House of Prayer Lutheran Church

1470 S Washington, Bismarck ND 58504

WORDS OF HOPE from Pastor Joel

Like many others, I am excited about the upcoming 4^th of July celebration. It is an opportunity to get together with family and friends during the summer sun and celebrate how blessed we are to have the freedoms this country. The saying, “freedom isn’t free” is true. Much has been given by so many through sweat, toil, compromise, and blood so we can celebrate the 4^th of July. During our 4^th of July celebrations, we need to remember the sacrifice all those brave men in women in our military and throughout history have made to allow us the freedom we enjoy. Ironically, this freedom allows us to pursue our own interests, but many times in perusing our own interest we can forget the collective interest of the whole. What makes us strong is we are ONE nation under God. By remembering this, we remember everything isn’t simply about us or our aspirations. 

As we celebrate the freedoms we are afforded as Americans, it should remind of the freedoms we receive because Christ choose to care about others interests over his own. In John 8 Jesus states, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The truth is we are all slaves to sin, and by our own doing we cannot free ourselves. It is our sin that separates us from God and only through the sacrifice of Christ are we able to be put back in a right relationship with God. As in states in John 8, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin … So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

This 4^th of July is a time to celebrate our freedom, and part of that is celebrating is remembering that we are called to care about the interest of others, using our gifts for all, and being concerned about being a blessing to others. Even when the other might not have our same aspirations as ours. That understanding of giving to something greater than ourselves and sacrificing ourselves for that ideal is finally what brings our nation together as ONE. It means loving one another and remembering we are all children of God.  

So have a great 4^th of July but remember we can celebrate because along the way so many have given of themselves for the good of our country even when that meant sacrifice on their part. By doing so, we are following in the steps of Christ who gave his life to give us eternal freedom with Him.  

Blessings, Pastor Joel

Children’s Ministry News

Vacation Bible School was a held May 31 thru June 2^nd. There was a total of 35 kiddos and 7 middle school helpers. Our theme was Jonah and the Whale. Activities arranged from bible skits, pew battleship, octopus, and more fun games. The kiddos had fun painting, coloring, drawing, tye-dying, outside fun, science experiments, and a visit from the large whale too!!

A huge thank you to all who gave noisy offering, Sunday School offering and all the special gifts that were given to buy new chairs for the Sunday School classrooms! They're beautiful, comfortable and SAFE!  

The chairs were fully funded and purchased, ready for SS in the fall! 

All of the metal folding chairs were donated to the members of House of Prayer!  We hope you get many more years of use from them!

Fall Registration will start in August 2022. I am looking forward to seeing returning faces, as well as new faces (preschool age to 5^th grade). I will also be looking for classroom teacher volunteers, it’s never to early to start thinking ahead! 

Continue to enjoy your summer and making special memories.

Many Blessings,

Phobe Frye

701.226.2911

[email protected]

Dear Friends in Christ, 

What does it mean to be generous in God's sight?

No one has ever become poor from giving. We fear that generosity will diminish us, but instead we discover how following Jesus' generosity transforms us making us more like the One who knows what it means to truly live and forgive.

God calls us to live the same way.

God's Peace

Budget & Finance 

Treasurer, 

Keith Zhorela  

The water seepage issue in the basement will be addressed by Innovative Basement Authority on July 7th. The cost of these repairs will be $4,920.84.

We will start taking down the old fluorescent lights and begin to install the new LED lights for the church in the month of July.

We have decided to go with ABC Seamless to reside the wood siding on the church. The timing of this will be this fall or early next spring. The cost of this project will be $55,000. We have put down a deposit of $6,000 for the project so the new siding could be ordered.

The day of cleaning was a success! Thank you to all of you who showed up to help.

We still have an opening for a custodian/maintenance person for our church. For a complete job description or if you know anyone interested, contact Reinie Kembel at 701-391-8892.

