Hosanna Cyberfline - February 22, 2008

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” (Psalm 95)

This week the Hosanna family grieves with the Harris family (moving to Lancaster, Pennsylvania) at the loss of Scott's mother, Faye Harris, who passed away 2-15.

This Sunday, February 24 (Third Sunday in Lent)...

• Habitat for Humanity NWHC honors volunteers and donors and breaks ground on the new Habitat property at the corner of Champion Forest and Richey, west of Bammel North Houston. RSVP: 281-820-2307 or development@habitatnwhc.org

The Week Ahead...

• Thursday, February 21 - Prayer Shawl Group meets @ 1 PM in the church narthex. The group will meet the third Thursday of the month, same time, same place. Anyone who enjoys knitting, quilting or crocheting is welcome.
• Wednesday, February 27 - Bible Study @ 10 AM; Soup Supper prepared by Staff Support @ 6 PM and Lenten Service @ 6:45 PM (This year's Lenten theme: Shadows of the Cross)

Future items…

• Now through Sunday, March 2—Art for the Hungry 2008 - CREW will build the "Taj Majal" (change of plans) out of 1,000 canned goods at Willowbrook Mall. Please donate canned goods with white or neutral labels to the CREW room. You may also make a cash donation. All cans will be donated to NAM's SOS food drive.
• Saturday, March 1—The Lutheran Educational Conference of North America (LECNA) is hosting a LUTHERAN COLLEGE FAIR from 1:30-3 PM at Sheraton Houston Brookhollow, 3000 North Loop West, Houston. Representatives from ALL the Lutheran colleges in the United States will be on hand to talk to students about admissions, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. RSVP Amber for transportation.
• Friday, March 7—Senior’s Outing: Houston Folk Art Tour, Part B, led by researcher/historian Keith Rosen. The tour includes Emancipation Park, project row houses and wall murals, double-decker outhouse, metal warrior and more. Leave Hosanna at 8:15 AM. Cost: $17/pereson. Lunch (extra) is at Cleburne’s Cafeteria on Bissonnet. Sign up in the narthex.
• Saturday, March 8—Yard Team “A” - Dejmal, Sales, T. Smith, Oden Walden, C. Jones
• Sunday, March 9—Note; the Congregation Meeting scheduled for this date has been moved to April 6.
• Saturday, March 15 @ 6 PM—Hosanna Book Discussion
• March 20—Maundy Thursday Services @ 6:15 (Family) and 7:30 PM (Contact the church office if you would like to participate in the foot-washing portion of this service.)
• March 21—Good Friday - Sevice @ 7:30 PM
• March 22—Easter Vigil @ 7:30 PM
  March 23—Easter, Resurrection of our Lord - Easter pancake breakfast served beginning @ 8 AM; Festival services @ 8, 9:30, 11 AM

Looking further into the future...

• Saturday, April 5—Women's Day Retreat on Spirituality at the Kaiserhof in Tomball from 10 AM to 7 PM.
• Sunday, April 6—Congregation meeting (moved from previous date)
• Saturday, April 19—Hosanna Women of the ELCA Annual Spring Fling @ 9-11 AM:
• General meeting, entertainment, speaker and a delicious brunch prepared and served by the Men of Hosanna.
• Friday, April 25 @ 8 AM—7th Annual Lutherhill Golf Tournament at Longwood Golf Club, Cypress, TX. All entries must be submitted by April 21. Entry forms are available in the south entrance area.
• Saturday, May 3—Annual Garage Sale to benefit Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM).
• Sunday, May 4—Council Meeting (changed from previously announced date)
• Sunday, June 8—Congregation Meeting with Election of Officers, followed by Congregation Picnic. The council is extending an invitation to anyone to coordinate the food, games and other necessary tasks. Contact the church office.

Other Items...

• Link to This Week at Hosanna for February 24: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/weekly_news.pdf
  Link to the February 2008 Hotline:
• http://www.welcometohosanna.com/monthly_news.pdf
• Your weekly reading is Matthew 13: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2013&version=31 A series of parables this week.

A Little Humor…

More bulletin bloopers...

• Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
• Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.
  The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility.
• Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 pm - prayer and medication to follow.
• The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
• This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
• Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
• The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
• Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use back door.
  The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The Congregation is invited to attend this tragedy..
• The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."

