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MAY 2009
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Table of
Contents
LECTIONARY FOR THE MONTH OF
JUNE
BIBLE STUDY FOR WOMEN COMING
IN SEPTEMBER
ADULT FELLOWSHIP FISHING AND
BBQ
TRANSPORT FOR CHRIST
MINISTRY - HOPE’S LOCAL MISSION
CONGRATULATIONS 2009
GRADUATES
George Plagenz
once wrote a syndicated newspaper column entitled, Saints and Sinners. Weekly he wrote about the dynamics of
religious faith and the church. It was
interesting reading. I recently came
across an old clipping I saved that addressed the issue of church attendance. Plagenz discussed
the reasons why people stay away from church based on a survey of 3000 laity
and clergy. His findings were that folks
avoid church for more practical and personal reasons than theological or
ideological ones. The top two reasons
given were: 1) More interested in
non-church organizations and 2) No time for church. Reason number three was blunt and (GULP!) to
the point: 3) Dislike pastor. Below these were traditional favorites: 4) Church people are hypocritical and 5)
Dislike church people other than pastor.
Number six, Plagenz writes, is the only one of
the top reasons that might have theological overtones: 6) Lost faith in the church. How does one lose faith in the church? What happens to a person that they completely
abandon what presumably has been a sacred tradition in their life? Just how bad did it get? It concerns me when these occasions happen
because leaving the church in my mind is perilously close to leaving God. God and church are often considered interchangeable
parts. God sometimes suffers for the
“sins” of the church.
Plagenz deduces from all the
reasons that it comes down to relationships as why folks stop going to
church. They simply don’t like the
minister or the people in the pew beside them.
I don’t think it is realistic to believe that we are going to like
everybody in our church family. It is
way too easy to find faults and differences in others. I do, however, believe it is absolutely
realistic to love everyone in the church family. To like a person means that you wouldn’t mind
socializing with them, spending free moments of leisure. Loving another is not about socializing or
leisure but about wanting the best for them, helping them in their need, giving
that person the value, kindness, and compassion deserving of all children of
God. And when we look at it from that
angle, we are being the church as it was intended to be. Let’s be the best church we can be.
Grace & Peace,
Jay
June
7 Isaiah
6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
June
14 1
Samuel 15:34 - 16:13
Psalm 20 or 72
2 Corinthians 5:6-10
(11-13),
(14-17)
Mark 4:26-34
June 21 1 Samuel 17:(1a,
4-11, 19-23),
32-49
Psalm
9:9-20
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
June
28 2
Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
“You Matter More Than You Think”
A
6 week video Bible study on what a woman needs to know about the difference she
makes with teaching from Dr. Leslie Parrott as seen on Oprah and Focus on the
Family. Class begins on Thursday,
September 17 at 7:00p.m. at Hope Church. Discussion will be led by Kaye Pruit.
Sunday,
June 28th - 5:00p.m.
Jesse
& Nancy Joiner’s home
125
East Shore Drive
Drinks
& meat will be provided.
Bring
a dish to share!
RSVP
- 239-9478
Saturday,
June 6 (8:00 - 10:00a.m.)
318
West H Street
(Please
meet at the house)
Workers
need to be in 8th grade or older.
Please
wear work clothes (long pants and sturdy shoes.) Tools will be provided.
For those that might not know,
Transport for Christ is a ministry that our church supports. This ministry provides spiritual support for
truck drivers throughout the United States, Canada and Russia.
Truck drivers can spend as much as six
to eight weeks at a time on the road away from home, family, friends and their
local church. Chaplain Dan Stuckey and
volunteers help the drivers by providing a listening ear and spiritual
guidance. This need sometimes occurs
during divorce, death of a family member and much more.
The local trailer chapel at the East
St. Louis 203 Pilot Truck Stop is open as often as possible. The goal of Chaplain Dan and a few volunteers
is to be there for the drivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a
year.
If you would like to help a truck
driver give him or herself to Christ, please call Dan Stuckey at 234-3775. Any volunteers or financial support are
greatly appreciated.
