Lord of Life Compass September / October 2023

WELCOME

Septembers always feel like a month of new beginnings for me. The heat of summer subsides, making way for the crisp autumn air. There’s the premonition that winter will be just around the corner but there is still time to savor the moment. New beginnings also bring hope.

In these pages, our hope is that you will be inspired by thoughtful reflections and intriguing invitations. Emerging Worship Leader Brian Schroeder’s lead article talks about the many chapters of Lord of Life’s history and encourages you to think about your own. Pastor Peter reminds us of the importance of being still and listening for God. There are also ways to get involved, in whatever season of life you may be in. Don’t forget to check out the back cover, inviting you to some fun community events coming up!

Blessings as you listen for all of the ways God is calling you into this community and beyond!

CHAPTERS

by Brian Schroeder, Emerging Worship Leader & Design Strategist (brians@lordoflife.org)

If your life were a book, how would you separate its chapters? What moments do you remember as being bound to others? What relationships could have only worked in certain chapters of your life, or what big decisions sent you on a different trajectory? Where do you see God in these chapters?

And what if we were to try this exercise on Lord of Life? How would we define its chapters? I recently graduated from Luther Seminary with a master’s degree in leadership & innovation in ministry. During my time there, I wrote a 30-page research paper on Lord of Life’s history, demographics, and future. Many of my classmates finished the assignment discouraged by what they learned about their church, but what I learned about Lord of Life actually made me love this community more. When we look back at the chapters of our lives (or the chapters of our church community), we can learn to appreciate our present and face the future with wisdom.

Let’s say that Lord of Life’s first chapter began in 1978 at Cedar Island Elementary School. For four years, the staff had no offices, the community set up chairs every Sunday, and they held confirmation at each others’ houses. This “church plant” chapter was scrappy, improvisational, and new.

Chapter 2 for Lord of Life might have been moving into a new building on Fish Lake Road. For fifteen years, Lord of  Life was bursting at the seams, just like the surrounding suburb. Pastor Peter became senior pastor in 1988, working to grow the faith of people of all ages. This growing church in a growing suburb worshiped six times a weekend in two locations.

You could say that Lord of Life began its third chapter in 2001 when they built a new campus in the middle of a field on the outskirts of Maple Grove. Here, Lord of Life had room for its whole congregation and even added an addition to the building in 2011. No longer quite bursting at the seams, but certainly not

declining, the community had the space and resources it needed to host the big, thriving ministry God was calling them to. They had spent a lot of energy building this new site; now their primary goal was to build people of God.

Which brings us to today! Now here’s what’s so exciting about what God is doing in our current chapter. In a few short years, the farmland around Lord of Life is filled with houses and a grocery store, transforming Lord of Life from a destination church to a neighborhood church. Pastor Joel has become lead pastor, with Pastor Peter serving the community as pastor emeritus. Pastor Kaitlyn leads this community faithfully as executive pastor, along with Pastors Dave, Karen, and LisaMarie. We’ve weathered a pandemic together, built a thriving online campus, and even hired another worship leader (me!). This chapter is new, exciting, and unlike any chapter that came before it.

Looking at Lord of Life’s chapters, it might be tempting to decide, “That’s when Lord of Life was at its best. Those were the good ol’ days.” But let me remind you, worshiping in an elementary school (Chapter 1) is a really difficult undertaking; managing a new building (Chapter 2) comes with a lot of financial uncertainty; building a new campus on the outskirts of town (Chapter 3) is a huge risk that usually causes church congregations to reduce by a third. And this chapter (and the next and the next and the next) will have challenges of its own.

We can’t revisit or replicate past chapters; that’s not how stories work. What we can do is see God’s work in those past chapters and move forward faithfully, trusting that God is at work to continue the story. This new chapter unfolds with new challenges and opportunities. I am so excited for where the Holy Spirit will lead us next!

THE VOICE OF GOD

by Pastor Emeritus Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren peter@lordoflife.org

Be still and know that I am God. —Psalm 46:10

At Bethany Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis, the church where I grew up, the above words were printed over the double doors that led into the church sanctuary. As a nine-year-old going to worship, I took those words as a warning to not even think about fidgeting for the next hour.

I have learned over the years, especially through the work I have done with Pastor Karen Wight Hoogheem and our contemplative community here at Lord of Life, that those words are not a warning but an invitation.

