jesus calling - hope lutheran · robert halowec 9/10 lynn emmons 9/11 patty metzger- roberts 9/13...
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Official Publication of Hope Lutheran Church, Cedar Hill, TX
Church
972.291.7902
Fax 972.291.7902
Pastors
Joel & Wendy Berthelsen
Choir Director
Andrew Trites
Organist
Sanctuary Choir Accompanist
Youth Choir Accompanist
Cathy Peterson
Secretary
Karine Samer
Heralds Editor
Karine Samer
Church Council
Officers
President
Ty Robenson - 972.723.9023
President-Elect
Steve Hawkins 972.672.0600
Secretary
Nancy Yedlowski
972.293.1179
Members at Large
Dwight Bengtson
972.515.8162
Tammy Hill - 972.617.7264
Raymond Luster -214.789.3030
Lezlie Pender-972.775.1065
Janice Wessa-972.617.7112
Appointees
Treasurer
Kathy Still - 972.293.8016
Financial Secretary
Joe Liberatore - 972.742.4605
Mission Statement: To discover and respond to our call
TO KNOW JESUS TO FOLLOW JESUS TO SERVE JESUS in unique ministries.
Volume XXVIII Issue 9 September, 2013
Jesus Calling Many have been using a devotional called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It is written as a
brief message from Jesus as if Jesus is the one speaking. Secondly, it has several passages of
scripture which intersect with the main theme of the day’s message. Thirdly, it gives a short
prayer. I have heard countless people say how helpful and beneficial it has been to read it on
a regular basis.
Here is an interesting question. Is the book Jesus Calling a selection of prophecies? We, as
Lutherans, have never believed that the prophetic gifts have ended, contrary to what other
denominations assert that the gifts ended with the Apostles, or with an undefined Apostolic
age. Just listen to Luther. Luther wrote in his famous Hymn “A Mighty Fortress,” “The
Spirit and his gifts are ours.” Nevertheless, modern day American Lutheranism, as a whole,
has not given a great deal of attention to this specific gift.
So, what are we to do with this question, “Is the book Jesus Calling a selection of prophe-
cies?” St. Paul tells us, “Do not treat prophecy with contempt.” (I Thessalonians 5:20) St.
Paul, here, encourages us to allow the prophetic gift a hearing and a place in our lives. In
addition to this, however, we are not to automatically accept all “Thus says the Lord,” state-
ments as a word from God. St. John tells us, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the proph-
ets.” (I John 4:1)
Some are perhaps confused at this point. Some of you are saying, “I never thought about this
question. I have simply been using Jesus Calling and have found it encouraging.” To those
who are saying this I say, this is a good sign it is in fact prophecy. St. Paul tells us, “But the
one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” (I
Cor. 14:3) I think all of these words (encouraging, strengthening, comforting) describe
the effect of using this devotional.
So, in September’s adult Sunday School hour we are going to read the passages of the week
from Jesus Calling and talk about how those words affect us. But we are secondly going to
talk about how to discern those words when compared to the scriptures. We are going to
“test the prophet” as the scriptures tell us to do. (Continued on page 2.)
2
(Continued from front page.)
If you do not already have a book you may purchase it at any major retail store where books
are sold. Cosco is the least expensive that I have seen. I’m expecting good things as we
study God’s word to us.
Heads up. In October we are going to read the book The Vision by the late David Wilkerson.
This year is the 40th anniversary since that book first came out. When compared to Jesus
Calling the book The Vision is closer to what many of you think of when you think of as prophecy. We are going
to read the book and then, once again, “test the prophet”. So purchase the book ahead of time. (You may need to
get it on Amazon used books.) And think about what it says while asking if the predictions have been in the proc-
ess of being fulfilled?
May God bless us as we listen for what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Pastor Joel
Satisfy your (inner) hunger and quench your thirst! Timothy Project Bible Study beginning Wednesday, September 4 at 7:15PM... resuming our study of the Gospels. No Bible experience or prior participation needed - totally nonthreatening. Learn to recognize Jesus' personal and practical voice in His word. Learn a simple thorough study method so that you can bear real fruit as an ordi-nary believer in Jesus... confident as a witness, teacher and preacher (Yes everyone is called in some sense to these things!) You may also par-ticipate by having your name added to the email list. "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (words spoken by Jesus found in Matt. 4:4... these words are pretty clear).
