.
He speaks clearly in succinct sentences that usually end in an
exclamation point. I am hungry! I am thirsty!
I really have to go outside!
I want to go for a walk! That is
the extent of his needs and the requests he makes. It’s not an extensive list largely because
his need is not great. Jack is a simple
creature with simple needs. It makes
life easy for him, I guess, when the big decision of the day revolves around
sniffing to find the perfect place to …..well, you know.
The
self-denial of Lent is an invitation to declare our faith, to restrict
ourselves in some way that will test and challenge us. It is a call to simplicity. In denying oneself a pleasure or a necessity,
it brings one to a time of focused penance before God. Thomas à Kempis understood the virtures of
simplicity when he wrote:
Blissful are the simple,
For they shall have much peace.
This
Lenten simplicity has historically been a preparation for the Easter
festival. Easter is much too important
to just happen--we must prepare for it.
As
we continue our journey through Lent, may we be mindful of our need for
penance, our call to humility, and the riches that await us in the simple focus
upon God.
Grace
& Peace,
Jay
April
5 Mark
1:1-11
Palm
Sunday Psalm
118:1-2, 19-29
April
12
Easter Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18 or
Mark 16:1-8
April
19 Acts
4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31
April
26 Acts
3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
Our next Vacation Bible School Meeting will be Sunday, April 19th directly after the church service. We will be dividing out duties and starting the overall planning process. This year’s theme will be SonHarvest and will be held June 15 - 19th, 2009 from 6:00-8:00p.m. We will need volunteers in many areas such as teaching, crafts, music, snacks, recreation, and nursery. If you are interested and haven’t signed up yet, there is still time! Contact Amy Pannier or Carol Helle for further information or if you’d like to help us out!
Palm
Sunday April 5
Devotional
Service - 8:15a.m.
Sunday
School - 9:00a.m.
Traditional
Worship - 10:30a.m.
Good
Friday April 10
Worship
- 7:00p.m.
Easter
Egg Hunt Saturday, April 11
Miller
Fellowship Hall
9:00
- 11:00a.m.
Easter
Sunday April 12
Sunrise
Worship Service - 7:00a.m.
Easter
Breakfast - 8:00 - 10:00a.m.
Sunday
School - 9:00a.m.
Easter
Worship - 10:30a.m.
Amy
Klein 4-01-56
Anna
Scheuermann 4-01-07
Pam
Russell 4-04-76
Judy
Brindley 4-08-45
Ruth
Lloyd 4-09-60
Justin
Reckling 4-13-86
Joe
Harrison 4-14-35
Sherri
Stephens 4-19-64
Bonnie
Jones 4-23-53
Sandy
Rujawitz 4-24-38
Blake
Bumann 4-25-82
Karen
Mueller 4-29-62
Jamie
Smallwood 4-30-89
We
are currently updating our nursery volunteer lists and looking for more
volunteers. If you would like to
volunteer in the nursery as a nursery worker or as a nursery greeter or if
you’d like more information about each position, please contact Jessi Grant,
Amy Pannier, or the church office. We
are also looking for new or slightly used toy donations. If you’d like to help us out in this area,
please contact Jessi Grant.
This year’s Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009 from 9:00a.m. - 11:00a.m. This year’s hunt will feature breakfast with the Easter Bunny as well as pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts, prizes, and of course our egg hunt. If you would like to donate towards this year’s hunt or would like to assist in any way, please contact Jessi Grant and/or Najla Russell co-directors of this event.
Thursday, April 9 - 11:30AM
We
will be having a special Senior Singles’ Luncheon on Maundy Thursday. After the meal is over, Pastor Jay will lead
us in worship and we will celebrate Holy Communion. Please plan to join us and make your
reservation by Palm Sunday.
Saturday, April 4th - 8AM
There
are jobs both indoors and outdoors.
Contact Eric Ebel or Karl Pannier for more information.
Hope
Church needs assistant head ushers for the months listed below.
June
and July 2009
January
and March 2010
Thanks
to the people listed below for agreeing to serve on their scheduled months.
April
2009 Bruce Hicks
May
2009 Francis & Shirley
Thien
August
2009 Eric Ebel
September
2009 Mike Munie
October
2009 Jim Smallwood
November
2009 Darwin Stephens
December
2009 Eric Ebel
February
2010 Jack Buente
Head
Usher Larry Mueller arrives at the church approximately 7:30a.m. every Sunday
and leaves about 12:15p.m. Let’s give
Larry some help. Please contact Larry if
you are willing to serve for even a week.
Thank you.
Personnel
Committee
The Altar Committee has purchased silk lilies to be used for Easter. They will decorate our worship area and then be stored for use in the future.
If you would like to help with the cost as a memorial or honor gift for Easter, please fill out the sheet in your bulletin. We are asking for a $10 donation for each memorial. If you have any questions you can call the church office or contact one of the members of the Altar Committee:
Bonnie Holweck Bonnie Jones
Dorothy Meinkoth Brenda Noble
Dolores Williams
March 22
Bowling at Bel-Air Bowl - 1:00PM
March 24 MOPS - 6:30PM......
