Hope Lutheran Church, 4131 Lehigh Drive, Cherryville, held a reservation-only valentine dinner, served by the church’s youth group, Feb. 10 in the fellowship hall.

Interim Pastor Sue Ruggles assisted her church team to get dinner attendees to their seats.

Ruggles greeted the approximately 250 preregistered attendees. She said she was delighted with the attendance numbers, mostly from her congregation, and for their interest in helping support the youth group.

At this dinner, the youth waited on tables and ran for items attendees needed. In addition to the main dish, salad, desserts and beverages were also served.

Proceeds from the dinner will help defray costs of sending 10 members of the church youth group to the triennial Evangelical Lutheran Church in America national youth gathering, planned for July 16-20 in New Orleans, La.

Along with the 10 youth, there are five adult chaperones going to New Orleans. Ally Lockard, Hope Lutheran Youth’s ministry coordinator, noted the youth have worked hard to raise money for their trip.

She said, at the national gathering, youth get to meet and interact with other Lutheran youth from around the country. They complete public service group volunteer activities at the gathering as needed.

The live music entertainment at the dinner was a group of adult volunteer church members led by Hope Lutheran Church’s music director, Dave Zeigler. They sang popular songs in a soothing musical style that fit the mood and ambience of the dinner.

Hope Lutheran Church’s motto is “People of Hope: Working together, with God, to love and serve others.”