COMMUNITY NEWS

~ A Weekly Listing of Mission Opportunities ~

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July 25, 2010

TODAY AT HOUSE OF PRAYER

Flowers donated by:

*Bill and Connie Ashley in honor of their 4th wedding anniversary and celebration of Lexi's 10th birthday

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Bulletin donated by:

* Brent and Angela King in memory of Mom, LaVonne King

Sun Current Ad donated by:

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*VBS CDs are available for purchase for $5.00.

* Gluten-free communion wafers are available for those with allergies. Ask the Communion Assistant for a wafer from the middle of the plate. Grape juice is also available for those who prefer it to wine.

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Notes from Sunday, July 18~ 164 people worshipped on Sunday morning, and 36 worshipped on Wednesday evening, July 21, at the mid-week service. Offering (Plate and Simply Giving) was $8769. Thank you for your faithful stewardship of your financial resources.

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THIS WEEK (July 26-August 1) AT HOUSE OF PRAYER

July 28 - Wednesday Mid-week Service at 6:30 pm in Parish Hall

See the weekly calendar in the Bulletin or the full Monthly Calendar for scheduled events.

Do you have a submission for the Community News? Call 612-866-8471 x207 or email your entry by Monday to the office.

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UPCOMING EVENTS AT HOUSE OF PRAYER

* VEAP School Supply Collections - July 19-August 15 at VEAP or House of Prayer

. * Youth Mission Trip to Buffalo, New York - August 1-8

* Vacation Bible School - August 16-20, 6:00-8:00pm. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex

* Social Seniors boat ride on St. Croix River - August 25 . Sign up now.

See the weekly calendar in the Bulletin or the full Monthly Calendar for scheduled events.

Reminder ~ If your House of Prayer group would like to reserve a room for a meeting or activity, please fill out a blue Building Use Form (Blue Sheet.) They are available in the office or online. Thank you.

Building Use ~ As a courtesy to Ramo and all who use the spaces of House of Prayer for meetings and rehearsals, PLEASE fill out a blue Building Use Request form from the office to schedule ANY event taking place at HoP. Thanks!

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MINISTRY TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS AT HOUSE OF PRAYER

Support Ministry Team

Church Year Schedule ~ Take time now to schedule your ongoing meetings for this next season. Be sure to fill out a blue sheet in the office for the dates you want to schedule, or call Cammy in the office. She will be glad to help you with your forthcoming meetings.

Volunteer Positions at HoP ~ Volunteers are vital for the day-to-day ministry at House of Prayer. The following teams and ministries need volunteers. Please prayerfully consider doing God's work with your hands in one of these vital roles.

Sunday Morning Positions:
Information Desk

Team Ministry Positions:
Adult Education Team Leader
Recording Secretary for Support Team
Communications Team Leader
Communication Team Members

Church Office Positions:
Tuesday afternoon, 12pm-3pm
Wednesday morning, 9am-12am
Friday morning, 9am-12am

Office Volunteer Substitute List:
For all nine volunteer shifts

Hi Lines Volunteer Positions:
Proofreader(s)
Editor

If you are interested and/or would like more information please contact Cammy, Chuck, or Anne in the church office and one of them will be able to direct you to a person to contact. Phone: 612.866.8471 or email.

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Outreach Ministry Team

VEAP Back-to-School opportunity ~ The Outreach team invites you to participate in VEAP's 2010 Back-to-School program. It will help school-aged children and youth be prepared to learn by providing new grade-appropriate school supplies at the beginning of the school year.
Collections will be accepted at VEAP starting July 19 and ending August 16. If you are interested, you can drop school supplies off in the office, the VEAP box in the Narthex, or at the VEAP Office at 9731 James Avenue South in Bloomington.
In mid-July, school supplies will go on sale at local retailers. Watch for the bargains!!

