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, 10 AM-12:30 PM
- Choir rehearsal, 6 PM

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

Saturday
- OctoberFest, 11 AM - 4 PM


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Octoberfest 2026
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 $12 per plate ($6 for children and youth). And, of course, we’ll have our wonderful craft bazaar – perfect for getting a head start on Christmas! There will also be a bake sale. Then at the end of the day we’ll have a drawing for raffle ticket winners. 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
Carol Townsend and Amy Freese will be selling raffle tickets after church this Sunday, October 18 in the back of the Sancuary. Be sure to stop by and purchase your tickets for a chance to win one of these fantastic prizes! Raffle Prizes Include:
• USA 250th Birthday Quilt
• Knitted or Crocheted Item of Your Choice
• Four Rounds of Golf at Whitepath Golf Course ($260 value)
• Three Ronnie Thompson Ford "The Works" Gift Certificates ($70 each)
• VIP Winery Tour for Two at Roo Winery ($130 value)
• Gift Certificates from Big Bear Bar & Grill, Cantaberry, and Back Porch Bistro
• Gift Certificate for El Ray Cantina by McDonalds ($50)
• Gift Basket from Applejay Distillery & Main Street Antiques
• Gift Basket from Green Willow Soap
• Two Tickets to Gilmer Arts

Oktoberfest Bake Sale – October 24!
Just a friendly reminder that our Oktoberfest Bake Sale is coming up on Saturday, October 24! We welcome donations of all kinds of baked goodies. Please bring your baked goods to the church on Friday, October 23, or Saturday, October 24, before 11:00 AM. Thank you for helping make our bake sale a sweet success! Reformation Sunday Next Sunday, October 25, is Reformation Sunday. Please wear something red if you have it!


Ladies Luncheon Trick OR Treat Gathering! Join us on Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 AM downstairs in Founder’s Hall for a fun fall luncheon! Bring a bag with a “trick OR treat” inside. Bring something delicious to eat and share. Feel free to get into the Halloween spirit and wear a Halloween mask! If you have made crafts for Oktoberfest, please bring those with you to the luncheon as well. Come enjoy great food, fall fun, and fellowship! Questions? Call Bev.

Christmas Toy 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 at 9:30am 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 are set up in our narthex to receive these gifts.

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!

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, our church secretary 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.

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!

All Saints Sunday Remembrances
Sunday, November 1 is All Saints Sunday. There is a sign up form in the narthex for you to fill out with names of loved ones that have died in the past year. Those names will be read during the service on November 1. You may also call the office with the names if you are unable to get your request onto the form. Please have them turned in by October 25th.

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