March - Hope Lutheran Virginia Beach Hope Lutheran Virginia Beach

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
HOPE HIGHLIGHTS
MARCH 2015
Wednesday Lenten Worship with Communion
Noon & 6:30pm
Inside this issue:
Issue No. 02-15
March 4: Times of Patience in Lives of Penitence
March 11: Penitential Prayers for Purification
March 18: Models of Penitential Living
March 25:Penitence Brings HOPE
Pastor Nieting
2
Summer Camp
3
Easter Lily Orders
3
Blood Drive
3
Knights of Hope
4
LWML
4
Cofer Baby Shower
4
Hope School
5
Listening Ears
5
Joy Day
5
Youth News
6
Staff E-mail
6
Treasurer’s Report
6
Leisure Lutherans
7
Crissfield, MD Trip
8
Vendor Fundraiser
8
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
9
VOM Report-Vietnam
9
6:30am~ April 5
March Calendar
10
Memorial GardenWeather Permitting
5:45pm
Each Wednesday
March 29
8:15 & 11:00am
April 2
WORSHIP
SERVICE
12Noon
SEDER MEAL
6pm
GOOD FRIDAY
April 3 Worship Services
12 noon
EASTER
Worship Services
With
Organ & Brass
8:00am
9:30am
11:00am
6:30pm
PAGE 2
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
Are We (as LCMS Lutherans at HOPE) “Anti-Gay?”
By: Pastor Nieting
I’ve heard it, usually whispered or by innuendo, that by our not fully accepting the current societal trends
regarding sexuality and marriage, we are, in essence, “anti-gay.” In response, I’d like to go on the record (in
the Highlights) to say no. We welcome all people to worship here at HOPE. As some have quipped, the
church is far more of a hospital for sinners than a hangout for saints. You can quote me on this, your pastors
and all our staff members are, sinners! I say that, however, rejecting the false assumption that love and acceptance comes with the qualifier of full agreement with all behavioral choices. It doesn’t. I love my kids and
grandkids dearly, but that doesn’t mean I agree with every aspect of their behavior. I don’t. Best friends are
like that too: they rarely agree with every single aspect of their friends’ behavior. So are teachers in their love
for their students.
Jesus commands us to follow His teaching and “love one another,” without exception, and our love for
people who are gay should continue even while we announce, and do our best to observe all of God’s laws
regarding ALL sexual behavior. And what, you ask, IS God’s design for sexual behavior? It’s laid out quite
clearly both in the Old Testament and the New, beginning at the creation of the first human beings, as Jesus
said in Matthew 19:4-6: Haven’t you read that in the beginning the Creator made them male and female and
said, “For this reason a man should leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall be
one flesh?” (See also Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31). Clearly this is a mandate from God, established at the
beginning of creation, affirmed by Jesus in the Gospels, and again by Paul in the Epistles: God created sex to
be shared within the boundaries of a man and a woman in marriage. In the entire Bible there are to be found
no alternatives that God blesses. None. It’s not a contextual law, like “women, cover your heads,” (an uncovered head indicated a prostitute back then) but rather, a timeless one. Marriage, as invented by God, is between one man and one woman.
God “invented sex,” and has promised to bless those who are married and (then) enjoy it. The Bible describes a variety of alternatives, but there is never a blessing attached. There is no blessing to premarital sex;
no blessing to adultery; no blessing to polygamy; no blessing to same gender sex. God does not bless any sexual behavior outside that of a man and a woman in marriage. Love expressed sexually is a wonderful gift from
God that includes boundaries.
