The last 5:30pm worship service is this Sunday, January 26, 2014.

As I said in worship this past Sunday, I’ve been talking to those folks who have been attending the 5:30pm worship service regularly, or at all, and have asked them this question:  “What would you do if we stopped having this worship service time?”  The majority have offered a knowing look, seeing the writing on the wall, and have said, “I’ll/we’ll go to the 10:30am worship service.”

As the 10:30am worship time has begun and found traction, the 5:30pm worship time has slipped in attendance. Initially, attendance was right around 50 which included some that were attending both times.  Gradually, that number has slipped with the average number hovering in the 20s or 30s.

When I asked our community to weigh in on projected habits of worship time attendance, it was about 50/50.  Many said, “We’ll switch back and forth.”  I think it has surprised many folks how easily the 10:30am worship time became home and habit.  It is what it is and we can’t always know what we’ll do. But people are voting with their feet!

We began as a 5:30pm worship time community.  We rallied around it to make it work.  Now, we’re letting it go. And we will see just what intentional move we will make in the future as we continue to grow and reach out to those who do not know the good news.   Who knows?  I am convinced God will reveal to us what is next.

I stumbled upon this project  over the weekend.  100happydays.   [Read more…]

Baby it’s cold outside.  We’re going to combine our resources and worship one time on Sunday, January 5 at 10:30am.  NO 5:30pm WORSHIP. Come warm your spirit in worship in the morning and then tuck in for the rest of the day.  Make good decisions based on your own situation about if you venture out or stay in.

And please call someone you think might not see this message.

See you soon.

In the warmth of hope,

Pastor Laura

Last week’s FAITH5 night was, once again, an incredible night of community.  (You can come.  Your whole family can come.  An hour and 1/2 of time with River of Hopeful people and anyone else who wants to come.)

We read Ezekiel’s “valley of the dry bones” and as we read it, each person held onto a piece of chalk.  A dry bone.  Then, on black pieces of paper, they wrote what the “dry bones” in their lives were.

Then.

THEN.

We watched this video.  Go ahead and watch it.  I’ll wait.

Then.

THEN.  They finished that sentence that Candy Chang started for them in that video.

Valley of the dry bones no more!

It’s tomorrow, folks!  Wednesday night from 6-7:30 come and enjoy a meal and time with others from River of Hope.  We’ll be handing out and blessing Bibles in the midst of practicing the FAITH5.  Practicing faith is as easy as talking about your highs and lows, reading one verse of scripture, seeing that scripture might have something to say about your highs and lows, praying and blessing each other.  I’ll be walking you through it. It’s more fun than you might think.  See you at the Event Center Wednesday night!

Help River of Hope plan for the future.  Pledges have been coming in via https://riverofhopehutchinson.org/give/.  Thank you for using this technology. You can also pick up a physical piece of paper at worship.  Please thoughtfully, prayerfully consider what you will give to River of Hope.  Consult your family, your check book, your heart, your God.  Please don’t do it without talking to God. Then make a pledge to support this ministry.  Sunday, October 13 is the day to drop it in the offering plate. Or put it in the mail:  River of Hope/P.O Box 608/Hutchinson, MN 55350. [Read more…]