December 27, 2009

For an electronic copy of the Spirit,

please log on to our website at:
www.hopelutherancranberry.org

The Spirit of

To All,

Please note the change in Giving Units for 2010. Our new
total for 2010 is 228 Families/Giving Units.

2010:
228 Families/Giving Units
105 Families made a Commitment for 2010
32 Families who made a Commitment in 2009 did December 26: No Service
not make a Commitment thus far for 2010
December 27: Service of Lessons & Carols
20 Families made a Commitment for the 1st time in
2010 9:00 a.m. - Worship
2009/2010 Total Commitments: 11:00 a.m. - Worship
General Fund: $256,782 (73.4% of our goal)
Expansion Fund: $ 83,816 (56% of our goal) **The Church Office will be closed:
Total : $340,598 (68.1% of our goal) December 28, 31, & January 1.
Needed to meet our Goals:
General Fund: $ 93,218
Expansion Fund: $ 66,184
Total: $159,402
2010 Offering Envelopes
Rich blessings to you, are ready for you to pick
up in the Narthex.
Pastor Ron

and Sanctuary
The Church Council minutes
are now available for member Candles
interest. If you would like to There are still a few
receive a copy of the minutes, dates left. Please sign
please call the church office (724.776.3141) or up today on the bulletin
email the church to place your name on the board behind the
distribution list. Welcome Table in the
Narthex.
 HOPE'S HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH
MINISTRY & RETREATS
January 8-9, 2010
Winter Retreat at Camp Lutherlyn!!!
Theme: “New Creation”
6:30p.m-3:00p.m
New Price $65! Friends welcome $75!
There's nothing like a winter overnight at our favorite
church camp in Prospect, PA! Grab your friends, a
snack to share, overnight stuff for camp and get ready
for an awesome spiritual experience in God's creation—
Lutherlyn style! Cost includes lodging, meals, program
material, and the chance of being snowed in at camp!
Snowball fights encouraged! Register at the welcome
table or email Aaron at aarondorondo@gmail.com.
Attention youth in grades 6 – 12. We will be
going Snow Tubing at Wildwood Highlands on
January 24, 2010. Sign up on the youth bulletin
board or in the notebook on the Welcome Table in
the Narthex. Friends are welcome and chaperones
are needed. Watch the Spirit of Hope in the coming
weeks for prices and times.
Sunday School News:
Here is the schedule for the remainder of our year:
12.27.09 and 01.03.10 – Christmas Break
03.28.10 and 04.04.10 – Easter Break
05.23.10 – Last week of Sunday school
SOUPER BOWL IS
COMING TO
HOPE!!!!!!
Souper Bowl of
Caring Sunday will be
celebrated at Hope the weekend of February 6 & 7,
2010, at all services.
Bring some extra cash with you to worship and give
to a local charity soon to be announced. We are
encouraging donations of $1 or $2 for every
member of your family in worship that weekend.
Our youth will be standing at our exit doors
following worship to receive your generous
donations.
Since the Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990
with one youth group, the youth of America have
raised more than $60 million for food banks, soup
kitchens, and other charities across the country.
Now it’s OUR TURN to fight hunger and social
issues in an event that is transforming Super Bowl
weekend into the nation’s largest youth-led
weekend of giving and serving.
Remember February 6 & 7 as the weekend to give
to others. Visit www.souperbowl.org for more
information. God bless you for your generous
discipleship living. To God be the glory!
Parent Seminar:
Worries, Diets,
and Dread 6:30 p.m.
What is normal adolescent behavior, and what
is cause for concern?
Adolescence is a time of great change and turmoil,
both for kids and for their parents. Sometimes it's
hard to differentiate what changes are part of
normal development, and what changes are
symptoms of larger problems. In this session, we'll
talk about what normal adolescent development
looks like and about some of the mental health
concerns that kids face including anxiety,
depression, eating disorders, and addiction.
To register, call 724.776.3141
www.hopelutherancranberry.org
January 17, 2010
Presenter:
Jennie Williams,
LPC
 Several gifts (most of them anonymous) have We need your help shoveling
already been donated to Hope.
Special thanks to all for the following:
snow at the church.
GPS System for the Youth Please sign up on the bulletin board
Private donation for the Mission Trips behind the Welcome Table in the
next Summer Narthex.
CD Player (two donors)
1 TV and DVD player
13 Choir Chairs

