HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Arcade, NY

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One day a week I will not watch evening cable television (Long ago I’ve abandoned it during the day). I’m sick of all the ponderous, repetitious blather. I should do this even more frequently, but I have to wean myself from this election year addiction. Also one day a week even though I’m often writing on the computer, I will resist the temptation when the email dings to answer messages immediately.

Even though it will offend some of my agnostic readers and theist friends, I will write more often about spirituality, about those values that light up my life. I will try to leave the red meat politics to others, like Cal Thomas and Pat Buchanan n the right and Maureen Dowd and Bob Herbert on the left. I don’t criticize them and certainly see issues more from the left than the right, but all of them tend to paint things in black and white rather than in the luminous colors that dance across the screen of my word processor.

Finally, because after enlightenment comes the laundry, like many of you, I will try and drink more water and less soda, use less salt and sugar and eat more fruit and vegetables. I might even exercise--and yes, I will try to laugh more.

Happy New Year-- and a blessed Obama administration to all of us.

Retired from the administration at SUNY Fredonia, Daniel O’Rourke lives in Cassadaga, NY. His column appears in the Observer, Dunkirk, NY on the second and fourth Thursday each month. A grandfather, Dan is a married Catholic priest. He has published “The Sprit at Your Back,” a book of his previous columns.

Well, we have made it to February the month that to many seems the longest. Most of us are tired of the cold and looking forward to spring yet realize that we have a whole month plus to expect the snow and cold to continue. It’s enough to make anyone feel the winter blues. On the positive side we have had several really sunny days! I find that I am appreciating the order of the seasons the older I get. I appreciate Spring and look forward to it so much more than I used to ! I can even think fondly of the hottest of summer days wishing some of that to warm up the bone chilling cold we have had recently. Autumn will always be and has been my favorite season, just like Goldilocks for me it is not too hot, and not too cold, just right! So that brings us back to winter and February. It does have a few redeeming qualities it is the shortest months of the year. I am thankful for the days when I can send the kids outside to play in the snow. Winterfest is always fun and there are a few birthdays to celebrate in February. Then of course there is February recess over President’s day, we always find something to do. When you really start to think about it carefully the “bleak midwinter” isn’t looking so bad. The month will be over before it is even started and I’ll be sitting at the computer trying to think of something to write for the March newsletter. Let’s see there’s Lent, St. Patrick’s Day……

Keeping Warm!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are in need of sponsors for the newsletter. Sponsoring a month helps to defray the postage costs and printing. It costs around $80/month to get it all together and that doesn’t include the volunteer hours donated by the editor and her family who help put it all together. If you are willing to contribute towards the newsletter you will find an envelope in with your other offering envelopes marked Newsletter. Any donation is greatly appreciated and we make every effort to acknowledge those contributions monthly.

Thank you for your consideration!

The Delevan Food Pantry is open once a month for anyone in need. The next distribution date is February26th from 9:30am-11:30am. If there is anyone that is interested in volunteering to help with the pantry please talk to Jennifer Blackwell. Volunteers are needed the 25th and 26th for a couple of hours each day. Thank you to everyone in the community for their donations and support!

Check the local paper for the many activities planned for the Winterfest weekend the 13th -15th of February including:
- Fish Fry the 13th at the Arcade Elementary School to help support the Pioneer Marching Band. Presale tickets are available from Sandy Bennett.
-The First Baptist Church will be holding a theme Basket auction on the 14th during the day.
- February 14th there will be a Swiss Steak dinner at the United Methodist Church from beginning at 4:30. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4.50 for kids.
- Come to see the parade, the children from Hope’s nursery school will be participating.

The family of Natalie Marie Casey would like to thank the members of Hope for all the prayers for Natalie over the last 2 years. Special Thanks to Pastor Mowery for the beautiful funeral service for our special little angel.

There are a few items left from the Frozen Food sale. Please check the list on the office door and see if there is anything you might be interested in purchasing. See Scott Bley for questions.

Pastor will begin Adult Membership Information class beginning February 1st at 2pm. If you are interested please speak with Pastor or contact the church office.

