Being unable to understand and speak English is a serious handicap in our society. Without the necessary English skills one is limited in job opportunities, unable to support his or her children’s education and unable to participate in much of the culture. Westfield Outreach, in discussion with Spring ISD, discovered a significant population in our area in need of these classes. Valeria Islam, an associate member of Hosanna, is an experienced English as a Second Language teacher that has offered to teach these classes at Hosanna. She will recruit and teach a class in our facilities beginning in July.
She will be paid from tuition fees and Westfield Outreach funds.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Hosanna Hurricane Prepardness
Hurricane season is upon us and we need to “be prepared” just in case for a storm. I hope that you are putting together a plan for what you are going to do. There are many resources that you can make use of and I urge you to use them in your planning.
I am going to stay home to be available to evacuees and members unless the authorities tell me to leave.
Hosanna is open to church members and friends for overnight and emergency shelter. Our main support and coordination will be local Red Cross approved centers. We also will be working with NAM to coordinate local relief.
We will communicate through the web and answering machine as long as electricity allows it and if the power goes down, notices will be placed on the front door and outdoor sign. The notice will have information about who to contact, service times, and resources.
I will coordinate with the care team in responding to the event. –Pastor Tart
I am going to stay home to be available to evacuees and members unless the authorities tell me to leave.
Hosanna is open to church members and friends for overnight and emergency shelter. Our main support and coordination will be local Red Cross approved centers. We also will be working with NAM to coordinate local relief.
We will communicate through the web and answering machine as long as electricity allows it and if the power goes down, notices will be placed on the front door and outdoor sign. The notice will have information about who to contact, service times, and resources.
I will coordinate with the care team in responding to the event. –Pastor Tart
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Thank you from Pastor Tart
I want to thank everyone for their concern on the loss of my great aunt and godmother, Margaret Nauert. She was an incredible lady and I was very close to her. Fortunately I was able to spend some significant time with her the Monday before she passed away. It was one of those beautiful moments when we shared our love for each other and how good God has been to us. She was a great model of faith for me and her love of the Lutheran church was deep and abiding. She lived a wonderful 94 years and taught me much about my roots in the German community of Fredericksburg. (Believe it or not my great grandfather was a blacksmith from Luekenbach, Texas, the town made famous by the song, “Let’s go to Luekenbach, Texas”.) As St. Paul says in the book of Hebrews, “We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” and my aunt Margaret is most definitely in my great cloud. –Pastor Tart
Grace Scasny update June 13
Grace is now home. She had to spend an extra week in the hospital due to an infection. Scott reports that all looks positive and her attitude is good. Continue to support this family with your prayers and love. –Pastor Tart
Congratulations to Mel and Glenda Spence
Congratulations to Mel and Glenda Spence on the birth of another granddaughter, Campbell Elizabeth Hardin. Parents are Kate and Peter Hardin. She was born 6-9-06 and weighed 7.05 lbs.
Monday, June 12, 2006
assembly voting members
We want to thank our assembly voting members, Lorraine Moore, Terri Albin and Darryl Brown for sharing their time at assembly in Sugarland. The assembly went well and the speakers were inspirational. For highlights of the assembly visit the gulf coast synod highlights http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/assembly2006.htm
Vacation Bible School Thanks
We want to express our thanks to Amber Walker, Athena Friday-Black, Brenda Heinrich and all those who supported and led our “Gospel Express” Vacation Bible School. Over 25 kids had a great time with games, stories and crafts.
Bar-b-que invitation
Sonyetta and Emile Bailey-Brisborn invite members of Hosanna to a bar-b-que at their home this Sunday, June 18th after the 11:00 service. The meal is in honor of father’s day and their 2nd anniversary. Call the church office for their address and phone number.
Thoughts that seem important
Thoughts that seem important:
Sunday, June 18, we will hear one of Jesus’ parables about seeds and faith. He compares faith to a farmer casting seed on the ground, letting the seed grow with no effort on his or her part and then collecting the harvest. As often is the case, this story is a beautiful illustration of our Lutheran understanding of faith development. Our faith is not something that we decide to have. Faith is not something that we have to prove to God or others. No, faith comes from the power of the Holy Spirit working in us through our hearing God’s wonderful Word. The word is the seed that is cast upon our lives and God through the Holy Spirit uses this seed to bring about the gift and fruit of faith.
