August 15, 2008
Hi everyone. Just a few short notes at the end of what
has been a very busy
week.
First, Vacation Bible School, and the Neighbors Night Out Event in
conjunction with it, were fabulous. We had about 85 children during the
week, along with another 15 or so older youth helping out and other adult
leaders. The cowboy theme "Avalanche Ranch," was a great hit. I wish you
could all see the fun and enthusiasm that goes along with this program. We
estimate there were about 300 at the Thursday picnic. The kids sang some
songs and the puppets got together for a summer performance that was a great
hit. Thanks to Jenny Gilbert, the children's ministry team, the volunteers,
the Outreach team, and the CPR puppets for their part.
Hope you can stop by this Sunday morning and thank Joe for his work
among us these past three years and wish him well in his new position. He
has shared a variety of gifts that will be hard to replace. As is often the
case, we give thanks for a particular chapter in the congregation's life,
knowing that nothing is permanent. We look forward to what new chapter God
will be writing at St. Paul Lutheran.
With regards to the future, I'm going to simply ask for patience and
prayers. The council meets next Tuesday night, and all week long we've been
discussing back and forth different options. I really can't say much more
at this time, until we zero in on what will be best both short and long
term. Rest assured that the confirmation ministry will continue as
scheduled and we are looking at music options for the second, contemporary
service. We'll be sure to share more as this unfolds.
In His service,
Pastor Jeff
week.
First, Vacation Bible School, and the Neighbors Night Out Event in
conjunction with it, were fabulous. We had about 85 children during the
week, along with another 15 or so older youth helping out and other adult
leaders. The cowboy theme "Avalanche Ranch," was a great hit. I wish you
could all see the fun and enthusiasm that goes along with this program. We
estimate there were about 300 at the Thursday picnic. The kids sang some
songs and the puppets got together for a summer performance that was a great
hit. Thanks to Jenny Gilbert, the children's ministry team, the volunteers,
the Outreach team, and the CPR puppets for their part.
Hope you can stop by this Sunday morning and thank Joe for his work
among us these past three years and wish him well in his new position. He
has shared a variety of gifts that will be hard to replace. As is often the
case, we give thanks for a particular chapter in the congregation's life,
knowing that nothing is permanent. We look forward to what new chapter God
will be writing at St. Paul Lutheran.
With regards to the future, I'm going to simply ask for patience and
prayers. The council meets next Tuesday night, and all week long we've been
discussing back and forth different options. I really can't say much more
at this time, until we zero in on what will be best both short and long
term. Rest assured that the confirmation ministry will continue as
scheduled and we are looking at music options for the second, contemporary
service. We'll be sure to share more as this unfolds.
In His service,
Pastor Jeff
August 01, 2008
Greetings in the name our savior and Lord, Jesus
Christ:
One cannot write on August 1st without first acknowledging the pain felt by the entire community on the first anniversary of the 35W bridge collapse. Please take a moment today and say a prayer for those remembering loved ones that died and those that are still recovering from injuries suffered. It's unfortunate that so often it takes a tragedy to make us aware of underlying problems, but in this case we are all much more aware of the aging infrastructure that holds our communities together and the need to invest in this area for proper maintenance. That is one good thing that has come from a very bad event in the community.
One of the privileges I have as your pastor is the opportunity to see all the activity taking place in the congregation on a regular basis. Last night was a bundle of activity in this place. First, we had 37 families move through the church having their pictures taken for the new directory. Fantastic! Thanks to all that came. We have two more photo sessions, September 22nd and 23rd, with plenty of spaces to fill. There was some confusion in the phone calls made by Olan Mills regarding this, but please know we have plenty of space on those two dates. Wouldn't it be great if we even needed another date? It's going to be wonderful to have this new directory. We have many new faces in the congregation, so we hope everyone participates. Sign up sheets will go out again in September, or you could call Kim in the office to schedule your appointment time.
While this was taking place, our youth hosted our Thursday night TNT service, with special guests from the Circle of Friends group and Stacy youth center. Circle of friends is a group of families that have young people with special needs and who get together for activities and support. This is the second time we've had them together with our youth and it's been great fun. I counted 53 people outside for the BBQ, service, and games, with about 20 of those our guests.
