February 2015 Monthly Newsletter of Mount Hope Lutheran Church

Dear friends and members of Mt Hope. Valentine’s Day falls on February 14 each year

and is an annual reminder about love and our hearts. While the celebration of Valentine’s Day is a secular holiday, we can certainly make application to it for our spiritual life as Jesus tells us in the verse above. Loving God with our whole heart is the key to everything in life. Is your heart ready?

We can grow in our love for God through regular worship, spending time with Him each day in prayer, staying in God’s Word and responding to the truths of the Bible. This year as you celebrate Valentine’s Day celebrate the love that God has for all of us through faith in Jesus and in return, love God with all your heart too. God love you,

Pastor Dan

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Spirit of Hope

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

PASTOR’S NEWS

CHILDRENS MINISTRY

BIBLE STUDIES

LENT

WOMEN OF HOPE

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

1st FRIDAY BOOK CLUB

VICAR JARED YOGERST

FINANCIALS

CELEBRATION DAYS

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

MISSION HIGHLIGHTS

CALENDAR

In this Issue Pastor’s News…

Children’s Ministry Jesus All Stars-Sunday School

Jesus All Stars-Sunday School meets Sundays at the church at 9:30 am for children ages 3-12. February wasn’t even on our minds when papers, magazines, and stores were already filled with signs of love—Valentine love that is. Yes, love is important for all to give and receive. That in mind, I wanted to share this piece entitled, Kids Need Love (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-8) from Discipleland “Kids wonder, “Does anyone really love me? “ Children are aware that human love often comes with conditions and exceptions. They hear about people who are passionately “in love” who soon find themselves infatuated with someone else. They are often exposed to selfish, performance-based love that’s “here today, gone tomorrow.” “God’s unconditional love is selfless; it remains constant regardless of circumstances. In the Bible, love is not a feeling or emotion; it is something we see in action. Love has arms and legs that serve. Love is the disciplined will, and resolve to seek the welfare of others. Selfless love motivated Jesus Christ to abandon heaven’s glory. Love kept Him on the cross, paying for the sins of His beloved. “Dispense generous dosages of selfless, unconditional love to your kids. They need undiluted affection that consistently mirrors the qualities described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Tell your children that God loves them—and you do, too. Validate the presence of God within you by finding creative ways to express love to them.”

Francine Wallin, Director

Children’s Sunday School Program

Children’s Ministries JAM (Jesus and Me) will be going Ice Skating on

February 15th from noon-3:15 p.m. This event is

open to 3rd-5th grade students. The cost is

$8.00.Friends are welcome to attend! If you

have any questions please contact Melanie

Appelquist at youth@mt-hope.org

or 612-834-9822.

Child Development Center

News It is registration and tour time at the Center. Registration opens to the public February 2. We are working toward filling those newly renovated classrooms in the fall. Many inquires were received during January and tours of the facility are ongoing. Thank you for making Mount Hope a welcoming place. National Lutheran Schools Week was the last week of January. The children enjoyed some fun “dress up” days, including “silly hair day” and “beach day”. The teachers planned special activities throughout the week. It was a great week to celebrate the long tradition of Lutheran education. For Valentine’s Day the children are able to invite a special person to spend forty-five minutes with them in class on either the Thursday or Friday before the 14th. There are planned centers for the children and their guest to move through. The children also prepare a song or two to perform. We have been hosting this celebration for many years now. It is very popular with our families.

Thank you-Kim Woebke, CDC Director

Mission Statement of One Way We exist to bring youth into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, while

encouraging them to share with one another, explore their ministry gifts, and praise God with their lives.

