December 2015 Lifetimes

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

LifeTIMES

December 2015

Reprinted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship Graphics CD-ROM, copyright © 2011, admin.

Augsburg Fortress. Created by Liturgical Artist Nicholas Markell.

Used by permission. Cover and Pages 5, 7, 12-13.

Sing Noël, Sing Hallelujah!

This year’s musical celebration of Christmas, presented by the Canticle Choir, Bel Canto, and the Lord of Life Orchestra, is titled “Sing Noël, Sing Hallelujah!” You will hear music by John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, John Leavitt, Dan Forrest, and others. We will journey from Advent through Christmas with beautiful arrangements of wellknown carols. The congregation will also join in on a few of the songs. Please join us for this Christmas tradition at Lord of Life on Saturday, December 12, at 5:30 pm and Sunday, December 13, at 8:30, 9:45, and 11 am.

“A stable bare, a starlit sky, and under Heaven’s watchful eye a miracle in a manger lay, the Lamb of God upon a bed of hay.”—Susan Bentall Boersma

LO R D O F LI FE LU T HE R A N C H UR CH (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. prayernetwork@lordoflife.org

office@lordoflife.org

/lordoflife

/lordoflife /lolcyf

/lordoflifeelca

/lordoflifeluth

Lord of Life exists to proclaim the saving grace of Jesus Christ and for its faith community to witness and serve God gratefully in daily life.

—Lord of Life’s Global Ends Policy PASTO RAL S TA F F Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Senior Pastor, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. Sarah Bunge, Pastor, Evangelism/Worship, sarahb@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor, Adult Ministries, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Karen Sue Greimel, Pastor, Pastoral Care, ksgreimel@lordoflife.org Rev. Charles ‘Chick’ Lane, Pastor, Stewardship/Generosity, chickl@lordoflife.org Rev. David McCarty, Pastor, Outreach/Mission, davem@lordoflife.org Rev. Donna Rohrer, Pastor, Adult Education, donnar@lordoflife.org Pastoral Intern Kari Lyn Wampler, karilynw@lordoflife.org Pastoral Intern Taylor Wilson, taylorw@lordoflife.org

TABLE O F CO N T E N T S Worship and Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2 Pastor’s Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 3-4 Lord of Life’s Family of Faith / Healing Prayer Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 4-5 Generosity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Lord of Life Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pages 7-14 Karing Kingdom Preschool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15

december worship and music December 5/6 Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Joyful Noise (8:30 am), Canticle Choir (9:45 and 11 am) December 12/13 “Sing Noël, Sing Hallelujah!” See cover article.

December 19/20 Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren Church School children sing during worship.

Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: New Life Ensemble Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren 11 am: Soloist Amy Cerepak 1 and 2:30 pm: Joyful Noise and Dana Brinton 4 and 5:30 pm: Soloist Kelly Jordahl 8 pm: Soloist Lee Fuchs 9:30 and 11 pm: Canticle Choir, Lee Fuchs Worship services at 11 am, 1, 2:30, 4, 5:30 pm include a children’s sermon and childcare is available; worship services at 8, 9:30 and 11 pm feature candlelight. All services with Holy Communion.

Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 9:45 am Pastor Donna Rohrer Service with Holy Communion Soloist Val Lari Sixth Annual Bunge Family Worship at 4 pm More information on Page 14.

December 26/27 Pastor Sarah Bunge Saturday: Lessons & Carols with Holy Communion Sunday: Lessons & Carols

<> Saturdays at 5:30 pm with Holy Communion

Visit Lord of Life’s Facebook pages for more photos of November’s Kalahari Family Retreat!

Sundays at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 am with Holy Communion the first and third Sundays Every Sunday Mobile Hope at Maple Hill Estates, community ecumenical worship at 5 pm

Worship and Music

Third Wednesday, December 16, worship at 12:45 pm at Arbor Lakes Senior Living in the 2nd floor community room and at 2:30 pm at Rose Arbor Assisted Living in their red room

2 December 2015

Third Sunday, December 20, worship at 10 am at Good Samaritan - Ambassador in New Hope Worship and music schedules are subject to change.

