Lord of Life LifeTIMES August 2013 by Lord of Life Lutheran Church

LifeTIMES

A monthly ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Maple Grove, Minnesota

August 2013

The Excitement Continues!

by retired Pastor Donna Rohrer (task force chair) and the L5 Task Force

e are ready to launch Year 2 of L5. Class schedules are inside, and we hope you will join us.

Thank you to all of you who helped make last year a wonderful beginning. We filled almost all the classes with enough students to make learning a wonderful experience. So many people have commented on what great things they learned or reinforced in their lives to help them feel closer to God. With feedback we received, we have offered some of the same classes again, expanded some of the classes, and added other new and, we hope, meaningful classes. Check them out inside! This year we will have four sessions with five weeks of classes in each session. Then, in the spring we will offer a “Take One” session. These will be different topics offered as a one Sunday class. More details to come on that “Take One” session!

Many parents took classes while their children were in Church School or C3. Many of the Sunday morning classes are also offered as an evening class. The teachers don’t mind at all if you attend one or the other on certain weeks if your schedule gets too busy. So don’t let a conflicting schedule keep you from taking a class. Remember that you are A Child of God, loved beyond measure. Come spend some meaningful time learning and growing with others and living in the warm embrace of Your Lord and Savior. As you read this, registration is open online or forms are available at church. Session 1 starts September 15. Look inside! Get excited! Be a part of Life Long Learning at Lord of Life!

We are happy to be able to offer L5 classes free of charge.

Individual classes may be using books that will be available for purchase by participants.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

faith formation

L5 Class Descriptions

Session 1 - Week of September 15-Week of October 13

SUNDAY 8:30 am Reading the Psalms, Pastor Donna Rohrer There are many types of psalms for many different situations. Together we will discover the different types and how we can use them in our own lives. We can use them to help us talk to God since the writers share many of the concerns in our lives today. Sometimes the writings in the Bible are confusing to us, so we will use different translations and other tools to help us understand why these songs and poems offer so much comfort and blessing to us. 9:45 am Book of Romans 1, Pastor David Lippitt The message of Paul’s Letter to the Romans has always been transformative for those who study it. In fact, most scholars consider Romans to be the turning point for Martin Luther and the Reformation. In his preface to his own commentary on Romans, Luther writes, “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel . . . it is a bright light, almost sufficient to illuminate the entire Holy Scriptures.” This 10-week, twosession survey of Romans will help participants to understand the gospel as an unfolding story of God’s love.

9:45 am Wiser Women 1 - God’s Power in the Midlife Experience, Joan Freeberg Women of a “certain age” – Embrace the midlife power God has given you! Midlife is a time of exciting creativity, growth, & healing. It’s a unique time to look inward, to try something new, to rediscover your strengths and aspirations. This class will help you along that transformational midlife journey, toward the woman you are called to be for the second half of life.

11 am As Families Grow Older, Lisa Toms As Families Grow Older is designed to assist older adults, families/family caregivers and elder care professionals in planning and providing loving care for elderly members as they grow older. As Families Grow Older is composed of six modules that address important issues in aging including family dynamics, care giving, health issues, living arrangements, and financial and legal concerns.

11 am FaithfullyFIT Spiritual Health, Beth Kanthak You are destined for great things through Christ! This class will support and encourage you to follow God’s will in your life. You will learn practical tips on how to enrich your spiritual health, center your emotional health in Christ, and enhance your physical health to better serve the Lord. After putting principles into action, you will be motivated to serve Christ in a stronger, more godly way. Come experience growth, inspiration, inner peace and a personal touch from God. Focus on love, obedience, prayer, meditation, and sharing your faith with others. 6 pm Alpha 1, Tom Brady/Larry Pivec/Larry Stokes Alpha is a 10-week course to find out more about the Christian faith, get to know others, and to have fun doing it. You will have an opportunity to meet other people while enjoying fellowship and a meal and through large and small group settings. This course is for new Christians or for those interested in growing their faith. There is a series of talks presented in the large group and time for discussion of questions or issues in small groups. MONDAY AT 7 pm Book of Romans I, Pastor David Lippitt The message of Paul’s Letter to the Romans has always been transformative for those who study it. In fact, most scholars consider Romans to be the turning point for Martin Luther and the Reformation. In his preface to his own commentary on Romans, Luther writes, “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel . . . it is a bright light, almost sufficient to illuminate the entire Holy Scriptures.” This 10-week, twosession survey of Romans will help participants to understand the gospel as an unfolding story of God’s love.

Make a Difference as a Church School Leader... Clark Hjelmstad …and if you’re still reading this, chances are you’d be perfect for this class. The purpose of this course is simple: to discuss Church School, the leadership opportunities it represents, and the challenges and victories you’ll experience in an open, fun environment. We will walk through the basics of individual lessons, openly brainstorm ideas, address any questions, and probably come up with a few ideas of our own. All former, current, and future Church School leaders are strongly encouraged to attend.

TUESDAY AT 6:45 pm Wiser Women 1 - God’s Power in the Midlife Experience, Joan Freeberg Women of a “certain age” - Embrace the midlife power God has given you! Midlife is a time of exciting creativity, growth, and healing. It’s a unique time to look inward, to try something new, to rediscover your strengths and aspirations. This class will help you along that transformational midlife journey, toward the woman you are called to be for the second half of life.

Reading the Psalms, Pastor Donna Rohrer There are many types of psalms for many different situations. Together we will discover the different types and how we can use them in our own lives. We can use them to help us talk to God since the writers share many of the concerns in our lives today. Sometimes the writings in the Bible are confusing to us, so we will use different translations and other tools to help us understand why these songs and poems offer so much comfort and blessing to us.

WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 pm Navigating School Special Needs, Leesa Avila Whose plan is it anyway? As parents we have many dreams and aspirations for our children from the minute they are born. Then at some point in the journey we discover that the plan will need to change. Our children have entered into a world of special needs, due to a host of reasons. As a group of faith-based parents, we will learn about strengthening IEP goals and objectives; how to positively advocate while partnering with the education system; gain understanding of transitional planning that includes the gifts our children have been given; all while listening for God’s voice in this journey. Professional resources from the community will partner with our community at Lord of Life to assist in the discussion on some of the topics explored.

Parenting Teens 1, Pastor Todd Buegler The Parenting Teens class is specifically designed for those parenting 11-18 year olds. The 10-week class will be a mixture of video and conversation focused on equipping teens for life by looking at: Keeping the End in Mind; Meeting our Teenager’s Needs; Setting Boundaries; Developing Emotional Health; and Helping Teens Make Good Choices. Great responses from everyone who took this class last year; very helpful video and conversation.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

L5 Class Descriptions

Session 2 - Week of October 27-Week of November 24

faith formation

SUNDAY 8:30 am Ten Key People from the Bible, Gretchen Peel Meet some interesting characters from the Bible in this basic Bible study for adults. These people are a diverse group: male and female, Jew and Gentile, warrior and homemaker, courageous and frightened, faithful and unfaithful. But they all have one thing in common. They all play an important role in God’s plan of salvation for the world. We will learn about their admirable, and not so admirable, qualities and what God accomplishes through them. They are quite the characters!

8:30 am Emotional Attachments, Pastor David Lippitt Attachment theory is widely accepted as a broad encompassing model of psychosocial and emotional human development. More recently, researchers have begun to use the same framework for understanding faith development. Participants will examine their own attachment style and how it influences their relationship with God.

8:30 am Spiritual Gifts, Gerry and Mary Tucker Network is designed to put the right people (God’s people) in the right places for the right reasons. By discovering one’s spiritual gifts, personal serving style, and Godgiven passion, anyone can serve in the body of Christ most effectively. God’s thumbprint is on each of us from the time we are born. Through the power of your own personal story, Network takes each participant on a journey that assists each one in discovering spiritual gifts, personal serving style, and serving passion. 9:45 am Book of Romans 2, Pastor David Lippitt Paul’s Letter to the Romans has always been transformative for those who study it. In fact, most scholars consider Romans to be the turning point for Martin Luther and the Reformation. In his preface to his own commentary on Romans, Luther writes, “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel . . . it is a bright light, almost sufficient to illuminate the entire Holy Scriptures.” This 10-week, two-session survey of Romans will help participants understand the gospel as an unfolding story of God’s love.

