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Hope Church August 2017 Newsletter 
Hope Free Church
 
anderson gardens long
 
Our vision is to be a church whose
 passion for God gives rise to a heart for the lost and is demonstrated by 
our love for one another.
  
In This Issue

 
  anderson gardens long
  AWLS (Awesome, Wise, Lively Singles)

Support Group
will meet on
Saturday, August 12
 
  at HEFC
Fireside Room
at 12:30 pm
 
Menu : Salad luncheon (bring small salad)-Need volunteer to bring bread and dessert
Sharon Vinson
815-623-6857
or 815-543-5644




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White Cross
Sharon Vinson & Connie Ruden, Coordinators

Won't you consider coming to one or more of our THREE August work days on the 1st, 15th and 26th as we prepare quilts, rolled bandages, and layettes for those in need.

 While still working on our usual items, over 250 dresses and 120 shorts have been prepared for Operation Christmas Child over the summer.

Our group gathers in Drake Hall from 8:30 to noon and always enjoys fellowship, food, and satisfaction of serving others while we work side by side.

Praise the Lord!! We are sending four 35-gallon totes to Tandala Hospital and Clinics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in early August. The items include layettes, rolled bandages, dress kits, and surgical linens. Thanks to everyone who helped prepare these items.

Needs this month:
~Old blankets, mattress pads for inside of quilts (watch garage sales)

~More helpers to sew dresses and shorts for the Operation Christmas Child project on special sewing days: August 2 and 16 from 8:30-12

~Flat sheets for quilt backs and/or rolled bandages

~Single-Fold bias tape (any color) for kimonos and OCC dresses

~BoxTops for Education (for local schools)

Just bring your scissors and your servant's heart and we'll teach you the rest. 

 Call Connie at
815-623-8444
 or Sharon at
 815-623-6857
or 815-543-5644
 if you have questions.
 

  
 

 

 

Strength Class

 

Want to improve your strength and balance? Join the strength class for non-aerobic exercise on Mondays and Fridays at 9 am in the Drake Hall. There is NO charge. Questions? Call Alice Walker at 815.389.4077.

 

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Are you a widow or widower, single mom or dad, recovering from a medical condition or surgery, struggling through financial hard times?

The men and women of Hope would like to help. Faucet leaking, toilet won't stop running, light switch won't work, light bulb burned out, drain plugged, computer locked up? We also know that some won't call because they don't want to bother anyone. Please call us on their behalf and let us be a blessing to them.

If you have a need, or if you have a particular skill and would be interested in helping with this ministry, please contact the church office or Ken Ruge at 
815-988-7788 or email at  ruge.ken@gmail.com
 


valet parking
Are you recovering from surgery? Are you unable to walk from the parking lot? Can we assist you in any way? If so, please pull up to the carport and a valet will assist you.
 
If you would be interested in helping with Valet Parking on Sunday mornings, you can contact Ken Ruge, ruge.ken@gmail.com.





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Dear Hope Free Friends, What a lovely floral arrangement greeting me after my six-day stay at RMH recently! Thanks for those flowers as well as Pastor Mickey's visit. Thanks, too, for the calls and assistance I've received since my discharge, especially with carrying on with White Cross efforts. In Him, Sharon Vinson
 
Dear Hope Church, Thank you so much for giving me the scholarship for Camp Timber-lee. Over the past week at Timber-Lee I drew closer with God, my cabin mates, my counselor and the pastor. The pastor that was at Timber-lee last year (2016) was the same pastor that was there this year (2017).
 
Every morning and evening we had chapel and every "chapel time" Pastor Mark would share a personal story which was always fun to hear. I met a lot of new people at Timber-lee.
 
Everyone in my cabin went to the same school except Karlie and I but they would always include us in whatever they were doing. One of the girls actually played volleyball.
 
My counselor was so nice. She actually grew up in the Philippines because her parents are missionaries there. She is very close with God and it was cool to see her grow even closer to God.
 
