Nonprofit Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Omaha Nebraska

Permit No. 862

5220 S. 159th Ave

Omaha, NE 68135

Please bring a salad or a Please bring a salad or a Please bring a salad or a

vegetable to share.vegetable to share.vegetable to share.

The Fellowship CommitteeThe Fellowship CommitteeThe Fellowship Committee

will be providing Chicken,will be providing Chicken,will be providing Chicken,

dessert, and drinks.dessert, and drinks.dessert, and drinks.

The Kona Ice Truck will also be at the picnic!

August 30, 2015, 11:45AMAugust 30, 2015, 11:45AMAugust 30, 2015, 11:45AM

A MESSAGE OF HOPE

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

AUGUST 2015 –VOLUME 8

,

Bob Williams 8/1

Traci Cha!en 8/1

Sue Klopp 8/4

Donelle Thomas 8/4

Alyssa Gunning 8/8

Avis Kelley 8/9

Jacob Rau 8/12

Diane Huerta 8/13

Janet Williams 8/13

Don Cox 8/14

Harper Rose 8/15

Deanna Shiller 8/15

Diane Thomas 8/16

Linda Reffert 8/18

Lorin Toman 8/19

Dominic Zohlen 8/19

Taylor Rau 8/19

Jaden Walls 8/21

Terry Bengston 8/22

Bob Pennington 8/23

Ellison Royers 8/25

T.J. Mar#n 8/26

Jolene Anderson 8/27

Michael Dierking 8/27

Ione Sandene 8/27

Lois Moraine 8/28

Thelma Symanietz 8/28

Rebecca Brown 8/30

SERMON TOPICS

· August 2, 2015

“ Let Your Light Shine”

Acts 6: 8-15

· August 9, 2015

Youth Mission Reports

· August 16, 2015

“Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus”

Acts 7: 54-8:1

· August 23, 2015

“From Discomfort to Purpose”

Acts 8: 1-8

· August 30, 2015

“The Power of One”

Acts 8: 26-39

Commissioning of Teachers

Church Picnic

“LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS, LIVING IN GRACE”

Happy Birthday!

Hope Annual Garage Sale A huge thank you to all who helped with this year’s garage sale by dona#ng items,

hauling items, pricing items, buying items, sales, adver#sing, help in the kitchen, and cleanup.

Because of your gracious efforts, the mission commi!ee was able to raise $3900 which will be used

to help local chari#es throughout the year.

American Red Cross Blood Drive: Thank you to all those who gave blood on June 27. You helped

save many lives through the 22 pints of blood donated. Thank you for helping Hope to exceed our

blood drive goal.

Siena Francis Meal Serving: Hope Church has an on-going ministry of serving meals at Siena Francis House

monthly – we are scheduled (nearly) every 1st

Saturday of each month. The #me invested is only a

few hours (4 pm-7 pm). The sign up sheet is located in the lobby on the side table. Please sign up to

help serve….it is such a worthwhile project and one that our church has embraced wholeheartedly!

AND if you are interested in you and your family, friends or small group taking over a month (all by

yourselves!), please contact Cheryl Sisk at 402-659-5344 or email mescas1@hotmail.com to find out

details. Our next meal to be served will be September 5th

, so sign up to help out!

Thank You Cards: Looking for some fun and excitement….and #me to brush up your handwri#ng skills? Well,

consider joining an s#mula#ng group of people to write Thank-you cards at Siena-Francis House! We love having

new people join us, and conversa#on is always lively and entertaining! Thanks to those helping out in July: Nancy

Binns, John & Toni Bonaventura and Janie Botsch. Help is greatly appreciated and no extensive training is

necessary! Please contact Janie Botsch at jcbotsch3@yahoo.com - and you will be put on the email list.

MISSIONMISSIONMISSION Submitted by Brian Claus Submitted by Brian Claus Submitted by Brian Claus

Schools will reopen the second week of August and we will be collec!ng school supplies for Cody Elementary

School in Millard on August 2nd

& August 9th

in the front Lobby. Cody Elementary has the largest popula#on of

children who qualify for free and reduced price lunches and is the Millard school most in need of our support

for school supplies. Here are some items Cody Elementary needs for the school year:

¨ Large Zipper Back Pack

¨ Large Box of Kleenex

¨ Hand Sani#zer Bo!le w/pump

¨ An#-Bacterial Wipes

¨ Lysol Wipes

¨ Box of Ziploc Gallon Bags

¨ Box of Ziploc Quart Bags

¨ Plas#c Box 5” x 8”