The Thursday night services have met a different need than I expected. The original thought was that this would be an alternative for those away on weekends. It still is that, and we do have some that come for that reason. But what has really happened is that it has brought together people in the host group for a time of fellowship and service. This has been a good thing, as it keeps people connected, at a time of year when we are so often scattered in different places. So, as is often the case, God had different plans for the service than I expected, which has been a blessing. We have four more Thursdays remaining, so if you're at all curious about what takes place, come and join us. Next Thursday members of the adult choir will be serving as our hosts.
In the midst of all this, I also had a small wedding. It's not often that I have weddings on a Thursday evening, and the couple wanted a small, private service. So, that worked out as well.
All of the above is the church at its best, carrying out the mission of worship, fellowship, and service to which we have been called. I get a chance to see it all the time. If everyone could walk in my shoes (sz. 13, by the way) you could see what I see. We have a strong, active, and vibrant church. I can't require anyone to be involved. That's your decision. But the greater the involvement, the more you will see God at work in this place.
On a sadder note, the 26 year old grandson of Don and Joyce Juelich, Jacob Juelich, died late last night after being removed from life support. He had suffered massive head injuries in a motorcycle accident last Saturday. He was wearing a helmet, but apparently lost control and hit a tree. He was an organ donor, so his life will live on in others. Joyce is the sister of Neil Gatzow, making Jacob a grand nephew of Neil's. Funeral arrangements are pending. Our prayers are with this entire family during this sad time.
I'll be spending much of next week at Luther Point Bible Camp on a kind of working vacation. It's family camp, and Melissa and I like to go and be with our daughter Allison, who is the camp medic this summer. My goal is to read the new "Opening the Book of Faith" Bible resource, looking at using it as a resource for the Sunday adult class this fall. We did hear some express the desire for more specific Bible study as part of that class, and this new reource would be a good start in helping us understand how to read and study the Bible. I'll be looking over a stewardship resource we will be using this fall, and be doing my fall sermon theme planning while I'm there.
This Sunday at our outdoor service we have one of my favorite groups, Testify, from Trinity in Lindstrom, leading our music. Hope to see you there!
God bless!
Pastor Jeff
One cannot write on August 1st without first acknowledging the pain felt by the entire community on the first anniversary of the 35W bridge collapse. Please take a moment today and say a prayer for those remembering loved ones that died and those that are still recovering from injuries suffered. It's unfortunate that so often it takes a tragedy to make us aware of underlying problems, but in this case we are all much more aware of the aging infrastructure that holds our communities together and the need to invest in this area for proper maintenance. That is one good thing that has come from a very bad event in the community.
One of the privileges I have as your pastor is the opportunity to see all the activity taking place in the congregation on a regular basis. Last night was a bundle of activity in this place. First, we had 37 families move through the church having their pictures taken for the new directory. Fantastic! Thanks to all that came. We have two more photo sessions, September 22nd and 23rd, with plenty of spaces to fill. There was some confusion in the phone calls made by Olan Mills regarding this, but please know we have plenty of space on those two dates. Wouldn't it be great if we even needed another date? It's going to be wonderful to have this new directory. We have many new faces in the congregation, so we hope everyone participates. Sign up sheets will go out again in September, or you could call Kim in the office to schedule your appointment time.
While this was taking place, our youth hosted our Thursday night TNT service, with special guests from the Circle of Friends group and Stacy youth center. Circle of friends is a group of families that have young people with special needs and who get together for activities and support. This is the second time we've had them together with our youth and it's been great fun. I counted 53 people outside for the BBQ, service, and games, with about 20 of those our guests.
The Thursday night services have met a different need than I expected. The original thought was that this would be an alternative for those away on weekends. It still is that, and we do have some that come for that reason. But what has really happened is that it has brought together people in the host group for a time of fellowship and service. This has been a good thing, as it keeps people connected, at a time of year when we are so often scattered in different places. So, as is often the case, God had different plans for the service than I expected, which has been a blessing. We have four more Thursdays remaining, so if you're at all curious about what takes place, come and join us. Next Thursday members of the adult choir will be serving as our hosts.
In the midst of all this, I also had a small wedding. It's not often that I have weddings on a Thursday evening, and the couple wanted a small, private service. So, that worked out as well.
All of the above is the church at its best, carrying out the mission of worship, fellowship, and service to which we have been called. I get a chance to see it all the time. If everyone could walk in my shoes (sz. 13, by the way) you could see what I see. We have a strong, active, and vibrant church. I can't require anyone to be involved. That's your decision. But the greater the involvement, the more you will see God at work in this place.