9:45 am Wiser Women 2, Joan Freeberg Women of a “certain age” - What will you do with the rest of your life? God’s skilled direction empowers you to choose a second half of life that is filled with possibility, opportunity and growth. This class continues the study of your transformational midlife journey, toward the woman you are called to be for the second half of life. (There is no prerequisite for Wiser Women 2.)

11 am Prayer School, Pastor Karen Sue Greimel with Larry & Cynthia Pivec Have you ever thought God was outside your network? Do you find yourself asking God, “Can you hear me now?” If you want to change your “prayer plan” and get a better connection, have we got a plan for you! Prayer School offers a hands-on class for everyone who desires to know God better and hear Him more clearly. Come for one 5-week session or as many sessions as you’d like, as all of the classes will be different. 11 am Being a Member of Lord of Life, Lord of Life’s Pastors This class is for those interested in membership at Lord of Life and those who are already members, but want to explore more fully what being a member of Lord of Life can mean. All of our pastors are involved in teaching this class, so it also will give individuals the opportunity to get to know each pastor better. See Page 9 for more specific details about this class.

11 am FaithfullyFIT Relational Health, Beth Kanthak You are destined for great things through Christ! This class will support and encourage you to follow God’s will in your life. You will learn practical tips on how to enrich your spiritual health, center your emotional health in Christ, and enhance your physical health to better serve the Lord. After putting principles into action, you will be motivated to serve Christ in a stronger, more godly way. Come experience growth, inspiration, inner peace and a personal touch from God. Focus on spouse, children, faith community, support groups, and friends.

6 pm Alpha 2, Tom Brady/Larry Pivec/Larry Stokes Alpha is a 10-week course to find out more about the Christian faith, get to know others, and to have fun doing it. You will have an opportunity to meet other people while enjoying fellowship and a meal and through large and small group settings. This course is for new Christians or for those interested in growing their faith. There is a series of talks presented in the large group and time for discussion of questions or issues in small groups. MONDAY AT 7 pm Book of Romans 2, Pastor David Lippitt Paul’s Letter to the Romans has always been transformative for those who study it. In fact, most scholars consider Romans to be the turning point for Martin Luther and the Reformation. In his preface to his own commentary on Romans, Luther writes, “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel . . . it is a bright light, almost sufficient to illuminate the entire Holy Scriptures.” This 10-week, two-session survey of Romans will help participants understand the gospel as an unfolding story of God’s love.

Ten Key People from the Bible, Gretchen Peel Meet some interesting characters from the Bible in this basic Bible study for adults. These people are a diverse group: male and female, Jew and Gentile, warrior and homemaker, courageous and frightened, faithful and unfaithful. But they all have one thing in common. They all play an important role in God’s plan of salvation for the world. We will learn about their admirable, and not so admirable, qualities and what God accomplishes through them. They are quite the characters!

TUESDAY AT 6:45 pm Wiser Women 2, Joan Freeberg Women of a “certain age” - What will you do with the rest of your life? God’s skilled direction empowers you to choose a second half of life that is filled with possibility, opportunity and growth. This class continues the study of your transformational midlife journey, toward the woman you are called to be for the second half of life. (There is no prerequisite for Wiser Women 2.)

Half Time: The Second and Very Often the Best Half of Your Life (men only), David Chase We transition throughout our lives; family, work, homes, churches, our faith journey - perhaps never so much as when we reach the second half of our lives. For some, these can be when you turn 50, for others, when the children have left the home, and for others it can be when you ask the question - what do I want to do with my life now? Let’s explore and challenge ourselves on this important transition time and discover and develop a new focus, a time of revitalization and to create perhaps the best years of our lives. Using portions of Bob Buford’s book, Half Time, where the author asks, “to multiply all that God has given me, and in the process, give it back.” “What am I really good at?” “What do I want to be remembered for?”

WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 pm Parenting Teens 2, Pastor Todd Buegler The Parenting Teens class is specifically designed for those parenting 11-18 year olds. The 10-week class will be a mixture of video and conversation focused on equipping teens for life by looking at Keeping the End in Mind; Meeting our Teenager’s Needs; Setting Boundaries; Developing Emotional Health; and Helping Teens Make Good Choices. Great responses from everyone who took this class last year; very helpful video and conversation.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

faith formation

L5 Class Descriptions

Session 3 - Week of January 12-Week of February 9

SUNDAY 8:30 am Adult Confirmation/Lutheranism 1, Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren/Ina Barton Adult Confirmation/Lutheranism is a 10-week course to learn more about being a Lutheran and make public affirmation of your faith. Those who are confirmed may take this course as a review of Lutheranism. There will be a Thursday evening mini-retreat and a Saturday evening Affirmation of Baptism service. We will study the Small Catechism, including the Lord’s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed and Ten Commandments. We will review the sacraments of Holy Communion and Holy Baptism and learn why Lutherans do what they do.

8:30 am Love Languages, Michelle Welinski with Karen Nelson Have you ever done an act of kindness for a family member and your “gift” was not received in the way you were hoping? That is because you each have a different love language. Come learn about the five love languages. Discover what your love language is and that of your family members, whether they currently live with you or not. It is never too late to learn to speak one another’s love language!

9:45 am Letter to the Galatians, Pastor David Lippitt Paul’s Letter to the Galatians has been called the “Magna Carta of Christian Freedom.” Martin Luther so loved Galatians that he called it “My Katie” in honor of his wife. Galatians declares that Christians are free from both enslaving powers and attempts to save themselves. At the same time, Christians are free for serving others.

9:45 am Spiritual Gifts, Pastor Karen Sue Greimel Network is designed to put the right people (God’s people) in the right places for the right reasons. By discovering one’s spiritual gifts, personal serving style, and God-given passion, anyone can serve in the body of Christ most effectively. God’s thumbprint is on each of us from the time we are born. Through the power of your own personal story, Network takes each participant on a journey that assists each one in discovering spiritual gifts, personal serving style, and serving passion.

11 am Prayer School, Pastor Karen Sue with Larry & Cynthia Pivec Have you ever thought God was outside your network? Do you find yourself asking God, “Can you hear me now?” If you want to change your “prayer plan” and get a better connection, have we got a plan for you! Prayer School offers a hands-on class for everyone who desires to know God better and hear Him more clearly. Come for one 5-week session or as many sessions as you’d like, as all of the classes will be different.

11 am FaithfullyFIT Physical Health, Beth Kanthak You are destined for great things through Christ! This class will support and encourage you to follow God’s will in your life. You will learn practical tips on how to enrich your spiritual health, center your emotional health in Christ, and enhance your physical health to better serve the Lord. After putting principles into action, you will be motivated to serve Christ in a stronger, more godly way. Come experience growth, inspiration, inner peace and a personal touch from God. Focus on exercise/activity, rest, nutrition, and stress management.

6 pm Marriage Course 1, Pastor Peter and Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren The Marriage Course is a 10-week, video-based experience that offers time for individual couples to communicate about important topics including: Building Strong Foundations; The Art of Communication; Resolving Conflict; The Power of Forgiveness; The Impact of Family - Past and Present; and Love in Action.

MONDAY AT 7 pm Letter to the Galatians, Pastor David Lippitt Paul’s Letter to the Galatians has been called the “Magna Carta of Christian Freedom.” Martin Luther so loved Galatians that he called it “My Katie” in honor of his wife. Galatians declares that Christians are free from both enslaving powers and attempts to save themselves. At the same time, Christians are free for serving others.

Body & Soul Yoga, Audrey Johnson Come and enjoy an hour of yoga! One of the best gifts you can give God and others is to be the best you can be; body and soul. We will focus on breathing, stretching, holding poses, core and relaxation. We will use our breath to come within, letting go of judgment and competition of ourselves and others, stretching to accept where we are and what we can do, holding poses to parallel the tough things in life and through all, reminding us that God will help us. We will also offer prayer in our movements; taking time to be still.

