hereMay Newsletter
Hope Free Press


 

May 2016

 
In This Issue
Our Vision
National Day of Prayer
Thank You
White Cross
Stateline Pregnancy Center
A Note from Pastor Mickey
Picnic
Annual Business Meeting
Senior Saints
Food for Hope
Kids of Hope
Mission Update
Resource Center
Men's Softball
Congratulations Grads
   
 church front 
Hope Free Church

Our vision is to be a church whose passion for God gives rise to a heart for the lost and is demonstrated 
by our love for 
one another.
  

 

 

 

Helpful Links  
click on our website links at


 


 

National Day of Prayer

prying hands 
Thursday, May 5th
  
Opportunities to Pray:
  
(1) The sanctuary will be open from 9am to 5pm for anyone who would like to come in and pray during the day.

 

(2)There will be a prayer meeting at the Rockton Village Park at noon.
 


 
  THANK YOU    
Dear friends at Hope, Thank for the lovely sympathy card sent after the loss of Jay's mom. We are grateful for the many kind words, notes and prayers that we have received. What a comfort it has been to each of us! God bless each of you - always. Love, Jay, Laura, John & Hannah Budzynski 
 
Dear Church Family,  So many people to thank...
The Pastor's (Pastor Mickey, Pastor Brad, Pastor Jim and Pastor Fana)  Thank you for the support, prayers and visits. 
Church Family Thank you for the beautiful flowers.  We very much appreciate them...and, you.  You have provided us with much needed love and support  over the past 3 years.
Diaconate Committee.  
The funeral luncheon was wonderful!  Thank you for organizing this. 
We are so grateful for being part of such a wonderful church for so many years. The Family of Gary Builta
 
Dear Hope Family, 
Thank you for the show 
of love and support during this difficult time! We appreciate the cards, the words during the service 
and all the ladies that provided the food and 
behind the scenes work on the luncheon. We love and thank you all! P.S. Thank you for the flower arrangement as well. The Jean Christman Family

 
  
 
 



   
White Cross Update
From Sharon Vinson & Connie Ruden

 
Rachel Martin Balia of EFCA ReachGlobal Africa sent this thank-you letter after our last shipment:  Thank you personally for your hard work and sacrifice of sending these gifts (two totes of bandages, layettes, and Scripture cards). The hospital was running out of basic supplies so it was wonderful getting some supplies. It was like Christmas!
 
Again our busy workers have been creating enough layettes, rolled bandages, Scripture cards, and dress kits for three 35-gallon totes to be sent on April 27 to the hospital and clinics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Please come help us continue our efforts to help those in need.  Our May work days are on Tuesday, May 3, and Tuesday, May 17 in Drake Hall from 8:30-12:00.  We hope to concentrate on preparing pillowcase dresses and tote bags for Operation Christmas Child, completing quilts for local ministries, and preparing layettes and rolled bandages for the Tandala Clinics in DRC.
Should you wish to donate items for our use, we could use the following:

*Mattress pads, used blankets to use inside the quilts we prepare
*Single- or double-fold bias tape (any color) for edging kimonos for layettes and the pillowcase dresses
*Gallon-size Ziploc plastic STORAGE (not freezer) bags for shipping layettes
*Lightweight flannel for receiving blankets (one yard = one blanket)

Please pray for good health for our volunteers and that our recipients will be blessed as they receive our donations/creations.

 
 
anderson gardens long
   
AWLS Gathering 
(Awesome, wise, lively singles support group)
 at
Hope Evangelical 
Free Church
Fireside Room
 
Menu:  Swedish meatballs with noodles,
 salad & dessert
RSVP:  Sharon Vinson, 815-623-6857
or 815-543-5644 (cell)

Come join the fun and fellowship!

 
              back to the top



 

Stateline Pregnancy Center

 

bby bottle campaign

 

Your change can FILL a bottle...FOR LIFE!

  

Bottles will be handed out on Mother's Day, May 8...

 

 

 

Won't you take one ~ fill it with spare change, cash or even a check and return to church by Father's Day June, 19.

