November 2022 Council Highlights
The monthly meeting of Hope Lutheran’s Church Council was hybrid, held Tuesday, November 15, 2022 in Hope’s conference room.
• Hope is operating at a significant loss compared to budget this year, but has received generous extra contributions to the general fund from congregation members and the Learning Tree. Thank you! These are much appreciated to keep Hope happening! Thanks to these donations, Hope currently has a deficit of $46,509 rather than the over $80,000 reported in September. The prayer is that by holding tight to expenditures and having members of Hope continue to give the extra mile, the remaining deficit will decrease even further by the end of December.
• It was clear in the three meetings the Finance Team held before finalizing the 2023 Mission Plan (budget), Hope members wanted to lower the cost of staff, look at all expenditures, be creative utilizing volunteers, and keep Jazz Mass but lower the amount that Hope contributes. The Finance Team and Council has approved a proposed Mission Plan for 2023. Budget forums are scheduled for Wednesday, November 16th (with Zoom) after Wednesday Night Dinner; and Sunday, November 20th between services in the community center, and after second service (with Zoom) to go over this Mission Plan before the congregational meeting on December 4th. Copies of the Mission Plan are available in the church office and online.
• Hope Matters! Our Stewardship Drive culminated with a Day of Prayer on October 29th. Over 40 members came to pray for 30 minutes or more for Hope, our ministries, staff, and the community we serve. Reformation and Stewardship Sunday took place on October 30th. There were 172 in attendance for service – quite a sea of red! Pardini’s generously donated 102 catered lunches. There is still time to turn in a pledge card if you haven’t already. Why does Hope matter to you, and how are you called to respond with your time, talents, and treasure to God’s many blessings in your life? You may pick up a pledge card in the church office or narthex.
• Trunk or Treat on October 30th brought in record numbers of children and families – OVER 1,200!!! Way to go Youth Program and Trunk or Treat Volunteers! It was wonderful to see this many people enjoying a night out with their children and on our campus.
• The Call Team continues work drafting a survey for which the team needs full congregation participation. The survey will ultimately help the team draft Hope’s Mission Purpose and Direction for the Ministry Site Profile. The Call Team will meet with a synod representative on November 28.
Save the dates!
Congregation meeting Sunday, December 4, 2022, sanctuary, after combined service at 10:00 a.m.
Come enjoy an intergenerational Christmas pageant Sunday, December 18th at 11:00 a.m.
Continue filling your heart with the spirit of Christmas the evening of Sunday, December 18th with a Christmas Concert at 6:00 p.m. featuring music by Hope musicians, Christmas carols, readings, and opening with the Learning Tree Preschool’s Annual Christmas Program. Cozy up with some hot cocoa and other goodies in the courtyard afterwards.
Christmas Eve services 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.
No service on Christmas Sunday. There will be a rebroadcast of the Christmas Eve service online instead as we gift Christmas Sunday to our pastor, staff, and volunteers.
New Year’s Sunday – one hymn sing service at 10:00 a.m.
Date change – Jazz Mass will be on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in light of the New Year’s holiday
Please note: We are moving to one combined service at 9:30 a.m. as of Sunday, January 8, 2023! This will help Hope steward resources more effectively, and help congregation members get to know each other better.
Please also note: The church office is moving to a 4-day work week as of Monday, November 28, 2022 to save on costs and volunteers. Office hours will be 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Next church council meeting is hybrid, Hope Lutheran conference room, Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 7 p.m.
Respectfully submitted 11/17/22,
Amanda Berryhill, Council Secretary