from Keith Meyer, Lead Pastor

Dear Hope Covenant Family: Over the last year, the Hope Covenant church family began to ask the question, “Why are we here?” Why has God placed us in this part of the city, at this time? We have had some clues that look like answers. We found out that St. Cloud State is known for their International Student and diversity emphasis. We found that the campus and the city are redefining the corridor where our church is located as the college’s front door. Since we joined Little Falls Friends in hosting activities like the fall fishing trip and orientation lunches at Hope’s site, we have seen several students make Hope their church and have gotten involved in ministry with us. And now, like at Easter, a number of Hope families are hosting International Students in their homes for Thanksgiving. Our next opportunity is to serve those students coming to St. Cloud in mid-year in January 2015. I think Jesus would include giving a winter-culture shocked International Student from a nation near the equator – a warm welcome, a pair of gloves, a winter coat and hat or boots - as part of his teaching that God is pleased with giving those in need a cup of cold water. Thanks Hope!... for your warm embrace for these students and stay tuned as to how God will lead us next as we answer “why are we here?”

No Council Meeting in December

Men’s Breakfast You are invited Sat. Dec. 13 8-9 am in the

Fellowship Hall downstairs

Sat. Nov. 29 International Student Meal

Hope, along with Little Falls Friends, would like to welcome International students to eat a meal here at Hope on Sat. Nov. 29. Students will start gathering at 2 pm. If you could bring a dish to share or you could even come and make a dish with students. Stay for some fellowship, or even a game. The (SCSU foodservice is closed over Thanksgiving break). For more info, contact Sue Westmark

259-4903 or intlone@yahoo.com

Elder Update:

The Elders will be contacting each family over the next few months to ask for any prayer concerns. The Elders are Barb Scheevel, Scott Bjorklund, Dave Kamphenkel, Bob Koubsky, Keith Krueger, and Laurie Summerland. The Elders are also available to pray with you on Sunday mornings following the worship service.

On Sun. Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, there will be a Christmas Benevolent Offering gathered for assisting those in need with special circumstances.

Library Notes from Kathy

Amazing Grace by Kenneth Osbeck

This is a must for both your home library and your church library. . . . the ideal devotional book for the church musician (Church Music Report 20040603). The entire Christian community can and will benefit from [Amazing Grace] . . . . This work is not only a marvelous means of personal inspiration; it is also valuable for ministers and teachers who can enrich their leadership with factual stories that prompted the writing of these hymns. Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon

After five hectic years of retirement from Lord's Chapel, Father Tim Kavanagh returns with his wife, Cynthia from a so-called pleasure trip to the land of his Irish ancestors. While he is glad to be at home in Mitford, something is definitely missing: a pulpit. But when he's offered one, he decides he doesn't want it. Maybe he lost his passion. His adopted son, Dooley, wrestles with his own passion--for the beautiful and gifted Lace Turner--and his vision to become a successful country vet. Dooley's brother Sammy, still enraged by his mother's abandonment, destroys one of Father Tim's prized possessions. And Hope Murphy, owner of Happy Endings Bookstore, struggles with the potential loss of her unborn child and her hard-won business. All this as Wanda's Feel Good Cafe opens, a romance catches fire through an Internet word game, their former mayor hatches a reelection campaign to throw the bums out, and the weekly Muse poses a probing inquiry: Does Mitford still take care of its own? Millions of fans will applaud the chance to spend time, once more, in the often comic and utterly human presence of Jan Karon's characters. Indeed, they have never been more sympathetic, bighearted, and engaging.

Poinsettias If you would like to order a poinsettia for the sanctuary for Christmas in memory or in honor of a loved one, please fill out a form in the Welcome Center or call the office. Cost $9.00 You may take poinsettia home with you following the Christmas Eve service. Checks may be written to Hope Covenant.

December Birthdays

6 – Shirley Hubert 6 – Ralph Kluball 7 – Minnow Ceaser 7 – Bjorn Wagenius 7 – Soren Wagenius 7 – Rachel Geurkink 9 – LuAnn Martin 10 – John Reep 13 – Bev Kluball 13 – Dave Peterson 14 – Jan Wilde 14 – Caleb Theis 15 – Dick Owen 17 – Nyachieng Puoch 18 – Scott Bjorklund 18 – Sherry Borsvold 18 – Lindsey Eriksson 18 – Martha Roth 21 – Rebekah Theis 22 – Winston Christenson 22 – Tristan Neupauer 23 – Courtney Albright 23 – Linda Fimrite 23 – Liz Keith 26 – Bernie Wager 29 – Thomas Kaczor

December Anniversaries

8 – Jack & Laraine Forsell 9 – Gary & Linda Ziebarth 13 – Russell & Sue Simmons 18 – John & Joanne Reinhart 21 – Eric & Christy McCauley 29 – Ross & Mary Rieke 29 – Roger & Tracy Eriksson

Thank you to all who

donated shoe boxes or funding for the shoe boxes for “Operation Christmas Child”.

