Inside this issue:

VBS

HCC Registration

Information

Fellowship Events

Birthdays

Calendar

Hope Connection April 2018

Hope Presbyterian Church

11512 Olson Drive

Austin, TX 787590

512-258-9117

www.hopeaustin.org

Sermon Series:

April 1 Belong, Behave, Believe: Insider Knowledge 1Corinthians 15:1-11; John 20:1-18

April 8 Belong, Behave, Believe: In Defense of Doubt 1John 1:1 - 2:2; John 20:19-31

April 15 Belong, Behave, Believe: Eating with Ghosts 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b - 48

April 22 The HopeFull Journey: Grounded in Gratitude Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Luke 17:11-19

April 29 The HopeFull Journey: Revealed in Prayer Matthew 6:7-13; 1Samuel 3:1-10

Dear Friends,

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!

In my professional life, I’ve not had the opportunity to work with/alongside a millennial until last June when Pastor Joel came to Hope PC. In our meetings, I show up with pen and paper to take notes, he shows up with his cellphone. When we’re riding in the car listening to music, I’m crushed when he doesn’t know legends like U2, Led Zeppelin or George Strait. And then there’s his millennial slang: “I can't even”, “Bae” (before anyone else), “Sorry not sorry”, “Woke”, “YOLO” (You Only Live Once) and “JOMO” (Joy of Missing Out).

As a card carrying member of Gen-X, I’ve grown to accept most of their lingo, but the one I appreciate the most is “JOMO”, which is a “troll” on my generation’s “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out). According to UrbanDictionary.com, FOMO is defined as a “form of social anxiety - a compulsive concern that one might miss an opportunity or satisfying event, often aroused by posts seen on social media websites.”

FOMO isn’t a good thing, and most millennials get that. FOMO leads to impulsive de-cision making, which in turn often leads to undesired consequences. People who suc-cumb to FOMO spend money they don’t have, supplant high priorities with low ones, and devalue opportunities for relationship building. Social media tools like Facebook, Instagram, Shapchat and Twitter make a mint feeding the FOMO beast. They feed FOMO’s compulsivity because they provide a steady stream of information, oftentimes misinformation, that alters reality.

It’s a good thing that when the millennials say “JOMO”. What they mean is that there is a certain JOY in being fully present, fully satisfied in the moment. JOMO is living a purposed life apart from the social pressures of being constantly connected and fed “news”.

As a Christian, always first and foremost, I readily believe JOMO is part of the Gospel message. It is my hope that as we enter into the Easter season and turn our attention to growing in our discipleship, I hope we will embrace JOMO and find JOY by being fully present with each other and apart from the FEAR of missing out. May it be so.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Josh P.S. Pastor Joel is a swell guy, and I’m am blessed person to work with him. Thank you for granting me this privilege. Let’s make sure we keep him around!

Vacation Bible School registration will be open for Hope Church Member families beginning April 1. 4 year olds through completed 5th grade children are invited to attend.

Registration is $30 per child which includes a t-shirt,

not to exceed $90 per immediate family.

The children will venture onto an uncharted island where their 5 Bible Buddies will lead them in the

truth that Jesus carries them through life’s storms.

Volunteers are needed to help make this year’s Vacation Bible School the best ever!

Contact Brittany Bussell at

vbs@hopeaustin.org

Christian Education

Adult Classes Beginning Sunday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m.

I Am a Church Member Whether you're a new member or a longtime member, this hybrid class will give us the opportunity to build relationships and consider what it means to be a "member" of a church. "I Am a Church Member" fosters a conversation about the attitudes and responsibilities of church members - rather than the functional and theological issues. When a person's attitude is consistently biblical and healthy, matters of giving, serving, and so forth will fall into place more naturally. Taught by Pastor Josh AE105 Becoming a Contagious Congregation God called us to be disciples to the nations. Through this course you will learn how we as a church can become effective in our evangelism to the world in a natural and powerful way. AE104

Notes from Pastor Joel

When I think “family faith practices,” the practice of

“celebration” doesn’t come to mind immediately. My brain

tends more toward the practices that “feel” like they have

something to do with faith, such as praying, serving, or

growing. But the practice of celebration is just as important

as these other more ascetic-like practices.

