December 2016 LifeTIMES

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

LifeTIMES

December 2016

Lord of Life’s Music Ministries —see Pages 3-5

LO R D O F LI FE LU T HE R A N CHUR 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

/lordoflifeelca

/lordoflifeluth @lolcyf

/lordoflife /lolcyf

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 PASTORA L S TAF F Rev. Sarah Bunge, Pastor of Evangelism and Worship, sarahb@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor of Programming, Learning, and Missions, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Senior Pastor, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. Karen Sue Greimel, Pastor of Pastoral Care, ksgreimel@lordoflife.org Rev. Charles ‘Chick’ Lane, Pastor of Stewardship and Generosity, chickl@lordoflife.org Rev. David McCarty, Pastor of Outreach and Missions, davem@lordoflife.org Rev. Donna Rohrer, Pastor of Adult Education, donnar@lordoflife.org Kari Lyn Wampler, Pastoral Intern, karilynw@lordoflife.org

TABLE O F CO N T E N T S Congregational Meeting / Worship and Music .......................................... Pages 3-5 Family of Faith.........................................................................................................6-7 One Mission One World: The Holy Land / Generosity.................................Pages 8-9 Lord of Life Ministries..........................................................................................10-14 Karing Kingdom Preschool............................................................................. Page 15

Sunday, December 4, 12 pm, in Fellowship Hall—

Congregational Meeting

The Wight Hoogheem Family Pastor Joel, Pastor Karen, Ian (6), and Hannah (11)

2 December 2016

Lord of Life’s Council and Call Committee are excited to announce a unanimous vote to recommend to the congregation for their approval the calling of Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem. A special congregational meeting to vote on Pastor Joel will be held on December 4 at noon. Pastor Joel is currently senior pastor of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church of Fridley. A congregational letter was mailed in November with meet and greet details; learn more about Pastor Joel at lordoflife.org/pastorjoel. See you on December 4!

Since 1998, David Frank has been tickling the ivories of the sanctuary’s concert grand Kawai. He has shared his musical talents in composing worship liturgy, accompanying the Canticle Choir, Praise Band, and innumerable soloists. Now with this article, we are blessed by his gift for writing as well.

Thank you, David, for sharing all of your gifts and talents with Lord of Life!

Continue to Pages 4-5 for details on music and worship celebrations during this Advent and Christmas season.

Especially during the holy season of Christ’s birth, may we listen to the—

Rhythms of Our Lives

by David Frank, Director of Music As you probably know, December 21 is the first day of winter. Autumn held on valiantly, but we know that winter will soon appear. This past fall, many of us at Lord of Life had experienced the change of seasons in our work life as fall programming began and choirs and study groups began. It’s the time of year when my thoughts turn to the many rhythms of our lives—maybe because I’m a musician.

There are great rhythms in the changes of seasons and eras of our lives: youth, middle age, retirement. There are weekly rhythms of work and sabbath. There are daily rhythms of sleeping and waking, mealtimes and prayer times, exertion and relaxation. And there are many immediate rhythms: our heartbeat every second, our breathing in and breathing out, our organs secreting necessary chemicals at the right time.

If any of these rhythms get too out of line, illness is likely to result—whether physical, psychological, or spiritual. We must turn to God in prayer to harmonize and tune these many patterns. Tune Our Heart to Sing Thy Grace, as the old hymn says. I have no doubt that daily prayer with God will allow our lives to be graceful and grace-filled. God is all beauty and harmony.

We must learn to trust these rhythms as well. None of us make our heart beat, or our liver produce enzymes, or our neurons fire. It just happens. In ancient times, people had great anxiety that in autumn and winter the sun was going to go away forever so they performed magical rites, lit great fires (the origin of bonfires and yule logs), or performed animal or even human sacrifices to make the sun reappear.

We simply trust in God. God is our maker, but also our sustainer. We love because God first loved us—we have faith because of God’s great faithfulness.