On a sadder note, the 26 year old grandson of Don and Joyce Juelich, Jacob Juelich, died late last night after being removed from life support. He had suffered massive head injuries in a motorcycle accident last Saturday. He was wearing a helmet, but apparently lost control and hit a tree. He was an organ donor, so his life will live on in others. Joyce is the sister of Neil Gatzow, making Jacob a grand nephew of Neil's. Funeral arrangements are pending. Our prayers are with this entire family during this sad time.
I'll be spending much of next week at Luther Point Bible Camp on a kind of working vacation. It's family camp, and Melissa and I like to go and be with our daughter Allison, who is the camp medic this summer. My goal is to read the new "Opening the Book of Faith" Bible resource, looking at using it as a resource for the Sunday adult class this fall. We did hear some express the desire for more specific Bible study as part of that class, and this new reource would be a good start in helping us understand how to read and study the Bible. I'll be looking over a stewardship resource we will be using this fall, and be doing my fall sermon theme planning while I'm there.
This Sunday at our outdoor service we have one of my favorite groups, Testify, from Trinity in Lindstrom, leading our music. Hope to see you there!
God bless!
Pastor Jeff
July 18, 2008
It was in my first congregation, Augustana Lutheran in
W. St. Paul, that I first had contact with Luther Point
Bible Camp near Grantsburg, WI. Each year we took
junior high kids for a week at camp. When our
first son, Matthew came along, Melissa decided that
rather than stay home alone with a baby, she'd come
along as well. In fact, there was also a family
camp going on at the same time as the junior high camp.
Ever since that time, we attended family camp as
a family, and our kids also went to camp during
different weeks of the summer.
Allison, in particular, loved the camp. So, when she graduated from high school, it was natural for her to want to be a summer camp counselor at Luther Point. This is her fourth summer, and probably will be her last. She's a team leader this year, taking the position of camp medic.
I mention this to let you know that this Sunday, Allison, Becky Zierke (a first year counselor, also from our church, who has a natural flair for music and drama!) along with other counselors, will be leading both of our worship services. They bring their youthful energy, strong faith commitments, and creativity in a way that is really fun. So, I hope this is a week you will able to come and bring the whole family. They've got skits, a children's message, and personal testimonies planned, and will lead all the music. They'll be at both the 8:00 and 9:30 AM services.
Beyond the plug for Sunday's service, I do think it is very important that, as you raise your children, you provide opportunities for them to be involved in some type of Christian based education/camp/mission experience. It doesn't have to be Luther Point Bible Camp, although that is a good one. It starts right here, with worship and God's Gathering at St. Paul Lutheran. In the summer, we have Vacation Bible School, this year August 11th - 15th. Junior high youth have summer stretch. Both junior and senior high have mission trips. It could be attending another Christian camp with a friend. There are lots of things to choose from. I just think it's important that kids be involved in something like that. It often makes a lasting, life long impression.
There are plenty of negative things our children and youth encounter. There are other good programs out there, not necessarily related to the Christian faith. I just encourage you to think about having your kids involved with something where they can learn and experience what it means to be a child of faith, loved by God, called to service. We certainly have no regrets that we gave our kids such opportunities, and, in many cases, joined in as leaders. In today's world, we can all use all the help we can get in assisting our kids to grow in faith and service.
Hope to see you Sunday. God bless!
Pastor Jeff
Allison, in particular, loved the camp. So, when she graduated from high school, it was natural for her to want to be a summer camp counselor at Luther Point. This is her fourth summer, and probably will be her last. She's a team leader this year, taking the position of camp medic.
I mention this to let you know that this Sunday, Allison, Becky Zierke (a first year counselor, also from our church, who has a natural flair for music and drama!) along with other counselors, will be leading both of our worship services. They bring their youthful energy, strong faith commitments, and creativity in a way that is really fun. So, I hope this is a week you will able to come and bring the whole family. They've got skits, a children's message, and personal testimonies planned, and will lead all the music. They'll be at both the 8:00 and 9:30 AM services.
Beyond the plug for Sunday's service, I do think it is very important that, as you raise your children, you provide opportunities for them to be involved in some type of Christian based education/camp/mission experience. It doesn't have to be Luther Point Bible Camp, although that is a good one. It starts right here, with worship and God's Gathering at St. Paul Lutheran. In the summer, we have Vacation Bible School, this year August 11th - 15th. Junior high youth have summer stretch. Both junior and senior high have mission trips. It could be attending another Christian camp with a friend. There are lots of things to choose from. I just think it's important that kids be involved in something like that. It often makes a lasting, life long impression.