TUESDAY AT 6:45 pm Being a Member of Lord of Life, Lord of Life’s Pastors This class is for those interested in membership at Lord of Life and those who are already members, but want to explore more fully what being a member of Lord of Life can mean. All of our pastors are involved in teaching this class, so it also will give individuals the opportunity to get to know each pastor better. See article on Page 9 which provides more specific details about this class. WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 pm Love Languages, Michelle Welinski with Karen Nelson Have you ever done an act of kindness for a family member and your “gift” was not received in the way you were hoping? That is because you each have a different love language. Come learn about the five love languages. Discover what your love language is and that of your family members, whether they currently live with you or not. It is never too late to learn to speak one another’s love language!

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

L5 Class Descriptions

Session 4 - Week of February 23-Week of March 23

faith formation

SUNDAY 8:30 am Adult Confirmation/Lutheranism 2, Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren/Ina Barton Adult Confirmation/Lutheranism is a 10-week course to learn more about being a Lutheran and make public affirmation of your faith. Those who are confirmed may take this course as a review of Lutheranism. There will be a Thursday evening mini-retreat and a Saturday evening Affirmation of Baptism service. We will study the Small Catechism, including the Lord’s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed and Ten Commandments. We will review the sacraments of Holy Communion and Holy Baptism and learn why Lutherans do what they do.

8:30 am Breaking the Ties that Bind, Pastor David Lippitt Psychology tells us about the influence of family of origin on emotional development. This course will examine dysfunctional patterns through the story of Abraham and his family as depicted in Genesis. Participants will gain personal insight and gain effective tools for breaking the ‘ties that bind’ in their own family of origin.

9:45 am Letter to the Philippians, Pastor David Lippitt Philippians is considered the most joyful of Paul’s letters. In this short letter Paul expresses his warmest feelings for the first congregation he established in Macedonia/Greece. Paul stresses that the Philippians, though living in a favored city of the Roman Empire, have a higher citizenship in heaven. Paul’s perspective enables us to “rejoice in all things.”

9:45 am The Churches of Revelation, Pastor Donna Rohrer We will talk about the churches and history of the areas where they were. Knowing what the early Christians were facing in their communities will help us understand the letters John wrote to the churches. Hopefully we can learn how the message to them can help us, in this era of declining church membership, to avoid some of the pitfalls that still face us, and to do the best we can at being faithful to Jesus’ call to love and serve God and our neighbor.

11 am FaithfullyFIT Emotional Health, Beth Kanthak You are destined for great things through Christ! This class will support and encourage you to follow God’s will in your life. You will learn practical tips on how to enrich your spiritual health, center your emotional health in Christ, and enhance your physical health to better serve the Lord. After putting principles into action, you will be motivated to serve Christ in a stronger, more godly way. Come experience growth, inspiration, inner peace and a personal touch from God. Focus on self-worth, self-control, self-discipline, work/life satisfaction, and personal growth.

6 pm Marriage Course 2, Pastor Peter and Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren The Marriage Course is a 10-week, video-based experience that offers time for individual couples to communicate about important topics including: Building Strong Foundations; The Art of Communication; Resolving Conflict; The Power of Forgiveness; The Impact of Family - Past and Present; and Love in Action.

MONDAY AT 7 pm Letter to the Philippians, Pastor David Lippitt Philippians is considered the most joyful of Paul’s letters. In this short letter Paul expresses his warmest feelings for the first congregation he established in Macedonia/Greece. Paul stresses that the Philippians, though living in a favored city of the Roman Empire, have a higher citizenship in heaven. Paul’s perspective enables us to “rejoice in all things.”

Body & Soul Yoga, Audrey Johnson Come enjoy an hour of yoga! Knowing the best gift you can give to God and the world is to be the best you can be. Will focus on breathing, stretching, holding poses, core and relaxation. Using our breath to come within; letting go of judgments, competition of ourselves and others. Stretching to accept where we are and doing what we can. Holding poses; parallel the tough things in life and reminding us that God will help us float through. Offering prayers in our movements and taking time to be still.

TUESDAY AT 6:45 pm The Churches of Revelation, Pastor Donna Rohrer We will talk about the churches and history of the areas where they were. Knowing what the early Christians were facing in their communities will help us understand the letters John wrote to the churches. Hopefully we can learn how the message to them can help us, in this era of declining church membership, to avoid some of the pitfalls that still face us, and to do the best we can at being faithful to Jesus call to love and serve God and our neighbor.

Breaking the Ties that Bind, Pastor David Lippitt Psychology tells us about the influence of family of origin on emotional development. This course will examine dysfunctional patterns through the story of Abraham and his family as depicted in Genesis. Participants will gain personal insight and gain effective tools for breaking the ‘ties that bind’ in their own family of origin.

WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 pm Make a Difference as a Church School Leader... Clark Hjelmstad …and if you’re still reading this, chances are you’d be perfect for this class. The purpose of this course is simple: to discuss Church School, the leadership opportunities it represents and the challenges and victories you’ll experience in an open, fun environment. We will walk through the basics of individual lessons, openly brainstorm ideas, address any questions, and probably come up with a few ideas of our own. All former, current and future Church School leaders are strongly encouraged to attend.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

faith formation

Meet the L5 Instructors

Leesa Avila Navigating School Special Needs Our family have been members at Lord of Life since March of 2001. Faith development has always been a priority for our home. For the past 8 years, my husband Brice and I have facilitated a couples’ Bible study. We have a daughter at Luther College and our son will be confirmed this fall. My faith has always played a role in my life no matter the situation. For the past 11 years I have been extremely passionate to make certain all of God’s children have a voice, even those who can’t speak for themselves. As the result of our son’s brain injury, advocacy for those with disabilities has been my focus. This past year I attended Partners and Policy Making sponsored through the State of Minnesota Council on Disabilities. I have also been a mentor to parents of children with disabilities in the local community. My goal is to continue hearing God’s voice and share, encourage, and advocate for those seeking inclusion. My life verse is Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Ina Barton Adult Confirmation/ Lutheranism I, like all human beings, am a mixture of happy and sad, traditional and contemporary, earthy and spiritual. Sometimes, to the wonderment of my family, I have even been known to behave in a “rowdy” way. Salient points about the “I/me” that interacts with the

world are these: I am an Older Wiser Lutheran - yes, an OWL, by the grace of God; a widowed wife who misses the love of her life in a most acute fashion; mother of three beautiful and compassionate daughters; grandmother of five wonderful and caring grandchildren; a graduate of Luther Seminary with a Master of Arts in Church History/Theology. Most of all, through God’s gift of faith, I know that I am a ransomed and redeemed sinner created for eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Because of God’s gracious outpouring of divine love in my life, I desire to proclaim and share that love with all. Thanks be to God! Tom Brady Alpha I have been a member of Lord of Life since 1998 and have served on the Finance Committee and the Lord of Life Council. I have been involved with the leadership of the Alpha course due to the significant impact Alpha had on my faith journey after being a participant in the course. I have also been blessed to witness the effect Alpha has had on many people at Lord of Life. Alpha is a great way to meet people and to renew your faith in Jesus Christ. Pastor Todd Buegler Being a Member of Lord of Life, Parenting Teens I’m married to Lori, and together we have two sons, Nathan and Samuel. I’ve been blessed to be on staff at Lord of Life since September of 1987. My work has primarily been in the area of faith formation for children, youth and young adults and their families. I have a strong interest in the intersection of culture, technology and faith, enjoy talking about questions of life and faith, and love good coffee.