As Christians, we usually focus on what God wants us to do. But in this verse, God points out that sometimes nothing is the right thing to do. We are invited to be still. And in the stillness, God comes.

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

—I Samuel 3:9-10

Samuel eventually figured out the importance of being still and listening. It has taken me a long time to get there. Over the years, I have done much more talking to God than listening to God. We know that communication only happens when there is speaking and listening, but my prayer life has consisted of me doing the bulk of the talking.

Journalist Dan Rather once asked Mother Teresa what she said during her prayers. She answered, “I listen.” So Rather turned the question and asked, “Well then, what does God say?” Mother Teresa smiled with confidence and answered, “He listens.” For an instant, Rather didn’t know what to say. “And if you don’t understand that,” Mother Teresa added, “I can’t explain it to you.”

That’s a little snarky, but there is a great power when we are quiet in the presence of God.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. —John 10:3-4

In these verses, Jesus talks about a shepherd whose sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. In Biblical times many different herds of sheep would often be penned in one area. When a shepherd would come and call his sheep, the ears of the sheep were so finely tuned that they would only follow the voice of their shepherd.

Jesus is our shepherd. But it can be challenging for us to recognize God’s voice. There are so many distractions, so many competing voices. It is difficult for us to filter out the noise and hear what God is saying. It takes practice.

I encourage you to join me for this year’s iteration of Lord of Life’s Contemplative Community for Spiritual Transformation. We begin on Saturday, September 16, and meet on the third Saturday of each month through May. It is an opportunity to learn how to be still, how to listen, and how to recognize the voice of God in your life.

LIVE THE STORY

by Pastor Karen Wight Hoogheem karenwh@lordoflife.org

Last year, Lord of Life embarked on a journey through the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the congregation listened to the biblical story as we prayed and worshiped together. We connected with God and one another through reflection on and conversations about the Old and New Testaments. It was a year to Hear the Story of a faithful God who promises everlasting love by becoming human in Jesus Christ, who gives his life away to transform death to life. On the cross, we see the depths of God’s love for the world.

This year, Lord of Life will Live the Story. Grounded in the biblical story, worship will focus on two key themes of discipleship: serve and give. With lessons from Jesus’ parables and Paul’s letter to the Philippians, worship will encourage us to be people who embrace values that support our call to serve as followers of Jesus. October will invite us to give generously as we focus attention on a study of Enough, a book by Adam Hamilton. As we heard in the Bible, God invites us to live generous lives, like Jesus. We serve and give because God first gave to us. As we hear in John 3, “For God so loved the world that he gave . . .”

GYou can also look forward to opportunities for Advent worship, a Christmas cantata, and family-friendly worship as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.

As a worshiping community, we will hear God’s invitation to follow Christ and respond with generous lives as disciples who follow the way of Jesus as we serve and give together.

MEET AMIRA HAZIN

Through the Holy Land ministry, Lord of Life supports Bright Stars of Bethlehem/Dar al-Kalima University of Arts and Culture, Palestine, and provided funds for a full scholarship. Amira Hazin is the scholarship recipient; you are invited to learn more about her!

“Hello, friends. My name is Amira Hazin from Bethlehem, Palestine. I am 37 years old and live with my parents and two brothers. My father is sick. We only have one brother who works and supports the family.

At Dar al-Kalima University, my major is sports management and this is my second year. I finished my undergraduate studies at Bethlehem University in 2008.

I’ve worked as a fitness trainer for five years. I learned how to do fitness lessons from my own trainer, Shireen Jabrieh. Then in 2018, I participated in the Palestine Quality for Sports Sciences & Movement course. I went to study at Dar al-Kalima in order to develop and progress in my life and to improve the living situation for my family. I like the university very much because it offers different programs and activities, motivates students to be creative, and allows them to accomplish pioneering projects.

I am very thankful for the scholarship that helped me and will help me complete my studies and achieve my goal. My dream is to work in the field of sports as a coach and motivate people to exercise through new sports games in an unconventional way through electronic screens that touch the ball helping movement and focus.”

To learn more about Lord of Life’s Holy Land ministry, you are encouraged to explore lordoflife.org/theholyland. And save the date September 16 (6:30-8:30pm) for a watch party in the Luther Room for Bright Stars of Bethlehem Virtual Gala!

