3:30-5:30pm - CARing Kids After School Program at Hope
Friday
evening - Living Water Small Group at Hope
Saturday
11am-1pm - Living Water SDA Worships in person at Hope
1pm - Humble Walk Stream Clean-Up
Sunday
10:15am - Doors and Zoom Open for Community
10:30am - Sunday Worship in person and on Zoom
Zoom info
online here: https://zoom.us/j/338100220
or call in: 301 715 8592
(Meeting ID : 338 100 220)
password 214341
after worship - Property Walk Through at Hope
5-7pm - Humble Walk meal and worship for Students
Tuesday
6-7pm - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at Hope (donations support Humble Walk)
8pm - Alex's Doctoral Piano Recital at UMD
Wednesday
noon - Ash Wednesday Service in the parking lot
7:30pm - Ash Wednesday Service at Hope
Dear People of Hope,
In this past Sunday's sermon, I referenced a children's book "Sidney and Norman: A Tale of Two Pigs." It is one of those children's books that is really written for all of us. Two pigs are neighbors. Norman is very tidy and pulled together; Sidney is always a bit rumpled and running late. Each pig receives an invitation to meet God, face-to-face, on Tuesday, on Elm Street. God has something to say to each pig. When they meet, God has a different message to share with each pig. And each pig is changed, for the better, through the encounter.
In Sunday's worship, I read just a part of the story. You can hear the full book, read aloud here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ-aZZCnN0M.
You may have heard the idea that God has different things to say to each of us, depending on our station in life, our situation, our status. If you have 13 minutes this week, this story is well worth hearing.
Peace of Christ, Pastor Julie
ps - Those of you joining worship by zoom know that we experienced significant tech-troubles this week. We apologize for the frustration this caused. The problem is fixed and we expect to stream zoom worship as usual this Sunday. Sunday's sermon and bulletin are posted on Hope's website for anyone who wants to read what was missed.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday March 1, 6-7pm at Hope
You’re invited! The Humble Walk is hosting a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 1, 6-7pm at Hope. Their goal is to fundraise for a Spring Break trip to learn from the Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina. Donations are free-will. Interested in ordering pancakes for pick-up? You can submit your order to this Google form (https://forms.gle/e5UX9nvVYPFGbnxf8) or call the church by Feb 28th at 5:00pm and Beth will place your order. For additional information contact Liza at lutheran@umd.edu.
Alex's Doctoral Piano Recital Tuesday March 1, 8pm on campus
Join Hope's beloved musician, Alex Kostadinov, on Tuesday March 1, 8pm at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on UMD campus, for a free 75-minute piano recital. There is free parking in the evenings. Talk to Alex for more information.
Joyful News from Pastor Julie baby expected mid-August
Last Sunday, Pastor Julie, Silas and Katesh shared that their family is growing. Pastor Julie is pregnant, everyone is healthy so far, with a baby expected mid-August. In the coming months, council will build a team to plan for parental leave. But for now, the family welcomes your prayers. They are grateful that Hope is such a positive place to build a family.
Welcoming New Members, Mini-Retreat for All
Saturday March 26, 3-5pm
contact Pastor Julie for more information
Membership is a way to say, "This is the place where I connect with God's people." Some people join a new church immediately upon moving to a new area; some people worship at a place for years and never officially join. Both are fine. Anyone can fully participate at Hope, through worship, baptisms, weddings and funerals. Members are eligible to serve on council and vote in congregational meetings.
Hope will welcome new members on Sunday, March 27. To prepare for this and build our community, everyone is invited to a mini-retreat on Saturday March 26, 3-5pm. You may come in-person at Hope or join by zoom. We’ll spend time getting to know each other, sharing some of our spiritual stories, and sharing scripture together. Talk to Pastor Julie for more information.
Hope returns to in-person worship now and moving forward
After several weeks worshiping online-only, Hope has shifted back to an in-person worship option, starting last Sunday, February 20.
