Hosanna Lutheran Church, Houston

GOD'S PURPOSE FOR HOSANNA

2011-09-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

God has spoken through the people of Hosanna, and we selected a purpose statement during the worship service on September 18:

Serving God, Changing Lives -- 365.

Although this purpose is "new," looking back over Hosanna's history shows us that God has been leading Hosanna in this direction for many years.

            The original mission statement when the congregation began in 1976 was: Our mission as a congregation is to be a vehicle through which God carries on his work in the world and in which he confronts people in every age. We are the Body of Christ, proclaiming the Gospel and engaging in his mission to the world which includes fellowship, education, and service of mankind.

            Revision and updating of the mission statement was done in 1995: As a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Hosanna’s mission is to be the body of Christ in our community and throughout the world, spreading the Good News of the Gospel, and showing our love for God through worship, education, fellowship, and service.

           When the congregation decided to do a major building program in 1999, the theme we chose for the capital campaign was "Growing to Serve."

           Major changes were made to Hosanna's leadership structure in 2002, with a reorganization plan called "God's Servants, Working Together." The new mission statement adopted at that time was: As a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Hosanna’s mission is to grow to serve and praise the living Christ.

           Hosanna's Congregation Council has always had either a Christian Service Committee or a Care Team as part of its structure. The congregation has been searching for a way to reach out and impact our community through our service. The new purpose statement pulls this all together. Through our service, we will change lives -- our own lives and the lives of those in our community and beyond. The addition of the "365" adds our commitment to do this every day of the year, in our families, in our volunteering, in our schools, and in our worklife.

           If you haven't noticed it before, pay attention to the sign over the door the next time you leave the worship space. It has been there for several years, and it says "We go to serve." This is literally "a sign" that the Spirit has led us to discern God's purpose for Hosanna.

WHAT IS GOD'S PURPOSE FOR HOSANNA?

2011-09-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

During our small group sessions, 56 potential purpose statements for Hosanna were put forward for discussion. The Mission Focus Team and the Congregation Council has chosen three of these as best meeting the criteria we outlined at the start of this process. These three are:

1) Walk with Jesus. Live God's word.
2) Loving God and loving our neighbors.
3) Serving God, changing lives -- 365.

Whether you were able to take part in one of our 18 small groups or not, we want you to help us discern God's purpose for Hosanna at our worship service on September 18. Please be there to prayerfully help us move on to the next step in our life together. Following the service, we will celebrate with some refreshments and have a brief congregational meeting.

-- Nancy Agafitei, President

EXPLORING OUTREACH: EICKENROHT ELEMENTARY

2011-09-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

This summer Pastor John received some e-mails from a teacher at Eickenroht Elementary in the Spring ISD, asking for Hosanna's support for the primarily low income students enrolled there. This school is just 1.5 miles south of Hosanna on Ella.

Principal Robbie Green

On August 27, a group of Hosanna members met with this teacher and with her principal, Robbie Green. Together we explored ways that our congregation could make a difference at this school. A fuller report on that visit will be printed in the September issue of the "Backyard" which will soon be online. Be sure to check it out. There are lots of great suggestions about ways that we can be involved. One of them should fit your schedule and your special gifts.

TX-LA GULF COAST SYNOD 2011 LEADERSHIP GATHERING

2011-08-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

Several of us from Hosanna attended the Leadership Gathering on August 6 at Kinsmen. There were over 100 attendees from various Lutheran churches in the area. We heard some of the things other churches are trying and moving forward on. It helps you realize we are all one church but with opportunities to do God’s work in our own locations with our own gifts.

Bishop Rinehart, Peggy Hahn and Rev. Pedro Suarez facilitated the event but many others with expertise in other areas presented workshops. Folks, the workshops were great! We listened and learned a great deal.

Peggy Hahn talked about the Peru trip and how we are learning from our companion synods and they from us.

Bishop Mike talked about Texas and how we have become a true melting pot of races and cultures --more so than in other area of the U.S. If we are to minister to all people, we must understand and adapt our ministries to do so. He also talked about our youth being the lifeblood of our churches. If we want to continue our ministries and pass on the tradition of our faith, then we have to be intentional about involving and nurturing our youth.

