March 2010 Edition
The Voice is a periodic publication of Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church.
2010 Worship Schedule
- 8:30 a.m. Chapel Service*
- 9:00 a.m. Adult Education (Fireside Room)
- 10:00 a.m. Worship and Children’s Education
(Fellowship and coffee following Worship)
*Visit our chapel, a quiet place for prayer and meditation, on the third floor of the education building.
We are a reconciling congregation welcoming people of all sexual orientations.
A Message from Pastor Ed DuBose...
The One True Cross
One of the oldest and most intriguing of Christian legends is the story of the discovery of the true cross. Constantine is remembered as the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. When his mother Helena made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 326 AD, her local guide showed her the Temple of Venus, a pagan temple which had been built by a previous emperor Hadrian. Helena was told that this was the site where Jesus had suffered and was crucified. Helena considered the pagan temple to be an affront to true Christianity. She ordered it torn down and the earth it was built on to be removed.
As the earth was moved, the workers discovered three crosses, some nails and a sign that said "King of the Jews." Helena was convinced that these were the crosses upon which Jesus and the two thieves had been crucified. To determine which was the cross of Christ, an elderly woman, who was very sick, was brought to the site. She touched the first two crosses with no effect, but when the third cross came near her, she was miraculously cured! This was the first of many miracles ascribed to the "true cross." Other legends tell of the cross raising a young man from dead, healing a blind man, and many other miracles. The nails were taken to Constantinople and incorporated into the Constantine's helmet.
This former temple to Venus would become the location of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the oldest churches in the world today.
Throughout history, fragments of the 'true cross' have circulated throughout churches around the world. Often times these fragments are associated with stories of soldiers who have carried them into battle and been blessed with strength, courage and survival in the most difficult circumstances. For hundreds of years, Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land could return home with pieces of the true cross to keep in their homes. As early as the year 380, there is a description of Christians gathering to venerate the true cross by kissing it. One of the pilgrims bit off a piece and ran away! At one point, there were so many different pieces of the true cross in Europe alone that John Calvin was said to have quipped that there were enough pieces of the one true cross to fill a ship!
With the added benefit of 1700 years of Church history, I enjoy laughing at these tales and the naïve people who believed in them. I have great doubts that there are any remains of the wooden cross upon which Jesus died. And even if this cross were to somehow be discovered, I doubt that it would have any miraculous powers. I believe the true cross of Christ is not a piece of wood, but an experience in the Christian life. Christians who are willing to follow Jesus' words and "take up their cross and follow him" are the ones who have the power to participate in miracles. In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?”
Taking up our cross begins with a denial of what we want for ourselves and embracing the model of sacrifice and service that Jesus has shown us. It may not manifest itself with miraculous healings.
Be at peace,
The best is yet to be.
Rev. Edwin DuBose
Music as Pastor Care
by Jerry Rubino
The other day, I heard a program about a group of Ethiopian women using music to heal a pregnant friend who was ill. There was a strong rhythmic pulse and a haunting rising and falling of sound repeated again and again. The commentator noted that the use of music for healing is common in most cultures, though less in the Western World. We do not generally consider music a means of healing, but it is being included more as holistic care is increasingly valued in our culture.
From a thesis by the Rev. Richard Gudgeon, I recall a story about a woman who was in a state of depression. Martin Luther suggested that members of the church sing with the woman particular psalm tones and chorales. They did this, and the woman’s depression lifted.
The music of our worship services often provides pastoral care! A hymn that was sung at a funeral, wedding, confirmation or baptism will often, when it is repeated during a regular service, aid the work of grief or joy or of renewing vows or reclaiming the zeal of one’s first commitment to God. Music may also empower people to stand for justice and to show compassion.
How many times have you found yourself hearing in your mind, over and over, a song that you recently heard? Allowing the beauty of the tune, the energy of the beat and the message of the text may be a lovely way for God to speak to us in powerful ways!
Because music, especially in the context of worship, has such great power, it is vital that we think carefully about its function in the liturgy. Do we provide an adequate range of sonic variety as well as poetic expression to reach the wide range of need in the human soul?
At Spirit of Hope, we make every effort to claim old and new hymns, songs and worship choruses as well as service music in hopes that the diverse body of believers that gathers to worship may find pathways of hearing from God and expressing praise to God. If you have any favorites that you would like to request, please don’t hesitate to ask!
from Our District Superintendent
A Letter to Spirit of Hope United Meithodist Church
Dear Friends:
Adam Hamilton, in his book Enough, Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity, says, “We are living in uncertain economic times. The key to finding peace in the midst of these times is trusting God. We are not alone. We will survive these uncertain times and see that goodwill comes through them. We must act upon our trust in God by giving thanks in all circumstances, choosing to serve others, and practicing generosity. As we begin to do these things, we will find our fear giving way to faith.” (p. 102)
I want to give you and the congregation of Spirit of Hope thanks for your trusting God by paying 100 percent of your Connectional Giving (apportionments) for 2009. Through your giving you continue to choose to serve others, practice generosity, and stand strong in your faith.
In the Twin Cities District this year, we received 87.96 percent of the amount apportioned. This represents 41 churches out of the 58 that paid 100 percent of their connectional giving. Three more churches paid 100 percent compared to last year. There is something to be said about the values you and your congregation hold as United Methodists for our connectional giving is one of the great marks of who we are together. It is because of your faithfulness that we continue to do great ministry in the Minnesota Annual Conference and the larger United Methodist Church.
