August 2016

School Supply Drive in August

We are currently collecting school supplies for

students in the Jordan school district. A purple

collection container is located in the narthex at

Hope. Items needed include notebooks, pens,

pencils, markers, colored pencils, pencil boxes, crayons, glue,

folders, backpacks, etc. School supply lists are available at Target,

Walmart or the Jordan School website if you would like to see

exact items that the schools are asking for. Deadline for

donations is September 2nd.

Because our four legged and finned

companions are an integral part of

many families, we are once again

hosting a favorite community tradition

– a “pet blessing”. Our furry, finned

and feathered family members are

such a special part of our lives. This

service gives us a chance to affirm

that ‘all creatures, great and small’ are

deserving of our love and care. Well-

behaved pets and their human

companions of all denominations are

welcome at this special outdoor

worship service on August 16th.

Following the service everyone is

welcome to stay for “Yappy Hour”

fellowship. This is a great opportunity

to be an evangelist. Invite your friends

and neighbors. Bring your dog or cat

on a leash; other pets that don’t do

leashes can be brought in a carrier of

some kind. We want to make sure that

there is no conflict. Make sure your

dog or cat has on a collar with current

ID. If your pet isn't able to attend, a

photo will work. Participants are

expected to practice responsible pet

ownership and clean up after their

critters so for your convenience,

pooper scooper bags will be provided.

Outdoor Worship & Blessing of Animals

Sunday, Aug. 28 @ 9:00 am

Annual Golf Tournament

August 28th @ 3:00 pm

Ridges at Sand Creek Dust off your clubs and dig out your golf shoes! It’s time again for Hope’s annual golf tournament. The cost is $22 per person (w/o cart) or $30 (w/cart) for 9 holes. Cost for golfers age 62 and older is $21 (w/cart) for 9 holes. Sign-up your foursome on the sheet in the narthex at Hope or we’ll place you with a

group! Call or email the church office with questions. This will be a best-ball style tournament and then we’ll stay after at the golf course restaurant for fellowship.

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The Franciscan Way of Seeing

I’ve been learning about St Francis and the Franciscan way of seeing God and the world. The two

adjectives most applied to God in Franciscan mysticism were goodness and humility. Certainly we

think of God as good but do you ever think of God as humble? This might sound strange to you. It is

the minority theology of the church that we have known. The Franciscan way of seeing is an

alternative orthodoxy.

The God that we see revealed in Jesus is a God emptied and hidden in the material world. Jesus was a humble servant who

went so far as to suffer a humiliating death absorbing all the sin and shame of the world. This God is very humble. This is

such a surprise in history. I recently heard pastor Nadia Boltz-Weber say “In Jesus, God is saying ‘I would rather die than be

in the sin accounting business.’”

Francis fell in love more with the humanity of Jesus than with his divinity. His passion in life was to be like Jesus. His

imitation of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1) was to practice being the most humble man around. He found God where God is always

hiding - in the ordinary. God is indeed intimately near in the stuff of everyday life. This way of seeing down low recognizes

holiness not just as some transcendental “other” but in the incarnate presence of God in, with, and under everything.

This understanding, or intuition, or discernment, sees, by faith, God more underneath and within than from above and

outside. God coincidently and intimately present even where it seems that God could not be present. God is present not just

in our triumph but in our disasters.

The incarnation of God in the world is good news but it is a strange, and some would say, ridiculous way to see. Everybody

knows that God is transcendent. God is “up” in heaven. Right?

In the Basilica in Assisi, where Francis established his humble community, there is a little statue of him honoring the Holy

Spirit. His posture and perspective are completely different from the usual. He’s got his hands folded looking down into

the ordinary and extraordinary living earth. If God is anywhere God is EVERYWHERE, if only the eyes of our heart can

see.

Here is something to contemplate adapted from a poem by Brother Francis:

All Creatures, Worship God Most High! Text: Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226; tr. Composite Text © 1997 Augsburg Fortress.

1 All creatures, worship God most high! Sound ev'ry voice in earth and sky: Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sing, brother sun, in splendor bright; sing, sister moon and stars of night: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2 Sing, brother wind; with clouds and rain you grow the gifts of fruit and grain: Alleluia! Alleluia! Dear sister water, useful, clear, make music for your Lord to hear: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

3 Sing, brother fire, so mirthful, strong, drive far the shadows, join the throng: Alleluia! Alleluia! Dear mother earth, so rich in care, praise God in colors bright and rare: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4 All who for love of God forgive, all who in pain and sorrow grieve: Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ bears your burdens and your fears; still make your song amid the tears: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

5 And you, most gentle sister death, waiting to hush our final breath: Alleluia! Alleluia! Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom, fair is the night that leads us home. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

6 O sisters, brothers, take your part, and worship God with humble heart: Alleluia! Alleluia! All creatures, bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

From Pastor Steve. . .

