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Hope and Welcome Corners E-News: Week of January 9, 2022
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News from Pastor Kim
1/14/22
Greetings Friends!
First - I am sorry for the tardiness of this week's newsletter. With that out of the way...
On Sunday we were reminded of the importance of not only telling our stories but of being in relationship. It is when we're in relationship with each other that we can tell and hear each others' stories.
This week, January 16, we will be ONLINE ONLY. With the surge in the virus in general, and the visitation of it upon our household specifically, it was decided to take an in-person break for a week. We expect to be back in person on the 23rd. Stay tuned here and on Facebook for further developments.
You ~typically~ have three opportunities to worship with us each week:
9am Sunday - Welcome Corners: 3185 N M-43 Hwy, Hastings (EXCEPT 1/30/22)
11am Sunday - Hope: 2920 S M-37 Hwy, Hastings
Online - Facebook and YouTube: Hastings Hope UMC
Videos of our worship services are available on our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0GUbQ_OulSc5eQeIEk_lgw
"This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God."
Philippians 1:9-11 CEB
Love God! Love Others! The End!
~Pastor Kim
Thanks for reading...
...tell your friends that they want the latest and greatest
E-News, too! They can sign up here:
https://hastingshopeumc.org/news/.
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January 9, 2022
My grand daughter, Monroe, just turned 2. I've had the rare pleasure to watch her 4 days a week since she was 6 months old. Since that day, every time she would sit in her highchair for Breakfast or lunch, I would take her hands in mine, and say “lets pray.” At about 18 months I noticed she was starting to bow her head, reach for others hands saying “pay”, and adding a little “whoot hoo” after I said Amen. At 2 out of the blue one day, she took my hands, said “pay” mumbled some words, and said “amen”. Does she understand what we are doing, no. But after listening to Pastor Kim’s service, I realized it’s a form of sharing God and his story with her. She feels a part of, she knows the motions of praying, she is a witness to everyone stopping and participating. Proof again of the impact our actions and sharing can have on Others.
Love God - Love Others
Blessings - Wendy Elliott, Ministry Assistant
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THIS WEEK'S HOPE / WELCOME CORNERS DISCIPLE IS:
JERRY DUNN
Jerry emptied the HOPE barn of all the accumulated bottles and cans.
To date he has returned over $1000 worth of cans! That is 10,000+ cans!!!
Not only did this cover the cost for the startup of THE RACK, but it will allow us to finish the remaining work in the spring, plus it will let us focus on other ways we can be of service in our community. THANK YOU Jerry, your dedication as a volunteer is an inspiration to others.
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Each week the box below will include suggested readings and/or podcasts. I encourage you to use them as conversation starters, for individual reflection, and/or as the basis for a small group Bible study. -Pastor Kim
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MIConnect for January 12, 2022
Michigan Area of the United Methodist Church News & Information
https://tinyurl.com/MIConnect-01-12-2022
Specifically this article: https://michiganumc.org/pastors-face-another-covid-new-year/
MIFaith for January 7, 2022
MIfaith is a weekly e-publication of the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church.
https://tinyurl.com/MIFaith-01-07-2022
MIFaith for January 14, 2022
MIfaith is a weekly e-publication of the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church.
https://tinyurl.com/MIFaith-01-14-2022
The Chosen
There's still time to join us! Everything you wanted to know about the show that is the basis of our Small Group discussions in January and February.
https://tinyurl.com/The-Chosen
We're changing the Hope watch party to Wednesdays! Join us at 2pm or 6pm to watch each episode and then at 3pm or 7pm to discuss!
The Good News Gang
Pastor Kim and/or her gang of pastor friends record mostly weekly video podcasts where they discuss hot topics, cool topics, and everything in between. Tune in at the YouTube link below and be sure to subscribe while you're there!
