newhope newsLutheran Church - Agoura Hills March 2019

FlourishI purchased a tulip at Christmas time. Truth be told, it was a bulb in aburlap pouch kept in a small wooden box. Thinking simply, all it neededwas soil and water. But upon further instruction, what was essential forthe glorious flower to appear was for this bulb to rest in the dark and cooldrawer of the refrigerator for weeks on end before there was soil or water.

It seemed like a cruel action to take for the image in my head of the delicate tulip flower. But this was thebulb, not the flower, the kernel and not the final product. The bulb, to reach its full potential needed that frigidincubation. In nature, many plants need such dormancy. Our apple, apricot, and peach trees need manyhoursof near freezing temperatures thatSouthernCaliforniawon’t regularly provide inmildwinters. Withoutdormancy, the fruit is diminished.

So, as Spring arrives I’ll take the bulb from its tomb and plant it within that wooden box, giving it some soiland a drink of water to revive it. Before the Eastering of that tulip, comes its Lent.

Lent is a word that literally means Springtime. Springtime is a season of rejuvenation, vitality, renewed life.So, the goal of nurturing bulbs in the refrigerator is not torture or cruelty, but vitality. Thus, the disciplinesof Lent are not pointless punishment or rigorous spiritual routine. The point of Lent is to restore vitality.

TheSundaymorning focus during theSeasonof Lentwill be the positive andupbeat theme “Flourish.”Whatin life makes us flourish? What practices can we engage that will result in vitality? We will hear messagesabout the world needing who you are, to live on purpose, to lean into life, to get over yourself, to expressyour gratitude, expect resistance, and never cease to wonder!

The midweek Lenten focus (Tuesday, 11:30 AM) will be, in a way, on the more classic disciplines of Lent.“In a way” because we won’t be focusing on fasting and prayer and almsgiving and study in themselves.Instead, we will be concentrating on the spiritual motivation and realities behind the classic disciplines.Instead of focusing on the action, we will concentrate on what these disciplines are trying to address withinourselves and our world.

Jesus offers us, his disciples, this very blunt invitation: “deny yourself, take up our cross and followme” (Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27). Gratefully, nearly no one isactually, literally crucified for their faith in modern times. So what does it now mean to deny yourself,take up your cross, and follow Jesus?

With literature and art we will look at the following themes:

March 12th – The Way of Negation (What it means to deny comforts)

March 19th – The Way of Desolation (What it means to abandon control)

March 26th – Confronting Secret Terrors (What it means to tell the truth to our illusions)

April 2nd – Being the “Chief of Sinners (What it means to deny power)

April 9th – Longing for Life (What it means to commit to Christ’s way of life)

Tuesdays will begin at 11:30 AM in the social hall with lunch and a period of reflection provided. If youwould like to help provide a simple meal, please talk with Leila Mader or Gail McGinnis or sign up on thebulletin board in the narthex. If you are good at reading poetry or prose, I’d love to have your voice asone of our readers. Please contact me.

I hope youwill join us for a seasonof reflection andpreparation on howweare to flourish asGod’sEasterchildren!

O Lord and Master of my life,remove from me this languid spirit,this grim demeanor, this pettylust for power, and all this empty talk.Endow Thy servant, instead,With a chaste spirit, a humbleheart, longsuffering gentleness,and genuine, unselfish love…-Ephraim of Syria (Fourth Century AD)

Prepare to flourish!

Pastor Craig

Lenten and Holy Week Services:

Ash Wednesday, March 6, 7:30 PM at Westlake Korean Community Church2630 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village (Closest corner Townsgate/Lakefield)

Mid-week Services, each Tuesday, 11:30 AM, in our Social Hall

Maundy Thursday, April 18, 7:30 PM, at the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village1049 Westlake Blvd, Westlake Village (Corner of Westlake Blvd/Agoura Road)

Good Friday, April 19, 7:30 PM at New Hope Lutheran Church

Easter Services:Sunrise, April 21, 6:00 AM at Valley Oaks Cemetery (Lindero Canyon Road)TWO Easter Services at New Hope, 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM

Caring CornerLet us remember the followingpeople in our prayers........