“Diners, Drive-Ins, The High School Youth

Group wishes to say a ―very
& Dives!” special thank you” to those
The next outing for the ―Diners, families from Hope who
Drive-Ins, & Dives‖ Dinner hosted us last Sunday night
Group will be at the El Patron for our first annual ―Holiday
Restaurant in Wexford on Progressive Dinner‖.
Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. It was a great night of fellowship, food, singing,
gifts, and praise/worship. We were able to spend
If you are interested in attending, contact Alan Krohe time at the Kroll, Irvin, Whigham, and Bartell
724.272.1916 or akrohe@earthlink.net or you may sign homes and loved every minute of it. Thank you so
up online at www.hopelutherancranberry.org. much---and Merry Christmas!

I just want to take a moment to say thank you to all

the people who made the Christmas dinner at the
men's shelter a very special event. From the people
who cooked, to the people who served and
especially to all the people who donated food,
money and gifts. A special round of applause goes out to our generous
Hope contributors for reaching a total of $564.27 for our
Sunday School YouthWorks Mission Project. That total
To top the evening we were blessed with beautiful has been forwarded to YouthWorks in time to be tripled
music by a violin and flute. Please know how much by a matching grant.
your generosity is appreciated by the men at the
Your extra mile giving will greatly impact our Smoky
shelter as they enjoyed their dinner and opened their
Mt. & Niagara missions. Watch for our campaign to
gifts. It makes me very proud to be a part of such a resume in January and run through April 2010. Again,
giving Church family. Thank you and have a thank you for your support!
Happy New Year.
Ken Parshall Yvonne Thickey, SS Mission Chairperson
Beginning January 10 – a new prayer list will be published. Austin Ridge: Iraq; nephew of Bill Ridge
Please notify the church office if continued prayer is still desired.
Prayers will be listed for one month.
Anthony Cerrone: Afghanistan; Nancy’s nephew
Chuck cancer – responding well to treatment; friend of Dean Weimer: Afghanistan; son of Larry and Linda
Marilyn Duke Jimmy Martin: Iraq; Alyson Morrissey
Dillan diagnosed with Leukemia (11 yrs.); Paul Adam Sellers: Afghanistan; son of Eric and Cathy
Wunderlin’s nephew
Randy Newson prostate cancer; Martha Klein's son-in law † Please keep Betty Tolbert in your prayers. Her husband, Jim,
Debbie Whitlock colon cancer/chemo; Joy West’s cousin recently joined the Church Triumphant.
Chris breast cancer; colleague of Dave Salsbury
Greg CHF (24 yrs. old); Jon & Jane Graf and Joan &
Dave McConahy ATTENDANCE & OFFERING:
Lary Gilbert recovering at home; Lisa Gilbert’s father.
Kevin Conrad oral cancer – scheduled for surgery; friend of
December 19 & 20 Services
Tina Kramer& Diana Munn
Linda Macioce stage 4 cancer; from Jane Fahringer Attendance Income
Greg Stewart prostate cancer; Kurt & Karen Johanknecht 5:00 Saturday: 41 Operating Income: $8,536.05
Dick Sturman CHF; Jojo Drutarosky’s father 9:00 Sunday: 278 Expansion Fund: $6,995.00
Adelle kidney failure 11:00 Sunday: 72
Hazel Harrison stroke & knee pain; Michelle West’s
Grandmother
Total: 391 Total: $15,531.05
Harry Brunck terminal cancer
Gladys Brandt Judy Aiken’s mother Sunday School
Mary Dedek health concerns; Pat Whigham’s mother Attendance 12/13: 65
Phil Musick CHF; Kristi Miller’s dad Offerings: $ 8.55
Pam Corzine health concerns; Fran Harbison’s daughter
Paul colon cancer; Nancy Keller’s father
Wanda meningitis, Mary Jean Krohe’s sister-in-law **********************************************
Gracie
Ron
type I diabetes; Melanee Killian’s niece
biopsy; Peggy Mays’ son
JUNIOR HIGH WINTER RETREAT
Vic
Amber
job loss; Peggy Mays’ future son-in-law
being bullied; Peggy Mays’ granddaughter
Friday, January 29, 2010
Stefan Johnston
Luke Schultheis
stage 4 lung & brain cancer; friend of Amy Wolfe
Type 1 Diabetes; Larry & Janice Schultheis’ son
from 7:00 p.m. until
Mary Lou friend of the Vogel’s Sunday, January 31, 2010
Mollie Ginny Hill’s mother
Lisa Martin leukemia at noon
Joe Platt brain tumor
Chuck Olsen Michele West’s uncle
Sue Hanna surgery; friend of Peggy Mays
Karen Douglass back problems
Eljean Riffle Cathy Sellers’ mother
George Dillon brain cancer
Gertrude Hattz continued healing; Gert’s family
John Brewer, Sr. strokes; friend of Arlene O’Friel
John Brewer, Jr. diabetes; friend of Arlene O’Friel
Jana Grusofsky surgery complications; John Sims’ daughter
Justin Steinbach cancerous tumor & bone cancer/hip (13 yrs. old); Theme: Survivor Topic: Choices
friend of Taylor Rickert
Margaret Mace financial issues & health concerns
Marie Teets cancer
Cost per person: $75
Cleo DeFiore cancer Includes lodging for 2 nights and 4 meals—
Peg Ernst cancer
Grant Rowe anemic; Cathy Whitaker’s dad breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday and
Kit and Carol Kramer wise decisions and health issues; Scott breakfast on Sunday.
Kramer’s parents
Richard Kluczowski friend of Darlene Black
Includes members of Hope and regular attenders
Kara (Thompson) Hawk lung cancer; Cathy Whitaker of the Junior High Youth Group; cost per friend
Lenore Reges’ mother lung cancer is $90.
Michael Hilf and Family
Diane Koegler’s mother
Lori McMunn’s niece Deadline to Register: MONDAY, December 28,
Marilyn Duke’s niece, Renee 2009
Roxane Crosby
Natalie
Contact the church (724.776.3141) for more
† Tony Corradetti, Kara Goist’s father (and Joey & Danny’s Gidu information or sign up at the Welcome Table in the
and best bud) passed away suddenly on December 19. Narthex.