We also hear culture telling us that people who are “born gay” shouldn’t be expected to refrain from samesex behavior. While our culture still debates “causes” of different sexual orientation, the Biblical reality is that
it doesn’t matter. One of the “fruits of the Spirit” (Galatians 5) is “self-control.” The temptation to sin, ANY
sin, isn’t easy to deal with, and sexual sins are among the most tempting. Hence the need for self-control, no
matter who we are! This doesn’t mean that those who act on a same-gender sexual desire have done anything
worse than those who have become involved in other kinds of sinful sexual behavior, like adultery, pornography, promiscuity, treating humans like sexual objects, lust, premarital sex, etc. Spend a few minutes reading
the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:28) and you’ll find that almost every human being is guilty of some
sexual sin, so we must be extra careful with the logs in our own eyes before we deal with others. But being
tempted to sin doesn’t mean we are powerless to stop acting on the temptation. The urge to get involved outside of marriage with another human being sexually, even when “love” is present, doesn’t make the behavior
right. I have several friends, LCMS pastors, who live daily with this very real tension in their lives. Their
greatest struggles AND their highest joys come from honoring their Savior by rejecting the temptation to act
contrary to God’s design for life that is blessed. And they are blessed. I know that.
So, bottom line. All people are welcome at Hope. The Bible is not silent about sexuality, so we in the
church are not either. But what we believe and teach is not based on the cultural norms of the day. Culture is
not an authority for the church. God is. Our foundation is God’s Word. No one in the church has a free pass to
change God’s Word and ask Him to bless any sinful behavior. Living unrepentantly within any behavior that
is not God-pleasing does not result in God’s blessing or the blessing of the church. We are at Hope because it
(Continued on page 7)
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
PAGE 3
RED CROSS
BLOOD DRIVE
at
Hope Lutheran
By: Jennifer Rauch
Tired of winter?
Then let’s start talking
summer! That’s right,
it’s time to start thinking about Hope’s Summer Camp program! We offer weekly
themes*, as well as in-house field trips, and of
course lots of fun! Camp is for children 2½ to
10 and will be held mid-June thru midAugust. Our rates have not increased since last
year and sibling discounts are available.
If you are looking for care for your child
(ren) for a few fun weeks or the whole summer, let our Summer Camp be the answer! For
more info, please contact Jennifer Rauch at
[email protected] or call 424-4894.
*themes may include space, dinosaurs, the Wild
West, and science.
Wednesday, March 4
1:00 to 6:00pm
Fellowship Hall
Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the
church lobby.
You can also sign up by calling:
church office (424-4848) or
by e-mailing:
[email protected]
Please take the time to give this gift of life!
EASTER LILIES
By: Kathryn Wacker
It’s time to plan for Easter! Easter Lilies are used to adorn the chancel area on Easter Sunday. Beginning March 1, you may order yours for $15 and a designation can be made “in memory of”, “in honor of”, or
“in celebration of” which will be listed in the Bulletin on Easter Sunday. To place your order, look for a box
near the Altar Flower orders on the table in the Narthex or you can fill out the form below and return to the
church office. The last day to place your lily order is March 22.
Everyone is encouraged to take their lilies home after the 11am service on Easter Sunday and plant them
in your yard to enjoy their beauty next year. 28 lilies will fill the chancel area.
EASTER LILY ORDER FORM 2015
$15.00 each
Proceeds will help with altar needs. Payment is expected when order is placed.
Please return this form with your payment to Kathryn Wacker by March 22.
Lilies may be taken home after the 11am Easter Service.
PLEASE PRINT:
Name
Phone
In memory, honor, celebration of. . .
Paid
PAGE 4
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
KNIGHTS OF HOPE
The Knights of Hope is our men’s group. They meet the second Saturday of each month at
8am for breakfast, devotions and fellowship. The next men’s breakfast will be March 14.
Men, 18 years old and up, are invited. We will have a special speaker, Mr. Ken Kurtz, who
will talk about the Crissfield, MD trip and the Mennonite Disaster Service.
For more info, see any member wearing a Knights of Hope shirt or see Steve Plummer.
If you wish to be added to our e-mail list, please e-mail [email protected].
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S
MISSIONARY LEAGUE
By: Britta Rinehard
LWML at Hope meets five
times a year between September and May. Our next
meeting is on March 21 from 9-11am in the Fellowship Hall. Want to learn more about LWML and all
the things we do? Then please join us for our next
meeting and share your gifts God has given you.
There are several upcoming LWML volunteer
opportunities at Hope, but also at the Zone level.