Celebration is the fourth of seven family faith practices. As far

as faith formation is concerned, families which invest time in

talking, praying, serving, celebrating, studying, growing, and

creating together tend to share faith together.

Intentionally making space to celebrate with our families exemplifies the lavish love of

God. While it might be tempting to focus your celebration on your children’s successes

—whether in sports, at school, or in church—don’t let these be the only times you

celebrate. Do celebrate these, but also celebrate your children simply because you love

them. Celebrate their unique wiring, that special mix of irritation and talent that helps

give them identity.

When the father welcomed home the younger brother in Luke 15, he threw a celebration

not because his son excelled in life. Instead, he threw a celebration because he loved

his son.

So as you’re celebrating your children’s successes, like the college they got into, or the

new trophy they got in soccer, or the “A” they got on their school project—make sure

you also invest time in celebrating them apart from their achievements. Make time to

celebrate them and who God made them to be, regardless of the excellent things

they’ve done.

Need some power in your life? Joy

and Jubilation Choirs have the an-

swer with the musical production of

POWER, Sunday, May 6, 5 pm in

the Sanctuary! A girl struggling with

her problems gets help on a tv show

with celebrity guests and on-the-

street advice. Great songs, humor

and fun! Join us to get a POWER-full

lift from these talented kids!

Save the date for IHope!

Unity presents an evening of enter-

tainment and tasty delights Sunday,

April 22, 5:30 pm in Fellowship

Hall. Hope’s youth artists will show-

case their talents with singing, danc-

ing, comedy, instrumentals, and much

more. Plus, enjoy a pancake buffet of

traditional and dessert fare. Join us

for a delightful evening of food and

fun!

In this beginning phase, you might have been visited by a member

of the HopeFull Journey Affinity team who is busy making rounds

to groups and committees as they meet around Hope’s campus.

Or, you might have gotten a call from a HopeFull Journey Prayer

team member.

Around the church there are HopeFull Journey devotional posters

and we hope you enjoy them.

A bookmark with the title “Pathway to Prayer” which serves as a

prayer reminder was distributed starting on Sunday, March 25. An

informational tri-fold brochure about the HopeFull Journey vision

was mailed to all households in early March and another more de-

tailed brochure will be mailed in April.

You are invited to a HopeFull Journey open forum, following the 11:00 service on April 15.

The purpose is for Q&A about the HopeFull Journey. Please plan to write your question on

a piece of paper to be read and answered out-loud.

The HopeFull Journey is…

Grounded in Gratitude,

Revealed in prayer, and

Lived in Faith.

Thank you,

The HopeFull Journey Leadership Team

(Julie Albrecht, Marie Baker, Matt Baker, Nancy Bruno, Mark Butterfield, Julie Coles, Sally Cripe,

Sue Floyd, Bill Floyd, Bob Fulmer, Dylan Furry, Kathy Gehman, Carolyn Goble, Pat Griffith,

Sara Hamsa, Kirk Hogue, Ray King, Mary Kuenstler, Rita Loyd, Joel Moody, Mike O’Brien,

Dianna Petrick, Josh Robinson, Jamie Walker, Steve Walker, Chuck Wharton, Fred Widmer,

and Linden Welsch)

The HopeFull Journey has begun.

Pathway to Prayer

“but as for me and my house

We will serve the Lord.”

— Joshua 24:15

Please pray that we will experience spiritual growth and

renewal in the life of Hope Presbyterian Church.

Pick up your HopeFull Journey bookmark in the Narthex.

