newhope newsLutheran Church - Agoura Hills May 2018

Moving Forward in May with Mother’s Day and More

We celebrate Mother’s Day in a couple of weeks. After my mother’s death, Mother’s Day seems, at once, bothemptyandparadoxicallymore important. Imissher, of course, andmissinghermakesmeappreciate thewomenin my life. The women of New Hope are the mainstay of our ministry efforts in many areas. We are blessed tohave so many faithful women as servants of Christ at New Hope. We will celebrate Mother’s Day with ourtraditional pancake breakfast cooked and served by the men of the church. Pancakes are certainly not enoughof an acknowledgement but it is a symbol of our appreciation. I hope youwill join us for the breakfast andworshipthat morning and, I hope you will demonstrate and speak your appreciation for the women who bless your life.

We also celebrate a woman who has contributed twenty-seven years to themusic ministry of our church. Elinorand Rick will be moving to Northern California, nearer to their daughter. We are grateful for Elinor’s contributionto our life together. She is far more than a hymn playing accompanist to the congregation. Elinor is a worshipplanner,writing litanies, editingpowerpoint slidesandbulletins, coordinating theworship ensemble, andworkingwith other musicians. She has organized fellowship events (Suppers 8). Rick has served in many capacities,serving on various committees, on Council and has served as past president. He’s also a go-to tech-guy andworship leader. There is noway to adequately recount ormeasure their positive impact onNewHope. Togetherthey have greatly contributed to the overall well-being of the congregation. Join us on May 20th for a brunchbetween services and the service of Godspeed.

In the absence of Elinor this month, we will welcome Dorothy Caimano and Carla Stoffel to be the backbone ofour music. We are making plans for one worship service beginning on June 3rd and considering the musical andworship style of that one service. We hope you will support the change many have long desired. The Councilleadership and I felt that 10 AM was the most reasonable time for worship to accommodate the needs of ourmembers and our program.

Please don’t forget to sign up for the Agoura Hills Community Service Day on Saturday, May 5th from 8:30 AM– noon. We gather at Chumash Park in Agoura (near the Agoura High School). Please support our work in thecity of Agoura Hills and be a positive witness to Christ and your faith community.I hope to see you Sunday. Pastor Craig

Caring CornerLet us remember the followingpeople in our prayers........

Prayers for Barb Chesney andfamily on the death of her dad.

Continued prayers of healing forChriss Alwood, Steve Blair, ElisabethBrown, Evelyn Colby, Bob Davis,Holly Dolliver, Lou Fiore, Chris andJill Fisher, Sandy Hansen, DelHultgren, Chuck Kemmerer, TheLaVanneFamily, JoyceLawson,ReetaLeland, AvaGraceMcConnell, CherylMerrill, Jim O'Brien, Cindy O'Hare,Ahoo Pilehvari, Sharon Pryor, ArnoldReuter, JaneTaschereau,RoseTopliss,Jax Raines-Turk, Susie Turner andVega Wolf.

Prayers for our servicemen -Landen Anderson, Gerren Blair,Taylor Blair, Heather Brown, KeithBrown, Patrick Clohessy, CynthiaColby, Logan Hershman, KyleMcCarley, Ikenna Olelewe, and JasonRetter.

Risk Taking Mission andService Opportunities

Please check out our new "HelpWanted" section on the bulletin boardin the narthex. These are tasks andsupport projects we are in need of helpwith. Some tasksmay require aonedaycommitment while others may be 3-6months, but all offer an opportunity foryou to bring your much needed skillsand gifts to New Hope. Additional"Help Wanted" cards will be posted asneeds arise so please check back often.When you see a card that interests you,please contact the person noted on thecard for more information. We thankyou in advance.

Amplify Teachers Needed!

We are currently looking for 2-3additional teachers for our Amplifyprogram. Amplify teachers have theresponsibility and blessing of connectingour youth to Christ, as well as thecongregation, through games, activities,Bible study, and song! Volunteers areasked to lead Amplify ONE Sunday eachmonth following the guidance ofprovided curriculum/lesson ideas.Please contact Kaily Vitt via email if youare interested. kaileydvitt@gmail.com

Need a Handyman?