David Cohen and his family onthe death of his dad.

Natalie Larkin and WayneRickert are both recovering from backsurgery.

Sandy Hansen was hospitalizedbut is now home.

Continued prayers of healing forFloyd Bealer, Steve Blair, ElisabethBrown, Chris Chigaridas, EvelynColby, Holly Dolliver, Jill and ChrisFisher, Bob Green, Del Hultgren, TheLaVanneFamily, JoyceLawson,ReetaLeland, AvaGraceMcConnell, CherylMerrill, Cindy O'Hare, Janel Perez,Ahoo Pilehvari, Sharon Pryor, ArnoldReuter, JaneTaschereau,RoseTopliss,Susie and Fred Turner, Pastor JohnWilker, and Vega Wolf.

Prayers for our servicemen -Landen Anderson, Gerren Blair,Taylor Blair, Heather Brown, KeithBrown, Patrick Clohessy, CynthiaColby, Jonah Hershman, KyleMcCarley, Ikenna Olelewe, and JasonRetter.

Church Directory UpdateDon Pryor

donaldpryor42@gmail.comSharon Pryor

sharonpryor38@gmail.com

Conejo ValleyMeals Program

This program has transitioned forthe winter months to Holy TrinityLutheran Church in T.O. We will behosting the dinner on Monday, March

Organ Concert

California Lutheran Universitywill host an organ concert March 9th at7:30 PM at the Samuelson Chapel.Richard Elliott, principal organist at theMormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City,will be performing.

A New Year -A New Movie Night!

The Case For ChristSunday March 3rd

Mark your calendars. Invite yourfamily, friends, and neighbors toMovie Night at New Hope.

Doors open at 5:30 PM for thisfree event. The movie begins

at 6 PM.Snacks and drinks are provided.

18th. A sign-up sheet is availablealong with donation envelopes if youwould like to contribute monetarily.The food needs to be at the church by 6PM and the evening concludes about7:30 PM. Please feel welcome to stayand help with this very worthwhileevening. If you have any questions,please contact Merylee Blair at805-490-1867.

Conejo Meals ProgramFund 2019

Thanks to everyone who donatedto ourmeals fund last year! Purchasingthe entrees and beverages is workingvery well for us. But is is time to refillour fund for this year. Envelopes fordonations are in the narthexwith a pinkstripe. Envelopes can be put on theoffice desk or handed toMeryleeBlair.Thanks so much.

From the TreasurerThank you for your generosity

already in 2019! Your givingamounted to $31,056; ourexpenditures were $34,211. Therewas also $44,484 in prepaid pledges.Contact Joe Bulock if you have anyquestions.

Save the Date - SynodEducation Events

A four part series on the centralaspects of Christian faith entitled “TheCross at the Center: The Faith ofLutheran Christians” will be presentedat the Lutheran Center in Glendale.The sessionswill be held on the secondSaturdays of the month, April throughJuly at noon - 2 PM.

The Daytime Book Club willmeet at 11:30AM in the church libraryon Tuesday, March 5th to discuss"Rocket Men" by Robert Kurson.Please join us if you can. The futurebooks we are reading are....

April 2nd - "Varina" by CharlesFrazier

May 7th - "The Woman in Cabin 10"by Ruth Ware

TheTuesdayMorningBible Studymeets each Tuesday from 9:30-11:15AMin the social hall. Weare currentlyusing the study from the GatherMagazine from the Women of theEvangelical Lutheran Church.

Monday NightBible Study

TheWomen’sMondayBible Studyis open towomen of all ages. Wemeetin the New Hope Library from 7-8:30PM for prayer, study and fellowship.All women are welcome!