This has implications for our spiritual journey. First, faith as a gift of work of God, expresses itself when faith is ready to express itself. Our faith, that is our trusting of God, is something that will appear when it is ready to appear. It might appear in a hotel room while reading a Gideon Bible. It might appear while kneeling at an altar rail. Faith might appear when a sermon is heard. Faith might appear when a hymn is sung. Faith just shows up like a flower that sudden appears out of nowhere. Thus, we are patient with ourselves and keep ourselves immersed in God’s Word.
Our second implication for faith as gift and work of God is that it allows us to be patient with others. When we reap the harvest of faith and enjoy the blessings of peace, hope and courage that faith brings us, we want everyone to have it. We especially can long for friends and relatives to have this kind of faith. Yet this story teaches us that everyone is on their own faith journey and faith will appear when it is ready to appear. Just as we can’t make a plant grow, so we can’t make faith grow in others. All we can do is cast the seed and respect each and everyone’s own unique relationship with God. We are just casters of the seed. God does the growing.
Remember: Faith is a gift and work of God. –Pastor Tart
Sunday, June 18, we will hear one of Jesus’ parables about seeds and faith. He compares faith to a farmer casting seed on the ground, letting the seed grow with no effort on his or her part and then collecting the harvest. As often is the case, this story is a beautiful illustration of our Lutheran understanding of faith development. Our faith is not something that we decide to have. Faith is not something that we have to prove to God or others. No, faith comes from the power of the Holy Spirit working in us through our hearing God’s wonderful Word. The word is the seed that is cast upon our lives and God through the Holy Spirit uses this seed to bring about the gift and fruit of faith.
This has implications for our spiritual journey. First, faith as a gift of work of God, expresses itself when faith is ready to express itself. Our faith, that is our trusting of God, is something that will appear when it is ready to appear. It might appear in a hotel room while reading a Gideon Bible. It might appear while kneeling at an altar rail. Faith might appear when a sermon is heard. Faith might appear when a hymn is sung. Faith just shows up like a flower that sudden appears out of nowhere. Thus, we are patient with ourselves and keep ourselves immersed in God’s Word.
Our second implication for faith as gift and work of God is that it allows us to be patient with others. When we reap the harvest of faith and enjoy the blessings of peace, hope and courage that faith brings us, we want everyone to have it. We especially can long for friends and relatives to have this kind of faith. Yet this story teaches us that everyone is on their own faith journey and faith will appear when it is ready to appear. Just as we can’t make a plant grow, so we can’t make faith grow in others. All we can do is cast the seed and respect each and everyone’s own unique relationship with God. We are just casters of the seed. God does the growing.
Remember: Faith is a gift and work of God. –Pastor Tart
Friday, June 09, 2006
Hosanna Cyberline - June 11, 2006
Hello on this rather humid Friday. Stay cool.
Some necessary things:
I was informed Tuesday that Hosanna's IHN week starts THIS COMING SUNDAY, JUNE 11 AND ENDS SUNDAY, JUNE 18. I know this is very short notice. All the usual things need to be done: move beds, prepare rooms, fix meals, etc. There is no time for a sign up sheet. Call Nickie Brooks (if she hasn't already contacted you) if you can help. I did hear at lunch Wednesday afternoon that a number of people were planning to make sloppy joes for at least one meal. I also understand there will be 4 families. Here's more advance notice of our next IHN weeks: September 17-24 and December 24-31 (Christmas week!)
The past couple Sundays different people told me that they really appreciate me including a link to the weekly newsletter on the Cyberline. This week's edition has information on Senior's events for June and July, the Women's lunch on June 15 and our own Dick and Betty Campbell being named Habitat for Humanity volunteers of the month for May. Here is the link so you can read all about it.
June 11 edition of "This Week at Hosanna": href=http://www.WELCOMETOHOSANNA.COM/weekly_news.pdf
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR THE JULY HOTLINE IS FRIDAY, JUNE 16.
Don't forget to check out the audio postings on this blog. Look for the grey boxes captioned: "Play this audio post."
