Next week is Holy Week. We start with joy and enthusiasm as Jesus rides into Jerusalem amid cheers of Hosanna!! But then the mood changes and we find ourselves at Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Many of us may have planned to go on vacation this Holy Week (Spring Break for Howard County schools), but now we are staying home. This could be the year to fully embrace the ups and downs, the excitement and solemnity, of this week. Here are some ways to do that:
· Join us for our online worship services: Palm Sunday at 9 am, Maundy Thursday at 7 pm and Good Friday at noon (remember they are also on youtube for you to watch at any time)
· Create a worship center/altar in your home. Things you might include: a cross, candles, the Bible
· For this Sunday, Palm Sunday, make your own palms! The folks at Illustrated Ministry are sharing their pattern for palm leaves. You can download it for free here. Of course, you can always make your own! Take a picture of you holding your palms and send it to cindy@newhopelutheran.org. We’ll post them on our Facebook page! · Don’t forget our resources page on the website.
In this time of uncertainty, we can still gather as the church, because we know the church is not a building – we know we are the church. Praying you all stay safe and healthy.
Deacon Cindy
Greetings,
During this challenging time, we are seeing more than ever that “we are the church”. Our church staff and others are working every week to bring services and music to us remotely. Members and friends of New Hope are reaching out to one another to stay connected and to ensure that needs are being met. Ministries are continuing and, in some instances such as Outreach, growing to serve our most vulnerable neighbors.
We understand that everyone is being affected by the current circumstances in different ways. On behalf of the Finance ministry team, we are asking that those that are able please mail your pledges, offerings and donations to the church office so that we may continue our ministries and meet our other financial obligations. Alternatively, you may utilize Simply Giving or another of our virtual giving options. They may be found on our website here: https://www.newhopelutheran.org/giving.html
Wishing you peace and wellness! Thank you.
The Finance Team
Church office mailing address:
New Hope Lutheran Church,
8575 Guilford Road
Columbia MD 21046
* If you address your envelop to the attention of Jerry Jurik, our financial administrator, it will be placed in the safe unopened and kept confidential.
Record Yourself!
In addition to our monetary offerings (access online here), we’re asking people to offer their thanksgivings during our communal online worship. This offering should be a five-second video clip recorded on your phone, sharing your first name and something for which you are thankful. Send your clip to info@newhopelutheran.org. We’ll edit the clips together and run them during future worship offering times.
Monday Zoom Meet-Up
Monday from noon to 1 pm Pastor Ginny and Deacon Cindy will be hosting a Zoom meeting online. We want to connect with you and see how you are doing! Please join the meeting for however long you can. Here's how to connect:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/906708286
Meeting ID: 906 708 286
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aesk0yolzO
Volunteer to take care of the Church Property
Spring is here and after all the rain and snow in the past few months, the grass is beginning to grow. Church members taking on this task saves the church thousands of dollars each year Rusty and I are coordinating the scheduling again this year. We are hoping you will find the time to offer your talents through mowing or trimming. We would certainly appreciate your assistance if you are able to help.. Please drop us an email with your availability. You may indicate your preferred weeks to volunteer, or times you are unavailable. Please include the best email address and phone number for contact. If you know of other members or families who could potentially volunteer, please forward this message to them, or pass their name to us. Email Kristi Murray.
Columbia Community Care is a program that was started by a teacher at Wilde Lake High School immediately following the closure of HCPSS schools. The group's goal is to provide families in the community with food and household supplies to supplement the Grab-and-Go meals provided by the school system. They are located at 5 Grab-and-Go sites (Wilde Lake M.S, Oakland Mills M.S, Swansfield E.S. Howard H.S., and Lake Elkhorn/Cradlerock E.S.). They are open every day (even weekends) from 11:30 to 1:30. If you are in need of items or know someone who is, check at any of the above sites. Columbia Community Care is available to anyone, even if you don't have a child in the school system. This effort is supported completely by donations. Items needed: Non-perishable items (peanut butter, pasta/sauce, rice, shelf-stable milk, etc.), perishable items (cheese, fruit, veggies, eggs, meats, milk), household items (paper towels, toilet paper, cleaners, soap, detergent, etc.) and personal care items (diapers, wipes, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene projects, etc.), things for kids (coloring books, toys, markers, etc.) are all welcome. At this time, we are not accepting books or clothing. Donations will be accepted daily at Swansfield E.S. at 10:45 or they may be dropped off at any of the above sites between 11:30 and 1:30.
