Hope Notes A monthly newsletter from your friends at Hope Lutheran Church

14 Centre Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M1J 3B5

416.269.0193, www.hopetoronto.com

Pastor Timothy J. Spiegelberg

Volume: 5 Issue: 4

Date: April 2014

“...because I’m happy”

Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof…Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth…Because I’m happy

Clap along if you know what happiness is to you…Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do.

If you clapped and sang then you know the song. Pharrell’s hit “Happy” song, which was nominated for “Best Original Song” at this years Oscar’s. I heard the lyrics and thought, “is this really a full song?” But then I sang…and sang…and sang, because it’s a catchy tune. And Pharrell has tapped into something we all have known. Feeling happy…feels good. And now new studies are showing how happiness affects us not only mentally, but physically and even on a genetic level. Researchers have found that our happiness does in fact affect our physical health. *http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/30/health/happy-genes/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

It has long been known that prolonged periods of depression, anxiety and anger suppress our immune systems and can lead to exhaustion, heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s. But happiness also affects our health. Doctors have measured the effects of two types of happiness. One is Hedonic Happiness, which comes from short-term pleasure such as good food, the smell of flowers, or a roller coaster. The other is Eudonic Happiness, which is happiness that comes from long-term involvement in something greater than you, working toward a greater good and long-term relational involvements. What they have found is that short term Hedonic Happiness can have detrimental affects on you just like high levels of stress. Hedonic happiness is short term and fleeting. On the other hand Eudonic Happiness provides long-term health benefits. And maybe it’s no surprise when God speaks to us of happiness, and rejoicing; it is based on something which is neither fleeting nor temporary. Scripture continually points us toward our faithful God, and his unconditional love. His promise was made in the Garden of Eden and fulfilled on Easter Sunday morning as the tomb was empty. It means that through our temporary times of stress, depression, anxiety, sadness and strife we can find joy by focusing on something larger than us, bigger than us. You are forgiven. You are loved. You are a child of God. Through faith in Christ we become part of the long line of believers who have looked to Jesus for their strength and happiness. Paul had been through a lot and the people whom he wrote to in the book of Philippians had been through a lot. Yet, his words are ones of incredible encouragement and joy. Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! ...4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with

thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. This Easter I pray you find not just temporary happiness but a long lasting joy which comes from Christ and the forgiveness of sins. Pharrell’s Happy which he sang at this years Oscar’s is catchy, but I preferred Darlene Love’s acceptance speech performance as she belted out “His Eye is On The Sparrow.”

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Happy Easter, In Christ, Pastor Tim

+++ 25th Year Anniversary—This year we celebrate 25 years of God’s Grace as a church.

Hope Notes

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Save the Date for anniversary celebration on June 21st & 22nd, 2014. Pastoral Call—As Many heard Pastor Tim has accepted the call to start a new church in Colorado. Pastor Tim will be with us through Easter as we make a God pleasing transition. Evangelism Movie Weekend—Join us for a weekend in Jerusalem. On April 5th at 12:00 pm we will attend as a group the new movie “Jerusalem” at the Imax theatre in the Ontario Science Centre. Sign is required to get a group rate. Cost: $12 per person, $8 kids. Church the following Sunday will include a Bible Study on Jerusalem in the Old and New testament as well as serve as our sermon theme in worship. Easter Egg Hunt— Our annual Free Community Easter Egg Hunt is coming up quickly. Join us on April 12th, 1-2:30 pm ages 0-12 for an egg hunt and the Easter story for kids. Easter 2014— Easter is coming quickly set aside time to celebrate our Risen Lord. Our Holy Week schedule can be found on the back of this newsletter. Save the Dates—It’s already April and summer is fast approaching! Spread the news and mark your calendars now. Our summer music camp will be July 21-25, 2014. We look forward to another great year of teaching kids about Jesus and about music.

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April 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5

11 am Jerusalem

Movie Outing. Meet @ Hope

6 9:45 AM Sunday School

& Bible Class 11:00 AM Worship

Steel Pan after worship.

7 8 7:30 pm

Growth Group Study @

Balasingham’s

9

10 10:30 am

Senior Soiree

11 12 1—2:30 pm Easter Egg

Hunt

13 Palm Sunday

9:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Class

11:00 AM Worship & Communion

14 15

No Growth Group

16 17 Maundy Thurs

7:30pm Worship

18 Good Friday

1:00 pm Worship

19

No Confirma-tion Class

20 Easter Sunday

9:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Class

11:00 AM Worship

21 22

No Growth Group

23

24

25 26

Confirmation Class 10:30

27 9:45 AM Sunday School

& Bible Class 11:00 AM Worship &

Communion Steel Pan

28 29 7:30 pm

Group Study @ Balasingham’s

30

Hope Lutheran Church

14 Centre Street,

Toronto, Ontario, M1J 3B5

Canada April 12th ~ Free Community Easter Egg Hunt, 1-3 PM

April 13th ~ Palm Sunday Worship, 11 AM April 17th ~ Maundy Thursday Worship, 7:30 PM

April 18th ~ Good Friday, 1:00 PM

Easter 2014