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Ministry Opportunities at Hope
God has blessed each one of us with special gifts. We at Hope Lutheran Church ask that you pray and discern how these gifts might be utilized in ministries and mission opportunities within our church and out in the community as we
Share God's Word
Ministry Opportunities include:
Worship services at Hope require many volunteers on a weekly basis including the following ministries:
Hope Community Outreach Ministry Opportunities
Hope Choir - The choir provides musical selections during most Sundays from September through May. During the month of December we perform a Christmas Cantata as part of a Sunday morning service. There are also opportunities to participate in Combined Choirs with area churches for special festival services throughout the year. Practice is held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the balcony. Special music opportunities exist during the summer months and throughout the year also. If you would like to share your gifts of singing and musical instrument playing please contact our director Molly Schlaak (920-642-0029) or accompanist Linda Bergen (787-3109) or email linda@hopelutheranwautoma.com .
Hope Hand Bell Choir - This choir plays during a worship service once a month. Practice is held every Wednesday night at 5:45 PM in the balcony. We welcome members of any age and musical knowledge. We are more than happy to help and teach as a choir. If you would like to share your gifts of playing hand bells please contact our director Cari Schmidt (787-7531).
Hope Sunday School Children's Choir - Our Sunday School children share their gifts of singing throughout the school year during worship services and practices the first 15 minutes of Sunday School.
Hope Sunday School - Our Sunday School meets every Sunday after church from 10:00 - 11:00 (the students follow the Wautoma Area School District's calendar). The Spark curriculum from Augsburg Fortress is utilized.
The Sunday School program has approximately thirty students from ages three to grade five and includes six to eight teachers, a children's choir director, and activity director, student helpers, and a superintendent. The students participate during the service including youth Sundays (2nd Sunday of the month). The students read prayers, sing, participate in the children's sermon, make presentations, and put on the annual Christmas program.
Please feel free to call Becky Tratar, Sunday School superintendent, at (229-0744) if you have any questions or would like to be involved in the spiritual growth of our children. We'd love to have you.Hope Confirmation Program - Members have the opportunity to volunteer to be a confirmation coach/small group teacher. Confirmation class is held on Wednesday evenings during the school year from 3:30 - 5:00 PM and includes grades 6-8. "Here we Stand" curriculum is used which includes music, video clips and Power Point presentations. For more information on this ministry opportunity please contact Pastor Nate (787-3920).
Hope Altar Guild - Members of Altar Guild help prepare the Altar and Sanctuary for worship and special services. Duties consist of preparing for communion, changing paraments, filling candles with oil, and related duties. Monetary gifts and memorials designated to Altar Guild are always welcome and can be used to purchase additional banners and for flowers. You can sign up to provide flowers for a given Sunday of your choice. The flower chart is located on the bulletin board across from the church office. We request that all flowers on the altar be live - no silk or artificial. Easter lilies and poinsettias are used to beautify the chancel area for Easter and Christmas services. Red geraniums are used for Memorial Day and then planted outside of our planters around the church. We use purple, black, and white materials to drape the crosse inside and outside during Lent and Easter. If interested in being a part of Altar Guild please contact Marilyn Carpenter a (787-4045).
Hope Caring Ministry - Each month two teams of caring visitors call on shut-ins of our congregation to visit and offer communion to those who request it. If interested in these ministries please contact LaVerne Norlin, coordinator (787-3823).
Hope Prayer Chain - We have two groups of women who handle special prayer requests. These women would always welcome additional members to help in this ministry. If you are interested please contact Shirley Johnson (787-2318) or Pearl Johnson (787-3968).
Hope Fair Trade Coffee - On the first Sunday of each month, the women of Hope sell coffee, tea, and chocolate products for eating and baking as part of the Equal Exchange Fair Trade Coffee Program. If interested in helping with selling these products and being a part of this program, please contact Loretta Piehl (787-3147).
Hope Women's Service Groups - The women of Hope serve food for funerals and other special occasions throughout the year. Included in this is the "Soup and Sandwich" supper during the season of Lent on Wednesday evenings before the Lent worship service. The women also make and serve food for the annual Polka Service held in June as well as providing a lunch for the Country Fair. All women are assigned to a serving group and a handbook is published at the beginning of each calendar year. If interested in serving in this ministry area, please contact Joanne Carlson(787-2144) or Juanita Zernia (787-7836)
Hope Prayer Shawl Ministry - This ministry meets once a month in the library. The group comes together and while knitting or crocheting they pray and ask God to wrap a specific person or sometimes even a stranger in His compassionate love. When the shawls are completed, the group blesses and prays over the shawl before it is given to the lucky recipient. If you would like to participate in this ministry or would like more information please contact Linda Bergen (787-3109) or linda@hopelutheranwautoma.com If you would like to read more about Prayer Shawl Ministry please visit the Prayer Shawl Ministry Home Page
Greeters - Welcome members and guests with a warm smile and handshake as they enter the building and sanctuary. If interested contact Judy Christian (787-3259)
Ushers - Welcome members and guests, pass out bulletins, help guide people for the serving of Holy Communion, collect the offering, help straighten out the hymnals in the pew racks after worship and collect bulletins, papers, etc. that might get left in the pews. If interested in being an usher please contact: Gary & Kay Christensen (920) 787-3463.
