By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein Today the world seems filled with all sorts of events and items that are worth my attention, our attention, and the church’s attention. Some are as near as members of our congregation who are dealing with the challenges of their lives: a parent’s recent death after an illness, the grief of […]
MAY 11 Another fun Sunday is planned for May 11 as students celebrate Hope’s past 50 years. We will meet for Opening Time in the Fellowship Hall, like Hope Sunday school students used to do! We will sing and then be dismissed to stations where kids will learn about Hope’s sanctuary window, the entryway crosses and […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day, a secular holiday that has seeped into the church. Somehow there, on the part of many, that there ought to be an announcement, gifts and special attention given to this select group of women on that day. For me, it is one thing that Hallmark, […]
For the next several weeks, Hope’s 50th Anniversary Committee is taking orders for t-shirts with the 50th anniversary logo on them. Pick up an order form in the church office or order online using the form below. It would be nice for those working at Hog Wild Days and those joining us on the float […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcomed here. This saying has been a part of the United Church of Christ’s identity and marketing message since 2004 when a campaign was launched indicating our greater church’s commitment to “extravagant welcome which continues to historically […]
THE LAST SUNDAYS IN OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE FILLED WITH GREAT FUN AND VARIATION! May 4 – Celebrating the Sunday school year! We’ll take a look back at our Sunday school year and review some of the great things we’ve done. We will do a reprise of our favorite songs from the year […]
The Mission Committee is collecting items to make “May Basket” donations for Waypoint, an organization that serves women, children, and families in need. We need canned and dry food, paper products, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. Most needed items include shampoo/conditioner, body wash, deodorant, razors (for men and women), baby shampoo/soap, baby wipes, and diapers. Please […]
Adult Sunday School’s next discussion book will be The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels. It is an introduction to early Christian literature that is not included in the New Testament canon. Many of these early texts were only rediscovered in late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many reveal the importance of women in the early […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth This cartoon was posted by another clergy person this week and it made me smile! It is a more modern take on the stories found in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark. In those stories, Jesus leaves his disciples for a period of time to go away by […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein I am writing this reflection on Tuesday, April 1 – April Fool’s Day. I can remember both loving and hating this day. I loved it when I got to play a “trick” on someone else and it worked; I hated it when I was the one that had gotten “tricked.” Unfortunately […]