Special Speaker Series from
Thiel College in January!!
Monday, January 11, 18, & 25, 2010
Each session begins at 7:30 p.m.
For more information, please see the brochure
on the Welcome Table in the Narthex.
A LOOK AT THE CHANGING
FACE OF THE CHURCH
JANUARY 11, 2010
REV. DR. ANDREA M. NG’WESHEMI,
CAMPUS PASTOR
Whose religion is Christianity? Who are
the world’s average Christians today, and where
are they found? What are their lives like? How do
they practice the Christian faith?
In this presentation, Rev. Dr. Andrea
Ng’weshemi will explore the shift of Christianity
from its traditional strongholds in the Western
world to the non-Western, global South and East.
He will also discuss some of the implications and
importance of this change for the future of
Christianity.
Rev. Dr. Andrea Ng’weshemi, a native of
the African nation of Tanzania, serves as campus
pastor at Thiel College where he also teaches in
the religion department. He is on the roster of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Dr. Ng’weshemi has also taught at Dana
College and Olive Harvey College. He holds a
Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Theology
from Lutheran School of Theology, at Chicago,
Master of Arts from University of Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania, and a Bachelor of Divinity
from Makumira University College, Tanzania.
Series continued…
PERSPECTIVES ON CIVIL
RELIGION IN AMERICA
JANUARY 18, 2010
DR. DANIEL F. EPPLEY,
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF RELIGION
"From Puritan visions of establishing a truly
godly society in New England to serve as a ‘city on a
hill,’ through nineteenth-century ideals of ‘manifest
destiny,’ to President George W. Bush’s description of
the ideal of America as a ‘light [that] shines in the
darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it,’ a
religious dimension has often been attributed to
America. This presentation will reflect on elements of
the history, rituals, symbols, and values of ‘American
civil religion,’ highlighting points of connection between
American civil religion and biblical religion. The
presentation will conclude with reflections on two
alternative visions of the role of America in the
twenty-first century."
Dr. Eppley received a BA in chemistry from
Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. After
receiving a masters degree in inorganic chemistry from
Cornell University, he decided to pursue a career in
religious studies. He took a job working as a chemist
and attended night-classes in religion at Villanova
University for three years before beginning graduate
studies in the history of religion in the West at the
University of Iowa from which he earned a Ph.D.
Dr. Eppley taught in the Religion and
Philosophy Department at McMurry University in
Abilene, TX for seven years before becoming Associate
Professor of Religion at Thiel College where he is now
in his third year. Professor Eppley’s research has
focused on the English Reformation, particularly the
interface between religion and politics. Currently
he is beginning an investigation of discussions of
property theory in sixteenth-century English religious
polemics.
VOICe News
If you have used items to donate, VOICe will begin
receiving those items again in January so please
hold them until then. If you have furniture items to
donate, please contact Karen Johanknecht at
724.452.5665 or
volunteer@johanknecht.com
Thanks so much for your
continued support of VOICe!!