There are plenty of negative things our children and youth encounter. There are other good programs out there, not necessarily related to the Christian faith. I just encourage you to think about having your kids involved with something where they can learn and experience what it means to be a child of faith, loved by God, called to service. We certainly have no regrets that we gave our kids such opportunities, and, in many cases, joined in as leaders. In today's world, we can all use all the help we can get in assisting our kids to grow in faith and service.
Hope to see you Sunday. God bless!
Pastor Jeff
July 11, 2008
Grace and peace from God our Father and our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ! Bwana Yasifwe! (May the
Lord God be praised!)
Last night, for the third TNT service in a row, we went walking in the community. The first week we did a prayer walk, the second distributed flyers on mail boxes, and yesterday, collected food for family pathways. The walks were short, 20 - 30 minutes, but interesting and informative. Here's a few things I learned from walking:
I learned some things about people I walked with. Last night, members of the CPR puppet team were our main leaders. I walked with Jordan Lee, learned she's going to be a sixth grader, is very talkative- and quite competitive! She wanted to collect more food and visit more houses than the other group across the street. She got us all going! Good for you Jordan! Walking brings people together, a good thing for the body of Christ.
I learned lots of people, in mid-July, are not home. No real surprise there. Some were out for the evening, others vacationing. This is Minnesota, after all. We make the most of our short summers!
I learned there is a group home facility within a half-block from the church, on Foxboro Ave. The man who answered the door worked there. I don't know what kind of people live there, or what agency runs it. Had we not walked, I still would not know it existed. (It's in a residential home) Perhaps that opens a door to invite staff and residents to Sunday church.
I learned people are willing to give. We had three groups walk for 20 minutes last night, and we filled the shopping cart in the narthex with canned good for the food shelves. The food shelf will benefit, and those that gave feel good about contributing. One young guy on his bike saw us walking with bags and stopped to ask why we were carrying paper bags. When we told him, he wanted to makes sure we stopped by his father's house down the block, which one group did!
I learned that in walking, you meet people and, in so doing, bring the church to the community. What we've done is simple. We stopped to pray, we put flyers on mail boxes, we collected food. But every week we talked to people about what we were doing along the way.
I can't help but think of my experience visiting Tanzania in East Africa. There, 99% of the people walk. That was the first culture shock I experienced in my first visit. It's hard to imagine this until you see it. At around 5:00PM in Wyoming or Forest Lake, traffic backs up at stop signs. We're all in our own cars, separated from others. But in Tanzania, it's people that are backed up, large groups of people walking from work to home.
We live in a time when we can no longer simply assume that because a church building is in the community, people will come. They don't. So, perhaps it's time to start walking. Even as a kid selling buttons for Little League baseball, I was never any good at door to door sales. It made me uncomfortable. I don't like to intrude on people and their privacy. But this walking (even though at first it still feels kind of uncomfortable) isn't really that. It's just being the church in the community.
Might it be possible to form a few weekly "walking groups" that go out to different parts of the community for 30 minutes, to be the church, connect, and see what's going on? Probably be tough to do November thru March, but the summer months work well. The idea of this blog is to do some reflecting on things that come up or I've recently experienced. It's not to organize new programs or provide easy solutions. So, let me know what you think. Maybe we could set up a regular walking evening. It might be kind of fun to be known in the community not as "that church on Co. Rd 22 with the lighted steeple," but rather as "that church that walks." Have a blessed weekend!
Pastor Jeff
Last night, for the third TNT service in a row, we went walking in the community. The first week we did a prayer walk, the second distributed flyers on mail boxes, and yesterday, collected food for family pathways. The walks were short, 20 - 30 minutes, but interesting and informative. Here's a few things I learned from walking:
I learned some things about people I walked with. Last night, members of the CPR puppet team were our main leaders. I walked with Jordan Lee, learned she's going to be a sixth grader, is very talkative- and quite competitive! She wanted to collect more food and visit more houses than the other group across the street. She got us all going! Good for you Jordan! Walking brings people together, a good thing for the body of Christ.
I learned lots of people, in mid-July, are not home. No real surprise there. Some were out for the evening, others vacationing. This is Minnesota, after all. We make the most of our short summers!