Lectors - Assist with reading the lessons for the day and at times help with serving Holy Communion. If interested, contact Ray Piehl (787-3147).
Assisting Minister - Assist the Pastor with the liturgy, reading of prayers, greeting congregational members during the peace offering and assisting with Holy Communion. If interested phone Pastor Nate or Jenny in the office (787-3920) or email Jenny
Children's Sermon - Providing a short children's sermon or lesson as part of the worship service. If interested phone Pastor Nate or Jenny in the office. (787-3920) or email Jenny
Fellowship Servers - Volunteer to be coffee hosts and hostesses during the social time immediately following worship. Coordinated by Women's Service Groups.
Communion Assistants - Assist with serving Holy Communion. If interested please contact Karen Heup (787-0266).
Hope Adopt A Highway - Four times a year members of Hope gather together to clean a stretch of highway 22 north of highway 21 from the Farmer's Market/Gables to 17th avenue. If you are interested in participating in this ministry please contact Pastor Nate or Jenny (787-3920)
American Cancer Society Relay for Life - Waushara County - Waushara County holds their overnight Relay for Life event yearly, usually the first Friday and Saturday in August. The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the American Cancer Society that is used for research to end cancer and to raise awareness about those affected by cancer in "track" continually through the night. The event is held at the Wild Rose High School athletic field. Part of the evening includes a luminary ceremony in which one can purchase a luminary in memory of someone who has lost their life to cancer or to honor a survivor of cancer. Cancer survivors are also recognized during this event. Each team member is invited to seek donations for the American Cancer Society. We welcome members, family and friends to be part of the Hope Team. If interested in participating in this event please contact Stacey Gravunder (787-7234).
World Day of Prayer: A Global Movement of Informed Prayer and Action - Wautoma - World Day of Prayer is an interdenominational worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service. This annual day of prayer and celebration is held the first Friday in March by women of more than 170 countries and regions. The World Day of Prayer worship service has a special annual theme chosen from mission areas showing the greatest needs of women and children. Through preparation and participation in the worship service, we can come to know how our sisters of other countries, languages and cultures understand the biblical passages in their context. We can hear their concerns and needs and can feel ourselves in solidarity with them. In this way it is possible to experience the richness of the Christian faith as it grows deeper and broader in an international, ecumenical expression. The offerings received will be directed to the mission area selected for each service. In the Wautoma area, three churches work together in planning for this observance: Hope Lutheran Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Grace Methodist Church. We always welcome new congregations to join this day of celebration.
Orphan Grain Train - This is an organization made up of people interested in following God's command to help the people in need. We are able to help by giving a little of our spare time and clothing or household items we are not using anymore, as long as it is in good repair and clean. We usually meet every Monday morning at 9:00 AM at Hope and pack up to 100 apple boxes a week. We pack clothes, bedding, medical supplies, school supplies and kitchenware. We also accept furniture, mattresses and almost anything in good shape. We have about 30 people working every week and not always the same ones. We are very thankful for all of the faithful workers. When we have a garage full of boxes, Arden calls Brakebush from Westfield for a pick up. Some of the things go to Norfolk, Nebraska where they are stored and shipped all over the world whenever there is a need. This also includes disaster areas and the needy in the US. Some of the things go directly to Texas, where the need is great. We have helped start mission churches in Mexico. Donations of money is very welcome, as shipping is very expensive. We are always looking for willing workers. They do not need to come every week, but hopefully you will find it an interesting way to do you part in helping others, and enjoy our get together. We do find things to laugh about and enjoy each other. Come and see! For further information contact Arden and LaVerne Pomplun (787-2491)
4th Saturday Luncheon and 3rd Wednesday Dinner - There is a luncheon held every 4th Saturday of each month at various churches in the area. Hope Lutheran is responsible for the month of February each year. Otherwise St. Joseph Catholic Church is mostly responsible for organizing this event in the area. Debbie Bucholz (787-4721) is the event leader at Hope. The 4th Saturday luncheon is a chance for anyone to get together with others and enjoy conversation and companionship. It is a free-will offering. It doesn't matter who you are, what religion or where you come from. Shut-ins especially enjoy being able to get out and enjoy the company of others. Please come and see what it's about. The site of the luncheon is usually advertised in the local newspaper and church bulletins. The 3rd Wednesday Dinner is held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Saxeville from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Hope Country Fair With a Norwegian Flair - Wautoma - The women of Hope Lutheran Church hold an annual craft fair the last Saturday in June. They plan and organize far in advance for this major fund raiser, and receive help from the men of the church during the final set up and on the day of the fair. These talented ladies make crafts of all kinds from painted wooden ware and glassware, a variety of Christmas ornaments, beautiful hand stitched and sewn dolls, animals and other items, floral arrangements, plus many more items. Our fine cooks also bring numerous baked goods for sale. We cannot forget the women who manage the hot irons making the fantastic aromatic Norwegian bakery. Another dedicated group of women serve a wonderfully delicious lunch topped off with strawberry sundaes or shortcake. This past year there was a room filled with games for the youngsters. Also a Norwegian auction was held with various items donated from area people and businesses. The winners were drawn on the day of the fair. All of the monies collected from the fair help support the women's ministries such as Lutheran Social Services, American Cancer Society, Crossways Bible Camps, Hospice, salvation Army, Lutheran World Relief, Habitat for Humanity, World Hunger, Orphan Grain Train, youth scholarships, Homme Home of Wittenburg WI, Bethany Home of Waupaca, and many other worthwhile causes. We invite anyone (even men!) with hidden talents or wanting to learn new talents to lend a hand in making this fair a productive project.