Summer Sunday School, "Fly Air Hosanna to Israel": We had another good session last Sunday. I stated then that we will be heading to Nazareth this coming Sunday, but I decided to stay in the Bethlehem area to show the kids the place called Shepherds Fields at a Beit Sahour, a Bethlehem suburb. We will also discuss whether or not Jesus was actually born in a stable. Read Luke's account (chapter 2) very carefully. You will see that a stable is never mentioned. We'll be discussing "the rest of the story"(borrowing a line from Paul Harvey) this Sunday @ 9:30 AM. Adults are free to join us. You'll be surprised how much your children know.
By the way, a couple of the kids indicated they don't have Bibles. We need to get Bibles into the hands of all our children, encourage them to read them and discuss what they read together as a family.
ESL classes at Hosanna: for those who want to learn English or improve their English skills. Registration begins July 10; classes start in August 20, both day and evening hours. Refer to the July and August Calendars on the Hosanna website for full details: href=http://mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=G1H2F0I3G1F0N8N8H2
Speaking of the Hosanna website, it's my turn to brag a little. On June 1 I was informed that our website was chosen as one of the top 10 (expended to 13) in the ELCA, judged by The Lutheran Magazine. Here is a link to the article to appear in the July issue: href=http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5942&key=35307362
The email I received informing me of the award included this notice:
"We’ve also created a one-year Web Premium membership at href=http://www.thelutheran.org
for use by your congregation. This is our highest membership level and includes access to every article published since 1996 and unlimited study guide downloads. Your login details are as follows:
username: hosanna
password: vonbora
Please feel free to share these login details throughout your congregation."
Enjoy these resources! You will also notice the special award graphic in the lower right corner of the website home page.
Monday, July 10 (time and place to be announced)... Lutherans in Houston will host the Al Raja Palestinian Folkloric Dance Troupe, made up of both Christians and Muslims from the Evangelical Lutheran School in Ramallah (just north of Jerusalem). You can see a video clip on the ELCA website: href=http://elca.org/peacenotwalls/alraja/index.html
Help is needed with publicity, meals, ticket sales and planning activities for members of the group. Contact TammieDanielsen:tammiedanielsen@yahoo.com
Weneed to support the Lutheran schools in Palestine, like those in Ramallah and Bethlehem. This is the only way Christians can spread the word of God and the saving message of God's grace through Jesus to these Arabic-speaking people. Christians are forbidden to go to the people with the gospel. But, if Palestinians voluntarily send their children to a Lutheran school we're free to tell them all about what Jesus did for us.
A repeat announcement, but it's important: S.O.S. (Surviving Over the Summer) Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is in serious need of non-perishable food and money donations during the summer months. Stuff the NAM pantry in the Narthex full and place checks in the offering over the next three months.
A LITTLE (LUTHERAN) HUMOR:
You're undeniably Lutheran when...
....you only serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color for the season.
....you didn't know chow mein noodles were a Chinese food.
....when someone mentions red and green (in connection with Christmas), you immediately think of a battle over hymnals.
....during worship you open your hymnal but never look down at it.
....during communion you hum the hymns so you can see who's at church that Sunday.
....you think Garrison Keillor's stories are totally factual.
....you have your wedding reception in the fellowship hall and feel guilty about not staying to help clean up.
....a midlife crisis means switching from the old hymnbook to the new one.
....you forget to put water in the baptismal font but never forget to put water in the coffee pot.
....the pastor skips the last hymn to make sure church lasts exactly 60 minutes.
....your choir believes volume is a fair substitute for tonality.
....peas in a tuna noodle casserole add too much color.
....you serve Jell-O as a vegetable.
....your biggest fund-raisers are bake sales instead of bingo.
....you can't have a meeting without having a meal (especially true at Hosanna).
....you refer to your trip to Minneapolis as a pilgrimage.
....all of your casserole dishes have your name on the bottom.
....you're willing to pay up to ONE DOLLAR for a meal at church.
....all your relatives graduated from a school named Concordia.
....you automatically sing 'Amen' at the end of every song you sing.
....you count coffee among the sacraments.
....you consume some form of Jell-O at every holiday meal.
....you don't question why your seat at church is called a pew.