David Chase Half Time: The Second and Very Often the Best Half of Your Life (men only) I have been part of Lord of Life for a little over 15 years and have been involved in Adult Ministries for much of that time; including mission work in Jamaica and Tanzania, Celebrate Recovery, and a trained Care Minister. I have over 20 years of experience as a project manager and corporate trainer, Together we will explore and challenge ourselves in this second half of our lives, and discover a new focus as we transition and create what could be the best “half ” of our lives. Joan Freeberg Wiser Women God’s Power in the Midlife Experience I am a wife, mom, teacher and accountant, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead L5 courses again this year. Author Joyce Rupp wrote the following words in her book on midlife spirituality, Dear Heart, Come Home— “I am searching for some unknown treasure, hidden in the field of life, to be found only with your skilled direction, God. It must be you who stirs me so, who urges me along.” I quote these words here because they beautifully summarize so many conversations I have been part of with midlife women. God’s urging and those conversations provide the direction for the courses Wiser Women 1 and Wiser Women 2.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

faith formation Pastor Karen GeisendorferLindgren Adult Confirmation/ Lutheranism, Being a Member of Lord of Life I oversee the Adult Ministries at Lord of Life. One of the things I enjoy most in ministry is exploring matters of faith with people and deepening our understanding of why we believe what we believe as Lutheran Christians. Pastor Karen GeisendorferLindgren and Pastor Peter GeisendorferLindgren The Marriage Course We met in high school (Minnehaha Academy) in 1971…10 years later we were married. And at this point we have been married for over 32 years. We have both been pastors since 1983. We are very interested in supporting marriages - ours and yours! We hope you will join us on those midwinter Sunday evenings as together we celebrate marriage. Pastor Karen Sue Greimel Prayer School, Spiritual Gifts, Being a Member of Lord of Life My husband and I and our three daughters have been members at Lord of Life for over 19 years. I have served in a number of ministries over the years and graduated from the Masters Institute Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in May 2011. I joined the Lord of Life staff in August 2011 and have been blessed with a strong desire to walk with others through life’s challenges. My passion is for them to grow in

their personal relationship with God. Prayer is one of the most important ways we can know the Lord, His love, healing, strength and will for our lives. It is a privilege and pure joy to pray with others. Clark Hjelmstad Make a Difference as a Church School Leader Clark volunteers as a Church School leader with the Lord of Life program and feels this is a wonderful opportunity to work with kids in a fun environment. He learned years ago that the most important thing a Church School leader can do is show kids that the church is a fun place! While his background is in education, Clark has not “taught professionally” for more than a decade. However, he has been blessed with the opportunity to lead classrooms ranging from preschool and school-aged kids all the way up to university programs and adult education. Like it or not, we are all teaching all the time. Clark, his wife, Heather, and their three boys are members of Lord of Life. Audrey Johnson Body & Soul Yoga Always interested in helping others be healthy, I have a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Dental Hygiene, 200RYT Yoga and Mat Pilates certificates. I have worked in the fitness industry for 31 years as a volunteer or teacher at the YMCA and Lifetime Fitness. I joined Lord of Life 26 years ago; first inspired by movement and prayer in church with Body and Soul, volunteering with Claudia Busch in Dance Aerobics with Bible study after class. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to incorporate Yoga movements and prayer.

Beth Kanthak FaithfullyFIT Beth has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a Minor in Corporate & Community Fitness. She has been a fitness educator for over 20 years as a personal trainer, wellness coach, health & wellness presented, family fitness and wellness and nutrition consultant. Beth is passionate and skilled in helping individuals take responsibility for their well-being and developing a healthy lifestyle. Her goal is to help you achieve your desired changes and live a happier and healthier life. Her teaching approach is engaging and interactive, sincere and personable. Through her teaching you will become motivated to achieve longterm health. She believes every aspect of life improves when you are functioning with optimal physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Pastor David Lippitt Breaking the Ties That Bind, Emotional Attachments, Romans 1 & 2, Galatians, Philippians, Being a Member of Lord of Life Rev. Dr. David Lippitt graduated from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, in 1975. He served on the staff of Lord of Life from 1993-2001 and also since 2005. As the primary instructor in the Adult Bible Study (ABS) program, Pastor David has taught courses on Romans, Revelations, Job, Psalms, Acts of the Apostles, the Bible and the Land, and the Gospel of John. In addition to his pastoral training and work, he has an M.S. degree in

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

faith formation

Meet the L5 Instructors continues— Gretchen Peel Ten Key People from the Bible

Marriage and Family Therapy and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Pastor David also is involved in private practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist in Minnesota. He brings immense knowledge, enthusiasm, and joy to his teaching. Pastor Dave McCarty Being a Member of Lord of Life Dave McCarty has been married to his high school sweetheart Lisa for over 32 years. They have 3 children: Stephanie, Michael who is married to Nikki, and Laura. Dave and his family have been active in short-term mission work for many years. Dave has participated in and/or led mission projects in Minneapolis, several states in the US, Africa, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Karen Nelson, Administrative Assistant, Adult Ministries Love Languages My husband Dale and I have been members of Lord of Life since 1987. We have two children; Emma is 23 and Jeffrey is 19. I have worked in Adult Ministries since 2006 and love being a part of all the excitement within Adult Ministries. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, walking, taking classes at church, and swim meets. I am excited to assist with the Love Languages class; communication is key for just about everything. There are so many wonderful classes to choose from, I hope everyone will take at least one!

I have been a Lord of Life member since 1978 when the first worship service was held in the gym of Cedar Island Elementary. My husband and I have two adult children and a brand new son-in-law. I spent 40 years as a teacher and administrator in the Osseo School District, retiring in 2012 after 18 years as an elementary school principal. My retirement goals include building a deeper faith and a stronger relationship with God. My action plan included taking L5 classes last year. I took five classes and loved them! I met wonderful people, learned and laughed a lot, cried a little, and made progress on those goals. Now I have been called (literally) to share the L5 experience with others. With God’s guidance, we will learn and laugh together. Cynthia Pivec Prayer School I am blessed to be married to my husband Larry and we have a wonderful daughter, Lindsay. We have been members at Lord of Life for many years. I was both a participant and support person for the Prayer School last year. It is my privilege to share some of the teaching responsibilities this year with Larry and Pastor Karen Sue. I have been inspired by the way the participants have grown in their relationships with each other and with God each week this past year. I look forward to another exciting year at Prayer School. Larry Pivec Alpha, Prayer School Ever since God has gotten my attention (a burning bush type encounter) I have longed to know who this amazing God is and why He cares for someone like me. Over the last

seven years I have taken many classes on prayer, and every time I walk away desiring an even closer connection with God. It is my desire to share that passion with others who wish to know God through prayer. Pastor Donna Rohrer Reading Psalms, The Churches of Revelation Having been ordained in 1995, and retiring last year, I have found over the years that I love digging into scripture and working to look at the big picture of the stories and history and life lessons that are in the Bible and sharing that love with others. There is always something new that pops up even in the most familiar passages. I sometimes wonder how they could rewrite my Bible and add the new things. Always finding relevant things totally reinforces that the Bible is the Living Word. I love being a Lutheran and reading and sharing God’s love through the lens filled with grace. Larry Stokes Alpha I have been a member of Lord of Life for 18 years. I’m married, and my wife and I have three daughters. Throughout the years I have been involved in many Bible and book studies here at Lord of Life. However, the one that has seemed to have the most impact on people is Alpha. I was part of the first Alpha study here many years ago and have continued to be involved with it in some capacity ever since. If you ever find yourself asking, “What is the meaning of life?” or “Is this all there is to life?” then Alpha is for you.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

Offered in both Session 2 (Sundays at 11 am) and Session 3 (Tuesdays at 6:45 pm)—

L5 Class: Being a Member of Lord of Life

faith formation

his class is for those interested in membership at Lord of Life and those who are already members, but want to explore more fully what being a member of Lord of Life can mean. All of our pastors are involved in teaching this class, so it also will give individuals the opportunity to get to know each pastor better. October 27 (Session 2) / January 14 (Session 3) – “Being a Lutheran” Pastor Karen GeisendorferLindgren will talk about the basics of Lutheranism including the Reformation, key points of Lutheran Doctrine, the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), and Ecumenism. November 3 (Session 2) / January 21 (Session 3) – “Life-long Faith Development” Pastor Todd Buegler will describe the Lutheran understanding of the Word and Sacraments and how our faith walk is a lifelong experience. November 10 (Session 2) / January 28 (Session 3) – “Expectations of Membership” Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren will share the history of Lord of Life, and what it means to be a member of our congregation. November 17 (Session 2) / February 4 (Session 3) – “The Journey Inward and the Journey Outward” Pastor Karen Sue Greimel and Pastor Dave McCarty will team up for this session to talk about the way the nurturing of our inner spiritual lives is connected to reaching out in mission and service to the world. November 24 (Session 2) / February 11 (Session 3) – “Using Your God-given Gifts” Pastor David Lippitt will help us understand the unique gifts God has given each one of us and how we can best use those gifts in ways that are personally meaningful and bless those around us.