I learned there is a group home facility within a half-block from the church, on Foxboro Ave. The man who answered the door worked there. I don't know what kind of people live there, or what agency runs it. Had we not walked, I still would not know it existed. (It's in a residential home) Perhaps that opens a door to invite staff and residents to Sunday church.
I learned people are willing to give. We had three groups walk for 20 minutes last night, and we filled the shopping cart in the narthex with canned good for the food shelves. The food shelf will benefit, and those that gave feel good about contributing. One young guy on his bike saw us walking with bags and stopped to ask why we were carrying paper bags. When we told him, he wanted to makes sure we stopped by his father's house down the block, which one group did!
I learned that in walking, you meet people and, in so doing, bring the church to the community. What we've done is simple. We stopped to pray, we put flyers on mail boxes, we collected food. But every week we talked to people about what we were doing along the way.
I can't help but think of my experience visiting Tanzania in East Africa. There, 99% of the people walk. That was the first culture shock I experienced in my first visit. It's hard to imagine this until you see it. At around 5:00PM in Wyoming or Forest Lake, traffic backs up at stop signs. We're all in our own cars, separated from others. But in Tanzania, it's people that are backed up, large groups of people walking from work to home.
We live in a time when we can no longer simply assume that because a church building is in the community, people will come. They don't. So, perhaps it's time to start walking. Even as a kid selling buttons for Little League baseball, I was never any good at door to door sales. It made me uncomfortable. I don't like to intrude on people and their privacy. But this walking (even though at first it still feels kind of uncomfortable) isn't really that. It's just being the church in the community.
Might it be possible to form a few weekly "walking groups" that go out to different parts of the community for 30 minutes, to be the church, connect, and see what's going on? Probably be tough to do November thru March, but the summer months work well. The idea of this blog is to do some reflecting on things that come up or I've recently experienced. It's not to organize new programs or provide easy solutions. So, let me know what you think. Maybe we could set up a regular walking evening. It might be kind of fun to be known in the community not as "that church on Co. Rd 22 with the lighted steeple," but rather as "that church that walks." Have a blessed weekend!
Pastor Jeff
God's blessings to all as we approach the end of June! (Can you believe it?)
June 27, 2008
God's blessings to all as we approach the end of June!
(Can you believe it?)
Please keep Joe, our adult leaders, and youth in your prayers as they are on their way to Juarez, Mexico for the senior high youth mission trip. They're teaming up with Faith Lutheran in Forest Lake and are travelling in a coach bus. It's a group of 43 people. My biggest concern is not the mission site or the experience they'll all have together, but the travel back and forth. The good news is that they're stopping every night on the way there and back, so should be well rested. It will be great to hear about their experiences when they return!
Last night 20 of us gathered for our TNT service, hosted by the outreach team. Included in the group was a young woman and her baby who recently moved to Wyoming and saw the service advertised on our sign. Our devotion was centered on Acts 1:8, where Jesus tells the disciples they will be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jerusalem reprtesents those colsest to us (family, friends, Judea our neighborhods and county, Samaria those whose ethnic background and language may be different than our own, and "to the ends of the earth" the world around us. How are you being a witness in each of these areas? How are we doing as a congregation? These are good questions to think about. Following the devotion we all went and distributed flyers about our Sunday services in the neighborhoods surrounding the church. It was a lot of fun! Just a reminder there is no TNT service July 3rd. Happy 4th! We resume July 10th with the CPR puppets group as our hosts.
Sign ups continue this week for the summer dessert gatherings in July. They are each Monday and Tuesday beginning July 7th. Host homes, dates, and times are listed in the newsletter and on the sign up boards. These are intended to be fun gatherings with your fellow church members to talk about the mission we do together. Hope you will find a time you can attend!
Melissa and I are off to Jackson Hole for five days, flying out Saturday. (It helps to have a son who is a pilot!) This Sunday, Pastor Richard Baumann will be our guest in my absence. We return on the 4th. Won't have a blog next week, but will be back in church on July 6th. Hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th holiday, however you'll be celebrating! God's Peace!
Pasator Jeff
Please keep Joe, our adult leaders, and youth in your prayers as they are on their way to Juarez, Mexico for the senior high youth mission trip. They're teaming up with Faith Lutheran in Forest Lake and are travelling in a coach bus. It's a group of 43 people. My biggest concern is not the mission site or the experience they'll all have together, but the travel back and forth. The good news is that they're stopping every night on the way there and back, so should be well rested. It will be great to hear about their experiences when they return!