Worship and Music December 2016 3

december worship and music December 3/4 Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Joyful Noise/Alleluia children’s choirs (8:30 am), Canticle Choir (9:45 and 11 am) December 10/11 Saturday and Sunday: Christmas Cantata “Await Hope Joy Love” December 17/18 Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren Church School sings during worship Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: New Life Ensemble “Sing We All Noel” musical at 3:30 and 6 pm Friday, December 23 ‘Sunday’ Night Live at 7 pm with Pastor Sarah Bunge and Julius Collins and Sons of Almighty Saturday, Christmas Eve, December 24 Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren 11 am: Amy Cerepak 1 and 2:30 pm: Joyful Noise & Alleluia children’s choirs with Dana Craig 4 and 5:30 pm: Kelly Jordahl 8 pm: Joe Ellickson 9:30 and 11 pm: Joe Ellickson and Canticle Choir 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 Cantata the weekend of December 10/11—

Await Hope Joy Love

During a worship service, why do we sing? We pray, confess, pass the peace, and profess our Christian faith in the creeds. Why does music possess such a powerful—if not profound—ability to affect moods, strengthen faith, give courage? At times perhaps the softest of sopranos may be more meaningful than a well-delivered sermon. Hymns and spiritual songs sweetly invite the Holy Spirit among us.

It is with this in mind that the second weekend of December traditionally be dedicated to melody—even the selected Scripture readings tend to evoke a musical rhythm.

Performed by Bel Canto, Canticle Choir, and the Lord of Life orchestra led by Choir Director Lee Fuchs, all are welcome to ‘Await, Hope, Joy, and Love’ the Christ child.

Await

Come to Us The Angel Gabriel Blessed Is the Lord

Sorenson Raney Forrest

Hope

Be Thou My Vision Hark! I Hear the Harps Eternal Away in a Manger

Chilcott Carnahan

Joy

Joy to the World, with congregation See Amid the Winter’s Snow He Is Born

Love

Ratter Forrest Forrest

The Hands that First Held Mary’s Child Peace, Peace (Silent Night), with congregation

Forrest Bock

Sunday, Christmas Day, December 25, 9:45 am Pastor Chick Lane; Joe Ellickson & Val Lari Service with Holy Communion

<>

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

Worship and Music

Third Sunday, December 18, worship at 10 am at Good Samaritan - Ambassador in New Hope Third Wednesday, December 21, worship at 1 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 Worship and music schedules may be subject to change.

4 December 2016

... all

is calm,...

‘Sunday’ Night Live

This month’s SNL@LOL is on a Friday—and it’s a time of Christmas worship—complete with holy communion, the Christmas gospel story, and many of your favorite carols. Bring an unwrapped gift for someone in need. See Page 11 for a CROSS suggestion. Come for the music, leave with the message.

In its second year, SNL@LOL has welcomed anywhere from 55 faithful to 300+! We’ve worshipped both outside & inside, have had regulars & new folks each month, and we also have fun plans for the future! What we always have is good times with Scripture, community and the cross, snacks, drums and dancing.

Sunday, December 18: 3:30 and 6 pm All are welcome to the children’s Christmas musical, Sing We All Noel! Stay for light appetizers and fellowship.

Church School children will be participating on Sunday, December 18:

—Pastor Sarah

•

8:30 and 11 am Church School classes perform at the 3:30 pm performance

•

5:30 pm and 9:45 am classes perform at the 6 pm performance

•

Joyful Noise and Alleluia choirs will be in both performances and dress rehearsals

Dress rehearsal is Saturday, December 17: •

8:30 and 11 am classes rehearse from 9-10 am

•

5:30 pm and 9:45 am classes rehearse from 10:30-11:30 am

If you haven’t felt the funk yet—Friday, December 23, at 7 pm, is the time and Samaritan Hall is the place.

All are welcome!

Visit lordoflife.org/churchschool for word sheets and listening links.

December Devotions

Prepare your hearts for the coming of the Christ Child by listening to and reflecting on December devotions. Through the Holy Spirit, Senior Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren’s messages may be just what you need to begin a task-filled day with calm, spiritual strength. CDs will be available at the main church office by December 1. December devotions are also available at lordoflife.org/decdevos. If you would like to receive an email link to the devotions, visit lordoflife.org/enews.

Christmas Traditions

all is bright ...

Joy of Giving begins the weekend of November 26/27. Adult ministry leaders choose $5, $10, and $25 ‘wish list’ items for the ministries they serve. These are wonderful gift ideas for those ‘hard to shop for’ people—great teacher gifts, too. They may be given in memory of or in honor of someone as well.