 

Stateline Pregnancy Clinic exists to share the life changing message of Jesus Christ by providing practical help and loving support to those facing an unplanned pregnancy. Thus, your participation in the Baby Bottle Campaign will benefit literally thousands of women, children and men in the coming years. 

 

Please place the baby bottle you have been given in a visible location as a reminder to pray for the safety and salvation of mothers and their unborn children. Put your pocket change (dollars and checks are good too!) in the bottle as an offering to help those families. Return you bottle to Hope by Father's Day.

 

One client stated on an intake form that she was going to terminate her pregnancy, she changed her mind after receiving our counseling and information. Her comment was, "I had no idea my baby had a heart beat and looked like a baby at 7 weeks until I saw the ultrasound. I didn't know what an abortion did. The counseling really helped, too!" 

 

Another young mother made a commitment to Jesus Christ and decided to walk in sexual integrity and abstinence after her pregnancy test came back negative. Men learn how to be a 24/7 DAD, and the trauma of the post abortive person is healed through Christ-centered bible studies.

 

Thank you for your willingness to participate and support Stateline Pregnancy Clinic and our community.

 

 

 

Bridal Shower
for Rebekah Rivers

There will be a Bridal Shower for Rebekah Rivers on Saturday, 
May 21 at 1 pm.  

This is a Tupperware shower so you will 
have the opportunity 
to purchase
Tupperware that Rebekah has 
registered for.  

She is also registered 
at Target, Bed, Bath 
& Beyond, and Kohl's.  If you have any questions, call
Rhonda Rivers at 
815-624-2493.  

Sign up in the lobby for they know how many guests to plan for.  
   
  
 
A Note From Pastor Mickey
Dear Hope Church family,
Missions work in the contemporary church is changing, especially in light of technological advances and the speed and lower cost of international travel. One of the most beneficial advances in missions has been the creation and facilitation of "strategic partnerships," in which a local church forms a strategic ministry relationship with a native pastor and his church in a different country, through which long-term ministerial collaboration and support take place. The benefit of this partnership is that ministry takes place in both directions; not only does a church go, serve, and support the local ministry in a foreign country, but the church in that foreign country also and in its own way goes, serves and supports the ministry at the other church. And this relationship is not a week-long trip but for years, allowing both young and old in both churches, along with all their different gifts, to be exposed to and support missionary work.
 
Since strategic partnerships use a different degree of resources, they cannot be entered into lightly or in an unintentional manner. While the classical missionary support model, based primarily upon financial support, can extend over many missionaries, depending on the size of the church and its budget, strategic partnerships require more resources than merely financial, and are therefore more extensive in holistic "cost." At the same time, they are also more holistic in its manner of giving, its benefit to the international ministry/church, and the kind of gains it provides to both congregations. Please note: strategic partnerships are not intended to replace the more classical missionary support model, but supplement it - enriching the giving/sending church's understanding and participation of international missions and its local ministries.
 
Is it possible that God is calling Hope Church to begin pursuing a strategic partnership with an international church? In order to explore this, we are sending a "vision team" to Poland this summer to evaluate the current need and future potential of entering into a strategic partnership with a local church. Since such partnerships germinate out of real relationships, and since there is already deep-seated relationships in Poland by two of our pastoral staff, we are beginning our exploration there. We have selected a team of 6 people who will be going to Poland (Ken Cook, Tara Gunderson, Julie Clark, Libby Irving, Fana Timoti, and Mickey Klink), with the support of a few other committee members (Randa Noble and Jeremy Gunderson), to observe, meet with, and participate in several different ministries so as to explore the possibility of a partnership with local ministries. Our trip will include the following: (1) Evaluate the current ministry needs in Poland and the state of the church. (2) Meet with key pastors and their churches/ministries. (3) Meet with potential pastors/churches with whom strategic partnerships are possible and needed. (4) Participate not only in the ministry of one or more local churches, but also visit and serve at a summer camp in northern Poland. (5) I will also be teaching a class for pastors and church planters at a theological seminary that would meet at/around the summer camp. (6) Finally, return home prepared to share a report with Hope Church missions board and ministry staff about the possibility of a strategic partnership, including what the relationship would look like - not merely financial support, but service/mission trips to Poland for all ages, but also service/mission trips to the US for Polish pastors/church members. I would ask you to pray for us and, as you are able, support our vision team as the Lord leads.
 