Thank you! Thank you for your generosity, for the larger vision of what we can do together to transform the world for the purposes of Christ and for making a difference in all that we do! May God continue to bless you and your congregation in your generosity.
Blessings!
Liz Lopez
Are you following the news of the Church on the internet? If you are on Facebook or if you would like Twitter updates from the Church, send Pastor Ed an email or “Friend” Spirit of Hope or TOFYG at Spirit of Hope on Facebook. These pages are just getting started, but we hope to use them to communicate quickly and efficiently with our many friends at Spirit of Hope.
Big News!
by Joan Bernick
We have been chosen to host the Twin Cities District UMW Spring Gathering meeting. There could be up to 150 ladies attending. We get to show off our wonderful facility and our good group of women. We welcome any help we can receive to serve the luncheon, since our group is small in numbers. This event is Saturday, April 24, in the morning until approximately 2 p.m. If you can help, please contact Joan Bernick at 763 -546-7799 or Vel Doll at 763-545-5011.
In February, we sent off a “Thinking of You” goodie package to our freshmen and sophomore college-age students. It is nice to have done an “outreach mission” for our own congregation.
On Wednesday, March 17, at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, we will have refreshments and will finalize plans for hosting the Spring Gathering. Anyone interested in joining us, please just show up. No reservation required, just an interest in fellowship with others in the name of Jesus and interest in missions.
Faith, Hope, Love In Action…
is the theme of the 18th Assembly of UMW in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 30 to May 2, 2010. The Assembly is a quadrennial event. The forum is designed for practical learning and experience for mission, and attendees will walk away better equipped for mission. We trust this will trickle down to our local units.
Issues and meetings range from personal spiritual growth and health care to economic crisis and racial justice. There are panel discussions on the next generation, the environment, globalization, human rights and other mission issues.
We hope a number of Minnesota UMW members are able to attend and inform us about the experience at a future UMW meeting.
The 28th Annual Spirit of Hope
Women’s Retreat
Serendipity
April 16-17 at Kingswood Please save the date! Watch for sign-up on the bulletin board in the upper lobby.
Emma Norton Services Theatre Benefit Scheduled for March 14
Emma Norton Services, a United Methodist mission that provides transitional and permanent housing with support services to homeless women and their children in the Twin Cities, invites you to attend a benefit performance of Painting Churches by Tina Howe on Sunday, March 14, 2010, at the Park Square Theatre: 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul, MN. The performance begins at 7 p.m.
ALL TICKETS ARE FREE. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Emma Norton Services. Seats will be distributed on a first-come firstserved basis.
For reservations and further information, please call Paula at 651-224-1329 by March 8 or visit the Park Square Theatre website at www. parksquaretheatre. org/plays/2010_churches.php.
Sunday Morning Drivers Needed
Spirit of Hope has several individuals who have expressed their desire to worship on Sunday mornings; however, they need transportation. If you are available to drive on a regular basis, please contact Pastor Ed or the church office. Thanks!
Vacation Bible School 2010
Planning has begun for Vacation Bible School for Summer 2010! We are excited to announce the theme is SonRock Kids Camp! Remember summer camp? The fun games, new friends, singing around the campfire…and the most important memory: making the life-changing decision to follow Jesus. Summer camp is the ideal place to lead kids to Christ. Gospel Light VBS provides evangelism opportunities and the salvation message in every lesson. Sending your kids to SonRock Kids Camp will give them memories that will last a lifetime! Watch for more details on dates and registration! For more information, visit http:// www.gospellightvbs.com/2009/sonrock/index.html, or contact Danielle Buckmeier.
Kids and Youth 4 Christ.
Over the winter months, we have been blessed to have a consistent group of 12 kids with us to enjoy fun, games and fellowship in Kids & Youth 4 Christ. The kids have enjoyed playing bingo, doing crafts and playing bible twister trivia. In March, we will be hosting an off-site pizza party at Divanni’s off Winnetka to celebrate our success with this program. I look forward to celebrating with each of you! Parents, if you are able to join us, I will be in need of some volunteers. (Danielle Buckmeier)
Haiti Emergency Fund
heart-felt thank you to everyone who generously contributed to financially assist the people of Haiti following the tragic earthquake. To date, Spirit of Hope has collected and sent $4,600. Thanks!
2010 All-Church Flea Market, May 22
If your new year’s resolution was to clean out your closets, the 2010 all-church flea market is ready to receive your donations. Just leave them to the left of the entry doors under the “flea market” sign.
We need children’s and adult’s clothing, housewares, furniture, collectibles, games, puzzles, stuffed animals and large activity toys.
Please do not bring televisions, computers, software, or small toys.
The flea market will be held on Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22. Mark your calendar to attend this annual event!
Can YOU Help?
We are looking for someone who could help record our Sunday services on a computer. If interested, please contact Pastor Ed or the church office.
Attention Campers:
Mark your calendars for the annual Spirit of Hope group campout. It will be June 4-6 at Baker Park Reserve, Oak Knoll group camp site. For more information, see or call Todd Wallin at 763- 550-1430. Activities include: biking, in-line skating, swimming, boating, camp fires , volleyball or whatever! There will be a potluck dinner Saturday night. Watch the bulletin and bulletin board for more details as the time gets closer.
