Hope Lutheran Church 8070 Rowan Road

Cranberry Twp, PA 16066 Phone: 724-776-3141

E-mail: info@hlc.church www.hlc.church

OUR MISSION Knowing God. Inspiring People. Transforming Lives.

OUR VISION Growing community through service, learning and worship.

Hope is a Stephen Ministry congregation of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Like us on Facebook Hope Lutheran Church, Cranberry Township

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER If you would like to submit to the Monthly Spirit please use the Communication Request Form found on our website: www.hlc.church. To be sure your submission is included in the Monthly the following deadlines are

listed below to assist you. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at info@hlc.church. Deadlines:

May 14th for the June Spirit June 11th for the August Spirit

Follow us on Instagram Hope_Cranberry

Service Times: live stream Wednesdays at 7pm Sunday’s at 10 am

Gardening Angels

Spring has sprung and it's time to think 'GARDENING'! Any interested parishioners willing to volunteer a few hours of their time for watering and weeding Hope's garden beds and flower pots throughout the spring/summer months should contact Melanee Killian (krkillian@zoominternet.net). Many hands make less work . . . green thumbs, optional! Thank you!

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Hope News H.H. & Worship

Youth Car Cruise Events Oak Grove & Prayers

Hope Lutheran Church: Monthly Spirit of Hope

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Happy Spring! We hope this finds you and yours well. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been enjoying the spring weather. Some years it seems we go right from cold, blustery snow and rain to hot, humid summer. But this year, we’ve been getting some pretty great spring weather and we’ve been able to do some pretty thorough spring cleaning. Unfortunately, though, we’re missing out on some of the other things that make for a great spring – like spring sports, neighborhood kids riding bikes together, getting the dogs out to the dog parks or the family out to the state parks. Thinking about the seasons often brings to mind Ecclesiastes 3. In reading this passage again, I was especially struck by the following verses: “…a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to embrace,

and a time to refrain from embracing.”

There are seasons in life, ups and downs. We all experience them, and so we understand that for better or worse, “This too shall pass.” But even in seasons of weeping, we may be surprised when we realize we can still laugh. Even as we mourn, with just the right song or dance partner, we can’t help but sway. And even as we refrain from embracing, we are finding new ways and new things to embrace. The seasons in our lives change, and rarely are they simple. I, myself, am finding in this season that there is so much hope, so many helpers, yet I’m becoming exhausted from the vast changes and ongoing sadness. It is a time to mourn and it is a time to dance. The gift of life is a beautiful mess and what better time to be reminded of God’s presence with us through it all than at Easter?! It’s the season during which we hear stories of weeping and joy, of doubt and belief, of death and new life. I pray you are blessed in this season, as you weep and laugh, as you mourn and dance, as you embrace and as you refrain from embracing. With you in Christ, Pastor Amy

HOPE NEWS 2

Your Stewardship Committee wishes to express sincere appreciation to the Congregation for its faithful support of Hope during these uncertain times. If your economic situation has changed, we understand that you may not be able to give as you have in the past. For those that continue to be able, we appreciate your faithful support to Hope as we continue to operate virtually and the operating expenses do not go away.

Please consider using Hope’s Online Giving or Text/Mobile Giving which can be found on the home page of our website under “Online Giving” or “Text/Mobile Giving”. This is a simple way for you to continue to

support Hope on a regular basis and eliminate the need for paper mail. We have found ways to worship together, study the word, continue to grow in faith and in some ways we

have more time and opportunity to do so. We give thanks for that… He is Risen Indeed!

The pastors would like to say a HUGE thank you to the staff for a wonderful Holy Week! Yvonne and Emily worked hard to get the bulletins put together, printed, and uploaded. They also helped problem solve our

YouTube live-stream. Chase and Beth did such a beautiful job with the music and were eager and willing to learn the new and unfamiliar services of Holy Week. Ms. Jill lent her voice to our readings, and music, and

offered hope and comfort in her children’s sermon. We are so grateful to have such an incredible staff during this time. If you have a moment, please say thank you to them for all their hard work as they serve

God and Hope.

Pastor Ron & Pastor Amy

OAK GROVE & PRAYERS 7

Prayer Requests will remain on the prayer list for one month. Please resubmit prayer request

for additional prayers and or updates.

Hope’s Shut-Ins: Suzann Frishkorn Shirley Graf Ruth Grubb Aileen Keith

Entered Church Triumphant Nico Abby

Oak Grove Community Gardens at Oak Grove Lutheran Church is now taking plot

reservations and invites you to register for your own garden plot today! Join other

gardeners and grow vegetables for yourself and/to share with local food banks. Over the

last 5 years, The Garden has donated over 5 tons of food. Plots are 10’ X 20’ = $20 each.

Tools and water provided. Plots are ready to plant! No experience necessary. Don’t wait

too long; plots are limited. Go to www.communitygardenatOakGrove.com. Feel free to

contact Dave and Jean Adams at 724-453-1685 or davenjean@zoominternet.net.

Rob Caila Donna Roger and Ingrid Melissa & Michael

Hope’s Staff & Pastors Heidi Heather Bruno

Shannon Alysa

6 EVENTS

Save the Date: Saturday, August 8th, 2020 Green Meadows Golf Course,

Volant, PA

NEW PACKING DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 30TH 12:15 TO 2:15 PM

AT HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH More information will come in the June Spirit as far as

registration. Thanks for your continued prayers and your faith put into action for those that are hungry locally and throughout the

world. Watch for updates in your weekly email blasts and at

www.hlc.church as they become available. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty

and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Matthew 25:35

ELCA’S COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND

If you are interested in assisting those affected by COVID-19 on a national/international level, please go the the ELCA Disaster Response website (https://elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response), click on Corona Virus Disease link. This page will detail where your donations will be directed. To donate, click on the Give Now on that page.