Check out the easy ways to support One Way Youth on our website at www.mt-hope.org Upcoming Events… Buck Hill Overnight is February 6th. Please meet at church at 9:30 p.m. We will return to church at 5:30 a.m. The cost is $40. The cost includes tubing, rentals, and lift ticket. This event is open to 6th-12th grade students. Friends are welcome to attend! Sky Zone on March 1st starting at Noon until 3:00 p.m. This event is open to 6th-12th grade students. The cost is $12. Youth must have a waiver signed by their parents to attend. Gertens’ Flower sale is coming up. Please check the bulletin and emails for updates!!! Youth Bible Class is Sunday mornings (expect holiday weekends) starting at 9:30 a.m. Kathy will be teaching 6th-8th grade students in the classroom across from the church office. Melanie will be teaching the 9th-12th grade students in the daycare room. Bible and Brew is Wednesdays from 3:30-4:00 p.m. at Caribou Coffee on Old Shakopee Road. SWAG (Saved With Amazing Grace) meets every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. The evening is full of fun, games, and devotions. Friends are always welcomed.

Children’s Ministry

Bible Studies Sunday Morning

Pastor Dan leads a video-based Bible

study on "The Story". Each week as

we progress through "The Story", the

Bible study will correspond to the

Scriptures being covered in the

worship service. The class meets from

9:35-10:20 a.m. each Sunday.

Dianne Ritter leads an additional video

based study on “The Story”. Her class

meets from 9:35-10:20 a.m. in the child

care room.

LifeLight Bible Class Our study features a Lifelight Foundations that focus

on the Law and Gospel. We meet on Thursdays at

10:00 am at the church. This class is open to both

men and women. If you have any questions please

contact Harriet at 952-888-0392.

In-Home Ruth Bible Study Our bible study will meet on Thursday, February 12th

at 6:30 pm. Ladies meet at Jennifer Adamek’s home

for a warm and friendly time together. Our night

begins with a treat and drink and then we get into

the Word! We are learning all sorts of insights and

revelations about Ruth and her mother-in-law

Naomi. Even if you’ve never come to this bible study

in the past, you are welcome to try this bible study

out! We’d love to get to know you!

Please contact Dianne Ritter with any questions. We

look forward to seeing you there!

Lent Lent Begins February 18!

Dear friends and members of Mt Hope,

The season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, is a 40 day period traditionally set aside for

penitential reflection upon one’s life in relationship to our Savior. The season of Lent climaxes on

Palm Sunday.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the ancient custom of daubing the foreheads of worshipers

on that day with the ashes of the previous year’s palms, in token of repentance and human

mortality. Our Ash Wednesday service will be at 6:30 on February 18. The Lord’s Supper will also

be celebrated.

Our special sermon series this year for the Wednesdays following will be based upon Jesus’ words

from Matthew 25 where He says: “I was … and you” etc. Each Wednesday during Lent we will offer

a brief time of worship to reflect upon the following topics which emphasize the ministry of care in

both the congregation and the community:

The Hungry Christ – Matthew 25:35a

The Thirsty Christ – Matthew 25:35b

The Stranger Christ – Matthew 25:35c

The Naked Christ – Matthew 25:36a

The Sick or in Prison Christ – Matthew 25:36b

This year Vicar Jared and I are teaming up with some of the Pastors of our sister congregations to

rotate sharing the message each week. We look forward to preparing to celebrate Easter with each

of you during the holy time of Lent and pray that you will be able to join us each week for our

informal Wednesday evening Lenten worship.

Pastor Dan Ritter

Women of Hope LWML

(Lutheran Women’s Missionary League)

For over 70 years, the LWML has

focused on affirming each woman's

relationship with Christ, encouraging

and equipping women to live their

Christian lives in active mission

ministries and to support global

missions. Over $100 million has been

donated for mission work through the

LWML since it was founded. If you

would like information about the

Women of Hope please contact Linda

Quittschreiber, Dianne Ritter, Betty

Schleifer, Victoria Frein or Jennifer

Adamek. They’d love to share how

wonderful our organization of women

is!. There will be no formal meeting in

February, instead our focus will be the

Valentine’s Tea on February 14th.

Mite Explanation Based on the Biblical account of the

widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4), the mite

box is intended for regular contributions

of "mites" - offerings above and beyond

the support given to congregations and

the LCMS. Mite Box contributions

amount to millions of dollars that fund

district and national mission grants and

implement the LWML program.

