Asante Children’s Choir Blesses Us!
January 30, 2015
The joy of the Lord filled our sanctuary on January 25 as the Asante Children’s Choir worshipped with us and blessed us with their singing and dancing.
Click here to see and hear what we did!
This particular choir was made up entirely of orphans and children rescued from the streets. Hope shared with worship with Thanksgiving Tabernacle and Rock of Faith Family Church. Many of our members signed up to sponsor children on an ongoing basis. Jesus was present with us.
“Asante” is a Swahili word translated “Thank You” in English.
The 22 person choir is dedicated to spreading love, hope and joy while raising awareness for the desperate plight of orphans and other vulnerable children. The children who have been rescued from some of life’s most difficult circumstances take pride in expressing gratitude through their music.
Planting House Churches!
January 30, 2015
Early in 2015, Hope Lutheran Church is looking to plant two or more house churches in the surrounding communities. Currently, we are awaiting news regarding a grant proposal which will assist with training and start-up costs.
The house churches would be led by current members of Hope Lutheran who have a desire to regularly and intentionally worship and grow in Jesus in a house church setting. Each of these leaders has expressed excitement around gathering people in a house church setting who currently are not connected or marginally connected with a church gathering.
Several people from Hope attended the Mission and House Church Planting Conference led by North American Lutheran Church Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Dr. Gemechis Buba. The North American Lutheran Church is raising a vision for the planting of house churches.
Early in 2015, Hope is looking to bring in trainers from Life Together Churches, a ministry dedicated to supporting and resourcing house churches. Life Together Churches is led by Lutheran pastors and works closely with both Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). Both NALC and LCMC are advocating the planting of churches, including house churches.
Hope has applied for a grant from the North American Lutheran Church to fund the start-up costs. The grants will be awarded in January.
North Texas Senior Fest: February 28, 2015
January 30, 2015
Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA)
Eighth Annual North Texas Senior Fest – February 28, 2015
Messiah Lutheran Church
1801 West Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas
This year’s primary speaker will be Dr. Mark Allen Powell, professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
His theme will be “Retirement as Vocation” as he discusses what the Bible says about aging.
Six workshops will be offered:
1. “De-clutter to Downsize Your Home and Life” – Lorraine Brock, a favorite among last year’s presenters, will share ideas geared to seniors who wish to “downsize their lives.”
2. “How Not To Fall” – Stephanie Calabrese, a Registered Physical Therapist, will share fun tips and guidance on how to maintain your balance in life.
3. “Surviving the Death of a Loved One” – Darrel Gilbertson, retired Lutheran pastor and author, will share his journey of loss and hope during the past year following his wife’s death.
4. “Live Long and Prosper!” – Gerry Hughes is a Wealth Advisor and Certified Financial Planner with Thrivent Financial. He will discuss strategies for financial security and strength in the later years of life.
5. “Drawing Your Way to Spiritual Health” – Susan Thillen will show how you can doodle your way to better mental and spiritual health and improve your “hearing” skills through Zentangles.
6. “No Money Required” – Laura Wolfe is volunteer coordinator for the North Central Texas
Area Agency on Aging. She will provide an overview of the resources and services that are available free of charge to persons age 60 and older through the network of Area Agencies on Aging.
There is much to look forward to in next year’s Senior Fest. Add this date to next year’s calendar and plan to join us!
Lenten Dinner & Worship: “Cease Striving”
January 30, 2015
The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18. “Cease Striving” from Psalm 46:10 will be our theme throughout the Lenten season.
Wednesday simple dinners will begin at 6PM.
Wednesday worship services will be at 7:00 PM.
Lent is often marked by ceasing something: ceasing eating something, ceasing doing something, ceasing…
The word Sabbath means to cease. Lent is a season of Sabbath.
Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in all the earth.”
Our times challenge us. How can we cease striving when so much is pressing in on us? During our Lenten season this year, we will embark on a journey of “ceasing.”
For more on our Lenten theme, see our Heralds of Hope newsletter.
New Opportunities to Grow with Jesus!
January 3, 2015
For the latest opportunities to grow in knowing and following Jesus, click here.
2015 NALC and LCMC National Gatherings in Dallas
December 21, 2014
In 2015, both the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) will hold their national gatherings in the Dallas area during August and October. These events are excellent training events.
Volunteers will be needed for both events and Hope meeting will be hearing more about this. Hope Lutheran has already appointed a volunteer coordinator.
The NALC meetings will be held at the DFW Airpoft Hyatt Hotel. The meeting will begin on August 13, preceded by a pan Lutheran theological conference, beginning on August 11.
The LCMC national gathering will held in the Frisco area, and will begin on October 4.
Christmas Eve Service: 7PM
December 3, 2014
Come and celebrate the coming of Jesus, the “Savior who has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
“O come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For surely he is God.” Psalm 95:6
Women’s Christmas Brunch & Silent Auction: Dec. 6
November 18, 2014
Hope Lutheran Women have invited the women of Good Shepherd Church, Rock of Faith Family Church and Thanksgiving Tabernacle Bible Fellowship to celebrate with them at their annual Christmas brunch on December 6. All women are invited … from Hope, the community or other churches!
The food and program promise to be fabulous!
At the brunch, Hope Women will have a silent auction to raise money for our missionary families: the Gaultneys, Gerharts and Debbie Buenting. You are welcome to bring a craft item, baked item or something else to donate for bidding and purchase in the silent auction.
Children Receive Chocolate Advent Calendars!
November 18, 2014
During Family Sunday School (following worship), each of the children received a chocolate advent calendar as gift from Hope Lutheran. The calendar has windows for each day in December leading up to Christmas. Each window has a Scripture verse and a piece of chocolate. The calendars are distributed by Divine Chocolate, a free trade ministry that directly supports the suppliers in impoverished places.
During Family Sunday School, parents and children continue to practice Faith Five, a way of doing family devotions gathered around the Scriptures. Children also receive coupons for a free meal at Chick-fil-a for each verse of Scripture that they memorize.
Thanksgiving Service: Nov. 26
November 18, 2014
Hope Lutheran will share an evening of worship, prayer and thanks with First Methodist, Good Shepherd, Thanksgiving Tabernacle Bible Fellowship, and Rock of Faith Family Churches.
November 26, 2014 7 PM
First Methodist Church, 128 N Roberts Rd, Cedar Hill