Custom Designed Seminar – January 22-23
December 22, 2009
Friday evening (6–9:30 PM… Beginning with Dinner)
Saturday (9AM-4:30 PM)
Hope Lutheran Church, Cedar Hill, TX
Give yourself a gift! Guidance and wisdom will be presented for understanding one’s unique individuality, recognizing God’s guiding hand, and even grappling with two of life’s more practical, yet significant questions: Who am I? What am I to do? Custom designed and custom called for a custom designed life (that’s you)! High school youth and adults are invited, especially those in transition… high school, college, newly married, restlessness, retirement, or a life-changing event. Fun, energetic, and comfortable, multimedia teaching is combined with time for self-reflection.
The presenters are Wendy Berthelsen and Steve Harr. Together with their spouses, they are co-founders of Call Incorporated (www.callinc.org), a non-profit Christian teaching mission dedicated to helping others discover, discern and “incorporate” God’s unique call into all of life. Wendy is president of Call Inc., and pastor of ministry in daily life at Hope Lutheran, Cedar Hill. Previously she was a biomedical engineer, receiving three US Patents. She and her husband Joel are blessed with four children. Steve is a business attorney and founding partner of Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. He and his wife Kathy are blessed with two sons. Combined, Wendy and Steve have nearly thirty years of experience helping others discover God’s call. To pre-register or for more information about the seminar, email Wendy at pastor.wendy {at} sbcglobal(.)net
Cost: $35 (includes all materials and Friday dinner, Saturday continental breakfast and lunch)
Lease Possibility: Hears Thoughts & Share Information – Jan. 3
December 21, 2009
January 3rd, during the Sunday School hour, we will sit down around the tables in the Fellowship Hall to hear information and share thoughts and feelings about the possible leasing of our Church.
Rev. Edsel Dureus met with our Congregation on November 15th to share about his church, Thanksgiving Tabernacle. The approximately 50 average attending congregation presently meets at Lake Ridge Elementary School. Cedar Hill has raised their rates by 3x. They are seeking a more affordable situation.
The council was highly impressed with Rev. Dureus’ presentation and poise as he fielded questions. From the responses the council thought we should pursue sensing the pulse of the congregation by completing a lease document that would give specific information about the possible arrangement so members could look it over in detail.
Council then charted a course of information giving and hearing at three sessions. The first, as stated above, is set for January 3rd during the Sunday School hour. The other two will be on two different evenings, the dates and times yet to be set.
The lease document will be made available in a variety of ways, website, email, and hard copy. We ask that those who can take it electronically to do so. It saves on paper.
Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings with council members, including pastor.
Pastor Joel
Last Letter from the Intern
December 15, 2009
It seems like I just began my internship, but it is almost time for me to depart from Hope Lutheran Church. Since I’ve been here I have had numerous experiences, lessons, and opportunities within youth ministry. A few of the most memorable experiences include: watching the youth wholeheartedly help others while leaving deposits of hope, teaching some of them how to drive a car with a manual transmission, and discovering the difference in seasons of youth ministry. Among the many lessons I have learned the main thing I have been taught is the importance of developing lessons that foster discussion and interaction with the youth. Also, the Church has given me many opportunities, but I most cherish being able to build relationships with both teens and adults.
To be honest youth ministry is a lot like welding. A person can read all about welding, but once they attempt it they discover welding is nothing like reading a book. Similarly I have been taking classes and preparing for the field of youth ministry for three years now, but without the experience of this internship I know I wouldn’t have been fully prepared for my future career. The ministry of this Church involves helping individuals find their calling and by having an intern the Church is doing that. Hope is blessed to have Matt Cleaver an intelligent, ministry minded youth minister, that has shown me more than I can ever explain. I want to personally thank Matt, Alicia, Joel, Wendy, Steve and Kathy Harr, the congregation, and especially the youth for the chance to be a part of your church and lives. Also a special thanks to the parents of the youth for being so open and trusting of their intern. December 20, I will be heading back to Arkansas to finish the spring semester at JBU and graduate with a degree in Youth Ministry. Once again thank you so much!
In Love and Peace,
Zach Poulter
Zach Poulter’s Last Sunday—December 20
December 14, 2009
It’s hard to believe, but Zach Poulter’s youth ministry Internship is almost over. Please join us on Sunday, December 20 at 9:15 AM for a pancake breakfast and going away party for Zach.
Since coming to Hope on May 26, Zach has grown and matured during his time of service here. He helped us to make the necessary changes within our staff as Pastor Wendy made the decision to devote her time to the ministry of Call Inc. We have also had the privilege of training another leader for service in the church, helping Zach to discern his unique call to know, follow, and serve Jesus Christ. While he may no longer be at Hope Lutheran Church, we know that he will continue to use the lessons he learned here in service to God’s church and world. I hope you will wish him all the best and keep him in your prayers as he goes back to Arkansas to complete his final semester at John Brown University.
– Matt Cleaver
Pancake Breakfast – December 20
December 14, 2009
The youth are raising funds for their 2010 mission trip through regular pancake breakfasts. Breakfast menu will consist of pancakes, sausage, juice, and coffee. Please mark your calendar and enjoy breakfast at Church! Thank you for supporting our youth!
This month’s pancake breakfast will also serve as a going away party for Zach Poulter, as this will be his last day with us.
This month’s breakfast ~
Date: Sunday, December 20
Time: 9:15 am – 10:00 am
Suggested Donation: $5.00/person
Christmas Program – Sunday Dec. 13
December 7, 2009
On Sunday, December 13, we will be presenting a Christmas Cantata and Play called “Celebrate his Birth” during both the 8:00 AM and 10:30 worship services. We hope you can join us this Sunday.
Ladies Christmas Brunch
December 2, 2009
The annual Christmas Brunch for the ladies of Hope will be on Saturday, December 12 from 11 AM until 1PM at Cresthaven Village Center, behind Hillcrest Baptist Church. A map and entry code will be provided. The brunch will be catered by Judy Knoll, and women may bring finger desserts. Entertainment will be provided and there will be a silent auction. If you plan to attend, please sign up in the narthex.
Christmas Poinsettias
December 1, 2009
Time for Christmas Poinsettias! Be sure to sign up for your Christmas Poinsettias in the Narthex. By buying a vibrant red poinsettia plant, you’ll be able to help in the colorful decorating of our Sanctuary with the poinsettias thru the Christmas Eve Service. Afterward, take it home to beautify your own Home. Order now to reserve your poinsettia. Please make you check out to Hope Lutheran Church And mark it POINSETTIA in the memo. Drop it in Karine Samer’s box or the offering plate by December 13th.
Altar Guild
Thanks YOU!
Be sure to sign up
Use Your Gifts
December 1, 2009
Yellow sheets were placed in your church mailbox in November if you would like to volunteer to serve in any of the listed capacities, mostly relating to Sunday morning worship (greeters, ushers, altar guild, etc.). We will be updating our scheduling for these various tasks for 2010. Sign up only if there are changes or you have never signed up before. If you would like to continue serving in your current role, you do not need to indicate anything on these sheets. Let us know how you would like to serve at Hope Lutheran Church.
Faith & Love Measurement Tools
December 1, 2009
You can find the Faith and Love measurement tools on our website on the “Spiritual Inventories” page under the Resources tab. Soon to be added will be a third tool called a Fruitfulness Measurement tool.