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470 Winter Street Ext.., Troy, NY 12180
(518) 283-1372 ~ WWW.HOPELC.ORG
We are a community empowered by the Holy Spirit,
called to bring God’s comfort, to work for God’s justice,
and to share the hope and love of Jesus with all.
Welcome Back!
2021 June Newsletter This past month of Sundays, we celebrated both Pentecost Sunday, and Holy Trinity Sunday. Both are days when we recognize the importance of the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as individuals, and as the church. As we re-gather for in person worship it seems fitting to me that we should be especially attentive to the moving and guidance of the Holy Spirit for the church universal, and in particular for us here at Hope Lutheran. As we continue to become fully post-pandemic (I pray), there is much we have to process. So much has happened in our world, and to our people. The isolation, the social distancing, and the loss of life, of jobs, and homes, have had a devastating impact for many. It will not be business as usual church. How do we convey the good news of Jesus Christ to a world reeling from the effects of this pandemic, and from the social and political unrest that have torn asunder in many places the fabric of our shared realities? For the church universal and for Hope Lutheran this will need to be a time of deep prayer, of discerning God’s voice in the midst of it all, and where we are being called to in this time and in this place. For many this may sound passive or even an easy task. But such prayer is hard work, for it means we need to put aside our egos, bringing our wants and desires in alignment with those of Gods. Trust me, such is not easy. But it is part of our vocation as disciples of Jesus. People of God, the Spring is upon us and with it the opportunity for new life in the resurrection our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Let us open ourselves to receiving the fruits of this new life and sharing those fruits with others. Blessings to you all, Pastor Pamela
2021 June Newsletter
From the Desk
of the
Council President
Council Spotlight
Debbie Favro and Mike Daus trimmed our beautiful Crab Apple trees out in front of the church. I
also had an arborist stop by to check on all four trees; two are also in the back. Prior to the past
three years, these trees used to blossom much more vibrantly. According to the arborist the trees
are still very healthy. What they really need is to be pruned from the top in order to allow the trees
to breathe; his sense is that they are very congested. At the time of writing this update, I’m still
waiting for him to give me a proposal for doing this.
Greg Whitney has led the way with regard to installing new security cameras. Two have been
installed in the front and two in back of the church.
The Piano is in the process of having a broken leg repaired. We also need a dolly added to it so it
can be moved easier on the rug. This, most likely, is why the leg was broken in the first place, as
the casters are not designed for rugs. The legs will not accept larger wheels, therefore the need for
the dolly.
Mike Daus will be moving forward on getting bids for a new roof in the back of the church. This
should be installed before winter sets in.
Hope’s Grove is in the process of being upgraded with more topsoil and grass seed—this will cover
over some of the exposed roots, eliminating possible tripping by folks. Essentially there are also 3+
trees that will be removed, we hadn’t realized they were dead after the grove had been cleared out.
The parking lot is going to be resurfaced and realigned, this is got to be done before winter. A
crusher run of stone will be put on the west side of Blooming Grove Drive, where it meets our
property. This will allow for a smoother transition for vehicles to come onto the grass so we can
have more parking closer to Hope’s Grove.
We need to form a committee that will start the thought process and design of a walking path
around the property. This path will have, at certain locations, benches where folks can sit and read
while also viewing some of the flora.
That’s it for now. Looking forward to seeing everybody this coming weekend at the picnic.
Ray Littlejohn
2021 June Newsletter YOUR Help Is Needed! We are finally seeing the light at the end of the long pandemic tunnel. As I write, our church is about to hold a grand reopening. Soon, we hope, things will be back to normal -- or at least a "new normal." During the pandemic, in the interests of having as few people as possible in the church, we needed only one volunteer – an Assistant Minister. Soon we will be back to needing other volunteers: Ushers, Greeters, Communion Assistants, Offering Counters, Acolytes, Altar Guild members. Recently you received a Time and Talent sheet with these volunteer opportunities, and others, listed. I'm the person who tabulated your responses. I was disappointed to find that most responses were exactly the same as last year (and, for that matter, the year before). Many did not respond at all. Our church counts on its volunteers to help make our Sunday services welcoming and special for those attending. Several people are needed each week. We need everyone's help so the same people are not called upon too often. If you are able, please consider volunteering for something you haven't tried before. I promise you will find your participation rewarding. If you have questions about any of the volunteer positions, please email Pam Dodson at pamd@fastmail.com or call 518-701-4628. I'll be more than happy to answer your questions.