¨ Package of Cheap Paper Plates

¨ Box of 24 Crayola Crayons

¨ Box of 48 Crayola Crayons

¨ Package of 12 Crayola Colored Pencils

¨ Box of Crayola Thin Markers

¨ Box of Crayola Thick Markers

¨ Box of #2 Yellow Pencils

¨ Red Checking Pen

¨ Pencil Bag with 3-hole Punch

¨ Scotch Tape

¨ 4ox Elmer’s White Glue

¨ 8oz Elmer’s White Glue

¨ Glue S#cks

¨ Mul#-colored Highlighters

¨ Dry Erase Markers

¨ Crayola 8 count Watercolor Paint Set

¨ Pair of Fiskar Scissors

¨ 1” 3-Ring Binder

¨ 7 Pocket Accordion File

¨ 2-Pocket Folder 2/metal brads

¨ 2-Pocket Folder with horizontal pockets

¨ Mead Primary Journal

¨ Spiral Notebook – 70 page wide rule

¨ Package of wide ruled loose leaf paper

¨ Package of page dividers

¨ Pink Erasers

¨ Small Pencil Sharpener

¨ Book bag

¨ Post it Notes

¨ Pencil Top Erasers

¨ 5 oz Paper Cups

¨ Black, Blue and Red Pens

¨ Seasonal/Super Hero/ Princess/ Minion/ Mo#va#onal

student s#ckers

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

6:30 AM

Men of Hope Bible

Study

9:00 AM Tai Chi

2

Communion Sunday

3

Marcos Pizza Paybac

Night

6:30 PM Youth

Commi!ee

4

10:00 AM Quilt Club

6:30 PM

Buildings & Grounds

mtg.

6:30 PM

Fellowship Commi!ee

7:00 PM

Children's Ed

Commi!ee

5

6:30 PM Mission

Commi!ee

6

7 8

6:30 AM

Men of Hope Bible Study

9:00 AM Tai Chi

6:00 PM

Family Bowling Night

9

Youth Mission Reports

10

No Gym Rentals

11

No Gym Rentals

6:30 PM

Sword Commi!ee

MTG

12

No Gym Rentals

13

No Gym Rentals

14

No Gym Rentals

15

No Gym Rentals

6:30 AM

Men of Hope Bible Study

9:00 AM Tai Chi

16

Worship 9 & 10:30 AM

17 18

6:30 PM Session

Mee#ng

19 20

1:00 PM Card Group

21 22

YMCA

6:30 AM

Men of Hope Bible Study

9:00 AM Tai Chi

9:30 AM

Teacher/ Leader Training

23

Worship 9 & 10:30 AM

24 25 26 27

Millard South football

Past Feed

1:00 PM Rachel Circle

28 29

YMCA

6:30 AM

Men of Hope Bible Study

9:00 AM Tai Chi

30

Worship 9 & 10:30

Annual Church Picnic

11:45

31

FINANCEFINANCEFINANCE Submitted by Dave Fehr Submitted by Dave Fehr Submitted by Dave Fehr

YTD Actual

YTD

Actual

Revenue Expenses

Pledge Income $ 192,939 Staff Expenses $ 89,580

Shared Space Income $ 8,360 Building Expenses $ 28,190

Non Pledge Income $ 6,366 Committee Expenses $ 4,901

Per Capita $ 2,337 Mortgage Expense $ 56,496

Restricted fund Income $ 11,894

Office/Admin Expenses

$ 10,303

Other $ 19,547

Restricted fund expenses $ 18,637

Total Revenue $ 221,896 Total Expenses $ 227,654

Net Cash Flow $ (5,758)

NOTES: NOTES:

Checkbook balance is $41,483.28

Other expenses consist of Per Capita and Insurance expenses

Balance on Certificate of Deposit $101,936.

Mortgage Balance is $994,584.92

of which $55,384 is usable and

$46,552 is in restricted funds

The year is going by quickly as it is over halfway towards the end of the year. Above is where the church stands

for the first six months of the year with finances. As you can see revenue was $221,896 and expenses were

$226,951. Its an exci#ng #me for Hope Church as the Associate Pastor Nomina#ng Commi!ee will start there

search shortly. It is also that #me of year to be thinking about our pledge for next year so we can support the

Associate Pastor expenses, and other expenses that will be needed to promote Gods work and will.

This fall the Finance commi!ee will have someone come talk about different kinds of Wills and

Estate planning, it will be a good opportunity to learn about estate planning and the different

advantages they present for your future financial planning. There will be sign up sheets in the

lobby for these sessions.