For God's glory,
-Pastor Mickey

Memorial Day All Church
and Community Picnic
 
This Memorial Day, May 30, 2016 from 1-6 pm at Leland Park, Roscoe we will have a picnic together!
 
This will be a potluck picnic with hotdogs and sausages provide. We are planning on guests from the community so please provide extra portions for the dishes you bring.
 
Games and activities will take place for all ages.
 
Please be prayerful for this is a way to display our God to the community. Be in prayer as to who you can ask to join you...
 
Since this is Memorial Day, please support our service men by attending the Roscoe parade which begin at 11 am.
 
Any questions about food to being contact Linda Johnston, 815-623-6030 OR concerning activities contact Sue Hundt, 815-289-5655



 

 
Annual Congregational Business Meeting  

 Sunday, May 22,  5 pm

Members, your attendance is very important
to meet quorum! 

 

We will be voting on our annual budget.

 
Mark your calendars!

back to top

 

Senior Saints Luncheon
Tuesday, May 10
at 12 Noon

We're having a cookout
and the pastors will be grilling!!! 

The May menu is hamburgers and bratwurst, potato salad, baked beans, strawberry/spinach salad and of course a wonderful dessert. 

Music will be presented by the children from Rock County Christian School and Pastor Fana will give a devotional message.
Be sure to invite a friend to come with you!

Please be SURE to call Betty Alexander at 815-623-2336 by Wed. May 4  to make your reservation for you and your friends,  so that we will have enough food and seating available. 
Please leave your NAME, PHONE NUMBER (in case of bad weather) and number attending.
A suggested donation for the meal is $4.




Food for Hope! food pantry
Please help us in supporting 37 local families who receive weekly food donations during the school year.  These families will not receive assistance from their schools during the summer and we would like to help fill that gap!
  
How can you help?
Please consider donating any of the following:
    * Reusable grocery bags
    * HEALTHY Non-perishable foods: canned goods,    
       pasta, cereal, box mixes, granola bars, etc.                   
      (please no expiration dates before 8/2016)
     *Personal hygiene items: feminine hygiene, soap,    
       shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, etc.
     *Cleaning supplies & paper products
     *Plant an extra row in your garden and donate the
       produce
     *Monetary donations
 
Donations can be dropped off in the church lobby.  If you have produce, please drop it off in the kitchen in the box labeled    FOODFOR HOPE.
 
The first day we will be distributing is Tuesday, May 24th.   This will continue throughout the summer every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 pm for these specific 37 families.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at - foodforhope@yahoo.com.

Your help is very much appreciated!


Children's Ministry

Vacation Bible School

WHAT:            VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
WHEN:            June 20 - 24
TIME:             9am - 11:45am
WHO:              Pre-K (3yrs and potty-trained)
                         through entering 4th grade
 
WHAT:            CAMP 5-6
THEME:         "ASCENT": Conquering Challenges with God's                          Mighty Power
WHEN:            July 11 - 15
TIME:             5:30pm - 8:00pm
WHO:              Kids entering 5th through entering 6th grades
 
**REGISTRATION FEES for both camp weeks will be $20 per child with a family max of $45. This includes one T-shirt per child and one music CD per family.
**REGISTRATION BEGINS MAY 1ST. You may register in the church lobby on Sunday mornings or call the church office during the week at 815-623-6545.
**WORKER SIGN-UPS will also begin on May 1. Please be thinking/praying about what area you may like to serve in. It will take a lot of leaders/helpers to make these camp weeks a success for the kiddos this summer!
**Our VBS PREP WORK DAYS have begun. We need your help! There are jobs creating decorations as well as craft prep jobs. Please stop by the VBS Lobby Display Tables to pick up a copy of our Work Day Schedule.
 
