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

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

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


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Blessing of the Animals
St. Francis of Assisi is recognized as the patron saint of animals. Many Christians mark the feast of St. Francis of Assisi – October 4th – by having their pets blessed. We will again be hosting a Blessing of the Animals here at Hope on the following day, Saturday, October 3rd, at 10 AM. You're invited to bring your pets that day and participate. We'll gather under the drive-through at the front entrance. There will be treats for the pets and a snack table for the proud owners! We'll publish this in the Jasper and Ellijay newspapers and invite the larger communities! Come join us!

Calling All Crafters, Knitters, Quilters, Woodworkers & More! Our Craft Sale will be held in conjunction with Hope’s annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 24th. Please have your handcrafted items ready and placed in the designated “Craft Room” downstairs by Sunday, October 11th. This will give our volunteers plenty of time to price, organize, and set up all the wonderful creations for the sale. Volunteers will also be needed on October 24th, so please mark your calendars and plan to lend a hand if you can! For questions Contact Bev Hiscox.

Christmas Appeal and Bike Blessing
As in recent years past, our community Christmas gift appeal this year will be held throughout October to support our local American Legion Christmas Toy Ride. We're looking for unwrapped toys with a minimum price of $10 for boys and girls aged birth to 14 years. Cash gifts will be gladly accepted! Make checks to Hope Lutheran Church with "Toy Ride" on the memo line. Our Evangelism Team and Men's Group are going to host a Blessing of the Bikes (and Bikers) on Saturday, November 7th to kick off the Toy Ride and deliver your gifts to prepare for the Legion Christmas party. Please know how much the folks at the Legion appreciate your generosity for the sake of the children in our community! Boxes for toys will be set up in our narthex to receive these gifts.

Octoberfest Is Fast Approaching
OctoberFest 2026 will be Saturday, October 24th, between the hours of 11 AM and 2 PM. We’ll have German brat plates and barbecue plates available for $10 per plate ($5 for children and youth). And, of course, we’ll have our wonderful craft bazaar – perfect for getting a head start on Christmas! Then at the end of the day we’ll have a drawing for raffle ticket winners. A reminder to crafters - Please bring in any items to be added to the bazaar sale as soon as possible. There is a table labeled “Crafts” downstairs in Founders Hall for them to be placed. Everything is needed on or before October 15th. Plan to join us on the 24th and invite your neighbors and friends! There will be an announcement in the local paper but the very best advertising is word-of-mouth.

OctoberFest Raffle Tickets
Raffle Ticket packets are now available for you to pick up. Pastor Paula will have tickets available today after each of our church services. They’re in quantities of 30 tickets per envelope. The cost of the tickets is $1 each, or 6 for $5. The prizes will be: a beautiful quilt donated by our quilters; a gorgeous; large “Bear” quilt with matching pillow shams; a lovely shawl donated by our knitters; an Ellijay dining package that includes a $25 gift card from the Country Corner Kitchen and a $20 gift certificate from Ellijay’s Little Italian Restaurant on River Street in Ellijay; a $25 gift card from The Carriage House Restaurant in Jasper; two Works Service Packages (oil change and tire rotation) from Ronnie Thompson Ford in Ellijay; a day of whitewater rafting with John Hiscox; a round of golf for two at Whitepath Golf Course; a $50 gift certificate and dessert for two at the Woodbridge Inn in Jasper; and, a $100 gift card from The Roof Restaurant off the square in Ellijay . The drawing will be held at the close of OctoberFest, October 24th, at 3:30. Ticket holders do not have to be present to win a prize.

Help Pastor Paula Learn Our Names!
Please remember to wear your name badge each Sunday as Pastor Paula gets to know everyone in our Hope family. If you do not have a name badge or need a new one, please let Amanda know.

Prayer List Updates
If you have requested that you or someone else be added to our prayer list, please contact the church office monthly to let us know if the name should remain on the list. Please continue to keep us updated as prayer needs change.

Yea Ole Funsters – Let’s Do Lunch!
Join the Yea Ole Funsters on Friday, October 2! Meet at the church at 12:00 PM as we head to Roo Winery for lunch at their new restaurant. Come enjoy delicious wine and marvelous fellowship!

Calling All Men of Hope!
The men of the church are invited to gather every Tuesday at 9:00 AM at Mike’s Restaurant on Hwy. 282 in Ellijay for Bible study, breakfast, and fellowship. Come enjoy a good meal, meaningful conversation, and time together in God’s Word. All men are welcome!

A Quick Reminder
As you wrap up your meeting or activity in the church, please take a moment to make sure the lights are turned off and the doors are securely locked as you leave. Thank you for helping us care for our church home!

Pastor Paula’s Office Hours & Contact information
Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – After Choir Practice Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: Day Off
— If you have an emergency, please call. Saturday: Working from Home

Pastor Paula wants everyone to know that she is available when needed. Please feel free to reach out to her outside of regular office hours for pastoral needs or emergencies. Phone: 865-719-1292
Email: Pastor.elca.ellijay@gmail.com