INCOME STATEMENT YEAR TO DATE

MISSION SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTHMISSION SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTHMISSION SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH SUBMITTED BY BRIAN CLAUSSUBMITTED BY BRIAN CLAUSSUBMITTED BY BRIAN CLAUS

Mission Spotlight of the Month – Brush Up Nebraska – Paint-A-Thon

BRUSH UP NEBRASKA Paint-A-Thon is a community-based volunteer program

that paints homes of qualified low-income elderly and low-income permanently

disabled homeowners in the Omaha Metropolitan Area, so that they may

maintain their property, increase energy efficiency and beau#fy the community.

Paint-A-Thon is like an old fashion “Barn Raising”, it is people helping people in

the best spirit of giving to others. The phrase “many hands make light work”

applies to this project. Historically, Paint-A- Thon has been going on in this country since neighbors worked

together for a common cause. Officially, the first organized Paint-A-Thon started in Denver, Colorado in

1979 through the help of Brother’s Development Corpora#on. That program con#nues to this day. The

second longest program was started in the Twin Ci#es as a Chore Program run through the Minneapolis

Council of Churches.

BRUSH UP NEBRASKA Paint-A-Thon was started in 1989 by Norwest Bank, U S West, ConAgra, and

Diamond Vogel Paints. A total of 50 homes were painted in September of 1989, mostly through teams

from the sponsoring corpora#ons. In 1990 Union Pacific Railroad, ENRON Northern Natural Gas and

Northern Border Partners and Mutual of Omaha joined as partners and added many new teams. Total

number of homes painted in 1990 was 120. In 1991 First Data Resources, Barnhart Press, Lozier Corp,

Lincoln Financial Group and Rigel Corpora#on (KFC and Krispy Kreme Donuts), joined as partners and the

total number of homes swelled to 137. Convergys was added as a sponsor in the year 2000, Tenaska and

the Gary and Mary West Founda#on were both added in 2009. The Gavilon Group, U.S. Bank and Pay Pal

were added in 2012; Dunkin Donuts joined in 2014 as a contributor with strong support from TD

Ameritrade.

Execu#ve Directors of the programs are Tom & Sheila Pe<grew who started the program in 1989, and

con#nue as execu#ve directors to this day. BRUSH UP NEBRASKA Paint-A-Thon has helped launch 13

programs in Iowa, one in Montana, one in Wyoming, and several small programs in communi#es

throughout Nebraska. These programs have no affilia#on with the corpora#on and were simply mentored

by Tom and Sheila.

By the year 2013, the 25th year of opera#on, the project reached a new milestone in homes painted

totaling 2,578 homes of elderly and disabled homeowners in the Omaha Metro Area.

The financial impact to the community is immeasurable as is the posi#ve benefit to both families and

volunteers. Hope Presbyterian is pu<ng together a team again this year to paint a low-income Omaha

resident’s one-story home on Saturday, August 8th

,and 15th

from 8am to 4pm. Please join Hope’s team to

help serve God by giving back to our community. See Chuck Lundquist or JB Turner to sign up.

Thanks to all who came up to visit me in the hospital . The Prayers, cards and phone calls were

greatly appreciated. To Pastor Dave for his visits and prayers. Knowing I have so many friends at

Hope is the greatest, it all made for a quick and great recovery. Many thanks. Thelma Symanietz

MANY THANKS to all the people who served in any way to make VBS 2015 such a HUGE success!

The kids who a!ended learned to HOLD ON TO GOD always! An offering was collected each

evening and the total of $182.09 will buy 36 Bibles translated into their own language for kids in

Thailand. THANKS for your generosity!

Bev Be!s passed away peacefully at the Hospice House on July 16, embraced in God's loving arms

and transferring her membership to the church triumphant. Prayers of thanksgiving for her life and

witness as well as prayers of sympathy for all her family and friends in their #me of grief and

sadness. Visita#on and Memorial Service is scheduled for August 1, 9AM with the Memorial

service at 11:00 and lunch to follow a=erwards.

Weddings, Marriage and

Homosexual Chris!ans:

Discerning God’s Heart

September 13, 20, 27, and October 4

ONE Worship Service 10:10 am,

Sunday School will be at 9:00

There will be discussion groups at 9AM, A"er the

Service, and during the week while we are

in this sermon series.