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Did you know...

Hope has a Prayer Team AND a Prayer

Chain? The Prayer Team has 6 members~

Ginny Engfer, Sarah Gavert , Kathy

Mattson, Diane Seifert, Kari Schmidt, and

Pastor Steve. Although the Prayer Team

has many duties we would like to share

two of our most important ones

~ confidential prayer requests and

personal prayer sessions. A confidential

prayer request will go no further than the

Prayer Team Members. Feel free to

contact any of us with your prayer needs.

Our Prayer Chain has over 50 intercessors

that will pray for prayer requests. Contact

Sarah Gavert at slgavert@gmail.com or

the church office (952-492-2099) with

your requests.

Happy Birthday to you!

1 Dawn Benko

3 Brett Schaumburg

4 Sheryl Kruger

6 Jane Preisen

7 Kyeanna Blomgren

9 Carlonna Lindell

11 Stephanie Olstad

13 Josh Kinkeade

14 Chuck Cook

15 Tammy Schleifer

16 Daniel Lower,

Jeff Radermacher

17 Jo Nelson

18 Cindy Lind,

Ken Arntson

19 Pastor Steve

Thompson

20 Denny Lindell,

Nathan Baluski,

Jason Polley

22 Pat

Wermerskirchen

23 Norma Timmons

24 Brian Lindell

25 Markus

Konopacki

26 Jim Swiontek,

Julie Hendricks,

Lindsey Kulics,

Amber Olson

27 Linda Warden

29 Kurt Fossen,

Brian Nissen

31 Jenna Dietel,

Greg Kasper

Lawn Mowers Still Needed… Please sign-up on the poster in the

narthex, or give the church office a call at 952-492-2099 to check for the available

dates.

Service Opportunities ~ Are you being called? "Sandwich Committee" - two or three people to organize bag lunches for "God's Work. Our Hands." in September.

"Families Moving Forward Hosts" - two or three people to work with Leah in hosting families four times a year.

"Fellowship & Service Coordinator" - two people to plan events for our youth 5th-8th grade throughout the year

"Guides" for our H2H youth programming

"Leaders" for our 5th/6th grade youth group

Contact Sarah at officeassistant@hope-jordan.org if you’d like more information on these opportunities.

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Prayer Concerns of Our Family and Friends Pastor Steve ~ his hearing and his ministry

Brett Schaumburg ~hemophilia Claire Olivia Lindell ~ heart defect Jen ~ colon cancer Dave S ~ health issues

Pam ~ ovarian cancer Gracie Billups ~ leukemia

Jackie F. ~ breast cancer Lexyn Groff ~ rare cancer Grandma Myrtle ~ heart & kidney failure Payton Faith Smith ~ multiple health issues Penny ~ breast cancer Tom W. ~ stroke

Shirley ~ terminal cancer Sally H. ~ knee replacement surgery

Praise the Lord!! Your prayers have been heard ~

John Haertzon's cancer is in remission! Thank You Lord!!

Pray for those that mourn ~

Carolyn Nehrenz passed away due to cancer. Please pray for her husband Bill, her children, family and friends who mourn her loss.

Pray for the following ministries & fellowship groups ~

F.I.S.H., Our Garden, Fishers of Men, Campfire Communion, Vacation Bible School

Date Description Expense Income Balance

4/10/2016 Donation in Memory of John Marks $500.00 $9,542

4/10/2016 Donation in Memory of Hazel Larson $500.00 $10,042

4/10/2016 Donation in Memory of Joe Weierke $25.00 $10,067

4/18/2016 Sweetwater ~ P.A. & Vocal Processor $250.00 $9,817

5/8/2016 Donation in Memory of Howard Senske $100.00 $9,917

6/12/2016 Donation in Memory of Todd Oakes $25.00 $9,942

Hope’s Garden News

We are very happy with our efforts in the garden. We have been taking produce to

the Jordan Area Food Shelf each week such as red & white radishes, onions, beets,

peas, cucumbers, zucchini, and green peppers. Tomatoes are ripening and we expect

plenty of them. Canning season will soon be here. Anyone who signed up to help in the

garden should feel free to come anytime they have the time. There’s always plenty of

weeds to go around and we are open 24/7! Thank you to all who have helped pull or

hoe weeds. Stop by our produce table after Sunday service! Thanks to your donations

for the produce you pick up, all funds go to the food shelf!

August Service Team Schedule

~ Congratulations and Best Wishes to Abby Roff and Adam Skartvedt who were married on

Saturday, July 30th at Hope Lutheran with Pastor Steve officiating!

