The Hope Reporter Hope Lutheran Church 321.242.1610 hopebrevard.org Sunday Worship w/ Children’s Church 9:30 AM Sunday School For All Ages 10:45 AM

Growing Pains

I have a confession to make: I am pretty sure my first born son is taller than me. It won’t do me much good to deny it anymore, what with him growing roughly 8 inches a day recently. I have tried everything I can think of to slow him down: I’ve cut off his food and water supplies and kept him out of the sunlight. He has grown while eating mostly furniture and shoes.

It is actually good he is eating his shoes because he sure can’t wear them. His feet grow immediately after we buy a new pair. We are on a first name basis with the folks at the shoe store and I am encouraging them to begin a rental program. They said they would consider it.

Still, I am happy to watch my children grow. Not just in stature but also ability and intellect. It is great seeing what kids can do when given the chance. At the risk of launching into a Christmas card-esque bragging on my kids moment, suffice to say, it is a blessing to watch my kids grow.

But I have ANOTHER confession to make: I am happy and blessed to watch my fellow brothers and sisters at Hope Lutheran grow. Not just in stature, ability and intellect but also in faith! And just like with kids, there are growing pains. It isn’t always easy to grow in faith. Yet God gives us chances to grow!

However, a parent CANNOT make choices for a child. They can try, but in order for that child to truly grow, the child has to make the choices (and face the consequences, good or bad). In the same way, I CANNOT make choices for your faith growth. I can offer Bible studies, worship services and programs of all kinds, but YOU have to make the choice to participate and engage in your faith.

So...where are you in that growing process? How have you engaged your faith in your God?

I can promise you that as your pastor I will continue to push you to grow, not hold you back. I won’t treat you like my son and cut off your food and water! But you also have to want to grow and not be complacent in your faith growth. That means intentional growth in your faith starts TODAY!

The kinda funny thing about watching my first born get taller than me is that it reminds me that I am blessed to have those kids in my home and under my care for only a short time. I help prepare them for life and in return they teach me even MORE about life. The same is true in my relationship with you: I’m trying to prepare you for life with the Lord, both here and in eternity. In return you have taught me valuable lessons in faith and life!

OK...one last confession: I have a $1 bet with my kid. He gets the buck if he is taller than me his first day of high school. I get the buck if I’m taller than him. That means he’s got four months. I’m gonna need a dollar! However, I never specified that it would be a US dollar.

In Christ, Pastor Moreno

1

May 2013

Congregational Meeting in May 19 A reminder that our church will have a congregational meeting after church complete with a pot luck! Join us as we share reports as well as hold elections! It is so important for you to engage and participate in the life and direction of our fellowship.

Vacation Bible School June 3-7 This year our VBS will be held at our new facility! We plan on going 9 AM to noon and we are doing “Herbie and the Good News Garden”. If you would like to help this effort, contact Raquel Moreno and find out how you can make a wonderful impact! We’ll also have a donation supply list that members of the church can help with. Mark your calendars!

Mission Week July 14-20You are invited to be part of a historic “first” in the life of Hope: A week filled with mission work! We’ll kick it off on Sunday the 14th of July and everyday Monday through Saturday we’ll have a different project in Brevard County to jump in on and contribute! I encourage you to invite friends and neighbors to participate; it is going to be awesome! More information will be forthcoming, but put it on your calendar.

Dinner for Six The drawing has been done for our next session of Dinner for Six for May-July. It has been encouraging to hear how much fun the groups have had, and we trust that your creativity in planning get togethers will continue...despite the tricky process of scheduling during the summer months! Have fun! We will follow the same routine in having the first couple/grouping be responsible for May, the second for June, and the third for July. The new groups are listed below along with contact information.

Group 1: Dan & Sherry Goodrich, Beth Hazley/Steve Tabor, Mark & Raquel Moreno

Group 2: Jared & Jeannie Sass, Scott Minster, David & Nancy Roberts

Group 3: Tom & Jen Decker, Erik & Amanda Wolf, Kathy Burrier/Tracey McLaughlin

Spring TeaThe Ladies of Hope Lutheran invite you to join them for their annual Spring Tea on Saturday, May 11 at 2:00 PM.  Enjoy an afternoon of fellowship, tasty treats, and a presentation on birth order by Tracey McLaughlin, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern.  There will be door prizes and a basket raffle.  Admission is $5 with proceeds going to the Space Coast Center for Women and Children.  For more information contact Dorothee Jones.

H O P E L U T H E R A N I N M E L B O U R N E

2

Personal Care Kits Recognizing that there are many in need around us and also that we have been greatly blessed, we are starting a new ministry to the homeless in the form of personal care kits. We would like to collect items that would be helpful and manageable in individual personal care. The items will be collected, sorted and bagged, and then delivered to His Place Ministries for distribution.

The kits (which will be packaged in gallon ziploc bags) will contain the following items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, tissues, washcloths, white socks, baby powder, deodorant, shaving cream, disposable razors, lip balm, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, bar soap/body wash, sunscreen, and nail files. The hotel/sample size is ideal for the kits to keep them manageable for the recipients. We are asking Hope members and friends to donate items for this ministry and to keep PC Kits in mind as you do your own shopping, travel, or come across sales. A collection bin will be placed in the narthex for ongoing contributions. Please know that your donations will be greatly appreciated. Jesus reminds us, "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." (Matt. 25:40)

Food on the FirstIn an effort to become more regular and intentional about our food bank collections, we are launching a "Food on the First" campaign. Hope members and friends are encouraged to bring canned goods and other appropriate food items on the first Sunday of the month. A food bank container will be in the church narthex and

will be available on any day for food donations. However, we are promoting a first Sunday food collection so that we regularly support our local food bank ministry at the Daily Bread and The Sharing Center. This is your chance to regularly take advantage of those "buy one, get one free" offers and to know that you are helping those less fortunate. Don't forget: "Food on the First!"