Date 9:00 AM 10:30 AM

Greeters Coordinator Diane Huerta Coordinator Thelma Symanietz

August 2 Ruby Thornwall Roy & Kathy Andersen

August 9 Youth Sunday Youth Sunday

August 16 Marilyn Wi#e Lil Fehr

August 23 Beanie Huston Cheryl Swalberg

August 30 Diane Huerta Thelma Symanietz

Ushers Coordinator Diane Huerta Coordinator Thelma Symanietz

August 2 Joan & Lorin Toman Terry & Denise Kendrick

August 9 Youth Sunday Youth Sunday

August 16 Denise & Terry Kendrick Nancy Mi#elbrun & Suzie Karnik

August 23 Donelle Thomas & Diane Huerta Denise Kendrick & Amy Kersigo

August 30 Judy & Ron Bruening Cindy Williams & Sandra Kay

Liturgist Coordinator Bobbie Geiger Coordinator Thelma Symanietz

August 2 Dick Corwine Tracy Comba

August 9 Edrie Pearce Brian Claus

August 16 Ma# Frerichs Josh Widman

August 23 Bob Reeks Terry Kendrick

August 30 Rich Roberts Shawn Williams

Audio Coordinator Niki Frerichs Coordinator Niki Frerichs

August 2 Wayne Fry Dale Brewer

August 9 Dale Brewer Wayne Fry

August 16 Wayne Fry Tyler Thraen

August 23 Chuck Lindquist Dale Brewer

August 30 Wayne Fry Tyler Thraen

Visual Coordinator Pam Purchase Coordinator Nikki Frerichs

August 2 Pam Purchase Kelsey Thraen

August 9 Pam Purchase Traci Cha#en

August 16 Hugh Carter Kelsey Thraen

August 23 Rich Roberts Traci Cha#en

August 30 Rich Roberts Kelsey Thraen

SESSION COMMITTEE EMAIL

Paula Washka Caregiving pollyanders@cox.net

Jani Billups Youth Ministry janibillups@gmail.com

Lin Briley Fellowship lin03liberty@aol.com

Brian Claus Mission briantinaclaus@cox.net

Darci Davis Children’s darcildavis87@cox.net

Linda Deegan Personnel zimdeegs@cox.net

Dave Fehr Finance dbfehr@hotmail.com

Niki Frerichs Music & Worship Frerichs@cox.net

Mike Molacek Building & Grounds mmolacek@centurylink.net

Carol Rudesill Adult Ministry GmaCarolR@aol.com

Donelle Thomas SWORD donellethomas@cox.net

Matt Van Hook Outreach mvanhook@gmail.com

Dave Matsumura Moderator revmats1@yahoo.com

Jayne Molacek Clerk of Session mmolacek@centurylink.net

Pantry of HopePantry of HopePantry of Hope

SUBMITTED BY MIKE MOLECEKSUBMITTED BY MIKE MOLECEKSUBMITTED BY MIKE MOLECEK

This is what

1 8 5

donations to

the pantry

look like.

Thanks to the

S p e c i a l

Needs VBS

for their

generos i ty .

Special needs

people need

assistance in

many ways

but their generous hearts are

PERFECT.

They are grand examples of cheerful

givers, bringing items to help others

when asked, and enjoying the joy of

giving to others. Thank you Special

Needs VBS!

June 20 –July 19 105 items were

distributed. Thanks for your support.

Ch

urc

h S

taff

Ch

urc

h S

taff

Ch

urc

h S

taff

STAFF POSITION EMAIL

Dave Matsumura Pastor revmats1@yahoo.com

Luke Furman 1st Service Director lfurmanmusic@gmail.com

Ulette Bonner 2nd Service Director uletteworship@yahoo.com

Deb Miller Office Administrator hopepresbychurch@yahoo.com

Carol Rudesill Interim ED GmaCarolR@aol.com

Jayne Molacek Treasurer mmolacek@centruylink.net

Mike Huerta Custodian diwho@centurylink.net

Laurel Winchester Nursery

Zoey Devney Nursery

Church LeadershipChurch LeadershipChurch Leadership

August 2nd Communion Servers August 2nd Communion Servers August 2nd Communion Servers

9:00 Service Roy & Kathy Andersen, Pam Purchase and Gary Zimmerman

10:30 Service Denise Kendrick

SESSION HIGHLIGHTSSESSION HIGHLIGHTSSESSION HIGHLIGHTS Submitted by Jayne Molacek Clerk of Session

OUTREACH OUTREACH OUTREACH Submitted by Matt Van Hook Outreach Ruling ElderSubmitted by Matt Van Hook Outreach Ruling ElderSubmitted by Matt Van Hook Outreach Ruling Elder

Average

A#endance

for July

158

Our goal as the outreach commi!ee is to serve the people God brings to Hope. We do this principally by

delivering coffee mugs to first-#me visitors and running new member classes.

New member classes are held several #mes throughout the year and are scheduled once 4-8

people have indicated that they’re interested in joining. Whether you’ve been coming for a

while but haven’t become a member, or are brand-new and think you might like to make Hope

your church home, this class is for you. Please send me an email (mvanhook@gmail.com) or give

me a call (401-368-1233...yes, it’s a 401 area code!) That will help us start to make concrete

plans for the next class.

