newhope newsLutheran Church - Agoura Hills September 2018

August is almost over; September is just around the corner; and, families all around the country are buying up pencils,pens, erasers, Sharpies, calculators, iPads, glue sticks, and backpacks! In our community there are multiple layers ofgenerations with children too young for school and elders who have long ago packed up their slide rulers.We all know how important education is to changing lives. “Years ago, a team of former journalists set out to answerthe question: How do you end global poverty?” according to the website girlsrising.org. “The powerful truth theyuncovered was that educating girls is the single best way to achieve that goal. Yet, millions of girls are missing fromclassrooms, facing barriers that boys don't: early marriage, sex trafficking, domestic slavery and gender-basedviolence.”I consider myself fortunate to have been among the first generation of my family to receive an education beyond highschool. There I learned a lot of theories but just as importantly I learned frombeing exposed to new friends from statesI’d never been too, who lived in cities I was afraid to visit (I was raised in a rural area). I’m grateful to the church forenhancing my education by putting me in different ministry settings to learn more about lives of others from othercultures and perspectives. Today, continuing my education by reading, attending conferences, and interdisciplinaryeducation has continued to stretch me. I can say quite literally education changed my life for the better.So, pray for our students in preschool, primary, middle, and high school. Pray for our college students, and youngpeople in military service who learn skills and push themselves physically but also are enriched by multiculturalexposure. Pray also for those teachers, mentors, coaches, administration, and those that assist others in learning. Theyare changing lives.On September 9th we will gather our students together for a “Back Pack Blessing” for their school year. The churchwill give them backpack nametags with their name on one side and “God’s Got Your Back” on the other. I hope youwill encourage your student to be present and to bring their back pack to church that morning at 10 AM.This edition of our New Hope Newsletter will give you manyoptions for continuing to learn to live like Jesus. I hope youwill take advantage of all the opportunities whether you areusing crayons or a slide rule.May you keep growing and learning and becoming more like Jesus!

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Craig

Study Opportunities:Sunday:Sunday Morning Study, 9:00 - 9:45 AM in Classroom TwoTaking news right out of the headlines, our class reflects upon how to address contemporary issue as followers ofChrist. The material is called “The Wired Word” and you can receive the study in advance by email – please letPastor Craig know that you desire to receive it by email. All are welcome.

Monday:Confirmation Class BEGINS: Monday, September 17th at 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Youth RoomConfirmation is ourmiddle school Christian formation program. It begins in sixth grade and ends at the beginningof their Freshman year. Sixth through eighth grade students meet once per week throughout the school year forstudy and group building. The context of confirmation is Old Testament, New Testament, and Luther’s SmallCatechism. Students who successfully meet requirements and desire to make public affirmation of their faith doso on Reformation Day during their freshman year. We invite all students in middle school to join us onMondaynight at 5:30 PM. The class is taught by Pastor Craig and Kailey Vitt and other class alumni.Women’s Monday night, 7:00 PM (Library) for Bible study and prayer for women. Topics and Biblestudies change. All women are welcome.

TuesdayAll are welcome to the Tuesday Morning Study, 9:45-11:15 AM in the Social HallThe Fall study on Tuesday morning uses material from Gather Magazine (the magazine of the Women of theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America) and will be on “Repentance.”Repentance is one of themost powerful acts of a person or a church, making possible not only forgiveness but alsoreconciliation. This three-part Bible study by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni will explore how we as LutheranChristians understand the role of repentance in our faith, especially as we understand God’s grace to be unearnedand freely given.