Prime Timer'sLuncheon

Come join us for lunch onTuesday,March 12th at 11:30 AM in the socialhall. We will begin with our Lentenprogram and then have lunch - soupand salad. Please let Rose Toplissknow if you are able to attend. Hopeto see you all there. All adults 50 yearsand older are invited to join us.

The New Hope LutheranMen's Fellowship

Join us on Thursday morningsforMen'sgroup from7:30-8:30AM.Weare continuing in our stimulatingDVD series featuring Rev. AndyStanley from North PointCommunity Church near Atlanta,Georgia. His programs are fun,thought-provoking, and Biblicallybased. Come and help stimulatesome great conversations aboutcurrent issues involving life andfaith. Come when you can to enjoythe coffee, donuts, and fellowshipwith some great men of faith.

Sunday Morning AdultStudy

Join us at 9 AM in classroom 2each week before our worshipservice whenwe delve into a currentevent taken from the "WiredWord."If you would like to receive apreview of our weekly discussion,email Pastor Craig atcraig@newhopeagoura.com to beadded to the mailing list.

ChurchNursery

This is just a reminder thatthere is a church nursery for infantsthrough 3 years old during theworship service. If there isn't aperson in the nursery, please ask anusher and they will let the volunteerknow you need someone to watchover your child while you are in

worship. We are happy to watch yourchild and look forward to spending timewith them.

Amplify

Preschool through4thgrade studentsare encouraged to attend our Sundayschool program, Amplify. It takes placeafter Children's Time each Sundayduring the 10 AM service and meets inthe Amplify classroom behind the socialhall. Amplify takes the place ofChildren's Church and Sunday School.

SundayMorningCoffee

If you enjoy a cup of coffee afterworship service, why not put in somemoney in our coffee can to help purchasethe coffee that we serve. The canwill beon the goodie table once a month.

Senior Concerns

Do you have a loved one whowould benefit from enriching activitiesand socialization in a supervised andcaring environment? Senior Concern'sAdult Day Program in Thousand Oaksoffers a safe, secure and welcomingenvironment where your loved one canspend the day. You can sign up for theschedule that fits your needs and feelgood knowing your loved one is beingcared for while you get a little break torest and take care of yourself. For moreinformation or to schedule a tour, pleasecall 805-497-0189 or visitwww.seniorconcerns.org.

Lay Ministry Community Connections

“Service doesn’t have to be big and grandiose to be meaningful

and make a difference.” Cheryl A. Esplin

Thank you for all you do from the Lay Ministry Committee

Risk Taking Mission and Service Opportunities

--Stop by the Bulletin Board and check out the “Help Wanted” section.

Bring your skills and gifts to New Hope!

--Volunteer as a Carpool Driver!

--Join Prayer Shawl!

A group of people will be going to see The Pageant of the Lord on Sunday, March 31st.It’s at the Rolling Hills Covenant Church in Rolling Hills Estates. The program beginsat 3:00 PM and tickets are $20 each. It’s similar to Master of the Arts in Laguna. Ifyouare interested ingoing, please letGailMcGinnis knowASAPas ticketsaregoing fast.If you decide later on to go, you can always order them yourself online. If you’d likemoreinformation or to see what it’s all about, go to www.PageantOfOurLord.com.

The program states that - “The primary purpose of this annual event is to present thegospel of Jesus Christ (the Master artist) through living reproductions of famous worksof art. Although this unique presentation is different each year, the essential messageof God’s love and grace remains the same. This is accomplished through theextraordinary combination of art, music, drama, and dance in powerful ways to make amajor impact on those who attend."

FREE Income Tax Assistance

In cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service and sponsored by the Goebel Senior Adult Center in ThousandOaks, trained and certified volunteers will provide FREE income tax preparation fromMonday, February 4ththrough Monday, April 15th for persons in either of these categories:

• Seniors age 60 or older at any income level. OR

• Persons of any age with an income of $54,000 or less.