HELPING HANDS ASSISTANCE & WORSHIP 3

Connect with Hope Online: Live Stream Worship with the Pastors and Music Staff, Devotions with Hope Staff, Reading Time with Ms. Jill, and Music with Chase

1- Live Stream Worship Services: Sunday 10:00 am Worship - Find Hope live stream on our Facebook page (Hope Lutheran Church, Cranberry Township), Instagram Account (hope_cranberry) and on our Website (www.hlc.church; live stream services icon—through YouTube). Weekly Wednesday Holden Services: Holden Services at 7:00 pm starting April 22nd. 2- Devotions with Hope Staff: Tune in on Hope’s Facebook page (Hope Lutheran Church, Cranberry Township) every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:00 pm for time of encouragement and devotions from a member of Hope’s Staff. 3- Time with Ms. Jill: Join Ms. Jill every Monday—Friday at 10:00 am on Hope’s Facebook page (Hope Lutheran Church, Cranberry Township) for a story and a little time of encouragement. 4- Music with Chase: If you have a musical talent, we would love to hear from you and share your talent with Hope. Please contact Chase (musicdirectior@hlc.church). You can find Chase on Hope’s Facebook page (Hope Lutheran Church, Cranberry Township) throughout the week!

Center for Hope Food Collection: Hope is supporting the Ambridge Community Emergency Food Bank – Center for Hope Collection. Dry goods can be donated and dropped off in the bin sitting under the overhang at the church main office door. In addition, the food bank is able to collect perishable items. Through the efforts of Hope volunteers, they shop for the perishable items and other volunteers take it to the food bank If you would like to support the shopping of the perishable items, you may donate to Hope’s Helping Hands Assistance Fund. You may mail a check in or make a donation online. Every Thursday morning, we will meet at Hope at 9:15am to load up donations to take to the food bank. We are looking for some more volunteers who might be willing to: shop with Hope’s donated funds at either Cost-Co or Giant Eagle, or shop and donate items using their own funds. Note that whatever is purchased ahead of Thursday morning will have to be stored in your own refrigerators/freezers. Please contact the following people with questions or to volunteer. Peggy Mays: peggymays@comcast.net, Kris Skutnik: kskutnik48@gmail.com, Kathy Seeman: kaseeman@gmail.com. Thank you for the care you are showing our neighbors. Please stay safe and well!

High demand food items needed (other goods not listed accepted): Frozen Prepared Items: Refrigerated Prepared Items: Dry Goods: Chicken nuggets Hot dogs White rice Chicken strips Cooked ham slices Black beans Grilled chicken MorningStar black bean burgers Red beans Meatballs Individual wrapped American cheese Salsa Frozen raw individual Limes Juice Boxes chicken breasts Clementine's Oranges Apples Butter NO Deli Meats

YOUTH 4

Youth News…..

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our

hope of sharing the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

Hi everyone! I hope you are well!! I miss you all so much!!! Just a reminder…..there are lots of activities and ideas (to keep busy!!!) on our website www.hlc.church. Please go and check it out!!! Also….you can find weekly Sunday School lessons on the website as well. These are a great way to experience Sunday School as a family.

I wanted to give you an update….the Vacation Bible School Team is working on plans for the summer. We don’t know what our date will be at this point…we are waiting to hear if we will have to move it, or if we can keep it on the original date. So…..keep watching the website and the bulletins for more details! We will publicize it everywhere when we know the date for sure!!!

The mission trips are still going on as planned, but we will have to wait and see here as well. We want the kids to have the most amazing experiences, but we also need to make sure that they are safe!!! Again, we will keep you posted as best as we can. Please feel free to email me or call me anytime with questions.

The Youth Committee and the Christian Education Committees are continuing to meet and plan. We are meeting online and with conference calls, so we are making the best of the situation. We will continue to plan awesome activities for all of the youth….and we cannot wait to be together again!!!

I will continue to read stories each day on Facebook Live at 10am Monday through Friday. If your family would like to read a book to share, you are welcome to do so. Please send me a message and I will send you info for how to send me a video. It really is a nice way to keep in touch with other families. I will also continue to have a weekly Zoom meeting for all Youth on Thursdays at 6pm. We have a had a few trivia nights….and they have been so fun!!! ALL Youth are welcome to participate!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying this time with your families. I know it is hard to be together all the time, but it is the best and safest place to be. I am here for you all….whatever I can do. Please feel free to email me, call me, text me, send me a message on the Remind APP….whatever works best for you! I’m praying for you all everyday….and I hope to see you super soon!!!

Ms. Jill

SENIORS…. Hope would like to celebrate you and would like to do something for you. Please email your email address and senior picture to info@hlc.church. Stay tuned...

THANK YOU!

CAR CRUISE 5

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 27, 2020 Join Hope’s Team by going to www.hlc.church and signing up.

We need your help in the fight against cancer! In these difficult times, the fight against cancer has to continue, our

cancer survivors need our help and support. Help Hope’s Team raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society—

Families are welcome and encouraged to participate!

Date is subject

to change due

to COVID-19