Series continued…
DANCING IN GOD:
THE RELEVANCE OF RITUAL FOR
CONCEIVING THE DIVINE TODAY
JANUARY 25, 2010
DR. CURTIS L. THOMPSON,
PROFESSOR OF RELIGION
The lecture will deal with the relation of
God to the world. It will attempt to conceptualize
what is meant by the claim attributed to St. Paul
in his Athenian speech, namely, that God is the
one “in whom we live, and move, and have our
being” (Acts 17: 28). The model of God being
developed builds on the pantheism model of God
as well as the pane theism model that has been
advocated more recently. The task will be to
envision all things being transformed in God.
This will be facilitated by turning to ritual broadly
understood as one of the primary means by
which the divine work of creative
transformation is carried out.
Dr. Curtis L. Thompson has been teaching in the
Religion department of Thiel College since 1983.
He holds he B.A from Concordia College of
Moorhead, MN, the M.Div. from Luther
Seminary, St. Paul, MN, and the M.A. in Religion
and the Ph. D. in Theology from the Divinity
School of the University of Chicago. He has
published books and articles in such areas
as Søren Kierkegaard's thought,
contemporary theology, philosophical theology,
and the relation between religion and science.
Curt is an ordained pastor of the ELCA and he
and his wife have four children.
Thank
You
Many thanks go to
the following people
for their help in
making Hope look
beautiful this Christmas Season:
Gary and Robin Hay & family – for donating the
Christmas tree.
Gary Hay, Kevin Forrest, Jim Altenhoff, Dave
Zinkham, and Pastor Ron – for putting up the tree.
Nadyne Nicolas, Nancy Rose, Sue Grabowski, Janie
Bradish, Kailey McCune, Pat Moore, Roy LeCates,
Linda Lee, Gary Lee, and Suzanne Zirot – for
decorating the tree and parish.
Fred and Suzanne Zirot – for donating the luminaries.
Gary and David Hay - for displaying the luminaries.
HOPE(FUL) LIST
Have you ever wanted to donate a special gift, either as an
outright gift or perhaps to honor or memorialize someone, to
Hope Lutheran? Here is an opportunity for you to purchase
an item whether small or large. A Hope(ful) List has been
compiled of non-budgetary items requested by various
committees, Council, and staff. Since these are specific
requests, we ask that you not purchase the item directly but
rather donate the cost. In addition, this allows the donor the
proper tax deduction.
Please review the list to determine how you can best help.
Donor cards are in the Narthex.
Christian Education:
-TVs, approx. 27‖—1 @$300 each (1 purchased)
-DVD players—1 @$150 each (1 purchased)
-Whiteboards with easels, 4’ x 3’—4 @$175 per set
of whiteboard & easel
-CD players—2 @$50 each
Finance:
-QuickBooks Pro software—$200-$250
Hospitality:
-Coffeepot (must fit current space)
Staff:
-Additional TVs with VHS and DVD player
-Digital camera
-New computer for Office Administrator (for the
purpose of a network server in the workroom)
-Single cup coffeemaker
-Nursery paging system (the office administrator
