Hope Weekly
November 16, 2018
This past week I spent a week of vacation with one of my closest friends and her three children (ages 5, 6, and 8) as they prepare to move from Virginia Beach to San Diego where her husband will soon be stationed. This visit was somewhat more chaotic than usual as they were in the midst of selling their house in preparation for moving. This meant whatever activities or schedule we may have planned for the day was quickly changed by house showings which meant extra cleaning and finding places to take the 3 children as well as two pets for an hour or two at a time. Thankfully the weather was warmer in Virginia and we were able to spend lots of time at the playground or walking on the beach. But the stress of their father being away at training, having to say goodbye to friends, and move across country created an added level of strain in addition to school and friends. The added stress meant there were more tears, more squabbles, and more foot stomping than usual.
 
In the midst of so much change and uncertainty, there was also the blessing of rituals. Every night as the children got into bed they said their prayers - which included thanking God for one blessing of the day. Sometimes the thank yous came easily and were rather simple, "Thank you God for my stuffed elephant" or "Thank you God for left over Halloween candy." But sometimes the thank yous were harder to think of or simply surprised me, "Thank you God for bringing my friend's daddy back from deployment" or "Thank you God for the nurse who gave me my flu shot, even though I cried and don't like shots, but now I won't get sick and I don't like getting sick more than I don't like my shot." After all of the blessings were counted and thank yous were said, they sang the doxology together:
                Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
                Praise God all creature here below.
                Praise God above all heavenly hosts.
                Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
 
Life can be messy, painful, anxious, complicated, and noisy. But what is one thing that you are thankful for. What would it look like to end every day with prayer, remembering a blessing and thanking God for it? As we continue our series "Praying like Jesus" these children reminded me that prayers don't have to be long or formal. Sometimes they can be simple. Sometimes they are words learned by heart and sung to a tune passed through the generations. And always, they remind us that we are not alone. No matter how messy, painful, anxious, complicated, or noisy life may be - God is always listening. My goddaughter reminded me of that as I said goodbye to her at the bus-stop on Tuesday morning. At six years old she pulled me down to her level to give me a hug. Then she traced a cross on my forehead and said, "Remember God loves you wherever you go - even back to Ohio" before skipping off to the bus with her friends.
 
What is your blessing today? Where have you seen God? Who reminded you of God's love today? Who did you remind of God's love and presence today?
               

Bead for Life 
Sunday morning, Nov 18, Bead for Life, is coming to Hope with their beautiful fair-trade jewelry. Kim Whetstone, will have a wide variety of lovely jewelry (created from hand-rolled paper beads) and other products made by hard-working Ugandan women. Proceeds from the sale will support BFL's goal of empowering one million women in developing countries, by 2027.


Blue Holidays Service at 
Advent Lutheran Center
Advent Lutheran Center (Corner of McCord & Sylvania) is hosting a Blue Holidays service Sunday November 18th 2:00-4:00. See Carol Meuser for more information.
 
Concert Featuring Abby Paskvan
November 18th 4:00-5:00, Hope is pleased to host Abby Paskvan, 2013 Christian Country Female Artist of the Year. See Miriam Wilson for more information.
Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Join us for a worship service of Thanksgiving at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21. As we give thanks to God for our many blessings, our offering that night will go toward our Backpacks of Hope ministry at Old Orchard Elementary school. We will also be collecting cans of vegetables, soup and containers of Easy Mac.