Adult ministry representatives will be in Fellowship Hall each weekend through December 17/18.

One Mission One World’s Craft and Bake Sale is December 10/11, also in Fellowship Hall. There will be lots and lots of baked goods, craft items, and lefse! There will be a wide variety of items, including olive oil from the Holy Land.

Stop and shop—all proceeds benefit our missions and ministries. Everything is filled with love!

Worship and Music

.

Oh, come all ye faithful, and let’s get funky—

December 2016 5

baptisms

weddings

At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. The next baptism class is Sunday, December 4, at 11 am. No registration is necessary. To schedule a baptism, please call the church office.

October 1

Melinda DeGroot & Eric Lindberg

Melanie Hill & Corey Beck

October 2

Addison Ann Parks

Weston Ness Schoenbauer October 9

Thomas James Miller

Wynstan Elizabeth Okerlund

Elise Joy Yurik October 15

Alex Michael Schroer October 16

Oscar Charles Albers

Landon Johnathan Feehan

October 8

Lisa Walter & Kent Schmidt

Bria Lind & Jeff Hunnewell October 15

Melissa Gallus & Brett Czaplewski October 16

Laura Kloeckl & Adam Ward October 22

Emily Schmidt & Neal Aslesen

welcome

October 22

Reid Manning Hilk

Drake Edward Killian

Rori Mae McCoy

Patricia Argote-Muza with Isabella Muza

October 23

Zander Joseph Faiad

Maddie Brynn Holmgren

Wesley Cole Muellerleile

Jacob Steven Silvers

James Lee Tauer

Mark & Dana Johnson with Jack and Sam

Bruce & Carol Holland

Sharon Johnson Cory & Nickie McClure with Laci and Brynn Rich & Liz Melin

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.

Laura, Rhea, and Zack Busse and family at the death of their husband and father Becky Edeburn and family at the death of her father Tony Guadagno and family at the death of his father, and his mother two weeks later Paul LaGrange and family at the death of his father Alyssa Lund-Kyrola and family at the death of her grandfather Dave Lund and family at the death of his father Kaelie Lund and family at the death of her grandfather

Family of Faith

Jan, Erin, and Jayden Roehl and family at the death of their husband and father Mary Ann Schumacher and family at the death of her brother-in-law Sue Wilson and family at the death of her mother

6 December 2016

Trever & Kim Michels with Ali, Dani, Erin, and Alex Roger & Jeanne Myrkle with Logan and Mackenzie Evan & Angela Pengelly with Owen, Anders, and Lucas Brian & Kate Ohs with Ellen and Oliver Chris & Tracy Rossing with Erik, Elise, and Annabelle Steve & Amy Silvers with Kate and Jake 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, 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 Lord of Life’s family of faith.

Lord of Life’s

Family Faith of

Navigate the Holidays

Gift that Keeps on Giving

No registration is needed. Questions? Please contact Pastor Karen Sue (ksgreimel@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015 x144).

Celebrate Recovery meets every Tuesday (optional dinner 5:30-6:15 pm) with programming beginning at 6:30 pm. Childcare is provided. Questions? Contact Michelle Welinski (michellew@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015 x118).

Are you wondering how you are going to get through Christmas celebrations since experiencing the death of a loved one? Surviving the holidays will be the focus of GriefShare on Tuesdays, November 29 - December 20, at 6:30 pm. As a group you will watch short video clips, work through a small workbook, and share with one another hopes, fears, concerns, and strategies. You do not have to navigate the holidays alone. The workbook is $6 and can be purchased the first night. GriefShare is led by people who understand what you are going through. They, too, have experienced a loss and have come through difficult days.

Give yourself the best Christmas gift possible … the gift of surrender. If you’re struggling with a hurt, habit or hang-up (or put another way—a life issue), take time for yourself and come to Celebrate Recovery. The gift of surrender is free and available for all. You will meet men and women of all ages who are learning to surrender and experience the peace that comes with it.

You don’t have to navigate life alone and you don’t have to wait until the New Year to start healing.

