October 2017

Join us following the education hour as we celebrate with a mini-festival full of FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, and FUN! We’ll be having a German breakfast brunch! This will include hard-boiled eggs, sausages, cheese platters, and pastries. We’re asking for your help by donating German potato salad, fresh fruit, and pastries. There will be a sign-up sheet at the church. Those of you who attended last year know how much fun it was, and you are not going to want to miss it this year since we’re having a Martin Luther game show! Invite your friends, family and neighbors to join us. There will be no KOK on Lutherfest Sunday.

Seventh Annual Lutherfest October 15th

Affirmation of Baptism October 29th

During a special 10:30 am worship service on

October 29th, the following students will affirm

their baptism through Confirmation: Gabe Anton,

Huntter Bedney, Ella Bounds, Lydia Cook,

Camden Dean, Lucinda DeCoteau, Aanika

Doheny, Logan Fremming, Luke Gregoria, Ellie

Helgerson, Ian Hennen, Joseph Hulet, Grace

Johnson, Sam Kalow, Adam Kelvington, Grace

Kinkeade, Hailey Kluxdal, Jaina Lower, Emily

Luskey, Abby Oehlerking,

Michelle Pekarna, Grahm

Pelowski, Jordyn Remick,

Blake Riemer, and Sonja

Swanson . Please keep

them in your prayers as

they prepare for this

important faith stepping

stone in their lives.

Who’s Coming To

Dinner?

Saturday, Oct. 14

6:30pm

“Who's Coming to Dinner" is a great way to enjoy

food and fellowship while getting to know fellow

congregation members. If you talk to past

participants, you will find out that these dinners are

just plain fun, and that EVERYONE should

participate. This is a great way to make

connections with people you may not get to know

otherwise.

How does it work? The host provides the main

dish and dinner attendees are asked to bring a

dish to share. The host does not know who's

coming to dinner. The dinner attendees know

where they are going but don't know who's joining

them. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Please e-mail

Darlene at darlenemarte@hotmail.com or call her

at 492-6428 to sign up and let her know whether

or not you are willing to host. Adults only please.

Grief Support Group on October 9th

We all have to walk through some bewildering hard times in this life of constant change. Are you struggling with

the pain of any kind of grief or loss? We don’t have to walk alone in our grief. If you

feel that sharing your experience with other sisters and brothers who are struggling

would be helpful you are invited to attend a grief support group that will meet from 7 to

8 pm on the second Monday of each month. Pastor Steve will facilitate the group and

give helpful resources and processes to work through the pain of loss.

Page 2

From Pastor Steve. . .

Thank You, Lord, For the Gift of My Church.

It’s that time of year when we begin to focus on the gifts we have received, and the gifts we intend to give as part of the ongoing work that we share as members of Hope.

Think about blessings present in your life, name some of them. Now express gratitude to God for making it all possible.

As you were counting your blessings just now did you say “thank you” to God for the gift of our Hope Lutheran Church community? Think about all the teaching, the healing and comforting, the relating, the support, the inspiration, the love that we receive through practicing our faith together? It’s a joy being joined as people of God who is present to us in word and sacrament.

This local expression of church provides something that is ever so important in a world that is pretty disoriented and disconnected from God’s good and gracious intentions. Through our church’s ministries, we meet human needs in ways that can be hard to measure. Participation in our church makes it possible for us to be in places near and far ministering to those in need and spreading the good news. We work together educating children in the faith, celebrating with families and individuals through the sacraments, visiting the sick and homebound, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, proclaiming the good news that no matter how difficult and painful life may become God is with us loving us and giving strength.

Consider adding this prayer to your conversations with God:

“Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my Church. It brings me closer to you, and it brings me closer to my brothers and sisters in faith. Help me to support your work, through my church community, by sharing my time in prayer, my talent in ministry and my financial resources in proportion to my ability. Amen.”

Participating in our church gives us the gift of being part of something greater than ourselves. We have a place to connect with God and with each other. If we take the time to really think and pray, we can see what a gift belonging to Hope really is. It is also easy to see why sharing resources through giving to support the work that we share is giving and receiving. Our church is a river of the love of God; the channels of that river are fed by our giving. Pastor Steve

Mark your calendar for the next Families Moving Forward hosting week

at Hope Lutheran Church, November 19-25, 2017. We will once again

need many volunteers to help make this week a success including set

up/take down crew, dinner hosts, evening hosts, overnight hosts, and

Saturday helpers. Thank you!