has the specifics)
Stewardship:
-Donations/program money (for mailings: stamps,
envelopes, etc.)
Worship & Music:
-Matching black stoles and cassocks
-Kneelers
-Handbells
-Antiphonal addition to the organ
-Adjustable organ bench
-Lavabo bowl (a basin) for communion
-Choir robes
-Choir Chairs (13 donated; need 11 more)
Youth:
-GPS for youth trips and events
Dedications for the Christmas Poinsettias:
Dave and Becky Arnold
Traci Baehr
Sue Barkhurst
Diane Bergstresser
Steve and Laurie Bittel
Janie and Janet Bradish
Aimee Fogarty
Lary and Lisa Gilbert
Fran Harbison & family
Ginny Hill
Chad and Fredie Ann Irvin
Dan and Rita Kastner
Joe Klein
Todd and Nicole Kolson
Bud and Priscilla Krapp
Alan Krohe
Pastor Rich Leseganich
Peggy Mays
Barb Miller
Rich and Kristi Miller & family
Jeanie O’Brien
Paul and Debra Payerchin
Mike and Cheryl Putney
Barb Rickert
Phyllis Ridenour
John Riggs
Michael and Gail Riska
Nancy Rose
The Salsbury’s
John Sims Family
Mel and Sheila Stepp
Charles Streaker
Herb and Donna Stull
John and Yvonne Thickey
Aimee Fogarty,
Krapp, Roy LeCates, Nadyne
Rose, Pam Wigley, and Sharon Wills
Betty Tolbert
Dave and Michele West
Sami Weyers and Katherine Miller In Memory of Maggie Campbell
Clark and Pam Wigley
Rob and Sharon Wills
Dedication for the Christmas Greens:
Scott Milk and Leigh Buckley
In Memory of Elbert Ellis and In Honor of Peg Ellis
In Memory of our grandparents
To the Glory of God
To the Glory of God
In Honor of our children
In Memory of Thomas Bradish
In Memory of Kathleen Smith, Charles King, and Claire & John Fogarty
In Memory of Carol Gilbert
In Memory of Rege Harbison, Sr.
In Memory of the Birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ
In Memory of Carolyn D. Nelson and In Honor of our family
To the Glory of God
In Memory of Lillian Dominick
In Memory of Richard Ridenour and Helen Kolson
In Memory of family members who have gone before us
In Memory of Harry & Agnes Krohe and Will McGee
In Honor of Rich & Marcie Leseganich and Jill K. Stanley
In Honor of my children and grandchildren
In Honor of my children and grandchildren
In Memory of Frank Miller
In Memory of Whitney Jo Maguire and In Honor of Rose Hill
In Memory of our grandparents
In Memory of Donald Putney
In Memory of Joe Rickert
In Memory of my husband, Dick Ridenour
In Memory of Steven and Doris Riggs
In Memory of Hazel Johnston and Georgia Katzbeck
In Memory of John
To the Glory of God
In Memory of Carolyn Nelson, Jack Sims, and Henry Yetter
In Memory of all of God’s Love
In Memory of our grandparents
In Memory of Herb Stull, Sr., and In Honor of Don & Cathy Christopher
In Honor of the Hope Lutheran Church Choir Members:
Diane Bergstresser, David Best, Pastor Ron Brown, Karen Douglass,
Bob Fahringer, Clayton Hartman, Bud Krapp, Priscilla
Nicolas, Amy Protho, Kevin Richards, Nancy
In Memory of Jim Tolbert
In Memory of my mother, Pat Harrison, and our grandparents
In Memory of Jessie Wigley and Elbert H. Ellis, Sr.
In Honor of our mothers, Patrycia & Shirley
In Memory of our grandfathers