Engaging the Christmas Story as a Pilgrim When you read this pastor’s article, we have begun the season of Advent, preparing and anticipating the coming of the Messiah. However, as I write this, 67 Lord of Lifers and I are returning from an incredible pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I asked each ‘pilgrim’ to share a word or sentence that describes what they experienced and would like to share with you in the hope that you, too, might experience “the Bible stories come alive.”

Pastor Dave McCarty

The group that visited the Holy Land “went as tourists and came home as pilgrims,” and that’s the way we are to experience Advent as well. One of our guides, Peter Sabella, described the difference between being a tourist and a pilgrim: “Tourists pass through places, but pilgrims let places pass through them, allowing their hearts to be changed.”

Engaging the Christmas story as a pilgrim allows each of us to enter into it, and in that manner, we are able to see and hear what Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds heard and saw.

Everyone may not be able to travel to the Holy Land but everyone is able to be a pilgrim during this Advent season and experience the holy story firsthand.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold, Luke 1:30-32: The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…”

The Church of the Annunciation is built on the site believed to be Mary’s home in Nazareth. The people behind this altar are viewing the ‘cave’ at right.

Mary Visits Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-41: In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.

Mary returned to her home in Nazareth to begin her journey to Bethlehem with Joseph. In Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph found shelter in a stable which looks more like a cave than what we see in our manger scenes in Minnesota.

—pastor’s article continues on next page

Pastor’s Article

The Church of the Visitation (left) and this sculpture (right) commemorates the time Mary spent with Elizabeth and Zechariah in the Judean countryside.

December 2015 3

—pastor’s article continues from previous page

The Birth of Jesus, Luke 2:4-7: Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Church of the Nativity is built upon the location of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem; the star in the floor identifies where the manger is believed to have been when Jesus was born.

baptisms At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. The next baptism class will be Sunday, December 13, at 11 am. No pregistration is necessary. To schedule a baptism, please call the church office (763.420.5015).

October 3

Carter Daniel Anderson

Noah Daniel Thompson October 4

Colton Calvin Christie

Noah James Magnuson

Annika Amelia Shimpa October 10

Carter Ross Bye

Davis Richard Bye October 11

Kyla Larae Christenson

Riley Matthew Mooney

Isabelle Kate Wimmer

The Shepherds and the Angels, Luke 2:8-11: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

From The Shepherd’s Field Church, this shepherd’s field in 2015 shows the field plus an Israeli settlement. It is an indication that life for today’s Palestinian Christians shares tension which may be similar to what Mary and Joseph experienced under Roman rule.

October 17

Levi Walter Bloomquist

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

Trevis & Laura Alberts with Emily and Maxwell and family at the death of their son and brother Elly Anderson and family at the death of her mother Sherry Benedict and family at the death of her grandmother Dave Hobson and family at the death of his brother Virginia Larson and family at the death of her stepson

Pastor’s Article / Family of Faith

Tracy Mueller and family at the death of her mother Lord of Life’s pilgrims, who walked where Jesus walked, used many words to describe their journey: overwhelming, joy, love, gratitude, life-changing, inspiring, tearful, powerful, transformative, unexpected, enlightening, faith-affirming, humbling, reflective, and it’s real! This pilgrimage was “Spiritfilled and Spirit-led” giving us the gift from God of peace (English), shalom (Hebrew), salam (Arabic). May you, too, receive the peace from God, that goes beyond understanding, during your pilgrimage through Advent. Amen.

4 December 2015

Colleen Schmid with Cassie, Cody, and Grace and family at the death of their husband and father Larry Skeie and family at the death of his wife Darwin Takkinen and family at the death of his son

Lord of Life’s

Family Faith of

weddings October 3

Kelly Lynch & Patrick Bonner October 10

Amanda Hrkal & Michael Bostic

Sarah Marx & Mark Danielson

Stacey Collins & Brad Wenlund October 16

Allison Ann Reichow & Joseph Mark Hafner October 17

Madeline Buck & Matthew Geisendorfer-Lindgren October 30

Rhonda Spah & Mark Gilbert

welcome to new members Mike & Terri Beaverson with Anna Libby Carlson David & Mary Doppenberg with Isaac Peter & Vicki Perri Patrick & Sarah Sipe with Alex, Kyle, and Caden

The Prayer of Faith

James 5:13-16 says, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

The Bible tells us that for all things we are to pray, especially for healing: healing for physical, emotional, psychological, relational, behavioral, and spiritual matters.