Loaves and Fishes ~ It was a rainy evening but House of Prayer volunteers prepared and served 100 meals to our appreciative guests that came for dinner at Hope Church on June 1. Many helpful and skilled hands made the job easier. Thanks to all the willing House of Prayers volunteers from all of us on the Outreach Ministry Team and also from our guests who enjoyed this free service.
Each meal we prepared costs approximately $2.00. Our expenses are covered by your generous contributions to the Hope Fund. Our next service opportunity will come in January 2011 -- Yes... a ways off but watch for bulletin announcements next December - don’t miss the fun! Might be a good new year resolution to add to your list....
Your Outreach Ministry Team

Simpson Shelter ~ House of Prayer serves the homeless on the second Tuesday of every month. The time commitment is about 3.5 hours. If you would like to be a part of this outreach ministry, contact Karen Steenson.

VEAP Request - The VEAP Food Pantry is in need of the following items: baby wipes, diapers, facial tissue, laundry soap, paper towels, shampoo, toilet paper, and toothpaste.

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Worship Ministry Team

Join us in Evening Worship this Summer!
We are pleased to announce the addition of a Wednesday evening worship service, to start on June 23 of this year. All are invited to attend each week at 6:30 pm. Learn, grow, and share your faith with our community at this alternate service this summer.
We look forward to seeing the whole family of House of Prayer -- kids, parents, young adults, the "young at heart", neighbors, cousins, college students and retirees. Come, praise God with us!
The traditional Sunday morning services will convert to a single, 9:15am service, starting on June 20, as they have in past years.

Wednesday Night Worship Service August 11 ~ Following the service, we will assemble back-to-school Backpacks for the Cornerstone Women and Children's Shelter. Please bring donations of school supplies, backpacks, calculators, Kleenex boxes, etc. to church up until August 11. You can leave donations in the church office. Come to worship on the 11th and fill a backpack.

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Evangelism Ministry Team

The Evangelism Ministry Team will be hosting information classes for membership at House of Prayer. The first class will be Lutheranism 101 on September 19. The second class is called House of Prayer 101 and will be on September 26. Each class meets following the 10:30 worship services at around 11:45 and goes until 1pm.
A light lunch is served and then conversation about what it means to be a Lutheran in today's world as well as how we as House of Prayer witness to Christ's redeeming love as we join our hands to do God's work. New Member Sunday will be October 3 at the 10:30 service.
If you would like further information, please contact Cammy or Pastor Anne in the church office. Contact information: Phone: 612.866.8471 or

Information Desk ~ We are looking for a few helpers to staff the Information Desk on Sunday mornings. If you have any interest in helping, please contact Sally Boyd.

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Adult Ministries

Sunday Morning Adult Education ~ (9:15 - 10:15 am in the Parish Hall)
... will resume in the fall, as we will have only one worship service (9:15 am) on summer Sundays.

Book Discussion Group ~ The Summer read for the Book Discussion group is Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. The second book for discussion is Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The Book Group will return to the meetings in September.

TAKE TIME FOR SUMMER READING OUR NEW BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY ~
How Big is Your God? by Paul Coutinho
Gift from the Sea by Anne M. Lindbergh (this is a new easy-to-read edition)
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Note: We have great children’s books as well.
Also, extra copies of Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel's Messiah, a recent Bible Study at HoP, have been posted to Craigslist.com. One can pick this study up for only $10.00. A great bargain.

Lectionary Bible Study... will resume in the fall.

"Bring Your Own Coffee Cup or Water Mug to Church" Initiative This will help save some styrofoam from going into the landfill and will also save our congregation money. What an easy way to leave your green footprint here at HoP. Don't forget to bring your mug next Sunday (and for the folowing Sundays.)

Weekly GREEN Tip: A home's location directly affects the owner's ecological footprint. Look for a house close to work.

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Youth and Family Ministry Team

VBS is Back! Sail away on a High Seas Expedition!
Register now for HOP's 2010 VBS High Seas Expedition August 16-20 from 6:00-8:30pm with dinner each evening at 5:30pm.
Check out the High Seas website and register at online or pick up a registration form at the Information Desk. Kids age 3 thru 5th grade can sail away on this exciting adventure!
VBS is free if you register before August 1 ($20 if you register after 8/1). VBS needs lots of volunteer to make it happen! Volunteer today! Buy a gold doubloon (coin) for $20 each and watch the treasure chest fill! Provide a High Seas Scholarship and sponsor a child for a week of VBS for just $40! Your donations will make FREE VBS possible again this summer. Our goal is to raise $2,000! Visit the Narthex display, drop a check in the offering plate marked VBS, or mail/drop it off in the church office anytime.