Join theConversation

The author is the Rev.Meghan JohnstonAelabouni and is a graduate of California LutheranUniversity and theLutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Ordained in 2007, Meghan has served congregations in Illinois andColorado. She is currently a full time Ph.D. student and mom to three. She is married to Pastor Gabi Aelabouniwho preached at New Hope last year.September: Session one – Time after time: Turning to God“Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”With these words, the prophet Joel reminds us that repentance is nothing to be afraid of—for when we turn toGod, we find grace. What does it mean to (re)turn to God with all our hearts, and how do we do it?October: Session two – If I could turn back time: Turning to othersWhen Zacchaeus met Jesus, he was moved to give away half of his wealth to the poor and to make amends withthose he had defrauded.Why? In theGospels, Jesus’ call to repentance is a call to turn back to theways ofGod’sreign on earth: justice, peace and mercy for the neighbor and the community. What does repentance look likein our relationships?November: Session three – Turning points: Turning as the church to the worldTheword repentance often refers to an invitation that brings people into the church. But what happens when thechurch turns outward to the world? When the church has been complicit in abuse, racism, anti-Semitism andother attitudes and practices that lead away from God’s reign, what happens when the church repents?

ThursdayMen’s Thursday Morning Group, 7:30 AM (Library) Men’s discussion group around a topic,currently in a series of videos by Baptist Pastor Andy Stanley from Northpoint Church in Atlanta. Andy is theson ofmega-church pastor and TVpreacher, Charles Stanley. Good conversation, prayer, and donuts available.All men are welcome!Choir, Thursday 7:00 PM - Our church choir meets Thursday nights at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary beginningin September. We hope you will join the choir and bring some joyful music to Sunday worship!

Backpack blessing on Sunday, September 9th (Rally Day)Please join us on Sunday, September 9th with your school backpack for our annual backpack blessing at theopening of the school year! Please bring your backpack with you!!

With Gratitude:

We are grateful to the family of Muriel Gibbs for allowing us the use ofmemorial funds given in her honor, along with members who gave to

kiosk funds for new candles and candlesticks for the altar. They entered intousage on August 19th. They are a beautiful edition to our worship life and a fitting,

continued act of worship for a wonderful woman of faith, Muriel Gibbs.

Walk to Support Worthy Causes:

September 15 (Saturday) – Walk to Fight SuicideConstitution Park, CamarilloSee website: afsp.org/VC

October 6 (Saturday) - LSS Walk to End PovertyLutheran Social Services of Ventura County Walk9 AM · California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks

October 13 (Saturday) – NAMI Walk Ventura CountyNational Alliance on Mental Illness9 AM – San Buenaventura State Beach Parking Lot (Pier Lot)

"Everything in life is howwe respond toit. If you never lost a game, got to thechampionship every time, always won- you wouldn't truly appreciate all thatgoes into it."

- Dabo Swinney

"To love our neighbors as ourselvesmeans to see that we are worth loving,and those around us are too."

- Jonathan Merritt

It is not joy that makes us grateful; it isgratitude that makes us joyful."

- David Steindl-Rast

"Hear that? Someone's praying foryou!"

- Geneva Nelson

"There's no place like hope."- Susan J. Decuir

Caring CornerLet us remember the followingpeople in our prayers........

Del Hultgren is recovering fromhip surgery.

Former member, Eunice Page,passed away.

Past member, Peter Varnum,passed away.

Continued prayers of healing forSteve Blair, Elisabeth Brown, EvelynColby, Bob Davis, Holly Dolliver,Mariella Edgar, Chris Fisher, BobGreen, Sandy Hansen, Del Hultgren,Chuck Kemmerer, The LaVanneFamily, Joyce Lawson, Reeta Leland,AvaGraceMcConnell, CherylMerrill,Ann Nelson, Cindy O'Hare, AhooPilehvari, Sharon Pryor, ArnoldReuter, JaneTaschereau,RoseTopliss,Fred Turner, Jax Rains-Turk, andVega Wolf.

Prayers for our servicemen -Landen Anderson, Gerren Blair,Taylor Blair, Heather Brown, KeithBrown, Patrick Clohessy, CynthiaColby, Logan Hershman, KyleMcCarley, Ikenna Olelewe, and JasonRetter.