Kids Hope Mentoring
Have you ever seen a child's eyes light up when they Kids Hope are in for a surprise?  Well, guess what...you could see that look every week when you mentor a child at the Kinnikinnick School District!  Although we are approaching summer, you can still be trained and be ready to mentor when school starts next fall.  We still have children on our waiting list and next fall that list will grow!  If you are willing to give one hour a week to meet with a child that could use an ongoing relationship, please get in touch with Melissa Peshek, Jamie Anderson or Vera Juhlin.  Thank you for your consideration!!
Nursery
We are now using an online sign up service to do the smiling-blanket-baby.jpg nursery scheduling.  If you are a regular nursery worker (or want to be one) and have not received an invitation to a site called "Sign Up Genius", please call Caroline Ahlberg or the church office
Pre-School
The preschool department is in need of a teacher for the following time slots:
9:00 am 2 year olds, every other week
10:45 am 2 year olds, every other week
10:45 am 4 year olds every week

Elementary Sunday School and Worship for Kids
We are gearing up for our summer programing.  Our regular teachers will be taking a break so we are looking for people w
 running-backpack-children.jpg
ho are willing to give a few Sunday mornings to teaching or helping with elementary aged kids. There are openings at both the 9:00 and 10:45 hours


Movin' On Up
Kids who will be going into 6th grade next fall will start attending the Jr High Sunday School and Youth Group on June 5
All other children in the preschool and elementary departments will advance grade levels on August 21.  Children who are attending 4 year old Kindergarten will stay in the preschool area.  Children attending 5 year old Kindergarten will move to Drake Hall on Aug 21.

Missions
 
Missions Update
On June 26th of this year there will be six brothers and sisters from Hope EFC heading to Poland as a vision casting team returning on July 11th. We will be teaching to seminary students, discipling, helping with a summer camp, meet and greet members of two different churches there in Poland plus lead some Bible studies. But as in any mission experience we will remain flexible and do what our Lord leads us to. Our prayer is to establish a partnership with them so that we can get Hope EFC family involved with them and the church family in Poland involved with the Hope. All together helping each other spread the "Good News" here in Roscoe area and there in Poland. Pastor Mickey, Pastor Fana, Tara Gunderson, Julie Clarke, Libby Irving and Ken Cook will make up the team for this mission experience! Needless to say but your prayers are needed and appreciated by us all, before, during and returning as our Lord leads you! Please feel free to ask any team member any questions that you may have.
Thank you,
Team Poland representing Hope EFC and serving our Lord

An Exit offering will take place Sunday morning, May 15. Thank you for supporting the team!



 Resource Center Newslibrary 

 
If you've never visited the Resource Center before, please come check us out!  We have a huge selection of resources for all ages.  We are located in the north-west corner of the church building, just follow the signs to the library.  The Resource Center is open between and after Sunday services, and available to everyone who attends Hope.
 
Look for these resources on the New Arrivals shelf in May:
Non-Fiction:
  • Taking God at His Word: Why the Bible is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me by Kevin DeYoung
  • Beautiful Outlaw: Experiencing the Playful, Disruptive, Extravagant Personality of Jesus by John Eldredge
  • Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind & Soul by Ruth Soukup
  • Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly, Safe Faith is No Longer Enough by Kristen Welch
Fiction:    
  • Burning Sky by Lori Benton
  • Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel (Dear Daphne #1) by Melody Carlson
  • Destination Unknown by Amy Clipston
  • Orchard of Hope by Anne H. Gabhart
  • Brush of Wings (Angels Walking #3) by Karen Kingsbury
  • Carolina Gold by Dorothy Love
  • Critical Condition by Richard Mabry
  • Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate by Diana Wallis Taylor
  • The Confession by Robert Whitlow     
Youth:
  • God Made Me this Way (ages 0-4) by Claire Fennell
  • Baby Wren and the Great Gift by Sally Lloyd Jones (ages 4-8)
  • Curse of the Spider King (Berinfell Prophecies #1) by Wayne Thomas Batson (ages 8-12)
  • Merlin's Immortals series #'s 1-3 by Sigmond Brouwer (ages 12+)
CD (just in time for long car rides!):          
  • Down Gilead Lane seasons 8-12
DVD:       
  • The Perpetua Story (Torchlighters)
  • Wildflower
 
 

 

 

Men of Hope
Men's Softball Season has begun and
we have 3 teams

SO.....
for their Thursday night schedules. 
Be sure to come cheer them on!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

back to top 

 
CONGRATULATIONS to ALL the graduates ~~
High School, College, Grad School!  WELL DONE!!  
 