I attended a workshop by Rev. Brad Otto on talking to and listening to our youth, providing a safe place where they can feel they can come and be safe with others. He suggested ways to talk about faith, sex, drugs, etc. in ways that youth do not feel uncomfortable. He had suggestions for Youth Leaders and parents. I would highly recommend inviting him to come and present a session to our leaders and parents.

The other workshop was on Demystifying Social Media where Rev. David Hansen presented his thoughts on uses of Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Blogging. Using these tools can reach a good portion of our communities. We need to examine how to best utilize these tools. The rapid use of each of these social media is almost mind boggling. These touch our youth and many other members.

Bottom line -- the synod has listened to our needs and is providing assistance by presenting such events to help us access information and tools to bring back to our home churches. If we wish to be doing God’s work at Hosanna, then attending these events and others I feel is crucial. Learning from others should become part of our ongoing developmental upgrades.

-- Pat Gibbons, Mission Focus Team Leader/V.P.

GLOBAL MISSION EVENT IN SAN ANTONIO, SEPT. 23-24

2011-07-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

San Antonio is a great city to visit. Need a great excuse to spend a weekend there? Check out this video of the Global Mission Event happening there in September. Why not go and bring back local and global ideas for Hosanna?

LET'S TAKE THE BUS !!

2011-07-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Have you been on a bus lately? NO. Not the County bus that takes care of our senior trippers. NO. Not the Greyhound or charter bus that takes folks to Louisiana to gamble a little, party a little -- ya' know, sinful fun! How about the Metro bus?

WOW ---

Can you imagine? All of our cities offer public transportation and we are grateful for that. Without it, many would be in a world of hurt. It's not easy or fun to take a Metro bus,especially in inclement weather when you have to change buses, and when maybe the next one on your route will be another 20 or 30 minutes in coming. Not every bus stop has a shelter. In fact, few do. But once again...

WOW ---

What a beautiful contribution Hosanna has made to our community in this gift of a bus shelter. We can only imagine the grateful hearts.

Thanks Daniel and workers and donors!

--- A Disciple of Hosanna

LAST CHANCES TO CONVERSE ABOUT HOSANNA'S PURPOSE IN A SMALL GROUP

2011-07-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Obviously, I hope that conversations about God's purpose for Hosanna are going on everywhere in the church, in the homes of Hosanna's people, or in restaurants or wherever members are gathering.

But if you haven't been part of one of the "official" small groups yet, your chances are disappearing. Only three more official groups are scheduled before the Mission Focus team begins summarizing the results of our discussions. Here are the options:
                  At Hosanna on Sunday, July 10, 11:30am, with lunch and a nursery provided for small children
                  At Hosanna on Sunday, July 17, 11:30am, with lunch
                  At the home of J ean and Branch Waldo, Sunday, July 17, 6:30pm, dinner provided

Because of the materials and foodneeded for the groups, it really helps if you can notify us in advance if you can be there by e-mail (click here). However, if a last minute impulse grabs you, just come anyway. We really want to hear from you.

I am feeling some really important messages coming from these groups, and I am confident that they will make a difference for our church life together as we go forward.

-- Nancy Agafitei, Congregation President

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

2011-06-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hosanna small groups continue to meet together to pray, study scripture, and converse about the purpose of our congregation in carrying out God's mission in the world. It's a big question, and the most important one we can ask about our future together as a church. We want to hear your voice as this process continues. If you have not yet been part of a small group, please contact us (or just show up!) and join one of these:

           At Hosanna on Sundays, 11:30am-1:30pm, with a light lunch served:
                     June 19 / June 26 / July 10 / July 17
           At the Waldo's home, on Sunday, June 26, 6:30pm

Lord of Humanity. you have formed us in your own image. You have called us to be your people so that your dreams could be ours as well. Help us to see your purpose for our lives, and give us a common sense of purpose as your church in this place. We ask you now, what is it that we should be more concerned with? How may we help you complete your dream?

