Hope Helps Harvest!

Hope's Youth Group travelled last night to the Kent Warehouse of NW Harvest Food Bank to sort and package food for distribution to homeless families in Seattle. I was surprised by the scope of the operation as we entered a HUGE warehouse stacked with pallettes full of TONS of donations from a variety of sources. We got a quick orientation to the facility and their work, washed our hands thoroughly in preparation for handling food, put on some plastic gloves to protect our hands, and went to work unloading and sorting several pallattes of donations from a recent Food Show. We ran across several exotic containters of delicacies many of us had never heard of, and we got a chance to sample some pure Ecuadorian Chocolate!

After the job was done those who needed them were given community service hours by the NW Harvest coordinator, then we headed back to Hope for pizza and to discuss the experience. We wrapped up with a devotion based on James 2:14-17. Some key lines in that scripture are...

"What good is it to SAY you have faith, when you don't do anything to SHOW that you really DO have faith?" and "If you know someone who doesn't have any clothes or food, you shouldn't just say 'I hope all goes well with you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.' What good is it to SAY this unless you DO SOMETHING to HELP??"

Last night we took the time to actually MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of those people who will receive the gifts we processed. Their lives will be better because we were willing to listen to the God who encourages us to not just TALK faith, but to LIVE IT OUT by the things we do for others. We plan to return to NW Harvest, and other Community Service organizations, on a monthly basis with our Youth Group. Watch for the next opportunity to put your FAITH into ACTION, and come SERVE WITH US!

"Gospel Journey" Youth Bible Study Continues Sunday Mornings at 9:15am

We gather in the Youth Room at Hope Lutheran on Sunday mornings 9:15-10:15am for donuts and OJ, have a short sharing activity, then watch the next video segment in the reality-TV type Bible Study called "The Gospel Journey". The story is about 7 teens from very different faith backgrounds (Presbyterian, Athiest, Episcopalian, Pastor's kid, City Girl, Wiccan, Agnostic) who hang out in the Rockies for some extreme outdoor adventures (white water rafting, rock-climbing) and talk about 10 BIG QUESTIONS people have about God and the world (like "how do you know God is real?", "how did we get here?", "what happens after you die?"). High School and Middle School watch together, then we diverge into separate groups for discussion with a leader.

The people on the screen are real people, like you, and they are searching for answers, like you. Come and be a part of the conversation through May. See what God has to say to you!!

Rummage Sale Benefits Katrina Mission Team!

Come and check out the selection at our HUGE RUMMAGE SALE this Saturday, May 8, 8am-3pm in the Lower Parking Lot at Hope Lutheran!! We have all kinds of treasures to choose from, and loads of furniture!! Thrivent will match funds raised up to $800 (at 50 cents on a dollar) so that means if we can raise at least $1600 they will give us an additional $800 to help get our Team to New Orleans to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina! Come early to find the best deals, and support our Team!!

Mission Team Learns Drywall!!

With the expert help of Professional Contracter and Dad, Wayne Machmiller, the Mission Team was introduced to the world of Framing and Drywall. We now know how to put an inside wall together from the studs up, and how to cut, attach, tape, mud and finish drywall. THANKS WAYNE!! Check out the intense Construction Photos!! (Wait - are those POWER Tools?)

3-5 Merge Snoqualmie Falling!

3rd-5th Grade Merge Youth Group took a chance on the weather and trekked to Snoqualmie Falls last Saturday for a great Hike!

The WaterFall was FULL and the Sun was OUT! Plus we devoted about how God can be seen in the things that He has made (Romans 1:19-20) for those who care to look. We finished with a Snoqualmie Ice Cream stop complete with a real TRAIN!!

All in all it was a glorious trip - plan to join us next time! Thanks to Rob & Carol Christian and to Derek DeSiga, one of our intrepid LITs (Leader in Training) for helping to chaperone this crazy crew.

Summer Mission Team Bonds on Boards!

Hey y'all - Our Summer Mission Team is in full swing, training for our time in New Orleans this June/July! To be on a Mission Team is ALL about learning to work together to accomplish a goal. We can all do more together as a TEAM than any ONE of us could ever do on our own. So part of our training over the next three months includes experiences that teach us how to work together, communicate, and cooperate. when it works, it's beautiful. When it doesn't, it's kind of a train wreck. Check out these videos from last Sunday to see what I mean! And remember God's encouragements from Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 and from 1 Corinthians 12...

"It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there's no one to help, tough! By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.

A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it.

Middle School Ice Skating This Sunday March 21!

We meet in front of Hope Church at 1:00pm this Sunday, March 21, to bus it to a local skating rink for some fast moves on ice!! Bring warm clothes and $10 for admission and skate rental. Extra $$ for snacks is optional. We return to Hope at 4:00pm. Bring ALL your friends and let's chill out!!