If an adult you know has a birthday in October, but is not listed here, please call the church office at 492-2099.

3 Tim Soller

6 Myrna Rieck, Jamie Lower, Matt Lorenz,

7 Heidi Dibble

9 Anna Bromeland, Seth Kulics

10 Ginny Engfer, Kyra Wicklund

12 Jonah Holmberg, Donna Engel

13 Kristin Jones

15 Jeff Bissell, Jamie Newman, Linda Karow, Noah Miller

17 Teresa Gaukstad

18 Dona Rebers

20 Craig Olson, Erich Swanson

22 Kristi Pasek, Darlene Marte

23 Roger Anderson

24 Rolf Hafslund

25 Paul Engfer

27 Dana Miller, James Lenzen, Rick VanGarven

31 Becky Brewster

Happy Birthday to You!

Page 3

~ Prayer Concerns of Our Family and Friends ~

Claire Olivia Lindell - multiple health issues Brett Schaumburg - hemophilia

Al - shoulder surgery Mary - lung cancer

Trenton - neck injury David - heart problems

Peggy - colon cancer Sharon - lung cancer

Kathy - heart condition Clarence - failing health

Jerry - brain tumor Lexyn - continued clear scans

Connie - cervical cancer Jacob - depression

Gary - muscle disease Sue - breast cancer

Martha - victim of abuse Becky - struggling

Greg - cancer

-those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

-those impacted by the recent hurricanes and earthquakes.

~ Please pray for the Gaukstad Family as they mourn the loss of

Paul's mother, Purnell Gaukstad, who passed away on September 10,

2017 surrounded by her loved ones.

~ Prayers please for the family and friends of Anna Malmquist, who

passed away September 2 from acute myeloid leukemia. Anna leaves

behind her husband and three young children, ages 6, 3 and 6 months.

~ Pray for the following ministries & fellowship groups ~

Pastor Steve and his ministry, Hope's Garden, F.I.S.H., Grief Support Group, Knitters, "God's Work. Our

Hands.", Kids of the Kingdom, 5th Grade Youth Group, H2H, Joy, Praise, 5th-8th and Adult Choir's

Need to activate Hope’s Prayer Chain?

Email Sarah Gavert at slgavert@gmail.com

or call her at (952) 463-6149.

Page 4

God’s Work. Our Hands. 2017

God’s Work. Our Hands. Cont……..

Page 5

FISH Annual Meeting

October 12, 9:30 am

Ridges at Sand Creek, Jordan

RSVP: fish@fishpartnernetwork.org

952-440-3600

Special Guest Speaker ~ Brenda Elsagher

A dynamic keynote speaker, award-winning author, & 20 year veteran of comedy who encourages us

to lighten up as we juggle life. Brenda brings a genuine, uplifting message & reminds us

that each day has only 24 hours & what we do with each hour can change our life or that of another.

Date Description Expense Income Balance

12/4/2016 Donation in Memory of Rod Boyd $2,139 $6,476

12/4/2016 Donation in Memory of Todd Oakes $500 $6,976

12/8/2016 Barnd Electric-outdoor lighting $5,970 $1,006

6/11/2017 Donation in Honor of William Tieben’s

Baptism

$100 $1,100

6/21/2017 Amazon.com-Baptism books $102 $998

7/2/2017 Donation in Memory of Nicholas Hunstad $500 $1,498

Youth & Family Stuff

Page 6

Ninth Grade Confirmand Retreat ~ Oct. 7th 9am-1pm An e-mail was sent out to all ninth graders who will be confirmed on Sunday, October 29th at a special 10:30am service. Please come prepared to discuss the information that was included. If you have not met with your mentor, this needs to be accomplished prior to the retreat. Bring the signed, completed form with you, along with the confirmation information sheet. Please contact Pastor Steve with any questions at (952) 492-2099, pastor@hope-jordan.org.

Youth Group Needs: 7th Grade – Guides (2 people) for Wednesday nights. Preschool Helper (1 person) for Sunday mornings. Your help is much needed and appreciated to make our programs successful. We are fortunate to have many returning leaders from last year but we do not want to wear them out. Please consider where you could use your time and talents.

Attention 5th-8th Grade Parents: There will be NO YOUTH GROUP on Wednesday, October 18th due to MEA break.

