HOUSE OF PRAYER LUTHERAN CHURCH “Grow in Faith, Make Disciples, Serve in Love”

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Another month is now officially in the books for staying at home and not worshipping in-person at House of Prayer. I know that this has been a hard journey for many of us because we are social creatures in need of our Christian community. Community is where we find support- where we share laughs, where we celebrate joys, where we recharge and renew our spirits and souls. Humans were meant to be in community, and we were made for community. So the longer we stay at home, the more the question arises, “When will we be able to come back to church?” After much deliberation and discernment, after consulting with the Gulf Coast Synod and other area Lutheran churches, the Council has decided that we will reopen our church doors on June 28th, with worship being held at 8:30 and 11:00 am. Now be mindful that the worship experience will not be exactly the same as when we last worshipped on March 15th. We will be practicing strict social distancing protocols. For instance, we will limit the number of people in the sanctuary, everyone will be required to wear a mask, and we will not be having communion. These are just a few of the differences that you can expect at the beginning. In the next few weeks, the Council will be finalizing this Phase 1 reopening procedure, and we will relay the details to everyone as to what you might expect when you arrive. We will continue to live stream the 8:30 worship service; making it available for viewing anytime afterward. With that being said, we do ask that if you are not feeling well or are a vulnerable individual with a pre-existing health condition, that you please stay at home and worship online. There is no reason to put your own health and the health of the people you love in jeopardy. Thank you all for your patience and support throughout this pandemic. Christ remains our rock and our redeemer through every dark valley, and he is seeing us to the other side as we overcome the grip of this virus. I personally look forward to welcoming all of you back on campus when you are ready to return. “See” y’all on Sunday- Pastor Eri Youngdahl

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HIGH SCHOOL

Despite our social distancing, we're doing our best to stay connected! Every Sunday night, join Stephen from 7-8 for an hour-long game night. Wednesdays, from 1-2, we'll also be having a weekly catch-up. If you would like to be added to our virtual tabletop Role Playing Games, make sure to reach out. And, as always, please don't hesitate to reach out during normal business hours if you need to talk or just want a distraction. Send an email to Stephen Adkison stephen.adkison@yahoo.com or call him at (972) 922-6557 and he'd be glad to talk with you! Parents, that goes for you as well.

CONFIRMATION

We have successfully completed the 2019-2020 Confirmation school year! While we didn't end things the way we would have liked, we were able to adapt to the “Stay at Home” directives and learn from the home and participate in our large and small groups via Zoom. The Rite of Confirmation will be celebrated this coming fall when we return to in-person worship. Thanks for a great year, everyone!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES!

We celebrate and congratulate our seniors as they wrap up their high school careers and move on to new and exciting adventures! May God continue to bless you and guide you in all that you do, and always remember that your House of Prayer family is praying for you.

Charlie Beck—Lutheran South Academy ‘20 Attending Trinity University

Alexandra Campbell—Friendswood ‘20 Attending Baylor University

Mykenzie Shaw—Deer Park ‘20 Attending Texas State University

Kaley Hagemeiser—LaPorte ‘20 Attending Texas A & M University

What would summer be like without a trip to Camp Lutherhill?! Join the fun and sign up today for a week out in LaGrange meeting new friends and having the time of your life! It is a great way to experience God's creation through Bible studies, devotions, and a night camping out under the stars. Don't delay and register now for this summer experience (www.lutherhill.org.)

SUMMER CAMP AT LUTHERHILL—July 26 - 31; 4th - 8th grades

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Typically, when it is House of Prayer’s turn to host Family Promise, we house the displaced families at the church on cots in classrooms, and volunteers from the church graciously provide dinners and breakfasts for the participants to enjoy. When you are in the middle of a global pandemic, things have to be adapted! In May, House of Prayer ended up paying for 3 hotel rooms to accommodate the three

families during last week’s hosting week. And thanks to some generous monetary donations, the meals were purchased at restaurants. Thank you all for your continued support of this ministry, and we look forward to our next week of hosting August 9-15. By that time, we hope to resume hosting at the church. We encourage you to join us and volunteer with this exciting ministry!