Mymany thanks for all the calls,visits and cards that helped me in myrecovery fromsurgery. Youare indeedvery special to me, each and every oneof you.

Del Hultgren

Church Directory UpdateBe sure to update your directory

with this new information.

Nancy RoweBelmont Village

3680 N. Moorpark Road, Unit 322Thousand Oaks 91360

805-241-3722

New Members

The following were welcomed as newmembers of New Hope this past Sunday.

Calvin and Gail Beeker2034 Jennifer Place

Santa Rosa Valley 93012805-491-8240

calvin-gailbeeker@verizon.netgbeeker@verizon.net

Sponsor - Craig and Kristine Beeker

Mary Gallagher31584 Agoura Road #6

Westlake Village, CA 91361818-464-6646

marygalleghe@yahoo.comSponsor - Gaye and Moeed Khan

Brian and Julie GibbonsLuke

3823 United RoadAgoura Hills 91301818-400-3046

Bj_gibbons@yahoo.comjulietracy@sbcglobal.net

Sponsor - Joe and Lynn Bulock

Risk Taking Mission andService Opportunities

Please check out our "HelpWanted" section on the bulletin board inthe narthex. These are tasks and supportprojects we are in need of help with.Some tasks may require a one daycommitment while others may be 3-6months, but all offer an opportunity foryou to bring yourmuch needed skills andgifts to New Hope. Additional "HelpWanted" cards will be posted as needsarise so please check back often. Whenyou see a card that interests you, pleasecontact the person noted on the card formore information. We thank you inadvance.

New Hope MessageNever miss a New Hope

message again! All sermons given atchurch are posted on YouTube at:w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / u s e r /newhopeagoura. Listen to messagesagain that impactedyou - or better yet,share them with a friend.

eScrip Program

Are you part of the online eScripprogram? Did you know that localrestaurants are part of eScrip Dining?Dine, enjoy a good meal, and earncontributions for the church. I havealso found restaurants across thecountry participate and have earneddonations to the church while onvacation. Contact Joe Bulock if youhave any questions.

Backpack Blessings Day

September 9th students of all ags areinvited to bring their backpacks intothe sanctuary. We will be prayingover the students and their backpacksseeking God's blessings for theirschool year.

The Daytime Book Club willmeet at 11:30AM in the church libraryonSeptember4th todiscuss "Daring toDrive" by Manal Al-Sharif. Pleasejoinus if youcan. The future booksweare reading are....

October 2nd - "Women of God" byJames Patterson

November 6th - "An AmericanMarriage" by Tayari Jones

TheTuesdayMorningBible Studymeets each Tuesday from 9:30-11:15AMin the social hall. Weare currentlyusing the study from the GatherMagazine from the Women of theEvangelical Lutheran Church.

Monday NightBible Study

TheWomen’sMondayBible Studyis open towomen of all ages. Wemeetin the New Hope Library from 7-8:30PM for prayer, study and fellowship.All women are welcome!

Prime Timer'sLuncheon

Come join us for lunch onTuesday,September 11th at 11:30 AM in thesocial hall. Jeremy Wolf,representative from State SenatorStern's office will discuss currentevents happening in our area of LosAngeles County. Please let RoseTopliss know if you are able to attend.

Hope to see you all there. All adults50 years and older are invited to joinus.

The New Hope LutheranMen's Fellowship

Join us on Thursday morningsforMen'sgroup from7:30-8:30AM.Weare continuing in our stimulatingDVD series featuring Rev. AndyStanley from North PointCommunity Church near Atlanta,Georgia. His programs are fun,thought-provoking, and Biblicallybased. Come and help stimulatesome great conversations aboutcurrent issues involving life andfaith. Come when you can to enjoythe coffee, donuts, and fellowshipwith some great men of faith.

Sunday Morning AdultStudy

Join us at 9 AM in classroom 2when we will resume our "WiredWord" study of current events andthe life of faith.

