Posts by Stephanie (Page 8)

Is there such a thing as blessed suffering? On the surface of things, we often fail to see the blessings that come from suffering. When we have a cavity filled at the dentist office, we may at first only focus on the discomfort of the procedure and the temporary numbness of our lower lip. Yet the blessing from this “suffering” is obvious. The tooth is saved. As we consider Holy Week this week, we focus on Christ’s blessed suffering for…

Hope Lutheran Church would like to announce the start of Sunday School! We will meet at 9:00AM Sunday mornings at Cox Elementary School, 1001 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park. For more information contact Pastor Brad Kerkow if you would like your child or a child you know to attend. ********************************** Adult Bible Class Bible Class is at 9:00AM Sundays at Cox Elementary School! This is an exciting new class where we study God’s word in depth. Please know that you…

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:2 If you see someone walking around with a smudged cross on their forehead, you will know that Lent has begun. The season of Lent, the forty days before Easter, beginning with Ash Wednesday and then concludes with the remembrance…

Over 111 million people!  That is the estimate of how many people will be watching Super Bowl XLVI.  100 million!  That is the estimate for the number of Bibles that will be sold around the world this year.  Which is more important:  most watched, or most read? Advertisers want you to think it is the Super Bowl.  They spent $3.5 million for 30-second advertising time slots.  One of them bought 9 slots.  That’s a lot of money – but estimated…

Live life connected! Connect Groups are back! Connect Groups are about relationships – Developing our relationship to God and our relationship with others. We will have a time of fellowship and connecting, then a “19 minute” Bible study on the book of Genesis, then time for snacks. If you don’t know much about the book of Genesis then this is a great opportunity to learn! Contact Pastor Kerkow for more information: pastork@hopeaustin.com

“I achieved every goal in 2011 and then some! I lost more weight and exercised more than I needed to, I am proud of my spiritually strong life and my finances are healthy. I don’t need to set any goals for 2012!” Did you hear someone make such a statement recently? I didn’t. I didn’t hear anything even close to that! For most of us reflecting on the year past reveals our failures and weaknesses. We look forward to the…

Growing up in Australia, Christmas was very different to what I experience now. For one thing it was always very hot, because December 25th in the Southern Hemisphere is in the middle of summer.  Also, because of the summer sunlight hours few people would bother with Christmas lights. How different it was when I came to the U.S.A.! Christmas decorations and lights are everywhere. I have to admit, I love Christmas lights and the whole Christmas atmosphere. No matter how…