Please pray about it and consider serving in one of
the positions below:
Opportunities at Hope
May 2015 - May 2017:
Position
Currently serving
Vice President
Karen Patton
Treasurer
Beverly Young
Networker
Britta Rinehard
BABY SHOWER
Ladies of Hope are invited to a
baby shower brunch honoring Alisha Cofer on Saturday, March 14, at
10:30am in Hope’s Fellowship Hall.
Please RSVP by March 8 on Hope’s
Facebook page or in the narthex.
Babysitting is also available; please
let us know if you need it and the
names and ages of your children.
Alisha is registered at Babies R
Us and on Amazon baby registry. In
lieu of a card, bring a favorite children’s book (new or used) with your
wishes inside.
If you would like to help with
brunch preparations on the day before, contact Linda Muth.
For more information about these opportunities,
please contact Tonilee Oliverio or Karen Patton.
Opportunities at the Zone
April 2015 – April 2017:
Position
Currently serving
President
Chris Kern (Hope)
VP Christian Life
Sharon Garrison, Judith Smith
(January Retreat)
(Emmanuel)
For more information about these opportunities,
please contact Chris Kern.
Upcoming Events:
08 March - Mite Sunday
21 March - next meeting at 9 – 11 am
25 March - Lenten Supper, provided by LWML
18 April - Spring Rally, Resurrection-Newport News
16 May - last meeting before the summer break, time
and place TBD
Des Moines, Iowa
Convention
June 25—28, 2015
Theme
“Bountiful!
Sow, Nourish, Reap”
For more information
please go to:
http://www.lwml.org/
convention
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
PAGE 5
HOPE SCHOOL NOW ENROLLING FOR 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR
By: Carolyn Powell
Enrollment for the 2015-2016 school has just begun. Hope School will still offer preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. There will be extended care hours, as well. Parents will be happy to hear that our Kindergarten prices were substantially lowered for the
new school year, and other programs saw a small increase to no increase at all. So that will
help families with their budgeting. And remember, our kindergartners meet all day, from
8:30 until 2:30 Mondays – Fridays.
Class sizes at Hope are quite small, averaging between 10 and 12 students per class with
a teacher and assistant teacher. This means each student will receive a great deal of attention! So let us know if you would like to have a tour and a day in which you could observe
in one of our beautiful classrooms. Hope School is just a great place to grow!
USING OUR LISTENING EARS
By: Carolyn Powell
Quite often, I hear my son and his wife saying
to our two grandchildren, “Are you using your
listening ears?” Parents know their children may
hear what is being said, but are really not listening. It seems
those kids never get the message and after a while, parents
have to find another way to get the point across, perhaps in a
way that will end up being somewhat unpleasant. In our family’s case, after dad and mom spend a considerable amount of
time pleading and using up all of their patience, our grandchildren usually “lose” something, as a form of discipline. It
works for the moment and only lasts until the next time they
are not using their listening ears!
It makes me wonder if we grown-ups are using our listening ears when it applies to God’s word. In Jeremiah 13:15 we
read: “Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the
LORD has spoken”. Jeremiah had a stern warning for the
people of Israel…the Lord’s flock was going to be taken captive. And guess what? Jeremiah’s words came to pass. Bible
history reveals that the people suffered the consequences for
not listening. As our entire congregation continues our walk
through “The Story” this year, we see that God’s messages
are vitally important and when He says, “Give ear”, we need
to be disciplined and pay attention. We will fare much better
if we take seriously His words, for in hearing and heeding,
we will receive the many blessings the Father has in store for
us.
Children who are regularly in church and Sunday School
are hearing God’s word. As our teachers lovingly share the
messages from “The Story” each week, we see evidence of
“listening” to the words of Jesus. The truth is, the greatest
message they will ever hear is that Jesus is their Savior and
that He loves them so much. May we parents and grandparents use our listening ears and take heed to what our Savior is
teaching us! May we come to appreciate knowing Jesus, as
He is the one true way to real happiness and eternal
life!
JOY DAY
Sunday, March 22, 9:30-11:00am
By: Carolyn Powell
Hey kids! Make sure you are here for
Sunday School on March 22. We are going
to experience a very special day during JAM
Time. Instead of having Joy Day on a Saturday, the Board of Children’s Ministry decided to have it on Sunday, one week before
Palm Sunday. This will be a big change for
many of us. The children of our Sunday
School and Day School are invited to attend.