Nancy Agafitei, Council President

SERVING IN THE COMMUNITY

2011-06-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Pastor John and members of the Hosanna Church Council served lunch to more than 100 volunteer builders at the Hamill Ranch Habitat for Humanity site on June 11. Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need. You can get involved by organizing a group to serve lunch, volunteering to help with the actual building (carpentry, painting, nailing shingles, etc.) or donating to support the work. Hosanna donations have helped to sponsor the house where the council is standing. It will be dedicated today, June 18, and the new residents will soon move in.

DISCERNING GOD'S PURPOSE FOR HOSANNA

2011-05-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

I hope you are willing to get involved in figuring out what God wants us at Hosanna to be about. A leadership retreat has started the conversation. Small groups are now carrying it on. Make sure your voice is heard as we try to answer this most important question for our future.

Pastor John has found an interesting article online from the Alban Foundation that gives us much to think about in considering the way forward.

Consider this quote from near the end of the article:

"Congregations not only need a clear and compelling statement of purpose, they also need a sense of purpose. The two are related but different. A statement of purpose puts the big idea into words. A sense of purpose gets you out of bed in the morning and keeps you going in the face of challenges."

Help us put the big idea into words in a way that instills us all with a strong sense of purpose.

Nancy Agafitei, President

CROP Walk Feeds the Hungry

2011-04-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

The Hosanna Walkers and Rockers had a successful day at the CROP Walk in the Woodlands. We had 5 Hosanna representatives at the event: Debbie Rohla, Melanie Rohla, Nancy Agafitei (Spirit Walker), Rick Agafitei and Pat Gibbons. Our team was sponsored for $1,335 between local and online donations. We will also be requesting Thrivent "Care Abounds in Communities" matching funds as well. Thanks to everyone for their generosity in helping serve the hungry.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food ..." Matthew 25:35

ADDING SOMETHING FOR LENT

2011-03-01T10:17:00.000-08:00

The season of Lent begins this year on
Ash Wednesday, March 9.

Lent is not all about giving things up. It's also about adding good things to our lives or to others' lives -- the kind of good things that follow on what Jesus asks of us. Try these:

· Reconcile yourself to someone you don't like.

· Do acts of kindness for people, just because.

· Take the time to be in a refreshing, natural spot.

· Study about what causes poverty.

· Meditate, and pray over one or two Scripture passages each day.

· Choose something ordinary that you do every day, and think about God while doing it.

· Check out your ethnic heritage, and learn how Christians in it mark the season.

· Attend special worship services.

· Find a new way every day to remember Jesus' death on the cross, and why it happened.

-- Submitted by Pat Gibbons, from the Mission Focus Team

(Adapted from http://www.spirithome.com/lent.html#adding)

Join the HOSANNA Team to WALK to Fight Hunger

2011-02-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

When: Sunday, April 3, 2011, 1:30pm
Where: Woodlands Christian Church
             1202 N. Millbend Drive
Who: The Hosanna Lutheran Walkers and Rockers
Why: Help fight hunger globally and locally.
        From Matthew 25:
                     Jesus said, "I was hungry and you fed me."
                     "When Lord did we ever see you hungry and feed you?"
                     Jesus replied, "Whenever you did this for the least of these brothers
                    of mine, you did it for me."
How: Sign up to walk with the Hosanna Team; sign up to "rock" if you are not
                    a walker; sponsor our walkers and rockers.
Go to the Greater Northwest Houston Crop Walk Site to find out more.

-- Contact Pat Gibbons or Lois Heckart from the Hosanna Mission Focus Team for more information.

A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION SUNDAY!

2011-02-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday, February 13, was a glorious day at Hosanna! In case you were not able to be there, here are some of the things that you missed:

Ten beautiful hand-made quilts were blessed to be a blessing to future recipients.

Five new members were welcomed into ministry with us: Ron and Darlene Lindquist, Josh Roszak, and Susheela Beteet and her son William.