~ Thank you to our Taco Stand Committee, Brian Nissen, Kyle Narum, Steve McClellan, Doug

Johnson, & Kevin Louis and everyone who supported Hope during the Scott County Fair! So very

many of you worked, slinging tacos and filling nacho trays! Others supported Hope by purchasing

these tasty items, and also praying for Hope during this time. Proceeds from the taco stand support

our general fund. If you missed out, don’t worry, you can see us at Heimatfest in September!

~ Save the dates: Oct. 14 & 15 at the Jordan Public Library. Get ready to show off your hobby,

crafts, artwork to your friends and neighbors! Check out pictures from last year's event on our

facebook page at jordancaa. Email questions to jordanartsassn@gmail.com or talk to Brenda

Lieske, Bev Boyd or Kathy Mattson!!

~ Meals on Wheels in August. It takes approximately an hour (11-12pm) and it goes Tues-Fri. The

meals are picked up at the Schule Haus and then delivered to our families. The Schule Haus will

have addresses and a detailed route for you. Please contact Lolly Gosewisch at

godave@earthlink.net or 492-2652 if you’re able to help.

News of our Members & Community

August

7

August

14

August

21

August

28-Outdoor

Greeter Renee Leik Cindy Bennett Cindy Bennett Outdoor Worship

Ushers

Smisek’s

————

Gosewisch’s

————

Gosewisch’s

————

————

————

Comm. Prep Kristi Pasek ———— ———— ————

Comm. Servers

Smisek

————

————

————

Tami Nielsen

————

Tami Nielsen

————

Comm. Clean-up Kristi Pasek ———— ———— ————

Reader & Prayers Kevin Louis ———— Kevin Louis ————

Provide Treats Renee Leik

Kristi Pasek

Renee Leik

Cindy Bennett

Renee Leik

Cindy Bennett

Renee Leik

Tami Nielsen

Coffee Clean-up ———— ———— ———— ————

Media Specialist ———— ———— ———— Outdoor Worship

Acolyte ———— ———— Abby Oehlerking Outdoor Worship

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August 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:00am VBS

6:30pm Knitters

2

9:00am VBS

5:00pm CoDA

6:30pm GWOH

7:00pm AA

3

9:00am VBS

4:00pm Prayer

Team Mtg.

5:45pm Campfire

Communion

4

9:00am VBS

8:00pm AA

5 6

7

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Worship

8 9

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

10

6:00pm Boyem

Mtg.

11

8:00pm AA

12 13

14 8:00am Trustee Mtg.

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Worship w/

Pastor Amy

10:00am Deacon Mtg.

15

6:30pm Knitters

7:00pm Council

16

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

17 18

6:00pm PTC–

Library

8:00pm AA

19 20

21

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Worship

w/Pastor Amy

22 23

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

24

5:45pm Campfire

Communion

25

8:00pm AA

26 27

28

8:30am Coffee

Fellowship

9:00am Outdoor

Worship & Pet

Blessing

3:00pm Golf

Tournament-

Ridges

29

6:30pm Knitters

30

5:00pm CoDA

7:00pm AA

31

5:45pm Campfire

Communion

Pastor ~ Vacation

Pastor ~ Vacation

Pastor ~ Vacation

Coming in September. . .

Heimatfest 9th & 10th

God’s Work. Our Hands. 18th!

Thank you to everyone who has donated items to VBS. The VBS team is looking for older youth and adults who would like to volunteer during VBS to be a crew leader or workshop teacher. VBS is August 1st-4th from 9:00-11:45am. If you are interested, please send an email to Kelly Lorenz at. kellyl@themustardseedinc.com

Ninth Grade Confirmands A package was mailed to all ninth graders with information regarding your confirmation in October. You will need to meet with your mentor, complete the assignments, and turn in your mentor information to the office. If you did not receive your packet, please call the church office at 952-492-2099.

5th-8th Choir…...Coming Soon! Coming in September. . . . the 5-8 Choir, meeting on Wednesday nights at 6:00 PM, just before pizza and the regular Wednesday night programming for Grades 5-8. Anyone in Grades 5 - 8 is invited to participate, learn new music, and have fun sharing your voice. Char Senske will be leading the choir with Kristi Narum at the piano. Hoping for lots of singers!

Parade Float Coordinators Needed! This year's Heimatfest Parade is on Saturday, September 10th at 11 a.m. We are looking for 3-4 families willing to coordinate this year's parade float. Please contact Angie at office@hope-Jordan.org for more information.

CAMPFIRE COMMUNION Join us every Wednesday night through August 31st at Hope, by the firepit for a condensed version of our Sunday service. Enjoy hot dogs at 5:45pm with worship starting at 6:15pm. Bring a beverage and a lawn chair and don’t forget to invite family, friends, and neighbors!

