Celebrations of Ministry from 2009

God doing real things through us

• Outreach, Fellowship and Service activities:
  • 5 community Blood Drives
  • Fall Fest at Spencer’s Farm and Summer Picnic at Little Pine Island
  • Spring 2009 community food collection set a record for Hope: 1600lbs+
  • Hosted “Paws 4 Hope” a pet-oriented community event and fund-raiser for our parking lot
  • Hosted 2^nd “Safety Day” in the fall with blood drive, flu shots - participation by local police, fire and ambulance providing info and education on car, bike and fire safety, etc.
  • Christmas celebration designed for community involvement & invitation, featuring the Rockford HS Advanced Women’s Chorus and Men’s Aces singing groups.
  • 2^nd annual music recital held at Hope
  • Began “Movie Nights” and continued game nights & Easter Breakfast
  • Began our first photo directory (to be delivered in early 2010)
• Worship and Discipleship
  • More than doubled youth participation in Confirmation Camp at Stony Lake
  • Wednesday Night Studies continue and grew in participation
  • Adult Faith Formation continuing the “That the World May Know” series
  • Youth beginning the third year of the Head-2-Heart cycle for Faith Formation/Confirmation
  • Celebrated our first “Advent by Candlelight” evening of music
  • VBS – 43 youth participants (students and assistant leaders).  8% growth over 2008, and missed our goal by just 2.
  • One baptism & one 1^st Communion
• Continued NCD efforts toward strengthening our health and performance in Need-Oriented Evangelism.   Background work on Inspiring Worship and Passionate Spirituality.    
• Financial Stewardship
  • Offerings at 93% of Nov 2008 Consecration Sunday commitments, even during a difficult year for many families.
  • Consecration Sunday Nov 2009 resulted in an overall increase in planned giving and a majority of families committing to growth in their own generous giving to God’s ministry at Hope.
  • Total expenditures under planned spending
• Worship Center
  • Landscaping improvements – new plantings, terracing around sign, Hope logo
  • Interior renovation narthex (foyer), kitchen and hallways
  • Installed lights and 1 layer of paving in the parking lot
• ELCA and Ecumenical Relationships
  • Continued and renewed strong support by our Synod and the ELCA national body, who have expressed their support for Hope and have committed continued funds to assist us in this time of growth.   They have faith that we, with God’s help, can become a strong point of ministry to the Rockford area, that we can become financially self-sufficient, and that eventually we can become a strong supporter of other congregations in mission and development.
  • Very good relationship with our Synod office and leaders
  • 2 “Mission Supporting” congregations provided financial assistance Hope
  • Created a video segment about Hope Community for distribution by our Synod
• Leadership
  • Spiritual growth – handling tough topics such as stewardship, financial challenges, etc with positive faithful response.  Hope’s council has embraced its mission to explore “where is God calling us to go, and how do we get there?”
  • Continued devotional studies to deepen skills and discernment as faithful leaders
  • 3^nd Council/Leadership retreat, with discussions and exploration of goals, visions and how our different personality types help us lead and provide balance
  • 1^st Outreach/Fellowship Team strategic “mini-retreat” exploring purpose of the church, and the role of outreach and fellowship in fulfilling that purpose