Monetary donations are accepted at :
Venmo@SraChav
CashApp $SraChav
PayPal morenita1623@yahoo.com
Online Bible Study Opportunity – Elijah and Elisha
Join Kristi Keller (via Zoom) on Tuesday evenings from 7-8 pm for an online Bible Study on Elijah and Elisha. We will start this Tuesday night, March 31. This study will cover the lives of Elijah and Elisha as covered in 1 and 2 Kings as they dealt with idolatry, unfaithfulness and even faithfulness in Israel. Each session is independent, so you are welcome to join at any time. To join the group, access it through the following link:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has a great resource for parenting in the time of COVID-19. Colorful, graphic-rich downloads and printer-friendly materials for parents/guardians with content to help during the pandemic. There is guidance on setting schedules, fun activities, and health and safety protocols. Visit the page HERE
Baltimore Outreach Services Needs Your Help!
Homeless women and children are sheltering in place at Baltimore Outreach Services – one of only three emergency shelters that care for children in Baltimore City.
Located in the basement of Christ Church Inner Harbor, we provide shelter for some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
The corona-virus crisis threatens our ability to fund the shelter and its operations.
The corona-virus pandemic now forces us to cancel our annual Gala April 18th – our only yearly fundraiser.
Instead of the traditional in-person Gala,
We invite you – yes, plea for you – to participate in what we’re calling a VIRTUAL GALA.
We can still come together to meet the need despite the need for social distancing.
Take part in our “Virtual Gala” – by buying a ticket or a table now:
Go online to baltimoreoutreachservices.org and buy your tickets – 100% of which will go directly to operational needs.
For those who previously purchased tickets to the planned gala at the Marriott, we hope that you will allow us to use the funds in this time of critical need. If instead, you'd like a refund, please email Yvonne at yvonne@baltimoreoutreach.org
Call for Photos
During this time of social distancing, we're asking for any photos or videos of God's people outside. Whether it's the flowers on your daily walk or the trees facing your patio. We're assembling a video to be used during worship. Send your images to info@newhopelutheran.org
The ELCA is an official partner of the 2020 Census as we work toward a just world where all are fed and further our commitment to greater justice in public policy and the electoral process. Did you know that more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities is based on census data? An accurate count taken every 10 years determines electoral maps and ensures that resources more justly go where they are needed most, including to vital programs that combat poverty and hunger and support people in need. National Census Day is April 1, 2020. For your neighbor and yourself!
1. Grassroots Day Resource Center is accepting donations of non-perishable food items, especially canned meats, soups, fruit, and 16-20 oz bottles of water, Donation drop off times at the DRC are M and W 10 am – 2pm and Sat 9 am -1 pm. There are also 2 donation drop off bins in front of the church that will be checked daily.
2. Grassroots main facility at 6700 Freetown Road may need prepared meals like casseroles, to be delivered to the facility to feed the 50 or so residents. More information will be forthcoming should the need arise.
3. Howard County Food Bank is staying open to help serve the food insecure. You can find information about their needs and donation times here: https://www.cac-hc.org/programs-services/food-assistance/
4. If you are a Thrivent member, consider sponsoring a Thrivent Action Team to help purchase supplies needed for food pantries or other feeding programs even after our time of isolation. School pantries will need to be restocked once schools open again. Our snack cart ministry at Patuxent Valley Middle School will need to also be restocked as our supplies were donated to help the Longfellow Elementary School community.
5. If you don’t want to or can’t venture out to shop or drop off donations, please consider making a donation to New Hope Outreach. Donations can be mailed in or donated online at https://www.newhopelutheran.org/simply-giving.html
Vacation Bible School
. . . MARK YOUR CALENDARS! As you make your Summer plans, please note that Vacation Bible School will be held July 20th to 24th. Registration will occur in May/June. Please contact Lois Bailey @ Loisbailey9598@gmail.com if you have any questions or are interested in volunteering.
Holy Week Schedule
Join Us Digitally
Palm Sunday 9 am
Maundy Thursday 7pm
Good Friday 12pm
Easter 9 am