The service is available at these locations:

Wednesdays Only Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and FridaysNewbury Park Library Conejo Creek South Community Building2331 Borchard Road 1350 E. Janss RoadNewbury Park Thousand Oaks8:30 AM – 4:00 PM 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

No appointments are taken – 1st come, 1st served.

Taxpayers should bring relevant documents such as:• Photo ID

• Social Security Card (required for all persons on the income tax return).

• A copy of last year’s Federal and State income tax returns.

• Social Security Benefits Statement (SSA-1099).

• Wage and earnings statements (W2’s, 1099’s).

• Interest and dividend statements (1099 INT; 1099 DIV; 1099 B) as well as the cost of stocks andbonds with the date bought and sold.

• Property tax bill, medical expenses, charity contributions for itemized deductions.

• Health insurance cards for proof of coverage

• Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit if desired.

• Any other relevant information about income and expenses.

• Relevant income and expense records for self-employment businesses (Schedule C). The servicefor self-employment is limited to those who are reporting a profit and have expenses of under$25,000. Tax returns cannot be prepared for self-employed businesses with a loss, home use,inventory or depreciation.

• No rentals (Schedule E).

• No out-of-state returns.

• No Married Filing Separately filing status returns.

Contact Wayne Rickert if you have questions or desire additional information.

From our Youth Director

A fewweeks ago I attended the ELCAYouthMinistry Network Extravaganza. This is an annual event puton by the Youth Ministry Network at a different location in the United States each year. The purpose ofthe event is making sure people who work with children, youth or families get what they are in need of.Whether that is rest, fresh ideas, worship experiences or networking opportunities the Extravaganza hassomething for everyone. The theme for this year was "Disrupt." As we think about the scriptures that westudy and hear every Sunday morning, along with the faith lives that we live on a daily basis, this themebecomes more and more relevant. The disruption that gets put into our lives has different effects on us.Sometimes it is an unwelcome disruption and we are reminded of those who support us and realize thatGodwalks with us through those disruptive times. We are also reminded that sometimeswhenGod callsus our lives can be disrupted for good reasons and that ultimately, whatever the situation is God is therewith us. When we are in times of transition, times of waiting, times of struggle, God is with us. When wesee others whose lives are being disrupted in horrible ways, may we feel the push that God gives us toserve our neighbor in whatever ways they need.

Coming Soon: Mission Minutes

How are we church “outside the walls”? What do members of New Hope do at times other than Sundaymorning? The Worship & Music ministry team would like to try something a bit different in the Sundayannouncements, in order to shorten the spoken announcements a bit. Instead of lots of people gettingup and making announcements, we’d like to keep most of the items in the bulletin, newsletter, and onscreen, with Pastor Craig or a worship team leader doing a few short, spoken announcement, leavingspace for one “Mission Minute” each week.

If you have a regularly occurring event that happens each month, such as Prime Timers, the CommunityMeal, weekly lunches for LSS, etc. we will schedule you for a Mission Minute once a month on a Sundayin advance of your event. If you have an upcoming event that happens only once, we will try to scheduleyou for a Sunday the week before your event. For example, since Prime Timers happens the secondTuesday of each month, there could be a Mission Minute on the first Sunday of the month, nine days inadvance, to let people plan to attend. Talk to Deacon Lynn or Parish Administrator Laurie Scott toschedule in advance, so that we will have a slide in the worship slides to accompany your sixty secondor less talk.

I’m looking forward to hearing about all the things we do as church outside Sunday morning!

Deacon Lynn

MANNA FOOD PANTRY

MANNA gladly accepts non-perishable, unopened food items in goodcondition that are 12months prior to the"sell-by" date. Our MANNA box in thenarthex is a convenient option fordropping off donations. The current toppriority items are canned goodsincluding corn, tomatoes, spaghetti,chili, fruit, soup, beans and spaghettisauce. Uncooked rice/beans, ramennoodles and crackers. Contact AnnAshamallah at 818-613-6818 for moreinformation.

