11am-1pm - Living Water SDA Worships (awaiting details)
UPDATED: Sunday
10:15am - Zoom Opens for Online Community
10:30am - Sunday Worship only on Zoom
Zoom info
online here: https://zoom.us/j/338100220
or call in: 301 715 8592
(Meeting ID : 338 100 220)
password 214341
Dear People of Hope,
I write with the news that Hope will be moving worship and other events online through at least Sunday January 2. This includes Christmas Eve 7:30pm, Sunday morning December 26 Lessons and Carols, and Sunday January 2.
COVID case counts are rising significantly in our area. Both Pastor Ray and I have had some level of COVID exposure in the past week, (including a breakthrough case in Pastor Ray's home). While we are both vaccinated, boosted, and currently testing negative, we are not confident we can safely lead in person at Hope. We know there will be more positive COVID cases in our community. We don’t want church to be an opportunity to spread infections.
We will host an outdoor Christmas Eve mini-service at 4pm. The weather looks nice, and we’ll gather for scripture, prayer, music and communion. We ask that if you feel unwell, you stay home. Masks will be required for this event, even outdoors.
The Schedule:
Friday December 24, Christmas Eve 4pm Outdoor Mini-Worship and Communion at Hope Masks required, even outdoors 7:30pm Traditional Worship on zoom
Sunday December 26, 10:30am Lessons and Carols on zoom
Sunday January 2, 10:30am Morning Worship on zoom
In early January, we will re-evaluate and make a plan for future services. I am incredibly sad to not be seeing many of you in person. The sanctuary is decorated, the candles are set out. And yet, it feels faithful and responsible to worship online. I look forward to seeing some of you masked outdoors Friday afternoon. And then to seeing your full faces, unmasked, in little zoom squares Friday evening.
The first Christmas, Jesus came at an unexpected time and place, in a stable, amongst animals. Jesus will come to us, wherever we are and however we gather, this Christmas as well.
Peace of Christ, Pastor Julie
Advent at Hope
Special worship and events starting Sunday November 28
Wednesday evenings from 6-7pm we join with All Saints Lutheran Church in Bowie (by zoom) for a book study on "Difficult Words of Jesus." This is a 6-week study, including 2 weeks in January. Friends welcome.
UPDATED: Friday December 24, at 4pm we will gather in person, outdoors at Hope for a mini-worship service of scripture, music, prayers and communion. Please wear a mask, even outdoors.
Friday at 7:30pm we will gather in online only for a Christmas Eve worship service with candle light and carols. Same worship zoom link.
UPDATED: Sunday December 26, at 10:30am we gather online only for worship with lessons and carols, hearing and singing the Christmas story.
Gift Cards that Support the Church Order online or through Paul T
Hope is enrolled in the Scrip gift card fund raising program, which allows you to purchase gift cards at face value with a percentage of that value going to Hope as a rebate. Scrip has an amazingly extensive list of participating retailers of all types, so this is a great opportunity to purchase gifts for everyone on your shopping list while benefiting the church. Gift cards can also be purchased to donate to our Afghan refugee family or other people in need in our community!
Hope has already placed a bulk-order for physical gift-cards for this Christmas season. But E-gift cards are available through Scrip at any time. Just request an enrollment code from Paul (pthompsonhr@gmail.com) to enable Hope to receive the rebate.
Puerto Rico Trip Canceled due to health concerns
We continue to pray for the Lutheran Church in Puerto Rico. We look for future opportunities to build partnership with these neighbors to the south.
Donate Warm Gloves and Coats for PG Day Center Guests
now through January 1
The PG Plaza Day Center staff are seeking donations for the guests. They need warm gloves, preferably insulated, in generally large sizes. They also need warm coats, new or gently used, in large sizes. You may bring donations to Hope between now and January 1; a volunteer will ensure the donations get to the Day Center.
Gifts of Hope: alternative gift-giving
now through January 5
Joy to the world! Spark joy through generosity. Gifts of Hope, our Synod’s alternative gift-giving program shares 100% of donations to vetted beneficiary organizations who impact our local community and beyond. Give joy to others through more meaningful giving! Over the years, these funds have helped the homeless, the hungry, the young, the elderly, immigrants, refugees, jobseekers, seminary and college students, and those seeking to improve their lives. Visit the Gifts of Hope table at Hope to pick up a catalogue or go to GiftsOfHopeDC.org to learn more. See Lori B for more information.
Afghan Refugee Support
supporting a family of 12 now!
Hope is welcoming and supporting a newly arrived family of 12 people - a married couple and their 10 children, ranging in age from 2-19 years old. Thanks to all of you who have helped the family get beds, sheets and pillows, a fully stocked kitchen, curtains, carseats for safe travel, and radios to let music into the home. The family now also has warm coats and shoes for everyone.
Contact Mary directly if you want to be involved and hear about current needs - mary.e.boyer@gmail.com or 202-509-7991.
You can continue to donate financially and invite others to do so too, You can send a check to Hope with "Refugee Resettlement" in the memo line. Or give online, selecting "Refugee Resettlement Fund" in the drop-down menu: https://hopecp.org/donate.html.
Hope's Council and Steering Committee continue to research, learn and guide Hope's property discernment process. Read updates on the process in a recent newsletter, found here. -------
You can continue to find documents and past zoom meeting here. (listen or ask for the password):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eKIHqllVHTMccTVkdvF3Hr1bcfwrfI13?usp=sharing
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You may also ask questions here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelxKRBRAHdpWqbPJPq3QbEKp-A_vF8bqBgYjMwA2PbtyhzQw/viewform
Calendar and Links
Wednesday December 22, 6pm, "Difficult Words of Jesus" book study https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85297926458?pwd=VUJSOGtGa3lTMnh3aisxWDNkU3VZUT09
Friday December 24, 4pm, Christmas Eve mini-worship outdoors at Hope
Friday December 24, 7:30pm, Christmas Eve worship online only
Saturday December 25, 11am-1pm, Living Water SDA Worship Service awaiting in-person/online details
Sunday December 26, 10:30am, worship with Lessons and Carols online only Same zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/338100220?pwd=dkdBZFhsZmJuWXNEWXNBajk5d1Nudz09
CANCELED: Wednesday, December 29-January 7, Humble Walk and Hope travel to Puerto Rico we continue to pray for the church in Puerto Rico
Sunday January 2, 10:30am, Sunday Worship online only
Wednesday January 5, 6pm, "Difficult Words of Jesus" book study https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85297926458?pwd=VUJSOGtGa3lTMnh3aisxWDNkU3VZUT09
Wednesday January 12, 6pm, "Difficult Words of Jesus" book study https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85297926458?pwd=VUJSOGtGa3lTMnh3aisxWDNkU3VZUT09
Saturday January 15, 3pm, Memorial service for Ellen Pitt Nairn details forthcoming
Wednesday January 19, 7:30pm, Hope Council Meeting zoom link shared with council
Sunday January 23, 4:30-7:30pm, First Humble Walk Worship Hope likely provides dinner and joins for worship
Sunday January 30, 1:30pm, Congregational Meeting zoom link forthcoming