It was the "duty and delight" of members to submit covenant cards indicating commitments of $205,560 toward Hosanna's ministry in 2011! [Cards not submitted today can be mailed to the church office. See John Gabrielson if still need one.]

A delicious luncheon was offered by the Stewardship Team chaired by Jeff Hartmann, enhanced by the hospitality skills of Connie and Jeff Chestnut, Jan Dietzmann, Valerie Oden and others.

Ron and Heda Christ, with the technical help of Dale Bargmann, shared stories and photos from their two-year mission to Botswana. What a Spirit-filled adventure!

And these were just the highlights! Good News abounds at Hosanna!

-- Nancy Agafitei, President

HERE WE STAND! THE LUTHERAN COURSE

2011-01-23T20:07:00.000-08:00

Now is the perfect time to keep your New Year's Resolution that you will grow as a disciple in 2011! The adult Sunday School class is beginning a new series based on "The Lutheran Handbook." The cover of this book shows a winking Martin Luther. This image combines the serious, formal scholarship that was Luther's life work, with the humor and lightheartedness that characterized his personality.

This course will teach you how to respond when someone sits in your pew; how to survive the service if the AC goes out; and what to bring to a church potluck (by region of the U.S.). Of course, along the way you will also learn a few other important things, like how to defend your faith against attack, how to forgive someone, and how to be saved.

Come and see! It's 9:00-9:50am in Classroom 5.

-- Sue Loudermilk, Class Facilitator

ANNUAL MEETING ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

2011-01-14T18:55:00.000-08:00

Join us Sunday after the worship service to celebrate our past year of congregational life together, and to do the business we need to move into the future. We will

Receive the annual reports from all of our ministry teams, support teams, officers, and staff
Approve our spending estimates for 2011
Elect delegates to represent Hosanna at the Synod Assembly in Galveston in May
Welcome home Ron and Heda Christ from their mission service in Botswana

See you there!

-- Nancy Agafitei, President

AN "APP" FOR A NEW AGE

2010-12-30T21:45:00.000-08:00

Lutherans have long admired Martin Luther's ability to capitalize on the new technology of his day (i.e. the printing press) to communicate with people. This is a practice we need to continue!

Here is something new for those of you who like the new technology of the Smartphones using a Droid, Blackberry, or iPhone. Call on Faith is a new all-video "app" just released by Odyssey, a non-profit organization comprised of over 50 members representing America's major denominations. The ELCA is one of Odyssey's oldest members.

Call on Faith currently is offering short videos to inspire, encourage, and inform. There are sections on prayer, wise words, compassionate acts, meditations, and more. I just spent a few minutes listening to Desmond Tutu talking about the difficult but essential task of reconciliation, a harpist discussing her music ministry to hospitalized patients, and a young lawyer talking about her efforts to improve an impoverished area of Dallas.

Call on Faith is available for $3.99 or less (I got it for free!) in the app stores of the various smartphone providers.

-- Nancy Agafitei, based on an article in Seeds for the Parish

The Christmas Story As Told by Children

2010-12-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

Hosanna is on FACEBOOK!

2010-12-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

Hosanna now has its own page on Facebook. Because more than 25 people "like" us, we now officially have our very own URL (computer address) to make it easier to find our page! Thanks to all of you who helped us to reach this threshhold.

You can go directly to our page by typing this in your address bar:

www.facebook.com/HosannaLutheranChurch

(All lowercase letters will work too!)

Check our Facebook page regularly for event updates and to participate in discussions. Currently, we would like your input on what you think are Hosanna's greatest strengths. This is part of our process as we begin to talk about our core values.

-- Susanne Meier

ADVENT ADVENTURE

2010-11-28T17:21:00.000-08:00

As we learned in today's children's sermon, Advent is indeed a season of waiting. So, if you have been patiently waiting for the answer to how many Lutherans it takes to pick out and cut down a Christmas tree, well wait no more. Members of the Spiritual Life Team and their families discovered that it takes exactly 21 members - including one baby Fontenot, one measuring stick, one saw, one rugged stroller, several newfound friends from IHN, and some determination. Thanks for the memories and to all those who joined in the fun!

