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