We encourage them to bring a friend to join
us for this fun event.
We will meet in Kids Kingdom at 9:30
sharp right after early service! We’ll enjoy
singing some of our favorite songs: “Jesus is
My Lord, My Master and Savior”, “King of
Kings and Lord of Lords”, “Hosanna!”, “The
Butterfly Song”, “Ho-Ho-Ho-Hosanna”, and
“Shalom”. We’ll ask some of our friends to
accompany us on the tambourines and we’ll
even dance!
At 9:45, the children will be divided into
two groups. Group #1 will go to their classrooms to make a craft and enjoy a special
snack. Group #2 will stay in Kids Kingdom
for a drama that will highlight the last week
of Jesus’ life. They will learn about Palm
Sunday, the last supper for Jesus and His disciples, Jesus praying in the garden and His
arrest, Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, and finally
the empty tomb. Then the two groups will
swap places.
No need to register for this free
event. Parents may join if they wish. Pick-up
for the kids is between 10:45 and
11am.
PAGE 6
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
YOUTH GROUP NEWS
By: Linda Muth
All TRUTH members who are signed up for Construction Zone will meet at Hope at 5:45pm on Friday,
March 6. We will return to Hope at noon on Sunday. You should eat dinner before coming on Friday. Please
remember to bring your Bible, appropriate clothing, and money for lunch and dinner on Saturday and also for
offering. This year Zone will be held at the Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel.
BODY will go to Charlotte, NC for Quake on April 10-12. Costs for this event are $160 if signing up now
or $145 minus deposit paid if you signed up for Early Bird. Registration deadline is March 8 at which time the
total registration cost is due. If you would like to see what the weekend is all about please visit
www.youthencounter.org. This weekend will be a great time for our group to grow and bond. Hope’s own
Sam White will be there with his Captive Free team. Hope you can come! We already have 19 youth signed up
so don’t miss out on a great weekend!
On Saturday, March 7, BODY will go roller skating at Haygood Roller Skating
Center (1036 Ferry Plantation Rd., Virginia Bch) for the Current FM Positive
Skate Night. Skating is from 8 to 10:30pm and we will meet at the skate center.
Cost is $8, which includes pizza. Invite a friend.
Our Confirmation III students and their parents will meet on
Sunday, March 22, for the Stole Workshop from 12:30 to 2:30. This is an opportunity to
pick out symbols and start work on the stoles that will be worn during the Confirmation service that will be May 24. Material and symbol patterns will be available, but please bring
sharp scissors, tacky glue, and any special beading or decorations you may want to add. You
may also want to know your baptismal date. A light lunch will be provided.
Activities at a Glance
March 6-8 Zone (TRUTH)
March 7 Roller skating (BODY)
March 8 Quake payment due (BODY
March 22 Stole workshop (Confirmation III)
April 10-12 Quake (BODY)
STAFF
E-MAIL
ADDRESSES
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total Income:
Total Expense:
Income Less Expense:
Pastor Nieting
Pastor Cofer
Kathryn Wacker
Martha West
Carolyn Powell
Meredith Mulcair
Camelia Eid
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
(January of Fiscal Year 2014-2015)
January Actual
$68,632.73
73,306.03
$ - 4,673.30
By: Linda Taylor
Year-to-Date Actual
$512,539.67
492,454.74
$ 20,084.93
For a more complete Financial Report, please pick up a copy in the church office.
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
PAGE 7
By: Carroll Bains
Twenty-one hardy souls gathered for a fine Leisure Lutherans luncheon at
the Olive Garden restaurant on Ring Road near Greenbrier Mall. Even though the
outside air temp was only 22 degrees, with a wind chill down to single digits,
"Neither threat of snow, cold, or other obstacles could hold us back!" Food was exceptional, and, of course, we all enjoyed conversation and catching up on news
from last month! We were so glad to have George and Oksun Schaefer back with us after his long period of
rehab and recovery--no oxygen required! Praise the Lord!!!