We’re always looking for new folks to get involved and there are several great ways you can do so:

1) Deliver mugs to first-#me visitors. We’d like to add more teams to help deliver coffee mugs to Hope

visitors. This is a great way to get to know new folks and introduce them to Hope.

2) Help with a!endance record-keeping. Outreach has recently started keeping track of Sunday worship

a!endance (logging informa#on from the friendship pads). This takes less than 30 minutes and is a perfect

way to get involved if you can make it into the Hope office in the middle of the week.

3) Providing food and helping with set-up for new member classes. We’re always looking for people who

want to use their culinary skills to feed a hungry crowd of prospec#ve members!

4) A!end an outreach commi!ee mee#ng.

Our next mee#ng will be on Wednesday, August 12 from 7-8 pm at the church. The main task will be to train

volunteers on logging Sunday worship a!endance on the computer, but we’ll have #me for other business as

well.

If any of these seem like ways you’d like to get involved, please get in touch with me via email:

mvanhook@gmail.com or by phone (401-368-1233).

· Minutes of the June 23, 2015 Session Mee#ng were approved.

· June Finance Report was approved.

· Mo#on from Youth Ministry Commi!ee to add Friday, September 25, 2015 to the church calendar for the

Confirma#on lock-in. Seconded and carried.

· Mo#on from Building and Grounds to have Mega Cleaning do the floor Work for $1,710.00, the same

price as the last three years for the gym, restrooms, kitchen and upstairs restrooms. This includes five

coats of wax and burnish. Seconded and carried.

· Mo#on from Personnel Commi!ee to pay Luke Furman for June and July his normal salary beginning in

the summer of 2015, Previously Luke was only receiving half of his salary for June and July. Seconded and

carried.

· Mo#on from the Educa#on Elders to have Sunday school held for one hour at 9:00 a.m. for September

13, 20, 27 and October 4 and to have worship be at 10:10 am each week to allow needed transi#on #me

for teachers, parents and students. Seconded and carried.

· Mo#on from SWORD Commi!ee to have Consecra#on Sunday at both services on Sunday, October 25,

2015 with the celebra#on following. Seconded and carried.

YOUTH Submitted by Jani Billups

I was so proud of our youth volunteers at vaca#on bible school. We had 15 youth help out,

and the extra hands and the willingness to serve was greatly appreciated. What excellent role

models for our kids! Planning is underway for the 2015-2016 school year. We are excited

about new possibili#es as we begin to fill in the calendar with opportuni#es for our youth to

serve God and others. At the heart of each decision we make, we con#nue to focus on how

our programming can help our teens strengthen their rela#onships with God. We want to

create an environment where not only is their faith strengthened, but where they also feel empowered to

bring along friends on this journey.

Confirma#on plans are underway for any eighth grade or older student wishing to par#cipate.

The informa#onal mee#ng is set for Wednesday, August 26th

at 6:30 pm. If you have any

ques#ons about this, please contact Josh Widman at joshwidman@cox.net. Also, for those who

plan to be a part of this class this year, the lock-in is set for Friday, September 25th

beginning at

8:00 pm. Plan on a night of bonding and laughter.

Our middle school Sunday school curriculum this year uses several Faith Ques!ons mini-courses based on

faith ques#ons posed by youth. Each session encourages young people to look to Scripture, as well as our

faith tradi#on, in relevant and responsive ways. Each series will focus around biblical answers to these

ques#ons. Each topic will be taught be a different team of adults, so the middle schoolers will get to know

the heart of many of our members throughout the year. There are a few spots le=, so please let me know if

this is something you are willing to join.

We are seeking any volunteers interested in leading youth ministry this year to contact me

(janibillups@gmail.com). Thanks to those of you who have already offered to serve. We

will be kicking off our youth groups in September, so be watching for kick off dates and

#mes in the upcoming month. The middle school group format will con#nue to be two

mee#ngs a month a=er church on the second and fourth Sundays. As we plan, we try to have one of the

Sundays be a service project and the other an ac#vity.

We would strongly appreciate high school youth, along with parents and interested volunteers, a!endance

at an advisory mee#ng on August 2nd

a=er the second service. We will be discussing the most effec#ve

format and curriculum for our high school Sunday school and youth group programming at this mee#ng. We

want our programming to be inten#onal in empowering our youth to seek out a las#ng rela#onship with

God. Please join us with your thoughts at this mee#ng.

Thanks to the volunteers who con#nue to sign up to serve fellowship between services. Did you know the

profits from this almost cover the cost of van rentals for the mission trips? Please contact Kris# Richling

(klrichling@live.com) if you would like to sign up for a #me to serve.

