Come Golf October 2nd! And Let the Little Children Come to Me!
So, Jesus never said that. Nor is that what the Bible text about. But it got your attention. Yet it is true that Christ calls us on to care for weakest among us. And you have the opportunity through a day of fun to be part of effecting a year’s worth of care for children. You have the opportunity to support the youngest in our community, infants and toddlers, by coming to Golf on October 2nd at Eagle Mountain Golf Course in the beautiful rolling hills of Batesville, Arkansas for the inaugural Oktoberfest Classic. Come enjoy a beautiful morning as we engage in Golf Scramble, enjoy the fellowship, some food,…
Our inaugural Oktoberfest Classic has another sponsor: Embroidery & Beyond
We have another Eagle Hole Sponsor! A big thank you to Barb and Rich Burns at Embroidery & Beyond. Additionally, they have generously donated back to the Oktoberfest Classic the two golf teams that we give to an Eagle Hole Sponsor for us to use in the fundraiser. Their support is so important as we witness an increasing need for help today. This past Monday we had 82 families with 133 children come and receive essential baby goods for the raising of their children. Since the Hope Family Life Pantry (FLP) became an idea three years ago, Barb and Rich have been huge supporters. Their small business’s ability to engage…
Fulfilling Great Need by Serving the Most Vulnerable.
While we knew that what we were doing is relatively unique in Batesville, we didn’t know how helpful it was till the Chairman of our Congregation, David Goodwin, did a little research. Children need diapers. Struggling with Diaper Need: 1 in 3 U.S. families experiences acute diaper need, forcing parents to choose between basic essentials like fuel, food, and medical supplies. Excluded from SNAP & WIC: Government assistance programs (SNAP & WIC) do NOT cover diapers, wipes, or hygiene products, leaving a severe financial gap for young families and single parents. Direct Financial Burden: A single infant requires $80–$100/month in diapers alone. $1200 a year for diapers alone! Unmet needs…
Exciting things at Work in Batesville
The Oktoberfest Classic is drawing closer! October 2nd is not too far off! A Big Thank You to Thrivent Financial! We are pleased to announce that They have agreed to be Eagle Sponsors for the tournament that all proceeds will benefit the Family Life Pantry. Thrivent Financial is a Fortune 500, member-owned fraternal benefit society and diversified financial services company headquartered primarily in Minneapolis, Minnesota (with operations in Appleton, Wisconsin). Approximately 2.4 Million clients utilize Thrivent. One of those reasons is that they have been recognized multiple times as one of Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies. It emphasizes “purpose-based” or values-driven financial advice, helping clients build, grow, and protect their financial…
Preparing for Mercy Work
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:1-4, ESV) Word and Sacrament ministry is the heart of…
FARCO Joins in Supporting Life in Batesville
It is my pleasure to announce another community sponsor for our Oktoberfest Classic benefiting the Family Life Pantry: FARCO joins as a Birdie Sponsor, generously giving $1500. At FARCO Construction, the philosophy has always been that “we are in the business of people.” While their team is known across Arkansas for skyline-altering industrial projects and precision commercial builds, their most impactful work often happens off the job site—right in the heart of the communities they call home. With their headquarters in Batesville, AR and regional offices in Newport, AR and Jonesboro, AR, FARCO remains deeply invested in the Northeast Arkansas community. For them, excellence goes beyond structural integrity; it…
Peco Foods to support the Family Life Pantry
I have the privilege to announce our second Birdie sponsor! Peco Foods, INC. employing 1400 people in Independence County having a processing plant, live operations, and hatcheries in Batesville, as well as a feed mill in Newark. We are very appreciative of their dedication to include the Family Life Pantry as part of their support of the community in a significant way. The seventh largest poultry company in the United States purchased the facilities in Batesville in 2011 and process approximately one million birds a week! Thank you Peco Foods!
Welcoming Our New Assisting Pastor – Installation of Rev. Jon Bischof
On March 22, 2026, our congregation joyfully welcomed and installed our new assisting pastor, Rev. Jon Bischof. Members, fellow clergy, and loved ones gathered for a reverent and meaningful service. Together, we marked the beginning of his ministry among us. Pastor Bischof brings a strong background of faith and service. He grew up in Texarkana, Arkansas. There, his father worked as a Treasury Agent, while his mother served as an estate sale director and collectibles dealer. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Arkansas. Before seminary, he also worked as a research technician for the USDA in Booneville, Arkansas. Answering God’s call, he…
New Pastor Coming to Hope and Shepherd of the Hills
Exciting things are happening at our Dual Parish! We will have an installation for Pastor Jon Bischoff happening March 22 at 4pm with a dinner to celebrate to follow, here at Hope Lutheran Church. On March 15 we had a joint voters’ meeting to call an assisting pastor. An assisting pastor is different from an assistant or associate pastor in that he has no administrative rolls in congregation. The need to call him is simple. With Pastor Heinecke’s work with the Arkansas National Guard, he is unable to preach once a month and thus there is regular need for a pastor to be available to serve when he is gone.…
Let the Little Children Come to Me
We often get it backwards about who the most important person is in our society. Normally it is seen from top-down approach. A great example of this is in the army. Often times when a general is going to be showing up everything is dress, right, dress, and we wait expectantly. Then we get notified and we are put to parade rest so we can go to attention when he enters the room. If there is a surprise visit, the first one to see him calls the room to attention because of the importance given to him by rank. You’d never see the room come to attention for a Specialist!…