If you have a graduate - please call 815.623.6545 and let the office know!

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES: 
Kaetlyn Helland
Lauren Lee
Ross Neir
Nathan Rivers  
 
COLLEGE GRADUATES:
Rebekah Rivers, Olivet Nazarene University, Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education
 
Matthew Larson (Rebekah River's fiancé), Olivet Nazarene University, Bachelor Degree with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Criminal Justice.   

 
Graduation Open Houses:
Ross Neir, Sunday, May 29 from 1-5 pm at
            9303 River View Trail, Roscoe
 
Nathan Rivers, Sunday, June 5 from Noon - 4 pm at
            320 W. Mechanic Street, Rockton
 

 
                                                    back to top
THANK YOU!
We cannot thank the church enough for the blessings of your support for our mission trip to La Paz Mexico. Every year we ask you to support us on our summer mission trip and every year the people of hope demonstrate their generosity and love for and go above and beyond what we could ever ask or expect. We had a goal of $5000 which would reduce the cost of $1400 by a tremendous chunk. As we sit now, we raised about $6500! That is $1500 more than last year which was already almost $1000 more than the year before! Thank you so much.
Now if we can we would like to request your prayer support as we have a lot of preparation to do. Please pray for team bonding and for a clear path to La Paz. Also, please pray for effective Gospel ministry while we are there. We will be doing sports ministry with school aged kids in the area which will help cement the relationship that Phil and Patty Eager's team have with the community. We also hope to do some service and outreach objectives while we are there as well. We can't do this without you so please keep us in your prayers. Those who are going are; Pastor Jim, Audra Dobson, Nathan Rivers, Nathan Stevens, Austin Moore, Amanda Juhlin, and Amanda Stevens.
 
MAKE AN IMPACT
You can make an impact on the spiritual lives of teens at Hope by volunteering to serve as a youth leader on Sunday nights. Contact Pastor Jim if you have an interest in teens and are a committed believer.
 
UPDATED YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS
Some details are subject to change (but we'll keep you posted!)






  operations

Upcoming Dates for Operation Christmas Child Events:
 
Wednesday May 4th                Sewing Group Meets for Pillowcase Dresses
 
**There will be a group of ladies meeting in the Drake Hall on Wednesday, April 6 and Wednesday, May 4 from 9 am to 1 pm to work on pillowcase dresses for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.   Mark your calendar and come when you can, leave when you must.   It is a good time of fun and fellowship working together to help others.
**We are still in need of more brightly colored, cotton, printed fabrics for the dresses.
 
Sunday August 21st and 28th       School Supply Collection in Church Lobby
 
Saturday September 17th             Countdown Kick-Off Breakfast Party
 
Sunday October 16th - Nov 6th     Donation Collection Weeks in Lobby for Packing Party
 
Saturday October 29th                   Prep Party
 
Saturday November 12th               Packing Party
 
Monday November  14th - 21st      National Shoebox Collection Week
 
**November 21st is the final deadline for all shoeboxes to be dropped off at Hope
 
November 28th - 30th                    Tentative Dates for Service Project Trip to OCC 
                                                       Distribution Center in MN
 
**Please continue to collect new items for our shoeboxes as you are able throughout the year....items for sewing kits and fishing kits; soap, washcloths, and toothbrushes, plus plastic travel containers for soap/toothbrushes; hair combs/brushes/hair accessories; small toys and beanie babies; individually wrapped candy; school supplies; jewelry; shirts, socks, flip-flops; etc.  Just NO chocolate or other candy that can melt, NO glass, or war-related items.
 
**Remember to save your kids cereal boxes (with cartoon picture covers) for puzzles.
 
** Please also make homemade cards with personal messages for the kids, using markers, stickers, stampers, paint, etc.
 
Thank you for supporting this important outreach ministry!
Hope Evangelical Free Church
5656 Elevator Rd,  Roscoe, IL  61073
815-623-6545    www. hefc.net