A MOMENT IN TIME

by Kirstin Delp, Executive Director of Children, Youth & Family (kirstind@lordoflife.org)

Drop offs, pick ups, heat, air quality, permission slips, scheduling, communicating, supply gathering, problem-solving, easing anxiousness, applying sunscreen . . . Between Vacation Bible School (VBS), Adventure Week, Summer Stretch and more—summer at Lord of Life moves quickly in the busyness. Yet, to slow down and appreciate each moment makes all the difference.

A child who is reluctant on the first day and up early on the second day, ready to come back to VBS. A youth volunteer who calms the 3 year old. A room full of children singing praises to God. A college student holding a circle of children captive as he walks around and around the group, reading a Bible story. A realization that in serving others each week at Summer Stretch, we are changing ourselves. Two week-long mission trips with vans carrying adult volunteers and youth across the country, growing in their faith as they serve and experience faith in action. An office full of four interns (turn the page for more about them!), developing lessons and prepping materials, learning more about who God has created them to be as they focus on the experiences of others.

These are the moments that go by so fast. These are just a few of the moments that can be overlooked in the planning before the events and the counting down to the finish. These are the moments that matter.

Story Circles

20 families

Thank you to everyone who

Summer Stretch

140 middle schoolers

20 high school leaders

nAudrey Nistle

Preschool Vacation Bible School (VBS)

140 preschoolers, 90 youth leaders

InternAnna Stenerson

Closing worship was my favorite!

On day one of elementary VBS, I heard meek voices attempt to learn songs and share the daily theme with still bodies nervous to “share the peace” with new peers. The final day, I heard a stellar choir with memorized lyrics, dancing, a roar of voices sharing the daily theme, and peace shared with as many new friends as they could find! Perhaps the most special part of worship was during calmer songs, when kids swayed in the pews, arms wrapped around each other in kindness and love. Seeing confidence and compassion grow within each child was an endearing indicator of success in the programs!

On the morning of the first day of the second week of Elementary VBS, it was a mix of previous volunteers & brand new ones—everyone was a little quiet. We played a few games together, had morning devotion, then on to a day of VBS fun. At the end-of-day meeting, a handful of students were excited to share highlights from the day and connect. As the next couple days passed and the volunteers did more activities together, they became more comfortable. Students’ connections grew as many were participating in morning devotions and leading prayers for the group to start the day! I saw volunteers leading games they had learned, working together in small groups. Closing meetings that once took a mere five minutes nearly tripled in length because every volunteer had a highlight & a story. You could truly see God’s presence working through them as they not only genuinely enjoyed volunteering with the elementary students but also enjoyed connecting with each other!

made Summer 2023 amazing!

InternAnabelle Linson

One of my favorite parts of the summer was the last day of Preschool VBS. By large group closing that Thursday, most of the kids had learned the words and actions to the worship songs that were played every day. We distributed light-up sticks to every child/volunteer, turned off the lights, and encouraged the kids to sing and dance their hearts out to a favorite worship song one last time. I loved seeing the child-like faith and joy in all of the preschoolers and kindergarteners while they sang about how God loves them—I know that they all believe it.

Middle School Mission Trip

37 middle schoolers, 7 adult leaders

Adventure Week

150 elementary kids

15 high school leaders

Elementary VBS

300 elementary kids, 50 youth leaders

Grace Drayton was also a Children, Youth & Family (CYF) intern and is not pictured. We pray her study abroad in Thailand is going well!

High School Mission Trip

17 high schoolers, 6 adult leaders

BAP TISMS

At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. To schedule a baptism, call the church office (763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.org/baptism.

The next baptism classes are

September 11 and October 2.

June 10, 2023

Aiden Beckman Candler

Isaac William Candler

Noah Jonathon Candler

June 11, 2023

Rylee Grace Makozak

Teegan David Wilson

Beckham Edwin Yard

Isla Jade Yard

June 17, 2023

Joshua Fasching O’Dell

June 24, 2023

Anna Mae Vimmi Ladhani

June 25, 2023

Charli Jo Johnson

Zoey Rae Sontag

Adelaide Ronnie Verchota

June 30, 2023

Riggs Devick Liljequist

July 1, 2023

Maximillian Von Patnode

July 9, 2023

Aubrey Mae Johnson

July 30, 2023

Brooklyn Jane Halvorson

Griffin Owen Olsen

BEREAVEMENTS

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

Rita Albert and family at the death of her husband, Mike Albert

Doug Benson and family at the death of his wife, Kathy O’Connell

Danielle Branson and family at the death of her step-grandfather

Jim & Barbara Bury at the death of their son, Christopher Wuollet

Julie & Nathan Burzlaff and family at the death of their husband and father, David Burzlaff

