Lord of life lutheran
February 2022
C O M P A S S
I N S P I R I N G by Pastor Emeritus Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren (karengl@lordoflife.org)
What inspires you? I love to travel because I always find so much inspiration in seeing new things and enjoying different experiences. Trying a particularly delicious food in a restaurant or at a friend’s home may inspire me to go home and try and replicate it in my own kitchen. Walking through a flower garden or arboretum inspires me to try new color combinations in my own garden— or perhaps plant a specific tree that I had not considered before. And after visiting an art gallery, I have been known to go out and buy paints and brushes to try and create my very own “masterpiece.”
INSPIRING LOVE........................................................2-3 BIBLE 101: SPIRIT OF GOD........................................4-5 community life / GALATIANS 5:25..................... 6-7 FOLLOWING GOD'S SPIRIT........................................ 8-9 INSPIRED IMAGES ...................................................... 10 SUMMER 2022 / COntact Us ...................................11
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I have also been inspired by the people in my life. Watching the way my mother interacted with my children inspired me to be the kind of supportive and patient role model that she was, with my own grandchildren. I also have had various teachers over the years who inspired me to want to be like them—particularly when they would explain
L O V E things especially clearly or when they helped their students feel strong and capable. The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity who draws us to Christ and inspires us to be the people who we were created to be. As we open our hearts to the working of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, we can find inspiration in all sorts of places. And, as we invite God to work in us and through us, we may even find that we are being used to inspire others.
“As we open our hearts to the
working of the Holy Spirit . . . we can find inspiration in all sorts of places.”
In this month that we celebrate Valentine’s Day with all the expressions of love attached to it, I invite you to join me in being aware of the beauty and possibility around us that can inspire us in all sorts of positive ways. And, at the same time, let’s look for opportunities to be a loving inspiration to others. May God’s inspiring love flow through us all.
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S P I R I T
O F
G O D
by Karen Wight Hoogheem (karenwh@lordoflife.org)
For the past ten years, I have regularly run through a neighborhood park. The hills, trees, animals, and even some of the people have become familiar to me. Most runs through the park are pleasant and uneventful. But I remember a particular run one winter morning. Differing from the photo on the facing page, the sky was gray with cloud cover. Patches of ice made the asphalt treacherous in some places. I slowed my pace to be extra careful. As I rounded the corner near the shore of the lake, a cold winter wind pushed against the front of my body. The force and strength of the wind surprised me. The bitter cold blew through my winter running clothes. I felt the wind touch my skin and penetrate my bones. A chill went through my entire body. I had been carrying some stress and worries that day. After the wind blew through the park and my body, I felt as though the concerns had been burned away. The wind left me cleansed, lighter, free, and at peace. The Holy Spirit’s fire showed up in that winter wind and I experienced a sense of healing and new life. I might even say I felt “born again.”
Bible 101
In the gospel of John’s third chapter, Nicodemus, a leader in the Jewish community, comes to Jesus at night. Nicodemus is intrigued by Jesus’ teachings. He wants to know more: “Rabbi,” Nicodemus graciously says, “we know that you are a teacher from God; no one can do the things you do without the presence of God.” Jesus offers a startling response, “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Understandably, Nicodemus is confused. “How can
anyone be born after having grown old?” he says. “Do you need to return to your mother’s womb?” Jesus informs Nicodemus that he must be born of flesh and the Spirit. “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus responds to Jesus the way we might respond to Jesus, “How can this be?” Indeed, how can this be? The Holy Spirit is such a mysterious part of who God is and how God works in the world. We know the Holy Spirit is active and alive, but we’re not quite sure how to talk about it. The Lutheran Study Bible helpfully notes that the Hebrew word “Ruah” translates as both wind and spirit. “Ruah” is also the Hebrew word for breath. Our thoughts and words may fail us when it comes to describing the work of the Holy Spirit, but we know how it feels when “Ruah” cleanses our bodies and souls on dreary winter days. “Ruah” enlivens our faith through prayer, worship, and service. And “Ruah” keeps our bodies alive as our lungs breathe oxygen without the need for us to tell them to inhale and exhale. The Spirit of God comes and goes as it pleases, mysteriously and graciously giving us new life. reflection questions •
When and how have you experienced this kind of mighty wind?
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How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in prayer, worship, or service?
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Notice your breath. Can you feel God’s Spirit connected to your spirit while you breathe?
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C O M M U N I T Y
L I F E
baptisms
weddings
At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. For the next
For details on your wedding, visit lordoflife.org/weddings.
baptism class or to schedule a baptism, call the church office
To schedule a wedding, contact Wedding Supervisor
(763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.org/baptism.
Michelle Tomlinson (michellet@lordoflife.org ).
December 5, 2021 Taylor Grace Andres Everly Mae Coffman December 18, 2021 Samantha Kate Grimm Avery Grace Schmidt December 19, 2021 Dietrich Van Mancuso Violet Constance Mancuso Wesley Swan Mehawej Michael Joseph Walko Stella Anderson Walko Thomas Howard Walko December 26, 2021 Landon Jon Lilleberg Latoya Danyelle Turner
bereavements
December 4, 2021 Lakyn Sandness & Gino Lucarelli December 30, 2021 Linda Newman & Jeffrey Barnum
welcome Frank & Justine Swartzel with Will and Eloise Matthew & Erin Lilliencrantz Judy Gunther 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,
Prayers of sympathy for those grieving the loss of a loved one;
serve others, and support the church and its programs
may they be comforted in the promise of the resurrection.
financially. For more information, contact Katie Gartzke (katieg@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015) or visit
Patrick Reiter and family at the death of his father, Fred Reiter Sharon Krogman and family at the death of her husband, Brad Krogman Courtney Brazier and family at the death of her father, Brad Krogman Jeanine Krzmarzick and family at the death of her mother, Adonna Evers
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lordoflife.org/membership. You are invited to become a part of the Lord of Life faith community.