VALENTINE’S TEA

Our annual Valentine’s Tea is Saturday,

February 14th at 10:00 a.m.

Our speaker is Loryce Sivertson. She will

present “Lori’s Silly Hats”. She was featured in

the August 14th, 2014, Bloomington Sun Current

newspaper and is a resident of Richfield. Loryce

is also a very accomplished musician, playing

piano and organ for various churches and

organizations over the years, and giving music

lessons until the 1980’s.

This year with our ongoing remodel, there will be

a few changes. We will be serving beverages and

sweet treats only-It will not be a full brunch as in

the past. Ticket prices are just $5. If you invite

any guests, please make them aware of these

changes. Seating may be limited so get your

tickets early. They will be available Sundays,

Feb. 1st & 8th following the worship services. You

may also call the church office to reserve a

ticket. Call Karen if any questions 952-881-7887.

Plan to attend our event ladies!

Mission and Mites National Mite Goal for 2013-2015 Biennium: $1,830,000

Amount Received: 1,338,205.06

1 Feb Zech 11:4—17 2 Tim 4:1—18

2 Feb Zech 12:1–13:9 Titus 1:1–2:6

3 Feb Zech 14:1—21 Titus 2:7–3:15

4 Feb Job 1:1—22 John 1:1—18

5 Feb Job 2:1–3:10 John 1:19—34

6 Feb Job 3:11—26 John 1:35—51

7 Feb Job 4:1—21 John 2:1—12

8 Feb Job 5:1—27 John 2:13—25

9 Feb Job 6:1—13 John 3:1—21

10 Feb Job 6:14—30 John 3:22–4:6

11 Feb Job 7:1—21 John 4:7—26

12 Feb Job 8:1—22 John 4:27—45

13 Feb Job 9:1—35 John 4:46—54

14 Feb Job 10:1—22 John 5:1—18

15 Feb Job 11:1—20 John 5:19—29

16 Feb Job 12:1—6, 12—25 John 5:30—47

17 Feb Job 13:1—12 John 6:1—21

18 Feb Gen 1:1—19 Mark 1:1—13 19 Feb Gen 1:20–2:3 Mark 1:14—28 20 Feb Gen 2:4—25 Mark 1:29—45 21 Feb Gen 3:1—24 Mark 2:1—17 22 Feb Gen 4:1—26 Mark 2:18—28 23 Feb Gen 6:1–7:5 Mark 3:1—19 24 Feb Gen 7:11–8:12 Mark 3:20—35 25 Feb Gen 8:13–9:17 Mark 4:1—20 Gen 9:18–11:26 26 Feb Gen 11:27–12:20 Mark 4:21—41 27 Feb Gen 13:1—18 Mark 5:1—20 Gen 14:1—24 28 Feb Gen 15:1—21 Mark 5:21—43

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…daily devotional…

1st Friday Book Club

Friday, February 6th from 1:30-3:30 pm.

Our book to read this month is

O Pioneer by Willa Cather. March will be

Nun on a Bus by Sister Simone Campbell.

Meet at the home of Renata Melby

10727 Zenith Ave S, Bloomington

952-881-7160.