Kids of the Kingdom -- 2016-2017 Registration Open Registration is now open for the 2016 - 2017 Kids of the Kingdom program. KOK officially kicks off on Sunday, September 11th with a Family Celebration Sunday. Families are invited to participate in God's Work. Our Hands. on Sunday, September 18 (see page 6). Regular rotation curriculum and classes will begin on Sunday, September 25th. Kids of the Kingdom will meet from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. A registration form is enclosed with the newsletter. Please send or drop off the completed registration form and fee to the church office. We look forward to another fun-filled year at Kids of the Kingdom!

Board Of Youth & Educational Ministries News...

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Address Service Requested

201 Hope Avenue

Jordan, Minnesota 55352

Hope Lutheran Church

Jordan, Minnesota

We’re on the web

www.hope-jordan.org

Standard

Non-proit Organization Permit # 9

Jordan MN 55352

News of Hope is published monthly by Hope Lutheran Church

201 Hope Avenue, Jordan MN.

Worship is held each Sunday morning at 9:00am.

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

492-6884. Check us out on the web at: www.hope-jordan.org

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00-12:00pm, 1:00-4:00pm

Pastor Steve Thompson (952) 210-6180

Youth Shared Ministry Coordinator: Lynda Schaumburg

Office Manager: Angie Newton

LITTLE DRESSES FOR AFRICA COLLECTION

This mission founded in 2008 provides relief to African girls in villages and to children from countries in crisis. The

hope is to deliver sundresses and plant a seed of hope in each young girl’s heart. Pillowcase sundresses are

distributed to orphanages, churches and schools with the motto, “Together, we can make a difference”. Bright

colored shoulder straps, calico fabric pockets and white eyelet lace offers feminine details on the dresses. During

this current garage sale season where notions for making and decorating the dresses can be picked up and

through the summer Hope will have a box for donations to be forwarded to the sewing

ladies in Carver, MN. This group has mailed 4 boxes of between 50-60 dresses to

Michigan for distribution.

Items Needed: 1/4” elastic, decorative buttons, appliques, bias tape with double fold,

lace, trim, thread, fabric, pillow cases (new or used), rick-rack. Empty out your sewing

baskets of unused items to donate.

*They add pockets but do not use zippers. Decorative buttons are used on the pockets

and straps.

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Fishers of Men ~ Boat Captains and Fishermen Needed!

Join our men's group, "Fishers of Men". One Saturday each month through

September, you will join others for fishing and fellowship while enjoying the best of

what Minnesota has to offer. You'll explore a different lake each month. Check out

the sign up sheets in the narthex for dates, times, and lake details. Boat owners are

encouraged to sign up as captains. Also, indicate whether or not you need gear on

the sign-up sheet. The next fishing trip will be on August 27th at Medicine Lake. You'll depart from the

Hope parking lot at 5:30 a.m. If you have questions or want more information, contact Jason Felten at

952-221-9873. Page 5

Save the Date……

Adult Choir

September 7th, 7:30-8:30pm

Think & pray about using your talent to worship God with music.

High School Singers are Very Welcome!

God’s Work. Our Hands. FAQ’s

What is God’s Work. Our Hands.?

This is an opportunity for us to celebrate who we are as an ELCA congregation. On Sunday, September 18, we will gather to serve our community in ways that share the love of God with all of God’s people. ELCA members are called to put their faith into action by engaging in service activities in their neighborhood and surrounding community.

Who can participate?

Members of all ages and ability levels are invited to participate. We will even have God's Work for Little Hands supervised activities. There will be something for everyone!

What types of work will we do?

Yard work/handiwork -- help tend yards and homes for those with physical challenges

Church projects – unfinished jobs from the Trustee’s job jar, shrub trimming, clean up the fire pit area

Heimatfest -- set up and take down chairs in Lagoon Park

Baking -- bake cookies and deliver to our neighbors

Crafts -- make door hangers and deliver to Oak Terrace residents

Will we have worship on September 18?

We will have a brief gathering and blessing at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary. Then, teams will meet at their designated job site. A bag lunch will be provided for all workers.

Do you have a t-shirt?

"God's Work. Our Hands." Sept. 18th

Reserve your t-shirt now for the "God's Work. Our Hands." event. Adult T-shirts ~ $7. Famous yellow shirts available in Adult S, M, L, XL - 5XL. *We are only taking PRE-ORDERS this year so please call the office at 492-2099 or email by August 10th to reserve your shirt!

T-shirt Changes for our Youth Please Order by August 15th

T-shirts for preschoolers to 4th graders ~ $5. Shirts will be white and the kids will personalize them on Rally Day, September 11th. (Available sizes include Youth S, M, L and Adult S, M, L)

T-shirts for 5th through high school ~ $5. Shirts will be neon green and kids will personalize them on orientation night. (Available sizes include Adult S, M, L, XL-5XL)

Look for information regarding specific teams and job sites soon!

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