We have found that healing prayer is something that can’t always wait for a regularly scheduled service. And, that most people prefer an individual, family, or personal group prayer session. This has resulted in an increase in personal prayer appointments. There will no longer be a quarterly healing service due to the adoption and growth of personal prayer appointments.

If you or a loved one is in need of a healing service, would like prayer before a surgical procedure, or a personal prayer appointment, please contact Pastor Karen Sue Greimel (763.420.5015 x144 or ksgreimel@lordoflife.org).

Joe & Autumn Sather 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 Karen Klevar (karenk@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015 x116) or visit lordoflife.org/membership. You are invited to become a part of the Lord of Life family of faith.

Family of Faith December 2015 5

Budget Year-to-date October 2015 Actual

Total member contributions

Budget

$2,448,384 $2,393,988

All other

$218,333

Total receipts

Difference $54,396

$213,071

$5,263

$2,666,718 $2,607,059

$59,658

Lord of Life Weekly Giving — October 2015 $100,000 $80,000 $60,000 $40,000 $20,000 0

10/4

10/11

10/18

Actual Budget

$77,219 $60,811

$56,457 $60,811

$58,600 $57,117 $60,811 $60,812

10/25

Year-end Gifts

During this season of giving, please also consider a special gift to Lord of Life. You have many options for year-end giving: •

Complete an online gift at lordoflife.org/give by midnight on Thursday, December 31

•

Call the church office at 763.420.5015 to give a gift via credit card by 4 pm on Thursday, December 31

•

Bring your cash/check donation to the church office by noon on Thursday, December 31

•

Mail your donation, postmarked by Thursday, December 31, to Lord of Life, 7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Generosity

Contact Heidi Hustoft at heidih@lordoflife.org with any questions about stock donations.

6 December 2015

A Month of Giving

by Pastor Chick Lane Pastor Sarah recently led a discussion with a group of parents about the topic, “How to raise generous children.”

She asked me what I would suggest for the discussion.

I replied, “I think the most important things parents can do are to be generous, and to talk to their children about their generosity.”

December is a great month for this. Everyone’s attention is on giving gifts. Giving opportunities abound to help those experiencing economic need. What a great month for parents to be generous, and to involve their children in that generosity. Here is an idea.

There are four December weeks leading up to Christmas this year. Each week the family could sit down and talk about where to make a gift that week.

Perhaps it would be to the always present ‘red kettle’ by the Salvation Army. Perhaps it would be through Lord of Life to the food shelf. Perhaps it would be to some other worthwhile charity that one of you knows about.

You could do this each week, and give a predetermined amount of money to that charity. The best option would be for the whole family to get involved in delivering the money to the charity. If you mail the gift, make sure everyone has a part in sending it off—one person could write the check, another could address the envelope, still another could affix the stamp.

If your family is like mine and doesn’t have mom, dad, and the kids under one roof, you can still do this. You could have a telephone, FaceTime or Skype conversation each week with a child—no matter how far away they are or how they are a part of your life. I think this could be great fun for everyone. I’m also convinced it would be a great way for you to help a child learn what it means to be generous, especially at this time of the year.

If you receive a thank-you note for the gift, make sure the child who helped give the gift receives the thank you as well. This will complete the gift-giving cycle, and make the child even more likely to want to repeat the process next year.

I’m planning on doing this with my granddaughters this year. I’d encourage you to give it a try as well.

Stop in Thursday, December 3, for a Special Holiday Pack—

Christians Reaching Out in Social Service (CROSS)—

On Thursday, December 3, The Food Group’s Fare for All is offering a special holiday pack. The holiday pack is $30 and will include a spiral cut ham (7-9 lb); whole chicken (5.5 lb), beef ring sausage and turkey breakfast sausage, two mixed vegetables, and a dutch apple pie.