SEEING IS BELIEVING Have you stopped by the library to check out its renovation and the

new books purchased with G2G funds or recently donated? Visit

room 6 in the Fellowship Center; a member of the library committee

will be there to answer any questions about the books or how to use

our automated catalog/check out. New books include:

152.46 Conquering fear; living boldly in an uncertain world

158.2 Help yourself; celebrating the daily rewards of resilience and gratitude

220.95 Story of stories

223 Praying the Psalms

225.04 The invention of Jesus; how the church rewrote the New Testament

226 Scripting Jesus; the Gospels in rewrite

226.092 Jude; a pilgrimage to the saint of last resort

226.5 The beloved disciple

232 How Jesus became God

232.96 The last week (Just in time for Easter)

233.5 This is my body; from obesity to ironman, my journey into the true meaning of flesh, spirit, and deeper faith

234 Dirty God; Jesus in the trenches

248.2 The cry of the soul; how our emotions reveal our deepest questions about God

248.2 Killing Christians; living the faith where it’s not safe to believe

248.3 Everything the Bible says about God

Thank you to artist Joan Salvant for

creating this beautiful mural in the

Nursery and Karen McElhinney for her

support.

Be sure to stop by the Nursery located

in the Fellowship Center and see it in

person!

At times, we know that life can be

difficult, lonely, challenging and unfair.

By becoming a Stephen Minister, you

could be the person to help another

through hard times. A Stephen Minister is

there to listen and care. Perhaps, this is

the time for you to consider training as a

Stephen Minister.

To learn more about the Stephen Ministry

program, please join us for an informal

session in the Multi-purpose Room (MPR)

after 11 o’clock church on April 29. A

light lunch will be served, and Stephen

Ministers will be there to answer questions

and talk about their experiences. Please

contact Sharon Shaw (512-258-8261) or

Emily Clarke (512-258-2139) for further

information.

Fellowship Each Sunday Coffee Time will be held on the patio outside of the

Sanctuary Building. The coffee cart will be on the patio for you to

get your cup of morning coffee and linger on the patio and mingle in

between Worship Services and Sunday School classes.

NOTE – the Coffee in the Courtyard hosted by different groups will

continue with more of a variety of refreshments and held on the first

Sunday of each month, except for Easter Sunday.

On Sunday, April 8, (NOTE 2ND SUNDAY THIS MONTH), there

will be Coffee in the Courtyard, hosted by the Mah Jongg group and

the Piecemakers. Enjoy mingling with your friends at Hope on the

patio between Worship Services and Sunday School Classes.

The Tuesday Circle will meet on Tuesday, April 3, at 9:30 a.m. in the Multi-purpose Room and continue their study series. The Ruth Circle will meet on Saturday, April 14, at 9:00 a.m. in the Multi-purpose Room. Both Circles invite all Hope women to join in a great time sharing our faith and enjoying some refreshments.

A Day Out in Austin is coming on Tuesday, April 10! Starting from

the church parking lot on the Spicewood Parkway side at 9:00 a.m.

we will form carpools. We will tour the State Cemetery (no charge)

and the Bullock Texas State History Museum ($12) Each location

will have a docent leading the tour. At the State Cemetery we will

learn of the many people who made Texas famous throughout the

world. At the Museum on view is the La Belle - the 17th century

French ship of La Salle raised after 3 centuries & learn it's history.

For more information and to sign up contact Sara Hamsa at 512-

751-5073 or shamsa4899@aol.com.

The Men of Hope serves a manly breakfast on the first Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the Multi-purpose Room. We welcome all men at Hope to join us as we plan ways to help our church with mission outreach, annual leadership in worship, Hope Family Night at Dell Diamond, Breakfast with Santa, and other activities.

First Wednesday Suppers are taking a hiatus this Spring. Thanks

to those that enjoyed this monthly time to share a meal together.

Watch our publications for future Fellowship events.

The Singles Group has a monthly brunch at the Lakeline Mall - La

Madeleine restaurant at 10:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of

each month. Besides their monthly Saturday meeting they also

have an outing on the second Thursday night (at about 6:00 p.m.)

usually to different local restaurants. For information of Singles

events, please contact Tim Duffee at 512-250-0089.