Adults, Join in on Vacation Bible School Excitement!!
You are all invited to be part of VBS this year. Part of our House of Prayer Mission Statement: Learn, Grow and Support our intergenerational community. Here is your opportunity. Choose one or several days, the whole week or several activities.
5:15-6:15 pm - Greeter or registration table
5:15-6:15 pm - Help serve dinner
5:15-6:15 pm - Work at Sales CD table
5:45-8:15 pm - Crew Leader
6:15-7:00 pm - Dinner Clean up
7:20-8:00 pm - Participate in closing
7:45-8:15 pm - Door Duty

Vacation Bible School is in need of Pringles cans for a VBS craft project! Please leave empty or full Pringles cans in the office.

Mission Trip Update ~ Our youth are busily raising funds and getting excited for the mission trip! We leave in 3 weeks to go to Buffalo, NY to work with Habitat for Humanity. Keep us in your prayers as we pack and plan! There are a few youth who are still in need of financial help. If you would like to donate, please talk to Kristin Tranby.

Sign up now for Summer Camp at Luther Park! ~ For the best selection of dates, now is the time to sign up for summer camp. Bring a friend or come by yourself and make new friends. To receive a brochure, check at your church or contact Anna Treague, Program Director at (715) 656-7244, or anna@lutherpark.com . You can also register on-line or print out and fax or mail a registration form via their website . Hope to see you at Luther Park this summer!!

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Heritage Team Remembers:

The Heritage Team would like to thank Jan Meissner Hamilton for donating With a Voice of Singing record album that belonged to her mother, Esther Meisner. Esther Meissner, a charter member of House of Prayer, recently moved to a care center. We appreciate the thoughtfulness of this gift.
The album has two monaural 33-1/3 records featuring the House of Prayer Carol, Chancel, and Chapel choirs of 1964-1965 singing many traditional Christmas Carols and Songs of Worship.
We have several copies of this album, and if you would like to borrow it (and you have a turn table!), please let us know by leaving a note in the Heritage Team box located in the church office.

The Heritage Team invites you to view the new display, located in the narthex, with pictures of Pastors who have served House of Prayer Lutheran church. Do you know which one of our 17 Pastors has served the longest?

1953-1976 ~ Richard J. Bingea ~ Founder and first Pastor for 23 years
1957-1960 ~ John F. Palmquist ~ Came from Internat'l Falls, MN; left for Hibbing, MN
1960-1964 ~ Robert A. Chalstrom ~ From Veradale, WA; left for Arvada, CO
1965-1969 ~ Glenn A. Sampson ~ Southside United Fellowship; Powderhorn Community Council
1978-?? ~ Wilbert Johnson ~ Visitation Minister, shared with two other congregations
1970-1992 ~ John M. Chell ~ Installed 8-23-1970 by Dr. Melvin Hammarberg
1977-1981 ~ Ralph M. Larson ~ New ministry at Bethany Lutheran Church
1978-1985 ~ Stephen G. Haschig ~ New ministry at Shepherd >of the Lake Lutheran, Prior Lake
1982-1985 ~ Patricia Hawley Wolander ~ New ministry at Richfield Lutheran Church
1985- current ~ Charles R. Carlson ~ Installed November 10, 1985 by Pastor George Lundquist
1985-1994 ~ Lyndon E. Nygaard ~ Ordained and installed September 29, 1985
1993-1994 ~ Warren Schultz ~ Interim Pastor; new assignment at Community of the Cross
1994-2005 ~ Steven L. McKinley ~ Installed as Senior Pastor May 1, 1994
2001-2005 ~ Debra D. Bergstrand ~ Intern Pastor, ordained & installed as Assoc. Pastor June 2003
2005-2006 ~ Paul N. Svingen ~ Interim Pastor
2006--2007 ~ Melanie Heuiser Hill ~ Intern 1995-1996; Transition Pastor 2006-2007
2007-current ~ Anne Hokenstad ~ Installed as Co-Pastor 11-4-2007 by Pastor Susan Tjornehoj