Tom Appleton is available tomembers who might need any"handyman" type of work done. Givehim a call at 805-230-0040.

Temporary Housing neededfrom

April 27th - June 3rd

The pastor of Grace and MercyLutheran Church of Hermiston, Oregonhas reached out to Pastor Craig on behalfof his daughter whowill be in theMalibuarea as she works on her Master Divercertification. Kari has recently finishedher Masters Degree in Marine Biologyand will soon be relocating to CatalinaIsland as she begins employment withMalibu Divers. If you have a room youcan rent, please contact the church office.

From the Treasurer

Thankyou for your generosity in2018! Donations for the first threemonths were $157,897 which is 37%of the year's budget. Expenditureswere $95,199, which is 23% of theyear's budget.

Spring Conference

The Channel Islands SpringConferenceAssemblywill be onMay8th at 6 PM at California LutheranUniversity in the Lundring EventsCenter. The bishop's office will bringnews from the synod and Pastor SteveSimpson will offer a presentation onyoung adults in the church.

Graduates

We would like to recognize our2018 high school and collegegraduates in next month's newsletter.Please send the graduate's name,where they are graduating from andtheir future plans by the nextnewsletter deadline which is May23rd. The information canbe emailedto gsmcginnis@roadrunner.com orcall Gail at 805-523-7884.

New Hope MessageNever miss a New Hope

message again! All sermons given atchurch are posted on YouTube at:w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / u s e r /newhopeagoura. Listen to messagesagain that impactedyou - or better yet,share them with a friend.

The Daytime Book Club willmeet at 11:30AM in the church libraryon May 1st to discuss "Great SmallThings"by JodiPiquoit. Please joinusif you can. The future books we arereading are....

June 5th - "The Last Time She SawHim" by Jane Haseldine

July 3rd - "Little Fires Everywhere" byCeleste NG

TheTuesdayMorningBible Studymeets each Tuesday from 9:30-11:15AMin the social hall. Weare currentlyusing the study from the GatherMagazine from the Women of theEvangelical Lutheran Church.

Monday NightBible Study

TheWomen’sMondayBible Studyis open towomen of all ages. Wemeetin the New Hope Library from 7-8:30PM for prayer, study and fellowship.All women are welcome!

Prime Timer'sLuncheon

Come join us for lunch onTuesday,May 8th at 11:30AM in the social hall.Howard Rockstad will be the speakerand will show a video on FrederickLaw Olmstead, designer of bridges.Please letRoseTopliss know if you areable to attend. Hope to see you allthere. All adults 50 years and older areinvited to join us.

The New Hope LutheranMen's Fellowship

Join us on Thursday morningsforMen'sgroup from7:30-8:30AM.Weare continuing in our stimulatingDVD series featuring Rev. AndyStanley from North PointCommunity Church near Atlanta,Georgia. His programs are fun,thought-provoking, and Biblicallybased. Come and help stimulatesome great conversations aboutcurrent issues involving life andfaith. Come when you can to enjoythe coffee, donuts, and fellowshipwith some great men of faith.

Sunday Morning AdultStudy

Join us at 9:45 AM inclassroom 2 when we will resumeour "Wired Word" study of currentevents and the life of faith.

ChurchNursery

This is just a reminder thatthere is a church nursery for infantsthrough 3 years old during bothworship services. If there isn't aperson in the nursery, please ask anusher and they will let the volunteerknow you need someone to watchover your child while you are inworship. We are happy to watchyour child and look forward tospending time with them.

Amplify

Preschool through5thgrade studentsare encouraged to attend our Sundayschool program, Amplify. It takes placeafter Children's Time each Sundayduring the 8:30 and 11 AM services andmeets in the Amplify classroom behindthe social hall. Amplify takes the place ofChildren's Church and Sunday School.