Click here to see more images!

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE HOSANNA STAFF

2010-11-23T18:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas is approaching, a time when we recognize special people with a gift. Again this year, we are collecting monies for a gift to our staff members who have served us through the past year.

Please place your gift in an envelope marked “Staff Christmas Gift” and place it in the offering.

Thank you

-- Posted By the Staff Support Team

ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE HOSANNA CHOIR! HALLELUJAH!

2010-11-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS TREE CUTTING ANYONE?

2010-11-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

Has it been a while since you’ve cut down a real honest-to-goodness Christmas tree? Well, here’s your chance! Members of the Spiritual Life Team and their families will gather at the Old Time Christmas Tree Farm, located near the corner of Stuebner Airline and Spring-Cypress Road, on Saturday, November 27 at 3 pm to do just that. We’ll be seeking the ideal tree for Hosanna’s sanctuary during the season of Advent.

So, come out and join us for an afternoon of old-fashioned fun, including a wagon ride, tree selection, tree cutting, and post-cutting food and drink fresh from the farm’s concession stand. Not to mention, there’s a “train” for young and old, a small carnival including rides and games, and plenty of chances to take the family picture for your 2010 Christmas card. Needless to say, this is a good opportunity for fun and fellowship with members of Hosanna and Nueva Vision. No need to bring anything other than a spirit-filled heart and an eye for the right tree. See you on November 27, down on the farm!

The Spiritual Life Team

P.S. - How many Lutherans does it take to pick out a Christmas tree?

IS "CHRIST IN OUR HOME"?

2010-11-10T09:30:00.000-08:00

You say, "Of course. Christ is in my home, in my heart, and in my life." However, I am referring to the little book or devotional that is free to us all quarterly. It's just a little book but it has huge GRACE bound with it. You can find it inside the north entrance to Hosanna, on the bottom shelf of the table at the door to the hallway. The title is "Christ in Our Home."

Do you often find yourself not quite having the time for meaningful prayer? I personally, as a disciple, try to live my life in prayer, ever mindful of "things" around me -- grass, bugs, sky, moon, people -- and ever thankful for each. But there is always a need for structured prayer, and that is often where I fall short. So what does this have to do with a booklet? Here is how I use it:

Often, either in a.m. or p.m. prayer, I seem to have trouble addressing God. How do I start my prayer? My mind wanders, and I get off track. Oh, well! But THEN I open my little devotional book, turn to the day and date, and it leads me to a conversation with my best friend. There I find direction, scripture, food for prayer, and wisdom.

Thank you, little book! You are my devotional, and my entrance to meaningful prayer.

Submitted by -- A Disciple of Hosanna

NAM news

2010-11-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is a nonprofit, community-based, multi-program social service agency that strives to supply basic human needs through neighbors helping neighbors.

Hosanna was one of NAM's 10 Covenant Congregations who agreed in 1983 to set aside their theological differences and pool their resources in a manner to better serve community needs. In addition to Hosanna, NAM's founding congregations include St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Northwoods Presbyterian Church, John Wesley United Methodist Church, Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Hosanna Lutheran Church, Congregation Jewish Community North, Wildewood Baptist Church, Cypress Creek Christian Church, Klein United Methodist Church, and Plymouth United Church (U.C.C.).

NAM's Congregational Advisory Council meets quarterly. Its last meeting was 10-25-10. You can go to NAM's website for additional info, to review data from the 2009 fiscal year, and to learn about volunteer opportunities.

The foods wish list for Thanksgiving is also found on NAM's website. Here are a few wishes: TURKEYS, instant mashed potatoes, canned vegetables and fruits, macaroni and cheese, canned cranberry jelly, jello, pudding and so forth. Food is needed throughout the year, but especially at holiday times. Bring your donations to the food pantry at Hosanna, and they will be delivered to NAM. Thanks for your help.

The holiday toy bags have now arrived at Hosanna. If you are able, please take a bag, and purchase suggested items for the age/sex of the child listed on the outside of the bag. Put your unwrapped gifts inside the bag, and return it to Hosanna no later than 12-5-10 to allow time for NAM to sort and distribute to the needy. The goal this year is to provide toys for 3000 children.