The last night of camp was probably my favorite night because everyone in our village had a campfire and we shared our stories and what led us to Christ. Then we went back to chapel and some kids shared in front of everybody which I thought was really cool. Thanks again for the scholarship. Sincerely, Kassidy Anderson
 
Dear Hope Church, Thank you so much for the scholarship! I really appreciate you giving me this amazing opportunity. This year, God gifted me, yet again, with an outstanding counselor and I learned how to draw even nearer to God. Also, my cabin mates were by far the best cabin mates I have ever had. Once again, thank you so much for the camp scholarship. I am so grateful! With love, Karlie Anderson
 
Dear Hope Family, Rich and I want to thank you for the lovely floral bouquet - it is beautiful. We also want to thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. Our God is such a loving Father that knows exactly what we need at the exact time. He never fails us.
 Love in Christ,
Rich & Ellen Johannsen
 




A Note From Pastor Mickey
backtotopofpage Dear Hope Church family,
The church is to disciple, reproduce, and create a culture of discipleship and reproducing. I would like to share with you a new way the staff and elders are intending to model and foster a "reproducing" culture. In March I proposed to the elders (and they approved) that we begin a pastoral internship program here at Hope Church. I gave several reasons, a couple of which I will share with you. One reason is that the church is commanded to raise up new ministry workers and leaders for the next generation of the church. This internship participates in this biblical mandate. Another reason is that the church - not simply the seminary - should be a training ground for ministry and ministers. There is no better place to learn about ministry than in the regular ministry activities of the local church. A third is that an internship program will help create an ethos of reproducing, encouraging all ministry leaders, the whole congregation, to be more aware of investing in and raising up others. Finally, by investing and preparing people for ministry in the local church, we not only benefit our own church body, but we also facilitate the work God will do through our interns in other ministry contexts.
     The internship program will invite one to two men or women for the duration of one ministry year (defined by the budget year) to serve as pastoral or ministry interns with the staff team of Hope Church. The interns will get exposure to as many facets of the church's ministry as possible, and yet will be assigned to serve in areas or ministries that match best their gifting and the church's needs. Finally, the interns will be given guided oversight by the senior pastor, who will expect them to participate in theological and practical study.
     I am pleased to announce that participating in our internship for the duration of this ministry year is Olle Larson and Casey Ehlers. Both these young men have connections here at Hope Church, are students at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and desire to serve the Lord in ministry. We will have a commissioning ceremony in due course. For now I ask you to pray for Olle, Casey, and this internship program and that our church would continue to foster a culture of reproducing.

For God's glory,
Pastor Mickey  
First Impressions Team

FIRST IMPRESSIONS TEAM (Valets, Greeters and Ushers)
     If you are currently serving as a valet, greeter or usher - or think you might enjoy serving in that capacity - please plan on attending a luncheon/training session on Sunday, August 20, immediately after second service. 
     Whether you have been a valet, greeter or usher for years or are a true rookie, we want you to participate in the training as we will be introducing a few new concepts by building on what you are already doing well.  Our goal is to truly be a warm, welcoming church that is very intentional about the way we greet visitors and get new attendees assimilated into our church family.
     For more information or to sign up, contact the church office at 815.623.6545 or email Randa Noble at RNCNOBLE@gmail.com.   We look forward to seeing you for lunch on August 20.  Please R.S.V.P. by August 13 so we have plenty of food on hand.
  Project New Heights
   
     The Hope Cares Ministry is an opportunity for each of us to live out Hope's mission and vision collectively as one body of believers in the local area of Roscoe and Rockton. As a community that loves Christ working to reach a community for Christ, we seek to spread God's common grace by tackling various large-scale community service projects in the area.
     The Hope Care's Ministry is excited to announce this year's project,  Project New Heights . In an effort to be Christ's hands and feet in the area, we will be doing some much needed upkeep and maintenance on the physical buildings at Kinnikinnick Elementary School. Our primary goal is to humbly serve our community by cleaning and painting the exterior walls of the school buildings, rehabbing and staining exterior stairs and wheel chair ramps, and mulching the playground, ultimately making Kinnikinnick Elementary School look beautiful and function safely.
     The work days are set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday the first two weekends of August (4-6 & 11-13). We have already spent one weekend working at Kinnikinnick and have made wonderful progress. Thanks to all who have come to work so far. There is much more to do, and we need your help.
     If you are unable to work outside, we are also in need of supplies and tools as well as food to feed our hungry worker force. There is also need for prayer warriors to pray for this project, the faculty and children it serves. 

