Lord of life lutheran
APRIL 2020
C O M P A S S
R E S U R R E C T I O N by Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem (joel@lordoflife.org)
The resurrection of Jesus does not mean that we have all the answers or an easy life. The resurrection means that God persistently and relentlessly seeks us out wherever we are, wherever we’ve been, and whatever we believe. In John 20:1-18, Mary Magdalene, who was devastated by the death of Jesus, saw that the body of her Lord was missing from the tomb. As she stood there weeping, “she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.” Yet Jesus did not scold her for this. Jesus didn’t wait for her to figure things out. Jesus didn’t get upset that Mary thought he was the gardener. Instead, he called her by name: “Mary.” Jesus called her by name and told her to go and tell his other disciples that he was alive. Yes, indeed, Jesus called her by name and Mary went and preached the very first Easter sermon! Sorrow does not keep Jesus from us. The resurrection promises to take our grief and sorrow and transform them into hope and life so we may echo Mary by saying, “I have seen the Lord!” In Luke 24:13-35, two followers of Jesus were walking the seven miles from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. They seem to have heard that the tomb was empty, but they didn’t know what that meant.
pastor's article ........................................2-3 Bible 101..........................................................4-5 community life...................................................6-7 JOURNEY TO EASTER / EARTH DAY.............8-9 LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ............................ 10 contacts/calendar .................................... 11
2
Jesus showed up with them on the road and they could not recognize him. He asked them what they were talking about and they couldn’t believe that this guy hadn’t heard about the crucifixion of Jesus, so they filled him in. Jesus then took it upon himself to have an in-depth traveling Bible study with them, drawing back to Moses and the prophets to interpret what they had just experienced. After this long conversation, the two travelers arrived home and invited Jesus in.
Sorrow As they were together at the dinner table, Jesus blessed and broke bread with them and their eyes were opened to his identity. Mysteriously, Jesus vanished and the two of them said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” Our questioning does not keep Jesus from us. Shortly after that first Easter, there was a gathering around the risen Jesus that is recounted in Matthew 28. In verse 17, we read, “When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted.” And even with this doubt present, Jesus gave them the Great Commission, to share his good news with the nations. Jesus sent them, full of worship and doubt, to teach and lead. The resurrected Jesus meets you in your sorrow, questioning, and doubt. And there he calls you by name, feeds you, and trusts you to go share his love with the world.
See Pages 11 and 12 for Holy Week worship times.
Questioning Doubt The resurrected Jesus meets you there. . . he calls you by name, feeds you, and trusts you to go share his love with the world. 3
THE BOOK OF ACTS:
T H E
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
Bible 101 4
H O L Y
S P I
by Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren (karengl@lordoflife.org)
Many years ago when I was a young pastor, I was called by our national Lutheran body to start a new church. I was given some training and off I went. I was starting from scratch, and my first task was to knock on doors and invite folks to become a part of the new congregation. I knocked on many many doors and received a wide array of responses from people. I felt so alone at times when I began my mission development work, and it was hard for me to see why people would want to commit to being a part of a church that didn’t yet exist. It didn’t take me long, however, to realize that I was certainly not alone. The Holy Spirit was my partner in this adventure, empowering me to be bold in my inviting; and preparing hearts to say yes to that invitation to be a part of a new community of faith. As we moved forward, it was exciting for all of us to observe the Holy Spirit at work among us. The Holy Spirit has been in the church building business from the beginning. For seven weeks in April and May, our weekend sermons will focus on the work of the Holy Spirit in creating the very first Christian church. The work of this inaugural mission start is recorded for us in the Book of Acts. Acts is a marvelous history book . . . it is our Christian family history . . . filling us in on what life was like for our brothers and sisters who lived during the generation following the time of Jesus on this earth. They were the
R I T
A T
W O R K
first to fulfill the command of Jesus to spread the good news and make disciples of all nations. “Acts” is a shortened title for “The Acts of the Apostles.” Within the pages of the 28 chapters of Acts, we are introduced to some of the most compelling characters in the New Testament, including a young man named Saul, whom we first meet as a Pharisee taking part in the persecution of Christians. But, as the Holy Spirit works on his heart, and in a dramatic conversion experience, Saul is changed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This Saul is none other than the one we know as the Apostle Paul. And the Apostle Paul spends the rest of his life spreading the good news and starting churches wherever he traveled. Throughout the ages, the Book of Acts has inspired people with the assurance that it is the work of the Holy Spirit that changes hearts and creates the church. That assurance continues for us today, as we at Lord of Life strive to be faithful to the guidance of God’s Spirit as we move into the future. I am confident that we can discern much about how to be the church in our time and place as we study Acts and learn from the experiences of those who have gone before us.