SundayMorningCoffee

If you enjoy a cup of coffee afterworship service, why not put in somemoney in our coffee can to help purchasethe coffee that we serve. The canwill beon the goodie table once a month.

Mother's DayPancake Breakfast

May 13th

Let the men of New HopeLutheran serve you pancakes, eggs,sausage...and all the trimmings betweenservicesonMother'sDay. Comeafter thefirst or before the second service toexperience this great New Hopetradition. Men, we need you for set-up,cooking, serving, and clean-up. We'dlove to have the youth help us serve thewomenaswell. Weare asking formoneydonations from the men to be paid aheadof time so we can purchase the supplies.A basket will be in the sanctuary for youto put your contributions in. If you areable to attend, please sign-up on thebulletin board so we know how muchfood to buy and prepare. Mother'sdeserve the best and we try to start theirday off right!

Lay Ministry Community Connections

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Matthew 6:21

In the near future, you may be seeing a familiar YOUTH standing with you volunteering with us in Sunday

Worship. Let’s encourage and teach them as they are an active part of our Church family! THANK YOU

VOLUNTEERS AND HELPERS!!

Safety and Security Plan Developer – 3 to 6 months (See Gaye Khan)

Emergency Plan Developer – 3 to 6 months (See Gaye Khan)

Social Media Manager – 3 to 6 months (See Chris Chigaridas)

Handyperson – As needed (See Gary McGinnis)

Amplify Teacher – One Sunday Each Month (See Kailey Vitt)

Worship Service Volunteer – Once every 2 months @ 11 am Service (See Gail McGinnis)

Nursery Attendant – One Sunday each month (See Gaye Khan)

Carpool Driver – Rotation every 2 months (See Marsha Chew)

Brunch for Rick and Elinor Martin

Sunday, May 20th - 9:45 AM in the social hall

Come say good-bye to Rick and Elinor Martin as they are moving up to the San Josearea. Food will be provided but we need to know how much to make. Please sign up onthe bulletin board in the hallway. All are invited and encourage to attend.

Conejo ValleyMeals Program

For the spring and summer seasons, theConejoValleyMeals Program returns to St.Patrick's Episcopal Church in ThousandOaks. Wewill be hosting the dinners on the3rd Sunday of each month, which are May20th, June 17th (Father's Day), July 15th,August 19th, September 16th, October 21stand November 18th. Please check thebulletin board for the monthly theme andfood sign-up sheet. Food will need to be atthe church by 6 PM and the eveningconcludes about 7:30 PM. We also needdinnerserverssopleasefeelwelcometostayandhelpwith this veryworthwhile evening.If you have any questions, please contactMerylee Blair at 805-490-1867.

Donation envelopes are nowavailable:Many of our church members sign up tobring the menu items that are served toindividuals and families who arestruggling in our community Anotherway you can become involved with thisworthwhile program is by donatingmoney. Donations will go towards themain entree or to augment the othermenuitems to ensure there is enough food toserve all guests. Pre-printed envelopesare available on the table in the mainhallway. Donation envelopes can be leftin the church office. If you have anyquestions, please see Merylee Blair.Thank you for your generosity.

MANNA FOOD PANTRY

The top items that MANNA needsare canned tomato soup, canned chickensoup, canned variety soup, canned stew/

chili, baked/refried beans, boxed potatoes,canned pinto beans, canned diced/stewedpotatoes, hot cereal, hamburger helper.

MANNA will gladly accept ANYunexpired (within 12 months prior to the“sell-by” date), non-perishable food itemsthat are unopened and in good condition.Home gardeners are also welcome to dropoff fresh fruits and vegetables that are ripeand in good condition.

Please leave any donations in thebox in the narthex.

Any questions, call AnnAshamallah at (818)-613-6818.

SUPPORT OURMILITARYTHIS SPRING!

