More Announcements

Pastor Elizabeth Platz - Interim Pastor of Hope
Pastor Elizabeth Platz began as interim pastor of Hope on September 1, 2007 and will serve with us in ministry at Hope until the time when we call our next pastor. She has been a member of Hope for over 40 years and serves as campus pastor for the Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Maryland. Pastor Platz came to College Park in 1965 as a lay worker with the campus ministry program at the University. In 1970, the Lutheran Church in America (LCA; one of the predecessor bodies to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) changed its constitution to allow for the ordination of women. Pastor Platz became the first woman ordained by the LCA at a service at the Memorial Chapel on campus on November 22, 1970. Pastor Platz was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI, in October 2007. She was the keynote speaker at the fall 2007 academic convocation at the College and spoke about campus ministry as the ELCA celebrated the 100th anniversary of Lutheran Campus Ministry. Pastor Platz was also honored by the University of Maryland's Department of Student Affairs, receiving a 2008 Division of Student Affairs Outstanding Service Award.

For Parents of Young Churchgoers
The special books at the ends of the back pews are for our young churchgoers. There are more books in the children's cabinet in the narthex, and they are rotated periodically. Please leave the books for others to enjoy. Additionally, soft books and soft toys are available in the cabinet for babies and toddlers.

Youth Activities Coordinated for Area Lutheran Congregations
The February 2008 pizza party hosted by Hope was the kick-off event for a youth group composed of middle and high schoolers  from four local parishes – Good Samaritan Lutheran Church in Lanham, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Greenbelt., St. John Lutheran Church in Riverdale, and Hope. With the youth, plus parents and advisors, we have gone snowtubing, had a "lock-in" and a cookout, and went to Six Flags in June. We hope to have four or five activities each year, building a sense of Lutheran identity and fellowship among the churches.

Choir Rehearsal Night Changed
During the academic year, the Schola Cantorum Choir of Hope rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. in the Chancel. This new schedule may make it possible for you to join the choir this fall—we would love to have you sing with us. All voices are needed – soprano, alto, tenor and bass—and everything in between. If you would like more information about choir membership, please send an e-mail to cantor@hopecp.org.

Hope Responds to Mission Needs
In 2007, we supported the Christus Victor Lutheran Church mission congregation in Virginia in receiving support from the Mission Investment Fund, and we learned of their work through a video shown at a coffee hour. In February 2008, we had a chance to learn more about the Lutheran Latino Ministry in Langley Park, a project which we support, when the program coordinator shared her work through a presentation and conversation.

Hope is a Partners in Care Congregation
Hope Lutheran Church participates in the Partners in Care program, which is an initiative of the Maryland National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Chaplains' office. The purpose of this initiative is to coordinate support for Maryland National Guard members and families through partnerships with local faith communities. As a Partners in Care congregation, we have signed a memorandum of understanding that formalizes the relationship and defines the purpose, scope, and nature of the partnership.

Earlier in 2008, we received a request as part of our Partners in Care program. The request was from someone about to be deployed to Iraq. We also had two requests on separate occasions from people who had lost their jobs and needed travel assistance to get to a family member to regroup. In September, we responded to a request from a family that needed assistance in purchasing school uniforms.

Hope Responds with the Ministry of Caring/Easter Basket of Caring
As a community of God’s people, we occasionally are asked to help people with immediate needs. Hope has always tried to respond. During the 50 days of the Easter Season (March 23 through May 4), we donated Metro farecards, Giant Food gift cards or CVS drug store cards, or contributed money for their purchase. The cards will help us meet the variety of needs for people who come to Hope for assistance. An Easter Egg – a symbol of life – was placed in the Easter basket at the baptismal font for each card/contribution.

Packing Backpacks for the Lutheran Latino Ministry
During the fall of 2008, Lutheran Campus Ministry, in partnership with Hope and other congregations, provided more than 200 filled backpacks for use by the Lutheran Latino Ministry in Langley Park, MD and Langley Park-McCormick Elementary School. What a great way to help children get off to a good start with the school year.

Do You Have a "Gently Worn" Coat to Donate?
We are collecting clean coats in good repair. We will share them with families in Langley Park, MD.

Hope Received 2007 College Park Environmental Award
The City of College Park selected our congregation to receive a Green Award in May 2007 in recognition of our work over the years to help maintain Guilford Run (the creek that flows across the street from us on the downhill side). We received a $100 gift card from Behnke's Nursery so that we can continue to beautify our small corner of the world.

How You Can Serve at Hope
Wanted:
Pals for National Lutheran Home Residents
Be a pal, a friend, to a resident at the National Lutheran Home. The Pal program is a one-to-one visitation program sponsored by the Auxiliary of the National Lutheran Home. This program offers an opportunity to become a special friend, a Pal, to an elderly resident. A visitor is very special to a lonely and infirm person. A visit by a Pal assures an elderly resident that someone cares, and reinforces his or her sense of self-worth. Basic requirements of the program are minimal. A Pal is asked to bring a gift of love, and share this gift in an individual way with a resident. Visits may be made as frequently as desired, but a minimum of one visit per month would be ideal. Visits may be made any time which is mutually convenient for both the Pal and the resident being visited. At this time both male and female Pals are needed. If you are interested or want further information, please contact the church office.

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