dig deeper Read through the texts that will be used as the basis for upcoming sermons. How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in each one? April 18, 19: Acts 4:23-37 April 25, 26: Acts 6:1-9 May 2, 3:
Acts 8:26-40
May 9, 10:
Acts 9:1-20
May 16, 17
Acts 16:11-15
May 23, 24:
Acts 17:16-32
May 30, 31:
Acts 2:1-21
May the Holy Spirit lead the way!
5
C O M M U N baptisms
bereavements
At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. For the next baptism class or to schedule a baptism, call the church office (763.420.5015).
Prayers of sympathy for those grieving the loss of a loved one; may they be comforted in the promise of the resurrection.
February 1 Emersyn Kay Stavlo February 2 Vivienne Marie Felkey February 9 Lillian Faye Eklund Elijah Carlton Douglas Marshall February 16 Brita Ingrid Lahti Molly Jo Porter February 22 Alden Alan VanTassel Sterling Ray VanTassel February 23 Gabriel Kennedy Dejene Gianna Marie Dejene Claire James Van De Bogart
6
Elly Anderson and family at the death of her second cousin Pat Bolin and family at the death of her father Millie Hisey and family at the death of her friend Tom May and family at the death of his brother Vicki Mattiuz and family at the death of her husband Mike Mattiuz and family at the death of his father Lisa McCarty and family at the death of her uncle Adam Peterson and family at the death of his niece Tiffany Peterson and family at the death of her niece Denny & Ruby Schmid and family at the death of their granddaughter
I T Y
L I F E
weddings
welcome new members
February 8 Paula Pomerleau & David Knoll
Craig & Tammie Dokken
February 29 Dawn Koenig & Brad Armentrout
Matthew & Mandy Kasowicz with Anika and Harper
For details on having your wedding at Lord of Life, visit lordoflife.org/weddings. To schedule a wedding, contact Wedding Supervisor Michelle Tomlinson (763.420.5015 x118).
Justin & Samantha Eklund with Lillian
Loren Kohnen Steve & Alisa Maloney with Ryan Kevin & Linda Marschel Matthew Marschel Brenda Meyer Bruce Swanson Mark & Deb Valen Membership at Lord of Life means you make a commitment to be an active participant in congregational life. The expectation of not only new members but all members—is to worship regularly, grow in faith, serve others, and support the church and its programs financially. For more information, contact Katie Gartzke (katieg@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.org/membership. You are invited to become a part of the Lord of Life faith community.
7
T H E
J O U R N E Y
T O
E A S T E R
by Pastor Kaitlyn Forster (kaitlynf@lordoflife.org)
When we gather for holidays, we remember the traditions, communities, and people who have shaped us. Each one has its characteristics and charms, and as we gather we subconsciously say that the event that formed the holiday holds meaning over our lives. As we lead into the Easter celebration, there are two special worship services that help explain why the celebration on Easter morning is so important. The first of these is Maundy Thursday— worship is at 7pm on April 9—and we gather together to mark this time of Jesus’ life with a meal. Remembering the Last Supper that He shared with His disciples, we too, gather for communion and recall how God and the community became one. Forgiveness, love, and peace flow through this celebration. By the end, however, it takes a fateful turn as we remember Jesus being betrayed and arrested. Which leads us to Good Friday with a family worship at 10am and an evening cantata, The Weeping Tree, at 7pm on April 10. Here, we will pause and pray, as we look to the cross. In these last moments of Jesus’ life on earth, we make our way into the depths of human experiences and find God there, too. At the evening worship service, The Weeping Tree, will join song and poetry together as we “come and see” the cross on which Jesus died. It is only through the graveyard that allows us to fully celebrate Easter morning, knowing how far Christ went for each one of us. You are invited to enter into this holy mystery. Known and loved by Christ.
