Mulkey Scholarship Awards

Congradulations to our Nancy and John Mulkey Scholarship reciepients. They are Abigail Brown, Melissa Burns, Michael Burns, Christine Carter, David Carter, Evan Haight, Marquette Henderson, Hannah McConn, Matthew Moore, Carly Oden, Daniel Ritter, Katie Romijn, Michael Smith, Karen Tart, Cassandra Whitby. They will be recognized on August 5 at the 11:00 service.

Sunday School teacher appreciation

I just want to take a moment to recognize those who chose to teach our youth this past year:
*Brach Waldo and Dolores Jaramillo for CREW
*Mike Black for confirmation
*Tom Friday for 5th and 6th
*Ann Hartmann and Amy Adams for 3rd and 4th
*Debbie Escovy for 1st and 2nd
*Beth Johnson and Theresa White for kindergarten and under
*Warren Escovy and Warren White for being C0-superintendents
These volunteers play such an important role at Hosanna and I want them to know how grateful the staff and congregation and especially the children are for their gift of time. The learning hour is a huge part of a child's faith journey and we thank you for your leadership. Have a wonderful summer!

Family Life News for June 2007

Hey Everyone! Hope your summer is off to a great start. What a wonderful school year we had. Let's make this summer just as fun. Things to remember this month:
*VBS starts Sunday night, June 10 at 5:30 with a meal. You can register by visiting the website.
*Summer Sunday school starts June 10 and we still need a couple more teachers. Please see Amber if you would like to help out. The curriculum is great and online for your convenience.
*CREW we will continue to meet this summer on Monday nights from 6:30 - 8:30. Also, your trip money will be due by July 1 so check your mail for your bill.
*Confirmands leave for camp this month. If you would like to drop them a line let me know and I will get you the address.
*Again, thanks to all the volunteers who made the past school year such a success.

My final “thoughts that seem important” by Pastor David Tart

For nine years I have been sharing with you my thoughts about spiritual things in this column and have enjoyed the challenge. I thank you for the honor of taking the time to read what is on your pastor’s mind.

For my final thought I join Jesus in his prayer that “all may be one”. When the people of God come together in mission and ministry then we become the visible sign of what the power of God does.

In the months ahead Hosanna has a great opportunity to come together to think of your future. In particular, the Natural Church development process holds out much hope in this area. The results of the survey are due back soon and the Congregation Health Team or Mission Focus will begin work to bring forward ideas to improve the congregations’ key characteristics. I hope that you will all become one in working together behind this strategy. This can not be the work of one team. It must be the work of the whole community.

I also hope that uniting behind your leadership will also become a sign of your oneness. Your leadership will need everyone’s support to continue God’s good work in this community. Hear their call when they ask for volunteers. Support them with prayer and solutions. Hosanna has dedicated leaders and they need your support.

Be one in your listening to each other and the affirmation of each other as fellow members of the body of Christ. Don’t take this church for granted. Hosanna is a gift and you are blessed to have this congregation to care, worship, share and learn. Continue to practice hospitality to all and see God at work in everyone. In the end I hope that I leave you united and connected with each other.

I know that I will continue to think of you and though this is my last “Thoughts that seem important” know that I will never cease thinking of you with a smile on my face and a prayer in my heart.

Remember: I think of you.

Opportunities for service

We have two team leadership positions open at Hosanna, Lay Leadership and Discipleship. Our elections are June 3. If you know of anyone who might have an interst or abilitities in this area, please contact Pastor Tart or Jeff Hartmann.

Sympathy to Georgia Bargmann and family.

Our sympathy to Georgia, Dale and Garrett Bargmann on the loss of her brother Garrett of Colorado who passed away on May 12. May the great peace and hope of Jesus surround them in their loss. -Pastor Tart

Sympathy to Jerry Fulin and Family

Our sympathy to Jerry Fulin and family on the loss of his mother, Vera Fulin of Milaca, Minnesota. She passed from this life to the next on May 15 at the age of 94. We pray for comfort and in thanksgiving for the blessings she brought to many people. -Pastor Tart

Pastor Tart's Resignation

May 7, 2007

Dear Members of Hosanna,

For almost nine years we have labored in God’s vineyard together and have experienced the joy of harvest many, many times. We have built buildings to serve as tools for God’s work, welcomed new members to God’s kingdom, reorganized the church around mission and ministry, expanded our staff, improved our stewardship and grown in our faith and service. Most of all, the memories of people will be with me for the rest of my life. I am also grateful for the love you have had for me and my family. One could not wish for a better community to raise our children. For all of this I will always be thankful to God and to you.

On April 29, Peace Lutheran Church of Pasadena, Texas voted to extend a call to me to serve as their Senior Pastor. After prayerful consideration I have decided to accept this call and bring my service as your pastor to an end. My last Sunday with you will be June 10 and my last day of service will be June 16.

I will honor wedding commitments that I have made and will be available as possible for funerals of Hosanna members during the interim period. Otherwise, I will refer all pastoral acts to your interim pastor and future pastor.

Rest assured that I am not accepting this call because I am unhappy or feel compelled to leave Hosanna. I have been proud to be your pastor and feel a bond of grace with everyone. I love working with our staff and leadership and count it an honor to have served with them.

I continue to uphold you in my prayers and find great strength and hope in your faith, love and commitment

Grace and Peace,


Pastor David Tart

Call From Peace Lutheran, Pasadena, Texas

On April 29 Peace Lutheran Church in Pasadena, Texas voted to extend a call to me as their senior pastor. I know this is a shock to you, but I kept it quiet to aid in my discernment process.
At our council meeting this upcoming Sunday I will be discussing with them my response. I will also be publicly announcing that I have received this call at services that morning. I have not made my final decision and will not until I have discussed it with the church council.
Please feel free to share this information with others.

I ask that all of us continue to be in prayer about the direction God wishes for us all. God is good and gracious and we can find great peace in being in God's hands.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor David Tart

Meals on Wheels Drivers desperately needed

NAM has suffered the loss of drivers to help with the much need meals on wheels program. If you have a couple of hours per month to spare to deliever hot meals to shut-ins, please contact NAM or Hosanna office. They can adjust to your schedule and you can switch with others. -Pastor Tart