Join in on Sunday mornings at 11 am—

Live a Praying Life

by Cynthia and Larry Pivec Are you discouraged about prayer? Have you come to the conclusion prayer only works for “other people” or that prayer is, at best, a hit-or-miss activity? Scripture says God intends for prayer to be the conduit that brings His power out of the spiritual realm and causes it to show up on earth. It also says the prayer of one righteous person will exercise force and produce results on earth. God makes astonishing claims about prayer’s power. Prayer is the key to everything—what God wants to do on earth is done through prayer.

Family of Faith

Prayer is so much more than words sandwiched between Dear God and Amen. We limit prayer’s power by misconceptions about what prayer is. In Lord of Life’s Prayer School, we continue to study Live a Praying Life, a DVD series

by Jennifer Kennedy Dean, executive director of the Praying Life Foundation and respected author and speaker.

It has been her heart-passion to teach others the deep truths about prayer that our Father has taught her. Join in at 11 am on January 22, January 29, February 5, and February 12, in the Luther Room.

December 2016 7

One Mission One World: The Holy Land—

Come and See

by Dave Hobson It seems like so long ago, yet it was only about a year ago when over 60 pilgrims from Lord of Life embarked on a Holy Land tour. My wife, Rose, and I were prepared in anticipation for this trip, but nothing could have prepared us for the events in our lives just prior to our leaving. Two of our family members passed away suddenly within two months before we left. The Lord’s timing is indeed strange—it didn’t seem right.

But the Lord’s timing is always right; it simply took this trip to the Holy Land to realize it.

One day we had some extra time after visiting Nazareth and took a side trip.

Just outside of Nazareth, we visited the Mount of Precipice—better known as The Lord’s Precipice where leaders of the synagogue wanted to throw Jesus off the top of this cliff claiming heresy after He proclaimed the words of the prophet Isaiah fulfilled in His coming.

When standing upon this precipice I was filled with fear ... I thought of the grave dangers our Lord and many martyrs faced when proclaiming the truth of the Gospel.

But something else also struck me when looking around from this mount. To the east you could see Mount Carmel, where Elijah cast out the worshipers of Baal, and to the south is Mount Tabor, the site of the transfiguration. You could see the Golan Heights next to the Sea of Galilee. Back to the east lies the Jezreel Valley, The Valley of Blood, with Megiddo, the site of many battles and prophesied in Revelation to be the location for the last battle at the end of the world. And just below us on the mount was the city of Nazareth where Jesus grew up and was rejected.

One Mission One World: The Holy Land

Overlooking all of these sites, reflecting on their importance in my faith, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit at that moment. Being there on that mountain was the entire, big story of our Bible taking place and yet they were all on such a small piece of land. I reflected upon John 1:46 when the disciple Philip told his brother Nathanael about Jesus. Nathanael said to Philip, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied, “Come and see.”

8

December 2016

In addition to the verse Dave references from the gospel of John, ‘Come and See’ is a tenet shared with Lord of Life pilgrims

by Pastor Mitri Raheb with Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem.

You are encouraged to learn more at lordoflife.org/theholyland.

On December 10/11, stop by the Craft and Bake Sale (see Page 5) to purchase olive oil from the Holy Land, which will benefit Palestinians and Lutheran World Federation health care patients in Jerusalem.

The Generous Month

by Pastor Chick Lane I’ve heard December referred to as the hectic month. I’ve also heard it referred to as the countdown to Christmas. I’m not too fond of either of these. However, I do like another nickname for December, the generous month.

December is the month when most people are thinking about giving. We certainly think about giving gifts as we celebrate Christmas, but there is more. The seemingly ever-present red kettles get us thinking about giving to those in need. Many people do some sort of secret Santa activity at work or school.

Lots of us do “year-end giving,” that results in many making gifts to non-profits which are important to us. Finally, December is the month when we want to make sure we complete financial commitments we have made to church and other organizations.

December is the generous month. I’d like to encourage you to make sure it is a generous month in your life. Here are a few ideas: •

•

•

•

Do your best to make sure Christmas gift giving is a joy-filled activity, not drudgery.

Spend some time thinking about each person on your list. Give thanks to God for each of them before and as you are buying a gift for them. How about stopping in the aisle (or in front of your computer) as you purchase a gift for someone and pray a quick prayer for them?

Have an intentional conversation with someone about year-end giving. If you make giving decisions with another person, sit down and think together about how much you want to give and where you want to give it.

Make a spontaneous gift to someone.

