HCLC NOV. 2009 CELEBRATIONS

HCLC SEPTEMBER 2009 CELEBRATIONS:

·       Our thanks to the “Holy Smokers” for a great job in preparing the delicious Bar-B-Q that we all enjoyed last Sunday.  Also, a big bouquet of flowers to the Fellowship Committee for hosting this great celebration last Sunday.

·       What a great beginning when over 20 guys enjoyed breakfast last Saturday as they planned the inauguration  of the Men’s Ministry of Holy Comforter.  Thanks to the Blockers for hosting  a wonderful breakfast!

·       Crossroads and WOW—(Sunday School and Wednesday Night Word Worship and Witness) is just around the corner.  Thanks to all the folks who attended teacher training last Sunday and a special thank you to Karen Geffert and Pieter Visser for leading this training session. 

·       You made our Blood Drive last Sunday a success.  Special “tip of the hat” to the 40 folks who shared their “gift of life.” 

·       Did you see the high chairs in the narthex?  Your support of the Media Sale made the purchase of these chairs possible.  We will use them in Luther Hall at our family functions.  Thanks again.

HCLC AUGUST 2009 CELEBRATIONS:

These are the amounts collected during the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans–
Gathering offerings: the sharing of God’s gifts for ministryThe Gathering offerings are expressions of our service, abundance, thankfulness, concern, and generosity. The offering totals include:

• Sunday Offering = $287,517
• LYO Convention Offering = $1,607
• MYLE Offerings = $2,057
• DAYLE Offering = $308
• Online Giving = $212,578
• ELCA World Hunger funds = $154,488.96 (The Lutheran Youth Challenge)
  

Thanks to the High School Youth who not only gave us a great spaghetti lunch last Sunday, but also gave us an inspiring picture of the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans.  Great job high schoolers and adult mentors for your ministry and service.

Did you know we are over half way there to provide a water well of clear water for Water to Thrive?  Your donations have totaled $2,100 towards the cost of a water well of $3,500.  With your support we will be able to fund a new well.  Thanks for caring and sharing.
HCLC JULY 2009 CELEBRATIONS:

A great big HOOO HAAAA goes out to Stephen, John, Sean,Beth, Leah J. and Lisa for really giving of themselves this week at National Youth Gathering. They went above and beyond what was expected of them by greeting and helping with registering the 38,000 people that attended the Gathering. They also helped with disabled and wheelchairs into the Superdome ( we were scheduled to do this one night and were asked to come back and help all the nights!!!!). And on top of it all, we worked really hard on Saturday clearing paths in a public park during out Environmental activity. I am so proud of all of them for working hard, having fun and getting along  this week!!!!!
Also a big thanks to Luanne and Mike Jorewicz and Pastor Barb for really being great adult sponsors and putting up with my love for DQ dip cones!!!!
I encourage all of you to plan to be at the National Youth Gathering 2012 — if you are in college, you can sign up to do Community Life!!!!
ASK US ABOUT MINGA!!!!!!

HCLC JUNE 2009 CELEBRATIONS:

• 6/28 – Camp Hope begins on Monday.  We look forward to a full enrollment of campers during our three weeks of Camp Hope.  Our staff members are:  Managers: Sean Rau, Beth Wallinger, and Stephen Wagner;  Counselors: Joe Ashworth, Melissa Ashworth, Sara Briggs, Joy Davis, Christian Findley, Alyssa Kaleda, Lindsey Landgrover, Brittany Lewis, Lisa Malkamaki, Spencer McGee, Claire Purcell, Brian Stucky, and Amanda Walker. Counselors-in-Training:  Joy Brown, Ryan Findley, Laurel Hansen, Rachel Heffelfinger, Hanna Howsmon, Alex Kaleda, Jacob Landgrover, Molly McShane, Jacob Pendley, Connal Purcell, Emily Stambaugh, Matthew Tuley, Elainey Wada, Ryan Wagner, Sean Wallinger, Samantha Wiedrich, Emily Wilson, and Grace Wilson; Adult Mentors:  Judy Hart, Judy Hunt, Carol Hyun, Cara Michelson, Sancy Rhodes, Karen Stevens.  We ask God’s blessing on all participating and thank each one for their ministry at Camp Hope

• 6/22 – Pastor Barb traveled to Israel and last week returned safely home.  We look forward to her sharing her insights and experiences with us in the very near future.

