Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church 

P. O. Box 961690 
Riverdale, Georgia 30296 
(770) 997-7117                                     (770) 997-3312 

Jeffrey M. Halenza, Pastor 

April 27, 2022 

Dear Members, Visitors, and Friends of the Congregation, 

          I can't tell you how great it feels to be able to write this email to you. I just wish I could see you and talk with you but I'm afraid that’s just not possible yet, though I am growing stronger day by day. I think about you and pray for you every day and I hope you are doing well and had a glorious Easter! When I have additional information concerning my cancer, I'll send out an email to update you. 

          When I was finally leaving the hospital last Thursday, one of my nurses hugged me and whispered in my ear, “Stay in prayer.” And that's exactly what we are doing: staying in prayer. Of course, what I mean by that and what you mean by that might be very different. As the attached prayer, which will be prayed during our Wednesday Evening 7:00 PM Worship Service tonight, April 27, shows, for me to stay in prayer is to keep talking with God as honestly as I can about my hopes and fears and angers and loves and frustrations and a lot more as well. These prayers, however, may be too personal or intimate or even morbid for you and just not speak into your life at all. But then again, they try to speak to the truth of who we are and what we go through and so maybe they will help after all. 

          May God continue to bless us and keep us and grant us peace, 

Pastor Halenza 

JMH/nvn