Perhaps you will want to make it an anonymous gift. Maybe there is someone at work, or someone in your neighborhood, who you think could benefit from the pickme-up that receiving a gift can bring.

Think about any organizations to which you have made a financial commitment for 2016. They are counting on you, and you will feel good about honoring those commitments.

How will December be the generous month for you?

Travel to Germany—

500th Anniversary

by Pastor Donna Rohrer Wittenberg, Germany, is a city that is the same as it was in Martin Luther’s day. World War II didn’t destroy it, so it is still much the same. Many of the things that belong in the city where Luther spent most of his life are here at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (mia) through January. What a great thing to be able to see them here and then again October 13-22, 2017, when they are back in the city where they belong. The deadline for signing up for our Germany trip is December 15. We need 20 travelers to make the trip work, so please let me know if you are interested or have questions. We need to get you signed up soon!

For more details, visit lordoflife.org/germany.

Budget Year-to-date October 2016 Actual

Total member contributions All other

$212,454

Total receipts

Budget

$2,745,235 $2,575,201

Difference $170,034

$219,482

($7,028)

$2,957,689 $2,794,683

$163,006

Lord of Life Weekly Giving — October 2016 $70,000 $60,000 $50,000 $40,000 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $0

10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 10/30

Actual Budget

$60,932 $52,275

$61,593 $52,275

$56,851 $52,275

$55,023 $66,413 = $300,812 $52,275 $52,275 = $209,100

Generosity December 2016 9

Older Wiser Lutherans december events

save the date

December 15: The ladies are at it again! Join in for a day of fun with Away in the Basement - A Church Basement Ladies’ Christmas at the Plymouth Playhouse. Enjoy lunch at Green Mill before the play. Leave church at 10:30 am and return by 4 pm. Cost is $24 plus cost of your lunch.

January 19: Russian Museum and box lunch at Patrick’s Bakery in Bachman’s. Immerse yourself in the art and culture of Russia with Winter Holidays in Russian. Leave at 9 am and return by 3 pm. $25 includes lunch.

December 1: He Is Coming ... Let’s Celebrate! Festivities begin at noon in Fellowship Hall with a freewill donation lunch. The River City Quartet will bring splendid vocal harmony with a splash of levity. Pastor Peter will share the good news of Christmas. Invite your friends ... let’s celebrate!

January 5: Faith, Food, and Fellowship - Cyber Crime.

What is it and how can we protect ourselves?

An FBI special agent is our guest. Come, be informed! Be blessed by God’s good news!

Be encouraged by fellowship and be filled with good food! Begin at noon with a freewill donation lunch.

December 21: Worship at Arbor Lakes at 1 pm and/or Rose Arbor Assisted Living at 2:30 pm

January 27: LifeTIMES labeling with the A-team in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am.

December 22 (note date change): LifeTIMES labeling with the A-team in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am.

See the bulletin board, contact Karen Nelson (763.420.5015 x138 or karenn@lordoflife.org), or visit lordoflife.org/owls for more details of upcoming events and to register.

Lifelong Learning

lordoflife.org/lifelonglearning

Looking ahead to the new year—

Lord of Life Ministries

January’s LifeTIMES will provide details on new Lifelong Learning opportunities. For now, these titles may pique your interest. Stay tuned!

10

December 2016

•

Body and Soul Yoga

•

The Churches of Revelation

•

Words and Music of Handel’s Messiah

•

The Apostles’ Creed for the New Millenium in Word for Women

•

Duck Dynasty’s Faith Commander - Living the Values of the Parables of Jesus Men’s Study

•

Why Lutheran? Forum by Luther Seminary President Robin Steinke on January 15 at 9:45 and 11 am

Christians Reaching Out in Social Service (CROSS)—

Holiday Partnership with CROSS

by Barb Mewaldt One of the things I have learned from Word for Women’s October book study, Enough, by Adam Hamilton, is that living more simply enables me to be more generous—and that generosity leads to a more joyful life.

Through generosity, CROSS is there for our neighbors every day; but as we approach the holiday season, CROSS clients have additional needs. This year on December 17, Lord of Life is once again privileged to partner with CROSS to host their holiday toy store. At this event, families who are registered with CROSS have an opportunity to select gifts for their children.

