HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH - FREEHOLD NJ

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YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH January 24th was Youth Sunday at Hope. Our theme for the service was "Why did Jesus come?" This question was our call to worship and opened the service with Victoria Andre, Nicole Andre and Alison Ng asking members of the congregation, John Bonanno, Catherine Borna and Sammy Reed for their insights to this important question of faith. Our Presiding Minister was Nicole Mezaros and Thomas Robertson was the Assisting Minister. The First Lesson was read by Kirsten Frueh; the Psalm by Julie Zigler; the Second Lesson by Ryan Murphy and the Gospel by Casey Heinzmann. The Sermon was delivered by Chelsea Zigler and the Children's Sermon was performed by puppeteers "extraordinaire" Nicole Seitz and Leanne Reed. The skit for the children was written by Nicole Seitz who did an absolutely great job with it. The prayers were said by Tommy Mezaros and the blessing by Kelly Berg. Our ushers for the day were Victoria Andre, Nicole Andre, Alison Ng and Kelly Berg. I want to thank all of the youth who participated and for all their hard work - everyone did a fantastic job.  In addition to the Senior High Youth, the Pre-K through third grade Sunday School students sang "He Came Down." Thanks to all of them and their teachers, Gail Guigliano and Loretta Hart, Veronica Krause and Leslie Rifenburg, Katie Hudak and Bonnie Paasch, Angelika Hedderman and Lisa Platt, Renee Natoli and Sue England for all their time and efforts; their performance really showed how hard they worked. A special thank you to Janice Seifert for her help with selecting the music for this worship service and her work with the children, but especially for her advice and friendship - we couldn't have done it without you! The Youth Choir also participated with us and sang "Lord We Come To Praise You," under the direction of Dean Poulsen, they too did an outstanding job.  Finally, thanks to all those who contributed to our coffee hour after the service especially the Hope Anchor and Senior High parents. There was a veritable feast available for all! Ed Hudak and I are looking forward to Youth Sunday next year and we hope you will join us and the Youth of Hope! Doreen Bove

SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP TO CROSSROADS CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER - Friday & Saturday, April 9 & 10       On April 9th and 10th the Senior High Youth plan to be a part of the new retreat center at Crossroads by helping to add the finishing touches. The Youth have volunteered to help paint and garden around the new structure. Crossroads Camp and Retreat Center is located in Port Murray, New Jersey about an hour and a half from our church. Its mission is "to create sacred space for the spirit of God; to inspire holy relationships that we might embody Christ's love on earth." In addition to our youth, we are looking for adult members of our church to attend this mission with us providing an opportunity to serve as mentors to our youth.  If you would like more information regarding this mission trip, please contact Doreen Bove or Tara Zigler. For more information about Crossroads Camp please see their website at crossroadsom@yahoo.com.

ELCA Regional Youth Gathering, "Listen to Jesus" West Chester University, West Chester, PA,  July 22-25. Youth aged 14 to 18, completing grade 8 this coming June, are invited to register now for the ELCA Regional Youth Gathering, "Listen to Jesus" to be held at West Chester University, West Chester, PA, July 22-25.  The goal of the event is to "nurture faith journeys of all ages so participants will be better equipped to bridge the gap between the gathering experience and reality through prayer, sharing of faith stories, worship, learning experiences and building community.  The cost is $295.  Some scholarship help is available.  See Doreen Bove, Ed Hudak, or Pastor Pat for a registration form.

Senior High Youth - Calling all Senior High Youth We are meeting every Sunday during the Sunday school hour @ 9:30 and would love to have you join us. Since it is the beginning of the year, come out to help us plan the activities for the rest of the year. In January we had Youth Sunday, Family Bowling, and the Winter Youth Assembly. Also in January we met to begin planning our mission trip and will continue to meet monthly until the plans are finalized. In February we are making soup on Feb 5th for "Soup-er Bowl" Sunday, planning a Mardi Gras celebration for February 14th and plan to attend a concert by Casting Crowns at the Prudential Center in Newark. If interested, please contact Tara Zigler 732-446-6117 or tzigler@princton.edu.  Please see me, Ed Hudak, Tara Zigler or Victoria Andre, if you are interested in more information. Hope to see you soon, Doreen Bove

Dear Hope Family,      It has been my privilege and joy to serve Hope as Sunday School Superintendent. I have treasured the many years of teaching Sunday School and the precious children of Hope.      Thank you so much for showing your gratitude, by presenting me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and lovely candle holder after the December Congregational meeting.      If you have never joined a committee or organization, volunteered as an usher, acolyte, greeter, choir member, Sunday School teacher (the list goes on), I urge you to do so. You will not only find it rewarding and fulfilling, but it will give you a greater sense of belonging to the Hope Family.      May God Bless You Always,                 Love, Diane Kless