CROPWalk – Sunday,March 3rd at Cal Lutheran

This year’s CROP Walk will take placeon Sunday, March 3rd at Cal Lutheran.Registration and check in starts at 12noon and the walk starts at 1 PM. Yourchoices are a long walk, a longer walk, ashort campus stroll or assisting withregistration orwater stations (we need toknow about this choice in advance).

As you recall 25% of the money raisedstays locally for theMANNAfoodbank,LSS, and Meals on Wheels. Theremainder of the money is used by theparent organization, Church WorldService (CWS), to end world hunger athome and overseas. For example CWShelps countries cope with disasterswhere fire and storms have displacedpeople. Also, funds assist strugglecommunities become self-sustainableby digging wells for drinking water andwatering crops. Funds also provide foodand health kits for refugees.

Please use the followingweb site to registerto walk or to make a donation:

h t tps : / /www.crophungerwalk .org /thousandoaksca

Thank you for your support to thiscommunity activity. Fred Dunn

Risk Taking Mission andService Opportunities

Please check out our "Help Wanted"section on the bulletin board in the narthex.These are tasks and support projects we arein need of help with. Some tasks mayrequire a one day commitmentwhile othersmay be 3-6 months, but all offer anopportunity for you to bring your muchneeded skills and gifts to New Hope.Additional "Help Wanted" cards will beposted as needs arise so please check backoften. When you see a card that interestsyou, please contact the person noted on thecard formore information. We thankyou inadvance.

New Hope MessageNever miss a New Hope message

again! All sermons given at church areposted onYouTube at:www.youtube.com/user/newhopeagoura. Listen to messagesagain that impacted you - or better yet,share them with a friend.

Women of New HopeLutheran Church

Meditation RetreatSaturday, March 9th -9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Led by Ann Rowe Church

Let us gather the first Saturday ofLent to slow down and set ourintention for the Lenten Season.

We will explore the themes ofmindfulness, prayer and meditation.How can we strengthen our prayerlife? How can we incorporatemeditation? What is mindfulness?What new practice can we add forLent? Comewith anopenheart to sitin prayerful silence with otherwomen of your church.

Wewill bemeeting in theSocialHallLunch will be provided. Wearcomfortable clothes. Bring a prayercushion if you have one.

RSVP to Ann by Saturday, March2nd - archurch@me.com

Support Our MilitaryA campaign is underway to honorand support our troops Those on thefront lines keeping us safe are oftenlow on the basic necessities andtreats. Please help us fill thecollection box located in the narthexwith travel size products such assoaps, shampoo, razors, lotions,deodorants, etc. Items likelifesavers, breath mints and hardcandies make refreshing treats youcan share too.

"To speak gratitude iscourteous and

pleasant, but to livegratitude is to touch

Heaven."- Johannes A. Guertner

March Birthdays5 Scott Wolfe

Gaye KhanJim Merrill

6 Lyla Grant8 Jake and Sam Beeker12 Jessica Johns14 Lily Wolfe19 Taylor Mansmann22 Gerda Sawaya30 Clara Church

New Hope Lutheran Church29295 Agoura RoadAgoura Hills, CA 91301818-889-8700www.newhopeagoura.com

The deadline for all articles forthe April newsletter is March25th. Be sure to email them togsmcginnis@roadrunner.com.

Choir practices on Thursday nightsfrom 7 - 9 PM in the sanctuary. Comejoin us and sing your praises to God.We practice at 9:00 AM on Sundaysbefore the 10:00 AM worship service.

Don't forget to moveyour clocks ahead 1hour on Saturday,March 9th!

"My mantra is 'I have tochange the way I think inorder to change the way Ifeel.' That gets memotivated."

-- Robin Roberts"The way I look at it, everyday that I'm moving forwardis a day I'm not movingbackward."