March 26 St.
Clair County Youth Gym Night
March 26 Book
Club - 10:30AM
March 28 All
Church Work Day - 8:00AM
March 31 MOPS
Self-Defense Class
April 8
Life Smart for Women - 6:00PM
April 9 Senior Singles’ Luncheon - 11:30AM
April 10 Good
Friday Service - 7:00PM
April 11
Easter Egg Hunt - 9:00AM
April 1
Easter Services - 7:00AM and 10:30AM
Easter Breakfast - 8:00-10:00AM
April 13
Senior Fellowship - 7:00PM
April 30
Blood Drive - 3:00-7:00PM
Hope Church MOPS will be represented at a booth at the Hospice of Southern Illinois Women’s Expo: A Woman for All Seasons on May 9th from 9am-3pm at the Belle Clair Fairgrounds. The Expo is asking for donations of gently used women’s business clothing to help benefit “Dress for Success” through My Sister’s Closet. If you would like to donate any women’s business clothing for this cause, please contact Amy Pannier. Flyers will also be posed regarding the Expo for those that would like to attend
At Hope Church
Saturday, May 16th
River Alexandria Jakob was baptized at Hope Church by Pastor Jay Krumeich on Sunday, March 15, 2009. River is the daughter of John and Tina Jakob and her big sister is Rayne Jakob. River’s proud grandmother is Cheryl Reckling and her great-grandmother is Martha Hoering.
We extend our sympathy to:
This month we are highlighting
our mission work with BEACON (Belleville Ecumenical Action--Caring
for Our Neighbors).
This is an interdenominational organization of churches operating as a
social outreach clearinghouse, helping others through church volunteers and
community resources.
BEACON receives referrals from churches and other agencies. Applications are taken by office volunteers and the need is prayed for. BEACON then verifies the need through phone calls and office files. Referrals are made to outside agencies when necessary. If it is found that the church partners can help, the office tries to match the need with the individual church and/or their volunteers. A follow up is done by BEACON with the client to make sure the assistance met the need as best they can.
Some ways we can help other than our financial support:
Furniture Ministry - Donate furniture which is stored until a client has a need. Partner churches are encouraged to volunteer one Saturday every 3 months or even once a year to do pick-up and/or delivery. Donations can be handled by calling the BEACON office at
222-8842
Transportation Ministry - Volunteer to take clients to doctor appointments, the bank, or to the store.
Volunteers are always needed for clerical/office help, home repair, auto repair, assist with Bible Study, assist with special events and projects such as the annual MECCA Dinner/Auction which provides 10% of their annual budget.
For more information on BEACON -
Our Hope Church family collected almost $1100 for our Baby Bottle Ministry during the month of January. This is one of the projects we participate in for the Mosaic Pregnancy & Health Centers. Thank you for supporting this ministry.
Dear Pastors and Hope Congregation:
Thank you so very much for allowing me
to worship with you and speak to you on behalf of Mosaic. Previously, I’d always been impressed by your
continued support of this ministry and your friendliness. However, Wednesday you grieved with me and my
home church of FBC Maryville. What
wonderful brothers and sisters you are and how awesome is our God who unites
us! May He continue to bless you all as
we continue to work together to further His Kingdom!
Your sister in Christ,
Sabrina Hartman,
Mosaic
Pregnancy & Health Centers
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Dear Hope Church:
Oh my goodness! What a blessing to receive the financial
donation from Hope Church. We are so
thankful. Please extend our heartfelt
thanks to all of our brothers and sisters at Hope. May the Lord return to you one hundred fold!
In Christ
Kathy Sparks,
Executive Director
Mosaic
Pregnancy & Health Centers
P.S.
Thank you everyone for the love you poured out on Sabrina Hartman,
Director of our Belleville office.
Loosing Pastor Fred Winters was so hard and you ministered to her the
very love of Jesus! Thank you!!
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Dear Hope Church Congregation:
On behalf of Bethany Place, I would like
to thank you for your generous donation of $206.83. We rely on the community financially to
assist with funding programs we currently offer to the community. We are truly grateful for your generosity and
thoughtfulness as we continue to serve those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
The epidemic continues to escalate
without regard for lifestyle, race, ethnicity, or social economic group. I am very proud that we can offer the Case
Management services, Education and Prevention, Transitional Housing and now
Rental Assistance to those in our community living with HIV. The community support, such as yours, is
greatly respected and appreciated, as it alleviates state/federal cutbacks. Graciously, I thank you and appreciate your
thoughtful donation to our organization.
Fondly,
Angela K. Barnes, M.A.
Executive Director
Bethany
Place
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Dear Hope Church:
We know the Lord can orchestrate
divine encounters in the most unlikely places; still a cell phone service kiosk
at the mall is an odd place for one! But
that’s exactly what happened to a Transport For Christ Chaplain this past week.
