Care Response |	Health Ministry |	Home Communion |	HopeCare by Kids |
Lay Minister     |	Pet Therapy      |	Visitation Ministry

Care Response Team

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?'" Matthew 25:36

The Care Response Team consists of individuals practicing discipleship by helping with meals, rides, household tasks, childcare and yard work for people who are in a crisis situation.

How it works:

Willing people of Hope Lutheran sign up to help in an area of their choice. They may want to make and deliver meals, give rides, help with household tasks, or something more specific. Then when a need arises, they are called to see if they are able to help in the particular situation. Listed below are some examples:

• Card Ministry - Each month, birthday cards and special holiday cards are mailed to members of Hope Lutheran.
• Telecare Ministry - Phone calls keep members who are homebound connected to Hope Lutheran. It involves weekly phone calls to homebound individuals.
•  Bulletin Ministry - Church bulletins are mailed weekly to members of Hope Lutheran that are unable to attend church.
• CareNotes Ministry - TAKE ONE (and take heart), GIVE ONE (and give hope)

CareNotes (pamphlets) are available at both campuses. They include a wide range of topics from depression, to death, to prayer. Teen CareNotes are also available. We encourage you to look them over, take one for yourself and take heart. Give one to someone you care about and give hope.

Specific CareNotes are sent to Hope Lutheran members experiencing crises in their lives. See examples in right column.

For more information or to get involved, contact Ann at 701 235-6629, x 310 or aseczko@fargohope.org.

Health Ministry

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

The Health Ministry team encourages health, healing and caring aspects of the church community. The team works to reflect Christ's love so that our community may receive spiritual support, health education and help identifying community resources.

Flu Season brochures

• "Three Steps to Fight the Flu" flyer and/or "Seasonal and Novel H1N1"
• "Flu: A Guide for Parents"

Health Ministry Opportunities:

• Maintain personal care items such as wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, shower chairs, canes, grab bars, raised toilet seats, humidifiers and toilet safety frames. These items are loaned to Hope Lutheran members and their families free of charge.
• Distribute Care Baskets made up of devotionals and other small gifts to critically ill patients.
• Make post-hospitalized phone calls.
• Make phone calls to mothers of new babies.
• Distribute Baby Baskets to first time mothers of new babies.
• Make hospital visits as a lay minister.
• Visit nursing homes or homebound members.
• Provide nursing home visits from therapy dogs.
• Maintain connections with members who have a CaringBridge web site.
• Provide medical information through brochures and highlighting monthly topics.

For more information or to sign up for the above listed opportunities, contact Ann at 701 235-6629, x310 or aseczko@fargohope.org.

Home Communion Ministry

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Mark 16:15

Hope Lutheran's Home Communion Ministry is an extension of our worship experience. Individuals, couples and even families have volunteered to "go out" from the service to bring communion to those who are homebound or hospitalized and unable to attend worship.

This ministry of HopeCare is a powerful way to connect our homebound or hospitalized members with Hope Lutheran's communion experience of the body of Christ.

Hope Lutheran's communion servers receive approximately one hour of training.

If you or someone you love would like home communion, please contact Ann at 701 235-6629, x 310 or aseczko@fargohope.org.

HopeCare by Kids and Teens

"I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:17  "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water." John 7:38

The youth of Hope Lutheran help with various projects including delivering household items to individuals in our community.

The children of Hope Lutheran gather to make items that are used in care baskets and baby baskets that the Health Ministry team distribute to individuals.

• They make cards that are sent to Hope Lutheran members to brighten their day.
• They also send letters, cards and packages to military personnel through Operation Joshua.

HopeCare Partners with Hopekids School Age Program

• Hopekids donate many projects to HopeCare.
• Visitors or Stephen Ministers often use these projects as gifts for their care receivers.

Examples:

• A hot air balloon with the words "God's love is awesome" might brighten up a room in a nursing home.
• A refrigerator magnet in the shape of a cross might be welcomed in the home of a lonely person.
• Crafty items are also included in HopeCare's Baby Baskets and Care Baskets.

HopeCare wants to thank all of the kids for brightening so many people's lives with these projects.

HopeCare by Teens and Kids Coordinators:

• Adam Voigt, Teens - 701 235-6629, x312 avoigt@fargohope.org
• Ann Seczko, Kids- 701 235-6629, x310 or aseczko@fargohope.org

Lay Minister

The lay ministers call on church members and friends of Hope Lutheran who are hospitalized or staying in a rehabilitation center and inform them what services are provided by the church. They alson visit hospital patients who aren't affiliated with the church but who request a visit.
Current Lay Ministers are: Pat Kerian and Linda Coons

Pet Therapy

We serve people of all ages with physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs by sharing the unconditional love of God through our animals.

God gave us pets as gifts for a reason. Hope Lutheran's Pet Therapy is a Christ-centered ministry that desires to share our pets and our love of pets with people through interactions to bring the life changing message of Jesus Christ. People and animals matter to God and to us and must be treated gently and respectfully.

Pet therapy animals are trained to be calm, gentle, and well-mannered. Most important is that therapy dogs have a calm personality and are people-oriented. The most serious disease for older people is not cancer or heart disease, but loneliness. These visits also give the residents the opportunity to reminisce about pets they once had. Research has shown that the elderly and people in group homes have lower blood pressure and are more social and interactive after a Therapy dog has paid a visit.

"Mom and I are a certified pet therapy dog team. We are members of FM dog obedience Pet therapy group. I am a Miniature Sheltie. I like to greet people and cuddle with them. I am only 16 lbs, small enough that I can sit in their laps. My hair is soft and fluffy, and kids and people love to run their fingers through it. I was abandoned and when I was found, I had over 100 ticks on me. So I was a Lucky Lady to get a new home. My mom tells people that God brought me into this program because I could relate to people who have also had a tough time in life. I think God gave me a second chance at life so I could feel loved as well as give love." by Lady

For more information contact Ann at 701 235-6629 x310 or aseczko@fargohope.org.

Visitation Ministry

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

Visitation Ministry extends the ministry of our pastors & Stephen Ministers to the homebound, hospitalized or those in healthcare facilities. Visitors commit to regular contact.

If you have questions or would like to become a part of this ministry, contact Ann at 701 235-6629, x310 or aseczko@fargohope.org.

Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged

by Esther Mary Walker

Blessed are they who understand my faltering step and palsied hand.
Blessed are they who know that my ears today must strain to catch the things they say.
Blessed are they who seem to know that my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.
Blessed are they who looked away when coffee spilled at table today.
Blessed are they with a cheery smile who stop to chat for a little while.
Blessed are they who never say, "You've told that story twice today."
Blessed are they who know the ways to bring back memories of yesterdays.
Blessed are they who make it known that I'm loved, respected and not alone.
Blessed are they who know I'm at a loss to find the strength to carry the Cross.
Blessed are they who ease the days on my journey Home in loving ways.