Bye until next week. Dale Bargmann, Hosanna Communications
Some necessary things:
I was informed Tuesday that Hosanna's IHN week starts THIS COMING SUNDAY, JUNE 11 AND ENDS SUNDAY, JUNE 18. I know this is very short notice. All the usual things need to be done: move beds, prepare rooms, fix meals, etc. There is no time for a sign up sheet. Call Nickie Brooks (if she hasn't already contacted you) if you can help. I did hear at lunch Wednesday afternoon that a number of people were planning to make sloppy joes for at least one meal. I also understand there will be 4 families. Here's more advance notice of our next IHN weeks: September 17-24 and December 24-31 (Christmas week!)
The past couple Sundays different people told me that they really appreciate me including a link to the weekly newsletter on the Cyberline. This week's edition has information on Senior's events for June and July, the Women's lunch on June 15 and our own Dick and Betty Campbell being named Habitat for Humanity volunteers of the month for May. Here is the link so you can read all about it.
June 11 edition of "This Week at Hosanna": href=http://www.WELCOMETOHOSANNA.COM/weekly_news.pdf
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR THE JULY HOTLINE IS FRIDAY, JUNE 16.
Don't forget to check out the audio postings on this blog. Look for the grey boxes captioned: "Play this audio post."
Summer Sunday School, "Fly Air Hosanna to Israel": We had another good session last Sunday. I stated then that we will be heading to Nazareth this coming Sunday, but I decided to stay in the Bethlehem area to show the kids the place called Shepherds Fields at a Beit Sahour, a Bethlehem suburb. We will also discuss whether or not Jesus was actually born in a stable. Read Luke's account (chapter 2) very carefully. You will see that a stable is never mentioned. We'll be discussing "the rest of the story"(borrowing a line from Paul Harvey) this Sunday @ 9:30 AM. Adults are free to join us. You'll be surprised how much your children know.
By the way, a couple of the kids indicated they don't have Bibles. We need to get Bibles into the hands of all our children, encourage them to read them and discuss what they read together as a family.
ESL classes at Hosanna: for those who want to learn English or improve their English skills. Registration begins July 10; classes start in August 20, both day and evening hours. Refer to the July and August Calendars on the Hosanna website for full details: href=http://mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=G1H2F0I3G1F0N8N8H2
Speaking of the Hosanna website, it's my turn to brag a little. On June 1 I was informed that our website was chosen as one of the top 10 (expended to 13) in the ELCA, judged by The Lutheran Magazine. Here is a link to the article to appear in the July issue: href=http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5942&key=35307362
The email I received informing me of the award included this notice:
"We’ve also created a one-year Web Premium membership at href=http://www.thelutheran.org
for use by your congregation. This is our highest membership level and includes access to every article published since 1996 and unlimited study guide downloads. Your login details are as follows:
username: hosanna
password: vonbora
Please feel free to share these login details throughout your congregation."
Enjoy these resources! You will also notice the special award graphic in the lower right corner of the website home page.
Monday, July 10 (time and place to be announced)... Lutherans in Houston will host the Al Raja Palestinian Folkloric Dance Troupe, made up of both Christians and Muslims from the Evangelical Lutheran School in Ramallah (just north of Jerusalem). You can see a video clip on the ELCA website: href=http://elca.org/peacenotwalls/alraja/index.html
Help is needed with publicity, meals, ticket sales and planning activities for members of the group. Contact TammieDanielsen:tammiedanielsen@yahoo.com
Weneed to support the Lutheran schools in Palestine, like those in Ramallah and Bethlehem. This is the only way Christians can spread the word of God and the saving message of God's grace through Jesus to these Arabic-speaking people. Christians are forbidden to go to the people with the gospel. But, if Palestinians voluntarily send their children to a Lutheran school we're free to tell them all about what Jesus did for us.
A repeat announcement, but it's important: S.O.S. (Surviving Over the Summer) Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is in serious need of non-perishable food and money donations during the summer months. Stuff the NAM pantry in the Narthex full and place checks in the offering over the next three months.
A LITTLE (LUTHERAN) HUMOR:
You're undeniably Lutheran when...
....you only serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color for the season.
....you didn't know chow mein noodles were a Chinese food.
....when someone mentions red and green (in connection with Christmas), you immediately think of a battle over hymnals.