ChurchNursery

This is just a reminder thatthere is a church nursery for infantsthrough 3 years old during theworship service. If there isn't aperson in the nursery, please ask anusher and they will let the volunteerknow you need someone to watchover your child while you are inworship. We are happy to watchyour child and look forward tospending time with them.

Amplify

Preschool through4thgrade studentsare encouraged to attend our Sundayschool program, Amplify. It takes placeafter Children's Time each Sundayduring the 10 AM service and meets inthe Amplify classroom behind the socialhall. Amplify takes the place ofChildren's Church and Sunday School.

SundayMorningCoffee

If you enjoy a cup of coffee afterworship service, why not put in somemoney in our coffee can to help purchasethe coffee that we serve. The canwill beon the goodie table once a month.

Supper's 8

We are setting up our Supper's 8fellowship program in September.Supper's 8 is a group of adults (singles orcouples) who get together for a meal in ahome. It is awonderfulway toenjoyeachother's company in a warm and friendlysetting outside of church. Everyonebrings a part of the meal. We have arotating schedule so you will have achance to share a meal with manymembers of the congregation. Sign upfor this programon theposter board in thenarthex. You make this wonderfulprogram a success. If you have anyquestions, please contact Gail McGinnisor Leila Mahmoudi.

Lay Ministry Community Connections

Rally yourself and shake off Summer! Step out of your comfort zone—shareyour gifts—find your talents and stop by the Lay Ministry table on Rally Day,September 9th, and FALL into a time of giving!

Amplify Teachers * Audio Visual * Altar Care * Acolytes * Choir * Communion Assistants + more

Stewardship MusingsBy Karen Ingram

When I was in grade school our teachers always had us draw a picture or write about our summer experienceson our first dayback to school. Itwas fun to rememberwhat our family haddone and to hear howmyclassmatesspent their summer vacations. About 3rd grade I realized that not everyone took a family vacation, or spenta week with Grandma and Grandpa, or went to camp. When I asked myMom ‘why?’ her answer was, “well, Karen,not everyone has enough money to do these things.” She said I could help kids have a good summer by givingsome of my allowance each week to Lutheran Social Services, and they would make sure the kids got to go tocamp. It’s never too early to teach our children about stewardship and God's call to help others. So how didyou spend your summer?

Online Giving Cards

Many peple contribute to the ministry of Christ through our church in a way that does not lead to placinganything in the offering plate eachSunday. Our electronic givers are encouraged to take anELECTRONICGIVING CARD now available in the basket near the sound booth, and drop it in the offering plate when itis passed. These cards are symbolic. We believe that recognizing your automated giving is an importantmodeling of good stewardship. The cards will be recycled for the next service.

President’s Corner

A little over a year ago, the Council and staff began trying some new approaches to our worship services,and asked you to come along with us as we experimented…. AND YOU DID! We also committed to gettingyour feedback to see what you, as a congregation, preferred and asked you to share your ideas througha survey….ANDYOUDID! Wegreatly appreciate all thosewho respondedand the results arebeing tabulatedandwill be rolled out during the September CongregationMeeting. I, personally,want to give a huge THANKYOU to everyone for your patience, caring, love, prayers, and sense of humor, all of which were dearlyneeded to get us where we are.

The Congregation Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 30th, following the service. You will bereceiving a formal notice but in the meantime you can get it on your calendar. Please plan on being inattendance. Wehave a number of items on the agenda, including voting on newCouncilmembers beginningtheir January 2019 terms.

This month, our Council spotlight is on Karen Ingram. Karen is the Stewardship Council representative.Among other responsibilities, she has worked to make sure that the Stewardship campaign aligns with thepledge drive which greatly facilitates a timely budget development process.