3
Support Rev Dr. Gemechis Buba Media Ministry... now reaching 17 million per
week including the Islamic world. Make an extra offering of $50 to $100 (supports
one broadcast). Designate to "Buba Media Ministry." Rev. Buba is the Assistant to
the Bishop for Mission in the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and has
significant relationships with the leadership of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC)
also... our two church bodies. Hope's relationship with Rev. Gemechis is an incredible honor. Our
friend Gemechis greatly appreciates Hope's ongoing generosity. Read more at the following link
along with other mission endeavors:
http://www.hopelutheran.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/BLGH-Inc.-newsletter-July-
2013.pdf
Support our other longtime missionaries as well with an extra gift: Gaultneys, Gerharts and Debra
Buenting
Ethiopia Mission Trip: As a result of Gemechis' visits to Hope, a number of people from Hope
(youth, young adults and older) have expressed a desire to visit Ethiopia and be a part of the incredi-
ble and significant kingdom work happening there. Gemechis and I engaged in some initial and excit-
ing conversations regarding this. Let Pastor Wendy know of your interest. Stay tuned!
NEW! Miraculously, Jesus (risen and still liv-
ing) is calling ordinary people (young & old &
YOU!) for His kingdom purposes, bringing His
rule, reign, redemption and resurrection power
to bear on people, places and problems in the
mission field of everyday life. This is the ingen-
ious plan of our Lord Jesus! Know your signifi-
cant part... it's utterly crucial to being a Chris-
tian and to capturing the power, potential and
significance of "church." Find out more! Pur-
chase a UPDATED & NEW Custom Designed
Reflection Guide (by Pastor Wendy & Steve
Harr) ... available at www.callinc.org or for pur-
chase from Pastor Wendy (also available from
Amazon). I will sign personal copies on Sep-
tember 8.
4
Gifts:
A grant was received from the Snow
Family Charitable Gift Fund to be used
as needed.
RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE FOR AN-
NUAL GALA
Reservations for the 2nd Annual Ex-
travagant Hope Mansion Gala are avail-
able through the Hope Mansion website:
www.hopemansion.org. This year the
Gala will be held on Friday, September
20, 2013. 7pm, at the Sheraton Dallas Ho-
tel. For the second year, the speaker will
be Christian Author and Comedian MIKE
WILLIAMS. Additional details are avail-
able on the website.
It is very important
that we keep the
communications
open between you
and the church.
Our way of inform-
ing you of what is
happening in the
church is through our bulletins, newsletters,
phone tree and the internet. In order to
keep our records current, we need to know
if you have moved, changed your address,
telephone number or email address. We
will be updating our directory the end of
September. You will find a copy of the cur-
rent directory on the table in the Narthex.
You may change your information in it,
place your new information in the secretary,
Karine Samer’s box or email it to:
[email protected]. Thank You!
5
Chronological Bible Readings
Link for this month’s readings:
http://www.cmbconline.org/pdfs/2011%20Daily%
20Readings.pdf
Press on,
Pastor Joel
2ndTuesday Schedule: 7:30 PM Faith Circle
Wednesday Schedule: 6:15 PM Wednesday Evening Prayer
6:30 PM Chime Choir Practice
7:15 PM Timothy Project Bible Study
7:30 PM Adult Choir Practice
Friday Schedule: 10:00 PM Friday Night Prayer Time
Sunday Schedule: 9:00 AM Children’s and Adult’s Sunday School
10:00 AM Worship
September 4: Full Wednesday Schedule Begins
September 6: 10:00 PM Friday Night Prayer Time
September 8: Full Sunday Schedule begins
September 10: 7:30 PM Faith Circle
September 15: 11:30 AM Council
September 29: Missions Sunday Offering
6
One of my favorite verses is Ephesians: 2:8-9 “8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no
one can boast.”
Contributor: Valerie Peterson
Faith Circle will meet
Tuesday, September 10th at 7:30 PM.
We will be studying Sermon on the Mount
See you there!
