By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein The view from my window today has been one of much activity. No, it is not because the birds are at the feeder that hangs just a few short feet away, but because it is Election Day. Hope United Church of Christ serves as a polling place for the City of […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein I recently heard that there is some concern that there just might be too much going on at Hope United Church of Christ. As a person who highlights my calendar to make sure I can keep track of events and appointments, my schedule is filled with color. Special events for celebrating […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein The leaves are beginning to show off their colors; the winds have shifted and come more briskly from the north; and the geese are making their way south as flocks fly across the blue sky. The season of fall has come to Iowa. Recently as I was walking Sallie and Otis, […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein Perhaps only the most die-hard fans knew his name or even the team he played for until just a few days ago and now the name, Ray Rice, has been plastered throughout the various forms of media at our disposal. The twenty-seven year old running back, who played for the Baltimore Ravens […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein There is lots of activity happening at Hope United Church of Christ these days involving children and youth: students coming and going throughout the day as the preschool/daycare is in full swing, piano students coming and going for their lessons, and preparations for opening of Sunday school. Children and youth are […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein Many of you reading this have seen and/or participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge, featured in the left portion of the picture above, that has been sweeping the nation in hopes of raising money and bring awareness about ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” This illness is a progressive neurodegenerative […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! I cannot believe how much stuff has been brought in for the garage sale, which will take place beginning tomorrow. There have been numerous volunteers, at least sixteen according to my count, who have been very busy getting the room ready, and then sorting, stacking, […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein I cannot seem to escape the shadow of the valley of death. Last week, I was wrestling with the deaths of the young men in various parts of our own area as well as the military death that had just been announced. Over the weekend in the St. Louis area, a […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein Three of the top nine stories listed on KCRG-TV 9 deal with death: Two-star general is killed in Afghan attack, four teens killed in an accident in western Dubuque County and one young man was the driver of the vehicle that hit them, and nine-year old twins killed in ATV accident […]
By: Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein In just a few days, we celebrate Independence Day, on July 4. Since the holiday occurs on a Friday this year, I am guessing a lot of individuals and families will be taking advantage of the long weekend that many will be able to enjoy. Picnics, fireworks, sparklers and time to […]