You may have already heard about the need for fleece tie blankets and Christmas stockings for the toy store. Gifts for boys and teenagers are often in short supply, so fleece tie blankets are always a great gift for this group. Also, did you know that every family who shops at the toy store receives a Christmas stocking for every child in the family? That’s over 900 Christmas stockings!

Making a tie blanket and/or decorating Christmas stockings would be a great family project. It’s a concrete activity that builds generous habits, while at the same time reminding us to be grateful for our many blessings. If you would like to provide an unwrapped gift for a neighbor in need, a list of suggested items is in the Service Center or at lordoflife.org/cross.

CROSS is also in need of holiday foods such as baking supplies, canned yams, cans of fruit, boxed potatoes, boxed rice, boxed pasta, gravy, stuffing, or a $10 grocery store gift card that allows families to purchase a turkey, ham, or chicken. From December 1-15, all donations may be dropped off in the Service Center. In advance, thank you for your generosity helping local families in need during this holy Christmas season.

Faith, Fellowship, and Football—

Midseason Gridiron Report

December 2016

Lord of Life Ministries

by Commissioner Chris Tollefson In August, almost 40 guys kicked off Faith, Fellowship, and Football with a fantasy football draft at Lord of Life. With three leagues—two in person and one online—the drafts were an especially fun way to get to know each other and talk a little football.

Since then, we have had two groups meeting weekly to study David Wall’s book, The Ultimate Scoring Drive. Pastor Dave McCarty and David Wall lead us through a chapter at a time with questions and discussion. We end in prayer and then enjoy watching Monday Night Football and having fellowship. This has been a great way to meet new guys, pray, and study about being a follower of Christ. It is wonderful to be part of a group of men who share how Christ is working in our lives and how it strengthens our faith.

11

For 135 third graders, parents placed a Bible into their hands fulfilling a baptismal promise.

Visit Lord of Life’s Facebook pages for more photos of this event as well as the confirmation services shown below!

december schedule

C3 is Christ, Community, and Confirmation for middle school/high school Sundays: December 4 and 11 5-6 pm: C3 groups 5:15-6:30 pm: Family meal 6-7 pm: C3 groups 7-8 pm Explore middle school youth group

Express high school youth group Wednesdays: December 7 and 14 4:30-5:30 pm: C3 groups 5:30-6:30 pm: Family meal 6:30-7:30 pm: C3 groups

Everyone is welcome for Explore and Express on Sunday nights! If you have questions, visit lordoflife.org/c3 or contact Neil Christians (neilc@lordoflife.org) or Elizabeth Pedersen (elizabethp@lordoflife.org).

High School Field Trip Saturday, December 17 8:30 am – 2:30 pm Cost: $10 We will be volunteering with Open Arms MN delivering meals to people living with chronic illness—then lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings—all are welcome! Sign up at lordoflife.org/highschool.

High School Ski Retreat

Save the dates, February 16-20, 2017, for a trip to Bozeman, Montana! Open to all in grades 9-12. More information is at lordoflife.org/hsskiretreat.

Lord of Life Ministries

Renewing their baptismal promises, Lord of Life had 169 youth in four services for the rite of confirmation.

12 December 2016

Winter Release Day

On January 16, 2017, there is no school! Youth in 1st - 5th grade are invited to a day of fun from 8 am to 5 pm featuring games, activities, a service project, and an exciting offsite activity. So, save the date, with more details and registration open on December 1 at lordoflife.org/releaseday.

Middle School ULTIMATE Lock-In

Save the date: January 27, 2017, for the middle school ULTIMATE Lock-In!

You are a child of God, loved beyond measure. God’s blessings to all 2016 confirmands and families!

Lord of Life Ministries December 2016 13

Parent Night Out (PNO)

Church School Update

Friday, December 2, 6–10 pm Birth–5th grade, $15/child

Parents—here’s a great time for Christmas shopping!

Bring your child(ren) here for a fun night of faith-filled activities. Proceeds go to A Work of Love (AWOL) and One Mission One World (1M1W) ministry participants. Parents may stop in Fellowship Hall from 9-10 pm for dessert and coffee. Register at lordoflife.org/ parentnightout.

Christmas Musical

Church School children, ages 3 – 6th grade, are invited to join Lord of Life’s children’s choirs for an annual Christmas program. We are preparing for this during Church School each week. See schedule below as well as Pages 3-5 for details about December’s worship/music ministries and events.