We collected 40 filled boxes and $130 ! (not including

on-line donations)

HHooppee -- DDrreeaamm CCeenntteerr CChhrriissttmmaass PPrroojjeecctt

The Dream Center works with men coming from jails and prisons helping them to become productive, contributing members of our community.

Nov. 23- Dec. 7 We are collecting donations of new and used coats, caps, gloves, blankets, shirts and hygiene items. Box in Welcome Center

Dec. 8—6 pm Elves needed to wrap Christmas gifts for the Dream Center residents. Pizza provided.

Dec. 9—6:30 pm Christmas Caroling at the Dream Center & giving gifts to residents. Bring cookies or treats if possible.

Everyone is cordially invited to take part in any or all of these most meaningful activities. Questions? Contact Jan Wilde 224-1782.

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Crusade Choir performing “Hallelujah! Light Has Come” at First Presbyterian Church

Crusade Choir is an ecumenical outreach choir, inviting you to experience the meaning of Christmas. Coffee and cookies will follow. Free-will offering.

Friday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m.

Great River Chorale presenting, “A Merry Little Christmas” Sun. Nov. 30 at 4 pm

Bethlehem Lutheran; 4310 County Rd. 137 Cantabile Girls Choir & Choristers Br. Paul-Vincent Niebauer, OSB, narrator

Christmas at St. John’s (Great Hall)

Fri. Dec. 5 at 8 pm Sat. Dec. 6 at 2 pm $14/and/$8 Tickets: 320-363-5777 csbsju.edu/finearts

Neighboring Opportunities

“Svenskarnas Dag Girls Choir”

Christmas Concert Sun. Dec. 7 - 3:30 pm at Brookdale Covenant Church Come start the Christmas season off right! Traditional Christmas songs and a Lucia Pageant portion as well. Light Smorgasbord following. Tickets available at the door or in advance. See the Noble's for more info. Visit http://www.norwayhouse.org/2014/10/santa-lucia-pageant-at-mindekirken/

The Bells of Bethlehem present “Figgy Pudding” Christmas Handbell Concert & Dessert Bethlehem Lutheran; 4310 County Rd. 137 Fri. Dec. 5 at 7 pm Sat. Dec. 6 at 7 pm Tickets: 320-252-8439 $10

Caroling 2013

Place of Hope “Kids-Hope-Shop” at Place of Hope 511 9th Ave N- St Cloud, MN 56303

Donations of new unwrapped gifts for all ages. Donation Drop off at any Bremer Bank location ! Adopt-A-Family for Christmas (can include food) Financial contributions can be mailed to above address or for on-line giving go to: www.placeofhopeministries.org Email: hope@placeofhopeministries.org

DECEMBER VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE GREETER/USHER SCHEDULE

Date

Greeter

North

East

West

Dec. 7

Carol Ervasti

Pam Schirmers

Marshall/ Lori Engevik

Jerry Lommel

Dec. 14

Pam Schirmers

6-8th Grade SS Class

Steve Johnson/ Debbie Gale

Wilma J Schwegel

Dec. 21

Ellen Geurkink

Dick Geurkink

Rich Nothnagel/ Linda Fletcher

Bobbie Ziebol

Dec. 28

Limei Danzeisen

Mark Danzeisen

Ross/Mary Rieke

Deborah Owen

Thank you for serving during our worship. Please find a substitute, if needed.

NURSERY SCHEDULE Date

Dec 7

Beth Krueger Julie Granberg & Isaac Engevik

Dec 14

Linda & Kami Ziebarth Jessica Rowen

Dec 21

Julie Toole Amanda Skajewski

Dec 28

Deb & Phil Godding Rachel Kaczor

Date

Dec 7 Gary Noble

Dec 14 Tiffany Nelson

Dec 21 John Theis

Dec 28 Tiffany Nelson

JAM Schedule

Dec 7 – Kelly Warzecha Dec 14 – NO JAM Dec 21 – Jessica Olson Dec 28 – NO JAM, Jan 4 – NO JAM, resumes Jan. 11

COMPUTER TECHS

Coffee/Conversation Servants

Dec 7 - open Dec 14 - Christmas Program Reception Dec 21 – Kamphenkel’s Dec 28 - open

As part of our ministry at Hope, we like to extend a time for fellowship following the service. We are in need of people to make & serve coffee & beverage (or water) for Dec. 7 and Dec. 28. Sharing a snack is optional. Sign up in the Welcome Center or call Janelle 257-4673.