Last night 20 of us gathered for our TNT service, hosted by the outreach team. Included in the group was a young woman and her baby who recently moved to Wyoming and saw the service advertised on our sign. Our devotion was centered on Acts 1:8, where Jesus tells the disciples they will be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jerusalem reprtesents those colsest to us (family, friends, Judea our neighborhods and county, Samaria those whose ethnic background and language may be different than our own, and "to the ends of the earth" the world around us. How are you being a witness in each of these areas? How are we doing as a congregation? These are good questions to think about. Following the devotion we all went and distributed flyers about our Sunday services in the neighborhoods surrounding the church. It was a lot of fun! Just a reminder there is no TNT service July 3rd. Happy 4th! We resume July 10th with the CPR puppets group as our hosts.
Sign ups continue this week for the summer dessert gatherings in July. They are each Monday and Tuesday beginning July 7th. Host homes, dates, and times are listed in the newsletter and on the sign up boards. These are intended to be fun gatherings with your fellow church members to talk about the mission we do together. Hope you will find a time you can attend!
Melissa and I are off to Jackson Hole for five days, flying out Saturday. (It helps to have a son who is a pilot!) This Sunday, Pastor Richard Baumann will be our guest in my absence. We return on the 4th. Won't have a blog next week, but will be back in church on July 6th. Hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th holiday, however you'll be celebrating! God's Peace!
Pasator Jeff
The Spirit is alive and hard at work in your church!
June 20, 2008
Here's a few examples!
Last night we had 33 people at our second Thursday Night Twilight service!
Remember that the service really serves two purposes. It is first of all an
alternative to Sunday in the summer, and a number of people were there last
night who knew they couldn't be here this Sunday. Second, it is an
alternate worship experience; casual, interactive, lay-led, outside, food,
fun! After our meal last night, our devotion was led by our staff around
the idea that when we all work together, the privelege of ministry is easier
and more effective. We than took a walk together, stopping along the way to
pray for creation, community, commerce, children, our community churches,
and our congregation. We ended up at our church cemeter, behind the "old
church" on Viking Blvd, which has a lot of history and was very interesting
for those not even aware we have a cemetery! Next week our Outreach team
will be our leaders.
We exceeded our "Summer Match" goal of $30,000, actual gifts received of
$35,501.82! Doesn't it feel good to do something so positive as a church?
In the face of daily news that says cut, pull back, lay off, etc., we were
able to do quite the opposite, and that my friends, is the gospel! Thanks
so much for your generosity. It means we can go full steam ahead with our
current ministries, staff, and programs, seeking ways to expand and improve
what we do. Your ongoing support will, of course, be needed (Thanks!), but
now we can return our main focus to the ministry we do, and that's a
blessing!
We received news from Pastor Lufyagila at Mtera Church in Tanzania, that he
and two members of his parish have accepted our invitation to visit us in
the summer of 2009. We're very excited about this, for it will give the
whole congregation a chance to meet a delighful servant of God some of us
have had the chance to meet in Tanzania, and it will "complete the circle"
of partnership that we have entered into. They will have a much better
understanding of who we are through their visit, just as we have a much
better understanding by having visited them. We pray the details and
support will all work out for this exciting visit.
The next big opportunity for the congregation ate the "summer dessert"
gatherings being planned for July. I am convinced we are best as a church
when we get together face to face, meet each other, enjoy food, and talk
about our life in Christ personally and as a congregation. The dessert
gatherings are intended to be delighful times to do this. I'll take 20
minutes or so to share some of my hopes and dreams for our church, where
we've been and where we're going. One of our council members will be
present to facilitate some discussion around what you feel are the strengths
of our church, and growth areas for the future. We'll eat dessert and
visit. While primarily an "adult thing," there are a few homes, like the
Ihfe's, who have said bring the kids along and they'll have things to do.
Another option is a babysitter and a night out for mom and dad. Let me know
if you need help with a sitter. I know a few confirmation students who
maybe could help out! It would really help us if you can sign up for one at
church, or call the office to do so. They are Mondays and Tuesdays in July,
beginning July 7th.
This Sunday sounds like it is going to be wonderful for outdoor worship.
Our guest musician is Mark Kuefler, who has sung with us many times in the
past. If you've heard Marty Sonnek from our church, Mark has a similar kind
of style. (think James Taylor, for those of my generation!) Sunday's theme
is "God's Abundant Protection," timely, I think, in light of the tornadoes
and floods we have seen this summer. We also have 2 babies to Baptize!