Dale Bargman, Hosanna Communications

Hosanna Cyberfline - February 8, 2008

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51)

Saturday, February 9 - WELCA Valentine's Breadkfast

This Sunday, February 10 (First Sunday in Lent)

Classical guitarist Stephen Bright is a special guest at 11 AM worship.

Also this coming Sunday: NAM's 25th Anniversary Interfaith Service @ 3:30 PM. at Cypress Creek Christian Church, 6823 Cypresswood Dr. Refreshments will be served following the service.

February 10 - March 2 - Art for the Hungry 2008 - CREW is building the "Colosseum" out of 1,000 canned goods at Willowbrook Mall. Please donate cash (prefefably) or canned goods with white or neutral labels to the CREW room. All cans will be donated to NAM's SOS food drive.

The Week Ahead...
Tuesday, February 12 - Senior's Outing: Lunch and Concert
Tuesday, February 12 - WELCA Board Meeting @ 6:30 PM
Wednesday, February 13 - Bible Study @ 10 AM; Soup Supper prepared by the Discipleship Team @ 6 PM and Lenten Worship @ 6:45 PM
Friday, February 15 - Deadline for registering your children for Summer camp at Lutherhill. Youngins, Yearlins, and Alpha will attend Lutherhill August 3-8. Print and complete the registration form (see link on the home page of the Hosanna website: http://www.welcometohosanna.com and give to Amber by February 15 with a deposit check for $85 See Amber for more info.
Friday, February 15 - Deadline for submitting March Hotline (Hosanna monthly newsletter) articles. Hotline will be mailed February 22nd.
Saturday, February 16 - 2008 TELLing Synod’s Annual Men's Gathering
at Covenant Lutheran Church, 3785 Barker-Cypress Rd., Houston.
Cost: $25 per person (ages 14-104).
RSVP: Pastor Brian Gigee brian@newlifelutheran.com or
Velon Burnett myburnett@sbcglobal.net.
More information: www.gulfcoastmeninmission.com
Saturday, February 16 - A Gift of Hope—12th Annual Interfaith Quilting Bee, 9 AM-1 PM: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 6535 Kleinwood Drive.
Sunday, February 17 - Inquirers Gathering in the Conference Room. Contact Nita at the church office: 281-440-6890. All members are invited, too.
Other Items…
Sunday, March 9 - Congregation Meeting
Tuesday, February 19 - Men of Hosanna Annual Bar B-Q at Hosanna @ 6:30 PM, followed by assembly of Care Packages for college students, graduating high shool seniors and those in the military and Peace Corps. Cost: $8.50 in advance. Sign up in the narthex. Contributions are still needed for this project. Place cash or checks (made out to Men of Hosanna), place in white envelope and give to Bob McConnell.
Lent and Holy Week at Hosanna
Wednesdays during Lent (beginning February 13): Soup Supper @ 6 PM; Lenten Service @ 6:45 PM
March 16 - Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion - Worship services @ 8, 9:30, 11 AM
March 16 - March 23 - IHN Week at Hosanna (Look for the sign-up on the back of the green "Welcome" insert in the Sunday bulletins over the coming weeks)
March 20 - Maundy Thursday services @ 6:15 (Family) and 7:30 PM
March 21 - Good Friday sevice @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 22 - Easter Vigil @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 23 - Easter, Resurrection of our Lord - Festival services @ 8, 9:30, 11 AM

Yard Volunteers are needed each weekend in February and March to prepare the beds for laying sod. This includes: raising sprinkler heads, removing unwanted trees and plants, re-laying brick pavers to help with drainage and shaping the beds for the sod to be placed. Everyone is the congregation is invited to help including men, women, CREW, Confirmation and youth. See the sign up sheets in the north narthex. Let's all pitch in and get our grounds ready for more sod.
Mowing teams are looking for more volunteers. Can you help mow the grounds once every other month? Then, see Bob Dejmal and he'll put you on a team with 4 or 5 other people.

Link to This Week at Hosanna for February 10: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/weekly_news.pdf

Link to the February 2008 Hotline: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/monthly_news.pdf
Your weekly reading is Matthew 11: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2011;&version=31;
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

A Little Humor…

A child was watching his mother sift through and delete a long list of junk E-mail on the computer screen.
"This reminds me of the Lord's Prayer," the child said.
"What do you mean?" the mother asked.
"You know. That part about 'deliver us from E-mail."

