House of Prayer Lutheran Church

1470 S Washington, Bismarck ND 58504

From Michelle's Desk!

Dear Friends in Christ,

How on earth can we be through most of the summer already?! 

A Prayer of Praise

Praise to You, God, for long warm days,

for buzzing bees and chirping crickets,

for shade trees and gentle breezes.

Praise to You for the earth’s rotation,

for our cycle around the sun,

for “sun, moon, and stars in their courses above.”

Praise to You for the order of the universe,

the variety of the seasons,

and the gift of another summer.

I hope your summer has been all of these things and more. I hope you’ve been able to unwind, enjoy your family & friends and the neighbors that you rarely see in the winter months. I hope you can look back at the last couple months and it makes you smile.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)

The season is going to change before we know it and there may be uncertainty in new classes, maybe new schools with new teachers, quieter (cleaner?!) houses, busier schedules with fall sports & activities, programs starting back up. For some, this may be a time of “firsts.” First day of kindergarten, middle school, high school or even college, the first day of confirmation, the first time you’ve attended a Bible study, small group or choir, it might be the first fall without a loved one.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

I challenge you to seize the joy of the remainder of this season. Embrace the summer and all of its goodness. Start each day with a prayer of gratitude to our Father, and then go and enjoy the sun and outdoors while you can! Go to the lake, the river, the pool. Savor an ice cream cone or Mo’s Shaved ice, run through a sprinkler with your kids or your pup, tend to your flowers or garden–whatever brings you summer joy.  If you want to take this challenge even further, see how you can incorporate the fruits of the spirit into your summer activities. Maybe share the joy and invite friends over for the afternoon. Practice patience with your children as they call your name for the millionth time or when you have to ask them to do something for the hundredth time. Exhibit self-control when you are offered your tenth s’more. Offer peace when there is fighting over the last slice of watermelon. Show yourself an extra dose of kindness to yourself when you step on the scale after eating those nine s’mores, knowing priceless memories are being made. (adapted from Sarah Lundgren)

And after you enjoy all the “lasts” of summer, come see us. You will never regret the time spent worshipping with community. We’ve got a lot of exciting things happening in the fall that we can’t wait to share with you! There will be something for everyone; big things are happening at House of Prayer!

Blessings,

Michelle 

SENIOR HIGH KICK OFF

ALL 9^TH TO 12^TH GRADE YOUTH

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 7^TH

SERTOMA PARK 6:30 PM

FOOD, GAMES & FUN

MEET AT SHELTER 2

House of Prayer Summer Youth Retreat

July 22-28, 2022

Chancel choir welcomes all, near and far! Anyone aged 14 to 104 is welcome to join our ministry; no choral experience necessary. Beginning Tuesday, September 6th at 6:00pm, we meet weekly in the sanctuary and fellowship hall to sing, laugh, and praise the Lord, all while preparing anthems to enhance worship services. For inquiries about this special opportunity, please contact Rhonda Gowen at 701-471-1656 or Jane Gowen at [email protected]

Dear Friends in Christ, 

Designated Benevolence Report January 1st, 2022, through June 30, 2022.

WND Synod - Campus Ministry - $425.87

Missouri Slope Care Center - $851.71

Camp of the Cross - $1,703.41

WND Synod - $17,034.247

Total       $20,015.52

 Thank you everyone, for your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

God's Peace

Budget & Finance 

Treasurer, 

Keith Zhorela  

The water seepage issue in the basement was completed. This solution seems to be working. However Innovative Basement Authority suggest we go one step further by doing water proofing on the outside of the wall. This would be completed by excavation of the ground outside.  Cost would be $12.000 to $13,000 by the time we replace the landscaping. 

We have replaced the old fluorescent lights, in Pastor Joel’s office, Vera’s office and the Library with the new LED lights. In the Month of August we will continue with replacing lights in the mail room, coat room, hallway and the Narthex.

We still have an immediate opening for a Custodial Property Manage position for our church. The position will include the cleaning of the church and repairs, lawn and snow removal. Anyone interested or if you know of anyone contact Reinie Kembel at 701-391-8892.

Thank You,

Reinie

EXCITING NEWS!!!

Many of you have already received a couple of emails with the link to the new directory. If you have provided an email address to the church, you were sent a User Id and password to access the new directory. Once you access the directory, you can edit your information, add your own photo and view the directory. It will take time for everyone to add their photos, but when it is complete, I think it will be amazing! It will constantly be updated as people move and change phone numbers, etc. Remember, if you want to change your photo to something new every now and then, go for it!  

For those of you that did not receive the email, please give me a call at the office (701)-223-2202 and I will give you your User ID and a password which you can then change to something that works for you. You will then be able to do all of the above changes.

If you don't have a photo or know someone that needs a photo taken, please let me know. I can take one if they come to the office or if you have a camera on your cell phone you can also take one and upload and email to the church email address as well. Please spread the word to your fellow parishioners who don't have email!

The link to the new directory is https://hopbismarck.ctrn.co/

I want to take a minute to thank my Co-chair on the Directory Committee, Marie St. Aubin, who worked tirelessly along side me to get all of the information entered. It took many man hours to transfer all of the information into the directory, but we were able to meet my goal of August 1st! Thanks Marie!

Vera

Lots of fun dates were celebrated in July! Celebrate the special people in your life by sponsoring flowers! $25ea and you can take them home after the service. Sign up in the narthex or call the office!  

Kadon & Michelle Hintz's 19th wedding anniversary;

Quinn & Blakely Frye's 3rd birthday;

Brad & Cammy Erickson's 37th wedding anniversary; 

Joel Samuelson's 50th birthday;

In memory of Alex Ruud & Garrett Hoelscher from Carmen Redding

Putting the Ha in Hallelujah

LAUGHING IN HEAVEN

Q. How can you make God laugh?

A. Tell him your plans.

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ADAM’S SHORTS

Six-year-old Ned's mother was looking through an old family Bible when an oak leaf fell out. Ned said, "I guess that must be Adam's shorts."

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CIRCUS COMES TO CHURCH

When my son, William, was young, we belonged to a small country church. On Communion day, deacons would pass around the “bread and juice.” One Sunday, we attended a church out of town that was more formal. What our church called bread and juice, this one referred to as elements, a word William didn’t understand. As Communion began, the pastor said, “If the deacons will come forward, the elements will pass among us.” William was suddenly excited and I didn’t know why. Then he leaned toward me, whispering something that caused me to burst out laughing. With all eyes on us, I took him by the hand and we made a hasty exit. All the way to the car, he protested. “Mom, we’re going to miss the circus. The pastor said the elephants were going to pass among us!

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”  

2 Corinthians 9:11