Meet the L5 Instructors continues— Lisa Toms As Families Grow Older

Member of Lord of Life since 1993 with my husband Blake. Volunteer as Church School teacher for 2nd grade, usher and greeter, stewardship committee; member of Strategic Planning Committee, past member of Lord of Life’s Council, resource/facilitator for As Families Grow Older, congregation resource for families dealing with elder care needs; Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Facilitator. Lisa’s education is in nursing and psychology and she is now working to complete her Master’s in Gerontology and Health Care Administration. Her experience includes over 30 years in for-profit and not-for-profit senior housing/assisted living and home health care communities. She is an Executive Director for Assisted Living and Memory Care and Independent Living Communities in the Twin Cities; Lisa is also a Consultant and

Certified Senior Advocate. Lisa is an advocate for elders and their families; assisting families in transition: when elders often need assistance in their health care services and/or living arrangements. Service to elders and their families as they navigate choices and challenges as elder living needs change is Lisa’s primary focus. Mary and Gerry Tucker Spiritual Gifts

Mary and Gerry are thrilled to be facilitating Network: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts. The Tuckers have been married for 38 years, live in Champlin, and are blessed to have two grown sons, two awesome daughters-in-law, two beautiful grandchildren, and the third grandchild is due July 19! Mary and Gerry are both retired: Mary from teaching and Gerry from sales. Mary’s spiritual gifts are intercession and mercy; Gerry’s are helps, teaching and administration. They look forward to sharing Network in L5 Session 2.

faith formation For Lord of Life’s children and youth, registration is now open for all Church School and C3 (Community, Confirmation, Christ) programs. See Page 16 for more registration information including the website links or pick up a paper registration form at church.

Michelle Welinski, Director of Pastoral Care, Missions, Ministries Love Languages I have been a member of Lord of Life since 1985 and absolutely love being part of this growing faith community. People are always surprised to learn that I live in Elk River and drive “all the way to Maple Grove.” My standard line is “I don’t think twice about driving to Ridgedale to shop, why would I think twice about driving in to work and worship at a great church!” I’ve been married for 37 years and have 3 children and 4 fun grandchildren. I love the rituals and traditions that have been passed down to me and now I have the joy of passing them on to my grandchildren. In my spare time I like to scrapbook, read, and laugh with my friends from Word for Women. I have even been known to take a nap!

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

faith formation

L5 Class Schedule

Please register online at lordoflife.org/L5 or pick up a registration form at church.

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

Week of September 15-Week of October 13, 2013

Week of October 27-Week of November 24, 2013

SUNDAY MORNING

8:30

Reading the Psalms Pastor Donna Rohrer

Ten Key People of the Bible Gretchen Peel

9:45

Book of Romans 1 Pastor David Lippitt

Wiser Women 1 Joan Freeberg

11:00

Book of Romans 2 Pastor David Lippitt

Spiritual Gifts Gerry & Mary Tucker

Wiser Women 2 Joan Freeberg

11:00

Prayer School Pastor Karen Sue Greimel with Larry and Cynthia Pivec

As Families Grow Older Lisa Toms

Prayer School Pastor Karen Sue Greimel with Larry and Cynthia Pivec

FaithfullyFIT: Spiritual Health Beth Kanthak

Being a Member of Lord of Life Lord of Life’s Pastors

FaithfullyFIT: Relational Health Beth Kanthak

SUNDAY EVENING

6:00 - Alpha 1 - Tom Brady/Larry Pivec/Larry Stokes

6:00 - Alpha 2 - Tom Brady/Larry Pivec/Larry Stokes

MONDAY EVENING

7:00

Book of Romans 1 Pastor David Lippitt

Make a Difference as a Church School Leader Clark Hjelmstad

Book of Romans 2 Pastor David Lippitt

TUESDAY EVENING

6:45

Wiser Women 1 Joan Freeberg

Reading the Psalms Pastor Donna Rohrer

Wiser Women 2 Joan Freeberg

WEDNESDAY EVENING

6:30

Navigating School Special Needs Leesa Avila

Emotional Attachments Pastor David Lippitt

Parenting Teens 1 Pastor Todd Buegler

Parenting Teens 2 Pastor Todd Buegler

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

Ten Key People of the Bible Gretchen Peel

Half Time (men only) David Chase

faith formation SESSION 3

SESSION 4

Week of January 12-Week of February 9, 2014

Week of February 23-Week of March 23, 2014

SUNDAY MORNING

8:30

Adult Confirmation/ Lutheranism 1 Pastor Karen GeisendorferLindgren/Ina Barton

Love Languages Michelle Welinski with Karen Nelson

9:45 Letter to the Galatians Pastor David Lippitt

Breaking the Ties That Bind Pastor David Lippitt

9:45 Spiritual Gifts Gerry & Mary Tucker

11:00 Prayer School Pastor Karen Sue Greimel with Larry and Cynthia Pivec

Adult Confirmation/ Lutheranism 2 Pastor Karen GeisendorferLindgren/Ina Barton

The Churches of Revelation Pastor Donna Rohrer

Letter to the Philippians Pastor David Lippitt

11:00 FaithfullyFIT: Physical Health Beth Kanthak

Prayer School Pastor Karen Sue Greimel with Larry and Cynthia Pivec

FaithfullyFIT: Emotional Health Beth Kanthak

SUNDAY EVENING

6:00 - Marriage Course 1 - Pastor Peter & Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren

6:00 - Marriage Course 2 - Pastor Peter & Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren

MONDAY EVENING

7:00

Letter to the Galatians Pastor David Lippitt

Body & Soul Yoga Audrey Johnson

Letter to the Philippians Pastor David Lippitt

Body & Soul Yoga Audrey Johnson

TUESDAY EVENING

6:45

Being a Member of Lord of Life Lord of Life’s Pastors

The Churches of Revelation Pastor Donna Rohrer

WEDNESDAY EVENING

6:30

Love Languages Michelle Welinski with Karen Nelson

Make a Difference as a Church School Leader Clark Hjelmstad

Breaking the Ties That Bind Pastor David Lippitt

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

spirit

“Father, I thank you that you have heard me.” John 11:41

Trust God to Hear Your Prayers

by Pastor Karen Sue Greimel

n his book Prayer, Finding the Heart’s True Home, Richard Foster says, “The truth of the matter is we all come to prayer with a tangled mass of motives-altruistic and selfish, merciful and hateful, loving and bitter. Frankly, this side of eternity we will never unravel the good from the bad, the pure from the impure. But what I have come to see is that God is big enough to receive us with all our mixture. We do not have to be bright, or pure, or filled with faith, or anything. That is what grace means, and not only are we saved by grace, we live by it as well. And we pray by it.” Yes, what a relief this is! We can be confident that God’s grace is sufficient in all things and especially in our prayer lives because in prayer we find the very heart of God. The question, “What is the right way to pray?” is one that I am frequently asked, and I always answer with the words of Philip Yancey, “If you are praying at all, you are doing it right.” What this means is that talking to God is the most important piece and there is no absolute right or wrong way to pray, just do it! Because of who God is and the grace God gives, we are met by Him right where we are. As we grow in our prayer lives, our faith will grow as well. God will transform us as we renew our minds in Him by His word by prayer. Thousands of books have been written on prayer introducing fancy methods which promise to get God to answer our prayers. What we must remember is that our relationship with God is what matters. No matter the method, God hears every prayer. Don Chapman declares, “Pray as you can, not as you can’t.” Visualize a child’s drawing; they are never bad are they. The same is true with a child of God and the prayers offered…they are never bad. You can trust God to hear your prayers, guide you into a fulfilling prayer life and deeper relationship with Him…it starts with your prayers, just as they are, to God, just as He is. All are welcome on Wednesday, August 14 and Sunday, August 18—