Marcia Hildebrand and family at the death of her father

Skyler Kane and family at the death of his grandmother

Jan Klein and family at the death of her husband

Mark Middendorf and family at the death of his mother, Melba Middendorf

Tony Sjolander and family at the death of his father, Sonny Sjolander

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

June: July:

Rick Antin Beth Brisky

WEDDINGS

June 10, 2023

Erin Lilliencrantz & Matthew Hauer

June 21, 2023

Erin Lewison & Benjamin Nordstrom

July 15, 2023

Katie Gartzke & John Holbeck

Olivia Rosenow & Benjamin Madigan

July 22, 2023

Lily Hamel & Charles Rude

July 26, 2023

Joan Faust & David DeJarnett

July 29, 2023

Kristin Luebke & Brandon Palmer

Alice Kano Paul & Judy Grannes

Shirl McMahon Jodie Fleck & Jesse Gunderson

Kevin & Lisa Olson Jon & Rinda Norberg

Ethel Shiell

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 Diane Steffen (dianes@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.

Peace Exploration Process—

WHY?

by Executive Pastor Kaitlyn Forster kaitlynf@lordoflife.org

A question that I have heard quite a bit lately has been, “Why?”

“Why have we been exploring an adoption of Peace Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN?”

When I hear those questions, in my head I hear Lord of Life’s Council Vice President Matt Eich’s voice replying, “Why not?” He has been a part of Peace discernment process since the leadership at Peace Lutheran approached Lord of Life asking to become a satellite location and was one of the first people to wonder if God could be calling Lord of Life into something new. Like the disciples in the early church, Matt and the other council members had to be open to the Spirit’s presence. They found that the reasons to consider this possibility outweighed the reasons to say no to this exploration. It didn’t mean that they had all the answers, but that it would be worth the effort to figure them out.

This led the council to approve a six-month exploration period for the congregation to dive into the work as well. Six exploration teams were formed in May and are comprised of 25-30 Lord of Life members. Their work, while focusing on what a new campus could mean for Lord of Life is actually much larger than that. What they are discerning and wrestling with is how God is calling Lord of Life to be the church in a changing cultural landscape.

This work is important because the Covid-19 pandemic changed nearly everything about our lives for the past few years and that includes faith communities. It involves navigating new worship patterns and preferences, asking tough questions of the world around us, and seeking the hope of Christ in the midst of uncertainty. With that as the base for this process, we can be certain that God is at work no matter the outcome. God is leading Lord of Life into a new chapter of our lives together. The details may not have come into focus yet, but we know that God is; calling us to deepen our discipleship and to be open to the Spirit’s presence so that all may know the abundant and ever-present love of God.

For updates on the Peace Lutheran exploration process, visit lordoflife.org/peace.

An Invitation to a GriefShare Presentation—

LOSS OF A SPOUSE

by Pastor LisaMarie Doerrmann lisamaried@lordoflife.org

God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. —Psalm 147:3

The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. —Psalm 34:18

God created us to be in relationship with others, and when we lose a relationship for any reason, we grieve. The loss of a loved one can be a devastating event, and the loss of a spouse can be especially difficult. We are not meant to grieve alone.

On Tuesday, October 17, at 6:30pm, Lord of Life’s GriefShare group will be hosting a one-night seminar focusing on the loss of a spouse. This program will introduce the leaders, Joy and Scott Roeglin, include a video featuring men and women who have lost spouses, and openly address topics such as:

• What to expect following loss

• The effects of grief on your physical, emotional, and spiritual self

• Challenges that a surviving spouse may face

• The possibility for hope and healing in life

After the video, we’ll have a group discussion with others who have lost spouses to consider what the group learned from the video and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Even if you don’t feel like talking, you may learn from listening to the questions and answers of others and you will find support and hope.