Vicar Jared Yogerst…

Have you ever wondered what Vicar is studying? Some of you might know that I am currently a doctoral candidate in some program somewhere in the twin cities. Some of you might even know where or what I am studying. I am going to take this opportunity to give you a brief overview of what I am up to in school! First, some background. After my undergrad at Concordia-Wisconsin, I was an MDiv student at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN. An MDiv, or Master of Divinity, is a professional degree for pastors. It covers course work in theology, missions, bible, language, evangelism, leadership, personal development, and other areas. Did you know that an MDiv is usually 90 semester credits? My MDiv was 144 quarter credits, which is equivalent to 96 semester credits. That is equivalent to an MA and PhD in other areas of study. After Bethel, I enrolled as a ThM (Master of Theology) student at St. John’s School of Theology * Seminary (SOT) in Collegeville, MN. SOT has a long history in something called the liturgical renewal movement. If you GOOGLE that, you will find that it was both a popular as well as academic renewal of liturgical study and appreciation that started in the later 19th century. St. John’s was the epicenter of that movement here in the U.S. I studied liturgy and sacramental theology while I was there. I am still completing my thesis for that degree. My research is an engagement with the Finnish Luther School, a school of thought that examines the similarities between Luther’s writing and certain Eastern Orthodox principals. I look at how, through justification and the process of sanctification, we become sacraments to our neighbors. I look at the Eastern view of theosis (how we grow into union with God) and Luther’s conception of sacraments and the life towards neighbor. Before I was able to complete my ThM I was accepted to doctoral studies at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. After two years of coursework I am preparing for a final language exam and my comprehensive exams. My general area of study is called Pastoral Care. It is a interdisciplinary program between theology and social science research. My Doktorvater is Rev.Dr. Dirk Lange. He is a liturgy scholar with interests in psychology and sacramental theology. My research will focus particularly on the role that worship plays in one’s vocational understanding. I will be studying The Society of the Holy Trinity and DOXOLOGY, both of which are Lutheran pastoral fraternities that encourage liturgical practice. Through original statistical research and research into object relations theory, reader-response theory, and working off of my thesis at SOT I hope to discover if liturgical practice encourages greater clarity in a pastor’s vocational understanding. I hope this short synopsis gives some idea of what I am up to. I am happy to talk with you more about my work and research.

Financials Treasurer’s Report from September 2014

Monthly Income $54,641.89

Monthly Income Budgeted $44,171.00

Monthly Expenses $50,615.47

Monthly Expenses Budgeted $45,363.00

(Includes Child Development Center)

What are our stewardship duties as

members of the church? St. Paul

taught: “Anyone who receives

instruction in the word must share all

good things with his instructor.” (Gal

6:6) The primary recipient of

stewardship resides here. Thus, when

God calls us to give to the church, He

has His work in mind-especially right

where we live. How much should we

give to our congregation? Our only

instructions are these: to give

regularly (1 Cor 6:1-2), proportionally

(1 Cor16:1-2;2 Cor 8:12), and

generously (2 Cor 8:20) of our first

fruits (Gen 4:4; Prov 3:9; Lev 27:30)

with a spirit of eagerness (2 Cor 9:2),

earnestness (2 Cor 8:7), cheerfulness

(2 Cor 9:7), and love (2 Cor 8:23).

It’s that easy. And it is joyful. Taking

part in that, makes all our work holy

work, work that is done in service to

the Lord as priestly members of His

kingdom.

Worship Attendance Christmas Eve 4:00=109 6:00=52

Christmas Day 10:00=64

December 28 9:30=74

New Year’s Eve 6:30=38

January 4 9:30=93

January 11 8:15=47 10:45=68

January 18 8:15=52 10:45=82

January 25 8:15=51 10:45=59

Happy Birthday 2 Kim Woebke 4 Zachary Vogland 9 Kathy Barnaby 9 Kate McMullen 10 Candy Frein 12 Eunice Marose 12 Wyatt Vogland 13 Harriet Buelow 14 Loyd Duncan 15 Luella Domras 18 Todd Mack 20 Paul Killam 20 Karen Mack 24 Steve Schmidt 25 Maria Higgins 26 Cathy Frank 28 Caleb Mack

Baptismal Anniversary 1 Tracie Klug-Melbostad 3 James Froemming 5 Kevin Woebke 9 Marilyn Nelson 14 Gene Roehrick 21 Hope Berg 23 Luella Domras 23 Janice Elbert

Wedding Anniversary 16 David and Fran Wallin

February Celebration Days

Fish Fry Fundraiser Friday, February 6 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

at Immanuel Lutheran Church 20200 Fairlawn Avenue, Prior Lake

$10 Adults, $8 Seniors 60+ $5 Children 12 & under

Baked Cod, Beer Battered Pollock & Pan Fried Perch, choice of potato, coleslaw, baked beans

& beverages And for dessert….Homemade Pie!!!