Try It—You’ll Like It

uring worship at Lord of Life have you ever thought to yourself, “I would love to sing in that wonderful choir!” Now is your chance to do so! This is an open invitation to rehearsal on Wednesday, August 14, at 7:15 pm in the sanctuary. All are invited to join in the rehearsal which will also include a break time to chat and answer any questions you may have about the Canticle Choir. Then on Sunday, August 18, you will be a member of the choir during all three worship services. This may be a perfect opportunity for you to try it out and then decide if it is the right fit for you. All ages are welcome from senior high through college-age and adults. You are encouraged to join in and lift your voice in praise to God.

worship Saturdays at 5:30 pm with Holy Communion Sundays at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 am with Holy Communion the first and third Sundays Mondays at 7 pm with Holy Communion during the months of June, July, and August Third Sunday worship at 9:30 am on August 18 at Good Samaritan Society Ambassador in New Hope Third Wednesday worship at 2 pm on August 21 at Rose Arbor Assisted Living in Maple Grove

August 3/4/5 Preaching: Pastor David Lippitt Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Kate Kapsner & Alexandra Trudeau Monday: Kate Kapsner & Alexandra Trudeau August 10/11/12 Preaching: Pastor Todd Buegler Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Taylor Wilson Monday: Sara Bowman August 17/18/19 Preaching: Pastor Dave McCarty Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Canticle Choir Monday: Kate Ostaffe August 24/25/26 Preaching: Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Mark Nesse & Friends Monday: Dawn Dahlberg August 31/September1 Preaching: Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Lee Fuchs Please note worship & music schedules may be subject to change.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

spirit

Lord of Life Lives Christ Together baptisms

bereavements

weddings

June 2 Andrew Paul Gerrish

Prayers of sympathy for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one; may they be comforted in the promise of the resurrection.

June 1 Kristina Lentz & Brent Gorham

June 9

Madelyn Marie Bennett Aiden Douglas Christenson Bronson Davies Knight Mason Alexander Knight

June 15 Rocco Vincent Brooks June 23

Brielle Jean Coggins Lawson Lane Galka-Briggs Ryan Easton Monson Colton James Mooney Everett Lyden Newquist

June 29 McKinlee Ann Fellows Landon Michael Tomczyk June 30

Oscar Andru Nelson William Samuel Riddering Vivian Rae Thorp Bianca Rose Wallin Benjamin Charles Weeks

At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. The next baptism class is on Saturday, August 10, from 10-11 am; no preregistration is necessary. To schedule a baptism, please call the church office.

Al Albrecht and family at the death of his mother Scott Albrecht and family at the death of his grandmother Ann Arp and family at the death of her brother-in-law Kris Bohr and family at the death of her grandmother Racheal Busick and family at the death of her father Connie Garritsen and family at the death of her husband

June 14 Amber Stokes & Brett Shevik June 15 Lindsay Erickson & Michael Geatz Natalie Kinkel & Anthony Howard June 21 Michelle Zenz & Bryan Goudy June 29 Betsy Starz & Ty Thayer

welcome to new members John & Kathy Gillett

Sabrina Garritsen and family at the death of her father

Ken & Dawn Knight with Mason and Bronson

Charis & Clayton Jensen and family at the death of their daughter

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 & its programs financially. Contact Lori Schwartz or Karen Klevar or visit lordoflife.org/newmembers for more information. You are invited to become a part of the Lord of Life family of faith.

Nicole & Pete Lee and family at the death of their brother-in-law Diane More and family at the death of her father Kim Spoden and family at the death of her mother

Every Tuesday Evening

s life painful? Are you hurting? Sometimes life may bring challenges such as experiencing grief, healing from painful circumstances in family situations, or choosing sobriety. Whatever hurts, habits, or hang-ups you may be confronted with in your life, there is hope every Tuesday evening at Celebrate Recovery. Enjoy a family-friendly meal from 5:456:30 pm then programming is provided for kids (Celebration Station), teens (the landing), and adults (Celebrate Recovery). Childcare is provided. All are welcome. Questions? Feel free to contact Michelle Welinski at michellew@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015 x118. There is also information and video testimony on our website, visit lordoflife.org/celebraterecovery.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

adult/ outreach

Older, Wiser, or Lutheran? You are invited to all events!

OWLs Events

Thursday, August 1: “Redemption” music with guitarist and songwriter guest Mark Nesse, a Lord of Life member. Come and bring a friend! Faith, Food & Fellowship begins at 10 am in the Luther Room. Thursday, August 15: Minnesota History Center: Explore the role of Minnesota’s men and women on the battlefield and on the homefront in an exhibit drawn on artifacts, firsthand accounts, letters, and diaries. Learn about the everyday lives and often extraordinary witness of Minnesotans during the Civil War. Leave 9 am - return 3 pm. Cost $12 with lunch on your own at the History Center.

Usher Extraordinaire Ed Hatlem retired on June 2, after 70 years of ushering at various churches. What an inspiration—thanks for your faithful service, Ed!

Wednesday, August 21: Worship at Rose Arbor Assisted Living beginning at 2 pm Friday, August 23: Service project labeling LifeTIMES in Fellowship Hall beginning at 9:30 am

Hope Lodge

elp prepare and serve a meal at Hope Lodge on August 12 or 26. To sign up, contact Paula Thomas at pkthomas5@hotmail.com. Children are welcome to help when accompanied by an adult.

at home summer service project Create Grab and Go Bags for Hope Lodge. A simple brown lunch bag filled with basic treats such as bottled water, granola, fruit cup, etc. can make a world of difference to a person who is far from home and undergoing chemo treatments. Check out lordoflife.org/ hopelodge for complete directions. Grab and Go Bags can be brought to church and placed in the Hope Lodge bins in the Service Center.

Lord of Life Weekly Giving — June 2013 $60,000

save the dates Thursday, September 5: “Maximizing your Living” with special guest John Jenneke of Thrivent. Faith, Food, and Fellowship begins at 10 am in Fellowship Hall. We will be collecting freewill donations for new socks and/or underwear for the Lutheran Social Service clothing drive. Lunch is provided. Don’t miss it! Thursday, September 19: It’s a Mystery Tour! We can’t tell you where we are going, but it will be a day filled with new sights and fun for everyone! Leave church at 8:30 am and return about 5 pm. Cost is $25, including lunch. Thursday, October 3: Hear special guest Dr. Anne Lambert of the HCMC Burn Center beginning at noon with a freewill donation lunch. Thursday, October 17: Tour the Bascilica of St. Mary and Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Both have amazing art and architecture and are rich in the history of Minneapolis. Lunch on your own at a downtown restaurant. Leave 9 am and return at 3 pm. Cost $6. For photos and articles of past OWLs events, visit lordoflife. org/owls. Questions? Contact Joyce or Gordy Martin directly at grjsmartin@embarqmail.com or 763.497.7355.