Feed My Starving Children 5th-8th Service Event, Oct. 25th We will leave Hope at 5:20pm and return at 8:00pm - 8:10pm. Drivers and Chaperones Needed. . . . call the church office to sign up!

3rd Grade Bible Retreat ~ Saturday, Oct. 28th 9-11am E-mails were sent to our 3rd graders with all the details about the retreat. This class will be a time of work and play when you will discover how to find your way around the Bible and how to make Bible reading a part of our daily life. You will also share a snack together and, of course, enjoy some fun music. Third graders will receive their Bibles during the morning worship service on Sunday, October 29. Please contact the church office (952) 492-2099 if you have a 3rd grader, but did not receive an e-mail.

4th Grade Apostles Creed Retreat ~ Saturday, November 4th 9:00–11:00am Save the date for this 4th grade retreat. Parents and their children will spend the morning learning about the Apostle’s Creed; what it means, how it applies to your daily life and begin to memorize it. You will also share a snack together and, of course, enjoy some fun music. More information coming soon!

October Service Team Schedule

~ A HUGE thanks to our Taco Committee of Brian Nissen, Kyle Narum, Steve McClellan, Doug Johnson, Matt Lorenz, and Kevin Louis! These people worked so hard getting everything set-up and ready to go for the Taco Stand. Many of you volunteered to assist them by setting up and tearing down, and of course working in the stand….THANK YOU!

~ Thank you from Dave Holzer and the Heimatfest committee to those who helped set up and tear down for God’s Work. Our Hands.

~ Congratulations and God’s Blessings to Reier Hagen Skartvedt who was welcomed into God’s family through the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Sunday, September 17th. Reier is the son of Adam & Abby Skartvedt and his sponsors are Tony Roff and Summer Hendrickson.

~ Do you feel called to serve on one of Hope’s Boards or Committees? Many opportunities to serve will be

open at the end of the year. Prayerfully consider one of the open positions that are listed below. Please contact

Sarah Gavert at 952-492-2099 or officeassistant@hope-jordan.org for position descriptions or if you are interested

in serving.

Executive Board

Secretary, 2 year term

Treasurer, 2 year term

Board of Deacons

1 opening, 3 year term

Audit Committee

1 opening, 3 year term

News of our Members & Community

October

1

October

8

October

22

October

29-9:00am

October

29-10:30am

October

15

Greeter Major’s Major’s Felten’s Terri Oakes Confirmands Dietel’s

2 Usher

Families

Major’s

Major’s

Major’s

Major’s

————

————

————

————

————

Confirmands

————

————

Communion

Prep

Beth Dietel Deb Anderson ———— Char Senske ———— ————

2 Communion

Servers

Jo Nelson

————

Deb Anderson

Jo Nelson

Jo Nelson

————

Jo Nelson

————

Confirmand

Confirmand

Jo Nelson

————

Communion

Clean-up

Beth Dietel Beth Dietel Beth Dietel Terri Oakes ———— Beth Dietel

Acolyte Henry Holmberg Mya Bounds Samara Jones Owen Kalow Confirmand Wells Jackson

Reader &

Prayers

Jo Nelson Jo Nelson Jo Nelson Jo Nelson Confirmands Jo Nelson

Provide Treats Carol Simpson

Dawn Doheny

Jess Felten

————

Jess Felten

————

Carol Simpson

————

XXX Beth Dietel

Jess Felten

Coffee Clean-up ———— ———— ———— ———— XXX ————

Media Specialist ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ————

Page 7

Board of Youth and Educational Ministries (BOYEM)

2 openings, 3 year term

Board of Trustees

1 opening, 3 year term

Nominating Committee

3 openings, 2 year term

Mission Endowment Fund

1 opening, 3 year term

Page 8

Brian, Bethany, Lily (11), Charlie (6).

We first visited Hope Lutheran Church on Christmas Eve, 2006. We had lived in Jordan for 4 months,

our daughter, Lily, was 3 months old, and we decided in the following weeks that we would join this

nice little church. The first things that drew us in were the friendly people and the wonderful music.

What has kept us here are the friendly people, the wonderful music, and the sense of belonging to a

strong community that accepts everyone and strives to help anyone in need.

From the start, we wanted to be a part of the fun music programs. Bethany joined the adult choir and

Brian began playing drums for the Sunday services. Once our kids got a little older we helped out with

Kids of the Kingdom and Bethany began helping each summer with Vacation Bible School. She also

led the Joy Choir for 8 years. Brian was recruited early on for the taco stand committee, and now has

been the chairperson for 6 years. We have also enjoyed participating in God’s Work-Our Hands,

Families Moving Forward, and Feed My Starving Children.