Pastor Nieting updated us on church progress regarding the personnel search for a new Youth Director and
some very good news about new parking lot LED lighting--already ordered and due for installation shortly. Yay!!
We are still looking to increase the number of our senior fellowship; so, if you consider yourself a senior, and enjoy good fun and fellowship, please feel free to join us.
Our next outing will be a trip to the Lynnhaven Fish House on Star Fish Road off
Shore Drive, just east of the Lesner Bridge. We will meet there at 11:30am on Monday,
March 16. The doors don't normally open until 11:00. Come enjoy Christian fellowship and support with us. Sign-up sheet and menu are in the narthex.
Photos from our
February
luncheon
(Continued from page 2-Pastor Nieting)
is in Christ that God offers to us His grace,
love and mercy when we fall to our knees, repent of our sins, and make every effort to live
our lives according to His will and His Word.
Granted, it is a difficult issue, one the
world tends to see simplistically: either you
love gay people by unqualified acceptance or
you are a hater for taking any stance that implies moral judgments. Jesus offers a third,
faithful alternative, one I pray we all embrace
here at HOPE. Love people; but for the sake of
love, do not love, bless, or encourage anything
that leads to destruction and that blocks us
from eternal joy. Remember that ALL of us
are sinners in need of a Savior…..and we meet
Him in repentance for ALL our sins, whatever
they are, at the foot of the cross! May you
have a blessed Lenten journey.
SAVE THE DATE!
Congregational
Seder Meal & Worship
April 2
Maundy Thursday
6pm Seder Meal
The Upper Room
(Fellowship Hall)
7:15pm The Garden of Gethsemane (Sanctuary)
Communion will be a part of Seder.
Stripping of the Altar will be part of the Worship.
PAGE 8
HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF EFFORT, centered in Crisfield, MD
By: Pastor Nieting
Crisfield began as a small fishing village but grew into a large city in the 1850’s after the discovery of
abundant oyster beds. This discovery led John W. Crisfield to bring the Eastern Shore Railroad to the town’s
seaport. Seafood was soon being shipped all over the US, and by 1904, Crisfield was known as the “Seafood
Capital of the World.” That said, Crisfield is the poorest town in Somerset County, which is the poorest county in Maryland. Nearly 50% of Crisfield’s residents live below the poverty line.
Crisfield is surrounded by salt marshes
and was built on a floodplain. As Hurricane
Sandy passed Maryland on October 29,
2012, a five-foot storm surge left most of the
city underwater. Over 500 homes were
flooded, rendering most of them unlivable.
MDS Response (Mennonite Disaster
Service): In Nov. 2012, MDS was contacted
about the possibility of helping with rebuilding and recovery in Crisfield. The Delmarva unit and the Eastern Virginia unit of MDS have collaborated to
respond to this need. Most of the homes that can be repaired have been gutted and dried out, and now the
work includes wiring, drywall, painting, new floors, etc. In the coming months there will be multiple new
homes to build. Volunteers will be housed in the old American Legion Building. Separate sleeping and bath
facilities will be available for males and females and a kitchen/dining area has been added for meals.
HOPE will participate in this project in MAY 2015, with a team (max 15) leaving Sunday, May 3, and returning Friday, May 8, after work. If you are interested, see Pastor Nieting.
Housing and meals will be provided. There will be a small cost. Will YOU
make the difference in the life of someone whose home was destroyed?
Can’t go? Can’t build? Perhaps you can contribute and we know you can
pray!
BREAKING NEWS: At the next Knights of Hope meeting (March 14 at
8am), Mr. Ken Kurtz will be here to talk about his time in Crissfield. He has
been involved with Mennonite Disaster Service in that area and will be able
to answer your questions.
LEUKEMIA &
LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
VENDOR SALE
March 21 ~ 1 to 6pm
By: Judee Montero
Support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
“Light the Night” Walk and attend the Vendor Sale on
Saturday, March 21, in the fellowship hall at Hope.