....during worship you open your hymnal but never look down at it.
....during communion you hum the hymns so you can see who's at church that Sunday.
....you think Garrison Keillor's stories are totally factual.
....you have your wedding reception in the fellowship hall and feel guilty about not staying to help clean up.
....a midlife crisis means switching from the old hymnbook to the new one.
....you forget to put water in the baptismal font but never forget to put water in the coffee pot.
....the pastor skips the last hymn to make sure church lasts exactly 60 minutes.
....your choir believes volume is a fair substitute for tonality.
....peas in a tuna noodle casserole add too much color.
....you serve Jell-O as a vegetable.
....your biggest fund-raisers are bake sales instead of bingo.
....you can't have a meeting without having a meal (especially true at Hosanna).
....you refer to your trip to Minneapolis as a pilgrimage.
....all of your casserole dishes have your name on the bottom.
....you're willing to pay up to ONE DOLLAR for a meal at church.
....all your relatives graduated from a school named Concordia.
....you automatically sing 'Amen' at the end of every song you sing.
....you count coffee among the sacraments.
....you consume some form of Jell-O at every holiday meal.
....you don't question why your seat at church is called a pew.
Bye until next week. Dale Bargmann, Hosanna Communications
From Pastor Tart for June 11
This Sunday, June 11, we will be begin using Marty Haugen’s “Feast and Celebration” liturgy. This is an “old favorite” of Hosanna. Gay informs me that we will be using it throughout the Summer.
We had a great Vacation Bible School week at Hosanna. We had over 25 children taking “The Gospel Express” train through different Bible Stories. Today we will be finishing up with a celebration that will include food and a moonwalk.
A huge thank you to the Vacation Bible School leadership, especially our Family Life Director, Amber Walker and the co VBS leader Brenda Heinrich. They also had a great supporting cast of young people and other adults.
I did the openings and lead a lunch time learning study of the Lord’s prayer with the Fall Confirmation group. Our project was a series of webpages on the Lord’s prayer. You can visit it at http://hosannaconfirmation.pbwiki.com
This Sunday we will be celebrating the baptism of Brooklyn Rangel and sending off our confirmation class to Camp Lutherhill. Amber will be going with them. I am planning on taking the youngn’s and yearlings in July. If you have a 2-6 grader who would like to go, please give me a call. I think there is still room.
Be sure to read the IHN announcement. This came upon us as a surprise.
Care Concerns: We are not aware of anyone being in the hospital. I took home communion to our nursing home residents and they seem to be fine. Carmen S. has a cold, though.
God Bless and I look forward to seeing you Sunday ---Pastor Tart
We had a great Vacation Bible School week at Hosanna. We had over 25 children taking “The Gospel Express” train through different Bible Stories. Today we will be finishing up with a celebration that will include food and a moonwalk.
A huge thank you to the Vacation Bible School leadership, especially our Family Life Director, Amber Walker and the co VBS leader Brenda Heinrich. They also had a great supporting cast of young people and other adults.
I did the openings and lead a lunch time learning study of the Lord’s prayer with the Fall Confirmation group. Our project was a series of webpages on the Lord’s prayer. You can visit it at http://hosannaconfirmation.pbwiki.com
This Sunday we will be celebrating the baptism of Brooklyn Rangel and sending off our confirmation class to Camp Lutherhill. Amber will be going with them. I am planning on taking the youngn’s and yearlings in July. If you have a 2-6 grader who would like to go, please give me a call. I think there is still room.
Be sure to read the IHN announcement. This came upon us as a surprise.
Care Concerns: We are not aware of anyone being in the hospital. I took home communion to our nursing home residents and they seem to be fine. Carmen S. has a cold, though.
God Bless and I look forward to seeing you Sunday ---Pastor Tart
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Friday, June 02, 2006
Hosanna Cyberline June 4, 2006
Hi everyone. May God go with you this coming week.