Submitted by Lois Heckart, Care Team Member

The Reformation Story in a 3-Minute Music Video

2010-11-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

It's a few days late, but you can still celebrate Reformation Day by watching this video on Martin Luther, sung by the Bangles to the tune of "Manic Monday." It include clips from the movie "Martin Luther" starring Joseph Fiennes.

HOSANNA AND NUEVA VISION CELEBRATE FALL TOGETHER

2010-10-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

On October 23, Hosanna was alive with music, games, candy, costumes, conversation, fun, and food. LOTS OF FOOD. Much of it provided by our friends of Nueva Vision church. It is 100% certain that no one went away hungry from this event.

Children were excited by the moonwalk, popcorn, snow cones, games and trunks full of candy. A parade was a highlight of the evening, with skeletons, princesses, cats, ninjas, and more.

Oh, and we can't forget the Good Witch of the South, Hosanna's own Barbara Dejmal, who was the hostess with the mostest, making all feel welcome.

MOTIVATING POSITIVE CHANGE

2010-10-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

Pastor Kerry Nelson is the Director of Evangelism for our synod. He writes a weekly message called Mission Possible Network that always addresses interesting topics. This week he talked about three factors that he believes motivates positive change in congregations:

Inspiration These are “whispers from the Holy Spirit” or excitement generated by the passion of a leader or new insights given in prayer.
Education Gaining a fresh perspective and a new kind of action/strategy from hearing the voice of experience, from continuing education events, from reading books, etc.
Desperation The jumping off point where it becomes crystal clear that, if anything is going to change, something has to change.

I feel that all three of these factors are at work at Hosanna and are actively motivating us to make positive changes as a congregation.

Let me know what you think. Click in the "Comment" box below and share your thoughts.

-- Nancy Agafitei, President

To receive the Mission Possible newsletter by e-mail, click here.

MISSION FOCUS PRESENTATION

2010-10-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

The new Mission Focus team kicked off its new "team" year with Pastor John, President Nancy Agafitei, Betty and Richard Dove, Lois Heckart, Dorothy Hohenshelt, Jeff Jackowski, and team leader Pat Gibbons in attendance.

To watch the Mission Focus Introduction that this group saw at the meeting, click on this link. (Click on the double arrow at the bottom right of the slides to advance through the slideshow. You might have to install the free Microsoft Silverlight program on your computer to view it. After the show ends, use the back arrow of your browser to return to this blog.)

The disciples who attended the first meeting were asked to be part of the team to build the Hosanna Mission Focus long-term plan. We would like a diverse group to give us input so please feel free to attend the upcoming meetings at anytime. They will be posted on the Hosanna calendar on the website.

This team is not an exclusive group and we invite anyone who wants to dream and build our future to feel free to participate at any time. All of us at some point will be asked for thoughts and assistance. The only requirement is that “you can dream” and “you want Hosanna to be a major presence in our community in future years doing God’s work”.

Hosanna has a significant foundation already in Mission, so we will be looking at the future of Mission Focus. The Mission Focus Team will review:

· what we do

· how we do it

· other possibilities based on the needs of our congregation and our community

· other ways to accomplish missions and

· ways to access resources to accomplish these missions.

God is the driver and we will be listening through prayer.

One of the suggestions from this presentation was to learn more about what each team is doing and who are members of these teams. We want to begin with a better understanding of where we are now. We will be asking Team Leaders to present details about what is currently happening and their plans.

The next meeting will be Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 11:30am in the conference room at Hosanna. We will review our existing Mission Statement before we begin to develop more action-oriented Core Values for Hosanna’s future.

-- Pat Gibbons, Mission Focus Team Leader

A BRIEF LOOK AT HOSANNA'S STORY

2010-10-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MCCONNELLS!