These holiday packs are in addition to the regular meat or megameat or vegetable packs. Purchases may also be of individual products; products vary due to availability.

Last Christmas, Lord of Life was in partnership with CROSS to use our Samaritan Hall location as a ‘store’ for families in need while distributing the holiday store donations received at CROSS.

Fare for All

Partnership with CROSS

This Christmas, Lord of Life is so happy to announce we will be an actual location to receive their holiday store donations in addition to continuing the partnership with CROSS for distribution of donations.

If you would like to provide a gift or two this holiday season to a local family in need, please refer to the CROSS list of holiday store donation suggestions: crossservices. org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ CROSS-Holiday-Suggestion-Items. pdf. There is a particular need for teenage and boy gifts.

Your unwrapped gift(s) may be brought to Lord of Life’s Service Center between December 5-13.

Fare for All, held in Lord of Life’s Samaritan Hall, is open to the public from 4-6 pm.

You do not need to be a member of Lord of Life and there is no income restriction for customers. Cash, credit/debit cards, and EBT cards will be accepted; unfortunately they do not accept personal checks. This is “food that makes cents!”

Each Fare for All needs 5-8 volunteers for 3-4 hours of carryout help and other service opportunities. It is a great time to earn C3 service hours. To volunteer, contact Karen Nelson (karenn@ lordoflife.org).

Thank you for your generosity to help local families in need during this Christmas season!

Questions? Call CROSS at 763.425.1050 or email info@ CROSSservices.org.

For more information about Fare for All and The Food Group, visit lordoflife.org/ thefoodgroup.

That Special Gift

Again this year Lord of Life’s gift and bookstore, Reflections of Faith, has a wonderful selection of Advent calendars, Christmas books, and faith-related décor available for purchase.

Reflections of Faith is open before and after all worship services. It is also open during the week and evenings, depending upon volunteers. You are encouraged to stop by and browse—Reflections of Faith may have that special gift you are looking for this Christmas season!

Thank You

We wish we could express all of our thanks with one big hug: •

to everyone who gave a tax-free donation to Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in 2015,

•

to everyone who packed FMSC’s formulated nutritional meals,

•

and to everyone who continue to pray for God’s work to feed children in body and spirit.

—Denny & LaVerne Kinvig

Lord of Life Ministries

We are grateful for the generous support of Lord of Life’s family and friends.

December 2015 7

During Advent in 2010, many Lord of Lifers brought in their special nativity sets for all to enjoy over a weekend. This beautiful cross-stitch artwork created by Lord of Life member Lynn Key was just one of the treasures on display.

Lord of Life’s Joy of Giving & Craft and Bake Sale—

‘Tis the Season!

by Karen Nelson Adult Ministries will be providing two wonderful ways to support the missions and ministries that are active in Lord of Life. We have bread bakers and sandwich makers and many other ways that our congregation reaches out to the world (close and far from here) to share God’s love through the gifts He has given us.

Joy of Giving will have many ministry options of $5-$25 gifts to help those in need. Stop in Fellowship Hall between worship services from November 28 to December 20.

The Craft and Bake sale is December 12/13; you won’t want to miss it! There will be delicious homemade treats and various handcrafted items for purchase with all proceeds going to the missions and ministries participating.

Stop in Fellowship Hall between worship services the weekend of December 12/13.

Lifelong Learning at Lord of Life Lutheran (L5)—

L5 Session 3 begins January 10 sundays 8:30 am 9:45 am 11 am 6 pm

Bible study of Timothy and Titus with Pastor Donna Rohrer Bonhoeffer: His Life, Teachings, Martyrdom with Professor Mark Tranvik Prayer School with Cynthia and Larry Pivec and Pastor Karen Sue Greimel Parenting Our Teens with Pastoral Intern Kari Lyn Wampler

mondays 7 pm 7 pm

For adult 33 The Series, volume 3 with Don Clark Bible study of Timothy and Titus with Pastor Donna Rohrer

wednesdays Lord of Life Ministries

6:30 pm

Parenting Our Teens with Pastoral Intern Kari Lyn Wampler

thursdays 6:30 pm

8 December 2015

education class descriptions and biographies of instructors, visit lordoflife.org/L5.

