The people of Hope welcome you!

We'd all like to offer up a HUGE thank you to everyone who made our youth dinner and coat drive a huge success. The dinner and silent auction raised over $930, with 10% of that amount going to Hope's Benevolence Fund and the remainder to the youth account. The coat drive was also big, with over two dozen coats being donated. If you bid on a silent auction service item, a member of the youth group will be calling (if they've not done so already) to arrange for the work.

Two more dates to keep in mind; December 11 and December 18, the youth will offer a gift wrapping & baby sitting afternoon. Immediately following the 11am service and until 4pm, feel free to leave the little ones with us and head on out to shop for the coming Christmas holiday. Food and entertainment will be provided. Also, if you have gifts that you'd rather not wrap, Hope's youth will also be wrapping (and labeling) those gifts for you. Donations for both services will be accepted. Take advantage of an opportunity to relax a bit this season. Shop, go to a movie, enjoy lunch out with your spouse... whatever strikes your fancy!

As we prayerfully prepare for next summer's Youth Gathering in New Orleans, we'd ask you to read Ephesians 2:14-20. Our theme next year is 'citizens with the Saints'. We are practicing discipleship and peacemaking, which works for justice. Very nice.

As we all prepare our hearts for the birth of the Christ child, take some time to read Ephesians (one of Pastor Miller's favorite books, by the way). Hope's youth will be preparing through service, fellowship, prayer and citizenship. Good stuff! May the season of Advent be a wondrous one for your heart and mind. PEACE!

His Servant,
Andy Shearer