Upcoming Events… Thur. (3/20) – WIRED/ Jesus Freaks 7p

Fri. (3/21) – Women of Hope 7p

Sun. (3/23) Confirmation

9:30a – Christian Education

Sacred Parenting in Gathering Rm

10:30a – Worship

Looking ahead... Sun. (4/6) – Brownson/Nadasky Shower 3p

Sun. (4/19) – Easter Sunday; 9a breakfast

followed by “A Walk Through Easter”

10:30a Easter Worship; Egg Hunt following

worship

March 19, 2014

WIRED/Jesus Freaks Thursday, March 20th from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Bring a friend.

Titus

Men’s Bible Study

Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:30p

The men will be starting a new series. Each

week is independent, so come even if you

miss one. See Herman Havinga for info.

“Streams in the Desert…

Lessons in the Wilderness”

The 40 days of Lent begin today. Lent is the

season of preparation for Easter. The

following are the scripture lessons for the

Sundays in Lent.

March 9: Genesis 7:1-10 “40 Days and 40

Nights”

March 16: Exodus 24:12-18 “Come Up to Me

on the Mountain”

March 23: 1Kings 19:1-8 “Arise and Eat!”

March 30: Numbers 13:17-30 “We are Well

Abel”

April 6: Exodus 14:10-14 “Fear Not, Stand

Firm!”

Ministry of Compassion During March and April we will be collecting

items to create 50 Easter baskets for Morning

Star Mission. Sign-up sheets for needed items

are available in the cafe. You may also donate

money for items we may need to purchase.

Place your labeled donation in the offering.

Women of Hope Join us this Friday, March 21st at 7 p.m. in the

café for a special treat. Bernice, a Noonday

Collection representative will be presenting a

trunk show just for us. Come learn about the

great work this organization does to provide

economic and educational opportunities for

women around the world.

Kenya will also be sharing two studies that we

can look forward to this year.

Shower A wedding shower will be held on Sunday,

April 6th at 3p.m. honoring Eric Brownson and

Nicole Nadasky. Join us to bless this couple

as they look forward to beginning their life

together.

Sacred Parenting A new option for families will be offered

during our formation hour on Sunday

mornings beginning this Sunday, March 23rd

in the Gathering Room. There will also be

classes for all children, nursery through high

school during this time. Contact Kenya at

familyministry@orlandhope.org with any

questions.

experiencing christ growing in community serving compassionately

Serving this Week… Café: Dawn Mueller, Janet McMillan & Persis

Olson

Preschool Play: Kristine Linquist & Alyssa

Chavez

Nursery: Karen Bergstrom & Lena Thompson

Hope Covenant FITness Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.

Saturdays 8:30 a.m.

(times and days are flexible)

Must be 18 or older

Call Steve Reynolds (708) 205-2079

Verse of the Week Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;

therefore He will rise up to show you

compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.

Blessed are all who wait for Him! Isaiah 30:18

Website Have you visited our website recently?

Orlandhope.org has a daily devotional to start

or end your day, as well as calendar updates

and information about coming events. Check

it out!

Easter Make plans now to spend Easter Sunday at

Hope. Enjoy breakfast at 9a.m. followed by a

Walk Through Easter- an interactive family

journey through the story and hope of Easter.

After our worship service there will be an egg

hunt for the children to enjoy.

Words from Evan Last week, when the snow melted just enough to reveal a bit of soil around the foundation of my

home, I was not at all surprised to see the jonquils emerging from the mud. They are the first every year,

bravely raising the flag of spring.

There were times for most of us this winter, when all seemed to be futile; another day of clearing the

windshield, looking for the other glove, freezing at the gas station. There are seasons we embrace, and

seasons we endure. After their brief showing, the jonquils were buried again by the dramatic storm of

March 12th. Right now it is good just to know that they are down there...somewhere.

The story of our faith has similar characteristics. Healthful faith allows for a wide range of emotions

and experiences. The psalms in particular contain many examples of faithful people asking: “Hey God,

where are you? Do you not see what we are going through? Do you still care?” There are seasons in life

where we long for the evidence of God and his power around us. We shiver in the cold reality of our own

doubt.

Just then, when things seem to be at their worst, our gracious God sends along a jonquil. It might come

as a feeling of peacefulness even though you cannot see a certain future. A friend might call with a word

of appreciation or encouragement. Someone you have been praying for may, without notice, become

somewhat more receptive, more hopeful. In the prayer of a child you may rediscover your own simple

trust.

Being a person of faith will always require that we “keep on keeping on” even, and especially when

things are hard.

The freeze thaw cycle of our hearts leave cracks and scars that only our Savior can heal. We

continuously exercise the spiritual discipline of waiting.

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more

than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Psalm 130: 5-6