David with Dottie Sterling and Lisa McCarty

The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge Ministry—

Make the Most of Your Giving

by Shar Moseng Every day is a good day to give at Hope Lodge in Minneapolis. Hope Lodge is a home-away-from-home, free of charge, for adult cancer patients and their caregivers who travel more than 40 miles to receive treatment. For the past 4½ years, Lord of Life has built lifelong relationships through this ministry.

supplies Hope Lodge is always in need of operational supplies. A list of what it takes to run Hope Lodge every day is provided below.

These donation items can be placed in the appropriate bins in the Service Center (located near Reflections of Faith gift store):

Prior to Veterans’ Day during worship, Lord of Life asks veterans/active duty to stand for recognition while a military medley is performed by the Canticle Choir—and Val Lari in the choir is an Army vet, frequent soloist, and piccolo player!

Food/kitchen items: Cereal/granola/fruit bars, individual boxes of cereal, toaster pastries, single servings of juice, sugar, sweetener Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, napkins

The Military Family Support Ministry also provides an annual Veterans’ Dinner with fabulous food, great speakers, and warm memories from veterans/active duty. For more photos and information on this ministry, visit Lord of Life’s website/facebook page.

Linens: Full-size mattress pads, white bath and hand towels, white washcloths/bathmats Office supplies: Pens, permanent markers Cleaning supplies: Sanitizing wipes, Swiffer® wet cloths, 13/33/56-gallon garbage bags Miscellaneous: C/D/9-volt batteries, light bulbs, postage stamps, travel mugs with lids, travel-size toiletry items, white clothes hangers, white laundry baskets Other: Portable DVD players, umbrellas, gift cards to Target, Cub Foods, etc.

other ways to help •

Lord of Life’s Joy of Giving and Craft & Bake Sale will include Hope Lodge—watch for details in upcoming worship bulletins

•

Give your time—make “Grab & Go” bags, help with a Monday meal, or organize an event at Hope Lodge

Visit lordoflife.org/hopelodge for more ideas on donating supplies or time. Thank you for supporting this ministry!

Three generations of Navy veterans!

Thank you to all servers and kitchen workers!

December 2015 9

Tusen Takk to Bob Munson

The 20" plate (at right) was painted by Robert (Bob) N. Munson, a member of Lord of Life since 2008. It incorporates the phrase, Child of God, Loved Beyond Measure, which is used frequently at Lord of Life.

The original, free-hand design is painted in acrylics on wood. The painting is Norwegian Telemark rosemaling which is decorative painting that uses stylized flower ornamentation, scrollwork, and lining often in flowing patterns. Rosemaling was commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries to decorate homes and churches. The medallions on the left and right edge are the st:Olavleden, the symbol used to mark the medieval pilgrimage route to the Nidaros Cathedral in Tronheim, Norway. This plate won a red ribbon for rosemaling at the 2015 Minnesota State Fair and is a gift from the artist to the members of Lord of Life. This plate is on display near the Welcome Desk in the narthex.

Also by Bob Munson, the 18" plate (at left) incorporates portions of the 23rd Psalm. The original, freehand Norwegian Telemark rosemaling design is painted in acrylics on wood. This plate also incorporates the st:Olavleden symbol as described above. The plate was displayed at the 2015 Minnesota State Fair and is also a gift to the congregation.

Thank you to Bob Munson for sharing his gifts and talents with Lord of Life!

Art and God’s Creation

Flowers and landscapes, trees and lakes—all are beautiful creations by God. Our art is an expression of our love for God’s creation. The way the water moves the pigment and the shapes made with the brush bring life to the ways we experience God’s creation. We are inspired by a beautiful sunset, a garden, the colors of fall, or snow in a field. We would like to inspire you, too.

Lord of Life Ministries

Please join in on the second Tuesday of every month from 9 am-12 noon in the Art Room on the lower level; the next session is on December 8. We are watercolor artists but welcome other media as well. The Art Room is ideal with lots of tables, excellent light, and water available. Bring your own supplies and whatever project you would like to work on. We are in the process of learning and welcome others in their own artistic journey.