7
September Anniversaries
Joel & Wendy Berthelsen 9/02
Dwight & Margaret Bengtson 9/05
Scott & Kristine Clark 9/06
Dustin & Erin Slayton 9/07
Bob & Nina Griggs 9/09
Shannon & Carrie Hamilton 9/09
September Birthdays
Alison Still 9/02
Robert Halowec 9/10
Lynn Emmons 9/11
Patty Metzger- Roberts 9/13
Rebecca Nelson 9/14
Drew Peterson 9/15
Brian Fain 9/17
Kari DeWeerd 9/19
Brianna Lidle 9/19
Chloe Luster 9/20
Janice Wessa 9/20
Rose Janke 9/23
Dianne Kreh 9/24
Mark Kilguss 9/25
Judy Knoll 9/27
Robert Nelson 9/27
Stephanie Juergens 9/28
Kristin Petrichenko 9/28
Lauren Roberson 9/29
Hdree Ashenafi 9/30
Dwayne Juergens 9/30
Cathy Nichols 9/30
8
CHURCH PROPERTY
Property Coordinator: Joe Liberatore, his phone number: 972-293-2898
Indoor Lighting (inside light bulbs): Bill Knoll
Outdoor Lighting (outside bulbs): OPEN
Electric Systems/Fans: Wayne Wooley
Sanctuary Sound System: Scott & Kristine Clark
HVAC: Clay York
Change HVAC Filters: Clay York
Telephone: Carl Metzger
Appliances: Clay York
Furniture/Cabinet Repair: Bill Burleson
Small Engine Maintenance: Clay York
Gas/Oil Buyer: Clay York
Keys: Karine Samer
Computer Hardware/Software Maintenance: Carl Metzger
Carpentry/Handyman Tasks/Basic Maintenance: Leroy Linder, Clay York
(including playground)
Plumbing: Wayne Wooley
Piano/Organ: Cathy Peterson
Extermination/Bugs: Bob Wessa
Lawn Mowers/Edgers: Mike Purkiss, Jack Trousdale, Zelda Gates,
Ty Roberson
Touch-up Painting: Bill Knoll
Gardens: Cathy Peterson-front sign
Cathy Peterson-flowerbed by A/C units
Barbara York, Kathy Still, Mark Hill (Shrub
trimming)
Food Pantry delivery Grover & Lillian Radke
Organization of Clean-up Days (if needed): OPEN
Periodic Cleaning of Gutters: Ty Roberson (small section)
Carpet Cleaning: Lynn & Pat Foster
Kitchen: Mary Strand & Jan Koska
Hymnal Maintenance: Zelda Gates
Attic: OPEN
Windows: OPEN
Choir Robe Cleaning: Diane Pleasants
Nursery Toys/Room: OPEN
Sanctuary Preparation (chairs/hymnals): Zelda Gates
Christmas Tree: Jill Heyerdahl & youth
Sunday School Resource Room: OPEN
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Memorials and Designated Giving
Below is a list of designated funds at Hope used to pay for expenses or support ministries not included in our annual
budget. You may donate to an of the funds below by designating your offering or memorial to the appropriate fund.
Numbers below are as of 7/31/2013.
Fund Name Purpose Balance
Do-
nated
YTD
Altar Guild Extra expenses related to worship not covered in monthly operating budget.
Examples of items bought are new altar paraments and banners.
$ 1,631 $ 345
Bereavement Pay for food for funerals. $ 357 $ 0
Briarwood Sent directly to Briarwood Retreat Center, the camping ministry of our
synod, to support their ministry and operations. This fund balance is kept at
zero. Money is sent in as it is received.
$
$
0
$ 0
Cedar Hill Food
Pantry
Sent directly to the Cedar Hill Food Pantry. This fund balance is kept at
zero. Money is sent in as it is received.
$
$
0
$ 970
Computer
Upgrades
Upgrade computer equipment, including the computer in the sanctuary used
for Sunday morning PowerPoint.
$ 14 $ 0
Council Used at the discretion of the Church Council. $ 0 $ 0
Council-
Outreach
Used at the discretion of the Church Council for outreach. $ 351 $ 0
Ethiopia
School
To establish a Bible School to train leaders in the North region of
Ethiopia.
$ 0 $ 0
Front sign Flow-
erbed
Maintain and improve the area around the front church sign. $ 622 $ 0
Library Purchase new books as needed. $ 28 $ 0
Lutheran World
Relief
Sent directly to Lutheran World Relief to support their ministry and opera-
tions. This fund balance is kept at zero. Money is sent in as it is received.
$ 0 $ 0
Rev Buba Me-
dia Ministry
Support Rev. Buba media ministry which reaches millions for Christ in Af-
rica.