What a blessing!
Have you noticed how lovely the church grounds are looking? Thanks to Zella
Oswald, Joe, Andy Peterson, my son Michael, and many volunteers who have
helped pull weeds, plant, trim, and shape things up. There's a lot to
maintain, and a long summer ahead, so if you can give a little time to trim
and pull weeds, it's appreciated!
I could go on and on, but that's enough for today. Blessings on your
weekend. See you in church!
Pastor Jeff
Last night we had 33 people at our second Thursday Night Twilight service!
Remember that the service really serves two purposes. It is first of all an
alternative to Sunday in the summer, and a number of people were there last
night who knew they couldn't be here this Sunday. Second, it is an
alternate worship experience; casual, interactive, lay-led, outside, food,
fun! After our meal last night, our devotion was led by our staff around
the idea that when we all work together, the privelege of ministry is easier
and more effective. We than took a walk together, stopping along the way to
pray for creation, community, commerce, children, our community churches,
and our congregation. We ended up at our church cemeter, behind the "old
church" on Viking Blvd, which has a lot of history and was very interesting
for those not even aware we have a cemetery! Next week our Outreach team
will be our leaders.
We exceeded our "Summer Match" goal of $30,000, actual gifts received of
$35,501.82! Doesn't it feel good to do something so positive as a church?
In the face of daily news that says cut, pull back, lay off, etc., we were
able to do quite the opposite, and that my friends, is the gospel! Thanks
so much for your generosity. It means we can go full steam ahead with our
current ministries, staff, and programs, seeking ways to expand and improve
what we do. Your ongoing support will, of course, be needed (Thanks!), but
now we can return our main focus to the ministry we do, and that's a
blessing!
We received news from Pastor Lufyagila at Mtera Church in Tanzania, that he
and two members of his parish have accepted our invitation to visit us in
the summer of 2009. We're very excited about this, for it will give the
whole congregation a chance to meet a delighful servant of God some of us
have had the chance to meet in Tanzania, and it will "complete the circle"
of partnership that we have entered into. They will have a much better
understanding of who we are through their visit, just as we have a much
better understanding by having visited them. We pray the details and
support will all work out for this exciting visit.
The next big opportunity for the congregation ate the "summer dessert"
gatherings being planned for July. I am convinced we are best as a church
when we get together face to face, meet each other, enjoy food, and talk
about our life in Christ personally and as a congregation. The dessert
gatherings are intended to be delighful times to do this. I'll take 20
minutes or so to share some of my hopes and dreams for our church, where
we've been and where we're going. One of our council members will be
present to facilitate some discussion around what you feel are the strengths
of our church, and growth areas for the future. We'll eat dessert and
visit. While primarily an "adult thing," there are a few homes, like the
Ihfe's, who have said bring the kids along and they'll have things to do.
Another option is a babysitter and a night out for mom and dad. Let me know
if you need help with a sitter. I know a few confirmation students who
maybe could help out! It would really help us if you can sign up for one at
church, or call the office to do so. They are Mondays and Tuesdays in July,
beginning July 7th.
This Sunday sounds like it is going to be wonderful for outdoor worship.
Our guest musician is Mark Kuefler, who has sung with us many times in the
past. If you've heard Marty Sonnek from our church, Mark has a similar kind
of style. (think James Taylor, for those of my generation!) Sunday's theme
is "God's Abundant Protection," timely, I think, in light of the tornadoes
and floods we have seen this summer. We also have 2 babies to Baptize!
What a blessing!
Have you noticed how lovely the church grounds are looking? Thanks to Zella
Oswald, Joe, Andy Peterson, my son Michael, and many volunteers who have
helped pull weeds, plant, trim, and shape things up. There's a lot to
maintain, and a long summer ahead, so if you can give a little time to trim
and pull weeds, it's appreciated!
I could go on and on, but that's enough for today. Blessings on your
weekend. See you in church!
Pastor Jeff
June 13, 2008
Grace and peace from God our Father and from our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ!
We had a lengthy power outage this morning, but everything seems to be working again now. It's a beautiful day after what has been another stormy week. Please keep in your prayers all that have been affected by the recent tornadoes and floods, especially thise in Iowa and Wisconsin. I'm sure we'll have the opportunity to respond thru our Lutheran Disaster Response, which does a particularly good job in assisting long term. Some of these things will take months, even years to recover from, and in many cases it is LDR staff and volunteers that remain, after other agencies have left.