• 6/22 – The Confirmation campers are heading to Camp Lutherhill today for their week of Confirmation camp.  Students attending this year are:  Emily Stambaugh, Alex Kaleda, Laurel Hansen, Hanna Howsmon,and Connal Purcell; adults sponsors are: Dawna Kaleda, Carol Hyun, and Rita Hansen.  What a great week they will have to enjoy!

• 6/22 – Thanks to everyone who gave the “gift of life” last Sunday during our Blood Drive.  Special thanks to Jim Bulau and Linda Petterson for coordinating the Blood Drive.

HCLC MAY 2009 CELEBRATIONS:

• The High School Youth received $618 for their great job of washing cars.  All proceeds will go toward the fund for the Youth to attend the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July. Thanks for your generosity.
• Also, Penny Patrol (our younger youth) collected $175.43 for “Water to Thrive.” Bringing the total to $1232.13.
• 5/25 We welcomed The Rev. Don Carlson, Assistant to Bishop Rinehart, as our guest pastor.
• Voices of Praise, our women’s choir, sang at Oakmont and Rosemont Senior homes on Monday, taking their music ministry into the community.  The previous Monday, they sang at Westminster House.
• Bells of Praise and Glory Ringers concluded their “ringing season” this past Wednesday with a bell polishing party, followed by fellowship and food together.
• The Gloria Dei Choir had their final rehearsal of the season on Thursday, concluding with a party.  They will continue to sing on Sunday for a few more weeks.
• Sean Rau was selected to receive the Houston Chapter Choristers Guild 2009 Reginald Brown Memorial Scholarship High School Award.  This $500 scholarship is awarded in recognition of Sean’s outstanding service to the HCLC Music Ministry through his participation, faith, leadership and musicianship.  Sean has played handbells, timpani and other percussion instruments, and has served in music and other areas for Camp Hope.  The purpose of the scholarship is to honor graduating seniors for their service and commitment to their church music programs and to encourage their musical and spiritual growth in their post high school education.
• We rejoice with Sean Wallinger and his family that he completed his Confirmation studies and affirmed his Baptism May 10th.
• We welcome Christopher Niels Castor into God’s family as he became a Child of God through baptism May 10th.
• Humble Area Assistance Ministries raised over $36,000 in their “Raise the Roof” fundraiser held in February.  Thanks to all who contributed.
• There have been 64 commitment cards turned in. If you have misplaced yours, they are available in the narthex or speak to an usher if you cannot locate one. Your commitment is appreciated!

HCLC APRIL 2009 CELEBRATIONS:

• Graduating Seniors: Sean Rau, Stephen Wagner, Annamarie Cowart, Lisa Malkamaki, Leah Jorewicz, Brian Stucky. These & other outstanding HCLC Youth raised $838.00 at the Easter Breakfast for the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July.
• Martha Circle and the Women of the ELCA – 103 quilts and 31 layettes were taken the day after Easter by Joan and Keith Dekan and Jane Post and her daughter Deb Irwin to join quilts from the Houston area bound for Lutheran World Relief.  If you would like to see where all the quilts go, check out the poster in Luther Hall.  They go to 740,000 people in 27 countries.
• Our beautiful cross in the sanctuary holding all our “stones” was made by Duane Utecht and Gary Schiefelbein.  Our thanks to them for constructing this visual reminder of God’s forgiveness of our sins.
• Sat. April 18th HCLC hosted “Beyond Today:  Planning with the End in Mind” a workshop on preparing for end of life issues. The event was a great success with over 75 attendees.
• Sun. April 19th HCLC hosted an amazing Ike Benefit Concert featuring Agape. Over 130 children, teens and adults attended this uplifting and powerful Christian Rap Concert. All of the proceeds from this concert will be sent to Lutheran Disaster Response/Gulf Coast Region. Click here for more details.
• Sun. April 26th found six HCLC members participating as leaders of the Easter to Pentecost Hymn Festival at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston.  Sponsored by the Lutheran Musicians Network of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, the event offered opportunities for choral singing and congregational singing led by a variety of singers and instrumentalists.