Here is the link to the June 4 edition of "This Week at Hosanna": http://www.WELCOMETOHOSANNA.COM/weekly_news.pdf
Just to make it a little easier, here is the link to the June Hotline:
http://www.welcometohosanna.com/monthly_news.pdf
This blog is really an on-line diary or journal where the Hosanna staff can post all kinds of things, from photos to announcements (both audio and written). Using the Audio Blogger feature, Pastor David posted a brief summary of Thursday's opening session of the Synod assembly using his cell phone. He relates information on two resolutions that were passed, a jazz worship service, among other things. Look for the grey box below this message: "Play this audio post."
The first session of our Summer Sunday School went well. Not a large group, but the discussion was good. I tried to give the kids (and those adults who joined us) an idea of what it is like to take the 7,000 mile flight to Israel from Houston using Google Earth. After landing in Tel Aviv, we headed for Bethlehem. We got as far as Rachel's Tomb near the checkpoint at the northern limits of city. This Sunday we will head to Manger Square and visit the Church of the Nativity. Hopefully we will also have a chance to visit the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, some 3 blocks away. If not, we'll do that next week.
Speaking of traveling... This coming Monday, Vacation Bible School begins it's week-long ride. All aboard the Gospel Express is this year's theme. There's still time to sign up at the table in the Narthex. Cost is $25 for the first child, $10 for each additional child. Call Amber, too, if you can help out.
Former New Orleans Saints cheerleader Louis Edmunds is conducting two 4-week gymnastics camps for kids 4 to 14 at Hosanna. They run Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Registration fee is $35 (includes T-shirt and part of swimming). Cost for the camp itself is $75 per week (if paid on a weekly basis) or $240 for the entire session.
This Sunday is Pentecost and we urge everyone to wear red in honor the birthday of the Church.
Here is some info about the origin of Pentecost from Wikipedia:
The Feast of Pentecost was instituted, first, to oblige the Israelites to repair to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
Secondly, it was a time to give thanks to God for law given from Mount Sinai on the fiftieth day after the Exodus: the coming out of Egypt. Pentecost was also called the feast of weeks because it was kept seven weeks after the Passover. The Israelites offered the first-fruits of their wheat harvest.
The Christian church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost fifty days, or seven weeks, after the Passover, or the resurrection of Jesus.
After Jesus' ascension, the apostles stayed in a house waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus. The account of what happened on Pentecost about May or June, 33 AD is found in Acts 2.
In England Pentecost is also known as Whitsun (Whitsunday), from Old English Hwita Sunnandæg ("White Sunday") —in reference to the white robes worn by those baptized on Easter.
As to the wearing of red on Pentecost: In Italy it was customary to scatter red rose petals from the ceilings of churches to recall the miracle of the tongues of fire on Pentecost. Thus Whitsunday is called Pascha rosatum and red vestments are worn in honor of the day.
Following 11 AM worship, there is an important congregation meeting to elect new officers and get updated totals for Sharing Hosanna's Blessings and From the Heart. Lunch will be served as usual, this time a hot dog feast.
Monday, July 10 (time and place to be announced)... Lutherans in Houston will host the Al Raja Palestinian Folkloric Dance Troupe, made up of both Christians and Muslims from the Evangelical Lutheran School in Ramallah (just north of Jerusalem). You can see a video clip on the ELCA website: http://elca.org/peacenotwalls/alraja/index.html
Help is needed for publicity, meals, ticket sales and planning activities for members of the group. Contact Tammie Danielsen: tammiedanielsen@yahoo.com
One more important announcement: S.O.S. (Surviving Over the Summer). Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is in serious need of non-perishable food and money donations during the summer months. Stuff the NAM pantry in the Narthex full and place checks in the offering over the next three months.
A LITTLE HUMOR:
One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, his jeans, denim shirt and boots were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a well-worn hat and an equally well-worn Bible. The church was in a very upscale, exclusive part of the city, the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were dressed in expensive clothes and accessories. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
As the cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked him to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, the old cowboy came returned to worship services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely ignored. The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church. "I did," replied the cowboy.
"What did God tell you about the proper attire for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that he didn't have a clue what I should wear because he'd never been in this church before."
Please make a stranger feel at home, no matter how she or he is dressed.
May the Holy Spirit inspire you this coming week.
