Volume 36, Issue 4

Pastor’s Note 2

Stained Glass Windows Update

3

Youth and Family

News

4

Mental Health

Awareness

5

Christikon Update 7

Update on Kayla’s

First Call Process

9

Anniversaries and 10

Calendar 11

Inside this issue:

Hope Lutheran Church, Bozeman, Montana

“Called to welcome,

equip, and serve all

by sharing God’s

love and hope

through Christ.”

Page 2 Volume 36, Issue 4

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

There are some weeks more important than others in any

given year. The week a child graduates from high school or

college becomes special. The week you become married or

have a baby is remembered as being special. In the life of the

Christian community one week is so significant each year that we call it HOLY WEEK. This week

celebrates the most important events in the life of Jesus and, therefore, His followers.

Holy Week starts this Sunday with Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion. We remember how Jesus was

welcomed to Jerusalem with Palm branches and shouts of Hosanna. We also remember that it began

what was to become Passion Week.

Holy Week is like reading a good novel. While you could choose to skip to the conclusion and read the

final chapter -- this is like those who skip most of Holy Week and just come on Easter -- you do not have

the same experience as those who have made the commitment and taken the time to read the entire

book. Holy Week is a drama that has four scenes: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and

the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday services. I am asking you this year to experience the entirety of this

week we call Holy. Especially what is referred to as the Great Three Days: Maundy Thursday, Good

Friday and Easter.

I especially want to encourage you to attend Good Friday Tenebrae (7:30 pm) and also consider

attending the Great Easter Vigil on Saturday at 8 pm if you have never attended this service. I am

convinced those who have not walked through Good Friday cannot fully experience the true meaning of

Easter and how it changed everything.

Attached to this email is a flyer with the entire Holy Week schedule. It will also be on the cover of the

April church newsletter, The Herald that will be released later this week.

Easter Sunday is the great finale to Holy Week. Two festive services at 8:15 and 10:30 will conclude

with an invitation for an "all-sing" of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. Join as we celebrate

the Resurrection of Our Lord, the event that has changed everything. My sermon on Easter Sunday will

be "Practicing Resurrection" a call to living and proclaiming that event every day..

I hope you will want to experience the entire offering of Holy Week services. If you choose to do so for

you and your family, I can guarantee that you will be blessed and experience the power of Easter that

can only be shared by those who have chosen to walk the path of Holy Week.

COUNCIL APPROVES INSTALLATION OF SIX DAYS OF CREATION

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN NORTH WINDOWS OF SANCTUARY

The congregational council approved the installation of the Six Days of Creation stain glass

windows from money specifically given for this purpose as memorials. These stained glass win-

dows will be installed in the current six windows on the north side of the sanctuary.

The windows depicting the first three days of creation are given in memory of Ruth Sommerfeld

by her family. The window for the fourth day of creation is given in memory of Leona Gibson

by her husband Wayne. The window showing the fifth day of creation comes from a bequest by

Jack Fellerhoff and will be given in memory of Jack and Betty Fellerhoff.

The Congregational Council wanted to make sure that every member and friend of Hope who

desired would be able to participate in this project . Therefore the window for the sixth day has

been reserved as a “congregational window.” Donations toward this window, which would come

from people electing to give above and beyond their current support for our ministry plan, can be

given in any amount. Donations can be given in memory of someone (or a couple/family) or just

to “the glory of God.” Persons wishing to contribute toward this sixth day congregational

window can do so by making a check out to Hope Lutheran and marking in the memo area

“Congregational Window..” If you wish to memorialize your gift please include a note as to for

whom your donation is being given. All persons who contribute toward this window will be

included in a flyer/booklet that will be produced to explain the windows and indicate to whom

the windows have been memorialized. The design, fabrication and installation of the windows are

by Susan Kennedy Sommerfeld of Kennedy’s Stain Glass Studio, Billings, MT. A late fall

installation is planned.

Page 4 Volume 36, Issue 4

Confirmation Info

Confirmation will be back on

it’s regular schedule the

Sunday after Easter as we

unpack the story of Jesus

following the Resurrection!

On Sunday, April 19

Confirmation will take place

from 3-5 and the first half will

be a Holocaust Remembrance

Service for the community.

On Sunday, May 3 we will have an

offsite confirmation party...the

location and details will be given in

the near future!

There will not be a confirmation

celebration this May, as we have

moved our confirmation celebration

to October of 10th Grade!

The schedule for the spring is as

follows:

April 5—NO

CONFIRMATION, EASTER

April 12— Resurrection

April 19—3:00 Holocaust

Remembrance followed by small

group discussions

April 26—The Great

Commission

May 3— Confirmation end of the

year Party!

Easter Breakfast will be served on Easter Sunday

from 7:30-10:15! Hope to see you there!

