THE CIRCUIT RIDER

Preparing for

Worship In May

May 4

Holy Communion

Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10,

32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11;

John 17:1-11

Pastor Glenna preaching

May 11

Pentecost, Confirmation, Mother’s Day

Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12b-13;

John 7:37-39

Pastor Glenna preaching

May 18

Graduate Recognition

Trinity Sunday

Genesis 1:1-2, 4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13;

Matthew 28:16-20

Pastor Glenna preaching

May 25

Memorial Day Weekend

Isaiah 49:8-16a; Psalm 131; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34

Pastor Glenna preaching

Dear Friends,

The month of May will be a month of celebrations at Hope UMC. We will be recognizing milestones of achievement as we honor those persons confirmed in the church and those who have completed courses of study to graduate. While these two events may center upon differences of sacred learning verses secular learning, they share in the commemoration of an achievement

When a person graduates, we think in terms of completion; that a person has fulfilled the necessary requirements to earn a diploma, degree or certificate. I have heard many persons proclaim that they are “officially done” with school and have no desire to return to formal learning again.

But, it is my hope that confirmation is different in that respect. While confirmation can be described as a completion of study, it should never be a time when we feel we are “done” with our religious training.

* * * * *

A Word From Darlene

As I sit down to write for the May Circuit Rider I think, wow, I can't believe I have been the Sunday school teacher for 3 months! The time has gone by so fast. I have really been enjoying the position. And especially enjoying getting to know the children. It has been rewarding hearing about there lives, and all the exciting things going on with them.

The Heifer project has been a great success. The children have been so proud and excited about the project. They are so enthusiastic to give. Thanks you to everyone for their generous support and donations. The collection will end at the end of May. And the children will present to the church the animals they have decided to buy.

The education committee had discussed different ideas on ways to get the children more involved with the church service. One of the ideas was to have the children be ushers, and do collections. We are still working of the best way to work this out, so more details to come. Also, the Sunday school will start taking advantage of the bulletin boards designated to us. We have two boards, one on the inside of the church service room on the back wall, and the other board is on the wall by the front door. Please check out the boards and talk with your children as to what we have been working on. They are proud of their work! If anyone has any other ideas on how to get the children more involved please let us know.

I look forward to a great spring and summer with the children!!

~Darlene Kloc, Children’s Sunday School Teacher~

Hope Notes

Please keep bringing your aluminum cans to church. We have collected a little over $100.00. It is going for the Christmas stockings and for Easter for Boomer's kids and also for supplies for the Bag Ladies.

Volunteers are needed to clean our church. Please continue to sign up on the Volunteer Schedule which is in the Housekeeping mailbox. The job description is also available in the mailbox. Call Linda Hess for more information. Volunteers are also needed to mow the lawn. The sign-up clipboard in located below the housekeeping board.

The church office is always in need of used ink cartridges. The office supply stores have changed their policies and now accept only name-brand (Dell, HP, and Epson) cartridges. These cartridges can be redeemed at office supply stores for paper and other supplies we need to run our office. Please leave used cartridges in Roberta’s mailbox.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 8. Former Interim Pastor Rev. Fred H. Conger will be back with us for the day. As well as bringing us a sermon in his inimitable style, Fred and his wife Carol will join us for a pot-luck meal after worship. So bring something delicious and be prepared for a special day as we welcome Fred and Carol back into our church.

Subs Needed: We are in need of Nursery Substitutes on June 8 and 15. See Pastor Glenna if you can help at either time.

Regular and large-print copies of the May - June “Upper Room” are available in the narthex.

We are missing two of our folding chair in Fellowship Hall. If you know where they are please let a trustee member know.

Camping Opportunities: Summer Camp brochures for Camp Reynoldswood and Wesley Woods can be found on the table in the narthex. There are a variety of camps tailored to many areas of interest. Scholarships are available. Contact the Pastor for more information.

Confirmation: Tami and Vince Mattix will be confirmed on Sunday, May 11. All are invited to come and witness their initiation into full membership of the United Methodist Church. Many of you have been part of their physical and spiritual growth as they have matured into the fine young adults they are today. And so, this will be a time to share in the memories of their growing years and maturity in faith as we worship together and celebrate the next step on their faith journey.

Graduation Sunday: Be here on May 18 as we celebrate all those who continue on the path of higher learning. Recognition will be given to those who have reached this milestone during Sunday morning worship.