WORSHIP AND MORE WORSHIP AND MORE WORSHIP AND MORE Beginning September 13, all children in preschool to

grade 2 are invited to a!end Worship And More at 10:10 am. (The #me

will be 10:30 am a=er October 4. See ar#cle on Marriage Debate.) They

will learn things to help them par#cipate in worship - including music and

prayers. They will have short lessons and #me for recrea#on.

MARRIAGE DISCUSSION: MARRIAGE DISCUSSION: MARRIAGE DISCUSSION: The Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage decision has created

controversy for Chris#an’s. Hope Church must decide whether gay couples could

be married in our church. So session can make an informed decision, we invite

everyone to discussions at 9:00 am on Sundays, September 13, 20, and 27 and

October 4. Pastor Dave will preach on this topic those weeks and worship will be

at 10:10 am. (NOTE the TIME!) There will also be discussion #me available

following worship those weeks.

MEN of HOPEMEN of HOPEMEN of HOPE: ALL MEN are welcome to gather Saturdays at 6:30 a.m. at the Summer

Kitchen Café in La Vista. The group will be star#ng a new study in August, so now is a great

#me to join the group. Contact Josh Widman at joshwidman@cox.net or 402-651-4366 for

informa#on.

MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDYMIDWEEK BIBLE STUDYMIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY: : : DIG DEEPER with Pastor Dave each Thursday at 10:00 am.

The group welcomes newcomers to this informal #me of study and sharing their

lives. Bring your friends and enjoy a favorite beverage and great fellowship as you

work slowly through Old and New Testament books.

WOMEN’S PRAYER GROUP: WOMEN’S PRAYER GROUP: WOMEN’S PRAYER GROUP: This group is open to women of any age and meets the 4th

Monday most

months. The first mee#ng will be Monday, September 28. They will be choosing a book

for discussion and will spend #me in prayer each month. Please contact Julie Reeks at

402-880-0042 or juliereeks@gmail.com or Mary Ellen Gumbert at 402-290-0836 or

angelfriend1@cox.net if you would like more informa#on

WOMEN ON WEDNESDAYS: WOMEN ON WEDNESDAYS: WOMEN ON WEDNESDAYS: 1:00-2:00 OR 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Begins Sept. 16

Strengthen your rela#onships with other women by studying women of the Bible. The book

offers inspira#on, applica#on, Bible study, Bible promises, and prayer. Each week focuses on

one woman's life with five days of reading and reflec#on. Come a=ernoons or evenings and

enjoy the support of other women as we share our lives! Contact Carol Rudesill at 402-598-

1890 if you plan to a!end.

PAGE TURNER BOOK CLUB RESUMES IN SEPTEMBERPAGE TURNER BOOK CLUB RESUMES IN SEPTEMBERPAGE TURNER BOOK CLUB RESUMES IN SEPTEMBER

"The Book of Unknown Americans” is available for the September 14, 2015 mee#ng on the

table in the lobby. All are welcome to join the group as we laugh and carry on over the

books. If you have the book, but do not make the mee#ng please return the book to the

nearest Omaha Public Library. Be sure to sign your name and the number on the book so I

know where to find the book if it does not get turned into the library."

EDUCATION NEWSEDUCATION NEWSEDUCATION NEWS Submitted by Carol RudesillSubmitted by Carol RudesillSubmitted by Carol Rudesill

Plans for fall programs at Hope Church are exci#ng! We want to provide some informa#on that will help you

want to make church a priority as you plan your fall schedules. Contact Carol Rudesill at

GmaCarolR@aol.com or 402-598-1890 if you have ideas or ques#ons.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30SUNDAY, AUGUST 30SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 at 10:00am is a #me to meet and greet teachers in

their classrooms. Our welcome table will be in the upstairs hallway with

people to give you informa#on. Teacher commissioning will be at both

services as we bless teachers for the work they will do in the coming year.

The Hope annual picnic will follow the 10:30 worship service. Bring the kids!

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL begins September 13 at 9:00 am. Preschool through Grade 5 will

meet together to get energized with music before they go to their classes. New

curriculum will help reveal the grace of God and help kids respond to God’s grace with

ideas found in handouts. The Middle School class will work with a variety of teachers

and topics as they grow in grace and gra#tude. It will be an awesome year as all learn

to live in God’s Grace!