Vendors will include: Kanine Kitchen (organic dog
treats), Maui Wowi (smoothies & gourmet coffee), Private Investigator, Trinika Moi (crochet at its finest),
Oliver Ara Photography, Tupperware by Ashley, Of
the Earth Body Care, Origami Owl, Bushkins Leggings, Pampered Chef, Mary & Martha, Kambal’s
Lumpia, Avon by Julia, Thirty-One, Oily Plant Doctor,
Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Light Leigh Candles,
LL Furniture, Damsels in Defense, Bath Fitter, Jamberry, Juice Plus, Body by Gill, Gifts by Gina.
HO P E HI G HLI G HT S
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
Kevin Knippa
Mary Lallak
2 Ryan Lane
Victoria Mulske
Michael Obland
Kristine Sturkie
Shirley Wettlaufer
4 Karen Margaritis
5 David Dyer, Sr
Chris Herbkersman
6 Kim Behm
Benjamin Sturkie
7 Rex Bayman
Shawn Jesgarz
Kathryn Werner
8 Samuel Cason
Rachel Knoepfel
10 Erin Babakan
Frederick Foard
12 Lauren Kaiser
13 Andrew Schmidt
14 Emily Johnson
Kathryn Wacker
Kenneth Wydler
17 Hallett Connor
Patricia Hartje
Nathan Oswald
Avery Rauch
18 Alea Barry
Justin Fitzpatrick
Cheryl Hendricks
20 Zachary Hall
21 Christopher Martin
Taylor Montgomery
Lidya Teklegiorgis
23 James Ballard
Keith Frederick
Bruce Melcher
Michael Riley
George Schroeder
Elise Vess
24 Jim Bleam
Sam Vess
1
25 Brooke Stevens
Eric Stevens
26 Rob Dean
Kevin Dippery
Bob Hannewald
Nancy Kettner
William Schmidt
27 Carroll Bains
Tamy Carter
Noah McRitchie
Lynda Saia
28 Christopher Kern
Michael Sneath
29 Russell Clarke
Camelia Eid
30 Matthew Young
31 Courtney Obland
Alexandra Young
5
19
20
24
25
29
PAGE 9
VOICE OF THE MARTYRS
ANNIVERSARIES
Gordon & Deborah Johnson
Gerald & Ramona Brown
Bill & Susan Koons
William & Jennifer Young
Freddie & JoAnn Blaser
Steve & Kathryn Wacker
If your birthday or anniversary is missing
and you would like to
include it in the Highlights, please contact
Martha in the church
office: 424-4848 or
[email protected]
Sunday
March 15
E-mail articles for April to:
[email protected]
or leave a copy in the church
office.
(excerpts from VOM website)
As many of you already know, Hope
Staff and the Sunday School children have
adopted a front line worker through The
Voice of the Martyrs. This worker and his
family are ministering on the font lines in
Vietnam. We have committed a year to pray
for them each week. Please join us in praying for this family as they spread the Gospel
while under persecution.
Vietnam is one of the few remaining
communist nations in the world. The government maintains tight control on political
expression and has recently expanded its
control over all religious activities. It uses a
specialized religious police force to stop the
growth of religious groups, such as Christians, through discrimination and violence.
Official government documents give local
authorities in the northwest the mandate to
compel Christians to recant their faith. In
November 2012, the government of Vietnam approved a new decree that rendered
most house churches illegal as of Jan. 1,
2013.
The government restricts religious freedom through legislation, registration requirements, and by harassing and intimidating unsanctioned religious groups. In rural
areas, local authorities view Christianity as
a foreign threat and often use discrimination, intimidation, property destruction, detentions, beatings and forced renunciations
of faith to halt church growth. Several ethnic Christians have died while being tortured. Christians at a prayer vigil for the release of two Christian leaders were shot
when police fired into the crowd and many
were injured. Persecution is more severe in
the north than in the south. VOM workers
report that local officials increasingly target
new believers for extreme harassment, and
leave established Christians alone. VOM
continues to support Christians in Vietnam
by helping to train pastors, providing motorbikes to evangelists, supporting Christian
broadcasts, distributing Bibles and helping
families of prisoners.
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH-Missouri Synod
5350 Providence Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
HOPE HIGHLIGHTS NEWSLETTER
March 2015
No. 03-15
Published Monthly
Hope Lutheran Church
5350 Providence Road
Highlights