Monday, March 23, 2020

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18a

There has been a lot of fear lately. Fear of germs. Fear of contact. Fear of change. Fear of not knowing what is going to happen. Truthfully, fear is a pretty useful tool. It can guide us away from danger. Staying in fear, however, can bring its own danger.

March 20 2020

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

I have seen this saying floating around social media for the past week and it continues to run through my brain, like some kind of “ear worm”.

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the world calls a butterfly.”

March 19th 2020

Jesus is speaking: “I’m praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they’ll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me.” John 17:20-22 (The Message)

March 18th, 2020

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to God, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8

How many times have you said “if only I had more time.” I say it ALL. THE. TIME.! The truth is, we all have the same amount of time – the difference is how we spend that time.
Now, our baskets have been upset – all our previous schedules have been wiped clean and we’re left with – time!
For some of us, this is a painful reality. It means we’ve lost our jobs and our income.
For others it is a difficult reality – we have bored children and nothing but time.
For still others, there has been much change at all – but the reality of other people’s stress is filling our time.
Perhaps we have been created for such a time as this! Perhaps, River People, we can transform the landscape around us.
Together, we can help meet some of the needs of those whose income has been reduced or taken all together. We can help with the food shelf, with the United Way’s emergency services, with child care so that someone can look for work – there are so many ways we can support those in needs.
Together, we can help families who are struggling with kids at home. The teachers in our community have a wealth of ideas and resources for families – let’s share them! If you’ve got a good idea, share it!
And for all of us, as we worry – remember that we are not walking this road alone. It’s time to lift up our prayers and reach out for help. We’ve got all the time in the world!
Let’s pray:
Gracious God, thank you for the gift of time. Help us to use it wisely. Give us eyes to see opportunities in the midst of our own situations to reach out and help others who are struggling. Use us to go out and transform the landscape around us.
In Jesus Name
Amen.

March 17th 2020

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
This has been a “go to” verse for me for years. Specifically, since my late husband’s stroke. During that time when the world changed overnight I suddenly found an overwhelming amount of responsibilities on my shoulders. I needed some “stillness” – some peace. I didn’t over think the verse – I found permission to be still – and that was enough.
That changed, however, when a well meaning person used the same verse to explain WHY Jack had a stroke. That, for some reason, in God’s wisdom it was for a divine purpose that Jack suffered a debilitating stroke.
At first, I was confused. Why would a loving God do that?
Then, I was angry – then – someone helped me see this verse from another angle – God gives us the ability to be still – and at peace – not because God caused the chaos around us, but because God doesn’t leave us alone in the chaos.
The same is true today. As we all walk the chaos of empty grocery shelves, the loss of jobs, the loss of social contact, the fear of illness – know that we are not walking alone.
God is right here, walking with us. Sending just the right person to give us a phone call at just the right time. Sending an article on social media that calms our fears. Sending US to be that comfort for someone else.
May we see God’s peaceful presence in the midst of this stressful time!
Let’s pray:
Gracious God,
We thank you for sending your peace into our lives in new and unexpected ways. Use us to go out and bring your peaceful presence to others as we help the vulnerable in creative ways.
Amen.

Worship Bulletin June 21st

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the midst of a global pandemic and world wide call for racial justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in our own state it seems like our attentions have been redirected in all kinds of directions.
Yet, in the midst of all of this, the work of finding River of Hope’s next settled Pastor continues!
The River Table has appointed the following people as the call committee:

Nan Crary (Chair)
Louis Bedard
Kris Dobratz
Scott Gross-Sands
Leah Pollmann
Jim Shafer
Katie Weisenburger

As chair, Nan has been in contact with Rev. Stephen Cook from the Synod office. They are scheduled to meet via zoom to get advice and direction from Pastor Cook on this very important process.

Additionally, the committee will begin their work together getting grounded in the God’s direction for River of Hope, studying the Ministry Site Profile that the transition team created as well as reading A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community by John Pavlovitz.We are grateful for the Call Committee’s important work!

As a congregation we commit to praying for their work together and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the just the right person is sent to lead this amazing place called River of Hope!

Updates

June 2020

 

https://riverofhopehutchinson.org/worship-2/worship-bulletins/

 

 

 

“Just because we can’t gather together for summer camp doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy summer camp! We are the church, together and apart, and can continue to share God’s love even from afar! Our theme, We are the Church: Together and Apart, will be based on Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

“Join us in new ways this summer through daily summer camp activities and day camp materials to do at home with your congregation, or family! We will continue to offer new activities and camp opportunities as the local and state guidance adapts to the current situation. Please click on the link for Camp at Home with Green Lake Lutheran Ministries”

https://www.gllm.org/we-are-the-church.html