CONFIRMATIONCONFIRMATIONCONFIRMATION Students who have completed 7th

grade are invited to

par#cipate in our Confirma#on program if they wish. It is designed to assist youth

in their personal faith development and prepare them for membership at Hope

Presbyterian Church. Please contact Carol Rudesill at 402-598-1890 or Josh

Widman 402-651-4366 if interested. Plan to a!end the orienta#on mee#ng on

Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30 pm in the Hope lobby. This “Journey to

Discipleship” program will meet at 9:00 am Sundays and requires strong

commitment on the part of students and their families.

SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS Our Senior High students, their parents and interested

leaders are invited to meet Sunday, August 2 at 11:30 am to plan. The program for

this age group will develop as students work with leaders to make decisions about

what really meets their needs at this stage in their lives. We hope all who are

interested will bring their ideas and ques#ons to this mee#ng

CATCH THE EXCITEMENT CATCH THE EXCITEMENT CATCH THE EXCITEMENT We need a few more people to “catch the excitement”

that comes with loving kids and helping them know how much Jesus loves them.

Choose a favorite age group or welcome kids and help with record keeping. Please

contact Carol if you want more informa#on about the op#ons available – 402-598-

1890. All teachers are asked to plan to a#end one of two orienta!on mee!ngs:

Wednesday, August 19 at 6:30 pm OR Saturday, August 22 at 9:30 am.

Pastor’s PenPastor’s PenPastor’s Pen

Dear Friends,

In last night’s Session mee#ng the Elders and I

discussed not only the governance of our church, but

our pastoral concerns for our congrega#on,

community and world. You would be proud of our

elders for their compassion, sensi#vity and

understanding of the complexi#es of the world

around us and our congrega#on’s role in that world.

One of the issues we discussed was the issue of same

gender marriages. The issue is not only per#nent in

the world around us as the Supreme Court has

weighed in and the individual states and coun#es

wrestle with the changes that dictates, but is

per#nent in our own congrega#on as the Session

needs to decide what our policy will be about

allowing same gender weddings in our facili#es or on

our premises. That policy, regardless of which

direc#on it goes, will have influence in how we

perceive ourselves and how others perceive us.

Opinions on this issue run the gamut of thought and

emo#ons with the poten#al to polarize into separate

and antagonis#c fac#ons. That is my own greatest

fear as well, I believe, the Session’s.

But we cannot hide our heads in the sand and wish it

would go away. We cannot circle the wagons and

create a closed society hiding from any and all

perceived threats with great suspicion. Christ calls us

to interact with the world and be a light in the world,

not to withdraw or run away from the world.

To that end the Session and I are planning events for

four Sundays beginning on September 13th

and

running through October 4th

in order for our

congrega#on to have an opportunity to dialogue

about this issue. It is important enough that we have

decided to do this on Sunday mornings with

discussion groups and Sunday School at 9 AM, one

worship service at 10:10 AM, allowing for transi#on

#me, and an invita#on to gather in small groups a=er

and throughout the week.

The Session and I have wrestled with this decision

over the course of several months and want you all to

avail yourself of this opportunity to learn, discuss,

reflect and grow deeper in understanding and in faith

through this experience. This kind of wrestling and

wrangling with the issues of our society is important

as we proclaim our faith as reformed and always

reforming Chris#ans. Some of you will welcome this

opportunity and I applaud your desire to learn and

grow. Some of you will want to shy away from it. I

hope you will reconsider that because you won’t find

a be!er place to discuss this with your friends and

brothers and sisters in Christ.

Look for other no#ces as we near the dates. There

will be signup sheets for discussion groups. The

Session and I covet your prayers as we make plans

and implement the discussion groups and worship

services for those four weeks. Thank you.

Grace Abounds,

Dave

Pastor Dave

FELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIP Submitted by Lin Briley Fellowship Ruling ElderSubmitted by Lin Briley Fellowship Ruling ElderSubmitted by Lin Briley Fellowship Ruling Elder

SAVE THE DATE - Please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 25th. This is the

scheduled Consecra#on Sunday. Instead of one service in the years past, there will

be two services to accommodate Sunday school classes and confirma#on. There will

be fun ac#vi#es and food planned for this day . SWORD commi!ee mee#ng is

scheduled for Tuesday, August 11th 6:30 p.m. at Hope Church. If you are interested

in planning for this event please let me know or plan to a!end on the 11th. Volunteers will be needed to

make this a special #me for everyone so let me know how you would like to get involved. There will be

more details and sign-up sheet to come later. Stay tuned!

Now is the #me to start thinking about what Hope church means to you and prayerfully consider what your

pledge will be.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and he who sows boun#fully will also reap boun#fully. Each one must do just as he

has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a

cheerful giver.