10 December 2015

Questions? Feel free to contact us: Mary Hill (701.833.9304, maryhill6321@comcast.net) or Susan Manrodt (763.248.0003, johnandsusan.manrodt@gmail.com).

Older Wiser Lutherans december

save the date

Thursday, December 3: The OWLs Annual Christmas Party - “Deck the Halls” with guest Steven Marking.

Steven received his masters degree in voice from Peabody Conservatory. He spent several years in New York studying and performing. He has performed with the Minnesota Opera, the Metropolitan Symphony, Schubert Club, and is a member of the MN Chorale.

Pastor Peter will give devotions. The celebration begins at noon in Fellowship Hall with a freewill donation lunch.

You are welcome to bring a donation of mittens and scarves. See you there!

Thursday, January 7: “Lunch and a Movie” beginning at noon in Fellowship Hall. Forget about the cold weather!

Come enjoy a warm lunch, a good movie, and popcorn with friends.

Thursday, December 17: Come join in for a Sinatra Holiday Bash with Christmas My Way at the Plymouth Playhouse. Cost is $23; lunch on your own before the show at the Green Mill. We leave Lord of Life at 10:30 am and return at 4 pm, so “Start Spreading the News!”

Friday, December 18: LifeTIMES labeling in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am.

God’s Work. Our Hands.

Thursday, January 21: Do you like classic cars? If so, be sure to join the OWLs on a guided tour of Ellingson Classic Cars in Rogers. If not, come and enjoy the fellowship. Cost is $7 plus lunch on our own at Maynard’s before the tour.

Leave church at 10:30 am and return by 3 pm.

See the bulletin board or lordoflife.org/ owls for more details of upcoming events.

Cancellations due to weather will be on the authority of the event leader and made at least 24 hours in advance when possible; calls will be made to all participants.

Questions? Contact Joyce or Gordy Martin directly at grjsmartin@embarqmail.com or 763.497.7355.

Susan Skaalerud

The OWLs visited Len Busch Roses in Plymouth recently - visit lordoflife.org/owls for stories and more photos of all their adventures!

Lord of Life Ministries December 2015 11

december weekly schedule C3 and middle school/high school Sundays: December 6, 13 5-6 pm: C3 groups (7th & 8th grade only) 5:15-6:30 pm: Family meal 6-7 pm: C3 groups / L5 class 7-7:45 pm: Ecclesia Worship in Samaritan Hall 7:45-8:45 pm: Explore middle school youth group

Express high school youth group

a work of love - 2016 Watch for this summer’s AWOL (A Work of Love) mission trip sites and dates later this month! AWOL is for youth currently in grades 9-12. More info will be at lordoflife.org/awol. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Pedersen (elizabethp@lordoflife.org).

Wednesdays: December 2, 9, 16 4:30-5:30 pm: C3 groups 5:30-6:30 pm: Family meal 6:30-7:30 pm: C3 groups / L5 class

Lord of Life Ministries

congratulations to 136 confirmands who affirmed their baptismal promises

12 December 2015

Visit Lord of Life’s website/facebook pages for more photos.

Visit Lord of Life’s website/facebook pages for more photos.

congratulations to 132 third graders who received their bibles

church school

elementary release day

December 19/20: All children ages 3-grade 6 will be participating in worship during their regular Church School time. Music and lyrics for their songs may found at lordoflife.org/churchschool.

Pick up and drop off in regular Church School classrooms.

Children in grades 1-5 are invited to join in for a day of fun on Monday, January 18, from 9 am-5 pm (check-in 8:30–9 am).

December 26/27: All children worship with families.

January 2/3: All children worship with families.

January 9/10: Regular Church School classes resume.

Two-year-olds begin weekly classes!

Register early as space is limited to 50 children!

Contact Carly Tappe (carlyt@lordoflife.org) with any questions.

Lord of Life Ministries

Thank you to all of our ministry leaders who have helped us this fall! We are grateful for all of the ways you help children grow in faith. We can still use more help! It’s never too late to join a Church School ministry team. Contact Kirstin (kirstind@lordoflife.org) or Julie (juliew@lordoflife.org) to get involved.