He’d stopped by the kiosk and left his TFC business card with the sales
associate. A while later, trucker--yes,
a trucker--stopped by and told the associate he really needed a pastor; did
they know anyone? The associate
remembered the card Chaplain Jim had left (which had his cell number), called
him, and Jim was able to meet with the man later that evening and minister to
his needs. One more (rather strange) way
in which the Lord is using TFC staff--and you--to make a difference. Thank you!
Scott A. Weidner, President & CEO
Transport
for Christ, International
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Dear Friends at Hope Church:
On behalf of the Board of Directors
and all who are associated with Neighbors for Renewal, I would like to express our
sincere thanks for your generous contribution of $930.44. The strength of your support - financial and
hands-on - has made a major contribution to our success since we first began
our work in 1999. In 2008 we completed
our 12th house. House #12
found us completely rehabilitating the house at 1800 West Adams Street. The house was a brick home that dated back to
the early 1900’s. As is usually the
case, we completely gutted the home and restructured its design. We added an additional bathroom on the 2nd
floor, as well as an additional bedroom and carport. When the house was completed, it was sold to
a young couple with a child. The family
had been referred to us through an agency that works with MS clients. The mother is afflicted with the disease.
We are currently in conversation with
Wells Fargo Bank to obtain a home that has already been condemned by the city
of Belleville. We are hoping that the
bank will accept our bid rather than pay the demolition charges and lose the
property outright. If we obtain it, we
will move to close immediately and quickly begin a very challenging
project. If we obtain the property, we
will be sure to get information out to you via Christy Pannier.
We are grateful that with the help of
congregations like Hope Church, we can continue to address the need for
affordable housing in our community, as well as the need to address the blight
of deteriorating homes. Thank you for
all that your congregation has done to encourage our success. We hope you will continue to partner with us.
Blessings and peace,
Drew Kramer, President
Neighbors
for Renewal
During the past
month the following memorials were received.
In memory of Roy
Kattenbraker
By Lois Reno Jay Krumeich
Shirley Carriger Larry & Karen Mueller
Erv & Ginny Mueller Ed Siemers
Helen Cook & Family George & Doris Ballhausen
Shirley Kattenbraker Lois Schmulbach
In memory of Betty
Seppi
By Bill & Carol Wilkinson Larry & Karen Mueller
Ervin & Virginia Mueller Art & Bobbie Rhein
Dolores Harris Vernon Vogt
Mr. & Mrs. David Harres Joyce Pavlak
Claire Stone Jim & Bonnie Jones
Gerry Schneider
In memory of Myron
Etling
By Mae Etling
In memory of Sandra
Owens
By Shirley Carriger Jim & Bonnie Jones
Larry & Karen Mueller Wilmer & Janet Krausz
Roger & Ginger Doiron Dolores Harris
Pearl Luther Ervin & Virginia
Mueller
Doris Grandcolas Norma Coon
Gerry Schneider
In memory of Pastor
Bob Coon on the 1st anniversary of his death, April 9th.
By Norma Coon and Family
The flags
currently flying outside our fellowship hall
were given in
honor of Marine Sgt. Joseph L. Altman
on his 80th birthday, April 13th by
Marcie Altman and family.
If you are interested in
purchasing flags in memory or honor of a loved one, please contact the church
office. The price of the American flag
and the Christian flag is approximately $115.00
(Gospel Bluegrass Band)
Union United Methodist Church
721 East Main - Belleville
Sunday, March 29th
2:00PM
Classes will begin Wednesday, April 8 from
6-7:00PM and continue for the next 10 weeks. Please call the St. Clair County
Health Department to register prior to April 8th
(233-7708 ext. 4408).
MONDAYS:
MENTAL HEALTH
Understanding Mental Illness & Recovery
(May 4, June 8)
(Helps families decide if a family member is
experiencing symptoms requiring treatment
Mental Illness - Depression
(April 6, May 11, June 15)
Helps families recognize the causes, symptoms and
treatment options.
Mental Illness - Anxiety and Panic
April 13, May 18, June 22
Helps families answer questions related to the
causes, symptoms and treatment options.
Mental Illness and the Family
April 27, June 1, June 29
Helps families learn coping skills and
opportunities for support for themselves.
WEDNESDAYS:
FAMILY EDUCATION
A Doctor Explains Drug Addiction
(April 15, May 13, June 10)
Helps families understand addiction and the
recovery process.
A Doctor Explains the Illness of Alcoholism
(April 22, May 20, June 17)
Helps families understand how alcoholism develops
and recovery options.
A Mother’s Desperation
(April 1, April 29, May 27, June 24)
Helps families better understand their own struggle
in living with addiction.
What is Addiction?
April 8, May 6, June 3
Helps families understand how addiction is a brain
disease.
All classes begin at 7:00p.m. For information or to receive a packet of
information on Mental Health or Addictions, call 234-2120, ext. 1338. All calls are strictly confidential.