On January 11,2009 the building and grounds committee made a recommendation to the church council that the wheel chair van be taken out of service. The committee feels that the van is not being used regularly enough t justify the associated expenses to keep it in service. Age and inactivity is taking it’s toll along with significant maintenance issues expected in the near future. There is also concern, that the lift in the van, no longer complies with the current New York State safety regulations pertaining to wheelchair vans. The council voted to remove the van from service. A suggestion was made that the van be sold and the funds be used toward re-sealing the parking lot. The suggested asking price is $2,ooo. Thanks to all who have contributed over the years towards maintenance, licensing and insurance cost, and driving duties.

We keep the following individuals in our prayers this month: Sue Snedecker, Harry Offers, Raymond Roth, ToniDelMonte, Mavis Smith, Brian Murphy, Carolyn Fiegl, Meghan Burkholder, Sam Weaver, Norma Krezmien, almon Howes, Connie Madison, Ian Kolb, Arnold Ackerman, Patti Seller, Janet Gilbert, Dorothy Day, Any and Laticia Caesak, Cloey smith, Katie Webster, Tammy Gasper, Dave Boldt, Jason Baylor Charles Wiedinger, Dick and Angie Briggs, Kathy Francis, Richard Rugg, Janet Braun, Tanner and Tracy Krist, Diana McFarland, Jeff Rigerman, Jackie smith, Barbara Fehringer, Rev.Kay Gahagen, Marlene Squitiers, and Scott Strobele who recently had brain surgery to remove a colloidal cyst.

We pray for Andy Deahn and all our servicemen and women.

-February 24 - Ash Wednesday PAC service 11am followed by lunch at Hope
7pm-service at Hope

-March 4th- PAC service 11 am followed by lunch at Hope
7pm-service at Hope

-March 11- PAC service 11am followed by lunch at Hope
7pm service at Hope

-March 18- PAC service 11am followed by lunch at Hope
7pm service at Hope

-March 25- PAC service 11am followed by lunch at Hope
7pm service at Hope

-April 1st- Last PAC service 11am followed by lunch at Hope
7pm service at Hope

- April 5- Palm Sunday- There will be a cantata at first Baptist church

-During Holy Week there will be a 7am service at UCC followed by breakfast at the Village Café.

April 7th- We will be having a Pancake dinner at 6pm at Hope. Please watch the bulletin board for a sign up sheet if you will attend.

-Maunday Thursday - April 8th- 7pm service at Hope

-Good Friday - April 9th- 7pm service at Hope

- April 12th- Easter Service and breakfast

The church council is considering people for a call committee. If you are asked to serve please prayerfully consider serving.

The next card club meeting will be on February 24th from 6:30-8:30pm. All are welcome to attend, no experience necessary. Bring a friend!

The next Caregivers meeting will be on February 26th at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to attend!

Thanks to the following people for the beautiful flowers that were placed in the church sanctuary for Christmas:

Al and Carol Boldt

Joe ant Judy Strobele

Bill and Kathryn Landahl in memory of Deb Landahl

Carol Staffehl in memory of Yolaine Staffehl, Grama and Grampa Staffehl, and Grama and Grampa Harenda

Mike and pat Cady in memory of Frank and Millie, Jack, Dorothy and Irene

Paul and Jen Blackwell in memory of Brian Harris Jr., Grace Blackwell, Ralph Harris, and William and Helen Steinmetz

From Rev. Neil Kattermann, Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy; “It gives me great pleasure to inform you officially that Phillip Roushey, a member of your congregation, has been approved by the Upstate New York Synod Candidacy Committee for entrance into Candidacy for the ordained ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is currently attending Luther Seminary in Minnesota. Let me congratulate you for the significant part you played in bringing Phillip to this point in his faith journey.”
Congratulations to Phil and Rachel and please keep them in your prayers.

Valentines to give your children

• Acceptance – Teach kids that you love them for who and what they are. Give this gift with a kiss.

• Self-confidence – Help children understand that they can trust themselves. Give this gift with a hug.

• Life without needless fears – Don’t let your kids see you as a worrier. Give this gift with laughter.

• Appreciation – Help children acquire a spark of gratitude and enjoy all of life. Give this gift as they go out the door.

• Faith – Introduce your children to God, the best friend they’ll ever have. Give this gift by taking them to church every Sunday.

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