Worship News

Bonfire Pentecost Celebration

On Sunday, May 23 we celebrated Pentecost. Through the efforts of the Pastors and Lay-leaders of the three ‘Bonfire’ Congregations (House of Hope, St. James, and First Lutheran churches), we participated in a special joint Sunday worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the Cooper High School Auditorium in New Hope. (This site was chosen due to its central location to all three churches and having a space
large enough to accommodate the expected crowd of 500 worshipers.) All three congregations came together for one common worship experience.

Dr. Patrick Keifert, Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary was our guest preacher. Dr. Keifert is also an internationally known consultant on church revitalization and is President and Director of Research of ‘Church Innovations Institute’ in St. Paul. He brings a personal passion for transformational ministry due to his experiences with the renewal of the church from Africa, to Europe, to New Zealand. Patrick is the right voice for all three churches to hear at this time as we come together for this special Pentecost Celebration.

This joint worship service was the latest and most visible sign of the collaboration between the ‘Bonfire’ congregations. The Pastors, elected lay-leaders, and many other interested lay-persons from all three congregations had been involved in creating and planning the worship service, music, lay-participation, ushers assignments, and parking lot attendants so that members of all three congregations will have a care-free experience that morning. I know it’s different. But Pentecost was made for such things; to live a new way. Even if it’s just for an hour or so.

I hope this Pentecost will have become a day remembered with joy in the coming decades. I hope it will be remembered as the day we let the Spirit fly free in our own time.

Suburban Churches Unite

What a joyful evening! On Thanksgiving Eve we gathered with our friends from House of Hope Lutheran Church in their sanctuary for a special worship service of thanksgiving, led by Pr. Dave and Pr. Mark from House of Hope. Choirs from both churches sang and the hand bells from both churches played as a mass bell choir. Following worship, we were treated to a pie fest, compliments of the women’s organizations of both churches. The service was held at House of Hope, 4800 Boone Ave. N. in New Hope. Another shared worship experience will be held on Good Friday 2009.

Christ the King Sunday Hymn Fest

Beautiful music was made together! On Sunday, November 23, 9:30 a.m. as we celebrated Christ the King Sunday with a global hymn fest. Hymns from all around the world were the backbone of our worship led by our Chancel Choir, Alleluia Ringers and Global Singers.

All Saints Sunday

On All Saints Sunday, November 2, we lit candles in memory of those who have gone before us to our heavenly home during the past year. Candles were also lit in honor of those who have taught us the faith in the past, and a time for prayer was offered for our nation as we vote for our new leadership who will seek to lead us and for their guidance through the difficult decisions they will all face.

Veterans Remembrance

Veterans Day, November 11, has been a special day for the people of First Lutheran. Since so many of our congregation has served in the military both in war and peace. On Sunday, November 9, we honored them for the sacrifices they have made in the cause of freedom and democracy.

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