This one-night presentation is also an introduction to GriefShare, an ongoing ministry at Lord of Life. The mission of GriefShare is to provide support to those experiencing the loss of a loved one and to foster a community of support to help participants in their grieving process. GriefShare runs on a 13-week cycle, with a new cycle beginning October 24. More information about GriefShare will be available at the meeting.

There is no fee for attending, and pre-registration is not required. We will plan to meet in the Choir Room, but check the monitors on your way in to confirm the location. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Tomlinson at 763.420.5015 x118.

Sent to Serve Sunday on September 24 is an opportunity to learn about the various ministries Lord of Life partners with around the world. Representatives and volunteers will have tables in Fellowship Hall; members are encouraged to ask questions & learn how we are serving people in Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, Minneapolis, and here in the northwest metro. Where is God calling you to serve?

6 Getting Ready for Confirmation (6:30-8pm)

7 Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLs) Faith, Food & Fellowship, 11:45am

8 Karing Kingdom Preschool Get Acquainted Day

9 Fall Kickoff - Saturday Worship (5:30pm)

10 Fall Kickoff - Sunday Worship (8:30, 9:45, 11am)

Church School (CS) Open House (8:30am-12noon)

10-11 Peace Lutheran Meetings

11 Baptism Class via Zoom

C3 & CS Leader Training Option 1 (5pm)

13 Word for Women begins

C3 & CS Leader Training Option 2 (6:30pm)

14 Ring and Sing begins (9-9:30am)

Children’s Choir begins (5:30-6:30pm)

16 Contemplative Community for Spiritual Transformation begins (9-10:30am)

Watch Party for Bright Stars of Bethlehem Virtual Gala (6:30-8:30pm)

17 Church School begins (8:30, 9:45, and 11am)

C3 Confirmation Family Kickoff (5, 6, 7pm)

18 Monday Men’s Bible Study begins (6-7pm)

19 Tuesday Men’s Bible Study begins (7-8am)

20 C3 Confirmation Family Kickoff (4:30pm)

21 OWLs National Eagle Center, Wabasha, MN

23 Saturday Men’s Bible Study begins (7-8am)

Food Truck Festival (4-7pm)

24 Sent to Serve Sunday (see sidebar)

29-30 Engaged Couples Seminar (Saturday, 4:45-8:30pm, Sunday 8:30-1-pm)

Worship with Lord of Life

Saturdays (5:30pm) with Livestream

Sundays (8:30, 9:45, and 11am) with Livestream

Church School classes begin on September 17

Childcare available for birth - age two during Sunday worship

OCTOBER

1 Blessing of the Animals

2 Baptism Class via Zoom

5 OWLs Faith, Food & Fellowship, 11:45am

7-8 Eighth Grade C3 Retreat

8 Bible Parent/Child Class - 2 year old Milestone

9 Connect Life (7-8pm)

14-15 Seventh Grade C3 Retreat

17 Loss of a Spouse GriefShare Event (See Page 17)

19 OWLs Cruise the St. Croix

22 Trunk or Treat (3-4:30pm)

23 Third Grade Bible Learning Event Option 1

(6-7pm)

28 Third Grade Bible Learning Event Option 2

(9-10am)

28-29 Third Grade Bible Presentation in Worship

28-29 Affirmation of Baptism Weekend

Visit lordoflife.org or call the church office (763.420.5015) for

the most up-to-date calendar items

and details.

On July 23, One Big Backyard Worship included passing of the peace with beachballs— visit Facebook for more pics & video!

Stay connected with recurring events:

Alone...Together Women, third Monday

C3 Confirmation Ministry, begins Sept. 17 & 20

Canticle Choir, Wednesdays, begins Aug. 30

Celebrate Recovery, Tuesdays

Children’s Choir, Thursdays, begins Sept. 14

Fellowship with the Fellas, first and third Tuesdays

FreedomWorks Connection, third Thursday

Gethemane Clothes Closet, first & third Saturdays

Gethsemane Food Market, Mondays

Griefshare, Tuesdays

Job Transition Group, first and third Wednesdays

Love to Paint, Tuesdays

Men’s and Women’s Cancer Support, first Monday

Men’s Small Groups: Mon. 6pm, Tues. 7am, Sat. 7am

Prayer Shawl Ministry, second Thursday

Ring and Sing, bgins Sept. 14

Sharing and Caring Hands, second Saturday

Word for Women, Wednesdays, begins Sept. 13