     Contact Pastor Fana at pastorfana@hefc.net if you have questions OR call the office letting us know when you can help out.

GriefShare Support Group

It hurts to lose someone.
Find help at GriefShare.
 
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences. You don't have to go through the grieving process alone.
 
A weekly GriefShare group meets at Hope Church for a 13-week session beginning Wednesday, August 16, at 6:30 pm in the Fireside Room.
 
Cost is $20 with scholarships available.

50 and Free! Capital Campaign
     A little over a year ago we announced that we were embar king on a debt elimination campaign called 50 & Free.  The church will turn 50 in 2018 and the goal is to be either debt free or close to it by the end of 2018 which will free up $90,000 per year from our budget that normally went to the bank for our mortgage payments. So far we have been able to pay an additional $365,000 to the mortgage bringing the balance below $400,000.  This is greater than 50% of our balance having been paid off in one year!  
    To those of you who have been able to participate, thank you so much. For those who perhaps are newer to the church or have for some reason not been able to participate yet but would like to know how, and what the program is about, please feel free to contact Pastor Brad and he can either explain the campaign or provide the materials needed to get you plugged in to the campaign.  We would love to see continued increase in the amount of families who can join us and participate in helping Hope Free become 50 & Free and help us launch into the next 50 years of ministry. 


Adult Ministries

 
Ministry Fair
Saturday, August 27
Mark your calendars for our Ministry Fair on August 27 during both services in the Fellowship Hall. Our Ministry Fair is an annual event where all the ministries are present to answer questions on how you can take a "Test Drive" with an area to see how you can get plugged into ministry here at Hope Church. Please make it a priority to stop by sometime that morning where very willing helpers will be on hand to talk ministry opportunities with you.

 
 
Online Giving
    As a way to give you more options, Hope Church is providing an opportunity for online giving. This will give you many options in how you manage your giving to the church. You can have a checking or savings account debited or you can give via a debit/credit card. You will be able to fill out an application or you will be able to go online via our website, www.hefc.net, where you will be directed to a secure server where our vendor processes online donations.  If you have any questions before you get started, please contact Pastor Brad.  
    
                                     
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Kids of Hope

Kids Hope USA
Kids HopeOur annual back to school backpack party will be Saturday, August 5, from 11 am to 1 pm. This will be a chance for many of the mentors to reconnect with their mentees after several months apart. Thank you to all who have donated school supplies - It lessens the financial stress on the mentees and their families and is SO appreciated!
     Now is the perfect time to request an application to be a mentor. Kinnikinnick District has expressed their appreciation for our mentors saying that of all the things that the district needs, "the greatest need continues to be in the area of reading to children, tutoring, and mentoring." Applications are in the lobby or church office. Contact Melissa Peshek or Jamie Anderson for more information.

Safe Families
Please be in prayer for people in our congregation who are becoming involved in this Biblical expression of hospitality. Applications to be a host family or one of the supporting roles are available from Trisha Knaul or the church office. More information can be found at www.safe-families.org
 
Camp 5-6

Thank you to all who volunteered during Camp 5-6.   Continue to pray that God's Word will sink deep into the hearts of the 31 kids who attended and that those who are not connected to a church will start asking their parents to attend.
 
 
AWANA
AWANAUnbelievably, it is almost time for club to start up again. We will have openings to serve in Cubbies, Sparks, and T&T. There are varieties of positions to fill, so regardless of your experience with Kids Ministry, we probably have a place for you. Talk to Mike & Polly Quinn or Joe Kaderly for T&T (grades 3 - 6), Vince Madama for Sparks (K - 2nd), and Dawn Schrierer for Cubbies (ages 3 & 4). Please pray about serving, we would love to have you join us.
 