Thank You,

Reinie

Thank you for being a part of God’s mission at House of Prayer! Just the fact that you are reading this demonstrates your desire to be a part of God’s kingdom.

As we continue to on our stewardship journey, I will share another excerpt from the book “Embracing Stewardship.” Last month we learned about what stewardship is and three important biblical teachings contained in this word:

“Stewardship is a wonderful word that describes how a follower of Jesus Christ faithfully travels through this life. Contained in this one word are three important biblical teachings. First, God is the creator and owner of all that is. Second, God loves us so much that God has entrusted some of what God owns into each person’s care. And third, how God’s people manage what God entrusts into their care both flows from their relationship with God and impacts that relationship.”

Digging deeper into the first two points, let’s go back to the creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2. From Genesis 1:28, “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the seas and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’” Then in Genesis 2: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (v. 15). God has given us authority over the rest of creation for the purpose of helping that creation become what God has created it to be.

With God there is never a transfer of ownership. With God there is a delegation of authority. God puts human beings in charge much as a store owner puts a manager in charge. The biblical word for this is “steward.” We are all called to care for God’s creation in our own way, with our own unique talents and gifts.

Kadon Hintz & Jarred Roloff

We will be taking our old church directory into the modern age! Sitting safely in the cloud, the powerful database will provide 24/7 access to up-to-date member information from any computer or mobile device.

Start saving your best summer photos to upload and send when I give the word. No summer photos...no problem!  Use whatever good photo you want for the directory. They can be changed out at any time. The wonder of modern technology. 

I am currently working on the new church directory. While entering the information, I am finding many old landline numbers, old addresses, even missing email addresses!  I am especially looking for email addresses if you have them.  So much communication is done through email today and if I have that address, it makes life so much easier for all.  If you could all send updated phone numbers, email addresses/home addresses, etc. this process would go much quicker and would get the directory into your hands much sooner! Please call the church office at 701-223-2202 or email me at [email protected] with any new information!

I am looking for 1 or 2 people to help with the process of getting the directory loaded with all the information. If you are interested in being a part of the process and are good at data entry, please contact me.  

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION! Vera

September 8th!

Shawn Reynolds is an international comedian, dad of SIX, the founder of Stand-Up for Adoption, a comedy benefit that has raised has raised thousands for families trying to adopt children with special needs. He's won numerous awards for his "clean comedy" and he's coming to HOP on September 8th for a fun night of comedy for couples. 

Check out his website to learn more:  

Putting the Ha in Hallelujah

Rest In Peace

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside him and said quietly, “Good morning, Alex.”

Good morning, Pastor,” replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. “Pastor McGhee, what is this?” Alex asked.

“Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the men and women who have died in the service.”

Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex’s voice was barely audible when he finally managed to ask, “Which one, the 9:00 or 10:30 service?”

___________________________________________

Who Wants to be a Millionaire Show--Decisions

One day they had a contestant who made it all the way to the last question. Her name was Debra. Debra, has made it to the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $25,000.

And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was no pushover. It was, "Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it:

A) the condor

B) the buzzard

C) the cuckoo

D) the vulture

The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And she was doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. The woman hoped she would not have to use it because ... Her friend was a really good friend but she lacked some common sense at times and she always did not good decisions. 

But Debra had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. Her friend said without any hesitation: "That's easy. The answer is “C: the cuckoo." Did I mention that her friend was blonde?

Debra had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Merideth any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering that her friend was the way she was, that would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be persuaded.

"I need an answer," said Merideth. Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."

"Is that your final answer?"

Debra crossed her fingers again and said, "Yes, that is my final answer." Merideth suddenly said, "That answer is ........................ Absolutely correct! You are now a millionaire! Balloons flying, confetti coming down and Debra jumping up and down!

Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends, including the blonde who h ad helped her win the million dollars. "Jeni, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "How did you happen to know the right answer?" "Oh, come on," said the blonde...

"Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks!"

“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