I want their

hearts to be

encouraged

and united in love,

so that they may

have all the riches

of assured under-

standing and have

the knowledge of

God’s mystery, that

is, Christ himself, in

whom are hidden

all the treasures of

wisdom and

knowledge.

Service Opportunities

Hope Children’s Center

World of Hope Fair Trade Market Update

Unless a new person volunteers to lead the World of Hope Fair Trade Market we will be forced to cancel it. The previous leader has detailed notes and will provide support for the a new leader. Please contact Steve Walker or Brian Haulotte if you are interested.

While we are fortunate enough to be able to hire a part time custodian,

however we are still a half time person short of the needs of Hope. We

will no longer be able to have a staff person available on Sundays.

This means that we will need volunteers for several tasks each Sunday

beginning on April 8, 2018. Could you consider volunteering for one

Sunday a month for one or more of the following tasks:

Open church at 7:45 a.m. including all buildings that will be in use

Make coffee in the Kitchen and bring to the coffee bar just outside of the Narthex at

7:45 a.m.

Use the blower to clear leaves from all doors in Fellowship and Sanctuary at 8:00 a.m.

Close and lock all doors after the second service approximately 12:45pm.

You may sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0448a9a723a2fc1-sunday1

For more information please call Mary Dulaney at 512 331-2124.

The official ribbon cutting on the new

structure in the Mary Jane Crocker

playground.

Pictured here are the children of

the 18 month old class with their

teachers, the preschool directors,

and playground committee members,

Sharon Wharton and Teri King.

Continued donations to the

playground fund are still

gratefully accepted.

If you or any of your friends and neighbors are looking for a great preschool, look no

further than Hope Children’s Center! Registration for the 2018-2019 school year

has begun! We are filling classes for children ages 18 months thru Kindergarten.

At Hope we believe children learn through play and experiences. We offer weekly

Music, Spanish, Art, and Science classes and a wonderful new playground! Please

call the school office at 512-258-0101 for more information or stop by for a tour!

Session of Elders Administration Commission Bob Abbott [Moderator] (‘18) (Facilities) Regina Schauer (‘18) (Personnel) Christian Education Commission Kathy Gehman [Moderator] (‘18) Andy Polk (‘19) Karen McElhinney (‘20) Evangelism Commission John Seamon [Moderator] (‘19) Doug Laing (‘20) Fellowship Commission Mary Kuenstler [Moderator] (‘18) Carolyn Goble (‘19) Hope Children’s Center Teri King [Moderator] (‘19) Service Commission Brian Haulotte [Moderator] (‘18) Kirk Hogue (‘19) Stewardship Commission Sally Cripe (‘20) [Moderator] Jim Henry (‘20) Worship & Music Commission Roger Bolen [Moderator] (‘19) Charlie Harrison (’18)

Trustees Bill Albrecht (‘18) Matt Ray (‘19) Mary Dulaney (‘20)

Deacons of Hope: Moderator: Linda Regan (‘18) Co-Moderator: Julie Coles (‘19)

Last name A-F Team Linda Regan (‘18), Charlie Saunders (’18), Hank Nesbitt (’19), Julie Coles (‘19)

Last names G-O Team Joan Cook (‘19), Sonia Horanzy (‘18), Marla Ferguson (‘20), Q Suen (‘20) Last names P-Z Teams Rom Johnson (‘18), Gloria Munguia (‘18), Brittany Bussell (‘19), Judy Ratliff (‘20)

Thanks to some additional pledges

that came in after the budget was

approved for 2018 we are able to

add a part time custodian to Facilities

Management. In addition, the Session

has approved an increase of $2K for

the Service Commission.

The Debt Reduction Campaign is underway! You should have received your initial

tri-fold information brochure the first week in March. If you have not received it please

let the office know as soon as you can.

Stewardship

April Birthdays

Did you know a gift to the Generation to Generation fund continues to give? All funds are invested with the Texas Presbyterian Foundation. Each year, the earnings are awarded as grants for projects that improve our church, our community, or our world. Please consider making a donation to Heartbeats of Hope in honor of your birthday. If you would like to text your gift, please include the amount and “G2G” to 512-213-2599.