4th Grade Stepping Stones:

April 19

On Sunday April 19, 4th graders and

their families are invited to join us at

10 a.m. for their stepping stones

event. This year the fourth graders

will receive a brand new prayer

journal! This prayer journal is an age

appropriate resource to help children

gain an active prayer life.

Our class time will be spent

equipping children and their families

to incorporate family prayer into

their daily routine!

Calling all 4th through 6th Graders!

Join us on April 26th as we venture to ARTS

ON FIRE for a fun afternoon of creating. We

will be meeting after the

10:30 service for food and

fun. More information will

be available soon so keep

an eye on your emails and

The Weekly. If you have

any questions, please feel

free to contact Kayla. Can’t

wait to see you there!

Concession opportunities for April

We have four opportunities for concessions this April and we still need help at all of them.

If you are willing to help please sign up on the youth and family sign-up board!

April 9 5:30 p.m. College Rodeo

April 10 5:30 p.m. College Rodeo

April 11 5:30 p.m. College Rodeo

April 23 5:30 p.m. Jason Aldean Concert

Lutheran World Relief

Day for Sunday School

is April 19!

On this Sunday we will

pack 100 school kits.

We still need 20 small

pencil sharpeners to

complete these bags. If

you are willing to

donate a few we would

appreciate it!

Lutheran World

Relief Sunday:

April 19

Page 5 Volume 36, Issue 4

STEPHEN MINISTERS OFFERING A

SERIES ON MENTAL HEALTH

QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) is a suicide prevention program for community members. It is designed to give people tools to approach those who might be struggling with depression or suicidal thinking and get them the help they need. Unfortunately, Montana has been at or near the top for completed suicides in the United States for the past four decades. Join us for this one hour Adult Forum on Sunday, April 12 at 9:30 am. Betsy Asserson, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who has worked in the community for 14 years and has experience with these issues. She will present the program. Additionally, May is mental health awareness month and the Stephen Ministers will be offering a three-part series on mental health related issues on Monday evenings (May 3, 11, and 18). Watch for further details on the topics.

PAM BREDBERG APPOINTED TO

KOGUDUS TEAM

Kogudus is an Estonian word for fellowship or

Christian gathering (retreat). The first gathering

was in Glasgow, MT in 1969. The lives of many

people have been touched over the years by

participating in various retreats.

Weekend prison encounters happen on a

regular basis in Montana, North Dakota, and

Illinois. Participant’s experiences at these

retreats are most meaningful and challenging.

The Montana Synod of the ELCA continues

their sponsorship and support of Kogudus min-

istry. Kogudus is committed to serve Christ and

His church as a renewal ministry in keeping with

the spirit of Reformation.

A retreat is scheduled at the Montana Women’s

Prison in Billings on September 25-27. If you

would like the opportunity to serve your time

and talents in this upcoming retreat, please con-

tact Pastor Greg Karlsgodt at 406-544-1699.

As a team member, Pam Bredberg will be

participating in this weekend retreat.

Page 6 Volume 36, Issue 4

Page 7 Volume 36, Issue 4

Christikon Clips Information for our Congregations Youth campers and families: Join Christikon at Zoo Montana for our Camper Roundup on April 12

th. Enjoy a day at the Zoo on us! We will have a

scavenger hunt, camp registration, songs, snacks, and drawings for door prizes and free camp sessions. Early-bird discounts will be available. Adults and families: Spend some time in a lovely mountain setting with some of the most-fun-to-be-with people, at our Work Weekend May 22-25, Mountain Weekend 1 July 10-12, the Continuing Education Retreat for rostered ministers, interested lay people and their families, Aug.3-6, and/or Mountain Weekend 2 August 7-9. It’s also possible for adult groups to schedule a backpack trip – just call us at (406)656-1969 to schedule! Get on board! The annual Christikon Benefit Auction – Quilts, Vacation Get-aways, and a Whole Lot More comes on Sunday, April 26, at the Billings Depot, 4-7 p.m. Food and beverages will be available, and of course, some of the finest artistry in both a live auction and a silent auction, including a variety of hand-made quilts, art work, gift baskets, camp truck raffle, Saab convertible and much more. We’ll also be seeking special support for our Sojourners Camp for at-risk youth. Admission at the door is $15. We have a special treat this year and will be serving ice cream sundaes in honor of the first years of the “Quilt Auction”. Hope you will come and join the fun!

It is the mission of Christikon to awaken and nurture faith in Christ — exploring God’s creation and the adventure of life together.

CHRISTIKON ● 1108 24

th Street West ● Billings, MT 59102

406 656-1969 ● director@christikon.org ● secretary@christokon.org ● www.christikon.org

ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT

BIBLE STUDIES

The Wednesday 10:00 Bible

Study focuses on the Scripture

texts assigned for the upcoming

Sunday services. The discussion is

facilitated by Pastor Steve or

Pastoral Assistant, Kayla Billings.