Two priests die at the same time and meet St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.
St. Peter says, "I'd like to get you guys in now but our computers are down. You'll have to go back to Earth for about a week, but you can't go back as humans. What'll it be?"

The first priest says, "I've always wanted to be an eagle, soaring above the Rocky Mountains."

"So be it," says St. Peter, and off flies the first priest.

The second priest mulls this over for a moment and asks, "Will you be keeping track of us, St. Peter ?"

"No, I told you the computer is down. There's no way we can keep track of what you are doing. This week's a freebie."

"In that case," says the second priest, "I've always wanted to be a stud."

"So be it," says St. Peter, and the second priest disappears.

A week goes by, the computer is fixed and the Lord tells St. Peter to recall the two priests.
"Will you have trouble locating them?" He asks.

"The first one should be easy," says St. Peter. "He's somewhere over the Rocky Mountains, flying with the eagles. But the second one could prove to be more difficult."

"Why?" asks the Lord.

"Because he's on a snow tire somewhere in Alaska."

Hosanna Cyberline - February 1, 2008

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (from Psalm 32)

This week we mourn the loss of our beloved Mary Lou Stahl, wife of Carmine, whose funeral service took place yesterday at Hosanna. Her obituary was printed in the Wednesday, January 30 Houston Chronicle, B7.

This Sunday, February 3 (Transfiguration of our Lord)

It is also Super Bowl Sunday… Let’s Wing It! CREW fundraiser featuring Tripp Smith’s famous Buffalo Wings. $12 per dozen; $7 per jar of Tripp’s special sauce.

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, February 6 - Ash Wednesday: Family service @ 6:15 and Traditional worship @ 7:30 PM.
Saturday, February 9 - All women of Hosanna are invited to the annual WELCA Valentine's breakfast and general meeting, 9-10:30 AM at R.J. Goodies Confections, 17297 Stuebner Airline Rd., Spring, 281 376 4554. Deadline to purchase tickets ($10 each) is February 3. See Heda Christ.
Saturday, February 9 - Yard Team “D”: King, D. Brown, S. McVay, Kemper, R. Walker
Saturday, February 9 - Hosanna Book Discussion @ 6 PM in the Conference Room. The title to be discussed is "River God: a novel of ancient Egypt " by Wilbur Smith."
Sunday, February 10 - Sunday, March 2 - Art for the Hungry 2008 - CREW is building the "Colosseum" out of 1,000 canned goods. Please donate canned goods with white or neutral labels to the CREW room. You may also make a cash donation. All cans will be donated to NAM's SOS food drive.
Friday, February 15 - Deadline for registering your children for camp. Youngins, Yearlins, and Alpha will attend Lutherhill August 3-8. Print and complete the registration form (see link on the home page of the Hosanna website: http://www.welcometohosanna.com and give to Amber by February 15 with a deposit check for $85 See Amber for more info.
Friday, February 15 - Deadline for submitting March Hotline (Hosanna monthly newsletter) articles. Anything submitted after this date will not be included.
Saturday, February 16 - 2008 TELLing Synod’s Annual Men's Gathering
at Covenant Lutheran Church, 3785 Barker-Cypress Rd., Houston.
The day will be filled with fellowship, learning and worship.
David Murrow, author of the best-seller, “Why Men Hate Going to Church” will be the morning keynote speaker.
Bishop Mike Rinehart will preach for worship;
Special music by Peter Mayer, Lutheran singer/songwriter, and lead guitarist for the Jimmy Buffet Band.
Cost: $25 per person (ages 14-104).
RSVP: Pastor Brian Gigee brian@newlifelutheran.com or
Velon Burnett myburnett@sbcglobal.net.
More information: www.gulfcoastmeninmission.com
Sunday, February 17 - Inquirers Gathering, for those considering membership, in the Conference Room. Contact Nita at the church office.
Other Items…

Mark these dates:

Sunday, March 9 - Congregation Meeting
Wednesdays during Lent (beginning February 13): Soup Supper @ 6 PM; Lenten Service @ 6:45 PM
Sunday, March 16 - Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion
March 16 - March 23 - IHN Week at Hosanna (Look for the sign-up on the back of the green "Welcome" insert in the Sunday bulletins)
Thursday, March 20 - Maundy Thursday
Friday, March 21 - Good Friday
Saturday, March 22 - Easter Vigil
Sunday, March 23 - Easter/Resurrection of our Lord (Easter breakfast and festival services)
Other Items...

