Calendar of Events for This Week

Monday
- Knitting & Crochet ministry, 2 PM

Tuesday
- Men's Bible Study/Ellijay, 9 AM, Mike's Restaurant
- Ladies Bible Study, 12:15 PM

Wednesday
- Food Pantry, 8 AM-1 PM
- Choir rehearsal, 6 PM

Thursday
- Quilters, 10 AM
- Co-ed Bible Study, 2 PM



ANNOUNCEMENTS

Returning Thanks Sunday
Today Returning Thanks Sunday has traditionally been the focal point of our stewardship emphasis time here at Hope Church. The past two weeks we have heard from church members about their use of time, talents and treasure. As we give thanks for the wonderful year here at Hope we're completing and look forward to the challenges of the coming year, we take time too to briefly reflect on those blessings and how we respond to them. At the end of the service today, each family will be asked to fill out an “Estimate of Giving” sheet, place it in a self-addressed envelope and place it sealed in the basket on the altar. The next time your envelope will be opened will be after the first of the year when it has been returned to you still sealed.

2026 Annual Report and Annual Meeting
The 2026 Annual Report of the Congregation will be distributed by email to Hope members. If you do not have email access to the report, printed copies will be available in the narthex on Sunday, September 6th. The document covers ministries and activities of Hope Church this past year and a proposed budget for our next fiscal year, which begins September 1st. Final reports for the fiscal year just ending will be distributed as soon as they are ready. The entire report will be presented at our Annual Meeting on September 20th for your approval. Please read through the report and bring any questions to the meeting, or ask a Council member ahead of time. New Congregation Council members will also be elected at the meeting. We will have one worship service that day, at 10 AM, and the meeting will follow.

Ye Old Funsters
– Revision Our next meeting will be Friday September 11th. Meet at the church at 10 am for carpooling to Helen Ga. Additional details will follow. We anticipate we will eat at Hofer's Bakery and Cafe, 8758 N. Main St., Helen Hwy in Helen Ga. Following lunch, we can explore the town and then drive home.

Pastor Dave’s Reception Celebration
Hope Lutheran Church invites you to join us in celebrating Pastor David E. Smedley, Jr. as he retires after 27 years of faithful service as our called pastor. We hope you will join us as we honor Pastor Smedley, thank him for his many years of ministry, and wish him well in this next chapter.

Next Sunday we’ll have just one service at 10 AM.