2021 June Newsletter
PRAYER GROUP
PRAYER GROUP
Our prayer chain continues to be a strong force for prayer in our
Our prayer
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at deannspringer@yahoo.com.
contact DeAnn Springer at deannspringer@yahoo.com.
2021 June Newsletter
2021 June Newsletter Emotional Intelligence (EI) It is generally accepted that success in life is better predicted by EI than IQ. It is generally accepted that emotionally-aware congregations are usually better able to process the stresses that confront them than those congregations that are not. It could be useful for us, individually, to think our own thoughts about each of these emotions, and if any is so inclined, to share one’s thoughts with another. In the last newsletter, I offered the emotion 'disrespect’ under the core emotion of ‘Fear’ and asked you to ponder your own thoughts. This is what I have to say: disrespect (exhibiting lack of regard, rude, and discourteous) – I am often the oddball. If I do not make waves, the family system tends to find a place for me, somewhere on the less-than-higher end of the social ladder. Sometimes it grants me leadership, but usually on a short leash. Sometimes, in the past, when I have asserted my difference, the family system derided it, until all respect was obliterated. Despite this, I remained. The full story had not been written. I knew that tomorrow was another day. I knew that God had granted me more value than the family system was willing to acknowledge at that time. Like so many other things, this, too, is/was wrapped in Grace and dependent upon God’s fullness of time. For next month, please consider ‘violated’ under the core emotion of ‘Anger’. In His Grace, WDM
2021 June Newsletter
Given to the World by Dr. Dave Lose
Just two observations on this complex portion of what we often call
“the High Priestly Prayer” when Jesus’ intercedes on behalf of his
disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. Both are prompted by the
repetition of key words.
The first is “world” (kosmos). According to John’s Jesus, the world
is not a friendly place. It has rejected Jesus, it poses threats to
Jesus’ disciples, and it is something that occasions Jesus’ request
that God protect the disciples from it. Although some of John’s theology feels a bit gnostic in its portrayal of a remarkably
dispassionate Jesus, I don’t think John’s thoroughly negative characterization of “the world” needs to be interpreted as an absolute
rejection of the physical and mortal dimension of our lives. Rather, I think it reflects the experience of John’s community of being
rejected by so many of their friends, neighbors, and synagogue members because of their belief in Jesus; their feelings of being
orphaned (see Jn 14:18); and their feelings of abandonment after Jesus’ departure (and likely the death of the founder of their
community).
In short, the “world,” to the folks for whom John is writing, feels like a pretty dark place. It’s not a rejection of nature or the
environment or our physicality, but rather a deep foreboding that the deck has been stacked against you and that you just can’t
count on much. In the larger context of the farewell discourses and high priestly prayer (chs. 14-17), the “world” is that entity (even
more than a place) that is at deep enmity with God and so poses a threat to those who worship God.
I’m guessing that more than a few of our folks have felt like the “world” has been conspiring against them as well this year. They
may not have characterized it in the religious or theological categories John employs, but it’s been a rough year. Pandemic, job
loss, grief, uncertainty, new recognition of centuries old injustice, a general languishing even among those who otherwise are
doing “pretty well” – these are the words and emotions that characterize so much of the last fourteen months. All of which may
provide some insight into what John’s community felt and what difference Jesus’ words might make.
The second word that stands out to me is “giving” (didomi). There’s a lot of giving going on in this prayer (and some receiving,
too!). God has given Jesus his disciples, his teaching, the Word, and God’s name, to name a few. Jesus, in turn, has given these
things to the disciples. While one might want to explore the theological dimensions of giving and receiving in John, I’d simply note
that one of the dominant characteristics of God in John’s gospel is one who delights in giving. I wonder how many of our folks
realize this. Not just after a rough year, but in general. I suspect that if you pull a few folks off the street (or even out of our pews)
and ask what they think of God, they’ll likely describe something approximating an old man with a white beard, sitting up in
heaven, looking down in mild disapproval with an outstretched and wagging finger ready to enforce some archaic morality code or
scold us for having too much fun. In short, I think that when most people think of God, they think of a meaner version of Santa
Claus, you know: “he knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good so be
good, for goodness sake!” But the God to whom Jesus prays looks nothing like this. Rather than a wagging finger of warning, you
have arms reaching out to embrace and an open hand giving all good things. God, according to Jesus, gives, and gives, and gives
some more. Why else come to God in prayer, sharing hopes, concerns, fears, and dreams. God listens, God cares, God gives.