Karen’s passion is social ministry. Not only did she work for Lutheran Social Services for almost 12 years,she has continued towork and volunteer for non-profits agencies seeking tomake theworld a better place.Karen founded the ConejoWinter Shelter program in 1991, which, she is glad to report, continues to serveConejo Valley’s homeless today. She serves on the Boards of MANNA (food pantry), Many Mansions(affordable housing) and Brookmore Apartments (also affordable housing), and is wrapping up her termon Church Council.

Karen is looking forward to retiring in 2020 and returning to Hawaii, where she will find plenty to keepher busy.

Enjoy the Labor Day holiday while we say good bye to summer. As a reminder, anyone is welcome to attenda Council meeting which is held the second Tuesday of each month in the library. This is a good way to geta feel of how the Council operates to keep things running smoothly at New Hope.

Have a God Kissed day,

Gaye

From Deacon Lynn

Part ofmycall asadeacon toNewHopeLutheran is tocall ourattention to things thegreaterchurch and the outside world are doing in ways that serve God and our neighbor. Thereare a few of those things happening in September and October, and I’d like to call yourattention to three for a start:

Interfaith Harvest

People from diverse faith traditions will join together to harvest fresh vegetables for localfood pantries on Labor Day 2018, September 3rd at 9 AM at the Abundant Table Farm inCamarillo. ***Bring water and gardening gloves and wear sun protection.*** After themorning harvest wewill celebrate togetherwith a festival including livemusic and deliciousfood. The event is free. (Lunch will be available for about $10). Our intention is to jointogether as neighbors to create positive relationships in our community through service,generosity, and appreciation of our shared earth and its bounty, as well as thosewho laborthroughout the food system.Abundant Table Farm is part of McGrath Family Farm, 1012 West Ventura Boulevard,Camarillo, California 93010

LSS Walk to End Poverty

Lutheran Social Services in Ventura County will hold their annual Walk to End Poverty onSaturday, October 6th on the grounds of California Lutheran University. You can walk,sponsor a walker, or pray for those who walk and raise money. Registration starts at 8:30and the walk starts at 9:00.

NAMI Walk Ventura County

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will hold their main fundraiser of the year,their annual walk, on Saturday, October 13th near the Ventura Pier. To donate, walk, orotherwise volunteer, contact me (Deacon Lynn) or New Hope’s walk chair this year, GailBeeker.

17th Annual Bowls of Hope

Tickets are on sale for the 17th Annual“Bowls ofHope” fundraising event to beheldNovember 4th, from11AM–2PMat CLU’s Gilbert Arena (60 W. OlsenRoad, Thousand Oaks) - $50 generaladmission; $15 for children (2 andyounger are free). Enjoy delicious soupfromConejoValley restaurants, listen tomusic provided by youth from localschools, bid on silent auction items,catch up with friends….and help ManyMansions provide services to theirresidents. Tickets are on sale now ateventbrite.com or manymansions.org/event/bowls-hope-2018.

MANNA FOOD PANTRY

The top items thatMANNAneedsare canned tomato soup, canned chickensoup, canned variety soup, canned stew/chili, baked/refried beans, boxed cannedpinto beans, canned diced/stewedtomatoes, hot cereal, hamburger helper.

MANNAwill gladly accept ANYunexpired (within 12months prior to the“sell-by” date), non-perishable fooditems that are unopened and in goodcondition. Home gardeners are alsowelcome to drop off fresh fruits andvegetables that are ripe and in goodcondition.

Please leave any donations in thebox in the narthex.Any questions, call Ann Ashamallah at(818)-613-6818.

Support CommunityConscience!

On September 21st Marty McCoy is“Singing for a Cause” and needs sponsors!He is the representative for CommunityConscience in the Karaoke competitionsponsored by Conejo Senior VolunteerProgram to raise money for 20 charities. Itwill be held at 6 PM at Borderline inThousand Oaks. All proceeds donatedthrough our website go directly toCommunity Conscience. The winningKaraoke singer’s charity and the nonprofitraising the most money both receive anadditional $1,000. The event can be viewedand voting done on Facebook as well as inperson at Borderline that evening.