*Note, this new schedule begins

on April 15.

DEBORAH CIRCLE

Deborah Circle meetings are held on the first

Tuesday each month April’s meeting is

April 7. The circle meets in the Youth Room at

Hope at 7:00 pm.

MARY MARTHA CIRCLE

Mary Martha Circle meets the third Wednesday of

each month at the Bozeman Lodge at 9:30 am. The

March meeting is April 15.

We Say Thank You

TO FOR

Scouts: Verena Lawrence, Reilly Tunby, Sandy Dougher, Cayman Fabian, Kristen Garvine, Hanna Fullerton , Emily Gentner, and Madison Eubanks Adults: Deana Bailey, Tracy Dougher, Betsy Eubanks, and Dick Kracht.

Doing a great job cleaning the kitchen as one of their

service projects.

Bette March, Ruth Bloch and Shirley Rust Serving as Stephen Leader and Stephen Ministers, for

a total of 24 years and who have recently retired.

Facilitators: Dale and Ann Olson, Dick Deschamps, Mark and

Kelly Harro, Pastor Steve, Jason and Stacy Lunden, Penny Prior,

Pastor Steve Hosts: Darrel and Robin Choate, Brad and Peg

Dirckx, Dar Ellingson, Lesley Bredvik, Brent Rosso and Rebekah

VanWieren, Dale and Anne Olson, and Clarice Skogley

Facilitating and hosting the Lenten Small Groups

Page 8 Volume 36, Issue 4

April 5 Matthew 28:1-10

April 12 Matthew 28:16-20

April 19 Acts 10:1-17; 34-35

April 26 Acts 13:1-3, 14:8-18

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR APRIL 2015

KEENAGERS COMING EVENTS

POSSIBILE UPCOMING

PROGRAMS

Advice from a Buffalo, A talk with a Yellowstone Park Rang-er. Meal served by the Venture Crew. Tour of Visser Greenhouses in Manhattan, MT Visit from the Montana Raptor Center. Visit the Montana Grizzly Encounter Watch the Hope Weekly for dates and details. Questions: Gary Bishop, 586-8559,

Harp Hour on Tuesdays will resume

in the fall!

Page 9 Volume 36, Issue 4

Kayla’s First Call Update

I know that many of you have been very

interested in knowing what comes next on

this journey towards first call. It is an excit-

ing time and a time that also requires a lot of

patience as Eric and I prepare to see what is

in store next for us.

Many of you know that on Ash Wednesday,

Eric and I were assigned to Region 3. This

meant that we would be assigned to one of

three states, ND, SD, or MN.

In early March we received news that we

would be going to the Northwestern

Minnesota Synod. For those of you familiar

with the state, it means drawing a line due

west and due north from Alexandria.

Anything to the northwest of those lines is

where we could be called. For those who are

not as familiar, the map to the left shows the

synod. All 10 areas, or clusters, are part of the

synod and may be the location of my first call

and our new home.

Now that this information is known, I have

been in contact with my bishop and we have

been talking about a timeline for getting me

back to the synod to meet with him and his

staff as well as to begin the process of

meeting with churches who may potentially

call me as their pastor.

The process that follows is one that will take

time in order to make sure the church and I

are a good fit. Although the process is not a

quick one, it is one that we are hopeful

about. Eric and I appreciate the interest, the

questions, and the prayers as we continue on

this journey. We will keep you updated as

things continue to develop.

Blessings,

Kayla

SAVE THE DATE

SALT—April 12th

SALT (Serving and Learning Together) will gather

again on April 12th following the 10:30 service.

More information about the day will be coming

soon!