With these two words and emphases in mind, we might acknowledge, first, that yes, the world is a challenging, at times dark
place. But, second and more importantly, God is not done yet, has not given Jesus’ followers and God’s children all there is.
These two words – “world” and “giving” – come together at another place in John’s Gospel a number of chapters and, in John’s
chronology, several years earlier. Jesus has just had a fairly lengthy and rather metaphorical exchange with a Pharisee and local
leader who came to Jesus at night with questions about his teaching. It’s hard to tell whether Jesus’ answers were satisfactory. It’s
even hard, at least at this point in the story, whether they have impacted the Pharisee at all. But near the close of their
conversation, Jesus says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him
may not perish but may have eternal life.”
You know the verse. Yes, the world – the world at enmity with God and hostile toward God’s world – is the one to whom God gives
the great gift. Why? Because nothing in or of the world can ultimately withstand the grace and mercy of God’s gift of love. Included
in the scope of God’s sacrificial love, Nicodemus returns to speak on Jesus’ behalf later in the story and bury him with honor at its
close. And included in that love, Jesus’ disciples and John’s community keep on keeping on and bear witness to the one who
dwelt among us in grace and truth. And wrapped in that same love, we are encouraged, strengthened, called, commissioned,
equipped, and sent out into that same world not simply to survive but flourish, sharing – that is, giving! – God’s love with others in
word and deed as we have received it.
Submitted by Jon Getbehead
2021 June Newsletter
Hope’s Kitchen
~ Free Community Dinner ~
Thursday, June 3rd, 2021
3:30 PM to 6:30 PM
At: Cornerstone Community Church of Lansingburgh
570 3rd Avenue in Troy
On the Menu:
Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Corn
Toss Salad
Sugar Cookies
Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, & Ice Tea
*****************************************************
We will abide by the Covid protocol for seating. Masks will
be worn until you are seated to eat. There will be take-out
if you prefer to take your dinner home. Please come and
join us for a delicious dinner, companionship and great
conversation.
2021 June Newsletter
SATURDAY, JUNE 5TH ~ 10 AM to 2 PM
Last October, Hope held a food drive and bake sale to benefit our local food
pantries. It was a rousing success, with five BIG carloads of food collected,
along with nearly $600 from the bake sale and cash donations. The two food
pantries, CoNSERNS-U (Rensselaer) and Doors of Hope (West Sand Lake),
were thrilled with what we were able to do for them during this time when the
need is great.
We’re doing it again!
Please plan to donate some food and pick up some baked goodies – we’ve
got some very talented bakers in our Hope family!2021 June Newsletter
2021 June Newsletter
HOPE-full
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This Photo by Unknown Author
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND2021 June Newsletter
CRITICAL-NEED BLOOD DRIVE
At:
470 Winter Street Ext., Troy, NY 12180
Date: Saturday, June 26th, 2021
8 AM to 1 PM
To register, click on the link below.
This will take you directly to Hope’s appointment page.
Thank you all for your care and support!
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=HopeLutheran2021 June Newsletter
UPDATE: On June 6th, Hope’s doors will reopen to all! We will also continue to live-
stream our services on our Website, our Facebook page, on YouTube, and through
Zoom. The Zoom links for both Worship Services and Bible Studies will continue to
be posted in the bulletins.
3rd 5 th
5 th 6th
Hope’s Kitchen Hope’s Grand
Food Drive Regional Food
Community Meal Re-Opening at 10 AM
& Bank Packing
3:30 – 6:30 PM *******
Bake Sale 10:30 AM – Noon
at Cornerstone Church Congregational
10 AM – 2 PM Meet at RFB
in Lansingburgh Meeting
*******
Picnic
9th 13th 26th
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th 13 Hope-Full Dreams15
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6:30 PM
Council Meeting Hope-Full Dreams ~ Part IIWorship & MusicBlood Drive Red Cross
6:30 PM ~ Part II Committee
Following Worship Meeting
8 AM – 1 PMBlood Drive
Following Worship via Zoom
8 AM – 1 PM
3 PM
Monthly Pledged Amount: $ 9,655
Actual Pledged Giving: $ 11,541
Difference: + $ 1,886
APRIL Monthly Pledged Amount: $ 9,655
* April 2021 – March 2022 *
PLEDGESBudgeted: $Actual Pledged Giving:
115,860 Actual: $ 11,541
$ 11,541
Difference: + $ 1,886
* April 2021 – March 2022 *
Budgeted: $ 115,860 Actual: $ 11,541You can also read