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Life Together

AHOY, SENIORS! ~ The Social Seniors have planned a boat ride on the St. Croix River on Wednesday, August 25. Cruise on the Andiamo while enjoying a deli buffet. Boarding time is 11:00 a.m. in Stillwater. We will leave HoP at 10:00 a.m. on a tour bus and return about 2:15 p.m. The cost will be $32 and includes a 2-hour boat ride, deli lunch, tour bus and tip for the driver.
We need a minimum of 33 people to cover the cost. Sign up now to let us know how many will be attending. Payment is due by August 9. Invite your friends from HoP and the community. If you have any questions, please contact Dorothy Bjurman or Betty Henrickson.

Willard Stevens has been selected as the recipient of the Richfield Gene and Mary Jacobson Outstanding Citizen Award this year. He will receive this prestigious award on Tuesday, June 22 at the City of Richfield Council Meeting. Everyone is welcome. Cake and punch will be served at 6:30pm just before the meeting. He will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July Parade in Richfield. What a great honor for Willard!

Recently Deceased:
Gertrude Olson - member of House of Prayer
Iola Baker - member of House of Prayer
Jerry Thompson - member of House of Prayer

Facebook! ~ Do you belong to the House of Prayer Group? Join us on Facebook, a social network of all sorts of people. Our church has a group on Facebook and it is a way for us to interact and share the good news about our faith community and all that God is up to among us. Pastor Anne and Kristin Tranby are the administers of our page. Share the Good News! Spread the word about House of Prayer on-line!

If you are using the church website (and we hope that you are), did you know that just clicking on the top banner on any page will return you to the homepage? Give it a try!

Fellowship Opportunity If you are looking to meet more people at HoP and develop deeper relationships, we have the answer for you! Fellowship Groups are people who gather on a monthly basis for social and/or service project events. All are welcome! No special talents required, just a desire to connect with others. There are groups of all ages, so please feel free to contact Jim and Heidi Thomas to find out how to get connected.

HoP wants to support and pray for our military personnel and their families. If you have any changes or additions you would like to make to our military board, please leave the information in the military box in the church office or call Debbie Wessman to keep our board current. Thank you to all who are serving our country in the military.

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BEYOND HOUSE OF PRAYER

Summer Concerts ~
* Northern Winds - July 25 - 7:00pm - Summit Place, Eden Prairie

* Northern Winds - July 29 - 7:00pm - Augsburg Park, Richfield

Luther Park Echo News ~
At their recent Summer Open House on July 17, special recognition and the presentation of the 2010 outstanding Christian Service Award was given to Carl, Marilyn and Randy Johnson from our very own HoP. The Johnsons rock!!

Attention Knitters and Quilters!
It's not too early to think about the Luther Park annual Quilt and Silent Auction which will be held on Saturday, October 2, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior. Put your creative juices to work and think about what you may want to contribute to the auction. Luther Park's Quilt Auction has great goods for a great cause! Help celebrate their 20th Annual Quilt Auction. Items must be submitted by Friday, September 17, to prepare the auction booklet.

A reminder from Lutheran Social Service about the opportunity to cast your vote in the Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, August 10. Your vote helps to shape the future of Minnesota.
All voters in the Primary Election will be asked to choose a gubernatorial candidate. Please visit the Secretary of State's office for more information on your district, candidates, etc.

HOUSEHOLD AND OUTSIDE MAINTENACE FOR ELDERLY ~ Seniors, are you looking for some assistance with your household chores? H.O.M.E is a program that helps older adults (age 60 plus) remain independent by providing services they are unable to do for themselves. Service costs are based on a sliding contribution scale.
Our core staff, with a network of skilled workers and volunteers will perform painting, minor repairs, raking, snow shoveling, lawn mowing, house cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping. Call: 952-888-5530.