APRIL BIRTHDAYS 1st

Julie Jackson

Savannah LaRocque

2rd

Sara Thiem

3rd

Kahlee Martin

Taylor Martin

4th

Kim Adams

5th

Soren Johnson

7th

Dar Ellingson

8th

Julaine Billings

Stu Starner

Bob Tuthill

Licia Bishop

9th

Dale Miller

Alice Jones

Donovan Savage

10th

Chris Bowers

11th

Bob Bloch

Stacy Lunden

Cecilia Bohr

Ryan Swimley

Trace Edwards

12th

Charlie Pipal

Alex Delaney

Leah Walstad

13th

Robin Long

Jody Delaney

Sara Bowers

Levi Waller

Quinn Pershing

14th

Candice Bock

Elsie Johnson

Shyli McElroy

15th

Wesley Innes

Ava Jamison

17th

Mark Refling

Kathy Hanson

18th Mary Martin

Cindy Semple

19th

Noah Buchanen

20th

Hollis Snyder

Madison Tobin

21st

Mark Peterson

22nd

Helen Schievelbein

Tom Cahill

Tory Atkins

23rd

Darla Hoff

Ingrid Lunden

24th

Connie Vollmer

Leslie Hagenlock

25th

Peter Asserson

26th

Martha Eng

27th

David Pedersen

28th

Nancy Wilson

Rebekah VanWieren

Layla Jamison

30th

Don Norem

Sandra Goetting

Sue Ann Struefert

Victoria LaRocque

Page 10 Volume 36, Issue 4

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

April

April

Amy and Chris Babcock 3 Linda and Mark Hackbarth 19

Connie and Richard Thomas 6 Debbie and Gene Gibson 20

Joan and Jim Johnson 8 Candace and Art Wittich 21

Al and Toni Banwart 10 Frederick and Susan Frey 23

Charles and Shirley Rust 56 11 Bob and Adelaide Haraden 69 27

Dan and Kristin McAllister 16

Page 11 Volume 36, Issue 4

APRIL 2015

Calendar of Activities

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

3/29 PALM SUNDAY 8:15a—Worship 9:30a—1st Communion Class 10:00a— 3rd grade Stepping Stones 10:30a—Worship 10:30a—Sunday School 11:30a– Easter Event 5:30p—Confirmation

3/30 12:30p—Interfaith Quilters

3/31 10:00a—Coffee & Conversation 1:30p– Prayer Shawl Ministry 7:00p – God On Tap

4/1 7:00p—Youth Band

4/2 10:00a—Coffee & Conversation 12:15 pm— Maundy Thursday Worship 5:45p– Stephen Ministers 7:30p—Maundy Thursday Worship

4/3 12:15p—Good Friday Worship 7:30p— Tenebrae Worship Service

8:00p—Easter Vigil

5 7:30a— Easter Breakfast 8:15a— Worship 10:30a—Worship

6 12:30p—Interfaith Quilters

7 10:00a—Coffee & Conversation 7:00p—Deborah Circle

8 7:00p—Youth Band

9 10:00a—Coffee & Conversation 11:30a—Bible Study 7:00p—Chancel Choir

10 11

12 8:15a—Worship 9:30a—Adult Forum 10:30a—Worship 11:30a—S.A.L.T. 11:30a—Family Promise Training 5:30p –Confirmation

13 12:30p—Interfaith Quilters

14 10:00a—Coffee & Conversation 5:00p— Property Committee

15 9:30a— Mary Martha Circle 10:00a—Bible Study 6:30p—Church Council 7:00p—Youth Band

16 10:00a—Coffee & Conversation 5:45p—Stephen Minsters 7:00p—Chancel Choir

17

18 4:00p—Keenagers

19 FAMILY 8:15a—Worship 9:30a—Adult Forum 10:00a—4th Grade Stepping Stones 10:30a—Worship 4:30p—Community Cafe 5:30p—Confirmation

20 PROMISE 12:30p—Interfaith Quilters

21 WEEK 10:00a—Coffee & Conversation

22 FAMILY 10:00a—Bible Study 7:00p—Youth Band

23 PROMISE 10:00a—Coffee & Conversation 7:00p—Chancel Choir

24 WEEK

25 FAMILY

26

8:15a—Worship 9:30a—Adult Forum 10:30a—Worship 11:30a—4TH—6TH Grade Event 5:30p—Confirmation

27

12:30p—Interfaith Quilters 3:30p—Altar Guild

28

10:00a—Coffee & Conversation 1:30p—Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:15a—Human Concerns Comm. 7:00p—BUNCO 7:00p—God on Tap

29

10:00a—Bible Study

7:00p—Youth

Band

30

10:00a—Coffee

& Conversation

7:00p—Chancel Choir

5/1

5/2

Hope Lutheran Church 2152 W. Graf Street Bozeman, MT 59718 Return Service Requested

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BOZEMAN, MT 59715

Hope Lutheran Church 2152 W. Graf St

Bozeman, MT 59718

Website: www.hopebozeman.com Email: hope@hopebozeman.com

Christ Bearers: Everyone

Stephen Schmidt, Lead Pastor steve@hopebozeman.com

Kayla Billings, Pastoral Assistant kayla@hopebozeman.com

Paul Goodman, Director of Youth & Family Ministries paul.goodman@hopebozeman.com

Frederick Frey, Chancel Choir Director freybaritone@music.org

Stefan Stern, Head Organist stefan-stern@hotmail.com

Nancy Wilson Chancel Choir Accompanist

Connie Thomas, Organ and Piano thomasconniel@gmail.com

Karen D’Sa, Piano gwvfurniture@q.com

Sheila Gilbertson, Contemporary Music Director sheilakgilbertson@msn.com

Pete Astrup, Operations Director pete.astrup@hopebozeman.com

Dar Ellingson, Administrative Associate dar@hopebozeman.com

Toni Banwart, Special Projects toni@hopebozeman.com

John Parris, Custodian john@hopebozeman.com

Kathy Kracht & Donna Lesser Volunteer Part-Time Office Staff