In Thanks for Gifts Given

in memory of Mary Blake Bryant given by Hatsie Meloy, Dee Fuger, Dave & Nancy

Patchen, the Fellowship Commission

4/1 Kent Schooler

4/2 Drew Cook, Logan Andrews

4/3 David Johnson, Chuck Hazlewood

4/4 Mary Grayson

4/7 Andrew Laing

4/8 Beth Crum

4/9 Ann Shyer, Natalie Daigh

4/10 Robin Von Rosenberg, Terri O'Brien, Tom McElhinney

4/11 Betty Zinn. Kim Corder

4/12 Tom Cunning, Paul Baker, Jackson Lyon

4/13 Dan Devine, Trevor Stebbins

4/14 Ed Vernon, Missy Bussell

4/16 Adam Chase

4/18 Joseph Nagavary, Carol Lowe

4/19 Pat Griffith, Jeanette Esposito, Jon Poole, Jackson Davies

4/23 Andy McFarland, Grace Kinnison

4/24 Rudy Munguia, Emily McDonald, Berea Suen

4/25 Tina Widmer

4/26 Don Johnson, Mike Blank

4/27 Callie Poole

4/28 Julian Watson, Jackson Poole

4/29 Dale Zinn, Linda Raybuck

4/30 Bob Allen

Calendar

Ongoing Activities

Adult Choir (Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.)

Beginning Bridge (2nd & 4th Mondays at 1:00 p.m.)

Bells (Thursday evenings)

*Boy Scout Troop 513 (Mondays at 6:00 p.m.)

*Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts Dens (various times)

Bridge (2nd & 4th Mondays at 1:00 p.m.)

Children’s Choirs (Wednesday evenings)

*Citizenship Classes (Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. & Thursdays 7:00 p.m.)

Commission Meetings (Second Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.)

Deacons (Second Mondays at 7:00 p.m.)

*ESL Classes (Mon., Wed.,& Sat.) (Sep - Nov ) (Jan - Mar)

Mah Jongg (Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m.)

*MOPS (2nd & 4th Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.)

Men of Hope (1st Saturdays at 8:00 a.m.)

Prayer Shawl (2nd & 4th Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.)

Ruth Circle (2nd Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.)

Session (3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m.)

Singles Fellowship (2nd Thursdays & 4th Saturdays)

Stephen Ministry Peer Group (2nd & 4th Mondays)

Tai Chi (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.*)

Tuesday Circle (1st Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.)

UNITY Youth (Sundays at 5:00 p.m.)

Wednesday Bible Study (10:00 a.m. Sep-May)

*Yoga (Mondays at 11:45 a.m.)

*Young Life Youth Program (varied schedule)

Youth Fellowship (Sundays at 6:00 p.m.)

*Zumba (Tuesdays & Thursdays at 2:00 pm.)

*May involve a fee

Church Staff

Rev. Josh Robinson, Pastor & Head of Staff

Rev. Joel Moody, Temporary Associate Pastor

Nick Boltz, Director of Music

Julie Boltz, Assistant Director of Music

Dr. Lisa Fierro, Organist

Joyce Marshall, Director of Hope Children's Center

Nancy Bruno, Office Manager

Paula Croix, Financial Administrator

Jenni Brown, Childcare Coordinator

Bobby Hirschi, Facility Superintendent

Brandon Taylor, Property Support

Connecting@HopePCAustin Deadline for submissions is the monthly newsletter is the 23rd of each month. Please limit your articles to 150 words and photos are always appreciated.

Submissions may be sent to Nancy Bruno at office@hopeaustin.org.

Church Office Hours Mon – Thu 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Fri 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

April Special Events

7 Memorial Service — Nancy Maynard (2:00p.m.)

8 Hope Blood Drive (9:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m.)

9 Deacons Meeting (7:00 p.m.)

10 Commission Meetings (7:00 p.m.)

15 HopeFull Journey Open Forum (12:00 p.m.)

16 Session (7:00 p.m.)

29 Confirmation Sunday