Based on the information shared in a previous week's email newsletter (found here) and the deep desire to gather together in community, believe we can do this safely. Everyone attending worship is expected to wear a quality mask* that entirely covers both nose and mouth; we will maintain social distance inside the building; choir led, congregational singing will continue as a part of worship; communion will be served by individually packaged cups. We will continue with zoom worship at the same time, same link. Please make decisions regarding worship attendance based on your own vaccination status, health, and comfort level.
*the best mask options are N95s, KN95s, or a surgical masks covered by a cloth mask; we seek to have some of these available at Hope
Black History Month with the ELCA online: https://www.facebook.com/watch/100064629226454/
ELCA African Descent Ministries is celebrating Black History Month with "Talks at the Desk," a new series that will explore diverse expressions of the church. This is our future church: A ten-year-old preacher and professional artist; a grassroots campaign for affordable housing; young and diverse communities. Join them each Wednesday in February to hear our youth, young adults, rostered leaders, elders and friends of our communities share their own sacred stories.
See new videos each week, here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/100064629226454/
Pastor Ray on mini-sabbatical
February 15 - March 15
After 11 years of campus ministry, Pastor Ray is taking some much needed time for rest and rejuvenation. Last week and his family flew to Costa Rica for some rest. While a month away may be closer to a vacation than a sabbatical, we pray Pastor Ray rests, and can find even more time in the near future.
Property Development Discernment Process New Property Large Group Meetings
Hope continues to pray and discern how to best steward our property for mission and ministry. In the coming weeks, look for details about these possible opportunities to connect, learn, and share your thoughts:
• This week, council members will make calls to every congregation member, checking in generally and about property process
• Sunday February 27, after in-person worship – walk around the property/building with tentative plans
• Tentative: Wednesday March 9, 7:30pm Large group session to examine specific language of possible vote
• TBD: Times for group and individual prayer, at Hope and online
• Wednesday March 23, Council regular monthly meeting
• Sunday March 27, earliest date of possible congregational vote to move ahead -------
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
Calendar and Links
Wednesday February 23, 7:30pm, Hope Council Meeting zoom link shared with council
Thursday February 24, 3-5:30pm, CARing Kids After School Program in person at Hope
Saturday February 26, 11am-1pm, Living Water SDA Worship Service in person at Hope
Saturday February 26, 1pm, Humble Stream Clean-up in person at Hope
Sunday February 27, 10:30am, Hope morning worship in person and online Same zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/338100220?pwd=dkdBZFhsZmJuWXNEWXNBajk5d1Nudz09
NEW: Sunday February 27, after in-person worship, Property Walk Through of Hope's space in person, at Hope
Sunday February 27, 5-7pm, Humble Walk Student Meal and Worship at Hope, students only
Tuesday March 1, 6-7pm Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in person at Hope
or order take-out pancakes here: https://forms.gle/e5UX9nvVYPFGbnxf8
Tuesday March 1, 8pm Alex's Piano Recital in person at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on campus
Wednesday March 2, Ash Wednesday noon-12:30 in your car or outside, the upper parking lot
7:30pm in person at Hope
Tuesday March 15, noon-3pm ish, Hope provides lunch at PG Day Center Contact Joan A to volunteer
Wednesday March 23, 7:30pm, Hope Council Meeting zoom link shared with council
Saturday March 26, 3-5pm, Mini- Retreat to Welcome New Members in person at Hope and by zoom
Sunday March 27, within morning worship, Hope Welcomes New Members in person at Hope and by zoom
Sunday April 10, 10:30am, Palm/Passion Sunday Worship in person and online Same zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/338100220?pwd=dkdBZFhsZmJuWXNEWXNBajk5d1Nudz09
Thursday April 14, 6:30pm, Maundy Thursday Dinner Worship zoom only, eat and offer foot-washing at home
Friday April 15, 7:30pm, Good Friday Worship in person at Hope and by zoom
Saturday April 16, afternoon time TBD, Clean up and Decorate at for Easter at Hope
Sunday April 17, 10:30am, Celebratory Easter Worship in person and online Same zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/338100220?pwd=dkdBZFhsZmJuWXNEWXNBajk5d1Nudz09