December 3/4: Hope

2 year old parent/child class

3 years-6th grade – regular Church School December 10/11: Joy

3 years-6th grade – regular Church School December 17/18: Church School sings in worship

3 years-6th grade – regular Church School

Saturday: At 5 pm meet in Fellowship Hall to

practice, worship with families at 5:30 pm, come

forward to sing

Sunday: Check in at regular classroom and

pick up in Samaritan Hall December 24/25: Merry Christmas!

Worship with family December 31/January 1: Happy New Year!

Worship with family January 7/8: Church School resumes

5:30 pm and 9:45 am Church School Children:

Rehearsal Saturday, December 17 9-10 am

Program Sunday, December 18 6 pm (reception after program) 8:30 am and 11 am Church School Children:

Rehearsal Saturday, December 17 10:30-11:30 am

Program Sunday, December 18 3:30 pm (reception after program)

At home, at school, at play—

where is ‘Christ at’ in your life?

From one-year-olds to 69-year-olds, about 80 Lord of Lifers attended the Kalahari Family Retreat in Wisconsin. Our theme was “Listen” learning about God appearing to Elijah in a gentle whisper and God’s voice through Jesus in the Beatitudes. We listened to God and to our families. We’d

Lord of Life Ministries

love to have you join in next year—there’s a place for you!

Kalahari 2016

14 December 2016

December Bible Verse: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

Merry Christmas!

by Karing Kingdom Director Angie Scheibel Welcome to the month of December when we begin with the letter A for alphabet. Letter recognition, capital and lowercase letters, and practicing with our names are included in the first week’s activities. December’s Kindness Project is ringing bells for the Salvation Army at Cub Foods in Maple Grove on Friday, December 2, from 10 am -12 pm.

The next two weeks preschoolers will learn about the letter C for Christmas. Santa Claus will be coming to Karing Kingdom along with his favorite reindeer friend, Rudolph. Kris Kringle’s kitchen will be open to bake and create holiday treats and make fun Christmas crafts.

A Christmas Prayer Celebrate Christmas with this beautiful collection of prayers, simple rhyming text, and delightful illustrations by Sanja Rešček—this book will become a treasured family favorite.

We end the month of December celebrating the birth of Jesus. The nativity, wise men, angels, and Chapel Chat will be included in Jesus’ birthday celebration. Our Christmas program will be on Thursday, December 15, at 7 pm in the sanctuary. On Friday, December 16, at 10 am will be an in-school family theater production featuring DayTrippers Theatre performing Furry Tails with a Twist; cookies and milk will be served afterwards. No regular classes will be held that day. Karing Kingdom will be closed December 19 - January 2. We wish you a blessed, holy Christmas and a happy new year!

December 5/6 will be parent ‘meet and greet’ holiday gatherings. Morning classes meet from 10:30-11:30 am and afternoon classes meet from 12:30-1:30 pm.

Registration for currently enrolled families for the 2017-18 school year will begin on Thursday, December 1. For more information about Karing Kingdom Preschool, contact us at kingdom@lordoflife.org or call 763.420.5015 x127.

All lined up ...

and ready to go ...

it was a happy Halloween!

Karing Kingdom Preschool December 2016 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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LifeTIMES is a monthly ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church printed by Wallace Carlson Printing using ecofriendly inks.

To receive LifeTIMES in the mail or electronically—call 763.420.5015 or stop in the church office or email office@lordoflife.org with your name & address. We invite you to share faith stories, Lord of Life ministry events, photos, poetry & artwork.

Submissions may be edited. Deadline for the January issue is December 1. Copyright © 2016 Lord of Life Lutheran Church

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

Save the dates—Fare for All is here on: December 1, January 5, February 2 December’s holiday package is a spiral-cut ham, whole chicken, chicken strips, ground beef (2), mixed vegetables (2), and an apple pie for $30— Merry Christmas!

caught reading lifetimes

During the October school release day, Owen, Thomas, and Devon (left to right) were caught reading LifeTIMES—learn about January’s release day on Page 13!

16 December 2016

Although not tethered by the elephant’s tail, Brooklyn led a Kalahari caravan for the family retreat—see group photo on Page 14!