8
E A R T H
D A Y
2 0 2 0
by Kevin Klitz Creation Care Ministry
With the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, you are invited to celebrate with opportunities to put your faith in action for the stewardship of God’s creation. There are several events for your participation: April 19, 11am: Lord of Life’s Adopt-AHighway clean-up event April 25/26:
Tree seedling distribution in the narthex during all worship services
April 26, 11am: Learn with Pastor Kaitlyn (see next page) In addition, join the congregation in each of us doing “Just One Thing” to care for the earth. With 50 suggestions posted over five weeks at the display near the main office, the impact can be huge if we all do “Just One Thing!”
Earth Day “Just One Thing”
“I remember the first Earth Day fifty years ago when I was in junior high. I had recently finished reading Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and The Population Bomb by Dr. Paul Ehlich. It was a beautiful day. We gathered at Oak Hill Park in St. Louis Park and picked up a ton (quite literally it may have been a ton!) of trash. It was a fun experience and I was motivated to make a difference. Solar and wind energy and electric vehicles were all just emerging but met with resistance because it meant change. Through the years, Earth Day has meant encouragement that even the smallest actions—for instance, the composting bins at church—can make a huge impact for a healthier earth. When everyone is involved and committed to making a difference, great things can be accomplished!” —Bev Mello, a supporter of the Creation Care Ministry
9
A P R I L 1 9 , 1 1 a m - young adult s in global mission (YAGM) Speaker Luke Paquin We all know Bethlehem as the town of Jesus’ birth. What is it like to live there today in Palestine? Join in as Lord of Life member ElizaBeth Halsey’s son, Luke Paquin, shares his experiences as a YAGM through the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Ask questions about freedom of passage, discrimination, and his faith during that year-long mission. Young adults (ages 21-29) are encouraged to attend to learn firsthand about a transformative, yearlong journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors. They share in the journeys of companion churches and organizations in one of nine countries around the world.
—Holy Land Ministry
A P R I L 2 6 , 1 1 a m - Learn with pastor Kaitlyn Standing at the Crossroads: A Christian’s Response to Caring for Creation In the beginning of time, God called humans to care for and love the creation God created. This responsibility was one that humans took on with gladness, naming the animals and becoming familiar with the land. However, it proved to be a more difficult task than expected and humanity quickly behaved in ways that forgot the original promises. Today, is not any different. We still wrestle with what it means to be responsible with God’s creation. Standing at the current crossroads of what this means; we’ll engage in conversation around the earth, climate, and what it means to be faithful Christians committed to the earth God created.
—Pastor Kaitlyn Forster
10
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA) 7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313 phone 763.420.5015 fax 763.420.7286 web lordoflife.org Visit lordoflife.org/staff for a full staff listing with photos. Prayer requests may be submitted to prayernetwork@lordoflife.org. Compass is a monthly ministry by Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) printed by Wallace Carlson Printing using ecofriendly inks. To receive Compass in the mail or electronically—call 763.420.5015 or email office@lordoflife.org. Copyright 2020 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Dr. Joel Wight Hoogheem, Lead Pastor, joel@lordoflife.org Rev. Kaitlyn Forster, kaitlynf@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Senior Pastor Emeritus, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. Karen Greimel, ksgreimel@lordoflife.org Rev. Charles ‘Chick’ Lane, chickl@lordoflife.org Rev. David McCarty, davem@lordoflife.org Rev. Donna Rohrer, donnar@lordoflife.org
lordoflife.org
office@lordoflife.org
WORSHIP/MUSIC SCHEDULE
Midweek Lenten Worship on Wednesdays at 7pm in the sanctuary. Soup supper prior to evening service ready at 5:30pm; freewill offering in Fellowship Hall. April 1 is the last midweek Lenten worship service. Maundy Thursday, April 9, worship at 7pm Good Friday, April 10, worship at aoam and 7pm Easter Saturday, April 11, worship at 5:30pm Easter Sunday, April 12, worship at 8, 9, 10, 11am and 12noon Saturdays at 5:30pm includes holy communion and music led by David Frank. Sundays at 8:30, 9:45, and 11am with holy communion on the first and third with music leaders David Frank at 8:30/9:45am and Brian Schroeder at 11am.