FAMILY PROMISE—August 9 through 15

YOUTH AND FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES IN JULY

LUTHERHILL VIRTUAL DAY CAMP All the fun of camp...wherever life finds you! Each day will offer camp songs, bible stories, arts & crafts, solo challenges, and spirituality practices. We will explore the theme VISION 2020: To See as God Sees. To see the intricate beauty and grand maj-esty of creation. To see all people made in the image of God. To see and embrace who God created us to be.

Youth can join the fun each day, or spread out the experience over several weeks- choose your own adventure. You can invite a friend from your neighborhood to join you, or virtually gather with your church family to follow along together. Virtual Day Camp will be accessible soon through lutherhill.org. Boundary Waters Canoe Trip, July 17-24, cost:$400 The high school group is traveling to northern Minnesota for a wilderness adventure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area! Enjoy paddling the pristine and untouched lakes while camping in God’s beautiful creation. You won’t want to miss this trip of a lifetime. For more information, contact Pastor Eric.

WATER TO THRIVE WELLS

Last July, House of Prayer challenged its members to give to our Water to Thrive well project. The challenge was met with enthusiasm and passion as we raised enough money to build three water wells in Africa! We are happy to say that the wells have been completed, and are providing clean water for over 520 people in Ethiopia; in the villages of Mai Genesh, Enda Gewergis, and Shina. Thank you to your continued generosity as we seek to minister to those who are in need.

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Dallas Meyer, Financial Secretary

Ellen Cumbie, Faith Coordinator

Geri Spratlin, Disciple Coordinator

Wes Tarkington, Service Coordinator

Pastor Eric Youngdahl

Mike Nagle, President

Ron Price, Vice President

Bret McCleary, Treasurer

We continue our year-long book study as we explore Barbara Brown Taylor's book, "Home By Another Way." Below are the chapters to read each week for the month of June. It is never too late to join!

May 31—June 6 The Gospel of the Holy Spirit p. 143

June 7-13 Three Hands Clapping p. 153 June 14-20 Life-Giving Fear p. 69 June 21-27 A Tale of Two Heretics p. 73

June 28-July 4 No Bible Study

“HOME BY ANOTHER WAY” BOOK STUDY

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS*— May 11

Skype meeting was held on Monday, May 11, 2020 with the following in attendance: Bret McCleary, Dallas Meyer, Geri Spratlin, Ron Price, Mike Nagle, Ellen Cumbie, Wes Tarkington, Pastor Eric Youngdahl, Stephen Adkins. Pastor Eric opened the meeting with prayer. Minutes from the April, 2020 meeting were approved. • Annual Audit was reviewed and discrepancies were discussed. • Distinct Abilities: was given a Paycheck Protection Loan and were able to pay April and May rent in entirety. If rent and all

employees are payed in full, loan will turn to a grant and will not have to be paid back. They hope that attendance and activities will return back to normal in June.

• HoP applied for a Paycheck Protection Loan for the amount of 2-1/2 months of payroll. • The HOP Congregation has been incredible. Donors are making up for weeks missed and some are continuing their regular

donations. God has truly blessed us. • Pastor Eric is getting questions about when HoP will return to worshipping in the church building. He is unable to answer

that question at this time. According to reports, outbreaks are higher in Churches and Nursing Homes. This being the case, the Council does not feel comfortable with opening the church back up just yet.

• It was agreed upon that Pastor Eric should communicate to the Congregation that the Council is talking about when would be the correct time to return to worship, and to let everyone know that the Congregation’s best interest is the Council’s first concern. It definitely will not be in May, possibly in June. More information is needed and this will continue to be discussed at the next Council Meeting.

• Lakeside was supposed to close on the sale of their building, and the sale fell through. They are starting the process over, and are still looking for a buyer.

• Confirmation has been delayed until late August/early September. • So far, the Youth Trip to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has not been cancelled. • Pastor Eric reported that he has been talking to Lutherhill. A decision will be made May 15 as to whether Day Camp will be

cancelled. • Geri Spratlin, Ellen Cumbie and Pastor Eric will be making another round of phone calls to the Congregational members. It

has been a healthy thing to contact members during this distancing time. • Wes Tarkington has contacted a Professor at San Jacinto College for a consult on improving the sound system. Prof. Les

Williams has experience with church sound systems. He wrote up a plan for improvement. If we continue to webshare our services, the sound system will need to be more efficient.