Upcoming dates:
August 28 - 6:30 pm - Adult & teen leader meeting here at Hope
September 11 - 6:30 pm - First night of Club
September 23 - 8:15 am - 1:00 pm - Regional AWANA training at Maywood EFC
 
 
Fall Sunday School
child-playing-leaves.jpg Once school starts, we will be closing up our summer Sunday school classes and moving everyone up to their new classes. August 20 is the date that the new Kindergartners should move to Drake Hall. Children enrolled in 4-year-old kindergarten will stay in the preschool hallway.
 
If you have been attending Hope for one year and are interested in serving in your child's classroom, we would love to talk to you. Please call the church office at 815-623-6545 or talk to Caroline Ahlberg, Debbi Rasmussen, Chris Fosler, Vicky Steege, or Vera Juhlin.  

Student Ministries
 
Our Middle School teens will be heading to Minneapolis, Minnesota from August 2 to August 4. They will be packing meals at Feed My Starving Children. Please be in prayer for this mission team as they serve in Minneapolis.
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Missions Update
 
What Do You Know About SGA?  
    Hope Church has supported Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) since
1994, soon after the mission office relocated from Wheaton to Loves Park.
    Founded in 1934, SGA exists to help Bible-preaching churches in Russia and her neighboring countries reach their own people with the Gospel. SGA has four distinctive areas of ministry: 1) providing Russian-language Bibles and Christian literature, 2) supporting solid Bible training for pastors and lay workers, 3) sponsorship of missionary pastors, and 4) supporting evangelistic outreaches, including children's ministry. 
    Preparing faithful pastors, teachers, youth leaders, and children's workers for ministry is vital for evangelical churches across Russia. SGA sponsors four seminaries in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, and Bible institute programs in several countries.
    SGA connects North American Christians with individual Russian church-planting missionaries and helps send them out to targeted regions where they live, work, and proclaim the Gospel. The nationals have a significant advantage because they already know the language, culture, and history of their people.
    Several SGA-sponsored programs are geared toward children. During the Christmas season, pastors minister to needy children and their families with Christmas outreaches and gifts through Immanuel's Child. Through Orphans Reborn, church workers reach and disciple orphan children with regular visits throughout the year. Many churches hold summer camp programs for children and youth.
    Staff members at the local SGA office provide necessary support for these ministries. Over the years, several people from Hope have been employed at SGA. Currently, four women from Hope work at the office. They are Cindy Beaumont, Donna Brooks, Cindy Snyder, and Mary Alice Titcomb.

 
Resource Center News
 
Time to turn in your Summer Reading BINGO cards! Read and mark off any five book categories in a row and you will earn a tasty prize from Culver's. Don't have a BINGO card? There's still time to join in the reading fun!
  
As the kids go back to school, remember that we have the Accelerated Reader (AR) Program at the Resource Center. The books that have AR tests are labeled on the spine, with the reading level, points, and test information inside the cover. There is also a list of our AR books on the library desk, organized by reading level.
 
Look for these resources on the New Arrivals shelf in August:
Non-Fiction:
Humble Roots: Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson
42 Faith: The Rest of the Jackie Robinson Story by Ed Henry
A Fierce Love: One Woman's Courageous Journey to Save Her Marriage by Shauna Shanks
 
Fiction:    
Land of Silence by Tesha Afshar
Beneath Copper Falls (Rock Harbor #6) by Colleen Coble
The Long Highway Home by Elizabeth Musser
Wild Montana Skies (Montana Rescue #1) by Susan May Warren
 
Youth:
First Feelings: 12 Stories for Toddlers by Mary Manz Simon (ages 2+)
Fast Freddy(Adventures of the Sea Kids) by Lee Ann Mancini (ages 4+)
Brother Andrew: God's Secret Agent (Christian Heroes) by Janet Benge (ages 8+)
The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill (ages 12+)
 
DVD: 
Humble Pie (Camp New)
Lighting Up the Shadow of Doubt (Bibleman)