MayWorship Leaders

H O P E L U T H E R A N I N M E L B O U R N E

3

May Birthdays

2 Nancy Roberts16 Carolyn Sutter21 Dorothee Jones23 Mark Burrier26 Mark Moreno27 Jessica Thompson28 Kathy Burrier

May Anniversaries

May 10 ScottsMay 18 StewartsMay 29 Rutledges

Team Leader Sunday School (10:15) Acolyte

May 5 Dorothee Jones R. Moreno - J. Decker - M. Moreno Elise MorenoMay 12 Dale Morrison R. Moreno - J. Decker - M. Moreno Ryan SassMay 19 Raquel Moreno CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Hayley DeckerMay 26 Mark Moreno No Sunday School Melissa Sutter

Hope Lutheran Church 4541 N. Wickham Road Melbourne FL 32935Phone 321.242.1610 Website: hopebrevard.org E-mail: pastor@hope-brevard.orgSunday Worship w/ Children’s Church 9:30 AM

Important Dates: A First Look at May 2013

H O P E L U T H E R A N I N M E L B O U R N E

4

Sundays : Youth Night @ 6:30 PM

Mondays: Brennity Bible Study @ 2:30 PM

Wednesdays: Ladies Small Group @ 10 AM

May 11 Men’s Bible Breakfast @ 9 AM

May 11 Ladies Tea @ 2 PM

May 10 & 15 Christ on Campus @ 2:30 PM

May 13 Council Meeting @ 7 PM

May 19 Congregational Meeting @ 10:30 AM

May 29 Hope Hangout @ 6:30 PM

9:30 AM Worship w/ Children’s Church

MAY CALENDARH O P E L U T H E R A N I N M E L B O U R N E

5

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

8 AM AA Group

10 AM Women’s Small Group

2

10:50 AM BCC World Religions

3

6 - 8 PM Wine Tasting Fundraiser for Family Promise

4

Jones Worship Team

9 AM Youth Car Wash

Nerve to Serve

5

9:30 AM Worship

10:45 AM Sunday School for All Ages

5 PM Choir

6:30 PM Youth

6

2:30 PM Brennity Bible Study

6 PM AA Meeting

7

10:50 AM BCC World Religions

5:30 PM AA Meeting

7 PM AA Meeting

8

8 AM AA Group

10 AM Women’s Small Group

9 10

2:30 Christ On Campus Williams

11

Morrison Worship Team

9 AM Men’s Bible Breakfast

2 PM Ladies Tea

12

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

9:30 AM Worship

10:45 AM Sunday School for All Ages

13

2:30 PM Brennity Bible Study

6 PM AA Meeting

7 PM Council

14

5:30 PM AA Meeting

7 PM AA Meeting

15

8 AM AA Group

10 AM Women’s Small Group

2:30 Christ On Campus Suntree

16 17

Pastor Moreno Military Drill

18

ARMED FORCES DAY

Moreno Worship Team

Pastor Moreno Military Drill

19

9:30 AM Worship

10:45 AM Congregational Meeting and Potluck

2 PM Brennity

6:30 PM Youth

20

2:30 PM Brennity Bible Study

6 PM AA Meeting

21

5:30 PM AA Meeting

7 PM AA Meeting

22

8 AM AA Group

10 AM Women’s Small Group

23 24 25

Youth Worship Team

26

9:30 AM Worship

27

MEMORIAL DAY

2:30 PM Brennity Bible Study

6 PM AA Meeting

28

5:30 PM AA Meeting

7 PM AA Meeting

29

8 AM AA Group

10 AM Beach Day

6:30 PM Hope Hangout

30 31

YOUTH AND CHILDREN PROGRAMS

Kingdom Kids (K - 5th Grade)Children’s Church 9:30 AM Sundays: Children leave after the children’s message and come back in after the pastor’s sermon. This children’s church is worshipful with songs and an age appropriate message based on the readings. Dr. Jim Jones leads this along with other adults and teens.

Sunday School 10:45 AM Sundays: Meets May 5th & 12th and then we take the summer off !

Junior Youth (6th - 8th Grade) & Senior Youth (9th - 12th Grade)

* May 4 Youth Car Wash (Burger King @ Lk. Washington & Wickham) 9-noon

*May 5 Youth Night - Cinco de Mayo @ the Moreno’s house 6:30 PM

*May 12 No Youth Night - Enjoy Mother’s Day!

*May 19 Youth Night - Movie Night @ Minster’s house 6:30 PM

*May 29 Youth Event - Beach Day @ Tables Beach 10 AM

Hope Hangouts!“School’s Out!” Celebrate with us on another successful school year with snow cones and popsicles. We’ll have board games, card games and more. The fun begins at 6:30 PM Wednesday, May 29. All ages invited!

May 18 Armed Forces DayOn Sunday May 19th at church we’ll observe Armed Forces Sunday (the actual day of observance is the day before). I invite all Hope members that are in the military or previously served, to bring a photo in uniform! Please make sure it is a copy as you will NOT be getting it back! We’ll have the photos displayed in the narthex! Thank you for your service and sharing that with us!

Women’s Small GroupOn May 8 and 15, the Women’s Small Group will go through a couple of LWML bible studies no book or homework required! If you’ve been interested in seeing what our group is about, this is a perfect time to try us out. Then join us May 22 for brunch, more details to come. Please come join us, we meet at 10:00 AM in the

Fellowship Hall.

H O P E L U T H E R A N I N M E L B O U R N E

6