/lordoflifelutheran /lolcyf
/lordoflife /cyf_lordoflife
/lordoflifeluth
Photo credits include David Orwall, Lightstock, and Unsplash.
april
Calendar of events
To connect with an adult ministry representative, contact Karen Nelson at 763.420.5015 x138 or karenn@lordoflife.org. To connect with a children, youth, and family representative, contact Chelsey Grandstrand at 763.420.5015 x128 or chelseyg@lordoflife.org. As event details are subject to change—for the most current dates, times, details, event locations, and registrations—please visit lordoflife.org. 4/1 4/1-6 4/2 4/5 4/6 4/6 4/6 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/10 4/11 4/11 4/12 4/13 4/13 4/16 4/16 4/16 4/17 4/18 4/19 4/19
Last Lenten Soup Supper and Worship Uganda Mission Trip OWLs Faith Food & Fellowship Palm Sunday Breakfast Hope Lodge Volunteering - Offsite Cancer Support Groups Nourishing Our Neighbors Celebrate Recovery Connect Life Fellowship with the Fellas Pause for Prayer Maundy Thursday worship (see Page 8) MOMSnext Prayer Shawl Ministry Good Friday Worship (see Page 8) Sharing and Caring Hands - Offsite Easter Saturday worship at 5:30pm Easter worship: 8, 9, 10, 11am and 12noon NAMI Support Group Spring First Communion Festival OWLs MN Air National Guard Museum - Offsite FreedomWorks Meal - Offsite Spring First Communion Festival Kidpack for CROSS Inspired Images Adopt-a-Highway Clean-up Event (see Page 9) Holy Land Speaker: Luke Paquin
4/19 4/20 4/20 4/20 4/20 4/21 4/21 4/21 4/22 4/22 4/22 4/23 4/24-25 4/25-26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/27 4/29
High School Mission Trip Pre-trip Meeting Hope Lodge Volunteering - Offsite Crossways Bible Study Nourishing Our Neighbors The Food Group Volunteering - Offsite Fellowship with the Fellas Job Transition Group Pause for Prayer 345 @ LOL Live It Out High School Ministry Event Source MN Meal - Offsite MOMSnext Engaged Couples Seminar Tree Seedling Distribution (see Page 9) Baptism Class Confirmation C3 Choir High School Dinner Groups Learn with Pastor Kaitlyn (see previous page) Military Family Ministry Meeting 345 @ LOL
ONGOING SATURDAYS/SUNDAYS: Church School Worship
SUNDAYS:
High School Dinner Groups
SUNDAYS/MONDAYS:
Lenten Bible Study / Crossways Bible Study
SUNDAYS/WEDNESDAYS: C3 Confirmation C3 Family Meal
TUESDAYS:
Celebrate Recovery Grief Share Love to Paint
WEDNESDAYS:
Bel Canto Rehearsal Canticle Choir Rehearsal Midweek Lenten Soup Supper and Worship Word for Women
THURSDAYS:
Alleluia! and Joyful Noise Rehearsals Ring and Sing LSS on-site counselor
VARIOUS:
Men’s Bible Studies, various days/location
11
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Loved by God. Sent to Serve.
7401 County Road 101 Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313
NonProfit Org. U. S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 4665
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL
Name Address City, ST 00000
12