We began in March a campaign to honorand support our troops. Troops on the frontlines are often low or out of basicnecessities and treats as they keep us safe.As you travel, please save thecomplimentary personal hygiene items inyour hotel rooms. Also many stores nowhave a large selection of travel sizeproducts for purchase at minimal cost.Next timeyou are shopping, throw in a fewsoaps, shampoo, razors, lotions,deodorants, etc. for our campaign. Itemslike lifesavers, breath mints and hardcandies make wonderful treats. Acollection box is in the narthex at church.Let’s show our military how much weappreciate their efforts!

Merylee Blair

Agoura CommunityService Day

Saturday, May 5th8:30 - noon

Please plan to be part of thecommunity-wide service day.Registration is through the City ofAgoura at http://w w w s i g n u p g e n i u s . c o m /go/20f044dacaa2fa1fa7-welcome1.Contact Chris Chigaridas if you havequestions as he will be organizing theNew Hope team.

El Camino Pines MemorialDay Family Camp

May 26-28Get away for the long weekend with afamily trip to El Camino PinesMemorial Day Family Camp. At theMemorial Day Family Camp the ElCamino Pines Staff mixes traditionalcamp favorites including campfire,songs, worship and fellowship andfamily time with some new surprises.Children will have their own activitiesled by the El Camino Pines staff, whileparents have their own sessions Theretreat begins Saturday,May 26thwithregistration at 11:00 AM followed bylunch at noon. Th retreat ends onMonday, May 28th after worship andan early lunch. We are hoping to seeyou all for another great family camp.If you would like more information,please contact the LRCCAdministrative Office at661-245-3519 or visit lrcchome.com.

President’s Corner

Last summer, during Pastor Craig’s sabbatical,we celebrated threeOne Service Sundays. Wealso conducted focusgroup sessions to get feedback on the single service from all of you. The comments from the focus groups, as wellas thosewho have sharedwith Council members and staff one-on-one, have been overwhelmingly positive in favorof one service. The one drawback was the availability of parking, and how to handle it. Scott Wolfe is exploringsolutions to a potential overflowing parking lot, but we are ready to move out with our first formal One ServiceSunday on:

Sunday, June 3rd at 10:00 AM

Everyone involved inmaking ourWorship andMusic experiencesworshipful and soul-feeding everyweek isworkingovertime to plan and adjust to this new schedule.

As you did last summer, joyfully come on this journey with us. We will plan some fun events and new worshipexperiences as one New Hope family together. At the August meeting, the Council will evaluate how things aregoing and look for anything that needs to be tweeked.

Feel free to talk with any Council member, Pastor Craig or Deacon Lynn as we welcome your comments andsuggestions as we move through the summer. We value your input.

June will also bring a major change to our music life with the loss of Elinor and Rick as they move to be with theirdaughter and we are so happy for them that they have this opportunity. Watch for the God Speed.

I want to personally wish Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers, godmothers,friends, dads who mother, or anyone who has nurtured and loved children. May you all be blessed.

And, have a very safe and fun-filled Memorial Day.

Gaye

Stewardship MusingsBy Karen Ingram

As you’ve heard, we’re going to one worship service at 10 AM this summer. I confess to having mixedfeelings about this. Yes, it will be nice to see people from the second service that I don’t get to seeas often as I’d like. Yes, it will be nice to sleep in a bit, maybe even read some of the paper beforeheading off to church. Yes, it will be nice to hear the choir sing to the Lord. It’s hard to hear, though,that going to one service means fewer people will be needed to fulfill the various tasks that makeSunday worship happen. That breaks my heart. Greeting people at the door, handing out bulletins,collecting the offering, lighting candles….these and other aspects of our worship experience shouldbe done cheerfully and joyfully to say thank you God, for all that you are in my life. We should belining up to offer ourselves for these opportunities to give thanks.

From Deacon Lynn

Thank you to everyone who filled out suggestions during my April 15th sermon on “Being Jesus” andshowingsomeoneJesus. Itwas interesting to seewhatpeople saidabout howNewHopecanbeJesusin the world. A few examples:We can be Jesus by:

• Listening

• Opening our doors to all in need

• Being a part of the community

• Speak out and share why we do things; if we help someone, share that we are called

to do so by Christ

• Extend ourselves outside of Sunday, into the Monday-Friday daytime hours

• Downsizing our lives and give away to the poor (how about another giveaway garage

sale?)