$ 0 $ 1601
Ministry
Development
Develop new ministries at our church. For instance, this Fund was used to
send people to Stephen’s Ministry training.
$ 183 $ 0
Sierra Leone Sent directly to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone to support
their ministry and operations. This fund balance is kept at zero. Money is
sent in as it is received.
$
0
$ 0
Sunday School-
missions
Used to support Nedie, a thirteen year old girl from Haiti that we have sup-
ported for many, many years through Compassion International. Our com-
mitment is $38 a month.
$ 220 $ 0
Youth
General
General youth ministry expenses. Often used to give scholarships to youth
who cannot afford to attend certain events.
$ 0 $ 15
Youth
Mission
Supports the cost of the summer youth mission trip. $ 162 $ 1477
10
Prayers and Words of Encouragement
Our homebound members and friends enjoy
visits, calls and cards. Please take a few min-
utes out for those who can no longer get out
and about.
Homebound Residents
Recovering at home ~
Alicia Cleaver
3615 Wentworth Drive
Arlington, TX 76001-5255
Wayne Eastman
614 West Ridge Drive
Duncanville, TX 75115
Linda Lidle
215 S. Greenstone Lane
Duncanville, TX 75116
972.298.5036
These members appreciate your prayers and
words of encouragement.
Marian Black Horizon Bay
355 W. Westchester Pkwy, #A207
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
214.235.0371
Marv Christensen
812 Vince Lane
DeSoto, TX 75115-4410
972.223.5172
Email address: [email protected]
Fran Christensen
Park Manor
207 E. Parkerville Road Rm. #211
DeSoto, TX 75115-6251
Joanna Snow The Sterling House 1771 Country Club Drive Mansfield, TX 76063 Mailing Address: 21 Devon Court Mansfield, Texas 76063-4890
Send Us Your Favorite or
Most Significant Bible Verses
Each month we are featuring, on the Hope
Women’s Page, Bible verses that the ladies of Hope
consider a favorite or as significant in their lives.
We would like you to share your verses with our
readers. Please send your verses to Karine Samer at
[email protected] or leave it in her mail
box at church.
Newsletter Articles Deadline … The date is: October 18.
Please email your articles as an
attachment to:
INVESTING IN THE KINGDOM:
Offerings minus Expenses…
Actual YTD: $1,680
Budgeted YTD Income: -$400
Overall Balance for operations: $21,973
(Cash less liabilities) (7/31/2013).
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Sunday Schedule:
Sunday School (For All Ages) ~ Begins September
8th at 9:00 AM
Worship ~ 10:00 AM
Wednesday Night Activities:
Wednesday Evening Prayer 6:15 PM
Chime Choir Practice 6:30 PM
Timothy Project Bible Study 7:15 PM
Adult Choir Practice 7:30 PM
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 No Sunday
School
2 3 4 5 6 Prayer Time
at Hope 10PM
7
8 9 10 Faith Circle
7:30PM
11 Remember-
ing 9/11
12 13 Prayer Time
at Hope 10PM
14
15 Council
Meeting
11:30AM
16 17 18 Heralds
Deadline
19 N. Texas
Giving Up
Hope Mansion
7am-midlnight
20 Hope Man-
sion Gala 7pm
Prayer Time at
Hope 10PM
21
22 23 24 25 26 27 Prayer Time
at Hope 10PM
28
29 Fifth Sunday
Missions Offer-
ing
30
12
Hope
Lutheran
Church 917 Straus Road
Cedar Hill Texas 75104
www.hopelutheran.net
Return Service Requested
2ndTuesday Schedule: 7:30 PM Faith Circle
Wednesday Schedule: 6:15 PM Wednesday Evening Prayer
6:30 PM Chime Choir Practice
7:15 PM Timothy Project Bible Study
7:30 PM Adult Choir Practice
Friday Schedule: 10:00 PM Friday Night Prayer Time
Sunday Schedule: 9:00 AM Children’s and Adult’s Sunday School
10:00 AM Worship
September 4: Full Wednesday Schedule Begins
September 6: 10:00 PM Friday Night Prayer Time
September 8: Full Sunday Schedule begins
September 10: 7:30 PM Faith Circle
September 15: 11:30 AM Council
September 29: Missions Sunday Offering