Rocks of Hope

Greetings to All the Faithful at FAITH!

A couple of weeks ago I was made aware of a rock painting movement that is happening in our community, nation, and around the world to help brighten the lives of folks being affected by the COVID19 crisis during this “rocky” time. I thought it would be a fun and meaningful project for us at Faith to rock and “roll” out in order to bring kindness, care and hope to folks who are having a hard time right now (that’s most of us), and in the days still ahead! I’m borrowing the title “Rocks of Hope” from Rev. Bil Hood, Director of Church and Community Relations at Concordia University, Irvine. His idea is spreading among churches and schools in the Pacific Southwest District of the LC-MS and maybe it will start spreading here too!

If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to watch the children’s message from Sunday, March 24, to get the idea – from a Biblical perspective – of why we’re doing this!

Here is the link: http://www.flcms.org/index.php/2020/05/24/childrens-chapel-may-24-2020/

I really just want to keep it simple so that individuals, couples and/or families can do it as a one-time fun activity, or maybe even continue it as an ongoing weekly event.

Also, here are some ideas of what to paint on your rocks and how to share your rocks with others:

• Paint (or use markers) words, pictures, or symbols that inspire hope and encouragement (“Hope,” “Peace,” “Joy,” “God loves you,” “Jesus Lives,” “Keep the faith,” “He cares for you,” “John 3:16,” “Psalm 23,” a cross, a Bible, a heart, an anchor, a rainbow, a smiley face, etc.)
• Share a “Rock of Hope” with a relative, neighbor, co-worker or front-line worker.
• Place them on your property for people to see as they walk by or make deliveries.
• Bring some that you made to Faith Lutheran Church for our church staff to share with folks who are homebound – including our Rock House friends! (Place them on the mulch in the area to the left of the four main entry doors to the narthex.)

A special thank you to our fellow Faith member, Carol Hoppestad, for the attached picture of painted rocks (from her neighbor) as well as sharing the rock-painting video below!

Here is that cute little video of the “Painted Rocks by Lorraine slideshow:”  https://youtu.be/Akk24jq9gmE to hopefully inspire y’all!

Thank YOU in advance for considering using this “Rocks of Hope” idea in praise to the “Rock of my salvation” (Psalm 89:26) and to bless others with the hope we have in Christ!

As you paint each rock, pray for each recipient, that they would be touched by the peace, joy, love and hope that comes from knowing and trusting in Jesus – during this really challenging time in our history!

God bless you and keep you in His loving care.

In Christ,

Jonathan Loesch

Director of Christian Education

Faith Lutheran Church

Georgetown, Texas