The link to all of the episodes:
https://tinyurl.com/Good-News-Gang
The link to the 2022 premiere with three of the Gang discussing New Year hopes, loving our enemies, impermanence and growing older:
https://tinyurl.com/GNG35-January-5-2022
The link to the 2nd episode of 2022 with three of the Gang discussing what it means to be happy, becoming a better person, joy amidst suffering plus an extended look at what it means to be empathetic:
https://youtu.be/-vNAeT_WV_0
YouTube Playlists
I will again start curating playlists and will house them on Hope's YouTube channel. To see what songs are hitting me in the feels this week check out our YouTube channel and be sure to SUBSCRIBE while you're there!
https://tinyurl.com/Pastor-Kim-Playlist-01-06-2022
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday January 18 (and every Tuesday): Community Meal at Green Street Church at 5pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to gather with others in the community for a meal and short worship. Each week's menu items are typically posted by early afternoon in the calendar entry on Hope's calendar. You can access the calendar here:
https://tinyurl.com/Hope-Calendar
Wednesday January 19, 2022: 5pm Ad Board meeting (combined) (rescheduled AGAIN due to illness this time) This meeting time falls between the two The Chosen discussion groups. A light dinner will be provided.
Wednesdays: The Chosen, a churchwide small group study! See the informational boxes in this newsletter.
Sunday January 30, 2022: A special Sunday of testimony. Worship ONLY at Hope this day.
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A reminder as we head into the winter weather months...
...if the churches need to close in person worship due to weather we will advertise on WOODTV8 and on Facebook. There will still be online worship in some form.
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Be sure to read all the way to the end of this newsletter for information on:
- being a disciple in our communities;
- giving financially to God through Hope Church;
- connecting with United Methodists across the state, nation, and globe;
- prayers and praises;
- and upcoming birthdays and anniversaries.
As we slowly begin to gather outside of Sunday worship, you can find what is going on at the church, and where we are being the church in our communities, on our calendar. The calendar can be found on our website or by clicking this link: https://tinyurl.com/Hope-Church-calendar.
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The Chosen Small Group Series began Sunday January 9!
In January and February 2022, Hope and Welcome Corners Churches will embark on a church-wide small group series based on The Chosen TV show. The Chosen is the highest crowd-funded project of all-time, depicting the life of the disciples and others as they encountered Jesus in their lives. Each week we will be watching one episode of the 8-week long first season, and then discussing the episodes in small groups at various times and places throughout the week. Be sure to join us each week for a showing and a discussion where we will unpack the Bible narratives behind each episode.
We are excited to be diving into this series as so many other Christians around the globe are doing and experiencing for ourselves the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of those who followed him. In the process, we will learn what it means to be “chosen”. Being chosen by Jesus has beautiful and far-reaching implications, although it says even more about the “chooser” than the “choosees”. We belong to the family of God because Jesus invites us, making God’s promises as true for us today as for Jesus’ first disciples.
Let’s Do Life Together!
Pastor Kim is encouraging everyone to join a small group! In small groups, we form friendships with one another, grow in faith, offer support and encouragement, and have fun! Join a small group today! If The Chosen discussion small groups listed below do not offer an opportunity that fits your schedule, start your own small group!
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Below are the ways you can watch each episode of The Chosen, on your own, or as part of a watch party. Most of the episodes are about 45-minutes long.
Watch The Chosen at Your Own Convenience
- Watch it for free using the mobile app. You can get it here: www.thechosen.tv/app or search The Chosen in your Apple or Android (Google Play) app store. From the app, you can stream to your TV using another device, such as Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, etc.
- Watch it on DVD or Blu-Ray using your own computer or TV. You can order a DVD or Blu-Ray of Season 1 The Chosen on-line from a variety of on-line sellers, including Amazon.
- Watch Party at Green Street Church: Mondays at 12:30 pm in the Lounge
- Watch Parties at Hope Church: Wednesdays at 2pm and 6pm. <<--Note the change!!
Discussion Groups
Wednesdays at 3:00pm in the Hope Conference Room (In person AND Zoom) (Jan 12,19,26, Feb 2,9,16,23, Mar 2)
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Hope Conference Room (In person AND Zoom) (Jan 12,19,26, Feb 2,9,16,23, and THURSDAY Mar 3)
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Wendy has new hours! She will be here all day FRIDAY starting the 21st!
9am to 3:30pm
Pastor Kim is available by appointment but will also be in the office on many Fridays!
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WAYS TO BE A DISCIPLE THIS MONTH
Donate to the HAND 2 HAND collection for the benefit of Hastings area students
We are currently providing weekend food bags for 37 students at Northeastern Elementary and one student at Hastings High School.