Yard Sale June 14: Start cleaning out your basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages for the church yard sale. What may have lost it's luster for you will surely become someone else's prized possession! Come and shop, stay for lunch. But, most of all join in the fun as we work together to support the ongoing ministries at Hope Church.

Rides To Church: We would like to establish a listing of persons who are willing to give some of our members who no longer drive a ride to church. If you can offer your assistance, please leave your name in the church office. We will then give your name to the individuals who are in need of this ministry.

Those Who Serve	May 4 Holy Communion	May 11 Pentecost, Confirmation, Mother’s Day	May 18 Graduate Recognition Trinity Sunday	May 25 Memorial Day Weekend
Liturgist	David Wietlispach	Arlene Hupach	John Wietlispach	Boomer Crotty
Greeter	JoAnn Hall	Marty Olumstad	Sharon Becker	LaDessa Chapman
Host	Judy Sohr	Lori Mattix	John Wietlispach	Nancy Mitchell & Betty Talbott
Acolyte	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon
Offering Counters	Carole Blackwell & Carol Becker	Carole Blackwell & Boomer Crotty	Carole Blackwell & TBA	Carole Blackwell & Harriet Luce
Communion Steward	Jill Genge

Let's make Pentecost last through the summer.

Beginning on May 5 through Sunday, May 11, we invite members and

friends to bring red potted geraniums to the church.

We will decorate the sanctuary with the color red signifying the Holy Spirit

and then plant the geraniums in the front yard of the church

as a reminder of Pentecost during the months to come.

Join us on this festive occasion as we celebrate the Life and Spirit of Hope Church.

Volunteer Opportunity

The Pastoral Care Department of Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet is creating a team of ecumenical volunteers to “meet and greet” patients newly admitted to the Medical Center. You are invited to consider joining that team.

Volunteers commit to giving a couple of hours, at least once a month. Times are very flexible. Volunteers will visit newly admitted patient s in their rooms, distribute printed information about the services of the Pastoral Care Department, inquire about any immediate needs the patient has for pastoral care, and verify the patient’s religious affiliation.

Potential volunteers will participate in the general training provided to all new volunteers at the Medical Center, and will then receive specific training in the Pastoral Care Department. To learn more about how you can participate in this ministry of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, please call Rev. Rodney Juell, manager of Pastoral Care, at 815-725-7133, ext. 3474 or ext. 3274. He can also be contacted by e-mail at rodney.juell@provena.org.

Traffic Flow Change

Please note the new "entrance" signs on the west driveway and the "exit" signs on the east driveway. Due to the very limited visibility of approaching Caton Farm Road traffic thru the trees from the west driveway, this is now to be used as the entrance to the church. The driveway on the east side is to be used only as the exit from the church property. If you have any questions see Trustees Chairman Dennis Mattix. Thank you.

Music for Summer

Can you believe that Summer is almost upon us? With the change of season, you will see a change in worship. Our choir will be singing for the last time before summer on Sunday, May 25. Their last rehearsal will be Wednesday, May 21. The choir will resume singing in worship on Sunday, September 14.

With no choir for the summer, we are in need of volunteers to bring special music to our services. If you play an instrument or sing, please see Cheryl Foster to schedule a date to share your talent in the praise of God. If you know someone outside the church who would like to contribute in this manner, please put them in touch with Cheryl as well.

Trustees’ Work Day

The Trustees are holding the annual spring work day for all members of the congregation that can make it on May 10, 2008. We will start at 8:00 a m and coffee and donuts will be provided. We will also have lunch at the church around noon and hope to finish all the tasks on the work list in the afternoon. If for some reason you can't be there, a list of the jobs needing done will be posted at the church and you may do one or more of those on your own time. If you finish a job, just check it off the list. Looking forward to having a large turnout and doing work for the Lord. .In case of rain, the Work Day will be held on May 17. See Dennis with questions.

Vacation Bible School

The Education Commission would like to

announce that Vacation Bible School will be

held June 16-20, 9 a.m. till 12 noon. Our theme this year is “Surfin’ Through The Scriptures.” Be sure to register your children soon! Registration

forms are on the credenza in the narthex, and are included in this month’s newsletter. The cost is $10.00 per child. Please

return completed forms with

payment to Pastor Glenna