Dale Bargmann, Hosanna Communications
Here is the link to the June 4 edition of "This Week at Hosanna": http://www.WELCOMETOHOSANNA.COM/weekly_news.pdf
Just to make it a little easier, here is the link to the June Hotline:
http://www.welcometohosanna.com/monthly_news.pdf
This blog is really an on-line diary or journal where the Hosanna staff can post all kinds of things, from photos to announcements (both audio and written). Using the Audio Blogger feature, Pastor David posted a brief summary of Thursday's opening session of the Synod assembly using his cell phone. He relates information on two resolutions that were passed, a jazz worship service, among other things. Look for the grey box below this message: "Play this audio post."
The first session of our Summer Sunday School went well. Not a large group, but the discussion was good. I tried to give the kids (and those adults who joined us) an idea of what it is like to take the 7,000 mile flight to Israel from Houston using Google Earth. After landing in Tel Aviv, we headed for Bethlehem. We got as far as Rachel's Tomb near the checkpoint at the northern limits of city. This Sunday we will head to Manger Square and visit the Church of the Nativity. Hopefully we will also have a chance to visit the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, some 3 blocks away. If not, we'll do that next week.
Speaking of traveling... This coming Monday, Vacation Bible School begins it's week-long ride. All aboard the Gospel Express is this year's theme. There's still time to sign up at the table in the Narthex. Cost is $25 for the first child, $10 for each additional child. Call Amber, too, if you can help out.
Former New Orleans Saints cheerleader Louis Edmunds is conducting two 4-week gymnastics camps for kids 4 to 14 at Hosanna. They run Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Registration fee is $35 (includes T-shirt and part of swimming). Cost for the camp itself is $75 per week (if paid on a weekly basis) or $240 for the entire session.
This Sunday is Pentecost and we urge everyone to wear red in honor the birthday of the Church.
Here is some info about the origin of Pentecost from Wikipedia:
The Feast of Pentecost was instituted, first, to oblige the Israelites to repair to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
Secondly, it was a time to give thanks to God for law given from Mount Sinai on the fiftieth day after the Exodus: the coming out of Egypt. Pentecost was also called the feast of weeks because it was kept seven weeks after the Passover. The Israelites offered the first-fruits of their wheat harvest.
The Christian church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost fifty days, or seven weeks, after the Passover, or the resurrection of Jesus.
After Jesus' ascension, the apostles stayed in a house waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus. The account of what happened on Pentecost about May or June, 33 AD is found in Acts 2.
In England Pentecost is also known as Whitsun (Whitsunday), from Old English Hwita Sunnandæg ("White Sunday") —in reference to the white robes worn by those baptized on Easter.
As to the wearing of red on Pentecost: In Italy it was customary to scatter red rose petals from the ceilings of churches to recall the miracle of the tongues of fire on Pentecost. Thus Whitsunday is called Pascha rosatum and red vestments are worn in honor of the day.
Following 11 AM worship, there is an important congregation meeting to elect new officers and get updated totals for Sharing Hosanna's Blessings and From the Heart. Lunch will be served as usual, this time a hot dog feast.
Monday, July 10 (time and place to be announced)... Lutherans in Houston will host the Al Raja Palestinian Folkloric Dance Troupe, made up of both Christians and Muslims from the Evangelical Lutheran School in Ramallah (just north of Jerusalem). You can see a video clip on the ELCA website: http://elca.org/peacenotwalls/alraja/index.html
Help is needed for publicity, meals, ticket sales and planning activities for members of the group. Contact Tammie Danielsen: tammiedanielsen@yahoo.com
One more important announcement: S.O.S. (Surviving Over the Summer). Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is in serious need of non-perishable food and money donations during the summer months. Stuff the NAM pantry in the Narthex full and place checks in the offering over the next three months.
A LITTLE HUMOR:
One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, his jeans, denim shirt and boots were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a well-worn hat and an equally well-worn Bible. The church was in a very upscale, exclusive part of the city, the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were dressed in expensive clothes and accessories. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
As the cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked him to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, the old cowboy came returned to worship services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely ignored. The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church. "I did," replied the cowboy.
"What did God tell you about the proper attire for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that he didn't have a clue what I should wear because he'd never been in this church before."
Please make a stranger feel at home, no matter how she or he is dressed.
May the Holy Spirit inspire you this coming week.
Dale Bargmann, Hosanna Communications
Thursday, June 01, 2006
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