• Next Council Meeting will be June 8, at 1900. Minutes respectfully submitted by Dallas Meyer, Secretary and Financial Secretary

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From May 1 to May 25, the Prayer Chain was asked to pray for Janice Shaffner, Joyce Lehmann, family of Michael A. Blasczyk (deceased), Jim & Ginny Blasczyk, healthcare workers, Dixie Johnson, and Frank Renfro. Help us keep our prayer chain current. If you or a family member are going into the hospital please notify Nina Zoch or the church office with updates or additions. Please let us know if you choose NOT to have your loved one’s name listed in the Sunday bulletin. Thank you!

LIFE EVENTS

PRAYER CHAIN

Emily James, Andrew Redd (June 1), Zach Sbach, Stevan Torres (June 2), Audrey Simonds (June 4), Carine Anderson (June 6), Diane Hedderick (June 7), Jim Mikkelsen, Melinda Murray (June 9), Jackie Madara-Campbell, Anne Roemer (June 14), Karl Adam, Avery Scarborough (June 18), Gina Larson (June 22), Zamira Harris-Ryden, Sonia Swanson (June 24), Emery Gallia, Sr., Doug Mathera, Bert Noggle (June 25), Esmeralda Amesquita, Jon Shipman (June 28)

Richard & JoNell Lamothe (June 7), Chuck & Diane Meyer (June 8), Klaus Adam & Joyce Miller, Daren & Kami Guertin (June 10), Kevin & Catherine Yendell (June 11), Greg & Catherine Rumph (June 12), Paul & Gina Larson (June 13), Brian & Diane Busch (June 14), Craig & Becca Clark, Stanley & Beverly Curtice, Rhonda & Larry Markert (June 15), Alan & Kari Balusek), Tony & Wanda Przymus (June 21), Alan & Kari Balusek, Bert & Sue Noggle (June 23), Bob & Denise Bourbeau, Steve & Barbara Powe, (June 25), Eric & Lindsay Youngdahl (June 29)

There are three unique ways to continue to support the mission and ministry of the church as we worship remotely from our homes:

1) MAIL IN YOUR OFFERING- While we aren’t passing the plate virtually, you may still give to the church by mailing

your offering to the office (14045 Space Center Blvd, Houston, 77062.)

2) RECURRING BILL PAY- Consider setting up a weekly or monthly recurring bill pay with your bank. Whether we

are in quarantine or not, this method is extremely helpful to ensure that your gifts are received and utilized in

the best ways possible.

3) ONLINE GIFT- Our church website is secure to receive one time gifts, as well as recurring

gifts, through Giving+. You may click HERE to direct you to that webpage.

Thank you in advance for your continued generosity!

SUPPORTING HOUSE OF PRAYER—Ongoing

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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• 8:30am - Worship LIVE

online; stream any-time afterward

• 7pm - High School

Virtual Tabletop Game Night

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• 1pm - Weekly Senior

High Catch Up

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• 8:30am - Worship LIVE

online then stream anytime afterward

• 7pm - High School

Virtual Tabletop Game Night

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• 1pm - Weekly Senior

High Catch Up

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• 8:30am - Worship LIVE

online then stream anytime afterward

• 7pm - High School

Virtual Tabletop Game Night

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• 1pm - Weekly Senior

High Catch Up

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• 8:30am - Worship

• 11:00am - Worship

• 7pm - High School

Virtual Tabletop Game Night

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Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

God loves you and delights to be with you — here and everywhere, today and always.

Let us join the psalmist who declares:

“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever.” Psalm 89:1

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14045 SPACE CENTER BLVD. HOUSTON, TEXAS 77062

www.houseofprayerhouston.org 281-488-4439

Pastor Eric Youngdahl

Elida Lopez - Secretary

Tony Martinez - Music Director

Ginny Blasczyk - Organist

Stephen Adkison - Youth Director

Jennifer Townsend - Nursery Attendant