SWORDSWORDSWORD Submitted by Donelle Thomas Submitted by Donelle Thomas Submitted by Donelle Thomas

The Fellowship Commi!ee is planning two upcoming events you will want to mark on your

calendars. First is the annual church picnic, which will be held on Sunday, August 30th

at 11:45

am at the church. The Fellowship Commi!ee will provide chicken, dessert and drinks. Each

family is asked to bring a salad or vegetable. The Kona Ice Truck will also be at the picnic!

Second, we are planning a trolley tour from the Durham Museum on Saturday, September 19th

at 10:30 am. We will be doing the “Millionaires and Mansions North Gold Coast” tour. This tour

explores the neighborhoods north of Dodge Street in mid-town Omaha. Along the way, learn

about many stately homes in the original ‘West Omaha”, drive on the first curved street in the

city and see and hear many other interes#ng facts. The cost will be approximately $13 per #cket. Please sign

up in the narthex as soon as possible so that we can reserve your seat. The trolley will hold 32 and seats are

filling up fast. Feel free to invite your friends and family.

A reminder, a group meets at the church on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm to

play cards. We have played several different games since last fall and have had a lot of fun and

fellowship. Everyone is welcome so, if you like to play cards, mark your calendar for the second

Tuesday of each month. If you would like an email reminder, let Lin Briley know and she will

add you to the email list. You do not need to know how to play the games as we have several

willing to teach you.

The bowling night planned for Saturday, August 8th

has been cancelled. We have not had enough people sign

up for the event. We may try to reschedule at a later date.

The Fellowship Commi!ee met the morning of July 21st

and cleaned the cupboards and kitchen. A big thank

you for everyone’s help.

The work of this commi!ee is to support the mission and ministry of Hope, by caring for the concrete, physical

founda#on of the congrega#onal life. We support everyone!

Thanks: Chris Crawford for bringing a donated toolbox back to show room condi#on. When you see it you can

imagine what he can do with your car.

Lorin Toman for replacing the air condi#oner freon tube insula#on completed June 18.

Ron S#gge and Kurt Briley for tree trimming the en#re NE side hill landscape, and Terry Wiese for assis#ng them with

debris disposal July 10.

Mike Molacek for supplying and replacing the upstairs closet lockset.

HD for JC par#cipants Kurt Briley, Terry Kendrick, Hugh Carter, Pastor Dave, Ron S#gge and Jayne Molacek for

restriping the parking lot and installing mulch around the storage shed roses.

Punch list discussion:

Gym men’s restroom par##on ordered.

The Sanctuary chair replacement fund is $11,163.41.

Sanctuary projector replacement bidding con#nues.

Las#me Roofing roof replacement started July 1.

BUILDING & GROUNDSBUILDING & GROUNDSBUILDING & GROUNDS Submitted by Mike MolacekSubmitted by Mike MolacekSubmitted by Mike Molacek

CHURCH CHAIR REPLACEMENT FUND DRIVECHURCH CHAIR REPLACEMENT FUND DRIVECHURCH CHAIR REPLACEMENT FUND DRIVE Submitted by Dick Corwine Submitted by Dick Corwine Submitted by Dick Corwine

Who’da thunk it??? Holy Cow!!! Just last month I was asked to write a li!le note

for the newsle!er to put before our membership a concern about the age and

condi#on of our sanctuary chairs. Now, at our last Building & Grounds Commi!ee,

I find out that you, our membership, did not want to SIT on it. You began to get

right to the SEAT of the issue. The prescribed number of new chairs for our

sanctuary will cost the church about $16,000. I am please to report to you that

the new chair fund is already standing at a li!le over $11,000 and s#ll growing. The new chairs, however,

will not be purchased un#l the total amount of money needed is on hand and available for expenditure.

Some people may feel that our chairs are s#ll func#onal and useful. To that point, certainly some of the

chairs are. Others, however, are not. Our commi!ee is constantly #ghtening screws, repairing torn seats,

fixing wobbly legs, etc. Most of us—if we had a chair in our house that was over 40 years old—would have

replaced it a long #me ago. These chairs, it seems , are a lot like me. The older they get, they get a li!le

wobbly and start to manifest a list of needs. I am living proof of that.

Now, there’s not a lot you can do for me but each one of us can certainly do a li!le something for the chairs.

Each new chair will cost approximately $62. You may buy one (or some) if you like but we really are not

asking that. It would just be nice (for all of us) to give something (whatever you feel is right) Already, in just

the last month or so, our chair fund is more that half-way home. Let’s all chip in to the chair ki!y and give

Hope Church a nice Christmas present. Let our comfortable sea#ng capacity be exceeded only by our love

for God and Hope Church. And I’ll feel be!er too. We have a chance to show what we want to STAND for—

good SEATING!!!