Last night was a perfect night for our first Thursday Night Twilight service. We had 22 people, 15 adults and 7 children. We had a BBQ meal, sat outside around table for our devotion led by Carole England of the church council, and did some team building activities involving beach balls and blindfolds! I know it will take time for this service to catch on (Church on Thursdays?) and I know there are many other family conflicts Thursday evenings, but it does provide a weekday alternative for Sundays, and the food is a definite plus! So, check it out. Next week the church staff is hosting.
The weather is looking good for actually getting outside this Sunday for the 9:30AM service. Our own Jeff Carlson, Kirby Smith and Arne Ranta, with Jeanne Richards accompanying, will provide music. If you haven't heard these guys sing "Down by the Riverside," you've really missed out. They’ll also provide special music at 8:00AM. This week's theme is "God's Abundand Mission."
We passed the $27,000 mark last Sunday for our summer match, receiving $5230, with the overall goal of $30,000! I fully expect we will surpass this goal on Sunday, which is outstanding! All this money is being matched by 2 families in the congregation, becoming $60,000! Sunday is the last day, so if you haven't yet contributed and want to be part, don't wait. Here's a few ways this Summer Match is helping at this time:
That's about it for now. Blessings on your weekend and I hope to see you Sunday!
Pastor Jeff
PS Remember you can do the summer match online thru Sunday. Go to our website, www.sharingchristslove.org, look for online giving tab on left, and go from there.
We had a lengthy power outage this morning, but everything seems to be working again now. It's a beautiful day after what has been another stormy week. Please keep in your prayers all that have been affected by the recent tornadoes and floods, especially thise in Iowa and Wisconsin. I'm sure we'll have the opportunity to respond thru our Lutheran Disaster Response, which does a particularly good job in assisting long term. Some of these things will take months, even years to recover from, and in many cases it is LDR staff and volunteers that remain, after other agencies have left.
Last night was a perfect night for our first Thursday Night Twilight service. We had 22 people, 15 adults and 7 children. We had a BBQ meal, sat outside around table for our devotion led by Carole England of the church council, and did some team building activities involving beach balls and blindfolds! I know it will take time for this service to catch on (Church on Thursdays?) and I know there are many other family conflicts Thursday evenings, but it does provide a weekday alternative for Sundays, and the food is a definite plus! So, check it out. Next week the church staff is hosting.
The weather is looking good for actually getting outside this Sunday for the 9:30AM service. Our own Jeff Carlson, Kirby Smith and Arne Ranta, with Jeanne Richards accompanying, will provide music. If you haven't heard these guys sing "Down by the Riverside," you've really missed out. They’ll also provide special music at 8:00AM. This week's theme is "God's Abundand Mission."
We passed the $27,000 mark last Sunday for our summer match, receiving $5230, with the overall goal of $30,000! I fully expect we will surpass this goal on Sunday, which is outstanding! All this money is being matched by 2 families in the congregation, becoming $60,000! Sunday is the last day, so if you haven't yet contributed and want to be part, don't wait. Here's a few ways this Summer Match is helping at this time:
- Staff and council morale is much improved, as we no longer are focusing on "where to cut," but how we can carry forward and improve our ministries.
- This has allowed us to become current in certain financial commitments to ministry, which we had been holding. For example, this week we sent a check for $3016.84 for a new well at our Chamsisili preaching point in Tanzania. We're also getting current on our annual congregational support for Mtera parish ($1000) and our benevolence thru our synod. This is all good, as it translates into ministries of compassion in the world.
- It has bought us time to adjust to our new congregational realities and to plan for the future. In July we're having 16 dessert gatherings in homes, where we hope people will join in fellowship and sharing about our ministries. Sign up will begin this week. We're also on our way to planning our "church Family Album" fall stewardship program, that will provide good information to everyone as we look ahead to 2009.
- It has given all of us a chance to again experience the joy of giving beyond ourselves and trusting in God's blessings. This has happened even in a down economy, which says a lot. So give yourself a pat on the back for your generosity and for giving to the Lord thru our congregation. Thanks again!
That's about it for now. Blessings on your weekend and I hope to see you Sunday!
Pastor Jeff
PS Remember you can do the summer match online thru Sunday. Go to our website, www.sharingchristslove.org, look for online giving tab on left, and go from there.