We have had many memorable moments at Hope. Charlie says he likes Sunday School and VBS and

learning about God. He really likes the music videos in VBS! Lily says she thinks Hope has lots of

nice people and she likes the different types of music we have here. She has enjoyed KOK and VBS

as well, especially classes involving cooking, and is looking forward to Wednesday Night Youth Group

this year. Brian likes the fact that Hope is an active congregation with people who believe in

volunteering and giving to others. One of his favorite memories is when he helped out with God’s

Work, Our Hands. It was a beautiful day spent with others, working hard to build a wheelchair ramp

for a family in need. Brian also recalls a fun time riding a mechanical bull at the County Fair with

Steve M. and Kyle N. during a slow time at the taco stand. Bethany’s favorite moments involve

children, singing, and children singing. She loves the

children’s advent service and the outdoor services in the

summer. The whole family also enjoys helping with the

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

Our family appreciates being part of the friendly and

giving community of Hope. Our kids can grow up in a

warm and safe environment while learning important life

lessons. Lessons of love, openness and acceptance of

all, and the importance of service to others. We don’t

just talk about it, we get the chance to do it! Being a part

of Hope’s congregation enables us to share God’s

message with others through our words and actions,

while growing as a family.

Hope's Women's Group - Mark your calendars for Thurs. October 5th! We will be meeting at 6:00pm at Hope in the Fellowship Hall! This month we are celebrating our friend, Michelle Zappetillo, who is getting married on Nov. 4th to Gary Holicky! Please bring a salad (veggie, fruit, pasta) to share for our meal. Also, please bring a favorite recipe (with a little story on

why it’s your favorite or where it came from) to share with Michelle!

It's time for...

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2017!

This year, we are again blessed to be able to give generously to children in some

of the most desperately impoverished regions of the world through our 11th

annual Kids of the Kingdom Operation Christmas Child project. This year's

shoebox gift packing party will be held Sunday, November 12th during the

Education Hour. As citizens of Jordan, we have lots of ways to help others in

our community; this project helps us teach our children to serve others joyfully in

the larger community that is our world. These boxes reach children with the

message of Jesus in areas of the world affected by war, natural disasters, and

extreme poverty. The entire congregation is invited to participate. This year's goal is 100 boxes! Here are

some ways you can help:

1. Donate small gift items to help fill shoeboxes: In order to fill 100 boxes, we need the following items:

small, non-violent toys; markers, crayons, and/or colored pencils; small pads of paper (small legal pads

work best); washcloths; bars of soap; toothbrushes; Girl's t-shirts (size 2-14); Boy's t-shirts (size 2-14);

Boy's socks (Sz M or L); Girl's Socks (Sz M or L); miscellaneous items such as ball caps, hair clips,

sunglasses, jewelry, combs, brushes, mirrors, etc. All items must be new and unused. No liquids or food

items please. Look for the donation box in the narthex at Hope.

2. Donate cash to help offset shipping and other costs. It costs $9 per box to ship. We also use

these funds to purchase any remaining needs to fill the 100 boxes.

3. Join Kids of the Kingdom on November 12th and help pack boxes!

A collection box is located in the narthex along with a regularly updated list of

needed items.

Thanks for your help! A simple gift has incredible power to change lives!

For more information about this project, please visit the Operation Christmas

Child website at www.samaritanspurse.org.

Page 9

What is needed: This displaced family of 4 which includes mother and 3 daughters are in need of everything to set up their new household in Belle Plaine. They came from Hurricane devastation in Texas to Minnesota with only clothes. They need full kitchen items, silverware, beds, bedding, dressers, living room furniture, bathroom items, TV, and vacuum, cleaning items etc. Gift cards to purchase items would also be nice to purchase personal items.

What Created the need: A mother and her 3 daughters have been homeless and displaced from Hurricane Harvey in Texas. They have been searching for housing and have obtained housing in Belle Plaine. Now they need to set up their household. Please call the church office if you’d like to help.