Following is a list of kid friendly foods that are particularly needed:
shelf stable milk, canned chicken, canned tuna, and peanut butter.
Volunteer at THE RACK
Looking for two people 1/21/22
We have separated everything by gender and age but still need help sorting by size.
Also we have extra clothing and hangers that need to be taken to The Shack in Delton.
(The Shack is open Thursdays 2p-6p and Saturdays 10a-2p.)
Please contact Wendy to Volunteer at
517.819.9706
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Thank you for joining in God's work through Hope Church by your faithful giving!
Gifts to this work may be made three ways:
1) in person on Sunday mornings (box in back of seating area)
2) checks may be mailed to:
Hope Church PO Box 410 Hastings MI 49058
3) electronically - https://hastingshopeumc.org/ (Online Giving tab)
THANK YOU!!
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If we are to do WHAT DISCIPLES DO we need to be out in our communities.
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COMMUNITY MEAL HAS RETURNED TO GREEN STREET!!
Every Tuesday Green Street serves up an evening meal at 5pm along with a short worship service. This meal is open to all and is a great way to get to know others in our community. Look for the menu each week on Hope's calendar.
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Another Community Meal Opportunity!
Emmanuel Episcopal Church has resumed the Saturday morning Community Breakfast between 8 & 9:30am. Diners should be prepared to wear masks except when eating and also to enjoy connecting with fellow community members while practicing social distancing and avoiding extended lingering.
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Pastor Bryce and the Green Street team have resumed weekly worship services at Woodlawn Meadows (Tuesdays at 1pm) and Thornapple Manor (Typically Wednesdays at 1:30pm - please check with activities staff)! If you have a loved one at either location please let them know.
Please, also, consider sending holiday cards or notes to the residents and hard working, dedicated staff members. The addresses are below:
Thornapple Manor: 2700 Nashville Rd, Hastings, MI 49058
Woodlawn Meadows: 1821 N East St, Hastings, MI 49058
Hastings Rehab & Healthcare Center: 240 E North St, Hastings, MI 49058
Cornerstone Living Center: 2900 Kellems Drive, Hastings, MI 49058
Carveth Village: 690 W Main St, Middleville, MI 49333
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Note that we're now including requests from beyond our congregation.
Please pray for…
...Haiti and Afghanistan
..Josh B (chemo treatments)
...Sheila P and parents
...Doreen Stanton (injuries and health)
...Arlene Stanton (health)
...Travel mercies
...those grieving the death of loved ones
...those battling COVID and other maladies
...the Casarez and Shepler Families (sudden death of Jennifer (Shepler) Casarez) [funeral is 1/22/22]
PRAISES:
*Births! Anniversaries of births and weddings!
*Safe travels!
*Jane Hesterly’s continued improvement!
*Healing & Improved health!
Please continue to pray for:
Government Leaders ~ Missionaries ~ Churches & leaders ~ Hope Church ~ Those dealing with: surgeries ~ illness ~ grief ~ uncertainty ~ financial stress ~ poor physical, spiritual, and/or mental health, all the issues related to COVID19 and that the virus is brought under control
Our Faith Promise Missionaries:
David & Sheryl Olmedo - Spain
The Smith Family - Spain
Joel & Ana Schrader - CRU @ University of Illinois
Don & Marla Bettinger - Taiwan
Denny Brogan - InterVarsity @ Hillsdale College & beyond
Our Local Missions:
Family Promise of Barry County
Families ~ Volunteers ~ Staff ~ Program
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-14,17 (NRSV)
Pray without ceasing!
** If you have something you’d like us to add to our praise and prayer list, please contact Pastor Kim at hastingshopeumc@gmail.com (269) 223-9944**
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Hope Church has supported five missionary families through our FAITH PROMISE giving for many years. Any monies received by the church that indicate they are for FAITH PROMISE are sent to our supported missionaries monthly. On behalf of our missionaries we thank you for continuing to give to FAITH PROMISE!
In addition to the FAITH PROMISE missionaries, we support a young woman, Faustine (Ghana), through World Vision and a child, Chandu (India), through Child Fund. Donations to these missions should be noted as World Vision or Child Fund on the offering envelope or on the “other” line when giving electronically.
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