$50,000 $40,000 $30,000 $20,000

june 2013 budget year-to-date

$10,000

6/2 6/9 6/16 6/23 6/30

Actual $41,745 $46,995 $42,855 $46,471 $46,284 Budget $42,794 $42,794 $42,794 $42,794 $42,794

Actual

Budget Difference

Total member contributions $1,488,445 $1,424,382 All other Total receipts

$64,063

$115,326 $135,123 ($19,798) $1,603,771 $1,559,505

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

$44,266

1M1W Mission Trips by Pastor Dave McCarty

ast month, Pastor Peter’s sermon on the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer asked the question; when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, do we ask thy will be done, and actually mean MY will be done? As Christians, whose will we are supposed to follow has an obvious answer, but as humans it’s hard to surrender and faithfully follow. Surrendering our will to God’s is something we need to do each and every day, and sometimes we need to look ahead on the calendar to ensure our schedule doesn’t interfere with God’s plan. Which leads us into planning mission trips for 2014! We have trip dates for both the Dominican Republic and Jamaica and they are: • • • • •

Dominican Republic, Adult Trip - January 18-25 Dominican Republic, Dental Trip - January 25-February 1 Jamaica, Adult Trip - March 22-29 Jamaica, Medical and Dental Trip - March 22-29 Jamaica, Family Trip - March 29-April 5

“Thy will or MY will” may be a question worth praying about. If you’ve served in the past, I’m sure you know how great the need is, and I encourage you to ask God if He would like your help again. If you have not gone on one of these trips, is 2014 the year God is calling YOU? There are several ways to get answers to your questions and prayer is first on the list. Follow that by talking to someone who has gone on a trip, contact Bruce or Jen Baldwin about Jamaica or Joe Wenker about the DR, email – call – stop by and talk to Pastor Dave McCarty, or drop in at one of these informational sessions for Jamaica and the DR trips: • •

August 25 after the 9:45 and 11 am worship services September 15 after the 9:45 and 11 am worship services

Our mission partners in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica need our help and support, and very possibly need YOUR participation more than you can imagine. I pray that you will pray, and then faithfully follow the path God is asking you to follow – THY will be done. AMEN. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

2B REAL Men Lunch/Fishing Contest

lease join the 2B Real Men’s Ministry on October 19 from 11 am-1 pm for an afternoon of fellowship and fun as fishermen share their passion for catching “the big one.” Lunch will be provided as well other fun activities for both men and boys. Cost will be $7 for adults, children 10 and under $5, sign up online then pay in the church office. Please continue to submit your favorite fishing photos; you can still drop them off at the Lord of Life office to be scanned or submit to Lori Buegler (lorib@lordoflife.org).

And what would a fishing event be without some sort of Fishing Contest? The contest is open to boys 12 and under. The winner in each category will receive a free lunch. The four categories are: Walleye, Northern, Bass & Sunfish. Send your pictures to Bill Egeberg (jwegeberg@comcast.net) List the fisherman who caught the fish, fish weight and what it was caught on (worm, Rapala, etc.). Be honest with the weight, remember God is watching!! The contest will end one week prior to the event. If you have already paid, we will refund your cost. The four winners will be honored at the lunch. Good luck to all!

adult/ outreach

men’s cancer support If you’ve been newly diagnosed with cancer or have had cancer and would like to talk to other men who have traveled this road, we would like to invite you to come to the new Men’s Cancer Support Group. You may be currently struggling with a cancer diagnosis or you may be able to offer your insight and experience. This support group meets the first Monday of each month at Lord of Life from 6:30-7:30 pm (September’s meeting will be on September 9). Questions? Feel free to contact Gregg Backstrom via email at 2ber@lordoflife.org.

inspired images Saturday, August 10, from 9 am-3 pm, is an open invitation for all stampers, scrapbookers, or anyone with a creative personal project! Stay for the whole time or simply an hour or two and enjoy fellowship. There is no cost for the event. Lunch plans will be discussed that day and we’ll all chip in for that. If you are interested in being a part of Inspired Images or just want a day to work on projects, you are encouraged to join in. So we know how many tables to set-up, please RSVP to lgedker@comcast.net. Thanks and see you on the 10th! For more details about Lord of Life’s stamping and scrapbooking ministry, Inspired Images, please visit lordoflife.org/inspiredimages.

...and don’t forget the Men’s BBQ, August 4 at 6 pm!

For details on this event & more, visit lordoflife.org/realmen. August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

children youth family

Grow Faith, and Bring a Smile by Pastor Todd Buegler

very week, hundreds of our young people, preschoolers through high school seniors, walk through Lord of Life’s doors and smile. They smile because this feels like home to them. This place, this community, is where they belong.

And where they belong, they grow. They grow in their relationships, they grow in their understanding of their role in the world, and most importantly they grow in their faith. They grow because there are people here who know them and who care about them.

faith formation

Now is the time to register for Church School and C3. Our registration pages have all of the information you need! Church School is offered for all children ages 2-grade 6; register at lordoflife.org/ churchschool. The C3 confirmation program is offered on Sunday and Wednesday nights for grades 7-9; register at lordoflife.org/c3.

Caring ministry leaders…volunteers…who give their time and attention to young people and who journey alongside them as they grow in their faith, are critically important to faith formation. And as the number of young people who participate continues to grow, our need for caring ministry leaders grows as well. •

Ministry leaders who work with our preschool children

•

Ministry leaders who work with grades 1-4

•

Ministry leaders who work with grades 5-6

•

Ministry leaders who work with our jr. highers in our confirmation (C3) program

•

Ministry leaders who work with our jr. high youth group (Explore)

•

Ministry leaders who work with our sr. high youth group (Express)

•

Ministry leaders who serve as Buddies in our Ministry of Inclusion

This year, consider becoming a ministry leader! It’s not a huge amount of time, and we will provide all of the training and resources that you need. Help a young person feel at home at Lord of Life. Help them to know that they are cared for. And walk alongside them as they (and you too!) grow in their faith. For more information, please visit lordoflife.org/cyf.

2013 Summer Stretch Week 3 Thursday group - see Summer Wrap-up article on next page for a glimpse into what Summer Stretch is all about!

jr. and sr. high leadership retreat at camp onomia

Want to be part of the planning process of jr. and sr. high ministry and want to take leadership roles in youth ministry such as a C3 small group leader, Church School teacher, VBS helper or other leadership roles at Lord of Life? This is the retreat for you! August 2-4, departing Lord of Life at 5 pm returning 1 pm from Camp Onomia, cost is $30. Register at lordoflife.org/ shleadershipnetwork.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

Summer Wrap-up

The Water Project

1. Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth.

C3 and Club 56

or 6 weeks in June and July, 278 junior high students, 32 high school leaders, and 13 college leaders participated in Summer Stretch. We served as the hands and feet of Christ in the mornings at locations such as Feed My Starving Children, Source MN, Global Health Ministries, park clean up, nursing homes, and foodshelves throughout the Twin Cities. The afternoon was time for fellowship and community building as we enjoyed water parks, movie theaters, rock climbing, and baseball games. Club 56 enjoyed being adventurous on our Adventure Days to Basecamp and Valleyfair. With over 100 5th and 6th grade participants at each event, it was a blessing to have over 20 leaders at each event!

Three ways to make a difference:

children youth family

2. Take a 5-minute shower (10 gallons) instead of a bath (40 gallons). 3. Join Lord of Life young people this summer in donating money toward digging a clean water well through the ELCA Good Gifts program. Our goal is $2,500 and we’re well on our way. Stop by the display near the main office to see how we’re doing and to make your contribution. —Lynn Leisen, Faith in the Home Ministry

elementary recap •

30 kids at Adventure Week

•

59 kids at Elementary Camp

•

45 kids at Half Pint Camp

•

Vacation Bible School for Grades 1-6 (July 2225, July 29-Aug 1, and August 5-8) with over 275 and 45 C3 volunteers, 35 families helped bring lunch for Vacation Bible School (VBS) counselors, 18 families hosted VBS counselors at their house for dinner, and 12 families opened their homes for counselors to stay

prek and kindergarten “kingdom rock” vbs recap •

2 four-day experiences for 148 preschool/ kindergarten participants (photos on Page 18!)