Community Conscience inThousand Oaks ensures there is a facilitywhere people in need can find multipleservices at no cost in one location. Weprovide rent free office space to 13nonprofits in the building we own andmaintain. One of our tenants is LutheranSocial Services. Annually over 40,000people seek assistance from the agencies atthe Community Conscience HumanServicesCenter. By sponsoringMarty, youare helping 13 charities all at once!

Visit www.communityconscience.org/sing-for-a-cause-2018 to donate! CallPhyllis Rickert at 818-889-7709 for moreinformation on how to donate, attend theevent or watch and vote on Facebook.

New Hope Endowment Fund

The New Hope Lutheran ChurchEndowment Fund was established to be aperpetual source of income to supportmissionwork at homeandaround theworld

that is above and beyond theprograms supported through ourregular offerings. You’ll learn moreabout making contributions to thefund and using interest from the fundto support ministries at theSeptemberCongregationalMeeting.Those on the committee are JoeBulock, Karen Ingram, MoeedKhan, Andrew Mansmann, andWayne Rickert.

Mobile Giving AvailableAs another option to giving for thechurch, we have initiated a giving bytext option. It is not intended toreplace your regular method ofgiving, it is just another option thatmight appeal to a mobile portion ofour community. It might beespecially useful for onetimedonations. Speak with Joe Bulock ifyou have any questions.

Treasurer’s ReportThank you for your continuedgenerosity in 2018! Your givingthrough July amounted to $286,168,higher than our expenditures by$60,569. In addition, the AuditCommittee for the 2016 records iscomplete. Thanks to Ann Church,Charlie Croft, Jim Merrill, andWayne Rickert for their review andguidance.

2018 Youth WorkersSeptember 22-24, 2018

Luther Glen

All are welcome to attend (pastors, youth ministers, youth directors and volunteers)from both Southwest California and Pacifica Synods. The weekend is a time for usto gather, network and learn from each other. Please join us for a great weekend offun and fellowship. This years speakers are Pastors Scott and Melissa Maxwell-Doherty fromCalifornia LutheranUniversity, ThousandOaks, CA. Register nowat LRCChome.com/youthworkersretreat If you have any questions,please contact Nate Maxwell-Doherty at nate@LRCChome.com.

Come spend a day on the links at the 28th Annual El Camino Pines Christian Camp Classic atSterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo, to benefit El Camino Pines and Lutheran Retreats, Campsand Conferences. Registration fees include: green and cart fees, BBQ dinner, gross and netawards, on-course contests, and a donation to El Camino Pines. If you register as an individualgolfer, youwill be placed into a foursome. Anexclusive golf packagewill be available for purchaseat registration the day of the tournament. Register now at LRCChome.com/golf Ifyou have any questions, please contact Lauri Egertson at office@LRCChome.com.

September Birthdays1 Suzie Frye2 Dixie Burton3 Matthew Wolfe5 Sharon Pryor8 Kevin Barry10 Paul LaVanne15 Kathy Ham16 Mary Gallegher17 Moeed Khan18 Phyllis Rickert

Debbie Chigaridas24 Chris Fisher27 Lou Fiore28 Tyler Wolfe

New Hope Lutheran Church29295 Agoura RoadAgoura Hills, CA 91301818-889-8700www.newhopeagoura.com

The deadline for all articles forthe October newsletter isSeptember 23rd. Be sure toemail them togsmcginnis@roadrunner.com.

Choir practices on Thursday nightsfrom 7 - 9 PM in the sanctuary. Comejoin us and sing your praises to God.We practice at 9:00 AM on Sundaysbefore the 10:00 AM worship service.Choir practice will begin this fall onThursday, September 6th and we willsing on September 16th.

Friendship is the hardestthing in the world toexplain. It's notsomething you learn inschool. But if you haven'tlearned the meaning offriendship, you reallyhaven't learnedanything.

- Muhammed Ali