Habitat for Humanity - This is a Christian based organization that builds homes for families who qualify. The recipients have equity in the homes in the form of work. Often the recipients are first-time home owners who do not understand the responsibilities of owning a home. Habitat has a "family partnership committee" that works with the family to help them make correct decisions regarding ownership. Waushara habitat for Humanity has been in existence for 10 years and has built 10 homes. If you would like to assist with building a home or to serve on this committee, contact Bob Howard (787-0099).
Heifer International - This is a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger and caring for the earth by providing livestock, trees, training and other resources to help struggling families around the globe. Animals from Heifer provide milk,eggs, wool, draft power and other benefits that can mean improved nutrition, higher income, and education for children, health care and improved housing - literally a new way of life. Since 1944 Heifer has helped 7 million families in more than 125 countries improve their quality of life and become more self reliant. Heifer requires recipients to "pass on the gift" by sharing training skills, and offspring of their livestock with others in need. "Passing on the gift" multiplies the benefits of every donated animal and makes recipients equal partners with Heifer in the fight against poverty and hunger. It is a common sense approach to sustainable development that works -one family at a time. During the 2007 Lenten season the congregation of Hope donated $930 to Heifer International. With that donation we purchase: ducks and gees$20, chicks $20, bees $30, pigs $120, heifer $500, sheep $120 and the remainder to be used at the discretion of the organization.
C.R.O.P. Walk - The Waushara County Crop Walk
(Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) is one of over 1,700 walks in communities to help impoverished peoples in some 80 countries. This Church World Service fund raiser originally began in 1946 to help people in need. There are over 852 million people in the world who go to bed hungry every night. They are people in poverty and must walk to accomplish the basic tasks: They walk for food, water and firewood. They walk to escape violence, to seek shelter, to farm their fields, to find employment and to go to school. In counties around the world, Church World Service supported programs seek to provide families and communities with water that is safe and accessible. By constructing wells, protecting watersheds, developing cisterns for water storage and training communities on how to maintain their improved water systems, Church World Service helps communities take a critical step toward self reliance and good health. We can all take steps to help assure safe drinking water for all by participating in upcoming CROP walks.Community Christmas Project - We at Hope are given the opportunity to help members in our community who might not receive a Christmas gift receive a gift during the Christmas season. We receive "stars" with the name and age of community members and you can pick someone to purchase a gift for. There is also the opportunity to help hand out the gifts and food items to the family members in mid-December at Waushara Indus tires in Wautoma. Contact Gary Christiansen (787-3463) for more information.
Salvation Army - During the holiday season Hope members are given the opportunity to be Bell Ringers at the commercial businesses in the Wautoma community. Contact Roger Charette (787-4250) for more information.
Bethany Home Delegates - Bethany House in Waupaca is one of the ELCA agencies related to the East Central Synod of Wisconsin. Hope gives monetary donations to this extended care facility and in return we are invited to send two members to their annual meeting each year. If you are interested in learning more ab out the Bethany Home this may be something you would like to volunteer to attend.
Crossways Fall Fun Daze - Pine Lake - Every fall the Crossways Church Camp at Pine Lake, one of the ELCA camps, holds a quilt auction, craft and bake sale. This is an opportunity for you and your family to visit the camp and learn more about the programs they offer. They also hold a 5-K walk/run contest. If you enjoy making quilted items or like baking, they will gladly accept your donations. Watch the newsletter and bulleting for more information on this annual event.
Quilting/Lutheran World Relief - Another quilting opportunity!!! You can help by donating fabric for making quilts, old blankets that are still usable, old draperies for making quilt backs, cash donations for supplies, your Time on Wednesday afternoons in the fellowship hall, making baby layettes, and help by donating items for school and health kits. For more information please contact Rosalie Dahlen (787-3992) or LuVerne Norlin (787-3823).
Waushara County Food Pantry - Across from the church office are baskets where you can drop off non-perishable items for the food pantry. These donations are then taken to the food pantry.