First, we will venture to Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Plymouth. After jumping, we will head to the St. Michael Theater for lunch, popcorn, and the new movie, Norm of the North. When we return to church we will be doing a service project for the people at Hope Lodge. Cost is $25 per child. Please bring a bag lunch and signed waiver for Sky Zone. More information and registration will be available December 1 at lordoflife.org/releaseday.

December 2015 13

Legacy of Love

in the lord of life sanctuary—

Children’s Musical

This year’s children’s Christmas musical is Legacy of Love. People of all ages will enjoy this performance. It’s the perfect family-friendly way to remember what the Christmas celebration is all about. AND we’ll have dinner after the performance. All are welcome— bring your kids, your grandparents, your friends, and your neighbors!

Legacy of Love:

2015 Children’s rock musical - sunday, december 6 performance at 5 pm freewill offering dinner after performance

•

5 pm, Sunday, December 6

•

No tickets/no charge for the performance

•

Freewill offering dinner to follow

Sixth Annual Bunge Family Stable Worship Friday, Christmas Day, 4 pm

Meet in Lord of Life’s parking lot at 3:30 pm.

Dress warmly for a kid-friendly worship which includes holy communion. Pastor Sarah shares, I started a house church six years ago called “God Loves You!” Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren and Lord of Life were big fans & supporters & I invited friends on Facebook. The sermon is the same every year—God came to us in a stable because we are not stable. The only animal there is Bingo, our labradoodle. No manure makes for better worship. Worship is held snow or shine—one year was 50 faithful in a blizzard. All are welcome!

Lord of Life Ministries

Youth attending Lord of Life’s Vacation Bible School last year raised $3,404.89 in the fight against malaria, a mosquito-borne illness that can lead to death. Malaria is a preventable, treatable disease. We learned that we can use our hands to do God’s work.

14 December 2015

December Bible Verse: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 December Book Pick

Goodnight, Manger

by Laura Sassi The animals in the stable are noisy—how will little Jesus ever fall asleep?

Happy December!

by Angie Schiebel, Director of Karing Kingdom Preschool December brings an abundance of joy and goodwill. The love and kindness God showed to us is beyond measure—by giving to us His only Son. This is the theme that will resonate throughout the month of December in Karing Kingdom Preschool. Yes, we will sprinkle in some jolly ol’ fun and holiday antics; however, our emphasis will be on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Chapel Chat will be about “The First Christmas.” Karing Kingdom’s ‘kindness projects’ will be Art Buddies and Christmas gifts for the Ronald McDonald House. Our Christmas program will be on Thursday, December 17, at 7 pm (children are to arrive at 6:45 pm, please). Karing Kingdom will be closed from December 18 to January 1, 2016.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas from Karing Kingdom Preschool!

For more information about Karing Kingdom Preschool, please contact us at kingdom@lordoflife.org or call 763.420.5015 x127.

Loaves of Love ministry co-leaders, Lisa Gerber (in red) and Maureen “Mo” Orendorff (in blue) taught Karing Kingdom students the art of pretzel making—a treat to make and a treat to eat!

For more information about the Loaves of Love ministry, visit lordoflife.org/loavesoflove.

Lord of Life Ministries December 2015 15

LO R D O F L I F E L U T H E RA N CHU R CH (E LCA ) 7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313 phone 763.420.5015 fax 763.420.7286 web lordoflife.org

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Submissions may be edited. Deadline for the January issue is December 1. Copyright © 2015 Lord of Life Lutheran Church

R E T U RN SE RVICE RE Q U E ST E D

caught reading lifetimes

In Israel’s Dead Sea with the country of Jordan in the distance, Pastor Dave and Lisa McCarty are caught reading LifeTIMES— see Page 3 for Dave’s pastor article!

Congratulations to Elle Johnson atop her donkey, Blackjack, after reaffirming her baptismal promise—more confirmand photos on Page 12!

God’s Work.

Our Hands.

16 December 2015

With one extra day to spare before the deadline—Donna Hayvee is caught reading LifeTIMES while delivering cartloads of Operation Christmas Child boxes!