HOPEFEST 2011

Join our team as together we honor the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center/Pentagon attacks with a day of solemn remembrance and HOPE-affirming volunteer action across our community.

The day's activities (in lieu of our usual worship schedule) will include a morning ecumenical prayer service, a celebration of our local first responders, Salvation Army disaster recovery seminar, the Advocate Lutheran General KIDS Fair, LifeSource blood drive, CPR training classes, Park Ridge Youth Campus work project, food pantry collection... and more! Whether it's just one hour or the whole day, it's your chance to embody HOPE by giving back to your community!

Find out how you can help! For a schedule of events and locations, volunteer sign-up, and donation opportunities, visit us online at www.hopefest.net.

HOPEFEST 2011 is a community outreach event of First UMC Park Ridge, First UMC Des Plaines, and New Hope UMC of Norwood Park, Chicago.

New Hope Food Pantry item for August: Paper Products

During August, New Hope will focus on collecting paper products for the New Hope Community Food Pantry. Items such as paper towels, facial tissues, bathroom tissues, baby diapers, brown paper shopping bags, etc. will be appreciated. You are welcome to bring these items to church any Sunday this month.

Book Group meets Tuesday, August 30, 7pm

Join us on Tuesday, August 30 at 7 pm to discuss I Take Thee Serenity by Daisy Newman.

We will meet at Bob and Shirley Burkhart’s home, 6034 Grove Ct, Morton Grove, 60053.

An inspirational story of Serenity and Peter, a young people confronted with the problem of making a true marriage in the midst of the world's demands. Shares Quaker beliefs. For all readers. “Rennie's simple quest for a church to marry her fiance becomes a wonderful discovery of her family roots, her spirituality, family values, and a deeper love that can't help but warm the reader's heart. “

Worship in August: The Teachings of Jesus in Matthew

Join us in August as we hear Pastor SoYoung preach on the gospel of Matthew.

August 7 - Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus walks on the water

August 14 - Matthew 15:21-28, The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

August 21 - Matthew 16:13-20, Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

August 28 - Matthew 16:21-28, “If any want to be my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Church Council Report for July 2011

Circumstances have led to the decision to cancel Summer Arts Ministry. Initially scheduled for late July, the Council discussed postponing SAM I AM due to the floods and pastoral transitions. New Hope did receive a $1000 grant for SAM I AM and is checking to see if the monies can be used for a kids’ program in the fall. Stay tuned…

At the July Council meeting, gratitude abounded for the commitment and generosity of this church community. At the midpoint of the year, pledges received were equal to 50% of the amount pledged for the year. We are right on schedule! In addition, there was overwhelming support for our 4 week sound system fund drive, “So the Word Can Be Heard!” With a goal of $6000 and 100% participation of the Church Council, Trustees and Choir (and the 2nd row!), all goals were exceeded. The total received was $7184.42. The sound system is installed and the
remainder of the monies will be utilized for the flood control system.

The bid on the flood control was just over $7000. New Hope (thanks to quick work by Pastor Wendy and Sheila Moyer) received a grant for $5000 from Community Partners for the Common Good (CPCG). The work on the flood control system is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 8th. The council wisely delayed the renovation of the basement until after the system is
put in. Bids are in and a contractor has been retained.

The next Church Council meeting is Monday, August 8. We will focus our work on the ministries and programs of the New Hope community as we look toward fall.

In a summer of perpetual “distractions” and significant change, we continue to learn and celebrate God in the midst of those distractions and transitions. The love and persistence of this community deepens. The ministry is sturdy. Thank you for being a part of this community and sharing the love of Jesus with each other.
~Submitted by Julie Bruno

New Hope Knitters meet Sunday, August 21

Those interested in our prayer shawl ministry are encouraged to join us after worship on Sunday August 21. Bring your projects and tools, and come join our circle! Contact Julie Bruno if you have any questions or want more information.

Volunteers needed for Greater Chicago Food Depository

We are now recruiting volunteers to help at the September 10 repack day at GCFD. Volunteers (both returning and new volunteers) are needed to repack food at this center which supplies food for our New Hope Pantry. Group will meet to carpool at New Hope at 8 am; return
around 1 pm. Participants must wear long pants and closed toe shoes (regardless of weather). All are asked to bring a food item or two to give to the Depository. If interested, contact Bob Burkhart at 847-583-1088 or rgburkhart@att.net.

If you know of someone not involved who might be interested, pass on this information.

PS. Plan ahead to participate on October 22.

No Adult Study Groups Planned for Fall

At this time, there are no study groups planned for this fall. For planning future adult study groups, it would be helpful to have feedback from our community. If there is a particular topic you are interested in learning about or discussing, please let Pastor SoYoung know.

In the meantime, those seeking a place to discuss theological themes and issues are invited to participate in the New Hope Book Group.