Yard Volunteers are needed each weekend in February and March to prepare the beds to be laid with sod. This includes: raising sprinkler heads, removing unwanted trees and plants, re-laying brick paver to help with drainage and shaping the beds for the sod to be placed. Everyone is the congregation is invited to help including men, women, CREW, Confirmation and youth. See the sign up sheets in the north narthex. Let's all pitch in and get our grounds ready for more sod!
Mowing teams are looking for more volunteers. Can you help mow the grounds once every other month? Then, see Bob Dejmal and he'll put you on a team with 4 or 5 other people
The Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County ReStore is a retail outlet that handles donated building materials, construction supplies, appliances, and furniture which are then offered to the general public at greatly reduced prices. The ReStore is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm. A key goal of the ReStore is to re-cycle and thus reduce the amount of solid waste placed into our vital landfills. Please keep the ReStore in mind for both donations and for purchases. Donation pick-up is available for large items or large quantities. All of the proceeds are used by Habitat for Humanity to provide affordable housing for deserving families. Visit the ReStore at 13572 State Hwy 249 at Bammel North-Houston or call 832-327-1120.
Help Wanted: Our synod office is looking for part-time volunteer receptionists. Must be friendly, patient and interested in learning new things! Available openings are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, 10 am to 3 pm. Lunch will be reimbursed. Contact Lucia Morales at 281-873-5665 for more information.
New NAM Volunteer Opportunities for 2008*
*in addition to those currently available at http://www.namonline.org.
NAM Volunteer Orientation required. Please see website for information or call
281-885-4565 for a recorded message regarding orientation dates and times.
Rotary Learning Center needs receptionists in February for class registration. Contact Linda at 281-885-4626 for more info.
Shelter and Energy (SEA) needs volunteers to assist the elderly and disabled in filling out the CEAP (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program) applications. Contact Debbie at 281-885-4526.
Help packing frozen meals on Fridays for Saturday distribution. Contact Cheryl in MOW at 281-885-4622.
Thursday afternoon MOW drivers needed at Prince of Peace. Contact Cheryl in MOW at 281-885-4622.
Business Office seeks volunteers to schedule NAM trucks for donation pick-ups. Contact Gloria in the Business Office at 281-885-4585 for more info.
Development seeks accurate typists for donation data entry. Contact Jamie at 281-885- 4609 for more info.
Professionals needed to contact decision makers at area businesses to schedule NAM tours, etc. Contact Julie at 281-885-4534 for more info.

Link to This Week at Hosanna for February 3: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/weekly_news.pdf

Link to the February 2008 Hotline: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/monthly_news.pdf

Your weekly reading is Matthew 10: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2010&version=31
Jesus instructs his disciples.

A Little Humor…

John was the only Protestant to move into a large Catholic neighborhood. On the first Friday of Lent, he was standing outside in his back yard grilling a big juicy steak on his grill. Meanwhile, all of his neighbors were eating cold tuna fish for supper. This continued on each Friday throughout Lent.

On the last Friday of Lent, the neighborhood men got together and decided that something had to be done about John. He was tempting them to eat meat each Friday of Lent, and they couldn't take it anymore. They would try and convert John to Catholicism. They all spoke to him and were so happy when he chose to join his neighbors and become a Catholic. They took him to Church, and the Priest sprinkled some water over him, and said,

"You were born a Baptist,
you were raised a Baptist,
and now you are a Catholic."

Everyone was happy. The biggest Lenten temptation in their neighborhood was resolved.

A year passed and the Lenten season again rolled around. On the first Friday of Lent the neighbors sat down for their fish dinners. But the tantalizing aroma of steak on a grill came wafting through the air. The neighbors could not believe their noses! WHAT WAS GOING ON?

They called each other up and decided to meet over in John's yard to see if he had forgotten it was the first Friday of Lent?

The men looked toward John's house and saw John standing over his grill with a small pitcher of water. He was sprinkling water over his grilled steak, saying:

"You were born a cow,
you were raised a cow,
and now you are a fish."