SAVE THE DATE! Christmas

Eve Services this year will be

on Sunday, December 24th at

9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Council Minutes ~ Monday, Sept. 18, 2017

Page 10

Meeting called to order 7:05 pm by Curt Wicklund

Present: Curt Wicklund, Steve Thompson, Tammy Schleifer, Kyle Narum, Dave Holzer, Deb Barker, Leah Holmberg, Rod Lieske, Sarah Gavert

Devotions: Pastor Steve

Agenda: Approved

March Minutes: Approved

Shared Ministry Report: Written

Financial Reports: Written report

Deacons Report: Written report

BOYEM Report: Written

Trustees Report: Rod Lieske

Bathroom renovations are well underway.

Lawn continues to be mowed

An audit was done in August

Angie is in the process of looking for a new cleaning company

Pastor Report: Discussion on Minneapolis Synod Initiative LEARN, LEAD, LAUNCH.

Old Business: The church service for Christmas will be at 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Praise The Children turned in Lease Termination letter

LEARN, LEAD, LAUNCH SYNOD INITIATIVE will begin in October and follow for the months of November, January and February. Council members and other leaders of Hope will be participating in this initiative. See Oct. 2017 Newsletter article for more info.

The stewardship committee is working on pledge card challenge

New Business: Nobel Conference to be held at Gustavus College the theme will be REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY HOW FAR DO WE GO

Meeting adjourned 8:25 PM

Next meeting October 16, 2017

Men of Hope

The men’s group will meet on the 1st Saturday of each month at Feedmill

Restaurant for breakfast. So, mark your calendar for October 7th, 7:30 am,

and please feel free to invite anyone you know that might be looking for a

new church home or just some good Christian guys to hang out with.

Page 11

October 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Worship

10:15am Education

Hour

2

6:30pm Knitters

3

9:00am

Stewardship Mtg.

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

4

12:00pm Bible Study

6:00pm Children’s

Choirs 6:30pm Youth Group

Pizza

7:00pm 5th-8thYouth

Group

7:30pm Adult Choir

5

6:00pm Women of

Hope

8:00pm AA

6 7

7:30am Men’s

Breakfast-Feedmill

Restaurant

9:00am

Confirmation

Retreat

8

8:00am Trustees

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Worship

10:15am Education

Hour

6:30pm Deacons

9

7:00pm Grief

Support

10

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

11

12:00pm Bible Study

6:00pm Children’s

Choirs 6:30pm Youth Group

Pizza & BOYEM Mtg.

7:00pm 5th-8thYouth

Group

7:30pm Adult Choir

12

9:30am FISH Board

Mtg.

8:00pm AA

13 14

6:30pm Who’s

Coming to Dinner?

15

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Worship

10:15am Lutherfest

16

6:30pm Knitters

7:00pm Council

17

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

18

12:00pm Bible

Study

No Activities ~

MEA Break

19

8:00pm AA

20 21

22

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Worship

10:15am Education

Hour

23 24

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

25

12:00pm Bible

Study

6:00pm Children’s

Choirs

6:00pm FMSC for

5th-8th Grade

26

8:00pm AA

27 28

9:00am 3rd Grade

Bible Retreat

29

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Worship

10:30am

Confirmation

Service

30

6:30pm Knitters

31

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

Address Service Requested

201 Hope Avenue

Jordan, Minnesota 55352

Hope Lutheran Church Jordan, Minnesota

Standard

Non-profit Organization Permit # 9

Jordan MN 55352

News of Hope is published monthly by Hope Lutheran Church,

201 Hope Avenue, Jordan MN.

You can reach Hope Lutheran Church at (952) 492-2099

FAX (952) 492-6884. E-mail: office@hope-jordan.org

Check us out on the web at: www.hope-jordan.org

Office Hours: Mon-Thur 9-12,1-4 Fri 9-12

Pastor Steve Thompson (952-210-6180)

Shared Ministry Coordinator: Sarah Gavert

Office Manager: Angie Newton

Jordan’s Display of Creativity is back! Bev Boyd, Brenda Lieske and Kathy Mattson invite you to bring your curiosity and your creations to the next Display of Creativity sponsored by the Jordan Community Arts Association on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13 and 14 at the Jordan Library in the publicly accessible meeting room.

Let us know what you are bringing and we will make sure your piece has a place of honor! Bev has new art and jewelry to show you! Knitters are busy, photographers and painters have set aside some of their special work. We would love to include an example of your special art or craft!

Questions? Email: jordanartsassn@gmail.com Mail: P.O. Box 123, Jordan, MN 55352

Phone: Bev @ (952) 492-7321; Brenda @ (612) 209-6544; Kathy @ (612) 210-4611