• Accept the groups we open our doors to as part of “us”

• Small group ministry: for love, acceptance, accountability, prayer, confession, and

courage to be Jesus

• Have a “Fill the Church” day. Pick a day where everyone does what they can to fill

the church with people.

If one of these is your idea, let’s talk and find a way that we can work on getting it going. There arealways good ways to walk the walk once we walk outside the church building. Let’s do it!

Deacon Lynn

The of the FarmL U T H E R A N R E T R E A T S , C A M P S & C O N F E R E N C E S

Greetings from Luther Glen Retreat Center, Camp & Farm,

What’s a farm without a barn? Imagine a school without a classroom or a house without a kitchen. A farm without a barn is not complete!

Luther Glen is building a barn and we need your help. We are excited to launch “The Hear t of the Farm Campaign.” Everyone is being asked to respond in some way. Here are a few ideas:

• Attend the Luther Glen Barn Raising Fundraising event on June 9, 2018.• Use the envelope in this brochure and mail your check or donate online at www.LRCChome.com/donate and help raise the barn.• Follow updates on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LRCCSoCal. • Follow us at www.LRCChome.com/barn and watch the thermometer rise.

The goal is $150,000, but we still need to raise funds for our general fund each year… so we are asking for ‘above and beyond’ contributions to your annual giving.

If you are not an annual suppor ter of LRCC, it’s probably because our par tnership has lost focus. This would be a great year to star t suppor ting your local Lutheran Bible camps, because without your suppor t, we’re like a farm without a barn!

Pastor Glen and Lauri Eger tson Pastor Kim Krogstad Executive Directors LRCC Board President

Luther G len needs a barn!

Protected spaces for learning and ‘hay loft Bible studies.’

Permanent stables for night security, birthing, and isolation for sick animals, all in one place.

An interior egg and produce washing station.

A tenfold increase for interior feed and hay storage.

No more tractor maintenance in the snow!

Current Problem:

solutions the barnprovides:

Where wil l the Luther G len Barn go?Retreat Center

Lower Camp

New Barn36’x48’ or 1728 sq. ft.

Several small, temporary shelters for animals all over the farm.

No classroom space for campers.

No place to wash eggs and garden produce.

Our tractor, tools and farm equipment sit outside.

Feed and hay storage not located near the animals.

L u t h e r G l e n3 9 1 3 6 H a r r i s R o a d

O a k G l e n , C A 9 2 3 9 9( 9 0 9 ) 7 9 7 - 2 5 1 3 F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t

w w w. l r c c h o m e . c o m / l u t h e r g l e n b a r n .

May Birthdays3 Darian Kamali5 Elaina Church

Rachael HarrellDelilah Harrell

10 Elisabeth Brown11 Evelyn Colby13 Steve Chew17 Chase Mandel19 Rose Topliss21 Ilsa Buelow23 Kevin Wilkinson25 Marian Pasko26 Linda Leland27 Samyar Javanmardi

Choir practices on Thursdaynights from 7-9 PM in thesanctuary. Come join us andsing your praises to God. Wesing at the 11:00 worship serviceand practice at 10:00 on Sundaymornings. Comebe a part of thisfun group.

New Hope Lutheran Church29295 Agoura RoadAgoura Hills, CA 91301818-889-8700www.newhopeagoura.com

The deadline for all articles forthe June newsletter is May23rd. Be sure to email them togsmcginnis@roadrunner.com.

Camp Many Mansions

Camp Many Mansions is a fun andeducational seven week summer campexperience available free to the residentchildren. Activities include arts and crafts,group activities, swimming, sports, math,science, reading, and weekly field trips.Many Mansions is gearing up for summercamp and they are in need of supplies andsnack donations. A tub has been placed inthe hallway to collect donations. For moreinformation, see Karen Ingram.