Proceeds to benefit Saint Paul’s Lutheran School Prior Lake

Mission Higlights …mission highlights… Our highlight this month is our building-remodeling crew. These dedicated volunteers have put in

long hours here at the church, arriving before 8 am in the morning and leaving real late. We have

used their free labor to: clean out rooms and store items in storage pods, reconfigured the worship

area, removed the organ to a climate controlled storage unit, removed old flooring, ceiling, and

lights. They have built studs and insulated the outside and cinder block walls in the new

classrooms, hoisted a 500lb beam into place for the upstairs storage space, framed in the new

bathrooms, primed and painted the new classrooms. Labor hours and money saved is just too big

to total, but we give our thanks to those who have dedicated their time spent here.

Dianne’s painting crew has painted and applied polycrylic to the old cabinets (5 coats!) and made

them look like new. This project has saved the church $40,000! New cabinets would have been so

expensive. We are so grateful to use what we had.

Since construction started we have been working with Laborers for Christ. Ted, from Laborers for

Christ is on site everyday working with the volunteers and Dale is the overseer of the project. Dale

retired at the end of 2014.

Our hope is that the Child Development Center will be able to move into their new wing very soon.

The pictures below are just some of our hard-working members.

Sun

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Noisy Offering 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8:15 Worship

9:30 Sunday

School &

Youth Bible

Study

9:35 Adult

Bible Study

10:45 Worship

12:00-3:00

Youth Sky

Zone

12:00 WOH

Officers

Meet

8:00 AA

Meets

8:30 Staff

Meeting

9:00 Prayer

Group

3:30 Youth

Bible & Brew @

Caribou

6:00-8:00 SWAG

7:00 Praise

Team Practice

10:00

LifeLight

Bible Study

1:30-3:30

1st

Friday

Book Club

9:30 pm

Youth Buck

Hill Ski

Event

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

8:15 Worship

9:30 Sunday

School &

Youth Bible

Study

9:35 Adult

Bible Study

10:45 Worship

8:00 AA

Meets

9:00 Prayer

Group

3:30 Youth

Bible & Brew @

Caribou

6:00-8:00 SWAG

7:00 Praise

Team Practice

10:00

LifeLight

Bible Study

6:30 In-

Home Ruth

Bible Study

at Adamek’s

10:00

Valentine’s

Tea

15 16 17 ASH WED 18 19 20 21

8:15 Worship

9:30 Sunday

School &

Youth Bible

Study

9:35 Adult

Bible Study

10:45 Worship

12:00-3:15JAM

8:00 AA

Meets

9:00 Staff

Meets

9:00 Prayer

Group

3:30 Youth

Bible & Brew @

Caribou

6:30 Ash

Wednesday

Service

7:00 SWAG

10:00

LifeLight

Bible Study

6:30

Governing

Board

Meets

10-4

Bethesda

Thrift Shop

Work Day

22 23 24 LENT 25 26 27 28

8:15 Worship

9:30 Sunday

School &

Youth Bible

Study

9:35 Adult

Bible Study

10:45 Worship

8:00 AA

Meets

9:00 Prayer

Group

3:30 Youth

Bible & Brew @

Caribou

6:30 Lent

Service

7:00 SWAG

10:00

LifeLight

Bible Study

Mount Hope Lutheran Church 952-888-5059 www.mt-hope.org

Mount Hope Lutheran Church

3601 W Old Shakopee Rd

Bloomington, MN 55431 Address Service Requested

Staff at Mount Hope Lutheran

Dan Ritter Pastor

Melanie Appelquist Director Of Youth & Children’s

Ministry

Kim Woebke Director of Child Development

Center

Heather Bielec Lead Teacher, Child Development

Center

Christina Brantner Music Director

Jennifer Adamek Church Secretary

Candy Frein Church Secretary

Steve Sundseth Custodian

Sunday Worship Schedule

8:15 am Traditional Worship Service

9:30 am Bible Study and Sunday School

10:45 am Praise Worship Service

Phone: 952-888-5059

E-mail: church@mthope.org

Website: www.mt-hope.org