2010-10-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

Good fellowship was the order of the day as Bob and Nerisa McConnell celebrated their 70th birthdays at Hosanna with over 100 family members and friends. Bob has worked with the Men of Hosanna, and has played important roles in the construction, care, and financing of Hosanna's facilities. Nerisa has been a strong contributor to the Hosanna Care team. As an avid reader, she is a regular participant in the Hosanna Book Club. Both Nerisa and Bob helped to start some of Hosanna's traditional celebrations, like the Advent Workshop and the Texas Thanksgiving party. Happy Birthday and many more to these faithful servants!

DID YOU KNOW?

2010-09-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

The Three Expressions of the ELCA

We are one church with three expressions — a churchwide national organization headquartered in Chicago, 65 synods throughout the country, and a network of nearly 10,500 congregations.

Each of these three interdependent parts works together to form the ELCA.

The average congregation gives the Synod between 3-5% of their local offerings.

The Synods keep 50% of what they receive from congregations, and forward the remaining 50% to the ELCA churchwide organization.

-- Patricia Gibbons, Mission Focus Team Leader

VIDEO OF TOWN HALL MEETING WITH ELCA BISHOP MARK HANSoN

2010-09-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

If you did not have a chance to view the live town hall meeting with ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson on Sept. 19, 2010, you can now watch the video. Click here. Unrehearsed questions came in from ELCA members all across the country, and the Bishop handled all very respectfully and did a fine job of responding.

LIVE TOWN HALL MEETING WITH ELCA BISHOP 9/19/2010

2010-09-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, 9/19/2010 at 4:00 pm there is an exciting opportunity to engage with Bishop Hanson and ELCA members from across the country at a live online town hall meeting.

Participating is easy:

Watch the event live online from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Central Time at
http://www.elca.org/townhall
Log in to ask a question.
View open captioning if you wish.

If you've ever wondered what’s on the minds of other ELCA members

... if you have a question for Bishop Hanson

... and especially if you care about the ELCA and its mission

please listen and watch this event on Sunday afternoon, September 19.

NITA AUER'S RETIREMENT VIDEO

2010-09-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

In case you missed Nita Auer's retirement celebration on August 29 , here is the video that was shown at the party:

2010 SYNOD LEADERSHIP GATHERING

2010-09-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hosanna belongs to the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a network of 126 Lutheran congregations. Today pastors and members from those congregations met at Zion Lutheran in the Heights for a Leadership Gathering. As the incoming President of Hosanna I attended, as did Pastor Boldt, incoming Vice President Pat Gibbons, Cantor Gay Zimmerman, and our organist, Sister Anna Marie Flusche.

I learned a lot, and came away enthused and inspired. Now I know the simple but powerful mission statement of the synod:

Biship Mike Rinehart addresses synod leaders at Zion Lutheran

TO MAKE DISCIPLES

How does the synod leadership intend to do this? They seek to equip congregations by equipping congregational leaders. This gathering was an example of that. What vision do the synod leaders have? What do they hope things will look like if we make disciples? Our 126 churches will be a network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly focused congregations passing on the faith to the next generations.

We will be doing our part at Hosanna, with Pastor Boldt's Sunday class on Discipleship starting this week at 9:00am. Don't miss it!

Nancy Agafitei

WELCOME TO THE NEW HOSANNA BLOG!

2010-08-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

All outgoing, continuing, and incoming members of the Hosanna Congregation Council joined together in a retreat on Saturday, August 29, 2010. It was a Spirit-filled occasion as the participants shared their frustrations, hopes, and dreams for the future of Hosanna. It has set a wonderful tone for our next steps into the future, seeking to fulfill the mission of the church: "Growing to Serve and Praise the Living Christ."

One of the recommendations that came out of the session was to work at increasing the number of ways that the council communicates with the congregation. This blog is a step in that direction. You can also communicate back to the council by commenting on the posts that appear here.

Get to the blog through the Hosanna website, by typing in http://hosannalutheran.blogspot.com/ in your address bar, or by signing up as a "follower" of this blog.

Various council members will share this forum to keep you up to date and make it easy for you to get involved wherever the Spirit is calling you. We are waiting to hear from you!

-- Nancy Agafitei, Incoming Council President