If we live by the Spiri t, let ’s follow the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (Common English)
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F O L L O W I N G by Jill Dejewski Co-founder and Director of Programs, Mobile Hope
Saul was walking down the road and a bright light appeared and the Lord Jesus communicated directly to Saul asking him questions and telling him what to do. Moses was in the field and saw a burning bush. The Lord communicated through the bush to Moses to go to Egypt and free his people.
Jill & Brian Dejewski Co-founders, Mobile Hope
We did not have a bright light or burning bush experience, but both Brian and I experienced the Holy Spirit’s prompting to show up at a local mobile home park, Maple Hill Estates, and do our best to love those we encountered. We continued to be prompted to show up and to build relationships with the families and dream together. Along the journey we started to put programs in place, build a leadership team, left our four-bedroom Maple Grove home, moved into the mobile home park, and built a community center. It continued to grow to the point that we both felt prompted to quit our jobs and dedicate our lives to this ministry. Some steps of obedience were easier—while others not so much—but we knew we had to choose. This journey has been taking place over the past 27 years and continues on. At Mobile Hope, we focus on education, connecting families to resources, offering healthy activities and assisting in faith development. Currently Mobile Hope is located in Corcoran and Dayton. We would like to expand into additional parks as we have found that the opportunities and needs are great. There are currently over 900 mobile home parks in Minnesota.
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G O D ’ S
S P I R I T
We are so grateful for the many who show up to make Mobile Hope possible, especially the past couple of years. Recently I was leading Homework Help at the Corcoran site and I turned to see many of our second graders missing and I did not see their leader, Lenora Little. Lenora and her husband, Dan, both Lord of Life attenders, have been long-time volunteers. As I looked down I saw they were working under their table, Lenora included! These secondgrade girls had made a “club” under the table. Lenora, seeking to build relationships with the girls and wanting their learning to be fun, simply joined them! I was overwhelmed with the sense of what an honor it is to work with the volunteers who show up and find a way to build relationships which help students/families succeed. This is success on such a different level (literally, in this instance)! Following God’s Holy Spirit can take the shape of forming a nonprofit or just getting under the table to join in with those we are serving. If you would like to participate helping families at either of these mobile home parks, please contact us to find out about opportunities. To connect with Jill or Brian and others about volunteering as a homework helper, adult English tutor, or mentor—visit lordoflife.org/mobilehope.
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I N S P I R E D
I M A G E S
by Bev Mello (bevm@lordoflife.org)
Need inspiration in Minnesota’s generally dreary month of February? You got it! In 2003, Inspired Images began a stamping and scrapbooking ministry with its mission “to use God-given talents in service and support of Lord of Life acknowledging the concerns and joys of others, while building relationships for the glory of God.” Although the pandemic has curtailed monthly gatherings and retreats, Inspired Images has kept their focus. Coleaders Lynn Anderson and Lisa Gedker share, “In spite of not physically being able to gather, we’ve continued supporting various ministries at Lord of Life. For instance, if you’ve been confirmed or have a confirmand in your family—we created all of the cards signed by pastors. We’ve also had projects for veterans with Military Family Support Ministry, the Older Wiser Lutherans, worship teams, and more. The Holy Spirit is among us for inspiration and especially within the relationships we’ve maintained. We learn from, and are inspired by, each other then creativity flourishes!” From a retreat prepandemic, here is the intergenerational Inspired Images group after a rousing white elephant dice game. For more information and submitting a project request for Lord of Life ministries, visit lordoflife.org/inspiredimages.
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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.
PASTORAL STAFF
WORSHIP / CONNECT
Rev. Dr. Joel Wight Hoogheem, Lead Pastor, joel@lordoflife.org
Visit lordoflife.org/worship for the most up-to-date worship schedule. Face masks are required for Saturday 5:30pm worship.
Rev. Kaitlyn Forster, kaitlynf@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. Karen Greimel, ksgreimel@lordoflife.org Rev. David McCarty, davem@lordoflife.org
To connect with an adult ministry representative, contact Karen Nelson (karenn@lordoflife.org). To connect with a children, youth, and family representative, contact Chelsey Grandstrand (chelseyg@lordoflife.org). For all ministry events and calendar items with the most current dates, times, details, event locations, and registrations—visit lordoflife.org.
lordoflife.org
office@lordoflife.org
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/lordoflifeluth
Compass is a monthly ministry by Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) printed by Wallace Carlson Printing using ecofriendly inks. Paper is the most sustainable natural resource. After reading, please recycle or share with a friend or neighbor inviting them to Lord of Life’s community of faith. You don’t need to be a member to receive Compass. To receive it in the mail and/or electronically, call 763.420.5015 or email office@lordoflife.org. Credits: Lightstock and Unsplash. Copyright 2022 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
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