•

60 junior/senior high leaders

•

60 adult leaders

jr. high recap •

28 junior high youth and 4 adults went on the mission trip to Rockford, IL

senior high recap •

25 senior high youth and 5 adults went on the AWOL trip to Bozeman, MT, June 14-24

•

41 senior high youth and 8 adults went on the AWOL trip to Charleston, SC, July 13-24

family camp recap •

7 families went to Shores of St. Andrew Village

what’s up in august

August 2-4: Family Camp at Shores of St. Andrew August 5-8: Vacation Bible School Week 3 August 13: Club 56 to Cascade Bay Water Park

...september

September 7-8: Rally Weekend - Church School begins September 8: 7th grade festival at 3 pm September 8 & 11: C3 starts September 8: Explore & Express for jr. and sr. high begin at 7 pm

...october

October 4: Parent Night Out - Birth to 6th grade October 5-6: 7th grade retreat October 12-13: 3rd grade Bible festival October 12-13: 8th grade retreat October 16: Club 56 Movie Night October 17: Club 56 Service Day October 17: Release Day grades 1-6 October 26-27: Confirmation for 10th graders October 26-27: 3rd grade Bibles

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

children youth family

August Bible Verse: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1

Happy August! August Book Pick

“The Looking Book” by P. K. Hallinan and illustrated by Patrice Barton This excellent story uses lively rhyming verse to entice children to delight in the wonders of the world around them.

by Angie Schiebel, Director of Karing Kingdom Preschool

t is hard to believe that it is already August and that school is right around the corner (where did summer go?). Karing Kingdom Preschool’s “Get Acquainted Day” is Thursday, September 5. This special day gives children and parents alike the opportunity to meet and greet their future classmates and teachers, and to familiarize everyone with our school setting. The schedule for “Get Acquainted Day” is as follows:

For more information about Karing Kingdom Preschool,

Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM Pre-K

9-9:45 am

Monday/Wednesday/Friday pm Pre-K

10-10:45 am

please contact

Tuesday/Thursday AM 3-4 Year Olds

11-11:45 am

us at kingdom@

Tuesday/Thursday pm 3-4 Year Olds

12-12:45 pm

lordoflife.org or call

We look forward to seeing you in September! Please note that all enrollment packets are due at this time (due date was June 24). We continue to take registration for the 2013-14 school year.

763.420.5015 x127.

For 148 preschool and kindergarteners, Kingdom Rock! was a great Vacation Bible School experience. Building a wall of bricks (grocery bags), blowing away scary things (bubbles), and clearing away the mess (newspapers) to find God’s Word were just a few of the children’s activities.

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

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contact info WEB lordoflife.org PHONE 763.420.5015 FAX 763.420.7286 ADDRESS 7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313

This staff directory will be provided on a periodic basis; v isit lordoflife.org/lolstaff for a full staff listing with photos. PRAYER NETWORK prayernetwork@lordoflife.org FACEBOOK facebook.com/lordoflifelutheran

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1978 Lord of Life Lutheran Church Charter (ELCA) Lord of Life is a community of people called together by God’s Holy Spirit who confess Christ as Lord. We wish to be a church whose door is open to all people. And with the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will strive to educate, comfort, aid and spread the word of love in Christ’s name. We believe worship is of most importance in our life together as we receive God’s love through Word and Sacrament. We will be involved with seeking justice in our community, state, nation, and world. We hold high the dignity and worth of every human being as created in God’s image and forgiven in Christ. We hope to be a serving church, in the name of Him who came as Servant of all.

pastoral Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren........... Senior Pastor........................................ x105 Rev. Todd Buegler................................... Pastor, Children Youth Family............... x109 Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren.... Pastor, Adult Ministries.......................... x104 Rev. Karen Sue Greimel.......................... Pastor, Pastoral Care............................ x144 Rev. Dr. David Lippitt............................... Pastor, Congregational Care................. x122 Rev. Dave McCarty.................................. Pastor, Outreach and Mission............... x147 administrative suppor t Alan Albrecht........................................... Executive Administrator........................ x112 Nancy Bourbonais................................... Database Mgr./Space Scheduler.......... x126 Diane Carlson, Kate Janka, Sandy Zappa . Main Office Receptionists..................... x100 Rhonda Evans-Hofer............................... Kitchen Lady......................................... Karen Klevar............................................ Receptionist, Membership/Hospitality... x116 Lori Schwartz........................................... Funerals, Membership/Hospitality......... x111 adult ministries Jane Bergstrom....................................... Administrative Assistant........................ x142 Karen Nelson........................................... Administrative Assistant........................ x138 Michelle Welinski..................................... Pastoral Care, Missions, Ministries, ................................................................ and Wedding Supervisor....................... x118 children youth family (cyf) Amanda Clancy (“Clancy”)...................... Middle School....................................... x106 Kirstin Delp.............................................. Early Childhood and Childcare............. x113 Raul Garcia III, AiM.................................. Confirmation (C3) and Grades 7-9......... x121 Julie Hagen, AiM...................................... Grades 1-4............................................ x129 Heather Hjelmstad................................... Ministry of Inclusion.............................. x143 Lynn Leisen............................................. Faith in the Home.................................. x107 Elizabeth Pedersen................................. Grades 10-12........................................ x130 Kim Pietrzak............................................ Childcare............................................... x124 Pennie Soppeland................................... CYF Support......................................... x132 Debbie Zaic............................................. CYF Office Manager and Registrar....... x128 communications Lori Buegler............................................. Communications Director...................... x146 Bev Mello................................................. Editor, LifeTIMES / Communication Design.. x108 Stephanie Smith...................................... Web ....................................................... finance Colleen Anderson.................................... Finance Director.................................... x103 Lenora Little............................................. Finance & Stewardship Assistant.......... x139 Lisa McCarty............................................ Finance Assistant.................................. x101 Sandie Saar............................................. Finance Assistant.................................. x101 karing kingdom preschool Angie Schiebel......................................... Director, Karing Kingdom Preschool..... x127 Jennifer Ellingson, Maureen Murphy Hanson, Carly Tappe systems and custodial Ken Carraux............................................ Maint. Eng./Systems Administrator....... x120 Doug Kaltved........................................... Custodial Supervisor............................. x119 Custodians: Jim Deger, Jon Doerrmann, Jim Lambrecht, Greg Olson worship and music Dana Brinton............................................ Children’s Music Ministries.................... x135 David Frank............................................. Director of Music................................... x203 Lee Fuchs................................................ Adult Choirs and Bel Canto................... x202 Jordan Lippitt........................................... Audio/Visual Technician........................ x145 Alice Woodard, AiM................................. Worship and LifeGARDEN Ministries.... x114

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a

peter@lordoflife.org todd@lordoflife.org karengl@lordoflife.org ksgreimel@lordoflife.org davidl@lordoflife.org davem@lordoflife.org ala@lordoflife.org nancyb@lordoflife.org office@lordoflife.org rhondah@lordoflife.org karenk@lordoflife.org loris@lordoflife.org janeb@lordoflife.org karenn@lordoflife.org michellew@lordoflife.org amandac@lordoflife.org kirstind@lordoflife.org raul@lordoflife.org julieh@lordoflife.org heatherh@lordoflife.org lynnl@lordoflife.org elizabethp@lordoflife.org kimp@lordoflife.org pennies@lordoflife.org debz@lordoflife.org lorib@lordoflife.org bevm@lordoflife.org stephanies@lordoflife.org colleen@lordoflife.org lenoral@lordoflife.org lisam@lordoflife.org sandie@lordoflife.org kingdom@lordoflife.org kenc@lordoflife.org dougk@lordoflife.org danab@lordoflife.org davidf@lordoflife.org leef@lordoflife.org jordanl@lordoflife.org alicew@lordoflife.org

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LifeTIMES is a monthly ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) printed by Wallace Carlson using ecofriendly inks. To receive LifeTIMES in the mail or electronically—call 763.420.5015 or stop in the main church office or email office@lordoflife.org with your name and address. We invite you to share faith stories, Lord of Life ministry events, photos, poetry & artwork. Submissions may be edited. The deadline for the September issue is August 1. Copyright 2013 Lord of Life Lutheran Church

caught reading lifetimes

This ‘Meet & Eat’ small church group has been getting together for 10+ years, once a month. They were recently all in attendance and took a group photo. Back row right to left: Lynda Gorsett, Deb Carlson, Mary Hohenstein, Lauri Bolin, and Nancy Cramer

Outside Beijing on the Great Wall of China, Bridget Jacobs was caught reading LifeTIMES!

Front row right to left: Kelli Martens, Debbi Enger, Colleen Hazen, and Robyn Isaacson

August 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a