Let
the farm-fresh fun begin as kids learn from Galatians 5:22-23 that Jesus is
their
loving
Savior who will help them grow the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.
Day 1 Jesus’
Life Shows Love
Because Jesus showed God’s love to us,
we can show His love to
others.
Day 2 Joyfully
Found: One Sheep and a Coin
God’s gift of salvation brings great
joy and causes us to be
thankful.
Day 3 Don’t
Worry -- Have Peace
When we depend on God’s care, His
peace helps us not to worry.
Day 4 A Father’s Patience Pays Off
God is patient with us, and He can
help us be patient with others.
Day 5 An Unlikely Hero -- The Kind Samaritan
We show our love for God by being kind
and compassionate to
others.
Questions should be directed to: Amy
Pannier - 566-9431
Carol
Helle - 235-5158
Church
Office - 234-2358
Dear
Friends of Hope,
Just
how do I say “thank you” for all the prayers, cards, visits and caring that was
evident from all of you. I want to
express my thanks to Pastor Jay and Pastor Carol for all the visits both in the
hospital, Memorial Care Center and at home.
Their prayers meant a lot to me and all the prayers were heard because
I’m better. And finally, thank you to
the Manna Ministry for all the meals.
Love,
Hugs and Prayers
Claire
Stone
----------
Dear
Hope Family:
I
would like to say a big Thank You to all who sent cards and made inquiries
while I was in the hospital and since returning home. I enjoy everyone. Thanks again.
Helen Jones
----------
Dear Hope Church:
On behalf of Call for Help, Inc., the Board of
Directors, our staff, and our clients, I would like to thank you so much for
your generous donation of $206.83 in support of our programs and services. Here’s an example of how your donation could
make a difference today. It could enable
us to provide bus passes for a homeless man or woman in our shelter or free
counseling to a man, woman or child survivor of sexual assault. Certainly, you are making a difference in the
lives of the individuals we serve. For
more information on how your donation is helping to make a difference in our
community, we invite you to visit our Web site at www.callforhelpinc.org. You can also find information there on our
upcoming events for this year and volunteer opportunities. Thank you again; your continued support,
generosity, and kindness are always appreciate.
We couldn’t answer the call for help without you!
Sincerely,
Carlyn Brooks, Executive Director
Call for Help, Inc.
----------
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
(This letter was dated
March 5, 2009 and since then, they have purchased the home Drew was referring
to and we are planning a work day for volunteers from Hope Church on Saturday,
June 6.)
May 31 Confirmation
day for five youth at Hope Church. This
is an important moment in their lives as they make a public profession of faith
and declare whom
they
will follow. As the Hope Church body,
you are encouraged to attend and
welcome
them into the family.
June 7 Beginning
of summer Sunday School class taught by Pastor Jay. The book
Called to Be God’s People will be used.
Baptism
of Austin Lane Grieve, son of Jeff & Stephanie Grieve, grandson of Shirley
Carriger.
June 14 Outdoor
worship service and church picnic to follow.
Dress casually,
bring
lawn chairs or blankets.
June 15 Vacation
Bible School begins!
June 28 Dr.
Randy Klein preaching. Dr. Klein, son of
Amy Klein, is a practicing
psychologist
in Nevada and will speak on “Goodness”.
Belleville
West High School Southwestern
Illinois College
Amanda Andersen Jamie
Smallwood
Southern
Illinois University - Carbondale Northwestern
University
We extend our congratulations to
Beverly Vacin and Fred Baltz who
were united in marriage on Thursday, May 21, 2009.
We
extend our sympathy to:
§ Shirley
Carriger and her family in the loss of her aunt,
Edith Polites
§ Phyllis
Arras and her family in the loss of her mother Lettie Hornbostel
§ Mae
Etling and her family in the loss of her
son-in-law Albert Kassing.
During the past
month the following memorials were received.
In memory of
Frances Fuller
By Frank
& Joan Ponsler
Gerry Schneider
In memory of
Edith Polites
By Jim &
Bonnie Jones
In memory of
Sandra Parks
By Frank
& Joan Ponsler